American Funds is the retail mutual fund brand of Capital Group, a privately held investment management firm owned by its partners rather than by outside shareholders or a parent conglomerate. There is no separate company called American Funds that exists apart from Capital Group.
American Funds is the name behind a large family of actively managed mutual funds, including Growth Fund of America and EuroPacific Growth Fund, that are created and distributed by Capital Group.
Capital Group was founded in Los Angeles in 1931 by Jonathan Bell Lovelace, and it has grown into a firm managing roughly 3.3 trillion dollars in assets while staying privately owned for more than 90 years.
So how has a firm founded during the Great Depression grown into a 3.3 trillion dollar asset manager while staying out of public markets, and who really owns it today?
This article looks at American Funds ownership structure, its parent company Capital Group, its CEO and founder, how ownership has evolved, how much the company is worth, its retirement and investment services, and how to reach American Funds customer support.
So let us get started.
Table of Contents
American Funds Company Overview
American Funds refers to a large family of actively managed mutual funds, including well known offerings such as Growth Fund of America and EuroPacific Growth Fund.
These funds are created, managed, and distributed by Capital Group, which uses the American Funds name specifically for its retail and retirement plan mutual fund lineup.
Capital Group also manages assets for institutions and offers separate product lines outside the American Funds brand.
| Company | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand of | Capital Group |
| Founded | 1931 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California |
| CEO | Mike Gitlin |
| AUM | $3.3 trillion (Capital Group wide, 2026) |
| Structure | Privately held, partner owned |
American Funds Ownership and Parent Company
Capital Group, the parent behind American Funds, is privately held and owned by a group of partners rather than public shareholders.
There is no outside bank, insurer, or conglomerate that controls Capital Group, which has kept ownership internal since its founding in 1931.
This private, partner based structure is part of why Capital Group is sometimes described as one of the more secretive large asset managers in the industry.
Investors comparing fund families may also want to read our guide on who owns BlackRock to see how a publicly traded competitor is structured.
American Funds Public or Private, Shareholders
Capital Group is privately held and has no stock ticker, so shares of Capital Group itself cannot be purchased on any exchange.
Ownership is instead spread across several hundred partners who work within the firm, a structure the company has maintained for decades.
Investors can buy shares of individual American Funds mutual funds, but that is different from owning equity in Capital Group as a company.
American Funds CEO and Founder
Mike Gitlin has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Group since October 2023, succeeding longtime CEO Tim Armour.
Capital Group traces its founding to 1931, when Jonathan Bell Lovelace established the investment firm that would grow into Capital Group.
The American Funds brand itself was introduced later as the retail mutual fund arm of the growing organization.
American Funds Ownership and Acquisition History
Unlike many large asset managers, Capital Group has grown almost entirely through organic expansion of its own fund lineup rather than through major acquisitions.
The firm has stayed privately owned for more than 90 years, avoiding the initial public offerings and outside buyouts that have reshaped many of its competitors.
American Funds Financials: Revenue, Net Income, AUM or Valuation
Capital Group reported approximately $3.3 trillion in assets under management as of 2026, according to recent reporting on the firm’s global expansion.
Because Capital Group is privately held, it does not publish quarterly revenue or net income figures the way publicly traded asset managers must.
The American Funds mutual fund lineup makes up a large share of that total, though Capital Group also manages assets outside the American Funds brand for institutions.
American Funds Retirement and Investment Services
American Funds mutual funds are widely used inside employer sponsored 401(k) plans through Capital Group’s RecordkeeperDirect retirement platform.
Individual investors can also hold American Funds inside traditional IRA, Roth IRA, and taxable brokerage accounts, typically opened through a financial advisor.
The fund family covers a range of goals, including growth, income, balanced, and target date strategies designed for retirement savers.
For readers researching a well known retirement plan competitor, our article on who owns Lincoln Financial Group offers useful context.
American Funds Customer Service and Contact Information
Shareholders can reach American Funds customer service at 800 421 4225, available 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.
International callers outside the United States can use the alternate numbers listed on Capital Group’s official contact page.
Financial advisors and retirement plan participants have separate dedicated service lines listed on capitalgroup.com.
American Funds Headquarters
Capital Group is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, at the Bank of America Plaza building.
The firm also maintains major offices in cities such as San Antonio, Indianapolis, and Washington D.C., along with a growing international presence.
Is American Funds Worth It or Good?
American Funds has a long track record, with several of its actively managed funds posting competitive long term performance relative to their benchmarks.
The funds tend to carry higher expense ratios than passive index funds, which is a common trade off with actively managed strategies.
- Long operating history dating back to 1931
- Widely available inside employer 401(k) plans
- Actively managed funds with experienced portfolio teams
- Expense ratios can be higher than comparable index funds
- Many share classes require purchase through an advisor
- Active management does not guarantee outperformance every year
Anyone comparing American Funds to lower cost index alternatives should review fund specific fees, past performance, and their own retirement timeline, ideally with a qualified financial professional.
Frequently Asked Questions About American Funds
Is American Funds the same company as Capital Group?
Yes, American Funds is the retail mutual fund brand of Capital Group, not a separate company with its own ownership structure.
Who owns American Funds?
American Funds is owned by Capital Group, which is privately held by its partners rather than by public shareholders or a parent company.
Who is the CEO of Capital Group?
Mike Gitlin has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Group since October 2023.
Are American Funds available in 401(k) plans?
Yes, American Funds are commonly offered inside employer sponsored 401(k) plans through Capital Group’s retirement plan services.
Wikipedia: Capital Group Companies
The National: Capital Group Joins Trillion Dollar Asset Managers List
Capital Group Official About Page
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.