Fixed Income / Core Plus

American Funds® Core Plus Bond Fund

A balanced approach to core plus investing. This fund takes a diversified approach to credit, complemented by active rates positioning to drive results. Risk management designed to monitor portfolio diversification.


  • Fund Assets ($M)
    $58.8
    As of 3/31/26
  • Inception date
    9/25/25
     
  • YTD Return at NAV (%)1, 2
    -0.20
    As of 5/4/26
  • Benchmark
    Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Indextooltip: Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index represents the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and|or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
  • Expense Ratio
    (Gross/Net, %)3
    1.70/1.43
  • SEC Yield
    (Gross/Net, %)
    4.07/5.07
    As of 3/31/26
  • Yield to worst (%)
    5.5
    As of 3/31/26
  • Top sector
    Credit
    As of 3/31/26
  • Top IG credit issuer
    Ford Motor
    As of 3/31/26
  • Managers7
    4
    As of 5/4/26

Overview

Key information

Objective
The fund’s investment objective is to provide current income and seek maximum total return, consistent with preservation of capital.
Types of investments
Government debt and agency bonds, corporate bonds, mortgage- and asset-backed securities, emerging markets debt, non-U.S., municipals and high-yield.
Distinguishing characteristics
Collaborative research, diverse perspectives and a long-term view distinguish Capital’s investment approach. This core plus fund seeks a higher return than core bond funds while seeking diversification from equities. In addition to strong bottom-up security selection, the fund can benefit from active rotation across credit sectors alongside active interest rate management.
Portfolio restrictions
The fund may invest no more than 25% of its assets in securities rated below investment grade (BB+/Ba1 and below, or unrated, but determined by the fund’s investment adviser to be of equivalent quality) at the time of purchase. The fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in equity securities (including common stocks, preferred stocks, warrants or rights). The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in securities of emerging market issuers.
Maturity
The fund takes an active approach to managing both duration and curve positioning for risk management and to enhance results. The bond maturities that the fund targets will vary depending on the current strategy being implemented.

Key facts

Fund inception
9/25/25
Fund assets (millions)
$58.8
As of 3/31/26 (updated monthly)
mthDividendsPaid
Regular dividends paid 4
Monthly
Capital gains paid 4
Dec.
Fiscal year-end
August
Prospectus date
8/19/25
CUSIP
02631G 859
Fund number
21410

Portfolio managers7

Portfolio managers years of experience are as of the previous calendar year end.
David Hoag
38 years of investment industry experience
34 years with Capital Group
Damien McCann
26 years of investment industry experience
26 years with Capital Group
Xavier Goss
22 years of investment industry experience
5 years with Capital Group
Chit Purani
Principal Investment Officer
22 years of investment industry experience
4 years with Capital Group

Returns

Investment results1, 2

Total returns for periods ended 3/31/26 (%)
  • NAV
  • Index
Returns table
FUNDDaily YTD1M3MYTD
Index data refers to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Indextooltip: Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index represents the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and|or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes..
Daily YTD as of 5/4/26.
Fund inception: 9/25/25. The index lifetime return is based on the inception date of the fund.
Returns greater than one year are annualized.

Long-term results

As of — (updated —, %)
Index data refers to the tooltip: .

Prices & distributions

As of 5/4/26
  • Price at nav ($)
    $9.82
  • Price change ($)
    $-0.03
  • Price change (%)
    -0.30
Prices distributions table
YTD dividends subtotal$0.14633
YTD cap gains subtotal$0.00
YTD total distributions$0.14633

Yield

As of 3/31/26 (updated monthly, %)
Yield
30-day SEC yield (gross/net)tooltip: The 30-day SEC yield reflects the rate at which the fund is earning income on its current portfolio of securities calculated according to the standardized SEC formula; when applicable, it reflects the maximum sales charge. If shown, a net yield reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during the period. Without waivers and/or reimbursements, the yield would be reduced. Gross yield does not adjust for any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect.4.07 / 5.07

