SEC. File Nos.  333-135770
811-21928



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________

FORM N-1A
Registration Statement
Under
the Securities Act of 1933
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10
and
Registration Statement
Under
The Investment Company Act of 1940
Amendment No. 13
__________________

SHORT-TERM BOND FUND OF AMERICA
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071-1447
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

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

COURTNEY R. TAYLOR, Secretary
Short-Term Bond Fund of America
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071-1447
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
__________________

Copies to:
Michael Glazer
Bingham McCutchen LLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3106
(Counsel for the Registrant)
____________

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

It is proposed that this filing will become effective on November 1, 2012, pursuant to paragraph (b) of rule 485.


 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 

 

Short-Term Bond
Fund of America ®



         
 
 
Prospectus
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
November 1, 2012
  Class                   Ticker
   
A
B
C
F-1
F-2
529-A
529-B
529-C
529-E
529-F-1
R-1
R-2
R-3
R-4
R-5
R-6                   
ASBAX
AMSBX
ASBCX
ASBFX
SBFFX
CAAFX
CBAMX
CCAMX
CEAMX
CFAMX
RAMAX
RAMBX
RAMCX
RAMEX
RAMFX
RMMGX
 
 
 
Table of contents
     
 
 
Investment objective
Fees and expenses of the fund
Principal investment strategies
Principal risks
Investment results
Management
Purchase and sale of fund shares
Tax information
Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
Investment objective, strategies and risks
Management and organization
 
1
1
3
3
4
6
6
7
 
7
8
11
 
 
Shareholder information
Purchase, exchange and sale of shares
How to sell shares
Distributions and taxes
Choosing a share class
Sales charges
Sales charge reductions and waivers
Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs
Plans of distribution
Other compensation to dealers
Fund expenses
Financial highlights
 
13
14
19
22
23
24
26
30
31
32
32
34
 
 
 
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities. Further, it has not determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 I nvestment objective
The fund’s investment objective is to provide you with current income, consistent with the maturity and quality standards described in this prospectus, and preservation of capital.
 
 F ees and expenses of the fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $500,000 in American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” section on page 26 of the prospectus and on page 60 of the fund’s statement of additional information.
 
Shareholder fees
(fees paid directly from your investment)
 
 
Share classes
 
 
A and
529-A
 
B and
529-B
 
C and
529-C
 
529-E
 
F-1, F-2
and
529-F-1
 
All R
share
classes
 
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price)
2.50%
none
none
none
none
none
 
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed)
1.00*
5.00%
1.00%
none
none
none
 
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends
none
none
none
none
none
none
 
Redemption or exchange fees
none
none
none
none
none
none
 
Maximum annual account fee
(529 share classes only)
$10
$10
$10
$10
$10
N/A

Annual fund operating expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
 
 
Share classes
 
 
A
 
B
 
C
 
F-1
 
F-2
 
529-A
 
529-B
 
529-C
Management fees
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees
 
0.19
 
0.90
 
1.00
 
0.25
 
none
 
0.13
 
0.90
 
1.00
Other expenses
 
0.12
 
0.11
 
0.16
 
0.16
 
0.12
 
0.23
 
0.24
 
0.23
Total annual fund operating expenses
 
0.60
 
1.30
 
1.45
 
0.70
 
0.41
 
0.65
 
1.43
 
1.52

 
 
529-E
 
529-F-1
 
R-1
 
R-2
 
R-3
 
R-4
 
R-5
 
R-6
Management fees
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
 
0.29%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees
 
0.50
 
0.00
 
1.00
 
0.75
 
0.50
 
0.25
 
none
 
none
Other expenses
 
0.22
 
0.23
 
0.17
 
0.37
 
0.24
 
0.15
 
0.12
 
0.06
Total annual fund operating expenses
 
1.01
 
0.52
 
1.46
 
1.41
 
1.03
 
0.69
 
0.41
 
0.35
 
*
A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge.
 
 
 
Page 1

 
 
 
Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.
 
The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
 
 
Share classes
 
1 year
 
3 years
 
5 years
 
10 years
A
 
$310
 
$437
 
$  576
 
$  981
B
 
632
 
812
 
913
 
1,375
C
 
248
 
459
 
792
 
1,735
F-1
 
72
 
224
 
390
 
871
F-2
 
42
 
132
 
230
 
518
529-A
 
335
 
492
 
662
 
1,146
529-B
 
665
 
891
 
1,039
 
1,603
529-C
 
274
 
519
 
886
 
1,912
529-E
 
123
 
361
 
616
 
1,339
529-F-1
 
73
 
206
 
350
 
759
R-1
 
149
 
462
 
797
 
1,746
R-2
 
144
 
446
 
771
 
1,691
R-3
 
105
 
328
 
569
 
1,259
R-4
 
70
 
221
 
384
 
859
R-5
 
42
 
132
 
230
 
518
R-6
 
36
 
113
 
197
 
443
For the share classes listed below, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares:
 
 
Share classes
 
1 year
 
3 years
 
5 years
 
10 years
B
 
$132
 
$412
 
$713
 
$1,375
C
 
148
 
459
 
792
 
1,735
529-B
 
165
 
491
 
839
 
1,603
529-C
 
174
 
519
 
886
 
1,912

 
Portfolio turnover The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s investment results. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 57% of the average value of its portfolio.
 
 
 
 
Page 2

 
 
 Principal investment strategies
The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in bonds (bonds include any debt instrument and cash equivalents). The fund maintains a portfolio having a dollar-weighted average maturity no greater than three years and consisting primarily of debt securities rated AA– or Aa3 or better by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. The fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in debt securities in the A rating category or in unrated securities determined by the fund’s investment adviser to be of equivalent quality.
 
The fund primarily invests in short-term debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars, including securities issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, securities of corporate issuers, mortgage-backed securities and debt securities and mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities and Federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The fund may also invest in asset-backed securities (securities backed by assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables or other providers of credit).
 
The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing the fund’s assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed by individual counselors who decide how their respective segments will be invested.
 
The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively priced securities that, in its opinion, represent good investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is by analyzing various factors, which may include the credit strength of the issuer, prices of similar securities issued by comparable issuers, anticipated changes in interest rates, general market conditions and other factors pertinent to the particular security being evaluated. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.
 
 Principal risks
This section describes the principal risks associated with the fund’s principal investment strategies. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time.
 
Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the securities held by the fund may decline due to market conditions and other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of securities held by the fund.
 
Investing in bonds — Rising interest rates will generally cause the prices of bonds and other debt securities to fall. Longer maturity debt securities may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities. In addition, falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities.
 
Bonds and other debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default.
 
 
 
Page 3

 
 
 
Investing in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities — Many types of bonds and other debt securities, including mortgage-backed securities, are subject to prepayment risk as well as the risks associated with investing in debt securities in general. If interest rates fall and the loans underlying these securities are prepaid faster than expected, the fund may have to reinvest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, thus reducing the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates increase and the loans underlying the securities are prepaid more slowly than expected, the expected duration of the securities may be extended, reducing the cash flow for potential reinvestment in higher yielding securities.
 
Investing in securities backed by the U.S. government — Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.
 
Management — The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund’s investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses employed by the investment adviser in this process may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.
 
Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person. You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.
 
 Investment results
The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The Lipper Short Investment Grade Debt Funds Average includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to the fund’s objective. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Updated information on the fund’s investment results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.
 
 
 
Page 4

 
 

Average annual total returns
For the periods ended December 31, 2011 (with maximum sales charge):
 
Share class
 
Inception date
 
1 year
 
5 years
 
Lifetime
A − Before taxes
10/2/2006
 
–1.47%
 
2.01%
 
2.12%
− After taxes on distributions
 
 
–1.83
 
1.18
N/A
− After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares
 
–0.95
 
1.23
N/A

 
Share classes (before taxes)
 
Inception date
 
1 year
 
5 years
 
Lifetime
B
11/6/2006
 
–4.60%
 
1.44%
 
1.69%
C
11/6/2006
 
–0.74
 
1.72
 
1.77
F-1
11/1/2006
 
1.00
 
2.48
 
2.49
F-2
8/19/2008
 
1.31
 
N/A
 
2.20
529-A
11/3/2006
 
–1.48
 
1.94
 
2.01
529-B
11/2/2006
 
–4.73
 
1.30
 
1.51
529-C
11/3/2006
 
–0.81
 
1.64
 
1.69
529-E
12/1/2006
 
0.69
 
2.15
 
2.12
529-F-1
11/16/2006
 
1.18
 
2.67
 
2.71
R-1
12/26/2006
 
0.24
 
1.72
 
1.70
R-2
12/8/2006
 
0.23
 
1.69
 
1.69
R-3
11/22/2006
 
0.67
 
2.12
 
2.13
R-4
1/3/2007
 
0.99
 
N/A
 
2.46
R-5
1/4/2007
 
1.29
 
N/A
 
2.73
R-6
5/7/2009
 
1.34
 
N/A
 
2.15

 
Indexes
 
1 year
 
5 years
 
10 years
 
Lifetime
(from Class A inception)
Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 1-3 Years ex BBB Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or taxes)
 
1.55%
 
3.86%
 
3.51%
 
3.86%
Lipper Short Investment Grade Debt Funds Average
(reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or taxes)
 
1.26
 
3.06
 
3.12
 
3.14
Class A annualized 30-day yield at August 31, 2012: 0.17%
( For current yield information, please call American FundsLine ® at 800/325-3590.)

 
 
Page 5

 

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

 
Portfolio counselor/
Fund title (if applicable)
 
Portfolio counselor
experience in this fund
 
Primary title
with investment adviser
 
David A. Hoag
President
 
6 years
 
Senior Vice President – Fixed Income,
Capital Research and Management Company
 
John R. Queen
Vice President
 
1 year
 
Vice President – Fixed Income, Capital Research and Management Company

 Purchase and sale of fund shares
The minimum amount to establish an account for all share classes is $250 and the minimum to add to an account is $50. For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll deduction savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account, the minimum is $25 to establish or add to an account.
 
If you are a retail investor, you may sell (redeem) shares through your dealer or financial adviser or by writing to American Funds Service Company ® at P.O. Box 6007, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6007; telephoning American Funds Service Company at 800/421-4225; faxing American Funds Service Company at 888/421-4351; or accessing our website at americanfunds.com. Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper in order to sell (redeem) shares from your retirement plan.
 
 
 
 
Page 6

 
 
 Tax information
Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income taxes and may also be subject to state and local taxes, unless you are tax-exempt or your account is tax-favored.
 
 Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries
If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and the fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial adviser to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial adviser or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 
 
Page 7

 
 
 Investment objective, strategies and risks
The fund’s investment objective is to provide you with current income consistent with its maturity and quality standards described in this prospectus and preservation of capital. This objective may be changed by the fund’s board without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders. The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in bonds (bonds include any debt instrument and cash equivalents). The fund maintains a portfolio having a dollar-weighted average maturity no greater than three years and consisting primarily of debt securities rated AA– or Aa3 or better by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. The fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in debt securities in the A rating category or in unrated securities determined by the fund’s investment adviser to be of equivalent quality. As of the end of the fund’s last fiscal period, August 31, 2012, the dollar-weighted average maturity of the fund’s portfolio was 1.97 years.
 
The fund primarily invests in short-term debt securities denominated in U.S. dollars, including securities issued and guaranteed by the U.S. government, securities of corporate issuers, mortgage-backed securities and debt securities and mortgage-backed securities issued by government sponsored entities and Federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. The fund may also invest in asset-backed securities (securities backed by assets such as auto loans, credit card receivables or other providers of credit).
 
A bond’s effective maturity is the market’s trading assessment of its maturity and represents an estimate of the most likely time period during which an investor in that bond will receive payment of principal. For example, as market interest rates decline, issuers may exercise call provisions that shorten the bond’s effective maturity. Conversely, if interest rates rise, effective maturities tend to lengthen. A portfolio’s dollar-weighted average maturity is the weighted average of all effective maturities in the portfolio, where more weight is given to larger holdings.
 
The prices of, and the income generated by, the securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the issuers of securities held by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.
 
The prices of, and the income generated by, most bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities. For example, the prices of debt securities in the fund’s portfolio generally will decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall.
 
In addition, falling interest rates may cause an issuer to redeem, call or refinance a debt security before its stated maturity, which may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities. Longer maturity debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities.
 
Bonds and other debt securities are also subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to
 
 
 
Page 8

 
 
make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default. Lower quality debt securities generally have higher rates of interest and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than higher quality debt securities.
 
Many types of bonds and other debt securities, including mortgage-backed securities, are subject to prepayment risk. For example, when interest rates fall, homeowners are more likely to refinance their home mortgages and “prepay” their principal earlier than expected. The fund must then reinvest the prepaid principal in new securities when interest rates on new mortgage investments are falling, thus reducing the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates increase, homeowners may not make prepayments to the extent expected, resulting in an extension of the expected terms of the securities backed by such mortgages. This reduces the potential for the fund to reinvest prepayments in higher yielding securities. In addition, the values of the securities ultimately depend upon the payment pattern of the underlying loans by individuals.
 
Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.
 
The fund’s investment adviser attempts to reduce the risks described above through diversification of the portfolio and ongoing credit analysis, as well as by monitoring economic and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful at doing so.
 
The fund may also hold cash or money market instruments, including commercial paper and short-term securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. The percentage of the fund invested in such holdings varies and depends on various factors, including market conditions. From time to time the fund may invest without limitation in such instruments. The investment adviser may determine that it is appropriate to invest substantially in such instruments in response to certain circumstances, such as periods of market turmoil. A larger percentage of such holdings could moderate the fund’s investment results in a period of rising market prices. Consistent with the fund’s preservation of capital objective, a larger percentage of cash or money market instruments could reduce the magnitude of the fund’s loss in a period of falling market prices and provide liquidity to make additional investments or to meet redemptions.
 
The fund’s investment results will depend on the ability of the fund’s investment adviser to navigate the risks discussed above.
 
In addition to the investment strategies described above, the fund has other investment practices that are described in the statement of additional information, which includes a description of certain risks associated with those practices.
 
 
 
 
Page 9

 
 
Fund comparative indexes The investment results table in this prospectus shows how the fund’s average annual total returns compare with various broad measures of market results. The Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 1-3 Years ex BBB Index is a market-value weighted index that tracks the total return results of fixed-rate, publicly placed, dollar-denominated obligations issued by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. government agencies, quasi-federal corporations, corporate or foreign debt guaranteed by the U.S. government, and U.S. corporate and foreign debentures and secured notes that meet specified maturity, liquidity and quality requirements, with maturities of one to three years, excluding BBB-rated securities. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, account fees, commissions, expenses or taxes. The Lipper Short Investment Grade Debt Funds Average is composed of funds that invest primarily in investment-grade debt issues (rated in the top four grades) with dollar-weighted average maturities of less than three years. The results of the underlying funds in the average include reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions and other fund expenses, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, account fees or taxes.
 
Fund results All fund results in this prospectus reflect the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. Unless otherwise noted, fund results reflect any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during the periods presented. Class R-6 returns include hypothetical returns for the period from June 16, 2009 to November 19, 2009 (when Class R-6 did not have assets) based on Class A share investment results without a sales charge, adjusted for estimated annual expenses of 0.29% lower than Class A shares expenses.

 
 
Page 10

 
 
 Management and organization
Investment adviser Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, serves as the investment adviser to the fund and other funds, including the American Funds. Capital Research and Management Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. Capital Research and Management Company manages the investment portfolio and business affairs of the fund. The total management fee paid by the fund, as a percentage of average net assets, appears in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under “Fees and expenses of the fund.” Please see the statement of additional information for further details. A discussion regarding the basis for approval of the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement by the fund’s board of trustees is contained in the fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012.
 
Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through three equity investment divisions and fixed-income assets through its fixed-income division. The three equity investment divisions make investment decisions on an independent basis and include Capital World Investors, Capital Research Global Investors and a third equity investment division.
 
The equity investment divisions may, in the future, be incorporated as wholly owned subsidiaries of Capital Research and Management Company. In that event, Capital Research and Management Company would continue to be the investment adviser, and day-to-day investment management of equity assets would continue to be carried out through one or more of these subsidiaries. Although not currently contemplated, Capital Research and Management Company could incorporate its fixed-income division in the future and engage it to provide day-to-day investment management of fixed-income assets. Capital Research and Management Company and each of the funds it advises have received an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that allows Capital Research and Management Company to use, upon approval of the fund’s board, its management subsidiaries and affiliates to provide day-to-day investment management services to the fund, including making changes to the management subsidiaries and affiliates providing such services. The fund’s shareholders have approved this arrangement; however, there is no assurance that Capital Research and Management Company will incorporate its investment divisions or exercise any authority under the exemptive order.
 
Portfolio holdings Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. A description of the fund’s policies and procedures regarding disclosure of information about its portfolio holdings is available in the statement of additional information.

 
 
Page 11

 
 
Multiple Portfolio Counselor System ® Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of a fund is divided into segments managed by individual counselors who decide how their respective segments will be invested. In addition, Capital Research and Management Company’s investment analysts may make investment decisions with respect to a portion of a fund’s portfolio. Investment decisions are subject to a fund’s objective(s), policies and restrictions and the oversight of the appropriate investment-related committees of Capital Research and Management Company and its investment divisions. The table below shows the investment experience and role in management of the fund for each of the fund’s primary portfolio counselors .
 
 
Portfolio counselor
 
Investment
experience
 
Experience
in this fund
 
Role in
management
of the fund
 
David A. Hoag
 
Investment professional for 24 years in total;
21 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
 
6 years
(since the fund’s inception)
 
Serves as a fixed-income portfolio counselor
 
John R. Queen
 
Investment professional for 21 years in total;
9 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
 
1 year
 
Serves as a fixed-income portfolio counselor
 
Information regarding the portfolio counselors’ compensation, their ownership of securities in the fund and other accounts they manage is in the statement of additional information.

 
 
Page 12

 
 
Certain privileges and/or services described on the following pages of this prospectus and in the statement of additional information may not be available to you, depending on your investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper. Please see your financial adviser, investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper for more information.
 
 Shareholder information
Shareholder services American Funds Service Company, the fund’s transfer agent, offers a wide range of services that you can use to alter your investment program should your needs or circumstances change. These services may be terminated or modified at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.
 
 
A more detailed description of policies and services is included in the fund’s statement of additional information and the owner’s guide sent to new American Funds shareholders entitled Welcome . Class 529 shareholders should also refer to the applicable program description for information on policies and services specifically relating to their account(s). These documents are available by writing to or calling American Funds Service Company.
 
 
 
 
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Unless otherwise noted, references to Class A, B, C or F-1 shares on the following pages also refer to the corresponding Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C or 529-F-1 shares. Unless otherwise noted, references to Class F shares refer to both Class F-1 and F-2 shares and references to Class R shares refer to Class R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6 shares.
 
 Purchase, exchange and sale of shares
The fund’s transfer agent, on behalf of the fund and American Funds Distributors, ®   the fund’s distributor, is required by law to obtain certain personal information from you or any other person(s) acting on your behalf in order to verify your or such person’s identity. If you do not provide the information, the transfer agent may not be able to open your account. If the transfer agent is unable to verify your identity or that of any other person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or believes it has identified potentially criminal activity, the fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to close your account or take such other action they deem reasonable or required by law.
 
When purchasing shares, you should designate the fund or funds in which you wish to invest. Subject to the exception below, if no fund is designated, your money will be held uninvested (without liability to the transfer agent for loss of income or appreciation pending receipt of proper instructions) until investment instructions are received, but for no more than three business days. Your investment will be made at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge in the case of Class A shares) next determined after investment instructions are received and accepted by the transfer agent. If investment instructions are not received, your money will be invested in Class A shares of American Funds Money Market Fund ® on the third business day after receipt of your investment.
 
If the amount of your cash investment is $10,000 or less, no fund is designated, and you made a cash investment (excluding exchanges) within the last 16 months, your money will be invested in the same proportion and in the same fund or funds and in the same class of shares in which your last cash investment was made.
 
Different procedures may apply to certain group accounts.
 
Valuing shares The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single share of that class. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, the normal close of regular trading. Assets are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations. However, the fund has adopted procedures for making “fair value” determinations if market quotations are not readily available or are not considered reliable. For example, fair value procedures may be used if an issuer defaults and there is no market for its securities. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more appropriate net asset values.
 
Your shares will be purchased at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge in the case of Class A shares) or sold at the net asset value next determined after American Funds Service Company receives your request, provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply at the time you sell certain Class A, B and C shares.
 
Purchase of Class A and C shares You may generally open an account and purchase Class A shares by contacting any financial adviser (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell the fund’s shares. See the statement of additional information for information on purchasing Class C shares. You
 
 
 
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may purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial adviser and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.
 
Class B shares Class B and 529-B shares may not be purchased or acquired, except by exchange from Class B or 529-B shares of another fund in the American Funds family. Any other investment received by the fund that is intended for Class B or 529-B shares will instead be invested in Class A or 529-A shares and will be subject to any applicable sales charges.
 
Shareholders with investments in Class B and 529-B shares may continue to hold such shares until they convert to Class A or 529-A shares. However, no additional investments will be accepted in Class B or 529-B shares. Dividends and capital gain distributions may continue to be reinvested in Class B or 529-B shares until their conversion dates. In addition, shareholders invested in Class B or 529-B shares will be able to exchange those shares for Class B or 529-B shares of other American Funds offering Class B or 529-B shares until they convert.
 
Automatic conversion of Class B and C shares Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the month of the eight-year anniversary of the date the original Class B shares were purchased. Class C shares automatically convert to Class F-1 shares in the month of the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date; however, Class 529-C shares will not convert to Class 529-F-1 shares. The Internal Revenue Service currently takes the position that these automatic conversions are not taxable. Should its position change, the automatic conversion feature may be suspended. If this happens, you would have the option of converting your Class B, 529-B or C shares to the respective share classes at the anniversary dates described above. This exchange would be based on the relative net asset values of the two classes in question, without the imposition of a sales charge or fee, but you might face certain tax consequences as a result.
 
Purchase of Class F shares You may generally open an account and purchase Class F shares only through fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor, through certain registered investment advisers and through other intermediaries approved by the fund’s distributor. These intermediaries typically charge ongoing fees for services they provide. Intermediary fees are not paid by the fund and normally range from .75% to 1.50% of assets annually, depending on the services offered.
 
Purchase of Class 529 shares Class 529 shares may be purchased only through an account established with a 529 college savings plan managed by the American Funds organization. You may open this type of account and purchase Class 529 shares by contacting any financial adviser (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell such an account. You may purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial adviser and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.
 
Class 529-E shares may be purchased only by employees participating through an eligible employer plan.
 
Accounts holding Class 529 shares are subject to a $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee.
 
Investors residing in any state may purchase Class 529 shares through an account established with a 529 college savings plan managed by the American Funds
 
 
 
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organization. Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C and 529-F-1 shares are structured similarly to the corresponding Class A, B, C and F-1 shares. For example, the same initial sales charges apply to Class 529-A shares as to Class A shares.
 
Purchase of Class R shares Class R shares are generally available only to retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457, and to nonqualified deferred compensation plans and certain voluntary employee benefit association and post-retirement benefit plans. Class R shares also are generally available only to retirement plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the fund. Class R-5 and R-6 shares are generally available only to fee-based programs or through retirement plan intermediaries. In addition, Class R-5 and R-6 shares are available for investment by other registered investment companies approved by the fund’s investment adviser or distributor. Class R shares generally are not available to retail nonretirement accounts, traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs and 529 college savings plans.
 
Purchases by employer-sponsored retirement plans Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or R shares by contacting any investment dealer (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell these classes of the fund’s shares. Some or all R share classes may not be available through certain investment dealers. Additional shares may be purchased through a plan’s administrator or recordkeeper.
 
Class A shares are generally not available for retirement plans using the PlanPremier ® or Recordkeeper Direct ® recordkeeping programs.
 
Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are eligible to purchase Class R shares may instead purchase Class A shares and pay the applicable Class A sales charge, provided that their recordkeepers can properly apply a sales charge on plan investments. These plans are not eligible to make initial purchases of $1 million or more in Class A shares and thereby invest in Class A shares without a sales charge, nor are they eligible to establish a statement of intention that qualifies them to purchase Class A shares without a sales charge. More information about statements of intention can be found under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus. Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales charge table in this prospectus.
 
Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in Class A shares without any sales charge before April 1, 2004, and that continue to meet the eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A shares at net asset value, may continue to purchase Class A shares without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
 
A 403(b) plan may not invest in Class A or C shares, unless it was invested in Class A or C shares before January 1, 2009.

 
 
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Purchase minimums and maximums Purchase minimums described in this prospectus may be waived in certain cases. In addition, the fund reserves the right to redeem the shares of any shareholder for their then current net asset value per share if the shareholder’s aggregate investment in the fund falls below the fund’s minimum initial investment amount. See the statement of additional information for details.
 
For accounts established with an automatic investment plan, the initial purchase minimum of $250 may be waived if the purchases (including purchases through exchanges from another fund) made under the plan are sufficient to reach $250 within five months of account establishment.
 
The effective purchase maximums for Class 529-A, 529-E and 529-F-1 shares will reflect the maximum applicable contribution limits under state law. See the applicable program description for more details.

 
 
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Exchange Generally, you may exchange your shares into shares of the same class of other American Funds without a sales charge. Class A, C or F-1 shares may generally be exchanged into the corresponding 529 share class without a sales charge. Class B shares may not be exchanged into Class 529-B shares. Exchanges from Class A, C or F-1 shares to the corresponding 529 share class, particularly in the case of Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act custodial accounts, may result in significant legal and tax consequences, as described in the applicable program description. Please consult your financial adviser before making such an exchange.
 
Exchanges of shares from American Funds Money Market Fund initially purchased without a sales charge generally will be subject to the appropriate sales charge. For purposes of computing the contingent deferred sales charge on Class B and C shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the date of original purchase and will not be affected by any permitted exchange.
 
Exchanges have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases. For example, to the extent you exchange shares held in a taxable account that are worth more now than what you paid for them, the gain will be subject to taxation.
 
See “Transactions by telephone, fax or the Internet” under the section “How to sell shares” in this prospectus for information regarding electronic exchanges.
 
Please see the statement of additional information for details and limitations on moving investments in certain share classes to different share classes and on moving investments held in certain accounts to different accounts.
 
 
 
 
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 How to sell shares
 
You may sell (redeem) shares in any of the following ways:
 
Employer-sponsored retirement plans
 
Shares held in eligible retirement plans may be sold through the plan’s administrator or recordkeeper.
 
Through your dealer or financial adviser (certain charges may apply)
 
• Shares held for you in your dealer’s name must be sold through the dealer.
 
 
• Generally, Class F shares must be sold through intermediaries such as dealers or financial advisers.
 
Writing to American Funds Service Company
 
• Requests must be signed by the registered shareholder(s).
 
• A signature guarantee is required if the redemption is:
 
 
— more than $125,000;
 
 
— made payable to someone other than the registered shareholder(s); or
 
 
— sent to an address other than the address of record or to an address of record that has been changed within the last 10 days.
 
 
• American Funds Service Company reserves the right to require signature guarantee(s) on any redemption.
 
 
• Additional documentation may be required for redemptions of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary accounts.
 
Telephoning or faxing American Funds Service Company or using the Internet
 
·  
Redemptions by telephone, fax or the Internet (including American FundsLine and americanfunds.com) are limited to $125,000 per American Funds shareholder each day.
 
·  
Checks must be made payable to the registered shareholder.
 
·  
Checks must be mailed to an address of record that has been used with the account for at least 10 days.
 
If you recently purchased shares and subsequently request a redemption of those shares, you will receive proceeds from the redemption once a sufficient period of time has passed to reasonably ensure that checks or drafts (including certified or cashier’s checks) for the shares purchased have cleared (normally 10 business days).
 
Although payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund’s declaration of trust permits payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of trustees.
 
Transactions by telephone, fax or the Internet Generally, you are automatically eligible to redeem or exchange shares by telephone, fax or the Internet, unless you notify us in writing that you do not want any or all of these services. You may reinstate these services at any time.
 
Unless you decide not to have telephone, fax or Internet services on your account(s), you agree to hold the fund, American Funds Service Company, any of its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges,
 
 
 
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provided that American Funds Service Company employs reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, American Funds Service Company and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.
 
Frequent trading of fund shares The fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to reject any purchase order for any reason. The fund is not designed to serve as a vehicle for frequent trading. Frequent trading of fund shares may lead to increased costs to the fund and less efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, potentially resulting in dilution of the value of the shares held by long-term shareholders. Accordingly, purchases, including those that are part of exchange activity that the fund or American Funds Distributors has determined could involve actual or potential harm to the fund, may be rejected.
 
The fund, through its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, maintains surveillance procedures that are designed to detect frequent trading in fund shares. Under these procedures, various analytics are used to evaluate factors that may be indicative of frequent trading. For example, transactions in fund shares that exceed certain monetary thresholds may be scrutinized. American Funds Service Company also may review transactions that occur close in time to other transactions in the same account or in multiple accounts under common ownership or influence. Trading activity that is identified through these procedures or as a result of any other information available to the fund will be evaluated to determine whether such activity might constitute frequent trading. These procedures may be modified from time to time as appropriate to improve the detection of frequent trading, to facilitate monitoring for frequent trading in particular retirement plans or other accounts, and to comply with applicable laws.
 
In addition to the fund’s broad ability to restrict potentially harmful trading as described above, the fund’s board of trustees has adopted a “purchase blocking policy” under which any shareholder redeeming shares having a value of $5,000 or more from a fund will be precluded from investing in that fund for 30 calendar days after the redemption transaction. This policy also applies to redemptions and purchases that are part of exchange transactions. Under the fund’s purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and certain redemptions will not trigger a purchase block, such as:
 
·  
purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000;
·  
transactions in Class 529 shares;
·  
purchases and redemptions by investment companies managed or sponsored by the fund’s investment adviser or its affiliates, including reallocations and transactions allowing the investment company to meet its redemptions and purchases;
·  
retirement plan contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals) identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper’s system;
·  
purchase transactions involving transfers of assets, rollovers, Roth IRA conversions and IRA recharacterizations, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as one of these types of transactions; and
·  
systematic redemptions and purchases, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase.
 
Generally, purchases and redemptions will not be considered “systematic” unless the transaction is prescheduled for a specific date.
 
 
 
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The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy with respect to specific shareholder accounts in those instances where American Funds Service Company determines that its surveillance procedures are adequate to detect frequent trading in fund shares.
 
American Funds Service Company will work with certain intermediaries (such as investment dealers holding shareholder accounts in street name, retirement plan recordkeepers, insurance company separate accounts and bank trust companies) to apply their own procedures, provided that American Funds Service Company believes the intermediary’s procedures are reasonably designed to enforce the frequent trading policies of the fund. You should refer to disclosures provided by the intermediaries with which you have an account to determine the specific trading restrictions that apply to you.
 
If American Funds Service Company identifies any activity that may constitute frequent trading, it reserves the right to contact the intermediary and request that the intermediary either provide information regarding an account owner’s transactions or restrict the account owner’s trading. If American Funds Service Company is not satisfied that the intermediary has taken appropriate action, American Funds Service Company may terminate the intermediary’s ability to transact in fund shares.
 
There is no guarantee that all instances of frequent trading in fund shares will be prevented.
 
Notwithstanding the fund’s surveillance procedures and purchase blocking policy described above, all transactions in fund shares remain subject to the right of the fund, American Funds Distributors and American Funds Service Company to restrict potentially abusive trading generally (including the types of transactions described above that will not be prevented or trigger a block under the purchase blocking policy). See the statement of additional information for more information about how American Funds Service Company may address other potentially abusive trading activity in the American Funds.

 
 
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 Distributions and taxes
Dividends and distributions The fund declares daily dividends from net investment income and distributes the accrued dividends, which may fluctuate, to you each month. Generally, dividends begin accruing on the day payment for shares is received by the fund or American Funds Service Company.
 
Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed in December. When a capital gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is reduced by the amount of the payment.
 
You may elect to reinvest dividends and/or capital gain distributions to purchase additional shares of this fund or other American Funds, or you may elect to receive them in cash. Dividends and capital gain distributions for 529 share classes and retirement plan shareholders will be reinvested automatically.
 
Taxes on dividends and distributions For federal tax purposes, dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. The fund’s distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.
 
Dividends and capital gain distributions that are automatically reinvested in a tax-favored retirement or education savings account do not result in federal or state income tax at the time of reinvestment.
 
Taxes on transactions Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.
 
Exchanges within a tax-favored retirement plan account will not result in a capital gain or loss for federal or state income tax purposes. With limited exceptions, distributions from a retirement plan account are taxable as ordinary income.
 
Shareholder fees Fees borne directly by the fund normally have the effect of reducing a shareholder’s taxable income on distributions. By contrast, fees paid directly to advisers by a fund shareholder for ongoing advice are deductible for income tax purposes only to the extent that they (combined with certain other qualifying expenses) exceed 2% of such shareholder’s adjusted gross income.
 
Please see your tax adviser for more information. Holders of Class 529 shares should refer to the applicable program description for more information regarding the tax consequences of selling Class 529 shares.

 
 
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 Choosing a share class
The fund offers different classes of shares through this prospectus. The services or share classes available to you may vary depending upon how you wish to purchase shares of the fund.
 
Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities, but each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to choose the class that best fits your situation. When you purchase shares of the fund for an individual-type account, you should choose a share class. If none is chosen, your investment will be made in Class A shares or, in the case of a 529 plan investment, Class 529-A shares.
 
 
Factors you should consider when choosing a class of shares include:
 
·  
how long you expect to own the shares;
 
·  
how much you intend to invest;
 
·  
total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;
 
·  
whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges (for example, Class A or 529-A shares may be a less expensive option over time, particularly if you qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver);
 
·  
whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future (for example, the contingent deferred sales charge will not be waived if you sell your Class 529-B or 529-C shares to cover higher education expenses); and
 
·  
availability of share classes:
 
—  
Class B and 529-B shares may not be purchased or acquired except by exchange from Class B or 529-B shares of another fund in the American Funds family;
 
—  
Class C shares are not available to retirement plans that do not currently invest in such shares and that are eligible to invest in Class R shares, including employer-sponsored retirement plans such as defined benefit plans, 401(k) plans, 457 plans, 403(b) plans, and money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans;
 
—  
Class F and 529-F-1 shares are generally available only to fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor, to certain registered investment advisers and to other intermediaries approved by the fund’s distributor; and
 
—  
Class R shares are generally available only to retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457, and to nonqualified deferred compensation plans and certain voluntary employee benefit association and post-retirement benefit plans.
 
Each investor’s financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial adviser to help you decide which share class is best for you.

