497K 1 fi497k.htm FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS, INC. fi497k.htm 
<PAGE>





[Logo - American Funds/(R)/]                 The right choice for the long term/(R)/

Fundamental Investors/SM/









CLASS    TICKER   F-1....  AFIFX    529-C..  CFNCX
A......  ANCFX    F-2....  FINFX    529-E..  CFNEX
B......  AFIBX    529-A..  CFNAX    529-F-1  CFNFX
C......  AFICX    529-B..  CFNBX





 SUMMARY
 PROSPECTUS





 March 1, 2010








 BEFORE YOU INVEST, YOU MAY WANT TO REVIEW THE FUND'S PROSPECTUS AND STATEMENT
 OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH CONTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND AND
 ITS RISKS. YOU CAN FIND THE FUND'S PROSPECTUS, STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL
 INFORMATION AND OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND ONLINE AT
 WWW.AMERICANFUNDS.COM/PROSPECTUS. YOU CAN ALSO GET THIS INFORMATION AT NO COST
 BY CALLING 800/421-0180 OR BY SENDING AN E-MAIL REQUEST TO
 PROSPECTUS@AMERICANFUNDS.COM. THE CURRENT PROSPECTUS AND STATEMENT OF
 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MARCH 1, 2010, ARE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 INTO THIS SUMMARY PROSPECTUS.



<PAGE>

Investment objective

The fund's investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital and
income.

Fees and expenses of the fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your
family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American
Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your
financial professional and in the "Sales charge reductions and waivers" section
on page 27 of the prospectus and on page 55 of the fund's statement of
additional information.

<SHAREHOLDER FEES
 (fees paid directly from your investment)
----------------------------------------------------SHARE CLASSES--------------

                                         -----------------------------F-1, F-2-
                                         A AND  B AND  C AND            AND
                                         529-A  529-B  529-C  529-E   529-F-1

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on  5.75%  none   none   none      none
 purchases (as a percentage of offering
 price)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum deferred sales charge (load)    none   5.00%  1.00%  none      none
 (as a percentage of the amount
 redeemed)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on  none   none   none   none      none
 reinvested dividends
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Redemption or exchange fees             none   none   none   none      none
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum annual account fee               $10    $10    $10    $10      $10
 (529 share classes only)






 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
 investment)
--------------------------------------------------SHARE CLASSES----------------

                                     --A-------B-------C------F-1-------F-2----

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Management fees                     0.26%   0.26%   0.26%   0.26%     0.26%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or service         0.23    1.00    1.00    0.24      none
 (12b-1) fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses                      0.20    0.20    0.22    0.17      0.17
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund operating         0.69    1.46    1.48    0.67      0.43
 expenses
                                     529-A   529-B   529-C   529-E    529-F-1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Management fees                     0.26%   0.26%   0.26%   0.26%     0.26%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or service         0.20    1.00    1.00    0.50      0.00
 (12b-1) fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses                      0.27    0.29    0.29    0.28      0.28
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund operating         0.73    1.55    1.55    1.04      0.54
 expenses




                                       1

Fundamental Investors / Summary prospectus


<PAGE>

EXAMPLE

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all
dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, and that the fund's
operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:



 SHARE CLASSES                   1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 A                                $641    $783    $  937     $1,384
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 B                                 649     862       997      1,537
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 C                                 251     468       808      1,768
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 F-1                                68     214       373        835
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 F-2                                44     138       241        542
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-A                             665     834     1,016      1,534
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-B                             677     928     1,102      1,726
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-C                             277     528       902      1,945
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-E                             126     370       632      1,374
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-F-1                            75     213       361        783



For the share classes listed below, you would pay the following if you did not
redeem your shares:



 SHARE CLASSES                   1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
---------------------------------------------------------------------

 B                                $149    $462     $797      $1,537
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 C                                 151     468      808       1,768
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-B                             177     528      902       1,726
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-C                             177     528      902       1,945
---------------------------------------------------------------------



PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 30%
of the average value of its portfolio.


