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, 55th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (949) 975-5000
Date of fiscal year end: December 31
Date of reporting period: June 30, 2022
Hong T. Le
The Investment Company of America
6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
ITEM 1 – Reports to Stockholders
|
The Investment
Semi-annual report |
 |
Invest in a fund whose
objective has stood
the test of time
The Investment Company of America seeks to achieve long-term growth of capital and income.
This fund is one of more than 40 offered by Capital Group, home of American Funds, one of the nation’s largest mutual fund families. For over 90 years, Capital Group 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 F-2 shares. Class A share results are shown at net asset value unless otherwise indicated. If a sales charge (maximum 5.75%) had been deducted from Class A shares, 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. Prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. For current information and month-end results, visit capitalgroup.com.
Here are the average annual total returns on a $1,000 investment for periods ended June 30, 2022:
| 1 year | 5 years | 10 years | ||||||||||
| Class F-2 shares | –11.51 | % | 8.46 | % | 11.35 | % | ||||||
| Class A shares (reflecting 5.75% maximum sales charge) | –16.77 | 6.97 | 10.48 | |||||||||
For other share class results, visit capitalgroup.com and americanfundsretirement.com.
The total annual fund operating expense ratios were 0.37% for Class F-2 shares and 0.57% for Class A shares as of the prospectus dated March 1, 2022 (as supplemented to date).
Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. When applicable, results reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which they would have been lower. Visit capitalgroup.com for more information.
The fund’s 30-day yield as of June 30, 2022, was 1.27% for Class F-2 shares and 1.01% for Class A shares, calculated in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission formula. The Class A share value reflects the 5.75% maximum sales charge.
Investing outside the United States may be subject to risks, such as currency fluctuations, political instability, differing securities regulations and periods of illiquidity. Global diversification can help reduce these risks. Refer to the fund prospectus and the Risk Factors section of this report for more information on these and other risks associated with investing in the fund.
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Fellow investors:
Results for The Investment Company of America for the period ended June 30, 2022, are shown in the table below, as well as results of the fund’s benchmark.
For additional information about the fund, its investment results, holdings and portfolio managers, visit capitalgroup.com/individual/investments/fund/icafx. You can also access information about Capital Group’s American Funds and read our insights about the markets, retirement, saving for college, investing fundamentals and more at capitalgroup.com.
Contents
| 1 | Results at a glance |
| 2 | Investment portfolio |
| 8 | Financial statements |
| 12 | Notes to financial statements |
| 22 | Financial highlights |
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, with all distributions reinvested
| Class F-2 shares | Class A shares | S&P 500 Index* | |||||||||||||
| Income return | 0.69 | % | 0.60 | % | 0.69 | % | |||||||||
| Capital return | –20.01 | % | –20.01 | % | –20.65 | % | |||||||||
| Total return | –19.32 | % | –19.41 | % | –19.96 | % | |||||||||
| * | Source: S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC. The S&P 500 Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the results of approximately 500 widely held common stocks. The S&P 500 Index is unmanaged and, therefore, has no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index. |
| The Investment Company of America | 1 |
| Investment portfolio June 30, 2022 | unaudited |
| Sector diversification | Percent of net assets |
| Common stocks 92.38% | Shares | Value (000) | ||||||
| Energy 6.34% | ||||||||
| Baker Hughes Co., Class A1 | 55,156,569 | $ | 1,592,370 | |||||
| Canadian Natural Resources, Ltd. (CAD denominated) | 23,176,531 | 1,245,432 | ||||||
| Chevron Corp. | 5,579,803 | 807,844 | ||||||
| ConocoPhillips | 4,588,051 | 412,053 | ||||||
| Enviva Inc. | 1,025,376 | 58,672 | ||||||
| EOG Resources, Inc. | 9,063,678 | 1,000,993 | ||||||
| Exxon Mobil Corp. | 3,098,699 | 265,373 | ||||||
| Halliburton Company | 6,477,100 | 203,122 | ||||||
| Pioneer Natural Resources Company | 1,630,800 | 363,799 | ||||||
| TC Energy Corp.2 | 559,362 | 28,980 | ||||||
| TC Energy Corp. (CAD denominated)2 | 6,616,299 | 342,740 | ||||||
| Woodside Energy Group, Ltd. (CDI)3 | 1,887,412 | 39,977 | ||||||
| 6,361,355 | ||||||||
| Materials 3.45% | ||||||||
| Albemarle Corp. | 284,250 | 59,402 | ||||||
| BHP Group, Ltd. (CDI) | 10,444,942 | 292,055 | ||||||
| Corteva, Inc. | 2,000,751 | 108,321 | ||||||
| Ecolab Inc. | 537,000 | 82,569 | ||||||
| Freeport-McMoRan, Inc. | 13,693,600 | 400,675 | ||||||
| Linde PLC | 5,434,437 | 1,562,564 | ||||||
| LyondellBasell Industries NV | 2,075,565 | 181,529 | ||||||
| Rio Tinto PLC | 9,126,173 | 546,188 | ||||||
| Sherwin-Williams Company | 223,166 | 49,969 | ||||||
| Vale SA, ordinary nominative shares (ADR) | 12,260,351 | 179,369 | ||||||
| 3,462,641 | ||||||||
| Industrials 11.35% | ||||||||
| Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. | 223,205 | 20,104 | ||||||
| Airbus SE, non-registered shares | 1,432,322 | 138,768 | ||||||
| BAE Systems PLC | 11,263,900 | 113,833 | ||||||
| Boeing Company3 | 43,337 | 5,925 | ||||||
| Carrier Global Corp. | 34,487,754 | 1,229,833 | ||||||
| CoStar Group, Inc.3 | 1,508,774 | 91,145 | ||||||
| CSX Corp. | 9,562,303 | 277,881 | ||||||
| Cummins, Inc. | 448,940 | 86,883 | ||||||
| Equifax, Inc. | 100,700 | 18,406 | ||||||
| General Dynamics Corp. | 5,555,204 | 1,229,089 | ||||||
| General Electric Co. | 32,881,730 | 2,093,580 | ||||||
| Honeywell International, Inc. | 3,002,262 | 521,823 | ||||||
| Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | 2,470,042 | 450,165 | ||||||
| L3Harris Technologies, Inc. | 915,677 | 221,319 | ||||||
| Lockheed Martin Corp. | 378,605 | 162,785 | ||||||
| Norfolk Southern Corp. | 594,311 | 135,081 | ||||||
| Northrop Grumman Corp. | 1,523,090 | 728,905 | ||||||
| Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. | 300,000 | 76,884 | ||||||
| 2 | The Investment Company of America |
| Common stocks (continued) | Shares | Value (000) | ||||||
| Industrials (continued) | ||||||||
| Otis Worldwide Corp. | 3,056,170 | $ | 215,980 | |||||
| Raytheon Technologies Corp. | 24,510,413 | 2,355,696 | ||||||
| Safran SA2 | 438,524 | 43,294 | ||||||
| Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. | 2,106,779 | 220,917 | ||||||
| TFI International, Inc.1 | 5,528,566 | 443,833 | ||||||
| United Airlines Holdings, Inc.3 | 611,547 | 21,661 | ||||||
| United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B | 280,352 | 51,176 | ||||||
| United Rentals, Inc.3 | 996,885 | 242,153 | ||||||
| Waste Connections, Inc. | 358,030 | 44,382 | ||||||
| Waste Management, Inc. | 983,633 | 150,476 | ||||||
| 11,391,977 | ||||||||
| Consumer discretionary 7.46% | ||||||||
| Amazon.com, Inc.3 | 32,051,020 | 3,404,139 | ||||||
| Aptiv PLC3 | 2,274,526 | 202,592 | ||||||
| Caesars Entertainment, Inc.3 | 984,800 | 37,718 | ||||||
| Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.3 | 20,584 | 26,909 | ||||||
| D.R. Horton, Inc. | 1,781,077 | 117,889 | ||||||
| Darden Restaurants, Inc. | 966,691 | 109,352 | ||||||
| Dollar General Corp. | 680,626 | 167,053 | ||||||
| DoorDash, Inc., Class A3 | 1,163,800 | 74,681 | ||||||
| General Motors Company3 | 13,082,570 | 415,502 | ||||||
| Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. | 1,291,072 | 143,877 | ||||||
| Home Depot, Inc. | 4,143,005 | 1,136,302 | ||||||
| Kering SA | 221,956 | 113,997 | ||||||
| Lear Corp. | 274,963 | 34,615 | ||||||
| Lowe’s Companies, Inc. | 237,382 | 41,464 | ||||||
| McDonald’s Corp. | 1,242,549 | 306,761 | ||||||
| NIKE, Inc., Class B | 1,330,771 | 136,005 | ||||||
| Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd.2,3 | 770,713 | 8,570 | ||||||
| Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.3 | 12,267,367 | 428,254 | ||||||
| Starbucks Corp. | 3,197,941 | 244,291 | ||||||
| Tesla, Inc.3 | 210,125 | 141,502 | ||||||
| TJX Companies, Inc. | 633,130 | 35,360 | ||||||
| VF Corp. | 2,478,320 | 109,467 | ||||||
| YUM! Brands, Inc. | 453,764 | 51,507 | ||||||
| 7,487,807 | ||||||||
| Consumer staples 8.45% | ||||||||
| Altria Group, Inc. | 7,414,233 | 309,692 | ||||||
| Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV | 372,669 | 20,058 | ||||||
| Archer Daniels Midland Company | 1,203,000 | 93,353 | ||||||
| British American Tobacco PLC | 57,546,479 | 2,465,456 | ||||||
| Bunge, Ltd. | 822,130 | 74,559 | ||||||
| Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A | 130,191 | 30,342 | ||||||
| Danone SA | 2,383,066 | 133,008 | ||||||
| General Mills, Inc. | 10,492,735 | 791,677 | ||||||
| Keurig Dr Pepper, Inc. | 12,239,514 | 433,156 | ||||||
| Kraft Heinz Company | 733,368 | 27,971 | ||||||
| Mondelez International, Inc. | 1,873,879 | 116,349 | ||||||
| PepsiCo, Inc. | 3,580,313 | 596,695 | ||||||
| Philip Morris International, Inc. | 33,950,847 | 3,352,307 | ||||||
| Procter & Gamble Company | 289,030 | 41,560 | ||||||
| 8,486,183 | ||||||||
| Health care 12.42% | ||||||||
| Abbott Laboratories | 22,455,408 | 2,439,780 | ||||||
| AbbVie, Inc. | 4,812,270 | 737,047 | ||||||
| AmerisourceBergen Corp. | 899,706 | 127,290 | ||||||
| Amgen, Inc. | 2,122,061 | 516,298 | ||||||
| AstraZeneca PLC | 1,394,668 | 183,355 | ||||||
| AstraZeneca PLC (ADR) | 777,359 | 51,360 | ||||||
| Bristol-Myers Squibb Company | 2,057,989 | 158,465 | ||||||
| Centene Corp.3 | 130,480 | 11,040 | ||||||
| CVS Health Corp. | 1,215,353 | 112,615 | ||||||
| Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd. | 8,079,700 | 204,672 | ||||||
| Danaher Corp. | 1,410,339 | 357,549 | ||||||
| DexCom, Inc.3 | 2,020,968 | 150,623 | ||||||
| The Investment Company of America | 3 |
| Common stocks (continued) | Shares | Value (000) | ||||||
| Health care (continued) | ||||||||
| Edwards Lifesciences Corp.3 | 1,366,528 | $ | 129,943 | |||||
| Elevance Health, Inc. | 683,238 | 329,717 | ||||||
| Eli Lilly and Company | 831,442 | 269,579 | ||||||
| Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 6,433,513 | 397,655 | ||||||
| GSK PLC | 6,847,744 | 147,176 | ||||||
| Humana, Inc. | 617,178 | 288,883 | ||||||
| Medtronic PLC | 5,107,670 | 458,413 | ||||||
| Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B | 1,946,155 | 215,851 | ||||||
| Pfizer, Inc. | 4,848,968 | 254,231 | ||||||
| Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.3 | 78,105 | 46,170 | ||||||
| Roche Holding AG, nonvoting non-registered shares | 581,183 | 193,931 | ||||||
| Stryker Corp. | 1,141,127 | 227,004 | ||||||
| Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)1,3 | 71,716,329 | 539,307 | ||||||
| Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. | 1,949,964 | 1,059,377 | ||||||
| UnitedHealth Group, Inc. | 5,462,742 | 2,805,828 | ||||||
| Zoetis, Inc., Class A | 304,165 | 52,283 | ||||||
| 12,465,442 | ||||||||
| Financials 8.59% | ||||||||
| AIA Group, Ltd. | 28,489,800 | 308,796 | ||||||
| American International Group, Inc. | 17,918,320 | 916,164 | ||||||
| Aon PLC, Class A | 689,741 | 186,009 | ||||||
| Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. | 2,516,236 | 410,247 | ||||||