Portfolio composition

assetMix

Asset mix

As of 3/31/26 (updated monthly, %)
Asset Mix
U.S. Equities
0.1
Non-U.S. Equities
0.0
U.S. Bonds
82.3
Non-U.S. Bonds
7.3
Cash, Equivalents & Other9
10.3
U.S. Equities
0.1
Non-U.S. Equities
U.S Bonds
82.3
Non-U.S. Bonds
7.3
Cash, Equivalents & Other
10.3

Key statistics

As of 3/31/26 (updated monthly)
Key statistics
AFPLX
INDEX
BSNY_YTWSEC
Yield to worst (%)tooltip: Lower of Yield to Maturity or the bond's total return if put or call options are exercised prior to maturity but no default occurs.
5.5 4.6
BSNY_YTWSEC
Yield to maturity (%)tooltip: A bond's total return if held to maturity and no default occurs or options are exercised. Assumes coupons are paid on time and accounts for their present value. Assumes principal is returned at maturity.
5.5 4.6
BSNY_YTWSEC
Average coupon (%)tooltip: The average coupon is the weighted average coupon rate of all the bond holdings.
4.7 3.7
Effective duration (years)tooltip: Effective duration is a duration calculation for bonds that takes into account that expected cash flows will fluctuate as interest rates change.
5.9 5.8
Spread duration (years)tooltip: A measure of fixed income securities' sensitivity to spread movement.
4.0 3.2
Option adjusted spread (bps)tooltip: Option-adjusted spread is a yield-spread calculation used to value securities with embedded options.
115 28
Duration times spread (bps)tooltip: A measure of fixed income securities' spread exposure, taking into account both spread duration and credit spread exposure.
522 196
Index data refers to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Indextooltip: Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index represents the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and|or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes..

Morningstar Style Box™10

As of 3/31/26 (updated quarterly)

Moderate Sensitivity

Medium Quality

Top investment grade credit issuers11

As of 3/31/26 (updated monthly, %)
AFPLX
Ford Motor1.60%
Oracle1.15%
Morgan Stanley0.99%
PG&E0.93%
JPMorgan Chase0.88%
BPCE SA0.88%
Amgen0.82%
Eaton0.81%
Edison International0.80%
Philip Morris International0.76%

Portfolio exposures

As of 3/31/26 (updated monthly)
Fixed Income sector breakdown
Market value (%)Contribution to duration (years)
SectorsAFPLXINDEXAFPLXINDEX
Government18.146.72.82.6
Credit33.926.51.71.7
Securitized32.925.71.01.3
Emerging markets3.01.10.10.1
High yield12.50.3
Other140.10.00.00.0
Cash & equivalents129.50.0
CDXtooltip: The credit default swap index (CDX) is a benchmark financial instrument made up of credit default swaps (CDS) that have been issued by North American or emerging markets companies. Credit default swaps act like insurance policies offering a buyer protection in case of the borrower's default.& TRStooltip: A total return swap (TRS) is a contract between a total return payer and total return receiver. The payer usually pays the total return of agreed security to the receiver and receives a fixed/floating rate payment in exchange. The agreed (or referenced) security can be a bond, index, equity, loan, or commodity. Offset15-10.0
Index data refers to the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Indextooltip: Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Index represents the U.S. investment-grade fixed-rate bond market. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and|or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes..
Data represents the fixed income portion of the portfoliotooltip: .

Fees & expenses

Fees

As of the most recent prospectus (%)
Annual management fees
0.28
Other expenses
0.42
12b-1
1.00

Expense ratio

Values shown as percentages (%)
AFPLX (gross/net)3
1.70/1.43
Morningstar Intermediate-Term Bond Retirement, Small median18
As of 3/31/26 (updated quarterly)
1.32

Resources

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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. View current mutual fund SEC yields.
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 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. 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 any of the rating agencies referenced above; however, the investment adviser performs its own credit analysis and assigns comparable ratings that are used for compliance with applicable investment policies.
Investments in mortgage-related securities involve additional risks, such as prepayment risk.
The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional securities, such as stocks and bonds.
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 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.
Frequent and active trading of portfolio securities may occur, which may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs, adversely affecting the results.
Investing outside the United States involves risks, such as currency fluctuations, periods of illiquidity and price volatility. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.
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 visit Morningstar's website for more information. 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.

