Valuations matter because they drive returns in the long term, according to Christopher Petrosino, portfolio manager of the Manning & Napier Disciplined Value Series Fund. With a systematic approach, the fund invests in companies with above-average dividend yield that are sustainable, with attractive free cash flow yield and low estimated

One of the core advantages of balanced portfolios is their ability to capture the upside and protect the downside, adjusting the allocation between equity and fixed-income holdings in a timely fashion. Rajeev Sharma and Sean Reidy, portfolio managers of the First Investors Total Return Fund, complement this flexibility with a

Unlike other funds offering broad coverage, the Semper MBS Total Return Fund leverages its expertise in mortgage-backed securities. Greg Parsons, CEO and Chairman of the Investment Committee, believes that the MBS space is one of the best sources of risk-adjusted returns today when actively managed by a specialist. With a

Designed for investors seeking a single investment vehicle with adequate diversification, the North Star Opportunity Fund has the flexibility to provide exposure to domestic equities of all sizes and to fixed income. While the fund’s equity and sector allocations vary with the macro outlook, its focus on high-quality, out-of-favor companies

Unlike other balanced funds, which rely on conservative equity exposure and bond income, the Plumb Balanced Fund invests in growth stocks and uses fixed income to moderate stock market volatility. Founder and portfolio manager Thomas Plumb focuses on identifying big secular trends and companies that enable or benefit from these

With decades of experience in convertible bonds and options, the Calamos Hedged Equity Income Fund came in 2014 as a natural extension for Calamos Investments. The fund has two distinct parts – equities and options. While the equity investment represents a low-risk portfolio, closely based on the S&P 500 Index,

Markets are inherently volatile, but the right mix of options can certainly mitigate volatility. Paul Townsen, portfolio manager of the Crossmark Steward Covered Call Income Fund, explains how by giving up some upside for a covered call, investors can replace a volatile return pattern with more stable returns. 

Diversification is a key feature of the Tributary Balanced Fund. Portfolio manager Kurt Spieler believes that performance is driven by tactical allocation between equity and fixed income, as well as by security selection, without applying sector or market cap biases.

Stocks and bonds have their own volatility patterns and risk profiles, so it is important for investors to have allocation that provides downside protection, according to Patricia Halper and Michael Budd, portfolio managers of the AMG Chicago Equity Partners Balanced Fund. Investing in equity and fixed income, the fund strategically

Valuation drives everything, according to Sean Slein and Kimball Brooker, portfolio managers of the First Eagle Global Income Builder Fund. Investing with a perceived “margin of safety” in equities and fixed income, the fund aims to provide both current and future income. With