| Bank of America Corp. | 1,858,306 | 57,849 | ||||||
| Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B3 | 1,873,150 | 511,407 | ||||||
| BlackRock, Inc. | 349,968 | 213,145 | ||||||
| Blackstone, Inc., nonvoting shares | 1,131,885 | 103,262 | ||||||
| Charles Schwab Corp. | 950,000 | 60,021 | ||||||
| Chubb, Ltd. | 3,614,582 | 710,555 | ||||||
| Citizens Financial Group, Inc. | 975,961 | 34,832 | ||||||
| CME Group, Inc., Class A | 1,579,937 | 323,413 | ||||||
| Discover Financial Services | 1,362,654 | 128,880 | ||||||
| First Republic Bank | 1,957,144 | 282,220 | ||||||
| Great-West Lifeco, Inc. | 8,500,000 | 207,547 | ||||||
| JPMorgan Chase & Co. | 5,868,710 | 660,875 | ||||||
| KeyCorp | 1,851,412 | 31,900 | ||||||
| KKR & Co., Inc. | 3,197,914 | 148,031 | ||||||
| Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. | 1,133,776 | 176,019 | ||||||
| Morgan Stanley | 15,452,627 | 1,175,327 | ||||||
| MSCI, Inc. | 454,000 | 187,116 | ||||||
| Nasdaq, Inc. | 1,195,400 | 182,346 | ||||||
| PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. | 5,679,226 | 896,012 | ||||||
| S&P Global, Inc. | 1,673,237 | 563,981 | ||||||
| Signature Bank | 344,732 | 61,779 | ||||||
| Toronto-Dominion Bank (CAD denominated) | 1,347,886 | 88,390 | ||||||
| 8,626,123 | ||||||||
| Information technology 19.29% | ||||||||
| Accenture PLC, Class A | 1,284,292 | 356,584 | ||||||
| Adobe, Inc.3 | 848,359 | 310,550 | ||||||
| Amphenol Corp., Class A | 5,349,717 | 344,415 | ||||||
| Apple, Inc. | 16,153,546 | 2,208,513 | ||||||
| Applied Materials, Inc. | 3,426,101 | 311,707 | ||||||
| ASML Holding NV | 1,254,413 | 599,243 | ||||||
| ASML Holding NV (New York registered) (ADR) | 43,754 | 20,822 | ||||||
| Bill.com Holdings, Inc.3 | 97,079 | 10,673 | ||||||
| Broadcom, Inc. | 7,029,157 | 3,414,835 | ||||||
| Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc.3 | 569,483 | 26,811 | ||||||
| Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A | 841,311 | 56,780 | ||||||
| Datadog, Inc., Class A3 | 829,916 | 79,041 | ||||||
| EPAM Systems, Inc.3 | 1,576,275 | 464,654 | ||||||
| Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. | 1,062,842 | 97,431 | ||||||
| GoDaddy, Inc., Class A3 | 949,543 | 66,050 | ||||||
| Intel Corp. | 961,684 | 35,977 | ||||||
| KLA Corp. | 896,875 | 286,175 | ||||||
| Lam Research Corp. | 165,124 | 70,368 | ||||||
| Mastercard, Inc., Class A | 4,429,201 | 1,397,324 | ||||||
| Micron Technology, Inc. | 3,808,526 | 210,535 | ||||||
| 4 | The Investment Company of America |
| Common stocks (continued) | Shares | Value (000) | ||||||
| Information technology (continued) | ||||||||
| Microsoft Corp. | 29,232,348 | $ | 7,507,744 | |||||
| NetApp, Inc. | 961,428 | 62,724 | ||||||
| Paychex, Inc. | 528,817 | 60,216 | ||||||
| QUALCOMM, Inc. | 2,731,276 | 348,893 | ||||||
| ServiceNow, Inc.3 | 1,082,876 | 514,929 | ||||||
| Shopify, Inc., Class A, subordinate voting shares3 | 211,800 | 6,617 | ||||||
| Snowflake, Inc., Class A3 | 225,042 | 31,294 | ||||||
| SS&C Technologies Holdings, Inc. | 1,320,029 | 76,654 | ||||||
| Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. | 14,507,000 | 232,241 | ||||||
| Texas Instruments, Inc. | 589,205 | 90,531 | ||||||
| Visa, Inc., Class A | 313,279 | 61,682 | ||||||
| 19,362,013 | ||||||||
| Communication services 9.49% | ||||||||
| Alphabet, Inc., Class A3 | 858,485 | 1,870,862 | ||||||
| Alphabet, Inc., Class C3 | 613,175 | 1,341,290 | ||||||
| Charter Communications, Inc., Class A3 | 221,057 | 103,572 | ||||||
| Comcast Corp., Class A | 56,992,597 | 2,236,389 | ||||||
| Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A3 | 20,277,973 | 3,269,823 | ||||||
| Netflix, Inc.3 | 4,005,240 | 700,396 | ||||||
| 9,522,332 | ||||||||
| Utilities 3.67% | ||||||||
| AES Corp. | 8,349,671 | 175,427 | ||||||
| CenterPoint Energy, Inc. | 4,632,365 | 137,025 | ||||||
| CMS Energy Corp. | 1,697,648 | 114,591 | ||||||
| Constellation Energy Corp. | 2,729,985 | 156,319 | ||||||
| Edison International | 11,073,714 | 700,302 | ||||||
| Entergy Corp. | 2,941,462 | 331,326 | ||||||
| Evergy, Inc. | 1,419,429 | 92,618 | ||||||
| Exelon Corp. | 2,876,334 | 130,355 | ||||||
| NextEra Energy, Inc. | 7,611,954 | 589,622 | ||||||
| PG&E Corp.3 | 91,361,505 | 911,788 | ||||||
| Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc. | 2,705,350 | 171,194 | ||||||
| Sempra Energy | 1,119,882 | 168,285 | ||||||
| 3,678,852 | ||||||||
| Real estate 1.87% | ||||||||
| American Tower Corp. REIT | 856,290 | 218,859 | ||||||
| Crown Castle International Corp. REIT | 3,385,647 | 570,075 | ||||||
| Equinix, Inc. REIT | 387,052 | 254,301 | ||||||
| Prologis, Inc. REIT | 876,131 | 103,077 | ||||||
| SBA Communications Corp. REIT | 1,295,505 | 414,626 | ||||||
| VICI Properties, Inc. REIT | 10,498,250 | 312,743 | ||||||
| 1,873,681 | ||||||||
| Total common stocks (cost: $62,984,720,000) | 92,718,406 | |||||||
| Preferred securities 0.07% | ||||||||
| Financials 0.07% | ||||||||
| Fannie Mae, Series O, 7.00% noncumulative preferred shares3 | 4,815,256 | 24,991 | ||||||
| Fannie Mae, Series P, 4.50% noncumulative preferred shares3 | 565,000 | 1,441 | ||||||
| Fannie Mae, Series R, 7.625% noncumulative preferred shares3 | 2,946,415 | 8,044 | ||||||
| Fannie Mae, Series T, 8.25% noncumulative preferred shares3 | 9,922,867 | 30,761 | ||||||
| Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Series V, 5.57% preferred shares3 | 1,818,512 | 4,728 | ||||||
| Total preferred securities (cost: $47,694,000) | 69,965 | |||||||
| Convertible stocks 0.46% | ||||||||
| Consumer discretionary 0.12% | ||||||||
| Aptiv PLC, Series A, convertible preferred shares, 5.50% 20232 | 1,147,279 | 120,912 | ||||||
| Health care 0.06% | ||||||||
| Danaher Corp., Series B, cumulative convertible preferred shares, 5.00% 20232 | 48,693 | 64,431 | ||||||
| The Investment Company of America | 5 |
| Convertible stocks (continued) | Shares | Value (000) | ||||||
| Information technology 0.15% | ||||||||
| Broadcom, Inc., Series A, cumulative convertible preferred shares, 8.00% 2022 | 102,650 | $ | 154,298 | |||||
| Utilities 0.13% | ||||||||
| AES Corp., convertible preferred units, 6.875% 2024 | 507,735 | 43,833 | ||||||
| NextEra Energy, Inc., convertible preferred units, 4.872% 20222 | 1,447,534 | 81,511 | ||||||
| 125,344 | ||||||||
| Total convertible stocks (cost: $498,595,000) | 464,985 | |||||||
| Convertible bonds & notes 0.12% | Principal amount (000) | |||||||
| Consumer discretionary 0.12% | ||||||||
| Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., convertible notes, 2.875% 2023 | USD | 8,524 | 7,751 | |||||
| Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., convertible notes, 4.25% 2023 | 114,728 | 110,139 | ||||||
| Total convertible bonds & notes (cost: $126,488,000) | 117,890 | |||||||
| Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 0.02% | ||||||||
| Corporate bonds, notes & loans 0.02% | ||||||||
| Industrials 0.02% | ||||||||
| TransDigm, Inc. 4.875% 2029 | 21,920 | 17,882 | ||||||
| Consumer discretionary 0.00% | ||||||||
| Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. 11.50% 20254 | 7,180 | 7,395 | ||||||
| Total corporate bonds, notes & loans | 25,277 | |||||||
| Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $25,909,000) | 25,277 | |||||||
| Short-term securities 6.98% | Shares | |||||||
| Money market investments 6.92% | ||||||||
| Capital Group Central Cash Fund 1.38%1,5 | 69,494,001 | 6,948,010 | ||||||
| Money market investments purchased with collateral from securities on loan 0.06% | ||||||||
| Capital Group Central Cash Fund 1.38%1,5,6 | 185,114 | 18,508 | ||||||
| Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, Institutional Shares 1.39%5,6 | 8,400,000 | 8,400 | ||||||
| BlackRock Liquidity Funds – FedFund, Institutional Shares 1.32%5,6 | 7,900,000 | 7,900 | ||||||
| State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Premier Class 1.43%5,6 | 7,400,000 | 7,400 | ||||||
| Morgan Stanley Institutional Liquidity Funds – Government Portfolio, Institutional Class 1.38%5,6 | 6,300,000 | 6,300 | ||||||
| Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust – Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class 1.38%5,6 | 4,600,555 | 4,600 | ||||||
| 53,108 | ||||||||
| Total short-term securities (cost: $7,002,267,000) | 7,001,118 | |||||||
| Total investment securities 100.03% (cost: $70,685,673,000) | 100,397,641 | |||||||
| Other assets less liabilities (0.03)% | (27,943 | ) | ||||||
| Net assets 100.00% | $ | 100,369,698 | ||||||
| 6 | The Investment Company of America |
Investments in affiliates1
| Value of affiliates at 1/1/2022 (000) | Additions (000) | Reductions (000) | Net realized gain (loss) (000) | Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) (000) | Value of affiliates at 6/30/2022 (000) | Dividend income (000) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common stocks 2.57% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy 1.59% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Baker Hughes Co., Class A | $ | 1,327,067 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 265,303 | $ | 1,592,370 | $ | 19,856 | ||||||||||||||
| Health care 0.54% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd. (ADR)3 | 400,638 | 186,740 | — | — | (48,071 | ) | 539,307 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Industrials 0.44% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| TFI International, Inc. | 497,417 | 131,310 | 14,984 | (2,126 | ) | (167,784 | ) | 443,833 | 2,843 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total common stocks | 2,575,510 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Short-term securities 6.94% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments 6.92% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Group Central Cash Fund 1.38%5 | 3,663,521 | 10,084,140 | 6,797,820 | (259 | ) | (1,572 | ) | 6,948,010 | 15,006 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Money market investments purchased with collateral from securities on loan 0.02% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital Group Central Cash Fund 1.38%5,6 | 43,821 | 25,313 | 7 | 18,508 | — | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total short-term securities | 6,966,518 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total 9.51% | $ | (2,385 | ) | $ | 47,876 | $ | 9,542,028 | $ | 37,705 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Affiliate of the fund or part of the same “group of investment companies” as the fund, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. |
| 2 | All or a portion of this security was on loan. The total value of all such securities was $150,293,000, which represented .15% of the net assets of the fund. Refer to Note 5 for more information on securities lending. |
| 3 | Security did not produce income during the last 12 months. |
| 4 | Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A of 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 $7,395,000, which represented .01% of the net assets of the fund. |
| 5 | Rate represents the seven-day yield at 6/30/2022. |
| 6 | Security purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan. Refer to Note 5 for more information on securities lending. |
| 7 | Represents net activity. Refer to Note 5 for more information on securities lending. |
| 8 | Dividend income is included with securities lending income in the fund’s statement of operations and is not shown in this table. |
Key to abbreviations
ADR = American Depositary Receipts
CAD = Canadian dollars
CDI = CREST Depository Interest
REIT = Real Estate Investment Trust
USD = U.S. dollars
Refer to the notes to financial statements.