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Capital Group offers some funds in a range of share classes designed to meet the needs of retirement plan sponsors and participants. The different share classes incorporate varying levels of financial professional compensation and service provider payments.
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.
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Portfolios are managed, so holdings will change. Certain fixed income and/or cash and equivalents holdings may be held through mutual funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates that are not offered to the public.
Totals may not reconcile due to rounding and/or cash flows.
Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses.
When applicable, results reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which they would have been lower and net expenses higher. For mutual funds, read details about how waivers and/or reimbursements affect the results for each fund. View results and yields without fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement.
For the American Funds Core Plus Bond Fund share class(es) listed below, the investment adviser has agreed to reimburse a portion of fund expenses through the date(s) listed below, without which results would have been lower and net expenses higher.
  • Class R-1 shares (expiration: 11/1/26)
The investment adviser may elect at its discretion to extend, modify or terminate the reimbursements as of any noted expiration date. Please refer to the fund's most recent prospectus for details.
1.
YTD (year-to-date return): For the period from January 1 of the current year to the date shown or from inception date if first offered after January 1 of the current year.
2.
When applicable, returns for less than one year are not annualized, but calculated as cumulative total returns.
3.
Expense ratios are as of each fund's prospectus/characteristics statement, as applicable, available at the time of publication. For the American Funds Core Plus Bond Fund share class(es) listed below, expense ratios are estimated.
  • Class R-1
4.
The months indicated for dividends and capital gains paid represent the anticipated current year ex-dividend date schedule for all share classes.
5.
Portfolio turnover is as of the most recent prospectus/characteristics statement, as applicable.
6.
The distribution rate reflects the fund's past dividends paid to shareholders and may differ from the fund's SEC yield which reflects the rate at which the fund is earning income on its current portfolio of securities. The distribution rate reflects fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during the period. Without waivers and/or reimbursements, it would be reduced. A portion of the fund's distribution may be classified as a return of capital. Please refer to the fund's Annual Report for details.
7.
Reflects current team at the time of publication. Years of experience in investment industry and Capital Group are as of the most recent year end.
8.
The Morningstar Rating™ for funds, or "star rating", is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The Morningstar Rating does not include any adjustment for sales loads. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods. Past results are not a guarantee of results in future periods. The Morningstar Ratings are based on the share classes of each underlying fund held by the series; other underlying fund share classes may have different performance characteristics.
9.
Includes cash, short-term securities, other assets less liabilities, accruals, derivatives and forwards. 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.
10.
Read more information about Morningstar Style Box methodology. The model for the fixed-income style box is based on the two pillars of fixed-income performance: interest-rate sensitivity and credit quality. The three interest sensitivity groups are limited, moderate and extensive and the three credit quality groups are high, medium and low. These groupings display a portfolio's effective duration and third party credit ratings to provide an overall representation of the fund's risk orientation given the sensitivity to interest rate and credit rating of bonds in the portfolio.
11.
The information shown does not include cash and cash equivalents. This includes shares of money market or similar funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates that are not offered to the public.
12.
Includes cash, short-term securities, other assets less liabilities, and may include accrued income. 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.
13.
Portfolio market value reflect risk notional values. Risk notional is the value of the underlying asset at the current market price for a derivatives trade.
14.
Sector breakdown ”Other” may include equities, rights, warrants, preferreds, convertibles, forwards and FX (foreign exchange) options.
15.
The offset represents positions within the portfolio used to offset risk and is -1 multiplied by the total of all notional values.
16.
Asset-backed securities (ABS) "Other" may include collateralized home obligations, home equity, student loans and other uncategorized securities.
17.
Rating exposure ”Other” may include equities, rights, warrants, preferreds, convertibles, forwards and FX (foreign exchange) options.
18.
Source for Morningstar expense ratio comparison: Morningstar, based on Morningstar Intermediate-Term Bond Retirement, Small median funds' most recent fiscal year-ends available as of the most recent quarter-end.
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