American Funds Washington Mutual Funds

American Funds are typically sold through brokers, with some 401(k) plan sponsors offering them as choices for investors to buy outside their plans at a sales charge.

Despite losing its longtime manager, AEPGX’s returns have consistently outshone peers. The fund holds large companies like ASML Holding and Taiwan Semiconductor as holdings.

About the Fund

The Fund aims to generate income and facilitate principal appreciation through sound standard stock investing practices. When selecting securities for investment, portfolio counselors consider companies that pay current dividends, have potential for future dividend payments, and offer likely long-term capital appreciation potential. It works toward this objective through fundamental research, careful selection, and broad diversification.

The performance data quoted represents past performance, which does not guarantee similar future results. Investments in the Fund may be subject to market fluctuations, and the return may exceed or fall below its original cost. Its investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses are detailed in its prospectus; its performance does not consider applicable contract-level charges, such as fees for guaranteed benefits elected by participants under group annuity contracts or costs imposed by its underlying funds(s).

Investors should remember that the Fund may experience fluctuations in yield, principal value, and price due to its investments in bond funds. When interest rates increase and bond prices decrease, bond values may reduce significantly, which may cause its value to either increase or decrease considerably, causing significant variations in its price and yields.

SEC yield and distribution rate represent the current annualized yield and distribution amount on the Fund’s Net Asset Value as of 6/30/2023, per federal tax laws. They should not be taken as indicative of future investment returns; their use is restricted due to federal restrictions. Please refer to its prospectus for information on distribution rates and SEC yields.

The Fund’s expense ratio is calculated based on its total operating expenses, excluding investment advisory fees and any administration-related costs disclosed in its prospectus. PIMS Investment Advisory may pay these fees directly or through sub-accounts with third-party money managers.

Investment advisers select and diversify portfolio holdings based on the Fund’s Investment Standards and an Eligible List generated following those standards, along with Credit Quality criteria from an internationally acclaimed credit rating agency such as “AA-,” “B-” or below (known as junk bonds).

Strategy

Investment in common stocks that meet stringent financial requirements, have consistent earnings and dividend records, and show potential for long-term capital appreciation is one of the Fund’s primary goals; to complete it, it may invest in other securities, including short-term investments and debt securities.

Investors should consider the objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of any mutual fund, collective trust, or ETF (collectively “underlying fund”) before investing. Their prospectus or offering memorandum contains this and other vital details; contact them or follow their links for this information.

Performance data displayed is for the mutual fund, collective trust, or exchange-traded fund (collectively “underlying fund”) only and does not reflect the performance of John Hancock USA Retirement Accounts (the “Account”). Return, distribution rate, the minimum required distribution amount, and investment options of an underlying fund may change at any time; listed holdings as of the close of business on the date shown may also vary. Please be aware that an open-end management investment company registered in the US which acts as the underlying fund’s sole wholly owned subsidiary is operated by John Hancock Life Insurance Company of USA located at Newark, NJ – its sole wholly owned subsidiary is John Hancock Life Insurance Company of USA wholly owned subsidiary John Hancock Life Insurance Company USA which acts as its wholly owned subsidiary for purposes of taxation compliance requirements under section 21USC 253.

Morningstar Rating for any mutual fund is determined using three, five and 10-year Morningstar metrics; these ratings weigh three-year ratings more heavily than five-year or 10-year ratings; total returns are also used in this calculation as they do not account for sales charges or front-end loads in their calculations.

Expense ratios include fees but do not consider expenses such as advisor compensation or service provider payments, which can add significant costs. Money market funds and similar securities are considered short-term investments, with accrued income having different timings of settlement and convertible bonds classified as either debt or equity, potentially changing portfolio composition breakdowns slightly.

