Marketable Securities Definition and Explanation

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Quick Definition

Company investments that can easily be converted into cash.

Explanation of Marketable Securities

Listed on the Balance Sheet, Marketable Securities includes securities, or investments that can quickly and easily converted into cash. If a company invests some of its cash for the short-term (less than a year), this is where the cash goes. The company will use their cash to buy temporary investments like notes, certificates, bonds, and U.S. Treasury Bills – all low risk securities that can be liquidated into cash should the company need these extra reserves.

Importance of Marketable Securities

For companies that are financial institutions (banks), and insurance companies, Marketable Securities are a significant portion of their income. Depending on the industry of other companies, this line item on the Balance Sheet should be relatively small. For example, manufacturing companies might have some Marketable Securities, but this figure should pale in comparison to their Inventories, and Net Property Plant Equipment figures.