                                       2

                                     Fundamental Investors / Summary prospectus
<PAGE>

Principal investment strategies

The fund seeks to invest primarily in common stocks of companies that appear to
offer superior opportunities for capital growth and most of which have a history
of paying dividends. In addition, the fund may invest significantly in
securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States and Canada and not
included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make
decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment
philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued
companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average, long-term investment
opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to
accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with
company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors.
Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer
represent relatively attractive investment opportunities. The investment adviser
uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing the fund's assets.
Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed
by individual counselors who decide how their respective segments will be
invested.

Principal risks

YOU MAY LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THE LIKELIHOOD OF LOSS MAY BE
GREATER IF YOU INVEST FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME.

Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and, for example, be
able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.

The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other
securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events taking
place around the world, including those directly involving the issuers whose
securities are owned by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy;
overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic
instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic
conditions; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.


                                       3

Fundamental Investors / Summary prospectus


<PAGE>

Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States may
be subject to the risks described above to a greater extent. These investments
may also be affected by currency fluctuations and controls; different
accounting, auditing, financial reporting, disclosure, regulatory and legal
standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market
volatility; different securities market structures; higher transaction costs;
and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling
portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. These risks may be
heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. Investments
in securities issued by entities domiciled in the United States may also be
subject to many of these risks.

You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.

Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
governmental agency, entity or person.

Investment results

The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from
year to year, and the table on page 5 shows how the fund's average annual total
returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market
performance. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing
in the fund. Past results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future
results. Updated information on the fund's results can be obtained by visiting
americanfunds.com.

CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS FOR CLASS A SHARES
(Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included,
results would be lower.)

[begin bar chart]

2000             4.27%
2001            -9.55
2002           -17.34
2003            31.96
2004            13.91
2005            11.68
2006            19.24
2007            13.55
2008           -39.70
2009            33.36

[end bar chart]


Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were:




HIGHEST                              17.14%  (quarter ended June 30, 2009)
LOWEST                              -23.34%  (quarter ended December 31, 2008)




                                       4

                                     Fundamental Investors / Summary prospectus
<PAGE>



 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
 FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 (WITH MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE):

 SHARE CLASS                INCEPTION DATE      1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 A - Before taxes              8/1/1978         25.71%   2.77%    2.99%      12.26%
   - After taxes on                             25.38    2.21     2.30         N/A
     distributions
   - After taxes on distributions and sale of   17.04    2.41     2.39         N/A
     fund shares




 SHARE CLASS (before taxes)   INCEPTION DATE  1 YEAR  5 YEARS   LIFETIME
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

 B                              3/15/2000     27.30%   2.84%      3.04%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 C                              3/15/2001     31.26    3.14       3.59
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 F-1                            3/15/2001     33.40    3.99       4.43
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 F-2                            8/1/2008      33.72     N/A      -6.28
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-A                          2/15/2002     25.65    2.71       4.89
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-B                          2/19/2002     27.16    2.72       5.02
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-C                          2/15/2002     31.22    3.08       4.80
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-E                          3/7/2002      32.89    3.61       4.63
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 529-F-1                        9/23/2002     33.56    4.11       9.51




 INDEXES/1/                            1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME/2/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 S&P 500 (reflects no deductions for   26.47%   0.42%    -0.95%      11.21%
 fees, expenses or taxes)
 Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index
 (reflects no deductions               29.10    0.75      1.20       10.60
 for fees or taxes)
 MSCI/(R)/ World Index (reflects no
 deductions for fees,                  30.79    2.57      0.23       10.39
 expenses or taxes)
 Class A annualized 30-day yield at December 31, 2009: 1.28%
 (For current yield information, please call American FundsLine/(R)/ at
 800/325-3590.)



1  Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index (S&P 500) reflects certain market
   sectors in which the fund may invest. Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index
   includes the fund and other mutual funds that disclose investment objectives
   that are reasonably comparable to the fund's investment objective. MSCI World
   Index also reflects certain market sectors in which the fund may invest. See
   the fund's prospectus for more information on the indexes listed above.
2  Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from August 1, 1978,
   when Capital Research and Management Company became the fund's investment
   adviser.

