American Funds Global Balanced Fund (GBLAX)

American Funds Global Balanced Fund (GBLAX) is an actively managed balanced mutual fund. As a balanced fund with global scope, the fund seeks to invest in equity and debt securities around the world that offer the opportunity for growth and/or provide dividend income, while also constructing the portfolio to protect principal and limit volatility.

This mutual fund objective is to seek the balanced accomplishment of three objectives: long-term growth of capital, conservation of principal and current income.

GBLAX Fund Profile

• Fund Inception Date: 02/01/2011
• Ticker Symbol: GBLAX
• CUSIP: 02629W106
• Beta (3yr): 1.05
• Rank in category (YTD): 68%
• Category: World Allocation
• Distribution Yield: 1.78%
• Capital Gains: -
• Expense Ratio: 0.89%
• Net Assets: $ 8.2 billion
• Number of Years Up: 3 years
• Number of Years Down: 0 year
• Annual Turnover Rate: 74%

This American Funds Global Balanced fund has an expense fee of 0.89%. It also has a dividend yield of 1.78%. The current share price is $30.28. The class A fund has a high sales load of 5.75%. The fund’s investment style is large blend.

American Funds Global Balanced Fund Performance

In 2015, this world allocation fund has a year-to-date return of 2.39%. This balanced fund has returned 1.23% over the past 1 year, and 9.50% over the past 3 year. Morningstar has ranked this mutual fund with 3 star and silver rating. The past 4 year performance is as follows:

• Year 2015: 2.39% (ytd)
• Year 2014: 3.69%
• Year 2013: 17.16%
• Year 2012: 12.78%

You can buy this mutual fund for your brokerage or retirement account with $250 initial funding. Other classes of this American fund are:

• American Funds Global Balanced A LW (GBLAX.LW)
• American Funds Global Balanced B (GBLBX)
• American Funds Global Balanced C (GBLCX)
• American Funds Global Balanced F1 (GBLEX)
• American Funds Global Balanced F2 (GBLFX)
• American Funds Global Balanced R1 (RGBLX)
• American Funds Global Balanced R2 (RGBBX)
• American Funds Global Balanced R2E (RGGHX)
• American Funds Global Balanced R3 (RGBCX)
• American Funds Global Balanced R4 (RGBEX)
• American Funds Global Balanced R5 (RGBFX)
• American Funds Global Balanced R6 (RGBGX)
• American Funds Global Balanced 529A (CBFAX)
• American Funds Global Balanced 529A LW (CBFAX.LW)
• American Funds Global Balanced 529B (CBFBX)
• American Funds Global Balanced 529C (CBFCX)
• American Funds Global Balanced 529E (CBFEX)
• American Funds Global Balanced 529F1 (CBFFX)

GBLAX Portfolio 

The equities breakdown is as follows. Top 4 sectors are healthcare, financials consumer discretionary, and consumer staples. Top 3 industries include tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and oil & gas fuels. Top 5 stocks are Novartis, Amgen, Verizon Communications, Altria, and SSE.

More: Best American Funds

The fixed incomes breakdown is as follows. Top 3 bond holdings are Non-US government/agency securities, US government/agency securities, and corporate bonds. Top 3 regions are United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific Basin.

Pros:

• This American Funds Global Balanced Fund is ranked high by Morningstar.

Cons:

• The expense fee is higher than index fund.
• The class A fund has a sales load.