485BPOS

SEC File Nos. 002-10811

811-00116

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________

FORM N-1A

Registration Statement

Under

the Securities Act of 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No.  123

and

Registration Statement

Under

The Investment Company Act of 1940

Amendment No.  47

__________________

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071-1406

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

(213) 486-9200

__________________

Vincent P. Corti, Secretary

The Investment Company of America

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071-1406

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

__________________

Copies to:

Eric A.S. Richards

O'Melveny & Myers LLP

400 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California  90071-2899

(Counsel for the Registrant)

__________________

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

It is proposed that this filing become immediately pursuant to paragraph (b) of rule 485.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, and State of California, on the 21st day of March, 2012.

THE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA

By /s/ James B. Lovelace

     (James B. Lovelace, Vice Chairman of the Board)

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below on March 21, 2012, by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

	Signature	Title
(1)	Principal Executive Officer:
	/s/ James B. Lovelace	Vice Chairman of the Board
	(James B. Lovelace)
(2)	Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer:
	/s/ Brian D. Bullard	Treasurer
	(Brian D. Bullard)
(3)	Trustees:
	Louise H. Bryson*	Trustee
	Mary Anne Dolan*	Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive)
	James G. Ellis*	Trustee
	Leonard R. Fuller*	Trustee
	William D. Jones*	Trustee
	L. Daniel Jorndt*	Trustee
	William H. Kling*	Trustee
	/s/ James B. Lovelace	Vice Chairman of the Board
	(James B. Lovelace)
	John C. Mazziotta*	Trustee
	John G. McDonald*	Trustee
	Bailey Morris-Eck*	Trustee
	/s/ Donald D. O’Neal	President and Trustee
	(Donald D. O’Neal)
	Steven B.  Sample*	Trustee
	*By: /s/ Vincent P. Corti
	(Vincent P. Corti, pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith)

Counsel represents that this amendment does not contain disclosures that would make the amendment ineligible for effectiveness under the provisions of rule 485(b).

/s/ Michael J. Triessl

(Michael J. Triessl)

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Louise H. Bryson, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Fundamental Investors (File No. 002-10760, File No. 811-00032)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Growth Fund of America, Inc. (File No. 002-14728, File No. 811-00862)

-   The Growth Fund of America

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

-   SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-32785, File No. 811-05888)

-   SMALLCAP World Fund

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman Jeffrey P. Regal Ari M. Vinocor

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at San Marino, CA, this 17th day of November, 2011.

    (City, State)

/s/ Louise H. Bryson                                                             

Louise H. Bryson, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Mary Anne Dolan, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Fundamental Investors (File No. 002-10760, File No. 811-00032)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)

-   Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)

-   Capital World Growth and Income Fund

-   The Growth Fund of America, Inc. (File No. 002-14728, File No. 811-00862)

-   The Growth Fund of America

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

-   The New Economy Fund  (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)

-   The New Economy Fund

-   SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-32785, File No. 811-05888)

-   SMALLCAP World Fund

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman Jeffrey P. Regal Ari M. Vinocor Neal F. Wellons

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 16th day of November, 2011.

    (City, State)

/s/ Mary Anne Dolan                                                             

Mary Anne Dolan, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, James G. Ellis, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)

-   American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)

-   American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)

-   American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)

-   American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)

-   American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)

-   American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)

-   American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)

-   The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)

-   American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)

-   American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)

-   Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)

-   Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

-   Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)

-   Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)

-   The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman M. Susan Gupton Brian C. Janssen Dori Laskin Gregory F. Niland Ari M. Vinocor

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 14th day of March, 2012.

     (City, State)

/s/ James G. Ellis                                                             

James G. Ellis, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Leonard R. Fuller, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)

-   American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)

-   American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)

-   American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)

-   American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)

-   American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)

-   American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)

-   American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)

-   The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)

-   American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)

-   American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)

-   Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)

-   Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

-   Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)

-   Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)

-   The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman M. Susan Gupton Brian C. Janssen Dori Laskin Gregory F. Niland Ari M. Vinocor

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 14th day of March, 2012.

