The average manager can’t beat the index. We’re not average. Capital Group’s equity-focused American Funds have generated lifetime index-beating results through up and down markets.
17 of our 18 equity-focused American Funds have index-beating lifetime results.
Returns are average annual total returns for benchmark indexes and average annual returns for funds at net asset value from fund inception through 12/31/2018.
Between the founding of the first index-tracking fund in 1976 and now, an investor could have done well if they had placed $10,000 in such a fund. But, if they had made that same investment in any of the five U.S. equity American Funds available at the time instead, they would have experienced far greater results.
The value of beating the index
The market index is umanaged and, therefore, has no expense. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Source: Capital Group, using data obtained from Morningstar.
Class R-6 shares were first offered on May 1, 2009. Class R-6 share results prior to the date of first sale are hypothetical based on Class A share results without a sales charge, adjusted for typical estimated expenses. View dates of first sale and specific expense adjustment information for Class R-6 shares.
Here’s how a hypothetical investment fared during a time period that included the dot-com bubble and the Great Recession.
The benefits of a risk-sensitive approach
*Peer category average represents each fund’s respective Morningstar U.S. Active Fund category average. There may be funds within these categories that outpaced or lagged their category average and/or the American Funds.
Returns shown for indexes include reinvested dividends. The market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. There have been periods when the funds have lagged the index.
Source: Capital Group calculations on Capital Group and Morningstar data, 12/31/1999 to 12/31/2018. All comparisons are to each of the funds' primary or secondary benchmarks as disclosed in each fund’s most recent prospectus.
Please see the bottom of the page for each fund's rolling returns and success rates for this period.
The benefits of a risk-sensitive approach
*Peer category average represents each fund’s respective Morningstar U.S. Active Fund category average. There may be funds within these categories that outpaced or lagged their category average and/or the American Funds.
Returns shown for indexes include reinvested dividends. The market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. There have been periods when the funds have lagged the index.
Source: Capital Group calculations on Capital Group and Morningstar data, 12/31/1999 to 12/31/2018. All comparisons are to each of the funds' primary or secondary benchmarks as disclosed in each fund’s most recent prospectus.
Please see the bottom of the page for each fund's rolling returns and success rates for this period.
With index funds you get every point of a market decline. Losing less than the market during downturns, on average, has delivered a smoother ride and better results for investors in our U.S.-equity-focused American Funds during most declines.
Class F-2
*The seven U.S. equity American Funds in these analyses include: AMCAP Fund, American Mutual Fund, Fundamental Investors, The Growth Fund of America, The Investment Company of America, The New Economy Fund, and Washington Mutual Investors Fund.
Source: Capital Group calculations based on Capital Group and Morningstar data, as of 12/31/2018. All comparisons are with each fund's primary or secondary benchmarks as disclosed in the fund's most recent prospectus.
A smoother ride through challenging market conditions
A RANGE OF BENEFITS BEYOND THEIR RETURNS
We believe fixed income offerings should provide more than just return. They should provide diversification from equities, capital preservation, income and a measure of inflation protection. Below we've identified the funds that we believe best serve these roles. To see results of our other funds, please visit capitalgroup.com.
Cumulative returns for select taxable and tax-exempt core bond funds during recent market corrections — Class F-2 (%)*
Sources: Capital Group, Morningstar. As of 12/31/18, the average annual total returns for Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index were: one year: –4.38%; five years: 8.49%; 10 years: 13.12%.
The market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Past results are not predictive of future results. Dates shown for market corrections are based on price declines of 10% or more (without dividends reinvested) in the unmanaged S&P 500 with 50% recovery between declines. The returns are based on total returns. There have been periods when the funds have lagged the index, such as in rising equity markets. American Funds Strategic Bond Fund returns shown for the two most recent periods, which followed its launch on 3/18/16.
*Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. When applicable, investment results reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the results would have been lower. Please see americanfunds.com for more information.
