N-CSRS 1 ahit_ncsr.htm N-CSR

 

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: 811-05364

 

 

 

American High-Income Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

 

 

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

 

Date of fiscal year end: September 30

 

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

Courtney R. Taylor

American High-Income Trust

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

 

Copies to:

Michael Glazer

Bingham McCutchen LLP

355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Counsel for the Registrant)

 

 
 

 

ITEM 1 – Reports to Stockholders

 

 

 

American High-Income Trust®

 

Semi-annual report
for the six months ended
March 31, 2014

 

American High-Income Trust seeks a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation through a diversified, carefully supervised portfolio consisting primarily of lower rated, higher risk corporate bonds.

 

This fund is one of more than 40 offered by one of the nation’s largest mutual fund families, American Funds, from Capital Group. For more than 80 years, Capital has invested with a long-term focus based on thorough research and attention to risk.

 

Fund results shown in this report, unless otherwise indicated, are for Class A shares at net asset value. If a sales charge (maximum 3.75%) had been deducted, the results would have been lower. Results are for past periods and are not predictive of results for future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.

 

Here are the average annual total returns on a $1,000 investment with all distributions reinvested for periods ended March 31, 2014:

 

Class A shares   1 year   5 years   10 years
             
Reflecting 3.75% maximum sales charge   2.42%   15.38%   6.80%

 

For other share class results, visit americanfunds.com and americanfundsretirement.com.

 

The total annual fund operating expense ratio was 0.66% for Class A shares as of the prospectus dated December 1, 2013.

 

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. When applicable, investment results reflect fee waivers, without which results would have been lower. Visit americanfunds.com for more information.

 

The return of principal for bond funds and for funds with significant underlying bond holdings is not guaranteed. Fund shares are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the underlying bond holdings. High-yield bonds are subject to greater fluctuations in value and risk of loss of income and principal than investment-grade bonds. Bond ratings, which typically range from Aaa/AAA (highest) to D (lowest), are assigned by credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Standard & Poor’s and/or Fitch as an indication of an issuer’s creditworthiness. Investing in bonds issued outside the U.S. may be subject to additional risks. They include currency fluctuations, political and social instability, differing securities regulations and accounting standards, higher transaction costs, possible changes in taxation, illiquidity and price volatility. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. 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.

 
 

Investors who have maintained their high-yield holdings over the long run have been rewarded.

 

Fellow investors:

 

Low interest rates, liquidity in the credit markets and investor thirst for yield helped produce solid returns for high-yield bond markets throughout the six-month period ended March 31, 2014.

 

For the period, American High-Income Trust reported a total return of 5.34%, assuming the reinvestment of monthly dividends of approximately 35 cents a share. Shareholders who reinvested dividends received an income return of 3.09%. Those who elected to take their dividends in cash received an income return of 3.05%, and saw the value of their holdings increase by 2.23%.

 

By comparison, the Lipper High Yield Funds Index, a benchmark of similar funds, posted a total return of 6.46%. Also, the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index, a non-investment-grade debt index that limits the maximum exposure of any one issuer to 2%, returned 6.66%. The latter index is unmanaged and, therefore, has no expenses.

 

Results at a glance

 

For periods ended March 31, 2014, with all distributions reinvested

 

    Cumulative total returns   Average annual total returns
    6 months   1 year   5 years   10 years   Lifetime
(since 2/19/88)
                               
American High-Income Trust (Class A shares)     5.34 %     6.44 %     16.26 %     7.21 %     8.57 %
Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index*     6.66       7.53       18.14       8.67        
Lipper High Yield Funds Index     6.46       7.48       16.90       7.28       7.29  

 

* This market index did not exist prior to December 31, 1992. It is unmanaged and, therefore, has no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

American High-Income Trust 1
 

The six months in review

The economic picture has been mixed with signs of growth in jobs and GDP, but also with periodic setbacks. The Federal Reserve’s actions have reflected recent ambivalence. Over the past six months, the central bank delayed its initial plan to “taper” its monthly purchase of Treasury and mortgage-backed bonds, and then shifted course by following through with the plan.

 

The credit markets continued to experience significant levels of new supply as companies seek to take advantage of lower borrowing costs and extend their maturities. Although some observers think covenants (protections for bondholders) are weaker, recapitalizing companies with untoward amounts of debt seems muted to others, rendering the environment fairly benign for lenders. Our view is that most of the new corporate debt issuance locks in lower rates rather than just layers additional debt onto companies.

 

Besides high-yield corporate bonds, the fund has had between 5% and 10% of its portfolio invested in emerging markets debt. Though stable for most of the six-month period, emerging markets experienced a hiccup in January when the J.P. Morgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets Global Diversified Index dropped 4.63%. Concerns about China’s slowing economy were one cause, since China is such a heavy importer of natural resources from emerging economies. Additionally, the emerging markets economies have sputtered in response to the Fed’s taper, as they are dependent upon the still-fragile economies of the West.

 

While the international exposure, the allocation to loans and around 6% in cash have caused relative underperformance, the fund’s absolute returns have been strong, given the thirst for yield among investors buoying the high-yield sector. (Bank loans are a form of high-yield debt that often pays less than plain high-yield bonds, but whose income to lenders “floats” or changes as interest rates move.) Ultimately, the cash may come in handy as better prices emerge.

 

A long-term perspective

U.S. GDP growth has been tepid but stable, and unemployment, though considerably down from its high, has proven more persistent than in previous recoveries. Additionally, middle-class median household income appears to be

 

2 American High-Income Trust
 

stagnant. Nevertheless, slow, but stable, growth and low interest rates have produced a favorable environment for high-yield investors.

 

Given this economic backdrop and several years of strong returns, our investment managers are taking a cautious view of the market. Spreads (the difference in yield between high-yield bonds and safer U.S. Treasury bonds) are historically below average, and volatility should be expected in the high-yield market. Still, it is important to remember that investors who have maintained their high-yield investments have been rewarded. Despite ups and downs, investors in the fund have enjoyed a 7.21% average annual total return for the past decade and an 8.57% average annual total return since the fund’s inception in early 1988.

 

As always, we appreciate your continued support and long-term investment perspective.

 

Sincerely,

 

David C. Barclay
President

 

May 14, 2014

 

For current information about the fund, visit americanfunds.com.

 

The fund’s 30-day yield for Class A shares as of April 30, 2014, calculated in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) formula, was 4.31%. The fund’s 12-month distribution rate for Class A shares as of that date was 5.85%. Both reflect the 3.75% maximum sales charge. The SEC yield reflects the rate at which the fund is earning income on its current portfolio of securities, while the distribution rate reflects the fund’s past dividends paid to shareholders. Accordingly, the fund’s SEC yield and distribution rate may differ.

 

American High-Income Trust 3
 
Summary investment portfolio March 31, 2014 unaudited

 

Portfolio by type of security Percent of net assets
   

 

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 87.86%   Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
    Percent of
net assets
 
Corporate bonds & notes 84.40%            
Telecommunication services 15.28%                        
Sprint Nextel Corp.:                        
7.00% 2020   $ 163,785     $ 179,345          
6.00%–11.50% 2016–20221     143,565       178,426          
Sprint Corp.:                        
7.25% 20211     107,425       117,496          
7.875% 20231     83,375       91,921       2.90 %
Clearwire Communications and Clearwire Finance, Inc.                        
14.75% 20161     13,650       18,137          
Sprint Capital Corp. 6.90%–8.75% 2019–2032     16,250       17,920          
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc.:                        
6.25% 2021     137,025       145,418          
6.625% 2023     150,000       159,750          
T-Mobile US, Inc.:                     2.09  
6.542% 2020     83,850       90,558          
6.731% 2022     36,600       39,345          
NII Capital Corp.:                        
11.375% 20191     191,970       136,299          
7.625%–10.00% 2016–20211     622,377       267,685       1.94  
Wind Acquisition SA:                        
11.75% 20171     140,330       148,048          
7.25% 20181     99,960       105,821       1.73  
7.375%–11.75% 2017–2018   73,005       106,244          
Digicel Group Ltd.:                        
8.25% 20201   $ 104,275       111,835          
6.00% 20211     97,092       99,519       1.42  
7.125%–10.50% 2018–20221     81,475       83,131          
Frontier Communications Corp. 7.125%–9.25% 2018–2024     259,916       293,199       1.41  

 

4 American High-Income Trust
 
    Principal amount
(000)
      Value
(000)
      Percent of
net assets
 
Intelsat Jackson Holding Co.:                        
6.625% 20221   $ 183,835     $ 192,108          
6.625%–7.25% 2020–2022     52,975       56,729       1.23 %
Intelsat Luxembourg Holding Co. 6.75% 20181     7,600       8,075          
LightSquared, Term Loan B, 12.00% 20142,3,4,5     144,713       172,932       .83  
Cricket Communications, Inc. 7.75% 2020     106,036       121,385       .58  
Trilogy International Partners, LLC 10.25% 20161     103,240       106,595       .51  
Other securities             132,316       .64  
              3,180,237       15.28  
                         
Consumer discretionary 14.02%                        
Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC and
Cequel Capital Corp. 6.375% 20201
    112,100       117,705       .56  
Boyd Gaming Corp. 9.125% 2018     82,070       89,374       .43  
Needle Merger Sub Corp. 8.125% 20191     83,905       87,471       .42  
Other securities             2,624,230       12.61  
              2,918,780       14.02  
                         
Health care 12.61%                  
Kinetic Concepts, Inc.:                        
Term Loan E1, 4.00% 20184,5,6     19,651       19,734          
10.50% 2018     169,500       195,773       1.66  
12.50% 2019     111,702       130,971          
inVentiv Health Inc.:                        
9.00% 20181     172,065       183,249          
11.00% 20181     116,915       108,439       1.65  
11.00% 20181     55,390       51,513          
Forest Laboratories, Inc.:                        
5.00% 20211     165,608       175,544          
4.375%–4.875% 2019–20211     89,105       93,965       1.30  
Select Medical Holdings Corp. 6.375% 2021     92,610       94,462       .45  
VWR Funding, Inc. 7.25% 2017     86,904       93,856       .45  
Other securities             1,477,346       7.10  
              2,624,852       12.61  
                         
Industrials 11.09%                  
Associated Materials, LLC and AMH New Finance, Inc. 9.125% 2017     152,692       161,472       .78  
CEVA Group PLC:                        
Term Loan B, 6.50% 20214,5,6     58,475       58,365          
4.00%–9.00% 2018–20211     70,825       69,345       .61  
Jeld-Wen Escrow Corp. 12.25% 20171     83,760       93,392       .45  
Euramax International, Inc. 9.50% 2016     86,715       88,016       .42  
Other securities             1,837,528       8.83  
              2,308,118       11.09  

 

American High-Income Trust 5
 
Bonds, notes & other
debt instruments
(continued)
  Principal amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
    Percent of
net assets
 
Corporate bonds & notes (continued)                        
Materials 7.78%                        
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.:                        
6.75% 20201   $ 138,162     $ 140,580          
7.00% 20211     143,912       147,150       1.38 %
Reynolds Group Inc.:                        
5.75% 2020     150,495       158,396       1.11  
7.125%–9.875% 2019     65,270       72,829          
JMC Steel Group Inc. 8.25% 20181     138,715       142,356       .69  
FMG Resources 6.00% 20171     97,317       102,730       .49  
Other securities             854,523       4.11  
              1,618,564       7.78  
                         
Energy 7.58%                  
Samson Investment Co. 10.50% 20201       134,965       147,787       .71  
NGPL PipeCo LLC 9.625% 20191       107,990       115,819       .56  
Peabody Energy Corp. 6.00% 2018     97,415       102,651       .49  
PDC Energy Inc. 7.75% 2022     91,575       100,733       .48  
Other securities             1,110,938       5.34  
              1,577,928       7.58  
                         
Information technology 6.69%                  
First Data Corp.:                        
11.75% 2021     198,950       209,892          
12.625% 2021     118,046       141,065       2.40  
6.75%–8.75% 2019–20221,3,6     59,979       65,286          
First Data Holdings, Inc. 14.50% 20191,3     87,650       82,729          
SRA International, Inc.:                        
Term Loan B, 6.50% 20184,5,6     128,273       128,914          
11.00% 2019     75,612       79,960       1.00  
Dell, Inc. Term Loan B, 4.50% 20204,5,6     90,523       90,025       .43  
Other securities             594,972       2.86  
              1,392,843       6.69  
                         
Financials 5.63%                  
Realogy Corp.:                        
7.875% 20191     139,365       151,037          
3.375%–9.00% 2016–20201     63,835       68,755       1.10  
4.50% 2016–20204,5,6     9,111       9,123          
Crescent Resources 10.25% 20171     102,170       115,197       .56  
Other securities             826,954       3.97  
              1,171,066       5.63  
                         
Consumer staples 2.11%                    
Other securities             438,709       2.11  
                         
Utilities 1.61%                    
Other securities             335,207       1.61  
                         
Total corporate bonds & notes             17,566,304       84.40  

 

6 American High-Income Trust
 
    Principal amount
(000)
  Value
(000)
    Percent of
net assets
 
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes 0.73%                        
U.S. Treasury 0.25%–6.25% 2015–20237   $ 134,200     $ 152,154       .73 %
                         
Other bonds & notes 2.73%                        
Other securities             568,521       2.73  
                         
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments
(cost: $17,580,525,000)
            18,286,979       87.86  
                         
Convertible securities 1.67% Shares or
principal amount
           
Industrials 0.51%                        
CEVA Group PLC, Series A-2, 2.226% convertible preferred8,9     21,062       26,854          
CEVA Group PLC, Series A-1, 3.226% convertible preferred8     47,121       80,106       .51  
              106,960       .51  
                         
Telecommunication services 0.04%                        
Clearwire Corp. 8.25% convertible notes 20401   $ 7,722,000       8,987       .04  
                         
Other 1.12%                        
Other securities             232,511       1.12  
                         
Total convertible securities (cost: $281,238,000)             348,458       1.67  
                         
Preferred securities 0.80%                        
Financials 0.80%                        
Other securities             166,515       .80  
                         
Total preferred securities (cost: $153,091,000)             166,515       .80  
                         
Common stocks 1.85%     Shares                  
Industrials 0.67%                        
CEVA Group PLC1,8,10     59,168       75,439       .36  
Other securities             63,399       .31  
              138,838       .67  
                         
Consumer discretionary 0.66%                        
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.10,11     1,671,343       118,080       .57  
Other securities             19,353       .09  
              137,433       .66  
                         
Other 0.52%                        
Other securities             108,558       .52  
                         
Total common stocks (cost: $356,384,000)             384,829       1.85  

 

American High-Income Trust 7
 
Warrants 0.01%         Value
(000)
    Percent of
net assets
 
Other 0.01%                        
Other securities           $ 2,231       .01 %
                         
Total warrants (cost: $5,447,000)             2,231       .01  
                       
Short-term securities 7.76%   Principal amount
(000)
                 
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.05%–0.115% due 4/11–7/16/2014   $ 233,825       233,807       1.12  
Fannie Mae 0.075%–0.11% due 6/2–10/27/2014     209,550       209,491       1.01  
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.057%–0.108% due 4/17–4/24/2014     173,500       173,495       .83  
Abbott Laboratories 0.06%–0.10% due 4/21–5/28/20141     165,000       164,991       .79  
Freddie Mac 0.10%–0.15% due 5/5–10/20/2014     157,400       157,339       .76  
Coca-Cola Co. 0.10%–0.12% due 5/13–7/7/20141     103,200       103,186       .50  
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. 0.09%–0.10% due 4/9–4/30/2014     96,400       96,396       .46  
Other securities             477,349       2.29  
                         
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,615,970,000)             1,616,054       7.76  
Total investment securities (cost: $19,992,655,000)             20,805,066       99.95  
Other assets less liabilities             9,702       .05  
                         
Net assets           $ 20,814,768       100.00 %

 

This summary investment portfolio is designed to streamline the report and help investors better focus on the fund’s principal holdings. See the inside back cover for details on how to obtain a complete schedule of portfolio holdings.

