Hybrid Mutual Funds - Types of Mutual Funds, Investing in Stock Markets | Investing in Stock Markets - B Com PDF Download

Hybrid Funds Definition

Also known as Balanced Funds or asset allocation funds, Hybrid Funds are mutual funds that provide a combination of more than one underlying investment asset class, such as stocks, bonds or cash.

The "hybrid" descriptor comes from the idea that one mutual fund consists of a mix of different elements typically existing in two or more funds. Most often, hybrid funds are a combination of stocks and bonds and the fund will have a stated objective, such as aggressive, moderate or conservative.

Examples of Hybrid Funds

The asset allocation of hybrid funds can remain fixed (i.e balanced funds) or it may change over time (i.e. target-date funds).

Balanced hybrid funds are commonly classified as conservative (low risk), moderate (medium risk) or aggressive (high risk / high return potential).

For example a moderate allocation fund would typically have an asset allocation of approximately 65% stocks and 35% bonds. One of the best moderate allocation balanced funds is Fidelity Balanced (FBALX).

Target-date funds, commonly used for retirement saving and investing, work somewhat how their name implies: The investor chooses a target date (a year) that is closest to the end of their investment objective.

For example if the investor thinks they will retire around the year 2040, they could choose a fund like Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 (VFORX). Had the investor first bought shares of VFORX in the year 2015, the asset allocation would have been approximately 90% stocks and 10% bonds. This mix can be considered aggressive but it is appropriate for a time horizon of 25 years. But as the year 2040 draws near, the asset allocation will slowly change to be more bonds and less stocks.

There are several other mutual fund families that offer balanced funds and target date retirement funds. One of the best funds families that offer hybrid funds is T.Rowe Price Mutual Funds. Their target-date funds are highly rated but investors should be aware that they achieve higher long-term performance because their portfolios tend to have higher concentrations of stocks in their allocations. While this typically makes for greater performance, which can be a prudent goal in the early years of retirement saving, but the higher relative risk (and lower returns in down markets) may be too volatile for some investors with lower risk tolerance.

With that said, keep in mind the greatest strength of hybrid funds -- the ability to diversify with just one mutual fund.