American Balanced Fund®
Share Class C
Balanced
Overview
American Balanced Fund may be appropriate for:
- Investors who want the income of bonds and the growth opportunities of stocks
- Income-oriented investors looking for a conservative entry into the stock market
- Investors who want to simplify their portfolio
Objective
The investment objectives of the fund are: (1) conservation of capital, (2) current income and (3) long-term growth of capital and income.
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: 7/26/75
- Expense ratio:* 1.32%
- Investment expenses paid annually: $13.20 for a $1,000 balance
- Ticker symbol:BALCX
*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.
Top 10 holdings
(Percentage of net assets shown are for the most recent period available as of 4/30/24; holdings are subject to change)
- Broadcom4.5%
- Microsoft4.3%
- Alphabet2.4%
- Philip Morris International1.8%
- UnitedHealth Group1.7%
- Meta Platforms1.7%
- Eli Lilly1.6%
- TSMC1.5%
- JPMorgan Chase1.3%
- Canadian Natural Resources1.1%
Where the fund was invested
(as of 4/30/24; 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.(Class C shares were first offered on March 15, 2001 (on February 21, 2014, in funds in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series). Class C share returns prior to the date of the first sale are hypothetical results based on Class A share returns without a sales charge, adjusted for typical additional annual expenses of about 0.82% on average over the first 10 years. Shares of some funds were not sold on the first day available; please see the fund’s most recent shareholder report for the actual date of first sale.)
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 3/31/24
| Latest10 years | Latest5 years | Latest3 years | Latestyear | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At net asset value | 7.36% | 7.75% | 5.09% | 16.87% |
| With CDSC | 7.36% | 7.75% | 5.09% | 15.87% |
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 reimbursem*nts, without which results would have been lower.Read details about how waivers and/or reimbursem*nts affect the results for each fund.
Class C shares were first offered on March 15, 2001 (on February 21, 2014, in funds in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series). Class C share results prior to the date of first sale are hypothetical based on Class A share results without a sales charge, adjusted for estimated additional annual expenses. 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. View dates of first sale and specific expense adjustment information for Class C shares. Please see the fund prospectus for more information about specific expenses.
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.
A 1% contingent deferred sales charge may apply to Class C shares sold within one year of purchase.
The return of principal for the bond holdings in American Balanced Fund is not guaranteed. Fund shares are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the underlying bond holdings.
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.
On or around July 1, 2024, American Funds Distributors, Inc. will be renamed Capital Client Group, Inc.
