N-CSRS 1 ica_ncsr.htm N-CSR ica_ncsr.htm
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: 811-00116



The Investment Company of America
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (213) 486-9200

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2010





Vincent P. Corti
Capital Research and Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)


Copies to:
Eric A. S. Richards
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
400 South Hope Street, 10th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
(Counsel for the Registrant)


 
 

 

ITEM 1 – Reports to Stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ICA  The Investment Company of America

[photo of a section of the hull of a ship]
  
Semi-annual report for the six months ended June 30, 2010
 
 
ICASM seeks long-term growth of capital and income, placing greater emphasis on the potential for capital appreciation and future dividends than on current yield.

The Investment Company of America® is one of the 30 American Funds. American Funds is one of the nation’s largest mutual fund families. For nearly 80 years, Capital Research and Management Company,SM the American Funds adviser, has invested with a long-term focus based on thorough research and attention to risk.

Fund results shown in this report, unless otherwise indicated, are for Class A shares at net asset value. If a sales charge (maximum 5.75%) had been deducted, the results would have been lower. Results are for past periods and are not predictive of results for future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.

Here are the average annual total returns on a $1,000 investment with all distributions reinvested for periods ended June 30, 2010:
             
   
1 year
   
5 years
   
10 years
 
Class A shares
                 
Reflecting 5.75% maximum sales charge
    3.59 %     –1.31 %     0.72 %

The total annual fund operating expense ratio was 0.66% for Class A shares as of the most recent fiscal year-end.

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its management fees from September 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008. Applicable fund results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. See the Financial Highlights table on pages 20 to 23 for details.

The fund’s 30-day yield for Class A shares as of July 31, 2010, reflecting the 5.75% maximum sales charge and calculated in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission formula, was 2.01%.

Results for other share classes can be found on page 28.

Equity investments are subject to market fluctuations. Investing outside the United States may be subject to additional risks such as currency fluctuations, political instability, differing securities regulations and periods of illiquidity. Global diversification can help reduce these risks. See the prospectus and the Risk Factors section of this report for more information on these and other risks associated with investing in the fund.
 
[photo of a section of the hull of a ship]
 
Fellow shareholders:

The U.S. economy chugged along during the first six months of the year, despite fears over a growing government deficit, still-high unemployment rates, European sovereign debt worries and a large oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. These macroeconomic headwinds kept the stock markets in a period of high volatility, at times lifted by confidence in the global recovery and at times retreating sharply.

In this difficult environment, The Investment Company of America posted a decline of 8.7% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2010, with dividends reinvested. This lagged the –6.6% result for the period by the unmanaged Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index, a broad measure of the U.S. stock market.

The economy

Economic data pointed to a continuing, albeit moderate, U.S. revival. Industrial production advanced and business inventories moved up. However, retail sales growth slowed and housing dipped. Data on consumer confidence released in June indicated a more careful shopper. The Federal Reserve kept the benchmark federal funds rate steady near zero, amid low inflation and only modest economic growth.

Fears surrounding fiscally overburdened Greece and other European countries hurt equity markets globally in May and June, and threatened to derail the euro zone’s recovery. Meanwhile, growth in emerging markets looked poised to pull back as central banks in China, India and Brazil tightened monetary policy. The high degree of uncertainty was reflected in the markets’ recent volatility. In addition, the U.S. dollar strengthened relative to the euro after years of trending weaker, an indication that markets sought a safer haven amid the global difficulties.

Portfolio review

One of ICA’s largest industry concentrations was energy, making up 10.0% of the fund’s net assets. Many of the stocks in the industry were dragged down by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, one of the worst such disasters in history. ConocoPhillips, the fund’s sixth-largest holding, dropped 3.9%, and Royal Dutch Shell, the eighth-largest holding, fell 16.6%. BP, which operates the leaking well, saw its stock drop 50.4% in the six-month period. BP was not a significant holding in the fund; however, the uncertainty surrounding the crisis had an impact across the industry.

[Begin Sidebar]
Results at a glance
                 
For the six months ended June 30, 2010, with dividends reinvested
                 
   
ICA
   
Standard & Poor’s 500
   
Lipper Growth &
 
   
(Class A shares)
   
Composite Index*
   
Income Funds Index
 
                   
Income return
    1.00 %     0.99 %     n/a  
Capital return
    –9.70 %     –7.63 %     n/a  
Total return
    –8.70 %     –6.64 %     –6.64 %
                         
*The S&P 500 is unmanaged and its results do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions or expenses.
                 
Lipper index does not reflect the effect of sales charges.
                       
[End Sidebar]

 
Holdings in Europe detracted from the fund’s results during the six months, particularly European financial firms, including Banco Santander (–36.0%), BNP Paribas (–32.3%) and Société Générale (–41.2%). ICA may hold up to 15% in companies domiciled outside the United States, and over the past several years this flexibility has helped the fund. However, in the recent period, many companies based in Europe saw their stock prices fall sharply in response to the sovereign debt crisis this spring. ICA held nearly 7% of the fund’s net assets in companies based in France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom at the end of the period. Despite the near-term declines, we believe in the long-term strength of these companies, many of which have significant exposure to economies outside Europe.

Other large holdings that hurt the fund included telecommunications provider AT&T (–13.7%), software makers Microsoft (–24.5%) and Oracle (–12.6%), computer maker Hewlett-Packard (–16.0%), and Internet search provider Google (–28.2%).

There were a few bright spots: food products makers Sara Lee (+15.8%) and Kraft Foods (+3.0%) and fast-food retailer McDonald’s (+5.5%). Precious metals mining also contributed, with Newmont Mining up 30.5% and Barrick Gold up 15.3%. The portfolio’s cash and short-term securities position of 7.3% of total net assets was also a help in a declining market.

Looking ahead

The U.S. economy appears to be recovering, although its fragility is evident. There are positive trends, including accommodative monetary policy, few immediate inflationary pressures, and growing business inventories. On the other hand, federal and state debt levels are high and will need to be addressed, unemployment remains elevated and income growth sluggish, and credit markets have been slow to pick up. We expect that it could take some time before a full economic recovery is apparent.

ICA’s investment professionals are optimistic about uncovering solid companies — with good prospects and little debt, as well as efficient cost structures — that are well positioned for the long term. Market volatility can be uncomfortable and alarming for investors, but it can provide great opportunity as the economy rebalances.

We thank you for your continued confidence in our long-term investment philosophy, especially during turbulent times.

Sincerely,


/s/ James B. Lovelace

James B. Lovelace
Vice Chairman


/s/ Donald D. O’Neal

Donald D. O’Neal
President

August 11, 2010

For current information about the fund, visit americanfunds.com.
 
 
 
Summary investment portfolio, June 30, 2010
unaudited
 
The following summary investment portfolio is designed to streamline the report and help investors better focus on a fund’s principal holdings.  See the inside back cover for details on how to obtain a complete schedule of portfolio holdings.
 
[begin pie chart]
   
Percent
 
   
of net
 
Pie Chart
 
assets
 
       
Information technology
    21.26 %
Industrials
    10.93  
Consumer staples
    10.81  
Energy
    10.04  
Consumer discretionary
    8.95  
Other industries
    28.26  
Convertible securities
    0.37  
Bonds & notes
    2.08  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities
    7.30  
[end pie chart]
 
 
               
Percent
 
         
Value
   
of net
 
Common stocks  - 89.94%
 
Shares
      (000 )  
assets
 
                     
Energy  -  10.04%
                   
Baker Hughes Inc.
    9,445,000     $ 392,629       .73 %
BP PLC (1)
    49,380,000       237,158          
BP PLC (ADR)
    2,800,000       80,864       .59  
Chevron Corp.
    6,882,278       467,031       .86  
ConocoPhillips
    23,270,840       1,142,366       2.11  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A (ADR)
    16,470,000       827,123          
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B (1)
    2,343,265       56,734          
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B (ADR)
    2,925,498       141,243       1.90  
Schlumberger Ltd.
    12,724,999       704,201       1.30  
Other securities
            1,374,985       2.55  
              5,424,334       10.04  
                         
Materials  -  2.79%
                       
Barrick Gold Corp.
    7,150,000       324,681       .60  
Other securities
            1,183,815       2.19  
              1,508,496       2.79  
                         
Industrials  -  10.93%
                       
3M Co.
    4,599,265       363,296       .67  
Boeing Co.
    9,965,000       625,304       1.16  
CSX Corp.
    11,581,000       574,765       1.06  
General Dynamics Corp.
    9,985,800       584,768       1.08  
General Electric Co.
    24,145,000       348,171       .65  
Lockheed Martin Corp.
    5,575,000       415,337       .77  
Union Pacific Corp.
    11,204,800       778,846       1.44  
United Technologies Corp.
    10,840,000       703,624       1.30  
Other securities
            1,512,588       2.80  
              5,906,699       10.93  
                         
Consumer discretionary  -  8.95%
                       
Home Depot, Inc.
    20,520,000       575,996       1.07  
McDonald's Corp.
    7,150,000       470,970       .87  
Target Corp.
    12,997,000       639,062       1.18  
Time Warner Inc.
    13,399,000       387,365       .72  
Other securities
            2,760,541       5.11  
              4,833,934       8.95  
                         
Consumer staples  -  10.81%
                       
Altria Group, Inc.
    21,625,000       433,365       .80  
Avon Products, Inc.
    14,082,000       373,173       .69  
Kraft Foods Inc., Class A
    18,609,168       521,057       .96  
Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B
    8,010,900       339,342       .63  
PepsiCo, Inc.
    14,165,000       863,357       1.60  
Philip Morris International Inc.
    37,955,000       1,739,857       3.22  
Other securities
            1,569,034       2.91  
              5,839,185       10.81  
                         
Health care  -  7.68%
                       
Abbott Laboratories
    14,035,000       656,557       1.21  
Boston Scientific Corp. (2)
    64,340,000       373,172       .69  
Medtronic, Inc.
    9,112,500       330,510       .61  
Merck & Co., Inc.
    43,856,869       1,533,675       2.84  
Other securities
            1,256,830       2.33  
              4,150,744       7.68  
                         
Financials  -  7.43%
                       
Banco Santander, SA (1)
    67,527,912       709,582          
Banco Santander, SA (ADR)
    11,000,000       115,500       1.53  
Bank of America Corp.
    48,187,935       692,461       1.28  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    12,860,000       470,805       .87  
Wells Fargo & Co.
    14,735,000       377,216       .70  
Other securities
            1,645,520       3.05  
              4,011,084       7.43  
                         
Information technology   -  21.26%
                       
Accenture PLC, Class A
    8,324,000       321,723       .60  
Cisco Systems, Inc. (2)
    14,420,400       307,299       .57  
Corning Inc.
    25,069,820       404,878       .75  
Google Inc., Class A (2)
    2,020,530       899,035       1.66  
Hewlett-Packard Co.
    26,340,000       1,139,995       2.11  
Intel Corp.
    31,754,700       617,629       1.14  
International Business Machines Corp.
    5,285,000       652,592       1.21  
Microsoft Corp.
    86,590,800       1,992,454       3.69  
Oracle Corp.
    73,660,100       1,580,746       2.93  
Texas Instruments Inc.
    22,825,000       531,366       .98  
Yahoo! Inc. (2)
    40,288,200       557,186       1.03  
Other securities
            2,477,081       4.59  
              11,481,984       21.26  
                         
