American Funds® Strategic Bond Fund

Bond

Overview

American Funds Strategic Bond Fund may be appropriate for:

Investors who wish to pursue higher total return through a flexible core approach
Investors looking for a complement to a traditional core bond fund
Investors seeking to diversify away from equities

Objective

The fund's investment objective is to provide maximum total return consistent with 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: 3/18/16
Net and gross expense ratios:* 0.95% / 0.95%
Investment expenses paid annually:† $9.50 for a $1,000 balance

Ticker symbol: RANCX

*The investment adviser is currently reimbursing a portion of other expenses. The reimbursement will be in effect through at least April 7, 2018. The adviser may elect at its discretion to extend, modify or terminate the reimbursement at that time. Expense ratios are as of each fund’s prospectus.
†You can estimate the investment expenses you’re paying annually by multiplying your balance in the fund by the expense ratio.

Investments

The fund seeks to invest in government debt and agency bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, emerging markets debt, non-U.S., municipals and high-yield. No more than 50% of its assets may be invested in securities rated below investment grade (BB/Ba and below, or unrated, but determined by the fund’s investment adviser to be of equivalent quality) at the time of purchase, including high-yield corporate bonds or those issued by developing country governments and companies. Up to 10% of its assets may be invested in equity securities and certain securities with a combination of debt and equity characteristics. The fund may invest up to 50% of its assets in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The fund may invest up to 40% of its assets in securities of emerging market issuers.

Where the fund was invested

(as of 9/30/24; 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. (These percentages are based on Class R-3 shares at net asset value after the share class inception date of May 15, 2002. All Class R-3 share results prior to this date, or prior to the date of first sale, are hypothetical based on Class A share results, adjusted for typical additional estimated expenses, and are calculated without a sales charge. These results are updated annually as of 12/31. Other share class results will vary.)

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 9/30/24

Class R-3 Shares

	Latest10 years	Latest5 years	Latest3 years	Latestyear
At net asset value	-	1.38%	-3.25%	9.49%

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The investment adviser is currently reimbursing a portion of other expenses. Investment results reflect the reimbursement, without which the results would have been lower. The reimbursement will be in effect through at least April 7, 2018. The adviser may elect at its discretion to extend, modify or terminate the reimbursement at that time. See results without waivers and/or reimbursements. Read details about how waivers and/or reimbursements affect the results for each fund.

Class R shares were first offered on May 15, 2002, and are sold without a sales charge. Class R-3 share returns prior to the date shares first sold are hypothetical. Hypothetical returns prior to the date of first sale were calculated by adjusting Class A share returns without a sales charge for the difference between the Class A share expense ratio and the estimated Class R-3 share expense ratio as of the date of first sale. See the dates of first sale and expense adjustments for Class R-3 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The fund may engage in frequent and active trading of its portfolio securities, which may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, adversely affecting the fund’s results.

The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional cash securities, such as stocks and bonds.

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.

Capital Client Group, Inc.

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