| The Investment Company of America | 7 |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | unaudited |
| at June 30, 2022 | (dollars in thousands) |
| Assets: | ||||||||
| Investment securities, at value (includes $150,293 of investment securities on loan): | ||||||||
| Unaffiliated issuers (cost: $61,297,639) | $ | 90,855,613 | ||||||
| Affiliated issuers (cost: $9,388,034) | 9,542,028 | $ | 100,397,641 | |||||
| Cash | 152 | |||||||
| Cash denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars (cost: $4,256) | 4,256 | |||||||
| Receivables for: | ||||||||
| Sales of investments | 203,070 | |||||||
| Sales of fund’s shares | 45,608 | |||||||
| Dividends and interest | 142,443 | |||||||
| Securities lending income | 2 | |||||||
| Other | 181 | 391,304 | ||||||
| 100,793,353 | ||||||||
| Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Collateral for securities on loan | 53,108 | |||||||
| Payables for: | ||||||||
| Purchases of investments | 249,672 | |||||||
| Repurchases of fund’s shares | 71,898 | |||||||
| Investment advisory services | 19,955 | |||||||
| Services provided by related parties | 21,009 | |||||||
| Trustees’ deferred compensation | 3,847 | |||||||
| Other | 4,166 | 370,547 | ||||||
| Net assets at June 30, 2022 | $ | 100,369,698 | ||||||
| Net assets consist of: | ||||||||
| Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest | $ | 65,659,053 | ||||||
| Total distributable earnings | 34,710,645 | |||||||
| Net assets at June 30, 2022 | $ | 100,369,698 |
Refer to the notes to financial statements.
| 8 | The Investment Company of America |
| Financial statements (continued) | |
| Statement of assets and liabilities | unaudited |
| at June 30, 2022 (continued) | (dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts) |
Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated
par value) —
unlimited shares authorized (2,456,185 total shares outstanding)
| Net assets | Shares outstanding | Net asset value per share | ||||||||||
| Class A | $ | 63,946,216 | 1,563,896 | $ | 40.89 | |||||||
| Class C | 1,150,791 | 28,506 | 40.37 | |||||||||
| Class T | 11 | — | * | 40.87 | ||||||||
| Class F-1 | 1,220,185 | 29,934 | 40.76 | |||||||||
| Class F-2 | 9,437,284 | 230,990 | 40.86 | |||||||||
| Class F-3 | 3,960,714 | 96,934 | 40.86 | |||||||||
| Class 529-A | 2,930,901 | 71,911 | 40.76 | |||||||||
| Class 529-C | 78,023 | 1,917 | 40.71 | |||||||||
| Class 529-E | 74,073 | 1,824 | 40.60 | |||||||||
| Class 529-T | 15 | — | * | 40.87 | ||||||||
| Class 529-F-1 | 11 | — | * | 40.68 | ||||||||
| Class 529-F-2 | 164,844 | 4,033 | 40.88 | |||||||||
| Class 529-F-3 | 12 | — | * | 40.87 | ||||||||
| Class R-1 | 61,276 | 1,513 | 40.49 | |||||||||
| Class R-2 | 575,866 | 14,201 | 40.55 | |||||||||
| Class R-2E | 73,911 | 1,814 | 40.74 | |||||||||
| Class R-3 | 815,128 | 20,026 | 40.70 | |||||||||
| Class R-4 | 1,070,359 | 26,269 | 40.75 | |||||||||
| Class R-5E | 165,624 | 4,055 | 40.84 | |||||||||
| Class R-5 | 170,430 | 4,170 | 40.87 | |||||||||
| Class R-6 | 14,474,024 | 354,192 | 40.86 | |||||||||
| * | Amount less than one thousand. |
Refer to the notes to financial statements.
| The Investment Company of America | 9 |
Financial statements (continued)
| Statement of operations | unaudited |
| for the six months ended June 30, 2022 | (dollars in thousands) |
| Investment income: | ||||||||
| Income: | ||||||||
| Dividends (net of non-U.S. taxes of $9,209; also includes $37,705 from affiliates) | $ | 1,072,872 | ||||||
| Interest from unaffiliated issuers | 2,773 | |||||||
| Securities lending income (net of fees) | 257 | $ | 1,075,902 | |||||
| Fees and expenses*: | ||||||||
| Investment advisory services | 131,214 | |||||||
| Distribution services | 104,973 | |||||||
| Transfer agent services | 33,197 | |||||||
| Administrative services | 16,978 | |||||||
| 529 plan services | 1,029 | |||||||
| Reports to shareholders | 955 | |||||||
| Registration statement and prospectus | 944 | |||||||
| Trustees’ compensation | (69 | ) | ||||||
| Auditing and legal | 38 | |||||||
| Custodian | 440 | |||||||
| Other | 102 | |||||||
| Total fees and expenses before waiver | 289,801 | |||||||
| Less waiver of fees and expenses: | ||||||||
| Investment advisory services waiver | 35 | |||||||
| Total fees and expenses after waiver | 289,766 | |||||||
| Net investment income | 786,136 | |||||||
| Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation: | ||||||||
| Net realized gain (loss) on: | ||||||||
| Investments: | ||||||||
| Unaffiliated issuers | 4,668,375 | |||||||
| Affiliated issuers | (2,385 | ) | ||||||
| Currency transactions | (944 | ) | 4,665,046 | |||||
| Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on: | ||||||||
| Investments: | ||||||||
| Unaffiliated issuers | (29,845,213 | ) | ||||||
| Affiliated issuers | 47,876 | |||||||
| Currency translations | (1,251 | ) | (29,798,588 | ) | ||||
| Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation | (25,133,542 | ) | ||||||
| Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations | $ | (24,347,406 | ) | |||||
| * | Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the notes to financial statements. |
Refer to the notes to financial statements.
| 10 | The Investment Company of America |
Financial statements (continued)
Statements of changes in net assets
(dollars in thousands)
| Six months ended June 30, 2022* |
Year ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||
| Operations: | ||||||||
| Net investment income | $ | 786,136 | $ | 1,582,226 | ||||
| Net realized gain | 4,665,046 | 8,097,859 | ||||||
| Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation | (29,798,588 | ) | 16,559,004 | |||||
| Net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations | (24,347,406 | ) | 26,239,089 | |||||
| Distributions paid to shareholders | (2,166,176 | ) | (8,411,156 | ) | ||||
| Net capital share transactions | 1,163,886 | (1,296,839 | ) | |||||
| Total (decrease) increase in net assets | (25,349,696 | ) | 16,531,094 | |||||
| Net assets: | ||||||||
| Beginning of period | 125,719,394 | 109,188,300 | ||||||
| End of period | $ | 100,369,698 | $ | 125,719,394 | ||||
| * | Unaudited. |
Refer to the notes to financial statements.
| The Investment Company of America | 11 |
| Notes to financial statements | unaudited |
1. Organization
The Investment Company of America (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income.
The fund has 21 share classes consisting of six retail share classes (Classes A, C, T, F-1, F-2 and F-3), seven 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-C, 529-E, 529-T, 529-F-1, 529-F-2 and 529-F-3) and eight retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6). The 529 college savings plan share classes can be used to save for college education. The retirement plan share classes are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described further in the following table:
| Share class | Initial sales charge | Contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption | Conversion feature | ||||
| Classes A and 529-A | Up to 5.75% for Class A; up to 3.50% for Class 529-A | None (except 1.00% for certain redemptions within 18 months of purchase without an initial sales charge) | None | ||||
| Classes C and 529-C | None | 1.00% for redemptions within one year of purchase | Class C converts to Class A after eight years and Class 529-C converts to Class 529-A after five years | ||||
| Class 529-E | None | None | None | ||||
| Classes T and 529-T* | Up to 2.50% | None | None | ||||
| Classes F-1, F-2, F-3, 529-F-1, 529-F-2 and 529-F-3 | None | None | None | ||||
| Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 | None | None | None |
| * | Class T and 529-T shares are not available for purchase. |
Holders of all share classes have equal pro rata rights to the assets, dividends and liquidation proceeds of the fund. 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, transfer agent and administrative 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 share class.
2. Significant accounting policies
The fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The fund’s financial statements have been prepared to comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require the fund’s investment adviser to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events, if any, have been evaluated through the date of issuance in the preparation of the financial statements. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described in this section, 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. In the event a security is purchased with a delayed payment date, the fund will segregate liquid assets sufficient to meet its payment obligations. 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), realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, transfer agent and administrative services, are charged directly to the respective share class.
Distributions paid to shareholders — Income dividends and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
| 12 | The Investment Company of America |
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 supplied by one or more pricing vendors 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. 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 in the fund’s statement of operations. 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
Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”), the fund’s investment adviser, values the fund’s investments at fair value as defined by U.S. GAAP. The net asset value per share is calculated once daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, normally 4 p.m. New York time, each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Methods and inputs — The fund’s investment adviser uses the following methods and inputs to establish the fair value of the fund’s 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 on which the security trades.
Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities, are generally valued at prices obtained 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 & loans; 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 |
When the fund’s investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or deemed to be not representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and ask prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if ask 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 for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the fund’s investment adviser. The Capital Group Central Cash Fund (“CCF”), a fund within the Capital Group Central Fund Series (“Central Funds”), is valued based upon a floating net asset value, which fluctuates with changes in the value of CCF’s portfolio securities. The underlying securities are valued based on the policies and procedures in CCF’s statement of additional information.
| The Investment Company of America | 13 |
Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the fund’s investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under fair valuation guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s board of trustees as further described. The investment adviser follows fair valuation guidelines, consistent with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and guidance, to consider relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. The investment adviser considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as 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. In addition, the closing prices of equity securities that trade in markets outside U.S. time zones may be adjusted to reflect significant events that occur after the close of local trading but before the net asset value of each share class of the fund is determined. 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.
Processes and structure — The fund’s board of trustees has delegated authority to the fund’s investment adviser to make fair value determinations, subject to board oversight. The investment adviser has established a Joint Fair Valuation Committee (the “Fair Valuation Committee”) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process, and to make fair value decisions. The Fair Valuation Committee regularly reviews its own fair value decisions, as well as decisions made under its standing instructions to the investment adviser’s valuation teams. The Fair Valuation Committee reviews changes in fair value measurements from period to period and may, as deemed appropriate, update the fair valuation guidelines to better reflect the results of back testing and address new or evolving issues. The Fair Valuation Committee reports any changes to the fair valuation guidelines to the board of trustees. The fund’s board and audit committee also regularly review reports that describe fair value determinations and methods.
The fund’s investment adviser has also established a Fixed-Income Pricing Review Group to administer and oversee the fixed-income valuation process, including the use of fixed-income pricing vendors. This group regularly reviews pricing vendor information and market data. Pricing decisions, processes and controls over security valuation are also subject to additional internal reviews facilitated by the investment adviser’s global risk management group.
Classifications — The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s 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. Certain securities trading outside the U.S. may transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 due to valuation adjustments resulting from significant market movements following the close of local trading. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’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, 2022 (dollars in thousands):
| Investment securities | ||||||||||||||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Total | |||||||||||||
| Assets: | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stocks: | ||||||||||||||||
| Energy | $ | 6,361,355 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6,361,355 | ||||||||
| Materials | 3,462,641 | — | — | 3,462,641 | ||||||||||||
| Industrials | 11,391,977 | — | — | 11,391,977 | ||||||||||||
| Consumer discretionary | 7,487,807 | — | — | 7,487,807 | ||||||||||||
| Consumer staples | 8,486,183 | — | — | 8,486,183 | ||||||||||||
| Health care | 12,465,442 | — | — | 12,465,442 | ||||||||||||
| Financials | 8,626,123 | — | — | 8,626,123 | ||||||||||||
| Information technology | 19,362,013 | — | — | 19,362,013 | ||||||||||||
| Communication services | 9,522,332 | — | — | 9,522,332 | ||||||||||||
| Utilities | 3,678,852 | — | — | 3,678,852 | ||||||||||||
| Real estate | 1,873,681 | — | — | 1,873,681 | ||||||||||||
| Preferred securities | 69,965 | — | — | 69,965 | ||||||||||||
| Convertible stocks | 464,985 | — | — | 464,985 | ||||||||||||
| Convertible bonds & notes | — | 117,890 | — | 117,890 | ||||||||||||
| Bonds, notes & other debt instruments | — | 25,277 | — | 25,277 | ||||||||||||
| Short-term securities | 7,001,118 | — | — | 7,001,118 | ||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 100,254,474 | $ | 143,167 | $ | — | $ | 100,397,641 | ||||||||
| 14 | The Investment Company of America |
4. Risk factors
Investing in the fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.
Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline —sometimes rapidly or unpredictably — due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental, governmental agency or central bank responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.
Economies and financial markets throughout the world are highly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, wars, terrorism, cybersecurity events, natural disasters, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious disease) and other circumstances in one country or region, including actions taken by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities in response to any of the foregoing, could have impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries affected, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by developments in other countries and regions.
Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance, major litigation, investigations or other controversies related to the issuer, changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or its competitive environment and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.
Investing in income-oriented stocks — The value of the fund’s securities and income provided by the fund may be reduced by changes in the dividend policies of, and the capital resources available for dividend payments at, the companies in which the fund invests.
Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments.
Investing outside the U.S. — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the U.S., or with significant operations or revenues outside the U.S., may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. 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. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as nationalization, currency blockage or the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes, each of which could adversely impact the value of these securities. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the U.S. Investments outside the U.S. may also be subject to different accounting and auditing practices and standards and different regulatory, legal and reporting requirements, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the U.S. In addition, the value of investments outside the U.S. may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the U.S. may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.
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, including models, tools and data, employed by the investment adviser in this process may be flawed or incorrect and 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.
| The Investment Company of America | 15 |
5. Certain investment techniques
Securities lending — The fund has entered into securities lending transactions in which the fund earns income by lending investment securities to brokers, dealers or other institutions. Each transaction involves three parties: the fund, acting as the lender of the securities, a borrower, and a lending agent that acts as an intermediary.
Securities lending transactions are entered into by the fund under a securities lending agent agreement with the lending agent. The lending agent facilitates the exchange of securities between the fund and approved borrowers, ensures that securities loans are properly coordinated and documented, marks-to-market the value of collateral daily, secures additional collateral from a borrower if it falls below preset terms, and may reinvest cash collateral on behalf of the fund according to agreed parameters. The lending agent provides indemnification to the fund against losses resulting from a borrower default. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral and indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and a potential loss of income or value if a borrower fails to return securities, collateral investments decline in value or the lending agent fails to perform.
The borrower is required to post highly liquid assets, such as cash or U.S. government securities, as collateral for the loan in an amount at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. Investments made with cash collateral are recognized as assets in the fund’s investment portfolio. The same amount is recorded as a liability in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. While securities are on loan, the fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest, dividends or other distributions paid by the issuer, as well as a portion of the interest on the investment of the collateral. Additionally, although the fund does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan, the fund has a right to consent on corporate actions and a right to recall loaned securities to vote. A borrower is obligated to return loaned securities at the conclusion of a loan or, during the pendency of a loan, on demand from the fund.
As of June 30, 2022, the total value of securities on loan was $150,293,000, and the total value of collateral received was $156,545,000. Collateral received includes cash of $53,108,000 and U.S. government securities of $103,437,000. Investment securities purchased from cash collateral are disclosed in the fund’s investment portfolio as short-term securities. Securities received as collateral are not recognized as fund assets. The contractual maturity of cash collateral received under the securities lending agreement is classified as overnight and continuous.
6. Taxation and distributions
Federal income taxation — The fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies 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, 2022, 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 significant interest or penalties.
The fund’s tax returns are generally not subject to examination by federal, state and, if applicable, non-U.S. tax authorities after the expiration of each jurisdiction’s statute of limitations, which is typically three years after the date of filing but can be extended in certain jurisdictions.
Non-U.S. taxation — Dividend and interest income are recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. The fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. As a result of rulings from European courts, the fund filed for additional reclaims related to prior years. These reclaims are recorded when the amount is known and there are no significant uncertainties on collectability. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the fund recognized $2,042,000 in reclaims (net of $167,000 in fees and the effect of realized gain or loss from currency translations) and $175,000 in interest related to European court rulings, which is included in dividend income and interest income, respectively, in the fund’s statement of operations. Gains realized by the fund on the sale of securities in certain countries, if any, may be subject to non-U.S. taxes. If applicable, the fund records an estimated deferred tax liability based on unrealized gains to provide for potential non-U.S. taxes payable upon the sale of these securities.
Distributions — Distributions determined on a tax basis 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 and capital losses related to sales of certain securities within 30 days of purchase. 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.
| 16 | The Investment Company of America |
The components of distributable earnings on a tax basis are reported as of the fund’s most recent year-end. As of December 31, 2021, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Undistributed ordinary income | $ | 454,657 | ||
| Undistributed long-term capital gains | 1,384,012 |
As of June 30, 2022, the tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investments were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Gross unrealized appreciation on investments | $ | 33,724,318 | ||
| Gross unrealized depreciation on investments | (4,101,350 | ) | ||
| Net unrealized appreciation on investments | 29,622,968 | |||
| Cost of investments | 70,774,673 |
Distributions paid were characterized for tax purposes as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Six months ended June 30, 2022 | Year ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share class | Ordinary income | Long-term capital gains | Total distributions paid | Ordinary income | Long-term capital gains | Total distributions paid | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | $ | 480,469 | $ | 882,169 | $ | 1,362,638 | $ | 936,610 | $ | 4,470,405 | $ | 5,407,015 | ||||||||||||
| Class C | 3,714 | 16,131 | 19,845 | 7,386 | 85,967 | 93,353 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class T | — | * | — | * | — | * | — | * | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Class F-1 | 8,745 | 16,905 | 25,650 | 18,840 | 89,466 | 108,306 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-2 | 80,304 | 130,248 | 210,552 | 145,754 | 619,535 | 765,289 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-3 | 36,046 | 54,510 | 90,556 | 68,291 | 266,047 | 334,338 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-A | 21,410 | 40,485 | 61,895 | 41,645 | 204,875 | 246,520 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-C | 219 | 1,076 | 1,295 | 492 | 6,192 | 6,684 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-E | 440 | 1,031 | 1,471 | 875 | 5,318 | 6,193 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-T | — | * | — | * | — | * | — | * | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-1 | — | * | — | * | — | * | — | * | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-2 | 1,402 | 2,259 | 3,661 | 2,379 | 10,377 | 12,756 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-3 | — | * | — | * | — | * | — | * | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||
| Class R-1 | 191 | 853 | 1,044 | 363 | 4,412 | 4,775 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2 | 1,660 | 8,021 | 9,681 | 3,330 | 41,635 | 44,965 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2E | 338 | 1,016 | 1,354 | 633 | 5,026 | 5,659 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-3 | 4,465 | 11,295 | 15,760 | 9,184 | 59,009 | 68,193 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-4 | 7,911 | 15,123 | 23,034 | 16,642 | 80,261 | 96,903 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5E | 1,348 | 2,266 | 3,614 | 2,304 | 10,838 | 13,142 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5 | 1,534 | 2,345 | 3,879 | 3,159 | 12,413 | 15,572 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-6 | 131,792 | 198,455 | 330,247 | 258,247 | 923,242 | 1,181,489 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 781,988 | $ | 1,384,188 | $ | 2,166,176 | $ | 1,516,134 | $ | 6,895,022 | $ | 8,411,156 | ||||||||||||
| * | Amount less than one thousand. |
| The Investment Company of America | 17 |
7. Fees and transactions with related parties
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. CRMC, AFD and AFS are considered related parties to the fund.
Investment advisory services — The fund has an investment advisory and service agreement with CRMC that provides for monthly fees accrued daily. At the beginning of the year, these fees were 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. On March 8, 2022, the fund’s board of trustees approved an amended investment advisory and service agreement effective May 1, 2022, decreasing the annual rate to 0.216% on daily net assets in excess of $115 billion. CRMC waived investment advisory services fees of $35,000 in advance of the amended investment advisory agreement. CRMC does not intend to recoup this waiver. As a result, the fees shown on the fund’s statement of operations of $131,214,000 were reduced to $131,179,000, both of which were equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.232% 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 further described below:
Distribution services — The fund has plans of distribution for all share classes, except Class F-2, F-3, 529-F-2, 529-F-3, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares. 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 in this section. 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.
| Share class | Currently approved limits | Plan limits | ||||||
| Class A | 0.25 | % | 0.25 | % | ||||
| Class 529-A | 0.25 | 0.50 | ||||||
| Classes C, 529-C and R-1 | 1.00 | 1.00 | ||||||
| Class R-2 | 0.75 | 1.00 | ||||||
| Class R-2E | 0.60 | 0.85 | ||||||
| Classes 529-E and R-3 | 0.50 | 0.75 | ||||||
| Classes T, F-1, 529-T, 529-F-1 and R-4 | 0.25 | 0.50 | ||||||
For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limits are not exceeded. As of June 30, 2022, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.
