The move seemed intended to quell potential investor nervousness.
And fund experts say that investor nervousness shows no sign of clearing.
And the movement of money into money market funds is just one indication of investor nervousness.
Traders said the market's volatility this week was a result of investor nervousness about the turmoil in China.
Reflecting investor nervousness over the political climate, Brazil's volatile stock markets dropped by 25 percent last week.
In some economists' views, South Africa is just another victim of investor nervousness about emerging markets.
The move seemed intended to quell potential investor nervousness about Kidder's portfolio of illiquid assets.
Analysts attributed the decline to investor nervousness over the scheduled release Monday of the company's fourth-quarter earnings.
By the end of August, investor nervousness had spread to stocks, with sharp market declines in the United States and elsewhere.
Precious-metals futures rallied on the Comex, partly reflecting investor nervousness about the stock market.