 

“Other securities” includes all issues that are not disclosed separately in the summary investment portfolio.

 

8 American High-Income Trust
 

Forward currency contracts

 

The fund has entered into forward currency contracts to sell currencies as shown in the following table. The average notional amount of open forward currency contracts was $317,569,000 over the prior 12-month period.

 

            Contract amount   Unrealized
(depreciation)
appreciation
 
    Settlement date   Counterparty   Receive
(000)
  Deliver
(000)
  at 3/31/2014
(000)
 
Sales:                        
Euros   4/8/2014   JPMorgan Chase   $61,806   €45,000     $(186 )
Euros   4/14/2014   Bank of America, N.A.   $7,902   €5,700     50  
Euros   4/15/2014   UBS AG   $28,132   €20,275     201  
Euros   4/17/2014   Citibank   $97,571   €70,300     726  
Euros   4/24/2014   HSBC Bank   $16,129   €11,700     11  
Euros   4/28/2014   Citibank   $12,427   €9,000     29  
Euros   4/30/2014   UBS AG   $20,264   €14,750     (55 )
                      $776  

 

Credit default swaps

 

The fund has entered into a credit default swap as shown in the following table. The average notional amount of credit default swaps was $59,222,000 over the prior nine-month period.

 

Centrally cleared credit default swaps on credit indices — sell protection

 

Referenced index   Receive
fixed
rate
  Expiration date   Notional
amount
(000)
  Unrealized
appreciation
at 3/31/2014
(000)
CDX North American High Yield Index Series 21     5.00%   12/20/2018     $150,000     $1,276  

 

American High-Income Trust 9
 

Investments in affiliates

 

A company is an affiliate of the fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 if the fund’s holdings in that company represent 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares. The value of the fund’s affiliated-company holdings is either shown in the summary investment portfolio or included in the value of “Other securities” under the respective industry sectors. Further details on such holdings and related transactions during the six months ended March 31, 2014, appear below.

 

    Beginning
shares or
principal
amount
    Additions     Reductions     Ending
shares or
principal
amount
    Interest
income
(000)
    Value of
affiliates at
3/31/2014
(000)
 
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.10     1,238,538       432,805             1,671,343     $     $ 118,080  
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., warrants, expire 201710     196,935             148,524       48,411             2,130  
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc. 7.00% convertible preferred     99,687             99,687                    
Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan, 13.00% 20203,4,5,6,8   $ 43,908,783     $ 2,461,975           $ 46,370,758       2,929       46,371  
Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan A, 5.50% 20184,5,6,8   $ 25,900,000           $ 129,500     $ 25,770,500       719       25,770  
Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan B, 10.00% 20194,5,6,8   $ 20,825,000                 $ 20,825,000       1,053       20,825  
Rotech Healthcare Inc.8,10     1,916,275       1             1,916,276             17,726  
Revel Entertainment, Term Loan B, 14.50% 20183,4,5,6,8   $ 74,061,406     $ 8,542,775     $ 365,625     $ 82,238,556       3,426       25,494  
Revel Entertainment, Term Loan B, 10.00% 20153,4,5,6,8         $ 14,414,684           $ 14,414,684       487       14,415  
Revel AC, Inc. (CVR)8,9,10     43,088,200                   43,088,200             539  
Revel AC, Inc.8,9,10     908,183                   908,183              
American Media, Inc.1,8,10     1,122,345                   1,122,345             6,049  
                                    $ 8,614     $ 277,399  

 

10 American High-Income Trust
 

The following footnotes apply to either the individual securities noted or one or more of the securities aggregated and listed as a single line item.

 

1 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or section 4(2) 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, including those in “Other securities,” was $8,649,835,000, which represented 41.56% of the net assets of the fund.
2 Scheduled interest and/or principal payment was not received.
3 Payment in kind; the issuer has the option of paying additional securities in lieu of cash.
4 Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
5 Loan participations and assignments; may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The total value of all such loans, including those in “Other securities,” was $1,773,470,000, which represented 8.52% of the net assets of the fund.
6 Coupon rate may change periodically.
7 A portion of a security within this range was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $8,354,000, which represented .04% of the net assets of the fund.
8 Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of trustees. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Other securities,” was $372,583,000, which represented 1.79% of the net assets of the fund.
9 Acquired through a private placement transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. May be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Further details on these holdings appear below.

 

    Acquisition
date(s)
  Cost
(000)
    Value
(000)
    Percent
of net
assets
CEVA Group PLC, Series A-2, 2.226% convertible preferred   5/2/2013   $ 20,349     $ 26,854       .13 %
Revel AC, Inc. (CVR)   2/15/2011–3/15/2013     7,796       539       .00  
Revel AC, Inc.   2/14/2011–1/10/2012     45,288             .00  
Other restricted securities   7/11/2011–12/31/2012     43,602       20,841       .10  
Total restricted securities       $ 117,035     $ 48,234       .23 %

 

10 Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
11 Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Key to abbreviation and symbol

CVR = Contingent Value Rights

€ = Euros

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

American High-Income Trust 11
 
Financial statements  
   
Statement of assets and liabilities unaudited
at March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands)

 

Assets:                
Investment securities, at value:                
Unaffiliated issuers (cost: $19,648,026)   $ 20,527,667          
Affiliated issuers (cost: $344,629)     277,399     $ 20,805,066  
Cash             2,472  
Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts             1,017  
Receivables for:                
Sales of investments     272,855          
Sales of fund’s shares     31,249          
Variation margin on credit default swaps     156          
Dividends and interest     361,197       665,457  
              21,474,012  
Liabilities:                
Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts             241  
Payables for:                
Purchases of investments     597,661          
Repurchases of fund’s shares     42,751          
Dividends on fund’s shares     6,254          
Investment advisory services     4,714          
Services provided by related parties     7,125          
Trustees’ deferred compensation     280          
Other     218       659,003  
Net assets at March 31, 2014           $ 20,814,768  
                 
Net assets consist of:                
Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest           $ 20,634,898  
Distributions in excess of net investment income             (35,920 )
Accumulated net realized loss             (598,863 )
Net unrealized appreciation             814,653  
Net assets at March 31, 2014           $ 20,814,768  

 

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) —
unlimited shares authorized (1,814,387 total shares outstanding)

 

          Shares     Net asset value  
    Net assets     outstanding     per share  
Class A   $ 14,696,119       1,281,035     $ 11.47  
Class B     120,981       10,546       11.47  
Class C     1,315,510       114,671       11.47  
Class F-1     1,367,409       119,195       11.47  
Class F-2     1,155,752       100,745       11.47  
Class 529-A     374,151       32,614       11.47  
Class 529-B     8,211       716       11.47  
Class 529-C     139,137       12,128       11.47  
Class 529-E     20,676       1,802       11.47  
Class 529-F-1     25,636       2,235       11.47  
Class R-1     24,651       2,149       11.47  
Class R-2     231,612       20,189       11.47  
Class R-3     307,217       26,779       11.47  
Class R-4     238,802       20,816       11.47  
Class R-5     206,673       18,015       11.47  
Class R-6     582,231       50,752       11.47  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

12 American High-Income Trust
 
Statement of operations unaudited
for the six months ended March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands)

 

Investment income:                
Income:                
Interest (net of non-U.S. taxes of $3; also includes $8,614 from affiliates)   $ 683,933          
Dividends     14,115     $ 698,048  
                 
Fees and expenses*:                
Investment advisory services     28,387          
Distribution services     28,878          
Transfer agent services     12,128          
Administrative services     2,189          
Reports to shareholders     633          
Registration statement and prospectus     368          
Trustees’ compensation     110          
Auditing and legal     96          
Custodian     144          
Other     377       73,310  
Net investment income             624,738  
                 
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation on investments, forward currency contracts, credit default swaps and currency:                
Net realized gain (loss) on:                
Investments (includes $3,879 net gain from affiliates)     255,876          
Forward currency contracts     (8,257 )        
Credit default swaps     140          
Currency transactions     (1,285 )     246,474  
Net unrealized appreciation on:                
Investments     178,074          
Forward currency contracts     5,182          
Credit default swaps     1,276          
Currency translations     125       184,657  
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation on investments, forward currency contracts, credit default swaps and currency             431,131  
                 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations           $ 1,055,869  

 

* Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the Notes to Financial Statements.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

American High-Income Trust 13
 
Statements of changes in net assets  
  (dollars in thousands)

 

    Six months ended     Year ended  
    March 31,     September 30,  
    2014*     2013  
Operations:                
Net investment income   $ 624,738     $ 1,291,104  
Net realized gain on investments, forward currency contracts, credit default swaps and currency transactions     246,474       21,905  
Net unrealized appreciation on investments, forward currency contracts, credit default swaps, and currency translations     184,657       66,746  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     1,055,869       1,379,755  
                 
Dividends paid or accrued to shareholders from net investment income     (609,113 )     (1,319,459 )
                 
Net capital share transactions     331,041       168,005  
                 
Total increase in net assets     777,797       228,301  
                 
Net assets:                
Beginning of period     20,036,971       19,808,670  
End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income: $(35,920) and $(51,545), respectively)   $ 20,814,768     $ 20,036,971  

 

* Unaudited.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

14 American High-Income Trust
 
Notes to financial statements unaudited

 

1. Organization

 

American High-Income Trust (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation through a diversified, carefully supervised portfolio consisting primarily of lower rated, higher risk corporate bonds.

 

The fund has 16 share classes consisting of five retail share classes (Classes A, B and C, as well as two F share classes, F-1 and F-2), five 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) and six retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, 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 3.75%   None (except 1% for certain None redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)    
Classes B and 529-B*   None   Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase   Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years
Class C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years
Class 529-C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   None
Class 529-E   None   None   None
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1   None   None   None
Classes R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6   None   None   None

*Class B and 529-B shares of the fund are not available for purchase.

 

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

 

American High-Income Trust 15
 

2. Significant accounting policies

 

The financial statements have been prepared to comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described 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) are allocated daily among the various share classes based on the relative value of their settled shares. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, administrative and shareholder services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders — Dividends to shareholders are declared daily after the determination of the fund’s net investment income and are paid to shareholders monthly. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Currency translation — Assets and liabilities, including investment securities, denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The net asset value of each share class of the

 

16 American High-Income Trust
 

fund is generally determined as of approximately 4:00 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 purchased with more than 60 days left to maturity, 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; 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
Municipal securities   Standard inputs and, for certain distressed securities, cash flows or liquidation values using a net present value calculation based on inputs that include, but are not limited to, financial statements and debt contracts

 

When the fund’s investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or not deemed to be representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and 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.

 

American High-Income Trust 17
 

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. Short-term securities purchased within 60 days to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The value of short-term securities originally purchased with maturities greater than 60 days is determined based on an amortized value to par when they reach 60 days. Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and ask prices, generally based on prices supplied by one or more pricing vendors. Credit default swaps are generally valued by pricing vendors based on market inputs that include the index and term of index, reset frequency, payer/receiver, currency and pay frequency.

 

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. 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 with supplemental information to support the changes. 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

 

18 American High-Income Trust
 

also subject to additional internal reviews, including an annual control self-evaluation program facilitated by the investment adviser’s compliance 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. 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 tables present the fund’s valuation levels as of March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Investment securities  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments:                                
Corporate bonds & notes   $     $ 17,421,915     $ 144,389     $ 17,566,304  
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes           152,154             152,154  
Other bonds & notes           568,521             568,521  
Convertible securities     79,533       268,925             348,458  
Preferred securities     26,527       139,988             166,515  
Common stocks     263,696       75,503       45,630       384,829  
Warrants     2,130             101       2,231  
Short-term securities           1,616,054             1,616,054  
Total   $ 371,886     $ 20,243,060     $ 190,120     $ 20,805,066  

 

    Other investments*  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts   $     $ 1,017     $     $ 1,017  
Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps           1,276             1,276  
Liabilities:                                
Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts           (241 )           (241 )
Total   $     $ 2,052     $     $ 2,052  

 

* Forward currency contracts and credit default swaps are not included in the investment portfolio.

 

4. Risk factors

 

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

 

American High-Income Trust 19
 

Investing in lower rated bonds — Lower rated bonds and other lower rated debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and involve greater risk of default or price declines due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than those of higher quality debt securities. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than the prices of higher quality debt securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty. These risks may be increased with respect to investments in junk bonds.

 

Thinly traded securities — There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular bonds or other debt securities, which may make them more difficult to value, acquire or sell.

 

Investing in bonds — Rising interest rates will generally cause the prices of bonds and other debt securities to fall. Longer maturity debt securities may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities. In addition, falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a debt security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities.

 

Bonds and other debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. Credit risk is gauged, in part, by the credit ratings of the securities in which the fund invests. However, ratings are only the opinions of the rating agencies issuing them and are not guarantees as to credit quality or an evaluation of market risk. The fund’s investment adviser relies on its own credit analysts to research issuers and issues in seeking to mitigate various credit and default risks.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

20 American High-Income Trust
 

5. Certain investment techniques

 

Loan transactions — The fund has entered into loan transactions in which the fund acquires a loan either through an agent, by assignment from another holder, or as a participation interest in another holder’s portion of a loan. The loan is often administered by a financial institution that acts as agent for the holders of the loan, and the fund may be required to receive approval from the agent and/or borrower prior to the sale of the investment. The loan’s interest rate and maturity date may change based on the terms of the loan, including potential early payments of principal.

