
American Funds stock symbols are unique identifiers used to represent specific investment funds.
Each American Funds stock symbol is a combination of letters that represent the fund's name and type.
For example, the stock symbol for the American Funds Growth Fund of America R6 is AGTHX.
This six-letter combination is a standard format used by the investment company to identify its various funds.
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Buy: New Perspective
If you're looking for a solid investment option, consider the American Funds New Perspective fund. Its symbol is ANWPX.
With an expense ratio of 0.76%, it's a relatively affordable choice. The fund has a 1-year return of 30.9% and a 3-year annualized return of 24.4%.
For a 5-year annualized return, New Perspective stands at 20.0%. Over the long haul, the 10-year annualized return is 15.1%. This makes it a great option for investors who want to diversify their portfolio.
Ranking among the top 401(k) funds, New Perspective comes in at #56. It's a great choice for investors looking to beef up their foreign stock exposure.
The fund's portfolio is divided among seven managers who invest in companies with a meaningful share of sales and operations outside of their home base. This results in a roughly 300-stock portfolio of mostly large companies with above-average earnings growth.
Some of the top holdings in the fund include Tesla, Microsoft, and Facebook.
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Fund Performance
The C Fund, with a total asset value of $339 billion, has a total expense ratio of 0.048% (4.8 basis points), making it a relatively low-cost investment option.
The fund's performance is evaluated based on how closely its returns match those of the S&P 500 Index, which tracks the performance of major U.S. companies and industries.
The American Funds The Growth Fund of America has outpaced the S&P 500 index over the past three, five, and 10 years, with a 10-year annualized return of TK%.
The Growth Fund of America has a 400-stock portfolio, with top holdings including Microsoft (MSFT), Tesla (TSLA), and Facebook parent Meta.
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A $10,000 investment in the fund 10 years ago would be worth nearly $51,000 today, compared to a similar investment in Vanguard 500 Index fund, which would be worth just under $46,000.
Here's a comparison of the fund's returns over different time periods:
AIVSX, the Investment Company of America fund, has a one-year return of 4.57% and a 10-year average return of 10.48%.
Fund Management
The fund management team at American Funds is a seasoned group, with James Lovelace and Donald O'Neal having managed the fund for nearly three decades each.
They're not alone, though - they're part of a team-based approach that includes seven other fund managers with varying levels of experience, ranging from one year to twenty years with the Investment Company of America fund.
Their experience has paid off, with the fund's long-term performance being a testament to their skills.
Hold: Washington Mutual
American Funds Washington Mutual Investors is a fund that's been around since 1952, but its strict approach to stock-picking might not be the best choice for everyone.
The fund's rules are based on a Washington, D.C., court case following the Great Depression, which established a list of high-quality stocks with solid balance sheets and consistent, growing dividends.
Its low-volatility portfolio has resulted in 10% less volatility over the past 10 years, but it's also lagged a S&P 500 index fund by an average of 2.2 percentage points per year.
A $10,000 investment 10 years ago in Washington Mutual would be worth almost $10,000 less than an investment in an S&P 500 index fund.
This fund might be appealing to older investors nearing retirement or already retired, who want to keep a toehold in the stock market with less volatility.
However, for young investors who have decades to go before retirement, the trade-off might not be worth it.
Here's a comparison of the fund's performance:
As you can see, the S&P 500 index fund has outperformed Washington Mutual over the past 10 years, but with more volatility.
Fund Management
The team behind AIVSX is impressive, with James Lovelace and Donald O'Neal leading the way, each with nearly three decades of experience managing the fund.
Their team-based approach is accompanied by seven other fund managers, each bringing their own expertise to the table.
One of the longest-tenured managers has been with the Investment Company of America fund for twenty years.
The fund's one-year return is 4.57% as of May 31, 2023.
The team's experience and expertise have paid off, with the fund generating an annualized return of 11.95% since inception on Jan. 1, 1934.
Over a five-year period, the Investment Company of America fund returned 8.78%.
The fund's 10-year average return is a staggering 10.48%.
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Mutual Funds
American Funds has a team-based approach to fund management, with managers like James Lovelace and Donald O'Neal having nearly three decades of experience.
The Investment Company of America fund has a one-year return of 4.57% and a 10-year average return of 10.48%. Over a five-year period, it returned 8.78%.
AEPGX, the American Funds EuroPacific Growth fund, has a one-year return of 17.0% and a five-year annualized return of 13.4%. It's the biggest actively managed foreign stock fund in the country and has a 10-year annualized return of 9.5%.
The fund's performance is impressive, especially considering it beats the MSCI EAFE index of stocks in foreign developed countries. It also outperforms the Vanguard Total International Stock Index (VGTSX) over the past two, three, five, and 10 years.