After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other
share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest
individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods
shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual
after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ
from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if
you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k)
plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.


                                       5

Fundamental Investors / Summary prospectus


<PAGE>

Management

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Capital Research and Management Company, the investment adviser to the fund,
uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund assets.

PORTFOLIO COUNSELORS

The primary individual portfolio counselors for the fund are:




                             PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR   PRIMARY TITLE
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/            EXPERIENCE        WITH INVESTMENT ADVISER
 FUND TITLE (if applicable)     IN THIS FUND       (or one of its divisions)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 DINA N. PERRY                    17 years         Senior Vice President -
 President and Director                            Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MICHAEL T. KERR                  11 years         Senior Vice President -
 Senior Vice President                             Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RONALD B. MORROW                  7 years         Senior Vice President -
 Vice President                                    Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES E. DRASDO                  26 years         Senior Vice President -
                                                   Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 BRADY L. ENRIGHT                  4 years         Senior Vice President -
                                                   Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Purchase and sale of fund shares



 PURCHASE MINIMUMS (for all share classes)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 TO ESTABLISH AN ACCOUNT (including retirement plan and 529 accounts)   $250
 For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll deduction       25
 savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account
 TO ADD TO AN ACCOUNT                                                     50
 For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll deduction       25
 savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



You may sell (redeem) shares through your dealer or financial adviser or by
writing to American Funds Service Company at P.O. Box 6007, Indianapolis,
Indiana 46206-6007; telephoning American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180;
faxing American Funds Service Company at 317/735-6636; or accessing our website
at americanfunds.com.


                                       6

                                     Fundamental Investors / Summary prospectus
<PAGE>

Tax information

Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the fund are subject
to federal income taxes and may also be subject to state and local taxes.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and the fund's distributor or its
affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related
services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial adviser to
recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial
adviser or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

























                                                                                                 Investment Company File No. 811-00032
                                                                                            MFGEIP-910-0310P Litho in USA CGD/RRD/8008
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES
American Funds        Capital Research and Management       Capital International        Capital Guardian        Capital Bank and Trust





<PAGE>





[Logo - American Funds/(R)/]               The right choice for the long term/(R)/

Fundamental Investors/SM/









CLASS         TICKER        R-3.........  RFNCX
A...........  ANCFX         R-4.........  RFNEX
R-1.........  RFNAX         R-5.........  RFNFX
R-2.........  RFNBX         R-6.........  RFNGX






 SUMMARY
 RETIREMENT PLAN
 PROSPECTUS




 March 1, 2010






 BEFORE YOU INVEST, YOU MAY WANT TO REVIEW THE FUND'S RETIREMENT PLAN
 PROSPECTUS AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH CONTAIN MORE
 INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND AND ITS RISKS. YOU CAN FIND THE FUND'S RETIREMENT
 PLAN PROSPECTUS, STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
 ABOUT THE FUND ONLINE AT WWW.AMERICANFUNDS.COM/
 RETIREMENTPROSPECTUS. YOU CAN ALSO GET THIS INFORMATION AT NO COST BY CALLING
 800/421-0180 OR BY SENDING AN E-MAIL REQUEST TO
 RETIREMENTPROSPECTUS@AMERICANFUNDS.COM. THE CURRENT RETIREMENT PLAN PROSPECTUS
 AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MARCH 1, 2010, ARE INCORPORATED
 BY REFERENCE INTO THIS SUMMARY RETIREMENT PLAN PROSPECTUS.




<PAGE>

Investment objective

The fund's investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital and
income.

Fees and expenses of the fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund. You may qualify for a Class A sales charge discount if you
and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in
American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available
from your financial professional and in the "Sales charge reductions" section on
page 21 of the retirement plan prospectus and in the "Sales charge reductions
and waivers" section on page 55 of the fund's statement of additional
information.



