The Bond Fund of America®
Bond
Overview
The Bond Fund of America may be appropriate for:
- Individuals who seek a diversified approach to fixed-income investing through a bond fund with a proven track record
- Income-oriented investors who want a solid core holding for their financial programs
- Investors seeking a well-diversified bond fund to balance their overall portfolios
Objective
The fund's investment objective is to provide as high a level of current income as is consistent with the 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: 5/28/74
- Expense ratio:* 0.62%
- Investment expenses paid annually:† $6.20 for a $1,000 balance
- Ticker symbol: ABNDX
*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
Normally, the fund invests at least 80% of its assets in bonds and other debt securities, including U.S. government, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The majority of the fund’s investments are rated A or better (or unrated but determined by the fund’s investment adviser to be of equivalent quality) at the time of purchase. The fund’s current practice is not to invest more than 10% of its assets in debt securities rated BB or below. Up to 25% of assets may be invested in securities of issuers outside the United States. The fund invests in debt securities with a wide range of maturities.
Where the fund was invested
(as of 3/31/24; 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. (The percentages are shown at net asset value, updated annually as of 12/31. If the results reflected deduction of the maximum sales charge of 3.75%, they would have been lower.)
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.
Average annual total returns through 3/31/24
| Latest10 years | Latest5 years | Latest3 years | Latestyear | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At net asset value | 1.66% | 0.86% | -2.55% | 1.01% |
| At maximum offering price (Class A shares, with 3.75% maximum sales charge) |
1.27% | 0.09% | -3.78% | -2.76% |
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.
In applying any particular asset allocation model to your own individual situation, you should consider your other assets, income and investments. For example, in addition to your retirement plan investments, you should consider any investments (including those in an Individual Retirement Account) and savings accounts.
Investing outside the United States involves risks, such as currency fluctuations, periods of illiquidity and price volatility, as more fully described in the prospectus. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.
Lower rated bonds are subject to greater fluctuations in value and risk of loss of income and principal than higher rated bonds. The return of principal in bond funds is not guaranteed. Bond funds have the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks that are associated with the underlying bonds owned by the fund.
Bond ratings, which typically range from AAA/Aaa (highest) to D (lowest), are assigned by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and/or Fitch, as an indication of an issuer’s creditworthiness.
Fund results and expense ratio information listed above apply to Class A shares only. The results and expense ratio information for the investments in your plan may differ.
SIMPLE IRA and SEP plans only:
Additional share class options are available without an up-front sales charge. There is no sales charge on Class A shares for plans with over $1 million invested in American Funds. Class C shares have higher expenses than Class A shares and a 1% CDSC if shares are sold within the first year of purchase. Class C shares convert to Class A shares after 8 years. Prior to 6/30/2020, Class C shares converted to Class F-1 shares after 10 years. Your financial professional can help you decide which option is best for you.
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.
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.
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 your plan’s financial professional or downloaded and should be read carefully before investing. You can find a link to the prospectus at the top of the page.
Use of this website is intended for U.S. residents only.
American Funds Distributors, Inc., member FINRA.
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