     (City, State)

/s/ Leonard R. Fuller                                                             

Leonard R. Fuller, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, William D. Jones, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)

-   International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Jennifer M. Buchheim Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman M. Susan Gupton  

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at San Diego, CA, this 17th day of August, 2011.

  (City, State)

/s/ William D. Jones                                                             

William D. Jones, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, L. Daniel Jorndt, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Jennifer M. Buchheim Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman  

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Deerfield, IL, this 24th day of August, 2011.

 (City, State)

/s/ L. Daniel Jorndt                                                             

L. Daniel Jorndt, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, William H. Kling, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Fundamental Investors (File No. 002-10760, File No. 811-00032)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)

-   EuroPacific Growth Fund

-   The Growth Fund of America, Inc. (File No. 002-14728, File No. 811-00862)

-   The Growth Fund of America

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

-   New Perspective Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)

-   New Perspective Fund

-   New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)

-   American Funds New World Fund, Inc.

-   SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-32785, File No. 811-05888)

-   SMALLCAP World Fund

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman Brian C. Janssen Jeffrey P. Regal Ari M. Vinocor

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Minneapolis, MN, this 17th day of November, 2011.

    (City, State)

/s/ William H. Kling                                                             

William H. Kling, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, John C. Mazziotta, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Jennifer M. Buchheim Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman  

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 24th day of August, 2011.

    (City, State)

/s/ John C. Mazziotta                                                             

John C. Mazziotta, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, John G. McDonald, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)

-   American Funds Fundamental Investors (File No. 002-10760, File No. 811-00032)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)

-   EuroPacific Growth Fund

-   The Growth Fund of America, Inc. (File No. 002-14728, File No. 811-00862)

-   The Growth Fund of America

-   The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)

-   International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

-   New Perspective Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)

-   New Perspective Fund

-   New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)

-   American Funds New World Fund, Inc.

-   SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-32785, File No. 811-05888)

-   SMALLCAP World Fund

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman M. Susan Gupton Brian C. Janssen Jeffrey P. Regal

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Stanford, CA, this 15th day of November, 2011.

 (City, State)

/s/ John G. McDonald                                                             

John G. McDonald, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Bailey Morris-Eck, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Jennifer M. Buchheim Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman  

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Butler, MD, this 19th day of August, 2011.

(City, State)

/s/ Bailey Morris-Eck                                                             

Bailey Morris-Eck, Board member

POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Steven B. Sample, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-   AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)

-   American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)

-   American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)

-   The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

Vincent P. Corti Steven I. Koszalka Patrick F. Quan Courtney R. Taylor Julie E. Lawton Tanya Schneider Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr. Jennifer M. Buchheim Brian D. Bullard Karl C. Grauman  

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 24th day of August, 2011.

    (City, State)