 SHAREHOLDER FEES
 (fees paid directly from your investment)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                CLASS A   ALL R SHARE CLASSES
                                                ------------------------------

 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on          5.75%           none
 purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum deferred sales charge (load)             none           none
 (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed              none           none
 on reinvested dividends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Redemption or exchange fees                      none           none






 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
 investment)
----------------------------------------------SHARE CLASSES--------------------

                            --A-----R-1----R-2----R-3----R-4----R-5------R-6---

                            ---------------------------------------------------

 Management fees            0.26%  0.26%  0.26%  0.26%  0.26%  0.26%    0.26%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or        0.23   0.99   0.75   0.50   0.25   none     none
 service (12b-1) fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses             0.20   0.22   0.51   0.23   0.18   0.13     0.09/*/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund          0.69   1.47   1.52   0.99   0.69   0.39     0.35
 operating expenses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                       1

Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus


<PAGE>

EXAMPLE

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all
dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, and that the fund's
operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:



 SHARE CLASSES                  1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------------------------------

 A                               $641    $783     $937      $1,384
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-1                              150     465      803       1,757
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-2                              155     480      829       1,813
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-3                              101     315      547       1,213
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-4                               70     221      384         859
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-5                               40     125      219         493
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-6                               36     113      197         443
--------------------------------------------------------------------



* Estimated by annualizing actual fees and expenses of the share class for a
  partial year.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 30%
of the average value of its portfolio.


                                       2

                     Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus
<PAGE>

Principal investment strategies

The fund seeks to invest primarily in common stocks of companies that appear to
offer superior opportunities for capital growth and most of which have a history
of paying dividends. In addition, the fund may invest significantly in
securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States and Canada and not
included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make
decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment
philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued
companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average, long-term investment
opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to
accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with
company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors.
Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer
represent relatively attractive investment opportunities. The investment adviser
uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing the fund's assets.
Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed
by individual counselors who decide how their respective segments will be
invested.

Principal risks

YOU MAY LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THE LIKELIHOOD OF LOSS MAY BE
GREATER IF YOU INVEST FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME.

Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and, for example, be
able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.

The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other
securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events taking
place around the world, including those directly involving the issuers whose
securities are owned by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy;
overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic
instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic
conditions; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.


                                       3

Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus


<PAGE>

Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States may
be subject to the risks described above to a greater extent. These investments
may also be affected by currency fluctuations and controls; different
accounting, auditing, financial reporting, disclosure, and regulatory and legal
standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market
volatility; different securities market structures; higher transaction costs;
and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling
portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. These risks may be
heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. Investments
in securities issued by entities domiciled in the United States may also be
subject to many of these risks.

You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.

Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
governmental agency, entity or person.

Investment results

The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from
year to year, and the table on page 5 shows how the fund's average annual total
returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market
performance. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing
in the fund. Past results are not predictive of future results. Updated
information on the fund's results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.

CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS FOR CLASS A SHARES
(Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included,
results would be lower.)

[begin bar chart]

2000             4.27%
2001            -9.55
2002           -17.34
2003            31.96
2004            13.91
2005            11.68
2006            19.24
2007            13.55
2008           -39.70
2009            33.36

[end bar chart]


Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were:




HIGHEST                              17.14%  (quarter ended June 30, 2009)
LOWEST                              -23.34%  (quarter ended December 31, 2008)




                                       4

                     Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus
<PAGE>



 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
 FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 (WITH MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE):

 SHARE CLASS           INCEPTION DATE  1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 A                        8/1/1978     25.71%   2.77%    2.99%      12.26%




 SHARE CLASS           INCEPTION DATE  1 YEAR  5 YEARS   LIFETIME
------------------------------------------------------------------

 R-1                     6/19/2002     32.30%   3.13%     5.39%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-2                     5/21/2002     32.22    3.12      4.63
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-3                      6/4/2002     32.93    3.62      5.50
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-4                     7/25/2002     33.31    3.94      8.91
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-5                     5/15/2002     33.75    4.25      5.64