 
 
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 Sales charges
Class A shares The initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class A shares differs depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced or eliminated for larger purchases as indicated below. The “offering price,” the price you pay to buy shares, includes any applicable sales charge, which will be deducted directly from your investment. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to an initial sales charge.
 
 
 
Sales charge as a percentage of:
 
 
Investment
 
Offering price
 
Net amount
invested
 
Dealer commission
as a percentage
of offering price
 
Less than $500,000
 
2.50%
 
2.56%
 
2.00%
 
$500,000 but less than $750,000
 
2.00
 
2.04
 
1.60
 
$750,000 but less than $1 million
 
1.50
 
1.52
 
1.20
 
$1 million or more and certain other investments described below
 
none
 
none
 
see below
 
The sales charge, expressed as a percentage of the offering price or the net amount invested, may be higher or lower than the percentages described in the table above due to rounding. This is because the dollar amount of the sales charge is determined by subtracting the net asset value of the shares purchased from the offering price, which is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. The impact of rounding will vary with the size of the investment and the net asset value of the shares. Similarly, any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on investments in Class A shares may be higher or lower than the 1% charge described below due to rounding.
 
Except as provided below, investments in Class A shares of $1 million or more may be subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if the shares are sold within one year of purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less.
 
Class A share purchases not subject to sales charges The following investments are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred sales charge if American Funds Service Company is properly notified of the nature of the investment:
 
·  
investments in Class A shares made by endowments or foundations with $50 million or more in assets;
 
·  
investments made by accounts that are part of certain qualified fee-based programs and that purchased Class A shares before the discontinuation of the relevant investment dealer’s load-waived Class A share program with the American Funds; and
 
·  
certain rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs (see “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” in this prospectus for more information).
 
The distributor may pay dealers a commission of up to 1% on investments made in Class A shares with no initial sales charge. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution (see “Plans of distribution” in this prospectus).
 
Transfers from certain 529 plans to plans managed by the American Funds organization will be made with no sales charge. No commission will be paid to the dealer on such a transfer. Please see the statement of additional information for more information.
 
 
 
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Certain other investors may qualify to purchase shares without a sales charge, such as employees of investment dealers and registered investment advisers authorized to sell American Funds and employees of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliates. Please see the statement of additional information for further details.
 
Class B and C shares For Class B shares, a contingent deferred sales charge may be applied to shares you sell within six years of the date you purchased the Class B shares, as shown in the table below. The contingent deferred sales charge is eliminated six years after purchase.
 
Contingent deferred sales charge on Class B shares
 
Year of redemption:
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
7+
 
Contingent deferred sales charge:
 
5%
 
4%
 
4%
 
3%
 
2%
 
1%
 
0%
 
For Class C shares, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% applies if shares are sold within one year of purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is eliminated one year after purchase.
 
Any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on sales of Class B or C shares, expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount, may be higher or lower than the percentages described above due to rounding.
 
Class 529-E and Class F shares Class 529-E and Class F shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
 
Class R shares Class R shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. The distributor will pay dealers annually asset-based compensation of up to 1.00% for sales of Class R-1 shares, up to .75% for Class R-2 shares, up to .50% for Class R-3 shares and up to .25% for Class R-4 shares. No dealer compensation is paid from fund assets on sales of Class R-5 or R-6 shares. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution.
 
See “Plans of distribution” in this prospectus for ongoing compensation paid to your dealer or financial adviser for all share classes.
 
Contingent deferred sales charges Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. In addition, the contingent deferred sales charge may be waived in certain circumstances. See “Contingent deferred sales charge waivers” under the section “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus. The contingent deferred sales charge is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. For purposes of determining the contingent deferred sales charge, if you sell only some of your shares, shares that are not subject to any contingent deferred sales charge will be sold first, followed by shares that you have owned the longest.

 
 
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 Sales charge reductions and waivers
To receive a reduction in your Class A initial sales charge, you must let your financial adviser or American Funds Service Company know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. If you do not let your adviser or American Funds Service Company know that you are eligible for a reduction, you may not receive the sales charge discount to which you are otherwise entitled. In order to determine your eligibility to receive a sales charge discount, it may be necessary for you to provide your adviser or American Funds Service Company with information and records (including account statements) of all relevant accounts invested in the American Funds.
 
In addition to the information in this prospectus, you may obtain more information about share classes, sales charges and sales charge reductions and waivers through a link on the home page of the American Funds website at americanfunds.com, from the statement of additional information or from your financial adviser.
 
Reducing your Class A initial sales charge Consistent with the policies described in this prospectus, you and your “immediate family” (your spouse — or equivalent if recognized under local law — and your children under the age of 21) may combine all of your American Funds investments to reduce Class A sales charges. In addition, two or more retirement plans of an employer or an employer’s affiliates may combine all of their American Funds investments to reduce Class A sales charges. Certain investments in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Portfolio Series and American Funds College Target Date Series may also be combined for this purpose. Please see the applicable series’ prospectus for further information. However, for this purpose, investments representing direct purchases of American Funds Money Market Fund are excluded. Following are different ways that you may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge:
 
Aggregating accounts To receive a reduced Class A sales charge, investments made by you and your immediate family (see above) may be aggregated if made for your own account(s) and/or certain other accounts, such as:
 
 
·  
trust accounts established by the above individuals (please see the statement of additional information for details regarding aggregation of trust accounts where the person(s) who established the trust is/are deceased);
 
·  
solely controlled business accounts; and
 
·  
single-participant retirement plans.
 
Investments made through employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts will not be aggregated with individual-type accounts.
 
Concurrent purchases You may combine simultaneous purchases (including, upon your request, purchases for gifts) of any class of shares of two or more American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) to qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge.
 
Rights of accumulation You may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) to determine the initial sales charge you pay on each purchase of Class A shares. Subject to your investment dealer’s capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated as the higher of (a) the current value of your existing holdings (as of the day prior to your additional American Funds investment) or (b) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation)
 
 
 
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less any withdrawals. Please see the statement of additional information for further details. You should retain any records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you have invested.
 
If you make a gift of shares, upon your request you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your American Funds accounts.
 
Statement of intention You may reduce your Class A sales charge by establishing a statement of intention. A statement of intention allows you to combine all purchases of all share classes of the American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) that you intend to make over a 13-month period to determine the applicable sales charge; however, purchases made under a right of reinvestment, appreciation of your holdings, and reinvested dividends and capital gains do not count as purchases made during the statement period. Your accumulated holdings (as described and calculated under “Rights of accumulation” above) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the start of the statement period may be credited toward satisfying the statement. A portion of your account may be held in escrow to cover additional Class A sales charges that may be due if your total purchases over the statement period do not qualify you for the applicable sales charge reduction. Employer-sponsored retirement plans may be restricted from establishing statements of intention. See the discussion regarding employer-sponsored retirement plans under “Purchase, exchange and sale of shares” in this prospectus for more information.
 
 
 
Page 27

 
 
Right of reinvestment If you notify American Funds Service Company, you may reinvest proceeds from a redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge in the same fund or other American Funds, provided that the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of the redemption, dividend payment or distribution and is made into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the dividend payment or distribution. If the account has been closed, you may reinvest without a sales charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed account and the reinvestment is made within 90 days after the date of redemption, dividend payment or distribution.
 
Proceeds from a Class B share redemption for which a contingent deferred sales charge was paid will be reinvested in Class A shares without any initial sales charge. If you redeem Class B shares without paying a contingent deferred sales charge, you may reinvest the proceeds in Class B shares or purchase Class A shares. If you purchase Class A shares, you are responsible for paying any applicable Class A sales charges. Proceeds from any other type of redemption and all dividend payments and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the same share class from which the original redemption, dividend payment or distribution was made. Any contingent deferred sales charge on Class A or C shares will be credited to your account. Redemption proceeds of Class A shares representing direct purchases in American Funds Money Market Fund that are reinvested in other American Funds will be subject to a sales charge.
 
Proceeds will be reinvested at the next calculated net asset value after your request is received by American Funds Service Company, provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. For purposes of this “right of reinvestment policy,” automatic transactions (including, for example, automatic purchases, withdrawals and payroll deductions) and ongoing retirement plan contributions are not eligible for investment without a sales charge. You may not reinvest proceeds in the American Funds as described in this paragraph if such proceeds are subject to a purchase block as described under “Frequent trading of fund shares” in this prospectus. This paragraph does not apply to certain rollover investments as described under “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” in this prospectus.
 
 
 
Page 28

 
 
Contingent deferred sales charge waivers The contingent deferred sales charge on Class A, B and C shares may be waived in the following cases:
 
 
·  
permitted exchanges of shares, except if shares acquired by exchange are then redeemed within the period during which a contingent deferred sales charge would apply to the initial shares purchased;
 
·  
tax-free returns of excess contributions to IRAs;
 
·  
redemptions due to death or postpurchase disability of the shareholder (this generally excludes accounts registered in the names of trusts and other entities);
 
·  
for 529 share classes only, redemptions due to a beneficiary’s death, postpurchase disability or receipt of a scholarship (to the extent of the scholarship award);
 
·  
redemptions due to the complete termination of a trust upon the death of the trustor/grantor or beneficiary, but only if such termination is specifically provided for in the trust document; and
·  
the following types of transactions, if together they do not exceed 12% of the value of an account annually (see the statement of additional information for further details about waivers regarding these types of transactions):
 
—  
redemptions due to receiving required minimum distributions from retirement accounts upon reaching age 70½ (required minimum distributions that continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account owner is deceased also qualify for a waiver); and
—  
if you have established an automatic withdrawal plan, redemptions through such a plan (including any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash).
 
To have your Class A, B or C contingent deferred sales charge waived, you must inform your adviser or American Funds Service Company at the time you redeem shares that you qualify for such a waiver.

 
 
Page 29

 
 
 Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs
Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, C or F shares through an IRA rollover, subject to the other provisions of this prospectus. Rollovers invested in Class A shares from retirement plans will be subject to applicable sales charges. The following rollovers to Class A shares will be made without a sales charge:
 
 
·  
rollovers to IRAs from 403(b) plans with Capital Bank and Trust Company as custodian; and
 
·  
rollovers to IRAs that are attributable to American Funds investments, if they meet the following requirements:
 
—  
the assets being rolled over were invested in American Funds at the time of distribution; and
 
—  
the rolled over assets are contributed to an American Funds IRA with Capital Bank and Trust Company as custodian.
 
IRA rollover assets that roll over without a sales charge as described above will not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and investment dealers will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue immediately. IRA rollover assets invested in Class A shares that are not attributable to American Funds investments, as well as future contributions to the IRA, will be subject to sales charges and the terms and conditions generally applicable to Class A share investments as described in this prospectus and the statement of additional information.

 
 
Page 30

 
 
 Plans of distribution
The fund has plans of distribution, or “12b-1 plans,” for certain share classes under which it may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares, provided that the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund’s board of trustees. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of:
 
Up to:
Share class(es)
0.30%
 
Class A shares
0.50%
 
Class 529-A, F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4 shares
0.75%
 
Class 529-E and R-3 shares
1.00%
 
Class B, 529-B, C, 529-C, R-1 and R-2 shares

 
For Class A, 529-A, B and 529-B shares, up to .15% may be used to pay service fees to qualified dealers for providing certain shareholder services. For all other share classes indicated above, up to .25% of these expenses may be used to pay service fees to qualified dealers for providing certain shareholder services. The amount remaining for each share class, if any, may be used for distribution expenses.
 
The 12b-1 fees paid by each applicable share class of the fund, as a percentage of average net assets for the previous fiscal year, are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table on page 1 of this prospectus. Since these fees are paid out of the fund's assets or income on an ongoing basis, over time they may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges or service fees and reduce the return on your investment. The higher fees for Class B and C shares may cost you more over time than paying the initial sales charge for Class A shares.

 
 
Page 31

 
 
 Other compensation to dealers
American Funds Distributors, at its expense, provides additional compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the discretion of American Funds Distributors, to the top 100 dealers (or their affiliates) that have sold shares of the American Funds. The level of payments made to a qualifying firm in any given year will vary and in no case will exceed the sum of (a) .10% of the previous year’s American Funds sales by that dealer and (b) .02% of American Funds assets attributable to that dealer. For calendar year 2011, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers were less than .02% of the average assets of the American Funds. Aggregate payments may also change from year to year. A number of factors will be considered in determining payments, including the qualifying dealer’s sales, assets and redemption rates, and the quality of the dealer’s relationship with American Funds Distributors. American Funds Distributors makes these payments to help defray the costs incurred by qualifying dealers in connection with efforts to educate financial advisers about the American Funds so that they can make recommendations and provide services that are suitable and meet shareholder needs. American Funds Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine the advisability of continuing these payments. American Funds Distributors may also pay expenses associated with meetings conducted by selling dealers, advisory platform providers and other intermediaries to facilitate educating financial advisers and shareholders about the American Funds. If investment advisers, distributors or other affiliates of mutual funds pay additional compensation or other incentives in differing amounts, dealer firms and their advisers may have financial incentives for recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds or investments. You should consult with your financial adviser and review carefully any disclosure by your financial adviser’s firm as to compensation received.
 
 Fund expenses
Note that references to Class A, B, C and F-1 shares in this “Fund expenses” section do not include the corresponding Class 529 shares.
 
In periods of market volatility, assets of the fund may decline significantly, causing total annual fund operating expenses (as a percentage of the value of your investment) to become higher than the numbers shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in this prospectus.
 
For all share classes except Class B shares, “Other expenses” items in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table on page 1 of this prospectus include fees for administrative services provided by the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliates. Since January 1, 2012, Class A shares have been subject to an additional .01% fee for administrative services payable to the fund's investment adviser. The fee table is based on expenses as of the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year; therefore, the other expenses for Class A shares do not reflect the administrative services fee for a full fiscal year. In addition, since January 1, 2012, Class C, F, R and 529 shares have been paying transfer agency expenses directly rather than through the administrative services fee, and the administrative services fee for those classes has been reduced to .05%. Previously, transfer agency expenses were paid through the administrative services fee, and the investment adviser paid any transfer agency fees in excess of .10%. Accordingly, the fund estimates that transfer agency expenses on Class F-1 shares will increase during the fund’s current fiscal year by .01%.
 
 
 
Page 32

 
 
The “Other expenses” items in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table include custodial, legal, transfer agent and subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments and various other expenses.
 
Retail investors Subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments may be made to third parties (including affiliates of the fund’s investment adviser) that provide subtransfer agent, recordkeeping and/or shareholder services with respect to certain shareholder accounts in lieu of the transfer agent providing such services. The amount paid for subtransfer agent/recordkeeping services varies depending on the share class and services provided, and typically ranges from $3 to $19 per account. For Class 529 shares, an expense of up to a maximum of .10% paid to a state or states for oversight and administrative services is included as an “Other expenses” item.
 
Employer-sponsored retirement plan investors The amount paid for subtransfer agent/ recordkeeping services will vary depending on the share class selected and the entity receiving the payments. The table below shows the maximum payments to entities providing these services to retirement plans.
 
 
 
Payments to affiliated entities
 
Payments to unaffiliated entities
 
Class A
 
0.05% of assets or
$12 per participant position 1
 
0.05% of assets or
$12 per participant position 1
 
Class R-1
 
0.10% of assets
 
0.10% of assets
 
Class R-2
 
0.15% of assets plus $27 per participant position 2 or 0.35% of assets 3
 
0.25% of assets
 
Class R-3
 
0.10% of assets plus $12 per participant position 2 or 0.19% of assets 3
 
0.15% of assets
 
Class R-4
 
0.10% of assets
 
0.10% of assets
 
Class R-5
 
0.05% of assets
 
0.05% of assets
 
Class R-6
 
none
 
none
 
 
1 Payment amount depends on the date services commenced.
 
2 Payment with respect to Recordkeeper Direct program.
 
3 Payment with respect to PlanPremier program.

 
 
Page 33

 
 
 Financial highlights
The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s results. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a particular class. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions). Where indicated, figures in the table reflect the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management Company. For more information about these reimbursements/waivers, see the fund’s statement of additional information and annual report. The information in the Financial Highlights table has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose current report, along with the fund’s financial statements, is included in the statement of additional information, which is available upon request.
 
   
 
Income (loss) from investment operations 1
         
 
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both realized and unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Net asset
value, end
of period
Total
return 2,3
Net assets,
end of
period (in
thousands)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
before reim-
bursements/
waivers
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
after reim-
bursements/
waivers 3
Ratio of
net income (loss) to average
net assets 3
Class A:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
$10.11
$.08
$ .01
$.09
$(.10)
$10.10
.87%
$3,079,589
.60%
.60%
.79%
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.12
(.04)
.08
(.12)
10.11
.79
3,251,222
.63
.63
1.14
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.14
.13
.27
(.14)
10.15
2.75
3,145,795
.63
.63
1.39
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.17
.14
.31
(.19)
10.02
3.22
2,357,579
.66
.66
1.80
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.36
(.06)
.30
(.39)
9.90
2.99
814,940
.73
.63
3.62
Class B:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.01
.01
.02
(.03)
10.10
.17
37,172
1.30
1.30
.10
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.05
(.04)
.01
(.05)
10.11
.13
58,496
1.29
1.29
.50
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.08
.13
.21
(.08)
10.15
2.08
81,004
1.28
1.28
.74
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.10
.14
.24
(.12)
10.02
2.44
78,949
1.42
1.41
1.04
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.28
(.06)
.22
(.31)
9.90
2.23
22,889
1.46
1.37
2.81
(The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.)
 
 
 
Page 34

 
 
   
 
Income (loss) from investment operations 1
         
 
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both realized and unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Net asset
value, end
of period
Total
return 2,3
Net assets,
end of
period (in
thousands)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
before reim-
bursements/
waivers
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
after reim-
bursements/
waivers 3
Ratio of
net income (loss) to average
net assets 3
Class C:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
$10.11
$(.01)
$ .01
    $           —
$(.01)
$10.10
.03%
$168,327
1.45%
1.45%
(.05)%
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.04
(.04)
(.04)
10.11
(.02)
228,325
1.44
1.44
.34
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.06
.13
.19
(.06)
10.15
1.93
239,656
1.43
1.43
.59
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.09
.14
.23
(.11)
10.02
2.40
219,256
1.47
1.46
1.00
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.28
(.06)
.22
(.31)
9.90
2.17
69,104
1.52
1.43
2.71
Class F-1:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.07
.01
.08
(.09)
10.10
.77
146,385
.70
.70
.69
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.11
(.04)
.07
(.11)
10.11
.73
155,917
.69
.69
1.09
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.14
.13
.27
(.14)
10.15
2.70
192,511
.68
.68
1.33
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.17
.14
.31
(.19)
10.02
3.16
155,568
.72
.71
1.77
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.35
(.06)
.29
(.38)
9.90
2.93
73,826
.78
.69
3.57
Class F-2:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.10
.01
.11
(.12)
10.10
1.06
266,048
.41
.41
.98
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.14
(.04)
.10
(.14)
10.11
1.02
264,652
.40
.40
1.36
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.17
.13
.30
(.17)
10.15
3.00
192,784
.39
.39
1.63
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.19
.14
.33
(.21)
10.02
3.40
227,308
.41
.41
1.87
Period from 8/19/2008 to 8/31/2008 7
9.92
4
(.01)
(.01)
(.01)
9.90
(.10)
299
.02
.02
.09
Class 529-A:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.07
.01
.08
(.09)
10.10
.82
265,798
.65
.65
.73
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.12
(.04)
.08
(.12)
10.11
.78
215,594
.64
.64
1.13
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.14
.13
.27
(.14)
10.15
2.74
159,703
.63
.63
1.37
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.16
.14
.30
(.18)
10.02
3.09
76,623
.79
.78
1.66
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.34
(.06)
.28
(.37)
9.90
2.85
22,074
.86
.77
3.53
 
 
 
Page 35

 
 
   
 
Income (loss) from investment operations 1
         
 
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both realized and unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Net asset
value, end
of period
Total
return 2,3
Net assets,
end of
period (in
thousands)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
before reim-
bursements/
waivers
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
after reim-
bursements/
waivers 3
Ratio of
net income (loss) to average
net assets 3
Class 529-B:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
$10.11
$(.01)
$ .01
    $           —
$(.01)
$10.10
.04%
$ 6,068
1.43%
1.43%
(.04)%
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.04
(.04)
(.04)
10.11
    — 5
7,595
1.42
1.42
.36
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.06
.13
.19
(.06)
10.15
1.95
8,955
1.41
1.41
.60
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.09
.14
.23
(.11)
10.02
2.31
5,780
1.54
1.54
.88
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.27
(.06)
.21
(.30)
9.90
2.08
1,186
1.61
1.52
2.69
Class 529-C:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
(.01)
.01
(.01)
10.10
(.04)
71,442
1.52
1.52
(.13)
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.03
(.04)
(.01)
(.03)
10.11
(.09)
60,144
1.51
1.51
.26
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.05
.13
.18
(.05)
10.15
1.85
49,617
1.51
1.51
.50
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.09
.14
.23
(.11)
10.02
2.31
23,078
1.54
1.54
.89
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.27
(.06)
.21
(.30)
9.90
2.09
5,299
1.61
1.52
2.70
Class 529-E:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.04
.01
.05
(.06)
10.10
.46
17,307
1.01
1.01
.38
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.08
(.04)
.04
(.08)
10.11
.41
13,879
1.01
1.01
.76
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.11
.13
.24
(.11)
10.15
2.36
9,803
1.00
1.00
1.00
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.14
.14
.28
(.16)
10.02
2.83
4,311
1.04
1.03
1.40
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.32
(.06)
.26
(.35)
9.90
2.61
975
1.11
1.00
3.33
Class 529-F-1:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.09
.01
.10
(.11)
10.10
.95
35,862
.52
.52
.87
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.13
(.04)
.09
(.13)
10.11
.91
27,393
.51
.51
1.25
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.16
.13
.29
(.16)
10.15
2.88
17,949
.50
.50
1.50
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.19
.14
.33
(.21)
10.02
3.34
8,226
.54
.53
1.92
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.37
(.06)
.31
(.40)
9.90
3.13
2,921
.60
.50
3.76
(The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.)
 
 
 
Page 36

 
 
   
 
Income (loss) from investment operations 1
         
 
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both realized and unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Net asset
value, end
of period
Total
return 2,3
Net assets,
end of
period (in
thousands)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
before reim-
bursements/
waivers
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
after reim-
bursements/
waivers 3
Ratio of
net income (loss) to average
net assets 3
Class R-1:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
$10.11
$(.01)
$ .01
    $           —
$(.01)
$10.10
.02%
$4,966
1.46%
1.46%
(.06)%
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.04
(.04)
(.04)
10.11
(.02)
6,361
1.44
1.44
.33
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.06
.13
.19
(.06)
10.15
1.91
5,230
1.46
1.46
.55
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.10
.14
.24
(.12)
10.02
2.41
3,250
1.45
1.45
1.07
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.27
(.06)
.21
(.30)
9.90
2.15
1,853
1.52
1.43
2.95
Class R-2:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
4
.01
.01
(.02)
10.10
.07
38,106
1.41
1.41
(.02)
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.03
(.04)
(.01)
(.03)
10.11
(.06)
36,499
1.47
1.47
.30
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.06
.13
.19
(.06)
10.15
1.89
29,827
1.47
1.47
.54
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.09
.14
.23
(.11)
10.02
2.34
15,270
1.55
1.51
.92
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.27
(.06)
.21
(.30)
9.90
2.14
4,048
1.69
1.47
2.78
Class R-3:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.03
.01
.04
(.05)
10.10
.44
46,028
1.03
1.03
.36
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.08
(.04)
.04
(.08)
10.11
.39
39,759
1.02
1.02
.74
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.10
.13
.23
(.10)
10.15
2.32
28,905
1.04
1.04
.96
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.13
.14
.27
(.15)
10.02
2.78
12,548
1.10
1.09
1.39
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.32
(.06)
.26
(.35)
9.90
2.58
4,359
1.10
1.01
3.31
Class R-4:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.07
.01
.08
(.09)
10.10
.78
21,388
.69
.69
.70
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.11
(.04)
.07
(.11)
10.11
.71
15,600
.71
.71
1.06
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.13
.13
.26
(.13)
10.15
2.65
10,389
.73
.73
1.28
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.17
.14
.31
(.19)
10.02
3.13
7,415
.75
.75
1.67
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.35
(.06)
.29
(.38)
9.90
2.93
1,639
.79
.69
3.23
 
 
 
Page 37

 
 
   
 
Income (loss) from investment operations 1
         
 
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss)
Net gains
(losses) on
securities
(both realized and unrealized)
Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Net asset
value, end
of period
Total
return 2,3
Net assets,
end of
period (in
thousands)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
before reim-
bursements/
waivers
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
after reim-
bursements/
waivers 3
Ratio of
net income (loss) to average
net assets 3
Class R-5:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
$10.11
$.10
$ .01
$ .11
$(.12)
$10.10
1.06%
$ 13,432
.41%
.41%
.99%
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.14
(.04)
.10
(.14)
10.11
1.01
15,161
.41
.41
1.35
Year ended 8/31/2010
10.02
.17
.13
.30
(.17)
10.15
2.97
13,606
.42
.42
1.60
Year ended 8/31/2009
9.90
.19
.14
.33
(.21)
10.02
3.43
9,201
.47
.45
2.18
Year ended 8/31/2008
9.99
.38
(.06)
.32
(.41)
9.90
3.20
133,016
.48
.42
3.50
Class R-6:
                     
Year ended 8/31/2012
10.11
.10
.01
.11
(.12)
10.10
1.11
66,951
.35
.35
.97
Year ended 8/31/2011
10.15
.15
(.04)
.11
(.15)
10.11
1.06
9,341
.36
.36
1.42
Period from 11/20/2009 6 to 8/31/2010 7
10.08
.13
.07
.20
(.13)
10.15
1.99
11,308
.36 8
.36 8
1.63 8
Period from 5/7/2009 to 6/15/2009 7,9
9.93
.02
(.05)
(.03)
(.02)
9.88
(.30)
     —
.04
.04
.20

 
 
 
Year ended August 31
 
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
2009
 
2008
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes
57%
44%
19%
60%
28%
 
1
Based on average shares outstanding.
2
Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
3
This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management Company. During some of the periods shown, Capital Research and Management Company reduced fees for investment advisory services. In addition, during some of the periods shown, Capital Research and Management Company paid a portion of the fund’s transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.
4
Amount less than $.01.
5
Amount less than .01%.
6
The first date the share class had assets during the fund’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.
7
Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.
8
Annualized.
9
The last date the share class had assets during the fund’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.

 
 
 
Page 38

 
 
 
 
   
 

 
 
       
 
For shareholder services
American Funds Service Company
800/421-4225
 
 
For retirement plan services
Call your employer or plan administrator
 
 
For 529 plans
American Funds Service Company
800/421-4225, ext. 529
 
 
For 24-hour information
American FundsLine
800/325-3590
americanfunds.com
For Class R share information, visit
AmericanFundsRetirement.com
 
 
Telephone calls you have with American Funds may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance, verification and recordkeeping purposes. By speaking to American Funds on the telephone, you consent to such monitoring and recording.
 

Multiple translations  This prospectus may be translated into other languages. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity, the English text will prevail.
 
Annual/Semi-annual report to shareholders  The shareholder reports contain additional information about the fund, including financial statements, investment results, portfolio holdings, a discussion of market conditions and the fund’s investment strategies, and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report (in the annual report).
 
Program description  The CollegeAmerica ® 529 program description contains additional information about the policies and services related to 529 plan accounts.
 
Statement of additional information (SAI) and codes of ethics  The current SAI, as amended from time to time, contains more detailed information about the fund, including the fund’s financial statements, and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the current SAI, for legal purposes, is part of this prospectus. The codes of ethics describe the personal investing policies adopted by the fund, the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliated companies.
 
The codes of ethics and current SAI are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These and other related materials about the fund are available for review or to be copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. (202/551-8090), on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at sec.gov or, after payment of a duplicating fee, via email request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. The codes of ethics, current SAI and shareholder reports are also available, free of charge, on our website, americanfunds.com.
 
E-delivery and household mailings  Each year you are automatically sent an updated summary prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports for the fund. You may also occasionally receive proxy statements for the fund. In order to reduce the volume of mail you receive, when possible, only one copy of these documents will be sent to shareholders who are part of the same family and share the same household address. You may elect to receive these documents electronically in lieu of paper form by enrolling in e-delivery on our website, americanfunds.com.
 
If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics, annual/semi-annual report to shareholders or applicable program description, please call American Funds Service Company at 800/421-4225 or write to the secretary of the fund at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071-1406.
 
Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC)  Shareholders may obtain information about SIPC ® on its website at sipc.org or by calling 202/371-8300.
 
 
 
MFGEPR-948-1112P Litho in USA CGD/UNL/9691
Investment Company File No. 811-21928
The Capital Group Companies
 
American Funds
Capital Research and Management
Capital International
Capital Guardian
Capital Bank and Trust
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
THE FUND MAKES AVAILABLE A SPANISH TRANSLATION OF THE ABOVE PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE PUBLIC OFFERING AND SALE OF ITS SHARES. THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROSPECTUS ABOVE IS A FAIR AND ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THE SPANISH EQUIVALENT.

/s/
COURTNEY R. TAYLOR
 
COURTNEY R. TAYLOR
 
SECRETARY
 
 
 
 

 
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of America ®
 
Part B
 
Statement of Additional Information
 
November 1, 2012
 
This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus of Short-Term Bond Fund of America (the “fund” or “STBF”) dated November 1, 2012. You may obtain a prospectus from your financial adviser or by writing to the fund at the following address:
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of America
Attention: Secretary
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071
213/486-9200
Certain privileges and/or services described below may not be available to all shareholders (including shareholders who purchase shares at net asset value through eligible retirement plans) depending on the shareholder’s investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper. Please see your financial adviser, investment dealer, plan recordkeeper or employer for more information.
 
Class A
ASBAX
Class 529-A
CAAFX
Class R-1
RAMAX
Class B
AMSBX
Class 529-B
CBAMX
Class R-2
RAMBX
Class C
ASBCX
Class 529-C
CCAMX
Class R-3
RAMCX
Class F-1
ASBFX
Class 529-E
CEAMX
Class R-4
RAMEX
Class F-2
SBFFX
Class 529-F-1
CFAMX
Class R-5
RAMFX
       
Class R-6
RMMGX


Table of Contents
Item
Page no.
 
Certain investment limitations and guidelines
 
2
 
Description of certain securities and investment techniques
 
3
 
Fund policies
 
10
 
Management of the fund
 
12
 
Execution of portfolio transactions
 
41
 
Disclosure of portfolio holdings
 
44
 
Price of shares
 
46
 
Taxes and distributions
 
49
 
Purchase and exchange of shares
 
52
 
Sales charges
 
57
 
Sales charge reductions and waivers
 
60
 
Selling shares
 
64
 
Shareholder account services and privileges
 
65
 
General information
 
68
 
Appendix
 
77
 
Investment portfolio
 
 
Financial statements
 
 
 
 
 
Page 1

 
 
 
Certain investment limitations and guidelines
 
The following limitations and guidelines are considered at the time of purchase, under normal circumstances, and are based on a percentage of the fund’s net assets unless otherwise noted. This summary is not intended to reflect all of the fund’s investment limitations.
 
Debt securities
 
·  
The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in bonds (bonds include any debt instrument and cash equivalents).
 
·  
The fund may invest up to 10% of its assets in debt securities rated in the A rating category by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations (“NRSRO”) designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated securities determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. The fund currently intends to look to the ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Fitch Ratings. If rating agencies differ, securities will be considered to have received the highest of these ratings, consistent with the fund's investment policies.
 
·  
The fund will not purchase debt securities rated BBB+/Baa1 or below by an NRSRO or unrated but determined by the fund’s investment adviser to be of equivalent quality. The fund is not normally required to dispose of a security in the event its rating is reduced to BBB+/Baa1 or below from a higher rating at the time of the security’s purchase (or if unrated, when its quality falls to the equivalent of BBB+/Baa1 or below as determined by the fund’s investment adviser).
 
Maturity
 
·  
The fund's dollar-weighted average maturity will be no greater than three years. The maturity of a debt instrument is normally its ultimate maturity date unless the fund’s investment adviser determines it is likely that a maturity shortening device (such as a call, put, refunding or redemption provision) will cause the debt instrument to be repaid earlier.
 
*     *     *     *     *     *
 
The fund may experience difficulty liquidating certain portfolio securities during significant market declines or periods of heavy redemptions.
 
 
 
 
Page 2

 
 

 Description of certain securities and investment techniques
 
The descriptions below are intended to supplement the material in the prospectus under “Investment objective, strategies and risks.”
 
Debt securities — Debt securities, also known as “fixed-income securities,” are used by issuers to borrow money. Bonds, notes, debentures, asset-backed securities (including those backed by mortgages), and loan participations and assignments are common types of debt securities. Generally, issuers pay investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a discount from their face values and their values accrete over time to face value at maturity. Some debt securities bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but that vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The market prices of debt securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit quality and maturity. In general, market prices of debt securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. These fluctuations will generally be greater for longer-term debt securities than for shorter-term debt securities.
 
Certain additional risk factors relating to debt securities are discussed below:
 
Sensitivity to interest rate and economic changes — Debt securities may be sensitive to economic changes, political and corporate developments, and interest rate changes. In addition, during an economic downturn or substantial period of rising interest rates, issuers that are highly leveraged may experience increased financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to meet projected business goals, to obtain additional financing and to service their principal and interest payment obligations. Periods of economic change and uncertainty also can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices and yields of certain debt securities. For example, prices of these securities can be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) relating to the security or other assets or indices. Changes in the value of the fund’s portfolio securities will not necessarily affect the income derived from these securities, but may affect the fund’s net asset value.
 
Payment expectations — Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a lower interest rate market, the fund would have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in decreased income to investors. If the issuer of a debt security defaults on its obligations to pay interest or principal or is the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, the fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it.
 
Liquidity and valuation — There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular debt securities, which may affect adversely the fund’s ability to value accurately or dispose of such debt securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of debt securities.
 
Credit ratings for debt securities provided by rating agencies reflect an evaluation of the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency’s view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect actual outcomes. There can be a lag between the time of developments
 
 
 
Page 3

 
 
relating to an issuer and the time a rating is assigned and updated. The investment adviser considers these ratings of securities as one of many criteria in making its investment decisions.
 
Bond rating agencies may assign modifiers (such as +/–) to ratings categories to signify the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Investment policies that are based on ratings categories should be read to include any security within that category, without giving consideration to the modifier except where otherwise provided. See the Appendix for more information about credit ratings.
 
Obligations backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government — U.S. government obligations include the following types of securities:
 
U.S. Treasury securities — U.S. Treasury securities include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds. For these securities, the payment of principal and interest is unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. government, and thus they are of high credit quality. Such securities are subject to variations in market value due to fluctuations in interest rates, but, if held to maturity, will be paid in full.
 
