$50,000 CD vs. $50,000 money market account: Which will earn more interest in 2026?
#certificate of deposit #money market account #interest rates #inflation #savings #2026 #fixed rate #variable rate #rate comparison #banking products #saver decisions #financial planning #money market rate
📌 Key Takeaways
- Both a $50,000 CD and a $50,000 money market account currently offer similar returns for the year 2026.
- At 3 months, the money market outperforms the CD by $12.14; at 6 months, the CD outperforms by $12.25; at 9 months, both earn the same interest.
- The CD’s rate is fixed at maturity, while the money market rate is variable and could change with market conditions.
- Inflation has declined, signaling that high interest rates may soon taper, making current rates advantageous to lock in.
- Savers should weigh fixed vs. variable rates, potential fee structures, and liquidity needs when choosing between the two accounts.
📖 Full Retelling
Who: Matt Richardson, senior managing editor for CBS News’ Managing Your Money section; What: A comparative analysis of the interest earned on a $50,000 certificate of deposit versus a $50,000 money market account in the remainder of 2026; Where: Published in the CBS News MoneyWatch section; When: February 19, 2026; Why: To help savers decide which savings vehicle will generate higher returns amid falling inflation and potential interest‑rate cuts.
🏷️ Themes
Personal Finance, Savings Vehicles, Interest Rate Movements, Economic Indicators, Investment Decision-Making
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Original Source
MoneyWatch: Managing Your Money $50,000 CD vs. $50,000 money market account: Which will earn more interest in 2026? We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. By Matt Richardson Matt Richardson Sr. Managing Editor, Managing Your Money Matt Richardson is the senior managing editor for the Managing Your Money section for CBSNews.com. He writes and edits content about personal finance ranging from savings to investing to insurance. Read Full Bio Matt Richardson February 19, 2026 / 12:27 PM EST / CBS News Add CBS News on Google A decline in inflation in the report released last week, as welcome as the news was for millions of Americans, underscored an important point for savers – the days of high interest rates earned on their savings accounts could soon become a thing of the past. Elevated interest rates in the economic terrain of recent years have been ubiquitous, with savers easily able to earn rates of 4%, 5% or even 6% and 7% on certificate of deposit , high-yield savings and money market accounts . But many of those rates are now gone, with savers fortunate if they can secure one of 4% or a bit better right now. And even those could soon be gone for the foreseeable future if cooling inflation leads to rate cuts in the months ahead. They're not gone yet , however, especially for prospective CD and money market account holders. Both accounts have attractive rates right now, and both can be a viable home for savers looking to park a large, five-figure amount like $50,000. By depositing this much money into either account, savers can still earn a respectable return, and they'll safeguard their principal in a way they otherwise won't be able to by investing in stocks or alternative assets. Before jumping in, however, it helps to know how much interest each account type actually offers savers right now, in the remaining months of 2026. Below, we'll crunch the numbers. See how much inter...
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