American Funds Group, one of the largest asset management firms in the world, announced on Thursday that its chairman and chief executive officer, Tim Armour, will step down in October and be replaced by the former chief executive officer of Fidelity Investments, Abigail Johnson. The announcement has raised questions about the future of the firm's Investments, which include the Capital Group's Growth Fund of America and The Investment Company of America.
The Capital Group Companies Inc., which runs American Funds, is one of the largest and oldest asset management firms in the world. Founded in 1931, the firm manages more than $1.8 trillion in assets and has a presence in over 35 countries. The firm’s funds are among the most popular Investments in the world, and its Growth Fund of America is the largest mutual fund in the world.
The announcement of the CEO change has sparked speculation about what the firm’s future Investments will look like. Johnson is an experienced asset manager, having been the CEO of Fidelity Investments for the past four years. During her tenure, she has overseen the growth of Fidelity’s assets from $1 trillion to $2.4 trillion and has been credited with increasing the firm’s focus on technology and innovation.
The firm’s Investments have been heavily focused on the U.S. market, with the Growth Fund of America and The Investment Company of America investing heavily in U.S. stocks. The firm also has Investments in exchange-traded funds and global markets. The firm’s recent Investments include a stake in hedge fund manager Ken Griffin’s Citadel Investment Group and a stake in the $198 billion American Funds Balanced fund.
The firm has also been looking to expand its reach into the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) sector, with the formation of the American Funds ESG investing Caucus. This caucus is looking to promote ESG Investments and policies among pension funds, public funds, and other asset managers. The caucus has gained support from groups including Heritage Action for America and the American Sustainable Business Council.
The firm has also been looking to increase its presence in the healthcare investing sector. Recently, the firm has made a number of Investments in healthcare companies, including the acquisition of Russell Investments Group Ltd.’s holdings in Ciena Co. and the acquisition of a stake in American Century Companies Inc.
Finally, the firm has also released new fund performance data to share with PEI Group’s audiences.