/s/ Steven B. Sample                                                             

Steven B. Sample, Board member

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
EX-101.INS	XBRL Instance Document
EX-101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
EX-101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
EX-101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
EX-101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase
EX-101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
ProspectusDate	rr_ProspectusDate	Mar. 01, 2012
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Risk/Return, Heading	rr_RiskReturnHeading	The Investment Company of America®
Investment Objective, Heading	rr_ObjectiveHeading	Investment objectives
investment Objective, Primary	rr_ObjectivePrimaryTextBlock	The fund's investment objectives are to achieve long-term growth of capital and income.
Expense, Heading	rr_ExpenseHeading	Fees and expenses of the fund
Expense, Narrative	rr_ExpenseNarrativeTextBlock	This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the "Sales charge reductions and waivers" section on page 26 of the prospectus and on page 57 of the fund's statement of additional information.
Shareholder Fees, Caption	rr_ShareholderFeesCaption	Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)
Operating Expenses, Caption	rr_OperatingExpensesCaption	Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Portfolio Turnover, Heading	rr_PortfolioTurnoverHeading	Portfolio turnover
Portfolio Turnover	rr_PortfolioTurnoverTextBlock	The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's investment results. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio turnover rate was 28% of the average value of its portfolio.
Portfolio Turnover, Rate	rr_PortfolioTurnoverRate	28.00%
Expense Breakpoint, Discounts	rr_ExpenseBreakpointDiscounts	You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American Funds.
Expense Breakpoint, Minimum Investment Required Amount	rr_ExpenseBreakpointMinimumInvestmentRequiredAmount	25,000
Expense Example, Heading	rr_ExpenseExampleHeading	Example
Expense Example, Narrative	rr_ExpenseExampleNarrativeTextBlock	This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same.
Expense Example, By Year, Caption	rr_ExpenseExampleByYearCaption	Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Expense Example, No Redemption, By Year, Caption	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionByYearCaption	For the share classes listed below, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares:
Investment Strategy, Heading	rr_StrategyHeading	Principal investment strategies
Investment Strategy, Narrative	rr_StrategyNarrativeTextBlock	The fund invests primarily in common stocks, most of which have a history of paying dividends. The fund's investments are limited to securities of companies that are included on its eligible list. In light of the fund's investment objectives and policies, securities are added to, or deleted from, the eligible list by the fund's board of trustees after reviewing and acting upon the recommendations of the fund's investment adviser. The investment adviser bases its recommendations on a number of factors, such as the fund's investment objectives and policies, whether a company is considered a leader in its industry and a company's dividend payment prospects. Although the fund focuses on investments in medium to larger capitalization companies, the fund's investments are not limited to a particular capitalization size. In the selection of common stocks and other securities for investment, potential for capital appreciation and future dividends are given more weight than current yield. The fund may invest up to 15% of its assets, at the time of purchase, in securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States. The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing the fund's assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed by individual counselors who decide how their respective segments will be invested. The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.
Risk, Heading	rr_RiskHeading	Principal risks
Risk, Narrative	rr_RiskNarrativeTextBlock	This section describes the principal risks associated with the fund's principal investment strategies. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value. Market conditions - The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline due to market conditions and other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of securities held by the fund. Investing in income-oriented stocks - Income provided by the fund may be reduced by changes in the dividend policies of, and the capital resources available at, the companies in which the fund invests. Investing in growth-oriented stocks - Growth-oriented stocks may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments. Investing outside the United States - Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations outside the United States, may lose value because of political, social, economic or market developments or instability in the countries or regions in which the issuer operates. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different settlement and accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. Management - The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund's investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses employed by the investment adviser in this process may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives. Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person. You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.
Risk, Lose Money	rr_RiskLoseMoney	You may lose money by investing in the fund.
Risk, Not Insured Depository Institution	rr_RiskNotInsuredDepositoryInstitution	Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person.
Bar Chart and Performance Table, Heading	rr_BarChartAndPerformanceTableHeading	Investment results
Performance, Narrative	rr_PerformanceNarrativeTextBlock	The following bar chart shows how the fund's investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund's average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to the fund's objective and/or strategies. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Updated information on the fund's investment results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.
Performance, Information Illustrates Variability of Returns	rr_PerformanceInformationIllustratesVariabilityOfReturns	The following bar chart shows how the fund's investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund's average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market results.
Performance, Additional Market Index	rr_PerformanceAdditionalMarketIndex	The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to the fund's objective and/or strategies.
Performance, Availability Website Address	rr_PerformanceAvailabilityWebSiteAddress	americanfunds.com
Performance, Past Does Not Indicate Future	rr_PerformancePastDoesNotIndicateFuture	Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results.
Bar Chart, Heading	rr_BarChartHeading	Calendar year total returns for Class A Shares
Bar Chart, Narrative	rr_BarChartNarrativeTextBlock	The following bar chart shows how the fund's investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund's average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market results.
Bar Chart, Does Not Reflect Sales Loads	rr_BarChartDoesNotReflectSalesLoads	(Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.)
Bar Chart, Closing	rr_BarChartClosingTextBlock	Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this period were: Highest 15.30% (quarter ended June 30, 2009) Lowest -18.97% (quarter ended December 31, 2008)
Performance Table, Uses Highest Federal Rate	rr_PerformanceTableUsesHighestFederalRate	After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes.
Performance Table, Not Relevant to Tax Deferred	rr_PerformanceTableNotRelevantToTaxDeferred	Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance Table, One Class of after Tax Shown	rr_PerformanceTableOneClassOfAfterTaxShown	After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares
Performance Table, Narrative	rr_PerformanceTableNarrativeTextBlock	After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary. After-tax returns are calculated using the highest individual federal income tax rates in effect during each year of the periods shown and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Your actual after-tax returns depend on your individual tax situation and likely will differ from the results shown above. In addition, after-tax returns are not relevant if you hold your fund shares through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan, individual retirement account (IRA) or 529 college savings plan.
Performance Table, Footnotes	rr_PerformanceTableFootnotesTextBlock	Class A annualized 30-day yield at December 31, 2011: 2.05% (For current yield information, please call American FundsLine® at 800/325-3590.)
Average Annual Returns, Caption	rr_AverageAnnualReturnCaption	Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2011 (with maximum sales charge):
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | S&P 500
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	S&P 500 (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	2.09%
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.25%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.92%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	10.55%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Jan. 01, 1934
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.82%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.17%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	3.12%
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class A
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	5.75%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	1.00%	[1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.23%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.61%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	634
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	759
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	896
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,293
Annual Return 2002	rr_AnnualReturn2002	(14.47%)
Annual Return 2003	rr_AnnualReturn2003	26.30%
Annual Return 2004	rr_AnnualReturn2004	9.78%
Annual Return 2005	rr_AnnualReturn2005	6.87%
Annual Return 2006	rr_AnnualReturn2006	15.94%
Annual Return 2007	rr_AnnualReturn2007	5.94%
Annual Return 2008	rr_AnnualReturn2008	(34.74%)
Annual Return 2009	rr_AnnualReturn2009	27.18%
Annual Return 2010	rr_AnnualReturn2010	10.86%
Annual Return 2011	rr_AnnualReturn2011	(1.76%)
Highest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_HighestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Highest
Highest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturnDate	Jun. 30, 2009
Highest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartHighestQuarterlyReturn	15.30%
Lowest Quarterly Return, Label	rr_LowestQuarterlyReturnLabel	Lowest
Lowest Quarterly Return, Date	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturnDate	Dec. 31, 2008
Lowest Quarterly Return	rr_BarChartLowestQuarterlyReturn	(18.97%)
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share class A - Before taxes
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(7.41%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.03%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.87%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	11.88%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Jan. 01, 1934
Thirty Day Yield, Caption	rr_ThirtyDayYieldCaption	Class A annualized 30-day yield at December 31, 2011:
Thirty Day Yield, Phone Number	rr_ThirtyDayYieldPhone	800/325-3590
Thirty Day Yield	rr_ThirtyDayYield	2.05%
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share class A - After taxes on distributions
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(7.70%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.53%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.19%
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class A | After Taxes on Distributions and Sales
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share class A - After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(4.42%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.73%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.36%
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class B
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	5.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.14%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.38%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	640
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	837
