Mutual funds as an investment avenue are preferred over stocks as it helps to diversify the inherent risk across a basket of securities. And if you are more specific with your investments as though the case should be and are on the lookout for some balanced top funds, here are some suggestions. But beforehand do note that after SEBI's proposed re-categorisation for mutual funds erstwhile balanced or equity oriented hybrid schemes will now be referred as Aggressive hybrid schemes:

1. ICICI Prudential Equity and Debt fund: With a monthly SIP of Rs. 1000, investors can bet on this balanced fund and earn a good enough return with average risk. The NAV for the fund under the growth plan is Rs.124.62 while for the dividend plan it is Rs. 12.77.

With the total AUM of Rs. 28,807 crore, the fund in the last one year has reaped investors 6.42% return, while its 3 and 5-years return stand at 10.7% and 16.95% respectively. The fund tracks the benchmark CRISIL Hybrid 35+65 Aggressive.
Investors need to give in minimum 6 cheques for the investment.

Some top equity holdings of the fund include ICICI Bank, Power Grid, Infosys and SBI amongst others. While its top debt holdings comprise HDFC 364-D 15/01/2019 Commercial Paper and Axis Bank 2019 certifcate of deposit, 6.84% GOI 2022

2. HDFC Balanced Fund: The fund is aimed to provide capital appreciation through mix portfolio of debt and equity. 60% funds are deployed in equities while the remaining 40% is allocated to debt related securities. In the last 5-years, the fund has managed to offer 18.25% return while its return over a period of 1-year stand at 8%.

The fund's benchmark is NIFTY 50 Hybrid Composite Debt 65:35 and the NAV as on May 21, 2018 for the growth plan is Rs. 146.02. Investors can bet on the fund with a minimum Rs. 500 SIP per month.

3. Aditya Birla Sun Life Equity Hybrid '95 Fund: With an asset base of Rs. 14, 662 crore as on April 30, the fund has outperformed its benchmark CRISIL Hybrid 35+65 Aggressive. The fund since the year of its launch in 1995 has yielded 20.51% return while its one year return has been 6.76%. Minimum monthly SIP investment towards the fund is Rs. 1000.

Some of the major equity holdings in the fund include HDFC bank, ICICI bank, Infosys, L&T, Maruti Suzuki etc..While debt holdings in TMF holdings debenture, Shriram Transport Finance 2019 bonds and Piramal Enterprises 2019 debentures amongst others.
The net asset value of the fund under the growth plan is Rs. 738.49.

4. L&T India Hybrid Equity Fund: Previously referred as L&T India Prudence Fund, the fund is known to outperform its peers in volatile markets. S&P BSE 200 (70), CRISIL Short-Term Bond (30) is the benchmark of the fund against which the fund tracks its performance. One, three and five year return from the fund 7.93%, 10.69% and 17.83% respectively. Debt holdings of the fund include Reliance Jio Infocomm 2023 NCD, 8.85% HDFC Bank 2099 bonds.

Investors can start a SIP in the fund with a minimum of Rs. 500 per month though the initial investment amount remains Rs. 5000.

NAV of the fund under the growth plan as on May 21, 2018 is Rs. 26.03

5. Principal balanced Fund: Against its benchmark CRISIL Hybrid 35+65 Aggressive has offered a one-year return of 14.4 while its 5-year return has been 16.85%. The fund enjoys a total assets under management of Rs. 1255 crore. The fund's NAV under the growth plan is Rs. 74.54 while the dividend plan is available for Rs. 27.31 as on May 21, 2018.

The fund's top equity holding comprise stocks such as Infosys, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, TCS etc. while its debt holdings include 6.84% GOI securities with maturity in 2022, 7% RIL 2022 NCD and 7.68% GOI 2023 GOI securities among others.