Downside Risk Dashboard | Capital Group
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The Investment Company of America®

 

Outpacing the Index in the Long Term

In the 20-year period ending 12/31/2015, The Investment Company of America® (ICA) beat its benchmark, the Standard & Poor’s 500 (S&P) Index. Although there have been periods when the fund lagged, thanks to a risk-sensitive approach, the fund produced greater wealth than an index investment during this volatile 20-year period.





An initial investment of $10,000 would have grown to:

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All dollar amounts are based on a hypothetical investment of $10,000 on 12/31/1995. Total returns are based on the 20-year period from 12/31/1995 to 12/31/2015.

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GRAY: Hypothetical index investment

BLUE: Investment with low downside capture

 

Resilient in Significant Downturns

Let’s take a look at how low downside capture affected the fund’s results during two key market downturns.
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Post-Tech Bubble Downturn*

Following the bursting of the tech bubble, the economy suffered a huge blow, and the S&P 500 index lost 47.4% of its total value. But with a lower downside capture ratio, The Investment Company of America lost just 28.3% of its value, avoiding much of the crash. While the fund trailed the index going into the downturn, it emerged in the lead.

Financial Crisis Downturn†

The financial crisis of late 2007 left the S&P 500 Index with a 55.3% loss, while The Investment Company of America lost 50.9% of its value. Going into this downturn, the fund had a 17.5% advantage over the index, and thanks to low downside capture, that advantage grew to 29%.

* Defined as the period from 3/24/2000 to 10/9/2002

† Defined as the period from 10/9/2007 to 3/9/2009

1 American Funds equity funds have beaten their Lipper peer indexes in 91% of 10-year periods and 95% of 20-year periods. Results based on Class A share results for rolling periods through December 31, 2015. Periods covered are the shorter of the fund’s lifetime or since the comparable Lipper index inception date (except Capital Income Builder and SMALLCAP World Fund, for which the Lipper average was used).

The S&P 500 Index is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2017 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.

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. Prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely.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. Returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. View . 

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. 

Certain market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. 

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. 

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.

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.

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