N-CSRS 1 acwmf_ncsrs-053111.htm SEMIANNUAL CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT acwmf_ncsrs-053111.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES


Investment Company Act file number
811-06247
   
   
   
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
   
   
   
4500 MAIN STREET, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI
64111
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
   
   
   
CHARLES A. ETHERINGTON
4500 MAIN STREET, KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI  64111
(Name and address of agent for service)
   
   
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
816-531-5575
   
   
Date of fiscal year end:
11-30
   
   
Date of reporting period:
5-31-2011

 
 

 
ITEM 1.  REPORTS TO STOCKHOLDERS.

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging Markets Fund
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11
   
Statement of Operations
12
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13
   
Notes to Financial Statements
14
   
Financial Highlights
20
   
Additional Information
26


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter
 
Jonathan Thomas
 

Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance, portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.


Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
2

 
 
Independent Chairman’s Letter
 
Don Pratt
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12-18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year(2)
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWMIX
9.57%
32.62%
8.36%
12.51%
8.73%
9/30/97
MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index
9.37%
29.74%
10.17%  
14.15%
N/A(3)
Institutional Class
AMKIX
9.60%
32.96%
8.57%
12.72%
13.44% 
1/28/99
A Class(4)
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
AEMMX
 
 
9.36%
3.09%
32.35%
24.83%
8.12%
6.84%
12.24%
11.58%
10.77% 
10.23% 
5/12/99
 
 
B Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
ACKBX
 
 
8.98%
3.98%
31.50%
27.50%
-4.64%
-5.58%
9/28/07
 
 
C Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
ACECX
 
 
8.95%
7.95%
31.31%
31.31%
7.31%
7.31%
13.32% 
13.32% 
12/18/01
 
 
R Class
AEMRX
9.14%
31.85%
-4.19%
9/28/07
 
*Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. B Class shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a CDSC that declines from 5.00% during the first year after purchase to 0.00% the sixth year after purchase. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.
 
(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Benchmark data first available 1/1/01.
 
(4)
Prior to September 4, 2007, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class and did not have a front-end sales charge. Performance prior to that date has been adjusted to reflect this charge.
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
Institutional Class
A Class
B Class
C Class
R Class
1.73%
1.53%
1.98%
2.73%
2.73%
2.23%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Unless otherwise indicated, performance reflects Investor Class shares; performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure. For information about other share classes available, please consult the prospectus. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the index are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the index do not.
 
 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics
 
MAY 31, 2011
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Vale SA Preference Shares
4.2%
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
4.0%
HTC Corp.
3.6%
LG Chem Ltd.
2.7%
Sberbank of Russia
2.7%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
2.5%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
2.3%
CNOOC Ltd.
2.2%
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
2.2%
MTN Group Ltd.
1.9%
   
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Foreign Common Stocks
97.4%  
Temporary Cash Investments
3.6%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(1.0)%  
   
Investments by Country
% of net assets
South Korea
15.6%  
People’s Republic of China
14.3%  
Brazil
12.4%  
Taiwan (Republic of China)
10.5%  
Hong Kong
8.0%
South Africa
6.6%
Russian Federation
5.7%
Mexico
4.2%
India
3.9%
Thailand
3.6%
Indonesia
3.4%
Multi-National
2.5%
Turkey
2.0%
Other Countries
 4.7%
Cash and Equivalents*
2.6%

*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
5

 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 – 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,095.70
$8.88
1.70%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,096.00
$7.84
1.50%
A Class
$1,000
$1,093.60
$10.18  
1.95%
B Class
$1,000
$1,089.80
$14.07  
2.70%
C Class
$1,000
$1,089.50
$14.07  
2.70%
R Class
$1,000
$1,091.40
$11.47  
2.20%
Hypothetical
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,016.45
$8.55
1.70%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,017.45
$7.54
1.50%
A Class
$1,000
$1,015.21
$9.80
1.95%
B Class
$1,000
$1,011.47
$13.54  
2.70%
C Class
$1,000
$1,011.47
$13.54  
2.70%
R Class
$1,000
$1,013.96
$11.05  
2.20%

* Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 
 
Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
   Shares
   
   Value
 
Common Stocks — 97.4%
 
BRAZIL — 12.4%
 
BR Malls Participacoes SA
    808,400       $9,489,189  
Cia de Bebidas das Americas Preference Shares ADR
    313,690       9,893,783  
Itau Unibanco Holding SA Preference Shares
    539,818       12,204,283  
Natura Cosmeticos SA
    170,700       4,546,230  
PDG Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes
    1,409,100       8,734,589  
Petroleo Brasileiro SA-Petrobras ADR
    288,810       9,028,200  
Vale SA Preference Shares
    966,400       27,410,173  
              81,306,447  
HONG KONG — 8.0%
 
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.(1)
    4,864,000       4,457,596  
China Lumena New Materials Corp.
    8,388,000       3,724,502  
China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd.
    1,475,132       6,427,388  
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.
    2,168,000       4,551,446  
China Unicom Ltd.
    3,888,000       8,587,974  
CNOOC Ltd.
    5,632,000       14,246,859  
Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Ltd.
    2,907,030       3,223,611  
Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.
    6,752,000       6,892,931  
              52,112,307  
HUNGARY — 0.8%
 
OTP Bank plc(1)
    157,886       5,227,916  
INDIA — 3.9%
 
HDFC Bank Ltd.
    140,593       7,491,165  
ICICI Bank Ltd.
    294,473       7,069,305  
Infosys Technologies Ltd.
    84,391       5,213,673  
Sesa Goa Ltd.
    257,699       1,658,618  
Tata Motors Ltd.
    177,540       4,317,408  
              25,750,169  
INDONESIA — 3.4%
 
PT Astra International Tbk
    859,500       5,917,386  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk
    9,650,000       7,199,559  
PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk(1)
    8,105,000       4,795,483  
PT Semen Gresik (Persero) Tbk
    3,870,000       4,398,930  
              22,311,358  
MALAYSIA — 0.7%
 
CIMB Group Holdings Bhd
    1,709,400       4,753,329  
MEXICO — 4.2%
 
Alfa SAB de CV, Series A
    467,928       6,765,078  
America Movil SAB de CV, Series L ADR
    115,595       6,091,857  
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV ADR
    75,357       4,666,859  
Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV
    3,359,156       10,201,278  
              27,725,072  
MULTI-NATIONAL — 2.5%
 
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
    336,800       16,351,640  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 14.3%
 
51job, Inc. ADR(1)
    48,260       2,756,129  
Agricultural Bank of China Ltd. H Shares(1)
    10,602,000       6,494,652  
Baidu, Inc. ADR(1)
    50,320       6,828,927  
China BlueChemical Ltd. H Shares
    5,554,000       4,432,552  
China Liansu Group Holdings Ltd.
    4,813,000       4,058,556  
China National Building Material Co. Ltd. H Shares
    4,320,000       8,788,918  
China Oilfield Services Ltd. H Shares(1)
    2,368,000       4,728,885  
Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd.
    7,771,000       5,481,598  
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR(1)
    287,264       8,977,000  
Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd.
    587,000       1,536,459  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. H Shares(1)
    8,654,645       7,262,226  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. H Shares
    1,101,000       11,840,607  
Sany Heavy Equipment International Holdings Co. Ltd.
    4,366,500       5,201,718  
Tencent Holdings Ltd.
    318,300       9,175,342  
Xingda International Holdings Ltd.
    2,603,000       2,785,597  
ZTE Corp. H Shares
    955,920       3,410,079  
              93,759,245  
POLAND — 0.5%
 
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA
    203,557       3,265,609  
 
 
8

 
 
      Shares       Value  
RUSSIAN FEDERATION — 5.7%                
Magnit OJSC GDR
    199,649       $6,153,327  
NovaTek OAO GDR
    72,735       9,924,547  
Rosneft Oil Co. OJSC GDR
    391,842       3,405,237  
Sberbank of Russia
    4,924,766       17,420,325  
              36,903,436  
SOUTH AFRICA — 6.6%
 
Barloworld Ltd.
    640,421       6,843,498  
Exxaro Resources Ltd.
    368,826       8,795,923  
MTN Group Ltd.
    586,074       12,511,705  
Naspers Ltd. N Shares
    61,803       3,689,170  
Sasol Ltd.
    216,405       11,519,842  
              43,360,138  
SOUTH KOREA — 15.6%
 
Celltrion, Inc.
    177,666       6,062,685  
CrucialTec Co. Ltd.(1)
    178,435       3,681,310  
Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd.(1)
    108,900       2,480,850  
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.
    18,192       8,535,790  
Hyundai Motor Co.
    47,618       11,182,326  
Hyundai Steel Co.
    38,048       4,207,846  
LG Chem Ltd.
    35,618       17,707,530  
LG Household & Health Care Ltd.
    17,476       7,152,475  
NCSoft Corp.
    19,950       5,232,357  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    31,489       26,394,820  
Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.
    216,420       9,241,574  
              101,879,563  
SWITZERLAND — 1.0%
 
Ferrexpo plc
    883,939       6,667,908  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 10.5%
 
Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.
    1,425,000       9,323,631  
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
    4,017,697       14,138,406  
HTC Corp.
    544,800       23,285,690  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    5,729,939       15,318,192  
TPK Holding Co. Ltd.(1)
    198,000       6,465,493  
              68,531,412  
THAILAND — 3.6%
 
Banpu PCL
    368,650       8,968,690  
CP ALL PCL
    4,464,100       6,567,594  
Kasikornbank PCL NVDR
    1,984,900       8,156,381  
              23,692,665  
TURKEY — 2.0%
 
Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi AS
    700,577       3,390,465  
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS
    1,045,723       4,674,169  
Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari AS
    1,849,176       4,945,686  
              13,010,320  
UNITED KINGDOM — 1.7%
 
Antofagasta plc
    188,653       4,131,196  
International Personal Finance plc
    1,086,105       6,646,876  
              10,778,072  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $431,933,800)
      637,386,606  
Temporary Cash Investments — 3.6%
 
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Agency Shares
    95,235       95,235  
Repurchase Agreement, Credit Suisse First Boston, Inc., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 2.875%, 2/15/19, valued at $23,751,294), in a joint trading account at 0.05%, dated 5/31/11, due 6/1/11 (Delivery value $23,300,032)
      23,300,000  
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $23,395,235)
      23,395,235  
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 101.0%
(Cost $455,329,035)
      660,781,841  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (1.0)%
      (6,775,271 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
      $654,006,570  
 
Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
 
Information Technology
20.1%
Financials
19.8%
Materials
14.5%
Energy
9.4%
Consumer Discretionary
9.1%
Industrials
8.7%
Consumer Staples
8.2%
Telecommunication Services
4.2%
Diversified
2.5%
Health Care
0.9%
Cash and Equivalents*
2.6%

*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
9

 

Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
GDR = Global Depository Receipt
MSCI = Morgan Stanley Capital International
NVDR = Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
OJSC = Open Joint Stock Company
 
(1)
Non-income producing.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $455,329,035)
    $660,781,841  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $614,474)
    615,662  
Receivable for capital shares sold
    295,820  
Dividends and interest receivable
    2,143,943  
Other assets
    252,344  
      664,089,610  
         
Liabilities
       
Payable for investments purchased
    8,448,586  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    691,210  
Accrued management fees
    932,054  
Distribution and service fees payable
    11,190  
      10,083,040  
         
Net Assets
    $654,006,570  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $589,723,733  
Undistributed net investment income
    174,469  
Accumulated net realized loss
    (141,351,758 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    205,460,126  
      $654,006,570  


 
Net assets
Shares outstanding
Net asset value per share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$584,392,640       
63,061,758       
$9.27   
Institutional Class, $0.01 Par Value
$37,179,202     
3,921,252     
$9.48   
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$26,186,443     
2,908,295     
$9.00* 
B Class, $0.01 Par Value
$303,677
33,389
$9.10   
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$5,109,509   
591,661  
$8.64   
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$835,099
90,839
$9.19   

*Maximum offering price $9.55 (net asset value divided by 0.9425)
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Operations
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $304,376)
    $5,976,947  
Interest
    943  
      5,977,890  
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    5,589,031  
Distribution and service fees:
       
   A Class
    39,055  
   B Class
    1,609  
   C Class
    26,457  
   R Class
    2,045  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    17,447  
Other expenses
    1,355  
      5,676,999  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    300,891  
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
       
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions
    47,775,856  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $93,358)
    8,212,953  
      55,988,809  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments (net of deferred foreign taxes of $(244,235))
    (3,927,297 )
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    7,092,610  
      3,165,313  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    59,154,122  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $59,455,013  

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $300,891       $(207,000 )
Net realized gain (loss)
    55,988,809       77,686,448  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    3,165,313       14,439,135  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    59,455,013       91,918,583  
                 
Capital Share Transactions
               
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    (66,465,808 )     (55,654,147 )
                 
Redemption Fees
               
Increase in net assets from redemption fees
    103,593       224,631  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    (6,907,202 )     36,489,067  
                 
Net Assets
               
Beginning of period
    660,913,772       624,424,705  
End of period
    $654,006,570       $660,913,772  
                 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income (loss)
    $174,469       $(126,422 )


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
13

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Emerging Markets Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies located in emerging market countries.

The fund is authorized to issue the Investor Class, the Institutional Class, the A Class, the B Class, the C Class and the R Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class, B Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The share classes differ principally in their respective sales charges and distribution and shareholder servicing expenses and arrangements. The Institutional Class is made available to institutional shareholders or through financial intermediaries whose clients do not require the same level of shareholder and administrative services as shareholders of other classes. As a result, the Institutional Class is charged a lower unified management fee.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may
 
 
14

 
 
cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.
 
Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes. Certain countries impose taxes on realized gains on the sale of securities registered in their country. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, on an accrual basis. The foreign tax expense on realized gains and unrealized appreciation reduces the net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Exchange-Traded Funds — The fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs are a type of index fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. A fund may purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although a lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in it being more volatile. Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. Additionally, non-U.S. tax returns filed by the fund due to investments in certain foreign securities remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority for seven years from the
 
 
15

 
 
date of filing. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

Redemption — The fund may impose a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 180 days. The fee may not be applicable to all classes. The redemption fee is retained by the fund and helps cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees —The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The strategy assets of the fund include the assets of NT Emerging Markets Fund, one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The annual management fee schedule ranges from 1.25% to 1.85% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class. The Institutional Class is 0.20% less at each point within the range. The effective annual management fee for each class for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.69% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class and 1.49% for the Institutional Class.

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the B Class and C Class will each pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the six months ended May 31, 2011 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.
 
 
16

 

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, ACIS, and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC. Various funds in a series issued by American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. (ACAAP) own, in aggregate, 13% of the shares of the fund. ACAAP does not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control.

The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a securities lending agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) and a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMCB is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $239,747,836 and $322,629,383, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:

   
Six months ended May 31, 2011
   
Year ended November 30, 2010
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
    235,000,000             235,000,000        
Sold
    3,926,535       $34,933,061       10,049,637       $78,127,996  
Redeemed
    (9,862,598 )     (87,558,146 )     (18,943,255 )     (143,285,753 )
      (5,936,063 )     (52,625,085 )     (8,893,618 )     (65,157,757 )
Institutional Class/Shares Authorized
    40,000,000               40,000,000          
Sold
    470,021       4,245,870       2,068,557       15,260,457  
Redeemed
    (1,284,317 )     (11,730,111 )     (1,073,145 )     (8,148,864 )
      (814,296 )     (7,484,241 )     995,412       7,111,593  
A Class/Shares Authorized
    40,000,000               40,000,000          
Sold
    1,719,318       15,285,720       1,865,594       14,476,416  
Redeemed
    (2,402,333 )     (20,941,780 )     (1,549,076 )     (11,528,392 )
      (683,015 )     (5,656,060 )     316,518       2,948,024  
B Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    1,888       16,653       8,745       69,194  
Redeemed
    (5,588 )     (48,436 )     (4,918 )     (35,138 )
      (3,700 )     (31,783 )     3,827       34,056  
C Class/Shares Authorized
    5,000,000               5,000,000          
Sold
    42,192       354,191       134,226       979,767  
Redeemed
    (113,740 )     (955,292 )     (250,782 )     (1,785,645 )
      (71,548 )     (601,101 )     (116,556 )     (805,878 )
R Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    16,334       144,274       69,308       533,453  
Redeemed
    (23,871 )     (211,812 )     (41,838 )     (317,638 )
      (7,537 )     (67,538 )     27,470       215,815  
Net increase (decrease)
    (7,516,159 )     $(66,465,808 )     (7,666,947 )     $(55,654,147 )

 
17

 
 
6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
                 
Foreign Common Stocks
    $64,594,395       $572,792,211        
Temporary Cash Investments
    95,235       23,300,000        
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $64,689,630       $596,092,211        

7. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

8. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $458,297,975  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $205,231,937  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (2,748,071 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $202,483,866  

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 
18

 

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(193,823,726), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers of $(76,617,325) and $(117,206,401) expire in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

The fund has elected to treat $(122,585) of net foreign currency losses incurred in the one-month period ended November 30, 2010, as having been incurred in the following fiscal year for federal income tax purposes.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.
 
 
19

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Investor Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.46       $7.28       $4.17       $12.69       $10.06       $8.25  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    (3)     (3)     0.01       0.09       0.10       0.11  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    0.81       1.18       3.13       (7.21 )     4.06       3.11  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    0.81       1.18       3.14       (7.12 )     4.16       3.22  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                (0.03 )     (0.10 )     (0.13 )     (0.05 )
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (1.31 )     (1.42 )     (1.37 )
   Total Distributions
                (0.03 )     (1.41 )     (1.55 )     (1.42 )
Redemption Fees(2)
    (3)     (3)     (3)     0.01       0.02       0.01  
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.27       $8.46       $7.28       $4.17       $12.69       $10.06  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    9.57 %     16.21 %     75.36 %     (62.66 )%     48.81 %     46.10 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets
    1.70 %(5)     1.72 %     1.78 %     1.66 %     1.66 %     1.80 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    0.10 %(5)     (0.02 )%     0.11 %     1.06 %     0.96 %     1.31 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    36 %     87 %     126 %     121 %     85 %     115 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $584,393       $583,978       $567,248       $316,695       $1,070,138       $523,813  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
20

 
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.65       $7.43       $4.26       $12.92       $10.21       $8.36  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.01       0.02       0.02       0.12       0.12       0.12  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    0.82       1.20       3.18       (7.35 )     4.14       3.16  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    0.83       1.22       3.20       (7.23 )     4.26       3.28  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                (0.03 )     (0.13 )     (0.15 )     (0.07 )
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (1.31 )     (1.42 )     (1.37 )
   Total Distributions
                (0.03 )     (1.44 )     (1.57 )     (1.44 )
Redemption Fees(2)
    (3)     (3)     (3)     0.01       0.02       0.01  
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.48       $8.65       $7.43       $4.26       $12.92       $10.21  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    9.60 %     16.42 %     75.92 %     (62.63 )%     49.21 %     46.31 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets
    1.50 %(5)     1.52 %     1.58 %     1.46 %     1.46 %     1.60 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    0.30 %(5)     0.18 %     0.31 %     1.26 %     1.16 %     1.51 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    36 %     87 %     126 %     121 %     85 %     115 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $37,179       $40,969       $27,787       $27,235       $74,897       $85,886  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
21

 
 
A Class(1)
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(2)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.23       $7.10       $4.07       $12.40       $9.85       $8.11  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    (0.01 )     (0.02 )     (0.01 )     0.07       0.07       0.11  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    0.78       1.15       3.06       (7.03 )     3.99       3.02  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    0.77       1.13       3.05       (6.96 )     4.06       3.13  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                (0.02 )     (0.07 )     (0.11 )     (0.03 )
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (1.31 )     (1.42 )     (1.37 )
   Total Distributions
                (0.02 )     (1.38 )     (1.53 )     (1.40 )
Redemption Fees(3)
    (4)     (4)     (4)     0.01       0.02       0.01  
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.00       $8.23       $7.10       $4.07       $12.40       $9.85  
                                                 
Total Return(5)
    9.36 %     15.92 %     75.24 %     (62.78 )%     48.61 %     45.59 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets
    1.95 %(6)     1.97 %     2.03 %     1.91 %     1.91 %     2.05 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    (0.15 )%(6)     (0.27 )%     (0.14 )%     0.81 %     0.71 %     1.06 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    36 %     87 %     126 %     121 %     85 %     115 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $26,186       $29,572       $23,260       $17,105       $36,795       $9,905  

(1)
Prior to September 4, 2007, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class.
 
(2)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(5)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(6)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
22

 
 
B Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.35       $7.26       $4.17       $12.67       $12.15  
Income From Investment Operations
                                       
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(3)
    (0.04 )     (0.08 )     (0.06 )     0.02       (0.03 )
   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    0.79       1.17       3.15       (7.24 )     0.53  
   Total From Investment Operations
    0.75       1.09       3.09       (7.22 )     0.50  
Distributions
                                       
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (1.29 )      
Redemption Fees(3)
    (4)     (4)     (4)     0.01       0.02  
Net Asset Value, End of Period
    $9.10       $8.35       $7.26       $4.17       $12.67  
                                         
Total Return(5)
    8.98 %     15.01 %     74.10 %     (63.09 )%     4.28 %
                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets
    2.70 %(6)     2.72 %     2.78 %     2.67 %     2.58 %(6)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)
to Average Net Assets
    (0.90 )%(6)     (1.02 )%     (0.89 )%     0.05 %     (1.30 )%(6)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    36 %     87 %     126 %     121 %     85 %(7)
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $304       $310       $241       $113       $54  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
September 28, 2007 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2007.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(5)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(6)
Annualized.
 
(7)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended November 30, 2007.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
23

 
 
C Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $7.93       $6.89       $3.96       $12.10       $9.64       $7.95  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    (0.04 )     (0.07 )     (0.05 )     0.01       (0.01 )     0.03  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    0.75       1.11       2.98       (6.87 )     3.90       2.99  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    0.71       1.04       2.93       (6.86 )     3.89       3.02  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                            (0.03 )      
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (1.29 )     (1.42 )     (1.34 )
   Total Distributions
                      (1.29 )     (1.45 )     (1.34 )
Redemption Fees(2)
    (3)     (3)     (3)     0.01       0.02       0.01  
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $8.64       $7.93       $6.89       $3.96       $12.10       $9.64  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    8.95 %     15.09 %     73.99 %     (63.09 )%     47.39 %     44.59 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets
    2.70 %(5)     2.72 %     2.78 %     2.66 %     2.66 %     2.80 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    (0.90 )%(5)     (1.02 )%     (0.89 )%     0.06 %     (0.04 )%     0.31 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    36 %     87 %     126 %     121 %     85 %     115 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $5,110       $5,257       $5,372       $3,217       $9,098       $2,581  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
24

 
 
R Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.42       $7.28       $4.17       $12.68       $12.15  
Income From Investment Operations
                                       
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(3)
    (0.02 )     (0.04 )     (0.02 )     0.05       (0.01 )
   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    0.79       1.18       3.14       (7.22 )     0.52  
   Total From Investment Operations
    0.77       1.14       3.12       (7.17 )     0.51  
Distributions
                                       
   From Net Investment Income
                (0.01 )     (0.04 )      
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (1.31 )      
   Total Distributions
                (0.01 )     (1.35 )      
Redemption Fees(3)
    (4)     (4)     (4)     0.01       0.02  
Net Asset Value, End of Period
    $9.19       $8.42       $7.28       $4.17       $12.68  
                                         
Total Return(5)
    9.14 %     15.66 %     74.94 %     (62.92 )%     4.36 %
                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses
to Average Net Assets
    2.20 %(6)     2.22 %     2.28 %     2.19 %     2.08 %(6)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss)
to Average Net Assets
    (0.40 )%(6)     (0.52 )%     (0.39 )%     0.53 %     (0.68 )%(6)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    36 %     87 %     126 %     121 %     85 %(7)
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $835       $828       $516       $144       $27  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
September 28, 2007 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2007.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(5)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(6)
Annualized.
 
(7)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended November 30, 2007.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
25

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.
 
 
26

 
 
Notes
 
 
27

 
 
Notes
 
 
28

 
 
 
 
 

 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72026   1107
 
 
 

 
 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Global Growth Fund
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11
   
Statement of Operations
12
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13
   
Notes to Financial Statements
14
   
Financial Highlights
20
   
Additional Information
26


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter
 

Jonathan Thomas
 
 
Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance, portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
2

 
 
Independent Chairman’s Letter
 

Don Pratt
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.  

