N-CSR 1 acmf103118n-csr.htm N-CSR Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES


Investment Company Act file number
811-00816
 
 
AMERICAN CENTURY MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
 
 
4500 MAIN STREET, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
64111
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 
CHARLES A. ETHERINGTON
4500 MAIN STREET, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64111
(Name and address of agent for service)
 
 
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
816-531-5575
 
 
Date of fiscal year end:
10-31
 
 
Date of reporting period:
10-31-2018






ITEM 1. REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.








acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Adaptive Equity Fund
 
Investor Class (AMVIX)
 
I Class (AVDIX)
 
A Class (AVDAX)
 
R Class (AVDRX)
 
R6 Class (AVDMX)









Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information




















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
AMVIX
6.58%
10.33%
11.15%
11/30/99
Russell 1000 Index
6.98%
11.05%
13.42%
I Class
AVDIX
6.81%
10.56%
11.38%
8/1/00
A Class
AVDAX
 
 
 
 
12/1/16
No sales charge
 
6.34%
13.33%
 
With sales charge
 
0.20%
9.91%
 
R Class
AVDRX
5.99%
13.02%
12/1/16
R6 Class
AVDMX
6.98%
14.02%
12/1/16
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available.
Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.

























Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
chart-b953aa58b35a56baadf.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $28,808
 
 
Russell 1000 Index — $35,238
 
Ending value of Investor Class would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
A Class
R Class
R6 Class
1.16%
0.96%
1.41%
1.66%
0.81%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.













Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary
 

Portfolio Managers: Stephen Pool and Joe Reiland

Performance Summary

Adaptive Equity returned 6.58%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, lagging the 6.98% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 1000 Index.

U.S. stock indices posted solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp decline in the final month of the fund’s fiscal year. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across the capitalization spectrum. Within the Russell 1000 Index, all sectors except materials and industrials posted gains. Information technology, consumer discretionary, and health care were the primary drivers of index performance.

In this environment, Adaptive Equity’s highly systematic investment process delivered positive portfolio returns but trailed its benchmark, the Russell 1000 Index. The fund received the best absolute contributions from information technology and consumer discretionary stocks, while only our materials and energy holdings generated modest negative contributions. Relative to the Russell benchmark, stock selection in the information technology, energy, and health care sectors detracted. Stock selection in industrials, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples benefited relative performance.

Information Technology Stocks Detracted

Stock decisions in the IT services industry were significant drivers of underperformance in the information technology sector. International Business Machines was a major detractor after posting disappointing quarterly results and declining revenue in its key technology services and cloud platforms business. Semiconductor firm Micron Technology declined along with demand for chips and concerns about weak capital spending in 2019.

Stock selection among oil, gas, and consumable fuels companies hurt performance in the energy sector. Exploration and production companies Cabot Oil & Gas and EP Energy missed earnings estimates. Both holdings were eliminated.

Other major detractors included our underweight allocation to Amazon.com. The online retailer continued to demonstrate growth in its Amazon Web Services cloud business as well as strong performance on the e-commerce side. Amazon.com was eliminated from the portfolio. Amusement park operator Six Flags Entertainment fell sharply after the company reported worse-than-expected revenue and earnings.

Industrials Holdings Benefited Performance

Positioning among industrial conglomerates aided performance in the industrials sector. Not owning benchmark component General Electric helped relative performance as the stock underperformed due to fundamental challenges in the company’s power and financial business segments and uncertainty over asset dispositions.

Specialty retailers and hotels, restaurants, and leisure companies led outperformance in the consumer discretionary sector. Burlington Stores was a top contributor as the off-price retailer

*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund’s benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.

5


reported strong comparable sales, and it’s also a beneficiary of tax reform, which lowered corporate rates for U.S. companies. Household goods retailer Williams-Sonoma outperformed as the company reported better-than-expected revenue and earnings.

Other top contributors included Fortinet. The cybersecurity firm reported strong revenues and earnings and offered improved forward guidance. Underweighting tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International aided performance as the stock was pressured by slowing demand for the company’s IQOS product, an electronically heated smoking device designed to reduce health risks.

Outlook

Using a systematic and quantitatively driven process, Adaptive Equity combines market factors and company-specific information in a unique model to underpin its stock selection process. Looking ahead, we remain confident that this systematic process will continue to successfully identify risk-adjusted opportunities across investment styles and industry sectors.



6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Exxon Mobil Corp.
3.8%
Simon Property Group, Inc.
3.5%
Walmart, Inc.
3.2%
Lockheed Martin Corp.
3.0%
Apple, Inc.
3.0%
Umpqua Holdings Corp.
3.0%
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
3.0%
Two Harbors Investment Corp.
2.9%
Philip Morris International, Inc.
2.9%
Burlington Stores, Inc.
2.8%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
IT Services
7.4%
Specialty Retail
6.6%
Pharmaceuticals
5.7%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
5.7%
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
5.6%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
99.0%
Temporary Cash Investments
0.9%
Other Assets and Liabilities
0.1%



7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,029.90
$5.88
1.15%
I Class
$1,000
$1,030.80
$4.86
0.95%
A Class
$1,000
$1,028.80
$7.16
1.40%
R Class
$1,000
$1,027.10
$8.43
1.65%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,031.30
$4.10
0.80%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,019.41
$5.85
1.15%
I Class
$1,000
$1,020.42
$4.84
0.95%
A Class
$1,000
$1,018.15
$7.12
1.40%
R Class
$1,000
$1,016.89
$8.39
1.65%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,021.17
$4.08
0.80%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 99.0%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 4.1%
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
3,087

$
1,095,453

Lockheed Martin Corp.
10,855

3,189,742

 
 
4,285,195

Banks — 4.0%
 
 
First Hawaiian, Inc.
45,741

1,133,462

Umpqua Holdings Corp.
162,824

3,126,221

 
 
4,259,683

Biotechnology — 3.9%
 
 
AbbVie, Inc.
26,653

2,074,936

Amgen, Inc.
6,623

1,276,848

Gilead Sciences, Inc.
11,199

763,548

 
 
4,115,332

Capital Markets — 0.5%
 
 
Lazard Ltd., Class A
1,228

48,801

Moelis & Co., Class A
11,037

445,453

 
 
494,254

Chemicals — 1.2%
 
 
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd.(1) 
18,149

447,917

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A
8,243

735,853

WR Grace & Co.
828

53,646

 
 
1,237,416

Commercial Services and Supplies — 0.6%
 
 
KAR Auction Services, Inc.
10,353

589,500

Communications Equipment — 2.9%
 
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
6,578

300,943

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1) 
14,989

2,743,587

 
 
3,044,530

Consumer Finance — 0.1%
 
 
Synchrony Financial
2,257

65,182

Containers and Packaging — 0.1%
 
 
AptarGroup, Inc.
972

99,105

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.0%
 
 
AT&T, Inc.
75,439

2,314,468

Verizon Communications, Inc.
14,152

807,938

 
 
3,122,406

Electric Utilities — 2.1%
 
 
Exelon Corp.
50,992

2,233,960

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 0.1%
 
 
Jabil, Inc.
5,461

135,051

Energy Equipment and Services — 0.2%
 
 
Halliburton Co.
6,124

212,380


10


 
Shares
Value
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 5.6%
 
 
Hospitality Properties Trust
51,433

$
1,317,714

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A
13,022

954,773

Simon Property Group, Inc.
20,035

3,676,823

 
 
5,949,310

Food and Staples Retailing — 3.9%
 
 
Sysco Corp.
11,289

805,244

Walmart, Inc.
33,211

3,330,399

 
 
4,135,643

Food Products — 0.2%
 
 
General Mills, Inc.
5,469

239,542

Health Care Providers and Services — 1.3%
 
 
CVS Health Corp.
4,292

310,698

HCA Healthcare, Inc.
3,114

415,813

Humana, Inc.
1,947

623,838

 
 
1,350,349

Health Care Technology — 3.6%
 
 
athenahealth, Inc.(1) 
9,598

1,224,129

Cerner Corp.(1) 
44,670

2,558,698

 
 
3,782,827

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 3.6%
 
 
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
10,449

1,113,341

Extended Stay America, Inc.
13,398

218,119

Six Flags Entertainment Corp.
46,750

2,517,955

 
 
3,849,415

Insurance — 2.1%
 
 
American National Insurance Co.
17,080

2,104,939

Chubb Ltd.
1,291

161,259

 
 
2,266,198

Interactive Media and Services — 2.6%
 
 
Twitter, Inc.(1) 
77,672

2,699,102

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 2.0%
 
 
Booking Holdings, Inc.(1) 
754

1,413,433

Expedia Group, Inc.
5,302

665,030

 
 
2,078,463

IT Services — 7.4%
 
 
Black Knight, Inc.(1) 
29,278

1,427,888

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
24,837

1,230,425

CoreLogic, Inc.(1) 
20,344

826,373

International Business Machines Corp.
18,939

2,186,129

VeriSign, Inc.(1) 
10,751

1,532,448

Visa, Inc., Class A
4,078

562,152

 
 
7,765,415

Machinery — 0.2%
 
 
IDEX Corp.
1,337

169,558

Media — 0.5%
 
 
Omnicom Group, Inc.
6,892

512,213


11


 
Shares
Value
Metals and Mining — 0.4%
 
 
Southern Copper Corp.
11,905

$
456,438

Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.9%
 
 
Two Harbors Investment Corp.
211,526

3,107,317

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 5.7%
 
 
Chevron Corp.
3,543

395,576

ConocoPhillips
20,493

1,432,461

Exxon Mobil Corp.
49,928

3,978,263

Phillips 66
1,553

159,679

Williams Cos., Inc. (The)
3,028

73,671

 
 
6,039,650

Personal Products — 1.3%
 
 
Herbalife Ltd.(1) 
25,609

1,363,935

Pharmaceuticals — 5.7%
 
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
61,601

3,113,314

Pfizer, Inc.
68,466

2,948,146

 
 
6,061,460

Professional Services — 0.1%
 
 
Robert Half International, Inc.
864

52,298

Road and Rail — 2.1%
 
 
Norfolk Southern Corp.
13,146

2,206,293

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 5.1%
 
 
Intel Corp.
43,457

2,037,264

Micron Technology, Inc.(1) 
60,800

2,293,376

QUALCOMM, Inc.
6,596

414,823

Texas Instruments, Inc.
7,386

685,642

 
 
5,431,105

Software — 4.2%
 
 
Fortinet, Inc.(1) 
24,250

1,992,865

Microsoft Corp.
5,380

574,638

RealPage, Inc.(1) 
16,347

866,391

ServiceNow, Inc.(1) 
5,377

973,452

 
 
4,407,346

Specialty Retail — 6.6%
 
 
Burlington Stores, Inc.(1) 
17,428

2,988,728

Home Depot, Inc. (The)
6,771

1,190,883

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.
47,076

2,795,373

 
 
6,974,984

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 3.0%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
14,475

3,167,998

Thrifts and Mortgage Finance — 1.5%
 
 
Essent Group Ltd.(1) 
19,441

766,364

Northwest Bancshares, Inc.
51,752

835,278

 
 
1,601,642

Tobacco — 3.0%
 
 
Altria Group, Inc.
1,393

90,601


12


 
Shares
Value
Philip Morris International, Inc.
34,842

$
3,068,535

 
 
3,159,136

Trading Companies and Distributors — 1.6%
 
 
Watsco, Inc.
11,577

1,715,480

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $99,190,524)
 
104,437,111

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 0.9%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $612,678), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $600,272)
 
600,239

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 5/15/45, valued at $309,236), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $300,009)
 
300,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
880

880

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $901,119)
 
901,119

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.9%
(Cost $100,091,643)
 
105,338,230

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.1%
 
150,383

TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
105,488,613


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
(1)
Non-income producing.


See Notes to Financial Statements.

13


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $100,091,643)
$
105,338,230

Receivable for capital shares sold
96,236

Dividends and interest receivable
183,172

 
105,617,638

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for capital shares redeemed
24,457

Accrued management fees
104,490

Distribution and service fees payable
78

 
129,025

 
 
Net Assets
$
105,488,613

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
79,698,060

Distributable earnings
25,790,553

 
$
105,488,613


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$98,221,344
8,136,213

$12.07
I Class, $0.01 Par Value
$6,840,961
552,656

$12.38
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$31,772
2,613

$12.16*
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$166,721
13,764

$12.11
R6 Class, $0.01 Par Value
$227,815
18,180

$12.53
*Maximum offering price $12.90 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).



See Notes to Financial Statements.


14


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends
$
2,284,155

Interest
5,863

 
2,290,018

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
1,302,627

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
80

R Class
541

Directors' fees and expenses
2,427

Other expenses
475

 
1,306,150

Fees waived(1)
(79,436
)
 
1,226,714

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
1,063,304

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions
20,758,677

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
(15,098,472
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
5,660,205

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
6,723,509


(1)
Amount consists of $75,818, $3,351, $24, $68 and $175 for Investor Class, I Class, A Class, R Class and R6 Class, respectively.


See Notes to Financial Statements.


15


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
1,063,304

$
588,498

Net realized gain (loss)
20,758,677

7,992,249

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(15,098,472
)
13,158,736

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
6,723,509

21,739,483

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:
 
 
Investor Class
(6,939,187
)
(897,365
)
I Class
(320,889
)
(33,360
)
A Class
(2,023
)
(15
)
R Class
(4,512
)
(10
)
R6 Class
(13,157
)
(28
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(7,279,768
)
(930,778
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
2,600,591

(7,982,654
)
 
 
 
Redemption Fees
 
 
Increase in net assets from redemption fees

1,332

 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
2,044,332

12,827,383

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
103,444,281

90,616,898

End of period
$
105,488,613

$
103,444,281



See Notes to Financial Statements.


16


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Adaptive Equity Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, A Class, R Class and R6 Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge and may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Sale of the A Class, R Class and R6 Class commenced on December 1, 2016.
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 
The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.

17


Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may elect to treat a portion of its payment to a redeeming shareholder, which represents the pro rata share of undistributed net investment income and net realized gains, as a distribution for federal income tax purposes (tax equalization).
 
Redemption Fees — Prior to October 9, 2017, the fund may have imposed a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 60 days. The fee was not applicable to all classes. The redemption fee was retained by the fund to help cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.
 
Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 

18


Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets). From November 1, 2017 through July 31, 2018, the investment advisor agreed to waive 0.10% of the fund's management fee. Effective August 1,2018, the investment advisor terminated the waiver and decreased the annual management fee by 0.10%.

The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee before and after waiver for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
 
Effective Annual Management Fee
 
Management Fee Schedule Range*
Before Waiver
After Waiver
Investor Class
1.000% to 1.150%
1.22%
1.15%
I Class
0.800% to 0.950%
1.02%
0.95%
A Class
1.000% to 1.150%
1.22%
1.15%
R Class
1.000% to 1.150%
1.22%
1.15%
R6 Class
0.650% to 0.800%
0.87%
0.80%
* Prior to August 1, 2018, the management fee schedule range was 1.000% to 1.250% for Investor Class, A Class and R Class, 0.800% to 1.050% for I Class and 0.650% to 0.900% for R6 Class.

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 
Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $1,886,815 and $395,995, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $138,409 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $118,624,034 and $122,208,703, respectively.


19


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
140,000,000

 
140,000,000

 
Sold
447,446

$
5,521,944

423,033

$
4,625,253

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
569,321

6,717,983

82,377

870,726

Redeemed
(993,886
)
(12,209,568
)
(1,345,235
)
(14,879,140
)
 
22,881

30,359

(839,825
)
(9,383,161
)
I Class/Shares Authorized
70,000,000

 
70,000,000

 
Sold
258,025

3,333,659

119,781

1,416,036

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
5,458

65,937

3,089

33,360

Redeemed
(78,074
)
(970,395
)
(27,307
)
(304,458
)
 
185,409

2,429,201

95,563

1,144,938

A Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold


2,442

25,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
170

2,023

1

15

 
170

2,023

2,443

25,015

R Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold
11,577

142,832

4,992

53,749

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
379

4,512

1

10

Redeemed
(3,184
)
(38,921
)
(1
)
(15
)
 
8,772

108,423

4,992

53,744

R6 Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold
8,459

105,313

26,971

304,642

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
1,078

13,157

3

28

Redeemed
(7,297
)
(87,885
)
(11,034
)
(127,860
)
 
2,240

30,585

15,940

176,810

Net increase (decrease)
219,472

$
2,600,591

(720,887
)
$
(7,982,654
)

(1)
December 1, 2016 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the A Class, R Class and R6 Class.

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 

20


The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
104,437,111



Temporary Cash Investments
880

$
900,239


 
$
104,437,991

$
900,239



7. Risk Factors

The fund’s investment process may result in high portfolio turnover, which could mean high transaction costs, affecting both performance and capital gains tax liabilities to investors.

8. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
3,072,329

$
930,778

Long-term capital gains
$
4,207,439



The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 
As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
100,143,236

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
10,975,679

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(5,780,685
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
$
5,194,994

Undistributed ordinary income
$
4,487,371

Accumulated long-term gains
$
16,108,188


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
 


21


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$12.15
0.12
0.66
0.78
(0.04)
(0.82)
(0.86)
$12.07
6.58%
1.15%
1.22%
0.99%
0.92%
112%

$98,221

2017
$9.82
0.07
2.36
2.43
(0.10)
(0.10)
$12.15
24.92%
1.16%
1.26%
0.58%
0.48%
85%

$98,585

2016
$10.74
0.10
0.08
0.18
(0.12)
(0.98)
(1.10)
$9.82
2.20%
1.23%
1.25%
1.04%
1.02%
116%

$87,888

2015
$10.15
0.06
0.59
0.65
(0.06)
(0.06)
$10.74
6.40%
1.26%
1.26%
0.54%
0.54%
185%

$99,141

2014
$9.08
0.06
1.11
1.17
(0.10)
(0.10)
$10.15
12.96%
1.25%
1.25%
0.59%
0.59%
184%

$91,093

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$12.44
0.15
0.68
0.83
(0.07)
(0.82)
(0.89)
$12.38
6.81%
0.95%
1.02%
1.19%
1.12%
112%

$6,841

2017
$10.05
0.09
2.42
2.51
(0.12)
(0.12)
$12.44
25.19%
0.96%
1.06%
0.78%
0.68%
85%

$4,568

2016
$10.96
0.12
0.09
0.21
(0.14)
(0.98)
(1.12)
$10.05
2.47%
1.03%
1.05%
1.24%
1.22%
116%

$2,729

2015
$10.36
0.08
0.60
0.68
(0.08)
(0.08)
$10.96
6.58%
1.06%
1.06%
0.74%
0.74%
185%

$2,665

2014
$9.27
0.09
1.11
1.20
(0.11)
(0.11)
$10.36
13.13%
1.05%
1.05%
0.79%
0.79%
184%

$2,501




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$12.23
0.09
0.67
0.76
(0.01)
(0.82)
(0.83)
$12.16
6.34%
1.40%
1.47%
0.74%
0.67%
112%

$32

2017(3)
$10.24
0.03
1.97
2.00
(0.01)
(0.01)
$12.23
19.50%
1.41%(4)
1.51%(4)
0.26%(4)
0.16%(4)
85%(5)

$30

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$12.21
0.07
0.65
0.72
(0.82)
(0.82)
$12.11
5.99%
1.65%
1.72%
0.49%
0.42%
112%

$167

2017(3)
$10.24
(6)
1.97
1.97
(6)
(6)
$12.21
19.28%
1.66%(4)
1.76%(4)
(0.01)%(4)
(0.11)%(4)
85%(5)

$61

R6 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$12.58
0.17
0.69
0.86
(0.09)
(0.82)
(0.91)
$12.53
6.98%
0.80%
0.87%
1.34%
1.27%
112%

$228

2017(3)
$10.48
0.09
2.02
2.11
(0.01)
(0.01)
$12.58
20.17%
0.81%(4)
0.91%(4)
0.82%(4)
0.72%(4)
85%(5)

$201

Notes to Financial Highlights
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
December 1, 2016 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.
(6)
Per share amount was less than $0.005.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Adaptive Equity Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Adaptive Equity Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

24


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


25


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

26


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





27


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




28


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the one-, three-, and five-year periods and below its benchmark for the ten-year period reviewed by the Board. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.


29


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was above the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe and was within the range of its peer expense group. The Board and the Advisor agreed to a permanent change to the fund's fee schedule that could have the effect of lowering the fund's management fee by

30


approximately 0.10% (e.g., the Investor Class unified fee will be reduced from 1.25% to 1.15%) beginning August 1, 2018. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


31


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



32


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $1,313,690, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $4,952,146, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $2,861,213 as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund utilized earnings and profits of $957,334 distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction (tax equalization).


33


Notes

34


Notes

35


Notes


36






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
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1-800-345-8765
 
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1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
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1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90976 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
All Cap Growth Fund
 
Investor Class (TWGTX)
 
I Class (ACAJX)
 
A Class (ACAQX)
 
C Class (ACAHX)
 
R Class (ACAWX)








Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information





















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWGTX
8.83%
10.25%
12.90%
11/25/83
Russell 3000 Growth Index
10.20%
13.06%
15.32%
I Class
ACAJX
9.06%
10.46%
14.20%
9/30/11
A Class
ACAQX
 
 
 
 
9/30/11
No sales charge
 
8.56%
9.97%
13.69%
 
With sales charge
 
2.31%
8.68%
12.75%
 
C Class
ACAHX
7.76%
9.15%
12.84%
9/30/11
R Class
ACAWX
8.29%
9.69%
13.41%
9/30/11
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.























Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-c051d1bb10015882a8e.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $33,674
 
 
Russell 3000 Growth Index — $41,644
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
1.01%
0.81%
1.26%
2.01%
1.51%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary

Portfolio Managers: Gregory Woodhams and Joe Reiland

Portfolio managers Michael Orndorff and Marc Scott left American Century in February 2018, and Gregory Woodhams and Joe Reiland were named portfolio managers for All Cap Growth.

Performance Summary

All Cap Growth returned 8.83%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, lagging the 10.20% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 3000 Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices posted solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp drop in the last month. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across all capitalization ranges. Within the Russell 3000 Growth Index, all sectors posted gains except for materials and energy. Consumer discretionary and information technology were the leading performers in the index.

In the communication services sector, stock selection and an overweight allocation helped drive the fund’s underperformance relative to the Russell 3000 Growth Index. Stock choices and an underweight in the information technology sector also weighed on results, as did stock selection in consumer staples. Stock decisions in the health care sector led positive contributors, and stock selection and an overweight to financials were also beneficial.

Communication Services Stocks Were Key Detractors

Stock choices in the entertainment industry led underperformance in communication services, a sector introduced at the end of September 2018 comprising stocks previously in a range of other sectors. Detractors from relative performance in the sector included underweighting Netflix relative to the benchmark. Netflix saw its stock price climb for most of the period as a result of expectations for solid user growth, particularly overseas, powered by new streaming content. Electronic Arts underperformed as the video game maker lowered full-year guidance on revenue due to delays in game launches and the impact of foreign exchange.

Newell Brands, which owns several major brand names such as Rubbermaid, detracted. Lower-than-expected earnings were attributed to a slow 2017 back-to-school season and inventory reductions at key customers such as Office Depot and Walmart, along with Toys"R"Us, which declared bankruptcy. We eliminated our holding. Tobacco manufacturer Philip Morris International detracted as the stock was pressured by slowing demand for the company’s IQOS product, an electronically heated smoking device designed to reduce health risks. We eliminated the holding. Underweighting Apple relative to the benchmark detracted. The company reported strong quarterly revenues and earnings. Despite concerns, iPhones are still registering strong revenues. The market also anticipated strong sales of the new iPhones and products announced in September.

Health Care Stocks Aided Performance

Stock selection among health care providers and services led outperformance in the health care sector. Home health and hospice care company Amedisys rose on strong quarterly performance.
Profitability exceeded analysts' expectations due to productivity improvement. Livestock and pet


*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund’s benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.

5


medicine manufacturer Zoetis was a top contributor. It’s the world leader in animal health, and operating margins and cash-flow trends have improved. The company also benefited from strong global sales.

Other top contributors included Amazon.com. The online retailer continued to demonstrate growth in its Amazon Web Services cloud business as well as strong performance on the e-commerce side. Payment services company MasterCard saw its stock increase on widening profit margins and earnings that beat expectations. The off-price retailer Burlington Stores reported strong comparable sales, and it’s a beneficiary of tax reform, which lowered rates for U.S. companies.

Outlook

Our investment process focuses on companies of all capitalization sizes with improving business fundamentals. The fund’s positioning remains largely stock specific. As of October 31, 2018, the largest overweight allocations relative to the benchmark were in the communication services and consumer discretionary sectors. The portfolio was underweight industrials and financials.






6


Fund Characteristics 
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Amazon.com, Inc.
7.4%
Alphabet, Inc., Class A
7.4%
Microsoft Corp.
6.4%
Apple, Inc.
5.4%
MasterCard, Inc., Class A
4.0%
Facebook, Inc., Class A
3.7%
Boeing Co. (The)
2.7%
Visa, Inc., Class A
2.2%
Broadcom, Inc.
2.1%
Home Depot, Inc. (The)
2.1%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Interactive Media and Services
11.5%
Software
9.9%
Internet and Direct Marketing Retail
8.3%
IT Services
7.5%
Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals
5.4%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
99.2%
Temporary Cash Investments
0.7%
Other Assets and Liabilities
0.1%



7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
 
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,030.60
$5.12
1.00%
I Class
$1,000
$1,031.60
$4.10
0.80%
A Class
$1,000
$1,029.20
$6.39
1.25%
C Class
$1,000
$1,025.30
$10.21
2.00%
R Class
$1,000
$1,028.00
$7.67
1.50%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.16
$5.09
1.00%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.17
$4.08
0.80%
A Class
$1,000
$1,018.90
$6.36
1.25%
C Class
$1,000
$1,015.12
$10.16
2.00%
R Class
$1,000
$1,017.64
$7.63
1.50%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 99.2%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 4.6%
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
85,692

$
30,408,663

L3 Technologies, Inc.
25,757

4,880,179

Lockheed Martin Corp.
56,254

16,530,238

 
 
51,819,080

Air Freight and Logistics — 1.1%
 
 
XPO Logistics, Inc.(1) 
132,452

11,838,560

Airlines — 1.3%
 
 
American Airlines Group, Inc.
62,902

2,206,602

Delta Air Lines, Inc.
222,048

12,152,687

 
 
14,359,289

Beverages — 0.5%
 
 
Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A
29,376

5,852,580

Biotechnology — 2.5%
 
 
Acceleron Pharma, Inc.(1) 
35,391

1,796,801

Biogen, Inc.(1) 
19,619

5,969,473

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.(1) 
50,084

4,616,242

Exelixis, Inc.(1) 
225,846

3,132,484

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
70,210

11,897,787

 
 
27,412,787

Capital Markets — 2.2%
 
 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
7,923

894,111

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
199,247

9,213,181

S&P Global, Inc.
49,424

9,010,984

SEI Investments Co.
95,120

5,084,164

 
 
24,202,440

Chemicals — 0.2%
 
 
Valvoline, Inc.
136,063

2,710,375

Communications Equipment — 1.2%
 
 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1) 
72,469

13,264,726

Consumer Finance — 0.6%
 
 
American Express Co.
60,969

6,263,345

Electrical Equipment — 0.4%
 
 
AMETEK, Inc.
60,969

4,089,801

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 1.4%
 
 
CDW Corp.
108,368

9,754,204

National Instruments Corp.
114,269

5,595,753

 
 
15,349,957

Energy Equipment and Services — 0.5%
 
 
Halliburton Co.
156,043

5,411,571

Entertainment — 2.8%
 
 
Electronic Arts, Inc.(1) 
116,211

10,572,877


10


 
Shares
Value
Liberty Media Corp-Liberty Formula One, Class C(1) 
76,282

$
2,523,409

Netflix, Inc.(1) 
43,644

13,170,886

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(1) 
42,042

5,417,952

 
 
31,685,124

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.7%
 
 
Crown Castle International Corp.
63,454

6,899,988

Equity Residential
29,074

1,888,647

SBA Communications Corp.(1) 
65,443

10,612,891

 
 
19,401,526

Food and Staples Retailing — 0.8%
 
 
Walmart, Inc.
86,415

8,665,696

Food Products — 1.3%
 
 
Mondelez International, Inc., Class A
340,487

14,293,644

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 3.8%
 
 
ABIOMED, Inc.(1) 
13,916

4,748,139

Align Technology, Inc.(1) 
22,850

5,054,420

Baxter International, Inc.
80,266

5,017,428

Boston Scientific Corp.(1) 
130,654

4,721,835

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1) 
38,292

5,651,899

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(1) 
12,963

2,749,712

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(1) 
20,495

10,681,584

Penumbra, Inc.(1) 
31,628

4,301,408

 
 
42,926,425

Health Care Providers and Services — 4.1%
 
 
Amedisys, Inc.(1) 
27,017

2,971,870

Humana, Inc.
44,019

14,104,128

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
136,299

12,827,099

Tivity Health, Inc.(1) 
81,058

2,789,206

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(1) 
48,342

13,341,908

 
 
46,034,211

Health Care Technology — 0.5%
 
 
Cerner Corp.(1) 
94,158

5,393,370

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 2.4%
 
 
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(1) 
5,544

2,552,070

Darden Restaurants, Inc.
28,237

3,008,652

Las Vegas Sands Corp.
157,666

8,045,696

MGM Resorts International
154,782

4,129,584

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
88,647

9,284,000

 
 
27,020,002

Household Products — 1.5%
 
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
68,155

4,046,362

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
148,344

13,155,146

 
 
17,201,508

Interactive Media and Services — 11.5%
 
 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) 
75,495

82,333,337

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) 
270,057

40,991,952


11


 
Shares
Value
Twitter, Inc.(1) 
150,809

$
5,240,613

 
 
128,565,902

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 8.3%
 
 
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. ADR(1) 
35,083

4,991,609

Amazon.com, Inc.(1) 
51,910

82,952,699

Booking Holdings, Inc.(1) 
2,234

4,187,812

 
 
92,132,120

IT Services — 7.5%
 
 
Fiserv, Inc.(1) 
11,042

875,630

MasterCard, Inc., Class A
223,164

44,112,828

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1) 
151,604

12,763,541

VeriSign, Inc.(1) 
11,159

1,590,604

Visa, Inc., Class A
174,801

24,096,318

 
 
83,438,921

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 1.7%
 
 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
132,436

8,580,528

Bio-Techne Corp.
25,748

4,318,455

Illumina, Inc.(1) 
20,944

6,516,726

 
 
19,415,709

Machinery — 1.3%
 
 
Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.(1) 
320,362

3,075,475

Ingersoll-Rand plc
40,039

3,841,342

WABCO Holdings, Inc.(1) 
73,347

7,881,135

 
 
14,797,952

Multiline Retail — 0.5%
 
 
Target Corp.
64,336

5,380,420

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.3%
 
 
Concho Resources, Inc.(1) 
105,239

14,637,693

Personal Products — 0.6%
 
 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A
47,359

6,509,021

Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%
 
 
Novo Nordisk A/S, B Shares
53,797

2,326,856

Zoetis, Inc.
191,002

17,218,830

 
 
19,545,686

Road and Rail — 1.4%
 
 
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
17,769

3,642,645

Norfolk Southern Corp.
34,504

5,790,806

Union Pacific Corp.
42,945

6,279,418

 
 
15,712,869

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 5.1%
 
 
Applied Materials, Inc.
400,163

13,157,359

ASML Holding NV
76,819

13,131,408

Broadcom, Inc.
105,373

23,549,812

KLA-Tencor Corp.
50,629

4,634,579

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
43,589

2,180,322

 
 
56,653,480


12


 
Shares
Value
Software — 9.9%
 
 
Adobe, Inc.(1) 
65,441

$
16,082,780

Microsoft Corp.
672,374

71,816,267

salesforce.com, Inc.(1) 
126,600

17,374,584

Splunk, Inc.(1) 
47,848

4,777,144

 
 
110,050,775

Specialty Retail — 4.3%
 
 
Burlington Stores, Inc.(1) 
47,192

8,092,956

Home Depot, Inc. (The)
132,159

23,244,125

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)
151,628

16,660,885

 
 
47,997,966

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 5.4%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
276,378

60,488,089

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 2.1%
 
 
NIKE, Inc., Class B
170,058

12,761,153

Tapestry, Inc.
244,288

10,335,825

 
 
23,096,978

Tobacco — 1.1%
 
 
Altria Group, Inc.
181,520

11,806,061

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $732,581,462)
 
1,105,425,659

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 0.7%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $5,420,551), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $5,310,789)
 
5,310,494

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 5/15/45, valued at $2,711,761), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $2,657,078)
 
2,657,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
6,168

6,168

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $7,973,662)
 
7,973,662

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.9%
(Cost $740,555,124)
 
1,113,399,321

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.1%
 
1,630,209

TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
1,115,029,530



13


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CAD
694,861

USD
542,989

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
$
(14,466
)
CAD
440,425

USD
338,400

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(3,406
)
CAD
647,481

USD
496,795

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(4,310
)
CAD
188,881

USD
144,525

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(859
)
CAD
737,295

USD
562,612

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(1,813
)
USD
5,350,330

CAD
6,896,576

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
104,682

USD
149,448

CAD
194,226

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
1,717

USD
118,436

CAD
153,045

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
2,027

USD
146,922

CAD
190,230

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
2,230

USD
132,341

CAD
173,696

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
225

EUR
264,647

USD
305,867

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(4,437
)
EUR
349,834

USD
404,983

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(6,526
)
EUR
515,763

USD
590,806

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(3,358
)
EUR
373,340

USD
426,261

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(1,030
)
USD
10,362,234

EUR
8,748,917

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
397,304

USD
1,188,922

EUR
1,003,318

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
46,152

USD
468,675

EUR
402,504

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
10,228

USD
430,765

EUR
372,087

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
6,962

USD
952,413

EUR
826,030

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
11,573

USD
400,588

EUR
349,834

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
2,130

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
545,025


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
ADR
-
American Depositary Receipt
CAD
-
Canadian Dollar
EUR
-
Euro
USD
-
United States Dollar
(1)
Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

14


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $740,555,124)
$
1,113,399,321

Receivable for investments sold
6,143,773

Receivable for capital shares sold
97,799

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
585,230

Dividends and interest receivable
217,560

 
1,120,443,683

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
4,042,699

Payable for capital shares redeemed
329,723

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
40,205

Accrued management fees
988,070

Distribution and service fees payable
13,456

 
5,414,153

 
 
Net Assets
$
1,115,029,530

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
621,360,964

Distributable earnings
493,668,566

 
$
1,115,029,530


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value

$1,080,123,861

31,173,613

$34.65
I Class, $0.01 Par Value

$2,540,072

72,012

$35.27
A Class, $0.01 Par Value

$12,135,790

358,408

$33.86*
C Class, $0.01 Par Value

$4,751,798

150,534

$31.57
R Class, $0.01 Par Value

$15,478,009

467,884

$33.08
*Maximum offering price $35.93 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.


15


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $13,420)
$
10,951,078

Interest
83,985

 
11,035,063

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
11,709,980

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
29,199

C Class
46,707

R Class
78,719

Directors' fees and expenses
26,482

 
11,891,087

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
(856,024
)
 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
122,573,534

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
309,388

Foreign currency translation transactions
(3,964
)
 
122,878,958

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(23,274,764
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
107,729

 
(23,167,035
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
99,711,923

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
98,855,899



See Notes to Financial Statements.


16


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
(856,024
)
$
(364,567
)
Net realized gain (loss)
122,878,958

87,438,049

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(23,167,035
)
126,570,224

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
98,855,899

213,643,706

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:
 
 
Investor Class
(86,141,596
)
(76,992,389
)
I Class
(157,527
)
(24,235
)
A Class
(841,233
)
(892,906
)
C Class
(384,114
)
(367,332
)
R Class
(1,261,456
)
(1,122,342
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(88,785,926
)
(79,399,204
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
(8,606,955
)
(21,459,622
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
1,463,018

112,784,880

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
1,113,566,512

1,000,781,632

End of period
$
1,115,029,530

$
1,113,566,512



See Notes to Financial Statements.


17


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. All Cap Growth Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, A Class, C Class and R Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 

18


The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually.

19


Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class.

The annual management fee for each class is as follows:
Investor Class
I Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
1.000%
0.800%
1.000%
1.000%
1.000%
 
Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 
Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $9,334,145 and $7,987,319, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $1,547,609 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $564,545,039 and $666,988,589, respectively.



20


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
275,000,000

 
275,000,000

 
Sold
928,819

$
32,780,365

1,210,817

$
38,104,988

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
2,543,226

84,155,360

2,577,725

75,140,689

Redeemed
(3,645,506
)
(128,563,749
)
(4,234,620
)
(133,767,212
)
 
(173,461
)
(11,628,024
)
(446,078
)
(20,521,535
)
I Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
34,439

1,233,710

50,801

1,694,156

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
4,684

157,527

821

24,235

Redeemed
(23,193
)
(822,320
)
(5,816
)
(190,795
)
 
15,930

568,917

45,806

1,527,596

A Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
88,125

3,055,362

119,170

3,718,038

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
25,613

830,104

30,812

883,069

Redeemed
(56,116
)
(1,943,945
)
(206,118
)
(6,452,655
)
 
57,622

1,941,521

(56,136
)
(1,851,548
)
C Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
22,672

739,682

31,689

924,752

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
12,631

384,114

13,485

367,332

Redeemed
(24,312
)
(780,905
)
(56,018
)
(1,659,903
)
 
10,991

342,891

(10,844
)
(367,819
)
R Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
122,415

4,142,899

80,291

2,431,503

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
39,756

1,261,456

39,828

1,122,342

Redeemed
(153,994
)
(5,236,615
)
(126,203
)
(3,800,161
)
 
8,177

167,740

(6,084
)
(246,316
)
Net increase (decrease)
(80,741
)
$
(8,606,955
)
(473,336
)
$
(21,459,622
)

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 

21


The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
1,089,967,395

$
15,458,264


Temporary Cash Investments
6,168

7,967,494


 
$
1,089,973,563

$
23,425,758


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
585,230


 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
40,205



7. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $16,167,751.
 
The value of foreign currency risk derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018, is disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset of $585,230 in unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and a liability of $40,205 in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the effect of foreign currency risk derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations was $309,388 in net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and $107,729 in change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
 
8. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income


Long-term capital gains
$
88,785,926

$
79,399,204


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 


22


As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
741,157,664

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
402,140,582

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(29,898,925
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
372,241,657

Undistributed ordinary income

Accumulated long-term gains

$
122,544,324

Late-year ordinary loss deferral
$
(1,117,415
)

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
 
Loss deferrals represent certain qualified losses that the fund has elected to treat as having been incurred in the following fiscal year for federal income tax purposes.

23


Financial Highlights
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net
Realized
Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$34.51
(0.02)
2.94
2.92
(2.78)
$34.65
8.83%
1.00%
(0.06)%
49%

$1,080,124

2017
$30.56
(0.01)
6.41
6.40
(2.45)
$34.51
22.43%
1.01%
(0.03)%
44%

$1,081,686

2016
$32.53
(0.03)
0.08
0.05
(2.02)
$30.56
0.24%
1.00%
(0.09)%
49%

$971,588

2015
$34.71
(0.05)
2.71
2.66
(4.84)
$32.53
9.40%
1.00%
(0.15)%
43%

$1,082,419

2014
$35.63
(0.06)
3.64
3.58
(4.50)
$34.71
11.50%
1.00%
(0.18)%
56%

$1,079,950

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$35.01
0.05
2.99
3.04
(2.78)
$35.27
9.06%
0.80%
0.14%
49%

$2,540

2017
$30.92
0.02
6.52
6.54
(2.45)
$35.01
22.64%
0.81%
0.17%
44%

$1,964

2016
$32.83
0.03
0.08
0.11
(2.02)
$30.92
0.46%
0.80%
0.11%
49%

$318

2015
$34.92
0.01
2.74
2.75
(4.84)
$32.83
9.60%
0.80%
0.05%
43%

$280

2014
$35.76
(3)
3.66
3.66
(4.50)
$34.92
11.71%
0.80%
0.02%
56%

$191

A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$33.86
(0.11)
2.89
2.78
(2.78)
$33.86
8.56%
1.25%
(0.31)%
49%

$12,136

2017
$30.10
(0.09)
6.30
6.21
(2.45)
$33.86
22.12%
1.26%
(0.28)%
44%

$10,185

2016
$32.15
(0.10)
0.07
(0.03)
(2.02)
$30.10
(0.02)%
1.25%
(0.34)%
49%

$10,743

2015
$34.44
(0.13)
2.68
2.55
(4.84)
$32.15
9.12%
1.25%
(0.40)%
43%

$10,657

2014
$35.47
(0.14)
3.61
3.47
(4.50)
$34.44
11.22%
1.25%
(0.43)%
56%

$8,837




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net
Realized
Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
C Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$31.97
(0.35)
2.73
2.38
(2.78)
$31.57
7.76%
2.00%
(1.06)%
49%

$4,752

2017
$28.75
(0.30)
5.97
5.67
(2.45)
$31.97
21.21%
2.01%
(1.03)%
44%

$4,461

2016
$31.02
(0.31)
0.06
(0.25)
(2.02)
$28.75
(0.77)%
2.00%
(1.09)%
49%

$4,324

2015
$33.62
(0.35)
2.59
2.24
(4.84)
$31.02
8.32%
2.00%
(1.15)%
43%

$4,656

2014
$34.96
(0.38)
3.54
3.16
(4.50)
$33.62
10.40%
2.00%
(1.18)%
56%

$3,932

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$33.22
(0.19)
2.83
2.64
(2.78)
$33.08
8.29%
1.50%
(0.56)%
49%

$15,478

2017
$29.65
(0.16)
6.18
6.02
(2.45)
$33.22
21.79%
1.51%
(0.53)%
44%

$15,271

2016
$31.77
(0.18)
0.08
(0.10)
(2.02)
$29.65
(0.25)%
1.50%
(0.59)%
49%

$13,809

2015
$34.16
(0.20)
2.65
2.45
(4.84)
$31.77
8.87%
1.50%
(0.65)%
43%

$13,544

2014
$35.30
(0.22)
3.58
3.36
(4.50)
$34.16
10.93%
1.50%
(0.68)%
56%

$9,743


Notes to Financial Highlights
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of All Cap Growth Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of All Cap Growth Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

26


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


27


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

28


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)








29


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




30


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was below its benchmark for the one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.


31


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was below the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

32


Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


33


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



34


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates $88,785,926, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term
capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.





35


Notes

36






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
 
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1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
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1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90973 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Balanced Fund
 
Investor Class (TWBIX)
 
I Class (ABINX)
 
R5 Class (ABGNX)







Table of Contents
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information




















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWBIX
1.72%
5.95%
8.63%
10/20/88
Blended Index
3.66%
7.58%
9.69%
S&P 500 Index
7.35%
11.33%
13.23%
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index
-2.05%
1.83%
3.94%
I Class
ABINX
1.92%
6.16%
8.85%
5/1/00
R5 Class
ABGNX
1.93%
5.85%
4/10/17
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available.

The blended index combines monthly returns of two widely known indices in proportion to the asset mix of the fund. The S&P 500 Index represents 60% of the index and the remaining 40% is represented by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index.




























Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
chart-966c3670ca53598a8d0.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $22,900
 
 
Blended Index — $25,210
 
 
S&P 500 Index — $34,668
 
 
Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index — $14,715
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
R5 Class
0.91%
0.71%
0.71%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.
















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary
 

Equity Portfolio Managers: Claudia Musat and Steven Rossi

Fixed-Income Portfolio Managers: Dave MacEwen, Bob Gahagan, Brian Howell, and Charles Tan.

As of October 31, 2018, Dave MacEwen stepped down from portfolio management duties due to retirement, and Charles Tan has joined the management team.

Performance Summary

Balanced returned 1.72%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. By comparison, the fund’s benchmark (a blended index consisting of 60% S&P 500 Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index) returned 3.66%. Balanced seeks long-term capital growth and current income by investing approximately 60% of its assets in equity securities and the remainder in bonds and other fixed-income securities. The purpose of the broad bond market exposure is to reduce the volatility of the equity portfolio, providing a more attractive overall risk/return profile for investors. The total fund’s drivers of both absolute and relative returns, however, are typically a function of the equity allocation. Therefore, the performance attribution discussion focuses primarily on the equity segment.

Information Technology and Communication Services Largest Equity Detractors

The largest detractors from relative performance were the information technology and communication services sectors. Real estate also detracted. In information technology, stock selection among semiconductors and semiconductor equipment companies was weak. Among these companies were Applied Materials and Lam Research, which were some of the top detracting individual positions during the period. They were both hurt when trade tensions escalated, as was the industry group in general. We have since exited our position in Applied Materials. Selection within IT services also hurt relative returns, as did an underweight to this industry. In particular, it hurt to have an overweight position in International Business Machines and to have no exposure to MasterCard.

In communication services, stock decisions weighed on returns, particularly in the entertainment industry. Lack of exposure to Netflix hurt results within the sector and was one of the top detracting positions during the year. Positioning in the interactive media and services industry also detracted, where an overweight position to Facebook weighed on returns. The social media company experienced multiple setbacks during the period, including scrutiny for their data sharing practices and a leadership loss from their Instagram brand.

Selection within real estate also hurt returns, particularly within equity real estate investment trusts (REITs). Exposure to PotlatchDeltic was a main detractor. REITs were disadvantaged during the period by the rising rate environment, which makes their risk/return profile look less competitive versus bonds, generally hurting demand.

Financials and Consumer Discretionary Led Equity Gains

Stock selection in the financials sector, particularly in the capital markets, insurance, and banks industries, contributed to performance. Successful stock choices within capital markets boosted returns, as overweight positions in Nasdaq and MSCI helped fund performance. In insurance, avoiding exposure to several index companies benefited relative results. An underweight to Citigroup in the banks industry was also helpful.

*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund's benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.

5


Positioning in the internet and catalog retail industry within the consumer discretionary sector also boosted relative results. An overweight to Amazon.com was a top contributor. Stock choices in the specialty retail industry also helped returns, as did a position in textiles, apparel, and luxury goods company Deckers Outdoor. The outdoor goods company saw strong earnings for each quarter during the period and was a top contributor to relative performance.

Other top contributors for the 12-month period included an underweight to General Electric, a company that saw its stock price decline through much of the year due to continued investor concerns over its management and business strategy. We have since closed our position in General Electric. An overweight to energy company HollyFrontier also benefited results, as its stock price rose through much of the period due to increasing oil prices.

Bond Performance Subdued

Bond market performance was negative during the year. In late 2017, the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) began to unwind its balance sheet by reducing their exposure to mortgage-backed securities. It also continued down a path of well-projected and predictable 25 basis point rate hikes. Longer-term rates also rose during this time. U.S. corporate and emerging markets debt outperformed. The globe was still in its period of synchronized, strong growth.

However, a shift occurred in February of 2018. U.S. inflationary pressures began to mount, and while the U.S. economy continued to strengthen, growth in other developed countries started to slow. Corporate and emerging markets debt gave up much of their earlier gains. Riskier corporate high-yield debt recovered and outperformed significantly the last half of the period, while investment-grade corporates, whose yields are lower and tend to be more sensitive to changes in interest rates than high-yield bonds, underperformed. At the end of the 12 months, investment-grade corporate debt lagged Treasuries, which in turn trailed Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (TIPS). Emerging markets debt did not rebound after the February volatility, and continued to deteriorate throughout the period, weighed down by a strengthening U.S. dollar, concerns over trade disputes, and upheaval in Turkey and Argentina. In this environment, the fixed-income portion of Balanced Fund lost value and slightly trailed the -2.05% return of its benchmark.

Outlook

The U.S. continues to enjoy positive economic growth and a strong job market. Wage pressures have continued to mount, leading to increased inflation and the expectation of further rate increases by the Fed. Given the disjointed global growth, strong dollar, and financial and geopolitical issues pressuring the markets abroad, it is possible other developed countries may continue to raise rates more slowly than the U.S. If this is the case, it is possible that the long end of the U.S. Treasury yield curve may remain tethered to global rates, causing additional flattening as the Fed raises the short end of the curve. With the October convergence of such variables as trade disputes, Brexit uncertainty, Turkish and Argentinean contagion risk, and Italy concerns, it is hardly a surprise that volatility came on strong the final month of the fiscal year. However, volatility adjusts valuations and can provide buying opportunities. We will continue to monitor the situation and invest appropriately. We believe that with continued uncertainty on many fronts, a diversified approach, involving exposure to a wide range of noncorrelated asset classes, is a prudent approach.



6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Key Fixed-Income Portfolio Statistics
 
Weighted Average Life to Maturity
8.4 years
Average Duration (effective)
5.8 years
 
 
Top Ten Common Stocks
% of net assets
Microsoft Corp.
2.5%
Alphabet, Inc., Class A
2.2%
Apple, Inc.
2.2%
Amazon.com, Inc.
2.1%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
1.5%
Facebook, Inc., Class A
1.4%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
1.1%
Pfizer, Inc.
1.1%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
1.1%
Bank of America Corp.
1.1%
 
 
Top Five Common Stocks Industries
% of net assets
Software
4.3%
Banks
4.2%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
4.1%
Interactive Media and Services
3.6%
Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment
2.9%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
57.9%
Corporate Bonds
12.5%
U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
9.8%
U.S. Treasury Securities
8.6%
Asset-Backed Securities
3.3%
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
3.2%
Collateralized Loan Obligations
2.0%
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
2.0%
Bank Loan Obligations
0.8%
Municipal Securities
0.6%
Sovereign Governments and Agencies
0.4%
U.S. Government Agency Securities
0.2%
Temporary Cash Investments
3.0%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(4.3)%



7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
 
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$995.70
$4.53
0.90%
I Class
$1,000
$996.70
$3.52
0.70%
R5 Class
$1,000
$996.70
$3.52
0.70%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.67
$4.58
0.90%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.68
$3.57
0.70%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,021.68
$3.57
0.70%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 57.9%
 
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 2.4%
 
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
 
21,740

$
7,714,656

Curtiss-Wright Corp.
 
10,117

1,107,407

Lockheed Martin Corp.
 
9,460

2,779,821

Raytheon Co.
 
26,952

4,717,678

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.(1) 
 
1,971

436,143

Textron, Inc.
 
66,143

3,547,249

 
 
 
20,302,954

Banks — 4.2%
 
 
 
Bank of America Corp.
 
339,129

9,326,047

BB&T Corp.
 
11,880

584,021

Citigroup, Inc.
 
1,399

91,579

Fifth Third Bancorp
 
47,462

1,280,999

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
 
121,117

13,204,175

SunTrust Banks, Inc.
 
68,595

4,298,163

U.S. Bancorp
 
69,818

3,649,387

Wells Fargo & Co.
 
69,708

3,710,557

 
 
 
36,144,928

Beverages — 0.5%
 
 
 
Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A
 
23,467

4,675,330

Biotechnology — 2.5%
 
 
 
AbbVie, Inc.
 
64,160

4,994,856

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
 
11,858

1,328,926

Amgen, Inc.
 
40,355

7,780,041

Biogen, Inc.(1) 
 
18,964

5,770,176

Celgene Corp.(1) 
 
28,029

2,006,876

 
 
 
21,880,875

Building Products  
 
 
 
Resideo Technologies, Inc.(1) 
 
4,219

88,807

Capital Markets — 0.4%
 
 
 
Evercore, Inc., Class A
 
36,508

2,982,338

Northern Trust Corp.
 