Federal agency securities — The securities of certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Such agencies and entities include The Federal Financing Bank (FFB), the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), the Veterans Administration (VA), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), the Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
 
Other federal agency obligations — Additional federal agency securities are neither direct obligations of, nor guaranteed by, the U.S. government. These obligations include securities issued by certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities. However, they generally involve some form of federal sponsorship: some operate under a government charter; some are backed by specific types of collateral; some are supported by the issuer’s right to borrow from the Treasury; and others are supported only by the credit of the issuing government agency or entity. These agencies and entities include, but are not limited to: Federal Home Loan Bank, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), Tennessee Valley Authority and Federal Farm Credit Bank System.
 
On September 7, 2008, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed into conservatorship by their new regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). Simultaneously, the U.S. Treasury made a commitment of indefinite duration to maintain the positive net worth of both firms. As conservator, the FHFA has the authority to repudiate any contract either firm has entered into prior to FHFA’s appointment as conservator (or receiver should either firm go into default) if the FHFA, in its sole discretion determines that performance of the contract is burdensome and repudiation would promote the orderly administration of Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s affairs. While the FHFA has indicated that it does not intend to repudiate the guaranty obligations of either entity, doing so could adversely affect holders of their mortgage-backed securities. For example, if a contract were repudiated, the liability for any direct compensatory damages would accrue to the entity’s conservatorship estate and could only be satisfied to the extent the estate had available assets. As a result, if interest payments on Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities held by the fund were reduced
 
 
 
Page 4

 
 
because underlying borrowers failed to make payments or such payments were not advanced by a loan servicer, the fund’s only recourse might be against the conservatorship estate, which might not have sufficient assets to offset any shortfalls.
 
The FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, has the power to transfer or sell any asset or liability of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The FHFA has indicated it has no current intention to do this; however, should it do so a holder of a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed security would have to rely on another party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligations and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.
 
Certain rights provided to holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their operative documents may not be enforceable against FHFA, or enforcement may be delayed during the course of the conservatorship or any future receivership. For example, the operative documents may provide that upon the occurrence of an event of default by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, holders of a requisite percentage of the mortgage-backed security may replace the entity as trustee. However, under the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008, holders may not enforce this right if the event of default arises solely because a conservator or receiver has been appointed.
 
Pass-through securities — The fund may invest in various debt obligations backed by pools of mortgages or other assets including, but not limited to, loans on single family residences, home equity loans, mortgages on commercial buildings, credit card receivables and leases on airplanes or other equipment. Principal and interest payments made on the underlying asset pools backing these obligations are typically passed through to investors, net of any fees paid to any insurer or any guarantor of the securities. Pass-through securities may have either fixed or adjustable coupons. These securities include:
 
Mortgage-backed securities — These securities may be issued by U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities, such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and by private entities. The payment of interest and principal on mortgage-backed obligations issued by U.S. government agencies may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (in the case of Ginnie Mae), or may be guaranteed by the issuer (in the case of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). However, these guarantees do not apply to the market prices and yields of these securities, which vary with changes in interest rates.
 
Mortgage-backed securities issued by private entities are structured similarly to those issued by U.S. government agencies. However, these securities and the underlying mortgages are not guaranteed by any government agencies and the underlying mortgages are not subject to the same underwriting requirements. These securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancements such as insurance or letters of credit issued by private companies. Borrowers on the underlying mortgages are usually permitted to prepay their underlying mortgages. Prepayments can alter the effective maturity of these instruments. In addition, delinquencies, losses or defaults by borrowers can adversely affect the prices and volatility of these securities. Such delinquencies and losses can be exacerbated by declining or flattening housing and property values. This, along with other outside pressures, such as bankruptcies and financial difficulties experienced by mortgage loan originators, decreased investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor demand for yield, can adversely affect the value and liquidity of mortgage-backed securities.
 
 
 
Page 5

 
 
 
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) — CMOs are also backed by a pool of mortgages or mortgage loans, which are divided into two or more separate bond issues. CMOs issued by U.S. government agencies are backed by agency mortgages, while privately issued CMOs may be backed by either government agency mortgages or private mortgages. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to each bond issue at varying schedules resulting in bonds with different coupons, effective maturities and sensitivities to interest rates. Some CMOs may be structured in a way that when interest rates change, the impact of changing prepayment rates on the effective maturities of certain issues of these securities is magnified. CMOs may be less liquid or may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage or asset-backed securities.
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities — These securities are backed by mortgages on commercial property, such as hotels, office buildings, retail stores, hospitals and other commercial buildings. These securities may have a lower prepayment uncertainty than other mortgage-related securities because commercial mortgage loans generally prohibit or impose penalties on prepayments of principal. In addition, commercial mortgage-related securities often are structured with some form of credit enhancement to protect against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. Many of the risks of investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans, including the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make rental payments and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. Commercial mortgage-backed securities may be less liquid or exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage or asset-backed securities and may be more difficult to value.
 
Asset-backed securities — These securities are backed by other assets such as credit card, automobile or consumer loan receivables, retail installment loans or participations in pools of leases. Credit support for these securities may be based on the underlying assets and/or provided through credit enhancements by a third party. The values of these securities are sensitive to changes in the credit quality of the underlying collateral, the credit strength of the credit enhancement, changes in interest rates and at times the financial condition of the issuer. Obligors of the underlying assets also may make prepayments that can change effective maturities of the asset-backed securities. These securities may be less liquid and more difficult to value than other securities.
 
Inflation-indexed bonds — The fund may invest in inflation-indexed bonds issued by governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and corporations. The fund has no current intention of investing in inflation-index bonds issued by corporations.
 
The principal amount of an inflation-indexed bond is adjusted in response to changes in the level of the consumer price index. Repayment of the original bond principal upon maturity (as adjusted for inflation) is guaranteed in the case of U.S. Treasury inflation-indexed bonds, and therefore the principal amount of such bonds cannot be reduced below par even during a period of deflation. However, the current market value of these bonds is not guaranteed and will fluctuate, reflecting the rise and fall of yields. In certain jurisdictions outside the United States the repayment of the original bond principal upon the maturity of an inflation-indexed bond is not guaranteed, allowing for the amount of the bond repaid at maturity to be less than par.
 
 
 
Page 6

 
 
The interest rate for inflation-indexed bonds is fixed at issuance as a percentage of this adjustable principal. Accordingly, the actual interest income may both rise and fall as the principal amount of the bonds adjusts in response to movements of the consumer price index. For example, typically interest income would rise during a period of inflation and fall during a period of deflation.
 
Repurchase agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the fund buys a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at a specified time and price. Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan by the fund that is collateralized by the security purchased. Repurchase agreements permit the fund to maintain liquidity and earn income over periods of time as short as overnight. The seller must maintain with the fund’s custodian collateral equal to at least 100% of the repurchase price, including accrued interest, as monitored daily by the investment adviser. The fund will only enter into repurchase agreements involving securities in which it could otherwise invest and with selected banks and securities dealers whose financial condition is monitored by the investment adviser. If the seller under the repurchase agreement defaults, the fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement has declined and may incur disposition costs in connection with liquidating the collateral. If bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller, realization of the collateral by the fund may be delayed or limited.
 
Forward commitment, when issued and delayed delivery transactions — The fund may enter into commitments to purchase or sell securities at a future date. When the fund agrees to purchase such securities, it assumes the risk of any decline in value of the security from the date of the agreement. If the other party to such a transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity, or could experience a loss.
 
The fund will not use these transactions for the purpose of leveraging and will segregate liquid assets that will be marked to market daily in an amount sufficient to meet its payment obligations in these transactions. Although these transactions will not be entered into for leveraging purposes, to the extent the fund’s aggregate commitments in connection with these transactions exceed its segregated assets, the fund temporarily could be in a leveraged position (because it may have an amount greater than its net assets subject to market risk). Should market values of the fund’s portfolio securities decline while the fund is in a leveraged position, greater depreciation of its net assets would likely occur than if it were not in such a position. The fund will not borrow money to settle these transactions and, therefore, will liquidate other portfolio securities in advance of settlement if necessary to generate additional cash to meet its obligations. After a transaction is entered into, the fund may still dispose of or renegotiate the transaction. Additionally, prior to receiving delivery of securities as part of a transaction, the fund may sell such securities.
 
The fund may also enter into reverse repurchase agreements and “roll” transactions. A reverse repurchase agreement involves the sale of a security by a fund and its agreement to repurchase the security at a specified time and price. A “roll” transaction involves the sale of mortgage-backed or other securities together with a commitment to purchase similar, but not identical, securities at a later date. The fund assumes the risk of price and yield fluctuations during the time of the commitment. The fund will segregate liquid assets that will be marked to market daily in an amount sufficient to meet its payment obligations under “roll” transactions and reverse repurchase agreements with broker-dealers (no collateral is required for reverse repurchase agreements with banks).
 
 
 
Page 7

 
 
 
Restricted or illiquid securities — The fund may purchase securities subject to restrictions on resale. Restricted securities may only be sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. Difficulty in selling such securities may result in a loss to the fund or cause it to incur additional administrative costs.
 
Securities (including restricted securities) not actively traded will be considered illiquid unless they have been specifically determined to be liquid under procedures adopted by the fund’s board of trustees, taking into account factors such as the frequency and volume of trading, the commitment of dealers to make markets and the availability of qualified investors, all of which can change from time to time. The fund may incur certain additional costs in disposing of illiquid securities.
 
Investing outside the U.S. — Investing outside the United States involves special risks, caused by, among other things: fluctuating local currency values; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, disclosure, and regulatory and legal standards and practices; changing local and regional economic, political, and social conditions; expropriation or confiscatory taxation and greater market volatility. However, in the opinion of the fund’s investment adviser, investing outside the United States also can reduce certain portfolio risks due to greater diversification opportunities.
 
The risks described above may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. Many of these developing countries may be referred to as emerging countries. Although there is no universally accepted definition, the investment adviser generally considers a developing country as a country that is in the earlier stages of its industrialization cycle with a low per capita gross domestic product (“GDP”) and a low market capitalization to GDP ratio relative to those in the United States and the European Union. Historically, the markets of developing and emerging countries have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries.
 
Cash and cash equivalents — The fund may hold cash or invest in cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include ( a ) commercial paper (for example, short-term notes with maturities typically up to 12 months in length issued by corporations, governmental bodies or bank/corporation sponsored conduits (asset-backed commercial paper)); ( b ) short-term bank obligations (for example, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances (time drafts on a commercial bank where the bank accepts an irrevocable obligation to pay at maturity)) or bank notes; ( c ) savings association and savings bank obligations (for example, bank notes and certificates of deposit issued by savings banks or savings associations); ( d ) securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities that mature, or may be redeemed, in one year or less; and ( e ) corporate bonds and notes that mature or that may be redeemed, in one year or less.
 
Variable and floating rate obligations — The interest rates payable on certain securities in which the fund may invest may not be fixed but may fluctuate based upon changes in market rates or credit ratings. Variable and floating rate obligations bear coupon rates that are adjusted at designated intervals, based on the then current market rates of interest or credit ratings. The rate adjustment features tend to limit the extent to which the market value of the obligations will fluctuate.
 
 
 
Page 8

 
 
Adjustment of maturities — The investment adviser seeks to anticipate movements in interest rates and may adjust the maturity distribution of the fund’s portfolio accordingly. Keeping in mind the fund’s objective, the investment adviser may increase the fund’s exposure to price volatility when it appears likely to increase current income without undue risk of capital losses.
 
Under normal market conditions, the fund’s dollar-weighted average maturity will be no greater than three years. The investment adviser will consider the impact on effective maturity of potential changes in the financial condition of issuers and in market interest rates in making investment selections for the fund.
 
*     *     *     *     *     *
 
Portfolio turnover — Portfolio changes will be made without regard to the length of time particular investments may have been held. Short-term trading profits are not the fund’s objective, and changes in its investments are generally accomplished gradually, though short-term transactions may occasionally be made. High portfolio turnover may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads or brokerage commissions. It may also result in the realization of net capital gains, which are taxable when distributed to shareholders, unless the shareholder is exempt from taxation or his or her account is tax-deferred.
 
Fixed-income securities are generally traded on a net basis and usually neither brokerage commissions nor transfer taxes are involved. Transaction costs are usually reflected in the spread between the bid and asked price.
 
The fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2012 and 2011 were 57% and 44%, respectively. The portfolio turnover rate would equal 100% if each security in a fund’s portfolio were replaced once per year.
 
 
 
 
Page 9

 
 
Fund policies
 
All percentage limitations in the following fund policies are considered at the time securities are purchased and are based on the fund’s net assets unless otherwise indicated. None of the following policies involving a maximum percentage of assets will be considered violated unless the excess occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition by the fund. In managing the fund, the fund’s investment adviser may apply more restrictive policies than those listed below.
 
Fundamental policies — The fund has adopted the following policies, which may not be changed without approval by holders of a majority of its outstanding shares. Such majority is currently defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as the vote of the lesser of ( a ) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present in person or by proxy, or ( b ) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.
 
1. Except as permitted by ( i ) the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, or other successor law governing the regulation of registered investment companies, or interpretations or modifications thereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or ( ii ) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, the fund may not:
 
a.  
Borrow money;
 
b.  
Issue senior securities;
 
c.  
Underwrite the securities of other issuers;
 
d.  
Purchase or sell real estate or commodities;
 
e.  
Make loans; or
 
f.  
Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result of such purchase, the fund’s investments would be concentrated in any particular industry.
 
2. The fund may not invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.
 
Nonfundamental policies — The following policy may be changed without shareholder approval:
 
The fund may not acquire securities of open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts registered under the 1940 Act in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.
 
 
 
Page 10

 
 
Additional information about the fund’s policies — The information below is not part of the fund’s fundamental or nonfundamental policies. This information is intended to provide a summary of what is currently required or permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, or by the interpretive guidance thereof by the SEC or SEC staff, for particular fundamental policies of the fund. Information is also provided regarding the fund’s current intention with respect to certain investment practices permitted by the 1940 Act.
 
For purposes of fundamental policy 1a, the fund may borrow money in amounts of up to 33⅓% of its total assets from banks for any purpose. Additionally, the fund may borrow up to 5% of its total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes (a loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed).
 
For purposes of fundamental policy 1b, a senior security does not include any promissory note or evidence of indebtedness if such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund at the time the loan is made (a loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed). Further, to the extent the fund covers its commitments under certain types of agreements and transactions, including reverse repurchase agreements, mortgage-dollar-roll transactions, sale-buybacks, when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions, and other similar trading practices, by segregating or earmarking liquid assets equal in value to the amount of the fund’s commitment, such agreement or transaction will not be considered a senior security by the fund.
 
For purposes of fundamental policy 1c, the policy will not apply to the fund to the extent the fund may be deemed an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in connection with the purchase and sale of fund portfolio securities in the ordinary course of pursuing its investment objectives and strategies.
 
For purposes of fundamental policy 1e, the fund may not lend more than 33⅓% of its total assets, provided that this limitation shall not apply to the fund’s purchase of debt obligations.
 
For purposes of fundamental policy 1f, the fund may not invest 25% or more of its total assets in the securities of issuers in a particular industry. This policy does not apply to investments in securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or Government Sponsored Enterprises or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.
 
The fund currently does not intend to engage in securities lending, purchase securities on margin, sell securities short or invest in puts, calls, straddles or spreads or combinations thereof.
 
 
 
 
Page 11

 
 
 Management of the fund
 
Board of trustees and officers
 
“Independent” trustees 1
 
The fund’s nominating and governance committee and board select independent trustees with a view toward constituting a board that, as a body, possesses the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience to appropriately oversee the actions of the fund’s service providers, decide upon matters of general policy and represent the long-term interests of fund shareholders. In doing so, they consider the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience of the current board members, with a view toward maintaining a board that is diverse in viewpoint, experience, education and skills.
 
The fund seeks independent trustees who have high ethical standards and the highest levels of integrity and commitment, who have inquiring and independent minds, mature judgment, good communication skills, and other complementary personal qualifications and skills that enable them to function effectively in the context of the fund’s board and committee structure and who have the ability and willingness to dedicate sufficient time to effectively fulfill their duties and responsibilities.
 
Each independent trustee has a significant record of accomplishments in governance, business, not-for-profit organizations, government service, academia, law, accounting or other professions. Although no single list could identify all experience upon which the fund’s independent trustees draw in connection with their service, the following table summarizes key experience for each independent trustee. These references to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the trustees are pursuant to the disclosure requirements of the SEC, and shall not be deemed to impose any greater responsibility or liability on any trustee or the board as a whole. Notwithstanding the accomplishments listed below, none of the independent trustees is considered an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to information in the fund’s registration statement.
 
 
 
Page 12

 
 

 
Name, age and
position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee 2 )
 
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
 
Number of
portfolios 3
overseen
by
trustee
 
Other directorships 4 held
by trustee during the past five years
 
Other relevant experience
 
William H. Baribault, 67
Trustee (2010)
 
Chairman of the Board and CEO, Oakwood Enterprises (private investment and consulting)
 
58
 
Former director of Henry Co. (until 2009); Professional Business Bank (until 2009)
 
 
·   Service as chief executive officer for multiple companies
 
·   Corporate board experience
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations
 
James G. Ellis, 65
Trustee (2006)
 
Dean and Professor of Marketing, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California
 
62
 
Quiksilver, Inc.
 
Former director of
Professional
Business Bank
(until 2007); Genius
Products (until
2008)
 
 
·   Service as chief executive officer for multiple companies
 
·   Corporate board experience
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, municipal and nonprofit organizations
 
·   M.B.A.
 
Leonard R. Fuller, 66
Trustee (2006)
 
President and CEO, Fuller Consulting (financial management consulting firm)
 
62
 
None
 
 
·   Former partner, public accounting firm
 
·   Financial management consulting
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for municipal, educational and nonprofit organizations
 
·   M.B.A.
 
 
 
Page 13

 

 
 
Name, age and
position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee 2 )
 
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
 
Number of
portfolios 3
overseen
by
trustee
 
Other directorships 4 held
by trustee during the past five years
 
Other relevant experience
 
W. Scott Hedrick, 67
Trustee (2010)
 
Founding General Partner, InterWest Partners (a venture capital firm)
 
58
 
Hot Topic, Inc.;
Office Depot, Inc.
 
 
·   Corporate board experience
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable and nonprofit organizations
 
·   M.B.A.
 
R. Clark Hooper, 66
Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive) (2006)
 
Private investor
 
64
 
JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund, Inc.; The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc.
 
 
·   Senior regulatory and management experience, National Association of Securities Dealers (now FINRA)
 
·   Service on trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations
 
Merit E. Janow, 54
Trustee (2010)
 
Professor, Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs; former Member, World Trade Organization Appellate Body
 
61
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC; Trimble Navigation Limited
 
 
·   Service with Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Justice
 
·   Corporate board experience
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations
 
·   Experience as corporate lawyer
 
·   J.D.
 
 
 
Page 14

 
 
 
Name, age and
position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee 2 )
 
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
 
Number of
portfolios 3
overseen
by
trustee
 
Other directorships 4 held
by trustee during the past five years
 
Other relevant experience
 
Laurel B. Mitchell, Ph.D., 57
Trustee (2009)
 
Clinical Professor and Director, Accounting Program, University of Redlands
 
58
 
None
 
 
·   Assistant professor, accounting
 
·   Service in the Office of Chief Accountant and Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
 
·   Experience in corporate management and public accounting
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations
 
·   Ph.D., accounting
 
·   Formerly licensed as C.P.A.
 
Frank M. Sanchez, 69
Trustee (2006)
 
Principal, The Sanchez Family Corporation dba McDonald’s Restaurants (McDonald’s licensee)
 
58
 
None
 
 
·   Senior academic leadership position
 
·   Corporate board experience
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable and nonprofit organizations
 
·   Ph.D., education administration and finance
 
 
 
Page 15

 
 
 
Name, age and
position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee 2 )
 
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
 
Number of
portfolios 3
overseen
by
trustee
 
Other directorships 4 held
by trustee during the past five years
 
Other relevant experience
 
Margaret Spellings, 54
Trustee (2009)
 
President and CEO, Margaret Spellings & Company (public policy and strategic consulting); President, U.S. Forum for Policy Innovation and Senior Advisor to the President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; former U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education
 
61
 
None
 
 
·   Former Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, The White House
 
·   Former senior advisor to the Governor of Texas
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable and nonprofit organizations
 
Steadman Upham, Ph.D., 63
Trustee (2007)
 
President and University Professor, The University of Tulsa
 
61
 
None
 
 
·   Senior academic leadership positions for multiple universities
 
·   Service on advisory and trustee boards for educational and nonprofit organizations
 
·   Ph.D., anthropology
 
 
 
 
Page 16

 

 
“Interested” trustees 5,6
 
Interested trustees have similar qualifications, skills and attributes as the independent trustees. Interested trustees are senior executive officers of Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates. This management role with the fund’s service providers also permits them to make a significant contribution to the fund’s board.
 
 
Name, age and
position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee/officer 2 )
Principal occupation(s)
during the
past five years
and positions
held with affiliated
entities or the
Principal Underwriter
of the fund
 
Number of
portfolios 3
overseen
by trustee
 
Other directorships 4
held by trustee
during the
past five years
 
John H. Smet, 56
Trustee (2011)
 
Senior Vice President – Fixed Income, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.*
 
17
 
None

 
 
Page 17

 
 
 
Other officers 6
 
 
Name, age and
position with fund
(year first elected
as an officer 2 )
 
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
and positions held with affiliated entities
or the Principal Underwriter of the fund
 
David A. Hoag, 47
President (2006)
 
Senior Vice President – Fixed Income, Capital Research and Management Company; Vice President, Capital Guardian Trust Company*
 
Kristine M. Nishiyama, 42
Senior Vice President (2006)
 
Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company; Vice President and Senior Counsel, Capital Bank and Trust Company*
 
John R. Queen, 47
Vice President (2011)
 
Vice President – Fixed Income, Capital Research and Management Company; Vice President, Capital Guardian Trust Company*
 
Courtney R. Taylor, 37
Secretary (2006)
 
Assistant Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
 
Karl C. Grauman, 44
Treasurer (2010)
 
Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
 
Steven I. Koszalka, 48
Assistant Secretary (2010)
 
Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
 
Dori Laskin, 61
Assistant Treasurer (2010)
 
Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
 
Ari M. Vinocor, 37
Assistant Treasurer (2006)
 
Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
 
 
*Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.
 
 
1 The term “independent” trustee refers to a trustee who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
 
 
2 Includes service as a director or officer of the fund’s predecessor, Short-Term Bond Fund of America, Inc., a Maryland corporation. Trustees and officers of the fund serve until their resignation, removal or retirement.
 
 
3 Funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, including the American Funds; American Funds Insurance Series, ® which is composed of 19 funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable insurance contracts; American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, ® which is composed of 10 funds and is available through tax-deferred retirement plans and IRAs; American Funds Portfolio Series, SM which is composed of eight funds; and American Funds College Target Date Series, SM which is composed of seven funds.
 
 
4 This includes all directorships/trusteeships (other than those in the American Funds or other funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company) that are held by each trustee as a director/trustee of a public company or a registered investment company. Unless otherwise noted, all directorships/trusteeships are current.
 
 
5 “Interested persons” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, on the basis of their affiliation with the fund’s investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, or affiliated entities (including the fund’s principal underwriter).
 
 
6 All of the officers listed are officers and/or directors/trustees of one or more of the other funds for which Capital Research and Management Company serves as investment adviser.
 
 
The address for all trustees and officers of the fund is 333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attention: Secretary.

 
 
Page 18

 
 
Fund shares owned by trustees as of December 31, 2011:
 
Name
Dollar range 1
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range 1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
Dollar
range 1,2 of
independent
trustees
deferred compensation 3 allocated
to fund
Aggregate
dollar
range 1,2 of
independent
trustees
deferred
compensation 3 allocated to
all funds
within
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
“Independent” trustees
William H. Baribault
None
Over $100,000 4
N/A
$1 – $10,000
James G. Ellis
$10,001 – $50,000
Over $100,000
N/A
N/A
Leonard R. Fuller
None
Over $100,000
$10,001 – $50,000
Over $100,000
W. Scott Hedrick
None
Over $100,000
N/A
N/A
R. Clark Hooper
None
Over $100,000
N/A
Over $100,000
Merit E. Janow
None
Over $100,000
N/A
N/A
Laurel B. Mitchell
$1 – $10,000
$50,001 – $100,000
N/A
N/A
Frank M. Sanchez
$1 – $10,000
$10,001 – $50,000
N/A
N/A
Margaret Spellings
$10,001 – $50,000 5
$50,001 – $100,000 5
N/A
$10,001 – $50,000 5
Steadman Upham
None
Over $100,000 4
N/A
Over $100,000
 
 
 
 
Page 19

 

 
Name
Dollar range 1
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range 1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
“Interested” trustees
John H. Smet
Over $100,000
Over $100,000
 
 
1 Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 – $10,000; $10,001 – $50,000; $50,001 – $100,000; and Over $100,000. The amounts listed for “interested” trustees include shares owned through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan.
 
 
2 N/A indicates that the listed individual, as of December 31, 2011, was not a trustee of a particular fund, did not allocate deferred compensation to the fund or did not participate in the deferred compensation plan.
 
 
3 Eligible trustees may defer their compensation under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Deferred amounts accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more American Funds as designated by the trustee.
 
 
4 Information is as of July 31, 2012.
 
 
5 Information is as of August 20, 2012.
 
 
Trustee compensation — No compensation is paid by the fund to any officer or trustee who is a director, officer or employee of the investment adviser or its affiliates. Except for the independent trustees listed in the “Board of trustees and officers — ‘Independent’ trustees” table under the “Management of the fund” section, all other officers and trustees of the fund are directors, officers or employees of the investment adviser or its affiliates. The boards of funds advised by the investment adviser typically meet either individually or jointly with the boards of one or more other such funds with substantially overlapping board membership (in each case referred to as a “board cluster”). The fund typically pays each independent trustee an annual fee, which ranges from $372 to $2,233, based primarily on the total number of board clusters on which that independent trustee serves.
 
In addition, the fund generally pays independent trustees attendance and other fees for meetings of the board and its committees. Board and committee chairs receive additional fees for their services.
 
Independent trustees also receive attendance fees for certain special joint meetings and information sessions with directors and trustees of other groupings of funds advised by the investment adviser. The fund and the other funds served by each independent trustee each pay an equal portion of these attendance fees.
 
No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of fund expenses. Independent trustees may elect, on a voluntary basis, to defer all or a portion of their fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund. The fund also reimburses certain expenses of the independent trustees.
 
 
 
 
Page 20

 
 
Trustee compensation earned during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012:
 
Name
Aggregate compensation
(including voluntarily
deferred compensation 1 )
from the fund
Total compensation (including
voluntarily deferred
compensation 1 )
from all funds managed by
Capital Research and
Management
Company or its affiliates 2
William H. Baribault
   
$3,464
     
$233,923
   
James G. Ellis
   
2,675
     
303,939
   
Leonard R. Fuller 3
   
3,060
     
352,981
   
W. Scott Hedrick
   
3,110
     
207,097
   
R. Clark Hooper
   
3,171
     
469,708
   
Merit E. Janow
   
2,475
     
301,535
   
Laurel B. Mitchell 3
   
3,763
     
228,597
   
Frank M. Sanchez
   
3,654
     
211,863
   
Margaret Spellings 3
   
2,842
     
209,093
   
Steadman Upham 3
   
2,868
     
270,535
   
 
 
1 Amounts may be deferred by eligible trustees under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan adopted by the fund in 1993. Deferred amounts accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more American Funds as designated by the trustees. Compensation shown in this table for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2012 does not include earnings on amounts deferred in previous fiscal periods. See footnote 3 to this table for more information.
 
 
2 Funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, including the American Funds; American Funds Insurance Series, ® which is composed of 19 funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable insurance contracts; American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, ® which is composed of 10 funds and is available through tax-deferred retirement plans and IRAs; American Funds Portfolio Series, SM which is composed of eight funds; and American Funds College Target Date Series, SM which is composed of seven funds.
 
 
3 Since the deferred compensation plan’s adoption, the total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) through the 2012 fiscal year for participating trustees is as follows: Leonard R. Fuller ($1,770), Laurel B. Mitchell ($215), Margaret Spellings ($401) and Steadman Upham ($12,857). Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are not funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund until paid to the trustees.
 
 
As of October 1, 2012, the officers and trustees of the fund and their families, as a group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund.

 
 
Page 21

 
 
Fund organization and the board of trustees — The fund, an open-end, diversified management investment company, was organized as a Maryland corporation on July 12, 2006 and was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust on November 1, 2010. All fund operations are supervised by the fund’s board of trustees which meets periodically and performs duties required by applicable state and federal laws.
 
Delaware law charges trustees with the duty of managing the business affairs of the trust. Trustees are considered to be fiduciaries of the trust and owe duties of care and loyalty to the trust and its shareholders.
 
Independent board members are paid certain fees for services rendered to the fund as described above. They may elect to defer all or a portion of these fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund.
 
The fund has several different classes of shares. Shares of each class represent an interest in the same investment portfolio. Each class has pro rata rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different distribution expenses and may bear different transfer agent fees and other expenses properly attributable to the particular class as approved by the board of trustees and set forth in the fund’s rule 18f-3 Plan. Each class’ shareholders have exclusive voting rights with respect to the respective class’ rule 12b-1 plans adopted in connection with the distribution of shares and on other matters in which the interests of one class are different from interests in another class. Shares of all classes of the fund vote together on matters that affect all classes in substantially the same manner. Each class votes as a class on matters that affect that class alone. Note that 529 college savings plan account owners invested in Class 529 shares are not shareholders of the fund and, accordingly, do not have the rights of a shareholder, such as the right to vote proxies relating to fund shares. As the legal owner of the fund’s Class 529 shares, the Virginia College Savings Plan SM will vote any proxies relating to the fund’s Class 529 shares. In addition, the trustees have the authority to establish new series and classes of shares, and to split or combine outstanding shares into a greater or lesser number, without shareholder approval.
 
The fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. However, significant matters that require shareholder approval, such as certain elections of board members or a change in a fundamental investment policy, will be presented to shareholders at a meeting called for such purpose. Shareholders have one vote per share owned.
 
The fund’s declaration of trust and by-laws, as well as separate indemnification agreements with independent trustees, provide in effect that, subject to certain conditions, the fund will indemnify its officers and trustees against liabilities or expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them relating to their service to the fund. However, trustees are not protected from liability by reason of their willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.
 
Removal of trustees by shareholders — At any meeting of shareholders, duly called and at which a quorum is present, shareholders may, by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast, remove any trustee from office and may elect a successor or successors to fill any resulting vacancies for the unexpired terms of removed trustees. In addition, the trustees of the fund will promptly call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the removal of any trustees when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of at least 10% of the outstanding shares.
 
 
 
Page 22

 
 
Leadership structure — The board’s chair is currently an independent trustee who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The board has determined that an independent chair facilitates oversight and enhances the effectiveness of the board. The independent chair’s duties include, without limitation, generally presiding at meetings of the board, approving board meeting schedules and agendas, leading meetings of the independent trustees in executive session, facilitating communication with committee chairs, and serving as the principal independent trustee contact for fund management and independent fund counsel.
 
Risk oversight — Day-to-day management of the fund, including risk management, is the responsibility of the fund’s contractual service providers, including the fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter/distributor and transfer agent. Each of these entities is responsible for specific portions of the fund’s operations, including the processes and associated risks relating to the fund’s investments, integrity of cash movements, financial reporting, operations and compliance. The board of trustees oversees the service providers’ discharge of their responsibilities, including the processes they use to manage relevant risks. In that regard, the board receives reports regarding the operations of the fund’s service providers , including risks. For example, the board receives reports from investment professionals regarding risks related to the fund’s investments and trading. The board also receives compliance reports from the fund’s and the investment adviser’s chief compliance officers addressing certain areas of risk.
 
Committees of the fund’s board, as well as joint committees of independent board members of funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, also explore risk management procedures in particular areas and then report back to the full board. For example, the fund’s audit committee oversees the processes and certain attendant risks relating to financial reporting, valuation of fund assets, and related controls. Similarly, a joint review and advisory committee oversees certain risk controls relating to the fund’s transfer agency services.
 
Not all risks that may affect the fund can be identified or processes and controls developed to eliminate or mitigate their effect. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the fund’s objectives. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the ability of the fund’s service providers to eliminate or mitigate risks is subject to limitations.

 
 
Page 23

 
 
Committees of the board of trustees — The fund has an audit committee comprised of William H. Baribault, Leonard R. Fuller, W. Scott Hedrick, Laurel B. Mitchell, Frank M. Sanchez, and Steadman Upham, none of whom is an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The committee provides oversight regarding the fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and the internal controls of the fund’s principal service providers. The committee acts as a liaison between the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full board of trustees. The audit committee held six meetings during the 2012 fiscal year.
 
The fund has a contracts committee comprised of William H. Baribault, James G. Ellis, Leonard R. Fuller, W. Scott Hedrick, R. Clark Hooper, Merit E. Janow, Laurel B. Mitchell, Frank M. Sanchez, Margaret Spellings, and Steadman Upham, none of whom is an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The committee’s principal function is to request, review and consider the information deemed necessary to evaluate the terms of certain agreements between the fund and its investment adviser or the investment adviser’s affiliates, such as the Investment Advisory and Service Agreement, Principal Underwriting Agreement, Administrative Services Agreement and Plans of Distribution adopted pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, that the fund may enter into, renew or continue, and to make its recommendations to the full board of trustees on these matters. The contracts committee held one meeting during the 2012 fiscal year.
 
The fund has a nominating and governance committee comprised of William H. Baribault, James G. Ellis, R. Clark Hooper, Merit E. Janow, Laurel B. Mitchell and Margaret Spellings, none of whom is an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The committee periodically reviews such issues as the board’s composition, responsibilities, committees, compensation and other relevant issues, and recommends any appropriate changes to the full board of trustees. The committee also evaluates, selects and nominates independent trustee candidates to the full board of trustees. While the committee normally is able to identify from its own and other resources an ample number of qualified candidates, it will consider shareholder suggestions of persons to be considered as nominees to fill future vacancies on the board. Such suggestions must be sent in writing to the nominating and governance committee of the fund, addressed to the fund’s secretary, and must be accompanied by complete biographical and occupational data on the prospective nominee, along with a written consent of the prospective nominee for consideration of his or her name by the committee. The nominating and governance committee held two meetings during the 2012 fiscal year.
 