 INDEXES/1/                            1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME/2/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 S&P 500 (reflects no deductions for
 fees, expenses or taxes)               26.47%   0.42%    -0.95%      11.21%
 Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index
 (reflects no                           29.10    0.75      1.20       10.60
 deductions for fees or taxes)
 MSCI/(R)/ World Index (reflects no
 deductions for fees,                   30.79    2.57      0.23       10.39
 expenses or taxes)
 Class A annualized 30-day yield at December 31, 2009: 1.28%
 (For current yield information, please call American FundsLine/(R)/ at
 800/325-3590.)



1  Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index (S&P 500) reflects certain market
   sectors in which the fund may invest. Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index
   includes the fund and other mutual funds that disclose investment objectives
   that are reasonably comparable to the fund's investment objective. MSCI World
   Index also reflects certain market sectors in which the fund may invest. See
   the fund's prospectus for more information on the indexes listed above.
2  Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from August 1, 1978,
   when Capital Research and Management Company became the fund's investment
   adviser.


                                       5

Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus


<PAGE>

Management

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Capital Research and Management Company, the investment adviser to the fund,
uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund assets.

PORTFOLIO COUNSELORS

The primary individual portfolio counselors for the fund are:




                             PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR   PRIMARY TITLE
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/            EXPERIENCE        WITH INVESTMENT ADVISER
 FUND TITLE (if applicable)     IN THIS FUND       (or one of its divisions)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 DINA N. PERRY                    17 years         Senior Vice President -
 President and Director                            Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MICHAEL T. KERR                  11 years         Senior Vice President -
 Senior Vice President                             Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RONALD B. MORROW                  7 years         Senior Vice President -
 Vice President                                    Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES E. DRASDO                  26 years         Senior Vice President -
                                                   Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 BRADY L. ENRIGHT                  4 years         Senior Vice President -
                                                   Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Purchase and sale of fund shares

Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or
R shares by contacting any investment dealer authorized to sell these classes of
the fund's shares. Investment dealers may impose transaction charges in addition
to those described in this summary retirement plan prospectus.

Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper in order to sell (redeem)
shares from your retirement plan.


                                       6

                     Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus
<PAGE>

Tax information

Dividends and capital gains distributed by the fund to tax-deferred retirement
plan accounts are not currently taxable.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and the fund's distributor or its
affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related
services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial adviser to
recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial
adviser or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

























                                                                                                  Investment Company File No. 811-00032
                                                                                             RPGEIP-910-0310P Litho in USA CGD/RRD/8032
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES
American Funds        Capital Research and Management       Capital International        Capital Guardian        Capital Bank and Trust





THE FUND PROVIDES SPANISH TRANSLATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE
PUBLIC OFFERING AND SALE OF ITS SHARES. THE FOLLOWING IS A FAIR
AND ACCURATE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF A SPANISH LANGUAGE PROSPECTUS
FOR THE FUND.


/s/ PATRICK F. QUAN
    PATRICK F. QUAN
    SECRETARY




<PAGE>





[Logo - American Funds/(R)/]               The right choice for the long term/(R)/

Fundamental Investors/SM/









CLASS         TICKER        R-3.........  RFNCX
A...........  ANCFX         R-4.........  RFNEX
R-1.........  RFNAX         R-5.........  RFNFX
R-2.........  RFNBX         R-6.........  RFNGX






 SUMMARY
 RETIREMENT PLAN
 PROSPECTUS




 March 1, 2010






 BEFORE YOU INVEST, YOU MAY WANT TO REVIEW THE FUND'S RETIREMENT PLAN
 PROSPECTUS AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH CONTAIN MORE
 INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUND AND ITS RISKS. YOU CAN FIND THE FUND'S RETIREMENT
 PLAN PROSPECTUS, STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND OTHER INFORMATION
 ABOUT THE FUND ONLINE AT WWW.AMERICANFUNDS.COM/
 RETIREMENTPROSPECTUS. YOU CAN ALSO GET THIS INFORMATION AT NO COST BY CALLING
 800/421-0180 OR BY SENDING AN E-MAIL REQUEST TO
 RETIREMENTPROSPECTUS@AMERICANFUNDS.COM. THE CURRENT RETIREMENT PLAN PROSPECTUS
 AND STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, DATED MARCH 1, 2010, ARE INCORPORATED
 BY REFERENCE INTO THIS SUMMARY RETIREMENT PLAN PROSPECTUS.




