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Top 5 Balanced Mutual Funds
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ShareBalanced funds provide investors with the convenience of buying into a single fund rather holding both equity and bond funds. This category of funds also reduces a portfolio’s volatility while providing higher returns than pure fixed income investments. Fund managers of such funds also enjoy the flexibility of varying the proportion of equity and fixed income investments in response to market conditions. An upswing may prompt them to hold a relatively higher share of equity in order to maximize gains; whereas a downturn sees them turning to fixed income investments to stem losses.
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.
American Century Balanced (TWBIX) seeks both capital growth and current income. Around 60% of the fund’s assets are utilized to purchase equity securities and the balance is used to acquire fixed income instruments. It focuses on acquiring large cap stocks and a wide range of high and medium grade fixed income securities.
The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.91% compared to a category average of 1.03%.
Buffalo Balanced (BUFBX) invests in a mix of domestic common and preferred stocks, convertible securities, and debt. The fund’s debt investments may be rated as well as unrated and may include securities rated below investment grade. The balanced mutual fund has a five year annualized return of 5.12%.
The Fund Manager is John C. Kornitzer and he has managed this balanced mutual fund since 2003.
Natixis Income Diversified A (IIDPX) seeks current income with a secondary objective of capital growth. The fund invests in equity and fixed-income securities which generate income. It aims to holds a wide range of varied income generating securities. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 9.79%.
The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 1.19% compared to a category average of 0.91%.
Ivy Balanced A (IBNAX) invests in a diversified portfolio of equity, debt and short term instruments, the composition of which depends on current market conditions. The fund focuses on investing in large and mid-cap companies which pay regular dividends. The balanced mutual fund has a ten year annualized return of 5.45%.
As of March 2011, this balanced mutual fund held 131 issues, with 2.95% of its total assets invested in Toyota Motor Credit Corp.
Virtus Balanced A (PHBLX) seeks income and capital appreciation over the long term. The fund utilizes at least 65% of its assets to purchase domestic and foreign common stocks and fixed income securities. The fund invests in companies regardless of their size and purchases emerging market securities. The balanced mutual fund returned 16.85% over the last one year period.
Robert E. Bishop is the fund manager and has managed this balanced fund since 2009.
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.
Read the full analyst report on TWBIX
Read the full analyst report on BUFBX
Read the full analyst report on IIDPX
Read the full analyst report on IBNAX
Read the full analyst report on PHBLX
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| Market Summary | May 26, 2012 14:48 pm ET |
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