4,879

458,968

 
 
 
3,441,306

Chemicals — 0.3%
 
 
 
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
 
55,441

2,662,831

Trinseo SA
 
4,668

251,512

 
 
 
2,914,343

Commercial Services and Supplies — 1.3%
 
 
 
Clean Harbors, Inc.(1) 
 
3,426

233,105

MSA Safety, Inc.
 
16,011

1,672,189

Republic Services, Inc.
 
61,311

4,456,083


10


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Waste Management, Inc.
 
54,017

$
4,832,901

 
 
 
11,194,278

Communications Equipment — 1.1%
 
 
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
 
206,225

9,434,794

Consumer Finance — 1.6%
 
 
 
American Express Co.
 
52,983

5,442,944

Discover Financial Services
 
60,685

4,227,924

Synchrony Financial
 
136,779

3,950,177

 
 
 
13,621,045

Diversified Consumer Services — 0.6%
 
 
 
Graham Holdings Co., Class B
 
1,112

646,128

H&R Block, Inc.
 
172,300

4,572,842

 
 
 
5,218,970

Diversified Financial Services — 0.5%
 
 
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(1) 
 
21,469

4,407,156

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.5%
 
 
 
AT&T, Inc.
 
33,707

1,034,131

Verizon Communications, Inc.
 
53,596

3,059,795

 
 
 
4,093,926

Electric Utilities — 0.2%
 
 
 
OGE Energy Corp.
 
43,217

1,562,295

Electrical Equipment — 0.1%
 
 
 
Generac Holdings, Inc.(1) 
 
8,977

455,403

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components  
 
 
 
National Instruments Corp.
 
7,453

364,973

Energy Equipment and Services — 0.5%
 
 
 
Halliburton Co.
 
126,247

4,378,246

Entertainment — 0.5%
 
 
 
Electronic Arts, Inc.(1) 
 
42,942

3,906,863

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.6%
 
 
 
Gaming and Leisure Properties, Inc.
 
38,709

1,304,106

Healthcare Trust of America, Inc., Class A
 
32,058

841,843

Highwoods Properties, Inc.
 
13,174

561,739

Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
 
98,693

1,886,023

Kimco Realty Corp.
 
145,221

2,336,606

Life Storage, Inc.
 
3,529

332,291

Park Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
 
39,084

1,136,172

PotlatchDeltic Corp.
 
50,634

1,835,483

PS Business Parks, Inc.
 
6,742

880,505

Rayonier, Inc.
 
11,485

346,847

Senior Housing Properties Trust
 
19,216

308,801

Weingarten Realty Investors
 
38,690

1,087,963

Weyerhaeuser Co.
 
27,682

737,172

 
 
 
13,595,551

Food and Staples Retailing — 0.5%
 
 
 
US Foods Holding Corp.(1) 
 
134,445

3,921,761


11


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Food Products — 0.3%
 
 
 
General Mills, Inc.
 
57,749

$
2,529,406

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A
 
9,539

400,447

 
 
 
2,929,853

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 2.5%
 
 
 
Abbott Laboratories
 
32,048

2,209,389

DexCom, Inc.(1) 
 
1,730

229,692

Haemonetics Corp.(1) 
 
18,852

1,969,468

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
 
22,562

1,897,013

ICU Medical, Inc.(1) 
 
5,165

1,315,680

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(1) 
 
10,195

5,313,430

Medtronic plc
 
70,664

6,347,041

STERIS plc
 
16,237

1,774,867

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.(1) 
 
1,884

224,893

 
 
 
21,281,473

Health Care Providers and Services — 1.4%
 
 
 
Amedisys, Inc.(1) 
 
6,120

673,200

Express Scripts Holding Co.(1) 
 
12,935

1,254,307

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
 
37,800

9,879,030

 
 
 
11,806,537

Health Care Technology — 0.4%
 
 
 
Cerner Corp.(1) 
 
61,291

3,510,749

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 0.3%
 
 
 
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
 
16,511

1,759,247

Las Vegas Sands Corp.
 
14,038

716,359

 
 
 
2,475,606

Household Durables — 0.3%
 
 
 
Garmin Ltd.
 
8,156

539,601

NVR, Inc.(1) 
 
912

2,041,995

PulteGroup, Inc.
 
16,105

395,700

 
 
 
2,977,296

Household Products  
 
 
 
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
 
1,227

108,810

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers  
 
 
 
Clearway Energy, Inc., Class A
 
4,429

86,011

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.7%
 
 
 
Honeywell International, Inc.
 
25,313

3,665,828

Roper Technologies, Inc.
 
9,003

2,546,949

 
 
 
6,212,777

Insurance — 1.2%
 
 
 
Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)
 
88,829

4,034,613

Progressive Corp. (The)
 
75,636

5,271,829

Torchmark Corp.
 
8,868

750,765

 
 
 
10,057,207

Interactive Media and Services — 3.6%
 
 
 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) 
 
17,588

19,181,121


12


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) 
 
77,987

$
11,837,647

 
 
 
31,018,768

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 2.2%
 
 
 
Amazon.com, Inc.(1) 
 
11,190

17,881,732

eBay, Inc.(1) 
 
50,753

1,473,360

 
 
 
19,355,092

IT Services — 1.7%
 
 
 
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(1) 
 
14,830

1,071,468

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.
 
13,381

1,392,962

International Business Machines Corp.
 
23,187

2,676,475

Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.
 
4,321

647,416

MAXIMUS, Inc.
 
9,532

619,294

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1) 
 
9,189

773,622

Visa, Inc., Class A
 
55,824

7,695,338

 
 
 
14,876,575

Leisure Products  
 
 
 
Brunswick Corp.
 
1,972

102,524

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 0.3%
 
 
 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.
 
10,453

2,442,344

Machinery — 1.0%
 
 
 
Caterpillar, Inc.
 
42,646

5,173,813

Oshkosh Corp.
 
16,674

936,078

Parker-Hannifin Corp.
 
16,023

2,429,568

 
 
 
8,539,459

Mortgage Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)  
 
 
 
Two Harbors Investment Corp.
 
11,725

172,240

Multi-Utilities  
 
 
 
NorthWestern Corp.
 
3,436

201,899

Multiline Retail — 0.7%
 
 
 
Kohl's Corp.
 
66,770

5,056,492

Macy's, Inc.
 
23,364

801,152

 
 
 
5,857,644

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 4.1%
 
 
 
Chevron Corp.
 
78,794

8,797,350

ConocoPhillips
 
79,547

5,560,335

Continental Resources, Inc.(1) 
 
40,569

2,137,175

CVR Energy, Inc.
 
2,711

116,573

EOG Resources, Inc.
 
15,519

1,634,772

Exxon Mobil Corp.
 
40,808

3,251,581

HollyFrontier Corp.
 
58,163

3,922,513

Marathon Petroleum Corp.
 
71,013

5,002,866

PBF Energy, Inc., Class A
 
11,296

472,738

Phillips 66
 
45,416

4,669,673

 
 
 
35,565,576

Paper and Forest Products — 0.2%
 
 
 
Domtar Corp.
 
13,559

627,917


13


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Louisiana-Pacific Corp.
 
58,114

$
1,265,142

 
 
 
1,893,059

Personal Products — 0.4%
 
 
 
Edgewell Personal Care Co.(1) 
 
64,603

3,099,652

Pharmaceuticals — 2.6%
 
 
 
Allergan plc
 
27,671

4,372,295

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
 
57,301

2,895,992

Johnson & Johnson
 
30,963

4,334,510

Merck & Co., Inc.
 
2,798

205,961

Pfizer, Inc.
 
225,072

9,691,600

Zoetis, Inc.
 
8,004

721,561

 
 
 
22,221,919

Professional Services — 0.7%
 
 
 
CoStar Group, Inc.(1) 
 
6,847

2,474,643

Robert Half International, Inc.
 
65,798

3,982,753

 
 
 
6,457,396

Real Estate Management and Development — 0.3%
 
 
 
Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc.
 
20,526

2,714,769

Road and Rail — 0.6%
 
 
 
Norfolk Southern Corp.
 
28,487

4,780,973

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 2.9%
 
 
 
Analog Devices, Inc.
 
26,355

2,206,177

Broadcom, Inc.
 
19,539

4,366,771

Intel Corp.
 
188,007

8,813,768

Lam Research Corp.
 
18,759

2,658,713

QUALCOMM, Inc.
 
73,465

4,620,214

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.
 
23,763

2,061,678

 
 
 
24,727,321

Software — 4.3%
 
 
 
Adobe, Inc.(1) 
 
30,087

7,394,181

CDK Global, Inc.
 
4,618

264,334

Intuit, Inc.
 
1,895

399,845

LogMeIn, Inc.
 
12,968

1,116,804

Microsoft Corp.
 
205,718

21,972,740

Ultimate Software Group, Inc. (The)(1) 
 
7,608

2,028,521

VMware, Inc., Class A(1) 
 
27,417

3,876,490

 
 
 
37,052,915

Specialty Retail — 1.5%
 
 
 
AutoZone, Inc.(1) 
 
6,545

4,800,561

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.(1) 
 
7,607

2,439,945

Ross Stores, Inc.
 
55,226

5,467,374

 
 
 
12,707,880

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 2.3%
 
 
 
Apple, Inc.
 
86,363

18,901,406

Seagate Technology plc
 
32,638

1,313,027

 
 
 
20,214,433


14


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 1.4%
 
 
 
Deckers Outdoor Corp.(1) 
 
33,063

$
4,204,622

Michael Kors Holdings Ltd.(1) 
 
66,209

3,668,640

Tapestry, Inc.
 
96,629

4,088,373

 
 
 
11,961,635

Thrifts and Mortgage Finance  
 
 
 
Essent Group Ltd.(1) 
 
8,771

345,753

Tobacco — 0.7%
 
 
 
Altria Group, Inc.
 
99,412

6,465,757

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $398,239,883)
 
 
499,825,706

CORPORATE BONDS — 12.5%
 
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 0.1%
 
 
 
Lockheed Martin Corp., 3.55%, 1/15/26
 
$
300,000

293,294

Lockheed Martin Corp., 3.80%, 3/1/45
 
80,000

71,415

Rockwell Collins, Inc., 4.35%, 4/15/47
 
80,000

74,364

United Technologies Corp., 6.05%, 6/1/36
 
250,000

283,023

 
 
 
722,096

Air Freight and Logistics  
 
 
 
FedEx Corp., 4.05%, 2/15/48
 
80,000

67,817

United Parcel Service, Inc., 2.80%, 11/15/24
 
300,000

286,599

 
 
 
354,416

Auto Components  
 
 
 
ZF North America Capital, Inc., 4.00%, 4/29/20(2)
 
150,000

150,032

Automobiles — 0.3%
 
 
 
Ford Motor Co., 4.35%, 12/8/26
 
240,000

218,075

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.68%, 1/9/20
 
275,000

271,124

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 8.125%, 1/15/20
 
150,000

157,256

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 5.875%, 8/2/21
 
440,000

455,837

Ford Motor Credit Co. LLC, 2.98%, 8/3/22
 
400,000

375,538

General Motors Co., 4.20%, 10/1/27
 
100,000

91,572

General Motors Co., 5.15%, 4/1/38
 
260,000

230,409

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.20%, 7/6/21
 
620,000

606,935

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 5.25%, 3/1/26
 
560,000

560,006

 
 
 
2,966,752

Banks — 1.9%
 
 
 
Bank of America Corp., 4.10%, 7/24/23
 
370,000

373,059

Bank of America Corp., MTN, 4.20%, 8/26/24
 
610,000

606,245

Bank of America Corp., MTN, 4.00%, 1/22/25
 
1,475,000

1,436,324

Bank of America Corp., MTN, 5.00%, 1/21/44
 
110,000

112,725

Bank of America Corp., MTN, VRN, 4.44%, 1/20/47(3)
 
140,000

133,560

Bank of America Corp., VRN, 3.00%, 12/20/22(3)
 
911,000

877,633

Barclays Bank plc, 5.14%, 10/14/20
 
200,000

204,562

Barclays plc, 4.375%, 1/12/26
 
200,000

192,157

BPCE SA, 3.00%, 5/22/22(2)
 
250,000

241,038

BPCE SA, 5.15%, 7/21/24(2)
 
200,000

201,549

Capital One Financial Corp., 3.75%, 7/28/26
 
445,000

410,031


15


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Citigroup, Inc., 2.90%, 12/8/21
 
$
650,000

$
635,448

Citigroup, Inc., 2.75%, 4/25/22
 
325,000

314,220

Citigroup, Inc., 4.05%, 7/30/22
 
70,000

70,366

Citigroup, Inc., 3.20%, 10/21/26
 
1,005,000

921,925

Citigroup, Inc., 4.45%, 9/29/27
 
650,000

633,382

Citigroup, Inc., VRN, 3.52%, 10/27/27(3)
 
390,000

362,113

Commerzbank AG, 8.125%, 9/19/23(2)
 
200,000

225,498

Cooperatieve Rabobank UA, 3.95%, 11/9/22
 
450,000

446,223

Discover Bank, 3.35%, 2/6/23
 
250,000

241,702

Fifth Third BanCorp., 4.30%, 1/16/24
 
110,000

110,762

Fifth Third Bank, 2.875%, 10/1/21
 
250,000

245,302

HSBC Bank plc, 4.125%, 8/12/20(2)
 
300,000

304,273

Huntington Bancshares, Inc., 2.30%, 1/14/22
 
260,000

248,675

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 3.125%, 7/14/22(2)
 
220,000

200,029

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, 5.02%, 6/26/24(2)
 
230,000

203,027

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.55%, 3/1/21
 
420,000

411,763

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 4.625%, 5/10/21
 
460,000

473,241

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.25%, 9/23/22
 
220,000

217,097

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.875%, 9/10/24
 
560,000

550,690

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.125%, 1/23/25
 
1,070,000

1,015,487

JPMorgan Chase & Co., VRN, 3.54%, 5/1/27(3)
 
320,000

302,751

JPMorgan Chase & Co., VRN, 3.88%, 7/24/37(3)
 
200,000

180,645

JPMorgan Chase & Co., VRN, 3.96%, 11/15/47(3)
 
100,000

87,901

JPMorgan Chase & Co., VRN, 3.90%, 1/23/48(3)
 
100,000

87,235

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The), 4.375%, 8/11/20
 
200,000

203,319

Regions Financial Corp., 2.75%, 8/14/22
 
280,000

269,474

Royal Bank of Canada, 2.15%, 10/26/20
 
850,000

831,174

SunTrust Bank, 3.30%, 5/15/26
 
200,000

187,452

US Bancorp, MTN, 3.60%, 9/11/24
 
330,000

324,719

Wells Fargo & Co., 3.07%, 1/24/23
 
210,000

203,530

Wells Fargo & Co., 4.125%, 8/15/23
 
200,000

200,806

Wells Fargo & Co., 3.00%, 4/22/26
 
350,000

322,914

Wells Fargo & Co., MTN, 3.55%, 9/29/25
 
160,000

153,786

Wells Fargo & Co., MTN, 4.10%, 6/3/26
 
210,000

204,795

Wells Fargo & Co., MTN, 4.65%, 11/4/44
 
200,000

188,534

Wells Fargo & Co., MTN, VRN, 3.58%, 5/22/27(3)
 
250,000

238,167

 
 
 
16,607,308

Beverages — 0.2%
 
 
 
Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., 3.65%, 2/1/26
 
1,420,000

1,348,961

Anheuser-Busch InBev Finance, Inc., 4.90%, 2/1/46
 
500,000

473,870

Constellation Brands, Inc., 4.75%, 12/1/25
 
210,000

214,327

 
 
 
2,037,158

Biotechnology — 0.7%
 
 
 
AbbVie, Inc., 2.50%, 5/14/20
 
450,000

444,284

AbbVie, Inc., 2.90%, 11/6/22
 
620,000

600,785

AbbVie, Inc., 3.60%, 5/14/25
 
120,000

114,665

AbbVie, Inc., 4.40%, 11/6/42
 
240,000

211,492


16


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
AbbVie, Inc., 4.70%, 5/14/45
 
$
60,000

$
54,440

Amgen, Inc., 2.20%, 5/22/19
 
750,000

747,129

Amgen, Inc., 2.65%, 5/11/22
 
390,000

377,125

Amgen, Inc., 4.66%, 6/15/51
 
289,000

267,708

Biogen, Inc., 3.625%, 9/15/22
 
520,000

519,391

Celgene Corp., 3.25%, 8/15/22
 
190,000

186,012

Celgene Corp., 3.625%, 5/15/24
 
300,000

291,740

Celgene Corp., 3.875%, 8/15/25
 
500,000

483,135

Celgene Corp., 3.45%, 11/15/27
 
70,000

63,920

Celgene Corp., 5.00%, 8/15/45
 
90,000

84,450

Gilead Sciences, Inc., 4.40%, 12/1/21
 
310,000

317,809

Gilead Sciences, Inc., 3.65%, 3/1/26
 
840,000

814,369

 
 
 
5,578,454

Building Products  
 
 
 
Masco Corp., 4.45%, 4/1/25
 
170,000

169,562

Capital Markets  
 
 
 
Jefferies Group LLC / Jefferies Group Capital Finance, Inc., 4.15%, 1/23/30
 
270,000

236,115

Chemicals — 0.1%
 
 
 
Ashland LLC, 4.75%, 8/15/22
 
160,000

159,200

Dow Chemical Co. (The), 4.375%, 11/15/42
 
170,000

150,890

Eastman Chemical Co., 3.60%, 8/15/22
 
95,000

94,463

LyondellBasell Industries NV, 5.00%, 4/15/19
 
200,000

200,763

Westlake Chemical Corp., 4.375%, 11/15/47
 
210,000

178,468

 
 
 
783,784

Commercial Services and Supplies  
 
 
 
Republic Services, Inc., 3.55%, 6/1/22
 
220,000

219,464

Communications Equipment — 0.1%
 
 
 
Cisco Systems, Inc., 5.90%, 2/15/39
 
130,000

157,475

CommScope Technologies LLC, 5.00%, 3/15/27(2)
 
460,000

414,000

 
 
 
571,475

Construction Materials  
 
 
 
Owens Corning, 4.20%, 12/15/22
 
160,000

159,686

Consumer Finance — 0.4%
 
 
 
American Express Co., 3.00%, 10/30/24
 
140,000

132,527

American Express Credit Corp., MTN, 2.20%, 3/3/20
 
450,000

444,132

American Express Credit Corp., MTN, 2.25%, 5/5/21
 
450,000

437,772

Capital One Bank USA N.A., 2.30%, 6/5/19
 
250,000

249,050

Capital One Bank USA N.A., 3.375%, 2/15/23
 
250,000

241,901

CIT Group, Inc., 5.00%, 8/15/22
 
420,000

424,200

Discover Bank, 3.45%, 7/27/26
 
500,000

461,037

IHS Markit Ltd., 4.75%, 2/15/25(2)
 
220,000

218,346

PNC Bank N.A., 3.80%, 7/25/23
 
750,000

746,064

Synchrony Financial, 2.60%, 1/15/19
 
160,000

159,792

Synchrony Financial, 3.00%, 8/15/19
 
90,000

89,649

 
 
 
3,604,470


17


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Containers and Packaging — 0.1%
 
 
 
Ardagh Packaging Finance plc / Ardagh Holdings USA, Inc., 4.25%, 9/15/22(2)
 
$
540,000

$
525,150

Ball Corp., 4.00%, 11/15/23
 
180,000

175,050

Crown Americas LLC / Crown Americas Capital Corp. IV, 4.50%, 1/15/23
 
400,000

393,000

 
 
 
1,093,200

Diversified Consumer Services  
 
 
 
Catholic Health Initiatives, 2.95%, 11/1/22
 
110,000

105,877

George Washington University (The), 3.55%, 9/15/46
 
115,000

100,472

 
 
 
206,349

Diversified Financial Services — 1.3%
 
 
 
Ally Financial, Inc., 3.50%, 1/27/19
 
100,000

100,000

Ally Financial, Inc., 4.625%, 3/30/25
 
300,000

294,750

Banco Santander SA, 3.50%, 4/11/22
 
400,000

390,770

BNP Paribas SA, 4.375%, 9/28/25(2)
 
200,000

193,615

Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd., 3.125%, 12/10/20
 
600,000

593,453

Credit Suisse Group Funding Guernsey Ltd., 3.45%, 4/16/21
 
280,000

278,323

GE Capital International Funding Co. Unlimited Co., 2.34%, 11/15/20
 
694,000

673,025

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.30%, 12/13/19
 
860,000

851,252

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 5.75%, 1/24/22
 
460,000

486,336

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.50%, 1/23/25
 
460,000

440,739

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.50%, 11/16/26
 
930,000

869,948

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 5.15%, 5/22/45
 
100,000

98,116

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), MTN, 5.375%, 3/15/20
 
610,000

626,472

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), MTN, 4.80%, 7/8/44
 
240,000

234,768

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), VRN, 3.81%, 4/23/28(3)
 
170,000

159,876

HSBC Holdings plc, 2.95%, 5/25/21
 
800,000

786,822

HSBC Holdings plc, 4.30%, 3/8/26
 
400,000

394,946

HSBC Holdings plc, 4.375%, 11/23/26
 
220,000

213,719

HSBC Holdings plc, VRN, 3.26%, 3/13/22(3)
 
220,000

214,950

Morgan Stanley, 2.75%, 5/19/22
 
200,000

193,441

Morgan Stanley, 5.00%, 11/24/25
 
210,000

215,340

Morgan Stanley, 4.375%, 1/22/47
 
90,000

84,092

Morgan Stanley, MTN, 5.625%, 9/23/19
 
870,000

888,620

Morgan Stanley, MTN, 3.70%, 10/23/24
 
760,000

742,559

Morgan Stanley, MTN, 4.00%, 7/23/25
 
600,000

589,793

Morgan Stanley, MTN, VRN, 3.77%, 1/24/28(3)
 
250,000

237,213

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG, 3.49%, 5/23/23(2)
 
300,000

293,238

UBS Group Funding Switzerland AG, 4.125%, 9/24/25(2)
 
200,000

196,958

 
 
 
11,343,134

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.6%
 
 
 
AT&T, Inc., 5.00%, 3/1/21
 
250,000

257,539

AT&T, Inc., 3.875%, 8/15/21
 
500,000

502,176

AT&T, Inc., 3.40%, 5/15/25
 
890,000

836,856

AT&T, Inc., 4.10%, 2/15/28(2)
 
150,000

143,029

AT&T, Inc., 5.25%, 3/1/37
 
110,000

105,523


18


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
AT&T, Inc., 4.75%, 5/15/46
 
$
130,000

$
113,253

AT&T, Inc., 5.15%, 11/15/46(2)
 
288,000

262,976

AT&T, Inc., 5.45%, 3/1/47
 
80,000

76,154

CenturyLink, Inc., 6.15%, 9/15/19
 
140,000

142,100

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV, 2.23%, 1/17/20(2)
 
600,000

592,309

Deutsche Telekom International Finance BV, 3.60%, 1/19/27(2)
 
140,000

130,874

Orange SA, 4.125%, 9/14/21
 
210,000

214,101

Orange SA, 5.50%, 2/6/44
 
80,000

87,285

Telefonica Emisiones SAU, 5.46%, 2/16/21
 
100,000

103,957

Telefonica Emisiones SAU, 4.10%, 3/8/27
 
275,000

262,100

Telefonica Emisiones SAU, 5.21%, 3/8/47
 
180,000

168,254

Verizon Communications, Inc., 3.50%, 11/1/24
 
200,000

195,878

Verizon Communications, Inc., 2.625%, 8/15/26
 
610,000

548,188

Verizon Communications, Inc., 4.75%, 11/1/41
 
150,000

141,014

Verizon Communications, Inc., 5.01%, 8/21/54
 
250,000

236,951

 
 
 
5,120,517

Electric Utilities — 0.1%
 
 
 
AEP Transmission Co. LLC, 3.75%, 12/1/47
 
100,000

88,727

GLP Capital LP / GLP Financing II, Inc., 5.75%, 6/1/28
 
130,000

132,275

NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP, 4.25%, 9/15/24(2)
 
250,000

238,437

NextEra Energy Operating Partners LP, 4.50%, 9/15/27(2)
 
120,000

111,150

 
 
 
570,589

Energy Equipment and Services — 0.1%
 
 
 
Halliburton Co., 3.80%, 11/15/25
 
220,000

214,355

Halliburton Co., 4.85%, 11/15/35
 
220,000

221,150

 
 
 
435,505

Entertainment — 0.3%
 
 
 
21st Century Fox America, Inc., 6.90%, 8/15/39
 
150,000

192,535

21st Century Fox America, Inc., 4.75%, 9/15/44
 
80,000

82,770

CCO Holdings LLC / CCO Holdings Capital Corp., 5.00%, 2/1/28(2)
 
170,000

159,163

Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital, 4.91%, 7/23/25
 
1,140,000

1,149,653

Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital, 4.20%, 3/15/28
 
70,000

65,709

Charter Communications Operating LLC / Charter Communications Operating Capital, 6.48%, 10/23/45
 
270,000

276,836

Viacom, Inc., 3.125%, 6/15/22
 
190,000

182,654

Viacom, Inc., 4.25%, 9/1/23
 
160,000

159,940

Viacom, Inc., 4.375%, 3/15/43
 
240,000

197,108

 
 
 
2,466,368

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.3%
 
 
 
American Tower Corp., 5.05%, 9/1/20
 
130,000

133,332

American Tower Corp., 3.375%, 10/15/26
 
200,000

184,059

AvalonBay Communities, Inc., MTN, 3.20%, 1/15/28
 
120,000

112,601

Boston Properties LP, 3.65%, 2/1/26
 
280,000

269,462

Crown Castle International Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/23
 
180,000

187,904

Crown Castle International Corp., 4.45%, 2/15/26
 
40,000

39,590


19


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
CyrusOne LP / CyrusOne Finance Corp., 5.00%, 3/15/24
 
$
150,000

$
150,375

Essex Portfolio LP, 3.625%, 8/15/22
 
150,000

148,411

Essex Portfolio LP, 3.25%, 5/1/23
 
50,000

48,495

Hospitality Properties Trust, 4.65%, 3/15/24
 
290,000

287,335

Hudson Pacific Properties LP, 3.95%, 11/1/27
 
180,000

166,439

Kilroy Realty LP, 3.80%, 1/15/23
 
130,000

128,461

Kimco Realty Corp., 2.80%, 10/1/26
 
240,000

212,823

Ventas Realty LP, 4.125%, 1/15/26
 
100,000

97,552

VEREIT Operating Partnership LP, 4.125%, 6/1/21
 
230,000

231,665

Welltower, Inc., 3.75%, 3/15/23
 
130,000

128,684

 
 
 
2,527,188

Food and Staples Retailing — 0.2%
 
 
 
CVS Health Corp., 3.50%, 7/20/22
 
420,000

415,705

CVS Health Corp., 2.75%, 12/1/22
 
170,000

162,648

Kroger Co. (The), 3.30%, 1/15/21
 
330,000

328,662

Kroger Co. (The), 3.875%, 10/15/46
 
150,000

119,587

Mondelez International Holdings Netherlands BV, 1.625%, 10/28/19(2)
 
350,000

344,250

Target Corp., 3.90%, 11/15/47
 
80,000

72,128

Walmart, Inc., 4.05%, 6/29/48
 
210,000

199,980

 
 
 
1,642,960

Food Products — 0.1%
 
 
 
Kraft Heinz Foods Co., 5.20%, 7/15/45
 
140,000

131,915

Kraft Heinz Foods Co., 4.375%, 6/1/46
 
70,000

58,572

Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc., 4.625%, 11/1/24(2)
 
360,000

353,959

 
 
 
544,446

Gas Utilities — 0.8%
 
 
 
Andeavor Logistics LP / Tesoro Logistics Finance Corp., 5.25%, 1/15/25
 
200,000

204,250

Enbridge Energy Partners LP, 5.20%, 3/15/20
 
100,000

102,154

Enbridge, Inc., 4.00%, 10/1/23
 
140,000

139,949

Enbridge, Inc., 4.50%, 6/10/44
 
120,000

108,861

Energy Transfer LP, 7.50%, 10/15/20
 
150,000

159,188

Energy Transfer LP, 4.25%, 3/15/23
 
370,000

367,225

Energy Transfer Operating LP, 4.15%, 10/1/20
 
200,000

201,775

Energy Transfer Operating LP, 3.60%, 2/1/23
 
160,000

155,960

Energy Transfer Operating LP, 4.90%, 3/15/35
 
70,000

63,149

Energy Transfer Operating LP, 6.50%, 2/1/42
 
180,000

186,788

Energy Transfer Operating LP, 6.00%, 6/15/48
 
120,000

118,633

Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 5.20%, 9/1/20
 
450,000

463,634

Enterprise Products Operating LLC, 4.85%, 3/15/44
 
460,000

443,835

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 6.50%, 4/1/20
 
210,000

218,816

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 5.30%, 9/15/20
 
170,000

175,066

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP, 6.50%, 9/1/39
 
210,000

229,614

Kinder Morgan, Inc., 5.55%, 6/1/45
 
250,000

253,437

Magellan Midstream Partners LP, 6.55%, 7/15/19
 
100,000

102,357

MPLX LP, 4.875%, 6/1/25
 
410,000

418,588


20


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
MPLX LP, 4.50%, 4/15/38
 
$
120,000

$
107,243

MPLX LP, 5.20%, 3/1/47
 
90,000

85,401

ONEOK, Inc., 4.00%, 7/13/27
 
220,000

211,315

Plains All American Pipeline LP / PAA Finance Corp., 3.65%, 6/1/22
 
310,000

304,100

Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, 5.625%, 3/1/25
 
590,000

616,790

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP, 3.45%, 1/15/23
 
330,000

318,975

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations LP, 4.00%, 10/1/27
 
200,000

185,175

Targa Resources Partners LP / Targa Resources Partners Finance Corp., 5.00%, 1/15/28
 
160,000

152,200

Williams Cos., Inc. (The), 4.125%, 11/15/20
 
300,000

302,865

Williams Cos., Inc. (The), 4.55%, 6/24/24
 
270,000

272,110

Williams Cos., Inc. (The), 5.10%, 9/15/45
 
200,000

189,626

 
 
 
6,859,079

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 0.3%
 
 
 
Abbott Laboratories, 3.75%, 11/30/26
 
326,000

321,548

Becton Dickinson and Co., 3.73%, 12/15/24
 
440,000

427,116

Becton Dickinson and Co., 3.70%, 6/6/27
 
120,000

112,911

Medtronic, Inc., 3.50%, 3/15/25
 
430,000

421,361

Medtronic, Inc., 4.375%, 3/15/35
 
200,000

199,345

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 3.60%, 8/15/21
 
150,000

150,054

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 3.30%, 2/15/22
 
148,000

146,666

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 2.95%, 9/19/26
 
130,000

118,933

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., 5.30%, 2/1/44
 
110,000

117,203

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc., 2.70%, 4/1/20
 
120,000

118,703

 
 
 
2,133,840

Health Care Providers and Services — 0.5%
 
 
 
Aetna, Inc., 2.75%, 11/15/22
 
130,000

124,775

Anthem, Inc., 3.65%, 12/1/27
 
140,000

131,135

Anthem, Inc., 4.65%, 1/15/43
 
210,000

199,010

Cardinal Health, Inc., 1.95%, 6/14/19
 
500,000

496,871

CVS Health Corp., 4.30%, 3/25/28
 
620,000

605,926

CVS Health Corp., 4.78%, 3/25/38
 
160,000

153,748

CVS Health Corp., 5.05%, 3/25/48
 
150,000

146,778

Duke University Health System, Inc., 3.92%, 6/1/47
 
160,000

150,206

Express Scripts Holding Co., 3.40%, 3/1/27
 
80,000

73,626

Halfmoon Parent, Inc., 4.90%, 12/15/48(2)
 
150,000

142,541

Johns Hopkins Health System Corp. (The), 3.84%, 5/15/46
 
100,000

92,728

Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, 4.15%, 5/1/47
 
80,000

76,505

Northwell Healthcare, Inc., 4.26%, 11/1/47
 
120,000

109,314

Stanford Health Care, 3.80%, 11/15/48
 
95,000

86,542

Tenet Healthcare Corp., 4.625%, 7/15/24
 
258,000

249,318

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 2.875%, 12/15/21
 
230,000

226,901

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 2.875%, 3/15/22
 
310,000

304,289

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 3.75%, 7/15/25
 
210,000

208,176

UnitedHealth Group, Inc., 4.75%, 7/15/45
 
140,000

143,196


21


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Universal Health Services, Inc., 4.75%, 8/1/22(2)
 
$
130,000

$
130,325

 
 
 
3,851,910

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 0.2%
 
 
 
Aramark Services, Inc., 5.00%, 4/1/25(2)
 
460,000

456,263

Hilton Domestic Operating Co., Inc., 4.25%, 9/1/24
 
370,000

356,236

McDonald's Corp., MTN, 3.25%, 6/10/24
 
100,000

97,390

McDonald's Corp., MTN, 3.375%, 5/26/25
 
80,000

77,193

McDonald's Corp., MTN, 4.45%, 3/1/47
 
330,000

309,805

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., 5.25%, 11/15/22
 
130,000

135,848

 
 
 
1,432,735

Household Durables — 0.1%
 
 
 
D.R. Horton, Inc., 5.75%, 8/15/23
 
110,000

116,239

Lennar Corp., 4.75%, 4/1/21
 
352,000

355,080

Lennar Corp., 4.75%, 11/29/27
 
150,000

140,437

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 6.75%, 11/1/19
 
100,000

102,625

Toll Brothers Finance Corp., 4.35%, 2/15/28
 
350,000

310,625

TRI Pointe Group, Inc. / TRI Pointe Homes, Inc., 4.375%, 6/15/19
 
100,000

100,375

 
 
 
1,125,381

Industrial Conglomerates  
 
 
 
FedEx Corp., 4.40%, 1/15/47
 
170,000

152,697

Insurance — 0.6%
 
 
 
AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 3.75%, 5/15/19
 
150,000

150,312

AerCap Ireland Capital DAC / AerCap Global Aviation Trust, 5.00%, 10/1/21
 
300,000

308,257

American International Group, Inc., 4.125%, 2/15/24
 
925,000

920,513

American International Group, Inc., 4.50%, 7/16/44
 
120,000

106,874

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., 3.00%, 5/15/22
 
230,000

227,593

Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp., 4.20%, 8/15/48
 
190,000

182,306

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 2.75%, 3/15/23
 
270,000

262,238

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., 4.50%, 2/11/43
 
220,000

221,151

Chubb INA Holdings, Inc., 3.15%, 3/15/25
 
280,000

268,528

Chubb INA Holdings, Inc., 3.35%, 5/3/26
 
110,000

105,917

CNP Assurances, VRN, 4.00%, 11/18/24(3)
EUR
300,000

354,263

Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (The), 5.95%, 10/15/36
 
$
220,000

246,267

International Lease Finance Corp., 5.875%, 8/15/22
 
100,000

105,410

Markel Corp., 4.90%, 7/1/22
 
190,000

195,383

MetLife, Inc., 4.125%, 8/13/42
 
110,000

99,780

MetLife, Inc., 4.875%, 11/13/43
 
110,000

111,032

Metropolitan Life Global Funding I, 3.00%, 1/10/23(2)
 
200,000

194,971

Principal Financial Group, Inc., 3.30%, 9/15/22
 
70,000

69,031

Prudential Financial, Inc., 3.94%, 12/7/49
 
477,000

414,143

Prudential Financial, Inc., MTN, 5.375%, 6/21/20
 
70,000

72,232

Voya Financial, Inc., 5.70%, 7/15/43
 
160,000

171,680

WR Berkley Corp., 4.625%, 3/15/22
 
130,000

133,114

WR Berkley Corp., 4.75%, 8/1/44
 
90,000

86,258

 
 
 
5,007,253


22


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Internet and Direct Marketing Retail  
 
 
 
eBay, Inc., 2.15%, 6/5/20
 
$
170,000

$
167,049

IT Services — 0.1%
 
 
 
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc., 3.00%, 8/15/26
 
450,000

409,827

Life Sciences Tools and Services  
 
 
 
IQVIA, Inc., 5.00%, 10/15/26(2)
 
300,000

289,779

Media — 0.3%
 
 
 
CBS Corp., 4.00%, 1/15/26
 
160,000

155,099

CBS Corp., 4.85%, 7/1/42
 
60,000

55,861

Comcast Corp., 6.40%, 5/15/38
 
310,000

365,500

Comcast Corp., 4.75%, 3/1/44
 
260,000

254,663

Comcast Corp., 4.70%, 10/15/48
 
190,000

184,629

Discovery Communications LLC, 5.625%, 8/15/19
 
56,000

57,107

Discovery Communications LLC, 3.95%, 3/20/28
 
410,000

382,559

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc. (The), 4.00%, 3/15/22
 
130,000

129,880

TEGNA, Inc., 5.125%, 7/15/20
 
330,000

330,412

Time Warner Cable LLC, 5.50%, 9/1/41
 
70,000

64,201

Time Warner Cable LLC, 4.50%, 9/15/42
 
100,000

81,156

Warner Media LLC, 4.70%, 1/15/21
 
140,000

143,365

Warner Media LLC, 2.95%, 7/15/26
 
370,000

328,001

Warner Media LLC, 3.80%, 2/15/27
 
150,000

140,683

Warner Media LLC, 5.35%, 12/15/43
 
120,000

113,443

 
 
 
2,786,559

Metals and Mining — 0.1%
 
 
 
Barrick North America Finance LLC, 5.75%, 5/1/43
 
70,000

75,324

Southern Copper Corp., 5.25%, 11/8/42
 
100,000

97,731

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 4.125%, 9/15/25
 
300,000

282,000

Steel Dynamics, Inc., 5.00%, 12/15/26
 
200,000

196,000

 
 
 
651,055

Multi-Utilities — 0.6%
 
 
 
American Electric Power Co., Inc., 3.20%, 11/13/27
 
110,000

102,273

AmeriGas Partners LP / AmeriGas Finance Corp., 5.625%, 5/20/24
 
230,000

221,950

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 3.50%, 2/1/25
 
160,000

157,091

Berkshire Hathaway Energy Co., 3.80%, 7/15/48
 
150,000

130,234

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 4.25%, 11/1/28
 
190,000

188,545

Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc., 3.95%, 3/1/43
 
150,000

137,959

Dominion Energy, Inc., 2.75%, 9/15/22
 
210,000

202,744

Dominion Energy, Inc., 3.625%, 12/1/24
 
300,000

294,397

Dominion Energy, Inc., 4.90%, 8/1/41
 
120,000

119,964

Duke Energy Corp., 3.55%, 9/15/21
 
90,000

90,006

Duke Energy Florida LLC, 6.35%, 9/15/37
 
110,000

136,003

Duke Energy Florida LLC, 3.85%, 11/15/42
 
220,000

200,659

Duke Energy Progress LLC, 4.15%, 12/1/44
 
130,000

124,073

Exelon Corp., 5.15%, 12/1/20
 
220,000

225,721

Exelon Corp., 4.45%, 4/15/46
 
140,000

132,186

Exelon Generation Co. LLC, 4.25%, 6/15/22
 
120,000

121,466


23


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Exelon Generation Co. LLC, 5.60%, 6/15/42
 
$
70,000

$
69,838

FirstEnergy Corp., 4.25%, 3/15/23
 
180,000

181,847

FirstEnergy Corp., 4.85%, 7/15/47
 
90,000

88,106

Florida Power & Light Co., 4.125%, 2/1/42
 
140,000

136,674

Florida Power & Light Co., 3.95%, 3/1/48
 
130,000

120,819

Georgia Power Co., 4.30%, 3/15/42
 
70,000

64,326

MidAmerican Energy Co., 4.40%, 10/15/44
 
250,000

249,659

NextEra Energy Capital Holdings, Inc., 3.55%, 5/1/27
 
290,000

276,269

NiSource, Inc., 5.65%, 2/1/45
 
140,000

151,732

Pacific Gas & Electric Co., 4.00%, 12/1/46
 
60,000

49,027

Potomac Electric Power Co., 3.60%, 3/15/24
 
120,000

119,750

Progress Energy, Inc., 3.15%, 4/1/22
 
90,000

88,193

Sempra Energy, 2.875%, 10/1/22
 
200,000

193,063

Sempra Energy, 3.25%, 6/15/27
 
180,000

166,059

Sempra Energy, 3.80%, 2/1/38
 
90,000

78,641

Sempra Energy, 4.00%, 2/1/48
 
100,000

86,759

Southern Co. Gas Capital Corp., 3.95%, 10/1/46
 
90,000

77,193

Southern Power Co., 5.15%, 9/15/41
 
40,000

39,470

Southwestern Public Service Co., 3.70%, 8/15/47
 
100,000

89,899

Virginia Electric & Power Co., 3.45%, 2/15/24
 
160,000

158,183

Xcel Energy, Inc., 3.35%, 12/1/26
 
100,000

95,505

 
 
 
5,166,283

Multiline Retail  
 
 
 
Macy's Retail Holdings, Inc., 2.875%, 2/15/23
 
150,000

140,236

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 0.7%
 
 
 
Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 5.55%, 3/15/26
 
220,000

229,244

Anadarko Petroleum Corp., 6.45%, 9/15/36
 
110,000

119,706

Antero Resources Corp., 5.00%, 3/1/25
 
230,000

224,250

Apache Corp., 4.75%, 4/15/43
 
120,000

107,331

BP Capital Markets plc, 4.50%, 10/1/20
 
100,000

102,209

Cenovus Energy, Inc., 4.25%, 4/15/27
 
210,000

198,357

Cimarex Energy Co., 4.375%, 6/1/24
 
220,000

219,319

CNOOC Nexen Finance 2014 ULC, 4.25%, 4/30/24
 
140,000

140,623

Concho Resources, Inc., 4.375%, 1/15/25
 
270,000

269,534

Concho Resources, Inc., 4.875%, 10/1/47
 
260,000

246,662

Continental Resources, Inc., 4.375%, 1/15/28
 
640,000

619,981

Ecopetrol SA, 5.875%, 5/28/45
 
90,000

86,018

Encana Corp., 6.50%, 2/1/38
 
210,000

239,843

EOG Resources, Inc., 5.625%, 6/1/19
 
150,000

152,122

EOG Resources, Inc., 4.10%, 2/1/21
 
130,000

131,767

Equinor ASA, 2.45%, 1/17/23
 
190,000

182,629

Exxon Mobil Corp., 3.04%, 3/1/26
 
100,000

95,604

Hess Corp., 4.30%, 4/1/27
 
140,000

131,897

Hess Corp., 6.00%, 1/15/40
 
410,000

405,030

Marathon Oil Corp., 3.85%, 6/1/25
 
280,000

269,315

Newfield Exploration Co., 5.75%, 1/30/22
 
370,000

383,413

Newfield Exploration Co., 5.375%, 1/1/26
 
140,000

142,013


24


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Noble Energy, Inc., 4.15%, 12/15/21
 
$
290,000

$
292,292

Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.00%, 3/5/20
 
77,000

78,154

Petroleos Mexicanos, 4.875%, 1/24/22
 
240,000

238,111

Petroleos Mexicanos, 3.50%, 1/30/23
 
60,000

55,410

Petroleos Mexicanos, 6.625%, 6/15/35
 
50,000

46,000

Petroleos Mexicanos, 5.50%, 6/27/44
 
230,000

178,457

Phillips 66, 4.30%, 4/1/22
 
250,000

255,352

Shell International Finance BV, 2.375%, 8/21/22
 
130,000

125,400

Shell International Finance BV, 3.25%, 5/11/25
 
200,000

192,963

Shell International Finance BV, 3.625%, 8/21/42
 
140,000

123,130

Total Capital Canada Ltd., 2.75%, 7/15/23
 
120,000

115,804

 
 
 
6,397,940

Paper and Forest Products — 0.1%
 
 
 
Georgia-Pacific LLC, 5.40%, 11/1/20(2)
 
350,000

362,779

International Paper Co., 4.40%, 8/15/47
 
190,000

164,668

 
 
 
527,447

Pharmaceuticals — 0.2%
 
 
 
Allergan Finance LLC, 3.25%, 10/1/22
 
400,000

388,663

Allergan Funding SCS, 3.85%, 6/15/24
 
440,000

432,533

Allergan Funding SCS, 4.55%, 3/15/35
 
150,000

141,929

Shire Acquisitions Investments Ireland DAC, 2.40%, 9/23/21
 
660,000

634,742

 
 
 
1,597,867

Road and Rail — 0.2%
 
 
 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 3.60%, 9/1/20
 
176,000

176,898

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 4.95%, 9/15/41
 
50,000

52,636

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 4.45%, 3/15/43
 
220,000

216,670

Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC, 4.15%, 4/1/45
 
180,000

170,345

CSX Corp., 3.40%, 8/1/24
 
180,000

176,139

CSX Corp., 3.25%, 6/1/27
 
500,000

466,086

Union Pacific Corp., 3.60%, 9/15/37
 
200,000

176,046

Union Pacific Corp., 4.75%, 9/15/41
 
150,000

150,194

Union Pacific Corp., 4.05%, 11/15/45
 
80,000

72,346

 
 
 
1,657,360

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 0.1%
 
 
 
Broadcom Corp. / Broadcom Cayman Finance Ltd., 3.125%, 1/15/25
 
210,000

192,374

NXP BV / NXP Funding LLC, 4.125%, 6/15/20(2)
 
200,000

200,000

NXP BV / NXP Funding LLC, 3.875%, 9/1/22(2)
 
200,000

193,500

Sensata Technologies UK Financing Co. plc, 6.25%, 2/15/26(2)
 
200,000

204,500

 
 
 
790,374

Software — 0.2%
 
 
 
Microsoft Corp., 2.70%, 2/12/25
 
570,000

541,211

Microsoft Corp., 3.125%, 11/3/25
 
110,000

106,687

Microsoft Corp., 3.45%, 8/8/36
 
220,000

202,892

Microsoft Corp., 4.25%, 2/6/47
 
340,000

342,737

Oracle Corp., 2.50%, 10/15/22
 
260,000

250,343

Oracle Corp., 3.625%, 7/15/23
 
280,000

281,041


25


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Oracle Corp., 2.65%, 7/15/26
 
$
100,000

$
91,561

Oracle Corp., 4.30%, 7/8/34
 
160,000

157,026

 
 
 
1,973,498

Specialty Retail — 0.1%
 
 
 
Ashtead Capital, Inc., 4.125%, 8/15/25(2)
 
200,000

186,500

Home Depot, Inc. (The), 3.75%, 2/15/24
 
150,000

151,894

Home Depot, Inc. (The), 5.95%, 4/1/41
 
360,000

431,019

Home Depot, Inc. (The), 3.90%, 6/15/47
 
50,000

45,605

United Rentals North America, Inc., 4.625%, 7/15/23
 
320,000

318,400

 
 
 
1,133,418

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 0.3%
 
 
 
Apple, Inc., 2.75%, 1/13/25
 
130,000

123,355

Apple, Inc., 2.50%, 2/9/25
 
540,000

504,324

Apple, Inc., 2.45%, 8/4/26
 
210,000

191,478

Apple, Inc., 3.20%, 5/11/27
 
250,000

237,973

Apple, Inc., 2.90%, 9/12/27
 
320,000

296,798

Dell International LLC / EMC Corp., 6.02%, 6/15/26(2)
 
820,000

851,547

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., 3.60%, 10/15/20
 
280,000

280,565

Seagate HDD Cayman, 4.75%, 6/1/23
 
210,000

200,060

Seagate HDD Cayman, 4.75%, 1/1/25
 
100,000

91,635

 
 
 
2,777,735

Wireless Telecommunication Services — 0.1%
 
 
 
America Movil SAB de CV, 3.125%, 7/16/22
 
310,000

301,986

Sprint Communications, Inc., 9.00%, 11/15/18(2)
 
74,000

74,240

Vodafone Group plc, 4.375%, 5/30/28
 
150,000

145,013

 
 
 
521,239

TOTAL CORPORATE BONDS
(Cost $111,054,442)
 
 
107,661,589

U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES(4) — 9.8%
Adjustable-Rate U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities(5) — 1.0%
FHLMC, VRN, 2.32%, 11/15/18
 
479,622

469,353

FHLMC, VRN, 2.36%, 11/15/18
 
525,879

520,979

FHLMC, VRN, 2.44%, 11/15/18
 
412,903

416,480

FHLMC, VRN, 2.58%, 11/15/18
 
201,408

199,523

FHLMC, VRN, 2.86%, 11/15/18
 
270,915

267,604

FHLMC, VRN, 3.07%, 11/15/18
 
860,658

854,978

FHLMC, VRN, 3.47%, 11/15/18
 
51,469

53,427

FHLMC, VRN, 3.68%, 11/15/18
 
80,960

82,341

FHLMC, VRN, 3.85%, 11/15/18
 
69,468

72,685

FHLMC, VRN, 3.89%, 11/15/18
 
46,503

48,759

FHLMC, VRN, 4.01%, 11/15/18
 
383,179

402,817

FHLMC, VRN, 4.06%, 11/15/18
 
166,781

175,914

FHLMC, VRN, 4.07%, 11/15/18
 
176,231

180,980

FHLMC, VRN, 4.12%, 11/15/18
 
67,008

68,466

FHLMC, VRN, 4.23%, 11/15/18
 
16,579

17,394

FHLMC, VRN, 4.25%, 11/15/18
 
20,573

21,222

FHLMC, VRN, 4.25%, 11/15/18
 
45,767

48,077


26


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
FHLMC, VRN, 4.28%, 11/15/18
 
$
31,155

$
32,198

FHLMC, VRN, 4.34%, 11/15/18
 
180,859

190,469

FNMA, VRN, 2.61%, 11/25/18
 
341,975

338,118

FNMA, VRN, 2.95%, 11/25/18
 
293,481

292,909

FNMA, VRN, 3.18%, 11/25/18
 
427,032

422,350

FNMA, VRN, 3.19%, 11/25/18
 
675,492

667,265

FNMA, VRN, 3.21%, 11/25/18
 
269,778

266,651

FNMA, VRN, 3.26%, 11/25/18
 
603,750

604,955

FNMA, VRN, 3.33%, 11/25/18
 
84,394

85,145

FNMA, VRN, 3.56%, 11/25/18
 
22,007

23,031

FNMA, VRN, 3.61%, 11/25/18
 
136,240

138,905

FNMA, VRN, 3.66%, 11/25/18
 
36,879

38,673

FNMA, VRN, 3.72%, 11/25/18
 
270,115

279,748

FNMA, VRN, 3.94%, 11/25/18
 
98,199

100,220

FNMA, VRN, 4.05%, 11/25/18
 
251,971

260,681

FNMA, VRN, 4.05%, 11/25/18
 
143,963

149,129

FNMA, VRN, 4.06%, 11/25/18
 
242,103

250,790

FNMA, VRN, 4.06%, 11/25/18
 
126,380

130,564

FNMA, VRN, 4.15%, 11/25/18
 
136,872

144,207

 
 
 
8,317,007

Fixed-Rate U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 8.8%
FHLMC, 4.50%, 1/1/19
 
641

651

FHLMC, 6.50%, 1/1/28
 
11,729

12,926

FHLMC, 5.50%, 12/1/33
 
99,374

107,695

FHLMC, 5.00%, 7/1/35
 
811,848

859,889

FHLMC, 5.50%, 1/1/38
 
79,627

85,067

FHLMC, 6.00%, 8/1/38
 
49,657

54,048

FHLMC, 3.00%, 2/1/43
 
815,436

778,555

FNMA, 3.00%, 11/13/18(6)
 
