Top 5 Balanced Mutual Funds - Best of Funds
Benzinga 15 years ago
Investors looking at both long term capital growth and regular income would do well to consider balanced funds. Balanced funds ensure that gains from rising markets are accompanied by relatively lower levels of risk since they can utilize the strengths of equity as well as fixed income securities. The composition of their portfolios also ensures that the capital invested is protected during a market downturn. Moreover, many funds in this category keep the relative shares of equity, debt and money market instruments fluid to enable them to respond to changing market conditions.
Below we will share with you 5 top rated balanced mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) as we expect the fund to outperform its peers in the future. To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all balanced funds, then click here.
Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Balanced (NVGBX) seeks total return, both current income and capital appreciation. It invests in both equity master and fixed-income portfolios, concentrating on equity portfolios. It utilizes 65% of its assets to purchase equity and 35% to purchase assets in debt securities. The balanced mutual fund returned 10.56% in the last one year period.
The balanced mutual fund has an expense ratio of 0.95% compared to a category average of 1.01%.
J Hancock Balanced A (SVBAX) invests in a well diversified portfolio of equity and debt securities. At least 25% of its assets are invested in equity securities and not more than 25% is used to purchase senior debt securities. The balanced mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 7.37%.
The balanced mutual fund manager is Roger C. Hamilton and he has managed this balanced fund since 2003.
Thrivent Balanced A (AABFX) seeks to provide both long term capital appreciation and a steady income flow. Up to 35-75% of its stocks are invested in common stocks, 25-50% in fixed-income securities and up to 40% in money market instruments. This balanced mutual fund returned 12.54% over the last one year period.
As of September 2010, this balanced mutual fund held 268 issues, with 4.99% of its total assets invested in FHLBA.
State Farm Balanced (STFBX) invests 60% to 75% of its assets in common stocks. At least 25% of its assets are used to purchase fixed income securities. This includes preferred stock and debt securities with longer maturity periods; rated investment grade. The balanced mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 3.79%. The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $250 and an expense ratio of 0.14% compared to a category average of 1.01%.
Alpine Dynamic Balance (ADBYX) seeks capital growth. The fund invests in a mix of large cap domestic stocks and fixed income securities of superior quality. It may utilize up to 75% of its assets to purchase fixed-income securities. The balanced mutual fund returned 11.98% over the last one year period.
The balanced mutual fund manager is Samuel A. Lieber and he has managed this balanced fund since 2001.
To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all balanced mutual funds, then click here.
About Zacks Mutual Fund Rank
By applying the Zacks Rank to mutual funds, investors can find funds that not only outpaced the market in the past but are also expected to outperform going forward. Learn more about the Zacks Mutual Fund Rank at http://www.zacks.com/funds/mutualfund/
View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds
Zacks Investment Research