Composition of Balanced Mutual Funds
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Composition of Balanced Mutual Funds
When you buy shares in a balanced mutual fund, you are participating in a specific investment strategy designed to provide income and growth and safety. The mix of investments included in the fund is crucial to meeting these goals.
Things To Know
- Balanced funds generally establish guidelines for investing in each asset.
- When deciding on a balanced fund, examine the fund’s guidelines for asset allocation.
Investments made in a balanced fund are broken down into asset classes. An asset class is simply an investment type. The three main asset classes in balanced funds are the following:
- Stocks
- Bonds
- Cash
How balanced funds treat these assets
The percentage of money the fund invests in each asset class is known as its asset allocation. Balanced funds generally establish guidelines as to how much of their value can be invested in each asset. These guidelines, which are printed in the prospectuses, let investors know how their money will be invested within the funds. For example, many balanced funds will limit their stock investments to no more than 60 percent of their total value.
Some balanced funds limit themselves to the two or three main asset classes, while others invest in a wider array of assets. Some funds focus only on assets from the United States, while others hold international assets as well. By combining assets with different characteristics in one portfolio, an investor can potentially achieve higher returns with lower risk over the long term than with a portfolio limited to one asset class.
When approaching a balanced fund
When deciding on a balanced fund, examine the fund’s guidelines for asset allocation. Matching a fund’s allocation to the level of risk you are willing to accept is an important part of choosing a balanced fund. For example, a fund that allocates a greater portion of its assets to stock will generally have a higher level of risk.
If you are looking for diversification and asset allocation, a balanced mutual fund might be for you. However, do not confuse a balanced fund with an asset allocation fund. Check the prospectuses before investing to be sure that the fund meets your investment goals and risk tolerance.
