Top 5 Balanced Mutual Funds to Invest in 2016

Top 5 Best Balanced Mutual Funds - 2015Top 5 Balanced Mutual Funds to invest in 2016


Some of the investors fear of risk and stay away from mutual fund investments in India. One of the best ways to overcome this is to invest in Top and best balanced mutual funds in 2016. If you are moderate to low risk investor and willing to invest in mutual funds, balanced mutual funds / hybrid mutual funds are one of the best investment options for you. What are balanced / hybrid mutual funds? Which are the top 5 best balanced mutual funds to invest in 2016?

What are Balanced Mutual funds and how do they work?


Equity mutual funds generally invest a majority portion in the equity markets and would get exposed to market risks. However, balanced mutual funds on the other hand would invest 60% to 70% of the investment amount in equities and the balance of 30% to 40% in fixed income options like bonds, debentures, debt funds and other fixed income investment options. With such investment strategy, the amount invested in equities would provide growth in investment and the amount invested in fixed income provide stable returns. This way the risk is reduced in balanced mutual funds compared to equity mutual funds.

Also Read: What are the various ways to invest lump sum money in Mutual Funds in India?

Let me explain with an example. A balanced mutual fund scheme has invested 70% in equity markets and 30% in fixed income options (Investment amount Rs 100,000 – Split into Rs 70,000 in the equity markets and Rs 30,000 in fixed income options). Assume that the stock market has provided 15% returns in bull run and in bearish market it has provided only 6% returns. In bull market, your investment would fetch you approx 13% returns and in a bearish market, your investment would fetch you approx 7% returns. The downside of risk is reduced if you compare the low returns in a bearish market. This way, it would be win-win situation in both situations. See the below table to understand how returns would look like.

Balanced Mutual Funds example

Top 5 Balanced Mutual Funds to invest in 2016

These top 5 balanced mutual funds to invest in India have been analyzed and shortlisted based on some of the important parameters.

  • These are picked based on highest returns received in the last 5 years.
  • Funds, which are rated by Crisil as Rank-1, Rank-2 and Rank-3 which indicates top performance across various market cycles.
  • Value research rated these mutual funds as 5 star, 4 star and 3 star.
  • AUM (Assets under management) > 100 Crores. This proves investor confidence among these top 10 mutual funds.
  • Some of the funds might be a repetition from my earlier recommendation.

Top-1: HDFC Balanced Mutual Fund


Funds objective: This mutual fund scheme aims to generate capital appreciation from a combined portfolio of equity and debt instruments. This scheme invests up to 60% in equity and balance in debt related instruments.

Fund Performance: This fund has beaten its benchmark and provided 18% annualised returns in last 5 years.  If you have invested in this fund for Rs 1,000 per month through SIP for 5 years, your total investment would have been Rs 60,000 and your investment value would have been Rs 105,000 now.

Also Read: Should you invest in Banking Sector Mutual Funds which are expected to rock now in coming months?

Why to invest: This fund performed well in last 10 years and given 19% annualised return comparing to balanced fund category of 12%. It would reduce risk by investing part of the investment in debt instruments. Crisil Ranks it as Rank-2 and Value Research Ranks as 5 Star (5 out of 5). This is my favorite top balanced fund to invest for 2015 for medium to long term.

Top-2: ICICI Balanced Mutual Fund


Fund Objective: The scheme invests in equities and related securities as well as fixed income and money market securities. It invests 60% minimum in equity and balance in debt related instruments.

Fund Performance: This fund has beaten its benchmark and provided 18% annualised returns in last 5 years. If you have invested in this fund for Rs 1,000 per month through SIP for 5 years, your total investment would have been Rs 60,000 and your investment value would have been Rs 104,000 now.  Crisil Ranks it as Rank-1 and Value Research Ranks as 5 Star (5 out of 5).

Why to invest: This fund performed well in last 10 years and given 17% annualised return comparing to balanced fund category of 12%. It would reduce risk by investing part of the investment in debt instruments. This is one more top balanced fund to invest for 2015 for long term.

Top-3: HDFC Prudence Fund


Fund Objective: The fund scheme aims periodic returns and long-term capital appreciation from a balanced portfolio of debt and equity.

Fund Performance: This fund has beaten its benchmark and provided 16% annualised returns in last 5 years. If you have invested in this fund for Rs 1,000 per month through SIP for 5 years, your total investment would have been Rs 60,000 and your investment value would have been Rs 98,000 now.

Why to invest: This fund performed well in last 10 years and given 20% annualised return comparing to balanced fund category of 12%. It would reduce risk by investing part of the investment in debt instruments. Crisil Ranks it as Rank-2 and Value Research Ranks as 3 Star (3 out of 5). This is one more best balanced fund to invest for 2015 which has proven performance in the long run.

Top-4: Tata Balanced Fund


Fund Objective: The fund scheme aims periodic returns and long-term capital appreciation from a balanced portfolio of debt and equity.

Fund Performance: This fund has beaten its benchmark and provided 16% annualised returns in last 5 years. If you have invested in this fund for Rs 1,000 per month through SIP for 5 years, your total investment would have been Rs 60,000 and your investment value would have been Rs 104,000 now.

Why to invest: This fund performed well in last 10 years and given 19% annualised return comparing to balanced fund category of 12%. It would reduce risk by investing part of the investment in debt instruments. Crisil Ranks it as Rank-2 and Value Research Ranks as 4 Star (4 out of 5). This is another top and best fund to invest for 2015 for medium to long term.

Top-5: Birla Sun Life 95 Fund


Fund Objective: The fund aims to achieve long-term capital appreciation and current income from a balanced investment portfolio with an allocation of 60% equity and 40% debt and money market securities.

Fund Performance: This fund has beaten its benchmark and provided 15% annualised returns in last 5 years. If you have invested in this fund for Rs 1,000 per month through SIP for 5 years, your total investment would have been Rs 60,000 and your investment value would have been Rs 98,000 now.

Why to invest: This fund performed well in last 10 years and given 18% annualised return comparing to balanced fund category of 12%. It would reduce risk by investing part of the investment in debt instruments. Crisil Ranks it as Rank-3 and Value Research Ranks as 4 Star (4 out of 5). This is another good balanced fund to invest for 2015.

Top 5 Best Balanced Mutual Funds to invest for 2015

Conclusion: Investment in Balanced Mutual funds provides opportunity for moderate risk investors to invest in mutual funds and gain. Invest in these balanced mutual funds through SIP for medium to long term for superior returns. I feel these are one of the best investment plans.

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Suresh
Top 5 Balanced Mutual Funds to invest in 2016

Suresh KP

45 comments

    1. Hi Abdul, Since markets are at peak, it is not advisable to invest lumpsun in equity or balanced funds. You can invest in debt funds and do systematic transfer plan to balanced funds (5-8 months minumum). You can invest in HDFC balanced fund or ICICI balanced funds.

  1. I want tu invest only 10000/month for 3 years.
    Let me know the combiNation of balanced and infrastructure.

  2. I want to invest in Balance funds please suggest some good fund to invest for 10 years 5000 per month 

    Ashutosh Shukla 

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