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12-18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year(2)
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWGGX
14.48%  
31.71%
4.40%
5.28%
8.30%    
12/1/98
MSCI World Index
14.85%  
28.07%
2.60%
3.82%
3.45%(3) 
Institutional Class
AGGIX
14.70%  
32.13%
4.61%
5.50%
2.97%    
8/1/00
A Class(4)
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
AGGRX
 
 
14.42%  
7.78%
31.40%
23.84%
4.13%
2.91%
5.00%
4.38%
7.20%    
6.69%    
2/5/99
 
 
B Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
ACWBX
 
 
14.00%  
9.00%
30.50%
26.50%
3.36%
3.19%
4.39%    
4.24%    
12/1/05
 
 
C Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
AGLCX
 
 
13.96%  
12.96%  
30.50%
30.50%
3.38%
3.38%
6.56%    
6.56%    
3/1/02
 
 
R Class
AGORX
14.23%  
31.16%
3.87%
5.93%    
7/29/05

*Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. B Class shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a CDSC that declines from 5.00% during the first year after purchase to 0.00% the sixth year after purchase. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.

(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Since 11/30/98, the date nearest the Investor Class’s inception for which data are available.
 
(4)
Prior to September 4, 2007, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class and did not have a front-end sales charge. Performance prior to that date has been adjusted to reflect this charge. .
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
Institutional Class
A Class
B Class
C Class
R Class
1.16%
0.96%
1.41%
2.16%
2.16%
1.66%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Unless otherwise indicated, performance reflects Investor Class shares; performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure. For information about other share classes available, please consult the prospectus. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the index are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the index do not.
 
 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics
 
MAY 31, 2011
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Apple, Inc.
3.4%
EMC Corp.
2.7%
Danone SA
2.4%
Schlumberger Ltd.
2.2%
Oracle Corp.
2.2%
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
2.1%
Johnson Controls, Inc.
2.0%
BHP Billiton Ltd.
2.0%
Google, Inc., Class A
1.9%
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
1.9%
   
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Domestic Common Stocks
54.4%  
Foreign Common Stocks(1)
44.4%  
Total Equity Exposure
98.8%   
Temporary Cash Investments
0.3%
Other Assets and Liabilities
0.9%
(1)Includes depositary shares, dual listed securities and foreign ordinary shares.
   
Investments by Country
% of net assets
United States
54.4%  
United Kingdom
10.0%  
Switzerland
5.6%
Japan
5.4%
France
3.7%
People’s Republic of China
3.2%
Australia
2.6%
Germany
2.2%
Other Countries
11.7%  
Cash and Equivalents(2)
1.2%
(2)Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
5

 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 - 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,144.80
$5.94
1.11%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,147.00
$4.87
0.91%
A Class
$1,000
$1,144.20
$7.27
1.36%
B Class
$1,000
$1,140.00
$11.26  
2.11%
C Class
$1,000
$1,139.60
$11.26  
2.11%
R Class
$1,000
$1,142.30
$8.60
1.61%
Hypothetical
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,019.40
$5.59
1.11%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,020.39
$4.58
0.91%
A Class
$1,000
$1,018.15
$6.84
1.36%
B Class
$1,000
$1,014.41
$10.60  
2.11%
C Class
$1,000
$1,014.41
$10.60  
2.11%
R Class
$1,000
$1,016.90
$8.10
1.61%

*Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 
 
Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stocks — 98.8%
 
AUSTRALIA — 2.6%
 
BHP Billiton Ltd.
    187,220       $8,928,457  
Wesfarmers Ltd.
    81,030       2,883,470  
              11,811,927  
AUSTRIA — 1.0%
 
Erste Group Bank AG
    91,200       4,554,017  
BRAZIL — 0.2%
 
Natura Cosmeticos SA
    34,200       910,844  
CANADA — 0.3%
 
Suncor Energy, Inc.
    35,200       1,469,619  
DENMARK — 0.9%
 
Carlsberg A/S B Shares
    19,960       2,309,551  
Pandora A/S
    51,220       1,748,969  
              4,058,520  
FRANCE — 3.7%
 
Danone SA
    147,390       10,815,435  
Pernod-Ricard SA
    34,110       3,457,634  
Safran SA
    65,240       2,666,574  
              16,939,643  
GERMANY — 2.2%
 
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    37,760       3,348,226  
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
    59,650       4,329,923  
Lanxess AG
    26,770       2,315,273  
              9,993,422  
HONG KONG — 1.3%
 
China Unicom Ltd.
    2,018,000       4,457,441  
Li & Fung Ltd.
    700,000       1,556,045  
              6,013,486  
INDONESIA — 0.8%
 
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk
    4,095,131       3,463,326  
ITALY — 1.8%
 
Saipem SpA
    155,900       8,235,984  
JAPAN — 5.4%
 
FANUC CORP.
    12,900       1,982,998  
Komatsu Ltd.
    278,700       8,341,070  
Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.
    21,650       1,889,052  
ORIX Corp.
    52,940       5,073,313  
Rakuten, Inc.
    5,072       5,153,758  
Unicharm Corp.
    54,400       2,201,168  
              24,641,359  
NETHERLANDS — 1.1%
 
ASML Holding NV New York Shares
    55,170       2,152,182  
European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. NV
    78,680       2,600,823  
              4,753,005  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 3.2%
 
Baidu, Inc. ADR(1)
    54,840       7,442,336  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. H Shares(1)
    8,344,000       7,001,560  
              14,443,896  
POLAND — 1.0%
 
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA
    277,010       4,443,995  
PORTUGAL — 0.5%
 
Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA
    126,360       2,366,030  
RUSSIAN FEDERATION — 0.3%
 
Magnit OJSC GDR
    49,090       1,512,989  
SOUTH KOREA — 1.2%
 
Hyundai Motor Co.
    22,420       5,264,978  
SWEDEN — 0.5%
 
Atlas Copco AB A Shares
    84,170       2,226,146  
SWITZERLAND — 5.6%
 
ABB Ltd.(1)
    136,800       3,674,138  
Adecco SA(1)
    83,780       5,728,816  
Holcim Ltd.(1)
    23,030       1,836,893  
Novartis AG
    64,990       4,202,831  
Swatch Group AG (The)(1)
    7,970       3,971,630  
Xstrata plc
    268,730       6,313,985  
              25,728,293  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 0.2%
 
HTC Corp.
    25,000       1,068,543  
TURKEY — 0.6%
 
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS
    602,250       2,691,935  
UNITED KINGDOM — 10.0%
 
Admiral Group plc
    104,030       2,952,371  
ARM Holdings plc
    236,560       2,241,131  
BG Group plc
    307,490       7,152,691  
Burberry Group plc
    64,730       1,407,544  
Capita Group plc (The)
    383,160       4,646,273  
Compass Group plc
    754,860       7,365,145  
HSBC Holdings plc
    473,120       4,947,804  
Intertek Group plc
    77,120       2,602,655  
Petrofac Ltd.
    117,320       3,106,497  
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
    96,755       5,492,509  
Rio Tinto plc
    55,700       3,897,258  
              45,811,878  
 
 
8

 
 
      Shares       Value  
UNITED STATES — 54.4%                
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.
    59,920       $5,697,793  
Akamai Technologies, Inc.(1)
    34,126       1,158,066  
Amazon.com, Inc.(1)
    17,560       3,453,876  
American Express Co.
    148,510       7,663,116  
American Tower Corp., Class A(1)
    127,110       7,052,063  
Apache Corp.
    39,660       4,941,636  
Apple, Inc.(1)
    45,220       15,728,873  
BE Aerospace, Inc.(1)
    45,760       1,712,339  
Celgene Corp.(1)
    50,180       3,056,464  
Cerner Corp.(1)
    16,450       1,975,645  
Charles Schwab Corp. (The)
    525,020       9,455,610  
CIT Group, Inc.(1)
    53,160       2,356,583  
Coach, Inc.
    56,520       3,598,063  
Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    72,900       6,380,937  
Costco Wholesale Corp.
    16,690       1,376,591  
Danaher Corp.
    140,550       7,664,192  
Discovery Communications, Inc., Class A(1)
    42,900       1,868,724  
EMC Corp.(1)
    426,470       12,141,601  
Equinix, Inc.(1)
    35,850       3,635,190  
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
    76,320       4,031,222  
Express Scripts, Inc.(1)
    133,780       7,967,937  
FactSet Research Systems, Inc.
    25,890       2,870,165  
Fifth Third Bancorp.
    267,686       3,495,979  
Google, Inc., Class A(1)
    16,770       8,871,665  
Harley-Davidson, Inc.
    189,080       7,026,213  
Home Depot, Inc. (The)
    79,370       2,879,544  
IntercontinentalExchange, Inc.(1)
    53,158       6,413,513  
Johnson Controls, Inc.
    234,500       9,286,200  
Kraft Foods, Inc., Class A
    44,820       1,567,355  
Las Vegas Sands Corp.(1)
    27,030       1,122,826  
Liberty Global, Inc., Class A(1)
    99,700       4,491,485  
MasterCard, Inc., Class A
    17,560       5,040,598  
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
    81,490       8,788,697  
Oracle Corp.
    293,620       10,047,676  
Polypore International, Inc.(1)
    13,110       859,360  
Precision Castparts Corp.
    51,000       8,012,100  
priceline.com, Inc.(1)
    8,730       4,497,609  
QUALCOMM, Inc.
    97,730       5,726,001  
Rockwell Automation, Inc.
    23,010       1,912,361  
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.(1)
    67,140       2,618,460  
Schlumberger Ltd.
    117,640       10,084,101  
Starbucks Corp.
    85,590       3,148,856  
SYSCO Corp.
    90,644       2,919,643  
Tractor Supply Co.
    11,450       723,182  
Union Pacific Corp.
    70,850       7,437,124  
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B
    43,330       3,184,322  
VeriFone Systems, Inc.(1)
    50,530       2,432,009  
Walt Disney Co. (The)
    93,490       3,891,989  
Waters Corp.(1)
    9,990       984,614  
Wells Fargo & Co.
    89,120       2,528,334  
Whole Foods Market, Inc.
    44,529       2,723,394  
              248,501,896  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $331,063,498)
      450,905,731  
Temporary Cash Investments — 0.3%
 
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Agency Shares
    52,980       52,980  
Repurchase Agreement, Credit Suisse First Boston, Inc., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 2.875%, 2/15/19, valued at $1,630,990), in a joint trading account at 0.05%, dated 5/31/11, due 6/1/11
(Delivery value $1,600,002)
      1,600,000  
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $1,652,980)
      1,652,980  
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.1%
(Cost $332,716,478)
      452,558,711  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.9%
      3,936,691  
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
      $456,495,402  
 
 
9

 
 
Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
 
Information Technology
18.1%
Consumer Discretionary
17.6%
Industrials
15.2%
Financials
14.7%
Consumer Staples
10.3%
Energy
9.6%
Materials
6.3%
Health Care
4.5%
Telecommunication Services
2.5%
Cash and Equivalents*
1.2%

*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
GDR = Global Depositary Receipt
OJSC = Open Joint Stock Company
 
(1)
Non-income producing.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $332,716,478)
    $452,558,711  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $678,660)
    685,832  
Receivable for investments sold
    5,888,853  
Receivable for capital shares sold
    73,014  
Dividends and interest receivable
    976,761  
Other assets
    32,925  
      460,216,096  
         
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
    3,106,161  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    187,138  
Accrued management fees
    415,949  
Distribution and service fees payable
    11,446  
      3,720,694  
         
Net Assets
    $456,495,402  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $400,686,038  
Accumulated net investment loss
    (242,062 )
Accumulated net realized loss
    (63,854,253 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    119,905,679  
      $456,495,402  


 
Net assets
Shares outstanding
Net asset value per share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$375,961,590      
39,227,374      
$9.58   
Institutional Class, $0.01 Par Value
$42,096,740    
4,352,732    
$9.67   
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$32,891,322    
3,478,959    
$9.45* 
B Class, $0.01 Par Value
$765,353
83,168
$9.20   
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$4,027,108   
452,550  
$8.90   
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$753,289
79,548
$9.47   

*Maximum offering price $10.03 (net asset value divided by 0.9425)
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Operations
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $234,221)
    $3,612,665  
Interest
    1,558  
      3,614,223  
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    2,449,033  
Distribution and service fees:
       
   A Class
    42,045  
   B Class
    4,051  
   C Class
    24,295  
   R Class
    1,737  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    12,082  
Other expenses
    15  
      2,533,258  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    1,080,965  
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $(32,547))
    22,195,328  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $18,588)
    4,987,285  
      27,182,613  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments (net of deferred foreign taxes of $(22,256))
    25,109,501  
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    7,423,481  
      32,532,982  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    59,715,595  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $60,796,560  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $1,080,965       $1,347,177  
Net realized gain (loss)
    27,182,613       29,603,358  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    32,532,982       2,576,737  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    60,796,560       33,527,272  
                 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
From net investment income:
               
   Investor Class
    (1,819,577 )     (2,545,624 )
   Institutional Class
    (300,047 )     (512,165 )
   A Class
    (82,583 )     (82,118 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
    (2,202,207 )     (3,139,907 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    (32,023,603 )     (31,398,727 )
                 
Redemption Fees
 
Increase in net assets from redemption fees
    9,458       14,569  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    26,580,208       (996,793 )
                 
Net Assets
 
Beginning of period
    429,915,194       430,911,987  
End of period
    $456,495,402       $429,915,194  
                 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income (loss)
    $(242,062 )     $879,180  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
13

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. Global Growth Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of issuers in the United States and other developed countries.

The fund is authorized to issue the Investor Class, the Institutional Class, the A Class, the B Class, the C Class and the R Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class, B Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The share classes differ principally in their respective sales charges and distribution and shareholder servicing expenses and arrangements. The Institutional Class is made available to institutional shareholders or through financial intermediaries whose clients do not require the same level of shareholder and administrative services as shareholders of other classes. As a result, the Institutional Class is charged a lower unified management fee.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

 
14

 

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes. Certain countries impose taxes on realized gains on the sale of securities registered in their country. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, on an accrual basis. The foreign tax expense on realized gains and unrealized appreciation reduces the net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. Additionally, non-U.S. tax returns filed by the fund due to investments in certain foreign securities remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority for seven years from the date of filing. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.
 
 
15

 

Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

Redemption — The fund may impose a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 60 days. The fee may not be applicable to all classes. The redemption fee is retained by the fund and helps cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The annual management fee schedule ranges from 1.05% to 1.30% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class. The Institutional Class is 0.20% less at each point within the range. The effective annual management fee for each class for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.11% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class and 0.91% for the Institutional Class.

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the B Class and C Class will each pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the six months ended May 31, 2011 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, ACIS, and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC.

 
16

 

The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a securities lending agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) and a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMCB is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $137,144,238 and $173,361,002, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:

   
Six months ended May 31, 2011
   
Year ended November 30, 2010
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
    200,000,000             200,000,000        
Sold
    1,394,318       $12,741,838       2,860,976       $22,458,592  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    162,223       1,481,093       263,938       2,088,844  
Redeemed
    (3,359,438 )     (30,719,482 )     (6,501,756 )     (50,811,427 )
      (1,802,897 )     (16,496,551 )     (3,376,842 )     (26,263,991 )
Institutional Class/Shares Authorized
    35,000,000               35,000,000          
Sold
    261,843       2,433,904       812,187       6,377,294  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    32,478       299,125       63,922       510,882  
Redeemed
    (1,294,839 )     (11,928,104 )     (1,188,547 )     (9,210,872 )
      (1,000,518 )     (9,195,075 )     (312,438 )     (2,322,696 )
A Class/Shares Authorized
    35,000,000               35,000,000          
Sold
    417,476       3,757,823       1,033,001       8,031,650  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    8,817       79,446       10,288       80,224  
Redeemed
    (1,008,971 )     (9,061,826 )     (1,511,064 )     (11,713,971 )
      (582,678 )     (5,224,557 )     (467,775 )     (3,602,097 )
B Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    1,909       16,781       2,143       18,252  
Redeemed
    (17,269 )     (151,124 )     (16,767 )     (123,192 )
      (15,360 )     (134,343 )     (14,624 )     (104,940 )
C Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    154,028       1,300,746       343,317       2,611,325  
Redeemed
    (288,084 )     (2,455,074 )     (243,114 )     (1,735,817 )
      (134,056 )     (1,154,328 )     100,203       875,508  
R Class/Shares Authorized
    5,000,000               5,000,000          
Sold
    44,763       402,066       28,084       221,956  
Redeemed
    (24,359 )     (220,815 )     (26,494 )     (202,467 )
      20,404       181,251       1,590       19,489  
Net increase (decrease)
    (3,515,105 )     $(32,023,603 )     (4,069,886 )     $(31,398,727 )

 
17

 

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

• 
Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
 
Domestic Common Stocks
    $248,501,896              
Foreign Common Stocks
    9,594,518       $192,809,317        
Temporary Cash Investments
    52,980       1,600,000        
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $258,149,394       $194,409,317        

7. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

8. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $336,232,630  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $120,670,592  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (4,344,511 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $116,326,081  
 
The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

 
18

 

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(87,823,513), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers of $(11,658,423) and $(76,165,090) expire in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.

 
19

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Investor Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.41       $7.80       $5.90       $12.69       $10.52       $8.88  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.02       0.03       0.04       0.04       0.03       (3)
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.20       0.64       1.86       (4.75 )     2.41       1.70  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.22       0.67       1.90       (4.71 )     2.44       1.70  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.05 )     (0.06 )     (3)           (0.05 )     (0.06 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )      
   Total Distributions
    (0.05 )     (0.06 )     (3)     (2.08 )     (0.27 )     (0.06 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.58       $8.41       $7.80       $5.90       $12.69       $10.52  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    14.48 %     8.61 %     32.24 %     (44.01 )%     23.73 %     19.30 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.11 %(5)     1.16 %     1.22 %     1.26 %     1.30 %     1.31 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    0.49 %(5)     0.33 %     0.62 %     0.40 %     0.29 %     (0.05 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    31 %     100 %     103 %     121 %     108 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $375,962       $344,950       $346,590       $274,599       $481,553       $418,185  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
20

 
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.49       $7.90       $5.97       $12.79       $10.60       $8.95  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.03       0.04       0.05       0.07       0.06       0.01  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.21       0.64       1.89       (4.81 )     2.42       1.72  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.24       0.68       1.94       (4.74 )     2.48       1.73  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.06 )     (0.09 )     (0.01 )           (0.07 )     (0.08 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )      
   Total Distributions
    (0.06 )     (0.09 )     (0.01 )     (2.08 )     (0.29 )     (0.08 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.67       $8.49       $7.90       $5.97       $12.79       $10.60  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    14.70 %     8.68 %     32.61 %     (43.88 )%     23.99 %     19.50 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    0.91 %(4)     0.96 %     1.02 %     1.05 %     1.10 %     1.11 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    0.69 %(4)     0.53 %     0.82 %     0.61 %     0.49 %     0.15 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    31 %     100 %     103 %     121 %     108 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $42,097       $45,459       $44,752       $28,477       $16,298       $8,540  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
21

 
 
A Class(1)
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(2)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.28       $7.67       $5.81       $12.56       $10.41       $8.79  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.01       0.01       0.02       0.01       0.01       (0.03 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.18       0.62       1.84       (4.68 )     2.38       1.69  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.19       0.63       1.86       (4.67 )     2.39       1.66  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.02 )     (0.02 )                 (0.02 )     (0.04 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )      
   Total Distributions
    (0.02 )     (0.02 )           (2.08 )     (0.24 )     (0.04 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.45       $8.28       $7.67       $5.81       $12.56       $10.41  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    14.42 %     8.20 %     32.01 %     (44.17 )%     23.74 %     18.97 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.36 %(5)     1.41 %     1.47 %     1.51 %     1.55 %     1.56 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    0.24 %(5)     0.08 %     0.37 %     0.15 %     0.04 %     (0.30 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    31 %     100 %     103 %     121 %     108 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $32,891       $33,641       $34,744       $22,447       $18,402       $5,571  

(1)
Prior to September 4, 2007, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class.
 
(2)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
22

 
 
B Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.07       $7.51       $5.73       $12.50       $10.42       $9.02  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    (0.02 )     (0.05 )     (0.03 )     (0.05 )     (0.08 )     (0.11 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.15       0.61       1.81       (4.64 )     2.38       1.57  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.13       0.56       1.78       (4.69 )     2.30       1.46  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                                  (0.06 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )      
   Total Distributions
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )     (0.06 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.20       $8.07       $7.51       $5.73       $12.50       $10.42  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    14.00 %     7.46 %     31.06 %     (44.62 )%     22.51 %     16.29 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    2.11 %(4)     2.16 %     2.22 %     2.26 %     2.30 %     2.31 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    (0.51 )%(4)     (0.67 )%     (0.38 )%     (0.60 )%     (0.71 )%     (1.05 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    31 %     100 %     103 %     121 %     108 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $765       $795       $850       $426       $639       $352  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
23

 
 
C Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $7.81       $7.27       $5.54       $12.16       $10.14       $8.59  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    (0.03 )     (0.05 )     (0.02 )     (0.05 )     (0.07 )     (0.10 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.12       0.59       1.75       (4.49 )     2.31       1.65  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.09       0.54       1.73       (4.54 )     2.24       1.55  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )      
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $8.90       $7.81       $7.27       $5.54       $12.16       $10.14  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    13.96 %     7.43 %     31.23 %     (44.64 )%     22.54 %     18.04 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    2.11 %(4)     2.16 %     2.22 %     2.26 %     2.30 %     2.31 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    (0.51 )%(4)     (0.67 )%     (0.38 )%     (0.60 )%     (0.71 )%     (1.05 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    31 %     100 %     103 %     121 %     108 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $4,027       $4,579       $3,535       $2,382       $2,625       $1,050  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
24

 
 
R Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $8.29       $7.67       $5.82       $12.62       $10.47       $8.86  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    (3)     (0.01 )     (3)     (0.01 )     0.02       (0.05 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.18       0.63       1.85       (4.71 )     2.35       1.71  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.18       0.62       1.85       (4.72 )     2.37       1.66  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                                  (0.05 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )      
   Total Distributions
                      (2.08 )     (0.22 )     (0.05 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $9.47       $8.29       $7.67       $5.82       $12.62       $10.47  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    14.23 %     8.08 %     31.79 %     (44.40 )%     23.08 %     18.79 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.61 %(5)     1.66 %     1.72 %     1.76 %     1.80 %     1.81 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    (0.01 )%(5)     (0.17 )%     0.12 %     (0.10 )%     (0.21 )%     (0.55 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    31 %     100 %     103 %     121 %     108 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $753       $490       $442       $253       $202       $32  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
25

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

 
26

 
 
Notes
 
 
27

 
 
Notes
 
 
28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72024   1107
 
 
 

 
 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Discovery Fund
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
10
   
Statement of Operations
11
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
12
   
Notes to Financial Statements
13
   
Financial Highlights
19
   
Additional Information
24


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter
 

Jonathan Thomas
 
 
Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance, portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
 
2

 
 
Independent Chairman’s Letter
 
Don Pratt
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12-18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year(2)
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWEGX
14.88%  
40.12%
2.85%
8.94%
12.34%  
4/1/94
MSCI All Country
World ex-U.S. Mid Cap Growth Index
15.14%  
36.44%
3.56%
7.61%
N/A(3)  
Institutional Class
TIDIX
14.91%  
40.51%
3.06%
9.16%
11.16%  
1/2/98
A Class(4)
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
ACIDX
 
 
14.68%  
8.09%
39.85%
31.87%
2.61%
1.40%
8.68%
8.03%
9.19%
8.69%
4/28/98
 
 
C Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
TWECX
 
 
14.26%  
13.26%  
38.69%
38.69%
24.89%  
24.89%  
3/1/10
 
 
R Class
TWERX
14.50%  
39.38%
25.51%  
3/1/10

*Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.

(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Benchmark data first available June 1994.
 
(4)
Prior to March 1, 2010, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class and did not have a front-end sales charge. Performance prior to that date has been adjusted to reflect this charge.
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
Institutional Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
1.43%
1.23%
1.68%
2.43%
1.93%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. Historically, small company stocks have been more volatile than the stocks of larger, more established companies. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Unless otherwise indicated, performance reflects Investor Class shares; performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure. For information about other share classes available, please consult the prospectus. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the index are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the index do not.