Here are some key statistics for AEPGX:
- Symbol: AEPGX
- Expense ratio: 0.82%
- 1-year return: 17.0%
- 3-year annualized return: 17.0%
- 5-year annualized return: 13.4%
- 10-year annualized return: 9.5%
The C Fund, which tracks the S&P 500 Index, is a useful addition to a portfolio that also contains other stock funds, as it reduces exposure to market risk.
Buy: EuroPacific Growth
EuroPacific Growth is a top pick for 401(k) investors looking for international stock exposure. It's the biggest actively managed foreign stock fund in the country.
The fund's Capital System, which divides assets among multiple managers, has helped it stay competitive. Over the past five and 10 years, it's largely kept pace with its typical peer: funds that invest in large, foreign companies.
EuroPacific Growth beats the MSCI EAFE index of stocks in foreign developed countries. It's also outperformed Vanguard Total International Stock Index over the past two, three, five, and 10 years.
Here are the key stats:
- Symbol: AEPGX
- Expense ratio: 0.82%
- 1-year return: 17.0%
- 3-year annualized return: 17.0%
- 5-year annualized return: 13.4%
- 10-year annualized return: 9.5%
- Rank among the top 401(k) funds: #3
The fund's managers each look for high-quality companies with good long-term growth prospects in Europe and the Pacific Basin. The fund holds mostly large companies, including top holdings ASML Holding, Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM), and AIA Group (AAGIY).
Even after a longtime manager steps down at the end of 2021, the fund will still have 10 managers.
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Hold: Growth Fund of America
Growth Fund of America is a mutual fund that invests in large, growing companies, making it a good choice for aggressive investors willing to take on extra risk for higher returns. The fund has a 0.61% expense ratio.
Over the past decade, Growth Fund of America has outpaced the S&P 500 index, with a 10-year annualized return of TK%. A $10,000 investment in the fund 10 years ago would be worth nearly $51,000 today.
However, the fund's performance has been lumpy, lagging the S&P 500 in five of the past 11 full calendar years. This lumpy performance is a major reason why we rate Growth Fund of America a Hold.
The fund's 400-stock portfolio includes top holdings like Microsoft, Tesla, and Facebook parent Meta. But while these holdings have contributed to the fund's success, they've also led to periods of lagging performance.
Here are some key statistics to consider:
- Symbol: AGTHX
- Expense ratio: 0.61%
- Rank among the top 401(k) funds: #17
Ultimately, Growth Fund of America's potential for higher returns makes it a good choice for aggressive investors, but its lumpy performance means it's not the best option for everyone. If you do choose to invest in this fund, be prepared to sit tight during the lean years.
Mutual Fund
Mutual Funds are a type of investment that pools money from many investors to invest in a variety of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and other securities. This allows individuals to diversify their portfolios and potentially earn higher returns.
One of the key benefits of mutual funds is that they are actively managed by professionals who make investment decisions on behalf of the fund's investors. For example, American Funds The Growth Fund of America is managed by a team of experienced professionals who have been with the fund for nearly three decades.
The expense ratio of a mutual fund is an important consideration for investors, as it represents the cost of managing the fund. For instance, American Funds EuroPacific Growth has an expense ratio of 0.82%, which is relatively high compared to other funds.
Mutual funds can be a good option for investors who want to gain exposure to specific asset classes or geographic regions. For example, American Funds EuroPacific Growth is one of the biggest actively managed foreign stock funds in the country, and it offers investors the opportunity to invest in large, foreign companies.
If you're considering investing in a mutual fund, it's essential to evaluate its performance over time. For instance, American Funds The Growth Fund of America has outpaced the S&P 500 index over the past three, five, and 10 years, but it has also lagged the index in five of the past 11 full calendar years.
Here are some key statistics for a few mutual funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ticker for American fund Balanced fund?
The ticker for the American Balanced Fund is ABALX. This fund offers a balanced investment approach with a mix of stocks and bonds.
What is the stock symbol Fnsxx?
The stock symbol FNSXX represents the Fidelity Colchester Street Trust - Money Market Portfolio. This portfolio is a type of money market fund offered by Fidelity Investments.
Sources
- https://www.tsp.gov/funds-individual/c-fund/
- https://www.kiplinger.com/investing/mutual-funds/603747/best-american-funds-for-401k-retirement-savers-2021-2022
- https://www.capitalgroup.com/retirement/participant/about/funds/details.htm
- https://www.capitalgroup.com/retirement/participant/about/share-prices-and-returns.htm
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/031816/aivsx-overview-investment-company-america-fund.asp
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