Transfer agent services — The fund has a shareholder services agreement with AFS under which the fund compensates AFS for providing transfer agent services to each of the fund’s share classes. These services include recordkeeping, shareholder communications and transaction processing. In addition, the fund reimburses AFS for amounts paid to third parties for performing transfer agent services on behalf of fund shareholders.
Administrative services — The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC under which the fund compensates CRMC for providing administrative services to all share classes. Administrative services are provided by CRMC and its affiliates to help assist third parties providing non-distribution services to fund shareholders. These services include providing in-depth information on the fund and market developments that impact fund investments. Administrative services also include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders. The agreement provides the fund the ability to charge an administrative services fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class of the fund. Currently the fund pays CRMC an administrative services fee at the annual rate of 0.03% of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class of the fund for CRMC’s provision of administrative services.
| 18 | The Investment Company of America |
529 plan services — Each 529 share class is subject to service fees to compensate the Virginia College Savings Plan (“Virginia529”) for its oversight and administration of the CollegeAmerica 529 college savings plan. The fees are based on the combined net assets invested in Class 529 and ABLE shares of the American Funds. Class ABLE shares are offered on other American Funds by Virginia529 through ABLEAmerica®, a tax-advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities. Virginia529 is not considered a related party to the fund.
The quarterly fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.09% on the first $20 billion of the combined net assets invested in the American Funds and decreasing to 0.03% on such assets in excess of $75 billion. The fees for any given calendar quarter are accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 and ABLE shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, the 529 plan services fees were $1,029,000, which were equivalent to 0.056% of the average daily net assets of each 529 share class.
For the six months ended June 30, 2022, class-specific expenses under the agreements were as follows (dollars in thousands):
| Share class | Distribution services | Transfer agent services | Administrative services | 529 plan services |
|||||||||||
| Class A | $85,238 | $22,401 | $10,876 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class C | 6,708 | 415 | 202 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class T | — | — | * | — | * | Not applicable | |||||||||
| Class F-1 | 1,714 | 881 | 210 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class F-2 | Not applicable | 5,499 | 1,565 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class F-3 | Not applicable | 16 | 659 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class 529-A | 3,709 | 932 | 496 | $929 | |||||||||||
| Class 529-C | 459 | 27 | 14 | 26 | |||||||||||
| Class 529-E | 210 | 13 | 13 | 24 | |||||||||||
| Class 529-T | — | — | * | — | * | — | * | ||||||||
| Class 529-F-1 | — | — | * | — | * | — | * | ||||||||
| Class 529-F-2 | Not applicable | 37 | 27 | 50 | |||||||||||
| Class 529-F-3 | Not applicable | — | * | — | * | — | * | ||||||||
| Class R-1 | 341 | 33 | 10 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class R-2 | 2,459 | 1,206 | 98 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class R-2E | 248 | 87 | 12 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class R-3 | 2,317 | 728 | 139 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class R-4 | 1,570 | 666 | 189 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class R-5E | Not applicable | 146 | 28 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class R-5 | Not applicable | 51 | 30 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Class R-6 | Not applicable | 59 | 2,410 | Not applicable | |||||||||||
| Total class-specific expenses | $104,973 | $33,197 | $16,978 | $1,029 | |||||||||||
| * | Amount less than one thousand. |
Trustees’ deferred compensation — Trustees 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’ compensation of $(69,000) in the fund’s statement of operations reflects $373,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net decrease of $442,000 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, AFD and AFS. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.
Investment in CCF — The fund holds shares of CCF, an institutional prime money market fund managed by CRMC. CCF invests in high-quality, short-term money market instruments. CCF is used as the primary investment vehicle for the fund’s short-term instruments. CCF shares are only available for purchase by CRMC, its affiliates, and other funds managed by CRMC or its affiliates, and are not available to the public. CRMC does not receive an investment advisory services fee from CCF.
| The Investment Company of America | 19 |
Security transactions with related funds — The fund purchased investment securities from, and sold investment securities to, other funds managed by CRMC (or funds managed by certain affiliates of CRMC) under procedures adopted by the fund’s board of trustees. The funds involved in such transactions are considered related by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers. Each transaction was executed at the current market price of the security and no brokerage commissions or fees were paid in accordance with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the fund engaged in such purchase and sale transactions with related funds in the amounts of $1,038,939,000 and $461,056,000, respectively, which generated $50,529,000 of net realized gains from such sales.
Interfund lending — Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with other CRMC-managed funds (or funds managed by certain affiliates of CRMC), may participate in an interfund lending program. The program provides an alternate credit facility that permits the funds to lend or borrow cash for temporary purposes directly to or from one another, subject to the conditions of the exemptive order. The fund did not lend or borrow cash through the interfund lending program at any time during the six months ended June 30, 2022.
8. Warrants
As of June 30, 2022, the fund had warrants outstanding which may be exercised at any time for the purchase of 818,231 Class A shares at approximately $5.24 per share. If these warrants had been exercised as of June 30, 2022, the net asset value of each share class would have been reduced by approximately $0.02 per share. No warrants were exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2022.
9. Indemnifications
The fund’s organizational documents provide board members and officers with indemnification against certain liabilities or expenses in connection with the performance of their duties to the fund. In the normal course of business, the fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since it is dependent on future claims that may be made against the fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote. Insurance policies are also available to the fund’s board members and officers.
10. Capital share transactions
Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):
| Sales* | Reinvestments of distributions | Repurchases* | Net (decrease) increase | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share class | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Six months ended June 30, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | $ | 1,700,607 | 36,179 | $ | 1,328,986 | 31,450 | $ | (3,386,799 | ) | (72,722 | ) | $ | (357,206 | ) | (5,093 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Class C | 78,305 | 1,679 | 19,771 | 479 | (177,636 | ) | (3,848 | ) | (79,560 | ) | (1,690 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class T | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-1 | 24,418 | 522 | 25,181 | 598 | (96,297 | ) | (2,070 | ) | (46,698 | ) | (950 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-2 | 1,271,173 | 27,272 | 204,927 | 4,846 | (1,026,129 | ) | (22,049 | ) | 449,971 | 10,069 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-3 | 466,833 | 9,968 | 86,300 | 2,038 | (422,916 | ) | (9,029 | ) | 130,217 | 2,977 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-A | 127,315 | 2,706 | 61,875 | 1,469 | (199,082 | ) | (4,219 | ) | (9,892 | ) | (44 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-C | 7,612 | 162 | 1,294 | 31 | (19,147 | ) | (405 | ) | (10,241 | ) | (212 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-E | 2,658 | 57 | 1,471 | 35 | (5,226 | ) | (112 | ) | (1,097 | ) | (20 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-T | — | — | — | † | — | † | — | — | — | † | — | † | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-1 | — | — | — | † | — | † | — | — | — | † | — | † | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-2 | 23,542 | 498 | 3,661 | 87 | (12,252 | ) | (260 | ) | 14,951 | 325 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-3 | — | — | — | † | — | † | — | — | — | † | — | † | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-1 | 5,146 | 110 | 1,037 | 25 | (6,436 | ) | (139 | ) | (253 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2 | 57,504 | 1,237 | 9,676 | 234 | (90,541 | ) | (1,913 | ) | (23,361 | ) | (442 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2E | 10,150 | 213 | 1,354 | 32 | (10,508 | ) | (218 | ) | 996 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-3 | 78,386 | 1,657 | 15,748 | 376 | (121,795 | ) | (2,564 | ) | (27,661 | ) | (531 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-4 | 74,044 | 1,553 | 23,006 | 547 | (173,140 | ) | (3,727 | ) | (76,090 | ) | (1,627 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5E | 28,059 | 586 | 3,612 | 85 | (25,079 | ) | (530 | ) | 6,592 | 141 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5 | 11,202 | 238 | 3,875 | 92 | (23,932 | ) | (513 | ) | (8,855 | ) | (183 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-6 | 1,268,517 | 25,620 | 330,241 | 7,796 | (396,685 | ) | (8,415 | ) | 1,202,073 | 25,001 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net increase (decrease) | $ | 5,235,471 | 110,257 | $ | 2,122,015 | 50,220 | $ | (6,193,600 | ) | (132,733 | ) | $ | 1,163,886 | 27,744 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | The Investment Company of America |
| Sales* | Reinvestments of distributions | Repurchases* | Net increase (decrease) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Share class | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | Amount | Shares | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A | $ | 3,785,679 | 76,729 | $ | 5,274,174 | 104,211 | $ | (7,192,513 | ) | (145,421 | ) | $ | 1,867,340 | 35,519 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Class C | 187,433 | 3,843 | 93,012 | 1,858 | (338,272 | ) | (6,933 | ) | (57,827 | ) | (1,232 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class T | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-1 | 75,240 | 1,532 | 106,796 | 2,118 | (638,700 | ) | (13,130 | ) | (456,664 | ) | (9,480 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-2 | 2,648,165 | 53,549 | 744,049 | 14,712 | (2,031,848 | ) | (41,112 | ) | 1,360,366 | 27,149 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-3 | 942,053 | 19,181 | 317,260 | 6,275 | (967,656 | ) | (19,697 | ) | 291,657 | 5,759 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-A | 275,391 | 5,582 | 246,444 | 4,884 | (496,703 | ) | (10,061 | ) | 25,132 | 405 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-C | 18,705 | 380 | 6,681 | 132 | (51,090 | ) | (1,034 | ) | (25,704 | ) | (522 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-E | 6,305 | 128 | 6,188 | 123 | (14,878 | ) | (303 | ) | (2,385 | ) | (52 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-T | — | — | 1 | — | † | — | — | 1 | — | † | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-1 | — | — | 1 | — | † | — | — | 1 | — | † | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-2 | 44,799 | 901 | 12,754 | 252 | (24,738 | ) | (498 | ) | 32,815 | 655 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-3 | — | — | 1 | — | † | — | — | 1 | — | † | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-1 | 10,059 | 206 | 4,740 | 95 | (18,414 | ) | (375 | ) | (3,615 | ) | (74 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2 | 125,478 | 2,568 | 44,935 | 894 | (183,585 | ) | (3,770 | ) | (13,172 | ) | (308 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2E | 18,736 | 382 | 5,659 | 112 | (20,196 | ) | (415 | ) | 4,199 | 79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-3 | 168,317 | 3,452 | 68,132 | 1,352 | (286,398 | ) | (5,855 | ) | (49,949 | ) | (1,051 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-4 | 146,332 | 2,990 | 96,836 | 1,920 | (354,580 | ) | (7,202 | ) | (111,412 | ) | (2,292 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5E | 94,814 | 1,919 | 13,138 | 260 | (26,468 | ) | (541 | ) | 81,484 | 1,638 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5 | 21,398 | 434 | 15,558 | 308 | (39,215 | ) | (796 | ) | (2,259 | ) | (54 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-6 | 2,229,888 | 45,446 | 1,181,486 | 23,387 | (7,648,222 | ) | (155,857 | ) | (4,236,848 | ) | (87,024 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net increase (decrease) | $ | 10,798,792 | 219,222 | $ | 8,237,845 | 162,893 | $ | (20,333,476 | ) | (413,000 | ) | $ | (1,296,839 | ) | (30,885 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| * | Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund. |
| † | Amount less than one thousand. |
11. Investment transactions
The fund engaged in purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $19,544,608,000 and $22,994,812,000, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2022.
