Capital Group history
OUR HISTORY
We trace our roots back to the Great Depression. Our founder, Jonathan Bell Lovelace, was an investing pioneer whose emphasis on fundamental research continues to guide us. In the decades since, we’ve become a trusted investment manager to millions of investors worldwide. Through periods of prosperity and uncertainty, market bubbles and declines, we’ve always put investors first.
Here’s a brief look at our history and some of Capital Group’s pioneering endeavours:
The 1930s
1931
Capital Group is founded in Los Angeles by Jonathan Bell Lovelace. One of his core principles that we hold to this day: Do the thorough research necessary to determine the actual worth of an organization.
1934
We assume management of The Investment Company of America® (ICA),* an investment trust initially proposed by Jonathan Bell Lovelace. It's one of the oldest mutual funds in the United States. Early holdings include Sun Life Assurance of Canada and International Nickel Co. of Canada.
The 1940s
1943
Our New York office opens.
1944
More than 20 associates work for Capital.
1945
World War II ends. We invest in companies that are poised for the post-war boom.
The 1950s
1950
We determine to sell our portfolios only through financial professionals — we still believe in the value of advice.
1955
We acquire Natural Resources Fund of Canada, later merged into The Investment Company of America.*
1958
The Capital SystemTM, our diversified, multiple-manager approach to portfolio management, is established.
The 1960s
1962
Our first European office opens in Geneva.
1965
Our Geneva office creates the Capital International indices (now known as the Morgan Stanley Capital International S.A. indices) — the first set of global stock market indices. Statistician and analyst Nilly Sikorsky (pictured), one of several pioneering women investment professionals at Capital, becomes managing editor of the indices in 1968. Assets under management reach US$1 billion.
1968
We begin managing the assets of large institutional clients in the U.S.
1969
We launch our first fund offering in Europe.
The 1970s
1973
We launch our first global fund for U.S. investors.
1978
We begin managing non-U.S. assets for U.S.-based institutional clients.
1979
Our London office opens.
The 1980s
1982
Our Tokyo office opens, followed by Hong Kong in 1983 and Singapore in 1989.
1986
In response to a request from a World Bank subsidiary for a vehicle for institutions to invest in developing nations, we launch an emerging markets growth fund — the first of its kind.
1987
We create the MSCI emerging markets index. We begin managing global bond strategies in the U.S.
The 1990s
1992
Capital Group creates global and emerging markets private equity funds. Capital Group’s assets under management surpass $100 billion USD.
1994
We begin managing emerging markets bonds. Capital Group has more than 3,000 associates across three continents.
1998
Our research office in Toronto opens.
The 2000s
2000
We begin offering Capital International portfolios for individual investors in Canada (renamed Capital Group portfolios in 2014).
2003
We begin offering investment management services for individual investors in Europe.
2008-2009
We expand our emerging markets presence with offices in India and China.
The 2010s
2011
Our first permanent office in Sydney, Australia, opens.
2012
We open a Luxembourg office. We introduce a lower volatility approach to emerging markets for Canadian investors, Capital Group Emerging Markets Total Opportunities FundTM (Canada).
2017
Our Capital Group World Bond FundTM (Canada) brings Capital Group's global fixed income experience to Canadian investors.
The 2020s
2020
We launch our first managed income solution for Canadian investors, Capital Group Monthly Income PortfolioTM (Canada), designed to provide the consistency and longevity investors need.
2021
Capital Group worldwide assets under management exceed $2 trillion USD.
Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investments in investment funds. Please read the prospectus before investing. Investment funds are not guaranteed or covered by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation or by any other government deposit insurer. For investment funds other than money market funds, their values change frequently. For money market funds, there can be no assurances that the fund will be able to maintain its net asset value per security at a constant amount or that the full amount of your investment in the fund will be returned to you. Past performance may not be repeated.
Capital Group manages equity assets through three investment groups. These groups make investment and proxy voting decisions independently. Fixed income investment professionals provide fixed income research and investment management across the Capital organization; however, for securities with equity characteristics, they act solely on behalf of one of the three equity investment groups.
* Part of American Funds; not available in Canada.
Capital Group funds in Canada are managed by Capital International Asset Management (Canada), Inc., part of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., a global investment management firm originated in Los Angeles, California in 1931. Unless otherwise indicated, all above references to Capital Group refer to the global organization. Assets under management reflect Capital Group globally.
All Capital Group trademarks are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or an affiliated company in Canada, the U.S. and other countries. Capital Group funds offered on this website are available only to Canadian residents.
MSCI indices are now maintained by MSCI, Inc.
Capital Group's American Funds and other investment offerings mentioned on this page, unless specifically noted as a Canadian-registered fund, are not available in Canada.