Telecommunication services  -  5.22%
                       
AT&T Inc.
    85,286,900       2,063,090       3.82  
Qwest Communications International Inc.
    77,980,000       409,395       .76  
Other securities
            345,502       .64  
              2,817,987       5.22  
                         
Utilities  -  3.23%
                       
Dominion Resources, Inc.
    13,123,824       508,417       .94  
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
    10,000,000       313,300       .58  
Other securities
            922,608       1.71  
              1,744,325       3.23  
                         
Miscellaneous  -  1.60%
                       
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition
            862,298       1.60  
                         
                         
Total common stocks (cost: $47,033,176,000)
            48,581,070       89.94  
                         
                         
                         
                   
Percent
 
           
Value
   
of net
 
Preferred stocks  - 0.31%
 
Shares
      (000 )  
assets
 
                         
Financials  -  0.31%
                       
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series I, 7.90% (3)
    84,861,000       87,755       .16  
Other securities
            77,976       .15  
                         
                         
Total preferred stocks (cost: $132,798,000)
            165,731       .31  
                         
                         
                         
                   
Percent
 
           
Value
   
of net
 
Warrants  - 0.00%
            (000 )  
assets
 
                         
Financials  -  0.00%
                       
Other securities
            -       .00  
                         
                         
Total warrants (cost: $11,770,000)
            -       .00  
                         
                         
                         
                   
Percent
 
           
Value
   
of net
 
Convertible securities  - 0.37%
 
Shares
      (000 )  
assets
 
                         
Other  -  0.21%
                       
Fannie Mae, Series 2004-1, 5.375% convertible preferred (2)
    820       1,066          
Fannie Mae, Series 2008-1, 8.75% noncumulative convertible preferred (2)
    1,218,000       633       .00  
Other securities
            110,627       .21  
              112,326       .21  
                         
                         
Miscellaneous  -  0.16%
                       
Other convertible securities in initial period of acquisition
            87,333       .16  
                         
                         
Total convertible securities (cost: $616,312,000)
            199,659       .37  
                         
                         
                         
   
Principal
           
Percent
 
   
amount
   
Value
   
of net
 
Bonds & notes  - 2.08%
    (000 )     (000 )  
assets
 
                         
Industrials  -  0.20%
                       
CSX Corp. 6.25%-7.375% 2015-2019
  $ 10,215       12,154       .02  
Union Pacific Corp. 5.125%-6.125% 2014-2020
    21,495       24,197       .05  
United Technologies Corp. 4.50% 2020
    5,475       5,935       .01  
Other securities
            62,787       .12  
              105,073       .20  
                         
Health care  -  0.19%
                       
Abbott Laboratories 5.125% 2019
    7,500       8,383       .02  
Other securities
            94,701       .17  
              103,084       .19  
                         
Financials  -  0.18%
                       
Bank of America Corp. 5.625% 2020
    12,500       12,623       .02  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 6.00% 2018
    5,000       5,530       .01  
Other securities
            81,045       .15  
              99,198       .18  
                         
Telecommunication services  -  0.08%
                       
AT&T Inc. 4.85%-5.50% 2014-2018
    20,000       22,037       .04  
Other securities
            19,458       .04  
              41,495       .08  
                         
Mortgage-backed obligations (4)  -  0.54%
                       
Fannie Mae 4.00%-6.00% 2023-2040
    186,955       199,124       .37  
Freddie Mac 5.00%-5.50% 2038
    73,132       78,154       .14  
Other securities
            15,341       .03  
              292,619       .54  
                         
Bonds & notes of U.S. government & government agencies  -  0.45%
                       
Freddie Mac 1.50%-2.125% 2011-2012
    11,000       11,256       .02  
Other securities
            231,602       .43  
              242,858       .45  
Other  -  0.44%
                       
Other securities
            239,839       .44  
                         
                         
Total bonds & notes (cost: $1,026,331,000)
            1,124,166       2.08  
                         
                         
                         
   
Principal
           
Percent
 
   
amount
   
Value
   
of net
 
Short-term securities  - 7.19%
    (000 )     (000 )  
assets
 
                         
                         
Fannie Mae 0.15%-0.49% due 7/1/2010-4/11/2011
    1,203,695       1,202,951       2.22  
Freddie Mac 0.175%-0.42% due 7/12/2010-5/3/2011
    1,226,485       1,225,884       2.27  
Hewlett-Packard Co. 0.13%-0.20% due 7/22-7/27/2010 (5)
    253,600       253,573       .47  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 0.23% due 7/12/2010
    36,200       36,196       .07  
Oracle Corp. 0.25% due 7/13-7/15/2010 (5)
    96,700       96,692       .18  
PepsiCo Inc. 0.19% due 8/4/2010 (5)
    32,000       31,994       .06  
Other securities
            1,037,228       1.92  
                         
                         
Total short-term securities (cost: $3,883,803,000)
            3,884,518       7.19  
                         
                         
Total investment securities (cost: $52,704,190,000)
            53,955,144       99.89  
Other assets less liabilities
            62,363       .11  
                         
Net assets
          $ 54,017,507       100.00 %
 
"Miscellaneous" securities include holdings in their initial period of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.
 
       
"Other securities" includes all issues that are not disclosed separately in the summary investment portfolio.
   
       
The following footnotes apply to either the individual securities noted or one or more of the securities aggregated and listed as a single line item.
       
       
(1) Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of trustees. The total value of all such securities, including those in "Miscellaneous" and "Other securities," was $4,000,464,000, which represented 7.41% of the net assets of the fund. This entire amount relates to certain securities trading outside the U.S. whose values were adjusted as a result of significant market movements following the close of local trading.
(2) Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
     
(3) Coupon rate may change periodically.
     
(4) Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
 
(5) Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities, including those in "Other securities," was $956,579,000, which represented 1.77% of the net assets of the fund.
       
       
Key to abbreviation
     
ADR = American Depositary Receipts
     
       
See Notes to Financial Statements
     
 
 
Financial statements
 
Statement of assets and liabilities
       
unaudited
 
at June 30, 2010
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
Assets:
           
 Investment securities, at value (cost: $52,704,190)
        $ 53,955,144  
 Cash denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars (cost: $339)
          340  
 Cash
          105  
 Receivables for:
             
  Sales of investments
  $ 217,943          
  Sales of fund's shares
    34,073          
  Dividends and interest
    103,310       355,326  
              54,310,915  
Liabilities:
               
 Payables for:
               
  Purchases of investments
    179,775          
  Repurchases of fund's shares
    74,868          
  Investment advisory services
    11,294          
  Services provided by affiliates
    20,931          
  Trustees' and advisory board's deferred compensation
    6,001          
  Other
    539       293,408  
Net assets at June 30, 2010
          $ 54,017,507  
                 
Net assets consist of:
               
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest
          $ 54,337,495  
 Undistributed net investment income
            213,189  
 Accumulated net realized loss
            (1,784,023 )
 Net unrealized appreciation
            1,250,846  
Net assets at June 30, 2010
          $ 54,017,507  
 
 
   
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) - unlimited shares authorized (2,305,191 total shares outstanding)
 
   
Net assets
   
Shares outstanding
   
Net asset value
 per share
 
Class A
  $ 42,830,447       1,826,808     $ 23.45  
Class B
    1,449,433       62,068       23.35  
Class C
    1,957,382       84,036       23.29  
Class F-1
    1,221,816       52,184       23.41  
Class F-2
    518,062       22,100       23.44  
Class 529-A
    1,108,575       47,343       23.42  
Class 529-B
    161,990       6,933       23.37  
Class 529-C
    295,654       12,652       23.37  
Class 529-E
    46,752       2,000       23.37  
Class 529-F-1
    21,425       916       23.40  
Class R-1
    66,444       2,847       23.34  
Class R-2
    563,303       24,117       23.36  
Class R-3
    690,610       29,518       23.40  
Class R-4
    555,007       23,708       23.41  
Class R-5
    770,373       32,868       23.44  
Class R-6
    1,760,234       75,093       23.44  
                         
See Notes to Financial Statements
                       
 
 
Statement of operations
       
unaudited
 
for the six months ended June 30, 2010
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
Investment income:
           
 Income:
           
  Dividends (net of non-U.S. taxes of $22,674)
  $ 807,407        
  Interest
    41,948     $ 849,355  
                 
 Fees and expenses*:
               
  Investment advisory services
    72,293          
  Distribution services
    85,621          
  Transfer agent services
    30,654          
  Administrative services
    8,705          
  Reports to shareholders
    1,828          
  Registration statement and prospectus
    829          
  Trustees' and advisory board's compensation
    335          
  Auditing and legal
    91          
  Custodian
    644          
  State and local taxes
    492          
  Other
    1,586       203,078  
 Net investment income
            646,277  
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation on investments and currency:
               
 Net realized gain on:
               
  Investments
    1,663,104          
  Currency transactions
    429       1,663,533  
 Net unrealized depreciation on:
               
  Investments
    (7,507,354 )        
  Currency translations
    (839 )     (7,508,193 )
   Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation on investments and currency
            (5,844,660 )
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations
          $ (5,198,383 )
                 
*Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the Notes to Financial Statements.
         
                 
See Notes to Financial Statements
               
                 
                 
                 
Statements of changes in net assets
      (dollars in thousands)  
                 
   
Six months ended June 30, 2010*
   
Year ended December 31, 2009
 
Operations:
               
 Net investment income
  $ 646,277     $ 1,224,302  
 Net realized gain (loss) on investments and currency transactions
    1,663,533       (1,814,229 )
 Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on investments and currency translations
    (7,508,193 )     13,859,597  
  Net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations
    (5,198,383 )     13,269,670  
                 
Dividends paid to shareholders from net investment income
    (586,493 )     (1,346,554 )
                 
Net capital share transactions
    (1,839,233 )     (3,397,226 )
                 
Total (decrease) increase in net assets
    (7,624,109 )     8,525,890  
                 
Net assets:
               
 Beginning of period
    61,641,616       53,115,726  
 End of period (including undistributed net investment income: $213,189 and $153,405, respectively)
  $ 54,017,507     $ 61,641,616  
                 
*Unaudited.
               
                 
See Notes to Financial Statements
               
 
 
Notes to financial statements                        
                                                                                  unaudited

1.  
Organization

The Investment Company of America (the "fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income, placing greater emphasis on the potential for capital appreciation and future dividends than on current yield. Effective March 1, 2010, the fund reorganized from a Delaware corporation to a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with a proposal approved by shareholders on November 24, 2009.

The fund has 16 share classes consisting of five retail share classes, five 529 college savings plan share classes and six retirement plan share classes. The 529 college savings plan share classes (529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) can be used to save for college education. The six retirement plan share classes (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6) are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described below:
 
Share class
Initial sales charge
Contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption
Conversion feature
Classes A and 529-A
Up to 5.75%
None (except 1% for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)
None
Classes B and 529-B*
None
Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase
Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years
Class C
None
1% for redemptions within one year of purchase
Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years
Class 529-C
None
1% for redemptions within one year of purchase
None
Class 529-E
None
None
None
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1
None
None
None
Classes R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6
None
None
None
 
*Class B and 529-B shares of the fund are not available for purchase.

Holders of all share classes have equal pro rata rights to assets, dividends and liquidation proceeds. Each share class has identical voting rights, except for the exclusive right to vote on matters affecting only its class. Share classes have different fees and expenses ("class-specific fees and expenses"), primarily due to different arrangements for distribution, administrative and shareholder services. Differences in class-specific fees and expenses will result in differences in net investment income and, therefore, the payment of different per-share dividends by each class.

