When cash pays 5%, why hold shares at all?

For years, cash had to apologise for itself. It was safe, certainly, but the return was miserable. Cash can now look investors in the eye with a promise of return that beats inflation.The best one-year savings accounts pay about 5%, with no stock market drama and no risk of waking up to find your investment has fallen sharply. It is a fair question to ask: are shares worth the risk at all, or is saving better than investing?The answer starts with time. Cash is for money you may need soon and sha