0000871839 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:C000005423Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:C000166328Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsMember cik0000871839:C000005423Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member rr:AfterTaxesOnDistributionsAndSalesMember cik0000871839:C000005423Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:MorningstarModerateTargetRiskIndexMember 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:MorningstarModerateTargetRiskIndex1Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:CombinedIndexPortfolioMember 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:CombinedIndexPortfolio2Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:LipperBalancedFundsIndexMember 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 0000871839 cik0000871839:S000002068Member cik0000871839:LipperBalancedFundsIndex3Member 2021-12-31 2021-12-31 iso4217:USD pure T. Rowe Price Balanced Fund, Inc. 2022-05-01 Balanced Fund Investment Objective(s) The fund seeks to provide capital growth, current income, and preservation of capital through a portfolio of stocks and fixed income securities. Fees and Expenses This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the fund. You may also incur brokerage commissions and other charges when buying or selling shares of the fund, which are not reflected in the table or example below. Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment) 20 0 Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) 0.0043 0.0043 0.0014 0.0002 0.0004 0.0004 0.0061 0.0049 -0.0004 -0.0004 0.0057 0.0045 Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods, that your investment has a 5% return each year, and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The example also assumes that any current expense limitation arrangement remains in place for the period noted in the previous table; therefore, the figures have been adjusted to reflect fee waivers or expense reimbursements only in the periods for which the expense limitation arrangement is expected to continue. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be: 58 183 318 714 46 144 252 567 Portfolio Turnover The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when the fund’s shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 91.9% of the average value of its portfolio. 0.919 Principal Investment Strategies The fund normally invests approximately 65% of its net assets in stocks and 35% of its net assets in fixed income securities, although the amount may vary based on market conditions. The fund invests at least 25% of its net assets in fixed income senior securities and may invest up to 35% of its net assets in foreign securities.When deciding upon overall allocations between stocks and fixed income securities, the adviser may favor stocks when strong economic growth is expected and may favor fixed income securities if the economy is expected to slow sufficiently to hurt corporate profit growth. The fund invests in bonds, including foreign issues, which are primarily rated investment grade (i.e., assigned one of the four highest credit ratings by credit rating agencies or by T. Rowe Price) and are chosen from across the entire government, corporate, and asset- and mortgage-backed securities markets. Maturities generally reflect the adviser’s outlook for interest rates.When selecting particular stocks, the adviser examines relative values and prospects among growth- and value-oriented stocks, domestic and international stocks, small- to large-cap stocks, and stocks of companies involved in activities related to commodities and other real assets. Domestic stocks are drawn from the overall U.S. market and international stocks are selected primarily from large companies in developed countries, although stocks in emerging markets may also be purchased. This process draws heavily upon the adviser’s proprietary stock research expertise. While the fund maintains a well-diversified portfolio, its portfolio manager may at a particular time shift stock selection toward markets or market sectors that appear to offer attractive value and appreciation potential.A similar security selection process applies to bonds. When deciding whether to adjust duration, credit risk exposure, or allocations among the various sectors (for example, high yield “junk” bonds, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, international bonds, and emerging markets bonds), the adviser weighs such factors as the outlook for inflation and the economy, corporate earnings, expected interest rate movements and currency valuations, and the yield advantage that lower-rated bonds may offer over investment-grade bonds. Principal Risks As with any fund, there is no guarantee that the fund will achieve its objective(s). The fund’s share price fluctuates, which means you could lose money by investing in the fund. The principal risks of investing in this fund, which may be even greater in bad or uncertain market conditions, are summarized as follows:Stock investing Stocks generally fluctuate in value more than bonds and may decline significantly over short time periods. There is a chance that stock prices overall will decline because stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising and falling prices. The value of stocks held by the fund may decline due to general weakness or volatility in the stock markets in which the fund invests or because of factors that affect a particular company or industry.Fixed income markets Economic and other market developments can adversely affect the fixed income securities markets. At times, participants in these markets may develop concerns about the ability of certain issuers of debt instruments to make timely principal and interest payments, or they may develop concerns about the ability of financial institutions that make markets in certain debt instruments to facilitate an orderly market. Those concerns could cause increased volatility and reduced liquidity in particular securities or in the overall fixed income markets and the related derivatives markets. A lack of liquidity or other adverse credit market conditions may hamper the fund’s ability to sell