Someone asks:
Thoughts on Fidelity Puritan Fund (FPURX) vs. Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX)? Looking for a fund to deposit my stock profits with less downside risk in order to capture any of my realized stock gains. Trying to find comparable funds that I can buy through Fidelity that closely resemble Vanguard’s Wellington & Wellesley brands. Wellington is roughly 65/35 equities and Wellesley approx 35/65. Any suggestions? Thank you.
FBALX vs FPURX: Fund Objective
Fidelity Balanced Fund (FBALX) is a mutual fund that invests in stocks and bonds. This fund has an allocation of 60% stocks and 40% bonds. The fund invests in large, medium, and small companies with the objective to provide long-term capital appreciation and income.
Fidelity Puritan Fund (FPURX) is a no-load mutual fund that seeks long-term capital appreciation. The fund allocates around 50% – 70% in stocks and other equity securities—the rest in bonds and debts.
FBALX vs FPURX: Expense Ratio
Both mutual funds have the same expense ratio of 0.51%.
This means that for every $1,000 you have invested, $5.10 will be used to cover the fund’s operating expenses.
FBALX vs FPURX: Top 10 Holdings
Looking at their top holdings below, we can expect tech stocks to make up a large portion of the portfolio weight for FBALX and FPURX.
Some of the top holdings include Apple Inc. (AAPL), Microsoft Corporation (MSFT), and Amazon, Inc. (AMZN).
FBALX Top 10 Holdings
| COMPANY | SYMBOL | TOTAL NET ASSETS |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Corp. | MSFT | 4.85% |
| Apple Inc. | AAPL | 3.94% |
| Amazon Inc. | AMZN | 2.81% |
| Alphabet Inc. Cl A | GOOGL | 1.69% |
| Alphabet Inc. Cl C | GOOG | 1.61% |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | FB | 1.51% |
| NVIDIA Corp. | NVDA | 1.51% |
| Tesla Inc. | TSLA | 1.17% |
| UnitedHealth Group Inc. | UNH | 1.08% |
| Jabil Inc. | JBL | 0.89% |
FPURX Top 10 Holdings
| COMPANY | SYMBOL | TOTAL NET ASSETS |
|---|---|---|
| Alphabet Inc. Cl C | GOOG | 5.64% |
| Microsoft Corp. | MSFT | 4.46% |
| Amazon Inc. | AMZN | 3.34% |
| NVIDIA Corp. | NVDA | 2.50% |
| Apple Inc. | AAPL | 2.16% |
| Marvell Technology Inc. | MRVL | 1.93% |
| Meta Platforms Inc. | FB | 1.92% |
| UnitedHealth Group Inc. | UNH | 1.49% |
| Eli Lilly & Co. | LLY | 1.24% |
| Wells Fargo & Co. | WFC | 1.21% |
FBALX vs FPURX: Annual Return
| Funds | Fidelity® Balanced Fund | Fidelity® Puritan® Fund |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | +3.04% | +2.35% |
| 3 months | +6.70% | +7.10% |
| 6 months | +6.42% | +6.41% |
| 1 year | +18.28% | +18.94% |
| 3 years | +21.67% | +20.25% |
| 5 years | +15.03% | +14.62% |
Which is Better, FBALX vs FPURX?
In terms of asset allocation, both funds are identical to each other (Allocation–50% to 70% Equity). Their top 10 holdings also suggest that they have a similar investing strategy.
FBALX isn’t cheaper than FPURX. They both actually charge the same yearly fee. As a result, the expense ratio isn’t a factor differentiating the two.
We conclude that you only need one fund in your portfolio. Either one will suffice, as they contain a mix of stocks and bonds that provide stability and growth potential.
Community Reviews:
Brian L:
They’re both very similar products with slight differences. I think owning one or the other would be fine. In my opinion, owning both would be a duplication of effort because their asset allocation and composition are similar.
Laura S:
FSPGX is a good low-cost large growth fund. There is no need for FBALX if you’re still young.
If you are looking for fixed income + stocks, you should consider FPURX.
Speak with a Fidelity Advisor who can give you more insight on how and when the dividends pay out.
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Diego
Diego, a seasoned financial analyst in New York, brings a decade of expertise to guiding financial decisions. As a blogger for UseFidelity.com, he simplifies finance, offering insights on Fidelity Investments. Beyond numbers, he explores NYC's culture and enjoys capturing moments through his photography.