| The Investment Company of America | 21 |
| (Loss) income from investment operations1 | Dividends and distributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended | Net asset value, beginning of year | 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 year | Total return2,3 | Net assets, end of year (in millions) | Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimburse- ments4 | Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimburse- ments3,4 | Ratio of net income to average net assets3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | $ | 51.80 | $ | .31 | $ | (10.34 | ) | $ | (10.03 | ) | $ | (.31 | ) | $ | (.57 | ) | $ | (.88 | ) | $ | 40.89 | (19.41 | )%7 | $ | 63,946 | .56 | %8 | .56 | %8 | 1.34 | %8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.42 | .64 | 10.34 | 10.98 | (.62 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.60 | ) | 51.80 | 25.01 | 81,274 | .57 | .57 | 1.29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.57 | .60 | 4.98 | 5.58 | (.62 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.73 | ) | 44.42 | 14.50 | 68,122 | .59 | .59 | 1.54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.91 | .70 | 7.53 | 8.23 | (.76 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.57 | ) | 39.57 | 24.54 | 63,959 | .59 | .59 | 1.86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.39 | .75 | (3.28 | ) | (2.53 | ) | (.74 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.95 | ) | 33.91 | (6.51 | ) | 54,973 | .57 | .57 | 1.85 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.23 | .69 | 6.41 | 7.10 | (.68 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.94 | ) | 40.39 | 19.73 | 63,640 | .57 | .57 | 1.76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class C: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.14 | .13 | (10.20 | ) | (10.07 | ) | (.13 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.70 | ) | 40.37 | (19.72 | )7 | 1,151 | 1.33 | 8 | 1.33 | 8 | .57 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 43.90 | .26 | 10.21 | 10.47 | (.25 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.23 | ) | 51.14 | 24.08 | 1,544 | 1.32 | 1.32 | .54 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.10 | .30 | 4.94 | 5.24 | (.33 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.44 | ) | 43.90 | 13.64 | 1,380 | 1.33 | 1.33 | .79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.54 | .41 | 7.43 | 7.84 | (.47 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.28 | ) | 39.10 | 23.57 | 1,580 | 1.35 | 1.35 | 1.09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 39.98 | .42 | (3.24 | ) | (2.82 | ) | (.41 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.62 | ) | 33.54 | (7.24 | ) | 1,498 | 1.36 | 1.36 | 1.05 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 35.89 | .37 | 6.34 | 6.71 | (.36 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.62 | ) | 39.98 | 18.77 | 1,806 | 1.38 | 1.38 | .95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class T: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.78 | .37 | (10.34 | ) | (9.97 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.94 | ) | 40.87 | (19.31 | )7,9 | — | 10 | .33 | 8,9 | .33 | 8,9 | 1.57 | 8,9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.41 | .75 | 10.34 | 11.09 | (.74 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.72 | ) | 51.78 | 25.29 | 9 | — | 10 | .34 | 9 | .34 | 9 | 1.52 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.56 | .69 | 4.99 | 5.68 | (.72 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.83 | ) | 44.41 | 14.79 | 9 | — | 10 | .35 | 9 | .35 | 9 | 1.77 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.91 | .79 | 7.52 | 8.31 | (.85 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.66 | ) | 39.56 | 24.79 | 9 | — | 10 | .35 | 9 | .35 | 9 | 2.09 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.38 | .83 | (3.27 | ) | (2.44 | ) | (.82 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.03 | ) | 33.91 | (6.29 | )9 | — | 10 | .36 | 9 | .36 | 9 | 2.05 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/20175,11 | 38.08 | .56 | 4.59 | 5.15 | (.59 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.85 | ) | 40.38 | 13.61 | 7,9 | — | 10 | .38 | 8,9 | .38 | 8,9 | 1.92 | 8,9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-1: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.64 | .29 | (10.31 | ) | (10.02 | ) | (.29 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.86 | ) | 40.76 | (19.44 | )7 | 1,220 | .64 | 8 | .64 | 8 | 1.26 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.29 | .60 | 10.31 | 10.91 | (.58 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.56 | ) | 51.64 | 24.92 | 1,595 | .64 | .64 | 1.22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.45 | .57 | 4.98 | 5.55 | (.60 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.71 | ) | 44.29 | 14.44 | 1,788 | .65 | .65 | 1.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.82 | .67 | 7.50 | 8.17 | (.73 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.54 | ) | 39.45 | 24.43 | 1,922 | .66 | .66 | 1.78 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.29 | .71 | (3.27 | ) | (2.56 | ) | (.70 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.91 | ) | 33.82 | (6.59 | ) | 1,639 | .66 | .66 | 1.76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.15 | .65 | 6.39 | 7.04 | (.64 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.90 | ) | 40.29 | 19.60 | 2,039 | .68 | .68 | 1.66 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-2: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.76 | .36 | (10.33 | ) | (9.97 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.93 | ) | 40.86 | (19.32 | )7 | 9,437 | .37 | 8 | .37 | 8 | 1.53 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.39 | .74 | 10.33 | 11.07 | (.72 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.70 | ) | 51.76 | 25.27 | 11,435 | .37 | .37 | 1.49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.55 | .67 | 4.98 | 5.65 | (.70 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.81 | ) | 44.39 | 14.73 | 8,602 | .38 | .38 | 1.74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.90 | .77 | 7.52 | 8.29 | (.83 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.64 | ) | 39.55 | 24.76 | 7,986 | .39 | .39 | 2.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.37 | .82 | (3.27 | ) | (2.45 | ) | (.81 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.02 | ) | 33.90 | (6.31 | ) | 6,067 | .39 | .39 | 2.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.21 | .76 | 6.41 | 7.17 | (.75 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (3.01 | ) | 40.37 | 19.94 | 4,840 | .40 | .40 | 1.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class F-3: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.77 | .38 | (10.34 | ) | (9.96 | ) | (.38 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.95 | ) | 40.86 | (19.29 | )7 | 3,961 | .27 | 8 | .27 | 8 | 1.64 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.40 | .79 | 10.33 | 11.12 | (.77 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.75 | ) | 51.77 | 25.39 | 4,864 | .27 | .27 | 1.60 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.55 | .72 | 4.98 | 5.70 | (.74 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.85 | ) | 44.40 | 14.88 | 3,916 | .28 | .28 | 1.85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.90 | .82 | 7.52 | 8.34 | (.88 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.69 | ) | 39.55 | 24.89 | 3,571 | .29 | .29 | 2.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.37 | .86 | (3.28 | ) | (2.42 | ) | (.84 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.05 | ) | 33.90 | (6.24 | ) | 2,562 | .30 | .30 | 2.12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/20175,12 | 37.51 | .74 | 5.17 | 5.91 | (.79 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (3.05 | ) | 40.37 | 15.91 | 7 | 2,817 | .30 | 8 | .30 | 8 | 1.99 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-A: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.64 | .30 | (10.31 | ) | (10.01 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.87 | ) | 40.76 | (19.43 | )7 | 2,931 | .60 | 8 | .60 | 8 | 1.30 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.29 | .62 | 10.31 | 10.93 | (.60 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.58 | ) | 51.64 | 24.97 | 3,716 | .61 | .61 | 1.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.46 | .57 | 4.97 | 5.54 | (.60 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.71 | ) | 44.29 | 14.43 | 3,169 | .64 | .64 | 1.49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.82 | .67 | 7.52 | 8.19 | (.74 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.55 | ) | 39.46 | 24.46 | 2,884 | .65 | .65 | 1.79 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.29 | .71 | (3.27 | ) | (2.56 | ) | (.70 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.91 | ) | 33.82 | (6.59 | ) | 2,495 | .66 | .66 | 1.76 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.15 | .65 | 6.40 | 7.05 | (.65 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.91 | ) | 40.29 | 19.62 | 2,843 | .66 | .66 | 1.67 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Refer to the end of the table for footnotes.
| 22 | The Investment Company of America |
Financial highlights (continued)
| (Loss) income from investment operations1 | Dividends and distributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended | Net asset value, beginning of year | 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 year | Total return2,3 | Net assets, end of year (in millions) | Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimburse- ments4 | Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimburse- ments3,4 | Ratio of net income to average net assets3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-C: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | $ | 51.55 | $ | .12 | $ | (10.28 | ) | $ | (10.16 | ) | $ | (.11 | ) | $ | (.57 | ) | $ | (.68 | ) | $ | 40.71 | (19.72 | )%7 | $ | 78 | 1.38 | %8 | 1.38 | %8 | .51 | %8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.22 | .24 | 10.29 | 10.53 | (.22 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.20 | ) | 51.55 | 24.02 | 110 | 1.37 | 1.37 | .49 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.36 | .29 | 4.97 | 5.26 | (.29 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.40 | ) | 44.22 | 13.60 | 117 | 1.37 | 1.37 | .77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.74 | .39 | 7.49 | 7.88 | (.45 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.26 | ) | 39.36 | 23.54 | 283 | 1.39 | 1.39 | 1.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.19 | .41 | (3.26 | ) | (2.85 | ) | (.39 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.60 | ) | 33.74 | (7.28 | ) | 293 | 1.41 | 1.41 | 1.01 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.03 | .35 | 6.37 | 6.72 | (.30 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.56 | ) | 40.19 | 18.71 | 374 | 1.43 | 1.43 | .90 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-E: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.44 | .24 | (10.27 | ) | (10.03 | ) | (.24 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.81 | ) | 40.60 | (19.53 | )7 | 74 | .85 | 8 | .85 | 8 | 1.05 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.14 | .50 | 10.26 | 10.76 | (.48 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.46 | ) | 51.44 | 24.65 | 95 | .85 | .85 | 1.01 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.31 | .48 | 4.97 | 5.45 | (.51 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.62 | ) | 44.14 | 14.20 | 84 | .86 | .86 | 1.26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.71 | .59 | 7.47 | 8.06 | (.65 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.46 | ) | 39.31 | 24.14 | 85 | .88 | .88 | 1.56 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.16 | .61 | (3.25 | ) | (2.64 | ) | (.60 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.81 | ) | 33.71 | (6.78 | ) | 79 | .90 | .90 | 1.52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.04 | .56 | 6.37 | 6.93 | (.55 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.81 | ) | 40.16 | 19.34 | 92 | .90 | .90 | 1.43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-T: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.78 | .35 | (10.34 | ) | (9.99 | ) | (.35 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.92 | ) | 40.87 | (19.34 | )7,9 | — | 10 | .38 | 8,9 | .38 | 8,9 | 1.52 | 8,9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.41 | .73 | 10.33 | 11.06 | (.71 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.69 | ) | 51.78 | 25.23 | 9 | — | 10 | .39 | 9 | .39 | 9 | 1.47 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.56 | .67 | 4.99 | 5.66 | (.70 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.81 | ) | 44.41 | 14.72 | 9 | — | 10 | .40 | 9 | .40 | 9 | 1.72 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.91 | .77 | 7.52 | 8.29 | (.83 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.64 | ) | 39.56 | 24.72 | 9 | — | 10 | .41 | 9 | .41 | 9 | 2.03 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.38 | .81 | (3.27 | ) | (2.46 | ) | (.80 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.01 | ) | 33.91 | (6.34 | )9 | — | 10 | .42 | 9 | .42 | 9 | 2.00 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/20175,11 | 38.08 | .55 | 4.59 | 5.14 | (.58 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.84 | ) | 40.38 | 13.57 | 7,9 | — | 10 | .43 | 8,9 | .43 | 8,9 | 1.88 | 8,9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-1: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.54 | .34 | (10.29 | ) | (9.95 | ) | (.34 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.91 | ) | 40.68 | (19.38 | )7,9 | — | 10 | .45 | 8,9 | .45 | 8,9 | 1.45 | 8,9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.21 | .70 | 10.29 | 10.99 | (.68 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.66 | ) | 51.54 | 25.19 | 9 | — | 10 | .44 | 9 | .44 | 9 | 1.42 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.40 | .65 | 4.97 | 5.62 | (.70 