Owning bond funds with lower correlation to equities can help lower portfolio volatility.
Shorter term bond funds that focus mostly on higher quality bonds can help investors preserve capital.
% of rolling three-year periods that funds have delivered positive total return, since fund inception* - Class F-2
The four funds highlighted here have consistently delivered positive total returns over rolling three-year periods.
*Fund Inception: Short-Term Bond Fund of America: 10/02/2006; Intermediate Bond Fund of America: 02/19/1988; Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America: 10/06/1993; American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund: 08/07/2009.
Class R-6 shares were first offered on May 1, 2009. Class R-6 share results prior to the date of first sale are hypothetical based on Class A share results without a sales charge, adjusted for typical estimated expenses. Results for certain funds with an inception date after May 1, 2009, also include hypothetical returns because those funds' Class R-6 shares sold after the funds' date of first offering. For Short-Term Bond Fund of America, shares first sold on November 20, 2009; results prior to that date are hypothetical, except for the period between May 7, 2009, and June 15, 2009, a short period when the fund had shareholders and actual results were calculated. View dates of first sale and specific expense adjustment information for Class R-6 shares.
Our bond funds have offered a range of potential income.
Average yield to maturity
Based on a federal marginal tax rate of 37%, the top 2019 rate. In addition, we have applied the 3.8% Medicare tax. This comes to a combined 40.8% marginal tax rate on the investment income for taxpayers in the highest tax bracket.
*Taxable-equivalent SEC yields as of 6/30/19 for The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America and American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund were 3.4% and 4.7%, respectively.
Higher yielding, higher risk bonds can fluctuate in price more than investment-grade bonds, so investors should maintain a long-term perspective.
View fund SEC yields.
Source: Capital Group.
Seek the right amount of income that fits your portfolio/investing goals.
From individual mutual funds to fully diversified target date offerings, we have extensive experience designing portfolios and investing in different asset classes.
Capital Group: a leader in portfolio construction
One of the largest asset managers in the world
Totals for assets under management, in USD as of December 31, 2018, may not reconcile due to rounding. Total $1.6 trillion in assets under management includes fund-of-funds solutions. The Capital Group companies manage equity assets through three investment groups. These groups make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed income investment professionals provide fixed income research and investment management across the Capital organization; however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups. Fixed income assets are managed by Capital Fixed Income Investors.
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series® demonstrates our success at combining funds with varying objectives and asset classes. Its high-quality ingredients and thoughtful design has generated superior returns for virtually all the standardized measurement periods within each fund’s lifetime.
*Results as of June 30, 2019. Percentile rankings for one-, three- and five-year periods calculated by Morningstar. Ten-year rankings calculated by Capital Group, using data obtained from Morningstar.
Rankings are based on the funds' average annual total returns (Class R-6 shares at net asset value) within the applicable Morningstar categories. The Morningstar rankings do not reflect the effects of sales charges, account fees or taxes. Past results are not predictive of results in future periods. Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The Morningstar category average includes all share classes for the funds in the category. While American Funds R-6 shares do not include fees for advisor compensation and service provider payments, the share classes represented in the Morningstar category have varying fee structures and can include these and other fees and charges resulting in higher expenses. The category includes both active and passive target date funds, as well as those that are managed both "to" and "through"retirement. Approximately one-third of the funds within the 2000–2010 category have a target date of 2005. When applicable, investment results reflect expense reimbursements, without which results would have been lower.
All funds began on February 1, 2007, except for the 2055 fund, which began on February 1, 2010, and the 2060 fund, which began on March 27, 2015.