5,250,000

4,966,787

FNMA, 3.50%, 11/13/18(6)
 
13,900,000

13,532,411

FNMA, 4.00%, 11/13/18(6)
 
7,450,000

7,450,551

FNMA, 4.50%, 11/13/18(6)
 
1,705,000

1,745,927

FNMA, 4.50%, 5/1/19
 
3,107

3,153

FNMA, 4.50%, 5/1/19
 
5,454

5,534

FNMA, 5.00%, 9/1/20
 
50,593

52,149

FNMA, 6.50%, 1/1/29
 
18,269

20,031

FNMA, 7.50%, 7/1/29
 
51,287

55,388

FNMA, 7.50%, 9/1/30
 
9,743

10,994

FNMA, 5.00%, 7/1/31
 
475,700

497,031

FNMA, 6.50%, 9/1/31
 
14,015

15,274

FNMA, 7.00%, 9/1/31
 
5,173

5,501

FNMA, 6.50%, 1/1/32
 
13,914

15,165

FNMA, 6.50%, 8/1/32
 
17,853

19,787

FNMA, 5.50%, 6/1/33
 
54,349

58,402

FNMA, 5.50%, 7/1/33
 
88,408

94,769

FNMA, 5.50%, 8/1/33
 
162,605

174,361

FNMA, 5.50%, 9/1/33
 
109,582

118,338


27


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
FNMA, 5.00%, 11/1/33
 
$
303,917

$
322,639

FNMA, 5.00%, 4/1/35
 
396,048

419,016

FNMA, 4.50%, 9/1/35
 
179,799

185,152

FNMA, 5.00%, 2/1/36
 
254,194

269,046

FNMA, 5.50%, 4/1/36
 
94,253

101,144

FNMA, 5.50%, 5/1/36
 
181,443

194,572

FNMA, 5.00%, 11/1/36
 
676,087

715,329

FNMA, 5.50%, 2/1/37
 
46,287

49,606

FNMA, 6.00%, 7/1/37
 
392,988

428,729

FNMA, 6.50%, 8/1/37
 
68,383

72,757

FNMA, 5.50%, 7/1/39
 
310,566

333,056

FNMA, 5.00%, 4/1/40
 
750,734

794,512

FNMA, 5.00%, 6/1/40
 
608,729

644,058

FNMA, 4.50%, 8/1/40
 
938,566

972,746

FNMA, 4.50%, 9/1/40
 
1,846,839

1,914,037

FNMA, 3.50%, 1/1/41
 
1,118,971

1,099,672

FNMA, 4.00%, 1/1/41
 
925,919

934,732

FNMA, 4.00%, 5/1/41
 
995,970

1,004,016

FNMA, 4.50%, 7/1/41
 
349,509

362,270

FNMA, 4.50%, 9/1/41
 
364,673

377,312

FNMA, 4.50%, 9/1/41
 
1,457,335

1,508,833

FNMA, 4.00%, 12/1/41
 
915,140

922,555

FNMA, 4.00%, 1/1/42
 
548,424

552,852

FNMA, 4.00%, 1/1/42
 
737,732

743,689

FNMA, 3.50%, 5/1/42
 
1,481,466

1,455,894

FNMA, 3.50%, 6/1/42
 
513,042

504,187

FNMA, 3.00%, 11/1/42
 
1,253,538

1,197,433

FNMA, 3.50%, 5/1/45
 
1,348,112

1,318,595

FNMA, 6.50%, 8/1/47
 
12,595

13,339

FNMA, 6.50%, 9/1/47
 
16,009

16,878

FNMA, 6.50%, 9/1/47
 
769

813

FNMA, 6.50%, 9/1/47
 
8,418

8,877

FNMA, 3.50%, 10/1/47
 
6,673,426

6,503,307

FNMA, 3.50%, 3/1/48
 
1,944,049

1,894,186

FNMA, 4.00%, 8/1/48
 
4,954,992

4,962,934

GNMA, 3.00%, 11/19/18(6)
 
3,150,000

3,011,449

GNMA, 3.50%, 11/19/18(6)
 
3,300,000

3,241,541

GNMA, 4.00%, 11/19/18(6)
 
2,000,000

2,012,852

GNMA, 7.00%, 4/20/26
 
31,523

34,603

GNMA, 7.50%, 8/15/26
 
17,797

19,377

GNMA, 7.00%, 2/15/28
 
7,224

7,232

GNMA, 7.50%, 2/15/28
 
8,371

8,383

GNMA, 7.00%, 12/15/28
 
8,244

8,254

GNMA, 7.00%, 5/15/31
 
38,767

43,352

GNMA, 5.50%, 11/15/32
 
117,669

126,687

GNMA, 4.50%, 5/20/41
 
371,666

386,867

GNMA, 4.50%, 6/15/41
 
419,218

436,730


28


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
GNMA, 4.00%, 12/15/41
 
$
663,989

$
673,005

GNMA, 3.50%, 6/20/42
 
800,483

791,824

GNMA, 3.50%, 7/20/42
 
389,866

385,291

GNMA, 4.50%, 11/20/43
 
498,116

518,173

GNMA, 2.50%, 7/20/46
 
1,243,207

1,153,787

 
 
 
76,398,564

TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(Cost $86,362,658)
84,715,571

U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES — 8.6%
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.50%, 2/15/39
 
1,050,000

1,080,762

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.375%, 11/15/39
 
2,900,000

3,359,809

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 4.375%, 5/15/41
 
1,600,000

1,857,063

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.125%, 11/15/41
 
2,500,000

2,404,492

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.00%, 5/15/42
 
2,700,000

2,536,734

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.75%, 11/15/42
 
2,180,000

1,952,463

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.875%, 5/15/43
 
1,300,000

1,189,068

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.125%, 8/15/44
 
1,830,000

1,747,721

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.00%, 11/15/44
 
1,580,000

1,474,584

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 2.50%, 2/15/45
 
5,870,000

4,961,526

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.00%, 5/15/45
 
900,000

839,074

U.S. Treasury Bonds, 3.00%, 11/15/45
 
700,000

651,984

U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.50%, 2/28/19
 
1,000,000

997,064

U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.50%, 10/31/19
 
5,650,000

5,582,686

U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.50%, 5/31/20
 
5,000,000

4,974,023

U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.00%, 10/31/21
 
7,400,000

7,203,293

U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.875%, 1/31/22(7)
 
1,500,000

1,450,664

U.S. Treasury Notes, 1.875%, 4/30/22
 
1,800,000

1,736,016

U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.00%, 11/30/22
 
15,200,000

14,638,906

U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.75%, 5/31/23
 
7,700,000

7,629,166

U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.75%, 2/15/28
 
4,700,000

4,552,391

U.S. Treasury Notes, 2.875%, 8/15/28
 
1,300,000

1,270,242

TOTAL U.S. TREASURY SECURITIES
(Cost $76,347,083)
 
 
74,089,731

ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES(4) — 3.3%
 
 
 
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding AESOP LLC, Series 2014-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.46%, 7/20/20(2)
 
1,500,000

1,495,816

BRE Grand Islander Timeshare Issuer LLC, Series 2017-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.94%, 5/25/29(2)
 
823,304

803,681

Colony Starwood Homes, Series 2016-2A, Class A, VRN, 3.53%, 11/17/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.25%(2)
 
1,363,863

1,364,910

Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC, Series 2016-1, Class A2 SEQ, 1.83%, 9/20/21(2)
 
60,314

60,272

Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC, Series 2016-2, Class A2 SEQ, 1.74%, 2/22/22(2)
 
626,164

623,779

Goodgreen, Series 2018-1A, Class A, VRN, 3.93%, 11/15/18(2)(5)
 
780,700

775,673

Hilton Grand Vacations Trust, Series 2013-A, Class A SEQ, 2.28%, 1/25/26(2)
 
54,524

54,234

Hilton Grand Vacations Trust, Series 2014-AA, Class A SEQ, 1.77%, 11/25/26(2)
 
321,728

316,026


29


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Hilton Grand Vacations Trust, Series 2017-AA, Class A SEQ, 2.66%, 12/26/28(2)
 
$
360,830

$
353,650

Hilton Grand Vacations Trust, Series 2018-AA, Class B, VRN, 3.70%, 11/25/18(2)(5)
 
1,693,686

1,692,685

Invitation Homes Trust, Series 2018-SFR1, Class A, VRN, 2.99%, 11/17/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.70%(2)
 
1,910,930

1,910,954

Invitation Homes Trust, Series 2018-SFR2, Class B, VRN, 3.36%, 11/17/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.08%(2)
 
1,225,000

1,231,611

Invitation Homes Trust, Series 2018-SFR3, Class A, VRN, 3.29%, 11/17/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.00%(2)
 
1,897,249

1,898,491

Mosaic Solar Loan Trust, Series 2018-2GS, Class A SEQ, 4.20%, 2/22/44(2)
 
423,855

422,189

MVW Owner Trust, Series 2014-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.25%, 9/22/31(2)
 
202,350

197,951

MVW Owner Trust, Series 2015-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.52%, 12/20/32(2)
 
208,078

203,653

MVW Owner Trust, Series 2016-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.25%, 12/20/33(2)
 
321,237

310,701

MVW Owner Trust, Series 2017-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.42%, 12/20/34(2)
 
821,229

793,906

MVW Owner Trust, Series 2018-1A, Class A SEQ, 3.45%, 1/21/36(2)
 
1,268,705

1,262,271

Progress Residential Trust, Series 2016-SFR2, Class A SEQ, VRN, 3.69%, 11/17/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.40%(2)
 
549,458

550,732

Progress Residential Trust, Series 2018-SFR1, Class A SEQ, 3.26%, 3/17/35(2)
 
1,000,000

973,743

Progress Residential Trust, Series 2018-SFR3, Class A SEQ, 3.88%, 10/17/35(2)
 
1,500,000

1,499,792

Progress Residential Trust, Series 2018-SFR3, Class B, 4.08%, 10/17/35(2)
 
2,550,000

2,535,076

Sierra Receivables Funding Co. LLC, Series 2017-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.91%, 3/20/34(2)
 
199,614

197,101

Sierra Timeshare Receivables Funding LLC, Series 2015-1A, Class A SEQ, 2.40%, 3/22/32(2)
 
118,819

117,974

Sierra Timeshare Receivables Funding LLC, Series 2018-2A, Class A SEQ, 3.50%, 6/20/35(2)
 
1,104,081

1,098,889

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-1, Class A1, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
251,584

250,881

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-2, Class A1, VRN, 2.75%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
417,296

408,734

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-4, Class A1, VRN, 2.75%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
238,703

232,415

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-6, Class A1, VRN, 2.75%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
946,623

920,799

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-1, Class A1 SEQ, VRN, 3.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,285,647

1,260,299

Towd Point Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-4, Class A1, VRN, 3.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,224,499

1,189,984

US Airways Pass-Through Trust, Series 2013-1, Class A, 3.95%, 11/15/25
 
126,425

125,637

VSE VOI Mortgage LLC, Series 2016-A, Class A SEQ, 2.54%, 7/20/33(2)
 
471,303

459,748


30


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
VSE VOI Mortgage LLC, Series 2018-A, Class B, 3.72%, 2/20/36(2)
 
$
897,928

$
894,102

TOTAL ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES
(Cost $28,706,307)
 
 
28,488,359

COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS(4) — 3.2%
 
 
 
Private Sponsor Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 2.3%
ABN Amro Mortgage Corp., Series 2003-4, Class A4, 5.50%, 3/25/33
 
12,709

12,723

Adjustable Rate Mortgage Trust, Series 2004-4, Class 4A1, VRN, 4.22%, 11/1/18(5)
 
200,876

203,861

Agate Bay Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2016-3, Class A3, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
361,558

350,418

Banc of America Mortgage Trust, Series 2004-E, Class 2A6 SEQ, VRN, 4.39%, 11/1/18(5)
 
164,171

164,218

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2004-UST1, Class A4, VRN, 4.07%, 11/1/18(5)
 
251,952

246,773

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2004-UST1, Class A5, VRN, 4.05%, 11/1/18(5)
 
452,128

449,293

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2005-4, Class A, VRN, 4.48%, 11/1/18(5)
 
66,270

67,238

Citigroup Mortgage Loan Trust, Inc., Series 2005-6, Class A2, VRN, 4.24%, 4/1/19, resets annually off the 1-year H15T1Y plus 2.15%
 
133,763

135,937

Countrywide Home Loan Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, Series 2005-17, Class 1A11, 5.50%, 9/25/35
 
4,415

4,327

Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-HL1, Class A3 SEQ, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,045,706

1,028,411

Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-HL2, Class A3 SEQ, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
661,663

651,241

First Horizon Alternative Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2004-AA4, Class A1, VRN, 4.23%, 11/1/18(5)
 
254,157

253,210

First Horizon Mortgage Pass-Through Trust, Series 2005-AR3, Class 4A1, VRN, 4.39%, 11/1/18(5)
 
51,168

51,518

Flagstar Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-2, Class A5 SEQ, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
826,037

813,748

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2004-7, Class 3A1, VRN, 3.86%, 11/1/18(5)
 
80,423

79,630

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2004-AR5, Class 3A3, VRN, 3.97%, 11/1/18(5)
 
120,875

123,746

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2005-AR1, Class 3A1, VRN, 3.92%, 11/1/18(5)
 
191,094

190,695

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2005-AR6, Class 2A1, VRN, 4.01%, 11/1/18(5)
 
175,293

179,381

GSR Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2005-AR6, Class 4A5, VRN, 4.44%, 11/1/18(5)
 
204,996

208,012

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-A4, Class 1A1, VRN, 4.23%, 11/1/18(5)
 
60,551

61,045

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-A4, Class 2A1, VRN, 4.18%, 11/1/18(5)
 
32,304

32,379

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-A3, Class 7A1, VRN, 3.88%, 11/1/18(5)
 
162,153

165,205

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-1, Class 2A2 SEQ, VRN, 2.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
69,880

66,842

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-1, Class A2, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
738,199

713,436

JPMorgan Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-6, Class 1A4 SEQ, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,144,943

1,136,465


31


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
MASTR Adjustable Rate Mortgages Trust, Series 2004-13, Class 3A7, VRN, 4.45%, 11/1/18(5)
 
$
221,241

$
227,357

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Series 2005-3, Class 2A, VRN, 4.18%, 11/25/18(5)
 
125,038

124,435

Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors Trust, Series 2005-A2, Class A1, VRN, 3.54%, 11/1/18(5)
 
179,574

182,582

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2017-1A, Class A1, VRN, 4.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,328,018

1,334,326

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2017-2A, Class A3, VRN, 4.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
803,790

808,989

New Residential Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2017-5A, Class A1, VRN, 3.78%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.50%(2)
 
511,774

525,473

PHHMC Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2007-6, Class A1, VRN, 5.83%, 11/1/18(5)
 
72

72

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2012-1, Class 1A1, VRN, 2.87%, 11/1/18(5)
 
14,775

14,886

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2013-12, Class A1, 4.00%, 12/25/43(2)
 
112,975

112,247

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-1, Class A1, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
549,569

532,336

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-7, Class A4 SEQ, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
670,458

661,331

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-CH2, Class A10 SEQ, VRN, 4.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
845,547

849,449

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-2, Class A4 SEQ, VRN, 3.50%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,176,291

1,159,821

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-7, Class A4, VRN, 4.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,713,394

1,717,733

Sequoia Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-CH2, Class A12 SEQ, VRN, 4.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,343,917

1,351,903

Sofi Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-1A, Class 1A4 SEQ, VRN, 3.00%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
278,728

263,773

Structured Adjustable Rate Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2004-8, Class 2A1, VRN, 4.31%, 11/1/18(5)
 
94,797

95,489

Thornburg Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2004-3, Class A, VRN, 3.02%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.74%
 
555,739

549,146

WaMu Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2005-AR3, Class A1, VRN, 3.66%, 11/1/18(5)
 
353,000

348,568

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2004-4, Class A9, 5.50%, 5/25/34
 
39,773

40,392

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2004-S, Class A1, VRN, 4.54%, 11/1/18(5)
 
80,378

82,772

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2004-Z, Class 2A2, VRN, 3.89%, 11/1/18(5)
 
69,875

71,554

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-17, Class 1A1, 5.50%, 1/25/36
 
47,287

46,540

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-9, Class 2A6, 5.25%, 10/25/35
 
137,484

140,678

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-AR10, Class 1A1, VRN, 4.36%, 11/1/18(5)
 
315,585

333,721

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-AR10, Class 2A15, VRN, 4.31%, 11/1/18(5)
 
30,200

31,309

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-AR10, Class 2A17, VRN, 4.31%, 11/1/18(5)
 
201,330

208,232


32


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-AR16, Class 3A2, VRN, 4.37%, 11/1/18(5)
 
$
167,331

$
170,424

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2005-AR7, Class 1A1, VRN, 4.35%, 11/1/18(5)
 
134,202

136,084

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2006-10, Class A4 SEQ, 6.00%, 8/25/36
 
72,647

72,522

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2006-13, Class A5, 6.00%, 10/25/36
 
85,931

85,061

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-13, Class A1, 6.00%, 9/25/37
 
42,806

42,799

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-14, Class 2A2, 5.50%, 10/25/22
 
24,906

25,398

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-16, Class 1A1, 6.00%, 12/28/37
 
22,983

22,997

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2007-AR10, Class 1A1, VRN, 4.05%, 11/1/18(5)
 
57,229

55,127

Wells Fargo Mortgage-Backed Securities Trust, Series 2008-1, Class 4A1, 5.75%, 2/25/38
 
108,268

113,695

 
 
 
19,928,973

U.S. Government Agency Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 0.9%
FHLMC, Series 2016-DNA4, Class M2, VRN, 3.58%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.30%
 
40,000

40,303

FHLMC, Series 2017-DNA2, Class M1, VRN, 3.48%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.20%
 
63,789

64,443

FHLMC, Series 2018-DNA1, Class M1, VRN, 2.73%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.45%
 
565,558

563,998

FHLMC, Series 77, Class H, 8.50%, 9/15/20
 
96

96

FHLMC, Series KF31, Class A, VRN, 2.63%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.37%
 
1,381,364

1,380,861

FNMA, Series 2014-C02, Class 1M2, VRN, 4.88%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.60%
 
125,000

132,960

FNMA, Series 2014-C02, Class 2M2, VRN, 4.88%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.60%
 
550,609

582,963

FNMA, Series 2016-C04, Class 1M1, VRN, 3.73%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.45%
 
246,673

248,282

FNMA, Series 2016-C05, Class 2M1, VRN, 3.63%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.35%
 
126,637

126,954

FNMA, Series 2017-C01, Class 1M1, VRN, 3.58%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.30%
 
419,831

422,573

FNMA, Series 2018-C01, Class 1M1, VRN, 2.88%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.60%
 
1,898,102

1,899,447

FNMA, Series 2018-C02, Class 2M1, VRN, 2.93%, 11/25/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.65%
 
1,834,245

1,836,595

 
 
 
7,299,475

TOTAL COLLATERALIZED MORTGAGE OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $27,360,856)
 
 
27,228,448

COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS(4) — 2.0%
 
 
 
Bean Creek CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class AR, VRN, 3.49%, 1/20/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.02%(2)
 
750,000

747,049

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO, Series 2014-5A, Class A1RR, VRN, 3.47%, 1/15/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.14%(2)
 
950,000

950,564

Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO, Series 2014-1A, Class A1R2, VRN, 3.42%, 1/17/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.97%(2)
 
500,000

500,741


33


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
CBAM Ltd., Series 2018-5A, Class A, VRN, 3.47%, 1/17/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.02%(2)
 
$
750,000

$
746,149

CIFC Funding Ltd., Series 2013-3RA, Class A1, VRN, 3.33%, 1/24/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.98%(2)
 
1,600,000

1,589,494

CIFC Funding Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class ARR, VRN, 3.58%, 1/22/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.11%(2)
 
500,000

499,324

Dryden 41 Senior Loan Fund, Series 2015-41A, Class AR, VRN, 3.41%, 1/15/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.97%(2)
 
500,000

497,413

Dryden 64 CLO Ltd., Series 2018-64A, Class A, VRN, 3.41%, 1/18/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.97%(2)
 
1,250,000

1,243,647

Goldentree Loan Opportunities X Ltd., Series 2015-10A, Class AR, VRN, 3.59%, 1/22/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.12%(2)
 
750,000

749,445

Goldentree Loan Opportunities XI Ltd., Series 2015-11A, Class AR2, VRN, 3.51%, 1/18/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.07%(2)
 
600,000

599,220

KKR CLO Ltd., Series 11, Class AR, VRN, 3.62%, 1/15/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.18%(2)
 
500,000

500,291

KKR CLO Ltd., Series 22A, Class A, VRN, 3.52%, 1/22/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.15%(2)
 
1,000,000

998,438

LCM XIV LP, Series 14A, Class AR, VRN, 3.51%, 1/22/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.04%(2)
 
750,000

749,161

LoanCore Issuer Ltd., Series 2018-CRE1, Class AS, VRN, 3.78%, 11/15/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.50%(2)
 
848,000

851,560

Madison Park Funding XIII Ltd., Series 2014-13A, Class AR2, VRN, 3.40%, 1/22/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.95%(2)
 
800,000

798,714

Magnetite VIII Ltd., Series 2014-8A, Class AR2, VRN, 3.42%, 1/15/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.98%(2)
 
1,250,000

1,247,902

Sounds Point CLO IV-R Ltd., Series 2013-3RA, Class A, VRN, 3.59%, 1/18/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.15%(2)
 
885,000

885,973

Symphony CLO XIX Ltd., Series 2018-19A, Class A, VRN, 3.40%, 1/16/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.96%(2)
 
1,100,000

1,093,214

Treman Park CLO Ltd., Series 2015-1A, Class ARR, VRN, 3.53%, 1/22/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.07%(2)(8)
 
1,000,000

1,000,000

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2013-3A, Class A1RR, VRN, 3.59%, 1/18/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.15%(2)
 
700,000

700,000

Voya CLO Ltd., Series 2013-2A, Class A1R, VRN, 3.46%, 1/25/19, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 0.97%(2)
 
750,000

746,214

TOTAL COLLATERALIZED LOAN OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $17,730,763)
 
 
17,694,513

COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES(4) — 2.0%
Bank of America Merrill Lynch Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2015-200P, Class B, 3.49%, 4/14/33(2)
 
625,000

606,465

BB-UBS Trust, Series 2012-SHOW, Class A SEQ, 3.43%, 11/5/36(2)
 
1,000,000

978,442

Benchmark Mortgage Trust, Series 2018-B6, Class AS, 4.44%, 10/10/51
 
1,650,000

1,689,861

BX Trust, Series 2018-MCSF, Class A, VRN, 2.86%, 11/15/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.58%(2)
 
700,000

698,036

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-CR15, Class AM, VRN, 4.43%, 11/1/18(5)
 
675,000

693,566


34


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-LC17, Class AM, VRN, 4.19%, 11/1/18(5)
 
$
775,000

$
782,947

Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2014-UBS5, Class AM, VRN, 4.19%, 11/1/18(5)
 
900,000

905,749

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-CD1, Class AM, 2.93%, 8/10/49
 
400,000

368,157

Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-PANW, Class A SEQ, 3.24%, 10/10/29(2)
 
1,775,000

1,720,685

Core Industrial Trust, Series 2015-WEST, Class A SEQ, 3.29%, 2/10/37(2)
 
1,079,568

1,049,851

DBCG Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-BBG, Class A, VRN, 2.98%, 11/15/18, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 0.70%(2)
 
1,250,000

1,250,629

GS Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-GS2, Class B, VRN, 3.76%, 11/1/18(5)
 
1,000,000

968,178

Hudson Yards Mortgage Trust, Series 2016-10HY, Class B, VRN, 2.98%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
1,275,000

1,183,758

JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2014-C21, Class B, VRN, 4.34%, 11/1/18(5)
 
475,000

476,041

JPMDB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2017-C5, Class A4 SEQ, 3.41%, 3/15/50
 
920,000

887,831

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2013-C16, Class A4 SEQ, 4.17%, 12/15/46
 
275,000

281,597

JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2016-JP2, Class A4 SEQ, 2.82%, 8/15/49
 
600,000

557,605

Morgan Stanley Bank of America Merrill Lynch Trust, Series 2017-C34, Class A3 SEQ, 3.28%, 11/15/52
 
675,000

641,029

Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2014-CPT, Class C, VRN, 3.45%, 11/1/18(2)(5)
 
725,000

713,041

UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2017-C1, Class A3 SEQ, 3.20%, 6/15/50
 
700,000

663,105

TOTAL COMMERCIAL MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
(Cost $17,759,398)
 
 
17,116,573

BANK LOAN OBLIGATIONS(9) — 0.8%
 
 
 
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 0.1%
 
 
 
Level 3 Financing Inc., 2017 Term Loan B, 4.53%, 2/22/24, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.25%
 
790,000

791,544

Zayo Group, LLC, 2017 Incremental Term Loan, 4.55%, 1/19/24, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.25%
 
300,000

300,750

Zayo Group, LLC, 2017 Incremental Term Loan, 1/19/24(10)
 
170,000

170,425

 
 
 
1,262,719

Food Products  
 
 
 
Post Holdings Inc., 2017 Series A Incremental Term Loan, 5/24/24(10)
 
200,000

200,018

Post Holdings Inc., 2017 Series A Incremental Term Loan, 4.29%, 5/24/24, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.00%
 
45,473

45,477

Post Holdings Inc., 2017 Series A Incremental Term Loan, 4.29%, 5/24/24, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.00%
 
146,924

146,937

 
 
 
392,432

Health Care Providers and Services — 0.1%
 
 
 
HCA Inc., 2018 Term Loan B10, 4.30%, 3/13/25, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.00%
 
731,325

735,439


35


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 0.2%
 
 
 
Hilton Worldwide Finance, LLC, Term Loan B2, 4.03%, 10/25/23, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.75%
 
$
850,000

$
851,861

MGM Growth Properties Operating Partnership LP, 2016 Term Loan B, 4.30%, 3/21/25, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.00%
 
796,555

795,133

 
 
 
1,646,994

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 0.1%
NRG Energy, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 4.14%, 6/30/23, resets quarterly off the 3-month LIBOR plus 1.75%
 
463,814

462,680

NRG Energy, Inc., 2016 Term Loan B, 6/30/23(10)
 
115,000

114,719

 
 
 
577,399

IT Services — 0.1%
 
 
 
First Data Corporation, 2024 USD Term Loan, 4.29%, 4/26/24, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.00%
 
695,000

692,032

Media  
 
 
 
Charter Communications Operating, LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, 4/30/25(10)
 
400,000

400,476

Software — 0.1%
 
 
 
Dell International LLC, 2017 Term Loan B, 4.31%, 9/7/23, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 2.00%
 
646,734

646,789

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 0.1%
 
 
 
Western Digital Corporation, 2018 Term Loan B4, 4.04%, 4/29/23, resets monthly off the 1-month LIBOR plus 1.75%
 
746,250

742,985

TOTAL BANK LOAN OBLIGATIONS
(Cost $7,121,882)
 
 
7,097,265

MUNICIPAL SECURITIES — 0.6%
 
 
 
Bay Area Toll Authority Rev., 6.92%, 4/1/40
 
195,000

254,649

Houston GO, 3.96%, 3/1/47
 
120,000

114,836

Los Angeles Community College District GO, 6.68%, 8/1/36
 
100,000

129,687

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Rev., 6.69%, 11/15/40
 
105,000

134,943

Metropolitan Transportation Authority Rev., 6.81%, 11/15/40
 
60,000

77,237

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago GO, 5.72%, 12/1/38
 
650,000

770,549

Missouri Highway & Transportation Commission Rev., 5.45%, 5/1/33
 
130,000

146,401

New Jersey Turnpike Authority Rev., 7.41%, 1/1/40
 
200,000

279,456

New Jersey Turnpike Authority Rev., 7.10%, 1/1/41
 
95,000

128,718

New York City GO, 6.27%, 12/1/37
 
95,000

118,175

Ohio Water Development Authority Water Pollution Control Loan Fund Rev., 4.88%, 12/1/34
 
110,000

117,190

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Rev., 4.93%, 10/1/51
 
50,000

54,594

Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Rev., 4.46%, 10/1/62
 
245,000

242,633

Rutgers The State University of New Jersey Rev., 5.67%, 5/1/40
 
205,000

237,183

Sacramento Municipal Utility District Rev., 6.16%, 5/15/36
 
210,000

252,857

Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement & Power District Rev., 4.84%, 1/1/41
 
95,000

103,945

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Water Rev., 6.00%, 11/1/40
 
105,000

125,178

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Water Rev., 6.95%, 11/1/50
 
65,000

89,760

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Rev., 5.88%, 4/1/32
 
120,000

137,147


36


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
State of California GO, 4.60%, 4/1/38
 
$
355,000

$
361,312

State of California GO, 7.55%, 4/1/39
 
100,000

142,344

State of California GO, 7.30%, 10/1/39
 
160,000

217,904

State of California GO, 7.60%, 11/1/40
 
80,000

115,780

State of Illinois GO, 5.10%, 6/1/33
 
345,000

326,111

State of Oregon Department of Transportation Rev., 5.83%, 11/15/34
 
70,000

83,408

State of Texas GO, 5.52%, 4/1/39
 
50,000

60,096

State of Washington GO, 5.14%, 8/1/40
 
20,000

22,571

TOTAL MUNICIPAL SECURITIES
(Cost $4,453,797)
 
 
4,844,664

SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES — 0.4%
 
 
 
Chile  
 
 
 
Chile Government International Bond, 3.25%, 9/14/21
 
100,000

99,630

Chile Government International Bond, 3.625%, 10/30/42
 
100,000

89,881

 
 
 
189,511

Colombia — 0.1%
 
 
 
Colombia Government International Bond, 4.375%, 7/12/21
 
310,000

314,573

Colombia Government International Bond, 7.375%, 9/18/37
 
300,000

363,375

Colombia Government International Bond, 6.125%, 1/18/41
 
100,000

108,101

 
 
 
786,049

Italy  
 
 
 
Republic of Italy Government International Bond, 6.875%, 9/27/23
 
220,000

236,330

Mexico — 0.1%
 
 
 
Mexico Government International Bond, 4.15%, 3/28/27
 
600,000

572,025

Mexico Government International Bond, MTN, 4.75%, 3/8/44
 
400,000

355,604

 
 
 
927,629

Peru  
 
 
 
Peruvian Government International Bond, 6.55%, 3/14/37
 
70,000

85,575

Peruvian Government International Bond, 5.625%, 11/18/50
 
170,000

190,400

 
 
 
275,975

Philippines — 0.1%
 
 
 
Philippine Government International Bond, 4.00%, 1/15/21
 
300,000

303,411

Philippine Government International Bond, 6.375%, 10/23/34
 
150,000

182,650

 
 
 
486,061

Poland — 0.1%
 
 
 
Republic of Poland Government International Bond, 3.00%, 3/17/23
 
140,000

136,529

Republic of Poland Government International Bond, 5.125%, 4/21/21
 
140,000

145,708

 
 
 
282,237

South Africa  
 
 
 
Republic of South Africa Government International Bond, 4.67%, 1/17/24
 
110,000

105,387

Uruguay  
 
 
 
Uruguay Government International Bond, 4.125%, 11/20/45
 
120,000

104,700

TOTAL SOVEREIGN GOVERNMENTS AND AGENCIES
(Cost $3,502,783)
 
 
3,393,879


37


 
 
Shares/
Principal Amount
Value
U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY SECURITIES — 0.2%
 
 
 
FNMA, 2.125%, 4/24/26
 
$
270,000

$
250,258

FNMA, 6.625%, 11/15/30
 
900,000

1,175,737

TOTAL U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCY SECURITIES
(Cost $1,394,711)
 
 
1,425,995

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 3.0%
 
 
 
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
(Cost $26,317,151)
26,317,151

26,317,151

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 104.3%
(Cost $806,351,714)
 
 
899,899,444

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (4.3)%
 
 
(37,128,819
)
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
 
$
862,770,625


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
EUR
6,456

USD
7,503

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.
12/19/18
$
(159
)
USD
377,611

EUR
322,205

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.
12/19/18
11,125

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
10,966


FUTURES CONTRACTS PURCHASED
Reference Entity
Contracts
Expiration
Date
Notional
Amount
Underlying
Contract
Value
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
U.S. Treasury 2-Year Notes
37
December 2018
$
7,400,000

$
7,794,281

$
(5,286
)
U.S. Treasury 5-Year Notes
1
December 2018
$
100,000

112,383

(780
)
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Notes
4
December 2018
$
400,000

473,750

(6,290
)
U.S. Treasury 10-Year Ultra Notes
25
December 2018
$
2,500,000

3,127,734

(61,385
)
U.S. Treasury Long Bonds
17
December 2018
$
1,700,000

2,348,125

(94,202
)
 
 
 
 
$
13,856,273

$
(167,943
)


38


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
EUR
-
Euro
FHLMC
-
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
FNMA
-
Federal National Mortgage Association
GNMA
-
Government National Mortgage Association
GO
-
General Obligation
H15T1Y
-
Constant Maturity U.S. Treasury Note Yield Curve Rate Index
LIBOR
-
London Interbank Offered Rate
MTN
-
Medium Term Note
resets
-
The frequency with which a security's coupon changes, based on current market conditions or an underlying index.
SEQ
-
Sequential Payer
USD
-
United States Dollar
VRN
-
Variable Rate Note. Interest reset date is indicated. Rate shown is effective at the period end.
Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.
(1)
Non-income producing.
(2)
Security was purchased pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 and may be sold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional investors. The aggregate value of these securities at the period end was $77,325,929, which represented 9.0% of total net assets.
(3)
Coupon rate adjusts periodically based upon a predetermined schedule. Interest reset date is indicated. Rate shown is effective at the period end.
(4)
Final maturity date indicated, unless otherwise noted.
(5)
The interest rate resets periodically based on the weighted average coupons of the underlying mortgage-related or asset-backed obligations.
(6)
Forward commitment. Settlement date is indicated.
(7)
Security, or a portion thereof, has been pledged at the custodian bank or with a broker for collateral requirements on forward commitments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and futures contracts. At the period end, the aggregate value of securities pledged was $412,208.
(8)
When-issued security. The issue price and yield are fixed on the date of the commitment, but payment and delivery are scheduled for a future date.
(9)
The interest rate on a bank loan obligation adjusts periodically based on a predetermined schedule. Rate shown is effective at period end. The maturity date on a bank loan obligation may be less than indicated as a result of contractual or optional prepayments. These prepayments cannot be predicted with certainty. Final maturity date is indicated.
(10)
The interest rate will be determined upon settlement of the bank loan obligation after period end.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


39


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $806,351,714)
$
899,899,444

Cash
4,143

Receivable for investments sold
18,408,592

Receivable for capital shares sold
120,688

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
11,125

Interest and dividends receivable
2,833,943

 
921,277,935

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
57,651,080

Payable for capital shares redeemed
160,163

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts
31,219

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
159

Accrued management fees
664,689

 
58,507,310

 
 
Net Assets
$
862,770,625

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
722,654,451

Distributable earnings
140,116,174

 
$
862,770,625


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value
Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$798,119,589
43,030,542

$18.55
I Class, $0.01 Par Value
$62,077,040
3,344,588

$18.56
R5 Class, $0.01 Par Value
$2,573,996
138,707

$18.56


See Notes to Financial Statements.


40


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Interest
$
10,661,781

Dividends
9,329,830

 
19,991,611

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
7,972,545

Directors' fees and expenses
20,371

Other expenses
3,855

 
7,996,771

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
11,994,840

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
48,467,579

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
21,529

Futures contract transactions
(418,349
)
Swap agreement transactions
99,660

Foreign currency translation transactions
931

 
48,171,350

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(44,448,129
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
(1,706
)
Futures contracts
10,203

Swap agreements
152,840

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(1,255
)
 
(44,288,047
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
3,883,303

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
15,878,143



See Notes to Financial Statements.


41


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
11,994,840

$
12,490,104

Net realized gain (loss)
48,171,350

40,041,492

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(44,288,047
)
57,783,797

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
15,878,143

110,315,393

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:(1)
 
 
Investor Class
(46,718,422
)
(19,099,576
)
I Class
(4,323,186
)
(1,663,812
)
R5 Class
(21,216
)
(46
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(51,062,824
)
(20,763,434
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
9,996,470

(15,464,903
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
(25,188,211
)
74,087,056

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
887,958,836

813,871,780

End of period
$
862,770,625

$
887,958,836


(1)
Prior period presentation has been updated to reflect the current period combination of distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains. Distributions from net investment income were $(12,032,665), $(1,102,956), and $(46) for Investor Class, I Class, and R5 Class, respectively. Distributions from net realized gains were $(7,066,911) and $(560,856) for Investor Class and I Class, respectively.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


42


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Balanced Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth and current income by investing approximately 60% of its assets in equity securities and the remainder in bonds and other fixed-income securities. The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class and R5 Class. Sale of R5 Class commenced on April 10, 2017.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Fixed income securities are valued at the evaluated mean as provided by independent pricing services or at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices as provided by investment dealers. Corporate bonds, U.S. Treasury and Government Agency securities, convertible bonds, bank loan obligations, municipal securities, and sovereign governments and agencies are valued using market models that consider trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, creditworthiness, trade data or market information on comparable securities, and other relevant security specific information. Mortgage-related and asset-backed securities are valued based on models that consider trade data, prepayment and default projections, benchmark yield and spread data and estimated cash flows of each tranche of the issuer. Collateralized loan obligations are valued based on discounted cash flow models that consider trade and economic data, prepayment assumptions and default projections. Commercial paper is valued using a curve-based approach that considers money market rates for specific instruments, programs, currencies and maturity points from a variety of active market makers. Fixed income securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Exchange-traded futures contracts are valued at the settlement price as provided by the appropriate exchange. Swap agreements are valued at an evaluated mean as provided by independent pricing services or independent brokers. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 

43


If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 
The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes paydown gain (loss) and accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums. Inflation adjustments related to inflation-linked debt securities are reflected as interest income.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Forward Commitments — The fund may engage in securities transactions on a forward commitment basis. In these transactions, the securities’ prices and yields are fixed on the date of the commitment. The fund may sell a to-be-announced (TBA) security and at the same time make a commitment to purchase the same security at a future date at a specified price. Conversely, the fund may purchase a TBA security and at the same time make a commitment to sell the same security at a future date at a specified price. These types of transactions are known as “TBA roll” transactions and are accounted for as purchases and sales. The fund will segregate cash, cash equivalents or other appropriate liquid securities on its records in amounts sufficient to meet the purchase price.
 
Segregated Assets — In accordance with the 1940 Act, the fund segregates assets on its books and records to cover certain types of investment securities and other financial instruments. American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) monitors, on a daily basis, the securities segregated to ensure the fund designates a sufficient amount of liquid assets, marked-to-market daily. The fund may also receive assets or be required to pledge assets at the custodian bank or with a broker for collateral requirements.
 

44


Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income, if any, are generally declared and paid quarterly. Distributions from net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc., and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets).

The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
Management Fee
Schedule Range
Effective Annual Management Fee
Investor Class
0.800% to 0.900%
0.90%
I Class
0.600% to 0.700%
0.70%
R5 Class
0.600% to 0.700%
0.70%

Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 

45


Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $5,514,432 and $5,854,042, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $788,269 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 totaled $1,054,982,578, of which $520,873,248 represented U.S. Treasury and Government Agency obligations.

Sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 totaled $1,088,599,446, of which $547,114,926 represented U.S. Treasury and Government Agency obligations.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
360,000,000

 
360,000,000

 
Sold
3,868,835

$
74,382,638

3,792,164

$
68,827,438

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
2,405,295

45,635,273

1,033,181

18,655,112

Redeemed
(5,429,365
)
(104,029,188
)
(6,045,243
)
(110,644,072
)
 
844,765

15,988,723

(1,219,898
)
(23,161,522
)
I Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold
692,390

13,353,992

1,099,075

20,321,149

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
226,647

4,304,435

91,815

1,661,482

Redeemed
(1,372,689
)
(26,321,224
)
(777,932
)
(14,291,058
)
 
(453,652
)
(8,662,797
)
412,958

7,691,573

R5 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
137,666

2,655,767

275

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
1,095

21,216

2

46

Redeemed
(331
)
(6,439
)


 
138,430

2,670,544

277

5,046

Net increase (decrease)
529,543

$
9,996,470

(806,663
)
$
(15,464,903
)

(1)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the R5 Class

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

46


The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
499,825,706



Corporate Bonds

$
107,661,589


U.S. Government Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

84,715,571


U.S. Treasury Securities

74,089,731


Asset-Backed Securities

28,488,359


Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

27,228,448


Collateralized Loan Obligations

17,694,513


Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

17,116,573


Bank Loan Obligations

7,097,265


Municipal Securities

4,844,664


Sovereign Governments and Agencies

3,393,879


U.S. Government Agency Securities

1,425,995


Temporary Cash Investments
26,317,151



 
$
526,142,857

$
373,756,587


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
11,125


      
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Futures Contracts
$
167,943



Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
159


 
$
167,943

$
159



7. Derivative Instruments

Credit Risk — The fund is subject to credit risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of a bond generally declines as the credit quality of its issuer declines. Credit default swap agreements enable a fund to buy/sell protection against a credit event of a specific issuer or index. A fund may attempt to enhance returns by selling protection or attempt to mitigate credit risk by buying protection. The buyer/seller of credit protection against a security or basket of securities may pay/receive an up-front or periodic payment to compensate for/against potential default events. Changes in value, including the periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swap agreements, are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, a fund is required to deposit cash or securities (initial margin) with a financial intermediary in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received daily, in cash, by a fund. The variation margin is equal to the daily change in the value and is a component of unrealized gains and losses. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon receipt or payment of a periodic settlement or termination of swap agreements. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of swap agreements are a component of net realized gain (loss) on swap agreement transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements, respectively. The risks of entering into swap agreements include the possible lack of liquidity, failure of the counterparty to meet its obligations, and that there may be unfavorable changes in the underlying investments or instruments. The fund's average notional amount held during the period was $2,000,000.
 

47


Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $406,767.
 
Interest Rate Risk — The fund is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of bonds generally declines as interest rates rise. A fund may enter into futures contracts based on a bond index or a specific underlying security. A fund may purchase futures contracts to gain exposure to increases in market value or sell futures contracts to protect against a decline in market value. Upon entering into a futures contract, a fund will segregate cash, cash equivalents or other appropriate liquid securities on its records in amounts sufficient to meet requirements. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received daily, in cash, by a fund. The variation margin is equal to the daily change in the contract value and is recorded as unrealized gains and losses. A fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the futures contract is closed or expires. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of futures contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on futures contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, respectively. One of the risks of entering into futures contracts is the possibility that the change in value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in value of the underlying securities. The fund's average notional exposure to these interest rate risk derivative instruments held during the period was $4,533,333 futures contracts purchased.

Other Contracts — A fund may enter into total return swap agreements in order to attempt to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets or gain exposure to certain markets in the most economical way possible. A fund will segregate cash, cash equivalents or other appropriate liquid securities on its records in amounts sufficient to meet requirements. Changes in value, including the periodic amounts of interest to be paid or received on swap agreements, are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements. Upon entering into a centrally cleared swap, a fund is required to deposit cash or securities (initial margin) with a financial intermediary in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the notional amount. Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received daily, in cash, by a fund. The variation margin is equal to the daily change in the value and is a component of unrealized gains and losses. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon receipt or payment of a periodic settlement or termination of swap agreements. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of swap agreements are a component of net realized gain (loss) on swap agreement transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements, respectively. The risks of entering into swap agreements include the possible lack of liquidity, failure of the counterparty to meet its obligations, and that there may be unfavorable changes in the underlying investments or instruments, including inflationary risk. The fund's average notional amount held during the period was $11,000,000.


48


Value of Derivative Instruments as of October 31, 2018
 
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Foreign Currency Risk
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
11,125

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
159

Interest Rate Risk
Receivable for variation margin on futures contracts*

Payable for variation margin on futures contracts*
31,219

 
 
$
11,125

 
$
31,378


* Included in the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, as reported in the Schedule of Investments.

Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the Year Ended October 31, 2018
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation)
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Credit Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on swap agreement transactions
$
13,102

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements
$
(9,031
)
Foreign Currency Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
21,529

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
(1,706
)
Interest Rate Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contract transactions
(418,349
)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts
10,203

Other Contracts
Net realized gain (loss) on swap agreement transactions
86,558

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on swap agreements
161,871

 
 
$
(297,160
)
 
$
161,337


8. Risk Factors

The fund’s investment process may result in high portfolio turnover, which could mean high transaction costs, affecting both performance and capital gains tax liabilities to investors.

9. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
24,785,618

$
13,135,667

Long-term capital gains
$
26,277,206

$
7,627,767


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 






49


As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
808,400,218

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
121,365,589

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(29,866,363
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
91,499,226

Net tax appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(645
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
91,498,581

Other book-to-tax adjustments
$
(25,698
)
Undistributed ordinary income
$
10,973,441

Accumulated long-term gains

$
37,669,850


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales. Other book-to-tax adjustments are attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on straddle positions.

10. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08, “Receivables - Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs (Subtopic 310-20), Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities” (ASU 2017-08). ASU 2017-08 amends the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening such period to the earliest call date. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Management is currently evaluating the impact that adopting ASU 2017-08 will have on the financial statements.

50


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value, End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$19.31
0.25
0.09
0.34
(0.25)
(0.85)
(1.10)
$18.55
1.72%
0.90%
1.32%
115%

$798,120

2017
$17.39
0.26
2.10
2.36
(0.28)
(0.16)
(0.44)
$19.31
13.78%
0.91%
1.44%
112%

$814,569

2016
$17.91
0.25
0.26
0.51
(0.26)
(0.77)
(1.03)
$17.39
3.14%
0.90%
1.44%
104%

$754,957

2015
$19.38
0.26
(0.08)
0.18
(0.28)
(1.37)
(1.65)
$17.91
0.98%
0.90%
1.43%
94%

$789,209

2014
$19.19
0.25
1.66
1.91
(0.28)
(1.44)
(1.72)
$19.38
10.76%
0.90%
1.36%
64%

$815,636

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$19.32
0.29
0.09
0.38
(0.29)
(0.85)
(1.14)
$18.56
1.92%
0.70%
1.52%
115%

$62,077

2017
$17.40
0.30
2.09
2.39
(0.31)
(0.16)
(0.47)
$19.32
13.99%
0.71%
1.64%
112%

$73,385

2016
$17.92
0.28
0.27
0.55
(0.30)
(0.77)
(1.07)
$17.40
3.35%
0.70%
1.64%
104%

$58,915

2015
$19.39
0.30
(0.09)
0.21
(0.31)
(1.37)
(1.68)
$17.92
1.19%
0.70%
1.63%
94%

$54,230

2014
$19.20
0.29
1.65
1.94
(0.31)
(1.44)
(1.75)
$19.39
10.98%
0.70%
1.56%
64%

$49,009

R5 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$19.32
0.30
0.08
0.38
(0.29)
(0.85)
(1.14)
$18.56
1.93%
0.70%
1.52%
115%

$2,574

2017(3)
$18.18
0.17
1.14
1.31
(0.17)
(0.17)
$19.32
7.21%
0.71%(4)
1.66%(4)
112%(5)

$5




Notes to Financial Highlights
 
 
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Balanced Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Balanced Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

53


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


54


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

55


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)






56


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




57


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the one- and ten-year periods and below its benchmark for the three- and five-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.

58


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was below the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

59



Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


60


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



61


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $8,631,542, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $26,277,206, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $12,701,793 as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.




62


Notes
























































63


Notes



















































64






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
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1-800-345-8765
 
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or 816-531-5575
 
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1-800-378-9878
 
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American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90968 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Capital Value Fund
 
Investor Class (ACTIX)
 
I Class (ACPIX)
 
A Class (ACCVX)







Table of Contents
President’s Letter
2
Performance
3
Portfolio Commentary
Fund Characteristics
Shareholder Fee Example
Schedule of Investments
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Notes to Financial Statements
Financial Highlights
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Management
Approval of Management Agreement
Additional Information





















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Inception
Date
Investor Class
ACTIX
2.01%
7.75%
10.29%
3/31/99
Russell 1000 Value Index
3.03%
8.60%
11.29%
I Class
ACPIX
2.11%
7.95%
10.52%
3/1/02
A Class
ACCVX
 
 
 
5/14/03
No sales charge
 
1.63%
7.47%
10.03%
 
With sales charge
 
-4.20%
6.20%
9.39%
 
Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived. Prior to March 1, 2010, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class and did not have a front-end sales charge. Performance prior to that date has been adjusted to reflect this charge.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.


























Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-7aebeb33de1e5a21ab9.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $26,632
 
 
Russell 1000 Value Index — $29,170
 
Ending value of Investor Class would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
A Class
1.11%
0.91%
1.36%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.
















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary

Portfolio Managers: Brian Woglom and Phil Sundell

Portfolio manager Brendan Healy retired from American Century Investments in April 2018. In May 2018, Phil Sundell joined Capital Value's management team.

Performance Summary

Capital Value returned 2.01%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. The fund’s benchmark, the Russell 1000 Value Index, returned 3.03% for the same time period. The fund’s return reflects operating expenses, while the index’s return does not.

The portfolio’s holdings in the financials sector, particularly in the capital markets and insurance industries, were key drivers of the portfolio’s underperformance. Our underweight to communication services and individual positions in the industrials, energy, and utilities sectors also detracted from relative results. Conversely, our overweight and security selection in the health care sector positively impacted performance. Holdings in the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors were also beneficial.

Financials Sector Pressured Relative Returns

A number of holdings in the financials sector pressured the fund’s 12-month results, including Chubb and Invesco. Chubb, an insurance company, underperformed on concerns over an increase in loss costs in certain segments of the commercial insurance space. The company is globally diversified, however, minimizing its exposure to any one segment. Furthermore, Chubb has been pulling back from businesses that it believes are not offering adequate returns. Asset manager Invesco declined due to disappointing net flows and a reduction in earnings estimates caused by lower fee rates. Its stock was also pressured by rumors that Invesco would acquire OppenheimerFunds.

Our underweight to communication services also weighed on performance. As bottom-up investors, our analysis leads us to believe that many securities in the sector have relatively volatile business models and leveraged balance sheets due to an increase in acquisitions within the sector. We have therefore identified a limited number of communication services stocks that meet our investment criteria.

Within the industrials sector, Johnson Controls International and General Electric (GE) were key detractors. Toward the beginning of the reporting period, Johnson Controls, a building products company, declined after providing disappointing 2018 guidance. Management detailed profitability and growth challenges as well as an unexpected tax headwind that would pressure free cash flow. Industrial conglomerate GE fell due to weak earnings, worse-than-expected cash flow generation results, a 50% dividend cut, and on concerns over deteriorating operating performance at GE Power. As the company’s long-term prospects became more uncertain and financial pressures mounted, we trimmed our position in GE.

Energy and utilities were other areas of weakness. While our overweight to energy was beneficial to performance, Schlumberger was a top individual detractor. The global oilfield services company underperformed as investors became concerned that the company’s oil production business could raise the overall risk profile of the company. Additionally, the stock was pressured by concerns that

*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund's benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.

