FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We share the latest questions our specialists are answering for financial professionals.
A separately managed account (SMA) is a professionally managed portfolio of securities selected by an investment manager and owned by the end investor.
The primary difference is that with an SMA, your client directly owns the stocks and bonds. With a mutual fund or ETF, your client owns shares of the fund, which in turn invests in stocks and bonds.
Minimums differ by sponsor firm, but Capital Group minimums are typically $100K for equity SMAs and $250K for fixed income SMAs.
It’s a technique to manage capital gains and losses to help limit tax liability. If a stock that’s lost value is sold, that realized loss can be used to offset gains at another time or in a different investment. In certain cases, holdings that have appreciated in value can also be harvested — for example, to take advantage of embedded losses elsewhere, increase cost basis or reduce concentrated positions.
Yes. Speak with your home office representative to understand how to pursue your client’s desired tax gain/loss harvesting objectives. Discretionary services may be offered by the financial intermediary, depending on the platform.
In many cases, yes. If your client is considering this option, Capital Group offers an in-kind portfolio analysis to identify which securities would be kept (because they align with the investment strategy) and which would be liquidated. Contact your sales representative for more information.
Fees differ by sponsor firm, asset class and other factors. Your sales representative can help you understand the fee structure for your client.
To get started, contact your sales representative or call (800) 421-0180, option 1.
1 Industry exclusion availability and other customization options vary by sponsor and program. Please check with your home office.
2 Holdings may fall below these amounts due to various factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of the securities and investment conviction.
³ The SMA rating mentioned above is based on forward-looking qualitative assessments as well as select quantitative data through March 31, 2024. Gold medalist ratings (100% analyst-rated) were upgraded as of 6/3/2024 for the Intermediate Municipal SMA.
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 go to global.morningstar.com/managerdisclosures/. 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. Capital Group did not compensate Morningstar for the ratings and comments contained in this material. However, the firm has paid Morningstar a licensing fee to access and publish its ratings data. The payment of this subscription fee does not give rise to a material conflict with Morningstar. ©2024 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.
For registered investment advisor and advisory client use only.
Important investment disclosure
Source: Capital Group. ACWI = All Country World Index; EAFE = Europe, Australasia, Far East. For Global Growth SMA vs. benchmark comparison, previous to 9/30/11, benchmark returns reflect MSCI World Index. For International Growth SMA vs. benchmark comparison, previous to 3/31/07, returns reflect MSCI EAFE Index.
Returns are in USD, are asset weighted, and reflect the reinvestment of dividends, interest and other earnings (net of withholding taxes). Results are preliminary and subject to change.
Past results are not predictive of results in future periods. There may have been periods when the results lagged the index(es). The indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.
Composite net returns are calculated by subtracting a monthly hypothetical fee (equivalent to an annual 3% fee, which is equal to or higher than the highest actual SMA fee charged by a program sponsor) from the gross or “pure” gross composite monthly returns. Actual fees will vary. For information concerning program sponsor fees, contact your financial advisor.
“Pure” gross composite returns are shown for all strategies except Capital Group U.S. Flexible Growth, where gross returns are applicable. “Pure” gross composite returns do not reflect the deduction of any trading costs, fees or expenses; gross composite results do not reflect the deduction of fees and expenses. Results would have been lower if they were subject to fees and expenses.