2.  
Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared to comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described below, as well as the valuation policies described in the next section on valuation.

Security transactions and related investment income – Security transactions are recorded by the fund as of the date the trades are executed with brokers. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined based on the specific identified cost of the securities. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Market discounts, premiums and original issue discounts on fixed-income securities are amortized daily over the expected life of the security.

Class allocations – Income, fees and expenses (other than class-specific fees and expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, administrative and shareholder services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

Dividends and distributions to shareholders Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Currency translation – Assets and liabilities, including investment securities, denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the valuation date. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the dates of such transactions. On the accompanying financial statements, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investment securities are included with the net realized gain or loss and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments. The realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation resulting from all other transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are disclosed separately.

3.  
Valuation

The fund’s investments are reported at fair value as defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The fund generally determines its net asset value as of approximately 4:00 p.m. New York time each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.

Methods and inputs – The fund uses the following methods and inputs to establish the fair value of its assets and liabilities. Use of particular methods and inputs may vary over time based on availability and relevance as market and economic conditions evolve.

Equity securities are generally valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market in which the security trades.

Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities purchased with more than 60 days left to maturity, are generally valued at prices obtained as of approximately 3:00 p.m. New York time from one or more pricing vendors. Vendors value such securities based on one or more of the inputs described in the following table. The table provides examples of inputs that are commonly relevant for valuing particular classes of fixed-income securities in which the fund is authorized to invest. However, these classifications are not exclusive, and any of the inputs may be used to value any other class of fixed-income security.

Fixed-income class
Examples of standard inputs
All
Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
Corporate bonds & notes; convertible securities
Standard inputs and underlying equity of the issuer
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies
Standard inputs and interest rate volatilities
Mortgage-backed; asset-backed obligations
Standard inputs and cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, collateral characteristics, credit enhancements and specific deal information

Where the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or not deemed to be representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and asked prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if asked prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type.

Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics, or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described above for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the investment adviser. Short-term securities purchased within 60 days to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The value of short-term securities originally purchased with maturities greater than 60 days is determined based on an amortized value to par when they reach 60 days or less remaining to maturity.

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under guidelines adopted by authority of the fund's board of trustees. Market quotations may be considered unreliable if events occur that materially affect the value of securities (particularly equity securities trading outside the U.S.) between the close of trading in those securities and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Various inputs may be reviewed in order to make a good faith determination of a security’s fair value. These inputs include, but are not limited to, the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

Classifications - The fund classifies its assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the fund’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market. The following table presents the fund’s valuation levels as of June 30, 2010 (dollars in thousands):
 
Investment securities:
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common stocks:
                       
 Energy
  $ 4,911,752     $ 512,582 *   $ -     $ 5,424,334  
 Materials
    1,379,287       129,209 *     -       1,508,496  
 Industrials
    5,757,703       148,996 *     -       5,906,699  
 Consumer discretionary
    4,376,814       457,120 *     -       4,833,934  
 Consumer staples
    5,839,185       -       -       5,839,185  
 Health care
    3,924,711       226,033 *     -       4,150,744  
 Financials
    2,996,375       1,014,709 *     -       4,011,084  
 Information technology
    10,667,978       814,006 *     -       11,481,984  
 Telecommunication services
    2,710,655       107,332 *     -       2,817,987  
 Utilities
    1,352,323       392,002 *     -       1,744,325  
 Miscellaneous
    663,823       198,475 *     -       862,298  
Preferred stocks
    -       165,731       -       165,731  
Convertible securities
    41,067       158,592       -       199,659  
Bonds & notes
    -       1,124,166       -       1,124,166  
Short-term securities
    -       3,884,518       -       3,884,518  
Total
  $ 44,621,673     $ 9,333,471     $ -     $ 53,955,144  
                                 
*Includes certain securities trading outside the U.S. whose values were adjusted as a result of significant market movements following the close of local trading; therefore, $4,000,464,000 of investment securities were classified as Level 2 instead of Level 1.
 
 
4.  
Risk factors

Investing in the fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

The prices of, and the income generated by, 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.

Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the U.S. may be subject to the risks described above to a greater extent and may also be affected by currency fluctuation and controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, disclosure, and regulatory and legal standards and practices in some countries; 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. Investments in securities issued by entities domiciled in the U.S. may also be subject to many of these risks.
 
5.  
Taxation and distributions
                                     
Federal income taxation – The fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to mutual funds and intends to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income and net capital gains each year. The fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

As of and during the period ended June 30, 2010, the fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

The fund is not subject to examination by U.S. federal tax authorities for tax years before 2007 and by state tax authorities for tax years before 2005.

Non-U.S. taxation – Dividend and interest income is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid.

Distributions – Distributions paid to shareholders are based on net investment income and net realized gains determined on a tax basis, which may differ from net investment income and net realized gains for financial reporting purposes. These differences are due primarily to different treatment for items such as currency gains and losses; short-term capital gains and losses; cost of investments sold; and net capital losses. The fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year in which the net investment income and net realized gains are recorded by the fund for financial reporting purposes.

The components of distributable earnings on a tax basis are reported as of the fund’s most recent year-end. As of December 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
 
     (dollars in thousands)  
Undistributed ordinary income
        $ 308,383  
Capital loss carryforwards*:
             
     Expiring 2016
  $ (657,170 )        
     Expiring 2017
    (2,957,332 )     (3,614,502 )
   
*The capital loss carryforwards will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the fund in the current year or in subsequent years through the expiration dates. The fund will not make distributions from capital gains while capital loss carryforwards remain.
 
As of June 30, 2010, the tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows:

  (dollars in thousands)  
Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities
  $ 8,614,321  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities
    (7,345,431 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities
    1,268,890  
Cost of investment securities
    52,686,254  

Ordinary income distributions paid to shareholders from net investment income were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Share class
 
Six months ended June 30, 2010
   
Year ended December 31, 2009
 
Class A
  $ 480,071     $ 1,112,521  
Class B
    10,679       35,814  
Class C
    13,231       35,279  
Class F-1
    12,702       26,295  
Class F-2
    6,294       6,735  
Class 529-A
    11,843       24,270  
Class 529-B
    1,073       3,003  
Class 529-C
    1,890       4,644  
Class 529-E
    426       934  
Class 529-F-1
    248       471  
Class R-1
    438       956  
Class R-2
    3,700       8,796  
Class R-3
    6,337       14,242  
Class R-4
    6,074       12,685  
Class R-5
    9,639       51,696  
Class R-6*
    21,848       8,213  
Total
  $ 586,493     $ 1,346,554  
                 
*Class R-6 was offered beginning May 1, 2009.
         
 
6.  
Fees and transactions with related parties
 
Capital Research and Management Company ("CRMC"), the fund’s investment adviser, is the parent company of American Funds Distributors,® Inc. ("AFD"), the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares, and American Funds Service Company® ("AFS"), the fund’s transfer agent.

Investment advisory services - The Investment Advisory and Service Agreement with CRMC provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.390% on the first $1 billion of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.219% on such assets in excess of $89 billion. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the investment advisory services fee was $72,293,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.241% of average daily net assets.

Class-specific fees and expenses – Expenses that are specific to individual share classes are accrued directly to the respective share class. The principal class-specific fees and expenses are described below:

Distribution services – The fund has adopted plans of distribution for all share classes, except Classes F-2, R-5 and R-6. Under the plans, the board of trustees approves certain categories of expenses that are used to finance activities primarily intended to sell fund shares and service existing accounts. The plans provide for payments, based on an annualized percentage of average daily net assets, ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% as noted on the following page. In some cases, the board of trustees has limited the amounts that may be paid to less than the maximum allowed by the plans. All share classes with a plan may use up to 0.25% of average daily net assets to pay service fees, or to compensate AFD for paying service fees, to firms that have entered into agreements with AFD to provide certain shareholder services. The remaining amounts available to be paid under each plan are paid to dealers to compensate them for their sales activities.

For Classes A and 529-A, the board of trustees has also approved the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.25% is not exceeded. As of June 30, 2010, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Classes A or 529-A.

Share class
Currently approved limits
Plan limits
Class A
0.25%
0.25%
Class 529-A
0.25
0.50
Classes B and 529-B
1.00
1.00
Classes C, 529-C and R-1
1.00
1.00
Class R-2
0.75
1.00
Classes 529-E and R-3
0.50
0.75
Classes F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4
0.25
0.50

Transfer agent services The fund has a transfer agent agreement with AFS for Classes A and B. Under this agreement, these share classes compensate AFS for transfer agent services including shareholder recordkeeping, communications and transaction processing. AFS is also compensated for certain transfer agent services provided to all other share classes from the administrative services fees paid to CRMC as described below.

Administrative services – The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC for all share classes, except Classes A and B, to provide certain services, including transfer agent and recordkeeping services; coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third-party service providers; and educating advisers and shareholders about the impact of market-related events, tax laws affecting investments, retirement plan restrictions, exchange limitations and other related matters. Each relevant share class pays CRMC annual fees up to 0.15% (0.10% for Class R-5 and 0.05% for Class R-6) based on its respective average daily net assets. Each relevant share class also pays AFS additional amounts for certain transfer agent services. CRMC and AFS may use these fees to compensate third parties for performing these services.

Each 529 share class is subject to an additional administrative services fee payable to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the maintenance of the 529 college savings plan. The quarterly fee is based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds and decreasing to 0.06% on such assets between $120 billion and $150 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. Although these amounts are included with administrative services fees on the accompanying financial statements, the Commonwealth of Virginia is not considered a related party.

Expenses under the agreements described on the previous page for the six months ended June 30, 2010, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
               
Administrative services
       
Share class
 
Distribution
 services
   
Transfer
agent
services
   
CRMC
 administrative services
   
Transfer
 agent
services
   
Commonwealth of Virginia administrative services
 
Class A
  $ 55,137     $ 29,526    
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
 
Class B
    8,851       1,128    
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
 
Class C
    10,858    
Included in administrative services
    $ 1,631     $ 242    
Not applicable
 
Class F-1
    1,559               897       65    
Not applicable
 
Class F-2
 
Not applicable
              356       10    
Not applicable
 
Class 529-A
    1,263               549       93     $ 591  
Class 529-B
    945               88       29       95  
Class 529-C
    1,584               148       42       160  
Class 529-E
    126               24       4       25  
Class 529-F-1
    -               10       2       11  
Class R-1
    343               45       11    
Not applicable
 
Class R-2
    2,299               453       933    
Not applicable
 
Class R-3
    1,888               552       270    
Not applicable
 
Class R-4
    768               454       11    
Not applicable
 
Class R-5
 
Not applicable
              451       4    
Not applicable
 
Class R-6
 
Not applicable
              447       2    
Not applicable
 
Total
  $ 85,621     $ 30,654     $ 6,105     $ 1,718     $ 882  

Trustees’ and advisory board’s deferred compensation – Since the adoption of the deferred compensation plan in 1993, trustees and advisory board members who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Trustees’ and advisory board’s compensation of $335,000, shown on the accompanying financial statements, includes $401,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net decrease of $66,000 in the value of the deferred amounts.

Affiliated officers and trustees – Officers and certain trustees of the fund are or may be considered to be affiliated with CRMC, AFS and AFD. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.
 