EQUITY
Index comparisons: The 18 American Funds equity-focused funds used in our analysis (and the relevant indexes/index blends with which they were compared) are as follows: AMCAP Fund, American Mutual Fund, Fundamental Investors, The Growth Fund of America, The Investment Company of America, The New Economy Fund and Washington Mutual Investors Fund (Standard & Poor's Composite 500 Index); American Balanced Fund (60% Standard & Poor's 500 and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate indexes); American Funds Global Balanced Fund (60% MSCI All Country World and 40% Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate indexes); Capital Income Builder (70% MSCI All Country World and 30% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate indexes); The Income Fund of America (65% Standard & Poor's 500 and 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate indexes); Capital World Growth and Income Fund, New Perspective Fund and New World Fund (MSCI All Country World Index); American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund, (MSCI Emerging Markets Index); EuroPacific Growth Fund and International Growth and Income Fund (MSCI All Country World Index ex USA); SMALLCAP World Fund (MSCI All Country World Small Cap Index). All relevant indexes listed are funds' primary benchmark with the exception of Capital Income Builder, The Income Fund of America, American Balanced Fund and American Funds Global Balanced Fund. Each of these funds have two primary benchmarks, which are the indexes included in the funds' index blend as described, rebalanced monthly.
Some of these indexes lack sufficient history to have covered the lifetime of certain funds; therefore, comparable indexes were used for those periods. For American Balanced Fund, 60% Standard & Poor's 500 and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit indexes were used for the period July 26, 1975 (the fund's inception), through December 31, 1975. Results for this index blend were rebalanced monthly. For EuroPacific Growth Fund, the MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index was used for the period April 16, 1984 (the fund's inception), through December 31, 1987. The MSCI All Country World Index ex USA was subsequently used. For New Perspective Fund, the MSCI World Index was used for the period March 13, 1973 (the fund's inception), through December 31, 1987. The MSCI All Country World Index was subsequently used. For SMALLCAP World Fund, the S&P Global <$3 Billion Index (formerly the S&P Global <$1.2 Billion Index) was used for the period April 30, 1990 (the fund's inception), through May 31, 1994. The MSCI All Country World Small Cap Index was subsequently used. For Capital Income Builder, 70% MSCI World and 30% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate indexes were used for the period July 30, 1987 (the fund's inception), through December 31, 1987. From January 1, 1988, through December 31, 2000, and thereafter, 70% MSCI All Country World and 30% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate indexes were used. For The Income Fund of America, 65% Standard & Poor's 500 and 35% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Government/Credit indexes were used for the period November 30, 1973 (the fund's inception), through December 31, 1975.
American Funds Morningstar categories: The peer groups against which we compare the American Funds in these charts reflect the averages of the relevant Morningstar U.S. Active Fund categories. The 18 equity-focused American Funds used in our analysis and their relevant Morningstar U.S. Active Fund categories with which they were compared are as follows: AMCAP Fund, The Growth Fund of America, The New Economy Fund (Large Growth); American Mutual Fund, Washington Mutual Investors Fund (Large Value); Fundamental Investors, The Investment Company of America (Large Blend); American Balanced Fund (Allocation --50% to 70% Equity); Capital Income Builder, American Funds Global Balanced Fund (World Allocation); The Income Fund of America (Allocation --70% to 85% Equity); Capital World Growth and Income Fund, New Perspective Fund (World Large Stock); New World Fund, American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (Diversified Emerging Markets); EuroPacific Growth Fund (Foreign Large Growth); SMALLCAP World Fund (World Small/Mid Stock); International Growth and Income Fund (Foreign Large Blend).
A history of resilience
The $10,000 hypothetical investment in the line chart is based on daily returns. The S&P 500 values are calculated using the total return index, which includes dividends. The equal-weighted blended average of the seven U.S. equity-focused American Funds includes AMCAP Fund, American Mutual Fund, Fundamental Investors, The Growth Fund of America, The Investment Company of America, The New Economy Fund and Washington Mutual Investors Fund. The investment was rebalanced monthly. Dates shown for market highs and lows are based on the price return of the unmanaged S&P 500 Index, which does not include reinvested dividends. The total percentage loss from high to low shown for the index, Morningstar active category blended averages and American Funds averages are calculated using these dates and based on total returns, which include reinvested dividends. For each of the bear markets shown, the Days to Recovery for the S&P 500 Index and American Funds equal-weighted blended average reflect the number of calendar days (including weekends and holidays) between the stated market low and the next time the value of the investments for each met or surpassed the value set at the pre-downturn market high.
