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.

Fidelity Balanced (FBALX) seeks to provide both capital appreciation and income. Around 60% of the fund’s assets are utilized to purchase equity securities. The balance is invested in debt securities, including those of lower quality. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 10.61%.

The balanced mutual fund has a minimum initial investment of $2,500 and an expense ratio of 0.59% compared to a category average of 0.99%.

AllianceBernstein Balanced Shares A (CABNX) invests in a wide range of equity and debt instruments. 60% to 75% of its assets are utilized to purchase stocks. Debt securities comprise 40% to 60% of its investments. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 11.6%.

The Fund Manager is Michael DePalma and he has managed this balanced mutual fund since 2012.

Wells Fargo Advantage Growth Balanced (NVGBX) seeks both capital growth and current income. At present, the fund’s portfolio consists of the different equity and fixed income of various master portfolios. As per the fund’s “neutral” target allocation 655 of its assets are invested in equities and 35% in bonds. The balanced mutual fund has a three year annualized return of 10.29%.

As of September 2012, this balanced mutual fund held 2740 issues, with 15.34% of its total assets invested in S+p 500 Index Futures Dec12 Xiom

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 8.62%.

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 0.99%.

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 11.71%.

The Fund Manager is James T. Swanson and he has managed this balanced mutual fund since 2006.

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 at http://www.zacks.com/funds.


View All Zacks #1 Ranked Mutual Funds
 
(CABNX): ETF Research Reports
 
(DIFAX): ETF Research Reports
 
(FBALX): ETF Research Reports
 
(HOLBX): ETF Research Reports
 
(NVGBX): ETF Research Reports
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.
 
Zacks Investment Research