18.2.3 Balanced Funds

Balanced Funds

Balanced funds invest in both stocks and bonds, offering a balanced mix of income and capital growth. Some managers add value by shifting investment proportions in anticipation of market conditions. Alternatively, if diversification is the goal, investors can achieve the same effect by investing in multiple funds.

Types of Balanced Funds:

• Canadian Equity Balanced: Primarily invests in Canadian stocks, with a mix of fixed-income securities.
• Canadian Neutral Balanced: A balanced mix of Canadian stocks and bonds without favoring either.
• Canadian Fixed Income Balanced: Focuses more on fixed-income securities, alongside selected Canadian stocks.
• Global Equity Balanced: Combines international stocks with a smaller portion of bonds.
• Global Neutral Balanced: A global mix of stocks and bonds, maintaining neutral allocation.
• Global Fixed Income Balanced: Emphasizes global fixed-income securities with some equity exposure.
• Tactical Balanced: Adjusts allocation dynamically based on current market analysis.

Chapter 18 | Mutual Funds: Types and Features

Investment Objectives

As the name implies, the primary objective of balanced funds is to provide a balanced portfolio for safety, income, and capital appreciation. Here’s a breakdown of their components:

• Fixed-Income Securities: Provide stability and income.
• Common Stock Holdings: Ensure diversification, dividend income, and potential growth.

Portfolio Management

The balance between defensive (bonds) and aggressive (stocks) holdings is rarely split evenly. Managers of balanced funds adjust the percentage of each portfolio component based on current market conditions and future expectations. In most cases, the fund prospectus specifies the minimum and maximum weighting for each asset class. For example, a balanced fund may specify a weighting of 60% equity and 40% fixed income.

According to the CIFSC (Canadian Investment Funds Standards Committee), balanced funds’ allocation range includes:

• Equities: 5% to 90%
• Fixed-Income Securities: 10% to 95%

Risk and Returns

Investors in balanced funds are subject to market and interest rate risks, varying by the split between fixed-income and equity securities. They can expect returns in the form of interest, dividends, and capital gains, subject to applicable taxes.

Did You Know?

Asset allocation funds have similar objectives to those of balanced funds, but they differ in their flexibility. Typically, they do not need to maintain a specified minimum percentage for any investment class. The portfolio manager of an asset allocation fund has greater freedom to shift portfolio weighting among equities, money market, and fixed-income securities as the economy moves through different stages of the business cycle. These types of funds share the risks and tax implications associated with balanced funds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the primary goal of balanced funds?

The main objective of balanced funds is to provide a balanced mix of safety, income, and capital appreciation by investing in a combination of stocks and bonds.

How do balanced funds adjust their portfolios?

Fund managers adjust their portfolio percentages based on prevailing market conditions and future outlooks, often within the specified minimum and maximum weightings per the fund’s prospectus.

Are there specific risks associated with balanced funds?

Balanced funds expose investors to market and interest rate risks, which vary according to their fixed-income and equity allocations.

How are returns from balanced funds taxed?

Returns from balanced funds, which can include interest, dividends, and capital gains, are subject to applicable taxes on each component.

Mathematical Representation

Portfolio Weighting Formula

Balanced funds often specify their weighting between equity and fixed-income. For example, consider a fund with 60% equity (E) and 40% fixed-income (FI). The overall expected return ( _P") can be modeled as:

$$ R_P = (w_E imes R_E) + (w_{FI} imes R_{FI}) $$

Where:

• $$ w_E $$ is the weighting of equities,
• $$ R_E $$ is the expected return on equities,
• $$ w_{FI} $$ is the weighting of fixed-income, and
• $$ R_{FI} $$ is the expected return on fixed-income securities.

Key Takeaways

• Balanced funds offer a mix of income and capital appreciation by investing in both stocks and bonds.
• The allocation between bonds and stocks varies by the type of balanced fund and the fund manager’s strategy.
• Investors are exposed to market and interest rate risks.
• Returns include interest, dividends, and capital gains, subject to taxes.

By understanding balanced funds, you can make more informed investment decisions and create a diversified portfolio that aligns with your financial goals.