 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics
 
MAY 31, 2011
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Iluka Resources Ltd.
3.1%
Sulzer AG
2.9%
Hexagon AB B Shares
2.6%
Technip SA
2.5%
Lottomatica SpA
2.4%
Celltrion, Inc.
2.1%
Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.
2.1%
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR
2.0%
Wacker Chemie AG
1.9%
Safran SA
1.9%
   
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Foreign Common Stocks & Rights
99.0%  
Other Assets and Liabilities
1.0%
   
Investments by Country
% of net assets
United Kingdom
11.6%  
France
9.8%
Germany
8.2%
Japan
8.0%
People’s Republic of China
6.6%
Australia
6.2%
Canada
6.2%
Sweden
5.8%
South Korea
5.4%
Hong Kong
4.9%
Switzerland
4.6%
Italy
3.0%
Finland
2.6%
Netherlands
2.1%
Other Countries
14.0%  
Other Assets and Liabilities
1.0%

 
5

 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 - 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,148.80
$7.50
1.40%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,149.10
$6.43
1.20%
A Class
$1,000
$1,146.80
$8.83
1.65%
C Class
$1,000
$1,142.60
$12.82  
2.40%
R Class
$1,000
$1,145.00
$10.16  
1.90%
Hypothetical
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,017.95
$7.04
1.40%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,018.95
$6.04
1.20%
A Class
$1,000
$1,016.70
$8.30
1.65%
C Class
$1,000
$1,012.96
$12.04  
2.40%
R Class
$1,000
$1,015.46
$9.55
1.90%

*Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 
 
Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stocks & Rights — 99.0%
 
AUSTRALIA — 6.2%
 
Amcor Ltd.
    1,092,600       $8,443,739  
Boart Longyear Ltd.
    2,912,100       13,361,994  
Cochlear Ltd.
    86,900       7,423,344  
Iluka Resources Ltd.
    2,024,300       33,975,770  
Mesoblast Ltd.(1)
    593,000       5,152,624  
              68,357,471  
AUSTRIA — 1.6%
 
Andritz AG
    166,400       17,529,139  
BELGIUM — 1.7%
 
Bekaert SA
    112,500       11,946,117  
UCB SA
    136,100       6,504,969  
              18,451,086  
BRAZIL — 1.3%
 
CETIP SA - Balcao Organizado de Ativos e Derivativos
    666,900       10,144,573  
CETIP SA - Balcao Organizado de Ativos e Derivativos Rights(1)
    4,912       5,293  
Cia Hering
    180,800       4,112,763  
              14,262,629  
CANADA — 6.2%
 
Finning International, Inc.
    426,600       12,654,677  
First Quantum Minerals Ltd.
    129,900       17,665,918  
Gildan Activewear, Inc.
    376,300       14,021,190  
IAMGOLD Corp.
    469,400       9,893,325  
Open Text Corp.(1)
    209,200       13,650,300  
              67,885,410  
CAYMAN ISLANDS — 1.0%
 
Herbalife Ltd.
    200,800       11,301,024  
FINLAND — 2.6%
 
Metso Oyj
    206,900       11,945,784  
Nokian Renkaat Oyj
    341,100       16,649,806  
              28,595,590  
FRANCE — 9.8%
 
Alcatel-Lucent(1)
    1,878,900       10,635,502  
Arkema SA
    101,700       11,164,427  
Edenred
    455,700       13,545,826  
Faurecia
    293,600       12,574,480  
Rexel SA
    416,800       10,639,569  
Safran SA
    514,700       21,037,486  
Technip SA
    251,600       27,113,662  
              106,710,952  
GERMANY — 8.2%
 
Brenntag AG(1)
    33,900       4,037,298  
Fraport AG
    54,100       4,437,162  
Hugo Boss AG Preference Shares
    139,300       12,559,059  
Kabel Deutschland Holding AG(1)
    234,700       16,032,042  
Kloeckner & Co. SE
    382,900       11,334,147  
Kloeckner & Co. SE Rights(1)
    382,900       1,292,169  
Lanxess AG
    222,100       19,208,898  
Wacker Chemie AG
    95,300       21,265,786  
              90,166,561  
HONG KONG — 4.9%
 
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.(1)
    13,746,000       12,597,475  
China Lumena New Materials Corp.
    17,155,600       7,617,557  
China Resources Cement Holdings Ltd.
    8,392,000       8,284,517  
Lonking Holdings Ltd.
    3,969,000       2,238,357  
Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.
    22,174,000       22,636,826  
              53,374,732  
INDIA — 1.6%
 
Canara Bank
    400,400       4,838,316  
Cummins India Ltd.
    143,700       2,194,291  
HCL Technologies Ltd.
    301,200       3,449,108  
Titan Industries Ltd.
    66,500       6,511,485  
              16,993,200  
IRELAND — 1.8%
 
Experian plc
    976,900       12,897,246  
Shire plc
    210,900       6,671,887  
              19,569,133  
ISRAEL — 0.7%
 
Mellanox Technologies Ltd.(1)
    246,500       7,611,920  
ITALY — 3.0%
 
Azimut Holding SpA
    455,600       4,937,030  
Davide Campari-Milano SpA
    144,500       1,086,446  
Lottomatica SpA(1)
    1,316,100       26,712,505  
              32,735,981  
JAPAN — 8.0%
 
Anritsu Corp.
    1,132,000       9,284,512  
CyberAgent, Inc.
    1,700       5,811,525  
JGC Corp.
    215,000       5,752,283  
Makita Corp.
    232,900       9,911,462  
NGK Insulators Ltd.
    339,000       5,870,272  
Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.
    1,187,000       14,962,108  
 
 
8

 
 
      Shares       Value  
Omron Corp.
    488,000       $12,591,439  
Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.
    363,000       2,515,769  
Teijin Ltd.
    4,393,000       20,314,885  
              87,014,255  
NETHERLANDS — 2.1%
 
Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV New York Shares
    145,700       5,545,342  
Gemalto NV
    112,500       5,525,477  
NXP Semiconductor NV(1)
    411,900       11,751,507  
              22,822,326  
NORWAY — 1.6%
 
Aker Solutions ASA
    796,400       17,639,470  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 6.6%
 
China Yurun Food Group Ltd.
    4,259,000       13,887,545  
Country Garden Holdings Co.
    9,772,000       4,326,999  
Dongyue Group
    4,562,000       4,687,025  
Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd.
    5,286,000       3,728,700  
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR(1)
    705,600       22,050,000  
New Oriental Education & Technology Group ADR(1)
    35,700       4,134,774  
Renren, Inc. ADR(1)
    80,726       1,037,329  
Spreadtrum Communication, Inc. ADR(1)
    928,600       17,912,694  
              71,765,066  
SINGAPORE — 1.1%
 
Biosensors International Group Ltd.(1)
    2,593,000       2,691,365  
SembCorp Marine Ltd.
    2,180,000       9,457,304  
              12,148,669  
SOUTH KOREA — 5.4%
 
Celltrion, Inc.
    674,800       23,026,916  
Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd.
    21,800       2,150,088  
Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.
    139,600       5,843,705  
Hyundai Steel Co.
    131,200       14,509,813  
NCSoft Corp.
    51,900       13,611,998  
              59,142,520  
SWEDEN — 5.8%
 
Hexagon AB B Shares
    1,056,100       28,758,397  
Lundin Petroleum AB(1)
    1,061,300       14,848,134  
Swedish Match AB
    551,600       19,500,130  
              63,106,661  
SWITZERLAND — 4.6%
 
Aryzta AG
    186,400       10,378,445  
Sulzer AG
    173,600       31,471,775  
Wolseley plc
    255,500       8,664,972  
              50,515,192  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 1.4%
 
Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.
    1,050,000       6,870,044  
TPK Holding Co. Ltd.(1)
    259,000       8,457,387  
              15,327,431  
THAILAND — 0.2%
 
Banpu PCL
    112,200       2,729,654  
UNITED KINGDOM — 11.6%
 
Afren plc(1)
    4,212,700       11,531,563  
Aggreko plc
    651,700       20,094,028  
ARM Holdings plc
    1,507,700       14,283,707  
ASOS plc(1)
    112,800       4,408,049  
Burberry Group plc
    476,800       10,367,945  
Croda International plc
    353,700       11,351,761  
IMI plc
    648,500       11,125,722  
Persimmon plc
    1,054,200       8,323,007  
Schroders plc
    276,400       7,466,662  
Subsea 7 SA(1)
    693,300       18,444,961  
Willis Group Holdings plc
    242,400       10,059,600  
              127,457,005  
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.0%
(Cost $902,145,659)
      1,083,213,077  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 1.0%
      10,540,953  
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
      $1,093,754,030  
 
 
Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
 
Industrials
26.2%
Consumer Discretionary
19.3%
Materials
18.6%
Information Technology
12.5%
Energy
8.4%
Consumer Staples
5.1%
Health Care
4.7%
Financials
4.2%
Other Assets and Liabilities
1.0%


Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
 
(1)
Non-income producing.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
9

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $902,145,659)
    $1,083,213,077  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $1,177,221)
    1,195,243  
Receivable for investments sold
    16,226,793  
Receivable for capital shares sold
    199,485  
Dividends and interest receivable
    3,039,637  
Other assets
    177,774  
      1,104,052,009  
         
Liabilities
 
Disbursements in excess of demand deposit cash
    688,545  
Payable for investments purchased
    7,962,695  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    372,631  
Accrued management fees
    1,272,982  
Distribution and service fees payable
    1,126  
      10,297,979  
         
Net Assets
    $1,093,754,030  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $1,177,186,343  
Undistributed net investment income
    3,069,355  
Accumulated net realized loss
    (267,629,606 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    181,127,938  
      $1,093,754,030  


 
Net assets
Shares outstanding
Net asset value per share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$983,542,527        
86,692,321        
$11.35   
Institutional Class, $0.01 Par Value
$105,522,907        
9,192,796       
$11.48   
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$4,447,788     
401,161    
$11.09* 
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$207,600  
18,496  
$11.22   
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$33,208
2,941
$11.29   

*Maximum offering price $11.77 (net asset value divided by 0.9425)

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Operations
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $1,199,048)
    $10,755,290  
Interest
    1,755  
      10,757,045  
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    7,284,826  
Distribution and service fees:
       
   A Class
    5,809  
   C Class
    686  
   R Class
    79  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    25,621  
Other expenses
    1,865  
      7,318,886  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    3,438,159  
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $359,895)
    99,484,564  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $344,908)
    25,962,358  
      125,446,922  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments (net of deferred foreign taxes of $(772,440))
    (20,912,860 )
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    35,777,841  
      14,864,981  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    140,311,903  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $143,750,062  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $3,438,159       $107,461  
Net realized gain (loss)
    125,446,922       177,770,803  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    14,864,981       (41,952,929 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    143,750,062       135,925,335  
                 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
From net investment income:
               
   Investor Class
          (1,891,482 )
   Institutional Class
          (506,500 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
          (2,397,982 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions
 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    (30,666,123 )     (112,046,954 )
                 
Redemption Fees
 
Increase in net assets from redemption fees
    54,076       98,785  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    113,138,015       21,579,184  
                 
Net Assets
 
Beginning of period
    980,616,015       959,036,831  
End of period
    $1,093,754,030       $980,616,015  
                 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income (loss)
    $3,069,355       $(368,804 )


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. International Discovery Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies that are small- to medium-sized at time of purchase and are located in foreign developed countries or emerging market countries.

The fund is authorized to issue the Investor Class, the Institutional Class, the A Class (formerly Advisor Class), the C Class and the R Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The share classes differ principally in their respective sales charges and distribution and shareholder servicing expenses and arrangements. The Institutional Class is made available to institutional shareholders or through financial intermediaries whose clients do not require the same level of shareholder and administrative services as shareholders of other classes. As a result, the Institutional Class is charged a lower unified management fee. Sale of the C Class and R Class commenced on March 1, 2010.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

 
13

 

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes. Certain countries impose taxes on realized gains on the sale of securities registered in their country. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, on an accrual basis. The foreign tax expense on realized gains and unrealized appreciation reduces the net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. Additionally, non-U.S. tax returns filed by the fund due to investments in certain foreign securities remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority for seven years from the
 
 
14

 
 
date of filing. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.
 
Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

Redemption — The fund may impose a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 180 days. The fee may not be applicable to all classes. The redemption fee is retained by the fund and helps cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees —The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The annual management fee schedule ranges from 1.20% to 1.75% for the Investor Class, A Class, C Class and R Class. The Institutional Class is 0.20% less at each point within the range. The effective annual management fee for each class for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.40% for the Investor Class, A Class, C Class and R Class and 1.20% for the Institutional Class.

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the six months ended May 31, 2011 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.

 
15

 

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, ACIS, and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC.

The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a securities lending agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) and a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMCB is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $998,776,929 and $1,031,350,764, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:

   
Six months ended May 31, 2011
   
Year ended November 30, 2010(1)
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
    400,000,000             400,000,000        
Sold
    5,644,118       $61,444,719       5,837,481       $53,064,107  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
                203,829       1,811,258  
Redeemed
    (7,864,825 )     (85,314,628 )     (19,175,078 )     (171,056,059 )
      (2,220,707 )     (23,869,909 )     (13,133,768 )     (116,180,694 )
Institutional Class/Shares Authorized
    70,000,000               70,000,000          
Sold
    545,497       5,981,317       2,373,343       22,884,811  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
                53,799       482,824  
Redeemed
    (1,081,768 )     (11,860,477 )     (1,913,932 )     (17,129,073 )
      (536,271 )     (5,879,160 )     513,210       6,238,562  
A Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    48,775       520,037       163,936       1,475,514  
Redeemed
    (145,520 )     (1,554,725 )     (423,496 )     (3,674,496 )
      (96,745 )     (1,034,688 )     (259,560 )     (2,198,982 )
C Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    11,986       130,938       7,793       69,160  
Redeemed
    (1,283 )     (13,304 )            
      10,703       117,634       7,793       69,160  
R Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
                2,941       25,000  
Net increase (decrease)
    (2,843,020 )     $(30,666,123 )     (12,869,384 )     $(112,046,954 )

(1)
March 1, 2010 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2010 for the C Class and R Class.
 
 
16

 

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
 
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $105,054,490       $978,158,587        
 
7. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

The fund concentrates its investments in common stocks of smaller companies. Because of this, the fund may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a fund investing in larger, more established companies.

8. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $903,767,723  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $190,985,948  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (11,540,594 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $179,445,354  

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(389,320,386), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any
 
 
17

 
 
given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers of $(147,835,731) and $(241,484,655) expire in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
 
The fund has elected to treat $(374,381) of net foreign currency losses incurred in the one-month period ended November 30, 2010, as having been incurred in the following fiscal year for federal income tax purposes.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.
 
 
18

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Investor Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $9.88       $8.55       $6.26       $18.40       $18.01       $15.94  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.03       (3)     0.01       0.06       0.05       (0.02 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.44       1.35       2.34       (8.09 )     4.60       5.00  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.47       1.35       2.35       (8.03 )     4.65       4.98  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
          (0.02 )     (0.06 )     (0.06 )           (0.13 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (4.05 )     (4.26 )     (2.78 )
   Total Distributions
          (0.02 )     (0.06 )     (4.11 )     (4.26 )     (2.91 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.35       $9.88       $8.55       $6.26       $18.40       $18.01  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    14.88 %     15.80 %     38.06 %     (55.48 )%     32.18 %     36.41 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.40 %(5)     1.43 %     1.48 %     1.37 %     1.36 %     1.41 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    0.63 %(5)     0.00 %(6)     0.13 %     0.51 %     0.30 %     (0.11 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    95 %     199 %     207 %     175 %     162 %     148 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $983,543       $878,530       $872,865       $713,764       $1,758,335       $1,446,955  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Ratio was less than 0.005%.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
19

 
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $9.99       $8.66       $6.34       $18.59       $18.16       $16.06  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.05       0.02       0.02       0.08       0.09       0.04  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.44       1.36       2.37       (8.18 )     4.64       5.00  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.49       1.38       2.39       (8.10 )     4.73       5.04  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
          (0.05 )     (0.07 )     (0.10 )           (0.16 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (4.05 )     (4.30 )     (2.78 )
   Total Distributions
          (0.05 )     (0.07 )     (4.15 )     (4.30 )     (2.94 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.48       $9.99       $8.66       $6.34       $18.59       $18.16  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    14.91 %     16.06 %     38.32 %     (55.37 )%     32.45 %     36.65 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.20 %(4)     1.23 %     1.28 %     1.17 %     1.16 %     1.21 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    0.83 %(4)     0.20 %     0.33 %     0.71 %     0.50 %     0.09 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    95 %     199 %     207 %     175 %     162 %     148 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $105,523       $97,167       $79,830       $55,091       $145,723       $105,849  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
20

 
 
A Class(1)
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(2)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $9.67       $8.37       $6.13       $18.08       $17.76       $15.75  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.01       (0.02 )     (4)     0.06       0.07       (0.08 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.41       1.32       2.29       (7.95 )     4.46       4.96  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.42       1.30       2.29       (7.89 )     4.53       4.88  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                (0.05 )     (0.01 )           (0.09 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (4.05 )     (4.21 )     (2.78 )
   Total Distributions
                (0.05 )     (4.06 )     (4.21 )     (2.87 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.09       $9.67       $8.37       $6.13       $18.08       $17.76  
                                                 
Total Return(5)
    14.68 %     15.53 %     37.71 %     (55.56 )%     31.83 %     36.08 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.65 %(6)     1.68 %     1.73 %     1.63 %     1.61 %     1.66 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    0.38 %(6)     (0.25 )%     (0.12 )%     0.25 %     0.05 %     (0.36 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    95 %     199 %     207 %     175 %     162 %     148 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $4,448       $4,814       $6,342       $10,622       $2,494       $7  

(1)
Prior to March 1, 2010, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class.
 
(2)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(5)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(6)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
21

 
 
C Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $9.82       $8.50  
Income From Investment Operations
               
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(3)
    0.01       (0.05 )
   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.39       1.37  
   Total From Investment Operations
    1.40       1.32  
Net Asset Value, End of Period
    $11.22       $9.82  
                 
Total Return(4)
    14.26 %     15.53 %
                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets
    2.40 %(5)     2.43 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    (0.37 )%(5)     (0.77 )%(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    95 %     199 %(6)
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $208       $77  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
March 1, 2010 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2010.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended November 30, 2010.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
22

 
 
R Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $9.86       $8.50  
Income From Investment Operations
               
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(3)
    0.01       (0.01 )
   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.42       1.37  
   Total From Investment Operations
    1.43       1.36  
Net Asset Value, End of Period
    $11.29       $9.86  
                 
Total Return(4)
    14.50 %     16.00 %
                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets
    1.90 %(5)     1.93 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    0.13 %(5)     (0.16 )%(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    95 %     199 %(6)
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $33       $29  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
March 1, 2010 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2010.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended November 30, 2010.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
23

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

 
24

 
 


 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72027   1107
 
 
 

 
 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Growth Fund
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11
   
Statement of Operations
12
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13
   
Notes to Financial Statements
14
   
Financial Highlights
20
   
Additional Information
26


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter
 

Jonathan Thomas
 
 
Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance, portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
2

 
 
Independent Chairman’s Letter
 

Don Pratt
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12-18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year(2)
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
TWIEX
16.63%  
37.13%
4.04%
4.36%
8.48%    
5/9/91
MSCI EAFE Index
14.92%  
30.69%
1.73%
5.35%
5.71%(3) 
MSCI EAFE Growth Index
14.36%  
33.31%
2.86%
4.92%
4.28%(3) 
Institutional Class
TGRIX
16.80%  
37.49%
4.25%
4.58%
6.19%    
11/20/97
A Class(4)
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
TWGAX
 
 
16.55%  
9.82%
36.90%
29.09%
3.78%
2.55%
4.09%
3.48%
6.75%    
6.32%    
10/2/96
 
 
B Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
CBIGX
 
 
16.09%  
11.09%  
35.82%
31.82%
3.02%
2.85%
9.23%    
9.23%    
1/31/03
 
 
C Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
AIWCX
 
 
16.09%  
15.09%  
35.95%
35.95%
3.02%
3.02%
3.29%    
3.29%    
6/4/01
 
 
R Class
ATGRX
16.40%  
36.51%
3.53%
8.60%    
8/29/03
 
*Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. B Class shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a CDSC that declines from 5.00% during the first year after purchase to 0.00% the sixth year after purchase. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.
 
(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Since 4/30/91, the date nearest the Investor Class’s inception for which data are available.
 
(4)
Prior to December 3, 2007, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class and did not have a front-end sales charge. Performance prior to that date has been adjusted to reflect this charge.
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
Institutional Class
A Class
B Class
C Class
R Class
1.35%
1.15%
1.60%
2.35%
2.35%
1.85%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Unless otherwise indicated, performance reflects Investor Class shares; performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure. For information about other share classes available, please consult the prospectus. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the indices are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the indices do not.
 