FIXED INCOME
The return of principal for bond funds and for funds with significant underlying bond holdings is not guaranteed. Fund shares are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the underlying bond holdings. Lower rated bonds are subject to greater fluctuations in value and risk of loss of income and principal than higher rated bonds. Bond ratings, which typically range from AAA/Aaa (highest) to D (lowest), are assigned by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's, Moody's and/or Fitch, as an indication of an issuer's creditworthiness. If agency ratings differ, the security will be considered to have received the highest of those ratings, consistent with the fund's investment policies. (For American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund and American High-Income Trust, such securities are placed in the lowest category.) Securities in the Unrated category have not been rated by a rating agency; however, the investment adviser performs its own credit analysis and assigns comparable ratings that are used for compliance with fund investment policies. Investments in mortgage-related securities involve additional risks, such as prepayment risk, as more fully described in the prospectus. While not directly correlated to changes in interest rates, the values of inflation-linked bonds generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates and may experience greater losses than other debt securities with similar durations.
State-specific tax-exempt funds are more susceptible to factors adversely affecting issuers of their states' tax-exempt securities than more widely diversified municipal bond funds. Income from municipal bonds may be subject to state or local income taxes and/or the federal alternative minimum tax (except for The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America). Certain other income, as well as capital gain distributions, may be taxable.
The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional cash securities, such as stocks and bonds. American Funds Strategic Bond Fund may engage in frequent and active trading of its portfolio securities, which may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, adversely affecting the fund's results.
MULTI-ASSET
Although the target date funds are managed for investors on a projected retirement date time frame, the fund’s allocation strategy does not guarantee that investors’ retirement goals will be met. The target date is the year in which an investor is assumed to retire and begin taking withdrawals. American Funds investment professionals actively manage the target date fund’s portfolio, moving it from a more growth-oriented strategy to a more income-oriented focus as the fund gets closer to its target date. Investment professionals continue to manage each fund for 30 years after it reaches its target date.
The return of principal for bond funds and for funds with significant underlying bond holdings is not guaranteed. Fund shares are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the underlying bond holdings. Bond ratings for funds of funds relate to the securities held by the portfolios’ underlying mutual funds, and if agency ratings of those holdings differ, the security will be considered to have received the highest of those ratings. Lower rated bonds are subject to greater fluctuations in value and risk of loss of income and principal than higher rated bonds. For more information about the risks associated with each fund or underlying fund, go to its detailed fund information page or read the prospectus.
Class R-6 shares were first offered on May 1, 2009. Class R-6 share results prior to the date of first sale are hypothetical based on Class A share results without a sales charge, adjusted for typical estimated expenses. Please see each fund's prospectus for more information on specific expenses. The investment adviser is currently reimbursing a portion of other expenses for each share class of American Funds 2060 Target Date Retirement Fund. The reimbursement will be in effect through at least January 1, 2019. The adviser may elect at its discretion to extend, modify or terminate the reimbursement at that time. Investment results and net expense ratios for the 2060 Fund reflect the reimbursement, without which the results would have been lower and the expenses would have been higher. When applicable, investment results reflect expense reimbursements, without which results would have been lower.
We offer a range of share classes designed to meet the needs of retirement plan sponsors and participants. The different share classes incorporate varying levels of advisor compensation and service provider payments. Because Class R-6 shares do not include any recordkeeping payments, expenses are lower and results are higher. Other share classes that include recordkeeping costs have higher expenses and lower results than Class R-6. Investment allocations for funds of funds may not achieve fund objectives. There are expenses associated with the underlying funds in addition to fund-of-funds expenses. The funds' risks are directly related to the risks of the underlying funds, as described herein.
