IntroductionAs we know, there are 4 main balanced mutual funds. They are aggressive allocation, moderate allocation, conservative allocation, and world allocation. The moderate allocation fund typically has higher assets in stocks or equities (about 50%-70%). The rest of assets are invested in bonds or fixed income & cash.
Top moderate allocation funds
These top moderate allocation balanced funds are selected based on its long term performance. All of these mutual funds don’t have a sales load. You can find the fund review and other fund information below such as the track record, expense ratio, fund manager, top holdings, etc.
The 6 best no load moderate allocation balanced mutual funds of 2012 are:
- RiverNorth Core Opportunity (RNCOX)
- Intrepid Capital (ICMBX)
- Villere Balanced Inv (VILLX)
- ASTON/Montag & Caldwell Balanced N (MOBAX)
- FBR Balanced Investor (AFSAX)
- Buffalo Flexible Income (BUFBX)
This RiverNorth Core Opportunity fund is a 5-star rated balanced mutual fund. Its objective is to provide investors a balance of long term capital growth and income. It invests in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and short term cash. This fund of funds invests in closed end funds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, REIT and cash. The fund managers are Patrick Galley and Stephen O’Neill.
As a moderate allocation mutual fund, it has a dividend yield of 4.16%. The total assets are $535 million. Its expense ratio is 2.32%. It limited to new investors. This best fund has a 5-year average return of 6.49%. The top 2 sectors are financial services and technology.
2. Intrepid Capital (Ticker: ICMBX)
The Intrepid Capital fund utilizes its assets to purchase small & mid-capitalization common stocks and high yield bonds. The fund’s CUSIP number is 461195208. The current expense ratio is 1.40%. This no load fund has a yield of 1.58%.
This best moderate allocated mutual fund is available through 59 brokerages. They are E*trade Financial, TD Ameritrade, Fidelity Retail FundsNetwork NTF, TIAA-CREF Brokerage Services, etc. It has its best 1-year total return in 2009 with 31.28%.
As of April 2012, the top 5 holdings are Newmont Mining Corp, Berkshire Hathaway Inc, Regis Corp, Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc, and Bank of New York Mellon Corp. For its equity characteristics, the median market cap is $1.9 billion and the portfolio price/book is 1.65 times.
3. Villere Balanced Inv (MUTF: VILLX)
The Villere Balanced fund is recognized as a Lipper best fund award for 2012. It is the top mixed-asset target allocation growth fund for 3- & 5-year periods (ended 11/30/2011). The Villere Balanced fund aim is to achieve long term capital appreciation with capital preservation and balanced by current income. George Young has managed this balanced fund since 1999.
New: Top Retirement Income Funds for 2013
The minimum initial investment requirement is $2,000. The 3-year beta risk is 1.28. This 5-star moderate allocation mutual fund has a yield of 0.68%. The investment style is mid growth. The top 5 sectors include technology, consumer defensive, consumer cyclical, industrials, and energy.
4. ASTON/Montag & Caldwell Balanced N (MOBAX)
Rated with 4-stars rating, this ASTON/Montag & Caldwell Balanced fund uses its assets to buy equity, fixed income, and short term securities. Ronald E. Canakaris has managed this balanced fund since 2004.
This moderate allocation fund has returned 7.84% over the past 1 year, 9.81% over the past 3 year, and 4.35% over the past 5 year. Its worst 1-year total return was occurred in 2208 with -19.40%. The total net assets are only $33.5 million. You can buy this fund with $2,500 initial funding.
As of June 2012, the top 5 sectors breakdown is as follow: 22.66% in corporate bonds, 12.93% in consumer staples, 12.81% in information technology, 12.22% in U.S. government bonds, and 9.14% in consumer discretionary. The top 5 holdings are cash (10.31%), Coca-Cola Co (2.66%), Abbott Laboratories (2.65%), Apple Inc (2.56%), and Qualcomm Inc (2.45%).
5. FBR Balanced Investor (MUTF: AFSAX)
The FBR Balanced fund is rated with 5 star rating. It has a yield of 1.73%. This no load fund has $211 million of total assets. Its expense ratio is 1.24%. This fund invests in a combination of domestic common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible securities, corporate bonds, and government bonds.
As one of the best moderate allocation funds, it has a 5-year annualized return of 4.14%. In 2011, it managed to rank in top 1% among its peers with 10.61% return.
6. Buffalo Flexible Income (BUFBX)
The Buffalo Flexible Income fund has a low holdings turnover rate of 19%. Its objective is to provide long term capital appreciation and to generate high current income. The fund managers are John C. Kornitzer and Paul Dlugosch.
You can buy this moderate allocation mutual fund with $2,500 initial investment. The fund has an annual expense ratio of 1.01%. The current yield is 3.88%.
Note: These best funds may be suitable for 2013 investment as well.
Other best moderate allocation mutual funds are
- Janus Balanced D (JANBX): Limited to new investors
- WesMark Balanced (WMBLX): high expense fee, small total assets
- LKCM Balanced (LKBAX): small net assets, low yield
- Mairs & Power Balanced Inv (MAPOX): decent yield
- FPA Crescent (FPACX): Low minimum initial investment requirement
- Oakmark Equity & Income I (OAKBX): closed to new investors
- Vanguard Wellington Fund (VWELX): Gold-rated fund, low expense ratio fee
- T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation (PRWCX): Good track record
- Vanguard Balanced Index Inv (VBINX): Low cost, index fund
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