7.  
Warrants
 
As of June 30, 2010, the fund had warrants outstanding which may be exercised at any time for the purchase of 819,437 Class A shares at approximately $5.24 per share. If these warrants had been exercised as of June 30, 2010, the net asset value of Class A shares would have been reduced by less than $0.01 per share.
 
8.  
Capital share transactions
 
Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):
 
Share class
 
Sales*
   
Reinvestments of dividends
   
Repurchases*
   
Net (decrease) increase
 
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
 
Six months ended June 30, 2010
                                               
Class A
  $ 1,771,024       68,273     $ 452,856       17,874     $ (3,939,761 )     (152,735 )   $ (1,715,881 )     (66,588 )
Class B
    13,242       515       10,406       412       (437,683 )     (16,894 )     (414,035 )     (15,967 )
Class C
    119,223       4,629       12,613       501       (207,087 )     (8,094 )     (75,251 )     (2,964 )
Class F-1
    343,747       13,324       11,665       461       (212,543 )     (8,266 )     142,869       5,519  
Class F-2
    93,022       3,634       3,815       150       (57,099 )     (2,214 )     39,738       1,570  
Class 529-A
    98,006       3,783       11,841       468       (55,825 )     (2,165 )     54,022       2,086  
Class 529-B
    1,854       72       1,073       43       (24,881 )     (961 )     (21,954 )     (846 )
Class 529-C
    23,145       896       1,890       75       (18,514 )     (720 )     6,521       251  
Class 529-E
    3,515       136       426       17       (2,928 )     (114 )     1,013       39  
Class 529-F-1
    3,315       129       247       10       (1,663 )     (64 )     1,899       75  
Class R-1
    14,377       556       437       17       (7,129 )     (278 )     7,685       295  
Class R-2
    82,867       3,213       3,697       147       (83,844 )     (3,268 )     2,720       92  
Class R-3
    108,857       4,212       6,336       250       (118,940 )     (4,610 )     (3,747 )     (148 )
Class R-4
    85,823       3,317       6,070       240       (101,050 )     (3,928 )     (9,157 )     (371 )
Class R-5
    72,432       2,812       9,565       377       (1,362,038 )     (52,147 )     (1,280,041 )     (48,958 )
Class R-6
    1,475,851       56,528       21,848       864       (73,333 )     (2,867 )     1,424,366       54,525  
Total net increase
                                                               
   (decrease)
  $ 4,310,300       166,029     $ 554,785       21,906     $ (6,704,318 )     (259,325 )   $ (1,839,233 )     (71,390 )
                                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2009
                                                               
Class A
  $ 3,518,129       160,970     $ 1,039,709       49,310     $ (8,226,013 )     (380,131 )   $ (3,668,175 )     (169,851 )
Class B
    61,574       3,016       34,638       1,696       (687,861 )     (31,673 )     (591,649 )     (26,961 )
Class C
    225,665       10,369       33,440       1,623       (421,934 )     (19,789 )     (162,829 )     (7,797 )
Class F-1
    373,135       16,530       23,244       1,103       (419,203 )     (19,146 )     (22,824 )     (1,513 )
Class F-2
    436,097       19,106       4,659       206       (61,811 )     (2,749 )     378,945       16,563  
Class 529-A
    147,182       6,639       24,250       1,147       (119,449 )     (5,425 )     51,983       2,361  
Class 529-B
    7,435       361       3,001       145       (17,814 )     (813 )     (7,378 )     (307 )
Class 529-C
    46,212       2,105       4,640       224       (41,148 )     (1,861 )     9,704       468  
Class 529-E
    7,228       329       933       44       (5,476 )     (248 )     2,685       125  
Class 529-F-1
    6,264       284       470       22       (3,669 )     (164 )     3,065       142  
Class R-1
    19,533       891       954       46       (11,671 )     (526 )     8,816       411  
Class R-2
    159,857       7,330       8,788       421       (133,396 )     (6,118 )     35,249       1,633  
Class R-3
    219,289       9,963       14,229       675       (179,973 )     (8,112 )     53,545       2,526  
Class R-4
    495,247       22,370       12,679       580       (317,249 )     (13,410 )     190,677       9,540  
Class R-5
    603,306       26,788       51,354       2,450       (777,329 )     (36,239 )     (122,669 )     (7,001 )
Class R-6
    457,079       21,079       8,212       342       (21,662 )     (853 )     443,629       20,568  
Total net increase
                                                               
   (decrease)
  $ 6,783,232       308,130     $ 1,265,200       60,034     $ (11,445,658 )     (527,257 )   $ (3,397,226 )     (159,093 )
                                                                 
                                                                 
*Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
                                                 
Class R-6 was offered beginning May 1, 2009.
                                                 
 
9.  
Investment transactions
The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $6,773,934,000 and $8,597,541,000, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2010.

 
Financial highlights(1)
 
           
(Loss) income from investment operations(2)
   
Dividends and distributions
                                     
     
Net asset value, beginning of period
   
Net investment income
   
Net (losses) gains on securities (both realized and unrealized)
   
Total from investment operations
   
Dividends (from net investment income)
   
Distributions (from capital gains)
   
Total dividends and distributions
   
Net asset value, end of period
   
Total
 return(3)(4)
   
Net assets, end of period (in millions)
   
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements/
waivers
   
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/
waivers(4)
   
Ratio of net income to average net assets(4)
 
                                                                                 
Class A:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
  $ 25.95     $ .28     $ (2.52 )   $ (2.24 )   $ (.26 )   $ -     $ (.26 )   $ 23.45       (8.70 )%   $ 42,831       .62 %(6)     .62 %(6)     2.22 %(6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.96       .52       5.04       5.56       (.57 )     -       (.57 )     25.95       27.18       49,136       .66       .66       2.32  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.95       .63       (11.94 )     (11.31 )     (.68 )     -       (.68 )     20.96       (34.74 )     43,244       .59       .57       2.25  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.51       .72       1.24       1.96       (.66 )     (1.86 )     (2.52 )     32.95       5.94       73,480       .56       .54       2.05  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.36       .72       4.23       4.95       (.74 )     (2.06 )     (2.80 )     33.51       15.94       74,181       .57       .54       2.16  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.75       .64       1.46       2.10       (.68 )     (.81 )     (1.49 )     31.36       6.87       66,959       .57       .55       2.06  
                                                                                                           
Class B:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.84       .18       (2.51 )     (2.33 )     (.16 )     -       (.16 )     23.35       (9.07 )     1,449       1.39 (6)     1.39 (6)     1.44 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.87       .35       5.02       5.37       (.40 )     -       (.40 )     25.84       26.19       2,017       1.43       1.43       1.57  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.81       .41       (11.89 )     (11.48 )     (.46 )     -       (.46 )     20.87       (35.25 )     2,191       1.36       1.34       1.48  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.37       .45       1.24       1.69       (.39 )     (1.86 )     (2.25 )     32.81       5.15       4,138       1.33       1.31       1.28  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.24       .46       4.21       4.67       (.48 )     (2.06 )     (2.54 )     33.37       15.04       4,222       1.34       1.32       1.38  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.64       .39       1.46       1.85       (.44 )     (.81 )     (1.25 )     31.24       6.04       3,853       1.35       1.33       1.28  
                                                                                                           
Class C:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.78       .18       (2.51 )     (2.33 )     (.16 )     -       (.16 )     23.29       (9.10 )     1,957       1.43 (6)     1.43 (6)     1.40 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.82       .34       5.01       5.35       (.39 )     -       (.39 )     25.78       26.20       2,243       1.46       1.46       1.53  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.74       .40       (11.86 )     (11.46 )     (.46 )     -       (.46 )     20.82       (35.29 )     1,974       1.41       1.38       1.44  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.31       .43       1.23       1.66       (.37 )     (1.86 )     (2.23 )     32.74       5.08       3,409       1.38       1.36       1.23  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.18       .44       4.21       4.65       (.46 )     (2.06 )     (2.52 )     33.31       15.00       3,350       1.41       1.38       1.32  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.59       .37       1.45       1.82       (.42 )     (.81 )     (1.23 )     31.18       5.96       2,929       1.42       1.40       1.21  
                                                                                                           
Class F-1:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.92       .28       (2.53 )     (2.25 )     (.26 )     -       (.26 )     23.41       (8.77 )     1,222       .66 (6)     .66 (6)     2.18 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.93       .51       5.05       5.56       (.57 )     -       (.57 )     25.92       27.21       1,209       .68       .68       2.31  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.91       .62       (11.93 )     (11.31 )     (.67 )     -       (.67 )     20.93       (34.77 )     1,009       .62       .60       2.23  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.48       .70       1.24       1.94       (.65 )     (1.86 )     (2.51 )     32.91       5.87       1,642       .60       .58       2.01  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.32       .71       4.24       4.95       (.73 )     (2.06 )     (2.79 )     33.48       15.95       1,673       .60       .58       2.12  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.72       .62       1.45       2.07       (.66 )     (.81 )     (1.47 )     31.32       6.77       1,336       .64       .62       1.99  
                                                                                                           
Class F-2:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.95       .31       (2.53 )     (2.22 )     (.29 )     -       (.29 )     23.44       (8.64 )     518       .39 (6)     .39 (6)     2.45 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.96       .56       5.06       5.62       (.63 )     -       (.63 )     25.95       27.50       533       .42       .42       2.37  
 
Period from 8/1/2008 to 12/31/2008
    28.53       .26       (7.47 )     (7.21 )     (.36 )     -       (.36 )     20.96       (25.39 )     83       .17       .16       1.24  
                                                                                                           
Class 529-A:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.92       .28       (2.52 )     (2.24 )     (.26 )     -       (.26 )     23.42       (8.73 )     1,109       .68 (6)     .68 (6)     2.15 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.93       .50       5.04       5.54       (.55 )     -       (.55 )     25.92       27.12       1,173       .73       .73       2.24  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.91       .60       (11.92 )     (11.32 )     (.66 )     -       (.66 )     20.93       (34.79 )     898       .67       .65       2.19  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.48       .68       1.24       1.92       (.63 )     (1.86 )     (2.49 )     32.91       5.83       1,311       .65       .63       1.95  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.33       .69       4.24       4.93       (.72 )     (2.06 )     (2.78 )     33.48       15.87       1,118       .64       .62       2.08  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.73       .61       1.45       2.06       (.65 )     (.81 )     (1.46 )     31.33       6.74       835       .67       .65       1.96  
                                                                                                           
Class 529-B:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.86       .17       (2.51 )     (2.34 )     (.15 )     -       (.15 )     23.37       (9.10 )     162       1.48 (6)     1.48 (6)     1.35 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.89       .32       5.03       5.35       (.38 )     -       (.38 )     25.86       26.07       201       1.53       1.53       1.45  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.83       .38       (11.88 )     (11.50 )     (.44 )     -       (.44 )     20.89       (35.29 )     169       1.47       1.45       1.38  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.40       .40       1.24       1.64       (.35 )     (1.86 )     (2.21 )     32.83       4.99       261       1.46       1.43       1.15  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.27       .42       4.21       4.63       (.44 )     (2.06 )     (2.50 )     33.40       14.90       238       1.47       1.45       1.25  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.67       .35       1.45       1.80       (.39 )     (.81 )     (1.20 )     31.27       5.87       191       1.51       1.49       1.12  
                                                                                                           