Composite total returns (%)
as of March 31, 2024
Cumulative | Average annual | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 year | 5 years | 10 years | |
U.S. Conservative Growth and Income (strategy inception 3/1/50) | |||
“Pure” gross | 15.98 | 10.55 | 10.10 |
Net of fees | 12.59 | 7.30 | 6.86 |
U.S. Core (strategy inception 1/1/34) | |||
“Pure” gross | 34.27 | 14.71 | 12.15 |
Net of fees | 30.39 | 11.35 | 8.86 |
U.S. Equity (strategy inception 10/1/74) | |||
“Pure” gross | 26.97 | 14.29 | 12.45 |
Net of fees | 23.28 | 10.94 | 9.15 |
U.S. Flexible Growth (strategy inception 12/1/73) | |||
Gross | 40.39 | 15.23 | 13.81 |
Net of fees | 36.34 | 11.85 | 10.47 |
U.S. Flexible Growth and Income (strategy inception 8/1/78) | |||
“Pure” gross | 35.00 | 14.46 | 12.68 |
Net of fees | 31.10 | 11.11 | 9.38 |
U.S. Growth (strategy inception 6/1/67) | |||
“Pure” gross | 31.21 | 12.71 | 11.82 |
Net of fees | 27.41 | 9.40 | 8.53 |
U.S. Income and Growth (strategy inception 8/1/52) | |||
“Pure” gross | 29.01 | 13.48 | 12.03 |
Net of fees | 25.27 | 10.15 | 8.75 |
International Equity (strategy inception 1/1/87) | |||
“Pure” gross | 11.07 | 8.52 | 6.74 |
Net of fees | 7.81 | 5.33 | 3.60 |
International Growth (strategy inception 5/1/84) | |||
“Pure” gross | 14.11 | 8.07 | 6.72 |
Net of fees | 10.77 | 4.89 | 3.57 |
Global Equity (strategy inception 4/1/92) | |||
“Pure” gross | 19.84 | 11.56 | 10.26 |
Net of fees | 16.34 | 8.29 | 7.02 |
Global Growth (strategy inception 4/1/73) | |||
“Pure” gross | 25.43 | 14.24 | 11.93 |
Net of fees | 21.78 | 10.89 | 8.64 |
World Dividend Growers (strategy inception 7/1/12) | |||
“Pure” gross | 13.95 | 9.03 | 7.48 |
Net of fees | 10.61 | 5.82 | 4.31 |
Index total returns (%)
as of March 31, 2024
Cumulative | Average annual | ||
---|---|---|---|
1 year | 5 years | 10 years | |
S&P 500 Index | |||
29.88 | 15.05 | 12.96 | |
MSCI EAFE Index | |||
15.32 | 7.33 | 4.80 | |
MSCI ACWI ex USA | |||
13.26 | 5.97 | 4.25 | |
MSCI World Index | |||
25.11 | 12.07 | 9.39 | |
MSCI ACWI | |||
23.22 | 10.92 | 8.66 |
The Capital Group U.S. Conservative Growth and Income SMA Composite inception is October 1, 2020. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Conservative Growth and Income SMA strategy. Prior to October 1, 2020, no SMA portfolios were managed in the U.S. Conservative Growth and Income strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group American Mutual Composite (inception is March 1, 1950) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Composite creation date is October 1, 2020.
The Capital Group U.S. Core SMA Composite inception is March 1, 2017. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Core strategy. Beginning March 1, 2017, the Capital Group U.S. Core SMA Composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the U.S. Core strategy. Prior to March 1, 2017, no SMA portfolios were managed in the U.S. Core strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group Investment Company of America Composite (inception is January 1, 1934) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Composite creation date is March 1, 2017.
The Capital Group U.S. Equity SMA Composite inception is September 1, 2009. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Equity strategy. Prior to September 1, 2009, no SMA portfolios were managed in the U.S. Equity strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on the Capital Group Private Client Services (“CGPCS”) U.S. Equity Composite (inception is October 1, 1974) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Beginning September 1, 2009, the composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the U.S. Equity strategy. Prior to January 1, 2019, both restricted and unrestricted portfolios were included. Beginning January 1, 2019, only unrestricted portfolios are included in the composite. Beginning November 1, 2020, the composite includes only unrestricted SMA portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Equity strategy and excludes SMA portfolios that are managed according to other U.S. equity customized strategies. The composite creation date is December 1, 2012.
The Capital Group U.S. Flexible Growth SMA Composite inception is October 1, 2020. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Flexible Growth SMA strategy. Prior to October 1, 2020, no SMA portfolios were managed in the U.S. Flexible Growth strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group Growth Fund of America Composite (inception is December 1, 1973) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Composite creation date is October 1, 2020.
The Capital Group U.S. Flexible Growth and Income SMA Composite inception is October 1, 2020. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Flexible Growth and Income SMA strategy. Prior to October 1, 2020, no SMA portfolios were managed in the U.S. Flexible Growth and Income strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group Fundamental Investors Composite (inception is August 1, 1978) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Composite creation date is October 1, 2020.