5


the company’s profitability could be pressured by softening in the North American hydraulic fracturing market and by a delayed recovery in margins in the company’s non-U.S. operations. Utilities stocks PG&E and Edison International also declined. Both stocks were pressured by media reports linking their equipment to wildfires in California, creating liability concerns. PG&E’s stock was hurt further after the company proactively suspended its dividend to build its cash reserve until liabilities could be determined. We subsequently eliminated our position in PG&E.

While stock selection within the information technology sector was beneficial overall, Applied Materials was a key individual detractor from performance. The stock of this semiconductor company declined due to a slowdown in foundry and memory equipment orders. However, we believe Applied Materials continues to provide technology leadership, high market share, and broad product offerings.
 
Health Care, Consumer Discretionary, and Information Technology Holdings Contributed

The portfolio’s overweight and holdings in the health care sector aided the fund’s relative return. Hospital company HCA Healthcare was a top individual contributor. Its stock rose significantly after HCA reported strong quarterly results, due in part to better-than-expected admissions and price. The stock was also buoyed by news that competitor LifePoint Health would be acquired at a significant premium. Pfizer’s stock also rose considerably. The pharmaceutical company reported solid data on Tafamidis, its cardiomyopathy drug, and benefited from investors’ rotation into biopharmaceuticals.

Advance Auto Parts was another key contributor. This consumer discretionary holding reported strong quarterly results and raised its full-year guidance due to margin improvement and stronger-than-expected same-store sales trends. This indicated to investors that the company’s turnaround plan is starting to show signs of effectiveness.

Within the information technology sector, Cisco Systems outperformed after reporting strong quarterly earnings results. Revenues for Cisco’s campus and data center switches exceeded expectations due to a new product cycle and higher information technology infrastructure spending. Also, tax reform gives Cisco access to its cash outside of the U.S.

Portfolio Positioning

We continue to be bottom-up investment managers, evaluating each company individually and building our portfolio one stock at a time. We use our fundamental analysis, risk/reward framework, and proprietary valuation model to invest primarily in the stocks of large companies that we believe to be undervalued.

As of October 31, 2018, the portfolio’s largest sector overweights are in health care and energy. In the health care sector, notable industry overweights are in the pharmaceuticals and health care equipment and supplies industries, where we have identified higher-quality companies with strong fundamentals and compelling risk/reward profiles. In energy, we believe we hold well-managed, higher-quality companies with strong balance sheets and attractive valuations. Our sector underweights include real estate and utilities; our valuation work continues to show that many stocks in those sectors are overvalued. Additionally, we believe rising interest rates present a headwind to those sectors. We are also underweight in the communication services sector because we have identified a limited number of stocks in the sector that meet our investment criteria.

6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Pfizer, Inc.
3.7%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
3.5%
Johnson & Johnson
3.2%
Wells Fargo & Co.
3.2%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
3.0%
Chevron Corp.
3.0%
Merck & Co., Inc.
2.7%
Bank of America Corp.
2.6%
Oracle Corp. (New York)
2.5%
TOTAL SA
2.5%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Banks
14.9%
Pharmaceuticals
11.9%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
11.6%
Health Care Equipment and Supplies
5.8%
Health Care Providers and Services
4.8%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Domestic Common Stocks
92.7%
Foreign Common Stocks*
6.3%
Total Common Stocks
99.0%
Temporary Cash Investments
1.0%
Other Assets and Liabilities
—**
*Includes depositary shares, dual listed securities and foreign ordinary shares.
**Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.


7


Shareholder Fee Example

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,008.20
$5.06
1.00%
I Class
$1,000
$1,008.20
$4.05
0.80%
A Class
$1,000
$1,005.90
$6.32
1.25%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.16
$5.09
1.00%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.17
$4.08
0.80%
A Class
$1,000
$1,018.90
$6.36
1.25%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 99.0%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 1.4%
 
 
Textron, Inc.
9,250

$
496,078

United Technologies Corp.
11,740

1,458,225

 
 
1,954,303

Air Freight and Logistics — 0.3%
 
 
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B
4,070

433,618

Airlines — 0.7%
 
 
Alaska Air Group, Inc.
7,120

437,310

Southwest Airlines Co.
9,480

465,468

 
 
902,778

Auto Components — 0.9%
 
 
Aptiv plc
4,170

320,256

BorgWarner, Inc.
14,700

579,327

Delphi Technologies plc
17,130

367,267

 
 
1,266,850

Banks — 14.9%
 
 
Bank of America Corp.
130,600

3,591,500

BB&T Corp.
23,090

1,135,104

Citigroup, Inc.
29,015

1,899,322

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
44,260

4,825,225

KeyCorp
20,520

372,643

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)
11,535

1,482,132

U.S. Bancorp
52,980

2,769,265

Wells Fargo & Co.
82,190

4,374,974

 
 
20,450,165

Beverages — 0.8%
 
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
9,540

1,072,105

Biotechnology — 1.2%
 
 
Amgen, Inc.
8,475

1,633,895

Building Products — 1.1%
 
 
Johnson Controls International plc
47,745

1,526,408

Capital Markets — 3.5%
 
 
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
4,820

613,297

BlackRock, Inc.
2,920

1,201,346

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)
3,100

698,647

Invesco Ltd.
28,265

613,633

Morgan Stanley
18,535

846,308

State Street Corp.
13,310

915,063

 
 
4,888,294

Chemicals — 1.2%
 
 
DowDuPont, Inc.
25,300

1,364,176


10


 
Shares
Value
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A
3,680

$
328,514

 
 
1,692,690

Communications Equipment — 3.0%
 
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
89,815

4,109,036

Containers and Packaging — 0.5%
 
 
WestRock Co.
15,445

663,672

Diversified Financial Services — 0.8%
 
 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(1) 
5,655

1,160,858

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.4%
 
 
AT&T, Inc.
54,555

1,673,748

Verizon Communications, Inc.
51,715

2,952,409

 
 
4,626,157

Electric Utilities — 2.9%
 
 
Edison International
12,765

885,763

Eversource Energy
16,365

1,035,250

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.
6,625

544,906

Xcel Energy, Inc.
31,385

1,538,179

 
 
4,004,098

Electrical Equipment — 1.2%
 
 
Eaton Corp. plc
16,530

1,184,705

Hubbell, Inc.
4,725

480,533

 
 
1,665,238

Energy Equipment and Services — 2.6%
 
 
Baker Hughes a GE Co.
36,555

975,653

Schlumberger Ltd.
50,240

2,577,814

 
 
3,553,467

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 0.5%
 
 
American Tower Corp.
3,110

484,569

Weyerhaeuser Co.
7,845

208,912

 
 
693,481

Food and Staples Retailing — 1.8%
 
 
Walmart, Inc.
24,250

2,431,790

Food Products — 2.4%
 
 
Kellogg Co.
17,575

1,150,811

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A
50,590

2,123,768

 
 
3,274,579

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 5.8%
 
 
Abbott Laboratories
25,975

1,790,717

Medtronic plc
37,240

3,344,897

Siemens Healthineers AG(1) 
20,150

835,090

Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc.
17,570

1,995,776

 
 
7,966,480

Health Care Providers and Services — 4.8%
 
 
Aetna, Inc.
4,080

809,472

Anthem, Inc.
3,990

1,099,524

Cardinal Health, Inc.
11,455

579,623

CVS Health Corp.
22,410

1,622,260


11


 
Shares
Value
HCA Healthcare, Inc.
13,310

$
1,777,285

McKesson Corp.
6,220

776,007

 
 
6,664,171

Household Products — 2.6%
 
 
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
6,710

699,853

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
32,070

2,843,968

 
 
3,543,821

Industrial Conglomerates — 1.2%
 
 
General Electric Co.
80,300

811,030

Siemens AG
6,865

790,939

 
 
1,601,969

Insurance — 4.3%
 
 
Allstate Corp. (The)
7,070

676,740

American International Group, Inc.
13,590

561,131

Chubb Ltd.
21,370

2,669,327

MetLife, Inc.
23,980

987,736

Principal Financial Group, Inc.
5,640

265,475

Prudential Financial, Inc.
8,370

784,939

 
 
5,945,348

Machinery — 1.3%
 
 
IMI plc
41,965

533,447

Ingersoll-Rand plc
8,820

846,191

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
3,620

421,802

 
 
1,801,440

Multi-Utilities — 0.4%
 
 
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
7,880

538,992

Multiline Retail — 0.6%
 
 
Target Corp.
10,615

887,732

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 11.6%
 
 
Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
17,240

917,168

Chevron Corp.
36,400

4,064,060

ConocoPhillips
15,005

1,048,849

Exxon Mobil Corp.
21,485

1,711,925

Noble Energy, Inc.
34,690

862,047

Occidental Petroleum Corp.
31,575

2,117,735

Royal Dutch Shell plc, Class B ADR
28,930

1,900,990

TOTAL SA
57,730

3,397,556

 
 
16,020,330

Pharmaceuticals — 11.9%
 
 
Allergan plc
6,125

967,811

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
23,155

1,170,254

Johnson & Johnson
31,515

4,411,785

Merck & Co., Inc.
50,850

3,743,068

Pfizer, Inc.
116,880

5,032,853

Roche Holding AG
4,475

1,089,036

 
 
16,414,807


12


 
Shares
Value
Road and Rail — 0.5%
 
 
Union Pacific Corp.
4,650

$
679,923

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 3.0%
 
 
Applied Materials, Inc.
26,155

859,977

Intel Corp.
39,765

1,864,183

Microchip Technology, Inc.
4,530

297,983

QUALCOMM, Inc.
16,790

1,055,923

 
 
4,078,066

Software — 2.5%
 
 
Oracle Corp. (New York)
70,320

3,434,429

Specialty Retail — 1.8%
 
 
Advance Auto Parts, Inc.
7,500

1,198,200

AutoZone, Inc.(1) 
720

528,098

L Brands, Inc.
12,600

408,492

Lowe's Cos., Inc.
4,055

386,117

 
 
2,520,907

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 0.7%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
4,650

1,017,699

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 0.6%
 
 
Ralph Lauren Corp.
3,475

450,395

Tapestry, Inc.
7,960

336,787

 
 
787,182

Tobacco — 0.3%
 
 
Altria Group, Inc.
5,775

375,606

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $92,607,752)
 
136,282,384

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 1.0%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $958,031), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $938,631)
 
938,579

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 5/15/45, valued at $480,505), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $469,014)
 
469,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
1,483

1,483

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $1,409,062)
 
1,409,062

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.0%
(Cost $94,016,814)
 
137,691,446

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  
 
(49,774
)
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
137,641,672



13


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
 
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CHF
31,504

USD
32,010

UBS AG
12/31/18
$
(534
)
CHF
38,664

USD
38,992

UBS AG
12/31/18
(363
)
USD
36,870

CHF
36,516

UBS AG
12/31/18
387

USD
21,609

CHF
21,659

UBS AG
12/31/18
(31
)
USD
888,864

CHF
846,670

UBS AG
12/31/18
42,954

USD
25,640

CHF
25,239

UBS AG
12/31/18
424

EUR
111,842

USD
129,233

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(1,846
)
EUR
152,579

USD
177,522

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(3,735
)
EUR
97,863

USD
112,102

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(637
)
USD
4,384,122

EUR
3,701,549

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
168,094

USD
131,150

EUR
112,209

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
3,345

GBP
70,474

USD
93,022

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(2,653
)
GBP
69,293

USD
89,527

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(672
)
USD
1,950,447

GBP
1,466,744

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
69,629

USD
67,096

GBP
50,653

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
2,144

USD
126,299

GBP
95,906

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
3,319

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
279,825


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
ADR
-
American Depositary Receipt
CHF
-
Swiss Franc
EUR
-
Euro
GBP
-
British Pound
USD
-
United States Dollar
† Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.
(1)
Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

14


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $94,016,814)
$
137,691,446

Receivable for capital shares sold
3,219

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
290,296

Dividends and interest receivable
148,882

 
138,133,843

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
274,934

Payable for capital shares redeemed
85,635

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
10,471

Accrued management fees
120,480

Distribution and service fees payable
651

 
492,171

 
 
Net Assets
$
137,641,672

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
90,219,542

Distributable earnings
47,422,130

 
$
137,641,672


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value

$132,588,316

15,384,654

$8.62
I Class, $0.01 Par Value

$2,096,000

242,276

$8.65
A Class, $0.01 Par Value

$2,957,356

344,578

$8.58*
*Maximum offering price $9.10 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.

15


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $36,072)
$
3,867,071

Interest
20,494

 
3,887,565

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
1,620,402

Distribution and service fees - A Class
9,413

Directors' fees and expenses
3,288

 
1,633,103

Fees waived(1)
(147,743
)
 
1,485,360

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
2,402,205

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
2,482,104

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
282,515

Foreign currency translation transactions
(1,182
)
 
2,763,437

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(2,049,980
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
145,049

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(485
)
 
(1,905,416
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
858,021

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
3,260,226


(1)
Amount consists of $141,592, $2,386 and $3,765 for Investor Class, I Class and A Class, respectively.


See Notes to Financial Statements.

16


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
2,402,205

$
2,701,441

Net realized gain (loss)
2,763,437

14,344,889

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(1,905,416
)
6,707,469

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
3,260,226

23,753,799

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:(1)
 
 
Investor Class
(15,003,404
)
(11,736,641
)
I Class
(282,306
)
(173,641
)
A Class
(379,836
)
(370,652
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(15,665,546
)
(12,280,934
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
(2,336,826
)
943,959

 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
(14,742,146
)
12,416,824

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
152,383,818

139,966,994

End of period
$
137,641,672

$
152,383,818


(1)
Prior period presentation has been updated to reflect the current period combination of distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains. Distributions from net investment income were $(2,191,476), $(35,875), and $(59,449) for Investor Class, I Class and A Class, respectively. Distributions from net realized gains were $(9,545,165), $(137,766), $(311,203) for Investor Class, I Class and A Class, respectively.


See Notes to Financial Statements.

17


Notes to Financial Statements 

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Capital Value Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class and A Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge and may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge.
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 
The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of

18


Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may elect to treat a portion of its payment to a redeeming shareholder, which represents the pro rata share of undistributed net investment income and net realized gains, as a distribution for federal income tax purposes (tax equalization).

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

19



3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets). During the period ended October 31, 2018, the investment advisor agreed to waive 0.10% of the fund's management fee. The investment advisor expects this waiver to continue until July 31, 2019 and cannot terminate it prior to such date without the approval of the Board of Directors.

The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee before and after waiver for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018, are as follows:
 
 
Effective Annual Management Fee
 
Management Fee
Schedule Range
Before Waiver
After Waiver
Investor Class
0.900% to 1.100%
1.10%
1.00%
I Class
0.700% to 0.900%
0.90%
0.80%
A Class
0.900% to 1.100%
1.10%
1.00%

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan (the plan) for the A Class, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plan provides that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on the A Class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plan during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.

Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $250,306 and $195,362, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $(65,646) in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 

20


4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $25,114,746 and $39,063,984, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
180,000,000

 
180,000,000

 
Sold
680,332

$
6,099,662

1,153,110

$
10,522,431

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
1,625,614

14,207,863

1,257,615

11,104,738

Redeemed
(2,402,247
)
(21,407,797
)
(2,277,001
)
(20,744,578
)
 
(96,301
)
(1,100,272
)
133,724

882,591

I Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
63,598

555,668

151,082

1,380,796

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
17,238

151,008

12,824

113,359

Redeemed
(168,691
)
(1,517,600
)
(53,781
)
(491,331
)
 
(87,855
)
(810,924
)
110,125

1,002,824

A Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold
120,799

1,076,313

156,156

1,420,499

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
43,164

376,394

41,700

367,377

Redeemed
(212,835
)
(1,878,337
)
(301,198
)
(2,729,332
)
 
(48,872
)
(425,630
)
(103,342
)
(941,456
)
Net increase (decrease)
(233,028
)
$
(2,336,826
)
140,507

$
943,959


6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 

21


The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
129,636,316

$
6,646,068


Temporary Cash Investments
1,483

1,407,579


 
$
129,637,799

$
8,053,647


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
290,296


      
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
10,471



7. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $7,699,996.
 
The value of foreign currency risk derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018, is disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset of $290,296 in unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and a liability of $10,471 in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the effect of foreign currency risk derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations was $282,515 in net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and $145,049 in change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

8. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions.


22


9. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
2,258,549

$
2,286,800

Long-term capital gains
$
13,406,997

$
9,994,134


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 
As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
94,602,575

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
45,916,156

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(2,827,285
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
43,088,871

Net tax appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives and translation of assets and liabilities
in foreign currencies
(485
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
43,088,386

Undistributed ordinary income
$
2,094,098

Accumulated long-term gains
$
2,239,646


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.


23


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From
Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$9.40
0.14
0.06
0.20
(0.14)
(0.84)
(0.98)
$8.62
2.01%
1.00%
1.10%
1.63%
1.53%
17%

$132,588

2017
$8.71
0.16
1.29
1.45
(0.14)
(0.62)
(0.76)
$9.40
17.24%
1.01%
1.11%
1.76%
1.66%
26%

$145,583

2016
$9.05
0.14
0.21
0.35
(0.14)
(0.55)
(0.69)
$8.71
4.36%
1.00%
1.10%
1.72%
1.62%
45%

$133,732

2015
$9.71
0.12
(0.08)
0.04
(0.13)
(0.57)
(0.70)
$9.05
0.61%
1.00%
1.10%
1.28%
1.18%
31%

$143,698

2014
$8.51
0.12
1.20
1.32
(0.12)
(0.12)
$9.71
15.68%
1.00%
1.10%
1.32%
1.22%
31%

$151,715

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$9.44
0.16
0.05
0.21
(0.16)
(0.84)
(1.00)
$8.65
2.11%
0.80%
0.90%
1.83%
1.73%
17%

$2,096

2017
$8.74
0.18
1.30
1.48
(0.16)
(0.62)
(0.78)
$9.44
17.55%
0.81%
0.91%
1.96%
1.86%
26%

$3,116

2016
$9.08
0.16
0.21
0.37
(0.16)
(0.55)
(0.71)
$8.74
4.67%
0.80%
0.90%
1.92%
1.82%
45%

$1,924

2015
$9.74
0.14
(0.08)
0.06
(0.15)
(0.57)
(0.72)
$9.08
0.72%
0.80%
0.90%
1.48%
1.38%
31%

$3,071

2014
$8.54
0.14
1.20
1.34
(0.14)
(0.14)
$9.74
15.86%
0.80%
0.90%
1.52%
1.42%
31%

$3,019




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From
Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$9.37
0.12
0.05
0.17
(0.12)
(0.84)
(0.96)
$8.58
1.63%
1.25%
1.35%
1.38%
1.28%
17%

$2,957

2017
$8.68
0.13
1.30
1.43
(0.12)
(0.62)
(0.74)
$9.37
16.99%
1.26%
1.36%
1.51%
1.41%
26%

$3,685

2016
$9.01
0.12
0.22
0.34
(0.12)
(0.55)
(0.67)
$8.68
4.21%
1.25%
1.35%
1.47%
1.37%
45%

$4,312

2015
$9.67
0.09
(0.07)
0.02
(0.11)
(0.57)
(0.68)
$9.01
0.34%
1.25%
1.35%
1.03%
0.93%
31%

$4,504

2014
$8.48
0.10
1.19
1.29
(0.10)
(0.10)
$9.67
15.32%
1.25%
1.35%
1.07%
0.97%
31%

$4,107

Notes to Financial Highlights
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.


See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Capital Value Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Capital Value Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

26


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


27


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

28


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





29


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




30


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the five- and ten-year periods and below its benchmark for the one- and three-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.

31



Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was above the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe and was within the range of its peer expense group. The Board and the Advisor agreed to a temporary reduction of

32


the Fund's annual unified management fee of 0.10% (e.g., the Investor Class unified fee will be reduced from 1.10% to 1.00%) for at least one year, beginning August 1, 2018. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


33


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



34


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $2,258,549, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $13,600,805, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund utilized earnings and profits of $416,192 distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction (tax equalization).


35


Notes



36






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
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1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
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1-800-378-9878
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
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American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90972 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Growth Fund
 
Investor Class (TWCGX)
 
I Class (TWGIX)
 
Y Class (AGYWX)
 
A Class (TCRAX)
 
C Class (TWRCX)
 
R Class (AGWRX)
 
R5 Class (AGWUX)
 
R6 Class (AGRDX)







Table of Contents
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information






















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWCGX
10.22%
11.99%
13.72%
6/30/71
Russell 1000 Growth Index
10.71%
13.43%
15.45%
I Class
TWGIX
10.46%
12.22%
13.94%
6/16/97
Y Class
AGYWX
10.61%
16.63%
4/10/17
A Class
TCRAX
 
 
 
 
6/4/97
No sales charge
 
9.94%
11.71%
13.44%
 
With sales charge
 
3.62%
10.40%
12.77%
 
C Class
TWRCX
9.12%
10.88%
11.82%
3/1/10
R Class
AGWRX
9.66%
11.43%
13.15%
8/29/03
R5 Class
AGWUX
10.45%
16.45%
4/10/17
R6 Class
AGRDX
10.60%
12.38%
13.23%
7/26/13
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available. Although the fund’s actual inception date was October 31, 1958, the Investor Class inception date corresponds with the investment advisor’s implementation of its current investment philosophy and practices. Prior to March 1, 2010, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class and did not have a front-end sales charge. Performance prior to that date has been adjusted to reflect this charge.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.














Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-0719dba9ce255eb59b7.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $36,189
 
 
Russell 1000 Growth Index — $42,082
 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
Y Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
R5 Class
R6 Class
0.98%
0.78%
0.63%
1.23%
1.98%
1.48%
0.78%
0.63%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary

Portfolio Managers: Gregory Woodhams and Justin Brown

Performance Summary

Growth returned 10.22%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, lagging the 10.71% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices posted solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp drop in the final month of the fund’s fiscal year. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across the capitalization spectrum, providing a tailwind for the fund. Within the Russell 1000 Growth Index, all sectors but materials, energy, and communication services posted gains. The small utilities segmenta sector that rarely offers the kind of growth characteristics we seekreported the top total return, but index gains were largely driven by the strong performance of information technology and consumer discretionary stocks.

Stock selection in the information technology sector was a significant source of underperformance relative to the benchmark. Stock choices among communication services companies and an overweight to the sector also detracted. Health care, consumer discretionary, and industrials were the fund’s top-contributing sectors, primarily due to stock selection.

Information Technology Stocks Led Detractors

Software and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment stocks were significant detractors in the information technology sector. Applied Materials was a major detractor. The semiconductor equipment maker reported a solid quarter, but memory pricing is worsening, and there’s a concern that reduced 2019 capital spending will impact the industry. We believe the company’s business model offers less cyclicality and more secular growth than in previous cycles and therefore see upside potential. Underweighting Apple detracted. At the end of July, the company reported strong quarterly revenues and earnings. iPhones continued to generate strong revenues. The market also expects strong sales of the new iPhones and other products that were announced in September.

Stock choices in the entertainment industry led underperformance in communication services, a sector introduced at the end of September 2018 comprising stocks previously in a range of other sectors. Detractors in the sector included underweighting Netflix relative to the benchmark. Netflix saw its stock price climb for most of the period as a result of expectations for solid user growth, particularly overseas, powered by new streaming content. The social media giant Facebook reported disappointing revenue and user growth. Investors also worried about regulatory risk and privacy concerns in the wake of a security breach that compromised some user accounts. We believe the stock offers strong free cash flow and has significant ongoing growth potential.

Other significant detractors included Royal Caribbean Cruises. Increased fuel prices coupled with adverse currency moves led to reductions in earnings estimates, hurting the stock price. In addition, investors continued to be concerned about capacity additions.

Health Care Holdings Aided Performance

Health care equipment and supplies companies led performance in the health care sector. Medical device maker Edwards Lifesciences soared on rumors that it might be a takeover target. The


*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund’s benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.

5


company has been a solid performer based on strong sales of its heart valve replacement device, and the market for the device has broadened beyond major medical centers.

Stock choices among internet and direct marketing retailers benefited performance in the consumer discretionary sector. Online retailer Amazon.com was a significant contributor. The company continued to demonstrate growth in its Amazon Web Services cloud business as well as strong performance on the e-commerce side. Among multiline retailers, Target was a top contributor, aided by strong 2017 holiday sales. Target also benefited from strong economic growth and improved consumer confidence.

Palo Alto Networks was another key contributor. Quarterly results for the enterprise security company highlighted improved sales execution and traction with its refreshed product line. Coupled with margin expansion, we think Palo Alto should deliver attractive cash-flow growth. The Boeing Co. outperformed as the aerospace and defense company logged new orders. Boeing also stands to benefit from the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

Outlook

We believe stock selection—rather than sector allocation or market timing via the use of cash—is the most efficient means of generating superior risk-adjusted returns. As a result of this approach, the portfolio’s sector and industry selection, as well as capitalization range allocations, are primarily due to identifying what we believe to be superior individual securities.

As we noted earlier, at the end of September index provider FTSE Russell introduced the communication services sector. At the same time, Russell eliminated telecommunication services, a sector where the portfolio had no holdings. Communication services includes stocks of companies that had previously been in a range of other sectors. For example, portfolio holdings Facebook and Google parent Alphabet, which had been included in the information technology sector, are now part of communication services. As a result of Russell’s sector shifts, communication services represented the portfolio’s largest overweight relative to the benchmark, and information technology ended the period as our largest underweight sector.





6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Alphabet, Inc., Class A
8.1%
Microsoft Corp.
8.0%
Amazon.com, Inc.
6.9%
Apple, Inc.
5.4%
Visa, Inc., Class A
4.8%
Facebook, Inc., Class A
3.9%
Boeing Co. (The)
3.3%
Lockheed Martin Corp.
2.4%
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
2.1%
Broadcom, Inc.
2.1%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Interactive Media and Services
12.5%
Software
9.9%
IT Services
7.8%
Internet and Direct Marketing Retail
6.9%
Aerospace and Defense
5.7%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
99.1%
Temporary Cash Investments
0.8%
Other Assets and Liabilities
0.1%


7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,036.80
$4.98
0.97%
I Class
$1,000
$1,037.90
$3.96
0.77%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,038.80
$3.19
0.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,035.50
$6.26
1.22%
C Class
$1,000
$1,031.40
$10.09
1.97%
R Class
$1,000
$1,034.10
$7.54
1.47%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,037.90
$3.96
0.77%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,038.50
$3.19
0.62%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.32
$4.94
0.97%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.32
$3.92
0.77%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,022.08
$3.16
0.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,019.06
$6.21
1.22%
C Class
$1,000
$1,015.28
$10.01
1.97%
R Class
$1,000
$1,017.80
$7.48
1.47%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,021.32
$3.92
0.77%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,022.08
$3.16
0.62%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 99.1%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 5.7%
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
733,851

$
260,414,366

Lockheed Martin Corp.
668,071

196,312,663

 
 
456,727,029

Air Freight and Logistics — 1.1%
 
 
XPO Logistics, Inc.(1) 
961,630

85,950,489

Airlines — 1.7%
 
 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
2,470,514

135,211,231

Biotechnology — 2.8%
 
 
Biogen, Inc.(1) 
400,169

121,759,422

Exelixis, Inc.(1) 
1,607,807

22,300,283

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
471,337

79,872,768

 
 
223,932,473

Capital Markets — 1.7%
 
 
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
1,545,301

71,454,718

S&P Global, Inc.
350,708

63,941,083

 
 
135,395,801

Communications Equipment — 1.2%
 
 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1) 
541,192

99,059,784

Consumer Finance — 1.6%
 
 
American Express Co.
1,235,743

126,947,878

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 0.9%
 
 
CDW Corp.
818,537

73,676,515

Energy Equipment and Services — 0.5%
 
 
Halliburton Co.
1,224,937

42,480,815

Entertainment — 2.9%
 
 
Electronic Arts, Inc.(1) 
586,640

53,372,507

Liberty Media Corp-Liberty Formula One, Class C(1) 
629,512

20,824,257

Netflix, Inc.(1) 
363,108

109,578,732

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(1) 
333,098

42,926,340

 
 
226,701,836

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.4%
 
 
Equity Residential
1,007,337

65,436,612

SBA Communications Corp.(1) 
760,976

123,407,478

 
 
188,844,090

Food and Staples Retailing — 1.1%
 
 
Walmart, Inc.
908,754

91,129,851

Food Products — 1.3%
 
 
Mondelez International, Inc., Class A
2,428,951

101,967,363

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 4.2%
 
 
ABIOMED, Inc.(1) 
102,280

34,897,936

Boston Scientific Corp.(1) 
2,931,056

105,928,364


10


 
Shares
Value
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1) 
261,139

$
38,544,117

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(1) 
89,294

18,941,043

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(1) 
209,768

109,326,886

Penumbra, Inc.(1) 
207,441

28,211,976

 
 
335,850,322

Health Care Providers and Services — 2.9%
 
 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
1,104,401

103,935,178

Tivity Health, Inc.(1) 
673,539

23,176,477

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(1) 
383,984

105,975,744

 
 
233,087,399

Health Care Technology — 0.6%
 
 
Cerner Corp.(1) 
759,948

43,529,821

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 3.7%
 
 
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(1) 
93,910

43,229,590

Darden Restaurants, Inc.
199,584

21,265,675

Las Vegas Sands Corp.
1,267,020

64,656,031

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
1,545,796

161,891,215

 
 
291,042,511

Household Products — 1.6%
 
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
421,751

25,039,357

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
1,117,428

99,093,515

 
 
124,132,872

Interactive Media and Services — 12.5%
 
 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) 
590,716

644,223,055

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) 
2,040,942

309,794,586

Twitter, Inc.(1) 
1,205,513

41,891,577

 
 
995,909,218

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 6.9%
 
 
Amazon.com, Inc.(1) 
341,471

545,674,073

IT Services — 7.8%
 
 
Fiserv, Inc.(1) 
530,597

42,076,342

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1) 
1,978,870

166,601,065

VeriSign, Inc.(1) 
207,644

29,597,576

Visa, Inc., Class A
2,747,100

378,687,735

 
 
616,962,718

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 1.4%
 
 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
940,511

60,935,708

Illumina, Inc.(1) 
157,447

48,989,634

 
 
109,925,342

Machinery — 0.8%
 
 
WABCO Holdings, Inc.(1) 
584,615

62,816,882

Multiline Retail — 0.8%
 
 
Target Corp.
739,390

61,835,186

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.3%
 
 
Concho Resources, Inc.(1) 
762,016

105,988,805

Personal Products — 0.7%
 
 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A
382,101

52,515,961


11


 
Shares
Value
Pharmaceuticals — 0.9%
 
 
Novo Nordisk A/S, B Shares
472,794

$
20,449,530

Zoetis, Inc.
603,014

54,361,712

 
 
74,811,242

Road and Rail — 1.7%
 
 
Union Pacific Corp.
919,640

134,469,761

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 5.2%
 
 
Applied Materials, Inc.
3,472,702

114,182,442

ASML Holding NV
593,944

101,528,544

Broadcom, Inc.
736,670

164,638,378

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
705,786

35,303,416

 
 
415,652,780

Software — 9.9%
 
 
Microsoft Corp.
5,927,868

633,155,581

salesforce.com, Inc.(1) 
862,334

118,346,718

Splunk, Inc.(1) 
337,059

33,651,971

 
 
785,154,270

Specialty Retail — 2.0%
 
 
TJX Cos., Inc. (The)
1,422,057

156,255,623

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 5.4%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
1,980,227

433,392,481

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 2.2%
 
 
NIKE, Inc., Class B
1,301,082

97,633,194

Tapestry, Inc.
1,904,417

80,575,883

 
 
178,209,077

Tobacco — 1.7%
 
 
Altria Group, Inc.
2,136,291

138,944,367

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $5,414,820,385)
 
7,884,185,866

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 0.8%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $45,849,681), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $44,921,256)
 
44,918,761

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 11/15/44, valued at $22,934,519), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $22,482,656)
 
22,482,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
34,464

34,464

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $67,435,225)
 
67,435,225

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.9%
(Cost $5,482,255,610)
 
7,951,621,091

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.1%
 
6,524,091

TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
7,958,145,182



12


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
EUR
2,169,660

USD
2,507,595

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
$
(36,374
)
EUR
3,639,112

USD
4,240,948

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(96,035
)
EUR
1,952,758

USD
2,253,112

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(28,939
)
EUR
2,483,874

USD
2,845,277

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(16,170
)
EUR
2,726,203

USD
3,112,640

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(7,521
)
USD
86,647,585

EUR
73,157,243

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
3,322,203

USD
8,051,685

EUR
6,794,729

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
312,556

USD
2,648,824

EUR
2,288,005

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
42,808

USD
3,058,797

EUR
2,652,902

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
37,167

USD
2,925,168

EUR
2,554,553

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
15,557

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
3,545,252

NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
EUR
-
Euro
USD
-
United States Dollar
(1)
Non-income producing.



See Notes to Financial Statements.

13


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $5,482,255,610)
$
7,951,621,091

Receivable for investments sold
30,293,465

Receivable for capital shares sold
2,055,438

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
3,730,291

Dividends and interest receivable
1,486,451

 
7,989,186,736

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
21,662,109

Payable for capital shares redeemed
2,774,352

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
185,039

Accrued management fees
6,343,543

Distribution and service fees payable
76,511

 
31,041,554

 
 
Net Assets
$
7,958,145,182

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
4,659,841,630

Distributable earnings
3,298,303,552

 
$
7,958,145,182


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value

$5,627,170,713

161,058,755

$34.94
I Class, $0.01 Par Value

$1,230,065,178

34,563,289

$35.59
Y Class, $0.01 Par Value

$52,600,864

1,476,022

$35.64
A Class, $0.01 Par Value

$103,115,144

3,049,090

$33.82*
C Class, $0.01 Par Value

$9,871,164

306,721

$32.18
R Class, $0.01 Par Value

$100,914,549

3,056,085

$33.02
R5 Class, $0.01 Par Value

$404,186

11,348

$35.62
R6 Class, $0.01 Par Value

$834,003,384

23,432,001

$35.59
*Maximum offering price $35.88 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.

14


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $167,090)
$
92,467,026

Interest
699,235

 
93,166,261

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
76,249,055

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
284,996

C Class
103,489

R Class
548,284

Directors' fees and expenses
192,087

Other expenses
1,561

 
77,379,472

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
15,786,789

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
884,946,428

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
3,339,239

Futures contract transactions
(1,939,831
)
Foreign currency translation transactions
(44,940
)
 
886,300,896

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(66,262,894
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
1,913,675

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(34
)
 
(64,349,253
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
821,951,643

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
837,738,432



See Notes to Financial Statements.

15


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
15,786,789

$
24,105,022

Net realized gain (loss)
886,300,896

816,727,662

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(64,349,253
)
1,061,164,106

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
837,738,432

1,901,996,790

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:(1)
 
 
Investor Class
(539,577,340
)
(257,434,350
)
I Class
(111,540,568
)
(66,777,389
)
Y Class
(5,319,857
)

A Class
(10,572,457
)
(7,075,503
)
C Class
(989,243
)
(441,655
)
R Class
(10,340,531
)
(4,475,224
)
R5 Class
(554
)

R6 Class
(95,667,597
)
(21,709,244
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(774,008,147
)
(357,913,365
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
(273,310,818
)
(439,720,200
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
(209,580,533
)
1,104,363,225

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
8,167,725,715

7,063,362,490

End of period
$
7,958,145,182

$
8,167,725,715


(1)
Prior period presentation has been updated to reflect the current period combination of distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains. Distributions from net investment income were $(30,098,944), $(10,110,336), $(493,592), $(77,006) and $(3,809,345) for Investor Class, I Class, A Class, R Class and R6 Class, respectively. Distributions from net realized gains were $(227,335,406), $(56,667,053), $(6,581,911), $(441,655), $(4,398,218) and $(17,899,899) for Investor Class, I Class, A Class, C Class, R Class and R6 Class, respectively.


See Notes to Financial Statements.

16


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Growth Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, Y Class, A Class, C Class, R Class, R5 Class and R6 Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Sale of the Y Class and R5 Class commenced on April 10, 2017.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Fixed income securities are valued at the evaluated mean as provided by independent pricing services or at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices as provided by investment dealers. U.S. Treasury and Government Agency securities are valued using market models that consider trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, creditworthiness, trade data or market information on comparable securities, and other relevant security specific information.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Exchange-traded futures contracts are valued at the settlement price as provided by the appropriate exchange. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 

17


If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 
The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Segregated Assets — In accordance with the 1940 Act, the fund segregates assets on its books and records to cover certain types of investment securities and other financial instruments. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities segregated to ensure the fund designates a sufficient amount of liquid assets, marked-to-market daily. The fund may also receive assets or be required to pledge assets at the custodian bank or with a broker for collateral requirements.
 

18


Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may elect to treat a portion of its payment to a redeeming shareholder, which represents the pro rata share of undistributed net investment income and net realized gains, as a distribution for federal income tax purposes (tax equalization).
 
Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC. Various funds issued by American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. own, in aggregate, 5% of the shares of the fund.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets). The strategy assets of the fund also include the assets of NT Growth Fund, one fund in a series issued by the corporation.


19


The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
Management Fee Schedule Range
Effective Annual Management Fee
Investor Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
I Class
0.600% to 0.790%
0.77%
Y Class
0.450% to 0.640%
0.62%
A Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
C Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
R Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
R5 Class
0.600% to 0.790%
0.77%
R6 Class
0.450% to 0.640%
0.62%

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 
Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $12,441,328 and $67,552,473, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $13,667,617 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $3,196,230,204 and $4,277,106,657, respectively.



20


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
1,500,000,000

 
1,500,000,000

 
Sold
7,149,005

$
251,093,984

11,403,461

$
358,006,508

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
15,758,217

521,754,577

8,815,428

249,564,765

Redeemed
(23,572,021
)
(840,580,951
)
(37,349,836
)
(1,171,385,793
)
 
(664,799
)
(67,732,390
)
(17,130,947
)
(563,814,520
)
I Class/Shares Authorized
400,000,000

 
400,000,000

 
Sold
8,689,683

319,033,553

8,934,676

287,954,459

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
3,275,221

110,276,696

2,309,948

66,411,012

Redeemed
(13,203,233
)
(475,301,714
)
(20,028,587
)
(613,188,444
)
 
(1,238,329
)
(45,991,465
)
(8,783,963
)
(258,822,973
)
Y Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
175,148

6,384,121

1,689,777

56,076,451

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
158,000

5,319,857



Redeemed
(439,040
)
(15,970,415
)
(107,863
)
(3,653,822
)
 
(105,892
)
(4,266,437
)
1,581,914

52,422,629

A Class/Shares Authorized
120,000,000

 
120,000,000

 
Sold
774,352

26,596,791

708,516

21,112,032

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
265,742

8,535,632

225,286

6,211,139

Redeemed
(1,331,043
)
(45,936,465
)
(2,874,696
)
(87,213,286
)
 
(290,949
)
(10,804,042
)
(1,940,894
)
(59,890,115
)
C Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
53,487

1,746,172

56,427

1,636,645

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
27,606

849,166

12,938

345,575

Redeemed
(79,275
)
(2,613,979
)
(112,183
)
(3,314,908
)
 
1,818

(18,641
)
(42,818
)
(1,332,688
)
R Class/Shares Authorized
30,000,000

 
30,000,000

 
Sold
362,281

12,163,236

359,182

10,783,702

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
324,563

10,201,029

162,884

4,414,145

Redeemed
(766,150
)
(25,880,852
)
(912,178
)
(26,648,938
)
 
(79,306
)
(3,516,587
)
(390,112
)
(11,451,091
)
R5 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
14,877

524,263

162

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
16

554



Redeemed
(3,707
)
(136,747
)


 
11,186

388,070

162

5,000

R6 Class/Shares Authorized
300,000,000

 
300,000,000

 
Sold
3,111,009

111,232,000

17,057,639

512,455,239

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
2,844,710

95,667,597

756,156

21,709,244

Redeemed
(9,628,316
)
(348,268,923
)
(4,113,055
)
(131,000,925
)
 
(3,672,597
)
(141,369,326
)
13,700,740

403,163,558

Net increase (decrease)
(6,038,868
)
$
(273,310,818
)
(13,005,918
)
$
(439,720,200
)

(1)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the Y Class and R5 Class.


21


6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 
The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
7,762,207,792

$
121,978,074


Temporary Cash Investments
34,464

67,400,761


 
$
7,762,242,256

$
189,378,835


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
3,730,291


 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
185,039



7. Derivative Instruments

Equity Price Risk — The fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A fund may enter into futures contracts based on an equity index in order to manage its exposure to changes in market conditions. A fund may purchase futures contracts to gain exposure to increases in market value or sell futures contracts to protect against a decline in market value. Upon entering into a futures contract, a fund is required to deposit either cash or securities in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value (initial margin). Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received daily, in cash, by a fund. The variation margin is equal to the daily change in the contract value and is recorded as unrealized gains and losses. A fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed or expires. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of futures contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on futures contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, respectively. One of the risks of entering into futures contracts is the possibility that the change in value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in value of the underlying securities. During the period, the fund participated in equity price risk derivative instruments for temporary investment purposes.
 

22


Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $137,191,887.

Value of Derivative Instruments as of October 31, 2018
 
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Foreign Currency Risk
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
3,730,291

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
185,039


Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the Year Ended October 31, 2018
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation)
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Equity Price Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contract transactions
$
(1,939,831
)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts

Foreign Currency Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
3,339,239

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
1,913,675

 
 
$
1,399,408

 
$
1,913,675


8. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
166,784,392

$
44,589,223

Long-term capital gains
$
607,223,755

$
313,324,142


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 

23


As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
5,488,491,444

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
2,585,325,447

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(122,195,800
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
2,463,129,647

Net tax appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(158
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
2,463,129,489

Undistributed ordinary income
$
83,914,499

Accumulated long-term gains
$
751,259,564


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
 

24


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$34.93
0.04
3.35
3.39
(0.06)
(3.32)
(3.38)
$34.94
10.22%
0.97%
0.13%
38%

$5,627,171

2017
$28.64
0.08
7.67
7.75
(0.17)
(1.29)
(1.46)
$34.93
28.26%
0.98%
0.26%
48%

$5,648,965

2016
$30.57
0.16
(0.08)
0.08
(0.10)
(1.91)
(2.01)
$28.64
0.40%
0.98%
0.57%
36%

$5,122,550

2015
$35.39
0.10
2.34
2.44
(0.10)
(7.16)
(7.26)
$30.57
9.07%
0.97%
0.35%
49%

$5,952,798

2014
$33.10
0.11
4.22
4.33
(0.12)
(1.92)
(2.04)
$35.39
13.84%
0.97%
0.32%
103%

$6,021,115

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$35.52
0.12
3.40
3.52
(0.13)
(3.32)
(3.45)
$35.59
10.46%
0.77%
0.33%
38%

$1,230,065

2017
$29.11
0.15
7.78
7.93
(0.23)
(1.29)
(1.52)
$35.52
28.48%
0.78%
0.46%
48%

$1,271,821

2016
$31.03
0.23
(0.08)
0.15
(0.16)
(1.91)
(2.07)
$29.11
0.64%
0.78%
0.77%
36%

$1,297,685

2015
$35.83
0.17
2.36
2.53
(0.17)
(7.16)
(7.33)
$31.03
9.30%
0.77%
0.55%
49%

$1,723,219

2014
$33.49
0.18
4.27
4.45
(0.19)
(1.92)
(2.11)
$35.83
14.03%
0.77%
0.52%
103%

$2,482,606

Y Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$35.54
0.17
3.40
3.57
(0.15)
(3.32)
(3.47)
$35.64
10.61%
0.62%
0.48%
38%

$52,601

2017(3)
$30.93
0.08
4.53
4.61
$35.54
14.90%
0.63%(4)
0.43%(4)
48%(5)

$56,218




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$33.94
(0.04)
3.24
3.20
(3.32)
(3.32)
$33.82
9.94%
1.22%
(0.12)%
38%

$103,115

2017
$27.86
0.01
7.46
7.47
(0.10)
(1.29)
(1.39)
$33.94
27.95%
1.23%
0.01%
48%

$113,348

2016
$29.78
0.10
(0.08)
0.02
(0.03)
(1.91)
(1.94)
$27.86
0.18%
1.23%
0.32%
36%

$147,133

2015
$34.65
0.04
2.26
2.30
(0.01)
(7.16)
(7.17)
$29.78
8.78%
1.22%
0.10%
49%

$290,077

2014
$32.45
0.03
4.13
4.16
(0.04)
(1.92)
(1.96)
$34.65
13.53%
1.22%
0.07%
103%

$718,640

C Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$32.67
(0.29)
3.12
2.83
(3.32)
(3.32)
$32.18
9.12%
1.97%
(0.87)%
38%

$9,871

2017
$26.97
(0.21)
7.20
6.99
(1.29)
(1.29)
$32.67
26.99%
1.98%
(0.74)%
48%

$9,962

2016
$29.08
(0.11)
(0.09)
(0.20)
(1.91)
(1.91)
$26.97
(0.58)%
1.98%
(0.43)%
36%

$9,379

2015
$34.20
(0.19)
2.23
2.04
(7.16)
(7.16)
$29.08
7.95%
1.97%
(0.65)%
49%

$11,713

2014
$32.24
(0.22)
4.10
3.88
(1.92)
(1.92)
$34.20
12.71%
1.97%
(0.68)%
103%

$13,413

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$33.29
(0.13)
3.18
3.05
(3.32)
(3.32)
$33.02
9.66%
1.47%
(0.37)%
38%

$100,915

2017
$27.35
(0.07)
7.32
7.25
(0.02)
(1.29)
(1.31)
$33.29
27.62%
1.48%
(0.24)%
48%

$104,368

2016
$29.31
0.02
(0.07)
(0.05)
(1.91)
(1.91)
$27.35
(0.06)%
1.48%
0.07%
36%

$96,415

2015
$34.28
(0.04)
2.23
2.19
(7.16)
(7.16)
$29.31
8.50%
1.47%
(0.15)%
49%

$114,672

2014
$32.16
(0.06)
4.10
4.04
(1.92)
(1.92)
$34.28
13.26%
1.47%
(0.18)%
103%

$142,845




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
R5 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$35.53
0.12
3.40
3.52
(0.11)
(3.32)
(3.43)
$35.62
10.45%
0.77%
0.33%
38%

$404

2017(3)
$30.95
0.05
4.53
4.58
$35.53
14.80%
0.78%(4)
0.27%(4)
48%(5)

$6

R6 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$35.53
0.17
3.40
3.57
(0.19)
(3.32)
(3.51)
$35.59
10.60%
0.62%
0.48%
38%

$834,003

2017
$29.11
0.18
7.80
7.98
(0.27)
(1.29)
(1.56)
$35.53
28.71%
0.63%
0.61%
48%

$963,039

2016
$31.04
0.26
(0.07)
0.19
(0.21)
(1.91)
(2.12)
$29.11
0.76%
0.63%
0.92%
36%

$390,201

2015
$35.84
0.23
2.35
2.58
(0.22)
(7.16)
(7.38)
$31.04
9.46%
0.62%
0.70%
49%

$333,333

2014
$33.51
0.18
4.31
4.49
(0.24)
(1.92)
(2.16)
$35.84
14.20%
0.62%
0.67%
103%

$566,919

Notes to Financial Highlights
 
 
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Growth Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Growth Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

28


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


29


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

30


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





31


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




32


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the one-year period and below its benchmark for the three-, five-, and ten-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.

33


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was below the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

34



Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.
 


35


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



36


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $86,086,522, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $672,330,253, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $153,637,750 as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund utilized earnings and profits of $72,379,956 distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction (tax equalization).


37


Notes

38


Notes

39


Notes





40






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
 
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90970 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Heritage Fund
 
Investor Class (TWHIX)
 
I Class (ATHIX)
 
Y Class (ATHYX)
 
A Class (ATHAX)
 
C Class (AHGCX)
 
R Class (ATHWX)
 
R5 Class (ATHGX)
 
R6 Class (ATHDX)







Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information




















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1
year
5
years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWHIX
7.16%
7.97%
12.60%
11/10/87
Russell Midcap Growth Index
6.14%
10.09%
15.09%
I Class
ATHIX
7.35%
8.18%
12.82%
6/16/97
Y Class
ATHYX
7.51%
11.55%
4/10/17
A Class
ATHAX
 
 
 
 
7/11/97
No sales charge
 
6.89%
7.70%
12.32%
 
With sales charge
 
0.73%
6.43%
11.66%
 
C Class
AHGCX
6.13%
6.90%
11.49%
6/26/01
R Class
ATHWX
6.62%
7.44%
12.04%
9/28/07
R5 Class
ATHGX
7.35%
11.37%
4/10/17
R6 Class
ATHDX
7.51%
8.35%
9.40%
7/26/13
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.




















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-3e8db17dc492581c88b.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $32,795
 
 
Russell Midcap Growth Index — $40,801
 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
Y Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
R5 Class
R6 Class
1.01%
0.81%
0.66%
1.26%
2.01%
1.51%
0.81%
0.66%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.







Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary

Portfolio Managers: Rob Brookby and Nalin Yogasundram

In February 2018, portfolio manager Greg Walsh left American Century Investments, and Rob Brookby joined Heritage’s management team.

Performance Summary

Heritage returned 7.16%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, outperforming the 6.14% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell Midcap Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices delivered solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp pullback in the final month. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across the capitalization spectrum. Within the Russell Midcap Growth Index, the utilities sectorwhich represents a very small segment of the benchmarkhad the best performance on a total-return basis. Index returns were largely driven by strong performance of information technology and consumer discretionary stocks. Materials stocks were significantly lower, and real estate stocks declined marginally.

Stock selection in the health care sector led the fund’s outperformance relative to the benchmark. Stock choices in materials and an underweight to the sector also benefited performance. Stock selection in the consumer staples and information technology sectors detracted.

Health Care Stocks Led Contributors

In the health care sector, stock decisions among health care providers and services companies were top contributors. WellCare Health Plans was a major contributor in the industry. The managed care company reported strong quarterly results and renewed its Florida Medicaid contract, picking up additional market share as a result of the deal. It also acquired Meridian Health Plans. The acquisition expands the company’s footprint in both the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage markets. Home health and hospice care company Amedisys rose on strong quarterly performance. Profitability exceeded analysts’ expectations due to productivity improvement. Amedisys was eliminated from the portfolio.

Other significant contributors included Burlington Stores. The off-price retailer reported strong comparable sales, and it’s also a beneficiary of tax reform, which lowered corporate rates for U.S. companies. O’Reilly Automotive outperformed as the aftermarket automobile parts dealer reported improved same-store sales and benefited from economic growth. Better weather also encouraged greater activity by do-it-yourselfers. Additionally, investors are realizing that Amazon.com’s online sales are less of a threat to the automotive parts business than some had feared.

Software company Red Hat was a major contributor. The company is the largest provider of Linux, an open-source operating system that Red Hat makes enterprise-ready. Red Hat saw an improving revenue profile aided by new products that help enterprises move to the cloud. Red Hat is in the process of being acquired by International Business Machines.

Consumers Staples Detracted

Stock selection among beverage companies weighed on performance in the consumer staples sector, although an overweight allocation to the industry mitigated some of the relative underperformance. Avoiding household products and personal products stocks also detracted.

*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund's benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.

5


In the information technology sector, stock choices in the IT services and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industries hurt relative performance. Underweighting semiconductor maker Advanced Micro Devices detracted. The company appears to be a beneficiary of missteps by Intel, the chief competitor in the space. Advanced Micro Devices is positioned to take market share in the wake of Intel’s stumbles. Our holding of Microchip Technology detracted. The semiconductor maker issued a solid quarterly earnings report but guided lower due to problems inherited from its Microsemi acquisition. Management also noted that tariffs associated with the escalating trade war with China could hurt the bottom line.