Proxy voting procedures and principles — The fund’s investment adviser, in consultation with the fund’s board, has adopted Proxy Voting Procedures and Principles (the “Principles”) with respect to voting proxies of securities held by the fund, other American Funds and American Funds Insurance Series. The complete text of these principles is available on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. Proxies are voted by a committee of the appropriate equity investment division of the investment adviser under authority delegated by the funds’ boards. Therefore, if more than one fund invests in the same company, they may vote differently on the same proposal. In addition, the funds’ boards monitor the proxy voting process and generally provide guidance with respect to the Principles through a joint proxy committee of the American Funds.
 
The investment adviser seeks to vote all U.S. proxies; however, in certain circumstances it may be impracticable or impossible to do so. Proxies for companies outside the U.S. also are voted, provided there is sufficient time and information available. After a proxy statement is received,
 
 
 
Page 24

 
 
the investment adviser prepares a summary of the proposals contained in the proxy statement. A discussion of any potential conflicts of interest also is included in the summary. For proxies of securities managed by a particular investment division of the investment adviser, the initial voting recommendation is made by one or more of the division’s investment analysts familiar with the company and industry. A second recommendation is made by a proxy coordinator (an investment analyst or other individual with experience in corporate governance and proxy voting matters) within the appropriate investment division, based on knowledge of these Principles and familiarity with proxy-related issues. The proxy summary and voting recommendations are made available to the appropriate proxy voting committee for a final voting decision.
 
The analyst and proxy coordinator making voting recommendations are responsible for noting any potential material conflicts of interest. One example might be where a board member of one or more American Funds is also a board member of a company whose proxy is being voted. In such instances, proxy voting committee members are alerted to the potential conflict. The proxy voting committee may then elect to vote the proxy or seek a third-party recommendation or vote of an ad hoc group of committee members.
 
The Principles, which have been in effect in substantially their current form for many years, provide an important framework for analysis and decision-making by all funds. However, they are not exhaustive and do not address all potential issues. The Principles provide a certain amount of flexibility so that all relevant facts and circumstances can be considered in connection with every vote. As a result, each proxy received is voted on a case-by-case basis considering the specific circumstances of each proposal. The voting process reflects the funds’ understanding of the company’s business, its management and its relationship with shareholders over time.
 
Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 of each year will be available on or about September 1 of each year ( a ) without charge, upon request by calling American Funds Service Company at 800/421-4225, ( b ) on the American Funds website and ( c ) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.
 
The following summary sets forth the general positions of the American Funds, American Funds Insurance Series and the investment adviser on various proposals. A copy of the full Principles is available upon request, free of charge, by calling American Funds Service Company or visiting the American Funds website.
 
Director matters — The election of a company’s slate of nominees for director generally is supported. Votes may be withheld for some or all of the nominees if this is determined to be in the best interest of shareholders. Separation of the chairman and CEO positions also may be supported.
 
Governance provisions — Typically, proposals to declassify a board (elect all directors annually) are supported based on the belief that this increases the directors’ sense of accountability to shareholders. Proposals for cumulative voting generally are supported in order to promote management and board accountability and an opportunity for leadership change. Proposals designed to make director elections more meaningful, either by requiring a majority vote or by requiring any director receiving more withhold votes than affirmative votes to tender his or her resignation, generally are supported.
 
Shareholder rights — Proposals to repeal an existing poison pill generally are supported. (There may be certain circumstances, however, when a proxy voting
 
 
 
Page 25

 
 
committee of a fund or an investment division of the investment adviser believes that a company needs to maintain anti-takeover protection.) Proposals to eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent or to take away a shareholder’s right to call a special meeting typically are not supported.
 
Compensation and benefit plans — Option plans are complicated, and many factors are considered in evaluating a plan. Each plan is evaluated based on protecting shareholder interests and a knowledge of the company and its management. Considerations include the pricing (or repricing) of options awarded under the plan and the impact of dilution on existing shareholders from past and future equity awards. Compensation packages should be structured to attract, motivate and retain existing employees and qualified directors; however, they should not be excessive.
 
Routine matters — The ratification of auditors, procedural matters relating to the annual meeting and changes to company name are examples of items considered routine. Such items generally are voted in favor of management’s recommendations unless circumstances indicate otherwise.
 
 
 
 
Page 26

 
 
Principal fund shareholders — The following table identifies those investors who own of record, or are known by the fund to own beneficially, 5% or more of any class of its shares as of the opening of business on October 1, 2012. Unless otherwise indicated, the ownership percentages below represent ownership of record rather than beneficial ownership.
 
Name and address
Ownership
Ownership percentage
Edward D. Jones & Co.
Omnibus Account
Maryland Heights, MO
Record
Class A
Class B
Class 529-A
Class 529-B
12.38%
14.04
5.58
5.58
First Clearing, LLC
Custody Account
St. Louis, MO
Record
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class F-1
Class R-1
11.71
8.79
12.01
15.93
8.26
Pershing, LLC
Jersey City, NJ
Record
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class F-1
Class F-2
8.58
7.05
8.15
20.22
6.51
National Financial Services, LLC
Omnibus Account
New York, NY
Record
Class B
Class F-1
7.91
12.69
Merrill Lynch
Omnibus Account
Jacksonville, FL
Record
Class B
Class C
Class F-2
6.48
10.02
5.85
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.
Omnibus Account
Jersey City, NJ
Record
Class C
Class F-1
7.69
8.60
Raymond James
Omnibus Account
St. Petersburg, FL
Record
Class F-1
12.12
UBS WM USA
Omnibus Account
Jersey City, NJ
Record
Class F-1
9.00
Capital Group Private Client Services Account #1
Irvine, CA
Record
Class F-2
34.49
Capital Group Private Client Services Account #2
Irvine, CA
Record
Class F-2
17.30
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Custody Account
San Francisco, CA
Record
Class F-2
7.27
LPL Financial
Omnibus Account
San Diego, CA
Record
Class F-2
6.33
Associated Physicians of WNY PC
Retirement Plan
Denver, CO
Record
Beneficial
Class R-1
9.13
Cardiovascular Care of Sarasota
Retirement Plan
Denver, CO
Record
Beneficial
Class R-1
8.72
 
 
 
Page 27

 
 
Name and address
Ownership
Ownership percentage
Daybreak Family Services
401K Plan
Pittsburgh, PA
Record
Beneficial
Class R-1
5.15
Thompson & Bowie, LLP
Greenwood Village, CO
Record
Class R-4
8.53
Colonial Metals, Inc.
401K Plan
Englewood, CO
Record
Beneficial
Class R-4
6.93
The Capital Group Companies
Retirement Plans
Los Angeles, CA
Record
Beneficial
Class R-5
81.04
American Funds Preservation Portfolio
Irvine, CA
Record
Class R-6
89.64
 
 
Unless otherwise noted, references in this statement of additional information to Class F shares, Class R shares or Class 529 shares refer to both F share classes, all R share classes or all 529 share classes, respectively.
 
Investment adviser — Capital Research and Management Company, the fund’s investment adviser, founded in 1931, maintains research facilities in the United States and abroad (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Washington, D.C., London, Geneva, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo). These facilities are staffed with experienced investment professionals. The investment adviser is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., a holding company for several investment management subsidiaries. Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through three equity investment divisions and fixed-income assets through its fixed-income division. The three equity investment divisions make investment decisions on an independent basis and include Capital World Investors, Capital Research Global Investors and a third equity investment division. Portfolio counselors in the third equity investment division rely on a research team that also provides investment services to institutional clients and other accounts advised by affiliates of Capital Research and Management Company.
 
The investment adviser has adopted policies and procedures that address issues that may arise as a result of an investment professional’s management of the fund and other funds and accounts. Potential issues could involve allocation of investment opportunities and trades among funds and accounts, use of information regarding the timing of fund trades, investment professional compensation and voting relating to portfolio securities. The investment adviser believes that its policies and procedures are reasonably designed to address these issues.
 
Compensation of investment professionals — As described in the prospectus, the investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing fund assets. In addition, Capital Research and Management Company’s investment analysts may make investment decisions with respect to a portion of a fund’s portfolio within their research coverage. The investment adviser’s investment analysts do not currently manage a research portfolio in the fund.
 
Portfolio counselors and investment analysts are paid competitive salaries by Capital Research and Management Company. In addition, they may receive bonuses based on their individual portfolio results. Investment professionals also may participate in profit-sharing plans. The
 
 
 
Page 28

 
 
relative mix of compensation represented by bonuses, salary and profit-sharing plans will vary depending on the individual’s portfolio results, contributions to the organization and other factors.
 
To encourage a long-term focus, bonuses based on investment results are principally determined by comparing pretax total investment returns to relevant benchmarks over the most recent year, a four-year rolling average and an eight-year rolling average with greater weight placed on the four-year and eight-year rolling averages. For portfolio counselors, benchmarks may include measures of the marketplaces in which the fund invests and measures of the results of comparable mutual funds. For investment analysts, benchmarks may include relevant market measures and appropriate industry or sector indexes reflecting their areas of expertise. Capital Research and Management Company makes periodic subjective assessments of analysts’ contributions to the investment process and this is an element of their overall compensation. The investment results of each of the fund’s portfolio counselors are measured against the following benchmark: Barclays U.S. Government/Credit 1-3 Years ex. BBB Index, Lipper Short-Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds Average and Lipper Short U.S. Government Funds Average. From time to time, Capital Research and Management Company may adjust or customize these benchmarks to better reflect the universe of comparably managed funds of competitive investment management firms.
 
Portfolio counselor fund holdings and other managed accounts — As described below, portfolio counselors may personally own shares of the fund. In addition, portfolio counselors may manage portions of other mutual funds or accounts advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates.
 
 
 
Page 29

 
 
The following table reflects information as of August 31, 2012:
 
Portfolio
counselor
Dollar range
of fund
shares
owned 1
Number
of other
registered
investment
companies (RICs)
for which
portfolio
counselor
is a manager
(assets of RICs
in billions) 2
Number
of other
pooled
investment
vehicles (PIVs)
for which
portfolio
counselor
is a manager
(assets of PIVs
in billions) 3
Number
of other
accounts
for which
portfolio
counselor
is a manager
(assets of
other accounts
in billions) 4
David A. Hoag
$100,001 – $500,000
5
$131.9
None
None
John R. Queen
$100,001 – $500,000
1
$1.5
None
279
$7.19
 
 
1 Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 – $10,000; $10,001 – $50,000; $50,001 – $100,000; $100,001 – $500,000; $500,001 – $1,000,000; and Over $1,000,000. The amounts listed include shares owned through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan.
 
 
2 Indicates fund(s) where the portfolio counselor also has significant responsibilities for the day to day management of the fund(s). Assets noted are the total net assets of the registered investment companies and are not the total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower amount. No fund has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the fund.
 
 
3 Represents funds advised or sub-advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates and sold outside the United States and/or fixed-income assets in institutional accounts managed by investment adviser subsidiaries of Capital Group International, Inc., an affiliate of Capital Research and Management Company. Assets noted are the total net assets of the funds or accounts and are not the total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower amount. No fund or account has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the fund or account.
 
 
4 Reflects other professionally managed accounts held at companies affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company. Personal brokerage accounts of portfolio counselors and their families are not reflected.
 
 
Investment Advisory and Service Agreement — The Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the fund and the investment adviser will continue in effect until March 31, 2013, unless sooner terminated, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at least annually by ( a ) the board of trustees, or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, and ( b ) the vote of a majority of trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement provides that the investment adviser has no liability to the fund for its acts or omissions in the performance of its obligations to the fund not involving willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations under the Agreement. The Agreement also provides that either party has the right to terminate it, without penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party, and that the Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). In addition, the Agreement provides that the investment adviser may delegate all, or a portion of, its investment management responsibilities to one or more subsidiary advisers approved by the fund’s board, pursuant to an agreement between the investment adviser and such subsidiary. Any such subsidiary adviser will be paid solely by the investment adviser out of its fees.
 
In addition to providing investment advisory services, the investment adviser furnishes the services and pays the compensation and travel expenses of persons to perform the fund’s executive, administrative, clerical and bookkeeping functions, and provides suitable office space, necessary small office equipment and utilities, general purpose accounting forms,
 
 
 
Page 30

 
 
supplies and postage used at the fund’s offices. The fund pays all expenses not assumed by the investment adviser, including, but not limited to: custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing fees and expenses; shareholder recordkeeping and administrative expenses; costs of the designing, printing and mailing of reports, prospectuses, proxy statements and notices to its shareholders; taxes; expenses of the issuance and redemption of fund shares (including stock certificates, registration and qualification fees and expenses); expenses pursuant to the fund’s plans of distribution (described below); legal and auditing expenses; compensation, fees and expenses paid to independent trustees; association dues; costs of stationery and forms prepared exclusively for the fund; and costs of assembling and storing shareholder account data.
 
The management fee is based on the following annualized rates and daily net asset levels:
 
Net asset level
 
 
Rate
 
In excess of
 
Up to
 
0.36%
 
$
 
0
 
$
 
500,000,000
 
0.33
 
 
500,000,000
 
 
1,000,000,000
 
0.30
 
 
1,000,000,000
 
 
1,500,000,000
 
0.28
 
 
1,500,000,000
 
 
2,500,000,000
 
0.26
 
 
2,500,000,000
 
 
4,000,000,000
 
0.25
 
 
4,000,000,000
   
 

 
For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the investment adviser was entitled to receive from the fund management fees of $12,466,000, $11,951,000 and $10,952,000, respectively.

 
 
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Administrative services — The investment adviser and its affiliates provide certain administrative services for shareholders of the fund’s Class A, C, F, R and 529 shares. Services include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders.
 
These services are provided pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement (the “Administrative Agreement”) between the fund and the investment adviser relating to the fund’s Class A, C, F, R and 529 shares. The Administrative Agreement will continue in effect until March 31, 2013, unless sooner renewed or terminated, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the members of the fund’s board who are not parties to the Administrative Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The fund may terminate the Administrative Agreement at any time by vote of a majority of independent board members. The investment adviser has the right to terminate the Administrative Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to the fund. The Administrative Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
 
Under the Administrative Agreement, the investment adviser receives an administrative services fee at the annual rate of .01% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class A shares and .05% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class C, F, R and 529 shares for administrative services provided to these share classes. Administrative services fees are paid monthly and accrued daily.
 
Prior to January 1, 2012, Class A shares were not subject to an administrative services fee and Class C, F, R and 529 shares were subject to an administrative services fee of up to .15% (.10% for Class R-5 and .05% for Class R-6) based on each share class’s respective average daily net assets. The investment adviser used a portion of the administrative services fee paid on Class C, F, R and 529 shares to compensate third parties for transfer agent services provided to shareholder accounts on behalf of the fund. Of the remainder, the investment adviser retained no more than .05% of the average daily net assets for each applicable share class for the administrative services it provided. The investment adviser has agreed to pay the Transfer Agent a portion of the fund’s transfer agent service fees for some of the fund’s retirement plan share classes.
 
Prior to January 1, 2012, the administrative services fee also included compensation for transfer agent and shareholder services provided to fund shareholders in each applicable share class. In addition to making administrative services fee payments to unaffiliated third parties, the investment adviser made payments from the administrative services fee to American Funds Service Company according to a fee schedule, based principally on the number of accounts serviced, contained in a Shareholder Services Agreement between the fund and American Funds Service Company. A portion of the fees paid to American Funds Service Company for transfer agent services was also paid directly from the relevant share class.
 
 
 
Page 32

 
 
During the 2012 fiscal year, administrative services fees were:
 
 
    
Administrative services fee
Class A
 
$206,000
 
Class C
 
97,000
 
Class F-1
 
74,000
 
Class F-2
 
123,000
 
Class 529-A
 
124,000
 
Class 529-B
 
3,000
 
Class 529-C
 
34,000
 
Class 529-E
 
8,000
 
Class 529-F-1
 
16,000
 
Class R-1
 
3,000
 
Class R-2
 
20,000
 
Class R-3
 
24,000
 
Class R-4
 
10,000
 
Class R-5
 
8,000
 
Class R-6
 
8,000
 
 

 
 
These amounts do not include transfer agent fees paid through the administrative services fee prior to January 1, 2012. See the “Transfer agent services” section for information on transfer agent fees paid by the fund during the 2012 fiscal year.
 
 
 
 
Page 33

 
 
Principal Underwriter and plans of distribution — American Funds Distributors, Inc. (the “Principal Underwriter”) is the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares. The Principal Underwriter is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78251 and 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032.
 
The Principal Underwriter receives revenues relating to sales of the fund’s shares, as follows:
 
·  
For Class A and 529-A shares, the Principal Underwriter receives commission revenue consisting of the balance of the Class A and 529-A sales charge remaining after the allowances by the Principal Underwriter to investment dealers.
 
·  
For Class B and 529-B shares sold prior to April 21, 2009, the Principal Underwriter sold its rights to the .75% distribution-related portion of the 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as well as any contingent deferred sales charges, to a third party. The Principal Underwriter compensated investment dealers for sales of Class B and 529-B shares out of the proceeds of this sale and kept any amounts remaining after this compensation was paid.
 
·  
For Class C and 529-C shares, the Principal Underwriter receives any contingent deferred sales charges that apply during the first year after purchase.
 
In addition, the fund reimburses the Principal Underwriter for advancing immediate service fees to qualified dealers and advisers upon the sale of Class C and 529-C shares. The fund also reimbursed the Principal Underwriter for advancing immediate service fees to qualified dealers on sales of Class B and 529-B shares prior to April 21, 2009. The fund also reimburses the Principal Underwriter for service fees (and, in the case of Class 529-E shares, commissions) paid on a quarterly basis to intermediaries, such as qualified dealers or financial advisers, in connection with investments in Class F-1, 529-F-1, 529-E, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 shares.
 
 
 
Page 34

 
 
To the extent the fund serves as an underlying investment for certain variable annuity products, the Principal Underwriter may receive compensation from the variable annuity’s sponsoring insurance company. These payments generally cover expenses associated with the education and training efforts that the Principal Underwriter provides to the insurance company’s sales force.
 
 
Commissions, revenue or service fees retained by the Principal Underwriter after allowances or compensation to dealers were:
 
 
Fiscal year
Commissions,
revenue
or fees retained
Allowance or
compensation
to dealers
 
Class A
 
 
2012
   
 
$  847,000
 
 
$3,262,000
 
   
 
2011
   
 
1,074,000
 
 
4,142,000
 
   
2010
   
 
1,326,000
 
 
5,105,000
 
 
Class B
 
 
2012
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
2011
   
 
 
 
 
   
2010
   
 
1,000
 
 
 
 
Class C
 
 
2012
   
 
98,000
 
 
141
 
   
 
2011
   
 
132,000
 
 
 
   
2010
   
 
160,000
 
 
80
 
 
Class 529-A
 
 
2012
   
 
121,000
 
 
463,000
 
   
 
2011
   
 
130,000
 
 
503,000
 
   
2010
   
 
132,000
 
 
496,000
 
 
Class 529-B
 
 
2012
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
2011
   
 
 
 
   
2010
   
 
35
 
 
Class 529-C
 
 
2012
   
22,000
 
126
 
   
 
2011
   
2,000
 
260
 
   
 
2010
   
29,000
 
 

 
 
Page 35

 
 
 
Plans of distribution — The fund has adopted plans of distribution (the “Plans”) pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plans permit the fund to expend amounts to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of fund shares, provided the fund’s board of trustees has approved the category of expenses for which payment is being made.
 
Each Plan is specific to a particular share class of the fund. As the fund has not adopted a Plan for Class F-2, Class R-5 or Class R-6, no 12b-1 fees are paid from Class F-2, Class R-5 or Class R-6 share assets and the following disclosure is not applicable to these share classes.
 
Payments under the Plans may be made for service-related and/or distribution-related expenses. Service-related expenses include paying service fees to qualified dealers. Distribution-related expenses include commissions paid to qualified dealers. The amounts actually paid under the Plans for the past fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the applicable share class, are disclosed in the prospectus under “Fees and expenses of the fund.” Further information regarding the amounts available under each Plan is in the “Plans of Distribution” section of the prospectus.
 
Following is a brief description of the Plans:
 
Class A and 529-A — For Class A and 529-A shares, up to 0.15% of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to such shares is reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, and the balance available under the applicable Plan may be paid to the Principal Underwriter for distribution-related expenses. The fund may annually expend up to .30% for Class A shares and up to .50% for Class 529-A shares under the applicable Plan.
 
Distribution-related expenses for Class A and 529-A shares include dealer commissions and wholesaler compensation paid on sales of shares of $1 million or more purchased without a sales charge. Commissions on these “no load” purchases (which are described in further detail under the “Sales Charges” section of this statement of additional information) in excess of the Class A and 529-A Plan limitations and not reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter during the most recent fiscal quarter are recoverable for five quarters, provided that the reimbursement of such commissions does not cause the fund to exceed the annual expense limit. After five quarters, these commissions are not recoverable. As of the fund’s most recent fiscal year, unreimbursed expenses which remained subject to reimbursement under the Plan for Class A shares totaled $446,000 or .01% of Class A net assets.
 
Class B and 529-B — The Plans for Class B and 529-B shares provide for payments to the Principal Underwriter of up to 0.15% of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to such shares for paying service-related expenses and .75% for distribution-related expenses, which include the financing of commissions paid to qualified dealers.
 
 
 
Page 36

 
 
Other share classes (Class C, 529-C, F-1, 529-F-1, 529-E, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4) — The Plans for each of the other share classes that have adopted Plans provide for payments to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related and distribution-related expenses of up to the following amounts of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to such shares:
 
 
 
 
Share class
 
Service
related
payments 1
 
Distribution
related
payments 1
Total
allowable
under
the Plans 2
Class C
0.25%
0.75%
1.00%
Class 529-C
0.25
0.75
1.00
Class F-1
0.25
0.50
Class 529-F-1
0.25
0.50
Class 529-E
0.25
0.25
0.75
Class R-1
0.25
0.75
1.00
Class R-2
0.25
0.50
1.00
Class R-3
0.25
0.25
0.75
Class R-4
0.25
0.50

1   
Amounts in these columns represent the amounts approved by the board of trustees under the applicable Plan.
 
2   
The fund may annually expend the amounts set forth in this column under the current Plans with the approval of the board of trustees.
 
 
During the 2012 fiscal year, 12b-1 expenses accrued and paid, and if applicable, unpaid, were:
 
 
12b-1 expenses
12b-1 unpaid liability
outstanding
Class A
$5,939,000
 
$732,000
 
Class B
429,000
 
35,000
 
Class C
1,960,000
 
301,000
 
Class F-1
377,000
 
49,000
 
Class 529-A
327,000
 
71,000
 
Class 529-B
61,000
 
6,000
 
Class 529-C
677,000
 
148,000
 
Class 529-E
79,000
 
18,000
 
Class 529-F-1
 
 
Class R-1
56,000
 
9,000
 
Class R-2
280,000
 
66,000
 
Class R-3
218,000
 
50,000
 
Class R-4
44,000
 
13,000
 

 
 
Page 37

 

Approval of the Plans — As required by rule 12b-1 and the 1940 Act, the Plans (together with the Principal Underwriting Agreement) have been approved by the full board of trustees and separately by a majority of the independent trustees of the fund who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the Principal Underwriting Agreement. In addition, the selection and nomination of independent trustees of the fund are committed to the discretion of the independent trustees during the existence of the Plans.
 
Potential benefits of the Plans to the fund include quality shareholder services, savings to the fund in transfer agency costs, and benefits to the investment process from growth or stability of assets. The Plans may not be amended to materially increase the amount spent for distribution without shareholder approval. Plan expenses are reviewed quarterly by the board of trustees and the Plans must be renewed annually by the board of trustees.
 
A portion of the fund’s 12b-1 expense is paid to financial advisers to compensate them for providing ongoing services. If you have questions regarding your investment in the fund or need assistance with your account, please contact your financial adviser. If you need a financial adviser, please call American Funds Distributors at (800) 421-4120 for assistance.
 
Fee to Virginia College Savings Plan — With respect to Class 529 shares, as compensation for its oversight and administration, Virginia College Savings Plan receives a quarterly fee accrued daily and calculated at the annual rate of .10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds, .09% on net assets between $30 billion and $60 billion, .08% on net assets between $60 billion and $90 billion, .07% on net assets between $90 billion and $120 billion, and .06% on net assets between $120 billion and $150 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter.

 
 
Page 38

 
 
Other compensation to dealers — As of July 2012, the top dealers (or their affiliates) that American Funds Distributors anticipates will receive additional compensation (as described in the prospectus) include:
 
 
AXA Advisors, LLC
 
Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc.
 
Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
 
Cetera Financial Group
 
Financial Network Investment Corporation
 
Genworth Financial Securities Corporation
 
Multi-Financial Securities Corporation
 
Primevest Financial Services, Inc.
 
Commonwealth Financial Network
 
D.A. Davidson & Co.
 
Edward Jones
 
H. Beck, Inc.
 
Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.
 
HTK / Janney Montgomery Group
 
Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc.
 
Janney Montgomery Scott LLC
 
ING Group
 
ING Financial Advisers, LLC
 
ING Financial Partners, Inc.
 
J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC
 
Lincoln Network
 
Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation
 
Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation
 
LPL Group
 
LPL Financial LLC
 
Uvest Investment Services
 
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
 
Metlife Enterprises
 
Metlife Securities Inc.
 
New England Securities
 
Tower Square Securities, Inc.
 
Walnut Street Securities, Inc.
 
MML Investors Services, Inc.
 
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC
 
NFP Securities, Inc.
 
Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC
 
NPH / Jackson National
 
Invest Financial Corporation
 
Investment Centers of America, Inc.
 
National Planning Corporation
 
SII Investments, Inc.
 
Park Avenue Securities LLC
 
PFS Investments Inc.
 
Raymond James Group
 
Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.
 
Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
 
Raymond James Financial Services Inc.
 
 
 
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RBC Capital Markets Corporation
 
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated
 
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated
 
The Advisor Group
 
FSC Securities Corporation
 
Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.
 
SagePoint Financial, Inc.
 
Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.
 
U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.
 
UBS Financial Services Inc.
 
Wells Fargo Network
 
First Clearing LLC
 
Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC
 
Wells Fargo Advisors Investment Services Group
 
Wells Fargo Advisors Latin American Channel
 
Wells Fargo Advisors Private Client Group
 
 
 
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 Execution of portfolio transactions
 
The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund’s portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of equity securities on a securities exchange or an over-the-counter market are effected through broker-dealers who receive commissions for their services. Generally, commissions relating to securities traded on foreign exchanges will be higher than commissions relating to securities traded on U.S. exchanges and may not be subject to negotiation. Equity securities may also be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees. Purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally made with an issuer or a primary market-maker acting as principal with no stated brokerage commission. The price paid to an underwriter for fixed-income securities includes underwriting fees. Prices for fixed-income securities in secondary trades usually include undisclosed compensation to the market-maker reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices for the securities.
 
In selecting broker-dealers, the investment adviser strives to obtain “best execution” (the most favorable total price reasonably attainable under the circumstances) for the fund’s portfolio transactions, taking into account a variety of factors. These factors include the size and type of transaction, the nature and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold, the cost, quality, likely speed and reliability of the executions, the broker-dealer’s or execution venue’s ability to offer liquidity and anonymity and the potential for minimizing market impact. The investment adviser considers these factors, which involve qualitative judgments, when selecting broker-dealers and execution venues for fund portfolio transactions. The investment adviser views best execution as a process that should be evaluated over time as part of an overall relationship with particular broker-dealer firms rather than on a trade-by-trade basis. The fund does not consider the investment adviser as having an obligation to obtain the lowest commission rate available for a portfolio transaction to the exclusion of price, service and qualitative considerations.
 
The investment adviser may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who provide certain brokerage and/or investment research services to it, but only when in the investment adviser’s judgment the broker-dealer is capable of providing best execution for that transaction. The receipt of these services permits the investment adviser to supplement its own research and analysis and makes available the views of, and information from, individuals and the research staffs of other firms. Such views and information may be provided in the form of written reports, telephone contacts and meetings with securities analysts. These services may include, among other things, reports and other communications with respect to individual companies, industries, countries and regions, economic, political and legal developments, as well as scheduling meetings with corporate executives and seminars and conferences related to relevant subject matters. The investment adviser considers these services to be supplemental to its own internal research efforts and therefore the receipt of investment research from broker-dealers does not tend to reduce the expenses involved in the investment adviser’s research efforts. If broker-dealers were to discontinue providing such services it is unlikely the investment adviser would attempt to replicate them on its own, in part because they would then no longer provide an independent, supplemental viewpoint. Nonetheless, if it were to attempt to do so, the investment adviser would incur substantial additional costs. Research services that the investment adviser receives from broker-dealers may be used by the investment adviser in servicing the fund and other funds and accounts that it advises; however, not all such services will necessarily benefit the fund.
 
The investment adviser may pay commissions in excess of what other broker-dealers might have charged, including on an execution-only basis, for certain portfolio transactions in
 
 
 
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recognition of brokerage and/or investment research services provided by a broker-dealer. In this regard, the investment adviser has adopted a brokerage allocation procedure consistent with the requirements of Section 28(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Section 28(e) permits an investment adviser to cause an account to pay a higher commission to a broker-dealer that provides certain brokerage and/or investment research services to the investment adviser, if the investment adviser makes a good faith determination that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided by such broker-dealer to the investment adviser in terms of that particular transaction or the investment adviser’s overall responsibility to the fund and other accounts that it advises. Certain brokerage and/or investment research services may not necessarily benefit all accounts paying commissions to each such broker-dealer; therefore, the investment adviser assesses the reasonableness of commissions in light of the total brokerage and investment research services provided by each particular broker-dealer.
 
In accordance with its internal brokerage allocation procedure, each equity investment division of the investment adviser periodically assesses the brokerage and investment research services provided by each broker-dealer from which it receives such services. Using its judgment, each equity investment division of the investment adviser provides its trading desks with information regarding the relative value of services provided by particular broker-dealers. Neither the investment adviser nor the fund incurs any obligation to any broker-dealer to pay for research by generating trading commissions. As part of its ongoing relationships with broker-dealers, the investment adviser routinely meets with firms, typically at the firm’s request, to discuss the level and quality of the brokerage and research services provided, as well as the perceived value and cost of such services. In valuing the brokerage and investment research services the investment adviser receives from broker-dealers in connection with its good faith determination of reasonableness, the investment adviser does not attribute a dollar value to such services, but rather takes various factors into consideration, including the quantity, quality and usefulness of the services to the investment adviser.
 
The investment adviser seeks, on an ongoing basis, to determine what the reasonable levels of commission rates are in the marketplace. The investment adviser takes various considerations into account when evaluating such reasonableness, including, ( a ) rates quoted by broker-dealers, ( b ) the size of a particular transaction in terms of the number of shares and dollar amount, ( c ) the complexity of a particular transaction, ( d ) the nature and character of the markets on which a particular trade takes place, ( e ) the ability of a broker-dealer to provide anonymity while executing trades, ( f ) the ability of a broker-dealer to execute large trades while minimizing market impact, ( g ) the extent to which a broker-dealer has put its own capital at risk, ( h ) the level and type of business done with a particular broker-dealer over a period of time, ( i ) historical commission rates, and ( j ) commission rates that other institutional investors are paying.
 
When executing portfolio transactions in the same equity security for the funds and accounts, or portions of funds and accounts, over which the investment adviser, through its equity investment divisions, has investment discretion, each of the investment divisions normally aggregates its respective purchases or sales and executes them as part of the same transaction or series of transactions. When executing portfolio transactions in the same fixed-income security for the fund and the other funds or accounts over which it or one of its affiliated companies has investment discretion, the investment adviser normally aggregates such purchases or sales and executes them as part of the same transaction or series of transactions. The objective of aggregating purchases and sales of a security is to allocate executions in an equitable manner
 
 
 
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among the funds and other accounts that have concurrently authorized a transaction in such security.
 
The investment adviser may place orders for the fund’s portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who have sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliated companies; however, it does not consider whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliated companies when placing any such orders for the fund’s portfolio transactions.
 
Forward currency contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The cost to the fund of engaging in such contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because such contracts are entered into on a principal basis, their prices usually include undisclosed compensation to the market maker reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices for the contracts. The fund may incur additional fees in connection with the purchase or sale of certain contracts.
 
No brokerage commissions were paid by the fund on portfolio transactions for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010.
 
The fund is required to disclose information regarding investments in the securities of its “regular” broker-dealers (or parent companies of its regular broker-dealers) that derive more than 15% of their revenue from broker-dealer, underwriter or investment adviser activities. A regular broker-dealer is ( a ) one of the 10 broker-dealers that received from the fund the largest amount of brokerage commissions by participating, directly or indirectly, in the fund’s portfolio transactions during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year; ( b ) one of the 10 broker-dealers that engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of portfolio transactions of the fund during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year; or ( c ) one of the 10 broker-dealers that sold the largest amount of securities of the fund during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year.
 
At the end of the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the fund’s regular broker-dealers included Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Group, Morgan Stanley and UBS AG. At the end of the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the fund held debt securities of Citigroup Inc. in the amount of $47,241,000, Credit Suisse Group in the amount of $5,338,000, Morgan Stanley in the amount of $5,928,000 and UBS AG in the amount of $9,532,000.
 
 
 
 
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 Disclosure of portfolio holdings
 
The fund’s investment adviser, on behalf of the fund, has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of information about fund portfolio securities. These policies and procedures have been reviewed by the fund’s board of trustees and compliance will be periodically assessed by the board in connection with reporting from the fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.
 
Under these policies and procedures, the fund’s complete list of portfolio holdings available for public disclosure, dated as of the end of each calendar quarter, is permitted to be posted on the American Funds website no earlier than the tenth day after such calendar quarter. In practice, the public portfolio typically is posted on the website within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter. Such portfolio holdings information may then be disclosed to any person pursuant to an ongoing arrangement to disclose portfolio holdings information to such person no earlier than one day after the day on which the information is posted on the American Funds website. The fund’s custodian, outside counsel and auditor, each of which requires portfolio holdings information for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes, may receive the information earlier. See the “General information” section in this statement of additional information for further information about the fund’s custodian, outside counsel and auditor.
 
Affiliated persons of the fund, including officers of the fund and employees of the investment adviser and its affiliates, who receive portfolio holdings information are subject to restrictions and limitations on the use and handling of such information pursuant to applicable codes of ethics, including requirements not to trade in securities based on confidential and proprietary investment information, to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to preclear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as applicable. For more information on these restrictions and limitations, please see the “Code of Ethics” section in this statement of additional information and the Code of Ethics. Third party service providers of the fund, as described in this statement of additional information, receiving such information are subject to confidentiality obligations. When portfolio holdings information is disclosed other than through the American Funds website to persons not affiliated with the fund (which, as described above, would typically occur no earlier than one day after the day on which the information is posted on the American Funds website), such persons will be bound by agreements (including confidentiality agreements) or fiduciary obligations that restrict and limit their use of the information to legitimate business uses only. Neither the fund nor its investment adviser or any affiliate thereof receives compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities.
 