 

Unfunded commitments — The fund has participated in transactions that involve unfunded commitments, which may obligate the fund to purchase new or additional bonds if certain contingencies are met, or in the case of certain loans, may obligate the fund to lend additional sums based upon the terms of the loan agreement. As of March 31, 2014, the fund’s maximum exposure of unfunded bond and loan commitments was $936,000, which would represent less than 0.01% of the net assets of the fund should such commitments become due.

 

Forward currency contracts — The fund has entered into forward currency contracts, which represent agreements to exchange currencies on specific future dates at predetermined rates. The fund’s investment adviser uses forward currency contracts to manage the fund’s exposure to changes in exchange rates. Upon entering into these contracts, risks may arise from the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts and from possible movements in exchange rates.

 

On a daily basis, the fund’s investment adviser values forward currency contracts and records unrealized appreciation or depreciation for open forward currency contracts in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. Realized gains or losses are recorded at the time the forward currency contract is closed or offset by another contract with the same broker for the same settlement date and currency.

 

Closed forward currency contracts that have not reached their settlement date are included in the respective receivables or payables for closed forward currency contracts in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. Net realized gains or losses from closed forward currency contracts and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation from open forward currency contracts are recorded in the fund’s statement of operations.

 

Credit default swap indices — The fund has entered into centrally cleared credit default swap agreements on credit indices (“CDX”) which involve one party (the protection buyer) making a stream of payments to another party (the protection seller) in exchange for the right to receive a specified return upon the occurrence of a credit event, such as a default or restructuring, with respect to any of the underlying issuers (reference obligations) in the referenced index. Credit default swap indices are used to assume exposure to a diversified portfolio of credits or to hedge against existing credit risks.

 

American High-Income Trust 21
 

CDX is a portfolio of credit instruments or exposures designed to be representative of some part of the credit market, such as the high yield or investment grade credit market. CDX are generally traded using standardized terms including a fixed spread and standard maturity dates and references all the names in the index. If there is a credit event it is settled based on that name’s weight in the index. The composition of the underlying issuers or obligations within a particular index may change periodically, usually every six months. A specified credit event may affect all or individual underlying reference obligations included in the index and will be settled based upon the relative weighting of the affected obligation(s) within the index.

 

Upon entering into a centrally cleared CDX contract, the fund is required to deposit with a derivatives clearing member (“DCM”) in a segregated account in the name of the DCM an amount of cash, U.S. government securities, or other liquid securities, which is known as “initial margin.” Generally, the initial margin required for a particular credit default swap is set and held as collateral by the clearinghouse on which the contract is cleared. The amount of initial margin required may be significantly modified from time to time by the clearinghouse during the term of the contract. Securities deposited as initial margin are designated on the investment portfolio.

 

On a daily basis, interest accruals related to the exchange of future payments are recorded as a receivable and payable in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. The fund also pays or receives a “variation margin” based on the increase or decrease in the value of the centrally cleared swaps and records variation margin on swaps in the statement of assets and liabilities. The fund records realized gains and losses on both the net accrued interest and any gain or loss recognized at the time the swap is closed or expires. Net realized gains or losses, as well as any net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, from credit default swaps are recorded in the fund’s statement of operations.

 

The following tables present the financial statement impacts resulting from the fund’s use of forward currency contracts and credit default swaps as of March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Asset   Liability
Contract   Location on
statement of
assets and liabilities
    Value     Location on
statement of
assets and liabilities
    Value  
Forward currency   Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts   $ 1,017     Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts   $ (241 )
Credit default swaps   Variation margin on credit default swaps     156     Variation margin on credit default swaps      
        $ 1,173         $ (241 )

 

22 American High-Income Trust
 

 

    Net realized (loss) gain   Net unrealized appreciation
Contract   Location on
statement of operations
    Value     Location on
statement of operations
    Value  
Forward currency   Net realized loss on forward currency contracts   $ (8,257 )   Net unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 5,182  
Credit default swaps   Net realized gain on credit default swaps     140     Net unrealized appreciation  on credit default swaps     1,276  
        $ (8,117 )       $ 6,458  

 

Collateral — The fund has entered into a collateral program due to its use of forward currency contracts and interest rate swaps. For forward currency contracts, the program calls for the fund to either receive or pledge collateral based on the net gain or loss on unsettled forward currency contracts by counterparty. The purpose of the forward currency contract collateral is to cover potential losses that could occur in the event that either party cannot meet its contractual obligations. For credit default swaps, the program calls for the fund to pledge collateral for initial and variation margin by contract.

 

Rights of offset — The fund has entered into enforceable master netting agreements with certain counterparties for forward currency contracts, where amounts payable by each party to the other in the same currency, with the same settlement date and with the same counterparty are settled net of each party’s payment obligation. For financial reporting purposes, the fund does not offset financial assets and financial liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.

 

The following table presents the fund’s forward currency contracts by counterparty, including those that are subject to potential offset on the statement of assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Gross amounts
recognized in
  Gross amounts not offset in the
statement of assets and liabilities and
subject to a master netting agreement
       
Counterparty   the statement of
assets and liabilities
  Available
to offset
  Non-cash
collateral*
  Cash
collateral
  Net
amount
Assets:                                                  
Bank of America, N.A.     $ 50       $       $       $       $ 50  
Citibank       755                 (755 )                
HSBC Bank       11                                 11  
UBS AG       201         (55 )       (146 )                
      $ 1,017       $ (55 )     $ (901 )     $       $ 61  
Liabilities:                                                  
JPMorgan Chase     $ 186       $       $ (178 )     $       $ 8  
UBS AG       55         (55 )                        
      $ 241       $ (55 )     $ (178 )     $       $ 8  

 

* Non-cash collateral is shown on a settlement basis.

 

American High-Income Trust 23

 

6. Taxation and distributions

 

Federal income taxation — The fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to mutual funds and intends to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income and net capital gains each year. The fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

 

As of and during the period ended March 31, 2014, the fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

The fund is not subject to examination by U.S. federal tax authorities for tax years before 2009 and by state tax authorities and tax authorities outside the U.S. for tax years before 2008.

 

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

 

Distributions — Distributions paid to shareholders are based on net investment income and net realized gains determined on a tax basis, which may differ from net investment income and net realized gains for financial reporting purposes. These differences are due primarily to different treatment for items such as currency gains and losses; short-term capital gains and losses; capital losses related to sales of certain securities within 30 days of purchase; cost of investments sold; net capital losses; and income on certain investments. The fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year in which the net investment income and net realized gains are recorded by the fund for financial reporting purposes.

 

The components of distributable earnings on a tax basis are reported as of the fund’s most recent year-end. As of September 30, 2013, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Undistributed ordinary income   $ 37,909  
Capital loss carryforward expiring 2018*     (607,968 )

 

* The capital loss carryforward will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the fund in the current year or in subsequent years through the expiration date. The fund will not make distributions from capital gains while a capital loss carryforward remains.

 

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), net capital losses recognized after September 30, 2011, may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses. Previously, net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.

 

24 American High-Income Trust
 

As of March 31, 2014, the tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities   $ 1,362,667  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities     (752,092 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities     610,575  
Cost of investment securities     20,194,491  

 

Tax-basis distributions paid or accrued to shareholders from ordinary income were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Share class   Six months ended
March 31, 2014
    Year ended
September 30, 2013
 
Class A   $ 433,988     $ 938,643  
Class B     3,486       10,084  
Class C     34,527       81,420  
Class F-1     40,952       95,595  
Class F-2     34,792       66,875  
Class 529-A     10,803       23,079  
Class 529-B     229       645  
Class 529-C     3,493       7,565  
Class 529-E     573       1,224  
Class 529-F-1     749       1,472  
Class R-1     633       1,466  
Class R-2     5,954       13,541  
Class R-3     8,739       20,166  
Class R-4     7,014       15,260  
Class R-5     6,611       18,575  
Class R-6     16,570       23,849  
Total   $ 609,113     $ 1,319,459  

 

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. These fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.300% on the first $60 million of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.135% on such assets in excess of $15 billion. The agreement also provides for monthly fees, accrued daily, based on a series of decreasing rates beginning with 3.00% on the first $8,333,333 of the fund’s monthly gross income and decreasing to 1.50% on such income in excess of $50 million. For the six months ended March 31, 2014, the investment advisory services fee was $28,387,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.278% of average daily net assets.

 

American High-Income Trust 25
 

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

 

Distribution services — The fund has plans of distribution for all share classes, except Class F-2, 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 0.30% 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.

 

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 limit of 0.30% is not exceeded. As of March 31, 2014, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.

 

  Share class   Currently approved limits   Plan limits  
  Class A     0.30 %     0.30 %  
  Class 529-A     0.30       0.50    
  Classes B and 529-B     1.00       1.00    
  Classes C, 529-C and R-1     1.00       1.00    
  Class R-2     0.75       1.00    
  Classes 529-E and R-3     0.50       0.75    
  Classes F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4     0.25       0.50    

 

Transfer agent services — The fund has a 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 Class A, C, F, 529 and R shares. These services include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders. Under the agreement, Class A shares pay an annual fee of 0.01% and Class C, F, 529 and R shares pay an annual fee of 0.05% of their respective average daily net assets.

 

26 American High-Income Trust
 

529 plan services — Each 529 share class is subject to service fees to compensate the Commonwealth of Virginia for the maintenance of the 529 college savings plan. For the six months ended March 31, 2014, the quarterly fee was based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds and decreasing to 0.06% on such assets between $120 billion and $150 billion. Effective April 1, 2014, the quarterly fee was amended to provide for reduced annual rates of 0.07%, 0.06% and 0.05% over $30 billion, $50 billion and $70 billion, respectively, of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. The fee is included in other expenses in the fund’s statement of operations. The Commonwealth of Virginia is not considered a related party.

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2014, 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   $16,750     $8,680     $719     Not applicable
  Class B     657       84       Not applicable     Not applicable
  Class C     6,570       806       329     Not applicable
  Class F-1     1,710       786       342     Not applicable
  Class F-2     Not applicable       574       279     Not applicable
  Class 529-A     399       185       91     $177
  Class 529-B     44       5       2     4
  Class 529-C     670       75       34     66
  Class 529-E     50       5       5     10
  Class 529-F-1           12       6     12
  Class R-1     121       15       6     Not applicable
  Class R-2     849       470       57     Not applicable
  Class R-3     767       256       77     Not applicable
  Class R-4     291       119       58     Not applicable
  Class R-5     Not applicable       51       53     Not applicable
  Class R-6     Not applicable       5       131     Not applicable
  Total class-specific expenses   $28,878     $12,128     $2,189     $269

 

American High-Income Trust 27
 

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 $110,000 in the fund’s statement of operations includes $72,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $38,000 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.

 

8. Capital share transactions

 

Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):

 

    Sales*     Reinvestments
of dividends
    Repurchases*     Net increase
(decrease)
 
Share class   Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares  
                                                 
Six months ended March 31, 2014                                      
                                       
Class A   $ 1,075,915       94,442     $ 416,825       36,549     $ (1,291,150 )     (113,407 )   $ 201,590       17,584  
Class B     4,354       383       3,398       298       (32,548 )     (2,860 )     (24,796 )     (2,179 )
Class C     116,356       10,215       32,820       2,878       (192,555 )     (16,921 )     (43,379 )     (3,828 )
Class F-1     188,603       16,566       41,112       3,605       (310,812 )     (27,325 )     (81,097 )     (7,154 )
Class F-2     491,939       43,197       31,267       2,742       (324,478 )     (28,517 )     198,728       17,422  
Class 529-A     31,152       2,736       11,030       967       (33,195 )     (2,917 )     8,987       786  
Class 529-B     436       38       234       21       (2,223 )     (195 )     (1,553 )     (136 )
Class 529-C     14,376       1,262       3,571       313       (14,155 )     (1,244 )     3,792       331  
Class 529-E     2,047       180       584       51       (2,082 )     (183 )     549       48  
Class 529-F-1     3,844       338       761       67       (3,012 )     (265 )     1,593       140  
Class R-1     2,588       227       639       56       (3,409 )     (299 )     (182 )     (16 )
Class R-2     30,864       2,709       6,060       531       (41,394 )     (3,638 )     (4,470 )     (398 )
Class R-3     43,995       3,864       8,905       780       (62,452 )     (5,484 )     (9,552 )     (840 )
Class R-4     43,593       3,829       7,164       628       (46,966 )     (4,123 )     3,791       334  
Class R-5     29,387       2,581       6,731       590       (57,957 )     (5,106 )     (21,839 )     (1,935 )
Class R-6     126,691       11,113       16,083       1,409       (43,895 )     (3,849 )     98,879       8,673  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 2,206,140       193,680     $ 587,184       51,485     $ (2,462,283 )     (216,333 )   $ 331,041       28,832  

 

28 American High-Income Trust
 
    Sales*     Reinvestments
 of dividends
    Repurchases*     Net increase
(decrease)
Share class   Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares  
                             
Year ended September 30, 2013                            
                             
Class A   $ 2,628,077       231,117     $ 865,506       76,269     $ (3,177,929 )     (280,061 )   $ 315,654       27,325  
Class B     14,865       1,310       9,316       821       (87,131 )     (7,673 )     (62,950 )     (5,542 )
Class C     299,510       26,331       74,224       6,541       (467,704 )     (41,180 )     (93,970 )     (8,308 )
Class F-1     501,778       44,190       92,834       8,181       (765,689 )     (67,708 )     (171,077)       (15,337 )
Class F-2     695,858       61,502       57,121       5,032       (724,709 )     (63,918 )     28,270       2,616  
Class 529-A     65,681       5,777       22,694       2,000       (73,179 )     (6,451 )     15,196       1,326  
Class 529-B     1,145       101       632       56       (5,599 )     (494 )     (3,822 )     (337 )
Class 529-C     26,987       2,374       7,432       655       (30,484 )     (2,686 )     3,935       343  
Class 529-E     4,041       355       1,202       106       (4,477 )     (395 )     766       66  
Class 529-F-1     8,055       708       1,444       127       (5,578 )     (491 )     3,921       344  
Class R-1     7,445       655       1,409       124       (9,393 )     (831 )     (539 )     (52 )
Class R-2     75,232       6,617       13,237       1,166       (89,731 )     (7,900 )     (1,262 )     (117 )
Class R-3     149,922       13,184       19,732       1,739       (211,854 )     (18,746 )     (42,200 )     (3,823 )
Class R-4     79,556       7,001       15,002       1,322       (97,263 )     (8,571 )     (2,705 )     (248 )
Class R-5     90,198       7,936       18,090       1,593       (177,028 )     (15,537 )     (68,740 )     (6,008 )
Class R-6     333,949       29,459       22,878       2,017       (109,299 )     (9,643 )     247,528       21,833  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 4,982,299       438,617     $ 1,222,753       107,749     $ (6,037,047 )     (532,285 )   $ 168,005       14,081  

 

* Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.