Elsewhere, Electronic Arts underperformed as the video game maker lowered full-year guidance on revenue due to delays in game launches and the impact of foreign exchange. Flooring manufacturer Mohawk Industries detracted. The company reported strong quarterly earnings but guided below expectations for 2018 due to start-up costs associated with several global products. Additionally, rising mortgage rates are likely to affect housing-related companies such as Mohawk. Newell Brands, which owns several major brand names such as Rubbermaid, detracted. Lower-than-expected earnings were attributed to a slow 2017 back-to-school season and inventory reductions at key customers such as Office Depot and Walmart, along with Toys"R"Us, which declared bankruptcy. Both Mohawk and Newell Brands were eliminated.

Outlook

Our process uses fundamental analysis to identify mid-cap companies producing attractive, sustainable earnings growth. We seek to reduce unintended, nonfundamental risks and align the portfolio with fundamental, company-specific risks that we believe will be rewarded over time. As a result of this approach, our sector and industry allocations reflect where we are finding opportunities at a given time.

At the end of the period, the portfolio’s largest overweight relative to the benchmark was in the health care sector. We believe there is growth potential in mid-cap biopharmaceutical companies. We have moved our health care allocation away from more cyclical sectors to more growth-oriented sectors. Our industrials exposure remained overweight. We believe certain companies within the industrials sector are positioned to benefit from continued U.S. growth and thrive in a late-cycle economic environment.

Information technology ended the period as the portfolio’s largest underweight. However, we believe strongly that mid-cap technology companies are poised to benefit from secular themes such as 5G data technology, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. We trimmed technology stocks we saw as having less upside and emphasized investments in companies whose business models we believe can sustainably capitalize on these themes. Financials ended the period underweight, reflecting what we see as a lack of opportunity in the sector as the yield curve flattens and affects the profitability of several lines of business for financial institutions.









6


Fund Characteristics 
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
2.7%
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
2.5%
Burlington Stores, Inc.
2.4%
SBA Communications Corp.
2.3%
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.
2.2%
Xilinx, Inc.
2.1%
Verisk Analytics, Inc.
2.0%
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
2.0%
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
1.9%
NetApp, Inc.
1.9%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Software
9.8%
IT Services
8.3%
Specialty Retail
6.3%
Health Care Providers and Services
5.6%
Health Care Equipment and Supplies
5.5%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
98.7%
Temporary Cash Investments
1.5%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(0.2)%


7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
 
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,014.90
$5.08
1.00%
I Class
$1,000
$1,015.70
$4.06
0.80%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,016.30
$3.30
0.65%
A Class
$1,000
$1,013.70
$6.34
1.25%
C Class
$1,000
$1,010.00
$10.13
2.00%
R Class
$1,000
$1,012.30
$7.61
1.50%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,016.10
$4.07
0.80%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,016.30
$3.30
0.65%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.16
$5.09
1.00%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.17
$4.08
0.80%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,021.93
$3.31
0.65%
A Class
$1,000
$1,018.90
$6.36
1.25%
C Class
$1,000
$1,015.12
$10.16
2.00%
R Class
$1,000
$1,017.64
$7.63
1.50%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,021.17
$4.08
0.80%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,021.93
$3.31
0.65%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 98.7%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 1.7%
 
 
L3 Technologies, Inc.
418,834

$
79,356,478

Auto Components — 0.8%
 
 
Aptiv plc
476,163

36,569,318

Banks — 0.5%
 
 
SVB Financial Group(1) 
95,391

22,629,607

Beverages — 2.7%
 
 
Brown-Forman Corp., Class B
525,417

24,347,824

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A
261,040

52,006,999

Monster Beverage Corp.(1) 
897,969

47,457,662

 
 
123,812,485

Biotechnology — 3.4%
 
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
417,004

46,733,638

Array BioPharma, Inc.(1) 
2,053,508

33,266,830

Immunomedics, Inc.(1) 
1,457,191

32,830,513

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
302,778

40,499,585

 
 
153,330,566

Building Products — 1.2%
 
 
Allegion plc
632,105

54,190,362

Capital Markets — 5.0%
 
 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
717,428

80,961,750

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.
555,155

34,197,548

S&P Global, Inc.
274,338

50,017,304

SEI Investments Co.
1,148,946

61,411,164

 
 
226,587,766

Chemicals — 0.2%
 
 
FMC Corp.
121,502

9,486,876

Communications Equipment — 1.5%
 
 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1) 
371,260

67,955,430

Construction and Engineering — 1.6%
 
 
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
984,189

73,902,752

Construction Materials — 0.9%
 
 
Vulcan Materials Co.
424,563

42,940,302

Containers and Packaging — 1.6%
 
 
Ball Corp.
1,637,972

73,381,146

Electrical Equipment — 1.5%
 
 
AMETEK, Inc.
998,070

66,950,536

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 1.6%
 
 
CDW Corp.
795,018

71,559,570

Entertainment — 2.8%
 
 
Electronic Arts, Inc.(1) 
413,317

37,603,581


10


 
Shares
Value
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(1) 
703,251

$
90,627,956

 
 
128,231,537

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.3%
 
 
SBA Communications Corp.(1) 
643,655

104,381,531

Food and Staples Retailing — 0.7%
 
 
Costco Wholesale Corp.
137,039

31,331,227

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 5.5%
 
 
Align Technology, Inc.(1) 
237,602

52,557,563

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1) 
337,087

49,754,041

Haemonetics Corp.(1) 
446,536

46,649,616

Insulet Corp.(1) 
523,068

46,139,828

Masimo Corp.(1) 
481,582

55,670,879

 
 
250,771,927

Health Care Providers and Services — 5.6%
 
 
Henry Schein, Inc.(1) 
416,940

34,606,020

LHC Group, Inc.(1) 
313,337

28,648,402

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
743,270

69,949,140

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(1) 
444,358

122,638,364

 
 
255,841,926

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 4.8%
 
 
Domino's Pizza, Inc.
188,355

50,627,940

Haidilao International Holding Ltd.(1) 
895,000

1,880,859

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
452,427

32,199,229

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A(1) 
1,253,357

61,527,295

Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A
1,429,056

33,068,356

Yum! Brands, Inc.
444,131

40,153,884

 
 
219,457,563

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.9%
 
 
Roper Technologies, Inc.
148,641

42,050,539

Interactive Media and Services — 1.6%
 
 
Twitter, Inc.(1) 
2,025,069

70,371,148

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 1.0%
 
 
Expedia Group, Inc.
362,310

45,444,543

IT Services — 8.3%
 
 
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(1) 
651,002

47,034,895

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
2,314,839

114,677,124

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(1) 
501,972

100,409,459

Square, Inc., Class A(1) 
547,867

40,240,831

Worldpay, Inc., Class A(1) 
810,701

74,454,780

 
 
376,817,089

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 0.9%
 
 
Illumina, Inc.(1) 
125,019

38,899,662

Machinery — 2.2%
 
 
Ingersoll-Rand plc
785,174

75,329,593

WABCO Holdings, Inc.(1) 
213,324

22,921,664

 
 
98,251,257


11


 
Shares
Value
Marine — 0.6%
 
 
Kirby Corp.(1) 
396,142

$
28,498,455

Metals and Mining — 0.3%
 
 
Largo Resources Ltd.(1) 
4,922,136

14,918,396

Multiline Retail — 0.6%
 
 
Dollar Tree, Inc.(1) 
327,725

27,627,218

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.2%
 
 
Concho Resources, Inc.(1) 
381,428

53,052,821

Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%
 
 
Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(1) 
720,686

21,966,509

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc(1) 
382,838

60,802,331

 
 
82,768,840

Professional Services — 4.2%
 
 
IHS Markit Ltd.(1) 
1,204,632

63,279,319

TransUnion
499,373

32,833,775

Verisk Analytics, Inc.(1) 
774,645

92,833,457

 
 
188,946,551

Road and Rail — 1.0%
 
 
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
220,551

45,212,955

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 5.3%
 
 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(1) 
1,548,829

28,204,176

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
2,939,556

48,238,114

Microchip Technology, Inc.
1,008,159

66,316,699

Xilinx, Inc.
1,139,281

97,260,419

 
 
240,019,408

Software — 9.8%
 
 
Autodesk, Inc.(1) 
661,992

85,562,466

PTC, Inc.(1) 
707,858

58,334,578

RealPage, Inc.(1) 
869,846

46,101,838

Red Hat, Inc.(1) 
283,049

48,582,530

ServiceNow, Inc.(1) 
414,429

75,028,226

Splunk, Inc.(1) 
398,826

39,818,788

Tyler Technologies, Inc.(1) 
274,307

58,059,820

Workday, Inc., Class A(1) 
264,265

35,152,530

 
 
446,640,776

Specialty Retail — 6.3%
 
 
Burlington Stores, Inc.(1) 
641,954

110,088,692

Five Below, Inc.(1) 
372,681

42,418,551

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.(1) 
271,471

87,074,323

Ross Stores, Inc.
488,742

48,385,458

 
 
287,967,024

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 1.9%
 
 
NetApp, Inc.
1,090,326

85,579,688

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 2.8%
 
 
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(1) 
486,642

68,485,128

VF Corp.
698,177

57,864,910

 
 
126,350,038


12


 
Shares
Value
Trading Companies and Distributors — 2.1%
 
 
United Rentals, Inc.(1) 
546,882

$
65,664,122

Univar, Inc.(1) 
1,228,038

30,234,295

 
 
95,898,417

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $3,859,788,935)
 
4,487,983,730

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 1.5%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $45,588,639), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $44,665,501)
 
44,663,020

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 11/15/44, valued at $22,801,151), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $22,354,652)
 
22,354,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
34,254

34,254

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $67,051,274)
 
67,051,274

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.2%
(Cost $3,926,840,209)
 
4,555,035,004

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (0.2)%
 
(8,339,133
)
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
4,546,695,871


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
 
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CAD
1,680,354

USD
1,298,362

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
$
(20,258
)
CAD
4,382,428

USD
3,367,236

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(33,890
)
CAD
2,169,552

USD
1,656,665

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(6,468
)
USD
45,739,370

CAD
58,958,048

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
894,918

USD
1,235,840

CAD
1,598,136

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
20,271

USD
1,119,976

CAD
1,455,545

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
12,865

USD
1,710,739

CAD
2,208,371

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
31,017

USD
1,180,160

CAD
1,525,026

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
20,200

USD
1,424,591

CAD
1,849,771

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
17,625

USD
2,115,947

CAD
2,736,044

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
34,867

USD
5,646,663

CAD
7,317,276

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
81,023

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
1,052,170


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
CAD
-
Canadian Dollar
USD
-
United States Dollar
(1)
Non-income producing.


See Notes to Financial Statements.

13


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $3,926,840,209)
$
4,555,035,004

Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $207,598)
204,935

Receivable for investments sold
16,971,977

Receivable for capital shares sold
670,800

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
1,112,786

Dividends and interest receivable
3,454

 
4,573,998,956

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
19,179,238

Payable for capital shares redeemed
4,074,120

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
60,616

Accrued management fees
3,863,950

Distribution and service fees payable
125,161

 
27,303,085

 
 
Net Assets
$
4,546,695,871

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
3,100,876,527

Distributable earnings
1,445,819,344

 
$
4,546,695,871


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value

$3,787,202,113

163,331,984

$23.19
I Class, $0.01 Par Value

$247,266,568

10,026,674

$24.66
Y Class, $0.01 Par Value

$9,694,216

389,283

$24.90
A Class, $0.01 Par Value

$276,812,828

12,925,647

$21.42*
C Class, $0.01 Par Value

$57,552,268

3,350,781

$17.18
R Class, $0.01 Par Value

$32,464,020

1,514,950

$21.43
R5 Class, $0.01 Par Value

$3,052,872

123,799

$24.66
R6 Class, $0.01 Par Value

$132,650,986

5,327,145

$24.90
*Maximum offering price $22.73 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.


14


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $43,563)
$
34,655,794

Interest
436,886

 
35,092,680

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
48,814,877

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
814,777

C Class
787,309

R Class
185,047

Directors' fees and expenses
111,965

Other expenses
5,553

 
50,719,528

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
(15,626,848
)
 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
909,561,162

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
2,671,425

Foreign currency translation transactions
25,476

 
912,258,063

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(529,960,159
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
70,720

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(28,454
)
 
(529,917,893
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
382,340,170

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
366,713,322



See Notes to Financial Statements.


15


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
(15,626,848
)
$
(8,713,789
)
Net realized gain (loss)
912,258,063

487,323,776

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(529,917,893
)
449,726,871

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
366,713,322

928,336,858

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:
 
 
Investor Class
(357,413,528
)
(309,914,664
)
I Class
(21,818,452
)
(11,179,521
)
Y Class
(462
)

A Class
(32,633,569
)
(47,529,397
)
C Class
(9,874,176
)
(10,202,472
)
R Class
(3,686,185
)
(3,730,908
)
R5 Class
(10,800
)

R6 Class
(15,306,317
)
(9,792,656
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(440,743,489
)
(392,349,618
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
(392,193,297
)
(343,021,445
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
(466,223,464
)
192,965,795

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
5,012,919,335

4,819,953,540

End of period
$
4,546,695,871

$
5,012,919,335



See Notes to Financial Statements.


16


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Heritage Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, Y Class, A Class, C Class, R Class, R5 Class and R6 Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Sale of the Y Class and R5 Class commenced on April 10, 2017.
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 
The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between

17


domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may elect to treat a portion of its payment to a redeeming shareholder, which represents the pro rata share of undistributed net investment income and net realized gains, as a distribution for federal income tax purposes (tax equalization).


18


Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC. Various funds issued by American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. own, in aggregate, 6% of the shares of the fund.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class.

The annual management fee for each class is as follows:
Investor Class
I
Class
Y Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
R5 Class
R6 Class
1.000%
0.800%
0.650%
1.000%
1.000%
1.000%
0.800%
0.650%

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 
Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $28,126,099 and $17,847,346, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $3,163,179 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $4,173,231,725 and $5,051,537,447, respectively.


19


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
1,500,000,000

 
1,500,000,000

 
Sold
6,961,929

$
165,062,440

17,887,611

$
393,494,050

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
15,480,388

347,999,118

14,633,383

299,984,349

Redeemed
(31,632,101
)
(752,714,711
)
(39,665,791
)
(874,177,394
)
 
(9,189,784
)
(239,653,153
)
(7,144,797
)
(180,698,995
)
I Class/Shares Authorized
130,000,000

 
130,000,000

 
Sold
3,664,494

93,875,668

6,982,989

166,592,943

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
825,707

19,709,623

505,042

10,913,955

Redeemed
(4,947,833
)
(123,445,888
)
(3,973,484
)
(92,038,952
)
 
(457,632
)
(9,860,597
)
3,514,547

85,467,946

Y Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
394,524

10,250,853

219

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
19

462



Redeemed
(5,479
)
(141,123
)


 
389,064

10,110,192

219

5,000

A Class/Shares Authorized
340,000,000

 
340,000,000

 
Sold
2,337,036

51,615,538

2,742,715

55,641,787

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
1,504,888

31,316,728

2,399,006

45,940,961

Redeemed
(6,914,306
)
(151,442,065
)
(17,660,672
)
(362,961,627
)
 
(3,072,382
)
(68,509,799
)
(12,518,951
)
(261,378,879
)
C Class/Shares Authorized
80,000,000

 
80,000,000

 
Sold
199,537

3,490,376

413,354

6,982,452

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
551,229

9,260,642

582,590

9,274,836

Redeemed
(2,263,296
)
(40,380,116
)
(2,236,275
)
(38,049,760
)
 
(1,512,530
)
(27,629,098
)
(1,240,331
)
(21,792,472
)
R Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold
208,117

4,579,989

366,643

7,525,722

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
174,182

3,635,173

191,545

3,687,238

Redeemed
(631,067
)
(13,783,530
)
(977,608
)
(19,952,451
)
 
(248,768
)
(5,568,368
)
(419,420
)
(8,739,491
)
R5 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
125,913

3,201,352

4,654

111,637

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
452

10,800



Redeemed
(7,126
)
(184,264
)
(94
)
(2,241
)
 
119,239

3,027,888

4,560

109,396

R6 Class/Shares Authorized
60,000,000

 
60,000,000

 
Sold
1,554,670

39,101,892

3,999,527

94,253,347

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
635,908

15,306,317

450,237

9,792,656

Redeemed
(4,261,297
)
(108,518,571
)
(2,558,341
)
(60,039,953
)
 
(2,070,719
)
(54,110,362
)
1,891,423

44,006,050

Net increase (decrease)
(16,043,512
)
$
(392,193,297
)
(15,912,750
)
$
(343,021,445
)

(1)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the Y Class and R5 Class.

20


6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 
The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
4,471,184,475

$
16,799,255


Temporary Cash Investments
34,254

67,017,020


 
$
4,471,218,729

$
83,816,275


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
1,112,786


 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
60,616



7. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $61,513,599.
 
The value of foreign currency risk derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018, is disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset of $1,112,786 in unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and a liability of $60,616 in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the effect of foreign currency risk derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations was $2,671,425 in net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign

21


currency exchange contract transactions and $70,720 in change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
 
8. Risk Factors

The fund invests in common stocks of small companies. Because of this, the fund may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a fund investing in larger, more established companies.

9. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income


Long-term capital gains
$
440,743,489

$
392,349,618


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 
The reclassifications, which are primarily due to tax equalization, were made to capital $67,466,796 and distributable earnings $(67,466,796).

As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
3,929,498,716

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
807,543,418

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(182,007,130
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
625,536,288

Net tax appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives and translation of assets and liabilities
in foreign currencies
(2,669
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
625,533,619

Undistributed ordinary income
$
83,304,333

Accumulated long-term gains
$
736,981,392


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.



22


Financial Highlights
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net
Realized
Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$23.67
(0.07)
1.70
1.63
(2.11)
$23.19
7.16%
1.00%
(0.30)%
85%

$3,787,202

2017
$21.28
(0.03)
4.18
4.15
(1.76)
$23.67
20.77%
1.01%
(0.15)%
56%

$4,083,669

2016
$24.59
(0.05)
(0.53)
(0.58)
(2.73)
$21.28
(2.26)%
1.00%
(0.21)%
62%

$3,823,112

2015
$26.89
(0.11)
1.66
1.55
(3.85)
$24.59
7.11%
1.00%
(0.42)%
62%

$4,349,601

2014
$28.45
(0.14)
2.18
2.04
(3.60)
$26.89
8.33%
1.00%
(0.55)%
73%

$4,449,377

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$25.00
(0.03)
1.80
1.77
(2.11)
$24.66
7.35%
0.80%
(0.10)%
85%

$247,267

2017
$22.34
(3)
4.42
4.42
(1.76)
$25.00
21.01%
0.81%
0.05%
56%

$262,095

2016
$25.62
(3)
(0.55)
(0.55)
(2.73)
$22.34
(2.07)%
0.80%
(0.01)%
62%

$155,695

2015
$27.81
(0.06)
1.72
1.66
(3.85)
$25.62
7.33%
0.80%
(0.22)%
62%

$163,670

2014
$29.25
(0.09)
2.25
2.16
(3.60)
$27.81
8.53%
0.80%
(0.35)%
73%

$198,895

Y Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$25.19
(3)
1.82
1.82
(2.11)
$24.90
7.51%
0.65%
0.05%
85%

$9,694

2017(4)
$22.84
0.02
2.33
2.35
$25.19
10.29%
0.66%(5)
0.12%(5)
56%(6)

$6




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net
Realized
Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$22.07
(0.12)
1.58
1.46
(2.11)
$21.42
6.89%
1.25%
(0.55)%
85%

$276,813

2017
$20.00
(0.08)
3.91
3.83
(1.76)
$22.07
20.48%
1.26%
(0.40)%
56%

$353,039

2016
$23.33
(0.09)
(0.51)
(0.60)
(2.73)
$20.00
(2.53)%
1.25%
(0.46)%
62%

$570,298

2015
$25.78
(0.16)
1.56
1.40
(3.85)
$23.33
6.88%
1.25%
(0.67)%
62%

$798,879

2014
$27.48
(0.20)
2.10
1.90
(3.60)
$25.78
8.04%
1.25%
(0.80)%
73%

$869,381

C Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$18.22
(0.23)
1.30
1.07
(2.11)
$17.18
6.13%
2.00%
(1.30)%
85%

$57,552

2017
$16.92
(0.19)
3.25
3.06
(1.76)
$18.22
19.58%
2.01%
(1.15)%
56%

$88,629

2016
$20.31
(0.21)
(0.45)
(0.66)
(2.73)
$16.92
(3.29)%
2.00%
(1.21)%
62%

$103,292

2015
$23.10
(0.30)
1.36
1.06
(3.85)
$20.31
6.09%
2.00%
(1.42)%
62%

$134,096

2014
$25.16
(0.35)
1.89
1.54
(3.60)
$23.10
7.25%
2.00%
(1.55)%
73%

$128,522

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$22.13
(0.18)
1.59
1.41
(2.11)
$21.43
6.62%
1.50%
(0.80)%
85%

$32,464

2017
$20.10
(0.13)
3.92
3.79
(1.76)
$22.13
20.16%
1.51%
(0.65)%
56%

$39,033

2016
$23.48
(0.15)
(0.50)
(0.65)
(2.73)
$20.10
(2.75)%
1.50%
(0.71)%
62%

$43,875

2015
$25.97
(0.22)
1.58
1.36
(3.85)
$23.48
6.60%
1.50%
(0.92)%
62%

$53,731

2014
$27.72
(0.27)
2.12
1.85
(3.60)
$25.97
7.80%
1.50%
(1.05)%
73%

$58,426




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net
Realized
Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
R5 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$25.00
(0.04)
1.81
1.77
(2.11)
$24.66
7.35%
0.80%
(0.10)%
85%

$3,053

2017(4)
$22.69
(3)
2.31
2.31
$25.00
10.18%
0.81%(5)
(0.03)%(5)
56%(6)

$114

R6 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$25.19
0.02
1.80
1.82
(2.11)
$24.90
7.51%
0.65%
0.05%
85%

$132,651

2017
$22.46
0.04
4.45
4.49
(1.76)
$25.19
21.22%
0.66%
0.20%
56%

$186,335

2016
$25.72
0.03
(0.56)
(0.53)
(2.73)
$22.46
(1.93)%
0.65%
0.14%
62%

$123,681

2015
$27.86
(0.02)
1.73
1.71
(3.85)
$25.72
7.48%
0.65%
(0.07)%
62%

$103,017

2014
$29.25
(0.07)
2.28
2.21
(3.60)
$27.86
8.72%
0.65%
(0.20)%
73%

$56,442

Notes to Financial Highlights
 
 
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
(4)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(5)
Annualized.
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Heritage Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Heritage Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

26


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


27


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

28


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





29


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




30


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was below its benchmark for the one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.


31


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was below the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.


32


Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


33


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



34


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates $501,358,883, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $6,851,402 as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund utilized earnings and profits of $67,466,796 distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction (tax equalization).


35


Notes


36






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
 
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90977 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
NT Growth Fund
 
G Class (ACLTX)







Table of Contents
Performance
2

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information






















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Inception
Date
G Class
ACLTX
11.50%
12.38%
14.06%
5/12/06
Russell 1000 Growth Index
10.71%
13.43%
15.45%
Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
 chart-edca25d3e4d954fc894.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
G Class — $37,284
 
 
Russell 1000 Growth Index — $42,082
 
Ending value of G Class would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
G Class
0.63%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.



Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

2


Portfolio Commentary

Portfolio Managers: Gregory Woodhams and Justin Brown

Performance Summary

NT Growth returned 11.50%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, outpacing the 10.71% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices posted solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp drop in the final month of the fund’s fiscal year. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across the capitalization spectrum, providing a tailwind for the fund. Within the Russell 1000 Growth Index, all sectors but materials, energy, and communication services posted gains. The small utilities segment—a sector that rarely offers the kind of growth characteristics we seek—reported the top total return, but index gains were largely driven by the strong performance of information technology and consumer discretionary stocks.

Health care, consumer discretionary, and industrials were the fund’s top-contributing sectors, primarily due to stock selection. Stock selection in the information technology sector was a significant source of underperformance relative to the benchmark. Stock choices among communication services companies and an overweight to the sector also detracted.

Health Care Holdings Aided Performance

Health care equipment and supplies companies led performance in the health care sector. Medical device maker Edwards Lifesciences soared on rumors that it might be a takeover target. The company has been a solid performer based on strong sales of its heart valve replacement device, and the market for the device has broadened beyond major medical centers.

Stock choices among internet and direct marketing retailers benefited performance in the consumer discretionary sector. Online retailer Amazon.com was a significant contributor. The company continued to demonstrate growth in its Amazon Web Services cloud business as well as strong performance on the e-commerce side. Among multiline retailers, Target was a top contributor, aided by strong 2017 holiday sales. Target also benefited from strong economic growth and improved consumer confidence.

Palo Alto Networks was another key contributor. Quarterly results for the enterprise security company highlighted improved sales execution and traction with its refreshed product line. Coupled with margin expansion, we think Palo Alto should deliver attractive cash-flow growth. The Boeing Co. outperformed as the aerospace and defense company logged new orders. Boeing also stands to benefit from the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

Information Technology Stocks Led Detractors

Software and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment stocks were significant detractors in the information technology sector. Applied Materials was a major detractor. The semiconductor equipment maker reported a solid quarter, but memory pricing is worsening, and there’s a concern that reduced 2019 capital spending will impact the industry. We believe the company’s business model offers less cyclicality and more secular growth than in previous cycles and therefore see upside potential. Underweighting Apple detracted. At the end of July, the company reported strong
quarterly revenues and earnings. iPhones continued to generate strong revenues. The market also expects strong sales of the new iPhones and other products that were announced in September.

* Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.


3


Stock choices in the entertainment industry led underperformance in communication services, a sector introduced at the end of September 2018 comprising stocks previously in a range of other sectors. Detractors in the sector included underweighting Netflix relative to the benchmark. Netflix saw its stock price climb for most of the period as a result of expectations for solid user growth, particularly overseas, powered by new streaming content. The social media giant Facebook reported disappointing revenue and user growth. Investors also worried about regulatory risk and privacy concerns in the wake of a security breach that compromised some user accounts. We believe the stock offers strong free cash flow and has significant ongoing growth potential.

Other significant detractors included Royal Caribbean Cruises. Increased fuel prices coupled with adverse currency moves led to reductions in earnings estimates, hurting the stock price. In addition, investors continued to be concerned about capacity additions.

Outlook

We believe stock selection—rather than sector allocation or market timing via the use of cash—is the most efficient means of generating superior risk-adjusted returns. As a result of this approach, the portfolio’s sector and industry selection, as well as capitalization range allocations, are primarily due to identifying what we believe to be superior individual securities.

As we noted earlier, at the end of September index provider FTSE Russell introduced the communication services sector. At the same time, Russell eliminated telecommunication services, a sector where the portfolio had no holdings. Communication services includes stocks of companies that had previously been in a range of other sectors. For example, portfolio holdings Facebook and Google parent Alphabet, which had been included in the information technology sector, are now part of communication services. As a result of Russell’s sector shifts, communication services represented the portfolio’s largest overweight relative to the benchmark, and information technology ended the period as our largest underweight sector.






4


Fund Characteristics 
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Alphabet, Inc., Class A
8.0%
Microsoft Corp.
7.9%
Amazon.com, Inc.
6.8%
Apple, Inc.
5.4%
Visa, Inc., Class A
4.7%
Facebook, Inc., Class A
3.9%
Boeing Co. (The)
3.3%
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
2.9%
Lockheed Martin Corp.
2.4%
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
2.1%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Interactive Media and Services
12.4%
Software
9.7%
IT Services
7.7%
Internet and Direct Marketing Retail
6.8%
Aerospace and Defense
5.7%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
98.1%
Exchange-Traded Funds
0.8%
Total Equity Exposure
98.9%
Temporary Cash Investments
0.9%
Other Assets and Liabilities
0.2%


5


Shareholder Fee Example

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)(2)
Actual
 
 
 
 
G Class
$1,000
$1,042.60
$0.00
0.00%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
G Class
$1,000
$1,025.21
$0.00
0.00%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.
(2)
Other expenses, which include directors' fees and expenses, did not exceed 0.005%.

6


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 98.1%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 5.7%
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
106,064

$
37,637,871

Lockheed Martin Corp.
96,140

28,250,739

 
 
65,888,610

Air Freight and Logistics — 1.1%
 
 
XPO Logistics, Inc.(1) 
139,923

12,506,318

Airlines — 1.7%
 
 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
356,096

19,489,134

Biotechnology — 2.8%
 
 
Biogen, Inc.(1) 
58,220

17,714,599

Exelixis, Inc.(1) 
233,833

3,243,264

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
68,222

11,560,900

 
 
32,518,763

Capital Markets — 1.7%
 
 
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
221,624

10,247,894

S&P Global, Inc.
51,034

9,304,519

 
 
19,552,413

Communications Equipment — 1.2%
 
 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1) 
77,586

14,201,342

Consumer Finance — 1.6%
 
 
American Express Co.
177,665

18,251,526

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 0.9%
 
 
CDW Corp.
119,222

10,731,172

Energy Equipment and Services — 0.5%
 
 
Halliburton Co.
175,649

6,091,507

Entertainment — 2.8%
 
 
Electronic Arts, Inc.(1) 
84,402

7,678,894

Liberty Media Corp-Liberty Formula One, Class C(1) 
89,602

2,964,034

Netflix, Inc.(1) 
52,295

15,781,585

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(1) 
47,468

6,117,201

 
 
32,541,714

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.3%
 
 
Equity Residential
145,600

9,458,176

SBA Communications Corp.(1) 
109,560

17,767,345

 
 
27,225,521

Food and Staples Retailing — 1.1%
 
 
Walmart, Inc.
130,180

13,054,450

Food Products — 1.3%
 
 
Mondelez International, Inc., Class A
353,432

14,837,075

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 4.2%
 
 
ABIOMED, Inc.(1) 
14,863

5,071,256

Boston Scientific Corp.(1) 
421,581

15,235,937


7


 
Shares
Value
Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1) 
37,737

$
5,569,981

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(1) 
13,941

2,957,165

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(1) 
30,376

15,831,364

Penumbra, Inc.(1) 
30,212

4,108,832

 
 
48,774,535

Health Care Providers and Services — 2.9%
 
 
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
160,483

15,103,055

Tivity Health, Inc.(1) 
96,903

3,334,432

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(1) 
55,928

15,435,569

 
 
33,873,056

Health Care Technology — 0.5%
 
 
Cerner Corp.(1) 
109,438

6,268,609

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 3.6%
 
 
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(1) 
13,399

6,167,962

Darden Restaurants, Inc.
28,851

3,074,074

Las Vegas Sands Corp.
182,394

9,307,566

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
224,904

23,554,196

 
 
42,103,798

Household Products — 3.2%
 
 
Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
60,733

3,605,718

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
381,502

33,831,598

 
 
37,437,316

Interactive Media and Services — 12.4%
 
 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) 
84,940

92,633,865

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) 
294,891

44,761,505

Twitter, Inc.(1) 
175,340

6,093,065

 
 
143,488,435

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 6.8%
 
 
Amazon.com, Inc.(1) 
49,085

78,438,321

IT Services — 7.7%
 
 
Fiserv, Inc.(1) 
77,199

6,121,880

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1) 
285,004

23,994,487

VeriSign, Inc.(1) 
30,050

4,283,327

Visa, Inc., Class A
397,834

54,841,417

 
 
89,241,111

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 1.4%
 
 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
136,988

8,875,452

Illumina, Inc.(1) 
22,886

7,120,979

 
 
15,996,431

Machinery — 0.8%
 
 
WABCO Holdings, Inc.(1) 
84,084

9,034,826

Multiline Retail — 0.8%
 
 
Target Corp.
106,143

8,876,739

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.3%
 
 
Concho Resources, Inc.(1) 
109,327

15,206,292

Personal Products — 0.7%
 
 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A
55,612

7,643,313


8


 
Shares
Value
Pharmaceuticals — 0.9%
 
 
Novo Nordisk A/S, B Shares
68,760

$
2,974,043

Zoetis, Inc.
87,132

7,854,950

 
 
10,828,993

Road and Rail — 1.7%
 
 
Union Pacific Corp.
132,138

19,321,218

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 5.2%
 
 
Applied Materials, Inc.
500,654

16,461,504

ASML Holding NV
85,955

14,693,113

Broadcom, Inc.
106,611

23,826,492

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
102,156

5,109,843

 
 
60,090,952

Software — 9.7%
 
 
Microsoft Corp.
852,212

91,024,764

salesforce.com, Inc.(1) 
123,806

16,991,136

Splunk, Inc.(1) 
47,891

4,781,437

 
 
112,797,337

Specialty Retail — 2.0%
 
 
TJX Cos., Inc. (The)
206,642

22,705,823

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 5.4%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
284,951

62,364,376

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 2.2%
 
 
NIKE, Inc., Class B
188,190

14,121,777

Tapestry, Inc.
272,999

11,550,588

 
 
25,672,365

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $761,850,025)
 
1,137,053,391

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 0.8%
 
 
iShares Russell 1000 Growth ETF
(Cost $9,641,409)
66,088

9,389,783

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 0.9%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $7,512,980), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $7,360,847)
 
7,360,438

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 5/15/45, valued at $3,758,405), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $3,683,107)
 
3,683,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
6,552

6,552

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $11,049,990)
 
11,049,990

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.8%
(Cost $782,541,424)
 
1,157,493,164

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.2%
 
1,893,496

TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
1,159,386,660



9


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
 
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
EUR
404,863

USD
467,922

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
$
(6,787
)
EUR
525,113

USD
611,956

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(13,858
)
EUR
369,692

USD
427,973

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(6,897
)
EUR
545,041

USD
624,344

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(3,548
)
EUR
394,533

USD
450,458

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(1,088
)
USD
12,460,656

EUR
10,520,630

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
477,761

USD
1,312,952

EUR
1,107,985

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
50,967

USD
382,217

EUR
330,152

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
6,177

USD
794,245

EUR
688,851

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
9,651

USD
423,327

EUR
369,692

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
2,251

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
514,629

NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
EUR
-
Euro
USD
-
United States Dollar
(1)
Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


10


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $782,541,424)
$
1,157,493,164

Receivable for investments sold
4,096,295

Receivable for capital shares sold
82,833

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
546,807

Dividends and interest receivable
365,424

 
1,162,584,523

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
3,165,685

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
32,178

 
3,197,863

 
 
Net Assets
$
1,159,386,660

 
 
G Class Capital Shares, $0.01 Par Value
 
Shares authorized
660,000,000

Shares outstanding
62,372,282

 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share
$
18.59

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
607,532,026

Distributable earnings
551,854,634

 
$
1,159,386,660



See Notes to Financial Statements.


11


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
Investment Income (Loss)
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $25,846)
$
14,136,425

Interest
81,052

 
14,217,477

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
8,113,259

Directors' fees and expenses
29,213

Other expenses
26,156

 
8,168,628

Fees waived
(8,113,259
)
 
55,369

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
14,162,108

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
191,074,474

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
493,031

Futures contract transactions
(572,922
)
Foreign currency translation transactions
(8,308
)
 
190,986,275

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(48,980,311
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
243,234

Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(54
)
 
(48,737,131
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
142,249,144

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
156,411,252



See Notes to Financial Statements.


12


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
14,162,108

$
8,732,432

Net realized gain (loss)
190,986,275

117,989,683

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(48,737,131
)
204,361,257

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
156,411,252

331,083,372

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:(1)
 
 
G Class
(126,468,050
)
(25,539,499
)
R6 Class

(2,942,841
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(126,468,050
)
(28,482,340
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
(235,297,170
)
(149,696,725
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
(205,353,968
)
152,904,307

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
1,364,740,628

1,211,836,321

End of period
$
1,159,386,660

$
1,364,740,628


(1)
Prior period presentation has been updated to reflect the current period combination of distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains. Distributions from net investment income were $(8,520,575) and $(1,102,965) for G Class and R6 Class, respectively. Distributions from net realized gains were $(17,018,924) and $(1,839,876) for G Class and R6 Class, respectively.


See Notes to Financial Statements.


13


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. NT Growth Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth. The fund is not permitted to invest in securities issued by companies assigned the Global Industry Classification Standard or the Bloomberg Industry Classification Standard for the tobacco industry. The fund offers the G Class. On July 31, 2017, all outstanding R6 Class shares were converted to G Class shares and the fund discontinued offering the R6 Class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Exchange-traded futures contracts are valued at the settlement price as provided by the appropriate exchange. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 

14


The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Segregated Assets — In accordance with the 1940 Act, the fund segregates assets on its books and records to cover certain types of investment securities and other financial instruments. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities segregated to ensure the fund designates a sufficient amount of liquid assets, marked-to-market daily. The fund may also receive assets or be required to pledge assets at the custodian bank or with a broker for collateral requirements.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may elect to treat a portion of its payment to a redeeming shareholder, which represents the pro rata share of undistributed net investment income and net realized gains, as a distribution for federal income tax purposes (tax equalization).

15


Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc., and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC. Various funds issued by American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. own, in aggregate, 100% of the shares of the fund. Related parties do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee). The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on the daily net assets of the fund and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets). The strategy assets of the fund also include the assets of Growth Fund, one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The management fee schedule ranges from 0.450% to 0.640%. The investment advisor agreed to waive the fund's management fee in its entirety. The investment advisor expects this waiver to remain in effect permanently and cannot terminate it without the approval of the Board of Directors. The effective annual management fee for the period ended October 31, 2018 was 0.62% before waiver and 0.00% after waiver.

Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $8,158,756 and $17,726,362, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $1,667,984 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $683,954,823 and $1,049,493,858, respectively.



16


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
G Class/Shares Authorized
660,000,000

 
660,000,000

 
Sold
3,180,674

$
58,272,536

13,727,570

$
228,420,327

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
7,255,769

126,468,050

1,719,832

25,539,499

Redeemed
(22,314,863
)
(420,037,756
)
(16,787,555
)
(274,474,628
)
 
(11,878,420
)
(235,297,170
)
(1,340,153
)
(20,514,802
)
R6 Class/Shares Authorized
N/A

 
N/A

 
Sold
 
 
2,372,292

36,926,033

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
 
 
198,438

2,942,841

Redeemed
 
 
(9,893,780
)
(169,050,797
)
 
 
 
(7,323,050
)
(129,181,923
)
Net increase (decrease)
(11,878,420
)
$
(235,297,170
)
(8,663,203
)
$
(149,696,725
)

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 
The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
1,119,386,235

$
17,667,156


Exchange-Traded Funds
9,389,783



Temporary Cash Investments
6,552

11,043,438


 
$
1,128,782,570

$
28,710,594


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
546,807


      
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
32,178




17


7. Derivative Instruments
 
Equity Price Risk — The fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A fund may enter into futures contracts based on an equity index in order to manage its exposure to changes in market conditions. A fund may purchase futures contracts to gain exposure to increases in market value or sell futures contracts to protect against a decline in market value. Upon entering into a futures contract, a fund is required to deposit either cash or securities in an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract value (initial margin). Subsequent payments (variation margin) are made or received daily, in cash, by a fund. The variation margin is equal to the daily change in the contract value and is recorded as unrealized gains and losses. A fund recognizes a realized gain or loss when the contract is closed or expires. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of futures contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on futures contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts, respectively. One of the risks of entering into futures contracts is the possibility that the change in value of the contract may not correlate with the changes in value of the underlying securities. During the period, the fund participated in equity price risk derivative instruments for temporary investment purposes.
 
Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $21,490,572.
 
Value of Derivative Instruments as of October 31, 2018
 
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Foreign Currency Risk
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
546,807

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
32,178


 
Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the Year Ended October 31, 2018
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation)
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Equity Price Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on futures contract transactions
$
(572,922
)
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on futures contracts

Foreign Currency Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
493,031

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
243,234

 
 
$
(79,891
)
 
$
243,234


18


8. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
37,951,040

$
9,623,540

Long-term capital gains
$
88,517,010

$
18,858,800


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

The reclassifications, which are primarily due to tax equalization, were made to capital $20,155,015 and distributable earnings $(20,155,015).
 
As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
786,575,558

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
385,865,410

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(14,947,804
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
370,917,606

Undistributed ordinary income
$
27,381,066

Accumulated long-term gains
$
153,555,962

 
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.


19


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)(1)
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
G Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$18.38
0.20
1.80
2.00
(0.13)
(1.66)
(1.79)
$18.59
11.50%
0.00%(3)
0.62%
1.09%
0.47%
53%

$1,159,387

2017
$14.62
0.11
4.00
4.11
(0.12)
(0.23)
(0.35)
$18.38
28.64%
0.56%
0.74%
0.67%
0.49%
64%

$1,364,741

2016
$15.57
0.11
(0.06)
0.05
(0.07)
(0.93)
(1.00)
$14.62
0.49%
0.78%
0.78%
0.74%
0.74%
60%

$1,104,817

2015
$16.82
0.08
1.17
1.25
(0.08)
(2.42)
(2.50)
$15.57
8.97%
0.77%
0.77%
0.52%
0.52%
82%

$1,051,077

2014
$15.42
0.08
2.02
2.10
(0.09)
(0.61)
(0.70)
$16.82
14.17%
0.77%
0.77%
0.50%
0.50%
119%

$1,234,784

Notes to Financial Highlights
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
Ratio was less than 0.005%.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of NT Growth Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NT Growth Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

21


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


22


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

23


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





24


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




25


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the one-year period and below its benchmark for the three-, five-, and ten-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.

26


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was below the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

27



Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.



28


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



29


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $15,461,147, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $105,324,417, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $30,858,257 as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund utilized earnings and profits of $20,155,015 distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction (tax equalization).


30


Notes

31


Notes


32






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
 
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
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1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90986 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
NT Heritage Fund
 
G Class (ACLWX)







Table of Contents
 
Performance
2

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information






















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Inception
Date
G Class
ACLWX
8.19%
8.38%
10.69%
5/12/06
Russell Midcap Growth Index
6.14%
10.09%
15.09%
Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
 chart-e2072c3e43ec529da80.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
G Class — $27,622
 
 
Russell Midcap Growth Index — $40,801
 
Ending value of G Class would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.


Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
G Class
0.66%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.





Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

2


Portfolio Commentary
 

Portfolio Managers: Rob Brookby and Nalin Yogasundram

In February 2018, portfolio manager Greg Walsh left American Century Investments, and Rob Brookby joined NT Heritage’s management team.

Performance Summary

NT Heritage returned 8.19%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, outperforming the 6.14% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell Midcap Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices delivered solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp pullback in the final month. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across the capitalization spectrum. Within the Russell Midcap Growth Index, the utilities sectorwhich represents a very small segment of the benchmarkhad the best performance on a total-return basis. Index returns were largely driven by strong performance of information technology and consumer discretionary stocks. Materials stocks were significantly lower, and real estate stocks declined marginally.

Stock selection in the health care sector led the fund’s outperformance relative to the benchmark. Stock choices in materials and an underweight to the sector also benefited performance. Stock selection in the consumer staples and information technology sectors detracted.

Health Care Stocks Led Contributors

In the health care sector, stock decisions among health care providers and services companies were top contributors. WellCare Health Plans was a major contributor in the industry. The managed care company reported strong quarterly results and renewed its Florida Medicaid contract, picking up additional market share as a result of the deal. It also acquired Meridian Health Plans. The acquisition expands the company’s footprint in both the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage markets. Home health and hospice care company Amedisys rose on strong quarterly performance. Profitability exceeded analysts' expectations due to productivity improvement. Amedisys was eliminated from the portfolio.

Other significant contributors included Burlington Stores. The off-price retailer reported strong comparable sales, and it’s also a beneficiary of tax reform, which lowered corporate rates for U.S. companies. O’Reilly Automotive outperformed as the aftermarket automobile parts dealer reported improved same-store sales and benefited from economic growth. Better weather also encouraged greater activity by do-it-yourselfers. Additionally, investors are realizing that Amazon.com’s online sales are less of a threat to the automotive business than some had feared.

Software company Red Hat was a major contributor. The company is the largest provider of Linux, an open-source operating system that Red Hat makes enterprise-ready. Red Hat saw an improving revenue profile aided by new products that help enterprises move to the cloud. Red Hat is in the process of being acquired by International Business Machines.

Consumers Staples Detracted

Stock selection among beverage companies weighed on performance in the consumer staples sector, although an overweight allocation to the industry mitigated some of the underperformance relative to the benchmark. Avoiding household products and personal products stocks also detracted.



3


* Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.
In the information technology sector, stock choices in the IT services and semiconductors and semiconductor equipment industries hurt relative performance. Underweighting semiconductor
maker Advanced Micro Devices detracted. The company appears to be a beneficiary of missteps by Intel, the chief competitor in the space. Advanced Micro Devices is positioned to take market share in the wake of Intel’s stumbles. Our holding of Microchip Technology detracted. The semiconductor maker issued a solid quarterly earnings report but guided lower due to problems inherited from its Microsemi acquisition. Management also noted that tariffs associated with the escalating trade war with China could hurt the bottom line.

Elsewhere, Electronic Arts underperformed as the video game maker lowered full-year guidance on revenue due to delays in game launches and the impact of foreign exchange. Flooring manufacturer Mohawk Industries detracted. The company reported strong quarterly earnings but guided below expectations for 2018 due to start-up costs associated with several global products. Additionally, rising mortgage rates are likely to affect housing-related companies such as Mohawk. Newell Brands, which owns several major brand names such as Rubbermaid, detracted. Lower-than-expected earnings were attributed to a slow 2017 back-to-school season and inventory reductions at key customers such as Office Depot and Walmart, along with Toys"R"Us, which declared bankruptcy. Both Mohawk and Newell Brands were eliminated.

Outlook

Our process uses fundamental analysis to identify mid-cap companies producing attractive, sustainable earnings growth. We seek to reduce unintended, nonfundamental risks and align the portfolio with fundamental, company-specific risks that we believe will be rewarded over time. As a result of this approach, our sector and industry allocations reflect where we are finding opportunities at a given time.

At the end of the period, the portfolio’s largest overweight relative to the benchmark was in the health care sector. We believe there is growth potential in mid-cap biopharmaceutical companies. We have moved our health care allocation away from more cyclical sectors to more growth-oriented sectors. Our industrials exposure remained overweight. We believe certain companies within the industrials sector are positioned to benefit from continued U.S. growth and thrive in a late-cycle economic environment.

Information technology ended the period as the portfolio’s largest underweight. However, we believe strongly that mid-cap technology companies are poised to benefit from secular themes such as 5G data technology, artificial intelligence, and the internet of things. We trimmed technology stocks we saw as having less upside and emphasized investments in companies whose business models we believe can sustainably capitalize on these themes. Financials ended the period underweight, reflecting what we see as a lack of opportunity in the sector as the yield curve flattens and affects the profitability of several lines of business for financial institutions.







4


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
2.7%
Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
2.5%
Burlington Stores, Inc.
2.4%
SBA Communications Corp.
2.3%
FleetCor Technologies, Inc.
2.2%
Xilinx, Inc.
2.1%
Verisk Analytics, Inc.
2.0%
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.
2.0%
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
1.9%
NetApp, Inc.
1.9%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Software
9.7%
IT Services
8.2%
Specialty Retail
6.3%
Health Care Providers and Services
5.6%
Health Care Equipment and Supplies
5.5%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
97.6%
Temporary Cash Investments
2.4%
Other Assets and Liabilities
—*
*Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.




5


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)(2)
Actual
 
 
 
 
G Class
$1,000
$1,019.60
$0.00
0.00%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
G Class
$1,000
$1,025.21
$0.00
0.00%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.
(2)
Other expenses, which include directors' fees and expenses, did not exceed 0.005%.

