What are the best balanced mutual funds & exchange-traded funds in 2024?

Here are seven of the best balanced mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to pick in 2024: "VBIAX is a way to gain exposure to both stocks and bonds as it tracks two indexes that represent broad barometers for the U.S. equity and taxable-bond markets," says Lauren Wybar, senior wealth advisor at Vanguard.

What is a balanced fund?

Despite the common 60% stock and 40% bond starting point, balanced funds come in all shapes and sizes. Some stay close to the classic split between stocks and bonds, while others venture tactically around that anchor. Some use all passive funds as the building blocks, some stand by active management funds, and others use a blend of both.

What is a balanced ETF?

Balanced funds offer an easy shortcut, providing a professionally managed, diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds and other assets in a single low-cost fund. Our list of the best balanced ETFs includes options tailored to the needs of both conservative and aggressive investors, and funds that utilize both fixed and variable allocations.