Class 529-C:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.86       .17       (2.51 )     (2.34 )     (.15 )     -       (.15 )     23.37       (9.09 )     296       1.47 (6)     1.47 (6)     1.36 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.89       .32       5.03       5.35       (.38 )     -       (.38 )     25.86       26.09       321       1.52       1.52       1.45  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.84       .38       (11.89 )     (11.51 )     (.44 )     -       (.44 )     20.89       (35.31 )     249       1.46       1.44       1.39  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.41       .40       1.24       1.64       (.35 )     (1.86 )     (2.21 )     32.84       4.99       374       1.45       1.43       1.15  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.27       .42       4.23       4.65       (.45 )     (2.06 )     (2.51 )     33.41       14.94       325       1.46       1.44       1.26  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.68       .35       1.45       1.80       (.40 )     (.81 )     (1.21 )     31.27       5.85       247       1.50       1.48       1.13  
                                                                                                           
Class 529-E:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
  $ 25.87     $ .24     $ (2.52 )   $ (2.28 )   $ (.22 )   $ -     $ (.22 )   $ 23.37       (8.89 )%   $ 47       .97 %(6)     .97 %(6)     1.87 %(6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.89       .43       5.04       5.47       (.49 )     -       (.49 )     25.87       26.77       51       1.02       1.02       1.96  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.85       .52       (11.90 )     (11.38 )     (.58 )     -       (.58 )     20.89       (34.98 )     38       .96       .94       1.90  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.42       .58       1.24       1.82       (.53 )     (1.86 )     (2.39 )     32.85       5.52       56       .95       .92       1.66  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.28       .59       4.23       4.82       (.62 )     (2.06 )     (2.68 )     33.42       15.52       48       .95       .92       1.78  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.68       .51       1.45       1.96       (.55 )     (.81 )     (1.36 )     31.28       6.42       36       .99       .96       1.65  
                                                                                                           
Class 529-F-1:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.90       .30       (2.52 )     (2.22 )     (.28 )     -       (.28 )     23.40       (8.65 )     21       .47 (6)     .47 (6)     2.37 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.92       .55       5.03       5.58       (.60 )     -       (.60 )     25.90       27.37       22       .52       .52       2.44  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.90       .66       (11.92 )     (11.26 )     (.72 )     -       (.72 )     20.92       (34.66 )     15       .46       .44       2.40  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.47       .75       1.24       1.99       (.70 )     (1.86 )     (2.56 )     32.90       6.05       19       .45       .42       2.15  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.32       .76       4.23       4.99       (.78 )     (2.06 )     (2.84 )     33.47       16.10       13       .45       .42       2.27  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.71       .64       1.46       2.10       (.68 )     (.81 )     (1.49 )     31.32       6.87       8       .56       .54       2.07  
                                                                                                           
Class R-1:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.83       .18       (2.51 )     (2.33 )     (.16 )     -       (.16 )     23.34       (9.07 )     67       1.41 (6)     1.41 (6)     1.43 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.87       .34       5.02       5.36       (.40 )     -       (.40 )     25.83       26.18       66       1.44       1.44       1.52  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.81       .40       (11.88 )     (11.48 )     (.46 )     -       (.46 )     20.87       (35.25 )     45       1.39       1.36       1.48  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.39       .42       1.23       1.65       (.37 )     (1.86 )     (2.23 )     32.81       5.06       61       1.40       1.38       1.20  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.25       .44       4.22       4.66       (.46 )     (2.06 )     (2.52 )     33.39       14.96       49       1.42       1.39       1.31  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.67       .38       1.44       1.82       (.43 )     (.81 )     (1.24 )     31.25       5.93       29       1.42       1.40       1.22  
                                                                                                           
Class R-2:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.85       .18       (2.52 )     (2.34 )     (.15 )     -       (.15 )     23.36       (9.08 )     563       1.46 (6)     1.46 (6)     1.38 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.88       .32       5.03       5.35       (.38 )     -       (.38 )     25.85       26.08       621       1.52       1.52       1.45  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.83       .38       (11.89 )     (11.51 )     (.44 )     -       (.44 )     20.88       (35.33 )     468       1.48       1.46       1.37  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.40       .42       1.23       1.65       (.36 )     (1.86 )     (2.22 )     32.83       5.04       694       1.44       1.39       1.19  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.26       .43       4.23       4.66       (.46 )     (2.06 )     (2.52 )     33.40       14.99       625       1.50       1.39       1.31  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.67       .37       1.45       1.82       (.42 )     (.81 )     (1.23 )     31.26       5.95       479       1.57       1.40       1.21  
                                                                                                           
Class R-3:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.90       .24       (2.53 )     (2.29 )     (.21 )     -       (.21 )     23.40       (8.88 )     691       .97 (6)     .97 (6)     1.86 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.92       .44       5.04       5.48       (.50 )     -       (.50 )     25.90       26.76       768       1.00       1.00       1.97  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.88       .53       (11.90 )     (11.37 )     (.59 )     -       (.59 )     20.92       (34.94 )     568       .92       .90       1.91  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.45       .58       1.24       1.82       (.53 )     (1.86 )     (2.39 )     32.88       5.52       1,032       .94       .92       1.66  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.30       .59       4.24       4.83       (.62 )     (2.06 )     (2.68 )     33.45       15.54       909       .94       .92       1.78  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.71       .52       1.45       1.97       (.57 )     (.81 )     (1.38 )     31.30       6.43       666       .95       .93       1.68  
                                                                                                           
Class R-4:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.91       .28       (2.53 )     (2.25 )     (.25 )     -       (.25 )     23.41       (8.74 )     555       .66 (6)     .66 (6)     2.18 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.93       .50       5.05       5.55       (.57 )     -       (.57 )     25.91       27.16       624       .68       .68       2.21  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.90       .61       (11.91 )     (11.30 )     (.67 )     -       (.67 )     20.93       (34.78 )     304       .65       .62       2.21  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.48       .68       1.23       1.91       (.63 )     (1.86 )     (2.49 )     32.90       5.85       419       .65       .63       1.95  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.32       .69       4.24       4.93       (.71 )     (2.06 )     (2.77 )     33.48       15.90       323       .65       .62       2.07  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.72       .62       1.45       2.07       (.66 )     (.81 )     (1.47 )     31.32       6.77       236       .65       .63       1.99  
                                                                                                           
Class R-5:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.94       .31       (2.52 )     (2.21 )     (.29 )     -       (.29 )     23.44       (8.59 )     770       .35 (6)     .35 (6)     2.38 (6)
 
Year ended 12/31/2009
    20.95       .58       5.04       5.62       (.63 )     -       (.63 )     25.94       27.57       2,123       .38       .38       2.62  
 
Year ended 12/31/2008
    32.95       .69       (11.94 )     (11.25 )     (.75 )     -       (.75 )     20.95       (34.60 )     1,861       .35       .33       2.52  
 
Year ended 12/31/2007
    33.51       .79       1.25       2.04       (.74 )     (1.86 )     (2.60 )     32.95       6.18       2,307       .35       .33       2.25  
 
Year ended 12/31/2006
    31.35       .79       4.24       5.03       (.81 )     (2.06 )     (2.87 )     33.51       16.22       1,980       .35       .33       2.37  
 
Year ended 12/31/2005
    30.75       .70       1.46       2.16       (.75 )     (.81 )     (1.56 )     31.35       7.06       1,562       .36       .34       2.28  
                                                                                                           
Class R-6:
Six months ended 6/30/2010(5)
    25.95       .33       (2.54 )     (2.21 )     (.30 )     -       (.30 )     23.44       (8.60 )     1,760       .31 (6)     .31 (6)     2.58 (6)
 
Period from 5/1/2009 to 12/31/2009
    20.70       .40       5.30       5.70       (.45 )     -       (.45 )     25.95       27.76       534       .33 (6)     .33 (6)     2.52 (6)
 
 
   
Six months ended
June 30,
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2010(5)
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
 
                                     
Portfolio turnover rate for all classes of shares
    12 %     28 %     31 %     22 %     20 %     19 %
 
 
(1)Based on operations for the periods shown (unless otherwise noted) and, accordingly, may not be representative of a full year.
           
(2)Based on average shares outstanding.
                       
(3)Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
               
(4)This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from CRMC. During some of the periods shown, CRMC reduced fees for investment advisory services. In addition, during some of the periods shown, CRMC paid a portion of the fund's transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.
(5)Unaudited.
                         
(6)Annualized.
                         
                           
See Notes to Financial Statements
                       
 
 
 
Expense example        
                                                                                                                                            unaudited
 
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as initial sales charges on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions (loads), and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2010).
 
Actual expenses:
The first line of each share class in the table on the next page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. 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 in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses paid during period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes:
The second line of each share class in the table on the next page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio for the share class and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of the 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 the fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5.00% hypothetical example with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Notes:
There are some account fees that are charged to certain types of accounts, such as individual retirement accounts and 529 college savings plan accounts (generally, a $10 fee is charged to set up the account and an additional $10 fee is charged to the account annually), that would increase the amount of expenses paid on your account. In addition, retirement plan participants may be subject to certain fees charged by the plan sponsor, and Class F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1 shareholders may be subject to fees charged by financial intermediaries, typically ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% of assets annually depending on services offered. You can estimate the impact of these fees by adding the amount of the fees to the total estimated expenses you paid on your account during the period as calculated above. In addition, your ending account value would be lower by the amount of these fees.
 
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). Therefore, the second line of each share class in 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 1/1/2010
   
Ending account value 6/30/2010
   
Expenses paid during period*
   
Annualized
expense ratio
 
                         
Class A -- actual return
  $ 1,000.00     $ 912.98     $ 2.94       .62 %
Class A -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,021.72       3.11       .62  
Class B -- actual return
    1,000.00       909.32       6.58       1.39  
Class B -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.90       6.95       1.39  
Class C -- actual return
    1,000.00       909.01       6.77       1.43  
Class C -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.70       7.15       1.43  
Class F-1 -- actual return
    1,000.00       912.29       3.13       .66  
Class F-1 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,021.52       3.31       .66  
Class F-2 -- actual return
    1,000.00       913.64       1.85       .39  
Class F-2 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,022.86       1.96       .39  
Class 529-A -- actual return
    1,000.00       912.68       3.22       .68  
Class 529-A -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,021.42       3.41       .68  
Class 529-B -- actual return
    1,000.00       908.98       7.01       1.48  
Class 529-B -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.46       7.40       1.48  
Class 529-C -- actual return
    1,000.00       909.12       6.96       1.47  
Class 529-C -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.50       7.35       1.47  
Class 529-E -- actual return
    1,000.00       911.08       4.60       .97  
Class 529-E -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,019.98       4.86       .97  
Class 529-F-1 -- actual return
    1,000.00       913.47       2.23       .47  
Class 529-F-1 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,022.46       2.36       .47  
Class R-1 -- actual return
    1,000.00       909.35       6.68       1.41  
Class R-1 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.80       7.05       1.41  
Class R-2 -- actual return
    1,000.00       909.19       6.91       1.46  
Class R-2 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.55       7.30       1.46  
Class R-3 -- actual return
    1,000.00       911.17       4.60       .97  
Class R-3 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,019.98       4.86       .97  
Class R-4 -- actual return
    1,000.00       912.62       3.13       .66  
Class R-4 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,021.52       3.31       .66  
Class R-5 -- actual return
    1,000.00       914.09       1.66       .35  
Class R-5 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,023.06       1.76       .35  
Class R-6 -- actual return
    1,000.00       914.02       1.47       .31  
Class R-6 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,023.26       1.56       .31  
                                 
*The “expenses paid during period” are equal to the “annualized expense ratio,” multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period, and divided by 365 (to reflect the one-half year period).