The Capital Group U.S. Growth SMA Composite inception is August 1, 2016. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Growth strategy. Beginning August 1, 2016, the Capital Group U.S. Growth SMA Composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the U.S. Growth strategy. Prior to August 1, 2016, no SMA portfolios were managed in the U.S. Growth strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group AMCAP Composite (inception is June 1, 1967) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Composite creation date is August 1, 2016.
The Capital Group U.S. Income and Growth SMA Composite inception is September 1, 2016. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the U.S. Income and Growth strategy. Beginning September 1, 2016, the Capital Group U.S. Income and Growth SMA Composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the U.S. Income and Growth strategy. Prior to September 1, 2016, no SMA portfolios were managed in the U.S. Income and Growth strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group Washington Mutual Composite (inception is August 1, 1952) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. As of January 1, 2019, only unrestricted portfolios are included in the composite. Prior to January 1, 2019, both restricted and unrestricted portfolios were included. Composite creation date is September 1, 2016.
The Capital Group International Equity SMA Composite inception is July 1, 2012. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the International Equity strategy. Prior to July 1, 2012, no SMA portfolios were managed in the International Equity strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on the Capital Group Private Client Services (“CGPCS”) International Equity Composite (inception is January 1, 1987) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Beginning July 1, 2012, the composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the International Equity strategy. Prior to January 1, 2019, both restricted and unrestricted portfolios were included. Beginning January 1, 2019, only unrestricted portfolios are included in the composite. Beginning June 1, 2020, the composite includes only unrestricted SMA portfolios that are managed according to the International Equity strategy and excludes SMA portfolios that are managed according to other international equity customized strategies. The composite creation date is December 1, 2012.
The Capital Group International Growth SMA Composite inception is September 1, 2017. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the International Growth strategy. Beginning September 1, 2017, the Capital Group International Growth SMA Composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the International Growth strategy. Prior to September 1, 2017, no SMA portfolios were managed in the International Growth strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group EuroPacific Growth Composite (inception is May 1, 1984) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Composite creation date is September 1, 2017.
The Capital Group Global Equity SMA Composite inception is September 1, 2011. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the Global Equity strategy. Prior to September 1, 2011, no SMA portfolios were managed in the Global Equity strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on the Capital Group Private Client Services (“CGPCS”) Global Equity Composite (inception is April 1, 1992) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Beginning September 1, 2011, the composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the Global Equity strategy. Prior to January 1, 2019, both restricted and unrestricted portfolios following the Capital Group Global Equity SMA Model and a sponsor-specific Global Equity SMA Model were included. Beginning January 1, 2019, only unrestricted portfolios that follow the Capital Group Global Equity SMA Model are included in the composite. The composite creation date is December 1, 2012.
The Capital Group Global Growth SMA Composite inception is July 1, 2017. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the Global Growth strategy. For non-U.S. holdings, a portfolio may invest up to 100% of assets outside the United States, though the strategy has typically invested in issuers throughout the world. Beginning July 1, 2017, the Capital Group Global Growth SMA Composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the Global Growth strategy. Prior to July 1, 2017, no SMA portfolios were managed in the Global Growth strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on Capital Group New Perspective Composite (inception is April 1, 1973) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Composite creation date is July 1, 2017.
The Capital Group World Dividend Growers SMA Composite inception is September 1, 2013. The composite consists of all unrestricted, discretionary separately managed account (“SMA”) portfolios that are managed according to the World Dividend Growers strategy. Prior to September 1, 2013, no SMA portfolios were managed in the World Dividend Growers strategy, and for that reason, the results presented are based on the Capital Group World Dividend Growers Composite (inception is July 1, 2012) returns, which contain non-SMA similar strategy portfolios. Beginning September 1, 2013, the composite includes all SMA portfolios applicable to the World Dividend Growers strategy. Prior to January 1, 2019, both restricted and unrestricted portfolios were included. Beginning January 1, 2019, only unrestricted portfolios are included in the composite. The composite creation date is September 1, 2013.