6


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 97.6%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 1.7%
 
 
L3 Technologies, Inc.
63,057

$
11,947,410

Auto Components — 0.8%
 
 
Aptiv plc
72,111

5,538,125

Banks — 0.5%
 
 
SVB Financial Group(1) 
14,180

3,363,921

Beverages — 2.7%
 
 
Brown-Forman Corp., Class B
79,088

3,664,938

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A
39,110

7,791,885

Monster Beverage Corp.(1) 
134,854

7,127,034

 
 
18,583,857

Biotechnology — 3.3%
 
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
62,337

6,986,108

Array BioPharma, Inc.(1) 
306,973

4,972,963

Immunomedics, Inc.(1) 
217,831

4,907,732

Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
45,261

6,054,111

 
 
22,920,914

Building Products — 1.2%
 
 
Allegion plc
93,995

8,058,191

Capital Markets — 4.9%
 
 
Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
107,246

12,102,711

LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.
83,363

5,135,161

S&P Global, Inc.
41,038

7,482,048

SEI Investments Co.
174,397

9,321,520

 
 
34,041,440

Chemicals — 0.2%
 
 
FMC Corp.
18,646

1,455,880

Communications Equipment — 1.5%
 
 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1) 
55,943

10,239,807

Construction and Engineering — 1.6%
 
 
Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc.
146,996

11,037,930

Construction Materials — 0.9%
 
 
Vulcan Materials Co.
64,293

6,502,594

Containers and Packaging — 1.6%
 
 
Ball Corp.
245,502

10,998,490

Electrical Equipment — 1.4%
 
 
AMETEK, Inc.
149,198

10,008,202

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 1.6%
 
 
CDW Corp.
119,797

10,782,928

Entertainment — 2.8%
 
 
Electronic Arts, Inc.(1) 
61,468

5,592,359


7


 
Shares
Value
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.(1) 
105,405

$
13,583,542

 
 
19,175,901

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.3%
 
 
SBA Communications Corp.(1) 
97,929

15,881,146

Food and Staples Retailing — 0.7%
 
 
Costco Wholesale Corp.
20,588

4,707,034

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 5.5%
 
 
Align Technology, Inc.(1) 
36,004

7,964,085

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1) 
50,459

7,447,748

Haemonetics Corp.(1) 
66,751

6,973,477

Insulet Corp.(1) 
79,261

6,991,613

Masimo Corp.(1) 
72,221

8,348,748

 
 
37,725,671

Health Care Providers and Services — 5.6%
 
 
Henry Schein, Inc.(1) 
61,853

5,133,799

LHC Group, Inc.(1) 
47,449

4,338,262

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
112,629

10,599,515

WellCare Health Plans, Inc.(1) 
67,334

18,583,511

 
 
38,655,087

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 4.8%
 
 
Domino's Pizza, Inc.
28,404

7,634,711

Haidilao International Holding Ltd.(1) 
134,000

281,604

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.
68,225

4,855,573

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A(1) 
186,621

9,161,225

Red Rock Resorts, Inc., Class A
214,338

4,959,781

Yum! Brands, Inc.
67,590

6,110,812

 
 
33,003,706

Industrial Conglomerates — 0.9%
 
 
Roper Technologies, Inc.
22,379

6,331,019

Interactive Media and Services — 1.5%
 
 
Twitter, Inc.(1) 
306,862

10,663,454

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 1.0%
 
 
Expedia Group, Inc.
54,901

6,886,232

IT Services — 8.2%
 
 
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(1) 
99,275

7,172,619

Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp.
348,832

17,281,137

FleetCor Technologies, Inc.(1) 
75,161

15,034,455

Square, Inc., Class A(1) 
82,115

6,031,347

Worldpay, Inc., Class A(1) 
122,849

11,282,452

 
 
56,802,010

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 0.8%
 
 
Illumina, Inc.(1) 
18,715

5,823,172

Machinery — 2.1%
 
 
Ingersoll-Rand plc
117,373

11,260,766

WABCO Holdings, Inc.(1) 
31,741

3,410,570

 
 
14,671,336


8


 
Shares
Value
Marine — 0.6%
 
 
Kirby Corp.(1) 
59,629

$
4,289,710

Metals and Mining — 0.3%
 
 
Largo Resources Ltd.(1) 
741,583

2,247,648

Multiline Retail — 0.6%
 
 
Dollar Tree, Inc.(1) 
49,154

4,143,682

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.2%
 
 
Concho Resources, Inc.(1) 
57,967

8,062,630

Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%
 
 
Elanco Animal Health, Inc.(1) 
108,225

3,298,698

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc(1) 
57,491

9,130,721

 
 
12,429,419

Professional Services — 4.1%
 
 
IHS Markit Ltd.(1) 
181,952

9,557,938

TransUnion
75,599

4,970,634

Verisk Analytics, Inc.(1) 
116,321

13,939,909

 
 
28,468,481

Road and Rail — 1.0%
 
 
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
33,198

6,805,590

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 5.2%
 
 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.(1) 
232,142

4,227,306

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.
440,005

7,220,482

Microchip Technology, Inc.
150,905

9,926,531

Xilinx, Inc.
170,532

14,558,317

 
 
35,932,636

Software — 9.7%
 
 
Autodesk, Inc.(1) 
98,831

12,773,907

PTC, Inc.(1) 
107,161

8,831,138

RealPage, Inc.(1) 
131,809

6,985,877

Red Hat, Inc.(1) 
42,891

7,361,811

ServiceNow, Inc.(1) 
62,598

11,332,742

Splunk, Inc.(1) 
59,340

5,924,506

Tyler Technologies, Inc.(1) 
41,190

8,718,275

Workday, Inc., Class A(1) 
39,821

5,296,989

 
 
67,225,245

Specialty Retail — 6.3%
 
 
Burlington Stores, Inc.(1) 
97,276

16,681,861

Five Below, Inc.(1) 
55,897

6,362,197

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.(1) 
40,887

13,114,505

Ross Stores, Inc.
73,389

7,265,511

 
 
43,424,074

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 1.9%
 
 
NetApp, Inc.
164,870

12,940,646

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 2.7%
 
 
Lululemon Athletica, Inc.(1) 
72,989

10,271,742

VF Corp.
105,204

8,719,307

 
 
18,991,049


9


 
Shares
Value
Trading Companies and Distributors — 2.1%
 
 
United Rentals, Inc.(1) 
82,635

$
9,921,985

Univar, Inc.(1) 
183,189

4,510,113

 
 
14,432,098

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $580,705,824)
 
675,198,365

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 2.4%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $11,430,517), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $11,199,057)
 
11,198,435

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 5/15/45, valued at $5,718,485), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $5,604,163)
 
5,604,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
9,417

9,417

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $16,811,852)
 
16,811,852

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.0%
(Cost $597,517,676)
 
692,010,217

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  
 
(205,148
)
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
691,805,069


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
 
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CAD
303,426

USD
234,449

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
$
(3,658
)
CAD
656,048

USD
504,074

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(5,073
)
CAD
327,396

USD
249,999

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(976
)
USD
6,852,696

CAD
8,833,125

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
134,077

USD
186,127

CAD
240,692

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
3,053

USD
170,422

CAD
221,484

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
1,958

USD
259,958

CAD
335,577

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
4,713

USD
178,621

CAD
230,818

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
3,057

USD
215,118

CAD
279,321

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
2,661

USD
337,020

CAD
435,787

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
5,554

USD
896,726

CAD
1,162,030

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
12,867

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
158,233


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
CAD
-
Canadian Dollar
USD
-
United States Dollar
† Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.
(1)
Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

10


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $597,517,676)
$
692,010,217

Receivable for investments sold
2,603,982

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
167,940

Dividends and interest receivable
826

 
694,782,965

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
2,968,189

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
9,707

 
2,977,896

 
 
Net Assets
$
691,805,069

 
 
G Class Capital Shares, $0.01 Par Value
 
Shares authorized
500,000,000

Shares outstanding
47,603,675

 
 
Net Asset Value Per Share
$
14.53

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
457,767,308

Distributable earnings
234,037,761

 
$
691,805,069



See Notes to Financial Statements.


11


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
Investment Income (Loss)
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $6,738)
$
5,441,971

Interest
76,874

 
5,518,845

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
5,057,373

Directors' fees and expenses
17,443

Other expenses
13,221

 
5,088,037

Fees waived
(5,057,373
)
 
30,664

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
5,488,181

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
150,399,647

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
420,804

Foreign currency translation transactions
(148
)
 
150,820,303

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(86,705,992
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
(4,968
)
 
(86,710,960
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
64,109,343

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
69,597,524



See Notes to Financial Statements.


12


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
5,488,181

$
2,111,214

Net realized gain (loss)
150,820,303

56,742,260

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(86,710,960
)
91,090,749

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
69,597,524

149,944,223

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:
 
 
G Class
(55,729,292
)
(22,613,046
)
R6 Class

(2,450,807
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(55,729,292
)
(25,063,853
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
(144,973,455
)
(15,408,566
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
(131,105,223
)
109,471,804

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
822,910,292

713,438,488

End of period
$
691,805,069

$
822,910,292



See Notes to Financial Statements.


13


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. NT Heritage Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth. The fund is not permitted to invest in securities issued by companies assigned the Global Industry Classification Standard or the Bloomberg Industry Classification Standard for the tobacco industry. The fund offers the G Class. On July 31, 2017, all outstanding R6 Class shares were converted to G Class shares and the fund discontinued offering the R6 Class.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 
The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of

14


Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may elect to treat a portion of its payment to a redeeming shareholder, which represents the pro rata share of undistributed net investment income and net realized gains, as a distribution for federal income tax purposes (tax equalization).
 
Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc., and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are

15


wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC. Various funds issued by American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. own, in aggregate, 100% of the shares of the fund. Related parties do not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control.
 
Management Fees —The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee). The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on the daily net assets of the fund and paid monthly in arrears. The annual management fee is 0.65%. The investment advisor agreed to waive the management fee in its entirety. The investment advisor expects this waiver to remain in effect permanently and cannot terminate it without the approval of the Board of Directors. The effective annual management fee for the period ended October 31, 2018 was 0.65% before waiver and 0.00% after waiver.
 
Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $4,755,661 and $4,931,801, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $777,740 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $691,376,189 and $896,641,259, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
G Class/Shares Authorized
500,000,000

 
500,000,000

 
Sold
1,434,857

$
20,837,098

10,789,180

$
145,023,909

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
3,989,212

55,729,292

1,817,769

22,613,046

Redeemed
(14,907,717
)
(221,539,845
)
(8,335,745
)
(110,364,109
)
 
(9,483,648
)
(144,973,455
)
4,271,204

57,272,846

R6 Class/Shares Authorized
N/A

 
N/A

 
Sold
 
 
1,796,142

23,492,081

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
 
 
195,908

2,450,807

Redeemed
 
 
(7,123,592
)
(98,624,300
)
 
 
 
(5,131,542
)
(72,681,412
)
Net increase (decrease)
(9,483,648
)
$
(144,973,455
)
(860,338
)
$
(15,408,566
)


16


6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 
The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
672,669,113

$
2,529,252


Temporary Cash Investments
9,417

16,802,435


 
$
672,678,530

$
19,331,687


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
167,940


 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
9,707



7. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $9,613,641.
 

17


The value of foreign currency risk derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018, is disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset of $167,940 in unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and a liability of $9,707 in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the effect of foreign currency risk derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations was $420,804 in net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and $(4,968) in change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

8. Risk Factors

The fund invests in common stocks of small companies. Because of this, the fund may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a fund investing in larger, more established companies.

9. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
4,294,367


Long-term capital gains
$
51,434,925

$
25,063,853


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

The reclassifications, which are primarily due to tax equalization, were made to capital $11,873,407 and distributable earnings $(11,873,407).
 
As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
599,706,638

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
119,238,955

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(26,935,376
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
$
92,303,579

Undistributed ordinary income
$
23,062,247

Accumulated long-term gains
$
118,671,935


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 


18


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
G Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$14.41
0.10
1.05
1.15
(0.05)
(0.98)
(1.03)
$14.53
8.19%
0.00%(3)
0.65%
0.71%
0.06%
90%

$691,805

2017
$12.31
0.04
2.50
2.54
(0.44)
(0.44)
$14.41
21.29%
0.58%
0.76%
0.27%
0.09%
67%

$822,910

2016
$13.65
(4)
(0.28)
(0.28)
(1.06)
(1.06)
$12.31
(2.01)%
0.80%
0.80%
(0.02)%
(0.02)%
73%

$649,951

2015
$13.37
(0.03)
0.93
0.90
(0.62)
(0.62)
$13.65
7.20%
0.80%
0.80%
(0.22)%
(0.22)%
83%

$609,841

2014
$13.81
(0.04)
1.08
1.04
(1.48)
(1.48)
$13.37
8.53%
0.80%
0.80%
(0.31)%
(0.31)%
76%

$572,085

Notes to Financial Highlights
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
Ratio was less than 0.005%.
(4)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of NT Heritage Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of NT Heritage Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

20


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


21


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

22


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





23


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




24


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was below its benchmark for the one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.


25


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was below the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.


26


Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


27


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



28


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $4,294,367, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $3,035,430 as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $61,292,222, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund utilized earnings and profits of $11,873,407 distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction (tax equalization).


29


Notes

30


Notes

31


Notes


32






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
 
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90987 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Select Fund
 
Investor Class (TWCIX)
 
I Class (TWSIX)
 
Y Class (ASLWX)
 
A Class (TWCAX)
 
C Class (ACSLX)
 
R Class (ASERX)
 
R5 Class (ASLGX)
 
R6 Class (ASDEX)







Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information




















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWCIX
8.94%
12.70%
14.23%
6/30/71
Russell 1000 Growth Index
10.71%
13.43%
15.45%
I Class
TWSIX
9.15%
12.93%
14.46%
3/13/97
Y Class
ASLWX
9.34%
15.58%
4/10/17
A Class
TWCAX
 
 
 
 
8/8/97
No sales charge
 
8.67%
12.43%
13.94%
 
With sales charge
 
2.42%
11.10%
13.27%
 
C Class
ACSLX
7.86%
11.58%
13.09%
1/31/03
R Class
ASERX
8.41%
12.15%
13.66%
7/29/05
R5 Class
ASLGX
9.13%
15.38%
4/10/17
R6 Class
ASDEX
9.33%
13.10%
14.00%
7/26/13
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available. Although the fund’s actual inception date was October 31, 1958, the Investor Class inception date corresponds with the investment advisor’s implementation of its current investment philosophy and practices. Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.

















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-8db50cba050e57c6acf.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $37,847
 
 
Russell 1000 Growth Index — $42,082
 

Ending value of Investor Class would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
Y Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
R5 Class
R6 Class
1.00%
0.80%
0.65%
1.25%
2.00%
1.50%
0.80%
0.65%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary
 

Portfolio Managers: Keith Lee, Michael Li, and Chris Krantz

Performance Summary

Select returned 8.94%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, lagging the 10.71% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices posted solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp drop during the final month of the fund’s fiscal year. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across the capitalization spectrum, providing a tailwind for the fund. Within the Russell 1000 Growth Index, all sectors but materials, energy, and communication services posted gains. The small utilities segmenta sector that rarely offers the kind of growth characteristics we seekreported the top total return, but index gains were largely driven by the strong performance of information technology and consumer discretionary stocks.

Stock selection in health care and positioning among communication services companies were the major sources of underperformance versus the benchmark. Industrials was the top contributing sector due to stock selection. Stock choices were also strongly positive in information technology, although an underweight relative to the benchmark negated some of those gains.

Health Care Stocks Led Detractors

Biotechnology stocks weighed on performance in the health care sector. Celgene fell sharply after announcing that it was discontinuing late-stage clinical trials of its drug to treat Crohn’s disease, putting pressure on its product pipeline. The company also had to lower guidance due to disappointing sales for its arthritic psoriasis drug Otezla due to pricing competition. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals declined as investors were concerned about competition for its Eylea drug used to treat macular degeneration, a key market for the company.

At the end of September, index provider FTSE Russell eliminated the telecommunication services sectorwhere the portfolio had no holdingsand introduced the communication services sector. Communication services includes stocks of companies that had previously been in a range of other sectors. Within the sector, Electronic Arts underperformed as the video game maker lowered full-year guidance on revenue due to delays in game launches and the impact of foreign exchange. Despite the missteps, we believe Electronic Arts is a high-quality company in a space with continued long-term potential. The China-based web search engine Baiduwhich is reported to control about 80% of the search market in Chinadetracted on speculation that Google might reenter the Chinese market.

Elsewhere, FANUC, a Japan-based manufacturer of factory automation machinery, detracted significantly from the portfolio’s relative results. Investors bid the stock lower on concerns of a global trade war and slowdown in manufacturing, which would negatively impact industrial automation. FANUC said it expected annual operating profit to decline.





*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund’s benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.


5


Industrials Stocks Aided Performance

Professional services stocks led contributors in the industrials sector. Verisk Analytics, a data analytics and risk assessment company, outperformed as the company continued to grow revenue through adding to its subscriber base and offering new solutions to clients.

Stock choices in the IT services industry aided performance. Payment services company MasterCard saw its stock increase on widening profit margins and earnings that beat expectations. Also in the information technology sector, Apple benefited from higher-than-expected sales of new, premium-priced phones and strong services business. Apple continues to produce massive free cash flow and to deploy capital in shareholder-friendly ways.

Other top contributors included The TJX Cos. The off-price retailer is benefiting from economic growth and an improved employment picture, which are supporting greater consumer confidence. Managed care firm UnitedHealth Group reported a positive earnings surprise, which bolstered the health care company’s stock.
        
Outlook

We remain confident in our belief that high-quality companies with a capability for sustained long-term growth will outperform in the long term. Our portfolio positioning reflects where we are seeing opportunities as a result of the application of that philosophy and process.

As we noted earlier, at the end of September, Russell eliminated the telecommunication services sector and introduced the communication services sector. Communication services includes stocks of companies that had previously been in a range of other sectors. For example, portfolio holdings Facebook and Google parent Alphabet, which had been included in the information technology sector, are now part of communication services. As a result of Russell’s sector shifts, communication services ended the period as our largest overweight and our information technology allocation ended the period underweight relative to the benchmark.



6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Apple, Inc.
10.1%
Alphabet, Inc.*
8.4%
Amazon.com, Inc.
5.7%
MasterCard, Inc., Class A
5.5%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
5.0%
Facebook, Inc., Class A
3.4%
Microsoft Corp.
3.3%
PayPal Holdings, Inc.
3.1%
Home Depot, Inc. (The)
2.7%
TJX Cos., Inc. (The)
2.6%
*Includes all classes of the issuer held by the fund.
 
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Interactive Media and Services
12.4%
Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals
11.5%
IT Services
10.1%
Biotechnology
7.1%
Specialty Retail
5.8%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
99.6%
Temporary Cash Investments
0.3%
Other Assets and Liabilities
0.1%

7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,038.20
$4.98
0.97%
I Class
$1,000
$1,039.20
$3.96
0.77%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,040.00
$3.19
0.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,036.90
$6.26
1.22%
C Class
$1,000
$1,033.00
$10.09
1.97%
R Class
$1,000
$1,035.60
$7.54
1.47%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,039.00
$3.96
0.77%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,040.00
$3.19
0.62%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.32
$4.94
0.97%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.32
$3.92
0.77%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,022.08
$3.16
0.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,019.06
$6.21
1.22%
C Class
$1,000
$1,015.28
$10.01
1.97%
R Class
$1,000
$1,017.80
$7.48
1.47%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,021.32
$3.92
0.77%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,022.08
$3.16
0.62%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 99.6%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 2.6%
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
190,000

$
67,423,400

United Technologies Corp.
68,500

8,508,385

 
 
75,931,785

Auto Components — 1.1%
 
 
Aptiv plc
423,400

32,517,120

Banks — 1.6%
 
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
428,200

46,682,364

Beverages — 2.9%
 
 
Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A
293,800

58,533,774

Diageo plc
832,000

28,803,886

 
 
87,337,660

Biotechnology — 7.1%
 
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
195,000

21,853,650

Biogen, Inc.(1) 
224,300

68,247,761

Celgene Corp.(1) 
527,200

37,747,520

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
162,000

54,956,880

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
173,600

29,418,256

 
 
212,224,067

Building Products — 0.6%
 
 
Allegion plc
221,600

18,997,768

Capital Markets — 2.7%
 
 
Bank of New York Mellon Corp. (The)
461,900

21,861,727

Cboe Global Markets, Inc.
317,600

35,841,160

MSCI, Inc.
145,200

21,835,176

 
 
79,538,063

Chemicals — 1.2%
 
 
Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)
74,900

29,470,903

Valvoline, Inc.
329,600

6,565,632

 
 
36,036,535

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 0.4%
 
 
Keyence Corp.
22,000

10,782,115

Entertainment — 4.0%
 
 
Electronic Arts, Inc.(1) 
550,300

50,066,294

Walt Disney Co. (The)
598,900

68,771,687

 
 
118,837,981

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.6%
 
 
American Tower Corp.
193,100

30,086,911

Equinix, Inc.
45,100

17,081,174

 
 
47,168,085

Food and Staples Retailing — 1.5%
 
 
Costco Wholesale Corp.
192,600

44,034,138


10


 
Shares
Value
Health Care Providers and Services — 5.0%
 
 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
570,700

$
149,152,445

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 0.8%
 
 
Starbucks Corp.
422,400

24,613,248

Industrial Conglomerates — 1.2%
 
 
Roper Technologies, Inc.
125,900

35,617,110

Interactive Media and Services — 12.4%
 
 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) 
90,600

98,806,548

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1) 
138,600

149,240,322

Baidu, Inc. ADR(1) 
105,200

19,994,312

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) 
657,000

99,726,030

 
 
367,767,212

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 5.7%
 
 
Amazon.com, Inc.(1) 
106,300

169,868,463

IT Services — 10.1%
 
 
MasterCard, Inc., Class A
827,000

163,473,090

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1) 
1,109,400

93,400,386

Visa, Inc., Class A
309,500

42,664,575

 
 
299,538,051

Machinery — 3.4%
 
 
FANUC Corp.
169,500

29,645,788

Graco, Inc.
941,200

38,240,956

Middleby Corp. (The)(1) 
292,000

32,791,600

 
 
100,678,344

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.4%
 
 
EOG Resources, Inc.
402,600

42,409,884

Personal Products — 1.5%
 
 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A
329,300

45,258,992

Professional Services — 3.5%
 
 
IHS Markit Ltd.(1) 
895,400

47,035,362

Verisk Analytics, Inc.(1) 
467,200

55,989,248

 
 
103,024,610

Road and Rail — 1.0%
 
 
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd.
151,400

31,048,242

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 3.3%
 
 
Analog Devices, Inc.
572,100

47,890,491

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
1,024,500

51,245,490

 
 
99,135,981

Software — 3.8%
 
 
DocuSign, Inc.(1) 
353,200

14,813,208

Microsoft Corp.
907,300

96,908,713

 
 
111,721,921

Specialty Retail — 5.8%
 
 
Home Depot, Inc. (The)
452,100

79,515,348

Tiffany & Co.
121,200

13,489,560

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)
709,400

77,948,872

 
 
170,953,780


11


 
Shares
Value
Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 11.5%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
1,366,500

$
299,072,190

NetApp, Inc.
545,200

42,792,748

 
 
341,864,938

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 1.9%
 
 
NIKE, Inc., Class B
738,000

55,379,520

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $1,383,279,586)
 
2,958,120,422

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 0.3%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $6,610,534), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $6,476,676)
 
6,476,316

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 5/15/45, valued at $3,306,445), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $3,241,095)
 
3,241,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
5,400

5,400

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $9,722,716)
 
9,722,716

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.9%
(Cost $1,393,002,302)
 
2,967,843,138

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.1%
 
2,773,163

TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
2,970,616,301


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CAD
1,355,435

USD
1,048,920

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
$
(17,954
)
CAD
1,996,534

USD
1,534,036

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(15,439
)
CAD
951,080

USD
727,730

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(4,323
)
USD
23,102,998

CAD
29,779,764

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
452,024

USD
731,946

CAD
944,860

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
13,271

USD
698,113

CAD
903,893

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
10,597

USD
701,203

CAD
920,322

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
1,191

JPY
48,070,000

USD
427,108

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
1,016

JPY
40,700,000

USD
365,324

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
(2,839
)
JPY
44,880,000

USD
401,057

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
(1,343
)
JPY
25,410,000

USD
226,795

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
(486
)
USD
6,100,126

JPY
682,110,000

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
25,067

USD
385,335

JPY
43,670,000

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
(3,602
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
457,180



12


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
ADR
-
American Depositary Receipt
CAD
-
Canadian Dollar
JPY
-
Japanese Yen
USD
-
United States Dollar
(1)
Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


13


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $1,393,002,302)
$
2,967,843,138

Receivable for investments sold
4,059,020

Receivable for capital shares sold
214,900

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
503,166

Dividends and interest receivable
1,278,770

 
2,973,898,994

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
107,748

Payable for capital shares redeemed
603,527

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
45,986

Accrued management fees
2,510,772

Distribution and service fees payable
14,660

 
3,282,693

 
 
Net Assets
$
2,970,616,301

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
1,172,685,801

Distributable earnings
1,797,930,500

 
$
2,970,616,301


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value

$2,835,969,504

38,457,997

$73.74
I Class, $0.01 Par Value

$70,985,624

946,196

$75.02
Y Class, $0.01 Par Value

$14,529,300

193,399

$75.13
A Class, $0.01 Par Value

$39,459,134

546,920

$72.15*
C Class, $0.01 Par Value

$5,700,182

87,979

$64.79
R Class, $0.01 Par Value

$2,258,646

31,564

$71.56
R5 Class, $0.01 Par Value

$6,228

83

$75.04
R6 Class, $0.01 Par Value

$1,707,683

22,755

$75.05
*Maximum offering price $76.55 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.

14


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $200,264)
$
31,175,531

Interest
160,563

 
31,336,094

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
29,959,352

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
105,197

C Class
58,380

R Class
13,987

Directors' fees and expenses
69,390

Other expenses
245

 
30,206,551

Fees waived(1)
(609,326
)
 
29,597,225

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
1,738,869

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
220,012,089

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
1,195,322

Written options contract transactions
1,009,857

Foreign currency translation transactions
(2,884
)
 
222,214,384

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
31,990,327

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
(538,533
)
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(811
)
 
31,450,983

 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
253,665,367

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
255,404,236


(1)
Amount consists of $584,217, $13,806, $856, $8,416, $1,168, $559 and $304 for Investor Class, I Class, Y Class, A Class, C Class, R Class and R6 Class, respectively. The waiver amount for R5 Class was less than $0.05.


See Notes to Financial Statements.

15


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
1,738,869

$
8,586,409

Net realized gain (loss)
222,214,384

167,727,945

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
31,450,983

462,467,477

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
255,404,236

638,781,831

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:(1)
 
 
Investor Class
(167,885,063
)
(85,358,297
)
I Class
(3,896,927
)
(1,064,287
)
Y Class
(361
)

A Class
(2,434,131
)
(1,293,683
)
C Class
(366,947
)
(169,263
)
R Class
(214,888
)
(97,514
)
R5 Class
(355
)

R6 Class
(87,056
)
(322,276
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(174,885,728
)
(88,305,320
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
24,411,779

(52,715,513
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
104,930,287

497,760,998

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
2,865,686,014

2,367,925,016

End of period
$
2,970,616,301

$
2,865,686,014

(1)
Prior period presentation has been updated to reflect the current period combination of distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains. Distributions from net investment income were $(8,554,850), $(156,843), $(43,226) and $(57,884) for Investor Class, I Class, A Class and R6 Class, respectively. Distributions from net realized gains were $(76,803,447), $(907,444), $(1,250,457), $(169,263), $(97,514) and $(264,392) for Investor Class, I Class, A Class, C Class, R Class and R6 Class, respectively.



See Notes to Financial Statements.

16


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Select Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, Y Class, A Class, C Class, R Class, R5 Class and R6 Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Sale of the Y Class and R5 Class commenced on April 10, 2017.
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Exchange-traded options contracts are valued at the settlement price as provided by the appropriate exchange. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 

17


The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Segregated Assets — In accordance with the 1940 Act, the fund segregates assets on its books and records to cover certain types of investment securities and other financial instruments. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities segregated to ensure the fund designates a sufficient amount of liquid assets, marked-to-market daily. The fund may also receive assets or be required to pledge assets at the custodian bank or with a broker for collateral requirements.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 

18


Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually.
 
Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets). During the period ended October 31, 2018, the investment advisor agreed to waive 0.02% of the fund's management fee. The investment advisor expects this waiver to continue until July 31, 2019 and cannot terminate it prior to such date without the approval of the Board of Directors.

The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee before and after waiver for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
Management Fee
Effective Annual Management Fee
 
 Schedule Range
Before Waiver
After Waiver
Investor Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.99%
0.97%
I Class
0.600% to 0.790%
0.79%
0.77%
Y Class
0.450% to 0.640%
0.64%
0.62%
A Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.99%
0.97%
C Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.99%
0.97%
R Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.99%
0.97%
R5 Class
0.600% to 0.790%
0.79%
0.77%
R6 Class
0.450% to 0.640%
0.64%
0.62%


19


Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.

Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $11,046,105 and $10,951,581, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $3,179,021 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $658,105,694 and $810,475,625, respectively.


20


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
350,000,000

 
350,000,000

 
Sold
1,118,907

$
83,197,129

1,407,426

$
90,665,297

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
2,272,657

160,563,210

1,386,370

81,463,131

Redeemed
(3,219,750
)
(239,485,104
)
(3,734,837
)
(237,384,030
)
 
171,814

4,275,235

(941,041
)
(65,255,602
)
I Class/Shares Authorized
35,000,000

 
35,000,000

 
Sold
396,353

30,682,340

436,454

29,772,009

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
50,080

3,593,215

17,851

1,064,278

Redeemed
(333,201
)
(26,075,775
)
(94,975
)
(6,205,828
)
 
113,232

8,199,780

359,330

24,630,459

Y Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
197,116

15,403,115

78

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
5

361



Redeemed
(3,800
)
(299,030
)


 
193,321

15,104,446

78

5,000

A Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
76,515

5,571,453

173,237

10,898,266

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
34,556

2,393,697

21,975

1,267,277

Redeemed
(136,844
)
(9,978,951
)
(264,980
)
(16,695,198
)
 
(25,773
)
(2,013,801
)
(69,768
)
(4,529,655
)
C Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
13,535

896,225

26,075

1,515,135

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
5,350

334,996

2,670

141,044

Redeemed
(19,314
)
(1,277,444
)
(27,362
)
(1,544,561
)
 
(429
)
(46,223
)
1,383

111,618

R Class/Shares Authorized
30,000,000

 
30,000,000

 
Sold
11,087

800,013

8,559

540,751

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
3,121

214,888

1,697

97,514

Redeemed
(32,866
)
(2,287,575
)
(9,476
)
(583,108
)
 
(18,658
)
(1,272,674
)
780

55,157

R5 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold


78

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
5

355



 
5

355

78

5,000

R6 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
8,063

626,743

24,008

1,582,119

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
1,215

87,056

5,411

322,276

Redeemed
(7,295
)
(549,138
)
(142,938
)
(9,641,885
)
 
1,983

164,661

(113,519
)
(7,737,490
)
Net increase (decrease)
435,495

$
24,411,779

(762,679
)
$
(52,715,513
)

(1)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the Y Class and R5 Class.


21


6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 
The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
2,857,840,391

$
100,280,031


Temporary Cash Investments
5,400

9,717,316


 
$
2,857,845,791

$
109,997,347


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
503,166


 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
45,986



7. Derivative Instruments

Equity Price Risk — The fund is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. A fund may enter into options contracts based on an equity index or specific security in order to manage its exposure to changes in market conditions. The risks of entering into equity price risk derivative instruments include the possible lack of liquidity, failure of the counterparty to meet its obligations, and that there may be unfavorable changes in the underlying investments or instruments. A fund may purchase or write an option contract to protect against declines in market value on the underlying index or security. A purchased option contract provides the fund a right, but not an obligation, to buy (call) or sell (put) an equity-related asset at a specified exercise price within a certain period or on a specific date. A written option contract holds the corresponding obligation to sell (call writing) or buy (put writing) the underlying equity-related asset if the purchaser exercises the option contract. The buyer pays the seller an initial purchase price (premium) for this right. Option contracts purchased by a fund are accounted for in the same manner as marketable portfolio securities. The premium received by a fund for option contracts written is recorded as a liability and valued daily. The proceeds from securities sold through the exercise of option contracts are decreased by the premium paid to purchase the option contracts. A fund may recognize a realized gain or loss when the option contract is closed, exercised or expires. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of purchased options contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of written options contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on written options contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on written options contracts, respectively. The fund’s average exposure to equity price risk derivative instruments held during the period was 499 written options contracts.
 

22


Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $33,260,709.

Value of Derivative Instruments as of October 31, 2018
 
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Location on Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Value
Foreign Currency Risk
Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
503,166

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
45,986


Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Statement of Operations for the Year Ended October 31, 2018
 
Net Realized Gain (Loss)
Change in Net Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation)
Type of Risk Exposure
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Location on Statement of Operations
Value
Equity Price Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on written options contract transactions
$
1,009,857

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on written options contracts

Foreign Currency Risk
Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
1,195,322

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
$
(538,533
)
 
 
$
2,205,179

 
$
(538,533
)

8. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
8,116,985

$
8,812,803

Long-term capital gains
$
166,768,743

$
79,492,517


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 







23


As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
1,393,219,307

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
1,628,979,793

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(54,355,962
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
1,574,623,831

Net tax appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(937
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
1,574,622,894

Undistributed ordinary income
$
1,533,880

Accumulated long-term gains
$
221,773,726

 
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains (losses) on certain foreign currency exchange contracts.
















24


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
 Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$71.92
0.04
6.20
6.24
(0.21)
(4.21)
(4.42)
$73.74
8.94%
0.97%
0.99%
0.06%
0.04%
22%

$2,835,970

2017
$58.32
0.21
15.59
15.80
(0.22)
(1.98)
(2.20)
$71.92
27.93%
0.99%
1.00%
0.33%
0.32%
19%

$2,753,729

2016
$61.57
0.20
0.30
0.50
(0.25)
(3.50)
(3.75)
$58.32
0.98%
0.99%
0.99%
0.36%
0.36%
16%

$2,287,797

2015
$61.31
0.21
5.71
5.92
(0.24)
(5.42)
(5.66)
$61.57
10.93%
0.99%
0.99%
0.35%
0.35%
24%

$2,440,319

2014
$53.07
0.19
8.51
8.70
(0.24)
(0.22)
(0.46)
$61.31
16.50%
1.00%
1.00%
0.34%
0.34%
25%

$2,293,893

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$73.11
0.19
6.29
6.48
(0.36)
(4.21)
(4.57)
$75.02
9.15%
0.77%
0.79%
0.26%
0.24%
22%

$70,986

2017
$59.25
0.31
15.87
16.18
(0.34)
(1.98)
(2.32)
$73.11
28.20%
0.79%
0.80%
0.53%
0.52%
19%

$60,895

2016
$62.49
0.32
0.31
0.63
(0.37)
(3.50)
(3.87)
$59.25
1.19%
0.79%
0.79%
0.56%
0.56%
16%

$28,061

2015
$62.15
0.34
5.78
6.12
(0.36)
(5.42)
(5.78)
$62.49
11.16%
0.79%
0.79%
0.55%
0.55%
24%

$33,075

2014
$53.79
0.32
8.61
8.93
(0.35)
(0.22)
(0.57)
$62.15
16.74%
0.80%
0.80%
0.54%
0.54%
25%

$29,130

Y Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$73.13
0.28
6.33
6.61
(0.40)
(4.21)
(4.61)
$75.13
9.34%
0.62%
0.64%
0.41%
0.39%
22%

$14,529

2017(3)
$63.80
0.22
9.11
9.33
$73.13
14.62%
0.64%(4)
0.65%(4)
0.59%(4)
0.58%(4)
19%(5)

$6




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
 Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$70.45
(0.14)
6.07
5.93
(0.02)
(4.21)
(4.23)
$72.15
8.67%
1.22%
1.24%
(0.19)%
(0.21)%
22%

$39,459

2017
$57.16
0.05
15.29
15.34
(0.07)
(1.98)
(2.05)
$70.45
27.63%
1.24%
1.25%
0.08%
0.07%
19%

$40,345

2016
$60.41
0.06
0.29
0.35
(0.10)
(3.50)
(3.60)
$57.16
0.73%
1.24%
1.24%
0.11%
0.11%
16%

$36,723

2015
$60.25
0.06
5.61
5.67
(0.09)
(5.42)
(5.51)
$60.41
10.67%
1.24%
1.24%
0.10%
0.10%
24%

$41,737

2014
$52.15
0.06
8.36
8.42
(0.10)
(0.22)
(0.32)
$60.25
16.21%
1.25%
1.25%
0.09%
0.09%
25%

$39,786

C Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$64.11
(0.62)
5.51
4.89
(4.21)
(4.21)
$64.79
7.86%
1.97%
1.99%
(0.94)%
(0.96)%
22%

$5,700

2017
$52.51
(0.39)
13.97
13.58
(1.98)
(1.98)
$64.11
26.66%
1.99%
2.00%
(0.67)%
(0.68)%
19%

$5,668

2016
$56.09
(0.33)
0.25
(0.08)
(3.50)
(3.50)
$52.51
(0.02)%
1.99%
1.99%
(0.64)%
(0.64)%
16%

$4,570

2015
$56.64
(0.36)
5.23
4.87
(5.42)
(5.42)
$56.09
9.83%
1.99%
1.99%
(0.65)%
(0.65)%
24%

$5,932

2014
$49.32
(0.34)
7.88
7.54
(0.22)
(0.22)
$56.64
15.34%
2.00%
2.00%
(0.66)%
(0.66)%
25%

$5,929

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$70.05
(0.30)
6.02
5.72
(4.21)
(4.21)
$71.56
8.41%
1.47%
1.49%
(0.44)%
(0.46)%
22%

$2,259

2017
$56.92
(0.11)
15.22
15.11
(1.98)
(1.98)
$70.05
27.30%
1.49%
1.50%
(0.17)%
(0.18)%
19%

$3,518

2016
$60.21
(0.08)
0.29
0.21
(3.50)
(3.50)
$56.92
0.49%
1.49%
1.49%
(0.14)%
(0.14)%
16%

$2,814

2015
$60.12
(0.09)
5.60
5.51
(5.42)
(5.42)
$60.21
10.38%
1.49%
1.49%
(0.15)%
(0.15)%
24%

$3,295

2014
$52.07
(0.08)
8.35
8.27
(0.22)
(0.22)
$60.12
15.92%
1.50%
1.50%
(0.16)%
(0.16)%
25%

$3,050




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
 Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
R5 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$73.10
0.18
6.28
6.46
(0.31)
(4.21)
(4.52)
$75.04
9.13%
0.77%
0.79%
0.26%
0.24%
22%

$6

2017(3)
$63.83
0.17
9.10
9.27
$73.10
14.52%
0.79%(4)
0.80%(4)
0.44%(4)
0.43%(4)
19%(5)

$6

R6 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$73.13
0.31
6.29
6.60
(0.47)
(4.21)
(4.68)
$75.05
9.33%
0.62%
0.64%
0.41%
0.39%
22%

$1,708

2017
$59.27
0.51
15.76
16.27
(0.43)
(1.98)
(2.41)
$73.13
28.38%
0.64%
0.65%
0.68%
0.67%
19%

$1,519

2016
$62.51
0.41
0.31
0.72
(0.46)
(3.50)
(3.96)
$59.27
1.35%
0.64%
0.64%
0.71%
0.71%
16%

$7,959

2015
$62.18
0.41
5.79
6.20
(0.45)
(5.42)
(5.87)
$62.51
11.31%
0.64%
0.64%
0.70%
0.70%
24%

$9,841

2014
$53.81
0.18
8.84
9.02
(0.43)
(0.22)
(0.65)
$62.18
16.92%
0.65%
0.65%
0.69%
0.69%
25%

$7,672

Notes to Financial Highlights
 
 
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.
See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Select Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Select Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

28


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


29


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

30


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





31


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




32


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the three-year period, at its benchmark for the one-year period, and below its benchmark for the five- and ten-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.

33



Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was slightly above the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe and was within the range of its peer expense group. The Board and the Advisor agreed to a temporary

34


reduction of the Fund's annual unified management fee of 0.02% (e.g., the Investor Class unified fee will be reduced from 0.99% to 0.97%) for at least one year, beginning August 1, 2018. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


35


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



36


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $8,116,985, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $166,768,743 or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.


37


Notes

38


Notes


39


Notes


40






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
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or 816-531-5575
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
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American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90969 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Small Cap Growth Fund
 
Investor Class (ANOIX)
 
I Class (ANONX)
 
Y Class (ANOYX)
 
A Class (ANOAX)
 
C Class (ANOCX)
 
R Class (ANORX)
 
R5 Class (ANOGX)
 
R6 Class (ANODX)







Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information




















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
ANOIX
8.89%
9.50%
12.96%
6/1/01
Russell 2000 Growth Index
4.13%
8.75%
13.88%
I Class
ANONX
9.18%
9.72%
13.18%
5/18/07
Y Class
ANOYX
9.29%
16.23%
4/10/17
A Class
ANOAX
 
 
 
 
1/31/03
No sales charge
 
8.61%
9.22%
12.67%
 
With sales charge
 
2.35%
7.92%
12.00%
 
C Class
ANOCX
7.83%
8.41%
11.83%
1/31/03
R Class
ANORX
8.41%
8.95%
12.40%
9/28/07
R5 Class
ANOGX
9.12%
16.03%
4/10/17
R6 Class
ANODX
9.30%
9.88%
10.73%
7/26/13
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.



















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-1236c86dc6bd53b28d0.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $33,858
 
 
Russell 2000 Growth Index — $36,724
 

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
Y Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
R5 Class
R6 Class
1.36%
1.16%
1.01%
1.61%
2.36%
1.86%
1.16%
1.01%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.












Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary
 

Portfolio Managers: Jackie Wagner and Jeff Hoernemann

Performance Summary

Small Cap Growth returned 8.89%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, outpacing the 4.13% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 2000 Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices registered solid gains during the reporting period, and growth stocks outpaced value stocks by a wide margin across all capitalization ranges, providing a tailwind for the fund. Within the Russell 2000 Growth Index, consumer staples, health care, and consumer discretionary were the top-performing sectors, while materials and energy stocks declined significantly.

Stock choices within the information technology sector helped drive the fund’s outperformance relative to the benchmark. Stock selection in the consumer discretionary, financials, industrials, and energy sectors was also strongly positive. Stock choices in health care and communication services detracted.

Information Technology Stocks Benefited Performance

Within the information technology sector, stock choices among software companies led performance. An overweight allocation to the industry was also beneficial. Bottomline Technologies was a key contributor. This software solutions provider sells products that allow for business-to-business payments and fraud monitoring. The company reported quarterly results that were better than expected on strong revenue growth. Bookings also accelerated, which suggests continued strong revenue growth. RingCentral, a provider of subscription-based software for enterprise communications, was a key contributor. Demand for its products is benefiting from the shift to replace on-premise inflexible solutions with cloud-based offerings. The company reported better-than-expected results and guided expectations higher.

Other top contributors included Medifast. The stock of this nutrition and weight loss company rallied following better-than-expected financial results. An improvement in sales growth for the company’s OptaVia branded products is being driven by growth in its active Health Coaches business and an increase in average revenue per coach. We established a position in Goosehead Insurance through our participation in its initial public offering (IPO) in April. We felt the company was underappreciated by the market given its strong and accelerating growth rates and its opportunity to gain market share. Analysts re-rated the stock after the IPO, sending shares higher. Teladoc Health provides telephonic and video physician consultations. The company’s revenues turned positive in a seasonally slower quarter, and new rules allow reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid for 2019. The company also announced a non-U.S. acquisition and signed a collaboration deal with CVS Health.

Health Care Weighed on Performance

Stock choices among biotechnology and pharmaceuticals companies led detractors in the health care sector. Our underweight in Nektar Therapeutics hampered portfolio results. Early in the year, the company announced positive data for its cancer drug in combination with drugs owned by a major pharmaceutical company. However, we eliminated our holding on news of weak incremental

*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund’s benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.


5


clinical data for its drug combination with Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo. Specifically, the company reported response rates that were lower than expected among patients with renal cancer. Fitness firm Tivity Health underperformed. The company’s SilverSneakers program, which is included in many Medicare Advantage plans, is expected to see increased competition from UnitedHealth Group’s similar program. We eliminated the holding.

Elsewhere, Dycom Industries was a significant detractor. Dycom is a telecommunications-focused construction and engineering company. Management preannounced a weak quarter in which progress on the initial parts of the 5G rollout by its customers was delayed by permitting issues at the local level, while full staffing drove margins lower. We see the company’s backlog growth as indicative of a multi-year growth acceleration driven by the rollout of 5G wireless. The aggregates and cement company Summit Materials reported a second-consecutive miss on revenue and earnings in a seasonally important quarter as competition in the Mississippi River corridor hurt cement prices and input costs rose. We eliminated the holding because these issues are likely to persist. We also eliminated Granite Construction, another key detractor. The construction materials producer posted weaker-than-expected quarterly earnings from ongoing margin headwinds in a few of its large projects.

Outlook

Small Cap Growth’s investment process focuses on smaller companies with accelerating growth rates and share-price momentum. We believe that active investments in such companies will generate outperformance over time compared with the Russell 2000 Growth Index.

The portfolio positioning remains largely stock specific, with few thematic trends. As of October 31, 2018, financials and consumer discretionary were the largest overweight sectors. Communication services and materials were the largest underweights.






6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Bottomline Technologies de, Inc.
1.6%
Paylocity Holding Corp.
1.4%
Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
1.4%
Teladoc Health, Inc.
1.3%
ICU Medical, Inc.
1.3%
AAR Corp.
1.3%
Masimo Corp.
1.3%
Medifast, Inc.
1.3%
Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A
1.2%
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A
1.2%
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Software
9.7%
Biotechnology
9.0%
Commercial Services and Supplies
4.8%
Health Care Providers and Services
4.7%
Health Care Equipment and Supplies
4.5%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
97.3%
Temporary Cash Investments
2.4%
Other Assets and Liabilities
0.3%


7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
 
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,016.30
$6.40
1.26%
I Class
$1,000
$1,017.60
$5.39
1.06%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,018.60
$4.63
0.91%
A Class
$1,000
$1,015.10
$7.67
1.51%
C Class
$1,000
$1,011.40
$11.46
2.26%
R Class
$1,000
$1,014.20
$8.94
1.76%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,017.00
$5.39
1.06%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,018.00
$4.63
0.91%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,018.85
$6.41
1.26%
I Class
$1,000
$1,019.86
$5.40
1.06%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,020.62
$4.63
0.91%
A Class
$1,000
$1,017.59
$7.68
1.51%
C Class
$1,000
$1,013.81
$11.47
2.26%
R Class
$1,000
$1,016.33
$8.94
1.76%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,019.86
$5.40
1.06%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,020.62
$4.63
0.91%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 97.3%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 4.2%
 
 
AAR Corp.
237,441

$
11,297,444

Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings, Inc.(1) 
231,248

8,167,679

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.(1) 
736,596

9,229,548

Mercury Systems, Inc.(1) 
178,463

8,362,776

 
 
37,057,447

Banks — 2.4%
 
 
Bank of NT Butterfield & Son Ltd. (The)
185,814

7,486,446

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.
188,740

8,002,576

Seacoast Banking Corp. of Florida(1) 
221,401

5,825,060

 
 
21,314,082

Beverages — 1.0%
 
 
MGP Ingredients, Inc.
122,742

8,735,548

Biotechnology — 9.0%
 
 
ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
160,939

3,135,092

Acceleron Pharma, Inc.(1) 
78,209

3,970,671

Adamas Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
133,203

2,204,510

Aimmune Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
142,377

3,784,381

Alder Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
168,500

2,139,950

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
380,973

4,259,278

AnaptysBio, Inc.(1) 
29,735

2,221,799

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
129,475

4,617,079

Array BioPharma, Inc.(1) 
351,014

5,686,427

Athenex, Inc.(1) 
119,376

1,440,868

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(1) 
61,351

3,728,300

FibroGen, Inc.(1) 
93,319

4,000,586

Flexion Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
186,808

2,529,380

Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
57,669

2,023,605

Halozyme Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
174,840

2,715,265

Heron Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
139,036

3,859,639

Immunomedics, Inc.(1) 
194,058

4,372,127

Intercept Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
28,892

2,773,921

Loxo Oncology, Inc.(1) 
26,682

4,073,274

Principia Biopharma, Inc.(1) 
95,764

2,202,572

PTC Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
67,989

2,618,936

Puma Biotechnology, Inc.(1) 
67,821

2,512,768

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
24,155

3,108,265

Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc.(1) 
54,425

2,636,891

Viking Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
248,753

3,383,041

 
 
79,998,625

Building Products — 1.3%
 
 
PGT Innovations, Inc.(1) 
235,153

4,764,200


10


 
Shares
Value
Trex Co., Inc.(1) 
105,408

$
6,461,510

 
 
11,225,710

Capital Markets — 1.4%
 
 
Ares Management LP
235,514

4,618,430

Hamilton Lane, Inc., Class A
202,537

7,773,370

 
 
12,391,800

Chemicals — 2.1%
 
 
Ferro Corp.(1) 
336,670

5,703,190

Ingevity Corp.(1) 
93,089

8,478,546

Valvoline, Inc.
236,000

4,701,120

 
 
18,882,856

Commercial Services and Supplies — 4.8%
 
 
Advanced Disposal Services, Inc.(1) 
340,222

9,216,614

Brink's Co. (The)
85,022

5,638,659

Casella Waste Systems, Inc., Class A(1) 
237,797

7,742,670

Charah Solutions, Inc.(1) 
284,355

2,135,506

Clean Harbors, Inc.(1) 
122,823

8,356,877

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.
229,796

9,327,420

 
 
42,417,746

Communications Equipment — 1.0%
 
 
Lumentum Holdings, Inc.(1) 
43,790

2,393,123

Quantenna Communications, Inc.(1) 
362,861

6,516,984

 
 
8,910,107

Construction and Engineering — 1.2%
 
 
Dycom Industries, Inc.(1) 
151,988

10,316,945

Consumer Finance — 1.2%
 
 
Curo Group Holdings Corp.(1) 
209,385

2,946,047

Green Dot Corp., Class A(1) 
105,615

7,999,280

 
 
10,945,327

Distributors — 0.7%
 
 
Pool Corp.
42,155

6,144,091

Diversified Consumer Services — 1.5%
 
 
Bright Horizons Family Solutions, Inc.(1) 
58,518

6,724,304

Chegg, Inc.(1) 
233,876

6,380,137

 
 
13,104,441

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 1.9%
 
 
Dolby Laboratories, Inc., Class A
150,689

10,368,910

National Instruments Corp.
130,455

6,388,382

 
 
16,757,292

Entertainment — 1.7%
 
 
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A
144,945

10,521,557

Zynga, Inc., Class A(1) 
1,356,023

4,935,924

 
 
15,457,481

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.3%
 
 
Americold Realty Trust
394,184

9,756,054

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.
342,683

10,520,368

 
 
20,276,422


11


 
Shares
Value
Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 4.5%
 
 
ICU Medical, Inc.(1) 
44,840

$
11,422,093

Insulet Corp.(1) 
102,733

9,062,078

Masimo Corp.(1) 
97,431

11,263,024

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.(1) 
149,775

8,555,148

 
 
40,302,343

Health Care Providers and Services — 4.7%
 
 
Amedisys, Inc.(1) 
56,255

6,188,050

Ensign Group, Inc. (The)
220,414

8,164,134

Guardant Health, Inc.(1) 
160,154

5,361,956

HealthEquity, Inc.(1) 
70,266

6,450,419

PetIQ, Inc.(1) 
226,024

7,155,920

R1 RCM, Inc.(1) 
1,043,583

8,839,148

 
 
42,159,627

Health Care Technology — 2.6%
 
 
Inspire Medical Systems, Inc.(1) 
95,695

3,835,456

Teladoc Health, Inc.(1) 
168,239

11,665,692

Vocera Communications, Inc.(1) 
231,844

8,047,305

 
 
23,548,453

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 3.2%
 
 
Churchill Downs, Inc.
40,955

10,222,778

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A(1) 
223,961

10,994,245

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
126,324

7,637,549

 
 
28,854,572

Household Durables — 2.9%
 
 
Cavco Industries, Inc.(1) 
42,055

8,436,653

PlayAGS, Inc.(1) 
379,339

9,198,971

Roku, Inc.(1) 
82,281

4,574,824

TopBuild Corp.(1) 
70,955

3,236,967

 
 
25,447,415

Household Products — 0.7%
 
 
Central Garden & Pet Co., Class A(1) 
209,397

6,208,621

Insurance — 3.9%
 
 
Goosehead Insurance, Inc., Class A(1) 
228,506

7,833,186

Health Insurance Innovations, Inc., Class A(1) 
73,701

3,603,979

Kemper Corp.
124,504

9,361,456

Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
147,039

8,779,699

Trupanion, Inc.(1) 
215,044

5,432,011

 
 
35,010,331

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 1.4%
 
 
Etsy, Inc.(1) 
198,120

8,424,062

Shutterfly, Inc.(1) 
71,681

3,584,050

 
 
12,008,112

IT Services — 0.7%
 
 
Evo Payments, Inc., Class A(1) 
137,529

3,264,938

GreenSky, Inc., Class A(1) 
248,760

3,278,657

 
 
6,543,595


12


 
Shares
Value
Leisure Products — 0.6%
 
 
Malibu Boats, Inc., Class A(1) 
131,943

$
5,304,109

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 1.0%
 
 
PRA Health Sciences, Inc.(1) 
91,977

8,909,812

Machinery — 4.2%
 
 
Chart Industries, Inc.(1) 
124,052

8,441,739

Evoqua Water Technologies Corp.(1) 
319,437

3,066,595

ITT, Inc.
122,860

6,204,430

John Bean Technologies Corp.
91,955

9,560,561

Kadant, Inc.
19,045

1,879,742

Kennametal, Inc.
236,774

8,393,638

 
 
37,546,705

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 2.2%
 
 
Callon Petroleum Co.(1) 
697,624

6,955,311

Centennial Resource Development, Inc., Class A(1) 
191,232

3,664,005

Matador Resources Co.(1) 
144,381

4,163,948

Parex Resources, Inc.(1) 
315,328

4,591,772

 
 
19,375,036

Personal Products — 1.3%
 
 
Medifast, Inc.
52,913

11,200,624

Pharmaceuticals — 2.9%
 
 
Aerie Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
83,217

4,425,480

Catalent, Inc.(1) 
248,146

10,010,210

Horizon Pharma plc(1) 
271,473

4,943,523

Medicines Co. (The)(1) 
99,340

2,310,648

Optinose, Inc.(1) 
190,939

2,020,135

Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Class A(1) 
37,027

2,182,001

 
 
25,891,997

Real Estate Management and Development — 1.1%
 
 
Altus Group Ltd.
108,588

2,376,407

FirstService Corp.
95,134

6,979,408

 
 
9,355,815

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 3.3%
 
 
Inphi Corp.(1) 
144,120

4,611,840

Integrated Device Technology, Inc.(1) 
260,070

12,173,877

Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
47,462

5,606,211

Semtech Corp.(1) 
156,346

7,026,189

 
 
29,418,117

Software — 9.7%
 
 
2U, Inc.(1) 
108,290

6,812,524

Avalara, Inc.(1) 
157,479

5,278,696

Bottomline Technologies de, Inc.(1) 
220,015

14,661,800

Coupa Software, Inc.(1) 
56,623

3,670,869

Fair Isaac Corp.(1) 
26,806

5,165,784

Five9, Inc.(1) 
235,746

9,278,962

Paylocity Holding Corp.(1) 
187,353

12,325,954

RealPage, Inc.(1) 
190,774

10,111,022


13


 
Shares
Value
RingCentral, Inc., Class A(1) 
79,038

$
6,143,624

Workiva, Inc.(1) 
170,208

5,802,391

Zendesk, Inc.(1) 
127,305

6,997,956

 
 
86,249,582

Specialty Retail — 4.0%
 
 
At Home Group, Inc.(1) 
255,160

6,976,075

Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.(1) 
396,509

9,785,842

Conn's, Inc.(1) 
166,710

4,631,204

Hudson Ltd., Class A(1) 
270,736

5,723,359

RH(1) 
75,516

8,737,956

 
 
35,854,436

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 1.4%
 
 
Canada Goose Holdings, Inc.(1) 
78,851

4,302,899

G-III Apparel Group Ltd.(1) 
199,312

7,944,576

 
 
12,247,475

Thrifts and Mortgage Finance — 0.5%
 
 
NMI Holdings, Inc., Class A(1) 
226,978

4,798,315

Trading Companies and Distributors — 2.0%
 
 
MRC Global, Inc.(1) 
460,907

7,296,158

SiteOne Landscape Supply, Inc.(1) 
151,167

10,285,403

 
 
17,581,561

Water Utilities — 0.8%
 
 
SJW Group
119,861

7,279,159

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $779,791,824)
 
865,031,732

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 2.4%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $14,402,712), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $14,111,067)
 
14,110,283

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 11/15/44, valued at $7,206,631), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $7,062,206)
 
7,062,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
11,335

11,335

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $21,183,618)
 
21,183,618

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.7%
(Cost $800,975,442)
 
886,215,350

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.3%
 
2,419,231

TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
888,634,581


14


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
 
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CAD
640,812

USD
500,753

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
$
(13,341
)
CAD
1,418,925

USD
1,095,893

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(16,635
)
CAD
1,006,237

USD
773,142

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(7,781
)
CAD
882,344

USD
677,986

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(6,861
)
CAD
737,972

USD
565,743

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(4,429
)
CAD
646,765

USD
492,664

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
(725
)
USD
18,793,541

CAD
24,224,874

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
367,707

USD
437,601

CAD
570,001

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
4,049

USD
762,032

CAD
987,485

Morgan Stanley
12/31/18
10,934

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
332,918

NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
CAD
-
Canadian Dollar
USD
-
United States Dollar
(1) Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

15


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $800,975,442)
$
886,215,350

Receivable for investments sold
13,055,246

Receivable for capital shares sold
640,394

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
382,690

Dividends and interest receivable
57,357

 
900,351,037

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
9,397,974

Payable for capital shares redeemed
1,323,617

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
49,772

Accrued management fees
919,668

Distribution and service fees payable
25,425

 
11,716,456

 
 
Net Assets
$
888,634,581

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
696,256,798

Distributable earnings
192,377,783

 
$
888,634,581


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$386,455,014
21,369,226

$18.08
I Class, $0.01 Par Value
$371,029,856
20,053,334

$18.50
Y Class, $0.01 Par Value
$1,778,345
95,343

$18.65
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$77,763,992
4,446,666

$17.49*
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$6,226,742
391,027

$15.92
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$5,686,873
332,728

$17.09
R5 Class, $0.01 Par Value
$7,180
388

$18.51
R6 Class, $0.01 Par Value
$39,686,579
2,128,280

$18.65
*Maximum offering price $18.56 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.