 

9. Investment transactions

 

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $6,174,797,000 and $6,554,751,000, respectively, during the six months ended March 31, 2014.

 

American High-Income Trust 29
 

Financial highlights

 

                Income from investment operations1  
        Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
    Net gains
(losses) on
securities (both
realized and
unrealized)
    Total from
investment
operations
 
Class A:   Six months ended 3/31/20144,5   $ 11.22     $ .35     $ .24     $ .59  
    Year ended 9/30/2013     11.18       .72       .06       .78  
    Year ended 9/30/2012     10.36       .78       .86       1.64  
    Year ended 9/30/2011     11.13       .85       (.74 )     .11  
    Year ended 9/30/2010     10.29       .89       .78       1.67  
    Year ended 9/30/2009     10.01       .83       .33       1.16  
Class B:   Six months ended 3/31/20144,5      11.22       .31       .24       .55  
    Year ended 9/30/2013     11.18       .63       .06       .69  
    Year ended 9/30/2012     10.36       .70       .86       1.56  
    Year ended 9/30/2011     11.13       .77       (.74 )     .03  
    Year ended 9/30/2010     10.29       .80       .78       1.58  
    Year ended 9/30/2009     10.01       .76       .33       1.09  
Class C:   Six months ended 3/31/20144,5      11.22       .31       .24       .55  
    Year ended 9/30/2013     11.18       .63       .06       .69  
    Year ended 9/30/2012     10.36       .70       .86       1.56  
    Year ended 9/30/2011     11.13       .76       (.74 )     .02  
    Year ended 9/30/2010     10.29       .80       .78       1.58  
    Year ended 9/30/2009     10.01       .76       .33       1.09  
Class F-1:   Six months ended 3/31/20144,5      11.22       .35       .24       .59  
    Year ended 9/30/2013     11.18       .71       .06       .77  
    Year ended 9/30/2012     10.36       .78       .86       1.64  
    Year ended 9/30/2011     11.13       .85       (.74 )     .11  
    Year ended 9/30/2010     10.29       .88       .78       1.66  
    Year ended 9/30/2009     10.01       .83       .33       1.16  
Class F-2:   Six months ended 3/31/20144,5      11.22       .36       .24       .60  
    Year ended 9/30/2013     11.18       .74       .06       .80  
    Year ended 9/30/2012     10.36       .81       .86       1.67  
    Year ended 9/30/2011     11.13       .88       (.74 )     .14  
    Year ended 9/30/2010     10.29       .91       .78       1.69  
    Year ended 9/30/2009     10.01       .81       .37       1.18  

 

30 American High-Income Trust
 
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
    Net asset
value, end
of period
    Total
return2,3
      Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
    Ratio of
expenses
to average net
assets before
reimbursements/
waivers
    Ratio of
expenses
to average net
assets after
reimbursements/
waivers3
    Ratio of net
income to
average

net assets3
 
$ (.34 )   $ 11.47       5.34 %   $ 14,696       .66 %6     .66 %6     6.19 %6
  (.74 )     11.22       7.10       14,178       .66       .66       6.37  
  (.82 )     11.18       16.35       13,822       .69       .69       7.17  
  (.88 )     10.36       .67       11,223       .67       .67       7.57  
  (.83 )     11.13       16.75       11,687       .68       .68       8.26  
  (.88 )     10.29       14.03       10,274       .80       .79       9.57  
  (.30 )     11.47       4.95       121       1.42 6     1.42 6     5.43 6
  (.65 )     11.22       6.29       143       1.43       1.43       5.63  
  (.74 )     11.18       15.49       204       1.44       1.44       6.47  
  (.80 )     10.36       (.10 )     264       1.44       1.44       6.82  
  (.74 )     11.13       15.86       452       1.46       1.46       7.50  
  (.81 )     10.29       13.18       550       1.56       1.55       8.93  
  (.30 )     11.47       4.93       1,315       1.46 6     1.46 6     5.38 6
  (.65 )     11.22       6.25       1,330       1.48       1.48       5.56  
  (.74 )     11.18       15.43       1,418       1.48       1.48       6.38  
  (.79 )     10.36       (.15 )     1,229       1.48       1.48       6.76  
  (.74 )     11.13       15.80       1,337       1.51       1.51       7.44  
  (.81 )     10.29       13.15       1,213       1.58       1.57       8.74  
  (.34 )     11.47       5.31       1,367       .71 6     .71 6     6.14 6
  (.73 )     11.22       7.03       1,418       .73       .73       6.32  
  (.82 )     11.18       16.32       1,584       .71       .71       7.14  
  (.88 )     10.36       .62       1,264       .72       .72       7.52  
  (.82 )     11.13       16.69       1,457       .74       .74       8.21  
  (.88 )     10.29       14.02       1,482       .81       .80       9.54  
  (.35 )     11.47       5.45       1,156       .45 6     .45 6     6.40 6
  (.76 )     11.22       7.32       935       .46       .46       6.58  
  (.85 )     11.18       16.62       903       .46       .46       7.37  
  (.91 )     10.36       .88       568       .46       .46       7.77  
  (.85 )     11.13       16.98       511       .48       .48       8.44  
  (.90 )     10.29       14.32       341       .53       .53       8.99  

 

See page 35 for footnotes.

 

American High-Income Trust 31
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

                    Income from investment operations1  
            Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
    Net gains
(losses) on
securities (both
realized and
unrealized)
    Total from
investment
operations
 
Class 529-A:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5       $ 11.22     $ .35     $ .24     $ .59  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .71       .06       .77  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .78       .86       1.64  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .85       (.74 )     .11  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .88       .78       1.66  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .82       .33       1.15  
Class 529-B:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .30       .24       .54  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .62       .06       .68  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .69       .86       1.55  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .75       (.74 )     .01  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .79       .78       1.57  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .75       .33       1.08  
Class 529-C:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .30       .24       .54  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .62       .06       .68  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .69       .86       1.55  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .76       (.74 )     .02  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .79       .78       1.57  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .75       .33       1.08  
Class 529-E:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .33       .24       .57  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .68       .06       .74  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .75       .86       1.61  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .81       (.74 )     .07  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .85       .78       1.63  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .80       .33       1.13  
Class 529-F-1:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .36       .24       .60  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .73       .06       .79  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .80       .86       1.66  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .87       (.74 )     .13  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .90       .78       1.68  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .84       .33       1.17  

 

32 American High-Income Trust
 
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
    Net asset
value, end
of period
    Total
return2,3
    Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
    Ratio of
expenses
to average net
assets before
reimbursements/
waivers
    Ratio of
expenses
to average net
assets after
reimbursements/
waivers3
    Ratio of net
income to
average net
assets3
 
$ (.34 )   $ 11.47       5.29 %   $ 374       .76 %6     .76 %6     6.08 %6
  (.73 )     11.22       7.00       357       .76       .76       6.27  
  (.82 )     11.18       16.26       341       .77       .77       7.08  
  (.88 )     10.36       .59       261       .74       .74       7.50  
  (.82 )     11.13       16.66       230       .76       .76       8.18  
  (.87 )     10.29       13.99       172       .84       .83       9.50  
  (.29 )     11.47       4.88       8       1.56 6     1.56 6     5.29 6
  (.64 )     11.22       6.16       10       1.56       1.56       5.50  
  (.73 )     11.18       15.34       13       1.57       1.57       6.32  
  (.78 )     10.36       (.22 )     16       1.55       1.55       6.70  
  (.73 )     11.13       15.74       23       1.56       1.56       7.39  
  (.80 )     10.29       13.08       22       1.65       1.64       8.76  
  (.29 )     11.47       4.89       139       1.54 6     1.54 6     5.30 6
  (.64 )     11.22       6.17       132       1.55       1.55       5.49  
  (.73 )     11.18       15.35       128       1.56       1.56       6.29  
  (.79 )     10.36       (.21 )     101       1.54       1.54       6.70  
  (.73 )     11.13       15.75       91       1.56       1.56       7.39  
  (.80 )     10.29       13.08       68       1.64       1.63       8.71  
  (.32 )     11.47       5.17       21       .99 6     .99 6     5.86 6
  (.70 )     11.22       6.75       20       .99       .99       6.04  
  (.79 )     11.18       15.97       19       1.02       1.02       6.83  
  (.84 )     10.36       .31       15       1.02       1.02       7.22  
  (.79 )     11.13       16.34       12       1.04       1.04       7.90  
  (.85 )     10.29       13.66       9       1.13       1.12       9.23  
  (.35 )     11.47       5.40       26       .54 6     .54 6     6.30 6
  (.75 )     11.22       7.22       23       .54       .54       6.48  
  (.84 )     11.18       16.50       20       .56       .56       7.28  
  (.90 )     10.36       .80       14       .53       .53       7.70  
  (.84 )     11.13       16.91       11       .55       .55       8.40  
  (.89 )     10.29       14.23       7       .63       .62       9.72  

 

See page 35 for footnotes.

 

American High-Income Trust 33
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

                    Income from investment operations1  
            Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
    Net gains
(losses) on
securities(both
realized and
unrealized)
    Total from
investment
operations
 
Class R-1:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5       $ 11.22     $ .31     $ .24     $ .55  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .63       .06       .69  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .70       .86       1.56  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .76       (.74 )     .02  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .79       .78       1.57  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .75       .33       1.08  
Class R-2:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .31       .24       .55  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .63       .06       .69  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .69       .86       1.55  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .76       (.74 )     .02  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .80       .78       1.58  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .76       .33       1.09  
Class R-3:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .33       .24       .57  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .68       .06       .74  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .75       .86       1.61  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .81       (.74 )     .07  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .85       .78       1.63  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .80       .33       1.13  
Class R-4:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .35       .24       .59  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .72       .06       .78  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .78       .86       1.64  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .85       (.74 )     .11  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .88       .78       1.66  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .83       .33       1.16  
Class R-5:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .37       .24       .61  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .75       .06       .81  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .81       .86       1.67  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .88       (.74 )     .14  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .91       .78       1.69  
      Year ended 9/30/2009       10.01       .85       .33       1.18  
Class R-6:     Six months ended 3/31/20144,5         11.22       .37       .24       .61  
      Year ended 9/30/2013       11.18       .76       .06       .82  
      Year ended 9/30/2012       10.36       .82       .86       1.68  
      Year ended 9/30/2011       11.13       .89       (.74 )     .15  
      Year ended 9/30/2010       10.29       .92       .78       1.70  
      Period from 5/1/2009 to 9/30/20094,7         8.47       .33       1.83       2.16  

 

    Six months ended   Year ended September 30
    March 31, 20144,5   2013   2012   2011   2010   2009
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes     32 %     61 %     38 %     51 %     47 %     43 %

 

34 American High-Income Trust
 
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
    Net asset
value, end
of period
    Total
return2,3
    Net assets,
end of period
(in millions)
    Ratio of
expenses
to average net
assets before
reimbursements/
waivers
    Ratio of
expenses
to average net
assets after
reimbursements/
waivers3
    Ratio of
net income
to average
net assets3
 
$ (.30 )   $ 11.47       4.93 %   $ 25       1.47 %6     1.47 %6     5.38 %6
  (.65 )     11.22       6.25       24       1.47       1.47       5.56  
  (.74 )     11.18       15.42       25       1.50       1.50       6.36  
  (.79 )     10.36       (.17 )     20       1.50       1.50       6.74  
  (.73 )     11.13       15.78       23       1.53       1.53       7.41  
  (.80 )     10.29       13.08       18       1.64       1.63       8.65  
  (.30 )     11.47       4.91       232       1.50 6     1.50 6     5.35 6
  (.65 )     11.22       6.26       231       1.47       1.47       5.57  
  (.73 )     11.18       15.38       232       1.54       1.54       6.32  
  (.79 )     10.36       (.15 )     200       1.53       1.48       6.76  
  (.74 )     11.13       15.80       209       1.58       1.51       7.44  
  (.81 )     10.29       13.17       170       1.79       1.56       8.81  
  (.32 )     11.47       5.16       307       1.01 6     1.01 6     5.84 6
  (.70 )     11.22       6.74       310       1.01       1.01       6.04  
  (.79 )     11.18       15.96       352       1.03       1.03       6.84  
  (.84 )     10.36       .31       266       1.02       1.02       7.22  
  (.79 )     11.13       16.33       316       1.05       1.05       7.90  
  (.85 )     10.29       13.66       272       1.13       1.12       9.20  
  (.34 )     11.47       5.32       239       .69 6     .69 6     6.16 6
  (.74 )     11.22       7.06       230       .70       .70       6.34  
  (.82 )     11.18       16.32       232       .72       .72       7.16  
  (.88 )     10.36       .61       208       .72       .72       7.52  
  (.82 )     11.13       16.68       213       .75       .75       8.19  
  (.88 )     10.29       14.02       172       .81       .80       9.56  
  (.36 )     11.47       5.48       207       .39 6     .39 6     6.46 6
  (.77 )     11.22       7.38       224       .40       .40       6.66  
  (.85 )     11.18       16.67       290       .41       .41       7.44  
  (.91 )     10.36       .91       224       .42       .42       7.82  
  (.85 )     11.13       17.03       232       .44       .44       8.50  
  (.90 )     10.29       14.37       202       .51       .50       9.88  
  (.36 )     11.47       5.50       582       .34 6     .34 6     6.50 6
  (.78 )     11.22       7.43       472       .35       .35       6.66  
  (.86 )     11.18       16.72       226       .36       .36       7.44  
  (.92 )     10.36       .96       104       .37       .37       7.86  
  (.86 )     11.13       17.09       89       .39       .39       8.56  
  (.34 )     10.29       25.96       49       .18       .18       3.55  

 

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/waivers from CRMC. During one of the periods shown, CRMC reduced fees for investment advisory services. In addition, during some of the periods shown, CRMC paid a portion of the fund’s transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.
4 Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.
5 Unaudited.
6 Annualized.
7 Class R-6 shares were offered beginning May 1, 2009.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

American High-Income Trust 35
 
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 (October 1, 2013, through March 31, 2014).