 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics
 
MAY 31, 2011
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Novartis AG
2.1%
Rio Tinto plc
1.9%
Nestle SA
1.8%
BHP Billiton Ltd.
1.6%
Xstrata plc
1.5%
Danone SA
1.5%
BG Group plc
1.5%
Saipem SpA
1.5%
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
1.5%
Hyundai Motor Co.
1.3%
   
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Foreign Common Stocks
 99.6%  
Temporary Cash Investments
 0.3%
Other Assets and Liabilities
 0.1%
   
Investments by Country
% of net assets
United Kingdom
17.0%  
Switzerland
12.2%  
France
11.7%  
Japan
10.8%  
Germany
7.3%
Sweden
3.9%
Italy
3.4%
Netherlands
3.1%
Australia
3.0%
People’s Republic of China
2.3%
Hong Kong
2.3%
Ireland
2.2%
South Korea
2.0%
Other Countries
18.4%  
Cash and Equivalents*
0.4%
*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
5

 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 – 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,166.30
$7.08
1.31%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,168.00
$6.00
1.11%
A Class
$1,000
$1,165.50
$8.42
1.56%
B Class
$1,000
$1,160.90
$12.45  
2.31%
C Class
$1,000
$1,160.90
$12.45  
2.31%
R Class
$1,000
$1,164.00
$9.77
1.81%
Hypothetical
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,018.40
$6.59
1.31%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,019.40
$5.59
1.11%
A Class
$1,000
$1,017.15
$7.85
1.56%
B Class
$1,000
$1,013.41
$11.60  
2.31%
C Class
$1,000
$1,013.41
$11.60  
2.31%
R Class
$1,000
$1,015.91
$9.10
1.81%

*Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 

Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

   
Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stocks — 99.6%
 
AUSTRALIA — 3.0%
 
BHP Billiton Ltd.
    609,396       $29,061,884  
Commonwealth Bank of Australia
    162,070       8,776,158  
Iluka Resources Ltd.
    281,550       4,725,524  
Wesfarmers Ltd.
    326,524       11,619,426  
              54,182,992  
BELGIUM — 1.3%
 
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV
    271,909       16,427,013  
Umicore SA
    136,214       7,517,031  
              23,944,044  
BERMUDA — 0.7%
 
Seadrill Ltd.
    341,530       12,396,189  
CANADA — 1.3%
               
Canadian National Railway Co.
    181,019       14,156,794  
Suncor Energy, Inc.
    213,830       8,927,515  
              23,084,309  
DENMARK — 1.7%
 
Christian Hansen Holding A/S
    339,710       8,177,867  
Novo Nordisk A/S B Shares
    178,617       22,423,748  
              30,601,615  
FINLAND — 0.5%
 
Fortum Oyj
    280,131       9,390,845  
FRANCE — 11.7%
 
Accor SA
    291,447       13,389,883  
Air Liquide SA
    147,077       20,462,799  
Alcatel-Lucent(1)
    1,543,670       8,737,934  
BNP Paribas
    248,689       19,456,691  
Cie Generale d’Optique Essilor International SA
    135,113       10,979,682  
Danone SA
    368,926       27,071,680  
Eutelsat Communications SA
    238,770       10,616,165  
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA
    99,246       17,366,010  
Pernod-Ricard SA
    108,487       10,997,021  
Publicis Groupe SA
    168,918       9,321,070  
Safran SA
    541,370       22,127,577  
Schneider Electric SA
    102,817       16,974,541  
Technip SA
    185,380       19,977,467  
Zodiac Aerospace
    56,130       4,522,768  
              212,001,288  
GERMANY — 7.3%
 
adidas AG
    107,430       8,092,943  
Allianz SE
    126,610       17,506,987  
BASF SE
    171,890       15,881,538  
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    192,128       17,036,225  
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
    180,644       13,112,735  
Kabel Deutschland Holding AG(1)
    271,135       18,520,868  
SAP AG
    174,360       10,849,601  
Siemens AG
    163,343       21,858,753  
ThyssenKrupp AG
    214,280       10,205,885  
              133,065,535  
HONG KONG — 2.3%
 
AIA Group Ltd.(1)
    1,588,800       5,612,393  
China Unicom Ltd. ADR
    760,720       16,796,698  
CNOOC Ltd.
    2,157,000       5,456,405  
Li & Fung Ltd.
    4,832,000       10,741,153  
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.
    174,000       2,709,269  
              41,315,918  
INDIA — 1.0%
 
Bharti Airtel Ltd.
    1,288,750       10,704,964  
Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd.
    249,670       3,791,739  
Titan Industries Ltd.
    38,930       3,811,911  
              18,308,614  
INDONESIA — 0.9%
 
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk
    20,391,952       17,245,842  
IRELAND — 2.2%
 
Accenture plc, Class A
    308,665       17,714,284  
CRH plc
    577,210       12,591,256  
Shire plc
    287,420       9,092,620  
              39,398,160  
ISRAEL — 0.5%
 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR
    180,697       9,197,477  
ITALY — 3.4%
 
Pirelli & C SpA
    1,235,740       12,321,809  
Saipem SpA
    505,508       26,705,296  
UniCredit SpA
    9,993,350       22,797,772  
              61,824,877  
 
 
8

 
 
      Shares       Value  
JAPAN — 10.8%
               
FANUC CORP.
    95,900       $14,741,823  
JSR Corp.
    471,900       9,368,496  
Komatsu Ltd.
    509,600       15,251,558  
Mitsubishi Corp.
    833,600       21,097,497  
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
    2,644,500       12,241,215  
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    211,400       13,340,242  
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    2,663,900       26,698,102  
Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.
    113,100       9,868,444  
ORIX Corp.
    191,410       18,343,085  
Rakuten, Inc.
    17,660       17,944,669  
SOFTBANK CORP.
    325,900       12,671,863  
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.
    344,000       7,344,549  
Unicharm Corp.
    246,500       9,974,041  
Yahoo Japan Corp.
    25,528       8,464,456  
              197,350,040  
LUXEMBOURG — 1.1%
 
Millicom International Cellular SA
    172,523       19,702,127  
MACAU — 0.6%
 
Wynn Macau Ltd.
    2,896,785       10,186,962  
NETHERLANDS — 3.1%
 
ASML Holding NV
    159,604       6,228,812  
CNH Global NV(1)
    219,415       9,285,643  
European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. NV
    547,600       18,101,308  
Royal Dutch Shell plc B Shares
    612,364       22,255,048  
              55,870,811  
NORWAY — 1.0%
 
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA(1)
    477,950       7,771,532  
Yara International ASA
    182,289       10,996,916  
              18,768,448  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 2.3%
 
Baidu, Inc. ADR(1)
    134,994       18,320,036  
Ctrip.com International Ltd. ADR(1)
    101,918       4,586,310  
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR(1)
    186,925       5,841,406  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. H Shares(1)
    16,410,435       13,770,212  
              42,517,964  
POLAND — 1.0%
 
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA
    1,128,885       18,110,391  
PORTUGAL — 1.2%
 
Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA
    1,212,060       22,695,242  
RUSSIAN FEDERATION — 1.5%
 
Magnit OJSC GDR
    369,832       11,398,490  
Sberbank of Russia
    4,257,850       15,061,250  
              26,459,740  
SINGAPORE — 0.5%
 
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.
    737,000       8,846,118  
SOUTH KOREA — 2.0%
 
Hyundai Motor Co.
    99,103       23,272,755  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    14,603       12,240,578  
              35,513,333  
SPAIN — 1.8%
 
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA
    1,573,494       18,433,430  
Inditex SA
    159,068       14,471,217  
              32,904,647  
SWEDEN — 3.9%
 
Alfa Laval AB
    422,483       9,332,169  
Atlas Copco AB A Shares
    512,444       13,553,227  
Swedbank AB A Shares
    1,246,021       23,199,758  
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson B Shares
    729,440       10,815,262  
Volvo AB B Shares
    809,462       14,661,151  
              71,561,567  
SWITZERLAND — 12.2%
 
ABB Ltd.(1)
    479,250       12,871,569  
Adecco SA(1)
    221,240       15,128,232  
Kuehne + Nagel International AG
    69,571       10,962,321  
Nestle SA
    518,193       33,285,126  
Novartis AG
    597,643       38,648,905  
SGS SA
    7,855       15,625,125  
Swatch Group AG (The)(1)
    36,366       18,121,993  
Syngenta AG(1)
    57,400       19,824,995  
UBS AG(1)
    1,064,684       20,460,054  
Wolseley plc
    266,697       9,044,704  
Xstrata plc
    1,184,801       27,837,666  
              221,810,690  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 1.6%
 
HTC Corp.
    467,000       19,960,384  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. ADR
    690,320       9,429,771  
              29,390,155  
TURKEY — 0.2%
 
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS
    993,872       4,442,405  
 
 
9

 
 
      Shares       Value  
UNITED KINGDOM — 17.0%
 
Admiral Group plc
    460,590       $13,071,543  
Aggreko plc
    437,950       13,503,421  
Antofagasta plc
    628,857       13,770,952  
ARM Holdings plc
    1,535,009       14,542,428  
Barclays plc
    2,383,005       10,889,448  
BG Group plc
    1,152,777       26,815,369  
British American Tobacco plc
    461,377       20,736,544  
Burberry Group plc
    550,018       11,960,059  
Capita Group plc (The)
    990,192       12,007,262  
Carnival plc
    336,909       13,573,567  
Compass Group plc
    464,120       4,528,404  
HSBC Holdings plc (Hong Kong)
    1,441,612       15,217,040  
International Power plc
    1,513,825       7,967,049  
Kingfisher plc
    1,589,120       7,529,915  
National Grid plc
    1,049,150       10,825,828  
Petrofac Ltd.
    419,148       11,098,551  
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
    402,532       22,850,606  
Rio Tinto plc
    482,380       33,751,513  
Schroders plc
    329,806       8,909,370  
Standard Chartered plc
    478,550       12,835,259  
Vodafone Group plc
    6,330,467       17,624,667  
Whitbread plc
    200,210       5,378,537  
              309,387,332  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $1,342,058,411)
      1,811,475,677  
Temporary Cash Investments — 0.3%
 
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Agency Shares
    6,459       6,459  
Repurchase Agreement, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.375%, 4/15/12, valued at $5,813,024), in a joint trading account at 0.04%, dated 5/31/11, due 6/1/11 (Delivery value $5,700,006)
      5,700,000  
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $5,706,459)
      5,706,459  
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 99.9%
(Cost $1,347,764,870)
      1,817,182,136  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — 0.1%
      1,736,248  
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
      $1,818,918,384  
 

Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
 
Financials
17.5%
Consumer Discretionary
16.2%
Industrials
15.7%
Materials
12.3%
Consumer Staples
10.3%
Information Technology
8.3%
Energy
7.8%
Health Care
5.7%
Telecommunication Services
4.3%
Utilities
1.5%
Cash and Equivalents*
0.4%
*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.

 
Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
GDR = Global Depositary Receipt
OJSC = Open Joint Stock Company
 
(1)
Non-income producing.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $1,347,764,870)
    $1,817,182,136  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $1,786,001)
    1,796,176  
Receivable for investments sold
    6,335,306  
Receivable for capital shares sold
    467,641  
Dividends and interest receivable
    7,895,089  
Other assets
    39,716  
      1,833,716,064  
         
Liabilities
       
Payable for investments purchased
    10,426,241  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    2,349,033  
Accrued management fees
    1,953,907  
Distribution and service fees payable
    48,837  
Accrued foreign taxes
    19,662  
      14,797,680  
         
Net Assets
    $1,818,918,384  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $1,575,159,161  
Undistributed net investment income
    7,273,985  
Accumulated net realized loss
    (233,464,324 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    469,949,562  
      $1,818,918,384  


 
Net assets
Shares outstanding
Net asset value per share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$1,486,519,226       
125,441,325      
$11.85   
Institutional Class, $0.01 Par Value
$120,511,233    
10,194,475     
$11.82   
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$202,202,563    
17,008,813     
$11.89* 
B Class, $0.01 Par Value
$1,294,435
109,435
$11.83   
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$3,412,616
290,300
$11.76   
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$4,978,311
416,067
$11.97   

*Maximum offering price $12.62 (net asset value divided by 0.9425)
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Operations
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $2,336,339)
    $23,143,360  
Interest
    32,387  
      23,175,747  
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    11,309,112  
Distribution and service fees:
       
   A Class
    251,215  
   B Class
    6,411  
   C Class
    15,454  
   R Class
    11,733  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    47,381  
Other expenses
    19,694  
      11,661,000  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    11,514,747  
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
       
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $48,759)
    84,864,554  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $36,993)
    34,165,449  
      119,030,003  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments (net of deferred foreign taxes of $(588,520))
    64,688,608  
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    70,697,792  
      135,386,400  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    254,416,403  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $265,931,150  

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $11,514,747       $12,895,767  
Net realized gain (loss)
    119,030,003       133,596,891  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    135,386,400       (48,350,927 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    265,931,150       98,141,731  
                 
Distributions to Shareholders
               
From net investment income:
               
   Investor Class
    (19,326,415 )     (19,906,669 )
   Institutional Class
    (1,926,383 )     (1,322,640 )
   A Class
    (1,708,891 )     (1,881,933 )
   R Class
    (16,637 )     (29,305 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
    (22,978,326 )     (23,140,547 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions
               
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    (35,866,332 )     2,472,875  
                 
Redemption Fees
               
Increase in net assets from redemption fees
    21,355       47,277  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    207,107,847       77,521,336  
                 
Net Assets
               
Beginning of period
    1,611,810,537       1,534,289,201  
End of period
    $1,818,918,384       $1,611,810,537  
                 
Undistributed net investment income
    $7,273,985       $18,737,564  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
13

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. International Growth Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies in at least three developed countries (excluding the United States).

The fund is authorized to issue the Investor Class, the Institutional Class, the A Class, the B Class, the C Class and the R Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class, B Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The share classes differ principally in their respective sales charges and distribution and shareholder servicing expenses and arrangements. The Institutional Class is made available to institutional shareholders or through financial intermediaries whose clients do not require the same level of shareholder and administrative services as shareholders of other classes. As a result, the Institutional Class is charged a lower unified management fee.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

 
14

 

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes. Certain countries impose taxes on realized gains on the sale of securities registered in their country. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, on an accrual basis. The foreign tax expense on realized gains and unrealized appreciation reduces the net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. Additionally, non-U.S. tax returns filed by the fund due to investments in certain foreign securities remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority for seven years from the date of filing. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.
 
 
15

 

Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

Redemption — The fund may impose a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 60 days. The fee may not be applicable to all classes. The redemption fee is retained by the fund and helps cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees —The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The strategy assets of the fund include the assets of NT International Growth Fund, one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The annual management fee schedule ranges from 1.10% to 1.50% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class. The Institutional Class is 0.20% less at each point within the range. The effective annual management fee for each class for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.30% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class and 1.10% for the Institutional Class.

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the B Class and C Class will each pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the six months ended May 31, 2011 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, ACIS, and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC. Various funds in a series issued by
 
 
16

 
 
American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. (ACAAP) own, in aggregate, 11% of the shares of the fund. ACAAP does not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control.
 
The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a securities lending agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) and a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMCB is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $1,164,587,881 and $1,211,307,428, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:

   
Six months ended May 31, 2011
   
Year ended November 30, 2010
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
    1,050,000,000             1,050,000,000        
Sold
    4,854,383       $54,410,519       8,998,458       $87,341,556  
Issued in connection with reorganization (Note 9)
                6,962,925       74,712,185  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    1,682,295       18,745,429       1,715,678       16,876,319  
Redeemed
    (9,353,987 )     (105,735,763 )     (20,641,413 )     (195,052,248 )
      (2,817,309 )     (32,579,815 )     (2,964,352 )     (16,122,188 )
Institutional Class/Shares Authorized
    150,000,000               150,000,000          
Sold
    1,263,761       14,162,223       4,557,606       41,463,495  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    171,269       1,903,792       124,940       1,229,822  
Redeemed
    (809,910 )     (9,141,572 )     (1,958,144 )     (18,855,853 )
      625,120       6,924,443       2,724,402       23,837,464  
A Class/Shares Authorized
    125,000,000               125,000,000          
Sold
    2,089,696       23,492,467       4,383,626       42,679,057  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    93,927       1,049,896       128,516       1,263,884  
Redeemed
    (3,051,070 )     (34,820,732 )     (4,926,258 )     (47,071,221 )
      (867,447 )     (10,278,369 )     (414,116 )     (3,128,280 )
B Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    415       4,914       530       5,119  
Redeemed
    (11,943 )     (133,609 )     (31,944 )     (307,445 )
      (11,528 )     (128,695 )     (31,414 )     (302,326 )
C Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    40,616       459,683       20,492       198,669  
Redeemed
    (15,968 )     (176,253 )     (74,746 )     (691,551 )
      24,648       283,430       (54,254 )     (492,882 )
R Class/Shares Authorized
    5,000,000               5,000,000          
Sold
    45,967       526,103       136,723       1,333,762  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    1,323       14,931       2,819       27,821  
Redeemed
    (55,697 )     (628,360 )     (274,140 )     (2,680,496 )
      (8,407 )     (87,326 )     (134,598 )     (1,318,913 )
Net increase (decrease)
    (3,054,923 )     $(35,866,332 )     (874,332 )     $2,472,875  

 
17

 

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
                 
Foreign Common Stocks
    $110,873,752       $1,700,601,925        
Temporary Cash Investments
    6,459       5,700,000        
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $110,880,211       $1,706,301,925        
 
7. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

8. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $1,375,918,583  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $450,883,541  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (9,619,988 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $441,263,553  

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 
18

 

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(317,829,746), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers of $(8,397,447), $(36,440,654) and $(272,991,645) expire in 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies.  The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.  Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period.  However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date.  As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.

9. Reorganization Plan

On June 10, 2010, the Board of Directors approved a plan of reorganization (the reorganization), pursuant to which International Growth acquired all of the assets of International Stock Fund (International Stock), one fund in a series issued by the corporation, in exchange for shares of equal value of International Growth and assumption by International Growth of certain ordinary course liabilities of International Stock. The financial statements and performance history of International Growth were carried over post-reorganization. The reorganization was effective at the close of business on October 29, 2010.

The reorganization was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of shares. On October 29, 2010, International Stock exchanged its shares for shares of International Growth as follows:

Original Fund/Class
Shares Exchanged
 
New Fund/Class
Shares Received
International Stock — Investor Class
6,294,203
 
International Growth — Investor Class
6,962,925
 
The net assets of International Stock and International Growth immediately before the reorganization were $74,712,185 and $1,612,017,503, respectively. International Stock’s unrealized appreciation of $16,115,391 was combined with that of International Growth. Immediately after the reorganization, the combined net assets were $1,686,729,688. International Growth acquired capital loss carryovers of $(24,021,757) from International Stock.

Assuming the reorganization had been completed on December 1, 2009, the beginning of the annual reporting period, the pro forma results of operations for the year ended November 30, 2010, are as follows:

Net investment income (loss)
    $13,368,410  
Net realized/unrealized gains (losses)
    92,089,745  
Change in net assets resulting from operations
    $105,458,155  
 
Because the combined investment portfolios have been managed as a single integrated portfolio since the reorganization was completed, it is not practicable to separate the amounts of revenue and earnings of International Stock that have been included in the Statement of Operations since October 29, 2010.

 
19

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Investor Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $10.30       $9.75       $7.15       $14.87       $12.17       $9.75  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.08       0.09       0.09       0.14       0.13       0.06  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.62       0.61       2.64       (6.96 )     2.66       2.54  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.70       0.70       2.73       (6.82 )     2.79       2.60  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.15 )     (0.15 )     (0.13 )     (0.11 )     (0.09 )     (0.18 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.79 )            
   Total Distributions
    (0.15 )     (0.15 )     (0.13 )     (0.90 )     (0.09 )     (0.18 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.85       $10.30       $9.75       $7.15       $14.87       $12.17  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    16.63 %     7.28 %     38.66 %     (48.67 )%     23.09 %     27.03 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.31 %(4)     1.35 %     1.38 %     1.31 %     1.27 %     1.26 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.33 %(4)     0.87 %     1.18 %     1.18 %     0.94 %     0.52 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    66 %     130 %     151 %     144 %     133 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $1,486,519       $1,320,906       $1,279,615       $1,018,753       $2,267,093       $2,352,967  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
20

 
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $10.30       $9.78       $7.17       $14.91       $12.20       $9.78  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.09       0.10       0.11       0.15       0.17       0.07  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.63       0.61       2.64       (6.96 )     2.66       2.55  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.72       0.71       2.75       (6.81 )     2.83       2.62  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.20 )     (0.19 )     (0.14 )     (0.14 )     (0.12 )     (0.20 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.79 )            
   Total Distributions
    (0.20 )     (0.19 )     (0.14 )     (0.93 )     (0.12 )     (0.20 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.82       $10.30       $9.78       $7.17       $14.91       $12.20  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    16.80 %     7.38 %     38.96 %     (48.55 )%     23.36 %     27.19 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.11 %(4)     1.15 %     1.18 %     1.11 %     1.07 %     1.06 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.53 %(4)     1.07 %     1.38 %     1.38 %     1.14 %     0.72 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    66 %     130 %     151 %     144 %     133 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $120,511       $98,610       $66,920       $37,160       $80,452       $125,814  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
21

 
 
A Class(1)
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(2)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $10.29       $9.72       $7.13       $14.82       $12.12       $9.72  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.06       0.06       0.07       0.11       0.08       0.03  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.64       0.61       2.63       (6.94 )     2.68       2.52  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.70       0.67       2.70       (6.83 )     2.76       2.55  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.10 )     (0.10 )     (0.11 )     (0.07 )     (0.06 )     (0.15 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.79 )            
   Total Distributions
    (0.10 )     (0.10 )     (0.11 )     (0.86 )     (0.06 )     (0.15 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.89       $10.29       $9.72       $7.13       $14.82       $12.12  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    16.55 %     6.98 %     38.30 %     (48.79 )%     22.87 %     26.57 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.56 %(5)     1.60 %     1.63 %     1.56 %     1.52 %     1.51 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.08 %(5)     0.62 %     0.93 %     0.93 %     0.69 %     0.27 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    66 %     130 %     151 %     144 %     133 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $202,203       $183,990       $177,804       $140,798       $241,579       $336,497  

(1)
Prior to December 3, 2007, the A Class was referred to as the Advisor Class.
 
(2)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
22

 
 
B Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $10.19       $9.60       $7.04       $14.68       $12.04       $9.65  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.02       (0.01 )     0.01       0.02       (3)     (0.05 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.62       0.60       2.61       (6.87 )     2.64       2.52  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.64       0.59       2.62       (6.85 )     2.64       2.47  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                (0.06 )                 (0.08 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.79 )            
   Total Distributions
                (0.06 )     (0.79 )           (0.08 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.83       $10.19       $9.60       $7.04       $14.68       $12.04  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    16.09 %     6.15 %     37.36 %     (49.18 )%     21.93 %     25.71 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    2.31 %(5)     2.35 %     2.38 %     2.31 %     2.27 %     2.26 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    0.33 %(5)     (0.13 )%     0.18 %     0.18 %     (0.06 )%     (0.48 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    66 %     130 %     151 %     144 %     133 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $1,294       $1,233       $1,463       $1,211       $3,320       $2,699  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
23

 
 
C Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $10.13       $9.54       $7.00       $14.60       $11.97       $9.60  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.02       (0.01 )     0.01       0.02       (3)     (0.05 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.61       0.60       2.59       (6.83 )     2.63       2.50  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.63       0.59       2.60       (6.81 )     2.63       2.45  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
                (0.06 )                 (0.08 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.79 )            
   Total Distributions
                (0.06 )     (0.79 )           (0.08 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.76       $10.13       $9.54       $7.00       $14.60       $11.97  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    16.09 %     6.18 %     37.29 %     (49.18 )%     21.97 %     25.64 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    2.31 %(5)     2.35 %     2.38 %     2.31 %     2.27 %     2.26 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    0.33 %(5)     (0.13 )%     0.18 %     0.18 %     (0.06 )%     (0.48 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    66 %     130 %     151 %     144 %     133 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $3,413       $2,691       $3,051       $3,210       $7,318       $6,250  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
24

 
 
R Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $10.32       $9.72       $7.13       $14.81       $12.12       $9.71  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    0.05       0.03       0.06       0.09       0.07       0.01  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.64       0.62       2.62       (6.96 )     2.65       2.53  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.69       0.65       2.68       (6.87 )     2.72       2.54  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.04 )     (0.05 )     (0.09 )     (0.02 )     (0.03 )     (0.13 )
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.79 )            
   Total Distributions
    (0.04 )     (0.05 )     (0.09 )     (0.81 )     (0.03 )     (0.13 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.97       $10.32       $9.72       $7.13       $14.81       $12.12  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    16.40 %     6.75 %     37.97 %     (48.92 )%     22.48 %     26.39 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.81 %(4)     1.85 %     1.88 %     1.81 %     1.77 %     1.76 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    0.83 %(4)     0.37 %     0.68 %     0.68 %     0.44 %     0.02 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    66 %     130 %     151 %     144 %     133 %     95 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $4,978       $4,381       $5,436       $2,727       $4,042       $2,106  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
25

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.
 
 
26

 
 
Notes
 
 
27

 
 
Notes
 
 
28

 
 


 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72023   1107
 
 
 

 

SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Opportunities Fund
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11
   
Statement of Operations
12
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13
   
Notes to Financial Statements
14
   
Financial Highlights
20
   
Additional Information
25


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter

Jonathan Thomas

 
Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance,
portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
2

 
 
Independent Chairman’s Letter
 
Don Pratt

 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12-18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year(2)
5 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Investor Class
AIOIX
16.17%  
41.62%
4.04%
14.46%     
6/1/01
MSCI All Country World
ex-U.S. Small Cap Growth Index
13.38%  
38.49%
5.07%
9.47%(3)
Institutional Class
ACIOX
16.12%  
41.85%
4.24%
18.22%     
1/9/03
A Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
AIVOX
 
 
15.88%  
9.28%
40.99%
32.77%
25.73%     
19.85%     
3/1/10
 
 
C Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
AIOCX
 
 
15.40%  
14.40%  
40.08%
40.08%
24.84%     
24.84%     
3/1/10
 
 
R Class
AIORX
15.71%  
40.73%
25.50%     
3/1/10

*Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.
 
(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Since 5/31/01, the date nearest the Investor Class’s inception for which data are available.
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
Institutional Class
A Class
C Class
R Class
1.89%
1.69%
2.14%
2.89%
2.39%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.
 
Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. Historically, small company stocks have been more volatile than the stocks of larger, more established companies. The fund’s investment process may result in high portfolio turnover, which could mean high transaction costs, affecting both performance and capital gains tax liabilities to investors. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Unless otherwise indicated, performance reflects Investor Class shares; performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure. For information about other share classes available, please consult the prospectus. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the index are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the index do not.
 
