How can I work my liquid assets harder?
Liquidity means more than just cash and government bonds. By diversifying across liquidity sub-asset classes investors can build robust portfolios with attractive returns while maximising regulatory capital efficiency.
Liquidity
We invest in liquid securities across markets and geographies. By actively diversifying we deliver robust liquidity.
Capital preservation
We allocate to the highest credit quality securities, minimising the likelihood of drawdown during period of market stress.
Stable returns above cash
By accessing the broadest possible liquidity opportunity set we aim to generate incrementally higher returns than cash.
Optimise your liquidity
We can help investors build optimal liquidity portfolios by diversifying cash allocations across the liquidity sub-asset classes, maximising regulatory capital efficiency and potentially delivering higher yields than cash.
Figure 1: Liquidity optimisation

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
Source: Aviva Investors, as at 31 March 2025.
Types of assets we use within our strategies
Sovereign, Supranational and Agency Debt (SSA)
Sovereigns, supranationals and agencies are some of the most liquid fixed income instruments in the world. They typically carry high ratings and may benefit from low capital charges. The SSA opportunity set is substantial and enables diversification across geographies and currencies.

Covered bonds
Covered bonds are debt obligations issued by banks backed by a “cover pool”, usually of mortgages. Because of this extra layer of protection - sometimes referred to as dual recourse - covered bonds are typically rated AAA and benefit from low capital charges.

STS ABS
Asset-backed securities (ABS) are securities issued by standalone vehicles (known as SPVs), backed by pools of underlying assets. Highly rated ABS can offer materially higher yields than comparably rated securities. When issued in the simple, transparent and standardised (STS) format, these bonds attract lower capital charges for insurers.

Liquidity insights
Investment thinking that brings together the collective insight of Aviva Investors’ teams from across the globe on the key themes influencing markets.
-
Bond Voyage: A journey into fixed income
4 Apr 2025
This month, our fixed income teams discuss the drivers behind emerging and developed market convergence, what the US hybrid boom has in store, the continued popularity of money-market funds, and the ups and downs of high yield.
-
Bond Voyage: A journey into fixed income
10 Mar 2025
This month, our fixed income teams discuss the boom in hybrid issuance and weigh up the risks and opportunities of potential tariffs, interest rate moves and fiscal dynamics.
-
Bond Voyage: A journey into fixed income
10 Feb 2025
As we negotiate an uncertain landscape, our fixed income teams reflect on potential sources of resilience.
-
The cash conundrum: Five things to know about cash, saving and investing
7 Feb 2025
In this article, we explore the logic behind holding assets in cash, the difference between saving and investment, and why a longer-term focus may help investors achieve their objectives.
-
Liquidity outlook for 2025: Credit, yield, regulation, positioning – what to expect for the year ahead
22 Jan 2025
The conditions for investing in liquidity look broadly favourable for 2025, but that’s not to say it will be plain sailing.
-
Bond Voyage: A journey into fixed income
13 Jan 2025
With a new US president poised to take office, central banks diverging and ongoing political uncertainty, how are the key fixed income asset classes positioned for the year ahead?
-
US election 2024: Some initial thoughts from our fund managers
6 Nov 2024
Aviva Investors fund managers Edward Hutchings, Liam Spillane and Max Burns offer their initial thoughts on what the US election means for financial markets.
-
Bond Voyage: A journey into fixed income
4 Nov 2024
This month, our fixed-income investment teams discuss US elections, IMF meetings, US versus European high yield, managing declining rates for cash, and what the future might hold in store for gilts.
-
An ABS renaissance? Why it may be time for insurers to reconsider asset-backed securities
2 Sep 2024
Securitisation performs a vital role in capital markets and asset-backed securities have historically been a core holding for insurance companies. This article revisits the investment thesis for ABS and explores why the stage may be set for something of a renaissance.
-
Liquidity optimisation for insurers: Building a bespoke portfolio solution
9 Jul 2024
In this part of our liquidity optimisation series, we look at how bespoke liquidity portfolios that take into account the interplay between different assets can suit the needs of insurers.
-
A bigger splash: How much liquidity do I need?
1 Jul 2024
The importance of holding liquidity is well understood by large institutions. But how much is enough? In the first part of our new article series on liquidity optimisation, Alastair Sewell investigates the key considerations for different investor types.
-
Testing the water: The regulatory outlook for liquidity funds
4 Apr 2024
The Financial Conduct Authority has proposed material changes to money market funds. We look into the implications for investors.
-
Rates, regulation and the dash for cash: The outlook for liquidity investors in 2024
10 Jan 2024
Alastair Sewell answers the seven key questions on the minds of liquidity investors heading into 2024.
-
Three, two, one…Cash returns set for lift-off
7 Sep 2023
With interest rates set to remain higher for longer and inflation gradually falling, money market funds can offer investors a way to access positive real yields on cash, says Alastair Sewell.
-
Better late than never: European Commission constructive on money market funds
23 Aug 2023
After the European Commission released its long-awaited assessment report on European money market fund regulation, Alastair Sewell discusses the main implications for investors.
-
Cash is king (again): Higher rates spurring interest in money market funds
19 Jul 2023
Members of Aviva Investors’ liquidity team explain why rising global interest rates and problems in the US banking sector are fuelling demand for money market funds.
House View
No one can predict the future. But our quarterly House View sets out the collective wisdom of our investment teams on the current state of global markets – and where they might be heading.

An ABS renaissance? Why it may be time for insurers to reconsider asset-backed securities
Learn about the investment thesis for asset-backed securities and why the stage is set for something of a revival.

Key risks
Investment risk and currency risk
The value of an investment and any income from it can go down as well as up and can fluctuate in response to changes in currency and exchange rates. Investors may not get back the original amount invested.