ai-36904© 2013 american funds distributors, inc. figures are past results and are not predictive of...

AI-36904© 2013 American Funds Distributors, Inc.

Figures are past results and are not predictive of results in future periods.

Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.

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On the right path10 questions people often ask about mutual funds

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What’s the differencebetween saving and investing?

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Stocks, bonds and cashGrowth of $1,000 over past 30 years through 12/31/12

Sources — cash: Ibbotson Associates 30-day U.S. Treasury bill; bonds: Citigroup High-Grade Credit Index; stocks: Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index. Growth of a hypothetical investment of $1,000 over the past 30 years through 12/31/12, with interest compounded and distributions reinvested.

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$3,534

$17,066

$21,666

Cash Bonds Stocks

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How should I invest?



How should I invest?

What are your goals?

What is your risk tolerance?

What are your financial circumstances?

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Why mutual funds instead of individual stocks?



Why mutual funds instead of individual stocks?

Experienced investors seek to diversify their holdings

Benefit from investment managers’ research

Mutual funds are well diversified

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Is mutual fund investing safe?



Is mutual fund investing safe?

Fluctuations are natural

A highly regulated industry

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What are the different kinds of mutual funds?



What are the different kinds of mutual funds?

Stock funds

Bond funds

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Should I invest overseas?



Should I invest overseas?

Diversification and opportunity

Additional risks

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A look at global diversificationAdding stocks outside the U.S. has helped reduce volatility, 1/1/83–12/31/12

Results calculated by Thomson. Sources: S&P 500 and MSCI EAFE indexes. MSCI results reflect dividends net of withholding taxes. Volatility is calculated using annualized standard deviation (based on monthly returns), a measure of how returns over time have varied from the mean; a lower number signifies lower volatility.

Average annual Standardtotal return deviation

100% U.S. stocks 10.8% 15.3

Blend of 65% U.S. and 35% stocks outside the U.S. 10.6 14.9 (rebalanced annually)

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So when is a good time to invest?



So when is a good time to invest?Growth of $5,000 a year in the S&P 500, 1/1/83 – 12/31/12

*Average annual total returnResults calculated by Thomson. Sources: Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index, with dividends reinvested. Market high and low dates based on the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

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$660,313

Worst day(market high)

First day of each year

Best day(market low)

8.7%a year*

$787,247

9.3%a year*

$831,526

9.7%a year*

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Why are dividends important?

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Why are dividends important?

Take dividends in cash

Reinvest dividends and capital gains

Cross-reinvest dividends

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How much does it cost to invest in mutual funds?



Mutual fund costs

Sales charge– Also known as a “load”– Up-front – Back-end– Compensates advisers for their services

Contingent deferred sales charge

No-load– Sold directly to the public

Annual operating expenses

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How do I draw from my investments?

Withdrawal strategies

Tax-advantaged accounts

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Why do so many financial advisers recommend American Funds?



American FundsServing mutual fund shareholders for more than 80 years

Consistent approach

Proven system

Superior long-term track record

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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 a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing

Citigroup Long-Term High-Grade Corporate Bond Index (also known as Citigroup High-Grade Corporate Bond Index) is the corporate component of the Credit Index. It includes those issues from the Credit Index that have at least 10 years to maturity (long term) but excludes asset-backed securities and outside U.S. sovereign/provincial issues.

Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average of 30 actively traded industrial and service-oriented blue chip stocks.

MSCI EAFE® (Europe, Australasia, Far East) Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure developed equity market results, excluding the United States and Canada. Results reflect net dividends.

MSCI USA Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure the U.S. portion of the world market. Results reflect net dividends.

Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted results of 500 widely held common stocks.

U.S. Treasury Bill Index, as its name implies, represents U.S. Treasury bills, which are short-term debt securities, with maturities of one year or less, issued by the U.S. government.

Market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses.

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The return of principal for bond funds and for funds with significant underlying bond holdings is not guaranteed. Fund shares are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the underlying bond holdings. In addition, there are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning bond fund shares, which is in contrast to owning individual bonds. Bond prices and a bond fund’s share price will generally move in the opposite direction of interest rates.

Unlike mutual fund shares, investments in U.S. Treasuries are guaranteed by the U.S. government as to the payment of principal and interest.

Regular investing neither ensures a profit nor protects against loss in a declining market.

Unlike mutual fund shares, certificates of deposit (CDs) are FDIC-insured and, if held to maturity, offer a guaranteed return of principal.

Unlike fund shares, investments in savings accounts offer a guarantee of principal.

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.

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ai-36904© 2013 american funds distributors, inc. figures are past results and are not predictive of...

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