Index descriptions:
Bloomberg Barclays Global Aggregate Index represents the global investment-grade fixed income markets.
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index represents the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market and consists of U.S. Treasury and government related bonds, corporate securities and asset-backed securities.
MSCI All Country World Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure results of more than 40 developed and developing country markets. Results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes through December 31, 2000, and dividends net of withholding taxes thereafter.
MSCI All Country World Small Cap Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market results of smaller capitalization companies in both developed and emerging markets. Results reflect dividends net of withholding taxes.
MSCI All Country World Index ex USA is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure results of more than 40 developed and emerging equity markets, excluding the United States. Results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes through December 31, 2000, and dividends net of withholding taxes thereafter.
MSCI World Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure results of more than 20 developed equity markets. Results reflect dividends net of withholding taxes.
MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index is a free float-adjusted, market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure developed equity market results, excluding the United States and Canada. Results reflect dividends net of withholding taxes.
Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted results of approximately 500 widely held common stocks.
Bloomberg® is a trademark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. (collectively with its affiliates, “Bloomberg”). Barclays® is a trademark of Barclays Bank Plc (collectively with its affiliates, “Barclays”), used under license. Neither Bloomberg nor Barclays approves or endorses this material, guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information herein and, to the maximum extent allowed by law, neither shall have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith.
MSCI has not approved, reviewed or produced this report, makes no express or implied warranties or representations and is not liable whatsoever for any data in the report. You may not redistribute the MSCI data or use it as a basis for other indices or investment products.
The S&P indexes are products of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and have been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2019 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part are prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
© 2019 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Information is calculated by Morningstar. Due to differing calculation methods, the figures shown here may differ from those calculated by American Funds.
Past results are not predictive of results in future periods.
Figures shown are past results and are not predictive of results in future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. View fund expense ratios and returns.
Returns shown at net asset value (NAV) have all distributions reinvested.
This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.
Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. When applicable, investment results reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which the results would have been lower. Read details about how waivers and/or reimbursements affect the results for each fund. View results and yields without fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement.
There may have been periods when the results lagged the index(es).
The market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Investing outside the United States involves risks, such as currency fluctuations, periods of illiquidity and price volatility, as more fully described in the prospectus. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. Small-company stocks entail additional risks, and they can fluctuate in price more than larger company stocks.
Each target date portfolio is composed of a mix of underlying funds and is subject to the risks and returns of those funds. Underlying funds may be added or removed during the year. Although the target date portfolios are managed for investors on a projected retirement date time frame, the allocation strategy does not guarantee that investors' retirement goals will be met. The target date is the year in which an investor is assumed to retire and begin taking withdrawals. Investment professionals manage the portfolio, moving it from a more growth-oriented strategy to a more income-oriented focus as the target date gets closer. Investment professionals continue to manage each portfolio for 30 years after it reaches its target date.
Fund results for periods before a share class was sold are hypothetical. These hypothetical returns were calculated by adjusting Class A share results without a sales charge for the difference between the Class A share expense ratio and the estimated expense ratio for the share class as of the date of first sale. View dates of first sale and specific expense adjustment information.
Regular investing does not ensure a profit or protect against loss. Investors should consider their willingness to keep investing when share prices are declining.
The Capital Group companies manage equities through three investment divisions that make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed-income investment professionals provide fixed-income research and investment management across the Capital organization, however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups.
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.
Statements attributed to an individual represent the opinions of that individual as of the date published and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Capital Group or its affiliates. This information is intended to highlight issues and should not be considered advice, an endorsement or a recommendation.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
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American Funds Distributors, Inc., member FINRA.
This content, developed by Capital Group, home of American Funds, should not be used as a primary basis for investment decisions and is not intended to serve as impartial investment or fiduciary advice.