Performance

Results reflect past performance, which cannot guarantee future returns. Investors should carefully consider their objectives, risks, charges, and expenses before making any investment decision before proceeding. Summary and fund prospectuses containing this and other pertinent information can be obtained by contacting the fund or your financial professional. Please be aware that funds can be subject to market instability without guaranteeing their performance will match that outlined. Short-term investing increases the likelihood of losses. Returns shown at maximum offering price (MOP) for Class A shares reflect a deduction of 5.75% sales charge; returns shown at net asset value (NAV) do not include this charge. Credit Quality Breakdown The credit quality breakdown indicates the risk of holding securities below investment grade. Securities with AA- or higher ratings are considered investment grade; those rated BBB- and above as medium credit quality; securities rated BB+ are considered lower credit quality or junk bonds; and CCC+ or below present the most significant default risk.

Alpha indicates a portfolio’s risk-adjusted performance relative to its benchmark, accounting for active management, return on equity and volatility levels, positioning in its category/peer group, and manager strength.

Fees

American Funds usually charge lower fees than average mutual funds, and their expense ratios tend to be lower than passive alternatives such as index funds. This makes them attractive investments for 401(k) accounts where higher fees may diminish returns. Investors should remember, however, that active management is inherently riskier; historically, only 45.5 of actively managed funds beat their market benchmark.

History has witnessed several milestones demonstrating Washington Mutual’s strength and growth potential. Established in Seattle in 1917 to offer savings and checking accounts, Washington Mutual rapidly expanded through acquisitions within its first decade as a public company and had one of the nation’s largest savings bases by then.

WaMu used debt to finance its expansion during the early 1980s. By 1985, they had become one of America’s four-largest mortgage lenders and tenth-largest credit card issuers. But by 2008 and the beginning of the Great Recession, most of WaMu’s loans were backed by subprime mortgages or home equity lines of credit. Their deposits had begun dwindling due to declining economic growth.

WaMu Bank witnessed its credit card and mortgage businesses decline due to the housing market’s collapse, prompting it to pursue diversification strategies. One was to acquire Providian Financial Corporation – a major credit card issuer. Earning this firm would give WaMu access to an expansive base of credit-card holders while strengthening its mortgage business.

WaMu Bank was one of the few survivors from the recession to emerge stronger than many of its rivals, thanks to its diversification efforts. WaMu then successfully combined forces with Bank of America in 2005, becoming the nation’s largest financial services firm (now BofA Merrill Lynch) through acquisitions of banks, brokerage firms, and credit unions headquartered around Charlotte, North Carolina; today it holds over $1.3 trillion in assets; offers mutual funds as retirement services as well as life insurance policies to customers; has over 67,000 customers each day in Charlotte North Carolina alone! BofA Merrill Lynch is now its biggest rival; Bank of America continues its acquisition spree by merging. The combined company formed one giant financial services giant, which continues its acquisition spree by purchasing other banks, brokerage firms, or credit unions that are acquired by continuing growth through acquisition. It then merged with Bank of America to form the nation’s largest financial services firm ever, later merging to become BofA Merrill Lynch, now known by merging and subsequent growth via the acquisition of other banks/brokerage/credit unions/ credit unions/ credit unions/ credit unions/ credit unions/ credit unions/ credit unions/ credit unions, etc… headquartered out of Charlotte North Carolina/headquartered/asset trillion plus customers including individuals, corporations/institutions as well as offering retirement services such as mutual funds/life insurances/credit unions/combined/Merrill Lynch continues growth by merging further acquisitions making BofA Merrill Lynch continues expanding with BofA Merrill Lynch now known as BofA Merrill Lynch thus creating one firm known by merging acquisition. Firm/ credit unions acquisitions/ credit unions/ merger acquisitions etc… The combined company continues acquisitions/. Unions or creditors… and/credit unions etc… headquartered in Charlotte NC/bank/credit unions/bankers etc… Bof.3 trillion assets >1.3Tren/ credit unions etc… headquartered this nationwide retirement services such as this firm/ 1.3 Trillion$+more Lynch has over $1.3 Trillion$ trillion +/MERL Lynch continues through acquisitions/Merrill Lynch continues growth via the acquisition of other acquisitions/merely Lynch continues growth by acquisition… -Merrill Lynch continues growing steadily *M+ML/ Merrill MERLL Lynch continues with regards.. Located CharlotteNC