Unassigned Purposes Segment

C

The correct answer is C. Free cash.

In a portfolio of short-term marketable securities, there are typically two segments: assigned and unassigned. Assigned securities are those that have been designated for a specific purpose, such as paying bills or meeting a future expense. Unassigned securities are those that are available for any purpose.

The marketable securities available for unassigned purposes at the current time is referred to as the free cash segment. Free cash is essentially the portion of a portfolio that is not earmarked for any specific purpose and can be used for any future investment opportunities or liquidity needs.

Option A, ready cash, typically refers to cash that is readily available for immediate use, such as cash in a checking account or a savings account.

Option B, controlled cash, refers to cash that is subject to certain controls or restrictions, such as cash held in a trust account or cash that is being held pending the outcome of a legal dispute.

Option D, cash and cash equivalent, includes all cash-like assets that can be easily converted into cash, such as bank deposits, treasury bills, and money market funds. However, this term does not specifically refer to the unassigned portion of a portfolio of short-term marketable securities.

Therefore, option C, free cash, is the correct answer to the question.