 
Approval of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement

The fund’s board has approved the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “agreement”) with Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”) for an additional term through March 31, 2011. The board approved the agreement following the recommendation of the fund’s Governance and Contracts Committee (the “committee”), which is composed of all of the fund’s independent board members. The board and the committee determined that the fund’s advisory fee structure was fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided and that approving the agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

In reaching this decision, the board and the committee took into account information furnished to them throughout the year, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with their review of the agreement and were advised by their independent counsel. They considered the factors discussed below, among others, but did not identify any single issue or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor.

1. Nature, extent and quality of services

The board and the committee considered the depth and quality of CRMC’s investment management process, including its global research capabilities; the experience, capability and integrity of its senior management and other personnel; the low turnover rates of its key personnel; the overall financial strength and stability of its organization; and the ongoing evolution of CRMC’s organizational structure designed to maintain and strengthen these qualities. The board and the committee considered, among other things, the impact of current market conditions on the fund and CRMC. The board and the committee also considered the nature, extent and quality of administrative, compliance and shareholder services provided by CRMC to the fund under the agreement and other agreements as well as the benefits to fund shareholders from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds. The board and the committee concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by CRMC have benefited and should continue to benefit the fund and its shareholders.

2. Investment results

The board and the committee considered the investment results of the fund in light of its objective of pursuing long-term growth of capital and income. They compared the fund’s total returns with those of other relevant funds (including the other funds that are the basis of the Lipper index for the category in which the fund is included) and market data such as relevant market indices, in each case as available at the time of the related board and committee meetings. This report, including the letter to shareholders and related disclosures, contains certain information about the fund’s investment results. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s long-term results have been satisfactory and that CRMC’s record in managing the fund indicated that its continued management should benefit the fund and its shareholders.

3. Advisory fees and total expenses

The board and the committee compared the advisory fees and total expense levels of the fund to those of other relevant funds. They observed that the fund’s advisory fees and expenses remain significantly below those of most other relevant funds. The board and the committee also noted the breakpoint discounts in the fund’s advisory fee structure that reduce the level of fees charged by CRMC to the fund as fund assets increase. In addition, they reviewed information regarding the advisory fees paid by clients of an affiliate of CRMC with investment mandates similar to those of the fund. They noted that, although the fees paid by those clients generally were lower than those paid by the fund, the differences appropriately reflected the significant investment, operational and regulatory differences between advising the fund and the other clients. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s cost structure was fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided, and that the shareholders receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund.

4. Ancillary benefits

The board and the committee considered a variety of other benefits received by CRMC and its affiliates as a result of CRMC’s relationship with the fund and the other American Funds, including fees for administrative services provided to certain share classes; fees paid to CRMC’s affiliated transfer agent; sales charges and distribution fees received and retained by the fund’s principal underwriter, an affiliate of CRMC; and possible ancillary benefits to CRMC’s institutional management affiliates. The board and the committee reviewed CRMC’s portfolio trading practices, noting that while CRMC receives the benefit of research provided by broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund, it does not obtain third-party research or other services in return for allocating brokerage to such broker-dealers. The board and the committee took these ancillary benefits into account in evaluating the reasonableness of the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund.

5. Adviser financial information

The board and the committee reviewed information regarding CRMC’s costs of providing services to the American Funds, including personnel, systems and resources of investment, compliance, trading, accounting and other administrative operations. They considered CRMC’s costs and willingness to invest in technology, infrastructure and staff to maintain and expand services and capabilities, respond to industry and regulatory developments and attract and retain qualified personnel. They noted information previously received regarding the compensation structure for CRMC’s investment professionals. The board and the committee also compared CRMC’s profitability to the reported results of several large, publicly held investment management companies. The board and the committee noted the competitiveness and cyclicality of both the mutual fund industry and the capital markets, and the importance in that environment of CRMC’s long-term profitability for maintaining its independence, company culture and management continuity. They further considered the breakpoint discounts in the fund’s advisory fee structure and the impact of the termination of CRMC’s 10% advisory fee waiver effective December 31, 2008. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s advisory fee structure reflected a reasonable sharing of benefits between CRMC and the fund’s shareholders.
 

 
Other share class results
unaudited

Classes B, C, F and 529

Fund results shown are for past periods and are not predictive of results for future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.

Average annual total returns for periods ended June 30, 2010:
                 
                   
               
10 years1/
 
   
1 year
   
5 years
   
Life of class
 
                   
Class B shares2
                 
Reflecting applicable contingent deferred sales charge
                 
(CDSC), maximum of 5%, payable only if shares are
                 
sold within six years of purchase
    4.04 %     –1.23 %     0.69 %
Not reflecting CDSC
    9.04       –0.91       0.69  
                         
Class C shares — first sold 3/15/01
                       
Reflecting CDSC, maximum of 1%, payable only if shares
                       
are sold within one year of purchase
    7.99       –0.96       1.00  
Not reflecting CDSC
    8.99       –0.96       1.00  
                         
Class F-1 shares3 — first sold 3/15/01
                       
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged by
                       
sponsoring firm
    9.85       –0.18       1.79  
                         
Class F-2 shares3 — first sold 8/1/08
                       
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged by
                       
sponsoring firm
    10.12             –7.07  
                         
Class 529-A shares4 — first sold 2/15/02
                       
Reflecting 5.75% maximum sales charge
    3.48       –1.38       1.46  
Not reflecting maximum sales charge
    9.81       –0.21       2.18  
                         
Class 529-B shares2,4 — first sold 2/15/02
                       
Reflecting applicable CDSC, maximum of 5%, payable
                       
only if shares are sold within six years of purchase
    3.94       –1.34       1.37  
Not reflecting CDSC
    8.94       –1.02       1.37  
                         
Class 529-C shares4 — first sold 2/19/02
                       
Reflecting CDSC, maximum of 1%, payable only if shares
                       
are sold within one year of purchase
    7.97       –1.01       1.53  
Not reflecting CDSC
    8.97       –1.01       1.53  
                         
Class 529-E shares3,4 — first sold 3/1/02
    9.47       –0.51       1.60  
                         
Class 529-F-1 shares3,4 — first sold 9/16/02
                       
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged by
                       
sponsoring firm
    10.05       –0.01       4.22  

 
1Applicable to Class B shares only. All other share classes reflect results for the life of the class.
 
2These shares are not available for purchase.
 
3These shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
 
4Results shown do not reflect the $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee.

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its management fees from September 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008. Applicable fund results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. See the Financial Highlights table on pages 20 to 23 for details that include expense ratios for all share classes.

For information regarding the differences among the various share classes, refer to the fund’s prospectus.


Offices

Offices of the fund and of the investment adviser
Capital Research and Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618

Transfer agent for shareholder accounts
American Funds Service Company
(Write to the address near you.)

P.O. Box 6007
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6007

P.O. Box 2280
Norfolk, VA 23501-2280

Custodian of assets
JPMorgan Chase Bank
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017-2070

Counsel
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
400 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2899

Independent registered public accounting firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
695 Town Center Drive
Suite 1200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7188

Principal underwriter
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the American Funds. This and other important information is contained in the fund’s summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at 800/421-0180 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.

“American Funds Proxy Voting Procedures and Principles” — which describes how we vote proxies relating to portfolio securities — is available on the American Funds website or upon request by calling AFS. The fund files its proxy voting record with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the 12 months ended June 30 by August 31. The proxy voting record is available free of charge on the SEC website at sec.gov and on the American Funds website.

A complete June 30, 2010, portfolio of The Investment Company of America’s investments is available free of charge by calling AFS or visiting the SEC website (where it is part of Form N-CSR).

The Investment Company of America files a complete list of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. This filing is available free of charge on the SEC website. You may also review or, for a fee, copy this filing at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Additional information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at 800/SEC-0330.  Additionally, the list of portfolio holdings is available by calling AFS.

This report is for the information of shareholders of The Investment Company of America, but it also may be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current summary prospectus or prospectus, which gives details about charges, expenses, investment objectives and operating policies of the fund. If used as sales material after September 30, 2010, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
What makes American Funds different?

For nearly 80 years, we have followed a consistent philosophy to benefit our investors. Our 30 carefully conceived, broadly diversified funds, in addition to the target date retirement series, offer opportunities that have attracted over 50 million shareholder accounts.

Our unique combination of strengths includes these five factors:

 
•A long-term, value-oriented approach
 
We seek to buy securities at reasonable prices relative to their prospects and hold them for the long term.

 
•An extensive global research effort
 
Our investment professionals travel the world to find the best investment opportunities and gain a comprehensive understanding of companies and markets.

 
•The multiple portfolio counselor system
 
Our unique approach to portfolio management, developed more than 50 years ago, blends teamwork with individual accountability and has provided American Funds with a sustainable method of achieving fund objectives.

 
•Experienced investment professionals
 
American Funds portfolio counselors have an average of 26 years of investment experience, providing a depth of knowledge and broad perspective that few organizations have.

 
•A commitment to low management fees
 
The American Funds provide exceptional value for shareholders, with management fees that are among the lowest in the mutual fund industry.


American Funds span a range of investment objectives

 
•Growth funds
 
AMCAP Fund®
 
EuroPacific Growth Fund®
 
The Growth Fund of America®
 
The New Economy Fund®
 
New Perspective Fund®
 
New World Fund®
 
SMALLCAP World Fund®

 
•Growth-and-income funds
 
American Mutual Fund®
 
Capital World Growth and Income FundSM
 
Fundamental InvestorsSM
 
International Growth and Income FundSM
 
>The Investment Company of America®
 
Washington Mutual Investors FundSM

 
•Equity-income funds
 
Capital Income Builder®
 
The Income Fund of America®

 
•Balanced fund
 
American Balanced Fund®

 
•Bond funds
 
American High-Income TrustSM
 
The Bond Fund of AmericaSM
 
Capital World Bond Fund®
 
Intermediate Bond Fund of America®
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of AmericaSM
 
U.S. Government Securities FundSM

 
•Tax-exempt bond funds
 
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond FundSM
 
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund®
 
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of AmericaSM
 
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America®
 
State-specific tax-exempt funds
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California®
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland®
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia®

 
•Money market fund
 
American Funds Money Market Fund®

 
•American Funds Target Date Retirement Series®


 
The Capital Group Companies
 
American Funds   Capital Research and Management   Capital International   Capital Guardian   Capital Bank and Trust
 
 
 

 
Lit. No. MFGESR-904-0810P
 
Litho in USA BBC/ALD/8087-S26162
 
Printed on paper containing 10% post-consumer waste
 
Printed with inks containing soy and/or vegetable oil
 
 
ITEM 2 – Code of Ethics

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.


ITEM 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.


ITEM 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.


