HSBC Balanced Advantage Fund - Direct Growth

HSBC Balanced Advantage Fund - Direct Growth sits in the middle of the pack for Dynamic Asset Allocation or Balanced Advantage funds, currently carrying a 3-star rating. It has delivered steady, if unspectacular, returns over a full market cycle. TopFund's composite Health Score, which weighs rating, 3-year CAGR, expense ratio and fund size, puts it at 63/100.

Cost: At 1.2%, the expense ratio is meaningfully cheaper — about 31% below the Dynamic Asset Allocation or Balanced Advantage category average of 1.73% (based on 35 comparable funds). Lower costs compound in your favour over long holding periods.

Risk-adjusted performance: Over the trailing 1-year period, the fund shows a negative Sharpe ratio of -0.69 — over the past year, returns haven't kept pace with the volatility involved, even before accounting for the risk-free rate. Separately, annualised volatility of 6.62% is on the lower side, suggesting a comparatively smoother ride.

Who should invest: This fund is best suited to investors who want a single fund blending equity growth with debt-driven stability. The High risk rating means near-term volatility should be expected — this isn't a fund to check daily.