- ISIN
- US0978738302
- CUSIP
- 097873830
- Issuer
- American Funds
- Inception Date
- Aug 4, 2008
- Category
- Intermediate Core Bond
- Min. Investment
- $250
- Distribution Policy
- Distributing
- Asset Class
- Bond
Share Price Chart
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Performance
RBFFX Performance Chart
American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) is up 0.1% since the beginning of the year. RBFFX is currently trading at $11 per share. Investors who bought $1,000 worth of RBFFX shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,000.
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Returns By Period
American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) has returned 0.13% so far this year and 4.60% over the past 12 months. Over the last ten years, RBFFX has returned 1.99% per year, falling short of the S&P 500 Index benchmark, which averaged 13.88% annually.
American Funds The Bond Fund of America
- 1D
- 0.18%
- 1M
- 0.91%
- YTD
- 0.13%
- 6M
- 0.59%
- 1Y
- 4.60%
- 3Y*
- 4.01%
- 5Y*
- -0.00%
- 10Y*
- 1.99%
Benchmark (S&P 500 Index)
- 1D
- -0.37%
- 1M
- -0.01%
- YTD
- 9.16%
- 6M
- 8.64%
- 1Y
- 25.22%
- 3Y*
- 19.78%
- 5Y*
- 11.99%
- 10Y*
- 13.88%
RBFFX Monthly Returns History
Based on dividend-adjusted daily data since Jan 2, 2003, RBFFX's average daily return is +0.01%, while the average monthly return is +0.29%. At this rate, an investment would double in approximately 19.9 years.
Historically, 63% of months were positive and 37% were negative. The best month was Nov 2023 with a return of +4.5%, while the worst month was Oct 2008 at -6.4%. The longest winning streak lasted 10 consecutive months, and the longest losing streak was 7 months.
On a daily basis, RBFFX closed higher 46% of trading days. The best single day was Nov 10, 2022 with a return of +2.0%, while the worst single day was Mar 17, 2020 at -1.9%.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0.27% | 1.47% | -1.88% | 0.19% | 0.29% | -0.18% | 0.13% | ||||||
| 2025 | 0.56% | 2.15% | 0.12% | 0.46% | -0.76% | 1.72% | -0.32% | 1.35% | 0.90% | 0.63% | 0.62% | -0.15% | 7.49% |
| 2024 | -0.07% | -1.57% | 0.91% | -2.46% | 1.59% | 1.10% | 2.29% | 1.53% | 1.42% | -2.63% | 0.99% | -1.47% | 1.47% |
| 2023 | 3.17% | -2.76% | 2.55% | 0.48% | -1.22% | -0.63% | -0.02% | -0.62% | -2.42% | -1.84% | 4.49% | 3.70% | 4.65% |
| 2022 | -2.01% | -1.00% | -2.50% | -3.57% | 0.48% | -2.18% | 2.36% | -2.63% | -4.67% | -1.04% | 3.69% | -0.50% | -13.03% |
| 2021 | -0.52% | -1.34% | -1.06% | 0.81% | 0.30% | 0.63% | 1.13% | -0.13% | -0.75% | 0.20% | 0.20% | -0.09% | -0.64% |
Benchmark Metrics
American Funds The Bond Fund of America has an annualized alpha of 3.72%, beta of -0.02, and R2 of 0.01 versus S&P 500 Index. Calculated based on daily prices since January 02, 2003.
- This fund participates in less of S&P 500 Index's moves in both directions, but captures a larger share of gains (15.13%) than losses (7.58%) - typical of diversified or defensive assets.
- Beta of -0.02 may look defensive, but with R2 of 0.01 this fund is largely uncorrelated with S&P 500 Index - low beta reflects independence, not downside protection. See the Volatility section for a true picture of this fund's risk.
- R2 of 0.01 means this fund moves largely independently of S&P 500 Index - capture ratios reflect limited market correlation rather than active downside protection. Consider using a more representative benchmark.
- Alpha
- 3.72%
- Beta
- -0.02
- R²
- 0.01
- Upside Capture
- 15.13%
- Downside Capture
- 7.58%
Expense Ratio
RBFFX has an expense ratio of 0.29%, placing it in the medium range.