 

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 entitled “Expenses paid during period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes:

The second line of each share class in the table on the 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:

There are some account fees that are charged to certain types of accounts, such as individual retirement accounts and 529 college savings plan accounts (generally, a $10 fee is charged to set up the account and an additional $10 fee is charged to the account annually), that would increase the amount of expenses paid on your account. In addition, retirement plan participants may be subject to certain fees charged by the plan sponsor, and Class F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1 shareholders may be subject to fees charged by financial intermediaries, typically ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% of assets annually depending on services offered. You can estimate the impact of these fees by adding the amount of the fees to the total estimated expenses you paid on your account during the period as calculated above. In addition, your ending account value would be lower by the amount of these fees.

 

Note that the expenses shown in the table 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.

 

36 American High-Income Trust
 
    Beginning
account value
10/1/2013
    Ending
account value
3/31/2014
    Expenses
paid during
period*
    Annualized
expense
ratio
 
Class A — actual return   $ 1,000.00     $ 1,053.39     $ 3.38       .66 %
Class A — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,021.64       3.33       .66  
Class B — actual return     1,000.00       1,049.53       7.26       1.42  
Class B — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,017.85       7.14       1.42  
Class C — actual return     1,000.00       1,049.29       7.46       1.46  
Class C — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,017.65       7.34       1.46  
Class F-1 — actual return     1,000.00       1,053.13       3.63       .71  
Class F-1 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,021.39       3.58       .71  
Class F-2 — actual return     1,000.00       1,054.47       2.30       .45  
Class F-2 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,022.69       2.27       .45  
Class 529-A — actual return     1,000.00       1,052.88       3.89       .76  
Class 529-A — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,021.14       3.83       .76  
Class 529-B — actual return     1,000.00       1,048.83       7.97       1.56  
Class 529-B — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,017.15       7.85       1.56  
Class 529-C — actual return     1,000.00       1,048.90       7.87       1.54  
Class 529-C — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,017.25       7.75       1.54  
Class 529-E — actual return     1,000.00       1,051.70       5.06       .99  
Class 529-E — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,020.00       4.99       .99  
Class 529-F-1 — actual return     1,000.00       1,053.98       2.77       .54  
Class 529-F-1 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,022.24       2.72       .54  
Class R-1 — actual return     1,000.00       1,049.29       7.51       1.47  
Class R-1 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,017.60       7.39       1.47  
Class R-2 — actual return     1,000.00       1,049.10       7.66       1.50  
Class R-2 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,017.45       7.54       1.50  
Class R-3 — actual return     1,000.00       1,051.59       5.17       1.01  
Class R-3 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,019.90       5.09       1.01  
Class R-4 — actual return     1,000.00       1,053.21       3.53       .69  
Class R-4 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,021.49       3.48       .69  
Class R-5 — actual return     1,000.00       1,054.76       2.00       .39  
Class R-5 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,022.99       1.97       .39  
Class R-6 — actual return     1,000.00       1,054.99       1.74       .34  
Class R-6 — assumed 5% return     1,000.00       1,023.24       1.72       .34  

 

* 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).

 

American High-Income Trust 37
 

Approval of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement

 

The American High-Income Trust’s board has approved the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “agreement”) with Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”) for an additional one-year term through March 31, 2015. The agreement was amended to add an additional advisory fee breakpoint if and when the fund’s net assets exceed $21 billion. The board approved the agreement following the recommendation of the fund’s Contracts Committee (the “committee”), which is composed of all of the fund’s independent board members. The board and the committee determined that the fund’s advisory fee structure was fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided and that approving the agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

 

In reaching this decision, the board and the committee took into account information furnished to them throughout the year 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. 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 its organization; 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, compliance and shareholder services provided by CRMC to the fund under the agreement and other agreements, as well as the benefits to fund shareholders from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds. The board and the committee concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by CRMC have benefited and should continue to benefit the fund and its shareholders.

 

2. Investment results

 

The board and the committee considered the investment results of the fund in light of its objectives of providing a high level of current income and, secondarily, capital appreciation. They compared the fund’s total returns with those of other relevant funds (including the other funds that are the basis of the Lipper index for the category in which the fund is included) and data such as relevant market and fund indexes, over various periods through September 30, 2013. This report, including the letter to shareholders and related disclosures, contains certain information about the fund’s investment results. The board and the committee reviewed the fund’s investment results measured against the Lipper High Yield Funds Index and the Barclays U.S. Corporate High Yield 2% Issuer Capped Index. They noted that the investment results of the fund were above those of the Lipper average for the nine-month, one-year and lifetime periods (while below the Lipper average for the three-year, five-year and 10-year periods), and below the Barclays index for all periods considered. The board and committee also discussed certain actions being considered to improve the fund’s relative results. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s recent

 

38 American High-Income Trust
 

and long-term investment results have been satisfactory and that CRMC’s record in managing the fund indicated that its continued management should benefit the fund and its shareholders.

 

3. Advisory fees and total expenses

 

The board and the committee compared the advisory fees and total expense levels of the fund to those of other relevant funds. They observed that the fund’s advisory fees and expenses remain significantly below those of most other relevant funds in the Lipper High Yield Funds 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 and regulatory differences between advising the fund and the other clients. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s cost structure was fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided, and that the fund’s shareholders receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund.

 

4. Ancillary benefits

 

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

 

5. Adviser financial information

 

The board and the committee reviewed information regarding CRMC’s costs of providing services to the American Funds, including personnel, systems and resources of investment, compliance, trading, accounting and other administrative operations. They considered CRMC’s costs and willingness to invest in technology, infrastructure and staff to maintain and expand services and capabilities, respond to industry and regulatory developments, and attract and retain qualified personnel. They noted information regarding the compensation structure for CRMC’s investment professionals. 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. 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.

 

American High-Income Trust 39
 

 

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40 American High-Income Trust
 

 

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American High-Income Trust 41
 

 

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42 American High-Income Trust
 

 

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American High-Income Trust 43
 

Offices of the fund and of the investment adviser

Capital Research and Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406

 

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618-4518

 

Transfer agent for shareholder accounts

American Funds Service Company
(Write to the address near you.)

 

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

 

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

 

Custodian of assets

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

 

Counsel

Bingham McCutchen LLP

355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3106

 

Independent registered public accounting firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP 695
Town Center Drive
Suite 1200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7188

 

Principal underwriter

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

 

44 American High-Income Trust
 

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 American Funds website at americanfunds.com.

 

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

 

A complete March 31, 2014, portfolio of American High-Income Trust’s investments is available free of charge by calling AFS or visiting the SEC website (where it is part of Form N-CSR).

 

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

 

This report is for the information of shareholders of American High-Income Trust, 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 June 30, 2014, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.

 

The American Funds Advantage

 

Since 1931, American Funds, part of Capital Group, has helped investors pursue long-term investment success. Our consistent approach — in combination with The Capital SystemSM — has resulted in a superior long-term track record.

 

  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 25 years of investment experience, including 21 years at our company, reflecting a career commitment to our long-term approach.1
   
  The Capital SystemSM
  Our investment process, The Capital System, combines individual accountability with teamwork. Each fund is 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.
   
  Superior long-term track record
  Our equity funds have beaten their Lipper peer indexes in 90% of 10-year periods and 96% of 20-year periods. Our fixed-income funds have beaten their Lipper indexes in 56% of 10-year periods and 57% of 20-year periods.2 Our fund management fees have been among the lowest in the industry.3

 

  1 Portfolio manager experience as of December 31, 2013.
  2 Based on Class A share results for rolling periods through December 31, 2013. Periods covered are the shorter of the fund’s lifetime or since the comparable Lipper index inception date (except SMALLCAP World Fund, for which the Lipper average was used).
  3 Based on management fees for the 20-year period ended December 31, 2013, versus comparable Lipper categories, excluding funds of funds.

 

Printed on paper containing 10% post-consumer waste   Printed with inks containing soy and/or vegetable oil
Lit. No. MFGESRX-021-0514P   Litho in USA RCG/ALD/8076-S37069
 

 

 

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

 

 

AF_ColorLogo_Letterhead

 

 

 

 

American High-Income Trust®

Investment portfolio

March 31, 2014

 

 

unaudited

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments  87.86%    
Corporate bonds & notes  84.40% Principal amount Value
Telecommunication services  15.28% (000) (000)
     
Sprint Nextel Corp. 6.00% 2016 $        500 $        549
Clearwire Communications and Clearwire Finance, Inc. 14.75% 20161 13,650 18,137
Sprint Nextel Corp. 8.375% 2017 30,575 36,117
Sprint Nextel Corp. 9.125% 2017 16,935 20,110
Sprint Nextel Corp. 9.00% 20181 31,150 38,159
Sprint Capital Corp. 6.90% 2019 14,450 15,931
Sprint Nextel Corp. 7.00% 2020 163,785 179,345
Sprint Corp. 7.25% 20211 107,425 117,496
Sprint Nextel Corp. 11.50% 2021 56,405 75,301
Sprint Nextel Corp. 6.00% 2022 8,000 8,190
Sprint Corp. 7.875% 20231 83,375 91,921
Sprint Capital Corp. 8.75% 2032 1,800 1,989
T-Mobile US, Inc. 6.542% 2020 83,850 90,558
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. 6.25% 2021 137,025 145,418
T-Mobile US, Inc. 6.731% 2022 36,600 39,345
MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. 6.625% 2023 150,000 159,750
NII Capital Corp. 10.00% 2016 169,700 70,001
NII Capital Corp. 7.875% 20191 124,780 85,474
NII Capital Corp. 8.875% 2019 112,001 50,680
NII Capital Corp. 11.375% 20191 191,970 136,299
NII Capital Corp. 7.625% 2021 215,896 61,530
Wind Acquisition SA 11.75% 20171 140,330 148,048
Wind Acquisition SA 11.75% 2017 €51,090 74,241
Wind Acquisition SA 7.25% 20181 $54,580 57,718
Wind Acquisition SA 7.25% 20181 45,380 48,103
Wind Acquisition SA 7.375% 2018 €21,915 32,003
Digicel Group Ltd. 10.50% 20181 $  10,450 11,129
Digicel Group Ltd. 8.25% 20201 104,275 111,835
Digicel Group Ltd. 6.00% 20211 97,092 99,519
Digicel Group Ltd. 7.125% 20221 71,025 72,002
Frontier Communications Corp. 8.125% 2018 26,251 30,779
Frontier Communications Corp. 8.50% 2020 70,867 82,737
Frontier Communications Corp. 9.25% 2021 51,625 61,434
Frontier Communications Corp. 8.75% 2022 16,925 19,400
Frontier Communications Corp. 7.125% 2023 44,650 46,771
Frontier Communications Corp. 7.625% 2024 49,598 52,078
Intelsat Luxembourg Holding Co. 6.75% 20181 7,600 8,075
Intelsat Jackson Holding Co. 7.25% 2020 31,325 34,105
Intelsat Jackson Holding Co. 6.625% 20221 183,835 192,108
Intelsat Jackson Holding Co. 6.625% 2022 21,650 22,624
LightSquared, Term Loan B, 12.00% 20142,3,4,5 144,713 172,932
LightSquared, Term Loan, 15.00% 20143,4,5,6 6,866 6,867
Cricket Communications, Inc. 7.75% 2020 106,036 121,385
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Telecommunication services  (continued) (000) (000)
     
Trilogy International Partners, LLC 10.25% 20161 $103,240 $      106,595
Altice Finco SA 6.50% 20221 32,700 34,580
Altice Finco SA 8.125% 20241 10,375 11,231
Millicom International Cellular SA 4.75% 20201 5,000 4,913
Millicom International Cellular SA 6.625% 20211 27,210 28,911
Level 3 Communications, Inc. 8.125% 2019 4,900 5,402
Level 3 Communications, Inc. 11.875% 2019 15,525 17,621
Telecom Italia Capital SA 6.999% 2018 15,600 17,765
Syniverse Holdings, Inc. 9.125% 2019 4,600 5,026
    3,180,237
Consumer discretionary  14.02%    
     
Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. 11.25% 2017 44,295 42,745
Caesars Entertainment,Term Loan B, 7.00% 20204,5,7 14,963 15,174
Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. 8.00% 20201 33,325 35,241
Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. 9.00% 2020 94,270 85,079
Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. 9.00% 2020 25,830 23,312
EchoStar DBS Corp. 7.125% 2016 3,500 3,832
DISH DBS Corp. 4.625% 2017 73,650 78,621
DISH DBS Corp. 4.25% 2018 63,400 66,332
DISH DBS Corp. 7.875% 2019 3,550 4,207
DISH DBS Corp. 5.125% 2020 35,550 37,150
Neiman Marcus, Term Loan B, 4.25% 20204,5,7 67,481 67,824
Neiman Marcus Group LTD Inc. 8.00% 20211 47,875 52,842
Neiman Marcus Group LTD Inc. 8.75% 20211,3,7 53,080 58,919
Boyd Gaming Corp. 9.125% 2018 82,070 89,374
Boyd Gaming Corp. 9.00% 2020 75,655 84,072
Warner Music Group 13.75% 2019 17,725 21,403
Warner Music Group 6.00% 20211 32,990 34,557
Warner Music Group 5.625% 20221 7,500 7,631
Warner Music Group 6.75% 20221 72,425 73,240
Cequel Communications Holdings I, LLC and Cequel Capital Corp. 6.375% 20201 112,100 117,705
MGM Resorts International 6.625% 2015 5,575 5,937
MGM Resorts International 7.50% 2016 9,000 10,069
MGM Resorts International 8.625% 2019 27,205 32,714
MGM Resorts International 5.25% 2020 17,150 17,707
MGM Resorts International 6.75% 2020 9,000 10,001
MGM Resorts International 7.75% 2022 18,950 22,077
Needle Merger Sub Corp. 8.125% 20191 83,905 87,471
Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corp. 9.125% 2019 24,250 26,069
Mediacom Broadband LLC and Mediacom Broadband Corp. 5.50% 20211 10,500 10,579
Mediacom LLC and Mediacom Capital Corp. 7.25% 2022 19,300 21,133
Mediacom Broadband LLC and Mediacom Broadband Corp. 6.375% 2023 24,575 26,172
Marina District Finance Co. (Borgata), Term Loan B, 6.75% 20184,5,7 49,875 50,727
Marina District Finance Co., Inc. 9.875% 2018 21,000 22,654
Playa Resorts Holding BV, Term Loan B, 4.00% 20194,5,7 10,522 10,594
Playa Resorts Holding BV 8.00% 20201 56,677 61,495
Cumulus Media Holdings Inc. 7.75% 2019 17,315 18,527
Cumulus Media Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25% 20204,5,7 46,015 46,436
Hilton Worldwide, Term Loan B, 3.75% 20204,5,7 28,237 28,322
Hilton Hotels Corp. 5.625% 20211 33,865 35,452
Wynn Macau, Ltd. 5.25% 20211 60,925 62,144
Univision Communications Inc. 6.875% 20191 4,230 4,558
Univision Communications Inc., Term Loan C3, 4.00% 20204,5,7 32,465 32,683
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Consumer discretionary  (continued) (000) (000)
     
