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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. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. Prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. View mutual fund expense ratios and returns.
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 a financial professional and should be read carefully before investing.
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. For most funds, unless otherwise noted below, if agency ratings differ, a security will be considered to have received the highest of those ratings, consistent with applicable investment policies. Securities in the Unrated category have not been rated by a rating agency; however, the investment adviser performs its own credit analysis and assigns comparable ratings that are used for compliance with applicable investment policies.
For the fund(s) noted, if agency ratings differ, such securities are placed in the lowest category, consistent with applicable investment policies. (American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund)
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 for bond portfolios and for portfolios with significant underlying bond holdings is not guaranteed. Investments are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the underlying bond holdings.
Income from municipal bonds may be subject to state or local income taxes and/or the federal alternative minimum tax. Certain other income, as well as capital gain distributions, may be taxable. The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America will not invest in bonds subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
The Morningstar Medalist Rating™ is the summary expression of Morningstar's forward-looking analysis of investment strategies as offered via specific vehicles using a rating scale of Gold, Silver, Bronze, Neutral, and Negative. The Medalist Ratings indicate which investments Morningstar believes are likely to outperform a relevant index or peer group average on a risk-adjusted basis over time. Investment products are evaluated on three key pillars (People, Parent, and Process) which, when coupled with a fee assessment, forms the basis for Morningstar's conviction in those products' investment merits and determines the Medalist Rating they're assigned. Pillar ratings take the form of Low, Below Average, Average, Above Average, and High. Pillars may be evaluated via an analyst's qualitative assessment (either directly to a vehicle the analyst covers or indirectly when the pillar ratings of a covered vehicle are mapped to a related uncovered vehicle) or using algorithmic techniques. Vehicles are sorted by their expected performance into rating groups defined by their Morningstar Category and their active or passive status. When analysts directly cover a vehicle, they assign the three pillar ratings based on their qualitative assessment, subject to the oversight of the Analyst Rating Committee, and monitor and reevaluate them at least every 14 months. When the vehicles are covered either indirectly by analysts or by algorithm, the ratings are assigned monthly. For more detailed information about these ratings, including their methodology, please go to global.morningstar.com/managerdisclosures/. The Morningstar Medalist Ratings are not statements of fact, nor are they credit or risk ratings. The Morningstar Medalist Rating (i) should not be used as the sole basis in evaluating an investment product, (ii) involves unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause expectations not to occur or to differ significantly from what was expected, (iii) are not guaranteed to be based on complete or accurate assumptions or models when determined algorithmically, (iv) involve the risk that the return target will not be met due to such things as unforeseen changes in management, technology, economic development, interest rate development, operating and/or material costs, competitive pressure, supervisory law, exchange rate, tax rates, exchange rate changes, and/or changes in political and social conditions, and (v) should not be considered an offer or solicitation to buy or sell the investment product. A change in the fundamental factors underlying the Morningstar Medalist Rating can mean that the rating is subsequently no longer accurate.
There have been periods when the results lagged the index(es) and/or average(s). The indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Source: Bloomberg Index Services Limited. BLOOMBERG® is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively "Bloomberg"). Bloomberg or Bloomberg's licensors own all proprietary rights in the Bloomberg Indices. Neither Bloomberg nor Bloomberg's licensors approves or endorses this material, or guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information herein, or makes any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained therefrom and, to the maximum extent allowed by law, neither shall have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith.
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.
Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses.
Certain share classes were offered after the inception dates of some funds. Results for these shares prior to the dates of first sale are hypothetical based on the original share class results without a sales charge, adjusted for typical estimated expenses. 
  • Class F-2 shares were first offered on 8/1/2008.
Results for certain funds with an inception date after the share class inception also include hypothetical returns because those funds' shares sold after the funds' date of first offering. View dates of first sale and specific expense adjustment information.
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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.
© 2024 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Some of the information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar, its content providers nor Capital Group are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Information is calculated by Morningstar. Due to differing calculation methods, the figures shown here may differ from those calculated by Capital Group.

Important note: Compared to managed ladders, fully actively managed funds seek to generate returns in additional ways. The risks entailed are, therefore, potentially broader than investors might be exposed to in a ladder. The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America has often shown a somewhat higher duration (sensitivity to prevailing interest rates) than many ladders. Favorable outcomes shown have often been accompanied by relatively higher rate risk. Investors should consult with their financial advisors about the potential tax and risk consequences of different investment vehicles.

Passive funds are not striving to outpace their benchmarks; rather, they seek to replicate the benchmark’s return pattern. Investors should consult with their financial advisor about the different pricing, cost structures and tax implications of mutual funds and ETFs. ETF share prices may significantly exceed the underlying NAV at times of volatility, unlike with mutual funds. And, unlike with ETFs, mutual funds may be subject to sales charges at purchase or redemption — which can detract from returns. Also, ETFs may offer certain tax efficiencies compared to mutual funds. Ladder benchmark is the Bloomberg Municipal Managed Money 1-12 Year Laddered Maturity Index.

*Peers include mutual funds and ETFs. Average of peers in category. Category shown is the Morningstar Muni National Interm category.

†A ladder involves buying several bonds with a specified range of (staggered) maturities, to offer regular income. When one bond in the ladder matures, proceeds can be used to buy a new bond at the ladder’s longest maturity.

‡Peers include mutual funds and ETFs. Average of peers in category. Category shown is the Morningstar High Yield Muni category.

The indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. There have been periods when the funds have lagged the indexes. 

American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund Custom Index reflect results of the following indices: 50%/50% blend of the Bloomberg High Yield Municipal Bond Index and the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index through December 31, 2015. From January 1, 2016, to current, 60%/20%/20% blend of the Bloomberg High Yield Municipal Bond Index (with 5% Tobacco Cap and 2% Issuer Cap), Bloomberg Municipal Bond BBB Index and the Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index, respectively. Results reflect dividends net of withholding taxes.

Bloomberg Municipal Bond Index is a market value-weighted index designed to represent the long-term investment-grade tax-exempt bond market.

Bloomberg Municipal Managed Money 1-12 Year Laddered Maturity Index is a component of the Managed Money index — a rules-based, market-value-weighted index of AA-rated tax-exempt bonds; this component is designed to represent a ladder strategy with the specified maturity profile.

Bloomberg High Yield Municipal Bond Index is a market-value-weighted index composed of municipal bonds rated below BBB/Baa.

Bloomberg Municipal BBB Index covers the USD-denominated long-term tax exempt BBB-rated bond market. The index has four main sectors: state and local general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, insured bonds and prerefunded bonds.

Morningstar Muni National Intermediate portfolios invest in bonds issued by various state and local governments to fund public projects. The income from these bonds is generally free from federal taxes. To lower risk, these portfolios spread their assets across many states and sectors. These portfolios have durations of 4.0 to 6.0 years (or average maturities of five to 12 years). Morningstar High-Yield Muni portfolios typically invest a substantial portion of assets in high-income municipal securities that are not rated or that are rated at the level of or below BBB (considered high-yield within the municipal-bond industry) by a major ratings agency such as Standard & Poor’s or Moody’s.