 
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Subject to board policies, the authority to disclose a fund’s portfolio holdings, and to establish policies with respect to such disclosure, resides with the appropriate investment-related committees of the fund’s investment adviser. In exercising their authority, the committees determine whether disclosure of information about the fund’s portfolio securities is appropriate and in the best interest of fund shareholders. The investment adviser has implemented policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest that may arise from the disclosure of fund holdings. For example, the investment adviser’s code of ethics specifically requires, among other things, the safeguarding of information about fund holdings and contains prohibitions designed to prevent the personal use of confidential, proprietary investment information in a way that would conflict with fund transactions. In addition, the investment adviser believes that its current policy of not selling portfolio holdings information and not disclosing such information to unaffiliated third parties until such holdings have been made public on the American Funds website (other than to certain fund service providers for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes) helps reduce potential conflicts of interest between fund shareholders and the investment adviser and its affiliates.
 
 
 
 
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 Price of shares
 
Shares are purchased at the offering price or sold at the net asset value price next determined after the purchase or sell order is received by the fund or the Transfer Agent provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. The Transfer Agent may accept written orders for the sale of fund shares on a future date. These orders are subject to the Transfer Agent’s policies, which generally allow shareholders to provide a written request to sell shares at the net asset value on a specified date no more than five business days after receipt of the order by the Transfer Agent. Any request to sell shares on a future date will be rejected if the request is not in writing, if the requested transaction date is more than five business days after the Transfer Agent receives the request or if the request does not contain all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction.
 
The offering or net asset value price is effective for orders received prior to the time of determination of the net asset value and, in the case of orders placed with dealers or their authorized designees, accepted by the Principal Underwriter, the Transfer Agent, a dealer or any of their designees. In the case of orders sent directly to the fund or the Transfer Agent, an investment dealer should be indicated. The dealer is responsible for promptly transmitting purchase and sell orders to the Principal Underwriter.
 
Orders received by the investment dealer or authorized designee, the Transfer Agent or the fund after the time of the determination of the net asset value will be entered at the next calculated offering price. Note that investment dealers or other intermediaries may have their own rules about share transactions and may have earlier cut-off times than those of the fund. For more information about how to purchase through your intermediary, contact your intermediary directly.
 
Prices that appear in the newspaper do not always indicate prices at which you will be purchasing and redeeming shares of the fund, since such prices generally reflect the previous day’s closing price, while purchases and redemptions are made at the next calculated price. The price you pay for shares, the offering price, is based on the net asset value per share, which is calculated once daily as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, which is the normal close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, each day the Exchange is open. If, for example, the Exchange closes at 1 p.m., the fund’s share price would still be determined as of 4 p.m. New York time. In such example, portfolio securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange would be valued at their closing price unless the investment adviser determines that a fair value adjustment is appropriate due to a subsequent event. The New York Stock Exchange is currently closed on weekends and on the following holidays: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents’ Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas Day. Each share class of the fund has a separately calculated net asset value (and share price).
 
All portfolio securities of funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company (other than American Funds Money Market Fund ® ) are valued, and the net asset values per share for each share class are determined, as indicated below. The fund follows standard industry practice by typically reflecting changes in its holdings of portfolio securities on the first business day following a portfolio trade.
 
Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are generally valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any
 
 
 
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sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market on which the security trades.
 
Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities purchased with more than 60 days left to maturity, are generally valued at prices obtained from one or more pricing vendors. The pricing vendors base bond prices on, among other things, benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, underlying equity of the issuer, interest rate volatilities, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, financial or collateral characteristics or performance, credit enhancements, liquidation value calculations, specific deal information and other reference data. The fund’s investment adviser performs certain checks on vendor prices prior to calculation of the fund’s net asset value. When the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or not deemed to be representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and ask prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if ask prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type.
 
Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics (e.g., convertible bonds, preferred stocks, units comprised of more than one type of security, etc.), or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described above for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the investment adviser.
 
Securities with original maturities of one year or less having 60 days or less to maturity are amortized to maturity based on their cost if acquired within 60 days of maturity, or if already held on the 60th day, based on the value determined on the 61st day. Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and ask prices, generally based on prices supplied by one or more pricing vendors.
 
Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated prior to the next determination of the net asset value of the fund’s shares into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates.
 
Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the investment adviser are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under fair value guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s board. Subject to board oversight, the fund’s board has delegated the obligation to make fair valuation determinations to a valuation committee established by the fund’s investment adviser. The board receives regular reports describing fair-valued securities and the valuation methods used.
 
The valuation committee has adopted guidelines and procedures (consistent with SEC rules and guidance) to consider certain relevant principles and factors when making all fair value determinations. As a general principle, securities lacking readily available market quotations, or that have quotations that are considered unreliable by the investment adviser, are valued in good faith by the valuation committee based upon what the fund might reasonably expect to receive upon their current sale. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred. The valuation committee considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to
 
 
 
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be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security, contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security, relevant financial or business developments of the issuer, actively traded similar or related securities, conversion or exchange rights on the security, related corporate actions, significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security and changes in overall market conditions.
 
Each class of shares represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and is identical in all respects to each other class, except for differences relating to distribution, service and other charges and expenses, certain voting rights, differences relating to eligible investors, the designation of each class of shares, conversion features and exchange privileges. Expenses attributable to the fund, but not to a particular class of shares, are borne by each class pro rata based on relative aggregate net assets of the classes. Expenses directly attributable to a class of shares are borne by that class of shares. Liabilities attributable to particular share classes, such as liabilities for repurchase of fund shares, are deducted from total assets attributable to such share classes.
 
Net assets so obtained for each share class are then divided by the total number of shares outstanding of that share class, and the result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the net asset value per share for that class.
 
 
 
 
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 Taxes and distributions
 
Disclaimer: Some of the following information may not apply to certain shareholders, including those holding fund shares in a tax-favored account, such as a retirement plan or education savings account. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local tax law in light of their particular situation.
 
Taxation as a regulated investment company — The fund intends to qualify each year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal income taxes, the fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and realized net capital gains on a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tests applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M.
 
The Code includes savings provisions allowing the fund to cure inadvertent failures of certain qualification tests required under Subchapter M. However, should the fund fail to qualify under Subchapter M, the fund would be subject to federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains, and distributions to shareholders would be taxed as dividend income to the extent of the fund’s earnings and profits.
 
Amounts not distributed by the fund on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement may be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. Unless an applicable exception applies, to avoid the tax, the fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of (1) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, (2) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses for the twelve month period ending on October 31, and (3) all ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during such years.
 
Dividends paid by the fund from ordinary income or from an excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income dividends. For corporate shareholders, a portion of the fund’s ordinary income dividends may be eligible for the 70% deduction for dividends received by corporations to the extent the fund’s income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations. This deduction does not include dividends received from non-U.S. corporations and dividends on stocks the fund has not held for more than 45 days during the 90-day period beginning 45 days before the stock became ex-dividend (90 and 180 days for certain preferred stock). Corporate shareholders can only apply the lower rate to the qualified portion of a fund’s dividends if they have held the shares in the fund on which the dividends were paid for the applicable 45 day or 90 day holding period surrounding the ex-dividend date of the fund’s dividends.
 
The fund may declare a capital gain distribution consisting of the excess of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. Net capital gains for a fiscal year are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the fund. For fund fiscal years beginning on or after December 22, 2010, capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as either short-term or long-term. Under prior law, net capital losses could be carried forward for eight tax years and were treated as short-term capital losses. The fund is required to use capital losses arising in fiscal years beginning on or after December 22, 2010 before using capital losses arising in fiscal years prior to December 22, 2010.
 
 
 
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The fund may retain a portion of net capital gain for reinvestment and may elect to treat such capital gain as having been distributed to shareholders of the fund. Shareholders may receive a credit for the tax that the fund paid on such undistributed net capital gain and would increase the basis in their shares of the fund by the difference between the amount of includible gains and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.
 
Distributions of net capital gain that the fund properly designates as a capital gain distribution generally will be taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the fund have been held by a shareholder. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares held at the time of redemption for six months or less from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions (including any undistributed amounts treated as distributed capital gains, as described above) during such six-month period.
 
Capital gain distributions by the fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of the fund’s shares. Investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a capital gain distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will subsequently receive a partial return of their investment capital upon payment of the distribution, which will be taxable to them.
 
Redemptions and exchanges of fund shares — Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of other American Funds, may result in federal, state and local tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder.
 
Any loss realized on a redemption or exchange of shares of the fund will be disallowed to the extent substantially identical shares are reacquired within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. Any loss disallowed under this rule will be added to the shareholder’s tax basis in the new shares purchased.
 
If a shareholder exchanges or otherwise disposes of shares of the fund within 90 days of having acquired such shares, and if, as a result of having acquired those shares, the shareholder subsequently pays a reduced or no sales charge for shares of the fund, or of a different fund acquired before January 31 st of the year following the year the shareholder exchanged or otherwise disposed of the original fund shares, the sales charge previously incurred in acquiring the fund’s shares will not be taken into account (to the extent such previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales charges) for the purposes of determining the amount of gain or loss on the exchange, but will be treated as having been incurred in the acquisition of such other fund(s).
 
Tax consequences of investments in non-U.S. securities — Dividend and interest income received by the fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such foreign jurisdictions. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States, however, may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes. Some foreign countries impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors.
 
If more than 50% of the value of the total assets of the fund at the close of the taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the fund may elect to pass through to shareholders the foreign taxes paid by the fund. If such an election is made, shareholders may claim a credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns for, and will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the fund to foreign
 
 
 
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countries. The application of the foreign tax credit depends upon the particular circumstances of each shareholder.
 
Foreign currency gains and losses, including the portion of gain or loss on the sale of debt securities attributable to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, are generally taxable as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses may increase or decrease the amount of dividends payable by the fund to shareholders. A fund may elect to treat gain and loss on certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain and loss instead of ordinary income or loss.
 
If the fund invests in stock of certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the fund intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any gains at the end of its fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any previously recognized gains. Both gains and losses will be treated as ordinary income or loss, and the fund is required to distribute any resulting income. If the fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC security and thus does not make a timely mark-to-market election, the fund may be subject to adverse tax consequences.
 
Other tax considerations — After the end of each calendar year, individual shareholders holding fund shares in taxable accounts will receive a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions. Shareholders of the fund also may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the fund.
 
For fund shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, the fund is required to report cost basis information for redemptions, including exchanges, to both shareholders and the IRS.
 
Shareholders may obtain more information about cost basis online at americanfunds.com/costbasis.
 
Under the backup withholding provisions of the Code, the fund generally will be required to withhold federal income tax on all payments (other than exempt-interest dividends) made to a shareholder if the shareholder either does not furnish the fund with the shareholder’s correct taxpayer identification number or fails to certify that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding also applies if the IRS notifies the shareholder or the fund that the taxpayer identification number provided by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously failed to properly report interest or dividend income.
 
The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the application of that law to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and legal residents and U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates). Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% (or a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty) on dividend income received by the shareholder.
 
 
 
 
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Unless otherwise noted, all references in the following pages to Class A, B, C or F-1 shares also refer to the corresponding Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C or 529-F-1 shares. Class 529 shareholders should also refer to the applicable program description for information on policies and services specifically relating to these accounts. Shareholders holding shares through an eligible retirement plan should contact their plan’s administrator or recordkeeper for information regarding purchases, sales and exchanges.
 
 Purchase and exchange of shares
 
Purchases by individuals — As described in the prospectus, you may generally open an account and purchase fund shares by contacting a financial adviser or investment dealer authorized to sell the fund’s shares. You may make investments by any of the following means:
 
Contacting your financial adviser — Deliver or mail a check to your financial adviser.
 
By mail — For initial investments, you may mail a check, made payable to the fund, directly to the address indicated on the account application. Please indicate an investment dealer on the account application. You may make additional investments by filling out the “Account Additions” form at the bottom of a recent transaction confirmation and mailing the form, along with a check made payable to the fund, using the envelope provided with your confirmation.
 
The amount of time it takes for us to receive regular U.S. postal mail may vary and there is no assurance that we will receive such mail on the day you expect. Mailing addresses for regular U.S. postal mail can be found in the prospectus. To send investments or correspondence to us via overnight mail or courier service, use either of the following addresses:
 
American Funds
12711 North Meridian Street
Carmel, IN 46032-9181
 
American Funds
5300 Robin Hood Rd.
Norfolk, VA 23513-2407
 
By telephone — Using the American FundsLine. Please see the “Shareholder account services and privileges” section of this statement of additional information for more information regarding this service.
 
By Internet — Using americanfunds.com. Please see the “Shareholder account services and privileges” section of this statement of additional information for more information regarding this service.
 
By wire — If you are making a wire transfer, instruct your bank to wire funds to:
 
Wells Fargo Bank
ABA Routing No. 121000248
Account No. 4600-076178
 
 
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Your bank should include the following information when wiring funds:
 
For credit to the account of:
American Funds Service Company
(fund’s name)
 
For further credit to:
(shareholder’s fund account number)
(shareholder’s name)
 
You may contact American Funds Service Company at 800/421-4225 if you have questions about making wire transfers.
 
Other purchase information — Class 529 shares may be purchased only through CollegeAmerica by investors establishing qualified higher education savings accounts. Class 529-E shares may be purchased only by investors participating in CollegeAmerica through an eligible employer plan. The American Funds state tax-exempt funds are qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions, and tax-exempt funds in general should not serve as retirement plan investments. In addition, the fund and the Principal Underwriter reserve the right to reject any purchase order.
 
Class R-5 and R-6 shares may be made available to certain charitable foundations organized and maintained by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates.
 
Class R-5 and R-6 shares may also be made available to the Virginia College Savings Plan for use in the Virginia Education Savings Trust and the Virginia Prepaid Education Program and other registered investment companies approved by the fund’s investment adviser or distributor. Class R-6 shares are also available to other post employment benefits plans.
 
Class F-2 shares may be made available to other registered investment companies approved by the fund.
 
Class C shares of the fund may be acquired only by exchanging from Class C shares of other American Funds. Direct purchases of Class C shares of the fund are not permitted.
 
Purchase minimums and maximums — All investments are subject to the purchase minimums and maximums described in the prospectus. As noted in the prospectus, purchase minimums may be waived or reduced in certain cases.
 
In the case of American Funds non-tax-exempt funds, the initial purchase minimum of $25 may be waived for the following account types:
 
·  
Payroll deduction retirement plan accounts (such as, but not limited to, 403(b), 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SARSEP and deferred compensation plan accounts); and
 
·  
Employer-sponsored CollegeAmerica accounts.
 
The following account types may be established without meeting the initial purchase minimum:
 
·  
Retirement accounts that are funded with employer contributions; and
 
·  
Accounts that are funded with monies set by court decree.
 
 
 
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The following account types may be established without meeting the initial purchase minimum, but shareholders wishing to invest in two or more funds must meet the normal initial purchase minimum of each fund:
 
·  
Accounts that are funded with ( a) transfers of assets, ( b ) rollovers from retirement plans, ( c ) rollovers from 529 college savings plans or ( d ) required minimum distribution automatic exchanges; and
 
·  
American Funds Money Market Fund accounts registered in the name of clients of Capital Guardian Trust Company’s Capital Group Private Client Services division.
 
Certain accounts held on the fund’s books, known as omnibus accounts, contain multiple underlying accounts that are invested in shares of the fund. These underlying accounts are maintained by entities such as financial intermediaries and are subject to the applicable initial purchase minimums as described in the prospectus and this statement of additional information. However, in the case where the entity maintaining these accounts aggregates the accounts’ purchase orders for fund shares, such accounts are not required to meet the fund’s minimum amount for subsequent purchases.
 
Exchanges — You may only exchange shares into other American Funds within the same share class. However, exchanges from Class A shares of American Funds Money Market Fund may be made to Class C shares of other American Funds for dollar cost averaging purposes. Exchanges are not permitted from Class A shares of American Funds Money Market Fund to Class C shares of Intermediate Bond Fund of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America or Short-Term Bond Fund of America. Exchange purchases are subject to the minimum investment requirements of the fund purchased and no sales charge generally applies. However, exchanges of shares from American Funds Money Market Fund are subject to applicable sales charges, unless the American Funds Money Market Fund shares were acquired by an exchange from a fund having a sales charge, or by reinvestment or cross-reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. Exchanges of Class F shares generally may only be made through fee-based programs of investment firms that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor and certain registered investment advisers.
 
You may exchange shares of other classes by contacting the Transfer Agent, by contacting your investment dealer or financial adviser, by using American FundsLine or americanfunds.com, or by telephoning 800/421-4225 toll-free, or faxing (see “American Funds Service Company service areas” in the prospectus for the appropriate fax numbers) the Transfer Agent. For more information, see “Shareholder account services and privileges” in this statement of additional information. These transactions have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases.
 
Shares held in employer-sponsored retirement plans may be exchanged into other American Funds by contacting your plan administrator or recordkeeper. Exchange redemptions and purchases are processed simultaneously at the share prices next determined after the exchange order is received (see “Price of shares” in this statement of additional information).
 
Conversion — Currently, Class C shares of the fund automatically convert to Class F-1 shares in the month of the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date. The board of trustees of the fund reserves the right at any time, without shareholder approval, to amend the conversion feature of the Class C shares, including without limitation, providing for conversion into a different share class or for no conversion. In making its decision, the board of trustees will consider, among other things, the effect of any such amendment on shareholders.
 
 
 
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Frequent trading of fund shares — As noted in the prospectus, certain redemptions may trigger a purchase block lasting 30 calendar days under the fund’s “purchase blocking policy.” Under this policy, systematic redemptions will not trigger a purchase block and systematic purchases will not be prevented if the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase. For purposes of this policy, systematic redemptions include, for example, regular periodic automatic redemptions and statement of intention escrow share redemptions. Systematic purchases include, for example, regular periodic automatic purchases and automatic reinvestments of dividends and capital gain distributions. Generally, purchases and redemptions will not be considered “systematic” unless the transaction is pre-scheduled for a specific date.
 
Other potentially abusive activity — In addition to implementing purchase blocks, American Funds Service Company will monitor for other types of activity that could potentially be harmful to the American Funds — for example, short-term trading activity in multiple funds. When identified, American Funds Service Company will request that the shareholder discontinue the activity. If the activity continues, American Funds Service Company will freeze the shareholder account to prevent all activity other than redemptions of fund shares.
 
Moving between share classes
 
If you wish to “move” your investment between share classes (within the same fund or between different funds), we generally will process your request as an exchange of the shares you currently hold for shares in the new class or fund. Below is more information about how sales charges are handled for various scenarios.
 
Exchanging Class B shares for Class A shares — If you exchange Class B shares for Class A shares during the contingent deferred sales charge period you are responsible for paying any applicable deferred sales charges attributable to those Class B shares, but you will not be required to pay a Class A sales charge. If, however, you exchange your Class B shares for Class A shares after the contingent deferred sales charge period, you are responsible for paying any applicable Class A sales charges.
 
Exchanging Class C shares for Class A shares — If you exchange Class C shares for Class A shares, you are still responsible for paying any Class C contingent deferred sales charges and applicable Class A sales charges.
 
Exchanging Class C shares for Class F shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program and you wish to exchange your Class C shares for Class F shares to be held in the program, you are still responsible for paying any applicable Class C contingent deferred sales charges.
 
Exchanging Class F shares for Class A shares — You can exchange Class F shares held in a qualified fee-based program for Class A shares without paying an initial Class A sales charge if you are leaving or have left the fee-based program. You can exchange Class F shares received in a conversion from Class C shares for Class A shares at any time without paying an initial Class A sales charge if you notify American Funds Service Company of the conversion when you make your request. If you have already redeemed your Class F shares, the foregoing requirements apply and you must purchase Class A shares within 90 days after redeeming your Class F shares to receive the Class A shares without paying an initial Class A sales charge.
 
 
 
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Exchanging Class A shares for Class F shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program and you wish to exchange your Class A shares for Class F shares to be held in the program, any Class A sales charges (including contingent deferred sales charges) that you paid or are payable will not be credited back to your account.
 
Exchanging Class A shares for Class R shares — Provided it is eligible to invest in Class R shares, a retirement plan currently invested in Class A shares may exchange its shares for Class R shares. Any Class A sales charges that the retirement plan previously paid will not be credited back to the plan’s account.
 
Exchanging Class F-1 shares for Class F-2 shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program that offers Class F-2 shares, you may exchange your Class F-1 shares for Class F-2 shares to be held in the program.
 
Moving between other share classes — If you desire to move your investment between share classes and the particular scenario is not described in this statement of additional information, please contact American Funds Service Company at 800/421-4225 for more information.
 
Non-reportable transactions — Automatic conversions described in the prospectus will be non-reportable for tax purposes. In addition, an exchange of shares from one share class of a fund to another share class of the same fund will be treated as a non-reportable exchange for tax purposes, provided that the exchange request is received in writing by American Funds Service Company and processed as a single transaction. However, a movement between a 529 share class and a non-529 share class of the same fund will be reportable.
 
 
 
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 Sales charges
 
Class A purchases
 
Purchases by certain 403(b) plans
 
A 403(b) plan may not invest in Class A or C shares unless such plan was invested in Class A or C shares before January 1, 2009.
 
Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that were treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that were treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is established on or after January 1, 2009, are treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes.
 
Purchases by SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans
 
Participant accounts in a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan or a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers IRA (SIMPLE IRA) plan will be aggregated together for Class A sales charge purposes if the SEP plan or SIMPLE IRA plan was established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc. In the case where the employer adopts any other plan (including, but not limited to, an IRS model agreement), each participant’s account in the plan will be aggregated with the participant’s own personal investments that qualify under the aggregation policy. A SEP plan or SIMPLE IRA plan with a certain method of aggregating participant accounts as of November 15, 2004, may continue with that method so long as the employer has not modified the plan document since that date.
 
Other purchases
 
Pursuant to a determination of eligibility by a vice president or more senior officer of the Capital Research and Management Company Fund Administration Unit, or by his or her designee, Class A shares of the American Funds stock, stock/bond and bond funds may be sold at net asset value to:
 
(1)
current or retired directors, trustees, officers and advisory board members of, and certain lawyers who provide services to, the funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, current or retired employees of Washington Management Corporation, current or retired employees and partners of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliated companies, certain family members of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons;
   
(2)
currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed by such representatives, retired registered representatives with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their ( a ) spouses or equivalents if recognized under local law,
 
 
 
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( b ) parents and children, including parents and children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and ( c ) parents-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible Persons are listed in the account registration with the parents-in-law) of dealers who have sales agreements with the Principal Underwriter (or who clear transactions through such dealers), plans for the dealers, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses, parents and/or children;
   
(3)
currently registered investment advisers (“RIAs”) and assistants directly employed by such RIAs, retired RIAs with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their ( a ) spouses or equivalents if recognized under local law, ( b ) parents and children, including parents and children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and ( c ) parents-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible Persons are listed in the account registration with the parents-in-law) of RIA firms that are authorized to sell shares of the funds, plans for the RIA firms, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses, parents and/or children;
   
(4)
companies exchanging securities with the fund through a merger, acquisition or exchange offer;
   
(5)
insurance company separate accounts;
   
(6)
accounts managed by subsidiaries of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.;
   
(7)
The Capital Group Companies, Inc., its affiliated companies and Washington Management Corporation;
   
(8)
an individual or entity with a substantial business relationship with The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates, or an individual or entity related or relating to such individual or entity;
   
(9)
wholesalers and full-time employees directly supporting wholesalers involved in the distribution of insurance company separate accounts whose underlying investments are managed by any affiliate of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.; and
   
(10)
full-time employees of banks that have sales agreements with the Principal Underwriter, who are solely dedicated to directly supporting the sale of mutual funds.
 
 
Shares are offered at net asset value to these persons and organizations due to anticipated economies in sales effort and expense. Once an account is established under this net asset value privilege, additional investments can be made at net asset value for the life of the account.
 
 
Transfers to CollegeAmerica — A transfer from the Virginia Prepaid Education Program SM or the Virginia Education Savings Trust SM to a CollegeAmerica account will be made with no sales charge. No commission will be paid to the dealer on such a transfer.
 
 
 
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Moving between accounts — Investments in certain account types may be moved to other account types without incurring additional Class A sales charges. These transactions include, for example:
 
·  
redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a joint tenant account) used to purchase fund shares in an IRA or other individual-type retirement account;
 
·  
required minimum distributions from an IRA or other individual-type retirement account used to purchase fund shares in a non-retirement account; and
 
·  
death distributions paid to a beneficiary’s account that are used by the beneficiary to purchase fund shares in a different account.
 
Loan repayments — Repayments on loans taken from a retirement plan or an individual-type retirement account are not subject to sales charges if American Funds Service Company is notified of the repayment.
 
Dealer commissions and compensation — Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain Class A share purchases not subject to initial sales charges. These purchases consist of purchases of $1 million or more, purchases by employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans investing $1 million or more or with 100 or more eligible employees, and purchases made at net asset value by certain retirement plans, endowments and foundations with assets of $50 million or more. Commissions on such investments (other than IRA rollover assets that roll over at no sales charge under the fund’s IRA rollover policy as described in the prospectus) are paid to dealers at the following rates: 1.00% on amounts of less than $4 million, .50% on amounts of at least $4 million but less than $10 million and .25% on amounts of at least $10 million. Commissions are based on cumulative investments over the life of the account with no adjustment for redemptions, transfers, or market declines. For example, if a shareholder has accumulated investments in excess of $4 million (but less than $10 million) and subsequently redeems all or a portion of the account(s), purchases following the redemption will generate a dealer commission of .50%.
 
A dealer concession of up to 1% may be paid by the fund under its Class A plan of distribution to reimburse the Principal Underwriter in connection with dealer and wholesaler compensation paid by it with respect to investments made with no initial sales charge.
 
 
 
 
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Sales charge reductions and waivers
 
Reducing your Class A sales charge — As described in the prospectus, there are various ways to reduce your sales charge when purchasing Class A shares. Additional information about Class A sales charge reductions is provided below.
 
Statement of intention — By establishing a statement of intention (the “Statement”), you enter into a nonbinding commitment to purchase shares of the American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge (expressed as a percentage of your purchases) as if all shares had been purchased at once, unless the Statement is upgraded as described below.
 
The Statement period starts on the date on which your first purchase made toward satisfying the Statement is processed. Your accumulated holdings (as described in the paragraph below titled “Rights of accumulation”) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the start of the Statement period may be credited toward satisfying the Statement.
 
You may revise the commitment you have made in your Statement upward at any time during the Statement period. If your prior commitment has not been met by the time of the revision, the Statement period during which purchases must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of the revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the revised Statement. If your prior commitment has been met by the time of the revision, your original Statement will be considered met and a new Statement will be established.
 
The Statement will be considered completed if the shareholder dies within the 13-month Statement period. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted or paid on the difference between the Statement amount and the amount actually invested before the shareholder’s death.
 
When a shareholder elects to use a Statement, shares equal to 5% of the dollar amount specified in the Statement may be held in escrow in the shareholder’s account out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases, if necessary) by the Transfer Agent. All dividends and any capital gain distributions on shares held in escrow will be credited to the shareholder’s account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified Statement period, the purchaser may be required to remit to the Principal Underwriter the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at a single time. Any dealers assigned to the shareholder’s account at the time a purchase was made during the Statement period will receive a corresponding commission adjustment if appropriate. If the difference is not paid by the close of the Statement period, the appropriate number of shares held in escrow will be redeemed to pay such difference. If the proceeds from this redemption are inadequate, the purchaser may be liable to the Principal Underwriter for the balance still outstanding.
 
In addition, if you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to apply purchases under such contracts and policies to a Statement.
 
 
 
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Shareholders purchasing shares at a reduced sales charge under a Statement indicate their acceptance of these terms and those in the prospectus with their first purchase.
 
Aggregation — Qualifying investments for aggregation include those made by you and your “immediate family” as defined in the prospectus, if all parties are purchasing shares for their own accounts and/or:
 
·  
individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA, single-participant Keogh-type plan, or a participant account of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales charges” in this statement of additional information);
 
·  
SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting any plan document other than a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc.;
 
·  
business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family (for example, you own the entire business);
 
·  
trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor’s death the trust account may be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts; for trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor’s death the trustees of the trust may instruct American Funds Service Company to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary; each primary beneficiary’s separate trust account may then be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts);
 
·  
endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your immediate family; or
 
·  
529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer plan).
 
 
Individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the investments are:
 
·  
for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;
 
·  
made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act, excluding the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;
 
·  
for a diversified common trust fund or other diversified pooled account not specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund shares;
 
·  
for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any endowments or foundations established and controlled by such organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their endowments, or their foundations;
 
·  
for participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales charges” in this statement of additional information), or made for participant
 
 
 
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accounts of two or more such plans, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act; or
 
·  
for a SEP or SIMPLE IRA plan established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc.
 
Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of an investment dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.
 
Concurrent purchases — As described in the prospectus, you may reduce your Class A sales charge by combining purchases of all classes of shares in the American Funds, as well as applicable holdings in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Portfolio Series and American Funds College Target Date Series. Shares of American Funds Money Market Fund purchased through an exchange, reinvestment or cross-reinvestment from a fund having a sales charge also qualify. However, direct purchases of American Funds Money Market Fund are excluded. If you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to combine purchases made under such contracts and policies to reduce your Class A sales charge.
 
Rights of accumulation — Subject to the limitations described in the aggregation policy, you may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the American Funds, as well as applicable holdings in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Portfolio Series and American Funds College Target Date Series, to determine your sales charge on investments in accounts eligible to be aggregated. Direct purchases of American Funds Money Market Fund are excluded. Subject to your investment dealer’s or recordkeeper’s capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated as the higher of ( a ) the current value of your existing holdings (the “market value”) as of the day prior to your American Funds investment or ( b ) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals (the “cost value”). Depending on the entity on whose books your account is held, the value of your holdings in that account may not be eligible for calculation at cost value. For example, accounts held in nominee or street name may not be eligible for calculation at cost value and instead may be calculated at market value for purposes of rights of accumulation.
 
The value of all of your holdings in accounts established in calendar year 2005 or earlier will be assigned an initial cost value equal to the market value of those holdings as of the last business day of 2005. Thereafter, the cost value of such accounts will increase or decrease according to actual investments or withdrawals. You must contact your financial adviser or American Funds Service Company if you have additional information that is relevant to the calculation of the value of your holdings.
 
When determining your American Funds Class A sales charge, if your investment is not in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may also continue to take into account the market value (as of the day prior to your American Funds investment) of your individual holdings in various American Legacy variable annuity contracts and variable
 
 
 
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life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007. An employer-sponsored retirement plan may also continue to take into account the market value of its investments in American Legacy Retirement Investment Plans that were established on or before March 31, 2007.
 
If you make a gift of American Funds Class A shares, upon your request, you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your American Funds and applicable American Legacy accounts.
 
CDSC waivers for Class A, B and C shares — As noted in the prospectus, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) may be waived for redemptions due to death or post-purchase disability of a shareholder (this generally excludes accounts registered in the names of trusts and other entities). In the case of joint tenant accounts, if one joint tenant dies, a surviving joint tenant, at the time he or she notifies the Transfer Agent of the other joint tenant’s death and removes the decedent’s name from the account, may redeem shares from the account without incurring a CDSC. Redemptions made after the Transfer Agent is notified of the death of a joint tenant will be subject to a CDSC.
 
In addition, a CDSC may be waived for the following types of transactions, if together they do not exceed 12% of the value of an “account” (defined below) annually (the “12% limit”):
 
·  
Required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts upon the shareholder’s attainment of age 70½ (required minimum distributions that continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account owner is deceased also qualify for a waiver).
 
·  
Redemptions through an automatic withdrawal plan (“AWP”) (see “Automatic withdrawals” under “Shareholder account services and privileges” in this statement of additional information). For each AWP payment, assets that are not subject to a CDSC, such as shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions, will be redeemed first and will count toward the 12% limit. If there is an insufficient amount of assets not subject to a CDSC to cover a particular AWP payment, shares subject to the lowest CDSC will be redeemed next until the 12% limit is reached. Any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash by a shareholder who receives payments through an AWP will also count toward the 12% limit. In the case of an AWP, the 12% limit is calculated at the time an automatic redemption is first made, and is recalculated at the time each additional automatic redemption is made. Shareholders who establish an AWP should be aware that the amount of a payment not subject to a CDSC may vary over time depending on fluctuations in the value of their accounts. This privilege may be revised or terminated at any time.
 
For purposes of this paragraph, “account” means your investment in the applicable class of shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.
 
CDSC waivers are allowed only in the cases listed here and in the prospectus. For example, CDSC waivers will not be allowed on redemptions of Class 529-B and 529-C shares due to termination of CollegeAmerica; a determination by the Internal Revenue Service that CollegeAmerica does not qualify as a qualified tuition program under the Code; proposal or enactment of law that eliminates or limits the tax-favored status of CollegeAmerica; or elimination of the fund by the Virginia College Savings Plan as an option for additional investment within CollegeAmerica.

 
 
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 Selling shares
 
The methods for selling (redeeming) shares are described more fully in the prospectus. If you wish to sell your shares by contacting American Funds Service Company directly, any such request must be signed by the registered shareholders. To contact American Funds Service Company via overnight mail or courier service, see “Purchase and exchange of shares.”
 
A signature guarantee may be required for certain redemptions. In such an event, your signature may be guaranteed by a domestic stock exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, bank, savings association or credit union that is an eligible guarantor institution. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to require a signature guarantee on any redemptions.
 
Additional documentation may be required for sales of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary accounts. You must include with your written request any shares you wish to sell that are in certificate form.
 
If you sell Class A, B or C shares and request a specific dollar amount to be sold, we will sell sufficient shares so that the sale proceeds, after deducting any applicable CDSC, equals the dollar amount requested.
 
If you hold multiple American Funds and a CDSC applies to the shares you are redeeming, the CDSC will be calculated based on the applicable class of shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.
 
Redemption proceeds will not be mailed until sufficient time has passed to provide reasonable assurance that checks or drafts (including certified or cashier’s checks) for shares purchased have cleared (which may take up to 10 business days from the purchase date). Except for delays relating to clearance of checks for share purchases or in extraordinary circumstances (and as permissible under the 1940 Act), sale proceeds will be paid on or before the seventh day following receipt and acceptance of an order. Interest will not accrue or be paid on amounts that represent uncashed distribution or redemption checks.
 
You may request that redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more from American Funds Money Market Fund be wired to your bank by writing American Funds Service Company. A signature guarantee is required on all requests to wire funds.

 
 
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Shareholder account services and privileges
 
The following services and privileges are generally available to all shareholders. However, certain services and privileges described in the prospectus and this statement of additional information may not be available for Class 529 shareholders or if your account is held with an investment dealer or through an employer-sponsored retirement plan.
 