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.81 | ) | 44.21 | 14.69 | 9 | — | 10 | .40 | 9 | .40 | 9 | 1.72 | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.78 | .76 | 7.50 | 8.26 | (.83 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.64 | ) | 39.40 | 24.72 | 115 | .42 | .42 | 2.02 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.24 | .80 | (3.25 | ) | (2.45 | ) | (.80 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.01 | ) | 33.78 | (6.34 | ) | 93 | .43 | .43 | 1.99 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.11 | .74 | 6.38 | 7.12 | (.73 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.99 | ) | 40.24 | 19.88 | 83 | .44 | .44 | 1.89 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-2: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.79 | .36 | (10.34 | ) | (9.98 | ) | (.36 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.93 | ) | 40.88 | (19.33 | )7 | 165 | .36 | 8 | .36 | 8 | 1.55 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.41 | .74 | 10.33 | 11.07 | (.71 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.69 | ) | 51.79 | 25.25 | 192 | .38 | .38 | 1.48 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/20205,13 | 38.92 | .12 | 5.55 | 5.67 | (.18 | ) | — | (.18 | ) | 44.41 | 14.56 | 7 | 136 | .06 | 7 | .06 | 7 | .29 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-3: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.78 | .37 | (10.34 | ) | (9.97 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.94 | ) | 40.87 | (19.31 | )7 | — | 10 | .32 | 8 | .32 | 8 | 1.58 | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.41 | .76 | 10.33 | 11.09 | (.74 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.72 | ) | 51.78 | 25.31 | — | 10 | .34 | .32 | 1.54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/20205,13 | 38.92 | .13 | 5.54 | 5.67 | (.18 | ) | — | (.18 | ) | 44.41 | 14.59 | 7 | — | 10 | .09 | 7 | .06 | 7 | .30 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-1: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.30 | .13 | (10.24 | ) | (10.11 | ) | (.13 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.70 | ) | 40.49 | (19.74 | )7 | 61 | 1.34 | 8 | 1.34 | 8 | .55 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.03 | .26 | 10.23 | 10.49 | (.24 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.22 | ) | 51.30 | 24.04 | 78 | 1.34 | 1.34 | .52 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.21 | .30 | 4.95 | 5.25 | (.32 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.43 | ) | 44.03 | 13.63 | 70 | 1.35 | 1.35 | .77 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.63 | .40 | 7.45 | 7.85 | (.46 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.27 | ) | 39.21 | 23.54 | 74 | 1.37 | 1.37 | 1.07 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.07 | .41 | (3.24 | ) | (2.83 | ) | (.40 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.61 | ) | 33.63 | (7.24 | ) | 72 | 1.38 | 1.38 | 1.03 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 35.97 | .36 | 6.36 | 6.72 | (.36 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.62 | ) | 40.07 | 18.73 | 88 | 1.39 | 1.39 | .94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Refer to the end of the table for footnotes.
| The Investment Company of America | 23 |
Financial highlights (continued)
| (Loss) income from investment operations1 | Dividends and distributions | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year ended | Net asset value, beginning of year | 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 year | Total return2,3 | Net assets, end of year (in millions) | Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimburse- ments4 | Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimburse- ments3,4 | Ratio of net income to average net assets3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | $ | 51.37 | $ | .12 | $ | (10.25 | ) | $ | (10.13 | ) | $ | (.12 | ) | $ | (.57 | ) | $ | (.69 | ) | $ | 40.55 | (19.75 | )%7 | $ | 576 | 1.38 | %8 | 1.38 | %8 | .52 | %8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.09 | .25 | 10.24 | 10.49 | (.23 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.21 | ) | 51.37 | 24.02 | 752 | 1.36 | 1.36 | .51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.26 | .29 | 4.97 | 5.26 | (.32 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.43 | ) | 44.09 | 13.62 | 659 | 1.37 | 1.37 | .76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.67 | .40 | 7.46 | 7.86 | (.46 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.27 | ) | 39.26 | 23.54 | 645 | 1.39 | 1.39 | 1.06 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.12 | .41 | (3.25 | ) | (2.84 | ) | (.40 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.61 | ) | 33.67 | (7.26 | ) | 582 | 1.40 | 1.40 | 1.02 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.01 | .36 | 6.37 | 6.73 | (.36 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.62 | ) | 40.12 | 18.75 | 687 | 1.39 | 1.39 | .94 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-2E: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.61 | .19 | (10.30 | ) | (10.11 | ) | (.19 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.76 | ) | 40.74 | (19.62 | )7 | 74 | 1.07 | 8 | 1.07 | 8 | .83 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.28 | .40 | 10.29 | 10.69 | (.38 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.36 | ) | 51.61 | 24.41 | 92 | 1.07 | 1.07 | .80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.43 | .40 | 4.99 | 5.39 | (.43 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.54 | ) | 44.28 | 13.94 | 75 | 1.08 | 1.08 | 1.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.81 | .51 | 7.49 | 8.00 | (.57 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.38 | ) | 39.43 | 23.89 | 71 | 1.09 | 1.09 | 1.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.28 | .53 | (3.26 | ) | (2.73 | ) | (.53 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.74 | ) | 33.81 | (6.99 | ) | 52 | 1.10 | 1.10 | 1.33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.15 | .48 | 6.40 | 6.88 | (.49 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.75 | ) | 40.28 | 19.14 | 43 | 1.09 | 1.09 | 1.23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-3: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.56 | .23 | (10.29 | ) | (10.06 | ) | (.23 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.80 | ) | 40.70 | (19.56 | )7 | 815 | .92 | 8 | .92 | 8 | .97 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.24 | .47 | 10.28 | 10.75 | (.45 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.43 | ) | 51.56 | 24.56 | 1,060 | .91 | .91 | .95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.40 | .46 | 4.98 | 5.44 | (.49 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.60 | ) | 44.24 | 14.13 | 956 | .92 | .92 | 1.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.78 | .57 | 7.49 | 8.06 | (.63 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.44 | ) | 39.40 | 24.08 | 949 | .93 | .93 | 1.51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.24 | .59 | (3.26 | ) | (2.67 | ) | (.58 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.79 | ) | 33.78 | (6.84 | ) | 864 | .94 | .94 | 1.47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.11 | .54 | 6.38 | 6.92 | (.53 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.79 | ) | 40.24 | 19.28 | 1,028 | .95 | .95 | 1.38 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-4: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.62 | .30 | (10.30 | ) | (10.00 | ) | (.30 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.87 | ) | 40.75 | (19.43 | )7 | 1,070 | .62 | 8 | .62 | 8 | 1.27 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.28 | .62 | 10.30 | 10.92 | (.60 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.58 | ) | 51.62 | 24.96 | 1,440 | .61 | .61 | 1.25 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.44 | .58 | 4.98 | 5.56 | (.61 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.72 | ) | 44.28 | 14.48 | 1,337 | .62 | .62 | 1.50 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.81 | .68 | 7.50 | 8.18 | (.74 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.55 | ) | 39.44 | 24.46 | 1,435 | .63 | .63 | 1.81 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.28 | .72 | (3.28 | ) | (2.56 | ) | (.70 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (3.91 | ) | 33.81 | (6.58 | ) | 1,346 | .64 | .64 | 1.77 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.14 | .66 | 6.39 | 7.05 | (.65 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.91 | ) | 40.28 | 19.64 | 1,688 | .65 | .65 | 1.68 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5E: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.74 | .34 | (10.33 | ) | (9.99 | ) | (.34 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.91 | ) | 40.84 | (19.35 | )7 | 166 | .42 | 8 | .42 | 8 | 1.48 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.38 | .73 | 10.32 | 11.05 | (.71 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.69 | ) | 51.74 | 25.21 | 203 | .41 | .41 | 1.47 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.54 | .66 | 4.98 | 5.64 | (.69 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.80 | ) | 44.38 | 14.69 | 101 | .42 | .42 | 1.70 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.89 | .76 | 7.52 | 8.28 | (.82 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.63 | ) | 39.54 | 24.72 | 68 | .43 | .43 | 2.01 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.36 | .81 | (3.27 | ) | (2.46 | ) | (.80 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.01 | ) | 33.89 | (6.35 | ) | 24 | .43 | .43 | 2.01 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.20 | .76 | 6.39 | 7.15 | (.73 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (2.99 | ) | 40.36 | 19.89 | 10 | .44 | .44 | 1.95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-5: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.79 | .37 | (10.35 | ) | (9.98 | ) | (.37 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.94 | ) | 40.87 | (19.33 | )7 | 171 | .32 | 8 | .32 | 8 | 1.58 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.41 | .77 | 10.34 | 11.11 | (.75 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.73 | ) | 51.79 | 25.34 | 225 | .31 | .31 | 1.55 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.56 | .69 | 4.99 | 5.68 | (.72 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.83 | ) | 44.41 | 14.82 | 196 | .32 | .32 | 1.80 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.91 | .80 | 7.52 | 8.32 | (.86 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.67 | ) | 39.56 | 24.82 | 261 | .33 | .33 | 2.11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.38 | .84 | (3.27 | ) | (2.43 | ) | (.83 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.04 | ) | 33.91 | (6.27 | ) | 245 | .34 | .34 | 2.07 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.22 | .78 | 6.41 | 7.19 | (.77 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (3.03 | ) | 40.38 | 20.00 | 315 | .35 | .35 | 1.98 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class R-6: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6/30/20225,6 | 51.78 | .38 | (10.35 | ) | (9.97 | ) | (.38 | ) | (.57 | ) | (.95 | ) | 40.86 | (19.31 | )7 | 14,474 | .27 | 8 | .27 | 8 | 1.64 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2021 | 44.40 | .79 | 10.34 | 11.13 | (.77 | ) | (2.98 | ) | (3.75 | ) | 51.78 | 25.41 | 17,044 | .27 | .27 | 1.61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2020 | 39.56 | .72 | 4.97 | 5.69 | (.74 | ) | (.11 | ) | (.85 | ) | 44.40 | 14.85 | 18,480 | .27 | .27 | 1.85 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2019 | 33.90 | .82 | 7.53 | 8.35 | (.88 | ) | (1.81 | ) | (2.69 | ) | 39.56 | 24.92 | 17,077 | .28 | .28 | 2.16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2018 | 40.38 | .86 | (3.28 | ) | (2.42 | ) | (.85 | ) | (3.21 | ) | (4.06 | ) | 33.90 | (6.25 | ) | 12,548 | .29 | .29 | 2.13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12/31/2017 | 36.22 | .80 | 6.41 | 7.21 | (.79 | ) | (2.26 | ) | (3.05 | ) | 40.38 | 20.07 | 11,556 | .30 | .30 | 2.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Refer to the end of the table for footnotes.
| 24 | The Investment Company of America |
Financial highlights (continued)
| Six months ended June 30, | Year ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20225,6,7 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes14 | 18 | % | 22 | % | 39 | % | 31 | % | 36 | % | 28 | % | ||||||||||||
| 1 | Based on average shares outstanding. |
| 2 | Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges. |
| 3 | This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements from CRMC. During some of the years shown, CRMC reimbursed a portion of transfer agent services fees for Class 529-F-3 shares. |
| 4 | Ratios do not include expenses of any Central Funds. The fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any Central Funds. |
| 5 | Based on operations for a period that is less than a full year. |
| 6 | Unaudited. |
| 7 | Not annualized. |
| 8 | Annualized. |
| 9 | All or a significant portion of assets in this class consisted of seed capital invested by CRMC and/or its affiliates. Fees for distribution services are not charged or accrued on these seed capital assets. If such fees were paid by the fund on seed capital assets, fund expenses would have been higher and net income and total return would have been lower. |
| 10 | Amount less than $1 million. |
| 11 | Class T and 529-T shares began investment operations on April 7, 2017. |
| 12 | Class F-3 shares began investment operations on January 27, 2017. |
| 13 | Class 529-F-2 and 529-F-3 shares began investment operations on October 30, 2020. |
| 14 | Rates do not include the fund’s portfolio activity with respect to any Central Funds. |
Refer to the notes to financial statements.
| The Investment Company of America | 25 |
| Expense example | unaudited |
As a fund shareholder, 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 six-month period (January 1, 2022, through June 30, 2022).