<PAGE>

Investment objective

The fund's investment objective is to achieve long-term growth of capital and
income.

Fees and expenses of the fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund. You may qualify for a Class A sales charge discount if you
and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in
American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available
from your financial professional and in the "Sales charge reductions" section on
page 21 of the retirement plan prospectus and in the "Sales charge reductions
and waivers" section on page 55 of the fund's statement of additional
information.



 SHAREHOLDER FEES
 (fees paid directly from your investment)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                CLASS A   ALL R SHARE CLASSES
                                                ------------------------------

 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on          5.75%           none
 purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum deferred sales charge (load)             none           none
 (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Maximum sales charge (load) imposed              none           none
 on reinvested dividends
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Redemption or exchange fees                      none           none






 ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
 (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
 investment)
----------------------------------------------SHARE CLASSES--------------------

                            --A-----R-1----R-2----R-3----R-4----R-5------R-6---

                            ---------------------------------------------------

 Management fees            0.26%  0.26%  0.26%  0.26%  0.26%  0.26%    0.26%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Distribution and/or        0.23   0.99   0.75   0.50   0.25   none     none
 service (12b-1) fees
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Other expenses             0.20   0.22   0.51   0.23   0.18   0.13     0.09/*/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total annual fund          0.69   1.47   1.52   0.99   0.69   0.39     0.35
 operating expenses
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                       1

Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus


<PAGE>

EXAMPLE

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund
with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all
dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, and that the fund's
operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or
lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:



 SHARE CLASSES                  1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS   10 YEARS
--------------------------------------------------------------------

 A                               $641    $783     $937      $1,384
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-1                              150     465      803       1,757
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-2                              155     480      829       1,813
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-3                              101     315      547       1,213
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-4                               70     221      384         859
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-5                               40     125      219         493
--------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-6                               36     113      197         443
--------------------------------------------------------------------



* Estimated by annualizing actual fees and expenses of the share class for a
  partial year.

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund
shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's performance.
During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 30%
of the average value of its portfolio.


                                       2

                     Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus
<PAGE>

Principal investment strategies

The fund seeks to invest primarily in common stocks of companies that appear to
offer superior opportunities for capital growth and most of which have a history
of paying dividends. In addition, the fund may invest significantly in
securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States and Canada and not
included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make
decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment
philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued
companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average, long-term investment
opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to
accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with
company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors.
Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer
represent relatively attractive investment opportunities. The investment adviser
uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing the fund's assets.
Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed
by individual counselors who decide how their respective segments will be
invested.

Principal risks

YOU MAY LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND. THE LIKELIHOOD OF LOSS MAY BE
GREATER IF YOU INVEST FOR A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME.

Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and, for example, be
able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.

The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other
securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events taking
place around the world, including those directly involving the issuers whose
securities are owned by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy;
overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic
instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic
conditions; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.


                                       3

Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus


<PAGE>

Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the United States may
be subject to the risks described above to a greater extent. These investments
may also be affected by currency fluctuations and controls; different
accounting, auditing, financial reporting, disclosure, and regulatory and legal
standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market
volatility; different securities market structures; higher transaction costs;
and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling
portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. These risks may be
heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. Investments
in securities issued by entities domiciled in the United States may also be
subject to many of these risks.

You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.

Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
governmental agency, entity or person.

Investment results

The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from
year to year, and the table on page 5 shows how the fund's average annual total
returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market
performance. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing
in the fund. Past results are not predictive of future results. Updated
information on the fund's results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.

