Morningstar Rating

Fund Research and Analysis

by Arijit Dutta
American Funds American Mutual has again done an admirable job by sticking to its time-tested ways.

The vigorous rally we've seen since March has mostly favored the riskiest sectors, and conservative investors have generally been left in the dust. This fund has long been among the most circumspect, as management's preference for solid, dividend-paying stocks and tendency to raise the portfolio's cash and high-quality bond stake have always emphasized capital preservation.  Read more 

Kudos

Low expenses.
Low volatility.
Above-average yield. Read more 

Risks

A large cash stake holds the fund back when the market rallies. Read more 

Strategy

The fund aims to meet three goals: current income, capital growth, and conservation of principal. In pursuit of these objectives, management favors established, dividend-paying companies. And like most funds in the firm's roster, management likes to buy shares on the cheap.  Read more 

Management

As with other American Funds, this fund's managers oversee several portfolios. The four portfolio counselors on this offering boast an average of more than 33 years of investment experience with the firm. One manager, James Dunton, has more than 45 years of experience.  Read more 

Inside Scoop

A penchant for income and safety can hold this fund back a bit when stocks rally. But its cautious approach was a boon during the market's downturn. Investors seeking income might fancy this offering.  Read more 

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