the debt instruments in which it invests or to find and purchase suitable debt instruments.Interest rates The prices of, and the income generated by, debt instruments held by the fund may be affected by changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates typically causes the price of a fixed rate debt instrument to fall and its yield to rise. Conversely, a decline in interest rates typically causes the price of a fixed rate debt instrument to rise and the yield to fall. Generally, funds with longer weighted average maturities and durations carry greater interest rate risk. Changes in monetary policy made by central banks and/or governments, such as the discontinuation and replacement of benchmark rates, are likely to affect the level of interest rates.Prepayments and extensions The fund is subject to prepayment risks because the principal on mortgage-backed securities, other asset-backed securities, or any debt instrument with an embedded call option may be prepaid at any time, which could reduce the security’s yield and market value. The rate of prepayments tends to increase as interest rates fall, which could cause the average maturity of the portfolio to shorten. Extension risk may result from a rise in interest rates, which tends to make mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities, and other callable debt instruments more volatile.Credit quality An issuer of a debt instrument could suffer an adverse change in financial condition that results in a payment default (failure to make scheduled interest or principal payments), rating downgrade, or inability to meet a financial obligation. Securities that are rated below investment grade carry greater risk of default and should be considered speculative. Market conditions The value of the fund’s investments may decrease, sometimes rapidly or unexpectedly, due to factors affecting an issuer held by the fund, particular industries, or the overall securities markets. A variety of factors can increase the volatility of the fund’s holdings and markets generally, including political or regulatory developments, recessions, inflation, rapid interest rate changes, war, military conflict, or acts of terrorism, natural disasters, and outbreaks of infectious illnesses or other widespread public health issues such as the coronavirus pandemic and related governmental and public responses (including sanctions). Certain events may cause instability across global markets, including reduced liquidity and disruptions in trading markets, while some events may affect certain geographic regions, countries, sectors, and industries more significantly than others. Government intervention in markets may impact interest rates, market volatility, and security pricing. These adverse developments may cause broad declines in market value due to short-term market movements or for significantly longer periods during more prolonged market downturns.International investing Investing in the securities of non-U.S. issuers involves special risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. Non-U.S. securities tend to be more volatile and have lower overall liquidity than investments in U.S. securities and may lose value because of adverse local, political, social, or economic developments overseas, or due to changes in the exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. In addition, investments outside the U.S. are subject to settlement practices and regulatory and financial reporting standards that differ from those of the U.S. The risks of investing outside the U.S. are heightened for any investments in emerging markets, which are susceptible to greater volatility than investments in developed markets.Emerging markets Investments in emerging market countries are subject to greater risk and overall volatility than investments in the U.S. and other developed markets. Emerging market countries tend to have economic structures that are less diverse and mature, less developed legal and regulatory regimes, and political systems that are less stable, than those of developed countries. In addition to the risks associated with investing outside the U.S., emerging markets are more susceptible to governmental interference, political and economic uncertainty, local taxes and restrictions on the fund’s investments, less efficient trading markets with lower overall liquidity, and more volatile currency exchange rates.Liquidity The fund may not be able to meet requests to redeem shares issued by the fund without significant dilution of the remaining shareholders’ interests in the fund. In addition, the fund may not be able to sell a holding in a timely manner at a desired price. Reduced liquidity in the bond markets can result from a number of events, such as limited trading activity, reductions in bond inventory, and rapid or unexpected changes in interest rates. Markets with lower overall liquidity could lead to greater price volatility and limit the fund’s ability to sell a holding at a suitable price. Active management The fund’s overall investment program and holdings selected by the fund’s investment adviser may underperform the broad markets, relevant indices, or other funds with similar objectives and investment strategies.Cybersecurity breaches The fund could be harmed by intentional cyberattacks and other cybersecurity breaches, including unauthorized access to the fund’s assets, customer data and confidential shareholder information, or other proprietary information. In addition, a cybersecurity breach could cause one of the fund’s service providers or financial intermediaries to suffer unauthorized data access, data corruption, or loss of operational functionality. The fund’s share price fluctuates, which means you could lose money by investing in the fund. Performance The following performance information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The fund’s performance information represents only past performance (before and after taxes) and is not necessarily an indication of future results.The following bar chart illustrates how much returns can differ from year to year by showing calendar year returns and the best and worst calendar quarter returns during those years for the