16


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $8,280)
$
2,830,131

Interest
218,418

 
3,048,549

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
10,384,025

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
203,272

C Class
92,996

R Class
25,878

Directors' fees and expenses
21,412

Other expenses
164

 
10,727,747

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
(7,679,198
)
 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
119,631,030

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
28,540

Foreign currency translation transactions
8,285

 
119,667,855

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(47,510,301
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
172,725

 
(47,337,576
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
72,330,279

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
64,651,081



See Notes to Financial Statements.


17


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
(7,679,198
)
$
(4,213,335
)
Net realized gain (loss)
119,667,855

74,355,049

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(47,337,576
)
85,665,163

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
64,651,081

155,806,877

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:
 
 
Investor Class
(2,095,439
)
(5,748,134
)
I Class
(1,258,916
)
(7,465,031
)
Y Class
(33
)
(188
)
A Class
(482,378
)
(2,378,830
)
C Class
(64,244
)
(341,222
)
R Class
(24,888
)
(116,383
)
R5 Class
(41
)
(189
)
R6 Class
(162,130
)
(910,051
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(4,088,069
)
(16,960,028
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
124,699,558

37,784,767

 
 
 
Redemption Fees
 
 
Increase in net assets from redemption fees

46,152

 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
185,262,570

176,677,768

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
703,372,011

526,694,243

End of period
$
888,634,581

$
703,372,011



See Notes to Financial Statements.


18


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Small Cap Growth Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, Y Class, A Class, C Class, R Class, R5 Class and R6 Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Sale of the Y Class and R5 Class commenced on April 10, 2017.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 

19


The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually.

20


Redemption Fees — Prior to October 9, 2017, the fund may have imposed a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 60 days. The fee was not applicable to all classes. The redemption fee was retained by the fund to help cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets).

The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
Management Fee
Schedule Range
Effective Annual Management Fee
Investor Class
1.100% to 1.500%
1.27%
I Class
0.900% to 1.300%
1.07%
Y Class
0.750% to 1.150%
0.92%
A Class
1.100% to 1.500%
1.27%
C Class
1.100% to 1.500%
1.27%
R Class
1.100% to 1.500%
1.27%
R5 Class
0.900% to 1.300%
1.07%
R6 Class
0.750% to 1.150%
0.92%

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 

21


Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $3,250,917 and $5,332,959, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $671,180 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $1,127,170,009 and $1,002,322,961, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
140,000,000

 
140,000,000

 
Sold
3,837,143

$
73,007,550

3,941,253

$
60,605,078

Issued in connection with reorganization (Note 10)


11,477,646

191,178,610

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
114,703

1,959,131

330,936

5,457,134

Redeemed
(4,206,688
)
(77,427,067
)
(4,397,306
)
(68,805,286
)
 
(254,842
)
(2,460,386
)
11,352,529

188,435,536

I Class/Shares Authorized
200,000,000

 
200,000,000

 
Sold
11,225,816

207,756,004

2,219,923

34,034,994

Issued in connection with reorganization (Note 10)


17,006

289,155

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
11,148

194,417

65,809

1,107,559

Redeemed
(4,084,074
)
(79,828,895
)
(9,790,924
)
(152,975,647
)
 
7,152,890

128,121,526

(7,488,186
)
(117,543,939
)
Y Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
96,585

1,939,986

326

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
2

33

11

188

Redeemed
(1,581
)
(31,377
)


 
95,006

1,908,642

337

5,188

A Class/Shares Authorized
130,000,000

 
130,000,000

 
Sold
935,413

17,151,238

443,075

6,494,852

Issued in connection with reorganization (Note 10)


733,376

11,849,698

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
27,926

462,175

141,539

2,263,214

Redeemed
(1,499,001
)
(26,644,773
)
(3,205,533
)
(47,623,536
)
 
(535,662
)
(9,031,360
)
(1,887,543
)
(27,015,772
)

22


 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
C Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
105,230

$
1,738,900

53,630

$
727,224

Issued in connection with reorganization (Note 10)


60,216

893,045

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
3,614

54,825

19,042

279,538

Redeemed
(387,925
)
(6,553,664
)
(244,413
)
(3,361,284
)
 
(279,081
)
(4,759,939
)
(111,525
)
(1,461,477
)
R Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
221,772

3,855,488

79,409

1,160,623

Issued in connection with reorganization (Note 10)


23,868

377,916

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
1,481

24,003

7,118

111,533

Redeemed
(127,612
)
(2,219,990
)
(88,784
)
(1,291,440
)
 
95,641

1,659,501

21,611

358,632

R5 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
80

1,393

328

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
2

41

11

189

Redeemed
(33
)
(601
)


 
49

833

339

5,189

R6 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
1,173,576

22,855,500

666,466

10,392,722

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
9,233

162,130

53,722

910,051

Redeemed
(691,385
)
(13,756,889
)
(1,043,703
)
(16,301,363
)
 
491,424

9,260,741

(323,515
)
(4,998,590
)
Net increase (decrease)
6,765,425

$
124,699,558

1,564,047

$
37,784,767


(1)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the Y Class and R5 Class.

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 

23


The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
851,084,145

$
13,947,587


Temporary Cash Investments
11,335

21,172,283


 
$
851,095,480

$
35,119,870


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
382,690


 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
49,772



7. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $10,470,142.
 
The value of foreign currency risk derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018, is disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset of $382,690 in unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and as a liability of $49,772 in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the effect of foreign currency risk derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations was $28,540 in net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and $172,725 in change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

8. Risk Factors

The fund invests in common stocks of small companies. Because of this, the fund may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a fund investing in larger, more established companies.

The fund’s investment process may result in high portfolio turnover, which could mean high transaction costs, affecting both performance and capital gains tax liabilities to investors.










24


9. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income


Long-term capital gains
$
4,088,069

$
16,960,028


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 
As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
802,946,863

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
148,229,527

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(64,961,040
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)
$
83,268,487

Undistributed ordinary income
$
21,323,960

Accumulated long-term gains
$
87,785,336


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.
 
10. Reorganization

On June 29, 2017, the Board of Directors approved an agreement and plan of reorganization (the reorganization), whereby the net assets of New Opportunities Fund, one fund in a series issued by the corporation, were transferred to Small Cap Growth Fund in exchange for shares of Small Cap Growth Fund. The purpose of the transaction was to combine two funds with substantially similar investment objectives and strategies. The financial statements and performance history of Small Cap Growth Fund survived after the reorganization. The reorganization was effective at the close of the NYSE on October 20, 2017.

The reorganization was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of shares. On October 20, 2017, New Opportunities Fund exchanged its shares for shares of Small Cap Growth Fund as follows:
Original Fund/Class
Shares Exchanged
 
New Fund/Class
Shares Received
New Opportunities Fund – Investor Class
18,280,839

 
Small Cap Growth Fund – Investor Class
11,477,646

New Opportunities Fund – I Class
27,060

 
Small Cap Growth Fund – I Class
17,006

New Opportunities Fund – A Class
1,165,326

 
Small Cap Growth Fund – A Class
733,376

New Opportunities Fund – C Class
95,508

 
Small Cap Growth Fund – C Class
60,216

New Opportunities Fund – R Class
38,203

 
Small Cap Growth Fund – R Class
23,868


The net assets of New Opportunities Fund and Small Cap Growth Fund immediately before the reorganization were $204,588,424 and $501,100,744, respectively. New Opportunities Fund's unrealized appreciation of $33,960,092 was combined with that of Small Cap Growth Fund. Immediately after the reorganization, the combined net assets were $705,689,168.


25


Assuming the reorganization had been completed on November 1, 2016, the beginning of the annual reporting period, the pro forma results of operations for the period ended October 31, 2017 are as follows:
Net investment income (loss)
$
(5,585,482
)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
212,553,163

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$
206,967,681


Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the reorganization was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of New Opportunities Fund that have been included in the fund’s Statement of Operations since October 20, 2017.

26


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net Realized Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$16.70
(0.17)
1.65
1.48
(0.10)
$18.08
8.89%
1.27%
(0.93)%
116%

$386,455

2017
$12.96
(0.13)
4.45
4.32
(0.58)
$16.70
33.36%
1.36%
(0.83)%
70%

$361,029

2016
$13.06
(0.10)
(3)
(0.10)
$12.96
(0.77)%
1.36%
(0.83)%
130%

$133,140

2015
$12.82
(0.13)
0.37
0.24
$13.06
1.87%
1.39%
(0.92)%
100%

$171,490

2014
$11.95
(0.11)
0.98
0.87
$12.82
7.28%
1.40%
(0.93)%
75%

$170,316

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$17.04
(0.14)
1.70
1.56
(0.10)
$18.50
9.18%
1.07%
(0.73)%
116%

$371,030

2017
$13.20
(0.09)
4.51
4.42
(0.58)
$17.04
33.51%
1.16%
(0.63)%
70%

$219,881

2016
$13.27
(0.08)
0.01
(0.07)
$13.20
(0.53)%
1.16%
(0.63)%
130%

$269,094

2015
$13.01
(0.10)
0.36
0.26
$13.27
2.00%
1.17%
(0.70)%
100%

$256,001

2014
$12.10
(0.09)
1.00
0.91
$13.01
7.52%
1.20%
(0.73)%
75%

$72,542

Y Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$17.16
(0.07)
1.66
1.59
(0.10)
$18.65
9.29%
0.92%
(0.58)%
116%

$1,778

2017(4)
$15.34
(0.06)
2.46
2.40
(0.58)
$17.16
15.67%
1.01%(5)
(0.61)%(5)
70%(6)

$6




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net Realized Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$16.19
(0.21)
1.61
1.40
(0.10)
$17.49
8.61%
1.52%
(1.18)%
116%

$77,764

2017
$12.61
(0.16)
4.32
4.16
(0.58)
$16.19
33.02%
1.61%
(1.08)%
70%

$80,654

2016
$12.74
(0.13)
(3)
(0.13)
$12.61
(1.02)%
1.61%
(1.08)%
130%

$86,651

2015
$12.54
(0.16)
0.36
0.20
$12.74
1.59%
1.64%
(1.17)%
100%

$103,713

2014
$11.72
(0.14)
0.96
0.82
$12.54
7.00%
1.65%
(1.18)%
75%

$100,051

C Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$14.86
(0.32)
1.48
1.16
(0.10)
$15.92
7.83%
2.27%
(1.93)%
116%

$6,227

2017
$11.70
(0.25)
3.99
3.74
(0.58)
$14.86
31.99%
2.36%
(1.83)%
70%

$9,958

2016
$11.91
(0.21)
(3)
(0.21)
$11.70
(1.68)%
2.36%
(1.83)%
130%

$9,146

2015
$11.81
(0.24)
0.34
0.10
$11.91
0.76%
2.39%
(1.92)%
100%

$11,458

2014
$11.12
(0.22)
0.91
0.69
$11.81
6.21%
2.40%
(1.93)%
75%

$11,727

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$15.86
(0.25)
1.58
1.33
(0.10)
$17.09
8.41%
1.77%
(1.43)%
116%

$5,687

2017
$12.40
(0.19)
4.23
4.04
(0.58)
$15.86
32.61%
1.86%
(1.33)%
70%

$3,761

2016
$12.55
(0.16)
0.01
(0.15)
$12.40
(1.20)%
1.86%
(1.33)%
130%

$2,672

2015
$12.39
(0.19)
0.35
0.16
$12.55
1.29%
1.89%
(1.42)%
100%

$2,135

2014
$11.61
(0.17)
0.95
0.78
$12.39
6.72%
1.90%
(1.43)%
75%

$1,373

R5 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$17.05
(0.14)
1.70
1.56
(0.10)
$18.51
9.12%
1.07%
(0.73)%
116%

$7

2017(4)
$15.26
(0.07)
2.44
2.37
(0.58)
$17.05
15.56%
1.16%(5)
(0.76)%(5)
70%(6)

$6




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
 
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Distributions From Net Realized Gains
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
R6 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$17.15
(0.11)
1.71
1.60
(0.10)
$18.65
9.30%
0.92%
(0.58)%
116%

$39,687

2017
$13.26
(0.08)
4.55
4.47
(0.58)
$17.15
33.74%
1.01%
(0.48)%
70%

$28,077

2016
$13.31
(0.06)
0.01
(0.05)
$13.26
(0.38)%
1.01%
(0.48)%
130%

$25,992

2015
$13.03
(0.08)
0.36
0.28
$13.31
2.15%
1.04%
(0.57)%
100%

$22,235

2014
$12.10
(0.08)
1.01
0.93
$13.03
7.69%
1.07%
(0.60)%
75%

$18,447

Notes to Financial Highlights
 
 
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
Amount is less than $0.005.
(4)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(5)
Annualized.
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Small Cap Growth Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Small Cap Growth Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

30


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


31


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

32


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)





33


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




34


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the one-, three-, and five-year periods and below its benchmark for the ten-year period reviewed by the Board. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.


35


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was above the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe and was within the range of its peer expense group. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

36


Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


37


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



38


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates $4,088,069, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.




39


Notes


40






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
 
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1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
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1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90978 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Sustainable Equity Fund
 
Investor Class (AFDIX)
 
I Class (AFEIX)
 
Y Class (AFYDX)
 
A Class (AFDAX)
 
C Class (AFDCX)
 
R Class (AFDRX)
 
R5 Class (AFDGX)







Table of Contents

President's Letter
2
Performance
3
Portfolio Commentary
Fund Characteristics
Shareholder Fee Example
Schedule of Investments
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
Statement of Operations
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
Notes to Financial Statements
Financial Highlights
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Management
Approval of Management Agreement
Additional Information






















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since Inception
Inception
Date
A Class
AFDAX
 
 
 
 
11/30/04
No sales charge
 
6.31%
10.27%
12.28%
 
With sales charge
 
0.18%
8.97%
11.62%
 
S&P 500 Index
7.35%
11.33%
13.23%
Investor Class
AFDIX
6.60%
10.55%
12.55%
7/29/05
I Class
AFEIX
6.80%
10.76%
12.78%
7/29/05
Y Class
AFYDX
6.93%
13.80%
4/10/17
C Class
AFDCX
5.51%
9.44%
11.43%
11/30/04
R Class
AFDRX
6.04%
9.99%
11.99%
7/29/05
R5 Class
AFDGX
6.82%
13.64%
4/10/17
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.






















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-dacdd654218055528c6.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
A Class — $31,855
 
 
S&P 500 Index — $34,668
 
The A Class’s initial investment is $9,425 to reflect the maximum 5.75% initial sales charge.
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
 
Investor Class
I Class
Y Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
R5 Class
0.85%
0.65%
0.50%
1.10%
1.85%
1.35%
0.65%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.










Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary

Portfolio Managers: Greg Woodhams, Justin Brown, Joe Reiland, and Rob Bove

Performance Summary

Sustainable Equity returned 6.60%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, compared with the 7.35% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the S&P 500 Index.

U.S. stock indices delivered solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp decline in the final month of the fund’s fiscal year. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks across the capitalization spectrum. Within the S&P 500 Index, every sector except materials and industrials posted gains. Information technology, consumer discretionary, and health care were especially strong sectors, delivering double-digit returns.

Stock selection among communication services companies was a major source of underperformance versus the S&P 500 Index. Stock choices in the financials and health care sectors were also negative. Stock decisions in energy and consumer staples benefited the fund's relative performance.

Communication Services Hampered Performance

At the end of September, S&P eliminated the telecommunication services sector and introduced the communication services sector. Communication services includes stocks of companies that had previously been in a range of other sectors. Underweighting Netflix relative to the benchmark was a major detractor in the sector as the streaming media service rose for most of the period as a result of expectations for solid user growth, particularly overseas, powered by new content.

Insurers contributed to underperformance in the financials sector. Prudential Financial’s stock price fell after the company reported a decline in net profits.

Other significant detractors included ManpowerGroup. The staffing company declined despite reporting strong earnings and revenue for its most recent quarter. Fundamentals remain strong as corporate staffing needs grow along with the economy. ManpowerGroup also has a high environmental, social, and governance (ESG) score, which makes it a solid candidate for our portfolio. The semiconductor maker Applied Materials reported solid quarterly results, but memory pricing is worsening, and investors appeared to worry that reduced 2019 capital spending would impact the industry. We believe the company’s business model offers less cyclicality and more secular growth than in previous cycles and therefore see upside potential. Engine and generator manufacturer Cummins underperformed. While sales exceeded expectations, profitability was lower due to a charge for a product campaign that hampered earnings. Investors also were concerned about the cyclical peak of the truck business at this stage of the economic expansion.

Energy Stocks Led Contributors

Our oil, gas, and consumable fuels stocks outperformed. ConocoPhillips boosted returns as the stock price gained on rising oil prices during the first half of 2018 and a strong earnings report. The company also won an arbitration ruling against Venezuela’s national oil producer, but it remains unclear as to whether it will be able to collect its award.



*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund’s benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.

5


Other top contributors included The Boeing Co. The aerospace and defense company logged new orders and stands to benefit from the renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement. Not owning benchmark component General Electric helped relative performance as the stock underperformed due to fundamental challenges in the company’s power and financial business segments and uncertainty over asset dispositions. Cisco Systems was a solid contributor, aided by strength in the technology sector. After struggling for years, the technology giant returned to revenue growth and should benefit from tax reform. Medical device maker Edwards Lifesciences soared on rumors that it might be a takeover target. The company has been a solid performer based on strong sales of its heart valve replacement device. The market for the device is broadening beyond major medical centers.

Outlook

The portfolio invests in a blend of large value and large growth stocks, while seeking to outperform the S&P 500 Index with a comparable dividend yield without taking on significant additional risk. We believe that companies exhibiting both improving business fundamentals and sustainable corporate behaviors will outperform over time. We use a quantitative model that combines fundamental measures of a stock's value and growth potential. We then integrate our view of the company’s financial improvement with multiple sources of ESG data.
 
As of October 31, 2018, the portfolio’s largest overweight positions relative to the benchmark were in the information technology and real estate sectors. Our exposure to attractive opportunities among communications equipment, software, and services companies led our technology overweight. The real estate overweight reflects our belief that certain equity real estate investment trusts are positioned to do well in the current economic environment. Strengthening fundamentals typically lead to increased occupancy rates, increased rents, and higher property values.

The largest underweight positions relative to the index were in the communication services and energy sectors. We are not finding many companies that are exhibiting both business improvement and favorable ESG profiles in the communication services sector, particularly in the media industry. Many companies in the energy sector score poorly from an ESG perspective. In addition, we see a sustained demand/supply imbalance in energy, resulting from the shale oil and gas revolution.



6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Microsoft Corp.
4.3%
Apple, Inc.
4.2%
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
3.9%
Exelon Corp.
3.4%
Alphabet, Inc.*
3.4%
Amazon.com, Inc.
2.9%
Prudential Financial, Inc.
2.7%
Bank of America Corp.
2.5%
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
2.5%
Cisco Systems, Inc.
2.5%
*Includes all classes of the issuer held by the fund.
 
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
Banks
6.4%
Software
6.4%
Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals
5.1%
Insurance
5.0%
Interactive Media and Services
5.0%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
98.5%
Exchange-Traded Funds
0.7%
Total Equity Exposure
99.2%
Temporary Cash Investments
0.9%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(0.1)%


7


Shareholder Fee Example

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
 
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,018.40
$4.68
0.92%
I Class
$1,000
$1,019.10
$3.66
0.72%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,019.80
$2.90
0.57%
A Class
$1,000
$1,017.00
$5.95
1.17%
C Class
$1,000
$1,012.90
$9.74
1.92%
R Class
$1,000
$1,015.60
$7.21
1.42%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,019.50
$3.66
0.72%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.57
$4.69
0.92%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.58
$3.67
0.72%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,022.33
$2.91
0.57%
A Class
$1,000
$1,019.31
$5.96
1.17%
C Class
$1,000
$1,015.53
$9.75
1.92%
R Class
$1,000
$1,018.05
$7.22
1.42%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,021.58
$3.67
0.72%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 98.5%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 3.4%
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
16,586

$
5,885,708

Lockheed Martin Corp.
8,777

2,579,122

Northrop Grumman Corp.
1,415

370,659

 
 
8,835,489

Airlines — 1.2%
 
 
Delta Air Lines, Inc.
56,830

3,110,306

Banks — 6.4%
 
 
Bank of America Corp.
243,400

6,693,500

JPMorgan Chase & Co.
93,400

10,182,468

 
 
16,875,968

Beverages — 2.0%
 
 
PepsiCo, Inc.
46,546

5,230,840

Biotechnology — 3.2%
 
 
AbbVie, Inc.
26,580

2,069,253

Amgen, Inc.
10,657

2,054,563

Biogen, Inc.(1) 
10,769

3,276,684

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
6,200

1,050,652

 
 
8,451,152

Capital Markets — 2.1%
 
 
Ameriprise Financial, Inc.
11,603

1,476,366

BlackRock, Inc.
2,506

1,031,018

S&P Global, Inc.
9,824

1,791,112

State Street Corp.
19,035

1,308,656

 
 
5,607,152

Chemicals — 1.3%
 
 
LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A
26,630

2,377,260

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)
2,347

923,474

 
 
3,300,734

Communications Equipment — 3.6%
 
 
Cisco Systems, Inc.
141,359

6,467,174

Motorola Solutions, Inc.
16,280

1,995,277

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1) 
5,347

978,715

 
 
9,441,166

Consumer Finance — 0.6%
 
 
American Express Co.
15,631

1,605,773

Containers and Packaging — 0.4%
 
 
International Paper Co.
23,577

1,069,453

Diversified Telecommunication Services — 1.1%
 
 
AT&T, Inc.
46,763

1,434,689

Verizon Communications, Inc.
26,680

1,523,161

 
 
2,957,850


10


 
Shares
Value
Electric Utilities — 3.4%
 
 
Exelon Corp.
203,420

$
8,911,830

Electrical Equipment — 0.4%
 
 
Eaton Corp. plc
14,979

1,073,545

Energy Equipment and Services — 0.5%
 
 
Halliburton Co.
36,541

1,267,242

Entertainment — 0.6%
 
 
Netflix, Inc.(1) 
5,042

1,521,575

Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 4.1%
 
 
Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
155,702

2,975,465

Prologis, Inc.
99,517

6,415,861

SBA Communications Corp.(1) 
7,751

1,256,980

 
 
10,648,306

Food and Staples Retailing — 2.2%
 
 
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc.
33,792

2,695,588

Walmart, Inc.
31,349

3,143,678

 
 
5,839,266

Food Products — 0.9%
 
 
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.
16,500

779,625

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A
40,457

1,698,385

 
 
2,478,010

Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 2.0%
 
 
Abbott Laboratories
15,150

1,044,441

Align Technology, Inc.(1) 
1,842

407,450

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1) 
19,367

2,858,569

ResMed, Inc.
8,507

901,062

 
 
5,211,522

Health Care Providers and Services — 3.9%
 
 
Aetna, Inc.
4,134

820,186

Centene Corp.(1) 
3,529

459,899

CVS Health Corp.
16,121

1,166,999

Humana, Inc.
8,567

2,744,952

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
17,962

1,690,404

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
12,237

3,198,140

 
 
10,080,580

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 1.3%
 
 
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
32,109

3,362,776

Household Products — 2.5%
 
 
Procter & Gamble Co. (The)
74,871

6,639,560

Insurance — 5.0%
 
 
Aflac, Inc.
31,174

1,342,664

Prudential Financial, Inc.
75,967

7,124,185

Travelers Cos., Inc. (The)
36,484

4,565,243

 
 
13,032,092

Interactive Media and Services — 5.0%
 
 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) 
5,578

6,083,255

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1) 
2,501

2,693,002


11


 
Shares
Value
Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) 
27,787

$
4,217,789

 
 
12,994,046

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 3.2%
 
 
Amazon.com, Inc.(1) 
4,803

7,675,242

Booking Holdings, Inc.(1) 
328

614,862

 
 
8,290,104

IT Services — 4.5%
 
 
Accenture plc, Class A
31,183

4,915,064

DXC Technology Co.
17,533

1,276,928

Visa, Inc., Class A
41,356

5,700,925

 
 
11,892,917

Life Sciences Tools and Services — 1.2%
 
 
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
32,159

2,083,581

Illumina, Inc.(1) 
3,632

1,130,097

 
 
3,213,678

Machinery — 1.7%
 
 
Caterpillar, Inc.
13,433

1,629,692

Cummins, Inc.
10,586

1,447,000

Parker-Hannifin Corp.
8,934

1,354,662

 
 
4,431,354

Media — 0.6%
 
 
Comcast Corp., Class A
42,322

1,614,161

Multi-Utilities — 0.3%
 
 
DTE Energy Co.
7,201

809,392

Multiline Retail — 1.0%
 
 
Target Corp.
32,028

2,678,502

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 4.2%
 
 
ConocoPhillips
84,126

5,880,407

Devon Energy Corp.
20,734

671,782

EOG Resources, Inc.
11,847

1,247,963

Marathon Petroleum Corp.
29,341

2,067,074

Valero Energy Corp.
11,793

1,074,224

 
 
10,941,450

Pharmaceuticals — 4.4%
 
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
45,620

2,305,635

Johnson & Johnson
6,692

936,813

Merck & Co., Inc.
32,827

2,416,395

Zoetis, Inc.
65,926

5,943,229

 
 
11,602,072

Professional Services — 1.0%
 
 
ManpowerGroup, Inc.
33,685

2,569,829

Road and Rail — 0.9%
 
 
Norfolk Southern Corp.
13,458

2,258,656

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 2.9%
 
 
Applied Materials, Inc.
34,268

1,126,732

ASML Holding NV
3,289

562,220

Broadcom, Inc.
7,696

1,719,979


12


 
Shares
Value
Intel Corp.
34,981

$
1,639,909

NVIDIA Corp.
7,159

1,509,332

Texas Instruments, Inc.
11,898

1,104,492

 
 
7,662,664

Software — 6.4%
 
 
Adobe, Inc.(1) 
12,544

3,082,814

Microsoft Corp.
104,652

11,177,880

Red Hat, Inc.(1) 
2,160

370,742

salesforce.com, Inc.(1) 
13,208

1,812,666

ServiceNow, Inc.(1) 
1,950

353,028

 
 
16,797,130

Specialty Retail — 3.7%
 
 
Best Buy Co., Inc.
8,899

624,354

Home Depot, Inc. (The)
33,114

5,824,090

Ross Stores, Inc.
32,553

3,222,747

 
 
9,671,191

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 5.1%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
49,700

10,877,342

HP, Inc.
97,565

2,355,219

 
 
13,232,561

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 0.3%
 
 
VF Corp.
8,496

704,148

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $195,173,536)
 
257,916,042

EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 0.7%
 
 
iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF
(Cost $1,923,651)
19,535

1,925,174

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 0.9%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $1,628,971), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $1,595,986)
 
1,595,897

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 5/15/45, valued at $818,286), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $798,023)
 
798,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
1,959

1,959

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $2,395,856)
 
2,395,856

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.1%
(Cost $199,493,043)
 
262,237,072

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (0.1)%
 
(307,305
)
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
261,929,767



13


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
 
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
EUR
15,264

USD
17,638

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
$
(252
)
EUR
27,677

USD
32,254

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(730
)
EUR
14,146

USD
16,376

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(264
)
EUR
20,856

USD
23,890

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(136
)
EUR
15,097

USD
17,236

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
(42
)
USD
533,231

EUR
450,211

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
20,445

USD
15,169

EUR
13,084

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
267

USD
15,017

EUR
12,972

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
243

USD
17,342

EUR
15,041

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
211

USD
16,198

EUR
14,146

Credit Suisse AG
12/31/18
86

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
19,828


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
EUR
-
Euro
USD
-
United States Dollar
(1)
Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.

14


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $199,493,043)
$
262,237,072

Receivable for capital shares sold
1,747,787

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
21,252

Dividends and interest receivable
249,472

 
264,255,583

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
718,141

Payable for capital shares redeemed
1,402,385

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
1,424

Accrued management fees
181,248

Distribution and service fees payable
22,618

 
2,325,816

 
 
Net Assets
$
261,929,767

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
183,335,076

Distributable earnings
78,594,691

 
$
261,929,767


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value
Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$142,922,866
5,070,112

$28.19
I Class, $0.01 Par Value
$38,187,666
1,350,634

$28.27
Y Class, $0.01 Par Value
$14,485,330
511,405

$28.32
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$50,489,311
1,797,492

$28.09*
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$11,277,287
410,341

$27.48
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$3,223,091
115,393

$27.93
R5 Class, $0.01 Par Value
$1,344,216
47,516

$28.29
*Maximum offering price $29.80 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.


15


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends
$
4,670,199

Interest
28,885

 
4,699,084

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
2,327,455

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
131,960

C Class
156,475

R Class
18,787

Directors' fees and expenses
5,740

Other expenses
807

 
2,641,224

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
2,057,860

 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
17,608,265

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
(5,169
)
Foreign currency translation transactions
(794
)
 
17,602,302

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
(5,477,612
)
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
19,828

 
(5,457,784
)
 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
12,144,518

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
14,202,378



See Notes to Financial Statements.


16


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
2,057,860

$
1,712,498

Net realized gain (loss)
17,602,302

7,836,118

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(5,457,784
)
41,922,276

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
14,202,378

51,470,892

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:
 
 
Investor Class
(4,138,891
)
(1,035,050
)
I Class
(627,088
)
(86,690
)
Y Class
(28,973
)

A Class
(1,361,649
)
(912,362
)
C Class
(397,922
)
(30,542
)
R Class
(96,581
)
(25,123
)
R5 Class
(570
)

Decrease in net assets from distributions
(6,651,674
)
(2,089,767
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
25,688,488

(33,935,108
)
 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
33,239,192

15,446,017

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
228,690,575

213,244,558

End of period
$
261,929,767

$
228,690,575



See Notes to Financial Statements.


17


Notes to Financial Statements 

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Sustainable Equity Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth. Income is a secondary objective.
 
The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, Y Class, A Class, C Class, R Class and R5 Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Sale of the Y Class and R5 Class commenced on April 10, 2017.
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.
 
The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between

18


domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may elect to treat a portion of its payment to a redeeming shareholder, which represents the pro rata share of undistributed net investment income and net realized gains, as a distribution for federal income tax purposes (tax equalization).

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The

19


maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets). Effective December 1, 2018, the investment advisor agreed to waive 0.05% of the fund's management fee. The investment advisor expects this waiver to continue until November 30, 2019 and cannot terminate it prior to such date without the approval of the Board of Directors.

The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
Management Fee
Schedule Range*
Effective Annual Management Fee
Investor Class
0.800% to 0.840%
0.95%
I Class
0.600% to 0.640%
0.75%
Y Class
0.450% to 0.490%
0.60%
A Class
0.800% to 0.840%
0.95%
C Class
0.800% to 0.840%
0.95%
R Class
0.800% to 0.840%
0.95%
R5 Class
0.600% to 0.640%
0.75%
*Prior to August 1, 2018, the management fee schedule range was 0.800% to 0.990% for the Investor Class, A Class, C Class and R Class, 0.600% to 0.790% for the I Class and R5 Class and 0.450% to 0.640% for the Y Class.


20


Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 
Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 
Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $733,660 and $516,052, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $(60,749) in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $123,333,776 and $101,205,496, respectively.


21


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
120,000,000

 
120,000,000

 
Sold
1,839,519

$
52,400,317

2,921,568

$
71,286,795

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
145,487

4,040,187

40,885

941,572

Redeemed
(1,885,394
)
(53,831,697
)
(2,031,710
)
(49,907,476
)
 
99,612

2,608,807

930,743

22,320,891

I Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
938,951

27,234,141

601,139

15,331,397

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
14,999

416,960

3,759

86,690

Redeemed
(327,636
)
(9,499,178
)
(139,002
)
(3,439,848
)
 
626,314

18,151,923

465,896

11,978,239

Y Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
511,054

14,904,015

14,067

369,745

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
1,041

28,973



Redeemed
(14,718
)
(430,894
)
(39
)
(1,033
)
 
497,377

14,502,094

14,028

368,712

A Class/Shares Authorized
120,000,000

 
120,000,000

 
Sold
412,006

11,852,292

204,275

4,893,975

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
43,386

1,203,083

37,477

861,602

Redeemed
(552,597
)
(15,648,311
)
(2,823,750
)
(68,426,795
)
 
(97,205
)
(2,592,936
)
(2,581,998
)
(62,671,218
)
C Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold
48,877

1,380,898

43,933

1,031,559

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
12,705

346,977

1,095

24,880

Redeemed
(323,643
)
(9,172,601
)
(248,865
)
(5,945,415
)
 
(262,061
)
(7,444,726
)
(203,837
)
(4,888,976
)
R Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
43,553

1,246,911

28,422

684,583

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
3,496

96,581

1,096

25,123

Redeemed
(76,607
)
(2,216,651
)
(74,353
)
(1,757,462
)
 
(29,558
)
(873,159
)
(44,835
)
(1,047,756
)
R5 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
48,846

1,380,860

209

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
20

570



Redeemed
(1,559
)
(44,945
)


 
47,307

1,336,485

209

5,000

Net increase (decrease)
881,786

$
25,688,488

(1,419,794
)
$
(33,935,108
)

(1)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the Y Class and R5 Class.


22


6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 
The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
257,353,822

$
562,220


Exchange-Traded Funds
1,925,174



Temporary Cash Investments
1,959

2,393,897


 
$
259,280,955

$
2,956,117


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
21,252


 
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
1,424



7. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $621,047.
 

23


The value of foreign currency risk derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018, is disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset of $21,252 in unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and a liability of $1,424 in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the effect of foreign currency risk derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations was $(5,169) in net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and $19,828 in change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

8. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
1,472,981

$
2,089,767

Long-term capital gains
$
5,178,693



The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 
As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
200,617,395

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
67,722,210

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(6,102,533
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
$
61,619,677

Undistributed ordinary income
$
2,054,303

Accumulated long-term gains
$
14,920,711


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 


24


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment Income
Net Realized Gains
Total Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$27.22
0.26
1.52
1.78
(0.20)
(0.61)
(0.81)
$28.19
6.60%
0.95%
0.91%
41%

$142,923

2017
$21.75
0.23
5.51
5.74
(0.27)
(0.27)
$27.22
26.61%
1.00%
0.95%
18%

$135,315

2016
$21.77
0.25
(0.04)
0.21
(0.23)
(0.23)
$21.75
0.99%
0.99%
1.18%
71%

$87,865

2015
$21.31
0.26
0.46
0.72
(0.26)
(0.26)
$21.77
3.51%
0.99%
1.23%
33%

$95,072

2014
$18.41
0.24
2.88
3.12
(0.22)
(0.22)
$21.31
17.06%
1.00%
1.19%
41%

$77,015

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$27.30
0.33
1.51
1.84
(0.26)
(0.61)
(0.87)
$28.27
6.80%
0.75%
1.11%
41%

$38,188

2017
$21.81
0.27
5.53
5.80
(0.31)
(0.31)
$27.30
26.88%
0.80%
1.15%
18%

$19,776

2016
$21.84
0.29
(0.05)
0.24
(0.27)
(0.27)
$21.81
1.19%
0.79%
1.38%
71%

$5,637

2015
$21.37
0.31
0.47
0.78
(0.31)
(0.31)
$21.84
3.66%
0.79%
1.43%
33%

$14,077

2014
$18.47
0.28
2.88
3.16
(0.26)
(0.26)
$21.37
17.29%
0.80%
1.39%
41%

$10,731

Y Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$27.33
0.36
1.52
1.88
(0.28)
(0.61)
(0.89)
$28.32
6.93%
0.60%
1.26%
41%

$14,485

2017(3)
$23.89
0.16
3.28
3.44
$27.33
14.40%
0.65%(4)
1.10%(4)
18%(5)

$383




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
Net
Investment Income
Net Realized Gains
Total Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$27.13
0.19
1.51
1.70
(0.13)
(0.61)
(0.74)
$28.09
6.31%
1.20%
0.66%
41%

$50,489

2017
$21.67
0.17
5.50
5.67
(0.21)
(0.21)
$27.13
26.34%
1.25%
0.70%
18%

$51,396

2016
$21.69
0.20
(0.05)
0.15
(0.17)
(0.17)
$21.67
0.74%
1.24%
0.93%
71%

$97,012

2015
$21.23
0.21
0.46
0.67
(0.21)
(0.21)
$21.69
3.21%
1.24%
0.98%
33%

$122,492

2014
$18.35
0.19
2.86
3.05
(0.17)
(0.17)
$21.23
16.76%
1.25%
0.94%
41%

$116,462

C Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$26.63
(0.03)
1.49
1.46
(0.61)
(0.61)
$27.48
5.51%
1.95%
(0.09)%
41%

$11,277

2017
$21.27
(0.01)
5.41
5.40
(0.04)
(0.04)
$26.63
25.40%
2.00%
(0.05)%
18%

$17,904

2016
$21.29
0.04
(0.04)
(6)
(0.02)
(0.02)
$21.27
(0.02)%
1.99%
0.18%
71%

$18,640

2015
$20.84
0.05
0.45
0.50
(0.05)
(0.05)
$21.29
2.42%
1.99%
0.23%
33%

$21,036

2014
$18.01
0.04
2.82
2.86
(0.03)
(0.03)
$20.84
15.90%
2.00%
0.19%
41%

$16,777

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$26.98
0.11
1.51
1.62
(0.06)
(0.61)
(0.67)
$27.93
6.04%
1.45%
0.41%
41%

$3,223

2017
$21.55
0.11
5.47
5.58
(0.15)
(0.15)
$26.98
26.03%
1.50%
0.45%
18%

$3,910

2016
$21.58
0.14
(0.05)
0.09
(0.12)
(0.12)
$21.55
0.44%
1.49%
0.68%
71%

$4,090

2015
$21.11
0.16
0.47
0.63
(0.16)
(0.16)
$21.58
3.01%
1.49%
0.73%
33%

$5,680

2014
$18.25
0.14
2.84
2.98
(0.12)
(0.12)
$21.11
16.45%
1.50%
0.69%
41%

$5,294

R5 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$27.30
0.32
1.52
1.84
(0.24)
(0.61)
(0.85)
$28.29
6.82%
0.75%
1.11%
41%

$1,344

2017(3)
$23.89
0.15
3.26
3.41
$27.30
14.27%
0.80%(4)
1.07%(4)
18%(5)

$6




Notes to Financial Highlights
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.
(6)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Sustainable Equity Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Sustainable Equity Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

28


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


29


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

30


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)








31


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




32


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the one-, three-, five-, and ten-year periods reviewed by the Board. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.


33


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was above the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe and was within the range of its peer expense group. The Board and the Advisor agreed to a permanent change to the fund's fee schedule that could have the effect of lowering the fund's unified management fee by

34


approximately 0.15% (e.g., the Investor Class unified fee will be reduced from 0.99% to 0.84%) beginning August 1, 2018. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


35


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.



36


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $1,472,981, or up to the maximum amount allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018, as qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $7,399,372, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $71,024 as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund utilized earnings and profits of $2,487,055 distributed to shareholders on redemption of shares as part of the dividends paid deduction (tax equalization).


37


Notes

38


Notes

39


Notes



40






acihorizblkd32.jpg
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
 
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
 
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1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
 
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
 
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1-800-345-3533
 
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1-800-345-6488
 
Telecommunications Relay Service for the Deaf
711
 
 
 
 
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90971 1812
 






acihorizblkd32.jpg
                  

 
 
 
Annual Report
 
 
 
October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Ultra® Fund
 
Investor Class (TWCUX)
 
I Class (TWUIX)
 
Y Class (AULYX)
 
A Class (TWUAX)
 
C Class (TWCCX)
 
R Class (AULRX)
 
R5 Class (AULGX)
 
R6 Class (AULDX)








Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2

Performance
3

Portfolio Commentary

Fund Characteristics

Shareholder Fee Example

Schedule of Investments

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

Statement of Operations

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

Notes to Financial Statements

Financial Highlights

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Management

Approval of Management Agreement

Additional Information




















Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.



President’s Letter
jthomasrev0514.jpg Jonathan Thomas

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing this annual report for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018. Annual reports help convey important information about fund returns, including market factors that affected performance during the reporting period. For additional investment and market insights, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com.

Rising Rates, Heightened Volatility Challenge Investors

U.S. stocks generally delivered gains for the period, but returns were considerably weaker than the robust, double-digit results of the previous fiscal year. Early on, a backdrop of robust corporate earnings results, improving global economic growth, and growth-oriented U.S. tax reform helped drive stock prices higher. The S&P 500 Index returned more than 10% just in the first three months of the reporting period.

Investor sentiment shifted dramatically in early February, as volatility resurfaced after an extended period of relative dormancy. Better-than-expected U.S. economic data triggered expectations for rising inflation, higher interest rates, and a more-hawkish Federal Reserve (Fed). In response, U.S. Treasury yields soared, and stock prices plunged. Although this bout of market unrest quickly subsided, volatility remained a formidable force throughout the rest of the period. Stocks remained resilient, though, and the S&P 500 Index advanced 7.35% for the 12-month period. Growth stocks outpaced value stocks, and large-cap stocks outperformed small-cap stocks. Meanwhile, rising U.S. Treasury yields and Fed rate hikes weighed on interest-rate sensitive assets, including investment-grade bonds and real estate investment trusts.

Outside the U.S., economic growth moderated as the period unfolded, and global bond yields were flat to modestly higher. The U.S. dollar continued to gain ground versus other currencies, which drove down non-U.S. bond returns for unhedged investors. The strong dollar, combined with rising U.S. interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and fiscal challenges in several developing countries, led to negative results for emerging markets bonds.

With global economic growth diverging, Treasury yields rising, and volatility lingering, investors likely will face opportunities and challenges in the months ahead. We believe this scenario underscores the importance of using professionally managed portfolios in pursuit of investment goals. We appreciate your continued trust and confidence in us.


Sincerely,
image48a01.jpg
Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments


2


Performance
 
Total Returns as of October 31, 2018
 
 
 
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
1 year
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWCUX
13.44%
13.40%
15.11%
11/2/81
Russell 1000 Growth Index
10.71%
13.43%
15.45%
S&P 500 Index
7.35%
11.33%
13.23%
I Class
TWUIX
13.68%
13.64%
15.34%
11/14/96
Y Class
AULYX
13.85%
20.15%
4/10/17
A Class
TWUAX
 
 
 
 
10/2/96
No sales charge
 
13.15%
13.12%
14.83%
 
With sales charge
 
6.65%
11.79%
14.15%
 
C Class
TWCCX
12.32%
12.28%
13.97%
10/29/01
R Class
AULRX
12.87%
12.84%
14.54%
8/29/03
R5 Class
AULGX
13.69%
19.97%
4/10/17
R6 Class
AULDX
13.85%
13.81%
14.96%
7/26/13
Average annual returns since inception are presented when ten years of performance history is not available. Fund returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.

















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

3


Growth of $10,000 Over 10 Years
$10,000 investment made October 31, 2008
Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure.
 chart-157646170bab52bea76.jpg
Value on October 31, 2018
 
Investor Class — $40,878
 
 
Russell 1000 Growth Index — $42,082
 
 
S&P 500 Index — $34,668
 
Ending value of Investor Class would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
I Class
Y Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
R5 Class
R6 Class
0.98%
0.78%
0.63%
1.23%
1.98%
1.48%
0.78%
0.63%
The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.















Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. For additional information about the fund, please consult the prospectus.

4


Portfolio Commentary
 

Portfolio Managers: Keith Lee, Michael Li, and Jeff Bourke

Performance Summary

Ultra returned 13.44%* for the 12 months ended October 31, 2018, outpacing the 10.71% return of the portfolio’s benchmark, the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

U.S. stock indices posted solid returns during the reporting period despite a sharp drop during the final month of the fund’s fiscal year. Growth stocks outperformed value stocks by a wide margin across the capitalization spectrum, providing a tailwind for the fund. Within the Russell 1000 Growth Index, all sectors but materials, energy, and communication services posted gains. The small utilities segmenta sector that rarely offers the kind of growth characteristics we seekreported the top total return, but index gains were largely driven by the strong performance of information technology and consumer discretionary stocks.

Stock selection in the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors led the fund’s outperformance relative to the benchmark. Stock decisions in the financials sector were key detractors, and an overweight allocation and stock selection in health care were slightly negative.

Consumer Discretionary Stocks Led Contributors

Within the consumer discretionary sector, specialty retailers and internet and catalog retailers led outperformance. The stock of off-price retailer The TJX Cos. outperformed. Economic growth and an improved employment picture are supporting greater consumer confidence. Amazon.com was a top contributor. The online retailer continued to demonstrate growth in its Amazon Web Services cloud business as well as strong performance on the e-commerce side.

Other key contributors included Intuitive Surgical. The robotic surgery system manufacturer reported a significant increase in sales and positive surgical procedure growth trends. We believe it is well positioned as a result of demographic trends, geographic expansion, and the increasing number of surgeries that can be performed with its technology. Payment services company MasterCard saw its stock increase on widening profit margins and earnings that beat expectations.

Netflix rose for most of the period as a result of expectations for solid user growth, particularly overseas, powered by new streaming content. The Estee Lauder Cos. outperformed on accelerating organic growth, and the company raised sales guidance for 2018. The cosmetics company’s accelerating revenues provided the market greater confidence in its future growth.

Financials Stocks Led Detractors

Insurers led detractors in the financials sector, largely due to poor performance by MetLife, which suffered weather-related insurance losses. We eliminated our holding in MetLife after the chief financial officer left the company, which follows a number of departures in the management team.

Biotechnology stocks weighed on performance in the health care sector. Celgene fell sharply after announcing that it was discontinuing late-stage clinical trials of its drug to treat Crohn’s disease, putting pressure on its product pipeline. The company also had to lower guidance due to


*All fund returns referenced in this commentary are for Investor Class shares. Performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure; when Investor Class performance exceeds that of the fund’s benchmark, other share classes may not. See page 3 for returns for all share classes.


5


disappointing sales for its arthritic psoriasis drug Otezla due to pricing competition. Regeneron Pharmaceuticals declined as investors were concerned about competition for its Eylea drug used to treat macular degeneration, a key market for the company.

Other major detractors from performance relative to the benchmark included our underweight in Microsoft relative to the benchmark. The stock is doing better than we anticipated, sooner than we anticipated, with respect to its cloud business. WABCO Holdings detracted. This truck parts company is highly sensitive to economic cyclicality, which depressed the stock price during the period. In addition, concerns over trade tensions weighed on the stock. We still believe in the long-term ability of this company to generate growth. Acuity Brands, a maker of smart lighting controls, declined as gross profit margins decreased and there were questions surrounding when the company will return to profitability. The stock rallied late in the period amid progress on new initiatives and product rollouts. Nonresidential construction data is just starting to improve, which we believe should boost Acuity’s earnings.

Outlook

We remain confident in our belief that high-quality companies with a capability for sustained long-term growth will outperform in the long term. Our portfolio positioning reflects where we are seeing opportunities as a result of the application of that philosophy and process.

As of October 31, 2018, this process pointed the portfolio toward overweight positions relative to the Russell 1000 Growth Index in the communication services and consumer discretionary sectors. The real estate and industrials sectors represented the largest underweights.

At the end of September, index provider FTSE Russell eliminated the telecommunication services sectorwhere the portfolio had no holdingsand introduced the communication services sector. Communication services includes stocks of companies that had previously been in a range of other sectors. For example, portfolio holdings Facebook and Google parent Alphabet, which had been included in the information technology sector, are now part of communication services. Our communication services overweight is the result of Russell’s sector changes. Another implication of these changes is that information technology, which had been our largest overweight, ended the period underweight relative to the benchmark.