 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics
 
MAY 31, 2011
 
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Croda International plc
2.4%
Ashtead Group plc
2.2%
Pirelli & C SpA
2.2%
Spectris plc
2.1%
Campbell Brothers Ltd.
2.1%
Ingenico
2.0%
SXC Health Solutions Corp.
1.9%
Aberdeen Asset Management plc
1.8%
Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd.
1.7%
Major Drilling Group International, Inc.
1.6%
   
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Foreign Common Stocks & Rights
99.0%  
Temporary Cash Investments
1.3%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(0.3)%  
   
Investments by Country
% of net assets
United Kingdom
18.2%  
Japan
12.3%  
Canada
9.6%
People’s Republic of China
8.5%
Australia
6.0%
Italy
5.0%
Hong Kong
4.9%
France
4.3%
Taiwan (Republic of China)
4.3%
South Korea
3.3%
Germany
3.3%
India
2.2%
Brazil
2.2%
Other Countries
14.9%  
Cash and Equivalents*
1.0%

*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
5

 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 – 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,161.70
$9.81
1.82%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,161.20
$8.73
1.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,158.80
$11.14  
2.07%
C Class
$1,000
$1,154.00
$15.14  
2.82%
R Class
$1,000
$1,157.10
$12.48  
2.32%
Hypothetical
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,015.86
$9.15
1.82%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,016.85
$8.15
1.62%
A Class
$1,000
$1,014.61
$10.40  
2.07%
C Class
$1,000
$1,010.87
$14.14  
2.82%
R Class
$1,000
$1,013.36
$11.65  
2.32%

*Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 
 
Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stocks & Rights — 99.0%
 
AUSTRALIA — 6.0%
 
Atlas Iron Ltd.(1)
    290,750       $1,154,927  
Bandanna Energy Ltd.(1)
    253,088       569,651  
Campbell Brothers Ltd.
    49,679       2,433,210  
Iluka Resources Ltd.
    61,508       1,032,348  
Medusa Mining Ltd.
    67,991       634,579  
Mesoblast Ltd.(1)
    58,856       511,404  
PanAust Ltd.(1)
    157,074       682,724  
              7,018,843  
AUSTRIA — 1.0%
 
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG
    6,640       640,658  
Zumtobel AG
    17,099       536,086  
              1,176,744  
BERMUDA — 1.4%
 
Archer Ltd.(1)
    235,463       1,603,077  
BRAZIL — 2.2%
 
CETIP SA – Balcao Organizado de Ativos e Derivativos
    87,800       1,335,573  
CETIP SA – Balcao Organizado de Ativos e Derivativos Rights(1)
    646       696  
Mills Estruturas e Servicos de Engenharia SA
    90,600       1,219,102  
              2,555,371  
CANADA — 9.6%
 
Canadian Western Bank
    35,761       1,108,061  
Copper Mountain Mining Corp.(1)
    70,157       588,715  
Detour Gold Corp.(1)
    34,598       1,105,593  
Dollarama, Inc.(1)
    17,281       560,070  
Legacy Oil + Gas, Inc.(1)
    98,008       1,405,100  
Major Drilling Group International, Inc.
    119,758       1,913,458  
Quadra FNX Mining Ltd.(1)
    37,657       571,744  
SXC Health Solutions Corp.(1)
    37,370       2,209,762  
Trican Well Service Ltd.
    73,875       1,775,867  
              11,238,370  
DENMARK — 1.5%
 
Christian Hansen Holding A/S
    73,076       1,759,164  
FINLAND — 1.5%
 
Konecranes Oyj
    12,084       500,368  
Outotec Oyj
    21,817       1,271,518  
              1,771,886  
FRANCE — 4.3%
 
Alten Ltd.
    23,597       938,434  
Eurofins Scientific
    12,279       1,186,566  
Ingenico
    50,073       2,329,806  
Teleperformance
    16,006       547,971  
              5,002,777  
GERMANY — 3.3%
 
Gerry Weber International AG
    22,082       1,449,620  
Gildemeister AG(1)
    50,275       1,164,574  
SAF-HOLLAND SA(1)
    46,169       629,334  
XING AG(1)
    8,190       630,669  
              3,874,197  
HONG KONG — 4.9%
 
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd.(1)
    330,000       742,651  
Giordano International Ltd.
    700,000       639,978  
Haier Electronics Group Co. Ltd.(1)
    1,608,000       1,963,981  
Singamas Container Holdings Ltd.
    3,062,000       1,355,212  
Techtronic Industries Co.
    809,500       991,657  
              5,693,479  
INDIA — 2.2%
 
Indian Bank
    157,670       778,159  
Jubilant Foodworks Ltd.(1)
    63,446       1,186,714  
S. Kumars Nationwide Ltd.(1)
    426,287       648,528  
              2,613,401  
IRELAND — 1.3%
 
Kenmare Resources plc(1)
    1,839,528       1,483,789  
ISRAEL — 1.0%
 
Mellanox Technologies Ltd.(1)
    36,815       1,136,847  
ITALY — 5.0%
 
Banca Generali SpA
    74,866       1,141,478  
Interpump Group SpA
    98,071       811,686  
Pirelli & C SpA
    257,929       2,571,861  
Safilo Group SpA(1)
    75,833       1,365,124  
              5,890,149  
JAPAN — 12.3%
 
Anritsu Corp.
    143,000       1,172,867  
CyberAgent, Inc.
    476       1,627,227  
Dr. Ci:Labo Co. Ltd.
    176       748,799  
F.C.C. Co. Ltd.
    37,700       865,444  
Horiba Ltd.
    36,600       1,118,893  
Kakaku.com, Inc.
    99       622,497  
M3, Inc.
    81       564,068  
 
 
8

 
 
      Shares       Value  
Makino Milling Machine Co. Ltd.(1)
    162,000       $1,449,851  
Nabtesco Corp.
    63,900       1,446,231  
Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.
    110,000       1,386,548  
Tamron Co. Ltd.
    39,100       871,550  
THK Co. Ltd.
    31,600       779,642  
Tsubakimoto Chain Co.
    92,000       520,301  
Zeon Corp.
    140,000       1,226,947  
              14,400,865  
MEXICO — 1.3%
 
Genomma Lab Internacional SAB de CV, Class B(1)
    572,697       1,476,585  
NETHERLANDS — 0.9%
 
Aalberts Industries NV
    46,932       1,115,670  
NORWAY — 1.2%
 
Tomra Systems ASA
    159,432       1,460,027  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 8.5%
 
21Vianet Group, Inc. ADR(1)
    37,595       465,050  
51job, Inc. ADR(1)
    9,805       559,964  
AirTAC International Group(1)
    168,000       1,569,138  
Biostime International Holdings Ltd.(1)
    448,500       923,707  
China Liansu Group Holdings Ltd.
    633,000       533,776  
China Shanshui Cement Group Ltd.
    1,604,000       1,734,349  
Intime Department Store Group Co. Ltd.
    331,000       589,990  
Kingdee International Software Group Co. Ltd.
    2,284,800       1,314,096  
Shenguan Holdings Group Ltd.
    458,000       620,815  
Spreadtrum Communication, Inc. ADR(1)
    82,360       1,588,724  
              9,899,609  
PHILIPPINES — 0.4%
 
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.
    410,100       476,366  
SINGAPORE — 0.5%
 
Biosensors International Group Ltd.(1)
    548,000       568,788  
SOUTH KOREA — 3.3%
 
CrucialTec Co. Ltd.(1)
    28,018       578,042  
Dongyang Mechatronics Corp.
    35,250       593,333  
Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance Co. Ltd.
    47,780       1,197,951  
Mando Corp.
    8,250       1,526,913  
              3,896,239  
SPAIN — 1.3%
 
NH Hoteles SA(1)
    182,881       1,493,046  
SWITZERLAND — 0.9%
 
Burckhardt Compression Holding AG
    1,203       395,398  
Nobel Biocare Holding AG(1)
    27,665       604,273  
              999,671  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 4.3%
 
Largan Precision Co. Ltd.
    27,000       891,516  
St. Shine Optical Co. Ltd.
    47,000       688,453  
Taiwan Hon Chuan Enterprise Co. Ltd.
    403,000       1,155,081  
Wistron NeWeb Corp.
    338,000       1,318,950  
Yungtay Engineering Co. Ltd.
    526,000       946,347  
              5,000,347  
TURKEY — 0.7%
 
Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari AS
    286,556       766,404  
UNITED KINGDOM — 18.2%
 
Aberdeen Asset Management plc
    549,239       2,119,055  
Afren plc(1)
    424,301       1,161,453  
Ashtead Group plc
    872,268       2,628,290  
ASOS plc(1)
    44,531       1,740,203  
Bellway plc
    98,715       1,207,047  
Chariot Oil & Gas Ltd.(1)
    74,968       280,170  
Croda International plc
    87,918       2,821,668  
Imagination Technologies Group plc(1)
    88,534       721,285  
IMI plc
    81,146       1,392,148  
John Wood Group plc
    109,749       1,134,622  
Premier Oil plc(1)
    88,312       695,419  
Rightmove plc
    69,352       1,260,645  
Shaftesbury plc
    75,192       666,841  
Spectris plc
    95,328       2,471,995  
Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc
    30,266       992,899  
              21,293,740  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS & RIGHTS
(Cost $93,272,595)
      115,665,451  
Temporary Cash Investments — 1.3%
 
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Agency Shares
    76,308       76,308  
Repurchase Agreement, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.375%, 4/15/12, valued at $1,529,743), in a joint trading account at 0.04%, dated 5/31/11, due 6/1/11 (Delivery value $1,500,002)
      1,500,000  
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $1,576,308)
      1,576,308  
 
 
9

 
 
   
Value
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.3%
(Cost $94,848,903)
    $117,241,759  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (0.3)%
    (358,706 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
    $116,883,053  

  
Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
 
Industrials
22.3%
Consumer Discretionary
21.7%
Materials
16.5%
Information Technology
14.8%
Energy
7.9%
Financials
7.1%
Health Care
6.7%
Consumer Staples
2.0%
Cash and Equivalents*
1.0%

*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
 
(1)
Non-income producing.

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $94,848,903)
    $117,241,759  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $100,119)
    101,453  
Receivable for investments sold
    824,261  
Receivable for capital shares sold
    90,447  
Dividends and interest receivable
    319,179  
Other assets
    55,056  
      118,632,155  
         
Liabilities
       
Payable for investments purchased
    1,037,820  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    513,382  
Accrued management fees
    177,158  
Distribution and service fees payable
    256  
Accrued foreign taxes
    20,486  
      1,749,102  
         
Net Assets
    $116,883,053  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $118,420,785  
Accumulated net investment loss
    (1,231,781 )
Accumulated net realized loss
    (22,688,404 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    22,382,453  
      $116,883,053  
 
 
 
Net assets
Shares outstanding
Net asset value per share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$116,042,946        
15,947,505        
$7.28   
Institutional Class, $0.01 Par Value
$45,494
6,214
$7.32   
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$550,097 
75,532 
$7.28* 
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$170,990 
23,511 
$7.27   
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$73,526
10,083 
$7.29   

*Maximum offering price $7.72 (net asset value divided by 0.9425)

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Operations
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $61,188)
    $780,241  
Interest
    315  
      780,556  
         
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    1,015,811  
Distribution and service fees:
       
   A Class
    289  
   C Class
    504  
   R Class
    156  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    2,696  
Other expenses
    138  
      1,019,594  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    (239,038 )
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
       
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $(24,144))
    8,274,746  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $38,379)
    2,278,938  
      10,553,684  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments (net of deferred foreign taxes of $7,443)
    3,079,341  
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    2,968,457  
      6,047,798  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    16,601,482  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $16,362,444  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $(239,038 )     $(513,047 )
Net realized gain (loss)
    10,553,684       17,551,821  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    6,047,798       (2,531,247 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    16,362,444       14,507,527  
                 
Distributions to Shareholders
               
From net investment income:
               
   Investor Class
    (419,854 )     (1,832,216 )
   Institutional Class
    (244 )     (787 )
   A Class
    (287 )     (169 )
   R Class
          (100 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
    (420,385 )     (1,833,272 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions
               
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    (2,036,778 )     (2,744,539 )
                 
Redemption Fees
               
Increase in net assets from redemption fees
    11,934       34,730  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    13,917,215       9,964,446  
                 
Net Assets
               
Beginning of period
    102,965,838       93,001,392  
End of period
    $116,883,053       $102,965,838  
                 
Accumulated net investment loss
    $(1,231,781 )     $(572,358 )


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
13

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. International Opportunities Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of issuers in developed or emerging market countries that are small-sized companies at the time of purchase.

The fund is authorized to issue the Investor Class, the Institutional Class, the A Class, the C Class and the R Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The share classes differ principally in their respective sales charges and distribution and shareholder servicing expenses and arrangements. The Institutional Class is made available to institutional shareholders or through financial intermediaries whose clients do not require the same level of shareholder and administrative services as shareholders of other classes. As a result, the Institutional Class is charged a lower unified management fee. Sale of the
A Class, C Class and R Class commenced on March 1, 2010.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

 
14

 

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes. Certain countries impose taxes on realized gains on the sale of securities registered in their country. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, on an accrual basis. The foreign tax expense on realized gains and unrealized appreciation reduces the net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. Additionally, non-U.S. tax returns filed by the fund due to investments in certain foreign securities remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority for seven years from the date of filing. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.
 
 
15

 

Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

Redemption — The fund may impose a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 180 days. The fee may not be applicable to all classes. The redemption fee is retained by the fund and helps cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees —The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The annual management fee schedule ranges from 1.60% to 2.00% for the Investor Class, A Class, C Class and R Class. The Institutional Class is 0.20% less at each point within the range. The effective annual management fee for each class for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.81% for the Investor Class, A Class, C Class and R Class and 1.61% for the Institutional Class.

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the C Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the six months ended May 31, 2011 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, ACIS, and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC.

 
16

 

The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a securities lending agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) and a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMCB is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $100,794,773 and $104,252,869, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:

   
Six months ended May 31, 2011
   
Year ended November 30, 2010(1)
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
    100,000,000             100,000,000        
Sold
    1,333,086       $9,238,442       2,531,933       $14,684,338  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    59,421       408,224       314,167       1,791,301  
Redeemed
    (1,774,899 )     (12,240,153 )     (3,437,697 )     (19,387,146 )
      (382,392 )     (2,593,487 )     (591,597 )     (2,911,507 )
Institutional Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    35       244       137       787  
A Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    63,265       444,321       15,078       85,679  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    41       287       29       169  
Redeemed
    (2,415 )     (16,259 )     (466 )     (2,608 )
      60,891       428,349       14,641       83,240  
C Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    16,520       114,835       6,991       38,671  
R Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    1,932       13,281       8,134       44,170  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
                17       100  
      1,932       13,281       8,151       44,270  
Net increase (decrease)
    (303,014 )     $(2,036,778 )     (561,677 )     $(2,744,539 )

(1)
March 1, 2010 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2010 for the A Class, C Class and R Class.
 
 
17

 

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
                 
Foreign Common Stocks & Rights
    $3,750,585       $111,914,866        
Temporary Cash Investments
    76,308       1,500,000        
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $3,826,893       $113,414,866        

7. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

The fund concentrates its investments in common stocks of smaller companies. Because of this, the fund may be subject to greater risk and market fluctuations than a fund investing in larger, more established companies.

The fund’s investment process may result in high portfolio turnover, which could mean high transaction costs, affecting both performance and capital gains tax liabilities to investors.

 
18

 

8. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $95,894,630  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $22,625,788  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (1,278,659 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $21,347,129  

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(32,889,317), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers of $(21,113,960) and $(11,775,357) expire in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.
 
 
19

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Investor Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.29       $5.49       $3.70       $11.37       $11.79       $12.27  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    (0.01 )     (0.03 )     (0.02 )     0.05       0.02       (0.01 )
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.03       0.94       1.81       (5.06 )     2.94       2.53  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.02       0.91       1.79       (5.01 )     2.96       2.52  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.03 )     (0.11 )           (0.05 )     (3)     (0.01 )
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (2.61 )     (3.38 )     (2.99 )
   Total Distributions
    (0.03 )     (0.11 )           (2.66 )     (3.38 )     (3.00 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $7.28       $6.29       $5.49       $3.70       $11.37       $11.79  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    16.17 %     16.72 %     48.38 %     (56.46 )%     33.73 %     25.37 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets
    1.82 %(5)     1.89 %     1.95 %     1.87 %     1.81 %     1.85 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    (0.43 )%(5)     (0.52 )%     (0.52 )%     0.72 %     0.19 %     (0.06 )%
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    91 %     209 %     244 %     206 %     149 %     160 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $116,043       $102,739       $92,968       $65,541       $212,157       $180,732  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Per-share amount was less than $0.005.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
20

 
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.34       $5.54       $3.72       $11.44       $11.85       $12.32  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(2)
    (0.01 )     (0.02 )     (0.04 )     0.07       0.06       0.02  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.03       0.95       1.86       (5.10 )     2.94       2.54  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.02       0.93       1.82       (5.03 )     3.00       2.56  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.04 )     (0.13 )           (0.08 )     (0.03 )     (0.04 )
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (2.61 )     (3.38 )     (2.99 )
   Total Distributions
    (0.04 )     (0.13 )           (2.69 )     (3.41 )     (3.03 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $7.32       $6.34       $5.54       $3.72       $11.44       $11.85  
                                                 
Total Return(3)
    16.12 %     17.04 %     48.92 %     (56.44 )%     33.97 %     25.66 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets
    1.62 %(4)     1.69 %     1.75 %     1.67 %     1.61 %     1.65 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    (0.23 )%(4)     (0.32 )%     (0.32 )%     0.92 %     0.39 %     0.14 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    91 %     209 %     244 %     206 %     149 %     160 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $45       $39       $33       $1,245       $4,513       $1,099  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(3)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(4)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
21

 
 
A Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.29       $5.51  
Income From Investment Operations
               
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(3)
    (0.01 )     (0.02 )
   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.01       0.84  
   Total From Investment Operations
    1.00       0.82  
Distributions
               
   From Net Investment Income
    (0.01 )     (0.04 )
Net Asset Value, End of Period
    $7.28       $6.29  
                 
Total Return(4)
    15.88 %     14.87 %
                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets
    2.07 %(5)     2.14 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    (0.68 )%(5)     (0.45 )%(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    91 %     209 %(6)
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $550       $92  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
March 1, 2010 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2010.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended November 30, 2010.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
22

 
 
C Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.30       $5.51  
Income From Investment Operations
               
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(3)
    (0.04 )     (0.05 )
   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.01       0.84  
   Total From Investment Operations
    0.97       0.79  
Net Asset Value, End of Period
    $7.27       $6.30  
                 
Total Return(4)
    15.40 %     14.34 %
                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets
    2.82 %(5)     2.89 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    (1.43 )%(5)     (1.19 )%(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    91 %     209 %(6)
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $171       $44  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
March 1, 2010 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2010.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended November 30, 2010.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
23

 
 
R Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.30       $5.51  
Income From Investment Operations
               
   Net Investment Income (Loss)(3)
    (0.03 )     (0.03 )
   Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.02       0.84  
   Total From Investment Operations
    0.99       0.81  
Distributions
               
   From Net Investment Income
          (0.02 )
Net Asset Value, End of Period
    $7.29       $6.30  
                 
Total Return(4)
    15.71 %     14.77 %
                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average Net Assets
    2.32 %(5)     2.39 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets
    (0.93 )%(5)     (0.69 )%(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    91 %     209 %(6)
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $74       $51  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
March 1, 2010 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2010.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Portfolio turnover is calculated at the fund level. Percentage indicated was calculated for the year ended November 30, 2010.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
24

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

 
25

 
 
Notes
 
 
26

 
 
Notes
 
 
27

 
 
Notes
 
 
28

 
 
 
 

 

 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72028   1107
 
 
 

 
 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
International Value Fund
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
10
   
Statement of Operations
11
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
12
   
Notes to Financial Statements
13
   
Financial Highlights
19
   
Additional Information
25


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter
 
Jonathan Thomas

 
Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance, portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
2

 
 
Independent Chairman’s Letter
 
Don Pratt
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12-18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year(2)
5 years
10 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
A Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
MEQAX
 
 
18.15%
11.39%
33.56%
25.96%
2.64%(3) 
1.43%(3) 
5.37%(3) 
4.75%(3) 
4.38%(3) 
3.94%(3) 
3/31/97
 
 
MSCI EAFE Index
14.92%
30.69%
1.73%    
5.35%    
5.12%    
Investor Class
ACEVX
18.21%
33.91%
2.86%    
2.81%    
4/3/06
Institutional Class
ACVUX
18.33%
34.07%
3.03%    
2.99%    
4/3/06
B Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
MEQBX
 
 
17.51%
12.51%
32.59%
28.59%
1.87%(3) 
1.69%(3) 
4.60%(3) 
4.60%(3) 
3.66%(3) 
3.66%(3) 
3/31/97
 
 
C Class
   No sales charge*
   With sales charge*
ACCOX
 
 
17.76%
16.76%
32.77%
32.77%
1.83%    
1.83%    
1.78%    
1.78%    
4/3/06
 
 
R Class
ACVRX
17.92%
33.17%
2.32%    
2.28%    
4/3/06
 
*Sales charges include initial sales charges and contingent deferred sales charges (CDSCs), as applicable. A Class shares have a 5.75% maximum initial sales charge and may be subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. B Class shares redeemed within six years of purchase are subject to a CDSC that declines from 5.00% during the first year after purchase to 0.00% the sixth year after purchase. C Class shares redeemed within 12 months of purchase are subject to a maximum CDSC of 1.00%. The SEC requires that mutual funds provide performance information net of maximum sales charges in all cases where charges could be applied.
 
International Value acquired all the net assets of the Mason Street International Equity Fund on March 31, 2006, pursuant to a plan of reorganization approved by the acquired fund’s shareholders on March 15, 2006. Performance information prior to April 1, 2006, is that of the Mason Street International Equity Fund.

(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Returns would have been lower if a portion of the fees had not been waived.   

Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Investor Class
Institutional Class
A Class
B Class
C Class
R Class
1.32%
1.12%
1.57%
2.32%
2.32%
1.82%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Unless otherwise indicated, performance reflects A Class shares; performance for other share classes will vary due to differences in fee structure. For information about other share classes available, please consult the prospectus. Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the index are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the index do not.
 
 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics
 
MAY 31, 2011
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Merck KGaA
2.8%
Royal Dutch Shell plc B Shares
2.8%
AIA Group Ltd.
2.6%
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Class B
2.5%
Vodafone Group plc
2.4%
China Telecom Corp. Ltd. H Shares
2.4%
Roche Holding AG
2.3%
ING Groep NV CVA
2.3%
Aviva plc
2.3%
Kingfisher plc
2.3%
   
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Foreign Common Stocks
 96.3%  
Temporary Cash Investments
 3.7%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(1)
(1)Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.
 
