John H. Smet

The Capital Group Cos., Inc. provides investment management services. It manages and underwrites mutual funds in the American Funds family group and provides other financial services. The firm serves the institutions, consultants, financial advisors, intermediaries, and individual investors. The company was founded by Jonathan Bell Lovelace in 1931 and is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.

CR&M maintains an investment philosophy that is distinguished by four key beliefs: solid research is fundamental to sound investment decisions; investment decisions should not be made lightly; a long-term approach; and the Capital System. The firm's investment decisions are subject to a fund's or account's objectives, policies and restrictions and the oversight of the appropriate investment-related committees of the firm and its investment divisions. They generally invest in equity securities, fixed-income securities or a combination of both and in U.S. and international equity securities, including common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities, of companies with varying market capitalizations. CR&M typically builds portfolios for funds and accounts from the bottom-up using rigorous fundamental research to find attractive investments and manage risks.

Capital Research & Management invests globally in equities and fixed-income securities. The firm also offers balanced investment strategies that are customized to meet each client''s unique investment objectives and financial needs. The firm uses a multiple portfolio counselor system. Assets of each fund are divided into smaller, more manageable portions. Each portion is managed by a portfolio manager who operates autonomously, investing his or her portion as though it were an entire fund, subject to fund objectives and overall guidelines. Research analysts typically manage a segment as well (about 20% of the fund''s assets). Investment decisions are based on internal research. Capital Research & Management''s equity investment strategies are based on a comprehensive, bottom-up approach. In addition, the firm constantly monitors broader economic, political, currency and interest rate trends. Their fixed-income investment strategy takes a more top-down view of the factors impacting the markets. Core fixed-income portfolios are constructed based on duration, sector allocation and security selection.