Univision Communications Inc., Term Loan D, 4.00% 20204,5,7 $  5,985 $  5,991
Univision Communications Inc., First Lien, 7.875% 20201 700 777
Univision Communications Inc. 8.50% 20211 10,795 12,009
Univision Communications Inc. 6.75% 20221 2,713 3,015
Univision Communications Inc. 5.125% 20231 915 940
Fiat SpA, Second Lien, 8.25% 20211 51,600 58,631
PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. 9.25% 20181 53,750 57,916
Michaels Stores, Inc. 7.50% 20181,3,7 16,700 17,284
Michaels Stores, Inc. 7.75% 2018 24,950 26,790
Michaels Stores, Inc. 5.875% 20201 12,500 12,672
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. 5.25% 20211 55,739 56,296
Virgin Media Finance PLC 8.375% 20191 33,175 35,663
UPC Germany GmbH 9.625% 2019 €10,800 16,418
Citycenter, Term Loan B, 5.00% 20204,5,7 $51,097 51,581
Burger King Corp 0%/11.00% 20191,8 54,225 49,887
Clear Channel Worldwide Holdings, Inc. 7.625% 2020 45,900 49,802
Schaeffler Holding Finance BV 6.875% 20183,7 €19,000 27,923
Schaeffler Holding Finance BV 6.875% 20181,3,7 $17,775 18,997
Toys “R” Us-Delaware, Inc. 7.375% 20161 32,805 30,591
Toys “R” Us Property Co. II, LLC 8.50% 2017 6,500 6,654
Toys “R” Us-Delaware, Inc., Term Loan B2, 5.25% 20184,5,7 3,341 2,805
Toys “R” Us, Inc. 7.375% 2018 5,525 4,448
Revel Entertainment, Term Loan B, 10.00% 20153,4,5,6,7,9 14,415 14,415
Revel Entertainment, Term Loan B, 14.50% 20183,4,5,6,7,9 82,239 25,494
Gannett Co., Inc. 5.125% 20191 16,955 17,782
Gannett Co., Inc. 6.375% 20231 20,455 21,759
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority 11.00% 20181,3,7 38,375 38,687
Cengage Learning Acquisitions, Inc., Term Loan B, 7.00% 20204,5,7 36,910 37,402
Laureate Education, Inc. 9.25% 20191 34,800 37,236
DineEquity, Inc. 9.50% 2018 29,275 32,056
Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc. 6.875% 2019 21,625 23,787
Sally Holdings LLC and Sally Capital Inc. 5.75% 2022 7,250 7,703
McClatchy Co. 9.00% 2022 26,750 31,264
CEC Entertainment, Inc. 8.00% 20221 28,325 29,458
Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. 6.375% 20211 23,600 24,662
La Quinta Properties, Inc., First Lien Term Loan B, 4.00% 20214,5,7 24,250 24,292
NBC Universal Enterprise, Inc. 5.25% (undated)1 23,885 24,243
Seneca Gaming Corp. 8.25% 20181 22,450 24,134
VTR Finance BV 6.875% 20241 23,000 23,978
Academy Sports 9.25% 20191 21,050 23,076
Cinemark USA, Inc. 5.125% 2022 12,475 12,537
Cinemark USA, Inc. 4.875% 2023 10,750 10,387
NCL Corp. Ltd. 5.00% 2018 17,350 18,087
Jaguar Land Rover PLC 8.125% 20211 15,725 17,926
Stackpole Intl. 7.75% 20211 15,805 17,010
Ford Motor Credit Co. 8.70% 2014 1,000 1,041
Ford Motor Credit Co. 5.625% 2015 1,000 1,066
Ford Motor Credit Co. 7.00% 2015 3,000 3,192
Ford Motor Credit Co. 8.00% 2016 7,000 8,204
Ford Motor Credit Co. 6.625% 2017 2,600 3,006
Limited Brands, Inc. 6.625% 2021 14,226 16,058
Carmike Cinemas, Inc. 7.375% 2019 14,000 15,347
Modular Space Corp., Second Lien, 10.25% 20191 14,100 14,699
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00% 20214,5,7 14,325 14,379
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Consumer discretionary  (continued) (000) (000)
     
Dynacast International LLC 9.25% 2019 $12,200 $        13,633
J.C. Penney Co., Inc. 5.75% 2018 15,481 13,159
CBS Outdoor Americas Inc. 5.25% 20221 6,000 6,165
CBS Outdoor Americas Inc. 5.625% 20241 6,000 6,165
Guitar Center, Inc. 9.625% 20201 10,600 10,547
K. Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc. 7.00% 20191 10,000 10,281
Weather Company, Term Loan, 7.00% 20204,5,7 10,000 9,750
General Motors Financial Co. 3.25% 2018 5,960 6,034
General Motors Financial Co. 6.75% 2018 1,040 1,191
General Motors Financial Co. 4.25% 2023 1,500 1,485
Seminole Tribe of Florida 7.804% 20201,4 6,915 7,745
Automotores Gildemeister SA 8.25% 20211 4,795 3,596
Automotores Gildemeister SA 8.25% 2021 415 311
Automotores Gildemeister SA 6.75% 2023 3,000 2,040
Automotores Gildemeister SA 6.75% 20231 1,875 1,275
Burlington Coat Factory Warehouse Corp. 10.00% 2019 5,250 5,887
Grupo Televisa, SAB 7.25% 2043 MXN68,660 4,264
MDC Partners Inc. 6.75% 20201 $    4,000 4,230
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 11.875% 2015 3,300 3,754
Lee Enterprises, Term Loan B, 7.25% 20194,5,7 3,000 3,030
    2,918,780
Health care  12.61%    
     
Kinetic Concepts, Inc., Term Loan E1, 4.00% 20184,5,7 19,651 19,734
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. 10.50% 2018 169,500 195,773
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. 12.50% 2019 111,702 130,971
inVentiv Health Inc. 9.00% 20181 172,065 183,249
inVentiv Health Inc. 11.00% 20181 116,915 108,439
inVentiv Health Inc. 11.00% 20181 55,390 51,513
Forest Laboratories, Inc. 4.375% 20191 74,980 79,010
Forest Laboratories, Inc. 4.875% 20211 14,125 14,955
Forest Laboratories, Inc. 5.00% 20211 165,608 175,544
VPI Escrow Corp. 6.75% 20181 50,100 55,361
VPI Escrow Corp. 6.375% 20201 75,463 81,877
VPI Escrow Corp. 5.625% 20211 9,205 9,688
VPI Escrow Corp. 7.50% 20211 48,370 54,658
DJO Finance LLC 9.75% 2017 37,538 39,978
DJO Finance LLC 7.75% 2018 29,321 31,007
DJO Finance LLC 8.75% 2018 25,875 28,268
DJO Finance LLC 9.875% 2018 68,130 74,602
HCA Inc., Term Loan B5, 2.903% 20174,5,7 6,980 6,986
HCA Inc. 3.75% 2019 60,695 61,074
HCA Inc. 6.50% 2020 36,840 41,353
HCA Inc. 7.875% 2020 5,050 5,388
HCA Inc. 5.00% 2024 52,800 53,031
Tenet Healthcare Corp., First Lien, 6.25% 2018 3,000 3,321
Tenet Healthcare Corp., First Lien, 4.75% 2020 4,440 4,495
Tenet Healthcare Corp., First Lien, 6.00% 20201 55,285 59,259
Tenet Healthcare Corp., First Lien, 4.50% 2021 19,820 19,448
Tenet Healthcare Corp. 8.125% 2022 38,465 43,081
Multiplan Inc. 9.875% 20181 28,950 31,556
Multiplan Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00% 20214,5,7 87,015 87,083
Select Medical Holdings Corp. 6.375% 2021 92,610 94,462
VWR Funding, Inc. 7.25% 2017 86,904 93,856
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Health care  (continued) (000) (000)
     
Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan A, 5.50% 20184,5,6,7,9 $  25,771 $        25,770
Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan B, 10.00% 20194,5,6,7,9 20,825 20,825
Rotech Healthcare Inc., Term Loan, 13.00% 20203,4,5,6,7,9 46,371 46,371
INC Research LLC, Term Loan B, 4.25% 20184,5,7 16,370 16,414
INC Research LLC 11.50% 20191 58,127 65,538
CRC Health Corp, Term Loan, 5.25% 20214,5,7 28,000 28,210
CRC Health Corp, Term Loan B, 9.00% 20214,5,7 45,150 45,348
ConvaTec Finance International SA 8.25% 20191,3 60,940 62,921
PRA Holdings, Inc. 9.50% 20231 48,520 53,675
Centene Corp. 5.75% 2017 43,035 47,016
Symbion Inc. 8.00% 2016 42,375 44,706
Kindred Healthcare Inc., Term Loan B, 4.00% 20214,5,7 42,250 42,461
Patheon Inc., Term Loan B, 4.25% 20214,5,7 24,515 24,428
Patheon Inc. 7.50% 20221 9,510 9,831
IMS Health Inc. 7.375% 20181,3 32,180 32,824
Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings Inc. 5.75% 20221 30,325 31,159
Community Health Systems, Inc., Term Loan D1, 4.25% 20214,5,7 24,683 24,922
Catalent Pharma Solutions Inc., Term Loan, 6.50% 20174,5,7 19,165 19,437
Grifols Worldwide Operations Ltd. 5.25% 20221 18,325 18,783
Medpace Holdings, Term Loan B, 5.00% 20214,5,7 11,900 11,840
Accellent Inc. 8.375% 2017 7,500 7,764
Catamaran Corp. 4.75% 2021 5,500 5,589
    2,624,852
Industrials  11.09%    
     
Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. and Navios Maritime Finance II (US) Inc. 8.125% 2019 40,485 41,092
Navios Logistics Finance (US) Inc., 9.25% 2019 3,225 3,467
Navios Maritime Acquisition Corp. and Navios Acquisition Finance (US) Inc. 8.125% 20211 69,895 73,215
Navios Maritime Holdings Inc. 7.375% 20221 54,020 55,371
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. 7.25% 2018 25,900 30,238
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. 7.875% 2021 29,700 34,155
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. 7.00% 2022 31,425 34,725
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. 6.50% 2023 49,150 52,160
R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co. 6.00% 2024 20,000 20,200
Associated Materials, LLC and AMH New Finance, Inc. 9.125% 2017 152,692 161,472
Nortek Inc. 10.00% 2018 47,735 52,628
Nortek Inc. 8.50% 2021 75,092 84,291
CEVA Group PLC 4.00% 20181 42,250 40,032
CEVA Group PLC, Term Loan B, 6.50% 20214,5,7 58,475 58,365
CEVA Group PLC 7.00% 20211 9,475 9,688
CEVA Group PLC 9.00% 20211 19,100 19,625
US Investigations Services, Inc., Term Loan B, 5.00% 20154,5,7 11,769 11,556
US Investigations Services, Inc., Term Loan D, 7.75% 20154,5,7 47,980 47,455
US Investigations Services, Inc. 10.50% 20151 48,330 44,766
US Investigations Services, Inc. 11.75% 20161 20,350 15,263
Ply Gem Industries, Inc., Term Loan B1, 4.00% 20214,5,7 27,675 27,744
Ply Gem Industries, Inc. 6.50% 20221 67,925 68,859
Jeld-Wen Escrow Corp. 12.25% 20171 83,760 93,392
TransDigm Inc. 7.75% 2018 48,525 52,286
TransDigm Inc. 5.50% 2020 35,350 36,145
Euramax International, Inc. 9.50% 2016 86,715 88,016
TRAC Intermodal 11.00% 2019 74,030 84,764
Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. 7.75% 2018 1,000 1,074
Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. 4.50% 2020 31,770 32,167
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Industrials  (continued) (000) (000)
     
Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. 5.50% 20211 $  8,525 $  8,941
Nielsen Finance LLC and Nielsen Finance Co. 5.00% 20221 36,775 37,051
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd. 6.50% 2017 36,130 36,672
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd. 6.50% 20171 29,055 29,491
HD Supply, Inc. 7.50% 2020 5,000 5,481
HD Supply, Inc. 11.50% 2020 48,915 58,331
DAE Aviation Holdings, Inc. and Standard Aero Ltd., Term Loan, 5.00% 20184,5,7 41,439 42,130
DAE Aviation Holdings, Inc. and Standard Aero Ltd., Term Loan, 5.00% 20184,5,7 18,028 18,329
United Rentals, Inc. 7.375% 2020 11,625 12,889
United Rentals, Inc. 7.625% 2022 31,725 35,730
United Rentals, Inc. 6.125% 2023 7,675 8,174
BE Aerospace, Inc. 5.25% 2022 48,275 49,904
Silver II Borrower S.C.A./Silver II U.S. Holdings, LLC 7.75% 20201 45,828 49,609
Gardner Denver, Inc. Term Loan B, 4.25% 20204,5,7 42,799 42,833
Gardner Denver, Inc. 6.875% 20211 6,000 6,210
Esterline Technologies Corp. 7.00% 2020 42,860 46,610
Far East Capital Limited SA 8.00% 20181 15,555 12,911
Far East Capital Limited SA 8.75% 20201 30,725 25,195
Far East Capital Limited S.A., 8.75% 2020 9,600 7,872
Iron Mountain Inc. 6.00% 2023 950 1,014
Iron Mountain Inc. 5.75% 2024 44,175 43,236
ADT Corp. 4.125% 2019 43,925 43,644
ARAMARK Corp., Term Loan E, 3.25% 20194,5,7 26,000 25,829
ARAMARK Corp. 5.75% 2020 5,000 5,306
United Air Lines, 1991 Equipment Trust Certificates, Series A, 10.11% 20062,4,6 1,135
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 2001-1, Class B, 7.373% 20174 2,370 2,517
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 1998-1, Class B, 6.748% 20184 2,795 2,983
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 1997-4B, Class B, 6.90% 20184 526 541
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 1997-4, Class A, 6.90% 20194 2,035 2,204
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 2000-2, Class B, 8.307% 20194 641 689
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 1999-1, Class A, 6.545% 20204 2,495 2,778
United Air Lines, Inc., Series 2007-1, Class B, 7.336% 20211,4 3,046 3,308
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 2001-1, Class A-1, 6.703% 20224 5,546 6,101
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 2000-2, Class A-1, 7.707% 20224 2,759 3,150
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 2000-1, Class A-1, 8.048% 20224 269 311
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 2000-1, Class B, 8.388% 20224 3,634 3,870
Watco Companies 6.375% 20231 26,240 26,765
Builders Firstsource 7.625% 20211 24,139 26,191
HDTFS Inc. 4.25% 2018 11,400 11,799
HDTFS Inc. 5.875% 2020 7,800 8,356
HDTFS Inc. 6.25% 2022 4,600 4,945
Delta Air Lines, Inc., Series 2010-B, Class 2-B, 6.75% 20171,4 7,650 8,264
Northwest Airlines, Inc., Term Loan A, 1.99% 20184,5,7 7,343 6,829
Delta Air Lines, Inc., Series 2002-1, Class G-1, MBIA insured, 6.718% 20244 7,999 9,379
BakerCorp International, Inc. 8.25% 2019 23,400 24,395
Avianca Holdings SA, 8.375% 20201 22,075 23,289
Eletson Holdings Inc. 9.625% 20221 19,450 20,617
Safway Group Holding 7.00% 20181 17,000 18,190
Florida East Coast Railway Corp. 8.125% 2017 14,645 15,322
Milacron LLC 7.75% 20211 10,275 11,148
Red de Carreteras de Occidente 9.00% 20284 MXN151,560 10,268
RZD Capital Ltd. 8.30% 2019 RUB289,500 7,698
ADS Waste Escrow 8.25% 2020 $6,050 6,610
GOL Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes SA 10.75% 20231 5,450 5,314
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Industrials  (continued) (000) (000)
     
