The Capital Group Companies

Throughout the years, the companies within the Capital Group have grown in both depth and breadth, with 7,500 associates worldwide now serving the investment needs of individuals and institutions.

Here's a look at our organization's history and its pioneering endeavors in the investment management field:

1930s / 1940s / 1950s

1931

The Capital Group's first company, Capital Research and Management Company, is founded by Jonathan Bell Lovelace in Los Angeles. Three years later, it begins managing The Investment Company of America^®, the first of what will become the American Funds family of mutual funds.

1943

The Capital Group opens an office in New York.

1950

American Funds Distributors, Inc. is formed, and the decision is made to sell funds only through third-party financial advisers—the same way we do business today.

1953

The Capital Group becomes one of the first U.S.-based firms to invest outside North America.

1958

The Capital Group implements the multiple portfolio counselor system, which is still used today for managing investments.

1960s

1962

The Capital Group opens an office in Geneva—our first investment office outside the U.S.

1965

Our Geneva office creates the Capital International indices (now known as the Morgan Stanley Capital International S.A. indices)—the first set of stock market indices for non-U.S. markets.

Assets managed by the Capital Group companies reach US$1 billion.

1968

A new Capital Group company is formed to serve large institutional clients in the U.S.—Capital Guardian Trust Company.

The Capital Group establishes its own recordkeeping company to serve U.S. mutual fund shareholders—American Funds Service Company.

1970s

1970

Our Geneva-based affiliate, Capital International S.A., begins managing global funds distributed outside the U.S. (Capital Italia Fund and Capital International Fund).

1974

Our companies start managing retirement plans based outside the U.S. and begin serving wealthy individuals through the Private Client Services division of Capital Guardian Trust Company.

1978

Capital Guardian Trust Company begins management of non-U.S. assets for U.S. institutional clients.

1979

Our London office is established (Capital International Limited).

1980s

1982

A Tokyo office is established (Capital International K.K.)—our first in Asia—followed by Hong Kong (1983) and Singapore (1989), both housing operations for Capital International, Inc.

1983

Our first dedicated shareholder service center for American Funds opens. We currently operate service centers in San Antonio, TX; Hampton Roads, VA; Indianapolis, IN; Phoenix, AZ; and Irvine, CA.

1985

Assets managed by Capital Group companies surpass US$25 billion.

1986

The Capital Group launches an emerging markets growth fund—the first of its kind—when the World Bank wants a way for institutions to invest in developing nations.

1987

Capital Research and Management Company acquires its one millionth shareholder.

1990s/2000s

1995

Assets managed by the Capital Group companies surpass US$200 billion.

2000

The Capital Group begins offering investment management services for individuals in Canada.

2002

American Funds further expands its presence in the retirement plan market and becomes the leading provider of 529 college savings plans.

2003

The Capital Group begins offering investment management services for individuals in Europe.

2007

The American Funds Target Date Retirement Series commences operation.

The Capital Group begins offering investment management services for individuals in Japan.

2008

Capital Research and Management Company implemented the disaggregation of its equity investment operations into Capital Research Global Investors and Capital World Investors.

The Capital Group expands its emerging markets efforts by opening an office in Mumbai, India, followed by its first China office in Beijing (2009).