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	955
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,447
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	140
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	437
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	755
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	1,447
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes B (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(7.34%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.97%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.83%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.54%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Mar. 15, 2000
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class C
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	1.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.18%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.42%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	245
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	449
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	776
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,702
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	145
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	449
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	776
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	1,702
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes C (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(3.54%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.67%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	2.62%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.46%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Mar. 15, 2001
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class F-1
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.17%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.66%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	67
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	211
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	368
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	822
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes F-1 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.84%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.91%)
Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear10	3.41%
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.20%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Mar. 15, 2001
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class F-2
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.40%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	41
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	128
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	224
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	505
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes F-2 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.54%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	1.16%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Aug. 01, 2008
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-A
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	5.75%
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	1.00%	[1]
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only)	rr_MaximumAccountFee	10
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.22%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.24%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.70%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	662
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	825
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,001
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,501
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes 529-A (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(7.50%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.11%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.05%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Feb. 15, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-B
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	5.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only)	rr_MaximumAccountFee	10
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.50%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	672
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	913
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	1,076
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,676
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	172
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	513
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	876
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	1,676
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes 529-B (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(7.44%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(2.08%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.97%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Feb. 15, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-C
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	1.00%
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only)	rr_MaximumAccountFee	10
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.99%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.26%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.49%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	271
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	510
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	870
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,879
Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear01	171
Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear03	510
Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear05	870
Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleNoRedemptionYear10	1,879
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes 529-C (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(3.58%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.72%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.98%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Feb. 19, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-E
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only)	rr_MaximumAccountFee	10
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.23%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.97%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	119
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	348
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	594
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,293
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes 529-E (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.15%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.23%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.13%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Mar. 01, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-F-1
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only)	rr_MaximumAccountFee	10
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.25%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.49%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	70
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	197
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	333
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	723
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes 529-F-1 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.62%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.74%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	5.53%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Sep. 16, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-1
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	1.00%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.17%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.41%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	144
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	446
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	771
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,691
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes R-1 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.55%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.66%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.17%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Jun. 06, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-2
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.75%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.42%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	1.41%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	144
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	446
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	771
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,691
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes R-2 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.55%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.70%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	2.77%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 21, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-3
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.50%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.23%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.97%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	99
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	309
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	536
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	1,190
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes R-3 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(2.11%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(1.21%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.51%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	Jun. 04, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-4
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	0.25%
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.16%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.65%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	66
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	208
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	362
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	810
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes R-4 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.83%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.91%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.58%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 28, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-5
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.11%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.35%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	36
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	113
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	197
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	443
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes R-5 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.50%)
Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear05	(0.61%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	3.82%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 15, 2002
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-6
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	rr_MaximumSalesChargeImposedOnPurchasesOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	rr_MaximumDeferredSalesChargeOverOfferingPrice	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	rr_MaximumSalesChargeOnReinvestedDividendsAndDistributionsOverOther	none
Redemption or exchange fees	rr_RedemptionFee	none
Management fees	rr_ManagementFeesOverAssets	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	rr_DistributionAndService12b1FeesOverAssets	none
Other expenses	rr_OtherExpensesOverAssets	0.06%
Total annual fund operating expenses	rr_ExpensesOverAssets	0.30%
Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	rr_ExpenseExampleYear01	31
Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear03	97
Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear05	169
Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years	rr_ExpenseExampleYear10	381
Average Annual Returns, Label	rr_AverageAnnualReturnLabel	Share classes R-6 (before taxes)
Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	rr_AverageAnnualReturnYear01	(1.45%)
Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	rr_AverageAnnualReturnSinceInception	13.43%
Average Annual Returns, Inception Date	rr_AverageAnnualReturnInceptionDate	May 01, 2009