ENA Norte Trust 4.95% 20281,4 $     4,074 $          4,122
Hawker Beechcraft Acquisition Co., LLC, Letter of Credit, 0.009% 20144,5,7 3,547 1,932
Odebrecht Finance Ltd 5.125% 20221 630 630
    2,308,118
Materials  7.78%    
     
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 6.75% 20201 138,162 140,580
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 7.00% 20211 143,912 147,150
Reynolds Group Inc. 7.125% 2019 5,700 6,056
Reynolds Group Inc. 7.875% 2019 5,805 6,422
Reynolds Group Inc. 9.875% 2019 53,765 60,351
Reynolds Group Inc. 5.75% 2020 150,495 158,396
FMG Resources 6.00% 20171 97,317 102,730
FMG Resources 6.875% 20181 36,260 38,300
FMG Resources 8.25% 20191 18,375 20,281
FMG Resources 6.875% 20221 5,000 5,406
ArcelorMittal 5.00% 20177 14,250 15,194
ArcelorMittal 10.35% 20197 2,000 2,542
ArcelorMittal 6.00% 20217 38,292 41,020
ArcelorMittal 6.75% 20227 15,625 17,227
ArcelorMittal 7.25% 20417 69,295 69,815
JMC Steel Group Inc. 8.25% 20181 138,715 142,356
Ryerson Inc. 9.00% 2017 42,230 45,714
Ryerson Inc. 11.25% 2018 71,275 80,184
CEMEX SAB de CV 9.50% 2018 3,500 4,078
CEMEX España, SA 9.25% 20201 7,635 8,418
CEMEX Finance LLC 7.25% 20211 28,500 31,207
CEMEX Finance LLC 9.375% 20221 47,820 56,368
Walter Energy, Inc. 9.50% 20191 39,835 40,681
Walter Energy, Inc. 9.875% 2020 15,100 10,004
Walter Energy, Inc. 11.00% 20201,3,7 7,500 6,787
Walter Energy, Inc. 8.50% 2021 12,800 8,128
LSB Industries, Inc. 7.75% 20191 52,400 56,461
U.S. Coatings Acquisition Inc. (Flash Dutch 2 BV), Term Loan B, 4.00% 20204,5,7 12,148 12,181
U.S. Coatings Acquisition Inc. (Flash Dutch 2 BV) 5.75% 2021 €2,630 3,886
U.S. Coatings Acquisition Inc. (Flash Dutch 2 BV) 7.375% 20211 $33,035 36,091
PQ Corp. 8.75% 20181 27,365 29,965
Smurfit Capital Funding PLC 7.50% 2025 25,515 28,959
OMNOVA Solutions Inc. 7.875% 2018 25,795 27,665
Taminco Global Chemical Corp. 9.75% 20201 22,955 25,997
Ball Corp. 6.75% 2020 2,555 2,782
Ball Corp. 5.75% 2021 16,830 18,050
Ball Corp. 5.00% 2022 3,615 3,723
Georgia Gulf Corp. 4.625% 20211 6,000 5,955
Georgia Gulf Corp. 4.875% 20231 17,160 16,903
Packaging Dynamics Corp. 8.75% 20161 19,960 20,521
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. 3.95% 2018 15,625 15,723
Sibur Securities Ltd. 3.914% 20181 14,590 13,350
Mirabela Nickle Ltd., Term Loan, 3.50% 20143,4,5,6 4,647 4,647
Mirabela Nickel Ltd. 8.75% 20181,2 22,650 5,776
Graphic Packaging International, Inc. 4.75% 2021 9,845 9,907
Glencore Xstrata LLC 4.125% 20231 9,855 9,431
Caraustar, Term Loan, 7.50% 20194,5,7 5,102 5,196
    1,618,564
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
Corporate bonds & notes  (continued) Principal amount Value
Energy  7.58% (000) (000)
     
NGPL PipeCo LLC, Term Loan B, 6.75% 20174,5,7 $  11,462 $        11,237
NGPL PipeCo LLC 7.119% 20171 60,725 59,966
NGPL PipeCo LLC 9.625% 20191 107,990 115,819
Arch Coal, Inc., Term Loan B1, 6.25% 20184,5,7 32,535 32,138
Arch Coal, Inc. 7.00% 2019 73,866 57,431
Arch Coal, Inc. 8.00% 20191 10,000 10,025
Arch Coal, Inc. 9.875% 2019 13,486 11,800
Arch Coal, Inc. 7.25% 2021 71,966 54,694
Samson Investment Co., Term Loan B, 5.00% 20184,5,7 2,800 2,829
Samson Investment Co. 10.50% 20201 134,965 147,787
Peabody Energy Corp. 6.00% 2018 97,415 102,651
Peabody Energy Corp. 6.25% 2021 35,925 36,194
Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. 9.75% 2018 52,205 50,508
Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. 6.00% 2019 35,025 27,057
Alpha Natural Resources, Inc. 6.25% 2021 53,410 40,458
PDC Energy Inc. 7.75% 2022 91,575 100,733
CONSOL Energy Inc. 8.00% 2017 19,920 20,816
CONSOL Energy Inc. 8.25% 2020 61,600 67,221
QGOG Constellation SA 6.25% 20191 85,595 85,702
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC 5.625% 2021 81,125 84,066
Odebrecht Drilling Norbe VIII/IX Ltd 6.35% 20211,4 5,688 5,930
Odebrecht Offshore Drilling Finance Ltd., First Lien, 6.625% 20221,4 9,435 9,860
Odebrecht Offshore Drilling Finance Ltd. 6.75% 20221,4 57,382 59,677
Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Energy Finance Corp. 6.50% 2021 32,650 35,180
Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Energy Finance Corp. 5.875% 2022 10,875 11,310
Regency Energy Partners LP and Regency Energy Finance Corp. 5.50% 2023 16,100 16,301
Laredo Petroleum, Inc. 9.50% 2019 33,850 37,531
Laredo Petroleum, Inc. 7.375% 2022 7,675 8,558
Denbury Resources Inc. 8.25% 2020 6,088 6,651
Denbury Resources Inc. 4.625% 2023 41,550 38,849
Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp. 5.375% 20191 41,750 43,420
Teekay Corp. 8.50% 2020 31,430 35,909
Petróleos Mexicanos 6.375% 20451 19,850 21,463
Bonanza Creek Energy, Inc. 6.75% 2021 18,650 20,002
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP 5.00% 20211 19,150 19,275
Rosetta Resources Inc. 5.625% 2021 17,625 18,110
Oasis Petroleum Inc. 6.875% 20221 15,175 16,503
QGOG Atlantic/Alaskan Rigs Ltd. 5.25% 20191,4 13,794 14,319
Petrobras International Finance Co. 5.75% 2020 4,030 4,228
Petrobras Global Finance Co. 4.375% 2023 1,330 1,220
Petrobras Global Finance Co. 6.25% 2024 5,620 5,805
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd., junior subordinated 6.35% 20677 10,295 10,691
Access Midstream Partners, L.P. 5.875% 2021 9,300 9,951
Cosan Luxembourg, SA 5.00% 20231 5,000 4,713
Ecopetrol SA 5.875% 2023 3,050 3,340
    1,577,928
Information technology  6.69%    
     
First Data Corp. 7.375% 20191 5,000 5,387
First Data Holdings, Inc. 14.50% 20191,3 87,650 82,729
First Data Corp. 6.75% 20201 15,575 16,821
First Data Corp. 8.25% 20211 22,441 24,461
First Data Corp. 11.75% 2021 198,950 209,892
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Information technology  (continued) (000) (000)
     
First Data Corp. 12.625% 2021 $118,046 $      141,065
First Data Corp. 8.75% 20221,3,7 16,963 18,617
SRA International, Inc., Term Loan B, 6.50% 20184,5,7 128,273 128,914
SRA International, Inc. 11.00% 2019 75,612 79,960
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc., Term Loan B4, 4.25% 20204,5,7 37,000 37,156
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 10.75% 2020 17,830 20,772
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 5.00% 20211 66,110 67,763
Freescale Semiconductor, Inc. 6.00% 20221 67,700 72,016
Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. 4.625% 20171 52,800 54,516
Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. 6.75% 20201 21,550 22,897
Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc. 8.875% 20201 47,015 53,597
Dell, Inc. Term Loan B, 4.50% 20204,5,7 90,523 90,025
SunGard Data Systems Inc. 7.375% 2018 10,449 11,089
SunGard Data Systems Inc. 7.625% 2020 69,250 76,261
NXP BV and NXP Funding LLC 3.50% 20161 12,170 12,505
NXP BV and NXP Funding LLC 3.75% 20181 27,000 27,270
Lawson Software, Inc. 9.375% 2019 30,800 34,842
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. 6.50% 2019 6,650 7,332
Hughes Satellite Systems Corp. 7.625% 2021 16,850 19,083
Global A&T Electronics Ltd. 10.00% 20191 24,090 19,874
Serena Software, Inc. 10.375% 2016 19,694 19,842
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. 6.75% 20191 15,000 15,094
Ceridian Corp. 11.25% 2015 11,000 11,110
Jabil Circuit, Inc. 8.25% 2018 5,900 7,080
Compucom Systems Inc., 7.00% 20211 4,825 4,873
    1,392,843
Financials  5.63%    
     
Realogy Corp. 3.375% 20161 32,050 32,371
Realogy Corp., Letter of Credit, 4.50% 20164,5,7 8,135 8,140
Realogy Corp. 7.875% 20191 139,365 151,037
Realogy Corp., Term Loan B, 4.50% 20204,5,7 976 983
Realogy Corp. 7.625% 20201 3,000 3,353
Realogy Corp. 9.00% 20201 28,785 33,031
CIT Group Inc. 4.25% 2017 31,500 33,075
CIT Group Inc. 5.00% 2017 67,470 72,446
CIT Group Inc. 5.25% 2018 4,275 4,612
CIT Group Inc. 3.875% 2019 31,575 31,965
CIT Group Inc., Series C, 5.50% 20191 16,675 18,030
iStar Financial Inc. 3.875% 2016 4,275 4,425
iStar Financial Inc., Term Loan B, 4.50% 20174,5,7 43,424 43,661
iStar Financial Inc., Series B, 9.00% 2017 55,740 65,773
iStar Financial Inc. 4.875% 2018 37,664 38,794
Crescent Resources 10.25% 20171 102,170 115,197
Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp. 3.50% 20171 52,800 53,460
Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp. 4.875% 20191 17,150 17,493
Icahn Enterprises Finance Corp. 6.00% 20201 9,650 10,277
Liberty Mutual Group Inc., Series B, 7.00% 20671,7 11,185 11,744
Liberty Mutual Group Inc., Series A, 7.80% 20871,7 39,908 44,497
MetLife Capital Trust IV, junior subordinated 7.875% 20671,7 14,950 17,716
MetLife Capital Trust X, junior subordinated 9.25% 20681,7 17,645 23,203
MetLife Inc., junior subordinated 10.75% 20697 7,000 10,640
Springleaf Finance Corp., Series J, 6.90% 2017 40,000 44,100
LBG Capital No.1 PLC, Series 2, 7.875% 20201 39,490 43,376
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Corporate bonds & notes — Financials  (continued) (000) (000)
     
International Lease Finance Corp. 4.875% 2015 $38,065 $        39,588
Catlin Insurance Ltd., junior subordinated 7.249% (undated)1,7 30,275 31,486
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series-U, junior subordinated, perpetual, 6.125% (undated)7 9,795 9,682
JPMorgan Chase & Co., Series-S, junior subordinated, perpetual, 6.75% (undated)7 17,500 18,506
AXA SA, junior subordinated 6.463% (undated)1,7 16,244 17,158
American Tower Corp. 7.00% 2017 10,825 12,587
American Tower Corp. 7.25% 2019 3,700 4,406
Royal Bank of Scotland Group PLC, junior subordinated 6.99% (undated)1,2,7 15,376 16,760
Genworth Financial, Inc., junior subordinated 6.15% 20667 17,500 16,231
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. 5.00% 2021 13,600 13,770
Bank of Ireland 10.0% 2022 €7,000 12,054
General Motors Acceptance Corp. 7.50% 2020 $  8,000 9,540
FelCor Lodging Trust Inc. 5.625% 2023 8,467 8,594
Hospitality Properties Trust 6.30% 2016 700 753
Hospitality Properties Trust 5.625% 2017 3,880 4,252
Hospitality Properties Trust 6.70% 2018 2,945 3,297
QBE Capital Funding III LP 7.25% 20411,7 7,650 8,197
TitleMax Finance Corp. 8.50% 20181 6,550 7,205
HSBK (Europe) BV 7.25% 20211 3,125 3,282
Zions Bancorporation 6.00% 2015 303 319
    1,171,066
Consumer staples  2.11%    
     
