Short-Term Bond Fund of America®
Bond
Overview
Short-Term Bond Fund of America may be appropriate for investors seeking:
- Higher income than from most money market securities
- Lower volatility than from intermediate- and long-term bonds
- More balance in a portfolio weighted heavily in equity or longer term investments
Objective
The fund's investment objective is to provide you with current income, consistent with the maturity and quality standards described in this prospectus, and preservation of capital.
Manager
The fund is managed by Capital Research and Management Company, one of the nation’s oldest, largest investment management firms. Since 1931, Capital Research has invested with a long-term focus based on thorough research and attention to risk.
Fund information
- Began operations: 10/02/06
- Net and gross expense ratios:* 1.38% / 1.38%
- Investment expenses paid annually:† $13.80 for a $1,000 balance
- Ticker symbol: ASBCX
*Fund expenses are as of each fund’s prospectus. Please see the fund’s most recent prospectus for details.
†You can estimate the investment expenses you’re paying annually by multiplying your balance in the fund by the expense ratio.
Investments
Primarily corporate and government bonds, mortgage- and asset-backed securities and cash. The fund will primarily invest in debt securities rated AA- or better or Aa3 or better at the time of purchase (or unrated but determined to be of comparable quality by the fund's investment adviser). Up to 10% of assets can be invested in debt securities in the A rating category or unrated but determined by the fund's investment adviser to be of equivalent quality. The fund will not purchase debt securities rated BBB+ or below and Baa1 or below.
Asset mix
(as of 2/28/26; percentage of net assets; holdings are subject to change)
Where the fund was invested
(as of 12/31/25; percentage of net assets; holdings are subject to change)
*Cash and equivalents includes short-term securities, accrued income and other assets less liabilities. It may also include investments in money market or similar funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates that are not offered to the public.
Past results
The bar graph below shows the fund’s annual results and illustrates the fund’s fluctuations over the past 10 years.
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 here. For more current information and month-end results, click here. Share price and return will vary, so you may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. Unless otherwise indicated, all results are calculated at net asset value. Returns at net asset value would have been lower if the contingent deferred sales charge had been deducted. Returns with CDSC reflect deduction of a contingent deferred sales charge (1%) on shares sold within the first year of purchase.
Average annual total returns through 3/31/26
Class C Shares
| Latest10 years | Latest5 years | Latest3 years | Latestyear | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At net asset value | 1.09% | 1.01% | 3.24% | 2.79% |
| With CDSC | 1.09% | 1.01% | 3.24% | 1.79% |
Investment results reflect the deduction of applicable fees and expenses and the reinvestment of all distributions. When applicable, investment results reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which results would have been lower. Read details about how waivers and/or reimbursements affect the results for each fund.
Class C share returns prior to the date shares first sold are hypothetical. Hypothetical returns prior to the date of first sale 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 Class C share expense ratio as of the date of first sale over the first 10 years. See the dates of first sale and expense adjustments for Class C shares. Please see the fund prospectus for more information about specific expenses.
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