Automatic investment plan — An automatic investment plan enables you to make monthly or quarterly investments in the American Funds through automatic debits from your bank account. To set up a plan, you must fill out an account application and specify the amount that you would like to invest and the date on which you would like your investments to occur. The plan will begin within 30 days after your account application is received. Your bank account will be debited on the day or a few days before your investment is made, depending on the bank’s capabilities. The Transfer Agent will then invest your money into the fund you specified on or around the date you specified. If the date you specified falls on a weekend or holiday, your money will be invested on the following business day. However, if the following business day falls in the next month, your money will be invested on the business day immediately preceding the weekend or holiday. If your bank account cannot be debited due to insufficient funds, a stop-payment or the closing of the account, the plan may be terminated and the related investment reversed. You may change the amount of the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by contacting the Transfer Agent.
 
Automatic reinvestment — Dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested in additional shares of the same class and fund at net asset value unless you indicate otherwise on the account application. You also may elect to have dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid in cash by informing the fund, the Transfer Agent or your investment dealer. Dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan shareholders or shareholders of the 529 share classes will be automatically reinvested.
 
If you have elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash, and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to your address of record, or you do not respond to mailings from American Funds Service Company with regard to uncashed distribution checks, your distribution option may be automatically converted to having all dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares.
 
Cross-reinvestment of dividends and distributions — For all share classes, except the 529 classes of shares, you may cross-reinvest dividends and capital gains (distributions) into other American Funds in the same share class at net asset value, subject to the following conditions:
 
(1) the aggregate value of your account(s) in the fund(s) paying distributions equals or exceeds $5,000 (this is waived if the value of the account in the fund receiving the distributions equals or exceeds that fund’s minimum initial investment requirement);
 
(2) if the value of the account of the fund receiving distributions is below the minimum initial investment requirement, distributions must be automatically reinvested; and
 
(3) if you discontinue the cross-reinvestment of distributions, the value of the account of the fund receiving distributions must equal or exceed the minimum initial investment requirement. If you do not meet this requirement within 90 days of notification, the fund has the right to automatically redeem the account.
 
 
 
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Automatic exchanges — For all share classes, you may automatically exchange shares of the same class in amounts of $50 or more among any of the American Funds on any day (or preceding business day if the day falls on a nonbusiness day) of each month you designate.
 
Automatic withdrawals — Depending on the type of account, for all share classes except R shares, you may automatically withdraw shares from any of the American Funds. You can make automatic withdrawals of $50 or more. You can designate the day of each period for withdrawals and request that checks be sent to you or someone else. Withdrawals may also be electronically deposited to your bank account. The Transfer Agent will withdraw your money from the fund you specify on or around the date you specify. If the date you specified falls on a weekend or holiday, the redemption will take place on the previous business day. However, if the previous business day falls in the preceding month, the redemption will take place on the following business day after the weekend or holiday. You should consult with your adviser or intermediary to determine if your account is eligible for automatic withdrawals.
 
Withdrawal payments are not to be considered as dividends, yield or income. Generally, automatic investments may not be made into a shareholder account from which there are automatic withdrawals. Withdrawals of amounts exceeding reinvested dividends and distributions and increases in share value would reduce the aggregate value of the shareholder’s account. The Transfer Agent arranges for the redemption by the fund of sufficient shares, deposited by the shareholder with the Transfer Agent, to provide the withdrawal payment specified.
 
Redemption proceeds from an automatic withdrawal plan are not eligible for reinvestment without a sales charge.
 
Account statements — Your account is opened in accordance with your registration instructions. Transactions in the account, such as additional investments, will be reflected on regular confirmation statements from the Transfer Agent. Dividend and capital gain reinvestments, purchases through automatic investment plans and certain retirement plans, as well as automatic exchanges and withdrawals, will be confirmed at least quarterly.
 
American FundsLine and americanfunds.com — You may check your share balance, the price of your shares or your most recent account transaction; redeem shares (up to $125,000 per American Funds shareholder each day) from nonretirement plan accounts; or exchange shares around the clock with American FundsLine or using americanfunds.com. To use American FundsLine, call 800/325-3590 from a TouchTone™ telephone. Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLine and americanfunds.com are subject to the conditions noted above and in “Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges” below. You will need your fund number (see the list of the American Funds under “General information — fund numbers”), personal identification number (generally the last four digits of your Social Security number or other tax identification number associated with your account) and account number.
 
Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these services. However, if you are not currently authorized to do so, you may complete an American FundsLink Authorization Form. Once you establish this privilege, you, your financial adviser or any person with your account information may use these services.
 
Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges — By using the telephone (including American FundsLine) or the Internet (including americanfunds.com), or fax purchase,
 
 
 
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redemption and/or exchange options, you agree to hold the fund, the Transfer Agent, any of its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges. Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these services. However, you may elect to opt out of these services by writing the Transfer Agent (you may also reinstate them at any time by writing the Transfer Agent). If the Transfer Agent does not employ reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine, it and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. In the event that shareholders are unable to reach the fund by telephone because of technical difficulties, market conditions or a natural disaster, redemption and exchange requests may be made in writing only.
 
Checkwriting — You may establish check writing privileges for Class A shares (but not Class 529-A shares) of American Funds Money Market Fund upon meeting the fund’s initial purchase minimum of $1,000. This can be done by using an account application. If you request check writing privileges, you will be provided with checks that you may use to draw against your account. These checks may be made payable to anyone you designate and must be signed by the authorized number of registered shareholders exactly as indicated on your account application.
 
Redemption of shares — The fund’s declaration of trust permits the fund to direct the Transfer Agent to redeem the shares of any shareholder for their then current net asset value per share if at such time the shareholder of record owns shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than the minimum initial investment amount required of new shareholders as set forth in the fund’s current registration statement under the 1940 Act, and subject to such further terms and conditions as the board of trustees of the fund may from time to time adopt.
 
While payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund’s declaration of trust permits payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of trustees. For example, redemptions could be made in this manner if the board determined that making payments wholly in cash over a particular period would be unfair and/or harmful to other fund shareholders.
 
Share certificates — Shares are credited to your account. The fund does not issue share certificates.
 
 
 
 
Page 67

 
 
 General information
 
Custodian of assets — Securities and cash owned by the fund, including proceeds from the sale of shares of the fund and of securities in the fund’s portfolio, are held by JP Morgan Chase Bank NA, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070, as Custodian. If the fund holds securities of issuers outside the U.S., the Custodian may hold these securities pursuant to subcustodial arrangements in banks outside the U.S. or branches of U.S. banks outside the U.S.
 
Transfer agent services — American Funds Service Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the investment adviser, maintains the records of shareholder accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the fund’s shares, acts as dividend and capital gain distribution disbursing agent, and performs other related shareholder service functions. The principal office of American Funds Service Company is located at 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618. Transfer agent fees are paid according to a fee schedule, based principally on the number of accounts serviced, contained in a Shareholder Services Agreement between the fund and American Funds Service Company.
 
Prior to January 1, 2012, only Class A and B shares were subject to the Shareholder Services Agreement. American Funds Service Company was compensated for certain transfer agency services provided to other share classes from the administrative services fees paid to the investment adviser and from the relevant share class, as described under “Administrative services.”
 
In the case of certain shareholder accounts, third parties who may be unaffiliated with the investment adviser provide transfer agency and shareholder services in place of American Funds Service Company. These services are rendered under agreements with American Funds Service Company or its affiliates and the third parties receive compensation according to such agreements. Compensation for transfer agency and shareholder services, whether paid to American Funds Service Company or such third parties, is ultimately paid from fund assets and is reflected in the expenses of the fund as disclosed in the prospectus.
 
During the 2012 fiscal year, transfer agent fees, gross of any payments made by American Funds Service Company to third parties were:
 
 
 
Transfer agent fee
 
Class A
 
$3,007,000
 
 
Class B
 
43,000
 
 
Class C
 
179,000
 
 
Class F-1
 
142,000
 
 
Class F-2
 
153,000
 
 
Class 529-A
 
164,000
 
 
Class 529-B
 
5,000
 
 
Class 529-C
 
49,000
 
 
Class 529-E
 
8,000
 
 
Class 529-F-1
 
22,000
 
 
 
 
Page 68

 
 
 
 
 
Transfer agent fee
 
Class R-1
 
5,000
 
 
Class R-2
 
113,000
 
 
Class R-3
 
72,000
 
 
Class R-4
 
14,000
 
 
Class R-5
 
7,000
 
 
Class R-6
 
1,000
 

 
Independent registered public accounting firm — PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 350 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90071, serves as the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, providing audit services, preparation of tax returns and review of certain documents to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements included in this statement of additional information from the annual report have been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The selection of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is reviewed and determined annually by the board of trustees.
 
Independent legal counsel — Bingham McCutchen LLP, 355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400, Los Angeles, CA 90071, serves as independent legal counsel (“counsel”) for the fund and for independent trustees in their capacities as such. A determination with respect to the independence of the fund’s counsel will be made at least annually by the independent trustees of the fund, as prescribed by the 1940 Act and related rules.
 
Prospectuses, reports to shareholders and proxy statements — The fund’s fiscal year ends on August 31. Shareholders are provided updated summary prospectuses annually and at least semi-annually with reports showing the fund’s investment portfolio or summary investment portfolio, financial statements and other information. Shareholders may request a copy of the fund’s current prospectus at no cost by calling 800/421-4225 or by sending an email request to prospectus@americanfunds.com. Shareholders may also access the fund’s current summary prospectus, prospectus, statement of additional information and shareholder reports at americanfunds.com/prospectus. The fund’s annual financial statements are audited by the fund's independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. In addition, shareholders may also receive proxy statements for the fund. In an effort to reduce the volume of mail shareholders receive from the fund when a household owns more than one account, the Transfer Agent has taken steps to eliminate duplicate mailings of summary prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements. To receive additional copies of a summary prospectus, report or proxy statement, shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent.
 
Shareholders may also elect to receive updated summary prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports electronically by signing up for electronic delivery on our website, americanfunds.com. Upon electing the electronic delivery of updated summary prospectuses and other reports, a shareholder will no longer automatically receive such documents in paper form by mail. A shareholder who elects electronic delivery is able to cancel this service at any time and return to receiving updated summary prospectuses and other reports in paper form by mail.
 
 
 
Page 69

 
 
Summary prospectuses, prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports that are mailed to shareholders by the American Funds organization are printed with ink containing soy and/or vegetable oil on paper containing recycled fibers.
 
Codes of ethics — The fund and Capital Research and Management Company and its affiliated companies, including the fund’s Principal Underwriter, have adopted codes of ethics that allow for personal investments, including securities in which the fund may invest from time to time. These codes include a ban on acquisitions of securities pursuant to an initial public offering; restrictions on acquisitions of private placement securities; preclearance and reporting requirements; review of duplicate confirmation statements; annual recertification of compliance with codes of ethics; blackout periods on personal investing for certain investment personnel; ban on short-term trading profits for investment personnel; limitations on service as a director of publicly traded companies; disclosure of personal securities transactions; and policies regarding political contributions.
 
 
 
 
Page 70

 
 
Determination of net asset value, redemption price and maximum offering price per share for Class A shares — August 31, 2012
 
 
Net asset value and redemption price per share
(Net assets divided by shares outstanding)
 
 
$10.10
 
Maximum offering price per share
(100/97.50 of net asset value per share,
which takes into account the fund’s current maximum
sales charge)
 
 
$10.36
 
Other information — The fund reserves the right to modify the privileges described in this statement of additional information at any time.
 
The financial statements, including the investment portfolio and the report of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm contained in the annual report, are included in this statement of additional information.
 
 
 
 
Page 71

 
 
Fund numbers — Here are the fund numbers for use with our automated telephone line, American FundsLine ® , or when making share transactions:
 
 
 
Fund numbers
 
Fund
 
Class A
 
 
Class B
 
 
Class C
 
 
Class F-1
 
 
Class F-2
   
 
Stock and stock/bond funds
                     
 
AMCAP Fund ®
 
002
 
 
202
 
 
302
 
 
402
 
 
602
   
 
American Balanced Fund ®
 
011
 
 
211
 
 
311
 
 
411
 
 
611
   
 
American Funds Global Balanced Fund SM
 
037
 
 
237
 
 
337
 
 
437
 
 
637
   
 
American Mutual Fund ®
 
003
 
 
203
 
 
303
 
 
403
 
 
603
   
 
Capital Income Builder ®
 
012
 
 
212
 
 
312
 
 
412
 
 
612
   
 
Capital World Growth and Income Fund ®
 
033
 
 
233
 
 
333
 
 
433
 
 
633
   
 
EuroPacific Growth Fund ®
 
016
 
 
216
 
 
316
 
 
416
 
 
616
   
 
Fundamental Investors SM
 
010
 
 
210
 
 
310
 
 
410
 
 
610
   
 
The Growth Fund of America ®
 
005
 
 
205
 
 
305
 
 
405
 
 
605
   
 
The Income Fund of America ®
 
006
 
 
206
 
 
306
 
 
406
 
 
606
   
 
International Growth and Income Fund SM
 
034
 
 
234
 
 
334
 
 
434
 
 
634
   
 
The Investment Company of America ®
 
004
 
 
204
 
 
304
 
 
404
 
 
604
   
 
The New Economy Fund ®
 
014
 
 
214
 
 
314
 
 
414
 
 
614
   
 
New Perspective Fund ®
 
007
 
 
207
 
 
307
 
 
407
 
 
607
   
 
New World Fund ®
 
036
 
 
236
 
 
336
 
 
436
 
 
636
   
 
SMALLCAP World Fund ®
 
035
 
 
235
 
 
335
 
 
435
 
 
635
   
 
Washington Mutual Investors Fund SM
 
001
 
 
201
 
 
301
 
 
401
 
 
601
   
 
Bond funds
                     
 
American Funds Mortgage Fund ®
 
042
 
 
242
 
 
342
 
 
442
 
 
642
   
 
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund ®
 
039
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
439
 
 
639
   
 
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of
New York ®
 
041
 
 
241
 
 
341
 
 
441
 
 
641
   
 
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund ®
 
040
 
 
240
 
 
340
 
 
440
 
 
640
   
 
American High-Income Trust ®
 
021
 
 
221
 
 
321
 
 
421
 
 
621
   
 
The Bond Fund of America ®
 
008
 
 
208
 
 
308
 
 
408
 
 
608
   
 
Capital World Bond Fund ®
 
031
 
 
231
 
 
331
 
 
431
 
 
631
   
 
Intermediate Bond Fund of America ®
 
023
 
 
223
 
 
323
 
 
423
 
 
623
   
 
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
of America ®
 
043
 
 
243
 
 
343
 
 
443
 
 
643
   
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of America ®
 
048
 
 
248
 
 
348
 
 
448
 
 
648
   
 
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America ®
 
019
 
 
219
 
 
319
 
 
419
 
 
619
   
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California ® *
 
020
 
 
220
 
 
320
 
 
420
 
 
620
   
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland ® *
 
024
 
 
224
 
 
324
 
 
424
 
 
624
   
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia ® *
 
025
 
 
225
 
 
325
 
 
425
 
 
625
   
 
U.S. Government Securities Fund ®
 
022
 
 
222
 
 
322
 
 
422
 
 
622
   
 
Money market fund
                     
 
American Funds Money Market Fund ®
 
059
 
 
259
 
 
359
 
 
459
 
 
659
   
 
___________
 
 
*Qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions.
 

 
Page 72

 
 
 
 
Fund numbers
 
Fund
 
Class
529-A
 
 
Class
529-B
 
 
Class
529-C
 
 
Class
529-E
 
 
Class
529-F-1
   
 
Stock and stock/bond funds
                     
 
AMCAP Fund
 
1002
 
 
1202
 
 
1302
 
 
1502
 
 
1402
   
 
American Balanced Fund
 
1011
 
 
1211
 
 
1311
 
 
1511
 
 
1411
   
 
American Funds Global Balanced Fund
 
1037
 
 
1237
 
 
1337
 
 
1537
 
 
1437
   
 
American Mutual Fund
 
1003
 
 
1203
 
 
1303
 
 
1503
 
 
1403
   
 
Capital Income Builder
 
1012
 
 
1212
 
 
1312
 
 
1512
 
 
1412
   
 
Capital World Growth and Income Fund
 
1033
 
 
1233
 
 
1333
 
 
1533
 
 
1433
   
 
EuroPacific Growth Fund
 
1016
 
 
1216
 
 
1316
 
 
1516
 
 
1416
   
 
Fundamental Investors
 
1010
 
 
1210
 
 
1310
 
 
1510
 
 
1410
   
 
The Growth Fund of America
 
1005
 
 
1205
 
 
1305
 
 
1505
 
 
1405
   
 
The Income Fund of America
 
1006
 
 
1206
 
 
1306
 
 
1506
 
 
1406
   
 
International Growth and Income Fund
 
1034
 
 
1234
 
 
1334
 
 
1534
 
 
1434
   
 
The Investment Company of America
 
1004
 
 
1204
 
 
1304
 
 
1504
 
 
1404
   
 
The New Economy Fund
 
1014
 
 
1214
 
 
1314
 
 
1514
 
 
1414
   
 
New Perspective Fund
 
1007
 
 
1207
 
 
1307
 
 
1507
 
 
1407
   
 
New World Fund
 
1036
 
 
1236
 
 
1336
 
 
1536
 
 
1436
   
 
SMALLCAP World Fund
 
1035
 
 
1235
 
 
1335
 
 
1535
 
 
1435
   
 
Washington Mutual Investors Fund
 
1001
 
 
1201
 
 
1301
 
 
1501
 
 
1401
   
 
Bond funds
                     
 
American Funds Mortgage Fund
 
1042
 
 
1242
 
 
1342
 
 
1542
 
 
1442
   
 
American High-Income Trust
 
1021
 
 
1221
 
 
1321
 
 
1521
 
 
1421
   
 
The Bond Fund of America
 
1008
 
 
1208
 
 
1308
 
 
1508
 
 
1408
   
 
Capital World Bond Fund
 
1031
 
 
1231
 
 
1331
 
 
1531
 
 
1431
   
 
Intermediate Bond Fund of America
 
1023
 
 
1223
 
 
1323
 
 
1523
 
 
1423
   
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of America
 
1048
 
 
1248
 
 
1348
 
 
1548
 
 
1448
   
 
U.S. Government Securities Fund
 
1022
 
 
1222
 
 
1322
 
 
1522
 
 
1422
   
 
Money market fund
                     
 
American Funds Money Market Fund
 
1059
 
 
1259
 
 
1359
 
 
1559
 
 
1459
   
 
 
 
Page 73

 

 
 
 
Fund numbers
 
Fund
 
Class
R-1
 
 
Class
R-2
 
 
Class
R-3
 
 
Class
R-4
 
 
Class
R-5
 
 
Class
R-6
 
 
Stock and stock/bond funds
                       
 
AMCAP Fund
 
2102
 
 
2202
 
 
2302
 
 
2402
 
 
2502
 
 
2602
 
 
American Balanced Fund
 
2111
 
 
2211
 
 
2311
 
 
2411
 
 
2511
 
 
2611
 
 
American Funds Global Balanced Fund
 
2137
 
 
2237
 
 
2337
 
 
2437
 
 
2537
 
 
2637
 
 
American Mutual Fund
 
2103
 
 
2203
 
 
2303
 
 
2403
 
 
2503
 
 
2603
 
 
Capital Income Builder
 
2112
 
 
2212
 
 
2312
 
 
2412
 
 
2512
 
 
2612
 
 
Capital World Growth and Income Fund
 
2133
 
 
2233
 
 
2333
 
 
2433
 
 
2533
 
 
2633
 
 
EuroPacific Growth Fund
 
2116
 
 
2216
 
 
2316
 
 
2416
 
 
2516
 
 
2616
 
 
Fundamental Investors
 
2110
 
 
2210
 
 
2310
 
 
2410
 
 
2510
 
 
2610
 
 
The Growth Fund of America
 
2105
 
 
2205
 
 
2305
 
 
2405
 
 
2505
 
 
2605
 
 
The Income Fund of America
 
2106
 
 
2206
 
 
2306
 
 
2406
 
 
2506
 
 
2606
 
 
International Growth and Income Fund
 
2134
 
 
2234
 
 
2334
 
 
2434
 
 
2534
 
 
2634
 
 
The Investment Company of America
 
2104
 
 
2204
 
 
2304
 
 
2404
 
 
2504
 
 
2604
 
 
The New Economy Fund
 
2114
 
 
2214
 
 
2314
 
 
2414
 
 
2514
 
 
2614
 
 
New Perspective Fund
 
2107
 
 
2207
 
 
2307
 
 
2407
 
 
2507
 
 
2607
 
 
New World Fund
 
2136
 
 
2236
 
 
2336
 
 
2436
 
 
2536
 
 
2636
 
 
SMALLCAP World Fund
 
2135
 
 
2235
 
 
2335
 
 
2435
 
 
2535
 
 
2635
 
 
Washington Mutual Investors Fund
 
2101
 
 
2201
 
 
2301
 
 
2401
 
 
2501
 
 
2601
 
 
Bond funds
                       
 
American Funds Mortgage Fund
 
2142
 
 
2242
 
 
2342
 
 
2442
 
 
2542
 
 
2642
 
 
American High-Income Trust
 
2121
 
 
2221
 
 
2321
 
 
2421
 
 
2521
 
 
2621
 
 
The Bond Fund of America
 
2108
 
 
2208
 
 
2308
 
 
2408
 
 
2508
 
 
2608
 
 
Capital World Bond Fund
 
2131
 
 
2231
 
 
2331
 
 
2431
 
 
2531
 
 
2631
 
 
Intermediate Bond Fund of America
 
2123
 
 
2223
 
 
2323
 
 
2423
 
 
2523
 
 
2623
 
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of America
 
2148
 
 
2248
 
 
2348
 
 
2448
 
 
2548
 
 
2648
 
 
U.S. Government Securities Fund
 
2122
 
 
2222
 
 
2322
 
 
2422
 
 
2522
 
 
2622
 
 
Money market fund
                       
 
American Funds Money Market Fund
 
2159
 
 
2259
 
 
2359
 
 
2459
 
 
2559
 
 
2659
 
 
 
 
Page 74

 

 
 
 
Fund numbers
 
Fund
 
Class A
 
Class
R-1
 
 
Class
R-2
 
 
Class
R-3
 
 
Class
R-4
 
 
Class
R-5
 
 
Class
R-6
 
 
American Funds Target Date
Retirement Series ®
 
American Funds 2055 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
082
 
2182
 
 
2282
 
 
2382
 
 
2482
 
 
2582
 
 
2682
 
 
American Funds 2050 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
069
 
2169
 
 
2269
 
 
2369
 
 
2469
 
 
2569
 
 
2669
 
 
American Funds 2045 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
068
 
2168
 
 
2268
 
 
2368
 
 
2468
 
 
2568
 
 
2668
 
 
American Funds 2040 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
067
 
2167
 
 
2267
 
 
2367
 
 
2467
 
 
2567
 
 
2667
 
 
American Funds 2035 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
066
 
2166
 
 
2266
 
 
2366
 
 
2466
 
 
2566
 
 
2666
 
 
American Funds 2030 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
065
 
2165
 
 
2265
 
 
2365
 
 
2465
 
 
2565
 
 
2665
 
 
American Funds 2025 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
064
 
2164
 
 
2264
 
 
2364
 
 
2464
 
 
2564
 
 
2664
 
 
American Funds 2020 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
063
 
2163
 
 
2263
 
 
2363
 
 
2463
 
 
2563
 
 
2663
 
 
American Funds 2015 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
062
 
2162
 
 
2262
 
 
2362
 
 
2462
 
 
2562
 
 
2662
 
 
American Funds 2010 Target Date
Retirement Fund ®
 
061
 
2161
 
 
2261
 
 
2361
 
 
2461
 
 
2561
 
 
2661
 




 
 
Fund numbers
 
 
Fund
 
Class
529-A
 
 
Class
529-B
 
 
Class
529-C
 
 
Class
529-E
 
 
Class
529-F-1
   
 
American Funds College Target Date Series SM
                     
 
American Funds College 2030 Fund SM
 
1094
 
 
1294
 
 
1394
 
 
1594
 
 
1494
   
 
American Funds College 2027 Fund SM
 
1093
 
 
1293
 
 
1393
 
 
1593
 
 
1493
   
 
American Funds College 2024 Fund SM
 
1092
 
 
1292
 
 
1392
 
 
1592
 
 
1492
   
 
American Funds College 2021 Fund SM
 
1091
 
 
1291
 
 
1391
 
 
1591
 
 
1491
   
 
American Funds College 2018 Fund SM
 
1090
 
 
1290
 
 
1390
 
 
1590
 
 
1490
   
 
American Funds College 2015 Fund SM
 
1089
 
 
1289
 
 
1389
 
 
1589
 
 
1489
   
 
American Funds College Enrollment Fund SM
 
1088
 
 
1288
 
 
1388
 
 
1588
 
 
1488
   
 

 
 
Page 75

 

 
 
Fund numbers
 
 
Fund
 
Class A
 
 
Class B
 
 
Class C
 
 
Class F-1
 
 
Class F-2
   
 
American Funds Portfolio Series SM
                     
 
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio SM
 
055
 
 
255
 
 
355
 
 
455
 
 
655
   
 
American Funds Growth Portfolio SM
 
053
 
 
253
 
 
353
 
 
453
 
 
653
   
 
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio SM
 
051
 
 
251
 
 
351
 
 
451
 
 
651
   
 
American Funds Balanced Portfolio SM
 
050
 
 
250
 
 
350
 
 
450
 
 
650
   
 
American Funds Income Portfolio SM
 
047
 
 
247
 
 
347
 
 
447
 
 
647
   
 
American Funds Tax-Advantaged
Income Portfolio SM
 
046
 
 
246
 
 
346
 
 
446
 
 
646
   
 
American Funds Preservation Portfolio SM
 
045
 
 
245
 
 
345
 
 
445
 
 
645
   
 
American Funds Tax-Exempt
Preservation Portfolio SM
 
044
 
 
244
 
 
344
 
 
444
 
 
644
   

 
 
Class
529-A
 
 
Class
529-B
 
 
Class
529-C
 
 
Class
529-E
 
 
Class
529-F-1
   
 
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio
 
1055
 
 
1255
 
 
1355
 
 
1555
 
 
1455
   
 
American Funds Growth Portfolio
 
1053
 
 
1253
 
 
1353
 
 
1553
 
 
1453
   
 
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio
 
1051
 
 
1251
 
 
1351
 
 
1551
 
 
1451
   
 
American Funds Balanced Portfolio
 
1050
 
 
1250
 
 
1350
 
 
1550
 
 
1450
   
 
American Funds Income Portfolio
 
1047
 
 
1247
 
 
1347
 
 
1547
 
 
1447
   
 
American Funds Tax-Advantaged
Income Portfolio
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
   
 
American Funds Preservation Portfolio
 
1045
 
 
1245
 
 
1345
 
 
1545
 
 
1445
   
 
American Funds Tax-Exempt
Preservation Portfolio
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
   

 
 
Class
R-1
 
 
Class
R-2
 
 
Class
R-3
 
 
Class
R-4
 
 
Class
R-5
 
 
Class
R-6
 
 
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio
 
2155
 
 
2255
 
 
2355
 
 
2455
 
 
2555
 
 
2655
 
 
American Funds Growth Portfolio
 
2153
 
 
2253
 
 
2353
 
 
2453
 
 
2553
 
 
2653
 
 
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio
 
2151
 
 
2251
 
 
2351
 
 
2451
 
 
2551
 
 
2651
 
 
American Funds Balanced Portfolio
 
2150
 
 
2250
 
 
2350
 
 
2450
 
 
2550
 
 
2650
 
 
American Funds Income Portfolio
 
2147
 
 
2247
 
 
2347
 
 
2447
 
 
2547
 
 
2647
 
 
American Funds Tax-Advantaged
Income Portfolio
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
American Funds Preservation Portfolio
 
2145
 
 
2245
 
 
2345
 
 
2445
 
 
2545
 
 
2645
 
 
American Funds Tax-Exempt
Preservation Portfolio
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 
 
N/A
 

 
 
 
Page 76

 
 
Appendix
 
The following descriptions of debt security ratings are based on information provided by Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Fitch Ratings, Inc.
 
Description of bond ratings
 
Moody’s
Long-term rating definitions
 
Aaa
 
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
 
Aa
 
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
 
A
 
Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
 
Baa
 
Obligations rated Baa are subject to moderate credit risk. They are considered medium-grade and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.
 
Ba
 
Obligations rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
 
B
 
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.
 
Caa
 
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.
 
Ca
 
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.
 
C
 
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
 
Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
 
 
 
 
Page 77

 
 
Standard & Poor’s
Long-term issue credit ratings
 
AAA
 
An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.
 
AA
 
An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.
 
A
 
An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.
 
BBB
 
An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
 
BB, B, CCC, CC, and C
Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.
 
BB
 
An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
 
B
 
An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
 
CCC
 
An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
 
CC
 
An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment.
 
 
 
Page 78

 
 
C
 
A C rating is assigned to obligations that are currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, obligations that have payment arrearages allowed by the terms of the documents, or obligations of an issuer that is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or similar action which have not experienced a payment default. Among others, the C rating may be assigned to subordinated debt, preferred stock or other obligations on which cash payments have been suspended in accordance with the instrument’s terms or when preferred stock is the subject of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.
 
D
 
An obligation rated D is in payment default. The D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due even if the applicable grace period has not expired, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made during such grace period. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of a similar action if payments on an obligation are jeopardized. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D upon completion of a distressed exchange offer, whereby some or all of the issue is either repurchased for an amount of cash or replaced by other instruments having a total value that is less than par.
 
Plus (+) or minus (–)
The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
 
NR
This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.
 
 
 
 
Page 79

 
 
Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Long-term credit ratings
 
AAA
 
Highest credit quality. ‘AAA’ ratings denote the lowest expectation of credit risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
 
AA
 
Very high credit quality. ‘AA’ ratings denote expectations of very low credit risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
 
A
 
High credit quality. ‘A’ ratings denote expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
 
BBB
 
Good credit quality. ‘BBB’ ratings indicate that there is currently expectations of low credit risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity. This is the lowest investment grade category.
 
BB
 
Speculative. ‘BB’ ratings indicate that there is a possibility of credit risk developing, particularly as the result of adverse economic change over time; however, business or financial alternatives may be available to allow financial commitments to be met. Securities rated in this category are not investment grade.
 
B
 
Highly speculative.
 
·  
For issuers and performing obligations, ‘B’ ratings indicate that significant credit risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is contingent upon a sustained, favorable business and economic environment.
 
·  
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for extremely high recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R1’ (outstanding).
 
CCC
 
·  
For issuers and performing obligations, default is a real possibility. Capacity for meeting financial commitments is solely reliant upon sustained, favorable business or economic conditions.
 
·  
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for average to superior levels of recovery. Differences in credit quality
 
 
 
Page 80

 
 
 
may be denoted by plus/minus distinctions. Such obligations typically would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R2’ (superior), or ‘R3’ (good) or ‘R4’ (average).
 
CC
 
·  
For issuers and performing obligations, default of some kind appears probable.
 
·  
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with a Recovery Rating of ‘R4’ (average) or ‘R5’ (below average).
 
C
 
·  
For issuers and performing obligations, default is imminent.
 
·  
For individual obligations, may indicate distressed or defaulted obligations with potential for below-average to poor recoveries. Such obligations would possess a Recovery Rating of ‘R6’ (poor).
 
RD
 
Indicates an entity that has failed to make due payments (within the applicable grace period) on some but not all material financial obligations, but continues to honor other classes of obligations.
 
D
 
Indicates an entity or sovereign that has defaulted on all of its financial obligations. Default generally is defined as one of the following:
 
·  
failure to make payment of principal and/or interest under the contractual terms of the rated obligation;
 
·  
the bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other winding-up or cessation of the business of an issuer/obligor; or
 
·  
the distressed exchange of an obligation, where creditors were offered securities with diminished structural or economic terms compared with the existing obligation to avoid an imminent or inevitable default.
 
The modifiers “+” or “–” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the ‘AAA’ Long-term rating category, or categories below ‘B’.
 
 
 
 
Page 81

 
 
Description of commercial paper ratings
 
Moody’s
Commercial paper ratings (highest three ratings)
 
P-1
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
 
P-2
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
 
P-3
Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.
 
Standard & Poor’s
Commercial paper ratings (highest three ratings)
 
A-1
A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.
 
A-2
A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.
 
A-3
A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.
 
