By creating a diversified portfolio of both stocks and bonds, balanced funds ensure that they harness the inherent strengths of both classes of instruments. Most of the competently managed funds in this category keep the proportion of assets invested in different asset classes flexible and make adjustments in keeping with prevailing market conditions. This ensures that fixed-income securities protect the portfolio from losses during a downturn while equity securities harness maximum gains from a rising market.

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, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

Holland Balanced (HOLBX) invests in both equity securities and fixed income securities rated investment grade. The fund focuses on acquiring common stocks and domestic government securities and treasury inflation protected securities. A maximum of 25% of its assets are invested in money market instruments of high quality. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 9.34%.

The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.50% compared to a category average of 1.00%.

MFS Diversified Income A (DIFAX) seeks current income, with a secondary objective of capital growth. The fund invests in a wide variety of equity and debt securities issued by domestic and foreign entities. It may purchase convertible and emerging market securities. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 14.13%.

James T. Swanson is the fund manager and has managed this balanced mutual fund since 2006.

Davis Appreciation & Income A (RPFCX) invests in common stock and preferred stock, bonds as well as cash. The fund focuses on investing in domestic firms, but may also invest in foreign companies. It selects common stock issued by growth oriented companies, regardless of their size. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 9.91%.

As of June 2012, this balanced mutual fund held 50 issues, with 4.87% of its total assets invested in Tyson Foods Cv 3.25%.

MEMBERS Diversified Income A (MBLAX) seeks both income and capital growth. The fund purchases a wide range of securities such as common stocks, real estate securities, domestic and foreign bonds, foreign stocks and money market securities. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 10.36%.

The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $1,000 and an expense ratio of 1.10% compared to a category average of 0.89%.

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 three year annualized return of 11.63%.

Cynthia P. Prince-Fox is the fund manager and has managed this balanced mutual fund since 2003.

To view the Zacks Rank and past performance of all balanced mutual funds, investors can click here to see the complete list of funds.

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 .


View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds
 
(DIFAX): ETF Research Reports
 
(HOLBX): ETF Research Reports
 
(IBNAX): ETF Research Reports
 
(MBLAX): ETF Research Reports
 
(RPFCX): ETF Research Reports
 
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