Post Holdings, Inc. 6.75% 20211 36,625 38,868
Post Holdings, Inc. 7.375% 2022 25,000 27,000
Smithfield Foods, Inc. 7.75% 2017 11,500 13,398
Smithfield Foods, Inc. 5.25% 20181 6,575 6,846
Smithfield Foods, Inc. 5.875% 20211 5,925 6,162
Smithfield Foods, Inc. 6.625% 2022 20,130 21,841
C&S Group Enterprises LLC 8.375% 20171 38,551 40,382
JBS SA 7.75% 20201 37,825 40,095
Constellation Brands, Inc. 8.375% 2014 1,650 1,732
Constellation Brands, Inc. 7.25% 2017 6,500 7,573
Constellation Brands, Inc. 3.75% 2021 9,650 9,457
Constellation Brands, Inc. 6.00% 2022 6,975 7,760
Constellation Brands, Inc. 4.25% 2023 10,350 10,143
BFF International Ltd. 7.25% 20201 18,950 21,603
Brasil Foods SA 5.875% 20221 8,250 8,559
Del Monte Corp. 7.625% 2019 28,821 30,064
Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. 7.75% 2015 26,230 26,361
Rite Aid Corp. 10.25% 2019 9,645 10,658
Rite Aid Corp. 8.00% 2020 14,000 15,610
Marfrig Holdings (Europe) BV 9.875% 20171 6,075 6,371
Marfrig Holdings (Europe) BV 8.375% 2018 1,750 1,755
Marfrig Overseas Ltd. 9.50% 20201 12,255 12,424
Marfrig Overseas Ltd. 9.50% 2020 4,900 4,967
Ingles Markets, Inc. 5.75% 2023 23,000 23,115
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. 7.75% 2018 5,600 5,826
TreeHouse Foods, Inc. 4.875% 2022 15,000 15,131
Cott Beverages Inc. 8.125% 2018 13,325 14,208
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. 7.875% 2018 10,000 10,800
    438,709
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
Corporate bonds & notes  (continued) Principal amount Value
Utilities  1.61% (000) (000)
     
TXU, Term Loan, 3.737% 20144,5,7 $  5,802 $             4,166
TXU, Term Loan, 4.737% 20174,5,7 94,878 68,668
AES Corp. 7.75% 2015 5,575 6,091
AES Corp. 8.00% 2017 4,238 5,027
AES Corp. 8.00% 2020 16,300 19,316
AES Corp. 7.375% 2021 5,775 6,612
AES Corp. 4.875% 2023 4,000 3,840
AES Corp. 5.50% 2024 24,810 24,686
Midwest Generation, LLC, Series B, 8.56% 20162,4 21,150 23,688
Edison Mission Energy 7.00% 20172 3,095 2,832
Edison Mission Energy 7.20% 20192 19,200 17,568
Edison Mission Energy 7.50% 20232 8,000 7,300
Edison Mission Energy 7.625% 20272 10,005 9,180
NRG Energy, Inc. 8.25% 2020 6,000 6,615
NRG Energy, Inc. 6.25% 20221 25,500 26,329
NRG Energy, Inc. 6.625% 2023 9,000 9,382
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. 6.75% 20231 36,250 38,636
CMS Energy Corp. 8.75% 2019 21,125 27,155
Enel Società per Azioni 8.75% 20731,7 15,000 16,888
Emgesa SA ESP 8.75% 2021 COP10,600,000 5,738
FirstEnergy Corp., Series A, 2.75% 2018 $5,500 5,490
    335,207
Total corporate bonds & notes   17,566,304
Bonds & notes of governments outside the U.S.  2.68%    
     
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20238 €  8,780 9,541
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20248 8,780 9,285
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20258 8,780 9,125
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20268 8,780 8,955
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20278 8,780 8,807
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20288 8,780 8,646
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20298 8,780 8,531
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20308 8,780 8,430
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20318 8,780 8,336
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20328 8,780 8,258
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20338 8,780 8,173
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20348 8,780 8,110
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20358 8,780 8,067
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20368 12,280 11,257
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20378 16,030 14,666
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20388 13,230 12,084
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20398 9,530 8,676
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20408 14,080 12,812
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20418 15,780 14,328
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 20428 10,530 9,591
Portuguese Government 3.85% 2021 1,650 2,336
Portuguese Government 4.95% 2023 9,130 13,596
Portuguese Government 5.65% 2024 15,000 23,345
Portuguese Government 4.10% 2037 35,550 45,612
Slovenia (Republic of) 4.75% 20181 $  2,210 2,370
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.50% 2022 20,435 21,866
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments    
  Principal amount Value
Bonds & notes of governments outside the U.S.  (continued) (000) (000)
     
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.50% 20221 $16,100 $           17,227
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.85% 20231 32,600 35,697
Indonesia (Republic of) 6.875% 20181 9,425 10,756
Indonesia (Republic of) 3.75% 2022 15,925 15,109
Indonesia (Republic of) 5.875% 20241 16,050 17,274
Republic of Belarus 8.75% 2015 2,805 2,854
Republic of Belarus 8.95% 2018 35,395 36,457
Hungarian Government 4.125% 2018 10,020 10,212
Hungarian Government 6.25% 2020 5,800 6,358
Hungarian Government 6.375% 2021 10,900 11,976
Hungarian Government 7.625% 2041 4,500 5,209
Croatian Government 6.75% 20191 4,510 4,989
Croatian Government 6.375% 20211 2,810 3,042
Croatian Government 5.50% 20231 10,200 10,358
South Africa (Republic of), Series R-2023, 7.75% 2023 ZAR165,125 15,168
Russian Federation 7.50% 2018 RUB543,000 15,090
Morocco Government 4.25% 20221 $13,000 12,635
Chilean Government 6.00% 2020 CLP2,385,000 4,610
Chilean Government 6.00% 2021 3,130,000 6,061
Argentina (Republic of) 7.00% 2017 $8,000 7,168
Polish Government, Series 1021, 5.75% 2021 PLN3,305 1,212
Polish Government, Series 0922, 5.75% 2022 7,695 2,830
    557,095
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes  0.73%    
     
U.S. Treasury 0.25% 2015 $21,900 21,924
U.S. Treasury 4.00% 2015 42,300 43,735
U.S. Treasury 3.25% 201610 20,000 21,198
U.S. Treasury 6.25% 2023 50,000 65,297
    152,154
Municipals  0.05%    
     
State of New Jersey, Economic Development Authority, Energy Facility Revenue Bonds    
(ACR Energy Partners, LLC Project), Series 2011-B, 12.00% 20301 12,385 11,426
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $17,580,525,000)   18,286,979
Convertible securities  1.67%    
  Shares or  
Industrials  0.51% principal amount  
     
CEVA Group PLC, Series A-2, 2.226% convertible preferred6,11 21,062 26,854
CEVA Group PLC, Series A-1, 3.226% convertible preferred6 47,121 80,106
    106,960
Financials  0.39%    
     
Weyerhaeuser Co., Series A, 6.375% convertible preferred 1,000,000 54,600
Bank of Ireland 10.00% convertible notes 2016 €17,805,000 27,004
    81,604
Information technology  0.39%    
     
Linear Technology Corp., Series A, 3.00% convertible notes 2027 $46,000,000 55,056
Liberty Media Corp. 3.50% convertible notes 20314 $48,500,000 25,858
    80,914
Convertible securities    
  Shares or Value
Energy  0.34% principal amount (000)
     
American Energy — Utica, LLC 3.50% convertible notes 20211,3,7 $43,726,000 $    45,060
Chesapeake Energy Corporation 5.75% convertible preferred1 22,200 24,933
    69,993
Telecommunication services  0.04%    
     
Clearwire Corp. 8.25% convertible notes 20401 $7,722,000 8,987
Total convertible securities (cost: $281,238,000)   348,458
Preferred securities  0.80%    
     
Financials  0.80% Shares  
     
Ally Financial Inc., Series G, 7.00%1 24,250 24,073
Ally Financial Inc., Series 2, 8.125% preferred 650,000 17,714
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Series J, 5.50% depositary shares 1,558,884 37,308
Citigroup Inc., Series K, depositary shares 1,247,925 32,574
Wells Fargo & Co., Class A, Series Q, 5.85% depositary shares preferred noncumulative 1,065,347 26,527
First Republic Bank, Series A, noncumulative convertible preferred 400,000 10,169
Swire Pacific Ltd. 8.84% cumulative guaranteed perpetual capital securities1 365,000 10,049
HSBC Holdings PLC, Series 2, 8.00% 300,000 8,101
Total preferred securities (cost: $153,091,000)   166,515
Common stocks  1.85%    
     
Industrials  0.67%    
     
CEVA Group PLC1,6,12 59,168 75,439
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 1,799,769 62,362
United Continental Holdings, Inc.12 22,981 1,026
Atrium Corp.1,6,12 10,987 11
    138,838
Consumer discretionary  0.66%    
     
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc.9,12 1,671,343 118,080
Ford Motor Co. 810,210 12,639
American Media, Inc.1,6,9,12 1,122,345 6,049
Revel AC, Inc. (CVR)6,9,11,12 43,088,200 539
Revel AC, Inc.6,9,11,12 908,183
Adelphia Recovery Trust, Series ACC-16,12 10,643,283 64
Adelphia Recovery Trust, Series Arahova12 1,773,964 36
Five Star Travel Corp.1,6,12 83,780 26
    137,433
Financials  0.33%    
     
American Tower Corp. 538,967 44,125
Citigroup Inc. 405,574 19,305
CIT Group Inc. 124,904 6,123
    69,553
Materials  0.10%    
     
NewPage Holdings Inc.6,11 226,200 20,841
Health care  0.09%    
     
Rotech Healthcare Inc.6,9,12 1,916,276 17,726
Common stocks    
    Value
Energy  0.00% Shares (000)
     
General Maritime Corp.1,6,12 12,599 $                438
Petroplus Holdings AG6,12 3,360,000
    438
     
Total common stocks (cost: $356,384,000)   384,829
Warrants  0.01%    
     
Consumer discretionary  0.01%    
     
Cooper-Standard Holdings Inc., warrants, expire 20179,12 48,411 2,130
Liberman Broadcasting, Inc., warrants, expire 20226,11,12 10
    2,130
Energy  0.00%    
     
General Maritime Corp., warrants, expire 20171,6,12 19,483 101
Total warrants (cost: $5,447,000)   2,231
     
  Principal amount  
Short-term securities  7.76% (000)  
     
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.05%–0.115% due 4/11–7/16/2014 $233,825 233,807
Fannie Mae 0.075%–0.11% due 6/2–10/27/2014 209,550 209,491
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.057%–0.108% due 4/17–4/24/2014 173,500 173,495
Abbott Laboratories 0.06%–0.10% due 4/21–5/28/20141 165,000 164,991
Freddie Mac 0.10%–0.15% due 5/5–10/20/2014 157,400 157,339
Coca-Cola Co. 0.10%–0.12% due 5/13–7/7/20141 103,200 103,186
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. 0.09%–0.10% due 4/9–4/30/2014 96,400 96,396
Procter & Gamble Co. 0.12% due 5/12–5/14/20141 74,900 74,895
Federal Farm Credit Banks 0.10%–0.12% due 7/11–10/31/2014 70,000 69,976
Pfizer Inc 0.10% due 6/17/20141 59,800 59,794
PepsiCo Inc. 0.08% due 5/20/20141 45,900 45,895
Merck & Co. Inc. 0.08% due 5/29/20141 45,300 45,297
Chevron Corp. 0.07% due 4/16/20141 44,800 44,797
General Electric Co. 0.05% due 4/1/2014 43,000 43,000
Emerson Electric Co. 0.10% due 4/25–6/16/20141 42,200 42,196
John Deere Financial Ltd. 0.09% due 4/8/20141 20,000 20,000
John Deere Capital Corp. 0.07% due 4/3/20141 16,000 16,000
Google Inc. 0.08% due 4/16/20141 15,500 15,499
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,615,970,000)   1,616,054
Total investment securities (cost: $19,992,655,000)   20,805,066
Other assets less liabilities   9,702
Net assets   $20,814,768
 
 
1Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or section 4(2) 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 $8,649,835,000, which represented 41.56% of the net assets of the fund.
2Scheduled interest and/or principal payment was not received.
3Payment in kind; the issuer has the option of paying additional securities in lieu of cash.
4Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
5Loan participations and assignments; may be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. The total value of all such loans was $1,773,470,000, which represented 8.52% of the net assets of the fund.
6Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of trustees. The total value of all such securities was $372,583,000, which represented 1.79% of the net assets of the fund.
7Coupon rate may change periodically.
8Step bond; coupon rate will increase at a later date.
9Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
10A portion of this security was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $8,354,000, which represented .04% of the net assets of the fund.
11Acquired through a private placement transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. May be subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale. Further details on these holdings appear below.

 

        Percent
  Acquisition Cost Value of net
  date(s) (000) (000) assets
         
CEVA Group PLC, Series A-2, 2.226% convertible preferred 5/2/2013 $    20,349 $  26,854 .13 %
NewPage Holdings Inc. 7/11/2011–1/9/2012 43,602 20,841 .10
Revel AC, Inc. (CVR) 2/15/2011–3/15/2013 7,796 539 .00
Revel AC, Inc. 2/14/2011–1/10/2012 45,288 .00
Liberman Broadcasting, Inc., warrants, expire 2022 12/31/2012 .00
Total restricted securities   $117,035 $48,234 .23%

 

12Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.

Key to abbreviations and symbol

CVR = Contingent Value Rights

CLP = Chilean pesos

COP = Colombian pesos

€ = Euros

MXN = Mexican pesos

PLN = Polish zloty

RUB = Russian rubles

ZAR = South African rand

 

 

 

 

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

 

Investors should carefully consider 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 American Funds website at americanfunds.com.

 

 

 

 

MFGEFPX-021-0514O-S37666

   

 

ITEM 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

ITEM 11 – Controls and Procedures

 

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

 

 

ITEM 12 – Exhibits

 

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

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  AMERICAN HIGH-INCOME TRUST
   
  By /s/ David C. Barclay
 

David C. Barclay, President and

Principal Executive Officer

   
  Date: May 30, 2014

 

 

 

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/ David C. Barclay

David C. Barclay, President and

Principal Executive Officer

 
Date: May 30, 2014

 

 

 

By /s/ Karl C. Grauman

Karl C. Grauman, Treasurer and

Principal Financial Officer

 
Date: May 30, 2014