 
 
 
Page 82

 
 
 
 
[logo – American Funds®]
 
 
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of America ®
Investment portfolio
 
August 31, 2012
 
Bonds & notes — 88.94%
 
Principal amount (000)
   
Value
(000)
 
             
BONDS & NOTES OF U.S. GOVERNMENT & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES — 43.85%
           
U.S. Treasury 1.125% 2012
  $ 25,000     $ 25,069  
U.S. Treasury 4.25% 2012
    54,835       54,993  
U.S. Treasury 0.375% 2013
    20,925       20,960  
U.S. Treasury 0.75% 2013
    35,000       35,120  
U.S. Treasury 1.375% 2013
    65,000       65,421  
U.S. Treasury 1.375% 2013
    45,000       45,203  
U.S. Treasury 1.375% 2013
    31,832       32,007  
U.S. Treasury 1.50% 2013
    56,250       57,211  
U.S. Treasury 1.75% 2013
    50,000       50,486  
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2013 1
    82,592       85,078  
U.S. Treasury 3.125% 2013
    80,000       82,510  
U.S. Treasury 3.375% 2013
    93,750       96,460  
U.S. Treasury 3.375% 2013
    30,000       30,785  
U.S. Treasury 3.875% 2013
    50,000       50,834  
U.S. Treasury 1.75% 2014
    15,000       15,360  
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2014
    44,250       45,460  
U.S. Treasury 1.875% 2014
    40,000       40,988  
U.S. Treasury 2.25% 2014
    25,000       25,879  
U.S. Treasury 2.375% 2014
    25,000       26,114  
U.S. Treasury 2.625% 2014
    20,000       21,125  
U.S. Treasury 4.25% 2014
    25,000       27,214  
U.S. Treasury 1.25% 2015
    25,000       25,722  
U.S. Treasury 2.50% 2015
    5,000       5,297  
U.S. Treasury 4.00% 2015
    7,500       8,189  
U.S. Treasury 4.125% 2015
    15,000       16,549  
U.S. Treasury 1.00% 2016
    10,000       10,226  
U.S. Treasury 2.625% 2016
    5,000       5,395  
U.S. Treasury 0.75% 2017
    25,000       25,216  
U.S. Treasury 1.00% 2017
    60,000       61,280  
Freddie Mac 0.375% 2013
    15,000       15,030  
Freddie Mac, Series 1, 0.50% 2013
    50,000       50,177  
Freddie Mac 1.625% 2013
    80,000       80,718  
Freddie Mac 0.625% 2014
    36,000       36,319  
Freddie Mac 0.75% 2014
    15,000       15,159  
Freddie Mac 3.00% 2014
    40,000       42,098  
Freddie Mac 5.00% 2014
    10,000       10,890  
Freddie Mac 0.50% 2015
    15,000       15,097  
Freddie Mac 2.50% 2016
    45,000       48,336  
Freddie Mac 1.00% 2017
    15,000       15,189  
Freddie Mac 1.00% 2017
    6,100       6,177  
Fannie Mae 0.45% 2013
    25,000       25,007  
Fannie Mae 1.00% 2013
    24,950       25,163  
Fannie Mae 0.75% 2014
    21,020       21,259  
Fannie Mae 0.875% 2014
    28,750       29,102  
Fannie Mae 2.75% 2014
    40,000       41,542  
Fannie Mae 4.625% 2014
    15,000       16,384  
Fannie Mae 0.375% 2015
    21,010       21,064  
Fannie Mae 1.625% 2015
    15,000       15,581  
Federal Home Loan Bank 4.625% 2012
    10,000       10,049  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.50% 2013
    37,300       37,415  
Federal Home Loan Bank 3.625% 2013
    55,000       57,119  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.375% 2014
    4,125       4,134  
Federal Home Loan Bank, Series 2816, 1.00% 2017
    5,980       6,064  
Private Export Funding Corp. 4.974% 2013
    5,000       5,228  
Private Export Funding Corp. 1.375% 2017
    36,930       38,002  
United States Government Agency-Guaranteed (FDIC insured), Citigroup Inc. 0.435% 2012 2
    20,000       20,011  
United States Government Agency-Guaranteed (FDIC insured), Citigroup Inc. 1.875% 2012
    15,000       15,033  
United States Government Agency-Guaranteed (FDIC insured), General Electric Capital Corp., Series G, 2.125% 2012
    20,000       20,114  
United States Government Agency-Guaranteed (FDIC insured), Ally Financial Inc. 1.75% 2012
    10,000       10,024  
United States Government Agency-Guaranteed (FDIC insured), Ally Financial Inc. 2.20% 2012
    10,000       10,058  
United States Government Agency-Guaranteed (FDIC insured), JPMorgan Chase & Co. 0.712% 2012 2
    15,000       15,022  
Federal Farm Credit Banks, Consolidated Systemwide Bonds, 0.249% 2013 2
    8,000       8,005  
              1,878,721  
                 
                 
MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS 3 — 24.19%
               
Fannie Mae, Series 2009-M2, Class A1, multifamily 2.387% 2019
    3,413       3,474  
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2019
    15,201       16,276  
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2019
    6,959       7,452  
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2019
    5,973       6,395  
Fannie Mae 4.50% 2021
    6,076       6,564  
Fannie Mae, Series 2012-M2, Class A1, multifamily 1.824% 2022
    7,225       7,428  
Fannie Mae, Series 2003-48, Class TJ, 4.50% 2022
    81       82  
Fannie Mae 5.00% 2023
    1,792       1,958  
Fannie Mae 5.00% 2023
    1,329       1,452  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2023
    4,265       4,689  
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2024
    4,056       4,343  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2024
    2,540       2,810  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2024
    2,139       2,347  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2025
    18,222       19,394  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2025
    15,755       16,769  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2025
    15,617       16,621  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2025
    10,734       11,424  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2025
    10,332       10,997  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2025
    3,719       3,959  
Fannie Mae 4.50% 2025
    12,033       12,995  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    9,394       9,926  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    7,680       8,114  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    5,745       6,070  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    4,740       5,008  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    4,572       4,831  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    1,906       2,013  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    1,373       1,451  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    857       905  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2026
    817       863  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2027
    63,750       67,266  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2027
    37,537       39,662  
Fannie Mae 3.00% 2027
    8,883       9,390  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2027
    82,750       88,000  
Fannie Mae 4.00% 2027
    25,000       26,758  
Fannie Mae, Series 2007-114, Class A7, 0.436% 2037 2
    7,500       7,268  
Fannie Mae 2.703% 2037 2
    4,182       4,504  
Fannie Mae 5.407% 2038 2
    882       945  
Fannie Mae 5.50% 2038
    24,650       27,052  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2038
    80,412       88,882  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2038
    10,711       11,834  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2038
    6,203       6,823  
Fannie Mae 6.00% 2038
    906       1,001  
Fannie Mae 3.516% 2039 2
    3,162       3,315  
Fannie Mae 3.561% 2039 2
    2,804       2,929  
Fannie Mae 3.58% 2039 2
    2,221       2,351  
Fannie Mae 3.596% 2039 2
    3,752       3,943  
Fannie Mae 3.771% 2039 2
    2,907       3,059  
Fannie Mae 3.941% 2039 2
    2,440       2,571  
Fannie Mae 3.941% 2039 2
    1,837       1,936  
Fannie Mae 3.243% 2040 2
    5,658       5,966  
Fannie Mae 3.843% 2040 2
    8,790       9,333  
Fannie Mae 4.17% 2040 2
    6,927       7,394  
Fannie Mae 4.408% 2040 2
    9,280       9,923  
Fannie Mae 2.468% 2041 2
    20,961       21,825  
Fannie Mae 3.169% 2041 2
    8,507       8,960  
Fannie Mae 3.585% 2041 2
    3,175       3,366  
Fannie Mae 3.758% 2041 2
    8,803       9,364  
Fannie Mae 4.50% 2041
    22,865       24,868  
Fannie Mae 5.00% 2041
    9,481       10,665  
Fannie Mae 2.423% 2042 2
    8,409       8,788  
Fannie Mae 2.639% 2042 2
    14,799       15,521  
Fannie Mae 3.50% 2042
    25,000       26,512  
Fannie Mae 5.50% 2042
    25,000       27,434  
Freddie Mac, Series K003, Class A1, multifamily 2.225% 2013
    803       808  
Freddie Mac, Series K707, Class A1, multifamily 1.615% 2018
    494       506  
Freddie Mac, Series K708, Class A1, multifamily 1.67% 2018
    12,307       12,673  
Freddie Mac, Series K703, Class A1, multifamily 1.873% 2018
    15,880       16,404  
Freddie Mac, Series K710, Class A1, multifamily 1.437% 2019
    15,440       15,737  
Freddie Mac 5.461% 2037 2
    588       627  
Freddie Mac 5.648% 2037 2
    542       577  
Freddie Mac 2.909% 2038 2
    1,222       1,313  
Freddie Mac 4.225% 2038 2
    78       81  
Freddie Mac 5.219% 2038 2
    1,577       1,681  
Freddie Mac 5.411% 2038 2
    1,174       1,262  
Freddie Mac 3.823% 2039 2
    6,001       6,397  
Freddie Mac 3.876% 2039 2
    1,108       1,181  
Freddie Mac 3.931% 2039 2
    3,241       3,461  
Freddie Mac 3.507% 2040 2
    14,679       15,483  
Freddie Mac 4.50% 2040
    37,340       40,318  
Freddie Mac 3.191% 2041 2
    12,985       13,700  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-CB12, Class A-4, 4.895% 2037
    4,500       4,975  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-CIBC11, Class A-3, 5.197% 2037
    1,032       1,049  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-CIBC12, Class A-3B, 5.465% 2037 2
    492       504  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2004-C1, Class A-2, 4.302% 2038
    351       355  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-LDP2, Class A-3, 4.697% 2042
    1,310       1,332  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-LDP5, Class A-4, 5.361% 2044 2
    10,000       11,269  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2011-C3A, Class A-1, 1.875% 2046 4
    7,803       7,897  
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2003-C7, Class A2, 5.077% 2035 2,4
    4,133       4,291  
Wachovia Bank Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-C20, Class A-7, 5.118% 2042 2
    9,483       10,539  
GS Mortgage Securities Corp. II, Series 2011-GC5, Class A-1, 1.468% 2044
    12,053       12,192  
DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-LC3A, Class A1, 2.238% 2044
    2,049       2,102  
DBUBS Mortgage Trust, Series 2011-LC1A, Class A1, 3.742% 2046 4
    5,327       5,778  
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-MKB2, Class A-2, 4.806% 2042
    44       46  
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Trust, Series 2005-MCP1, Class A-4, 4.747% 2043 2
    7,000       7,625  
Royal Bank of Canada 3.125% 2015 4
    7,000       7,462  
Bank of Nova Scotia 1.45% 2013 4
    7,000       7,073  
GE Capital Commercial Mortgage Corp., Series 2002-3, Class A-2, 4.996% 2037
    4       4  
GE Commercial Mortgage Corp., Series 2005-C2, Class A-4, 4.978% 2043 2
    5,000       5,476  
GE Commercial Mortgage Corp., Series 2005-C3, Class A-4, 5.046% 2045 2
    130       130  
Bank of Montreal 2.85% 2015 4
    5,000       5,318  
CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2002-CKN2, Class A-3, 6.133% 2037
    27       27  
CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-C1, Class A-4, 5.014% 2038 2
    1,135       1,235  
CS First Boston Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2005-C6, Class A-4, 5.23% 2040 2
    3,485       3,876  
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2005-PWR7, Class A-2, 4.945% 2041
    114       114  
Bear Stearns Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust, Series 2006-PW13, Class A-AB, 5.53% 2041
    3,954       4,160  
Crown Castle Towers LLC, Series 2010-1, Class C, 4.523% 2035 4
    4,000       4,206  
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2005-HQ7, Class A-4, 5.383% 2042 2
    3,375       3,775  
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust, Series 2005-HQ7, Class A-2, 5.383% 2042 2
    128       128  
J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Series 2012-C6, Class A-1, 1.031% 2045
    2,599       2,611  
American General Mortgage Loan Trust, Series 2010-1A, Class A-1, 5.15% 2058 2,4
    1,617       1,651  
LB-UBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C4, Class A-2, 5.868% 2032 2
    542       551  
Ally Financial Inc., Series 2004-C3, Class A-4, 4.547% 2041
    361       367  
Greenwich Capital Commercial Funding Corp., Series 2005-GG5, Class A-2, 5.117% 2037
    203       204  
COBALT CMBS Commercial Mortgage Trust, Series 2006-C1, Class A-2, 5.174% 2048
    73       73  
              1,036,622  
                 
                 
CORPORATE BONDS & NOTES — 14.73%
               
FINANCIALS — 5.53%
               
Toyota Motor Credit Corp. 1.25% 2014
    10,000       10,143  
Toyota Motor Credit Corp. 0.875% 2015
    7,500       7,550  
Toyota Motor Credit Corp. 1.75% 2017
    5,000       5,158  
Wells Fargo & Co. 3.75% 2014
    7,500       7,937  
Wells Fargo & Co. 0.647% 2015 2
    12,513       12,289  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 3.40% 2015
    17,750       18,793  
Nordea Bank, Series 2, 3.70% 2014 4
    14,500       15,204  
Simon Property Group, LP 5.75% 2015
    11,250       12,689  
Westfield Capital Corp. Ltd., WT Finance (Australia) Pty Ltd. and WEA Finance LLC 5.125% 2014 4
    1,810       1,939  
Westfield Group 5.75% 2015 4
    9,440       10,350  
Citigroup Inc. 6.00% 2013
    1,940       2,050  
Citigroup Inc. 4.75% 2015
    9,445       10,146  
HSBC Bank PLC 2.00% 2014 4
    12,000       12,124  
New York Life Global Funding 2.25% 2012 4
    5,000       5,027  
New York Life Global Funding 5.25% 2012 4
    4,500       4,525  
UBS AG 3.875% 2015
    9,040       9,532  
MetLife Global Funding I 5.125% 2013 4
    2,000       2,054  
MetLife Global Funding I 5.125% 2014 4
    5,000       5,377  
BNP Paribas 3.218% 2014 2
    7,000       7,129  
Murray Street Investment Trust I 4.647% 2017
    6,150       6,427  
Bank of New York Mellon Corp., Series G, 4.95% 2012
    4,000       4,029  
Bank of New York Mellon Corp., Series G, 5.125% 2013
    2,000       2,093  
Morgan Stanley 3.80% 2016
    5,890       5,928  
Barclays Bank PLC 2.50% 2013
    3,000       3,020  
Barclays Bank PLC 5.20% 2014
    2,670       2,831  
TIAA Global Markets 4.95% 2013 4
    5,500       5,708  
Northern Trust Corp. 5.20% 2012
    1,000       1,009  
Northern Trust Corp. 5.50% 2013
    4,200       4,404  
PNC Funding Corp. 5.40% 2014
    5,000       5,406  
Credit Suisse Group AG 5.50% 2014
    5,000       5,338  
Royal Bank of Scotland PLC 4.875% 2015
    5,000       5,312  
Abbey National Treasury Services PLC 3.875% 2014 4
    4,100       4,131  
Société Générale 3.10% 2015 4
    4,000       4,005  
Jackson National Life Global 5.375% 2013 4
    3,750       3,861  
Monumental Global Funding 5.50% 2013 4
    2,995       3,068  
Berkshire Hathaway Finance Corp. 4.60% 2013
    2,250       2,315  
US Bank NA 4.95% 2014
    2,000       2,179  
Allstate Life Global Funding Trust, Series 2008-4, 5.375% 2013
    2,000       2,065  
Bank of America Corp. 5.375% 2012
    2,000       2,001  
ACE INA Holdings Inc. 5.875% 2014
    1,665       1,814  
              236,960  
                 
                 
ENERGY — 1.66%
               
Shell International Finance BV 4.00% 2014
    20,000       21,098  
Shell International Finance BV 3.10% 2015
    7,500       8,028  
Total Capital Canada Ltd. 1.625% 2014
    12,000       12,200  
Total Capital International 1.50% 2017
    5,000       5,085  
Chevron Corp. 3.95% 2014
    15,000       15,779  
TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. 3.40% 2015
    6,275       6,739  
StatoilHydro ASA 2.90% 2014
    2,070       2,177  
              71,106  
                 
                 
HEALTH CARE — 1.64%
               
Novartis Capital Corp. 1.90% 2013
    5,000       5,050  
Novartis Capital Corp. 4.125% 2014
    15,000       15,776  
GlaxoSmithKline Capital Inc. 4.85% 2013
    8,000       8,253  
GlaxoSmithKline Capital PLC 0.75% 2015
    8,750       8,792  
Sanofi 0.771% 2014 2
    14,500       14,589  
Amgen Inc. 1.875% 2014
    5,000       5,127  
Johnson & Johnson 0.525% 2014 2
    5,000       5,024  
Roche Holdings Inc. 5.00% 2014 4
    3,175       3,372  
UnitedHealth Group Inc. 1.875% 2016
    3,000       3,095  
AstraZeneca PLC 5.40% 2012
    1,000       1,001  
              70,079  
                 
                 
INDUSTRIALS — 1.18%
               
General Electric Capital Corp., Series A, 2.15% 2015
    5,000       5,155  
General Electric Capital Corp. 2.30% 2017
    10,000       10,335  
General Electric Corp. 5.25% 2017
    800       951  
United Technologies Corp. 1.20% 2015
    13,410       13,654  
Honeywell International Inc. 3.875% 2014
    8,400       8,812  
Canadian National Railway Co. 4.95% 2014
    5,000       5,303  
John Deere Capital Corp., Series D, 4.90% 2013
    3,000       3,137  
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., Series F, 4.85% 2012
    750       759  
Caterpillar Financial Services Corp., Series F, 4.25% 2013
    1,000       1,017  
Raytheon Co. 6.75% 2018
    1,225       1,510  
              50,633  
                 
                 
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 1.13%
               
International Business Machines Corp. 0.875% 2014
    5,000       5,045  
International Business Machines Corp. 1.25% 2014
    7,910       8,040  
International Business Machines Corp. 0.55% 2015
    5,250       5,258  
International Business Machines Corp. 2.00% 2016
    2,500       2,612  
Cisco Systems, Inc. 0.718% 2014 2
    17,500       17,573  
Google Inc. 1.25% 2014
    5,000       5,086  
Hewlett-Packard Co. 0.823% 2014 2
    5,000       4,960  
              48,574  
                 
                 
CONSUMER STAPLES — 1.11%
               
PepsiCo, Inc. 0.875% 2013
    17,500       17,574  
PepsiCo, Inc. 4.65% 2013
    2,000       2,039  
Coca-Cola Co. 3.625% 2014
    10,000       10,500  
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV 0.815% 2014 2
    10,320       10,384  
Walgreen Co. 4.875% 2013
    4,000       4,155  
Sysco Corp. 4.20% 2013
    2,000       2,031  
Sysco Corp. 4.60% 2014 4
    845       899  
              47,582  
                 
                 
UTILITIES — 0.79%
               
Duke Energy Ohio, Inc. 2.10% 2013
    12,050       12,204  
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp. 1.00% 2015
    7,425       7,518  
Alabama Power Co., Series 2007-D, 4.85% 2012
    3,750       3,796  
Georgia Power Co., Series 2008-D, 6.00% 2013
    2,600       2,763  
Entergy Louisiana, LLC 1.875% 2014
    4,650       4,778  
Consumers Energy Co., First Mortgage Bonds, Series P, 5.50% 2016
    2,500       2,892  
              33,951  
                 
                 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 0.72%
               
Walt Disney Co. 4.70% 2012
    1,500       1,516  
Walt Disney Co. 4.50% 2013
    5,000       5,265  
Walt Disney Co. 0.875% 2014
    8,400       8,488  
McDonald’s Corp., Series I, 4.30% 2013
    2,500       2,548  
McDonald’s Corp. 0.75% 2015
    6,000       6,062  
Target Corp. 1.125% 2014
    7,000       7,097  
              30,976  
                 
                 
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 0.68%
               
Verizon Communications Inc. 7.375% 2013
    5,000       5,398  
Verizon Communications Inc. 1.25% 2014
    2,500       2,542  
Verizon Communications Inc. 5.55% 2014
    2,000       2,133  
Verizon Communications Inc. 3.00% 2016
    3,000       3,237  
AT&T Inc. 0.875% 2015
    5,250       5,297  
AT&T Inc. 2.40% 2016
    5,000       5,298  
France Télécom 4.375% 2014
    2,800       2,961  
France Télécom 2.125% 2015
    2,100       2,150  
              29,016  
                 
                 
MATERIALS — 0.29%
               
BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Ltd. 1.125% 2014
    5,000       5,060  
BHP Billiton Finance (USA) Ltd. 1.00% 2015
    7,500       7,586  
              12,646  
                 
                 
                 
Total corporate bonds & notes
            631,523  
                 
                 
                 
BONDS & NOTES OF GOVERNMENTS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OUTSIDE THE U.S. — 2.60%
               
Australia Government Agency-Guaranteed, National Australia Bank 0.96% 2014 2,4
    15,000       15,046  
Australia Government Agency-Guaranteed, National Australia Bank 3.375% 2014 4
    16,000       16,796  
Province of Ontario 0.584% 2012 2
    15,000       14,998  
Province of Ontario, Series 1, 1.875% 2012
    15,000       15,047  
Sweden Government Agency-Guaranteed, Swedbank AB 2.90% 2013 4
    20,000       20,180  
United Kingdom Government Agency-Guaranteed, Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd 1.50% 2014 4
    10,000       10,153  
Australia Government Agency-Guaranteed, Commonwealth Bank of Australia 0.968% 2014 2,4
    10,000       10,069  
France Government Agency-Guaranteed, Société Finance 3.375% 2014 4
    5,000       5,236  
New Zealand Government Agency-Guaranteed, Westpac Securities Co. 3.45% 2014 4
    3,550       3,746  
              111,271  
                 
                 
MUNICIPALS — 2.46%
               
State of California, Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, Revenue Refunding Bonds (J. Paul Getty Trust),
               
Series 2011-A-2, 0.67% 2038 (put 2014) 2
    18,900       18,900  
State of California, Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, Revenue Refunding Bonds (J. Paul Getty Trust),
               
Series 2012-B-2, 0.47% 2047 (put 2015) 2
    4,320       4,320  
State of New York, Urban Development Corp., Service Contract Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2010-B, 5.00% 2014
    10,000       10,615  
State of Illinois, General Obligation Bonds, Taxable Series of January 2010, 3.321% 2013
    10,000       10,088  
State of New York, Urban Development Corp., State Personal Income Tax Revenue Bonds (General Purpose),
               
Series 2009-D, 2.032% 2012
    8,580       8,623  
State of Florida, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Personal Lines Account/Commercial Lines Account Secured Bonds,
               
Series 2012-A-1, 5.00% 2017
    7,000       7,951  
State of New York, Dormitory Authority, State Personal Income Tax Rev. Bonds (General Purpose),
               
Series 2010-G (Federally Taxable), 1.534% 2013
    6,710       6,753  
State of Maryland, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Taxable Bonds, 3.45% 2014
    6,300       6,679  
State of Florida, Hurricane Catastrophe Fund Finance Corp., Revenue Bonds, Series 2010-A, 5.00% 2016
    5,000       5,699  
State of California, Department of Water Resources, Power Supply Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2011-N, 5.00% 2013
    5,000       5,160  
State of Ohio, Housing Finance Agency, Single-family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series 2011-2, 4.50% 2028
    1,995       2,166  
State of Ohio, Housing Finance Agency, Single-family Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series 2011-3, 4.50% 2029
    2,240       2,465  
State of Texas, Board of Regents of the University of Texas System, Revenue Finance System Taxable Bonds
               
(Build America Bonds-Direct Payment), Series 2010-D, 1.676% 2013
    4,000       4,059  
State of California, Irvine Ranch Water District Joint Powers Agency, Taxable Revenue Refunding Bonds, Issue 2,
               
Series 2010, 1.784% 2012 (escrowed to maturity)
    4,000       4,002  
State of Florida, Housing Finance Corp., Homeowner Mortgage Revenue Bonds, Series 2011-C, 4.50% 2030
    2,450       2,691  
State of Mississippi, Taxable General Obligation Bonds, Series 2009-D, 3.048% 2014
    2,510       2,618  
State of Florida, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., Coastal Account Secured Bonds,
               
Series 2011-A-3, Assured Guaranty Municipal insured, 1.82% 2014 2
    2,500       2,522  
              105,311  
                 
                 
ASSET-BACKED OBLIGATIONS 3 — 1.11%
               
Reliant Energy Transition Bond Co. LLC, Series 2001-1, Class A-4, 5.63% 2015
    7,732       7,952  
CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Co. III, LLC, Series 2008, Class A-1, 4.192% 2020
    616       666  
Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2010-3, Class A-3, 0.70% 2014
    3,924       3,928  
Honda Auto Receivables Owner Trust, Series 2010-2, Class A-3, 1.34% 2014
    2,385       2,392  
Enterprise Fleet Financing LLC 1.62% 2017 4
    5,000       5,036  
JCP&L Transition Funding II LLC, Transition Bonds, Series 2006-A, Class A-2, 5.41% 2016
    3,861       4,072  
Hertz Vehicle Financing LLC, Rental Car Asset-backed Notes, Series 2009-2A, Class A-1, 4.26% 2014 4
    4,000       4,052  
Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust, Series 2011-1A, Class A3, 1.18% 2013 4
    3,968       3,976  
Detroit Edison Securitization Funding LLC, Series 2001-1, Class A-6, 6.62% 2016
    3,500       3,880  
World Omni Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2010-A, Class A-4, 2.21% 2015
    3,300       3,342  
Chase Issuance Trust, Series 2008-13, Class A, 1.968% 2015 2
    3,000       3,048  
MBNA Credit Card Master Note Trust, Series 2005-10, Class A, 0.30% 2015 2
    2,000       2,000  
FPL Recovery Funding LLC, Series 2007-A, Class A-2, 5.044% 2015
    1,062       1,092  
AEP Texas Central Transitioning Funding II LLC, Secured Transition Bonds, Series A, Class A-2, 4.98% 2015
    663       675  
CPL Transition Funding LLC, Series 2002-1, Class A-4, 5.96% 2015
    571       590  
Consumers Funding LLC, Series 2001-1, Class A-5, 5.43% 2015
    361       370  
RSB BondCo LLC, Series A, Class A-1, 5.47% 2014
    147       147  
CPS Auto Receivables Trust, Series 2007-B, Class A-4, FSA insured, 5.60% 2014 4
    138       139  
TXU Electric Delivery Transition Bond Co. LLC, Series 2004-1, Class A-2, 4.81% 2014
    28       29  
              47,386  
                 
                 
                 
Total bonds & notes (cost: $3,743,758,000)
            3,810,834  
                 
                 
                 
Short-term securities — 16.11%
               
                 
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.116%–0.146% due 10/11–12/20/2012
    135,200       135,181  
Freddie Mac 0.105%–0.18% due 10/2/2012–2/14/2013
    77,400       77,370  
BASF AG 0.15%–0.16% due 9/24–9/25/2012 4
    70,000       69,991  
Fannie Mae 0.12%–0.14% due 10/1/2012–1/4/2013
    64,000       63,975  
Straight-A Funding LLC 0.18% due 9/14–9/26/2012 4
    57,500       57,494  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.135%–0.14% due 10/3–11/9/2012
    52,500       52,494  
Toronto-Dominion Holdings USA Inc. 0.16% due 10/15/2012 4
    40,000       39,992  
Total Capital Canada Ltd. 0.21% due 9/20/2012 4
    33,000       32,994  
Gotham Funding Corp. 0.19%–0.20% due 9/5–10/1/2012 4
    29,300       29,297  
Variable Funding Capital Company LLC 0.15% due 9/4/2012 4
    25,000       24,999  
Federal Farm Credit Banks 0.19% due 2/14/2013
    25,000       24,983  
GlaxoSmithKline Finance PLC 0.13% due 9/14/2012 4
    19,300       19,299  
National Australia Funding (Delaware) Inc. 0.21% due 9/24/2012 4
    18,800       18,798  
E.I. duPont de Nemours and Co. 0.13% due 9/6/2012 4
    18,700       18,700  
Bank of Nova Scotia 0.165% due 9/13/2012
    14,700       14,699  
Barclays U.S. Funding Corp. 0.14% due 9/4/2012
    10,000       10,000  
                 
Total short-term securities (cost: $690,243,000)
            690,266  
                 
                 
Total investment securities (cost: $4,434,001,000)
          $ 4,501,100  
Other assets less liabilities
            (216,231 )
                 
Net assets
          $ 4,284,869  


 
1 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
 
2 Coupon rate may change periodically.
 
3 Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
 
4 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities was $531,313,000, which represented 12.40% of the net assets of the fund.




Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
 
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at 800/421-4225 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.
 
 

 

MFGEFP-948-1012O-S32797
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Summary investment portfolio     August 31, 2012
 
The following summary investment portfolio is designed to streamline the report and help investors better focus on the fund’s principal holdings.  See the inside back cover for details on how to obtain a complete schedule of portfolio holdings.
 
[begin pie chart]
       
Investment mix by security type
 
Percent of net assets
 
Bonds & notes of U.S. government & government agencies
    43.8 %
Mortgage-backed obligations
    24.2  
Corporate bonds & notes
    14.7  
Other bonds & notes
    6.2  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities
    11.1  
[end pie chart]
 
 
Quality breakdown*
   
Percent of net assets
 
         
U.S. government obligations
      28.6 %
Federal agencies
      36.7  
Aaa/AAA
      7.4  
Aa/AA
      8.1  
A/A       8.0  
Baa/BBB
      .1  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities
      11.1  
             
*Bond ratings, which typically range from Aaa/AAA (highest) to D (lowest), are assigned by credit rating agencies such as Moody's, Standard & Poor's and/or Fitch as an indication of an issuer's creditworthiness. If agency ratings differ, the security will be considered to have received the highest of those ratings, consistent with the fund's investment policies. The ratings are not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
These securities are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.
 
 
 
 
     
Principal
         
Percent
 
     
amount
   
Value
   
of net
 
Bonds & notes - 88.94%
      (000 )     (000 )  
assets
 
                         
Bonds & notes of U.S. government & government agencies - 43.85%
                       
U.S. Treasury:
                       
  1.125 % 2012   $ 25,000     $ 25,069        
  4.25 % 2012     54,835       54,993        
  0.75 % 2013     35,000       35,120        
  1.375 % 2013     65,000       65,421        
  1.375 % 2013     45,000       45,203        
  1.375 % 2013     31,832       32,007        
  1.50 % 2013     56,250       57,211        
  1.75 % 2013     50,000       50,486        
  1.875 % 2013  (1)     82,592       85,078        
  3.125 % 2013     80,000       82,510        
  3.375 % 2013     93,750       96,460        
  3.375 % 2013     30,000       30,785        
  3.875 % 2013     50,000       50,834        
  1.875 % 2014     44,250       45,460        
  1.875 % 2014     40,000       40,988        
  2.25 % 2014     25,000       25,879        
  2.375 % 2014     25,000       26,114        
  4.25 % 2014     25,000       27,214        
  1.25 % 2015     25,000       25,722        
  0.75 % 2017     25,000       25,216        
  1.00 % 2017     60,000       61,280        
  0.375%-4.125 % 2013-2016     98,425       103,101       25.49  
Freddie Mac:
                         
Series 1, 0.50% 2013
      50,000       50,177          
  1.625 % 2013     80,000       80,718          
  0.625 % 2014     36,000       36,319          
  3.00 % 2014     40,000       42,098          
  2.50 % 2016     45,000       48,336          
  0.375%-5.00 % 2013-2017     76,100       77,542       7.82  
Fannie Mae:
                         
  1.00 % 2013     24,950       25,163          
  0.875 % 2014     28,750       29,102          
  2.75 % 2014     40,000       41,542          
  0.375%-4.625 % 2013-2015     97,030       99,295       4.55  
Federal Home Loan Bank:
                         
  0.50 % 2013     37,300       37,415          
  3.625 % 2013     55,000       57,119          
  0.375%-4.625 % 2012-2017     20,105       20,247       2.68  
Private Export Funding Corp.:
                         
  4.974 % 2013     5,000       5,228          
  1.375 % 2017     36,930       38,002       1.01  
United States Government Agency-Guaranteed (FDIC insured), Citigroup Inc. 0.435%-1.875% 2012 (2)
      35,000       35,044       .82  
Other securities
              63,223       1.48  
                  1,878,721       43.85  
                             
Mortgage-backed obligations (3) - 24.19%
                         
Fannie Mae:
                         
  3.00 % 2027     63,750       67,266          
  3.00 % 2027     37,537       39,662          
  3.50 % 2027     82,750       88,000          
  4.00 % 2027     25,000       26,758          
  5.50 % 2038     24,650       27,052          
  6.00 % 2038     80,412       88,882          
  3.50 % 2042     25,000       26,512          
  5.50 % 2042     25,000       27,434          
  0.436%-6.00 % 2019-2042  (2)     370,590       394,452       18.34  
Freddie Mac:
                         
  4.50 % 2040     37,340       40,318          
  1.437%-5.648 % 2013-2041  (2)     88,119       91,891       3.09  
Other securities
              118,395       2.76  
                  1,036,622       24.19  
                             
                             
Corporate bonds & notes - 14.73%
                         
Financials - 5.53%
                         
Wells Fargo & Co. 0.647%-3.75% 2014-2015 (2)
      20,013       20,226       .47  
Citigroup Inc. 4.75%-6.00% 2013-2015
      11,385       12,196       .28  
Other securities
              204,538       4.78  
                  236,960       5.53  
                             
Energy - 1.66%
                         
Total Capital Canada Ltd. 1.625% 2014
      12,000       12,200          
Total Capital International 1.50% 2017
      5,000       5,085       .40  
Other securities
              53,821       1.26  
                  71,106       1.66  
                             
Other corporate bonds & notes - 7.54%
                         
Other securities
              323,457       7.54  
                             
Total corporate bonds & notes
              631,523       14.73  
                             
                             
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. - 2.60%
                         
Australia Government Agency-Guaranteed, National Australia Bank 0.96%-3.375% 2014 (2) (4)
      31,000       31,842       .74  
Other securities
              79,429       1.86  
                  111,271       2.60  
                             
Other - 3.57%
                         
Other securities
              152,697       3.57  
                             
                             
Total bonds & notes (cost: $3,743,758,000)
              3,810,834       88.94  
                             
                             
                             
       
Principal
           
Percent
 
       
amount
   
Value
   
of net
 
Short-term securities - 16.11%
      (000 )     (000 )  
assets
 
                             
                             
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.116%-0.146% due 10/11/2012-12/20/2012
    $ 135,200     $ 135,181       3.16  
Freddie Mac 0.105%-0.18% due 10/2/2012-2/14/2013
      77,400       77,370       1.81  
BASF AG 0.15%-0.16% due 9/24/2012-9/25/2012 (4)
      70,000       69,991       1.63  
Fannie Mae 0.12%-0.14% due 10/1/2012-1/4/2013
      64,000       63,975       1.49  
Straight-A Funding LLC 0.18% due 9/14/2012-9/26/2012 (4)
      57,500       57,494       1.34  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.135%-0.14% due 10/3/2012-11/9/2012
      52,500       52,494       1.23  
Toronto-Dominion Holdings USA Inc. 0.16% due 10/15/2012 (4)
      40,000       39,992       .93  
Total Capital Canada Ltd. 0.21% due 9/20/2012 (4)
      33,000       32,994       .77  
Gotham Funding Corp. 0.19%-0.20% due 9/5/2012-10/1/2012 (4)
      29,300       29,297       .68  
Variable Funding Capital Company LLC 0.15% due 9/4/2012 (4)
      25,000       24,999       .58  
National Australia Funding (Delaware) Inc. 0.21% due 9/24/2012 (4)
      18,800       18,798       .44  
Other securities
              87,681       2.05  
                             
                             
Total short-term securities (cost: $690,243,000)
              690,266       16.11  
                             
                             
Total investment securities (cost: $4,434,001,000)
              4,501,100       105.05  
Other assets less liabilities
              (216,231 )     (5.05 )
                             
Net assets
            $ 4,284,869       100.00 %
 
"Other securities" includes all issues that are not disclosed separately in the summary investment portfolio.
 
The following footnotes apply to either the individual securities noted or one or more of the securities aggregated and listed as a single line item.
 
(1) Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
(2) Coupon rate may change periodically.
(3) Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
(4) Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities, including those in "Other securities," was $531,313,000, which represented 12.40% of the net assets of the fund.
 
