U.S. securities regulators, under pressure from the asset-management industry, are preparing to exempt a majority of money-market mutual funds from a central plank of rules intended to curb risks in the $2.6 trillion market, the Wall Street Journal reported today. The Securities and Exchange Commission, poised to implement structural changes to money funds in coming months, is expected to broaden an exemption for mom-and-pop retail investors from requirements that certain money funds abandon their signature $1 share price and float in value like other mutual funds. Supporters of a floating share price argue it would train investors to accept slight fluctuations in the value of their shares and not panic if they fall below the $1 price.