   
Investments by Country
% of net assets
United Kingdom
 18.9%  
France
 11.5%  
Germany
 8.9%
Netherlands
 7.9%
Switzerland
 6.6%
Hong Kong
 6.3%
South Korea
 5.9%
Singapore
 5.0%
Japan
 5.0%
People’s Republic of China
 4.6%
Brazil
 3.4%
Italy
 2.6%
Taiwan (Republic of China)
 2.5%
Other Countries
 7.2%
Cash and Equivalents(2)
 3.7%
(2)Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
5

 
 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 – 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,182.10
$7.13
1.31%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,183.30
$6.04
1.11%
A Class
$1,000
$1,181.50
$8.48
1.56%
B Class
$1,000
$1,175.10
$12.53  
2.31%
C Class
$1,000
$1,177.60
$12.54  
2.31%
R Class
$1,000
$1,179.20
$9.83
1.81%
Hypothetical
       
Investor Class
$1,000
$1,018.40
$6.59
1.31%
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,019.40
$5.59
1.11%
A Class
$1,000
$1,017.15
$7.85
1.56%
B Class
$1,000
$1,013.41
$11.60  
2.31%
C Class
$1,000
$1,013.41
$11.60  
2.31%
R Class
$1,000
$1,015.91
$9.10
1.81%

*Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 

Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stocks — 96.3%
 
BRAZIL — 3.4%
 
Centrais Eletricas Brasileiras SA(1)
    10,380       $146,777  
Petroleo Brasileiro SA-Petrobras ADR
    11,580       401,016  
Vale SA Preference Shares ADR
    16,930       496,049  
              1,043,842  
CANADA — 0.3%
 
Husky Energy, Inc.
    2,810       85,995  
FRANCE — 11.5%
 
Alstom SA
    2,320       144,020  
AXA SA
    26,237       561,903  
Carrefour SA(1)
    1,670       74,099  
Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, Class B
    7,988       749,961  
Credit Agricole SA
    8,190       125,705  
France Telecom SA
    22,060       505,592  
Sanofi
    5,813       461,198  
Thales SA
    2,020       84,842  
Total SA
    9,030       522,681  
Vivendi SA
    10,030       281,249  
              3,511,250  
GERMANY — 8.9%
 
Celesio AG
    5,670       136,445  
Deutsche Lufthansa AG
    5,350       116,373  
Deutsche Post AG
    11,140       209,957  
Merck KGaA
    7,660       841,959  
Muenchener Rueckversicherungs AG
    1,880       289,132  
RHOEN-KLINIKUM AG
    6,020       151,723  
SAP AG
    9,280       577,451  
Siemens AG ADR
    3,040       406,904  
              2,729,944  
HONG KONG — 6.3%
 
AIA Group Ltd.(1)
    224,400       792,687  
Cheung Kong Holdings Ltd.
    23,300       365,061  
China Mobile Ltd.
    53,500       488,496  
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.
    23,900       276,848  
              1,923,092  
ITALY — 2.6%
 
ENI SpA
    19,180       459,330  
Intesa Sanpaolo SpA
    88,780       231,289  
UniCredit SpA
    48,220       110,004  
              800,623  
JAPAN — 5.0%
 
ITOCHU Corp.
    31,100       321,832  
Nintendo Co. Ltd.
    1,330       310,197  
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    15,660       156,947  
Sony Corp.
    5,100       136,438  
Toyota Motor Corp.
    5,800       241,481  
Trend Micro, Inc.
    11,600       352,920  
              1,519,815  
NETHERLANDS — 7.9%
 
Aegon NV(1)
    19,030       133,692  
Akzo Nobel NV
    4,950       357,998  
ING Groep NV CVA(1)
    56,972       690,405  
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
    4,579       127,152  
Royal Dutch Shell plc B Shares
    23,125       840,428  
SBM Offshore NV
    9,788       259,001  
              2,408,676  
NORWAY — 1.5%
 
Telenor ASA
    27,590       468,443  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 4.6%
 
China Coal Energy Co. Ltd. H Shares
    46,000       62,300  
China Shenhua Energy Co. Ltd. H Shares
    26,000       129,379  
China Telecom Corp. Ltd. H Shares
    1,214,000       728,287  
Shanghai Electric Group Co. Ltd. H Shares
    916,000       480,293  
              1,400,259  
RUSSIAN FEDERATION — 1.1%
 
OAO Gazprom ADR
    22,580       334,101  
SINGAPORE — 5.0%
               
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.
    56,250       675,162  
Flextronics International Ltd.(1)
    20,340       147,261  
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd.
    161,000       419,055  
United Overseas Bank Ltd.
    19,000       299,393  
              1,540,871  
SOUTH KOREA — 5.9%
 
Hana Financial Group, Inc.
    15,320       548,705  
KB Financial Group, Inc.
    7,050       337,306  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    790       662,197  
Shinhan Financial Group Co. Ltd.
    5,350       241,243  
              1,789,451  
 
 
8

 
 
     
Shares
      Value  
SPAIN — 1.9%                
Telefonica SA ADR
    23,580       $573,701  
SWEDEN — 0.7%
 
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson B Shares
    14,000       207,575  
SWITZERLAND — 6.6%
 
ACE Ltd.
    6,380       439,071  
Basilea Pharmaceutica(1)
    1,960       162,511  
Lonza Group AG(1)
    2,680       231,793  
Novartis AG
    1,200       77,603  
Roche Holding AG
    4,010       705,826  
Swiss Reinsurance Co. Ltd.(1)
    6,757       401,269  
              2,018,073  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 2.5%
 
Compal Electronics, Inc.
    127,684       155,071  
Siliconware Precision Industries Co.
    143,000       191,540  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    150,749       403,006  
              749,617  
THAILAND — 1.2%
 
Bangkok Bank PCL
    68,000       366,950  
TURKEY — 0.5%
 
Turkcell Iletisim Hizmetleri AS ADR(1)
    11,530       162,227  
UNITED KINGDOM — 18.9%
 
Aviva plc
    95,440       687,522  
BAE Systems plc
    37,660       205,427  
BP plc
    53,240       410,731  
G4S plc
    17,910       84,481  
GlaxoSmithKline plc
    25,720       558,562  
HSBC Holdings plc
    36,400       384,223  
International Consolidated Airlines Group SA(1)
    35,440       138,261  
Kingfisher plc
    145,040       687,260  
Marks & Spencer Group plc
    56,340       370,659  
National Grid plc
    20,232       208,767  
Pearson plc
    16,290       306,371  
Rentokil Initial plc(1)
    46,140       75,152  
Rexam plc
    54,590       360,668  
Tesco plc
    45,490       314,262  
Unilever plc
    7,335       238,268  
Vodafone Group plc
    264,953       737,656  
              5,768,270  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $23,576,006)
      29,402,775  
Temporary Cash Investments — 3.7%
 
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Agency Shares
    16,499       $16,499  
Repurchase Agreement, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.375%, 4/15/12, valued at $1,121,812), in a joint trading account at 0.04%, dated 5/31/11, due 6/1/11 (Delivery value $1,100,001)
      1,100,000  
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $1,116,499)
      1,116,499  
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.0%
(Cost $24,692,505)
      30,519,274  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES(2)
      3,863  
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
      $30,523,137  
 

Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
Financials
25.2%
Telecommunication Services
13.4%
Energy
11.5%
Health Care
10.9%
Information Technology
9.8%
Consumer Discretionary
9.6%
Industrials
8.7%
Materials
4.0%
Consumer Staples
2.0%
Utilities
1.2%
Cash and Equivalents*
3.7%
*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.


Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
CVA = Certificaten Van Aandelen
 
(1)
Non-income producing.
 
(2)
Category is less than 0.05% of total net assets.

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
9

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $24,692,505)
    $30,519,274  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $187,811)
    191,080  
Receivable for capital shares sold
    60,929  
Dividends and interest receivable
    293,875  
      31,065,158  
         
Liabilities
       
Payable for investments purchased
    458,118  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    45,800  
Accrued management fees
    32,864  
Distribution and service fees payable
    5,239  
      542,021  
         
Net Assets
    $30,523,137  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $31,519,515  
Undistributed net investment income
    283,499  
Accumulated net realized loss
    (7,128,565 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    5,848,688  
      $30,523,137  


 
Net assets
Shares outstanding
Net asset value per share
Investor Class, $0.01 Par Value
$10,576,409     
1,316,078    
$8.04   
Institutional Class, $0.01 Par Value
$1,455,598   
181,446  
$8.02   
A Class, $0.01 Par Value
$16,094,054      
1,992,435    
$8.08* 
B Class, $0.01 Par Value
$858,738
108,502  
$7.91   
C Class, $0.01 Par Value
$1,216,200   
150,607  
$8.08   
R Class, $0.01 Par Value
$322,138
40,009
$8.05   

*Maximum offering price $8.57 (net asset value divided by 0.9425)
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Operations
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $40,636)
    $497,977  
Interest
    395  
      498,372  
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    182,834  
Distribution and service fees:
       
   A Class
    19,488  
   B Class
    4,524  
   C Class
    5,794  
   R Class
    772  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    1,153  
Other expenses
    13  
      214,578  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    283,794  
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
       
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions
    1,114,671  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $2,867)
    140,742  
      1,255,413  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments
    1,767,512  
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    1,321,186  
      3,088,698  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    4,344,111  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $4,627,905  

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $283,794       $398,260  
Net realized gain (loss)
    1,255,413       421,106  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    3,088,698       (1,828,731 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    4,627,905       (1,009,365 )
                 
Distributions to Shareholders
               
From net investment income:
               
   Investor Class
    (140,867 )     (281,159 )
   Institutional Class
    (26,763 )     (73,160 )
   A Class
    (203,043 )     (645,217 )
   B Class
    (5,247 )     (28,789 )
   C Class
    (6,656 )     (19,261 )
   R Class
    (3,336 )     (4,722 )
Decrease in net assets from distributions
    (385,912 )     (1,052,308 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions
               
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    (479,000 )     (1,004,655 )
                 
Redemption Fees
               
Increase in net assets from redemption fees
    2,437       3,710  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    3,765,430       (3,062,618 )
                 
Net Assets
               
Beginning of period
    26,757,707       29,820,325  
End of period
    $30,523,137       $26,757,707  
                 
Undistributed net investment income
    $283,499       $385,617  

 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. International Value Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in equity securities and at least 65% of its assets in securities from a minimum of three countries outside the United States.

The fund is authorized to issue the Investor Class, the Institutional Class, the A Class, the B Class, the C Class and the R Class. The A Class may incur an initial sales charge. The A Class, B Class and C Class may be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. The share classes differ principally in their respective sales charges and distribution and shareholder servicing expenses and arrangements. The Institutional Class is made available to institutional shareholders or through financial intermediaries whose clients do not require the same level of shareholder and administrative services as shareholders of other classes. As a result, the Institutional Class is charged a lower unified management fee.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

 
13

 

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.

Multiple Class — All shares of the fund represent an equal pro rata interest in the net assets of the class to which such shares belong, and have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except for class specific expenses and exclusive rights to vote on matters affecting only individual classes. Income, non-class specific expenses, and realized and unrealized capital gains and losses of the fund are allocated to each class of shares based on their relative net assets.
 
 
14

 

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

Redemption — The fund may impose a 2.00% redemption fee on shares held less than 60 days. The fee may not be applicable to all classes. The redemption fee is retained by the fund and helps cover transaction costs that long-term investors may bear when the fund sells securities to meet investor redemptions.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees —The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee) per class. The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The annual management fee schedule ranges from 1.10% to 1.30% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class. The Institutional Class is 0.20% less at each point within the range. The effective annual management fee for each class for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.30% for the Investor Class, A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class and 1.10% for the Institutional Class.

ACIM has entered into a subadvisory agreement with Templeton Investment Counsel, LLC (Templeton) on behalf of the fund. Templeton makes investment decisions for the fund in accordance with the fund’s investment objectives, policies, and restrictions under the supervision of ACIM and the Board of Directors. ACIM pays all costs associated with retaining Templeton as the subadvisor of the fund.

Distribution and Service Fees — The Board of Directors has adopted a separate Master Distribution and Individual Shareholder Services Plan for each of the A Class, B Class, C Class and R Class (collectively the plans), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 of the 1940 Act. The plans provide that the A Class will pay American Century Investment Services, Inc. (ACIS) an annual distribution and service fee of 0.25%. The plans provide that the B Class and C Class will each pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 1.00%, of which 0.25% is paid for individual shareholder services and 0.75% is paid for distribution services. The plans provide that the R Class will pay ACIS an annual distribution and service fee of 0.50%. The fees are computed and accrued daily based on each class’s daily net assets and paid monthly in arrears. The fees are used to pay financial intermediaries for distribution and individual shareholder services. Fees incurred under the plans during the six months ended May 31, 2011 are detailed in the Statement of Operations.

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, ACIS, and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC.

 
15

 

The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $3,735,960 and $4,109,355, respectively.

5. Capital Share Transactions

Transactions in shares of the fund were as follows:

   
Six months ended May 31, 2011
   
Year ended November 30, 2010
 
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
 
Investor Class/Shares Authorized
    55,000,000             55,000,000        
Sold
    454,433       $3,523,784       543,874       $3,779,102  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    17,606       134,337       38,587       273,798  
Redeemed
    (208,901 )     (1,597,471 )     (493,578 )     (3,480,623 )
      263,138       2,060,650       88,883       572,277  
Institutional Class/Shares Authorized
    55,000,000               55,000,000          
Sold
    20,657       159,219       68,030       462,329  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    3,517       26,763       10,333       73,160  
Redeemed
    (53,635 )     (411,867 )     (89,177 )     (600,913 )
      (29,461 )     (225,885 )     (10,814 )     (65,424 )
A Class/Shares Authorized
    45,000,000               45,000,000          
Sold
    201,526       1,560,598       899,755       6,485,839  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    26,048       199,787       89,337       636,290  
Redeemed
    (511,727 )     (3,857,874 )     (1,254,749 )     (8,540,309 )
      (284,153 )     (2,097,489 )     (265,657 )     (1,418,180 )
B Class/Shares Authorized
    5,000,000               5,000,000          
Sold
    2,376       17,559       2,489       16,165  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    696       5,240       4,077       28,443  
Redeemed
    (32,643 )     (244,689 )     (78,840 )     (534,140 )
      (29,571 )     (221,890 )     (72,274 )     (489,532 )
C Class/Shares Authorized
    10,000,000               10,000,000          
Sold
    21,726       168,338       68,338       488,852  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    864       6,646       2,661       18,909  
Redeemed
    (22,535 )     (172,478 )     (40,306 )     (275,068 )
      55       2,506       30,693       232,693  
R Class/Shares Authorized
    5,000,000               5,000,000          
Sold
    4,522       34,800       32,079       225,622  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    436       3,336       667       4,722  
Redeemed
    (4,541 )     (35,028 )     (10,043 )     (66,833 )
      417       3,108       22,703       163,511  
Net increase (decrease)
    (79,575 )     $(479,000 )     (206,466 )     $(1,004,655 )
 
 
16

 

6. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
                 
Foreign Common Stocks
    $2,626,229       $26,776,546        
Temporary Cash Investments
    16,499       1,100,000        
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $2,642,728       $27,876,546        

7. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

8. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $24,820,439  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $6,575,188  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (876,353 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $5,698,835  

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 
17

 

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(8,116,714), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers of $(932,933) and $(7,183,781) expire in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies.  The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment.  Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period.  However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date.  As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.

 
18

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Investor Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.91       $7.33       $5.47       $11.48       $14.36       $12.85  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.09       0.11       0.11       0.19       0.22       0.15  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.16       (0.24 )     1.88       (5.18 )     2.09       1.36  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.25       (0.13 )     1.99       (4.99 )     2.31       1.51  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.12 )     (0.29 )     (0.13 )     (0.24 )     (0.47 )      
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.78 )     (4.72 )      
   Total Distributions
    (0.12 )     (0.29 )     (0.13 )     (1.02 )     (5.19 )      
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $8.04       $6.91       $7.33       $5.47       $11.48       $14.36  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    18.21 %     (1.82 )%     36.98 %     (47.43 )%     23.55 %     11.75 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.31 %(5)     1.32 %     1.31 %     1.31 %     1.30 %     1.30 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    2.20 %(5)     1.66 %     2.34 %     2.20 %     1.96 %     2.77 %(5)(6)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    14 %     26 %     16 %     4 %     11 %     17 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $10,576       $7,272       $7,062       $2,512       $3,044       $437  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
April 3, 2006 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2006.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Due to cyclical dividends and the eight-month period ended November 30, 2006, the annualized ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets is higher than expected.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
19

 
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.90       $7.34       $5.48       $11.50       $14.38       $12.85  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.09       0.13       0.18       0.21       0.23       0.25  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.17       (0.25 )     1.82       (5.19 )     2.10       1.28  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.26       (0.12 )     2.00       (4.98 )     2.33       1.53  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.14 )     (0.32 )     (0.14 )     (0.26 )     (0.49 )      
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.78 )     (4.72 )      
   Total Distributions
    (0.14 )     (0.32 )     (0.14 )     (1.04 )     (5.21 )      
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $8.02       $6.90       $7.34       $5.48       $11.50       $14.38  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    18.33 %     (1.69 )%     37.18 %     (47.32 )%     23.77 %     11.91 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.11 %(5)     1.12 %     1.11 %     1.11 %     1.10 %     1.10 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    2.40 %(5)     1.86 %     2.54 %     2.40 %     2.16 %     2.97 %(5)(6)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    14 %     26 %     16 %     4 %     11 %     17 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $1,456       $1,456       $1,627       $23,847       $45,262       $35,574  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
April 3, 2006 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2006.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Due to cyclical dividends and the eight-month period ended November 30, 2006, the annualized ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets is higher than expected.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
20

 
 
A Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period
    $6.93       $7.33       $5.48       $11.49       $14.35       $12.70       $10.91  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                                       
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.07       0.10       0.10       0.18       0.20       0.25       0.18  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.18       (0.24 )     1.86       (5.20 )     2.11       1.40       1.97  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.25       (0.14 )     1.96       (5.02 )     2.31       1.65       2.15  
Distributions
                                                       
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.10 )     (0.26 )     (0.11 )     (0.21 )     (0.45 )           (0.15 )
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (0.78 )     (4.72 )           (0.21 )
   Total Distributions
    (0.10 )     (0.26 )     (0.11 )     (0.99 )     (5.17 )           (0.36 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $8.08       $6.93       $7.33       $5.48       $11.49       $14.35       $12.70  
                                                         
Total Return(4)
    18.15 %     (2.04 )%     36.40 %     (47.53 )%     23.44 %     12.99 %     19.95 %
                                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.56 %(5)     1.57 %     1.56 %     1.51 %     1.40 %     1.40 %(5)     1.35 %
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets (Before Expense Waiver)
    1.56 %(5)     1.57 %     1.56 %     1.56 %     1.55 %     1.55 %(5)     1.35 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.95 %(5)     1.41 %     2.09 %     2.00 %     1.86 %     2.67 %(5)(6)     1.52 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets (Before Expense Waiver)
    1.95 %(5)     1.41 %     2.09 %     1.95 %     1.71 %     2.52 %(5)(6)     1.52 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    14 %     26 %     16 %     4 %     11 %     17 %     7 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $16,094       $15,783       $18,644       $15,015       $24,558       $19,890       $54,617  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
April 1, 2006 through November 30, 2006. The fund’s fiscal year end was changed from March 31 to November 30, resulting in an eight-month annual reporting period. For the years before November 30, 2006, the fund’s fiscal year end was March 31.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Due to cyclical dividends and the eight-month period ended November 30, 2006, the annualized ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets is higher than expected.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
21

 
 
B Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
   
2006
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value,
Beginning of Period
    $6.77       $7.11       $5.32       $11.16       $14.08       $12.51       $10.75  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                                       
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.04       0.05       0.05       0.11       0.12       0.17       0.10  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.14       (0.24 )     1.81       (5.05 )     2.05       1.40       1.93  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.18       (0.19 )     1.86       (4.94 )     2.17       1.57       2.03  
Distributions
                                                       
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.04 )     (0.15 )     (0.07 )     (0.12 )     (0.37 )           (0.06 )
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (0.78 )     (4.72 )           (0.21 )
   Total Distributions
    (0.04 )     (0.15 )     (0.07 )     (0.90 )     (5.09 )           (0.27 )
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $7.91       $6.77       $7.11       $5.32       $11.16       $14.08       $12.51  
                                                         
Total Return(4)
    17.51 %     (2.76 )%     35.36 %     (47.84 )%     22.51 %     12.55 %     19.07 %
                                                         
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    2.31 %(5)     2.32 %     2.31 %     2.22 %     2.09 %     2.09 %(5)     2.08 %
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets (Before Expense Waiver)
    2.31 %(5)     2.32 %     2.31 %     2.31 %     2.30 %     2.30 %(5)     2.08 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.20 %(5)     0.66 %     1.34 %     1.29 %     1.17 %     1.98 %(5)(6)     0.90 %
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to Average Net Assets (Before Expense Waiver)
    1.20 %(5)     0.66 %     1.34 %     1.20 %     0.96 %     1.77 %(5)(6)     0.90 %
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    14 %     26 %     16 %     4 %     11 %     17 %     7 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $859       $934       $1,495       $1,526       $4,059       $4,313       $4,917  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
April 1, 2006 through November 30, 2006. The fund’s fiscal year end was changed from March 31 to November 30, resulting in an eight-month annual reporting period. For the years before November 30, 2006, the fund’s fiscal year end was March 31.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Due to cyclical dividends and the eight-month period ended November 30, 2006, the annualized ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets is higher than expected.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
22

 
 
C Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.90       $7.25       $5.42       $11.37       $14.27       $12.85  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.04       0.05       0.05       0.12       0.12       0.14  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.18       (0.25 )     1.85       (5.17 )     2.07       1.28  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.22       (0.20 )     1.90       (5.05 )     2.19       1.42  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.04 )     (0.15 )     (0.07 )     (0.12 )     (0.37 )      
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.78 )     (4.72 )      
   Total Distributions
    (0.04 )     (0.15 )     (0.07 )     (0.90 )     (5.09 )      
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $8.08       $6.90       $7.25       $5.42       $11.37       $14.27  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    17.76 %     (2.85 )%     35.44 %     (47.93 )%     22.28 %     11.05 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    2.31 %(5)     2.32 %     2.31 %     2.31 %     2.30 %     2.30 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.20 %(5)     0.66 %     1.34 %     1.20 %     0.96 %     1.77 %(5)(6)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    14 %     26 %     16 %     4 %     11 %     17 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $1,216       $1,039       $869       $337       $222       $41  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
April 3, 2006 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2006.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day and do not reflect applicable sales charges. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Due to cyclical dividends and the eight-month period ended November 30, 2006, the annualized ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets is higher than expected.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
23

 
 
R Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $6.90       $7.28       $5.45       $11.42       $14.31       $12.85  
Income From Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)(3)
    0.06       0.09       0.09       0.13       0.11       0.19  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.17       (0.25 )     1.84       (5.14 )     2.14       1.27  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.23       (0.16 )     1.93       (5.01 )     2.25       1.46  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.08 )     (0.22 )     (0.10 )     (0.18 )     (0.42 )      
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.78 )     (4.72 )      
   Total Distributions
    (0.08 )     (0.22 )     (0.10 )     (0.96 )     (5.14 )      
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $8.05       $6.90       $7.28       $5.45       $11.42       $14.31  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    17.92 %     (2.27 )%     35.90 %     (47.61 )%     22.91 %     11.36 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.81 %(5)     1.82 %     1.81 %     1.81 %     1.80 %     1.80 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.70 %(5)     1.16 %     1.84 %     1.70 %     1.46 %     2.27 %(5)(6)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    14 %     26 %     16 %     4 %     11 %     17 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $322       $273       $123       $78       $202       $28  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
April 3, 2006 (commencement of sale) through November 30, 2006.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 
(6)
Due to cyclical dividends and the eight-month period ended November 30, 2006, the annualized ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets is higher than expected.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
24

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.
 
 
25

 
 
Notes
 
 
26

 
 
Notes
 
 
27

 
 
Notes

 
28

 
 
 
 
 
 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72025   1107
 
 
 

 
 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NT Emerging Markets Fund
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
10
   
Statement of Operations
11
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
12
   
Notes to Financial Statements
13
   
Financial Highlights
18
   
Additional Information
19


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter
 
Jonathan Thomas

 
Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance, portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
2

 
 
 
President’s Letter

Don Pratt
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12–18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year
5 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Institutional Class
ACLKX
9.47%
32.35%(2)
8.48%
6.50%   
5/12/06
MSCI Emerging Markets Growth Index
9.37%
29.74%    
10.17%  
7.54%(3) 

(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Since 4/30/06, the date nearest the Institutional Class’s inception for which data are available.
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Institutional Class      1.52%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the index are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the index do not.