fund’s Investor Class. Returns for other share classes vary since they have different expenses. The following performance information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The following bar chart illustrates how much returns can differ from year to year by showing calendar year returns and the best and worst calendar quarter returns during those years for the fund’s Investor Class. Returns for other share classes vary since they have different expenses. The following table shows the average annual total returns for each class of the fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year, and also compares the returns with the returns of a relevant broad-based market index, as well as with the returns of one or more comparative indexes that have investment characteristics similar to those of the fund, if applicable. The fund’s performance information represents only past performance (before and after taxes) and is not necessarily an indication of future results. Calendar Year Returns <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse:collapse" width="100%"><tr style="font-size:1pt;"><td style="width:9%;"> </td><td style="width:14.01%;"> </td><td style="width:15%;"> </td><td style="width:13%;"> </td><td style="width:.5%;"> </td><td style="width:15%;"> </td><td style="width:15%;"> </td><td style="width:13%;"> </td><td style="width:5.5%;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td><td style="vertical-align:top;">Quarter Ended</td><td style="vertical-align:top;">Total Return</td><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td><td style="vertical-align:top;">Quarter Ended</td><td style="vertical-align:top;">Total Return</td><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td></tr><tr><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td><td style="vertical-align:top; background-color:#E6E6E6;">Best Quarter</td><td style="vertical-align:top; background-color:#E6E6E6;">6/30/20</td><td style="vertical-align:top; background-color:#E6E6E6;">14.99%</td><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td><td style="vertical-align:top; background-color:#E6E6E6;">Worst Quarter</td><td style="vertical-align:top; background-color:#E6E6E6;">3/31/20</td><td style="vertical-align:top; background-color:#E6E6E6;">-14.51%</td><td style="vertical-align:top; font-size:1pt;"> </td></tr></table> Best Quarter 2020-06-30 0.1499 Worst Quarter 2020-03-31 -0.1451 The following table shows the average annual total returns for each class of the fund that has been in operation for at least one full calendar year, and also compares the returns with the returns of a relevant broad-based market index, as well as with the returns of one or more comparative indexes that have investment characteristics similar to those of the fund, if applicable.In addition, the table shows hypothetical after-tax returns to demonstrate how taxes paid by a shareholder may influence returns. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as a 401(k) account or an IRA. After-tax returns are shown only for the Investor Class and will differ for other share classes. After-tax returns are calculated using the historical highest individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as a 401(k) account or an IRA. After-tax returns are shown only for the Investor Class and will differ for other share classes. Average Annual Total Returns Periods ended December 31, 2021 1939-12-31 0.1336 0.1196 0.1045 0.1069 0.1012 0.0875 0.0922 0.0906 0.0803 2015-12-17 0.1351 0.1210 0.1104 Morningstar Moderate Target Risk Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes 0.1019 0.1007 0.0875 0.0982 Combined Index Portfolio (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes 0.1413 0.1166 0.1022 0.1078 Lipper Balanced Funds Index 0.1318 0.1080 0.0955 0.1014 Updated performance information is available through troweprice.com. troweprice.com 485BPOS 2021-12-31 0000871839 false 2022-04-28 2022-05-01 N-1A 0.1395 0.1925 0.0597 0.0065 0.0592 0.1801 -0.0492 0.2074 0.1457 0.1336 ~ http://troweprice.com/20211231/role/RRSchedule4 ~ ~ http://troweprice.com/20211231/role/RRSchedule5 ~ ~ http://troweprice.com/20211231/role/RRSchedule6 ~ ~ http://troweprice.com/20211231/role/RRBarChart7 ~ ~ http://troweprice.com/20211231/role/RRSchedule8 ~ The figures shown in the fee table do not match the “Ratios to average net assets” shown in the Financial Highlights table, as those figures do not include acquired fund fees and expenses and exclude expenses permanently waived as a result of investments in other T. Rowe Price Funds. The figures shown in the fee table do not match the “Ratios to average net assets” shown in the Financial Highlights table, as those figures do not include acquired fund fees and expenses and exclude expenses permanently waived as a result of investments in other T. Rowe Price Funds. Subject to certain exceptions, accounts with a balance of less than $10,000 are charged an annual $20 fee. The figures shown in the fee table do not match the “Ratios to average net assets” shown in the Financial Highlights table, as those figures do not include acquired fund fees and expenses and exclude expenses permanently waived as a result of investments in other T. Rowe Price Funds. T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc., is required to permanently waive a portion of its management fee charged to the fund in an amount sufficient to fully offset that portion of management fee paid by each underlying T. Rowe Price Fund related to the fund’s investment therein. The amount of the waiver will vary each fiscal year in proportion to the amount invested in other T. Rowe Price Funds. Combined Index Portfolio is an unmanaged blended benchmark that from 5/1/11 through 7/31/12, was composed of 51.35%-46.14% domestic stocks (S&P 500 Index), 35% bonds (Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index), and 13.65%-18.86% international stocks (MSCI EAFE Index Net). Since 8/1/12, the blended benchmark has been composed of 45.5% domestic stocks (S&P 500 Index), 35% bonds (Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index), and 19.5% international stocks (MSCI EAFE Index Net). The indices and percentages may vary over time. Return since 12/17/15.