[1] A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge.

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INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA

The Investment Company of America®

Investment objectives

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

Fees and expenses of the fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold
shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your
family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American
Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your
financial professional and in the "Sales charge reductions and waivers" section
on page 26 of the prospectus and on page 57 of the fund's statement of
additional information.

Shareholder fees (fees paid directly from your investment)

Shareholder Fees INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (USD $)	Class A		Class B	Class C	Class F-1	Class F-2	Class 529-A		Class 529-B	Class 529-C	Class 529-E	Class 529-F-1	Class R-1	Class R-2	Class R-3	Class R-4	Class R-5	Class R-6
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)	5.75%		none	none	none	none	5.75%		none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	1.00%	none	none	1.00%	[1]	5.00%	1.00%	none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends	none		none	none	none	none	none		none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none
Redemption or exchange fees	none		none	none	none	none	none		none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none	none
Maximum annual account fee (529 share classes only)							10		10	10	10	10

Annual fund operating expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

Annual Fund Operating Expenses INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA	Class A	Class B	Class C	Class F-1	Class F-2	Class 529-A	Class 529-B	Class 529-C	Class 529-E	Class 529-F-1	Class R-1	Class R-2	Class R-3	Class R-4	Class R-5	Class R-6
Management fees	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%	0.24%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees	0.23%	1.00%	1.00%	0.25%	none	0.22%	1.00%	0.99%	0.50%	none	1.00%	0.75%	0.50%	0.25%	none	none
Other expenses	0.14%	0.14%	0.18%	0.17%	0.16%	0.24%	0.26%	0.26%	0.23%	0.25%	0.17%	0.42%	0.23%	0.16%	0.11%	0.06%
Total annual fund operating expenses	0.61%	1.38%	1.42%	0.66%	0.40%	0.70%	1.50%	1.49%	0.97%	0.49%	1.41%	1.41%	0.97%	0.65%	0.35%	0.30%

Example

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

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods
indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The
example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the
fund's operating expenses remain the same.

Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

Expense Example INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (USD $)	Expense Example, With Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, With Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, With Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, With Redemption, 10 Years
Class A	634	759	896	1,293
Class B	640	837	955	1,447
Class C	245	449	776	1,702
Class F-1	67	211	368	822
Class F-2	41	128	224	505
Class 529-A	662	825	1,001	1,501
Class 529-B	672	913	1,076	1,676
Class 529-C	271	510	870	1,879
Class 529-E	119	348	594	1,293
Class 529-F-1	70	197	333	723
Class R-1	144	446	771	1,691
Class R-2	144	446	771	1,691
Class R-3	99	309	536	1,190
Class R-4	66	208	362	810
Class R-5	36	113	197	443
Class R-6	31	97	169	381

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

Expense Example, No Redemption INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (USD $)	Expense Example, No Redemption, 1 Year	Expense Example, No Redemption, 3 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 5 Years	Expense Example, No Redemption, 10 Years
Class B	140	437	755	1,447
Class C	145	449	776	1,702
Class 529-B	172	513	876	1,676
Class 529-C	171	510	870	1,879

Portfolio turnover

The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells
securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate
may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when
fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not
reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund's
investment results. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund's portfolio
turnover rate was 28% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund invests primarily in common stocks, most of which have a history of
paying dividends. The fund's investments are limited to securities of companies
that are included on its eligible list. In light of the fund's investment
objectives and policies, securities are added to, or deleted from, the eligible
list by the fund's board of trustees after reviewing and acting upon the
recommendations of the fund's investment adviser. The investment adviser bases
its recommendations on a number of factors, such as the fund's investment
objectives and policies, whether a company is considered a leader in its
industry and a company's dividend payment prospects. Although the fund focuses
on investments in medium to larger capitalization companies, the fund's
investments are not limited to a particular capitalization size. In the
selection of common stocks and other securities for investment, potential for
capital appreciation and future dividends are given more weight than current
yield.

The fund may invest up to 15% of its assets, at the time of purchase, in
securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States.

The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in
managing the fund's assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is
divided into segments managed by individual counselors who decide how their
respective segments will be invested.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make
decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment
philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued
companies that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment
opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to
accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with
company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors.
Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer
represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.

Principal risks

This section describes the principal risks associated with the fund's principal
investment strategies. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The
likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time.
Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to
tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.

Market conditions - The prices of, and the income generated by, the common
stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline due to market
conditions and other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of
securities held by the fund.

Investing in income-oriented stocks - Income provided by the fund may be
reduced by changes in the dividend policies of, and the capital resources
available at, the companies in which the fund invests.

Investing in growth-oriented stocks - Growth-oriented stocks may involve larger
price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments.

Investing outside the United States - Securities of issuers domiciled outside
the United States, or with significant operations outside the United States, may
lose value because of political, social, economic or market developments or
instability in the countries or regions in which the issuer operates. These
securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange
rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Securities
markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those
in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject
to different settlement and accounting practices and different regulatory, legal
and reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the
United States.

Management - The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund's
investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and
analyses employed by the investment adviser in this process may not produce
the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment
results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.

Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or
guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other
governmental agency, entity or person. You should consider how this fund fits
into your overall investment program.

Investment results

The following bar chart shows how the fund's investment results have varied from
year to year, and the following table shows how the fund's average annual total
returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market
results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in
the fund. The Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index includes the fund and other
funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably
comparable to the fund's objective and/or strategies. Past investment results
(before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results.
Updated information on the fund's investment results can be obtained by visiting
americanfunds.com.

The following bar chart shows how the fund's investment results have varied from
year to year, and the following table shows how the fund's average annual total
returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market
results.