ITEM 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


ITEM 6 – Schedule of Investments
 
 
 

 
The Investment Company of America® 
Investment portfolio
 
June 30, 2010
unaudited
Common stocks — 89.94%
 
Shares
   
Value
(000)
 
             
ENERGY — 10.04%
           
Apache Corp.
    2,240,000     $ 188,586  
Baker Hughes Inc.
    9,445,000       392,629  
BP PLC1
    49,380,000       237,158  
BP PLC (ADR)
    2,800,000       80,864  
Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd.
    1,296,400       43,025  
Chevron Corp.
    6,882,278       467,031  
ConocoPhillips
    23,270,840       1,142,366  
Devon Energy Corp.
    2,690,000       163,875  
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.
    3,775,000       234,767  
Eni SpA1
    4,640,000       85,177  
Eni SpA (ADR)
    770,000       28,143  
EOG Resources, Inc.
    1,775,000       174,607  
Halliburton Co.
    800,000       19,640  
Hess Corp.
    3,228,100       162,503  
Marathon Oil Corp.
    4,540,000       141,149  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A (ADR)
    16,470,000       827,123  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B1
    2,343,265       56,734  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B (ADR)
    2,925,498       141,243  
Schlumberger Ltd.
    12,724,999       704,201  
TOTAL SA1
    3,000,000       133,513  
              5,424,334  
                 
MATERIALS — 2.79%
               
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    2,508,600       162,582  
Akzo Nobel NV1
    1,500,000       77,592  
Alcoa Inc.
    1,676,400       16,865  
Barrick Gold Corp.
    7,150,000       324,681  
Dow Chemical Co.
    6,465,000       153,350  
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.
    2,400,000       83,016  
MeadWestvaco Corp.
    4,085,000       90,687  
Monsanto Co.
    5,330,000       246,353  
Newmont Mining Corp.
    2,290,000       141,385  
POSCO1
    136,000       51,617  
United States Steel Corp.
    4,160,000       160,368  
              1,508,496  
                 
INDUSTRIALS — 10.93%
               
3M Co.
    4,599,265       363,296  
Boeing Co.
    9,965,000       625,304  
CSX Corp.
    11,581,000       574,765  
Cummins Inc.
    1,723,300       112,239  
Deere & Co.
    2,800,000       155,904  
General Dynamics Corp.
    9,985,800       584,768  
General Electric Co.
    24,145,000       348,171  
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    6,400,000       264,192  
Lockheed Martin Corp.
    5,575,000       415,337  
Norfolk Southern Corp.
    2,673,100       141,808  
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.
    5,100,000       83,487  
Raytheon Co.
    2,399,800       116,126  
Siemens AG1
    1,665,000       148,996  
Southwest Airlines Co.
    13,000,000       144,430  
Tyco International Ltd.
    2,115,000       74,511  
Union Pacific Corp.
    11,204,800       778,846  
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B
    2,250,000       128,003  
United Technologies Corp.
    10,840,000       703,624  
Waste Management, Inc.
    4,566,700       142,892  
              5,906,699  
                 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 8.95%
               
Best Buy Co., Inc.
    5,472,300       185,292  
Carnival Corp., units
    7,794,900       235,718  
CBS Corp., Class B
    11,500,000       148,695  
Comcast Corp., Class A
    5,930,271       103,009  
Comcast Corp., Class A, special nonvoting shares
    2,000,000       32,860  
Daimler AG1,2
    960,000       48,612  
DIRECTV, Class A2
    8,255,000       280,010  
H&R Block, Inc.
    2,315,000       36,322  
Home Depot, Inc.
    20,520,000       575,996  
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.1
    6,310,200       183,258  
Johnson Controls, Inc.
    9,500,000       255,265  
Limited Brands, Inc.
    6,199,043       136,813  
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
    10,500,000       214,410  
McDonald’s Corp.
    7,150,000       470,970  
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
    3,750,000       105,525  
News Corp., Class A
    5,890,000       70,444  
Staples, Inc.
    13,450,000       256,223  
Target Corp.
    12,997,000       639,062  
Time Warner Cable Inc.
    4,662,727       242,835  
Time Warner Inc.
    13,399,000       387,365  
Toyota Motor Corp.1
    6,550,000       225,250  
              4,833,934  
                 
CONSUMER STAPLES — 10.81%
               
Altria Group, Inc.
    21,625,000       433,365  
Avon Products, Inc.
    14,082,000       373,173  
Coca-Cola Co.
    2,303,300       115,441  
Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    1,500,000       118,140  
ConAgra Foods, Inc.
    5,521,100       128,752  
CVS/Caremark Corp.
    10,050,000       294,666  
General Mills, Inc.
    3,920,000       139,238  
H.J. Heinz Co.
    2,750,000       118,855  
Kellogg Co.
    1,575,000       79,222  
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
    1,500,000       90,945  
Kraft Foods Inc., Class A
    18,609,168       521,057  
Molson Coors Brewing Co., Class B
    8,010,900       339,342  
PepsiCo, Inc.
    14,165,000       863,357  
Philip Morris International Inc.
    37,955,000       1,739,857  
Procter & Gamble Co.
    2,635,000       158,047  
Reynolds American Inc.
    666,666       34,747  
Sara Lee Corp.
    5,000,000       70,500  
Sysco Corp.
    2,450,000       69,997  
Walgreen Co.
    5,636,100       150,484  
              5,839,185  
                 
HEALTH CARE — 7.68%
               
Abbott Laboratories
    14,035,000       656,557  
Aetna Inc.
    6,975,700       184,019  
Amgen Inc.2
    1,840,792       96,826  
Bayer AG1
    950,000       53,005  
Boston Scientific Corp.2
    64,340,000       373,172  
Eli Lilly and Co.
    6,295,000       210,882  
Johnson & Johnson
    3,100,000       183,086  
Medtronic, Inc.
    9,112,500       330,510  
Merck & Co., Inc.
    43,856,869       1,533,675  
Novartis AG (ADR)
    921,556       44,530  
Pfizer Inc
    7,900,000       112,654  
Roche Holding AG1
    1,260,000       173,028  
UnitedHealth Group Inc.
    7,000,000       198,800  
              4,150,744  
                 
FINANCIALS — 7.43%
               
American International Group, Inc.2
    141,955       4,889  
AXA SA1
    3,250,000       49,289  
Banco Santander, SA1
    67,527,912       709,582  
Banco Santander, SA (ADR)
    11,000,000       115,500  
Bank of America Corp.
    48,187,935       692,461  
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
    10,533,812       260,080  
BB&T Corp.
    8,018,900       210,977  
BNP Paribas SA1
    2,200,000       117,468  
Capital One Financial Corp.
    7,500,000       302,250  
Citigroup Inc.2
    50,000,000       188,000  
HSBC Holdings PLC (ADR)
    1,529,416       69,726  
HSBC Holdings PLC (United Kingdom)1
    4,869,240       44,422  
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    12,860,000       470,805  
Moody’s Corp.
    7,875,800       156,886  
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
    1,200,000       67,800  
Société Générale1
    2,309,523       93,948  
State Street Corp.
    2,359,100       79,785  
Wells Fargo & Co.
    14,735,000       377,216  
              4,011,084  
                 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 21.26%
               
Accenture PLC, Class A
    8,324,000       321,723  
Analog Devices, Inc.
    2,300,000       64,078  
Applied Materials, Inc.
    20,525,000       246,710  
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
    4,023,043       161,968  
Canon, Inc.1
    770,000       28,708  
Cisco Systems, Inc.2
    14,420,400       307,299  
Corning Inc.
    25,069,820       404,878  
Flextronics International Ltd.2
    16,000,000       89,600  
Google Inc., Class A2
    2,020,530       899,035  
Hewlett-Packard Co.
    26,340,000       1,139,995  
HTC Corp.1
    3,615,000       47,961  
Intel Corp.
    31,754,700       617,629  
International Business Machines Corp.
    5,285,000       652,592  
KLA-Tencor Corp.
    6,726,900       187,546  
Linear Technology Corp.
    8,320,000       231,379  
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    6,547,700       109,543  
Microsoft Corp.
    86,590,800       1,992,454  
Nokia Corp.1
    24,200,000       197,600  
Nokia Corp. (ADR)
    5,652,400       46,067  
Oracle Corp.
    73,660,100       1,580,746  
QUALCOMM Inc.
    9,135,000       299,993  
SAP AG1
    3,200,000       142,137  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.1
    95,036,325       177,708  
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B1
    19,750,000       219,892  
Texas Instruments Inc.
    22,825,000       531,366  
Xilinx, Inc.
    8,954,500       226,191  
Yahoo! Inc.2
    40,288,200       557,186  
              11,481,984  
                 
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 5.22%
               
AT&T Inc.
    85,286,900       2,063,090  
France Télécom SA1
    6,220,000       107,332  
Qwest Communications International Inc.
    77,980,000       409,395  
Verizon Communications Inc.
    8,500,000       238,170  
              2,817,987  
                 
UTILITIES — 3.23%
               
Dominion Resources, Inc.
    13,123,824       508,417  
Exelon Corp.
    7,610,600       288,974  
FirstEnergy Corp.
    6,443,500       227,004  
GDF SUEZ1
    10,860,324       307,267  
NextEra Energy, Inc.
    300,000       14,628  
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.
    10,000,000       313,300  
RWE AG1
    1,300,000       84,735  
              1,744,325  
                 
MISCELLANEOUS — 1.60%
               
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition
            862,298  
                 
                 
Total common stocks (cost: $47,033,176,000)
            48,581,070  
                 
                 
                 
                 
Preferred stocks — 0.31%
               
                 
FINANCIALS — 0.31%
               
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series I, 7.90%3
    84,861,000       87,755  
PNC Funding Corp., Series II, 6.113%3,4
    5,000,000       3,669  
PNC Preferred Funding Trust I 6.517%3,4
    14,900,000       11,225  
PNC Preferred Funding Trust III 8.70%3,4
    34,000,000       34,139  
Wachovia Capital Trust III 5.80%3
    5,525,000       4,448  
Wells Fargo & Co., Series K, 7.98%3
    23,667,000       24,495  
                 
                 
Total preferred stocks (cost: $132,798,000)
            165,731  
                 
                 
                 
           
Value
 
Warrants — 0.00%
 
Shares
      (000 )
                 
FINANCIALS — 0.00%
               
Washington Mutual, Inc., warrants, expire 20131,2
    3,071,428     $  
                 
                 
Total warrants (cost: $11,770,000)
             
                 
                 
                 
   
Shares or
         
Convertible securities — 0.37%
 
principal amount
         
                 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.03%
               
Johnson Controls, Inc. 11.50% convertible preferred 2012, units
    106,720       14,568  
                 
                 
FINANCIALS — 0.08%
               
American International Group, Inc. 8.50% convertible preferred 2011, units
    4,211,826       40,434  
Fannie Mae, Series 2004-1, 5.375% convertible preferred2
    820       1,066  
Fannie Mae, Series 2008-1, 8.75% noncumulative convertible preferred2
    1,218,000       633  
              42,133  
                 
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 0.10%
               
Qwest Communications International Inc. 3.50% convertible debenture 2025
  $ 50,000,000       55,625  
                 
                 
MISCELLANEOUS — 0.16%
               
Other convertible securities in initial period of acquisition
            87,333  
                 
                 
Total convertible securities (cost: $616,312,000)
            199,659  
                 
                 
                 
                 
   
Principal amount
         
Bonds & notes — 2.08%
    (000 )        
                 
ENERGY — 0.02%
               
Apache Corp. 6.90% 2018
  $ 5,000       6,088  
Chevron Corp. 4.95% 2019
    5,000       5,508  
              11,596  
                 
