Investors looking for exposure to both value and growth stocks, while seeking returns at a lower level of risk, may consider large-cap blend mutual funds. Large-cap funds offer more stability than mid or small caps and are thus safer too. Generally, companies with market capitalization of more than $10 billion are considered large-cap firms. However, due to their significant international exposure, large-cap companies run the risk of being hit by global woes.

Blend funds – also called “hybrid funds” – owe their origin to the graphical representation of their equity style box. In addition to diversification, blend funds offer a great mix of growth and value investment.

Below we share with you three top-rated large-cap blend mutual funds. Each has earned a Zacks Mutual Fund Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and is expected to outperform its peers in the future. Investors can click here to see the complete list of large-cap blend funds, their Zacks Rank and past performance.

Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Z (NMIMX - Free Report) invests a large chunk of its assets in common stocks that are listed on the S&P 500 Index. NMIMX may also invest in convertible securities and derivatives. NMIMX may change a proportion of securities in its portfolio to derive returns, higher than the total return of S&P 500. Columbia Large Cap Enhanced Core Z has three-year annualized returns of 10.4%.

NMIMX has an expense ratio of 0.65% compared with the category average of 1.01%.

Fidelity Contrafund (FCNTX - Free Report) seeks capital appreciation and invests in common stocks of companies that are believed to be underestimated in value. FCNTX focuses on acquiring both "growth" and "value" stocks of companies all over the world. Factors such as financial strength and economic conditions are taken into consideration before investing in a company. Fidelity Contrafund has a three-year annualized return of 9.1%.

William Danoff is the fund manager of FCNTX since 1990.

Fidelity Advisor Capital Development A (FDTTX - Free Report) primarily focuses on acquiring the common stock of companies. FDTTX maintains a portfolio that consists of both value and growth stocks. The fund seeks to provide growth of capital. FDTTX considers factors including financial strength and economic conditions before investing in a company. Fidelity Advisor Capital Development A has three-year annualized returns of 8.8%.

FDTTX has an expense ratio of 0.89% compared with the category average of 1.01%.