Return for Risk
Risk / Return Rank
RBFFX ranks 20 for risk / return — in the bottom 20% of mutual funds on our site. This means you're taking on significantly more risk than the returns justify. Consider whether the potential upside is worth the volatility, or explore alternatives with better risk / return profiles.
Return / Risk — by metrics
The table below present risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Funds The Bond Fund of America (RBFFX) and compare them to S&P 500 Index.
Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.
| RBFFX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility | -0.82 | ||
| Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk | -0.93 | ||
| Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability | 1.21 | 1.37 | -0.16 |
| Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown | 1.53 | 2.78 | -1.26 |
| Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown | 4.29 | 12.44 | -8.15 |
Dividends
Dividend History
American Funds The Bond Fund of America provided a 4.45% dividend yield over the last twelve months, with an annual payout of $0.50 per share.
| Period | TTM | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend | $0.50 | $0.51 | $0.51 | $0.41 | $0.28 | $0.31 | $0.74 | $0.49 | $0.34 | $0.28 | $0.26 | $0.29 |
Dividend yield | 4.45% | 4.43% | 4.61% | 3.53% | 2.42% | 2.31% | 5.34% | 3.76% | 2.67% | 2.14% | 2.07% | 2.30% |
Monthly Dividends
The table displays the monthly dividend distributions for American Funds The Bond Fund of America. The dividends shown in the table have been adjusted to account for any splits that may have occurred.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.00 | $0.20 | ||||||
| 2025 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.51 |
| 2024 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.05 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.51 |
| 2023 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.00 | $0.04 | $0.04 | $0.41 |
| 2022 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.04 | $0.02 | $0.00 | $0.04 | $0.00 | $0.02 | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.28 |
| 2021 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.04 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.08 | $0.31 |
Drawdowns
Drawdowns Chart
The Drawdowns chart displays portfolio losses from any high point along the way. Drawdowns are calculated considering price movements and all distributions paid, if any.
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Worst Drawdowns
The table below displays the maximum drawdowns of the American Funds The Bond Fund of America. A maximum drawdown is a measure of risk, indicating the largest reduction in portfolio value due to a series of losing trades.
The maximum drawdown for the American Funds The Bond Fund of America was 17.62%, occurring on Oct 24, 2022. Recovery took 838 trading sessions.
The current American Funds The Bond Fund of America drawdown is 1.59%.
Related event | Drawdown | Fall | Recovery | Underwater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bear market2022 | -17.62%Oct 2022 | 1y 1mo | 3y 4mo | 4y 5moSep 2021 - Feb 2026 |
Financial crisis2007–2009 | -16.90%Nov 2008 | 9mo 24d | 11mo 27d | 1y 9moFeb 2008 - Nov 2009 |
COVID crash2020 | -6.67%Mar 2020 | 10d | 27d | 1mo 7dMar 2020 - Apr 2020 |
2013 pullback2013 | -4.94%Sep 2013 | 4mo 5d | 7mo 27d | 12mo 2dMay 2013 - Apr 2014 |
2004 pullback2004 | -4.22%May 2004 | 2mo 4d | 3mo 20d | 5mo 24dMar 2004 - Aug 2004 |
Drawdown Indicators
| RBFFX | Benchmark | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
Max DrawdownLargest peak-to-trough decline | -17.62% | -56.78% | +39.16% |
Max Drawdown (1Y)Largest decline over 1 year | -3.09% | -9.10% | +6.01% |
Max Drawdown (3Y)Largest decline over 3 years | -6.11% | -18.90% | +12.79% |
Max Drawdown (5Y)Largest decline over 5 years | -17.62% | -25.43% | +7.81% |
Max Drawdown (10Y)Largest decline over 10 years | -17.62% | -33.92% | +16.30% |
Current DrawdownCurrent decline from peak | -1.59% | -1.80% | +0.21% |
Average DrawdownAverage peak-to-trough decline | -2.81% | -10.71% | +7.90% |
Ulcer IndexDepth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks | 1.09% | 2.03% | -0.94% |
Volatility
Volatility Chart
The chart below shows the rolling one-month volatility.
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