Select your location

  • Japan
  • International - other
  • Asia - other

Who are you ?

Select another location

Wer bist du ?

Wählen Sie einen anderen Ort

Qui êtes vous ?

Sélectionnez un autre emplacement

Qui êtes vous ?

Sélectionnez un autre emplacement

Who are you ?

Select another location

Qui êtes vous ?

Sélectionnez un autre emplacement

Wer bist du ?

Wählen Sie einen anderen Ort

Who are you ?

Select another location

Who are you ?

中國香港特別行政區

Who are you ?

Select another location

Wer bist du ?

Wählen Sie einen anderen Ort

Wer bist du ?

Wählen Sie einen anderen Ort

Qui êtes vous ?

Sélectionnez un autre emplacement

Who are you ?

Select another location

Wer bist du ?

Wählen Sie einen anderen Ort

Qui êtes vous ?

Sélectionnez un autre emplacement

Who are you ?

Select another location

Who are you ?

RETIREMENT PLAN INVESTOR

Use your plan ID (available on your account statement) to determine which employer-sponsored retirement plan website to use:

IF YOUR PLAN ID BEGINS WITH IRK, BRK, 754, 1 OR 2

Visit americanfunds.com/retire

IF YOUR PLAN ID BEGINS WITH 34 OR 135

Visit myretirement.americanfunds.com

Who are you ?

Select another location

Who are you ?

Select another location

Categories
Brexit
Brexit: How did we get here?

Great Britain joined the European Union’s predecessor, the European Economic Community, in 1973 and it has always been a somewhat reluctant member. The EU now includes 28 nations, 19 of which are part of the single-currency monetary union known as the euro zone.


Over the years, talk of Britain leaving the EU (or Brexit) has ebbed and flowed with the prevailing political tides. British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher supported EU membership but famously opposed the adoption of the euro, arguing that the pound sterling served as a powerful symbol of the U.K.’s sovereignty and national identity. The pound remains the official coin of the realm today.


Fast forward to 2013: Facing a surge of anti-Europe sentiment within his own party, Prime Minister David Cameron promised to call a referendum on EU membership if the Conservatives won the 2015 election. They did win, overwhelmingly, and the referendum was duly scheduled for June 23, 2016.


The Brexit opposition camp features Cameron, U.K. finance minister George Osborne and many prominent world leaders, including German Chancellor Angela Merkel, U.S. President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping of China. In addition to [Boris] Johnson, Brexit backers include U.K. justice minister Michael Gove, U.K. Independence Party leader Nigel Farage, French National Front leader Marine Le Pen and Russian President Vladimir Putin.


Following a dispute over the precise wording of the referendum, the ballot question will read as follows:  “Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?”


Recent polls indicate that Brexit support is growing, but the outcome is essentially too close to call.



Don’t miss out

Get the Capital Ideas newsletter in your inbox every other week

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.

Use of this website is intended for U.S. residents only. Use of this website and materials is also subject to approval by your home office.

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

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.

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.