Getting started

Reviewing your investments

Track your progress instead of the market

Whether you manage your own investments or rely on your financial professional for an update, it’s always a good idea to monitor how the investments in your portfolio are doing. That’s the best way to avoid an unwelcome surprise that could throw you off track and delay you in reaching your investment goals.

Eyes on the finish line

When you frequently check your investments, it’s easy to lose your long-term perspective. That’s especially true when you look at your portfolio on a day when there’s been a big move in a market index such as the S&P 500. Checking at the end of each quarter keeps you in the loop while retaining your long-term perspective.

Big-picture view

Consider reviewing all your account statements at the same time, rather than as you receive them. If you use different accounts for the same goal, for example an IRA (individual retirement account) and a 401(k) to invest for retirement, you may need to refer to multiple statements.

Time for a change?

When it comes to investment results, it’s all relative. If you’re considering making a change after a few disappointing quarters, start by comparing that fund to others with similar investment objectives. Look at how your current investment measures up to its peers over longer time frames. But remember, selling investments may also increase your tax bill.

LEARN HOW

What and when to evaluate

Learn more about investing

Now that you know how to review your investments, explore other important investment concepts.

RISK AND TIME HORIZON

S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the results of approximately 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.

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 prospectuses and summary prospectuses, which can be obtained from a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.
The indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Each S&P Index ("Index") shown is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2025 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 is prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
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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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.