Consumer discretionary remains a key overweight sector relative to the benchmark. We believe there are particular areas of opportunity in industries, including internet and direct marketing retail, automobiles, specialty retail, and textiles, apparel, and luxury goods.

The industrials sector underweight reflects a lack of exposure to the industrial conglomerates and air freight and logistics industries, where we have found no companies at present offering the attractive, sustainable, long-term growth potential that we seek. Instead, we own companies in the aerospace and defense and machinery industries. These are industries that meet our criteria of having sustained long-term growth potential. We see limited growth opportunities in the real estate sector. As a result, we have no holdings in the sector.






6


Fund Characteristics
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Apple, Inc.
10.1%
Amazon.com, Inc.
6.2%
Alphabet, Inc.*
6.1%
Visa, Inc., Class A
4.4%
MasterCard, Inc., Class A
4.2%
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
4.0%
Facebook, Inc., Class A
3.6%
Boeing Co. (The)
2.9%
TJX Cos., Inc. (The)
2.8%
Intuitive Surgical, Inc.
2.5%
*Includes all classes of the issuer held by the fund.
 
 
 
Top Five Industries
% of net assets
IT Services
11.0%
Interactive Media and Services
11.0%
Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals
10.1%
Software
6.6%
Biotechnology
6.2%
 
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Common Stocks
99.5%
Temporary Cash Investments
0.5%
Other Assets and Liabilities
—*
*Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.




7


Shareholder Fee Example 

Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from May 1, 2018 to October 31, 2018.

Actual Expenses

The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or I Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.


8




Beginning
Account Value
5/1/18
Ending
Account Value
10/31/18
Expenses Paid
During Period
(1)
5/1/18 - 10/31/18
 
Annualized
Expense Ratio
(1)
Actual
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,053.20
$5.02
0.97%
I Class
$1,000
$1,054.40
$3.99
0.77%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,055.00
$3.21
0.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,051.80
$6.31
1.22%
C Class
$1,000
$1,048.10
$10.17
1.97%
R Class
$1,000
$1,050.60
$7.60
1.47%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,054.40
$3.99
0.77%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,055.30
$3.21
0.62%
Hypothetical
 
 
 
 
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,020.32
$4.94
0.97%
I Class
$1,000
$1,021.32
$3.92
0.77%
Y Class
$1,000
$1,022.08
$3.16
0.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,019.06
$6.21
1.22%
C Class
$1,000
$1,015.28
$10.01
1.97%
R Class
$1,000
$1,017.80
$7.48
1.47%
R5 Class
$1,000
$1,021.32
$3.92
0.77%
R6 Class
$1,000
$1,022.08
$3.16
0.62%
(1)
Expenses are equal to the class's annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period. Annualized expense ratio reflects actual expenses, including any applicable fee waivers or expense reimbursements and excluding any acquired fund fees and expenses.

9


Schedule of Investments

OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Shares
Value
COMMON STOCKS — 99.5%
 
 
Aerospace and Defense — 3.9%
 
 
Boeing Co. (The)
927,000

$
328,955,220

United Technologies Corp.
962,000

119,490,020

 
 
448,445,240

Automobiles — 1.6%
 
 
Tesla, Inc.(1) 
540,000

182,152,800

Banks — 2.5%
 
 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
1,632,000

177,920,640

U.S. Bancorp
1,956,000

102,240,120

 
 
280,160,760

Beverages — 1.9%
 
 
Coca-Cola Co. (The)
1,304,000

62,435,520

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A
797,000

158,786,310

 
 
221,221,830

Biotechnology — 6.2%
 
 
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
700,000

78,449,000

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
601,000

48,338,430

Biogen, Inc.(1) 
286,000

87,021,220

Bluebird Bio, Inc.(1) 
306,000

35,098,200

Celgene Corp.(1) 
2,345,000

167,902,000

Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
1,092,000

54,108,600

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1) 
559,000

189,635,160

Sage Therapeutics, Inc.(1) 
415,000

53,402,200

 
 
713,954,810

Capital Markets — 0.7%
 
 
MSCI, Inc.
543,000

81,656,340

Chemicals — 1.2%
 
 
Ecolab, Inc.
890,072

136,314,527

Electrical Equipment — 1.0%
 
 
Acuity Brands, Inc.
929,000

116,719,560

Electronic Equipment, Instruments and Components — 1.1%
 
 
Cognex Corp.
986,000

42,240,240

Keyence Corp.
65,000

31,856,250

Yaskawa Electric Corp.
1,984,000

57,409,137

 
 
131,505,627

Entertainment — 4.0%
 
 
Netflix, Inc.(1) 
569,000

171,712,820

Walt Disney Co. (The)
2,481,000

284,893,230

 
 
456,606,050

Food and Staples Retailing — 2.0%
 
 
Costco Wholesale Corp.
996,000

227,715,480


10


 
Shares
Value
Health Care Equipment and Supplies — 4.4%
 
 
ABIOMED, Inc.(1) 
156,000

$
53,227,200

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.(1) 
569,000

83,984,400

IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.(1) 
372,000

78,908,640

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(1) 
550,592

286,957,538

 
 
503,077,778

Health Care Providers and Services — 4.0%
 
 
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.
1,732,000

452,658,200

Hotels, Restaurants and Leisure — 1.7%
 
 
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.(1) 
185,000

85,161,050

Starbucks Corp.
1,793,000

104,478,110

 
 
189,639,160

Interactive Media and Services — 11.0%
 
 
Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1) 
294,058

320,693,774

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1) 
352,000

379,023,040

Baidu, Inc. ADR(1) 
321,000

61,009,260

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1) 
2,730,000

414,386,700

Tencent Holdings Ltd.
2,413,000

82,156,989

 
 
1,257,269,763

Internet and Direct Marketing Retail — 6.2%
 
 
Amazon.com, Inc.(1) 
444,000

709,516,440

IT Services — 11.0%
 
 
MasterCard, Inc., Class A
2,434,963

481,319,136

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1) 
2,619,000

220,493,610

Square, Inc., Class A(1) 
846,000

62,138,700

Visa, Inc., Class A
3,606,000

497,087,100

 
 
1,261,038,546

Machinery — 3.9%
 
 
Cummins, Inc.
874,000

119,467,060

Donaldson Co., Inc.
717,000

36,767,760

Nordson Corp.
286,000

35,083,620

WABCO Holdings, Inc.(1) 
963,000

103,474,350

Wabtec Corp.
1,789,000

146,733,780

 
 
441,526,570

Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels — 1.7%
 
 
Concho Resources, Inc.(1) 
492,000

68,432,280

EOG Resources, Inc.
1,166,000

122,826,440

 
 
191,258,720

Personal Products — 1.4%
 
 
Estee Lauder Cos., Inc. (The), Class A
1,150,000

158,056,000

Road and Rail — 1.0%
 
 
J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
999,000

110,499,390

Semiconductors and Semiconductor Equipment — 2.9%
 
 
ams AG(1) 
609,000

23,691,228

Analog Devices, Inc.
1,310,000

109,660,100

Applied Materials, Inc.
843,000

27,717,840

Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
1,795,000

89,785,900


11


 
Shares
Value
Xilinx, Inc.
993,000

$
84,772,410

 
 
335,627,478

Software — 6.6%
 
 
Adobe, Inc.(1) 
209,000

51,363,840

DocuSign, Inc.(1) 
1,350,000

56,619,000

Microsoft Corp.
2,327,000

248,546,870

salesforce.com, Inc.(1) 
1,591,000

218,348,840

Splunk, Inc.(1) 
514,000

51,317,760

Tableau Software, Inc., Class A(1) 
1,151,000

122,788,680

 
 
748,984,990

Specialty Retail — 5.3%
 
 
O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.(1) 
452,000

144,979,000

Ross Stores, Inc.
1,443,000

142,857,000

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)
2,915,000

320,300,200

 
 
608,136,200

Technology Hardware, Storage and Peripherals — 10.1%
 
 
Apple, Inc.
5,260,645

1,151,344,765

Textiles, Apparel and Luxury Goods — 2.2%
 
 
NIKE, Inc., Class B
2,480,000

186,099,200

Under Armour, Inc., Class C(1) 
3,407,028

67,561,365

 
 
253,660,565

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $4,740,540,252)
 
11,368,747,589

TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS — 0.5%
 
 
Repurchase Agreement, BMO Capital Markets Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.625% - 4.75%, 1/31/20 - 8/15/45, valued at $43,013,603), in a joint trading account at 2.00%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $42,142,607)
 
42,140,266

Repurchase Agreement, Fixed Income Clearing Corp., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 3.00%, 11/15/44, valued at $21,515,103), at 1.05%, dated 10/31/18, due 11/1/18 (Delivery value $21,091,615)
 
21,091,000

State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class
9,603

9,603

TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $63,240,869)
 
63,240,869

TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.0%
(Cost $4,803,781,121)
 
11,431,988,458

OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  
 
(5,379,323
)
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
 
$
11,426,609,135





12


FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS
 
 
Currency Purchased
Currency Sold
Counterparty
Settlement Date
Unrealized Appreciation
(Depreciation)
CHF
891,684

USD
900,336

UBS AG
12/31/18
$
(9,452
)
CHF
2,600,745

USD
2,623,676

UBS AG
12/31/18
(25,263
)
CHF
1,069,062

USD
1,075,072

UBS AG
12/31/18
(6,968
)
CHF
702,066

USD
704,814

UBS AG
12/31/18
(3,378
)
CHF
906,818

USD
907,608

UBS AG
12/31/18
(1,603
)
CHF
1,836,102

USD
1,891,524

UBS AG
12/31/18
(57,068
)
CHF
1,054,680

USD
1,070,220

UBS AG
12/31/18
(16,485
)
CHF
1,021,122

USD
1,037,220

UBS AG
12/31/18
(17,013
)
USD
16,070,089

CHF
15,307,242

UBS AG
12/31/18
776,572

USD
902,176

CHF
891,684

UBS AG
12/31/18
11,292

USD
577,742

CHF
572,883

UBS AG
12/31/18
5,372

JPY
228,833,500

USD
2,042,715

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
(4,661
)
JPY
276,731,700

USD
2,469,945

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
(5,297
)
JPY
242,525,500

USD
2,149,170

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
10,828

JPY
387,572,500

USD
3,478,857

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
(27,030
)
USD
33,202,439

JPY
3,712,663,500

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
136,440

USD
2,967,215

JPY
331,975,000

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
10,555

USD
2,455,476

JPY
274,781,500

Bank of America, N.A.
12/28/18
8,197

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
785,038


NOTES TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
ADR
-
American Depositary Receipt
CHF
-
Swiss Franc
JPY
-
Japanese Yen
USD
-
United States Dollar
† Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.
(1)
Non-income producing.

See Notes to Financial Statements.


13


Statement of Assets and Liabilities
OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $4,803,781,121)
$
11,431,988,458

Receivable for investments sold
3,381,659

Receivable for capital shares sold
3,676,121

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
959,256

Dividends and interest receivable
1,285,993

 
11,441,291,487

 
 
Liabilities
 
Payable for capital shares redeemed
4,949,702

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts
174,218

Accrued management fees
9,520,229

Distribution and service fees payable
38,203

 
14,682,352

 
 
Net Assets
$
11,426,609,135

 
 
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
$
4,023,982,821

Distributable earnings
7,402,626,314

 
$
11,426,609,135


 
Net Assets
Shares Outstanding
Net Asset Value
Per Share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$10,524,968,882
220,452,573

$47.74
I Class, $0.01 Par Value
$402,938,375
8,158,706

$49.39
Y Class, $0.01 Par Value
$943,568
19,074

$49.47
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$102,805,905
2,250,853

$45.67*
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$10,699,739
275,990

$38.77
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$15,136,586
340,345

$44.47
R5 Class, $0.01 Par Value
$6,622
134

$49.42
R6 Class, $0.01 Par Value
$369,109,458
7,468,917

$49.42
*Maximum offering price $48.46 (net asset value divided by 0.9425).


See Notes to Financial Statements.

14


Statement of Operations
YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
 
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $136,318)
$
94,743,758

Interest
1,828,365

 
96,572,123

 
 
Expenses:
 
Management fees
108,241,866

Distribution and service fees:
 
A Class
239,830

C Class
79,288

R Class
66,004

Directors' fees and expenses
260,527

Other expenses
1,033

 
108,888,548

 
 
Net investment income (loss)
(12,316,425
)
 
 
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
 
Investment transactions
803,383,995

Forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions
1,446,891

Foreign currency translation transactions
(79,067
)
 
804,751,819

 
 
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
 
Investments
582,030,195

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
(654,253
)
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
11,457

 
581,387,399

 
 
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
1,386,139,218

 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
1,373,822,793



See Notes to Financial Statements.

15


Statement of Changes in Net Assets
YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 2018 AND OCTOBER 31, 2017
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
October 31, 2018
October 31, 2017
Operations
 
 
Net investment income (loss)
$
(12,316,425
)
$
15,808,978

Net realized gain (loss)
804,751,819

582,096,526

Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
581,387,399

1,808,238,789

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
1,373,822,793

2,406,144,293

 
 
 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
 
From earnings:(1)
 
 
Investor Class
(559,150,978
)
(365,711,114
)
I Class
(19,100,754
)
(9,412,704
)
Y Class
(346
)

A Class
(4,976,796
)
(2,685,344
)
C Class
(413,008
)
(170,965
)
R Class
(690,819
)
(428,166
)
R5 Class
(340
)

R6 Class
(14,666,196
)
(4,027,821
)
Decrease in net assets from distributions
(598,999,237
)
(382,436,114
)
 
 
 
Capital Share Transactions
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions (Note 5)
403,469,864

81,023,969

 
 
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
1,178,293,420

2,104,732,148

 
 
 
Net Assets
 
 
Beginning of period
10,248,315,715

8,143,583,567

End of period
$
11,426,609,135

$
10,248,315,715


(1)
Prior period presentation has been updated to reflect the current period combination of distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains. Distributions from net investment income were $(22,033,975), $(936,176), $(16,542) and $(510,662) for Investor Class, I Class, A Class and R6 Class, respectively. Distributions from net realized gains were $(343,677,139), $(8,476,528), $(2,668,802), $(170,965), $(428,166) and $(3,517,159) for Investor Class, I Class, A Class, C Class,
R Class and R6 Class, respectively.


See Notes to Financial Statements.

16


Notes to Financial Statements

OCTOBER 31, 2018

1. Organization

American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Ultra Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund's investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth.

The fund offers the Investor Class, I Class, Y Class, A Class, C Class, R Class, R5 Class and R6 Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. Sale of the Y Class and R5 Class commenced on April 10, 2017.
 
2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. This may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Management evaluated the impact of events or transactions occurring through the date the financial statements were issued that would merit recognition or disclosure.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share at the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open. The Board of Directors has adopted valuation policies and procedures to guide the investment advisor in the fund’s investment valuation process and to provide methodologies for the oversight of the fund’s pricing function.
 
Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are generally valued at the closing price of such securities on the exchange where primarily traded or at the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices may be used. Securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. Equity securities initially expressed in local currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the mean of the appropriate currency exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Fixed income securities are valued at the evaluated mean as provided by independent pricing services or at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices as provided by investment dealers. U.S. Treasury and Government Agency securities are valued using market models that consider trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, creditworthiness, trade data or market information on comparable securities, and other relevant security specific information.
 
Open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost, which approximates fair value. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean of the appropriate forward exchange rate at the close of the NYSE as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
If the fund determines that the market price for an investment is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect an investment’s fair value, such investment is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its delegate, in accordance with policies and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including, but not limited to, market information regarding the specific investment or comparable investments and correlation with other investment types, futures indices or general market indicators. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value an investment include, but are not limited to: an investment has been declared in default or is distressed; trading in a security has been suspended during the trading day or a security is not actively trading on its principal exchange; prices received from a regular pricing source are deemed unreliable; or there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred.

17


The fund monitors for significant events occurring after the close of an investment’s primary exchange but before the fund’s net asset value per share is determined. Significant events may include, but are not limited to: corporate announcements and transactions; governmental action and political unrest that could impact a specific investment or an investment sector; or armed conflicts, natural disasters and similar events that could affect investments in a specific country or region. The fund also monitors for significant fluctuations between domestic and foreign markets, as evidenced by the U.S. market or such other indicators that the Board of Directors, or its delegate, deems appropriate. If significant fluctuations in foreign markets are identified, the fund may apply a model-derived factor to the closing price of equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges. The factor is based on observable market data as provided by an independent pricing service.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.
 
Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Distributions received on securities that represent a return of capital or long-term capital gain are recorded as a reduction of cost of investments and/or as a realized gain. The fund may estimate the components of distributions received that may be considered nontaxable distributions or long-term capital gain distributions for income tax purposes. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.
 
Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.
 
Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.
 
Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.
 
Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes. The fund files U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax returns as applicable. The fund's tax returns are subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years from the date of filing but can be longer in certain jurisdictions. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually.
 

18


Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC). The corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the corporation's distributor, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS), and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC, are wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by ACC.
 
Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class's daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The difference in the fee among the classes is a result of their separate arrangements for non-Rule 12b-1 shareholder services. It is not the result of any difference in advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the fund’s assets, which do not vary by class. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that use very similar investment teams and strategies (strategy assets).

The management fee schedule range and the effective annual management fee for each class for the period ended October 31, 2018 are as follows:
 
Management Fee
Schedule Range
Effective Annual Management Fee
Investor Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
I Class
0.600% to 0.790%
0.77%
Y Class
0.450% to 0.640%
0.62%
A Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
C Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
R Class
0.800% to 0.990%
0.97%
R5 Class
0.600% to 0.790%
0.77%
R6 Class
0.450% to 0.640%
0.62%

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the period ended October 31, 2018 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 
Directors' Fees and Expenses — The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the investment advisor’s management and operations of the fund. The directors receive detailed information about the fund and its investment advisor regularly throughout the year, and meet at least quarterly with management of the investment advisor to review reports about fund operations. The fund’s officers do not receive compensation from the fund.
 

19


Interfund Transactions — The fund may enter into security transactions with other American Century Investments funds and other client accounts of the investment advisor, in accordance with the 1940 Act rules and procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. The rules and procedures require, among other things, that these transactions be effected at the independent current market price of the security. During the period, the interfund purchases and sales were $2,244,619 and $24,684,305, respectively. The effect of interfund transactions on the Statement of Operations was $13,997,096 in net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions.
 
4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the period ended October 31, 2018 were $1,852,449,660 and $1,989,977,855, respectively.


20


5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:
 
Year ended
October 31, 2018
Year ended
October 31, 2017
(1)
 
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
3,350,000,000

 
3,350,000,000

 
Sold
10,632,542

$
506,249,511

6,991,026

$
277,438,803

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
12,316,233

540,066,800

9,969,734

353,028,282

Redeemed
(17,651,912
)
(834,762,685
)
(19,202,525
)
(747,743,609
)
 
5,296,863

211,553,626

(2,241,765
)
(117,276,524
)
I Class/Shares Authorized
130,000,000

 
130,000,000

 
Sold
2,118,340

105,334,186

2,936,370

126,336,971

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
395,008

17,885,944

252,374

9,211,667

Redeemed
(1,350,062
)
(66,260,455
)
(1,577,420
)
(64,714,752
)
 
1,163,286

56,959,675

1,611,324

70,833,886

Y Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
19,926

1,039,561

127

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
8

346



Redeemed
(987
)
(51,992
)


 
18,947

987,915

127

5,000

A Class/Shares Authorized
70,000,000

 
70,000,000

 
Sold
714,476

32,776,478

874,768

33,597,337

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
111,166

4,673,419

73,609

2,507,131

Redeemed
(517,254
)
(23,601,206
)
(713,427
)
(26,741,197
)
 
308,388

13,848,691

234,950

9,363,271

C Class/Shares Authorized
20,000,000

 
20,000,000

 
Sold
171,628

6,767,809

66,568

2,234,855

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
10,834

389,063

5,087

150,568

Redeemed
(51,478
)
(2,004,274
)
(36,228
)
(1,157,734
)
 
130,984

5,152,598

35,427

1,227,689

R Class/Shares Authorized
40,000,000

 
40,000,000

 
Sold
166,360

7,536,648

95,802

3,601,379

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
15,447

633,645

11,791

393,362

Redeemed
(112,648
)
(4,988,572
)
(104,730
)
(3,972,590
)
 
69,159

3,181,721

2,863

22,151

R5 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold


127

5,000

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
7

340



 
7

340

127

5,000

R6 Class/Shares Authorized
50,000,000

 
50,000,000

 
Sold
3,451,148

166,159,096

3,210,642

133,551,173

Issued in reinvestment of distributions
324,115

14,666,196

110,442

4,027,821

Redeemed
(1,370,862
)
(69,039,994
)
(511,606
)
(20,735,498
)
 
2,404,401

111,785,298

2,809,478

116,843,496

Net increase (decrease)
9,392,035

$
403,469,864

2,452,531

$
81,023,969


(1)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017 for the Y Class and R5 Class.



21


6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s investments valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the investments held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels.

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical investments.

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for comparable investments, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). These inputs also consist of quoted prices for identical investments initially expressed in local currencies that are adjusted through translation into U.S. dollars.

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.
 
The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.
 
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
 
 
Common Stocks
$
11,173,633,985

$
195,113,604


Temporary Cash Investments
9,603

63,231,266


 
$
11,173,643,588

$
258,344,870


Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
959,256


      
 
 
 
Liabilities
 
 
 
Other Financial Instruments
 
 
 
Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

$
174,218



7. Derivative Instruments

Foreign Currency Risk — The fund is subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. The value of foreign investments held by a fund may be significantly affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated and tends to increase when the value of the dollar declines against such foreign currency. A fund may enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce a fund's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The net U.S. dollar value of foreign currency underlying all contractual commitments held by a fund and the resulting unrealized appreciation or depreciation are determined daily. Realized gain or loss is recorded upon the termination of the contract. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses occurring during the holding period of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are a component of net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts, respectively. A fund bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the foreign currency exchange rate underlying the forward contract. Additionally, losses, up to the fair value, may arise if the counterparties do not perform under the contract terms. The fund's average U.S. dollar exposure to foreign currency risk derivative instruments held during the period was $87,340,865.
 

22


The value of foreign currency risk derivative instruments as of October 31, 2018, is disclosed on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset of $959,256 in unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts and a liability of $174,218 in unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts. For the year ended October 31, 2018, the effect of foreign currency risk derivative instruments on the Statement of Operations was $1,446,891 in net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contract transactions and $(654,253) in change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts.
 
8. Federal Tax Information

The tax character of distributions paid during the years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2017 were as follows:
 
2018
2017
Distributions Paid From
 
 
Ordinary income
$
17,716,470

$
23,497,355

Long-term capital gains
$
581,282,767

$
358,938,759


The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.
 
As of period end, the federal tax cost of investments and the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
Federal tax cost of investments
$
4,822,972,790

Gross tax appreciation of investments
$
6,755,299,594

Gross tax depreciation of investments
(146,283,926
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
6,609,015,668

Net tax appreciation (depreciation) on derivatives and translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(4,018
)
Net tax appreciation (depreciation)

$
6,609,011,650

Undistributed ordinary income
$
1,545,620

Accumulated long-term gains
$
792,069,044


The difference between book-basis and tax-basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.


23


Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
 Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
Investor Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$44.59
(0.06)
5.82
5.76
(0.07)
(2.54)
(2.61)
$47.74
13.44%
0.97%
0.97%
(0.12)%
(0.12)%
17%

$10,524,969

2017
$35.83
0.07
10.39
10.46
(0.10)
(1.60)
(1.70)
$44.59
30.42%
0.98%
0.98%
0.17%
0.17%
16%

$9,593,102

2016
$37.81
0.06
(0.14)
(0.08)
(0.08)
(1.82)
(1.90)
$35.83
(0.06)%
0.98%
0.98%
0.19%
0.19%
18%

$7,790,085

2015
$37.20
0.08
3.18
3.26
(0.12)
(2.53)
(2.65)
$37.81
9.72%
0.98%
0.98%
0.22%
0.22%
16%

$8,273,589

2014
$33.56
0.10
4.96
5.06
(0.10)
(1.32)
(1.42)
$37.20
15.66%
1.00%
1.01%
0.29%
0.28%
16%

$7,981,781

I Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$46.04
0.03
6.02
6.05
(0.16)
(2.54)
(2.70)
$49.39
13.68%
0.77%
0.77%
0.08%
0.08%
17%

$402,938

2017
$36.95
0.14
10.73
10.87
(0.18)
(1.60)
(1.78)
$46.04
30.66%
0.78%
0.78%
0.37%
0.37%
16%

$322,059

2016
$38.93
0.14
(0.14)
(0.16)
(1.82)
(1.98)
$36.95
0.14%
0.78%
0.78%
0.39%
0.39%
18%

$198,930

2015
$38.22
0.16
3.27
3.43
(0.19)
(2.53)
(2.72)
$38.93
9.96%
0.78%
0.78%
0.42%
0.42%
16%

$205,574

2014
$34.44
0.17
5.10
5.27
(0.17)
(1.32)
(1.49)
$38.22
15.90%
0.80%
0.81%
0.49%
0.48%
16%

$214,464

Y Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$46.07
0.11
6.02
6.13
(0.19)
(2.54)
(2.73)
$49.47
13.85%
0.62%
0.62%
0.23%
0.23%
17%

$944

2017(3)
$39.40
0.10
6.57
6.67
$46.07
16.93%
0.63%(4)
0.63%(4)
0.43%(4)
0.43%(4)
16%(5)

$6




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
 Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
A Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$42.80
(0.17)
5.58
5.41
(2.54)
(2.54)
$45.67
13.15%
1.22%
1.22%
(0.37)%
(0.37)%
17%

$102,806

2017
$34.45
(0.04)
10.00
9.96
(0.01)
(1.60)
(1.61)
$42.80
30.10%
1.23%
1.23%
(0.08)%
(0.08)%
16%

$83,130

2016
$36.43
(0.02)
(0.14)
(0.16)
(1.82)
(1.82)
$34.45
(0.31)%
1.23%
1.23%
(0.06)%
(0.06)%
18%

$58,829

2015
$35.94
(0.01)
3.06
3.05
(0.03)
(2.53)
(2.56)
$36.43
9.46%
1.23%
1.23%
(0.03)%
(0.03)%
16%

$72,004

2014
$32.46
0.01
4.81
4.82
(0.02)
(1.32)
(1.34)
$35.94
15.35%
1.25%
1.26%
0.04%
0.03%
16%

$71,650

C Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$36.96
(0.45)
4.80
4.35
(2.54)
(2.54)
$38.77
12.32%
1.97%
1.97%
(1.12)%
(1.12)%
17%

$10,700

2017
$30.17
(0.28)
8.67
8.39
(1.60)
(1.60)
$36.96
29.12%
1.98%
1.98%
(0.83)%
(0.83)%
16%

$5,359

2016
$32.36
(0.25)
(0.12)
(0.37)
(1.82)
(1.82)
$30.17
(1.03)%
1.98%
1.98%
(0.81)%
(0.81)%
18%

$3,306

2015
$32.41
(0.25)
2.73
2.48
(2.53)
(2.53)
$32.36
8.63%
1.98%
1.98%
(0.78)%
(0.78)%
16%

$2,968

2014
$29.60
(0.22)
4.35
4.13
(1.32)
(1.32)
$32.41
14.51%
2.00%
2.01%
(0.71)%
(0.72)%
16%

$2,482

R Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$41.84
(0.28)
5.45
5.17
(2.54)
(2.54)
$44.47
12.87%
1.47%
1.47%
(0.62)%
(0.62)%
17%

$15,137

2017
$33.79
(0.12)
9.77
9.65
(1.60)
(1.60)
$41.84
29.75%
1.48%
1.48%
(0.33)%
(0.33)%
16%

$11,345

2016
$35.85
(0.10)
(0.14)
(0.24)
(1.82)
(1.82)
$33.79
(0.55)%
1.48%
1.48%
(0.31)%
(0.31)%
18%

$9,066

2015
$35.46
(0.10)
3.02
2.92
(2.53)
(2.53)
$35.85
9.19%
1.48%
1.48%
(0.28)%
(0.28)%
16%

$9,637

2014
$32.10
(0.08)
4.76
4.68
(1.32)
(1.32)
$35.46
15.08%
1.50%
1.51%
(0.21)%
(0.22)%
16%

$7,983




For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended October 31 (except as noted)
 
 
 
 
Per-Share Data
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
 
Income From Investment Operations:
Distributions From:
 
 
Ratio to Average Net Assets of:
 
 
 
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(1)
Net
Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Total From
Investment
Operations
 Net
Investment
Income
Net
Realized
Gains
Total
Distributions
Net Asset
Value,
End
of Period
Total
Return
(2)
Operating
Expenses
Operating
Expenses
(before
expense
waiver)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)
(before
expense
waiver)
Portfolio
Turnover
Rate
Net
Assets,
End of
Period
(in thousands)
R5 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$46.04
0.04
6.02
6.06
(0.14)
(2.54)
(2.68)
$49.42
13.69%
0.77%
0.77%
0.08%
0.08%
17%

$7

2017(3)
$39.41
0.07
6.56
6.63
$46.04
16.82%
0.78%(4)
0.78%(4)
0.28%(4)
0.28%(4)
16%(5)

$6

R6 Class
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018
$46.07
0.10
6.02
6.12
(0.23)
(2.54)
(2.77)
$49.42
13.85%
0.62%
0.62%
0.23%
0.23%
17%

$369,109

2017
$36.97
0.18
10.75
10.93
(0.23)
(1.60)
(1.83)
$46.07
30.86%
0.63%
0.63%
0.52%
0.52%
16%

$233,309

2016
$38.95
0.17
(0.12)
0.05
(0.21)
(1.82)
(2.03)
$36.97
0.29%
0.63%
0.63%
0.54%
0.54%
18%

$83,367

2015
$38.25
0.20
3.28
3.48
(0.25)
(2.53)
(2.78)
$38.95
10.12%
0.63%
0.63%
0.57%
0.57%
16%

$36,951

2014
$34.46
0.05
5.28
5.33
(0.22)
(1.32)
(1.54)
$38.25
16.06%
0.65%
0.66%
0.64%
0.63%
16%

$23,684

Notes to Financial Highlights
 
 
(1)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
(2)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges, if any. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
(3)
April 10, 2017 (commencement of sale) through October 31, 2017.
(4)
Annualized.
(5)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended October 31, 2017.

See Notes to Financial Statements.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.:
Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Ultra® Fund, one of the funds constituting the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. (the “Fund”), as of October 31, 2018, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ultra® Fund of the American Century Mutual Funds, Inc. as of October 31, 2018, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2018, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
December 14, 2018

We have served as the auditor of one or more American Century investment companies since 1997.

27


Management

The Board of Directors

The individuals listed below serve as directors of the funds. Each director will continue to serve in this capacity until death, retirement, resignation or removal from office. The board has adopted a mandatory retirement age for directors who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the Investment Company Act (independent directors). Independent directors shall retire by December 31 of the year in which they reach their 75th birthday.
Mr. Thomas is an “interested person” because he currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent company of American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM or the advisor). The other directors (more than three-fourths of the total number) are independent. They are not employees, directors or officers of, and have no financial interest in, ACC or any of its wholly owned, direct or indirect, subsidiaries, including ACIM, American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) and American Century Services, LLC (ACS), and they do not have any other affiliations, positions or relationships that would cause them to be considered “interested persons” under the Investment Company Act. The directors serve in this capacity for seven (in the case of Jonathan S. Thomas, 16; and Stephen E. Yates, 8) registered investment companies in the American Century Investments family of funds.
The following table presents additional information about the directors. The mailing address for each director is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


Thomas W. Bunn (1953)
Director
Since 2017
Retired
67
SquareTwo Financial; Barings (formerly Babson Capital Funds Trust) (2013 to 2016)
Barry Fink
(1955)
Director
Since 2012 (independent since 2016)
Retired; Executive Vice President, ACC (2007 to 2013); President, ACS (2007 to 2013)
67
None
Jan M. Lewis
(1957)
Director
Since 2011
Retired; President and Chief Executive Officer, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas (human services organization) (2006 to 2013)
67
None
M. Jeannine Strandjord
(1945)
Director
Since 1994
Self-employed Consultant
67
Euronet Worldwide Inc. and MGP Ingredients, Inc.


28


Name
(Year of Birth)
Position(s) Held with Funds
Length of Time Served
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years
Number of American Century Portfolios Overseen by Director
Other Directorships Held During Past 5 Years
Independent Directors


John R. Whitten
(1946)
Director
Since 2008
Retired
67
Rudolph Technologies, Inc.
Stephen E. Yates
(1948)
Director and Chairman of the Board
Since 2012 (Chairman since 2018)
Retired
72
None
Interested Director


Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President
Since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
117
BioMed Valley Discoveries, Inc.
The Statement of Additional Information has additional information about the fund's directors and is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

29


Officers

The following table presents certain information about the executive officers of the funds. Each officer serves as an officer for each of the 16 (in the case of Robert J. Leach, 15) investment companies in the American Century family of funds. No officer is compensated for his or her service as an officer of the funds. The listed officers are interested persons of the funds and are appointed or re-appointed on an annual basis. The mailing address for each officer listed below is 4500 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64111.
Name
(Year of Birth)
Offices with the Funds
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years
Jonathan S. Thomas
(1963)
Director and President since 2007
President and Chief Executive Officer, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as Chief Executive Officer, ACS; Executive Vice President, ACIM; Director, ACC, ACIM and other ACC subsidiaries
R. Wes Campbell
(1974)
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2018
Investment Operations and Investment Accounting, ACS (2000 to present)
Amy D. Shelton
(1964)
Chief Compliance Officer and Vice President since 2014
Chief Compliance Officer, American Century funds, (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIM (2014 to present); Chief Compliance Officer, ACIS (2009 to present); Vice President, Client Interactions and Marketing, ACIS (2013 to 2014). Also serves as Vice President, ACIS
Charles A. Etherington
(1957)
General Counsel since 2007 and Senior Vice President since 2006
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present); Vice President, ACC (2005 to present); General Counsel, ACC (2007 to present). Also serves as General Counsel, ACIM, ACS, ACIS and other ACC subsidiaries; and Senior Vice President, ACIM and ACS
C. Jean Wade
(1964)
Vice President since 2012
Senior Vice President, ACS (2017 to present); Vice President, ACS (2000 to 2017)
Robert J. Leach
(1966)
Vice President since 2006
Vice President, ACS (2000 to present)
David H. Reinmiller
(1963)
Vice President since 2000
Attorney, ACC (1994 to present). Also serves as Vice President, ACIM and ACS
Ward D. Stauffer
(1960)
Secretary since 2005
Attorney, ACC (2003 to present)








30


Approval of Management Agreement

At a meeting held on June 28, 2018, the Fund’s Board of Directors (the "Board") unanimously approved the renewal of the management agreement pursuant to which American Century Investment Management, Inc. (the “Advisor”) acts as the investment advisor for the Fund. Under Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act, contracts for investment advisory services are required to be reviewed, evaluated, and approved by a majority of a fund’s directors (the “Directors”), including a majority of the independent Directors, each year.
    
Prior to its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Directors requested and reviewed extensive data and information compiled by the Advisor and certain independent providers of evaluation data concerning the Fund and the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor. This review was in addition to the oversight and evaluation undertaken by the Board and its committees on a continual basis and the information received was supplemental to the extensive information that the Board and its committees receive and consider throughout the year. The Directors also conducted a review of the process by which the Board considers the renewal of the management agreements. The Board consulted with industry experts and reviewed industry best practices and recent judicial precedent. The Directors believe that the enhancements resulting from their review resulted in increased dialogue with the Advisor and an improved process for fund shareholders.

In connection with its consideration of the renewal of the management agreement, the Board’s review and evaluation of the services provided by the Advisor included, but was not limited to, the following:

the nature, extent, and quality of investment management, shareholder services, and other services provided and to be provided to the Fund;
the wide range of other programs and services provided and to be provided to the Fund and its shareholders on a routine and non-routine basis;
the investment performance of the Fund, including data comparing the Fund's performance to appropriate benchmarks and/or a peer group of other mutual funds with similar investment objectives and strategies;
the cost of owning the Fund compared to the cost of owning similar funds;
the compliance policies, procedures, and regulatory experience of the Advisor and the Fund's service providers;
financial data showing the cost of services provided to the Fund, the profitability of the Fund to the Advisor, and the overall profitability of the Advisor
strategic plans of the Advisor;
any economies of scale associated with the Advisor’s management of the Fund and other accounts;
services provided and charges to the Advisor's other investment management clients;
acquired fund fees and expenses;
payments and practices in connection with financial intermediaries holding shares of the Fund and the services provided by intermediaries in connection therewith; and
any collateral benefits derived by the Advisor from the management of the Fund.

The Directors held two in-person meetings and one telephonic meeting to review and discuss the information provided. The independent Directors also reviewed responses to supplemental information requests provided by the Directors to the Advisor and held active discussions with the Advisor regarding the renewal of the management agreement. The independent Directors had the benefit of the advice of their independent counsel throughout the process.




31


Factors Considered

The Directors considered all of the information provided by the Advisor, the independent data providers, and independent counsel in connection with the approval. They determined that the information was sufficient for them to evaluate the management agreement for the Fund. In connection with their review, the Directors did not identify any single factor as being all-important or controlling, and each Director may have attributed different levels of importance to different factors. In deciding to renew the management agreement, the Board based its decision on a number of factors, including without limitation the following:

Nature, Extent and Quality of Services - Generally. Under the management agreement, the Advisor is responsible for providing or arranging for all services necessary for the operation of the Fund. The Board noted that the Advisor provides or arranges at its own expense a wide variety of services including without limitation the following:

portfolio research and security selection
securities trading
Fund administration
custody of Fund assets
daily valuation of the Fund’s portfolio
shareholder servicing and transfer agency, including shareholder confirmations, recordkeeping, and communications
legal services (except the independent Directors’ counsel)
regulatory and portfolio compliance
financial reporting
marketing and distribution (except amounts paid by the Fund under Rule 12b-1 plans)

The Board noted that many of these services have expanded over time in terms of both quantity and complexity in response to shareholder demands, competition in the industry, changing distribution channels, and the changing regulatory environment.

Investment Management Services. The nature of the investment management services provided to the Fund is quite complex and allows Fund shareholders access to professional money management, instant diversification of their investments within an asset class, the opportunity to easily diversify among asset classes by investing in or exchanging among various American Century Investments funds, and liquidity. In evaluating investment performance, the Board expects the Advisor to manage the Fund in accordance with its investment objectives and approved strategies. Further, the Directors recognize that the Advisor has an obligation to monitor trading activities, and in particular to seek the best execution of fund trades, and to evaluate the use of and payment for research. In providing these services, the Advisor utilizes teams of investment professionals (portfolio managers, analysts, research assistants, and securities traders) who require extensive information technology, research, training, compliance, and other systems to conduct their business. The Board, directly and through its Fund Performance Review Committee, provides oversight of the investment performance process. It regularly reviews investment performance information for the Fund, together with comparative information for appropriate benchmarks and/or peer groups of similarly-managed funds, over different time horizons. The Directors also review detailed performance information provided by the Advisor during the management agreement renewal process. If performance concerns are identified, the Fund receives special reviews until performance improves, during which the Board receives a report from the Advisor regarding the reasons for such results (e.g., market conditions, security selection) and any efforts being undertaken to improve performance. The Fund’s performance was above its benchmark for the one-, three-, and five-year periods and slightly below its benchmark for the ten-year period reviewed by the Board. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Advisor and was satisfied with the efforts being undertaken by the Advisor. The Board found the investment management services provided by the Advisor to the Fund to be satisfactory and consistent with the management agreement.

32


Shareholder and Other Services. Under the management agreement, the Advisor provides the Fund with a comprehensive package of transfer agency, shareholder, and other services. The Board, directly and through various committees of the Board, regularly reviews reports and evaluations of such services at its regular meetings. These reports include, but are not limited to, information regarding the operational efficiency and accuracy of the shareholder and transfer agency services provided, staffing levels, shareholder satisfaction (as measured by external as well as internal sources), technology support, new products and services offered to Fund shareholders, securities trading activities, portfolio valuation services, auditing services, and legal and operational compliance activities. The Board found the services provided by the Advisor to the Fund under the management agreement to be competitive and of high quality.

Costs of Services and Profitability. The Advisor provides detailed information concerning its cost of providing various services to the Fund, its profitability in managing the Fund (pre- and post-distribution), its overall profitability, and its financial condition. The Directors have reviewed with the Advisor the methodology used to prepare this financial information. This information is considered in evaluating the Advisor’s financial condition, its ability to continue to provide services under the management agreement, and the reasonableness of the current management fee. The Board concluded that the Advisor’s profits were reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

Ethics. The Board generally considers the Advisor’s commitment to providing quality services to shareholders and to conducting its business ethically. They noted that the Advisor’s practices generally meet or exceed industry best practices.

Economies of Scale. The Board also reviewed information provided by the Advisor regarding the possible existence of economies of scale in connection with the management of the Fund. The Board concluded that economies of scale are difficult to measure and predict with precision, especially on a fund-by-fund basis. The Board concluded that the Advisor is appropriately sharing economies of scale through its competitive fee structure, offering competitive fees from fund inception, and through reinvestment in its business to provide shareholders additional content and services. The Board also noted that economies of scale are shared with the Fund and its shareholders through management fee breakpoints that serve to reduce the effective management fee as the assets of the Fund grow.

Comparison to Other Funds’ Fees. The management agreement provides that the Fund pays the Advisor a single, all-inclusive (or unified) management fee for providing all services necessary for the management and operation of the Fund, other than brokerage expenses, expenses attributable to short sales, taxes, interest, extraordinary expenses, and the fees and expenses of the Fund’s independent Directors (including their independent legal counsel) and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of shareholder services and distribution services under a plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the unified fee structure, the Advisor is responsible for providing all investment advisory, custody, audit, administrative, compliance, recordkeeping, marketing and shareholder services, or arranging and supervising third parties to provide such services. By contrast, most other funds are charged a variety of fees, including an investment advisory fee, a transfer agency fee, an administrative fee, distribution charges, and other expenses. Other than their investment advisory fees and any applicable Rule 12b-1 distribution fees, all other components of the total fees charged by these other funds may be increased without shareholder approval. The Board believes the unified fee structure is a benefit to Fund shareholders because it clearly discloses to shareholders the cost of owning Fund shares, and, since the unified fee cannot be increased without a vote of Fund shareholders, it shifts to the Advisor the risk of increased costs of operating the Fund and provides a direct incentive to minimize administrative inefficiencies. Part of the Board’s analysis of fee levels involves reviewing certain evaluative data compiled by an independent provider comparing the Fund’s unified fee to the total expense ratios of its peers. The unified fee charged to shareholders of the Fund was below the median of the total expense ratios of the Fund’s peer expense universe. The Board concluded that the management fee paid by the Fund to the Advisor under the management agreement is reasonable in light of the services provided to the Fund.

33



Comparison to Fees and Services Provided to Other Clients of the Advisor. The Directors also requested and received information from the Advisor concerning the nature of the services, fees, costs, and profitability of its advisory services to advisory clients other than the Fund. They observed that these varying types of client accounts require different services and involve different regulatory and entrepreneurial risks than the management of the Fund. The Board analyzed this information and concluded that the fees charged and services provided to the Fund were reasonable by comparison.

Payments to Intermediaries. The Directors also requested and received a description of payments made to intermediaries by the Fund and the Advisor and services provided in response thereto. These payments include various payments made by the Fund or the Advisor to different types of intermediaries and recordkeepers for distribution and service activities provided for the Fund. The Board reviewed such information and received representations from the Advisor that all such payments by the Fund were made pursuant to the Fund's Rule 12b-1 Plan and that all such payments by the Advisor were made from the Advisor’s resources and reasonable profits. The Board found the payments to be reasonable in scope and purpose.

Collateral or “Fall-Out” Benefits Derived by the Advisor. The Board considered the existence of collateral benefits the Advisor may receive as a result of its relationship with the Fund. They concluded that the Advisor’s primary business is managing mutual funds and it generally does not use fund or shareholder information to generate profits in other lines of business, and therefore does not derive any significant collateral benefits from them. The Board noted that additional assets from other clients may offer the Advisor some benefit from increased leverage with service providers and counterparties. Additionally, the Advisor may receive proprietary research from broker-dealers that execute fund portfolio transactions, which the Board concluded is likely to benefit other clients of the Advisor, as well as Fund shareholders. The Board also determined that the Advisor is able to provide investment management services to certain clients other than the Fund, at least in part, due to its existing infrastructure built to serve the fund complex. The Board concluded that appropriate allocation methodologies had been employed to assign resources and the cost of those resources to these other clients and, where expressly provided, these other client assets may be included with the assets of the Fund to determine breakpoints in the management fee schedule.

Existing Relationship. The Board also considered whether there was any reason for not continuing the existing arrangement with the Advisor. In this regard, the Board was mindful of the potential disruptions of the Fund’s operations and various risks, uncertainties, and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision not to continue such relationship. In particular, the Board recognized that most shareholders have invested in the Fund on the strength of the Advisor’s industry standing and reputation and in the expectation that the Advisor will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund.

Conclusion of the Directors. As a result of this process, the Board, including all of the independent Directors, taking into account all of the factors discussed above and the information provided by the Advisor and others in connection with its review and throughout the year, determined that the management fee is fair and reasonable in light of the services provided and that the investment management agreement between the Fund and the Advisor should be renewed.


34


Additional Information

Retirement Account Information

As required by law, distributions you receive from certain retirement accounts are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply*. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.
If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. For systematic withdrawals, your withholding election will remain in effect until revoked or changed by filing a new election. You have the right to revoke your election at any time and change your withholding percentage for future distributions.
Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.
State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld (or as otherwise required by state law). State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.
*Some 403(b), 457 and qualified retirement plan distributions may be subject to 20% mandatory withholding, as they are subject to special tax and withholding rules.  Your plan administrator or plan sponsor is required to provide you with a special tax notice explaining those rules at the time you request a distribution.  If applicable, federal and/or state taxes may be withheld from your distribution amount.


Proxy Voting Policies

A description of the policies that the fund's investment advisor uses in exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on the "About Us" page of American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the "About Us" page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.


Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure

The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.





35


Other Tax Information

The following information is provided pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund hereby designates up to the maximum amount allowable as qualified dividend income for
the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

For corporate taxpayers, the fund hereby designates $17,711,917, or up to the maximum amount
allowable, of ordinary income distributions paid during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 as
qualified for the corporate dividends received deduction.

The fund hereby designates $581,282,767, or up to the maximum amount allowable, as long-term
capital gain distributions (20% rate gain distributions) for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.

The fund hereby designates $4,553, as qualified short-term capital gain distributions for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 871 for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018.


36






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American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri
 
 
 
 
This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.
 
 
 
 
©2018 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-ANN-90975 1812
 



ITEM 2. CODE OF ETHICS.

(a)
The registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, and persons performing similar functions.

(b)
No response required.

(c)
None.

(d)
None.

(e)
Not applicable.

(f)
The registrant’s Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers was filed as Exhibit 12 (a)(1) to American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc.’s Annual Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR, File No. 811-21591, on September 29, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference.


ITEM 3. AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

(a)(1)
The registrant’s board has determined that the registrant has at least one audit committee financial expert serving on its audit committee.

(a)(2)
John R. Whitten and Jan M. Lewis are the registrant’s designated audit committee financial experts. They are “independent” as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR.
    
(a)(3)
Not applicable.

(b)
No response required.

(c)
No response required.

(d)
No response required.


ITEM 4. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

(a)
Audit Fees.

The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years were as follows:

FY 2017:
$254,800
FY 2018:
$269,430

(b)
Audit-Related Fees.

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for assurance and related services by the principal accountant that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item were as follows:

For services rendered to the registrant:

FY 2017:$0



FY 2018:$0

Fees required to be approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (relating to certain engagements for non-audit services with the registrant’s investment adviser and its affiliates):

FY 2017:$0
FY 2018:$0

(c)
Tax Fees.

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for professional services rendered by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning were as follows:

For services rendered to the registrant:

FY 2017:    $0
FY 2018:    $0

Fees required to be approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (relating to certain engagements for non-audit services with the registrant’s investment adviser and its affiliates):

FY 2017:    $0
FY 2018:    $0

(d)
All Other Fees.

The aggregate fees billed in each of the last two fiscal years for products and services provided by the principal accountant, other than the services reported in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Item were as follows:

For services rendered to the registrant:

FY 2017:$0
FY 2018:$0

Fees required to be approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X (relating to certain engagements for non-audit services with the registrant’s investment adviser and its affiliates):

FY 2017:$0
FY 2018:$0

(e)(1)
In accordance with paragraph (c)(7)(i)(A) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, before the accountant is engaged by the registrant to render audit or non-audit services, the engagement is approved by the registrant’s audit committee. Pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, the registrant’s audit committee also pre-approves its accountant’s engagements for non-audit services with the registrant’s investment adviser, its parent company, and any entity controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant.

(e)(2)
All services described in each of paragraphs (b) through (d) of this Item were pre-approved before the engagement by the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(A) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. Consequently, none of such services were required to be approved by the audit committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C).

(f)
The percentage of hours expended on the principal accountant’s engagement to audit the registrant’s financial statements for the most recent fiscal year that were attributed to work performed by persons other than the principal accountant’s full-time, permanent employees was less than 50%.




(g)
The aggregate non-audit fees billed by the registrant’s accountant for services rendered to the registrant, and rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant for each of the last two fiscal years of the registrant were as follows:

FY 2017:    $104,750
FY 2018:    $115,750

(h)
The registrant’s investment adviser and accountant have notified the registrant’s audit committee of all non-audit services that were rendered by the registrant’s accountant to the registrant’s investment adviser, its parent company, and any entity controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides services to the registrant, which services were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X. The notification provided to the registrant’s audit committee included sufficient details regarding such services to allow the registrant’s audit committee to consider the continuing independence of its principal accountant.


ITEM 5. AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.


ITEM 6. INVESTMENTS.

(a)
The schedule of investments is included as part of the report to stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

(b)
Not applicable.


ITEM 7. DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.


ITEM 8. PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.


ITEM 9. PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.


ITEM 10. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

During the reporting period, there were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board.





ITEM 11. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a)
The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

(b)
There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 12. DISCLOSURE OF SECURITIES LENDING ACTIVITIES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.


ITEM 13. EXHIBITS.

(a)(1)
Registrant’s Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers, which is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 of Form N-CSR, was filed as Exhibit 12(a)(1) to American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc.’s Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR, File No. 811-21591, on September 29, 2005.

(a)(2)
Separate certifications by the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are filed and attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.

(a)(3)
Not applicable.

(a)(4)
Not applicable.

(b)
A certification by the registrant’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is furnished and attached hereto as EX-99.906CERT.




SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Registrant:
American Century Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
 
 
By:
/s/ Jonathan S. Thomas
 
Name:
Jonathan S. Thomas
 
Title:
President
 
 
 
Date:
December 28, 2018


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By:
/s/ Jonathan S. Thomas
 
Name:
Jonathan S. Thomas
 
Title:
President
 
 
(principal executive officer)
 
 
 
Date:
December 28, 2018


By:
/s/ R. Wes Campbell
 
Name:
R. Wes Campbell
 
Title:
Treasurer and
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
(principal financial officer)
 
 
 
Date:
December 28, 2018