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The Capital Group’s American Funds family has been offering mutual funds to investors since the early 1930s. It currently boasts 54 fund offerings, spanning a broad array of categories. Most of the funds are actively managed by professional analysts and managers. The following funds boast the longest track records.
Note: All financial data is current as of May, 2021.
1) American Funds Investment Company of America
The Investment Company of America fund (AIVSX) is an actively managed growth- and income-focused equity fund. Its average annual return since its 1934 inception is 12.04%, outperforming the S&P 500’s 10.64% average annual return for the same time period as of March 2021. The fund has a five-year annualized return of 12.73%, an expense ratio of 0.58%, and a dividend yield of 1.26%.
2) American Mutual Fund
The American Mutual Fund (AMRMX) is a large-cap value fund that aims to preserve capital by selecting stocks offering strong fundamentals and sustainable dividends. Since its 1950 launch, the fund’s average annual return is 11.51%. The fund’s five-year annualized return is 10.9%, its expense ratio is 0.59%, with a 1.73% dividend yield.
3) AMCAP Fund
Launched in 1967, the AMCAP Fund (AMCPX) seeks long-term capital growth by targeting stocks that consistently demonstrate superior earnings. The fund’s average annual return over the past ten years is 12.43%, its five-year annualized return is 15.34%, and its expense ratio is 0.68%, well below the category average of 1.17%. The dividend yield is 0.17%.
4) New Perspective Fund
American Funds launched the New Perspective Fund (ANWPX) in March 1973, with an investment goal of seeking long-term capital appreciation. The fund manager chiefly invests in multinational blue-chip multinational companies, in the form of common stocks, preferred stocks, bonds, or convertible securities. As of May 2021, the average annual return since inception is 12.43%. The fund’s five-year annualized return is 15.13%, and its expense ratio is 0.68%, with a 0.17% dividend yield. This fund lacks a dividend yield as of July 2020.
5) The Growth Fund of America
Launched in December 1973, the Growth Fund of America (AGTHX) seeks long-term capital growth by investing in cyclical businesses, undervalued companies, and potential turnaround stories. The fund’s average annual return is 13.44%, its five-year annualized return is 19.25%, and its expense ratio is 0.64%. It does not currently offer a dividend yield.
6) The Income Fund of America
Introduced in December 1973, the Income Fund of America (AMECX) seeks to achieve capital growth by investing in a mix of stocks, convertible securities, and bonds. Its 10-year annualized return is 7.71%, its five-year annualized return is 7.96%, and the fund’s expense ratio is 0.57%. The fund boasts an attractive 2.95% dividend yield.
7) The Bond Fund of America
Launched in 1973, the Bond Fund of America (ABNDX) maintains a diversified fixed income portfolio by adjusting to changing bond market conditions in pursuit of high income and capital preservation. The fund’s 10-year annualized return is 12.27%, and its five-year annualized return is 11.07%. Its expense ratio is 0.64%, with a 0.22% yield.
8) American Balanced Fund
Launched in July 1975, the American Balanced Fund (ABALX) seeks long-term capital and income growth by investing at least 60% of its assets in common stock and 40% in the bond market. The fund’s five-year annualized return is 9.52%, the expense ratio is 0.58%, and the dividend yield is 1.6%.
9) Fundamental Investors Fund
Since its August 1978 inception, the Fundamental Investors Fund (ANCFX) has targeted value opportunities and stocks exhibiting superior sales and earnings potential. The fund’s 10-year annualized return of 11.91% has been eclipsed by its five-year annualized return of 14.24%. The expense ratio is 0.61%, and the dividend yield is 1.33%.
10) The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
Launched in October 1979, the Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (AFTEX) seeks to maximize tax-exempt income by investing primarily in municipal and public authority bonds. The fund boasts a 10-year annualized return of 4.2% and a five-year annualized return of 2.6%. The fund’s 12-month yield is 2.14%, and its expense ratio is 0.52%.