 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics

MAY 31, 2011
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
Vale SA Preference Shares
4.2%
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
4.0%
HTC Corp.
3.5%
LG Chem Ltd.
2.7%
Sberbank of Russia
2.6%
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
2.5%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
2.3%
CNOOC Ltd.
2.2%
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
2.2%
MTN Group Ltd.
1.9%
 
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Foreign Common Stocks
96.9%  
Temporary Cash Investments
4.3%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(1.2)%  
 
Investments by Country
% of net assets
South Korea
15.5%  
People’s Republic of China
14.3%  
Brazil
12.4%  
Taiwan (Republic of China)
10.4%  
Hong Kong
7.9%
South Africa
6.6%
Russian Federation
5.7%
Mexico
4.2%
India
3.9%
Thailand
3.6%
Indonesia
3.4%
Multi-National
2.5%
Other Countries
6.5%
Cash and Equivalents*
3.1%
*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
5

 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 – 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,094.70
$7.83
1.50%
Hypothetical
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,017.45
$7.54
1.50%

*Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 

Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stocks — 96.9%
 
BRAZIL — 12.4%
 
BR Malls Participacoes SA
    148,400       $1,741,954  
Cia de Bebidas das Americas Preference Shares ADR
    57,912       1,826,544  
Itau Unibanco Holding SA Preference Shares
    99,859       2,257,627  
Natura Cosmeticos SA
    29,800       793,659  
PDG Realty SA Empreendimentos e Participacoes
    261,200       1,619,101  
Petroleo Brasileiro SA-Petrobras ADR
    53,010       1,657,092  
Vale SA Preference Shares
    181,000       5,133,735  
              15,029,712  
HONG KONG — 7.9%
 
Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd.(1)
    890,000       815,637  
China Lumena New Materials Corp.
    1,536,000       682,026  
China Merchants Holdings International Co. Ltd.
    268,349       1,169,240  
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd.
    366,000       768,371  
China Unicom Ltd.
    716,000       1,581,530  
CNOOC Ltd.
    1,041,000       2,633,342  
Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Ltd.
    537,300       595,813  
Xinyi Glass Holdings Ltd.
    1,248,000       1,274,049  
              9,520,008  
HUNGARY — 0.8%
 
OTP Bank plc(1)
    28,910       957,267  
INDIA — 3.9%
 
HDFC Bank Ltd.
    25,757       1,372,401  
ICICI Bank Ltd.
    53,783       1,291,148  
Infosys Technologies Ltd.
    15,580       962,532  
Sesa Goa Ltd.
    47,662       306,765  
Tata Motors Ltd.
    32,641       793,762  
              4,726,608  
INDONESIA — 3.4%
 
PT Astra International Tbk
    155,500       1,070,568  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk
    1,768,000       1,319,049  
PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur Tbk(1)
    1,483,500       877,742  
PT Semen Gresik (Persero) Tbk
    715,000       812,722  
              4,080,081  
MALAYSIA — 0.7%
 
CIMB Group Holdings Bhd
    312,900       870,081  
MEXICO — 4.2%
               
Alfa SAB de CV, Series A
    85,969       1,242,898  
America Movil SAB de CV, Series L ADR
    21,221       1,118,347  
Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV ADR
    13,925       862,375  
Wal-Mart de Mexico SAB de CV
    621,280       1,886,739  
              5,110,359  
MULTI-NATIONAL — 2.5%
 
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets Index Fund
    62,292       3,024,277  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 14.3%
 
51job, Inc. ADR(1)
    8,936       510,335  
Agricultural Bank of China Ltd. H Shares(1)
    1,956,000       1,198,221  
Baidu, Inc. ADR(1)
    9,242       1,254,232  
China BlueChemical Ltd. H Shares
    1,018,000       812,448  
China Liansu Group Holdings Ltd.
    879,000       741,216  
China National Building Material Co. Ltd. H Shares
    800,000       1,627,577  
China Oilfield Services Ltd. H Shares(1)
    436,000       870,690  
Evergrande Real Estate Group Ltd.
    1,421,000       1,002,361  
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR(1)
    53,033       1,657,281  
Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd.
    108,000       282,688  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. H Shares(1)
    1,604,095       1,346,017  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. H Shares
    201,500       2,167,014  
Sany Heavy Equipment International Holdings Co. Ltd.
    840,500       1,001,270  
Tencent Holdings Ltd.
    58,800       1,694,974  
Xingda International Holdings Ltd.
    471,000       504,040  
ZTE Corp. H Shares
    170,960       609,870  
              17,280,234  
POLAND — 0.5%
 
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA
    36,128       579,592  
RUSSIAN FEDERATION — 5.7%
 
Magnit OJSC GDR
    36,552       1,126,559  
NovaTek OAO GDR
    13,162       1,795,929  
Rosneft Oil Co. OJSC GDR
    96,353       837,340  
Sberbank of Russia
    874,204       3,092,313  
              6,852,141  
 
 
8

 
 
     
Shares
     
Value
 
SOUTH AFRICA — 6.6%
               
Barloworld Ltd.
    119,453       $1,276,467  
Exxaro Resources Ltd.
    67,739       1,615,469  
MTN Group Ltd.
    106,570       2,275,092  
Naspers Ltd. N Shares
    10,958       654,110  
Sasol Ltd.
    39,650       2,110,680  
              7,931,818  
SOUTH KOREA — 15.5%
 
Celltrion, Inc.
    33,440       1,141,109  
CrucialTec Co. Ltd.(1)
    32,648       673,564  
Doosan Infracore Co. Ltd.(1)
    20,150       459,037  
Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.
    3,283       1,540,402  
Hyundai Motor Co.
    8,593       2,017,929  
Hyundai Steel Co.
    6,966       770,391  
LG Chem Ltd.
    6,591       3,276,723  
LG Household & Health Care Ltd.
    3,210       1,313,770  
NCSoft Corp.
    3,686       966,740  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    5,819       4,877,623  
Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd.
    41,060       1,753,346  
              18,790,634  
SWITZERLAND — 1.0%
 
Ferrexpo plc
    161,694       1,219,723  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 10.4%
 
Catcher Technology Co. Ltd.
    261,000       1,707,697  
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd.
    742,503       2,612,892  
HTC Corp.
    98,700       4,218,608  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    1,053,774       2,817,118  
TPK Holding Co. Ltd.(1)
    36,000       1,175,544  
              12,531,859  
THAILAND — 3.6%
 
Banpu PCL
    68,150       1,657,985  
CP ALL PCL
    823,100       1,210,947  
Kasikornbank PCL NVDR
    365,500       1,501,918  
              4,370,850  
TURKEY — 1.9%
 
Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi AS
    124,402       602,047  
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS
    190,829       852,967  
Turkiye Sise ve Cam Fabrikalari AS
    338,777       906,071  
              2,361,085  
UNITED KINGDOM — 1.6%
 
Antofagasta plc
    33,529       $734,231  
International Personal Finance plc
    201,127       1,230,881  
              1,965,112  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $87,627,333)
      117,201,441  
Temporary Cash Investments — 4.3%
 
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Agency Shares
    97,868       97,868  
Repurchase Agreement, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.375%, 4/15/12, valued at $5,201,127), in a joint trading account at 0.04%, dated 5/31/11, due 6/1/11 (Delivery value $5,100,006)
      5,100,000  
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $5,197,868)
      5,197,868  
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 101.2%
(Cost $92,825,201)
      122,399,309  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (1.2)%
      (1,472,695 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
      $120,926,614  

 
Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
Information Technology
20.0%
Financials
19.5%
Materials
14.5%
Energy
9.5%
Consumer Discretionary
9.0%
Industrials
8.7%
Consumer Staples
8.2%
Telecommunication Services
4.1%
Diversified
2.5%
Health Care
0.9%
Cash and Equivalents*
3.1%

*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.


Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
GDR = Global Depositary Receipt
MSCI = Morgan Stanley Capital International
NVDR = Non-Voting Depositary Receipt
OJSC = Open Joint Stock Company
 
(1)
Non-income producing.


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
9

 
 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $92,825,201)
    $122,399,309  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost of $104,648)
    104,874  
Dividends and interest receivable
    372,287  
Other assets
    17,268  
      122,893,738  
         
Liabilities
 
Payable for investments purchased
    1,579,734  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    237,854  
Accrued management fees
    149,536  
      1,967,124  
         
Net Assets
    $120,926,614  
         
Institutional Class Capital Shares, $0.01 Par Value
 
Shares authorized
    100,000,000  
Shares outstanding
    10,787,037  
         
Net Asset Value Per Share
    $11.21  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
 
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $90,263,454  
Undistributed net investment income
    166,737  
Undistributed net realized gain
    921,450  
Net unrealized appreciation
    29,574,973  
      $120,926,614  



See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $49,114)
    $991,127  
Interest
    536  
      991,663  
         
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    802,974  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    2,537  
Other expenses
    196  
      805,707  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    185,956  
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
 
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $(14,380))
    3,269,861  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $83,493)
    973,625  
      4,243,486  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments (net of deferred foreign taxes of $(152,342))
    3,597,717  
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    1,632,765  
      5,230,482  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    9,473,968  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $9,659,924  



See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $185,956       $140,792  
Net realized gain (loss)
    4,243,486       5,992,671  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    5,230,482       6,356,851  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    9,659,924       12,490,314  
                 
Distributions to Shareholders
 
From net investment income
          (94,843 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions
 
Proceeds from shares sold
    22,550,789       26,050,487  
Payments for shares redeemed
    (2,393,664 )     (7,646,938 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    20,157,125       18,403,549  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    29,817,049       30,799,020  
                 
Net Assets
 
Beginning of period
    91,109,565       60,310,545  
End of period
    $120,926,614       $91,109,565  
                 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income (loss)
    $166,737       $(19,219 )
                 
Transactions in Shares of the Fund
 
Sold
    2,114,055       2,902,783  
Redeemed
    (223,077 )     (810,053 )
Net increase (decrease) in shares of the fund
    1,890,978       2,092,730  



See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. NT Emerging Markets Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of companies located in emerging market countries. The fund is not permitted to invest in any securities issued by companies assigned by the Global Industry Classification Standard to the tobacco industry.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.

 
13

 

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes. Certain countries impose taxes on realized gains on the sale of securities registered in their country. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, on an accrual basis. The foreign tax expense on realized gains and unrealized appreciation reduces the net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Exchange-Traded Funds — The fund may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ETFs are a type of index fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a fixed portfolio of securities designed to track the performance and dividend yield of a particular domestic or foreign market index. A fund may purchase an ETF to temporarily gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market while awaiting purchase of underlying securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although a lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in it being more volatile. Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. Additionally, non-U.S. tax returns filed by the fund due to investments in certain foreign securities remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority for seven years from the date of filing. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.
 
 
14

 

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees — The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee). The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on the daily net assets of the fund and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The strategy assets of the fund include the assets of Emerging Markets Fund, one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The annual management fee schedule ranges from 1.05% to 1.65%. The effective annual management fee for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.49%.

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, American Century Investment Services, Inc., and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC. The fund is wholly owned, in aggregate, by various funds in a series issued by American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. (ACAAP). ACAAP does not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control.

The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a securities lending agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) and a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMCB is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $69,056,425 and $51,356,920, respectively.

 
15

 

5. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
 
Foreign Common Stocks
    $11,910,483       $105,290,958        
Temporary Cash Investments
    97,868       5,100,000        
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $12,008,351       $110,390,958        

6. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

7. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $93,635,662  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $29,322,091  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (558,444 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $28,763,647  

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales.

 
16

 

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(2,576,198), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers expire in 2017.

The fund has elected to treat $(18,521) of net foreign currency losses incurred in the one-month period ended November 30, 2010, as having been incurred in the following fiscal year for federal income tax purposes.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.

 
17

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $10.24       $8.86       $5.12       $16.19       $11.01       $10.00  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)
    0.02 (3)     0.02 (3)     0.02 (3)     0.11 (3)     0.15       0.07  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    0.95       1.37       3.74       (8.52 )     5.12       0.94  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    0.97       1.39       3.76       (8.41 )     5.27       1.01  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
          (0.01 )     (0.02 )     (0.20 )     (0.09 )      
   From Net
   Realized Gains
                      (2.46 )            
   Total Distributions
          (0.01 )     (0.02 )     (2.66 )     (0.09 )      
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $11.21       $10.24       $8.86       $5.12       $16.19       $11.01  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    9.47 %     15.73 %     73.87 %     (61.75 )%     48.22 %     10.10 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to
Average Net Assets
    1.50 %(5)     1.52 %     1.57 %     1.52 %     1.46 %     1.60 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    0.35 %(5)     0.19 %     0.36 %     1.17 %     1.12 %     1.68 %(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    48 %     94 %     158 %     157 %     113 %     59 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $120,927       $91,110       $60,311       $20,715       $28,378       $19,844  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
May 12, 2006 (fund inception) through November 30, 2006.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 


See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
18

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.

 
19

 
 
Notes
 
 
20

 
 
 

 

 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72021   1107
 
 
 

 
 
SEMIANNUAL REPORT   |   MAY 31, 2011
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NT International Growth Fund
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Table of Contents
 
President’s Letter
2
   
Independent Chairman’s Letter
3
   
Performance
4
   
Fund Characteristics
5
   
Shareholder Fee Example
6
   
Schedule of Investments
8
   
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
11
   
Statement of Operations
12
   
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
13
   
Notes to Financial Statements
14
   
Financial Highlights
18
   
Additional Information
19


Any opinions expressed in this report reflect those of the author as of the date of the report, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of American Century Investments® or any other person in the American Century Investments organization. Any such opinions are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and American Century Investments disclaims any responsibility to update such opinions. These opinions may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions made by American Century Investments funds are based on numerous factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any American Century Investments fund. Security examples are used for representational purposes only and are not intended as recommendations to purchase or sell securities. Performance information for comparative indices and securities is provided to American Century Investments by third party vendors. To the best of American Century Investments’ knowledge, such information is accurate at the time of printing.

 
 

 
 
President’s Letter
 
Jonathan Thomas
 
 
Dear Investor:

Thank you for reviewing our semiannual report for the six months ended May 31, 2011. This report offers a macroeconomic and financial market overview of the period (below), followed by fund performance, a schedule of fund investments, and other financial information.

For additional, updated information on fund performance, portfolio strategy, and the investment markets, we encourage you to visit our website, americancentury.com. Click on the “Fund Performance” and “Insights & News” headings at the top of our Individual Investors site. Also, the fund’s annual report, dated November 30, 2011, will provide additional market perspective and portfolio commentary from our portfolio management team.

Macroeconomic and Financial Market Overview
 
Despite headline-making economic headwinds (high fuel prices) and disruptions (sovereign debt problems in Europe, and earthquake-related disasters in Japan) that erupted during the period, U.S. investors experienced mostly positive overall financial market performance, in dollar terms, for the six months ended May 31, 2011. Stocks and corporate bonds generally outperformed government bonds as investors demonstrated increased risk appetites, triggered by favorable economic and corporate earnings projections for 2011 and 2012 at the start of the six-month period.

A declining dollar—compared with the currency values of major U.S. trading partners—and global economic expansion helped boost the returns of international investments, when converted back to dollars. U.S. market performance was generally positive too, with the notable exception of the benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury note, which had a slightly negative total return.

As the period came to a close, we saw increasing signs that—while still sustainable—the global economic expansion had lost momentum, particularly in developed countries, due to factors including the headwinds and disruptions mentioned above. As a result, economic growth forecasts were reduced, and broad global stock indices declined for much of May and June. We appreciate your continued trust in us during these uncertain times. The experts who manage our portfolios will continue to diligently apply their knowledge and skills as they make daily investment decisions for you.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
American Century Investments
 
 
2

 
 
 
Independent Chairman’s Letter
 
Don Pratt
 
 
Dear Fellow Shareholders,

With an existing vacancy and several directors approaching retirement age over the next few years, your American Century Investments Kansas City-based mutual fund board of directors recently addressed board succession planning. The board developed a succession plan and conducted an extensive search that yielded two new members who joined the board in 2011.

As part of the planning process, the board referred to the criteria for potential new directors set forth in its director nomination policy adopted in 2009. A nomination process generated more than 20 candidates whose credentials were reviewed by the board’s Governance Committee. Six candidates were selected by the committee for telephone interviews. Three were then chosen for in person interviews.

The committee recommended, and the full board approved, the addition of Jan Lewis, currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas, to fill the vacant board seat and the addition as an advisory director of Stephen E. Yates, who recently retired as Executive Vice President, Technology and Operations at Keycorp of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Yates will serve in an advisory capacity for 12-18 months before becoming an active director. Both of these additions bring operating management experience and unique perspectives to our various tasks.

We look forward to the contributions of our new directors to our efforts as shareholder representatives and thank the Governance Committee for their thorough search process.

If you have comments, suggestions or questions send them to me at dhpratt@fundboardchair.com.

Best regards,

Don Pratt

 
3

 
 
Performance
 
Total Returns as of May 31, 2011
       
Average Annual Returns
 
 
Ticker
Symbol
6 months(1)
1 year(2)
5 years
Since
Inception
Inception
Date
Institutional Class
ACLNX
15.93%
35.40%
3.88%
2.44%    
5/12/06
MSCI EAFE Index
14.92%
30.69%
1.73%
0.91%(3) 
MSCI EAFE Growth Index
14.36%
33.31%
2.86%
1.94%(3) 

(1)
Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(2)
Extraordinary performance is attributable in part to unusually favorable market conditions and may not be repeated or consistently achieved in the future.
 
(3)
Since 4/30/06, the date nearest the Institutional Class’s inception for which data are available.
 
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
Institutional Class      1.14%

The total annual fund operating expenses shown is as stated in the fund’s prospectus current as of the date of this report. The prospectus may vary from the expense ratio shown elsewhere in this report because it is based on a different time period, includes acquired fund fees and expenses, and, if applicable, does not include fee waivers or expense reimbursements.

Data presented reflect past performance. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Current performance may be higher or lower than the performance shown. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate, and redemption value may be more or less than original cost. To obtain performance data current to the most recent month end, please call 1-800-345-2021 or visit americancentury.com. International investing involves special risks, such as political instability and currency fluctuations. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

Data assumes reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, and none of the charts reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or the redemption of fund shares. Returns for the indices are provided for comparison. The fund’s total returns include operating expenses (such as transaction costs and management fees) that reduce returns, while the total returns of the indices do not.
 
 
4

 
 
Fund Characteristics
 
MAY 31, 2011
Top Ten Holdings
% of net assets
BHP Billiton Ltd.
1.8%
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
1.5%
Nestle SA
1.5%
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
1.5%
Rio Tinto plc
1.4%
BNP Paribas
1.4%
UBS AG
1.4%
Saipem SpA
1.3%
HTC Corp.
1.3%
Danone SA
1.3%
   
Types of Investments in Portfolio
% of net assets
Foreign Common Stocks
99.4%  
Temporary Cash Investments
0.9%
Other Assets and Liabilities
(0.3)%  
   
Investments by Country
% of net assets
United Kingdom
 15.0%  
France
 12.5%  
Japan
 12.1%  
Switzerland
 9.8%
Germany
 7.3%
Sweden
 3.9%
People’s Republic of China
 3.2%
Netherlands
 3.0%
Italy
 2.9%
Australia
 2.9%
Hong Kong
 2.8%
Denmark
 2.6%
Ireland
 2.4%
Other Countries
 19.0%  
Cash and Equivalents*
 0.6%
*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.
 
 
5

 
 
Shareholder Fee Example
 
Fund shareholders may incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchase payments and redemption/exchange fees; and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and service (12b-1) fees; and other fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

Actual Expenses
 
The table provides information about actual account values and actual expenses for each class. You may use the information, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. First, identify the share class you own. Then 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 under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

If you hold Investor Class shares of any American Century Investments fund, or Institutional Class shares of the American Century Diversified Bond Fund, in an American Century Investments account (i.e., not a financial intermediary or retirement plan account), American Century Investments may charge you a $12.50 semiannual account maintenance fee if the value of those shares is less than $10,000. We will redeem shares automatically in one of your accounts to pay the $12.50 fee. In determining your total eligible investment amount, we will include your investments in all personal accounts (including American Century Investments Brokerage accounts) registered under your Social Security number. Personal accounts include individual accounts, joint accounts, UGMA/UTMA accounts, personal trusts, Coverdell Education Savings Accounts and IRAs (including traditional, Roth, Rollover, SEP-, SARSEP- and SIMPLE-IRAs), and certain other retirement accounts. If you have only business, business retirement, employer-sponsored or American Century Investments Brokerage accounts, you are currently not subject to this fee. We will not charge the fee as long as you choose to manage your accounts exclusively online. If you are subject to the Account Maintenance Fee, your account value could be reduced by the fee amount.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes
 
The table also provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio of each class of your fund and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of a fund’s 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 your fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

 
6

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption/exchange fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 
Beginning
Account Value
12/1/10
Ending
Account Value
5/31/11
Expenses Paid
During Period*
12/1/10 – 5/31/11
Annualized
Expense Ratio*
Actual
       
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,159.30
$5.98
1.11%
Hypothetical
       
Institutional Class
$1,000
$1,019.40
$5.59
1.11%

*Expenses are equal to the class’s annualized expense ratio listed in the table above, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 182, the number of days in the most recent fiscal half-year, divided by 365, to reflect the one-half year period.
 
 
7

 
 
Schedule of Investments
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
   
Shares
   
Value
 
Common Stocks — 99.4%
 
AUSTRALIA — 2.9%
 
BHP Billiton Ltd.
    127,331       $6,072,371  
Iluka Resources Ltd.
    115,100       1,931,834  
Wesfarmers Ltd.
    44,931       1,598,879  
              9,603,084  
AUSTRIA — 0.5%
 
Erste Group Bank AG
    31,376       1,566,742  
BELGIUM — 1.6%
 
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV
    51,608       3,117,827  
Telenet Group Holding NV(1)
    18,583       846,565  
Umicore SA
    25,100       1,385,155  
              5,349,547  
BERMUDA — 0.6%
 
Seadrill Ltd.
    59,800       2,170,504  
BRAZIL — 0.3%
 
Vale SA Preference Shares
    36,800       1,043,765  
CANADA — 0.5%
 
Canadian National Railway Co.
    15,400       1,204,374  
Suncor Energy, Inc.
    14,000       584,508  
              1,788,882  
DENMARK — 2.6%
 
Carlsberg A/S B Shares
    25,300       2,927,438  
Christian Hansen Holding A/S
    63,000       1,516,604  
Novo Nordisk A/S B Shares
    30,400       3,816,445  
Pandora A/S
    19,000       648,778  
              8,909,265  
FINLAND — 0.6%
 
Fortum Oyj
    56,800       1,904,109  
FRANCE — 12.5%
               
Accor SA
    63,442       2,914,701  
Air Liquide SA
    20,620       2,868,857  
Alcatel-Lucent(1)
    382,500       2,165,139  
BNP Paribas
    59,270       4,637,109  
Cie Generale d’Optique Essilor International SA
    17,000       1,381,470  
Danone SA
    60,422       4,433,748  
Eutelsat Communications SA
    37,200       1,653,982  
JCDecaux SA(1)
    58,200       1,873,490  
LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA
    20,400       3,569,581  
Pernod-Ricard SA
    26,358       2,671,836  
Publicis Groupe SA
    48,700       2,687,317  
Safran SA
    98,300       4,017,845  
Schneider Electric SA
    19,800       3,268,875  
Technip SA
    26,200       2,823,442  
Zodiac Aerospace
    14,700       1,184,477  
              42,151,869  
GERMANY — 7.3%
 
adidas AG
    16,600       1,250,515  
Allianz SE
    15,700       2,170,916  
BASF SE
    13,200       1,219,596  
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    43,200       3,830,597  
Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
    36,570       2,654,573  
Hugo Boss AG Preference Shares
    19,200       1,731,040  
Kabel Deutschland Holding AG(1)
    34,257       2,340,050  
SAP AG
    47,400       2,949,479  
Siemens AG
    26,600       3,559,643  
ThyssenKrupp AG
    63,100       3,005,373  
              24,711,782  
HONG KONG — 2.8%
 
AIA Group Ltd.(1)
    375,900       1,327,857  
China Unicom Ltd. ADR
    155,700       3,437,856  
CNOOC Ltd.
    878,000       2,221,012  
Li & Fung Ltd.
    1,076,000       2,391,863  
              9,378,588  
INDIA — 1.1%
 
Bharti Airtel Ltd.
    159,500       1,324,882  
HDFC Bank Ltd.
    22,900       1,220,172  
Titan Industries Ltd.
    13,000       1,272,922  
              3,817,976  
INDONESIA — 1.0%
 
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk
    3,857,750       3,262,569  
IRELAND — 2.4%
 
Accenture plc, Class A
    75,800       4,350,162  
CRH plc
    102,300       2,231,572  
Shire plc
    52,100       1,648,199  
              8,229,933  
ISRAEL — 0.3%
 
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. ADR
    16,800       855,120  
ITALY — 2.9%
 
Pirelli & C SpA
    268,400       2,676,270  
Saipem SpA
    85,162       4,498,992  
UniCredit SpA
    1,180,400       2,692,839  
              9,868,101  
 
 
8

 
 
      Shares       Value  
JAPAN — 12.1%
               
FANUC CORP.
    20,200       $3,105,160  
JSR Corp.
    81,200       1,612,040  
Komatsu Ltd.
    99,600       2,980,877  
Mitsubishi Corp.
    112,800       2,854,844  
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
    478,300       2,214,019  
Murata Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    46,800       2,953,280  
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.
    515,100       5,162,428  
Nitori Holdings Co. Ltd.
    26,300       2,294,784  
ORIX Corp.
    43,000       4,120,749  
Rakuten, Inc.
    3,500       3,556,418  
SOFTBANK CORP.
    61,800       2,402,949  
Sumitomo Realty & Development Co. Ltd.
    101,000       2,156,394  
Unicharm Corp.
    65,800       2,662,442  
Yahoo Japan Corp.
    7,500       2,486,815  
              40,563,199  
LUXEMBOURG — 0.9%
 
Millicom International Cellular SA(1)
    27,806       3,175,445  
MACAU — 0.5%
 
Wynn Macau Ltd.
    520,400       1,830,062  
MEXICO — 0.5%
 
Grupo Financiero Banorte SAB de CV, Series O
    338,200       1,572,785  
NETHERLANDS — 3.0%
 
ASML Holding NV
    28,700       1,120,065  
CNH Global NV(1)
    46,300       1,959,416  
European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. NV
    110,400       3,649,351  
Royal Dutch Shell plc, Class A
    95,464       3,402,958  
              10,131,790  
NORWAY — 1.0%
 