Calendar year total returns for Class A Shares

Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this period were:

Highest 15.30% (quarter ended June 30, 2009)

Lowest -18.97% (quarter ended December 31, 2008)

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

Average annual total returns For the periods ended December 31, 2011 (with maximum sales charge):

Average Annual Total Returns INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA	Average Annual Returns, Label	Average Annual Returns, 1 Year	Average Annual Returns, 5 Years	Average Annual Returns, 10 Years	Average Annual Returns, Since Inception	Average Annual Returns, Inception Date
Class A	Share class A - Before taxes	(7.41%)	(2.03%)	2.87%	11.88%	Jan. 01, 1934
Class A After Taxes on Distributions	Share class A - After taxes on distributions	(7.70%)	(2.53%)	2.19%
Class A After Taxes on Distributions and Sales	Share class A - After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares	(4.42%)	(1.73%)	2.36%
Class B	Share classes B (before taxes)	(7.34%)	(1.97%)	2.83%	2.54%	Mar. 15, 2000
Class C	Share classes C (before taxes)	(3.54%)	(1.67%)	2.62%	2.46%	Mar. 15, 2001
Class F-1	Share classes F-1 (before taxes)	(1.84%)	(0.91%)	3.41%	3.20%	Mar. 15, 2001
Class F-2	Share classes F-2 (before taxes)	(1.54%)			1.16%	Aug. 01, 2008
Class 529-A	Share classes 529-A (before taxes)	(7.50%)	(2.11%)		3.05%	Feb. 15, 2002
Class 529-B	Share classes 529-B (before taxes)	(7.44%)	(2.08%)		2.97%	Feb. 15, 2002
Class 529-C	Share classes 529-C (before taxes)	(3.58%)	(1.72%)		2.98%	Feb. 19, 2002
Class 529-E	Share classes 529-E (before taxes)	(2.15%)	(1.23%)		3.13%	Mar. 01, 2002
Class 529-F-1	Share classes 529-F-1 (before taxes)	(1.62%)	(0.74%)		5.53%	Sep. 16, 2002
Class R-1	Share classes R-1 (before taxes)	(2.55%)	(1.66%)		3.17%	Jun. 06, 2002
Class R-2	Share classes R-2 (before taxes)	(2.55%)	(1.70%)		2.77%	May 21, 2002
Class R-3	Share classes R-3 (before taxes)	(2.11%)	(1.21%)		3.51%	Jun. 04, 2002
Class R-4	Share classes R-4 (before taxes)	(1.83%)	(0.91%)		3.58%	May 28, 2002
Class R-5	Share classes R-5 (before taxes)	(1.50%)	(0.61%)		3.82%	May 15, 2002
Class R-6	Share classes R-6 (before taxes)	(1.45%)			13.43%	May 01, 2009
S&P 500	S&P 500 (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or taxes)	2.09%	(0.25%)	2.92%	10.55%	Jan. 01, 1934
Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index	Lipper Growth & Income Funds Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or taxes)	(1.82%)	(1.17%)	3.12%

Class A annualized 30-day yield at December 31, 2011: 2.05% (For current yield information, please call American FundsLine® at 800/325-3590.)

[1] A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge.

XML

Label	Element	Value
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Document Type	dei_DocumentType	485BPOS
Document Period End Date	dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate	Dec. 31, 2011
Registrant Name	dei_EntityRegistrantName	INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA
Central Index Key	dei_EntityCentralIndexKey	0000051931
Amendment Flag	dei_AmendmentFlag	false
Document Creation Date	dei_DocumentCreationDate	Feb. 29, 2012
Document Effective Date	dei_DocumentEffectiveDate	Mar. 01, 2012
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class A
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	AIVSX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class B
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	AICBX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class C
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	AICCX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class F-1
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	AICFX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class F-2
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	ICAFX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-A
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	CICAX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-B
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	CICBX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-C
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	CICCX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-E
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	CICEX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class 529-F-1
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	CICFX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-1
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	RICAX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-2
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	RICBX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-3
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	RICCX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-4
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	RICEX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-5
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	RICFX
INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA (Prospectus Summary) | INVESTMENT CO OF AMERICA | Class R-6
Risk Return [Abstract]	rr_RiskReturnAbstract
Trading Symbol	dei_TradingSymbol	RICGX