We’ve constructed three portfolios using only funds from the Kiplinger 25, our list of our favorite no-load mutual funds, designed for investors with different goals, time horizons and levels of risk tolerance. (See Kiplinger’s 25 Favorite No-Load Mutual Funds for the complete list of funds with their performances.) Beef up your stocks if want to be more aggressive, or increase the bond portion of your portfolio if you’re risk-averse. Over the past 12 months, our aggressive portfolio lost 6.5%, the moderate mix lost 7.0%, and the conservative model returned 0.8%.
h3 class="kip-md-see-also inline">See Also Our Complete Guide to the Kiplinger 25
For Long-Term Savers: 11+ years away
With growth as the primary goal, this portfolio holds 85% in stock funds, with one bond fund (TIAA-CREF Core Impact Bond) for a touch of ballast.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger’s expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger’s expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Dodge & Cox Stock (DODGX (opens in new tab)): 20%
Primecap Odyssey Growth (POGRX (opens in new tab)): 20%
TIAA-CREF Core Impact Bond (TSBRX (opens in new tab)): 15%
Parnassus Mid Cap (PARMX): 15%
Fidelity International Growth (FIGFX (opens in new tab)): 10%
Wasatch Small Cap Value (WMCVX (opens in new tab)): 10%
T. Rowe Price QM U.S. Small-Cap Growth Equity Fund (PRDSX (opens in new tab)): 10%
For College: 6-10 years away
This package is ideal for building up a tuition fund for a kid with Ivy League stars in his eyes. Or you can use it for other goals — say, an approaching retirement in a decade (or a bit sooner). With that shorter time frame, more bond funds (35%) are in the mix.
Vanguard Equity-Income (VEIPX (opens in new tab) ): 20%
DoubleLine Total Return Bond (FMIJX (opens in new tab)): 15%
TIAA-CREF Core Impact Bond (TSBRX (opens in new tab)): 15%
Fidelity International Growth (FIGFX (opens in new tab)): 15%
Primecap Odyssey Growth (POGRX (opens in new tab) ): 15%
T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value (PRSVX (opens in new tab)): 10%
Vanguard Wellington (VWELX (opens in new tab)): 10%
For Income: Five Years or less
Short time frames require more caution. This package holds 70% of its assets in bond funds. It yields 3.1%.
DoubleLine Total Return Bond (DLTNX (opens in new tab)): 25%
Fidelity Strategic Income (FSICX (opens in new tab)): 20%
T. Rowe Price Dividend Growth (PRDGX (opens in new tab)): 15%
Vanguard Equity-Income (VEIPX (opens in new tab)): 15%
Vanguard Short-Term Investment Grade (VFSTX (opens in new tab)): 15%
Fidelity New Markets Income (FNMIX (opens in new tab)): 5%
Vanguard High Yield Corporate (VWEHX (opens in new tab)): 5%
-
-
Can You Build a Retirement Income Plan With Both Risk and Reliability?
Two strategies for making retirement savings last — probability-based income planning and guaranteed income planning — can help ensure you have what you need in your golden years, but which is right for you?
-
5 Financial Wellness Tips to Help Weather the Winter
You can regain some control over today’s money pressures by exploring your employer's financial support options and benefits, making plans to save and taking other simple actions.
-
Don't Give Up on the Eurozone
mutual funds As Europe’s economy (and stock markets) wobble, Janus Henderson European Focus Fund (HFETX) keeps its footing with a focus on large Europe-based multinationals.
-
5 Fantastic Actively Managed Fidelity Funds to Buy
mutual funds In a stock picker's market, it's sometimes best to leave the driving to the pros. These Fidelity funds provide investors solid active management at low costs.
-
10 Bond Funds to Buy Now
Investing for Income Bond funds have seen sizable losses so far this year, but yields are now rising to attractive levels for income-starved investors.
-
Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Profits from ESG Leaders
mutual funds Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock (VEIGX) favors firms with high standards for their businesses.
-
Kip ETF 20: What's In, What's Out and Why
Kip ETF 20 The broad market has taken a major hit so far in 2022, sparking some tactical changes to Kiplinger's lineup of the best low-cost ETFs.
-
ETFs Are Now Mainstream. Here's Why They're So Appealing.
Investing for Income ETFs offer investors broad diversification to their portfolios and at low costs to boot.
-
Do You Have Gun Stocks in Your Funds?
ESG Investors looking to make changes amid gun violence can easily divest from gun stocks ... though it's trickier if they own them through funds.
-
How to Choose a Mutual Fund
mutual funds Investors wanting to build a portfolio will have no shortage of mutual funds at their disposal. And that's one of the biggest problems in choosing just one or two.