Petroleum Geo-Services ASA(1)
    74,500       1,211,380  
Yara International ASA
    33,300       2,008,883  
              3,220,263  
PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA — 3.2%
 
Baidu, Inc. ADR(1)
    21,100       2,863,481  
Ctrip.com International Ltd. ADR(1)
    39,464       1,775,880  
Focus Media Holding Ltd. ADR(1)
    69,485       2,171,406  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. H Shares(1)
    3,348,715       2,809,951  
ZTE Corp. H Shares
    324,440       1,157,383  
              10,778,101  
POLAND — 0.8%
 
Powszechna Kasa Oszczednosci Bank Polski SA
    157,376       2,524,740  
PORTUGAL — 0.8%
 
Jeronimo Martins SGPS SA
    152,000       2,846,127  
RUSSIAN FEDERATION — 1.7%
 
Magnit OJSC GDR
    89,100       2,746,127  
Sberbank of Russia
    874,700       3,094,067  
              5,840,194  
SINGAPORE — 0.5%
 
DBS Group Holdings Ltd.
    68,000       816,196  
Genting Singapore plc(1)
    549,000       886,162  
              1,702,358  
SOUTH KOREA — 1.7%
 
Hyundai Motor Co.
    14,395       3,380,435  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
    2,800       2,347,026  
              5,727,461  
SPAIN — 1.9%
 
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA
    372,927       4,368,828  
Inditex SA
    20,500       1,864,988  
              6,233,816  
SWEDEN — 3.9%
 
Alfa Laval AB
    134,600       2,973,161  
Atlas Copco AB A Shares
    128,200       3,390,661  
Atlas Copco AB Redemption Shares(1)
    128,200       103,450  
Swedbank AB A Shares
    159,400       2,967,880  
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson B Shares
    65,700       974,121  
Volvo AB B Shares
    145,600       2,637,139  
              13,046,412  
SWITZERLAND — 9.8%
 
ABB Ltd.(1)
    107,500       2,887,206  
Adecco SA(1)
    27,700       1,894,106  
Kuehne + Nagel International AG
    7,800       1,229,048  
Nestle SA
    79,500       5,106,529  
Novartis AG
    65,065       4,207,681  
Roche Holding AG
    14,966       2,634,263  
Swatch Group AG (The)(1)
    5,600       2,790,606  
Syngenta AG(1)
    7,300       2,521,297  
UBS AG(1)
    236,700       4,548,669  
Wolseley plc
    50,000       1,695,689  
Xstrata plc
    152,800       3,590,135  
              33,105,229  
 
 
9

 
 
      Shares       Value  
TAIWAN (REPUBLIC OF CHINA) — 1.8%
 
HTC Corp.
    104,550       $4,468,647  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.
    594,000       1,587,976  
              6,056,623  
TURKEY — 0.4%
 
Turkiye Garanti Bankasi AS
    293,300       1,310,991  
UNITED KINGDOM — 15.0%
 
Admiral Group plc
    74,241       2,106,959  
Aggreko plc
    82,000       2,528,326  
Antofagasta plc
    78,713       1,723,687  
ARM Holdings plc
    306,200       2,900,889  
Barclays plc
    293,078       1,339,257  
BG Group plc
    185,431       4,313,411  
Burberry Group plc
    97,598       2,122,254  
Capita Group plc (The)
    163,405       1,981,481  
Carnival plc
    62,067       2,500,588  
Compass Group plc
    103,000       1,004,968  
HSBC Holdings plc (Hong Kong)
    324,578       3,426,107  
Intertek Group plc
    72,000       2,429,864  
National Grid plc
    229,700       2,370,198  
Reckitt Benckiser Group plc
    89,177       5,062,327  
Rio Tinto plc
    67,500       4,722,889  
Schroders plc
    57,993       1,566,621  
Standard Chartered plc
    90,064       2,415,620  
Tullow Oil plc
    61,100       1,361,477  
Vodafone Group plc
    1,052,800       2,931,103  
Whitbread plc
    55,600       1,493,665  
              50,301,691  
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS
(Cost $265,278,627)
      334,579,123  
Temporary Cash Investments — 0.9%
 
JPMorgan U.S. Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Agency Shares
    65,966       65,966  
Repurchase Agreement, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., (collateralized by various U.S. Treasury obligations, 1.375%, 4/15/12, valued at $2,957,503), in a joint trading account at 0.04%, dated 5/31/11, due 6/1/11 (Delivery value $2,900,003)
      2,900,000  
TOTAL TEMPORARY CASH INVESTMENTS
(Cost $2,965,966)
      2,965,966  
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES — 100.3%
(Cost $268,244,593)
      337,545,089  
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES — (0.3)%
      (1,161,721 )
TOTAL NET ASSETS — 100.0%
      $336,383,368  
 
 
Market Sector Diversification
(as a % of net assets)
Consumer Discretionary
18.3%
Financials
17.9%
Industrials
15.3%
Materials
11.1%
Consumer Staples
9.9%
Information Technology
9.6%
Energy
6.7%
Health Care
5.1%
Telecommunication Services
4.2%
Utilities
1.3%
Cash and Equivalents*
0.6%
*Includes temporary cash investments and other assets and liabilities.


Notes to Schedule of Investments

ADR = American Depositary Receipt
GDR = Global Depositary Receipt
OJSC = Open Joint Stock Company
 
(1)
Non-income producing.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
10

 
 
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Assets
 
Investment securities, at value (cost of $268,244,593)
    $337,545,089  
Foreign currency holdings, at value (cost $343,489)
    348,680  
Receivable for investments sold
    1,621,873  
Dividends and interest receivable
    1,047,389  
Other assets
    4,254  
      340,567,285  
         
Liabilities
       
Payable for investments purchased
    3,665,936  
Payable for capital shares redeemed
    199,975  
Accrued management fees
    304,060  
Accrued foreign taxes
    13,946  
      4,183,917  
         
Net Assets
    $336,383,368  
         
Institutional Class Capital Shares, $0.01 Par Value
       
Shares authorized
    100,000,000  
Shares outstanding
    32,172,146  
         
Net Asset Value Per Share
    $10.46  
         
Net Assets Consist of:
       
Capital (par value and paid-in surplus)
    $270,351,974  
Undistributed net investment income
    1,295,741  
Accumulated net realized loss
    (4,631,536 )
Net unrealized appreciation
    69,367,189  
      $336,383,368  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
11

 
 
Statement of Operations
 
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)
 
Investment Income (Loss)
 
Income:
     
Dividends (net of foreign taxes withheld of $413,423)
    $3,637,302  
Interest
    1,278  
      3,638,580  
Expenses:
       
Management fees
    1,637,420  
Directors’ fees and expenses
    6,978  
Other expenses
    2,452  
      1,646,850  
         
Net investment income (loss)
    1,991,730  
         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)
       
Net realized gain (loss) on:
       
Investment transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $5,449)
    3,295,069  
Foreign currency transactions (net of foreign tax expenses paid (refunded) of $22,027)
    3,870,400  
      7,165,469  
         
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:
       
Investments (net of deferred foreign taxes of $(58,301))
    18,866,860  
Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
    14,313,208  
      33,180,068  
         
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
    40,345,537  
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
    $42,337,267  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
12

 
 
 
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED) AND YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2010
 
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
 
2011
   
2010
 
Operations
 
Net investment income (loss)
    $1,991,730       $1,978,829  
Net realized gain (loss)
    7,165,469       11,374,128  
Change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
    33,180,068       3,791,324  
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
    42,337,267       17,144,281  
                 
Distributions to Shareholders
               
From net investment income
    (2,574,499 )     (2,270,324 )
                 
Capital Share Transactions
               
Proceeds from shares sold
    51,261,072       87,778,606  
Proceeds from reinvestment of distributions
    2,574,499        
Payments for shares redeemed
    (7,432,512 )     (15,911,311 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from capital share transactions
    46,403,059       71,867,295  
                 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets
    86,165,827       86,741,252  
                 
Net Assets
               
Beginning of period
    250,217,541       163,476,289  
End of period
    $336,383,368       $250,217,541  
                 
Undistributed net investment income
    $1,295,741       $1,878,510  
                 
Transactions in Shares of the Fund
               
Sold
    5,179,931       10,301,837  
Issued in reinvestment of distributions
    266,500        
Redeemed
    (753,907 )     (1,809,370 )
Net increase (decrease) in shares of the fund
    4,692,524       8,492,467  


 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
13

 
 
Notes to Financial Statements
 
MAY 31, 2011 (UNAUDITED)

1. Organization

American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc. (the corporation) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company and is organized as a Maryland corporation. NT International Growth Fund (the fund) is one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The fund is diversified as defined under the 1940 Act. The fund’s investment objective is to seek capital growth. The fund pursues its objective by investing primarily in equity securities of companies in at least three developed countries (excluding the United States). The fund is not permitted to invest in any securities issued by companies assigned by the Global Industry Classification Standard to the tobacco industry.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in preparation of its financial statements. The financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, which may require management to make certain estimates and assumptions at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Investment Valuations — The fund determines the fair value of its investments and computes its net asset value per share as of the close of regular trading (usually 4 p.m. Eastern time) on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on each day the NYSE is open.

Equity securities that are listed or traded on a domestic securities exchange are valued at the last reported sales price or at the official closing price as provided by the exchange. Equity securities traded on foreign securities exchanges are typically valued at the closing price on the exchange where primarily traded or as of the close of the NYSE, if that is earlier. If no last sales price is reported, or if local convention or regulation so provides, the mean of the latest bid and asked prices is used. Depending on local convention or regulation, securities traded over-the-counter are valued at the mean of the latest bid and asked prices, the last sales price, or the official closing price. In its determination of fair value, the fund may review several factors including: market information specific to a security; news developments in U.S. and foreign markets; the performance of particular U.S. and foreign securities, indices, comparable securities, American Depositary Receipts, Exchange-Traded Funds, and other relevant market indicators.

Debt securities maturing within 60 days at the time of purchase may be valued at cost, plus or minus any amortized discount or premium or at the evaluated mean as provided by an independent pricing service. Evaluated mean prices are commonly derived through utilization of market models, which may consider, among other factors, trade data, quotations from dealers and active market makers, relevant yield curve and spread data, related sector levels, creditworthiness, and other relevant market information on the same or comparable securities.

Investments in open-end management investment companies are valued at the reported net asset value per share. Repurchase agreements are valued at cost.

The value of investments initially expressed in foreign currencies is translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates.

If the fund determines that the market price for a portfolio security is not readily available or the valuation methods mentioned above do not reflect a security’s fair value, such security is valued as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors or its designee, in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board of Directors. Circumstances that may cause the fund to use these procedures to value a security include, but are not limited to: a security has been declared in default; trading in a security has been halted during the trading day; there is a foreign market holiday and no trading occurred; or an event occurred between the close of a foreign exchange and the NYSE that may affect the value of a security.

 
14

 

Security Transactions — Security transactions are accounted for as of the trade date. Net realized gains and losses are determined on the identified cost basis, which is also used for federal income tax purposes. Certain countries impose taxes on realized gains on the sale of securities registered in their country. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, on an accrual basis. The foreign tax expense on realized gains and unrealized appreciation reduces the net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, respectively.

Investment Income — Dividend income less foreign taxes withheld, if any, is recorded as of the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis and includes accretion of discounts and amortization of premiums.

Foreign Currency Translations — All assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at prevailing exchange rates at period end. The fund may enter into spot foreign currency exchange contracts to facilitate transactions denominated in a foreign currency. Purchases and sales of investment securities, dividend and interest income, spot foreign currency exchange contracts, and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency exchange gains or losses related to investment securities are a component of net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions and change in net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies, respectively. Certain countries impose taxes on the contract amount of purchases and sales of foreign currency contracts in their currency. The fund records the foreign tax expense, if any, as a reduction to the net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions.

Repurchase Agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements with institutions that American Century Investment Management, Inc. (ACIM) (the investment advisor) has determined are creditworthy pursuant to criteria adopted by the Board of Directors. The fund requires that the collateral, represented by securities, received in a repurchase transaction be transferred to the custodian in a manner sufficient to enable the fund to obtain those securities in the event of a default under the repurchase agreement. ACIM monitors, on a daily basis, the securities transferred to ensure the value, including accrued interest, of the securities under each repurchase agreement is equal to or greater than amounts owed to the fund under each repurchase agreement.

Joint Trading Account — Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund, along with certain other funds in the American Century Investments family of funds, may transfer uninvested cash balances into a joint trading account. These balances are invested in one or more repurchase agreements that are collateralized by U.S. Treasury or Agency obligations.

Income Tax Status — It is the fund’s policy to distribute substantially all net investment income and net realized gains to shareholders and to otherwise qualify as a regulated investment company under provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. The fund is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years prior to 2007. Additionally, non-U.S. tax returns filed by the fund due to investments in certain foreign securities remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authority for seven years from the date of filing. At this time, management believes there are no uncertain tax positions which, based on their technical merit, would not be sustained upon examination and for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next twelve months. Accordingly, no provision has been made for federal or state income taxes.

Distributions to Shareholders — Distributions from net investment income and net realized gains, if any, are generally declared and paid annually. The fund may make distributions on a more frequent basis to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent with provisions of the 1940 Act.

 
15

 

Indemnifications — Under the corporation’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the fund. In addition, in the normal course of business, the fund enters into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against a fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered by management to be remote.

3. Fees and Transactions with Related Parties

Management Fees —The corporation has entered into a management agreement with ACIM, under which ACIM provides the fund with investment advisory and management services in exchange for a single, unified management fee (the fee). The agreement provides that all expenses of managing and operating the fund, except distribution and service fees, brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the independent directors (including legal counsel fees), and extraordinary expenses, will be paid by ACIM. The fee is computed and accrued daily based on the daily net assets of the fund and paid monthly in arrears. The rate of the fee is determined by applying a fee rate calculation formula. This formula takes into account the fund’s assets as well as certain assets, if any, of other clients of the investment advisor outside the American Century Investments family of funds (such as subadvised funds and separate accounts) that have very similar investment teams and investment strategies (strategy assets). The strategy assets of the fund include the assets of International Growth Fund, one fund in a series issued by the corporation. The annual management fee schedule ranges from 0.90% to 1.30%. The effective annual management fee for the six months ended May 31, 2011 was 1.10%.

Related Parties — Certain officers and directors of the corporation are also officers and/or directors of American Century Companies, Inc. (ACC), the parent of the corporation’s investment advisor, ACIM, the distributor of the corporation, American Century Investment Services, Inc., and the corporation’s transfer agent, American Century Services, LLC. The fund is wholly owned, in aggregate, by various funds in a series issued by American Century Asset Allocation Portfolios, Inc. (ACAAP). ACAAP does not invest in the fund for the purpose of exercising management or control.

The fund is eligible to invest in a money market fund for temporary purposes, which is managed by J.P. Morgan Investment Management, Inc. (JPMIM). The fund has a securities lending agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank (JPMCB) and a mutual funds services agreement with J.P. Morgan Investor Services Co. (JPMIS). JPMCB is a custodian of the fund. JPMIM, JPMIS and JPMCB are wholly owned subsidiaries of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM). JPM is an equity investor in ACC.

4. Investment Transactions

Purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term investments, for the six months ended May 31, 2011 were $152,676,728 and $102,134,753, respectively.

5. Fair Value Measurements

The fund’s securities valuation process is based on several considerations and may use multiple inputs to determine the fair value of the positions held by the fund. In conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, the inputs used to determine a valuation are classified into three broad levels as follows:

Level 1 valuation inputs consist of unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical securities;

Level 2 valuation inputs consist of direct or indirect observable market data (including quoted prices for similar securities, evaluations of subsequent market events, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.); or

Level 3 valuation inputs consist of unobservable data (including a fund’s own assumptions).

 
16

 

The level classification is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair valuation measurement. The valuation inputs are not necessarily an indication of the risks associated with investing in these securities or other financial instruments.

The following is a summary of the level classifications as of period end. The Schedule of Investments provides additional information on the fund’s portfolio holdings.

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
Investment Securities
                 
Foreign Common Stocks
    $20,588,766       $313,990,357        
Temporary Cash Investments
    65,966       2,900,000        
Total Value of Investment Securities
    $20,654,732       $316,890,357        

6. Risk Factors

There are certain risks involved in investing in foreign securities. These risks include those resulting from future adverse political, social, and economic developments, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, the possible imposition of exchange controls, and other foreign laws or restrictions. Investing in emerging markets may accentuate these risks.

7. Federal Tax Information

The book-basis character of distributions made during the year from net investment income or net realized gains may differ from their ultimate characterization for federal income tax purposes. These differences reflect the differing character of certain income items and net realized gains and losses for financial statement and tax purposes, and may result in reclassification among certain capital accounts on the financial statements.

As of May 31, 2011, the components of investments for federal income tax purposes were as follows:

Federal tax cost of investments
    $270,601,053  
Gross tax appreciation of investments
    $69,739,986  
Gross tax depreciation of investments
    (2,795,950 )
Net tax appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    $66,944,036  

The difference between book-basis and tax-basis cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) is attributable primarily to the tax deferral of losses on wash sales and the realization for tax purposes of unrealized gains on investments in passive foreign investment companies.

As of November 30, 2010, the fund had accumulated capital losses of $(9,914,815), which represent net capital loss carryovers that may be used to offset future realized capital gains for federal income tax purposes. Future capital loss carryover utilization in any given year may be subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Capital loss carryovers expire in 2017.

On December 22, 2010, the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”) was enacted, which changed various technical rules governing the tax treatment of regulated investment companies. The changes are generally effective for taxable years beginning after the date of enactment. Under the Act, the fund will be permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after the date of enactment for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to the losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which carry an expiration date. As a result of this ordering rule, pre-enactment capital loss carryforwards may be more likely to expire unused.

 
17

 
 
Financial Highlights
 
Institutional Class
 
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Years Ended November 30 (except as noted)
 
   
2011(1)
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006(2)
 
Per-Share Data
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
    $9.11       $8.61       $6.29       $12.72       $10.34       $10.00  
Income From
Investment Operations
                                               
   Net Investment
   Income (Loss)
    0.07 (3)     0.08 (3)     0.10 (3)     0.16 (3)     0.12       0.03  
   Net Realized and
   Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    1.37       0.54       2.33       (6.18 )     2.29       0.31  
   Total From
   Investment Operations
    1.44       0.62       2.43       (6.02 )     2.41       0.34  
Distributions
                                               
   From Net
   Investment Income
    (0.09 )     (0.12 )     (0.11 )     (0.12 )     (0.03 )      
   From Net Realized Gains
                      (0.29 )            
   Total Distributions
    (0.09 )     (0.12 )     (0.11 )     (0.41 )     (0.03 )      
Net Asset Value,
End of Period
    $10.46       $9.11       $8.61       $6.29       $12.72       $10.34  
                                                 
Total Return(4)
    15.93 %     7.28 %     39.09 %     (48.82 )%     23.40 %     3.40 %
                                                 
Ratios/Supplemental Data
 
Ratio of Operating Expenses to Average
Net Assets
    1.11 %(5)     1.14 %     1.18 %     1.12 %     1.07 %     1.07 %(5)
Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to
Average Net Assets
    1.34 %(5)     0.95 %     1.41 %     1.62 %     1.15 %     0.59 %(5)
Portfolio Turnover Rate
    35 %     85 %     132 %     119 %     104 %     65 %
Net Assets, End of Period (in thousands)
    $336,383       $250,218       $163,476       $55,860       $67,703       $46,380  

(1)
Six months ended May 31, 2011 (unaudited).
 
(2)
May 12, 2006 (fund inception) through November 30, 2006.
 
(3)
Computed using average shares outstanding throughout the period.
 
(4)
Total returns are calculated based on the net asset value of the last business day. Total returns for periods less than one year are not annualized.
 
(5)
Annualized.
 

 
See Notes to Financial Statements.
 
 
18

 
 
Additional Information
 
Retirement Account Information
 
As required by law, distributions you receive from certain IRAs, or 403(b), 457 and qualified plans are subject to federal income tax withholding, unless you elect not to have withholding apply. Tax will be withheld on the total amount withdrawn even though you may be receiving amounts that are not subject to withholding, such as nondeductible contributions. In such case, excess amounts of withholding could occur. You may adjust your withholding election so that a greater or lesser amount will be withheld.

If you don’t want us to withhold on this amount, you must notify us to not withhold the federal income tax. You may notify us in writing or in certain situations by telephone or through other electronic means. You have the right to revoke your withholding election at any time and any election you make may remain in effect until revoked by filing a new election.

Remember, even if you elect not to have income tax withheld, you are liable for paying income tax on the taxable portion of your withdrawal. If you elect not to have income tax withheld or you don’t have enough income tax withheld, you may be responsible for payment of estimated tax. You may incur penalties under the estimated tax rules if your withholding and estimated tax payments are not sufficient. You can reduce or defer the income tax on a distribution by directly or indirectly rolling such distribution over to another IRA or eligible plan. You should consult your tax advisor for additional information.

State tax will be withheld if, at the time of your distribution, your address is within one of the mandatory withholding states and you have federal income tax withheld. State taxes will be withheld from your distribution in accordance with the respective state rules.

Proxy Voting Guidelines
 
American Century Investment Management, Inc., the fund’s investment advisor, is responsible for exercising the voting rights associated with the securities purchased and/or held by the fund. A description of the policies and procedures the advisor uses in fulfilling this responsibility is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021. It is also available on American Century Investments’ website at americancentury.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at sec.gov. Information regarding how the investment advisor voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30 is available on the “About Us” page at americancentury.com. It is also available at sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Disclosure
 
The fund files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The fund’s Forms N-Q are available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov, and may be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-800-SEC-0330. The fund also makes its complete schedule of portfolio holdings for the most recent quarter of its fiscal year available on its website at americancentury.com and, upon request, by calling 1-800-345-2021.
 
 
19

 
 
Notes
 
 
20

 
 
 

 

 
Contact Us
americancentury.com
Automated Information Line
1-800-345-8765
Investor Services Representative
1-800-345-2021
or 816-531-5575
Investors Using Advisors
1-800-378-9878
Business, Not-For-Profit, Employer-Sponsored Retirement Plans
1-800-345-3533
Banks and Trust Companies, Broker-Dealers, Financial Professionals, Insurance Companies
1-800-345-6488
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
1-800-634-4113
 
American Century World Mutual Funds, Inc.
 
Investment Advisor:
American Century Investment Management, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

This report and the statements it contains are submitted for the general information of our shareholders. The report is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus.


©2011 American Century Proprietary Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
CL-SAN-72022   1107
 

 
 

 
ITEM 2.  CODE OF ETHICS.

Not applicable for semiannual report filings.


ITEM 3.  AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT.

Not applicable for semiannual report filings.


ITEM 4.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.

Not applicable for semiannual report filings.


ITEM 5.  AUDIT COMMITTEE OF LISTED REGISTRANTS.

Not applicable.


ITEM 6.  INVESTMENTS.

(a)
The schedule of investments is included as part of the report to stockholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

(b)
Not applicable.
 

ITEM 7.  DISCLOSURE OF PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.


ITEM 8.  PORTFOLIO MANAGERS OF CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES.

Not applicable.


ITEM 9.  PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY CLOSED-END MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANY AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS.

Not applicable.

 
 

 

ITEM 10.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

During the reporting period, there were no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board.


ITEM 11.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

(a)
The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) are effective based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

(b)
There were no changes in the registrant's internal control 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 have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 12.  EXHIBITS.

(a)(1)
Not applicable for semiannual report filings.

(a)(2)
Separate certifications by the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Rule 30a-2(a) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, are filed and attached hereto as EX-99.CERT.

(a)(3)
Not applicable.

(b)
A certification by the registrant’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, is furnished and attached hereto as EX- 99.906CERT.


 
 

 
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.


Registrant:
AMERICAN CENTURY WORLD MUTUAL FUNDS, INC.
 
       
       
By:
/s/ Jonathan S. Thomas
 
 
Name:
Jonathan S. Thomas
 
 
Title:
President
 
       
Date:
July 29, 2011
 
     


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/ Jonathan S. Thomas
 
 
Name:
Jonathan S. Thomas
 
 
Title:
President
 
   
(principal executive officer)
 
       
       
Date:
July 29, 2011
 



By:
/s/ Robert J. Leach
 
 
Name:
Robert J. Leach
 
 
Title:
Vice President, Treasurer, and
 
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
   
(principal financial officer)
 
       
Date:
July 29, 2011