CALENDAR YEAR TOTAL RETURNS FOR CLASS A SHARES
(Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included,
results would be lower.)

[begin bar chart]

2000             4.27%
2001            -9.55
2002           -17.34
2003            31.96
2004            13.91
2005            11.68
2006            19.24
2007            13.55
2008           -39.70
2009            33.36

[end bar chart]


Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were:




HIGHEST                              17.14%  (quarter ended June 30, 2009)
LOWEST                              -23.34%  (quarter ended December 31, 2008)




                                       4

                     Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus
<PAGE>



 AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
 FOR THE PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 (WITH MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE):

 SHARE CLASS           INCEPTION DATE  1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 A                        8/1/1978     25.71%   2.77%    2.99%      12.26%




 SHARE CLASS           INCEPTION DATE  1 YEAR  5 YEARS   LIFETIME
------------------------------------------------------------------

 R-1                     6/19/2002     32.30%   3.13%     5.39%
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-2                     5/21/2002     32.22    3.12      4.63
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-3                      6/4/2002     32.93    3.62      5.50
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-4                     7/25/2002     33.31    3.94      8.91
------------------------------------------------------------------
 R-5                     5/15/2002     33.75    4.25      5.64




 INDEXES/1/                            1 YEAR  5 YEARS  10 YEARS   LIFETIME/2/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 S&P 500 (reflects no deductions for
 fees, expenses or taxes)               26.47%   0.42%    -0.95%      11.21%
 Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index
 (reflects no                           29.10    0.75      1.20       10.60
 deductions for fees or taxes)
 MSCI/(R)/ World Index (reflects no
 deductions for fees,                   30.79    2.57      0.23       10.39
 expenses or taxes)
 Class A annualized 30-day yield at December 31, 2009: 1.28%
 (For current yield information, please call American FundsLine/(R)/ at
 800/325-3590.)



1  Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index (S&P 500) reflects certain market
   sectors in which the fund may invest. Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index
   includes the fund and other mutual funds that disclose investment objectives
   that are reasonably comparable to the fund's investment objective. MSCI World
   Index also reflects certain market sectors in which the fund may invest. See
   the fund's prospectus for more information on the indexes listed above.
2  Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from August 1, 1978,
   when Capital Research and Management Company became the fund's investment
   adviser.


                                       5

Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus


<PAGE>

Management

INVESTMENT ADVISER

Capital Research and Management Company, the investment adviser to the fund,
uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund assets.

PORTFOLIO COUNSELORS

The primary individual portfolio counselors for the fund are:




                             PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR   PRIMARY TITLE
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/            EXPERIENCE        WITH INVESTMENT ADVISER
 FUND TITLE (if applicable)     IN THIS FUND       (or one of its divisions)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 DINA N. PERRY                    17 years         Senior Vice President -
 President and Director                            Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 MICHAEL T. KERR                  11 years         Senior Vice President -
 Senior Vice President                             Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 RONALD B. MORROW                  7 years         Senior Vice President -
 Vice President                                    Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 JAMES E. DRASDO                  26 years         Senior Vice President -
                                                   Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 BRADY L. ENRIGHT                  4 years         Senior Vice President -
                                                   Capital World Investors
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Purchase and sale of fund shares

Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or
R shares by contacting any investment dealer authorized to sell these classes of
the fund's shares. Investment dealers may impose transaction charges in addition
to those described in this summary retirement plan prospectus.

Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper in order to sell (redeem)
shares from your retirement plan.


                                       6

                     Fundamental Investors / Summary retirement plan prospectus
<PAGE>

Tax information

Dividends and capital gains distributed by the fund to tax-deferred retirement
plan accounts are not currently taxable.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial
intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and the fund's distributor or its
affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related
services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the
broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial adviser to
recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial
adviser or visit your financial intermediary's website for more information.

























                                                                                                  Investment Company File No. 811-00032
                                                                                             RPGEIP-910-0310P Litho in USA CGD/RRD/8032
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES
American Funds        Capital Research and Management       Capital International        Capital Guardian        Capital Bank and Trust