Actual expenses:
The first line of each share class in the table on the following 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 titled “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 following 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:
Retirement plan participants may be subject to certain fees charged by the plan sponsor, and Class F-1, F-2, F-3, 529-F-1, 529-F-2 and 529-F-3 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 on the following page 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.
| 26 | The Investment Company of America |
Expense example (continued)
| Beginning account value 1/1/2022 | Ending account value 6/30/2022 | Expenses paid during period* | Annualized expense ratio | |||||||||||||
| Class A – actual return | $ | 1,000.00 | $ | 805.90 | $ | 2.51 | .56 | % | ||||||||
| Class A – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,022.02 | 2.81 | .56 | ||||||||||||
| Class C – actual return | 1,000.00 | 802.84 | 5.95 | 1.33 | ||||||||||||
| Class C – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,018.20 | 6.66 | 1.33 | ||||||||||||
| Class T – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.86 | 1.48 | .33 | ||||||||||||
| Class T – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,023.16 | 1.66 | .33 | ||||||||||||
| Class F-1 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 805.58 | 2.87 | .64 | ||||||||||||
| Class F-1 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,021.62 | 3.21 | .64 | ||||||||||||
| Class F-2 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.78 | 1.66 | .37 | ||||||||||||
| Class F-2 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,022.96 | 1.86 | .37 | ||||||||||||
| Class F-3 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 807.07 | 1.21 | .27 | ||||||||||||
| Class F-3 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,023.46 | 1.35 | .27 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-A – actual return | 1,000.00 | 805.74 | 2.69 | .60 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-A – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,021.82 | 3.01 | .60 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-C – actual return | 1,000.00 | 802.80 | 6.17 | 1.38 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-C – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,017.95 | 6.90 | 1.38 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-E – actual return | 1,000.00 | 804.69 | 3.80 | .85 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-E – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,020.58 | 4.26 | .85 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-T – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.61 | 1.70 | .38 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-T – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,022.91 | 1.91 | .38 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-1 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.20 | 2.02 | .45 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-1 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,022.56 | 2.26 | .45 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-2 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.73 | 1.61 | .36 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-2 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,023.01 | 1.81 | .36 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-3 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.86 | 1.43 | .32 | ||||||||||||
| Class 529-F-3 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,023.21 | 1.61 | .32 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-1 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 802.63 | 5.99 | 1.34 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-1 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,018.15 | 6.71 | 1.34 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-2 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 802.53 | 6.17 | 1.38 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-2 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,017.95 | 6.90 | 1.38 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-2E – actual return | 1,000.00 | 803.80 | 4.79 | 1.07 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-2E – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,019.49 | 5.36 | 1.07 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-3 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 804.39 | 4.12 | .92 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-3 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,020.23 | 4.61 | .92 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-4 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 805.71 | 2.78 | .62 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-4 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,021.72 | 3.11 | .62 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-5E – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.47 | 1.88 | .42 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-5E – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,022.71 | 2.11 | .42 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-5 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.73 | 1.43 | .32 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-5 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,023.21 | 1.61 | .32 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-6 – actual return | 1,000.00 | 806.90 | 1.21 | .27 | ||||||||||||
| Class R-6 – assumed 5% return | 1,000.00 | 1,023.46 | 1.35 | .27 | ||||||||||||
| * | 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). |
| The Investment Company of America | 27 |
Approval of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement
The fund’s board has approved the continuation of the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “agreement”) with Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”) for an additional one-year term through April 30, 2023. The agreement was amended to add an additional advisory fee breakpoint for when the fund’s net assets exceed $115 billion. The board approved the agreement following the recommendation of the fund’s Contracts Committee (the “committee”), which is composed of all the fund’s independent board members. The board and the committee determined in the exercise of their business judgment 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 their interaction with CRMC as well as information furnished to them throughout the year and otherwise provided to them, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with their review of the agreement, and were advised by their independent counsel with respect to the matters considered. They considered the following factors, among others, but did not identify any single issue or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor, and each board and committee member did not necessarily attribute the same weight to each 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 CRMC and the Capital Group organization; the resources and systems CRMC devotes to investment management (the manner in which the fund’s assets are managed, including liquidity management), financial, investment operations, compliance, trading, proxy voting, shareholder communications, and other services; and the ongoing evolution of CRMC’s organizational structure designed to maintain and strengthen these qualities. The board and the committee also considered the nature, extent and quality of administrative 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 considered the risks assumed by CRMC in providing services to the fund, including operational, business, financial, reputational, regulatory and litigation risks. 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. They compared the fund’s investment results with those of other funds (including funds that currently form the basis of the Lipper index for the category in which the fund is included) and data such as relevant market and fund indexes over various periods (including the fund’s lifetime) through September 30, 2021. They generally placed greater emphasis on longer term periods. On the basis of this evaluation and the board’s and the committee’s ongoing review of investment results, and considering the relative market conditions during certain reporting periods, the board and the committee concluded that the fund’s investment results have been satisfactory for renewal of the agreement, 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 were generally competitive with those of other similar funds included in the comparable Lipper category. The board and the committee also considered 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 effective advisory fees charged to non-mutual fund clients by CRMC and its affiliates. They noted that, to the extent there were differences between the advisory fees paid by the fund and the advisory fees paid by those clients, the differences appropriately reflected the investment, operational, regulatory and market 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, as well as in relation to the risks assumed by the adviser in sponsoring and managing the fund, and that the fund’s shareholders receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund.
| 28 | The Investment Company of America |
4. Ancillary benefits
The board and the committee considered a variety of other benefits that CRMC and its affiliates receive as a result of CRMC’s relationship with the fund and 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 and its institutional management affiliates in managing other investment vehicles. The board and the committee reviewed CRMC’s portfolio trading practices, noting that, since 2019, CRMC has borne the cost of third-party research. The board and committee also noted that CRMC benefited from the use of commissions from portfolio transactions made on behalf of the fund to facilitate payment to certain broker-dealers for research to comply with regulatory requirements applicable to these firms, with all such amounts reimbursed to the fund by CRMC. 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 related cost allocation methodology as well as its track record of investing 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 regarding the compensation structure for CRMC’s investment professionals. They reviewed information on the profitability of the investment adviser and its affiliates. The board and the committee also compared CRMC’s profitability and compensation data to the reported results and data 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 CRMC’s sharing of potential economies of scale, or efficiencies, through breakpoints and other fee reductions and costs voluntarily absorbed. 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.
| The Investment Company of America | 29 |
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| The Investment Company of America | 35 |
Office of the fund
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406
Investment adviser
Capital Research and Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406
Transfer agent for shareholder accounts
American Funds Service Company
(Write to the address nearest 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 1000
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7188
Principal underwriter
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406
| 36 | The Investment Company of America |
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectus and summary 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) 421-4225 or visit the Capital Group website at capitalgroup.com.
“American Funds Proxy Voting Procedures and Principles” — which describes how we vote proxies relating to portfolio securities — is available on our 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 our website.
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 NPORT-P. The list of portfolio holdings is available free of charge on the SEC website and on our website.
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 prospectus or summary prospectus, which gives details about charges, expenses, investment objectives and operating policies of the fund. If used as sales material after September 30, 2022, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.
The S&P 500 Index (“Index”) is a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and/or its affiliates and has been licensed for use by Capital Group. Copyright © 2022 S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC, a division of S&P Global, and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Redistribution or reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited without written permission of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC.
American Funds Distributors, Inc., member FINRA.
The Capital Advantage®
Since 1931, Capital Group, home of American Funds, has helped investors pursue long-term investment success. Our consistent approach — in combination with The Capital SystemSM — has resulted in superior outcomes.
Aligned with investor success
We base our decisions on a long-term perspective, which we believe aligns our goals with the interests of our clients. Our portfolio managers average 27 years of investment industry experience, including 21 years at our company, reflecting a career commitment to our long-term approach.1
The Capital System
The Capital System combines individual accountability with teamwork. Funds using The Capital System are divided into portions that are managed independently by investment professionals with diverse backgrounds, ages and investment approaches. An extensive global research effort is the backbone of our system.
American Funds’ superior outcomes
Equity funds have beaten their Lipper peer indexes in 90% of 10-year periods and 99% of 20-year periods.2 Fixed income funds have helped investors achieve diversification through attention to correlation between bonds and equities.3 Fund management fees have been among the lowest in the industry.4
| 1 | Investment industry experience as of December 31, 2021. | |
| 2 | Based on Class F-2 share results for rolling calendar-year periods starting the first full calendar year after each fund’s inception through December 31, 2021. Periods covered are the shorter of the fund’s lifetime or since the comparable Lipper index inception date (except Capital Income Builder and SMALLCAP World Fund, for which the Lipper average was used). Expenses differ for each share class, so results will vary. | |
| 3 | Based on Class F-2 share results as of December 31, 2021. Thirteen of the 17 fixed income American Funds that have been in existence for the three-year period showed a three-year correlation below 0.3. S&P 500 Index was used as an equity market proxy. Correlation based on monthly total returns. Correlation is a statistical measure of how two securities move in relation to each other. A correlation ranges from –1 to 1. A positive correlation close to 1 implies that as one security moves, either up or down, the other security will move in “lockstep,” in the same direction. A negative correlation close to –1 indicates that the securities have moved in the opposite direction. | |
| 4 | On average, our management fees were in the lowest quintile 63% of the time, based on the 20-year period ended December 31, 2021, versus comparable Lipper categories, excluding funds of funds. |
Class F-2 shares were first offered on August 1, 2008. Class F-2 share results prior to the date of first sale are hypothetical based on the results of the original share class of the fund without a sales charge, adjusted for typical estimated expenses. Results for certain funds with an inception date after August 1, 2008, also include hypothetical returns because those funds’ Class F-2 shares sold after the funds’ date of first offering. Visit capitalgroup.com for more information on specific expense adjustments and the actual dates of first sale.
All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.
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
Not applicable, insofar as the schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
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 semi-annual period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
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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/ Herbert Y. Poon____________________ | |
|
Herbert Y. Poon, Principal Executive Officer | |
| Date: August 31, 2022 |
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/ Herbert Y. Poon_________________ |
|
Herbert Y. Poon, Principal Executive Officer |
| Date: August 31, 2022 |
| By ___/s/ Hong T. Le __________ |
|
Hong T. Le, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
| Date: August 31, 2022 |