MATERIALS — 0.07%
               
BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Ltd. 5.50% 2014
    5,865       6,546  
Dow Chemical Co. 8.55% 2019
    20,000       24,522  
Rio Tinto Finance (USA) Ltd. 9.00% 2019
    3,780       4,968  
              36,036  
                 
INDUSTRIALS — 0.20%
               
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. 5.75% 2018
    10,000       11,249  
CSX Corp. 6.25% 2015
    5,000       5,756  
CSX Corp. 7.375% 2019
    5,215       6,398  
Honeywell International Inc. 5.00% 2019
    8,090       9,057  
Lockheed Martin Corp. 4.25% 2019
    7,000       7,373  
Norfolk Southern Corp. 5.75% 2018
    10,000       11,322  
PACCAR Inc, Series A, 6.875% 2014
    5,000       5,797  
Raytheon Co. 4.40% 2020
    6,055       6,509  
Union Pacific Corp. 5.125% 2014
    11,495       12,613  
Union Pacific Corp. 6.125% 2020
    10,000       11,584  
United Technologies Corp. 4.50% 2020
    5,475       5,935  
Waste Management, Inc. 6.375% 2015
    10,000       11,480  
              105,073  
                 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.20%
               
Comcast Corp. 6.30% 2017
    15,120       17,288  
Hasbro, Inc. 6.125% 2014
    11,250       11,986  
Kohl’s Corp. 6.25% 2017
    7,500       8,749  
News America Inc. 6.90% 2019
    11,315       13,426  
Staples, Inc. 9.75% 2014
    15,000       18,414  
Time Warner Cable Inc. 6.20% 2013
    2,845       3,184  
Time Warner Cable Inc. 8.25% 2019
    15,320       18,871  
Time Warner Inc. 5.875% 2016
    10,000       11,288  
Walt Disney Co. 5.50% 2019
    5,000       5,773  
              108,979  
                 
CONSUMER STAPLES — 0.11%
               
Altria Group, Inc. 9.25% 2019
    10,000       12,501  
British American Tobacco International Finance PLC 9.50% 20184
    5,000       6,562  
Coca-Cola Co. 4.875% 2019
    5,000       5,549  
ConAgra Foods, Inc. 5.875% 2014
    10,000       11,316  
CVS Caremark Corp. 6.60% 2019
    10,335       12,047  
Kraft Foods Inc. 2.625% 2013
    5,110       5,211  
Tesco PLC 5.50% 20174
    5,506       6,129  
              59,315  
                 
HEALTH CARE — 0.19%
               
Abbott Laboratories 5.125% 2019
    7,500       8,383  
Aetna Inc. 5.75% 2011
    1,961       2,041  
Aetna Inc. 7.875% 2011
    865       900  
Boston Scientific Corp. 6.00% 2020
    4,265       4,242  
Cardinal Health, Inc. 5.80% 2016
    14,625       16,399  
Novartis Securities Investment Ltd. 5.125% 2019
    10,000       11,214  
Pfizer Inc. 6.20% 2019
    10,000       11,905  
Roche Holdings Inc. 5.00% 20144
    10,000       11,051  
Roche Holdings Inc. 6.00% 20194
    10,000       11,659  
WellPoint, Inc. 5.875% 2017
    15,000       16,735  
WellPoint, Inc. 7.00% 2019
    7,200       8,555  
              103,084  
                 
FINANCIALS — 0.18%
               
Allstate Life Global Funding Trust, Series 2008-4, 5.375% 2013
    10,000       10,972  
Bank of America Corp. 5.625% 2020
    12,500       12,623  
Boston Properties, Inc. 5.875% 2019
    5,000       5,359  
Citigroup Inc. 4.75% 2015
    2,500       2,501  
Citigroup Inc. 6.125% 2017
    10,000       10,459  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 6.00% 2018
    5,000       5,530  
MetLife Global Funding 5.125% 20144
    7,000       7,611  
Metropolitan Life Global Funding I, 5.125% 20134
    3,335       3,609  
National City Corp. 5.80% 2017
    1,350       1,435  
National City Corp. 6.875% 2019
    3,050       3,429  
Northern Trust Corp. 4.625% 2014
    5,650       6,181  
PNC Funding Corp. 0.538% 20143
    10,000       9,659  
Simon Property Group, LP 4.20% 2015
    2,600       2,675  
Simon Property Group, LP 5.25% 2016
    5,875       6,265  
Simon Property Group, LP 6.10% 2016
    1,625       1,806  
Simon Property Group, LP 6.75% 2014
    3,000       3,375  
SLM Corp., Series A, 5.00% 2013
    3,005       2,875  
SLM Corp., Series A, 5.125% 2012
    1,000       986  
SLM Corp., Series A, 5.375% 2013
    1,905       1,848  
              99,198  
                 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 0.02%
               
Cisco Systems, Inc. 4.95% 2019
    10,000       11,011  
                 
                 
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 0.08%
               
AT&T Inc. 4.85% 2014
    10,000       10,961  
AT&T Inc. 5.50% 2018
    10,000       11,076  
Verizon Communications Inc. 5.55% 2014
    10,000       11,221  
Vodafone Group PLC 5.625% 2017
    7,500       8,237  
              41,495  
                 
UTILITIES — 0.02%
               
Jersey Central Power & Light Co. 4.80% 2018
    4,000       4,032  
PG&E Corp. 5.75% 2014
    8,000       8,870  
              12,902  
                 
MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS5 — 0.54%
               
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2024
    14,213       14,808  
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2024  
    18,210       18,972  
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2025  
    14,495       15,088  
Fannie Mae 4.50% 2023  
    31,619       33,455  
Fannie Mae 4.50% 2040  
    14,794       15,365  
Fannie Mae 5.50% 2038  
    15,350       16,478  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2037  
    672       731  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2037  
    69,999       75,982  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2038  
    7,603       8,245  
Freddie Mac 5.00% 2038  
    23,231       24,598  
Freddie Mac 5.50% 2038  
    49,901       53,556  
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 2039  
    981       970  
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 2039  
    1,618       1,600  
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 2039  
    1,646       1,628  
Government National Mortgage Assn. 3.50% 2039  
    11,269       11,143  
              292,619  
                 
BONDS & NOTES OF U.S. GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES — 0.45%
               
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.50% 2011
    23,140       23,154  
Federal Home Loan Bank 3.625% 2013
    50,000       53,572  
Freddie Mac 1.50% 2011
    1,000       1,006  
Freddie Mac 2.125% 2012
    10,000       10,250  
U.S. Treasury 1.125% 2011
    10,000       10,097  
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2014
    10,000       10,193  
U.S. Treasury 2.25% 2014
    5,000       5,160  
U.S. Treasury 3.25% 2017
    17,000       17,912  
U.S. Treasury 3.625% 2020
    7,000       7,397  
U.S. Treasury 3.875% 2013
    10,000       10,804  
U.S. Treasury 4.00% 2018
    10,000       11,001  
U.S. Treasury 4.125% 2015
    10,000       11,113  
U.S. Treasury 4.25% 2012
    13,500       14,599  
U.S. Treasury 4.25% 2013
    15,000       16,486  
U.S. Treasury 4.50% 2039
    10,000       11,017  
U.S. Treasury 8.00% 2021
    20,000       29,097  
              242,858  
                 
Total bonds & notes (cost: $1,026,331,000)
            1,124,166  
                 
                 
                 
                 
Short-term securities — 7.19%
               
                 
Coca-Cola Co. 0.15%–0.30% due 8/3–9/2/20104
    208,000       207,937  
Emerson Electric Co. 0.17%–0.19% due 7/7–7/23/20104
    24,900       24,898  
Fannie Mae 0.15%–0.49% due 7/1/2010–4/11/2011
    1,203,695       1,202,951  
Federal Farm Credit Banks 0.27% due 7/13–8/16/2010
    95,000       94,990  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.17%–0.45% due 8/20/2010–6/10/2011
    261,700       261,451  
Freddie Mac 0.175%–0.42% due 7/12/2010–5/3/2011
    1,226,485       1,225,884  
General Electric Capital Services, Inc. 0.46% due 9/15/2010
    50,000       49,965  
Hewlett-Packard Co. 0.13%–0.20% due 7/22–7/27/20104
    253,600       253,573  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 0.23% due 7/12/2010
    36,200       36,196  
NetJets Inc. 0.22% due 8/4/20104
    25,000       24,995  
Oracle Corp. 0.25% due 7/13–7/15/20104
    96,700       96,692  
PepsiCo Inc. 0.19% due 8/4/20104
    32,000       31,994  
Private Export Funding Corp. 0.31% due 9/9/20104
    44,400       44,365  
Procter & Gamble International Funding S.C.A. 0.18% due 7/2/20104
    29,400       29,400  
Straight-A Funding LLC 0.40%–0.41% due 8/12–9/8/20104
    97,137       97,073  
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.19%–0.30% due 8/26–12/9/2010
    152,200       152,156  
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. 0.15% due 7/8/20104
    50,000       49,998  
                 
                 
Total short-term securities (cost: $3,883,803,000)
            3,884,518  
                 
Total investment securities (cost: $52,704,190,000)
            53,955,144  
Other assets less liabilities
            62,363  
                 
Net assets
          $ 54,017,507  

“Miscellaneous” securities include holdings in their initial period of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.

1Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of trustees. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Miscellaneous,” was $4,000,464,000, which represented 7.41% of the net assets of the fund. This entire amount relates to certain securities trading outside the U.S. whose values were adjusted as a result of significant market movements following the close of local trading.
2Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
3Coupon rate may change periodically.
4Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities was $956,579,000, which represented 1.77% of the net assets of the fund.
5Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.

Key to abbreviation

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

 

 
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the American Funds. This and other important information is contained in the fund’s summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at 800/421-0180 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.
 
 
 
 
MFGEFP-904-0810O-S25508
 
 
ITEM 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a closed-end management investment company.


ITEM 8 – Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a closed-end management investment company.


ITEM 9 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a closed-end management investment company.


ITEM 10 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s board of trustees since the Registrant last submitted a proxy statement to its shareholders.  The procedures are as follows.  The Registrant has a nominating and governance committee comprised solely of persons who are not considered ‘‘interested persons’’ of the Registrant within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The committee periodically reviews such issues as the board’s composition, responsibilities, committees, compensation and other relevant issues, and recommends any appropriate changes to the full board of trustees. While the committee normally is able to identify from its own resources an ample number of qualified candidates, it will consider shareholder suggestions of persons to be considered as nominees to fill future vacancies on the board. Such suggestions must be sent in writing to the nominating and governance committee of the Registrant, c/o the Registrant’s Secretary, and must be accompanied by complete biographical and occupational data on the prospective nominee, along with a written consent of the prospective nominee for consideration of his or her name by the nominating and governance committee.


ITEM 11 – Controls and Procedures

(a)
The Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940), that such controls and procedures are adequate and reasonably designed to achieve the purposes described in paragraph (c) of such rule.
   
(b)
There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 12 – Exhibits

(a)(1)
Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.
   
(a)(2)
The certifications required by Rule 30a-2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached as exhibits hereto.
 
 
 

 

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.

 
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA
   
 
By /s/ James B. Lovelace
 
James B. Lovelace, Vice Chairman and
Principal Executive Officer
   
 
Date: August 31, 2010



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/ James B. Lovelace
James B. Lovelace, Vice Chairman and
Principal Executive Officer
 
Date: August 31, 2010



By /s/ Brian D. Bullard
Brian D. Bullard, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
 
Date: August 31, 2010