See Notes to Financials Statements
 
 
 
Financial statements
 
Statement of assets and liabilities
           
at August 31, 2012
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
Assets:
           
 Investment securities, at value (cost: $4,434,001)
        $ 4,501,100  
 Cash
          79  
 Receivables for:
             
  Sales of investments
  $ 1,010          
  Sales of fund's shares
    11,040          
  Interest
    18,358       30,408  
              4,531,587  
Liabilities:
               
 Payables for:
               
  Purchases of investments
    235,797          
  Repurchases of fund's shares
    7,688          
  Dividends on fund's shares
    188          
  Investment advisory services
    1,046          
  Services provided by related parties
    1,899          
  Trustees' deferred compensation
    26          
  Other
    74       246,718  
Net assets at August 31, 2012
          $ 4,284,869  
                 
Net assets consist of:
               
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest
          $ 4,222,020  
 Distributions in excess of net investment income
            (68 )
 Accumulated net realized loss
            (4,182 )
 Net unrealized appreciation
            67,099  
Net assets at August 31, 2012
          $ 4,284,869  
 
 
   
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
                   
Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) -
             
unlimited shares authorized (424,291 total shares outstanding)
                 
   
Net assets
   
Shares
outstanding
   
Net asset
value per share
 
Class A
  $ 3,079,589       304,943     $ 10.10  
Class B
    37,172       3,681       10.10  
Class C
    168,327       16,668       10.10  
Class F-1
    146,385       14,495       10.10  
Class F-2
    266,048       26,344       10.10  
Class 529-A
    265,798       26,319       10.10  
Class 529-B
    6,068       601       10.10  
Class 529-C
    71,442       7,074       10.10  
Class 529-E
    17,307       1,714       10.10  
Class 529-F-1
    35,862       3,551       10.10  
Class R-1
    4,966       492       10.10  
Class R-2
    38,106       3,773       10.10  
Class R-3
    46,028       4,558       10.10  
Class R-4
    21,388       2,118       10.10  
Class R-5
    13,432       1,330       10.10  
Class R-6
    66,951       6,630       10.10  
                         
                         
See Notes to Financial Statements
                       
 
 
Statement of operations
           
for the year ended August 31, 2012
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
Investment income:
           
 Income:
           
  Interest
        $ 60,168  
               
               
 Fees and expenses*:
             
  Investment advisory services
  $ 12,466          
  Distribution services
    10,447          
  Transfer agent services
    3,984          
  Administrative services
    758          
  Reports to shareholders
    163          
  Registration statement and prospectus
    393          
  Trustees' compensation
    35          
  Auditing and legal
    77          
  Custodian
    11          
  State and local taxes
    26          
  Other
    422       28,782  
 Net investment income
            31,386  
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation
               
 on investments :
               
 Net realized gain on
               
  investments
            3,215  
 Net unrealized depreciation on
               
  investments
            (74 )
   Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation
               
    on investments
            3,141  
Net increase in net assets resulting
               
 from operations
          $ 34,527  
                 
(*) Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included
               
in the Notes to Financial Statements.
               
                 
                 
                 
                 
Statements of changes in net assets
               
        (dollars in thousands)  
   
Year ended August 31
 
      2012       2011  
Operations:
               
 Net investment income
  $ 31,386     $ 44,403  
 Net realized gain on investments
    3,215       9,771  
 Net unrealized depreciation on investments
    (74 )     (26,691 )
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
    34,527       27,483  
                 
                 
Dividends paid or accrued to shareholders from net investment income
    (38,950 )     (45,880 )
                 
Net capital share transactions
    (116,646 )     227,293  
                 
Total (decrease) increase in net assets
    (121,069 )     208,896  
                 
Net assets:
               
 Beginning of year
    4,405,938       4,197,042  
 End of year (including distributions in excess of
               
  net investment income: $(68) and $(42), respectively)
  $ 4,284,869     $ 4,405,938  
                 
                 
See Notes to Financial Statements
               
 
 
 
Notes to financial statements

1.  
Organization

Short-Term Bond Fund of America (the "fund") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks to provide current income while preserving capital by investing in high-quality debt securities and maintaining a portfolio with a dollar-weighted average maturity no greater than three years.

The fund has 16 share classes consisting of five retail share classes (Classes A, B and C, as well as two F share classes, F-1 and F-2), five 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) and six retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6). The 529 college savings plan share classes can be used to save for college education. The retirement plan share classes are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are further described below:

Share class
Initial sales charge
Contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption
Conversion feature
Classes A and 529-A
Up to 2.50%
None (except 1% for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)
None
Classes B and 529-B*
None
Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase
Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years
Class C*
None
1% for redemptions within one year of purchase
Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years
Class 529-C*
None
1% for redemptions within one year of purchase
None
Class 529-E
None
None
None
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1
None
None
None
Classes R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6
None
None
None
 
*Class B, 529-B, C and 529-C shares of the fund are not available for purchase.

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

2.  
Significant accounting policies

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

Security transactions and related investment income – Security transactions are recorded by the fund   as of the date the trades are executed with brokers. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined based on the specific identified cost of the securities. In the event a security is purchased with a delayed payment date, the fund will segregate liquid assets sufficient to meet its payment obligations. Interest income is recognized   on an accrual basis. Market discounts, premiums and original issue discounts on fixed-income securities are amortized daily over the expected life of the security.
 
 
Class allocations – Income, fees and expenses (other than class-specific fees and expenses) are allocated daily among the various share classes based on the relative value of their settled shares. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, administrative and shareholder services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

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

3.  
Valuation

Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”), the fund’s investment adviser, values the fund’s investments at fair value as defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The net asset value of each share class of the fund is generally determined as of approximately 4:00 p.m. New York time each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.

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

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

Fixed-income class
Examples of standard inputs
All
Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
Corporate bonds & notes; convertible securities
Standard inputs and underlying equity of the issuer
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies
Standard inputs and interest rate volatilities
Mortgage-backed; asset-backed obligations
Standard inputs and cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, collateral characteristics, credit enhancements and specific deal information
Municipal securities
Standard inputs and, for certain distressed securities, cash flows or liquidation values using a net present value calculation based on inputs that include, but are not limited to, financial statements and debt contracts

When the fund’s   investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or not deemed to be representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and ask prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if ask prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type. Some securities may be valued based on their effective maturity or average life, which may be shorter than the stated maturity.

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

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the fund’s investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under fair value guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s   board of trustees as further described below. The investment adviser follows fair valuation guidelines, consistent with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and guidance, to consider relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. The investment adviser considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

Processes and structure The fund’s   board of trustees has delegated authority to the fund’s   investment adviser to make fair value determinations, subject to board oversight. The investment adviser has established a Joint Fair Valuation Committee (the “Fair Valuation Committee”) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process, and to make fair value decisions. The Fair Valuation Committee regularly reviews its own fair value decisions, as well as decisions made under its standing instructions to the investment adviser’s valuation teams. The Fair Valuation Committee reviews changes in fair value measurements from period to period and may, as deemed appropriate, update the fair valuation guidelines to better reflect the results of back testing and address new or evolving issues. The Fair Valuation Committee reports any changes to the fair valuation guidelines to the board of trustees with supplemental information to support the changes. The fund’s   board and audit committee also regularly review reports that describe fair value determinations and methods.

The fund’s investment adviser has also established a Fixed-Income Pricing Review Group to administer and oversee the fixed-income valuation process, including the use of fixed-income pricing vendors. This group regularly reviews pricing vendor information and market data. Pricing decisions, processes and controls over security valuation are also subject to additional internal reviews, including an annual control self-evaluation program facilitated by the investment adviser’s compliance group.

Classifications – The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market.   At August 31, 2012, all of the fund’s   investment securities were classified as Level 2.

4.  
Risk factors

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

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

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

Bonds and other debt securities are subject to credit risk, which is the possibility that the credit strength of an issuer will weaken and/or an issuer of a debt security will fail to make timely payments of principal or interest and the security will go into default.

Investing in mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities — Many types of bonds and   other debt securities, including mortgage-backed securities, are subject to prepayment   risk as well as the risks associated with investing in debt securities in general. If interest   rates fall and the loans underlying these securities are prepaid faster than expected, the   fund may have to reinvest the prepaid principal in lower yielding securities, thus reducing   the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates increase and the loans underlying the   securities are prepaid more slowly than expected, the expected duration of the securities   may be extended, reducing the cash flow for potential reinvestment in higher   yielding securities.

Investing in securities backed by the U.S. government — Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.

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

5. Taxation and distributions                                                       

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

As of and during the period ended August 31, 2012, the fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

The fund is not subject to examination by U.S. federal tax authorities for tax years before 2008 and by state tax authorities for tax years before 2007.

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

During the year ended August 31, 2012, the fund reclassified $7,538,000 from accumulated net realized loss to distributions in excess of net investment income to align financial reporting with tax reporting.

As of August 31, 2012, the tax basis components of distributable earnings, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows:

  (dollars in thousands)  
Undistributed ordinary income
  $ 188  
Capital loss carryforward*
    (3,953 )
Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities
    67,182  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities
    (354 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities
    66,828  
Cost of investment securities
    4,434,272  
         
*The capital loss carryforward will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the fund in future years. The fund will not make distributions from capital gains while a capital loss carryforward remains.
       

Tax-basis distributions paid or accrued   to shareholders from ordinary income were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
   
Year ended August 31
 
Share class
 
2012
   
2011
 
    Class A
  $ 30,518     $ 36,084  
    Class B
    130       348  
    Class C
    252       803  
    Class F-1
    1,309       1,761  
    Class F-2
    3,187       3,204  
    Class 529-A
    2,252       2,186  
    Class 529-B
    9       32  
    Class 529-C
    40       165  
    Class 529-E
    88       94  
    Class 529-F-1
    341       301  
    Class R-1
    7       20  
    Class R-2
    61       111  
    Class R-3
    235       261  
    Class R-4
    156       158  
    Class R-5
    168       183  
    Class R-6
    197       169  
    Total
  $ 38,950     $ 45,880  

6. Fees and transactions with related parties

CRMC, the fund’s investment adviser, is the parent company of American Funds Distributors,® Inc. ("AFD"), the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares, and American Funds Service Company® ("AFS"), the fund’s transfer agent.

Investment advisory services – The fund has an investment advisory and service agreement with CRMC that provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.360% on the first $500 million of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.250% on such assets in excess of $4 billion. For the year ended August 31, 2012, the investment advisory services fee was $12,466,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.288% of average daily   net assets.

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

Distribution services – The fund has plans of distribution for all share classes, except Class F-2, R-5 and R-6 shares. Under the plans, the board of trustees approves certain categories of expenses that are used to finance activities primarily intended to sell fund shares and service existing accounts. The plans provide for payments, based on an annualized percentage of average daily net assets, ranging from 0.30% to 1.00% as noted below. In some cases, the board of trustees has limited the amounts that may be paid to less than the maximum allowed by the plans.   All share classes with a plan may use a portion (0.15% for Class A, B, 529-A and 529-B shares and 0.25% for all other share classes) of average daily net assets to pay service fees, or to compensate AFD for paying service fees, to firms that have entered into agreements with AFD to provide certain shareholder services. The remaining amounts available to be paid under each plan are paid to dealers to compensate them for their sales activities.

For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.25% is not exceeded. As of August 31, 2012, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.

Share class
Currently approved limits
Plan limits
Class A
0.25%
0.30%
Class 529-A
0.25
0.50
Classes B and 529-B
0.90
1.00
Classes C, 529-C and R-1
1.00
1.00
Class R-2
0.75
1.00
Classes 529-E and R-3
0.50
0.75
Classes F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4
0.25
0.50

Transfer agent services   The fund has a shareholder services agreement with AFS under which the fund compensates AFS for providing transfer agent services to each of the fund’s share classes. These services include recordkeeping, shareholder communications and transaction processing. In addition, the fund reimburses AFS for amounts paid to third parties for performing transfer agent services on behalf of fund shareholders.

During the period September 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011, only Class A and B shares were subject to the shareholder services agreement with AFS. During this period, AFS and other third parties were compensated for providing transfer agent services to Class C, F, 529 and R shares through the fees paid by the fund to CRMC under the fund’s administrative services agreement with CRMC as described in the administrative services section below; CRMC paid for any transfer agent services expenses in excess of 0.10% of the respective average daily net assets of each of such share classes.

Effective January 1, 2012, the shareholder services agreement with AFS was modified to include Class C, F, 529 and R shares and payment for transfer agent services for such classes under the administrative services agreement terminated. Under this structure, transfer agent services expenses for some classes may exceed 0.10% of average daily net assets, resulting in an increase in expenses paid by some share classes.

For the year ended August 31, 2012, the total transfer agent services fee paid under these agreements was $3,984,000, of which $3,777,000 was paid by the fund to AFS and $207,000 was paid by the fund to CRMC through its administrative services agreement with the fund. Amounts paid to CRMC by the fund were then paid by CRMC to AFS and other third parties.

Administrative services – The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC under which the fund compensates CRMC for providing administrative services to Class A, C, F, 529 and R shares. These services include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders.   Under the agreement, Class A shares pay an annual fee of 0.01% and Class C, F, 529 and R shares pay an annual fee of 0.05% of their respective average daily net assets.

During the period September 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011, the agreement applied only to Class C, F, 529 and R shares. The agreement also required CRMC to arrange for the provision of transfer agent services for such share classes, which paid CRMC annual fees up to 0.15% (0.10% for Class R-5 and 0.05% for Class R-6) of their respective average daily net assets. During this period, up to 0.05% of these fees were used to compensate CRMC for performing administrative services; all other amounts paid under this agreement were used to compensate AFS and other third parties for transfer agent services.

Effective January 1, 2012, the administrative services agreement with CRMC was modified to include Class A shares. Under the revised agreement, Class A shares pay an annual fee of 0.01% and Class C, F, 529 and R shares pay an annual fee of 0.05% of their respective average daily net assets to CRMC for administrative services. Fees for transfer agent services are no longer included as part of the administrative services fee paid by the fund to CRMC.

For the year ended August 31, 2012, total fees paid to CRMC for performing administrative services were $758,000.

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

Class-specific expenses under the agreements described above for the year ended August 31, 2012, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Share class
 
Distribution services
   
Transfer agent services
   
Administrative services
   
529 plan
services
 
Class A
  $ 5,939     $ 3,007     $ 206    
Not applicable
 
Class B
    429       43    
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
 
Class C
    1,960       179       97    
Not applicable
 
Class F-1
    377       142       74    
Not applicable
 
Class F-2
 
Not applicable
      153       123    
Not applicable
 
Class 529-A
    327       164       124     $ 246  
Class 529-B
    61       5       3       7  
Class 529-C
    677       49       34       68  
Class 529-E
    79       8       8       16  
Class 529-F-1
    -       22       16       32  
Class R-1
    56       5       3    
Not applicable
 
Class R-2
    280       113       20    
Not applicable
 
Class R-3
    218       72       24    
Not applicable
 
Class R-4
    44       14       10    
Not applicable
 
Class R-5
 
Not applicable
      7       8    
Not applicable
 
Class R-6
 
Not applicable
      1       8    
Not applicable
 
Total class-specific expenses
  $ 10,447     $ 3,984     $ 758     $ 369  
 
Trustees’ deferred compensation –Trustees who are unaffiliated with CRMC   may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Trustees’ compensation of $35,000, shown on the accompanying financial statements, includes $34,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $1,000 in the value of the deferred amounts.

Affiliated officers and trustees – Officers and certain trustees of the fund are or may be considered to be affiliated with CRMC, AFS and AFD. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.

7. Capital share transactions

Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):
 
   
Sales (*)
   
Reinvestments of
dividends
   
Repurchases (*)
   
Net (decrease) increase
 
Share class
 
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
 
Year ended August 31, 2012
                                               
Class A
  $ 1,145,185       113,532     $ 29,437       2,918     $ (1,342,843 )     (133,139 )   $ (168,221 )     (16,689 )
Class B
    14,041       1,392       126       12       (35,407 )     (3,510 )     (21,240 )     (2,106 )
Class C
    63,334       6,278       240       24       (123,275 )     (12,222 )     (59,701 )     (5,920 )
Class F-1
    91,057       9,026       1,280       127       (101,679 )     (10,082 )     (9,342 )     (929 )
Class F-2
    204,879       20,313       2,451       243       (205,727 )     (20,393 )     1,603       163  
Class 529-A
    114,317       11,334       2,241       222       (66,217 )     (6,565 )     50,341       4,991  
Class 529-B
    3,589       356       9       1       (5,116 )     (507 )     (1,518 )     (150 )
Class 529-C
    32,075       3,180       40       4       (20,773 )     (2,060 )     11,342       1,124  
Class 529-E
    7,637       757       87       9       (4,288 )     (425 )     3,436       341  
Class 529-F-1
    15,386       1,525       339       34       (7,242 )     (718 )     8,483       841  
Class R-1
    1,801       179       7       1       (3,195 )     (317 )     (1,387 )     (137 )
Class R-2
    25,736       2,551       61       6       (24,156 )     (2,395 )     1,641       162  
Class R-3
    23,636       2,344       233       23       (17,576 )     (1,742 )     6,293       625  
Class R-4
    15,323       1,519       154       16       (9,680 )     (960 )     5,797       575  
Class R-5
    11,462       1,136       164       16       (13,337 )     (1,322 )     (1,711 )     (170 )
Class R-6
    61,635       6,112       197       20       (4,294 )     (426 )     57,538       5,706  
Total net increase (decrease)
  $ 1,831,093       181,534     $ 37,066       3,676     $ (1,984,805 )     (196,783 )   $ (116,646 )     (11,573 )
                                                                 
Year ended August 31, 2011
                                                               
Class A
  $ 1,772,052       175,452     $ 34,236       3,389     $ (1,686,700 )     (167,049 )   $ 119,588       11,792  
Class B
    26,891       2,662       328       33       (49,345 )     (4,886 )     (22,126 )     (2,191 )
Class C
    133,163       13,185       756       75       (144,187 )     (14,277 )     (10,268 )     (1,017 )
Class F-1
    99,033       9,806       1,661       164       (136,503 )     (13,507 )     (35,809 )     (3,537 )
Class F-2
    227,209       22,517       2,393       237       (157,140 )     (15,558 )     72,462       7,196  
Class 529-A
    111,491       11,042       2,173       215       (57,117 )     (5,659 )     56,547       5,598  
Class 529-B
    4,378       433       32       3       (5,732 )     (567 )     (1,322 )     (131 )
Class 529-C
    30,874       3,058       164       16       (20,298 )     (2,011 )     10,740       1,063  
Class 529-E
    7,359       729       93       10       (3,339 )     (331 )     4,113       408  
Class 529-F-1
    15,670       1,552       299       30       (6,454 )     (640 )     9,515       942  
Class R-1
    3,796       376       19       2       (2,658 )     (264 )     1,157       114  
Class R-2
    27,528       2,726       110       11       (20,839 )     (2,064 )     6,799       673  
Class R-3
    29,603       2,932       256       25       (18,883 )     (1,871 )     10,976       1,086  
Class R-4
    15,649       1,550       156       15       (10,540 )     (1,045 )     5,265       520  
Class R-5
    11,176       1,108       182       18       (9,783 )     (966 )     1,575       160  
Class R-6
    9,660       957       168       16       (11,747 )     (1,163 )     (1,919 )     (190 )
Total net increase (decrease)
  $ 2,525,532       250,085     $ 43,026       4,259     $ (2,341,265 )     (231,858 )   $ 227,293       22,486  
                                                                 
* Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
                                                               
 
8. Investment transactions

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $1,988,409,000 and $1,741,975,000, respectively, during the year ended August 31, 2012.
 
 

Financial highlights
 
            Income (loss) from investment operations (1)                                    
   
Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
   
Net
investment income (loss)
   
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized)
   
Total from investment operations
   
Dividends
(from net investment income)
   
Net asset
value, end
of period
   
Total
return (2) (3)
   
Net assets,
end of period (in thousands)
   
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements/
waivers
   
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/
waivers (3)
   
Ratio of net income (loss) to average net assets (3)
 
Class A:
                                                                 
Year ended 8/31/2012
  $ 10.11     $ .08     $ .01     $ .09     $ (.10 )   $ 10.10       .87 %   $ 3,079,589       .60 %     .60 %     .79 %
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .12       (.04 )     .08       (.12 )     10.11       .79       3,251,222       .63       .63       1.14  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .14       .13       .27       (.14 )     10.15       2.75       3,145,795       .63       .63       1.39  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .17       .14       .31       (.19 )     10.02       3.22       2,357,579       .66       .66       1.80  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .36       (.06 )     .30       (.39 )     9.90       2.99       814,940       .73       .63       3.62  
Class B:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .01       .01       .02       (.03 )     10.10       .17     $ 37,172       1.30       1.30       .10  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .05       (.04 )     .01       (.05 )     10.11       .13       58,496       1.29       1.29       .50  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .08       .13       .21       (.08 )     10.15       2.08       81,004       1.28       1.28       .74  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .10       .14       .24       (.12 )     10.02       2.44       78,949       1.42       1.41       1.04  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .28       (.06 )     .22       (.31 )     9.90       2.23       22,889       1.46       1.37       2.81  
Class C:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       (.01 )     .01       -       (.01 )     10.10       .03     $ 168,327       1.45       1.45       (.05 )
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .04       (.04 )     -       (.04 )     10.11       (.02 )     228,325       1.44       1.44       .34  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .06       .13       .19       (.06 )     10.15       1.93       239,656       1.43       1.43       .59  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .09       .14       .23       (.11 )     10.02       2.40       219,256       1.47       1.46       1.00  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .28       (.06 )     .22       (.31 )     9.90       2.17       69,104       1.52       1.43       2.71  
Class F-1:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .07       .01       .08       (.09 )     10.10       .77     $ 146,385       .70       .70       .69  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .11       (.04 )     .07       (.11 )     10.11       .73       155,917       .69       .69       1.09  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .14       .13       .27       (.14 )     10.15       2.70       192,511       .68       .68       1.33  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .17       .14       .31       (.19 )     10.02       3.16       155,568       .72       .71       1.77  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .35       (.06 )     .29       (.38 )     9.90       2.93       73,826       .78       .69       3.57  
Class F-2:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .10       .01       .11       (.12 )     10.10       1.06     $ 266,048       .41       .41       .98  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .14       (.04 )     .10       (.14 )     10.11       1.02       264,652       .40       .40       1.36  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .17       .13       .30       (.17 )     10.15       3.00       192,784       .39       .39       1.63  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .19       .14       .33       (.21 )     10.02       3.40       227,308       .41       .41       1.87  
Period from 8/19/2008 to 8/31/2008 (4)
    9.92       - (5)     (.01 )     (.01 )     (.01 )     9.90       (.10 )     299       .02       .02       .09  
Class 529-A:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .07       .01       .08       (.09 )     10.10       .82       265,798       .65       .65       .73  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .12       (.04 )     .08       (.12 )     10.11       .78       215,594       .64       .64       1.13  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .14       .13       .27       (.14 )     10.15       2.74       159,703       .63       .63       1.37  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .16       .14       .30       (.18 )     10.02       3.09       76,623       .79       .78       1.66  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .34       (.06 )     .28       (.37 )     9.90       2.85       22,074       .86       .77       3.53  
Class 529-B:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       (.01 )     .01       -       (.01 )     10.10       .04       6,068       1.43       1.43       (.04 )
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .04       (.04 )     -       (.04 )     10.11       - (6)     7,595       1.42       1.42       .36  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .06       .13       .19       (.06 )     10.15       1.95       8,955       1.41       1.41       .60  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .09       .14       .23       (.11 )     10.02       2.31       5,780       1.54       1.54       .88  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .27       (.06 )     .21       (.30 )     9.90       2.08       1,186       1.61       1.52       2.69  
Class 529-C:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       (.01 )     .01       -       (.01 )     10.10       (.04 )     71,442       1.52       1.52       (.13 )
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .03       (.04 )     (.01 )     (.03 )     10.11       (.09 )     60,144       1.51       1.51       .26  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .05       .13       .18       (.05 )     10.15       1.85       49,617       1.51       1.51       .50  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .09       .14       .23       (.11 )     10.02       2.31       23,078       1.54       1.54       .89  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .27       (.06 )     .21       (.30 )     9.90       2.09       5,299       1.61       1.52       2.70  
Class 529-E:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .04       .01       .05       (.06 )     10.10       .46       17,307       1.01       1.01       .38  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .08       (.04 )     .04       (.08 )     10.11       .41       13,879       1.01       1.01       .76  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .11       .13       .24       (.11 )     10.15       2.36       9,803       1.00       1.00       1.00  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .14       .14       .28       (.16 )     10.02       2.83       4,311       1.04       1.03       1.40  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .32       (.06 )     .26       (.35 )     9.90       2.61       975       1.11       1.00       3.33  
                                                                                         
Class 529-F-1:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
  $ 10.11     $ .09     $ .01     $ .10     $ (.11 )   $ 10.10       .95 %   $ 35,862       .52 %     .52 %     .87 %
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .13       (.04 )     .09       (.13 )     10.11       .91       27,393       .51       .51       1.25  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .16       .13       .29       (.16 )     10.15       2.88       17,949       .50       .50       1.50  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .19       .14       .33       (.21 )     10.02       3.34       8,226       .54       .53       1.92  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .37       (.06 )     .31       (.40 )     9.90       3.13       2,921       .60       .50       3.76  
Class R-1:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       (.01 )     .01       -       (.01 )     10.10       .02       4,966       1.46       1.46       (.06 )
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .04       (.04 )     -       (.04 )     10.11       (.02 )     6,361       1.44       1.44       .33  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .06       .13       .19       (.06 )     10.15       1.91       5,230       1.46       1.46       .55  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .10       .14       .24       (.12 )     10.02       2.41       3,250       1.45       1.45       1.07  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .27       (.06 )     .21       (.30 )     9.90       2.15       1,853       1.52       1.43       2.95  
Class R-2:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       - (5)     .01       .01       (.02 )     10.10       .07       38,106       1.41       1.41       (.02 )
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .03       (.04 )     (.01 )     (.03 )     10.11       (.06 )     36,499       1.47       1.47       .30  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .06       .13       .19       (.06 )     10.15       1.89       29,827       1.47       1.47       .54  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .09       .14       .23       (.11 )     10.02       2.34       15,270       1.55       1.51       .92  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .27       (.06 )     .21       (.30 )     9.90       2.14       4,048       1.69       1.47       2.78  
Class R-3:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .03       .01       .04       (.05 )     10.10       .44       46,028       1.03       1.03       .36  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .08       (.04 )     .04       (.08 )     10.11       .39       39,759       1.02       1.02       .74  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .10       .13       .23       (.10 )     10.15       2.32       28,905       1.04       1.04       .96  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .13       .14       .27       (.15 )     10.02       2.78       12,548       1.10       1.09       1.39  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .32       (.06 )     .26       (.35 )     9.90       2.58       4,359       1.10       1.01       3.31  
Class R-4:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .07       .01       .08       (.09 )     10.10       .78       21,388       .69       .69       .70  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .11       (.04 )     .07       (.11 )     10.11       .71       15,600       .71       .71       1.06  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .13       .13       .26       (.13 )     10.15       2.65       10,389       .73       .73       1.28  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .17       .14       .31       (.19 )     10.02       3.13       7,415       .75       .75       1.67  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .35       (.06 )     .29       (.38 )     9.90       2.93       1,639       .79       .69       3.23  
Class R-5:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .10       .01       .11       (.12 )     10.10       1.06       13,432       .41       .41       .99  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .14       (.04 )     .10       (.14 )     10.11       1.01       15,161       .41       .41       1.35  
Year ended 8/31/2010
    10.02       .17       .13       .30       (.17 )     10.15       2.97       13,606       .42       .42       1.60  
Year ended 8/31/2009
    9.90       .19       .14       .33       (.21 )     10.02       3.43       9,201       .47       .45       2.18  
Year ended 8/31/2008
    9.99       .38       (.06 )     .32       (.41 )     9.90       3.20       133,016       .48       .42       3.50  
Class R-6:
                                                                                       
Year ended 8/31/2012
    10.11       .10       .01       .11       (.12 )     10.10       1.11       66,951       .35       .35       .97  
Year ended 8/31/2011
    10.15       .15       (.04 )     .11       (.15 )     10.11       1.06       9,341       .36       .36       1.42  
Period from 11/20/2009 (7) to 8/31/2010 (4)
    10.08       .13       .07       .20       (.13 )     10.15       1.99       11,308       .36 (8)     .36 (8)     1.63 (8)
Period from 5/7/2009 to 6/15/2009 (4)(9)
    9.93       .02       (.05 )     (.03 )     (.02 )     9.88       (.30 )     -       .04       .04       .20  
 
 
   
Year ended August 31
 
   
2012
   
2011
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
 
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes
    57 %     44 %     19 %     60 %     28 %
 
 
(1) Based on average shares outstanding.
                   
(2) Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
   
(3) This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from CRMC. During some of the periods shown, CRMC reduced fees for investment advisory services. In addition, during some of the periods shown, CRMC paid a portion of the fund's transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.
(4) Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.
           
(5) Amount less than $.01
                   
(6) Amount less than .01%.
               
(7) The first date the share class had assets during the fund’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2010.
(8) Annualized.
                   
(9) The last date the share class had assets during the fund’s fiscal year ended August 31, 2009.
     
                       
                       
See Notes to Financial Statements
                 
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of Short-Term Bond Fund of America
 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the summary investment portfolio, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Short-Term Bond Fund of America (the "Fund") at August 31, 2012, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at August 31, 2012 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Los Angeles, California
October 12, 2012

 
 
 
 

 
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of America

Part C
Other Information


Item 28.  Exhibits for Registration Statement (1940 Act No. 811-21928 and 1933 Act No. 333-135770)

(a)
Articles of Incorporation – Certificate of Trust filed 8/20/09 and Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated 8/20/09 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10)

(b)
By-laws – By-laws – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10)

(c)
Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – None

(d)
Investment Advisory Contracts – Investment Advisory and Service Agreement dated 11/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10)

(e-1)
Underwriting Contracts – Form of Principal Underwriting Agreement dated 11/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10); Form of Selling Group Agreement effective 3/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10); Form of Amendment to Selling Group Agreement effective 12/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11); Form of Amendment to Selling Group Agreement effective 2/1/11 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11); Form of Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement effective 3/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10); Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement effective 12/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11); Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement effective 2/1/11 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11); Form of Class F Share Participation Agreement effective 3/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10); Form of Amendment to Class F Share Participation Agreement effective 12/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11); Form of Amendment to Class F Share Participation Agreement effective 2/1/11 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11); Form of Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares effective 3/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10); Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares effective 12/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11); and Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares effective 2/1/11 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11)

(e-2)
Form of Amendment to Selling Group Agreement effective 5/18/2012; Form of Amendment to the Selling Group Agreement effective 9/14/2012; Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement effective 5/18/2012; Form of Amendment to the Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement effective 9/14/2012; Form of Amendment to Class F Share Participation Agreement effective 5/18/2012; and Form of Amendment to Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares effective 5/18/2012

(f)
Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – Deferred Compensation Plan effective 12/10/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/31/11)

(g)
Custodian Agreements – Form of Global Custody Agreement dated 12/21/06 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 1 filed 10/31/07)

(h-1)
Other Material Contracts – Form of Indemnification Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10); and Form of Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated 8/24/09 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10)

(h-2)
Form of Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement dated 1/1/12; and Form of Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement dated 1/1/12

(i)
Legal Opinion – Legal Opinion – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10)

(j)
Other Opinions – Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

(k)
Omitted financial statements - none

(l)
Initial capital agreements

(m)
Rule 12b-1 Plan – Form of Plans of Distribution for Classes A, B, C, F-1, 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E, 529-F-1 and R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 dated 11/1/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 10/29/10)

(n)
Rule 18f-3 Plan – Form of Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan dated 1/1/12

(o)
Reserved

(p)
Code of Ethics Code of Ethics for The Capital Group Companies dated October 2012 ; and Code of Ethics for Registrant dated December 2005


Item 29.                      Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund

None


Item 30.                      Indemnification

The Registrant is a joint-insured under Investment Advisor/Mutual Fund Errors and Omissions Policies, which insure its officers and trustees against certain liabilities.  However, in no event will Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify the individual.


Article 8 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust as well as the indemnification agreements that the Registrant has entered into with each of its trustees who is not an “interested person” of the Registrant (as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), provide in effect that the Registrant will indemnify its officers and trustees against any liability or expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in any proceeding arising out of or in connection with his or her service to the Registrant, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain conditions.  In accordance with Section 17(h) and 17(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and their respective terms, these provisions do not protect any person against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

Registrant will comply with the indemnification requirements contained in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Release Nos. 7221 (June 9, 1972) and 11330 (September 4, 1980).


Item 31.                      Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

None


Item 32.                      Principal Underwriters

(a)           American Funds Distributors, Inc. is the Principal Underwriter of shares of: AMCAP Fund, American Balanced Fund, American Funds College Target Date Series, American Funds Fundamental Investors, American Funds Global Balanced Fund, The American Funds Income Series, American Funds Money Market Fund, American Funds Mortgage Fund, American Funds Portfolio Series, American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II, American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, American High-Income Trust, American Mutual Fund, The Bond Fund of America, Capital Emerging Markets Total Opportunities Fund, Capital Income Builder, Capital Private Client Services Funds, Capital World Bond Fund, Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc., Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc., EuroPacific Growth Fund, The Growth Fund of America, Inc., The Income Fund of America, Intermediate Bond Fund of America, International Growth and Income Fund, The Investment Company of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, The New Economy Fund, New Perspective Fund, Inc., New World Fund, Inc., Short-Term Bond Fund of America, SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America and Washington Mutual Investors Fund

(b)

 
(1)
Name and Principal
Business Address
 
(2)
Positions and Offices
with Underwriter
(3)
Positions and Offices
with Registrant
IRV
Laurie M. Allen
 
Director, Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Dianne L. Anderson
 
Vice President
None
LAO
William C. Anderson
 
Director, Senior Vice President & Director of Retirement Plan Business
 
None
LAO
Dion T. Angelopoulos
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
T. Patrick Bardsley
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Shakeel A. Barkat
 
Vice President
None
IRV
Carl R. Bauer
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Brett A. Beach
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Roger J. Bianco, Jr.
 
Vice President
None
LAO
John A. Blanchard
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Gerard M. Bockstie, Jr.
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Jonathan W. Botts
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Bill Brady
 
Director, Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Mick L. Brethower
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
C. Alan Brown
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Gary D. Bryce
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Sheryl M. Burford
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Steven Calabria
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Thomas E. Callahan
 
Vice President
None
LAO
James D. Carter
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Brian C. Casey
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Christopher J. Cassin
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Denise M. Cassin
 
Director, Senior Vice President and Director of Individual
Investor Business
 
None
LAO
Craig L. Castner
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
David D. Charlton
 
Director, Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing
 
None
LAO
Thomas M. Charon
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Paul A. Cieslik
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Kevin G. Clifford
 
 
Director, President and
Chief Executive Officer
 
None
LAO
Ruth M. Collier
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Christopher M. Conwell
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Charles H. Cote
 
Vice President
None
SNO
Kathleen D. Cox
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Michael D. Cravotta
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Joseph G. Cronin
 
Vice President
None
LAO
D. Erick Crowdus
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Brian M. Daniels
 
Vice President
None
LAO
William F. Daugherty
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Shane L. Davis
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Peter J. Deavan
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Guy E. Decker
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Renee A. Degner
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Daniel J. Delianedis
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
James W. DeLouise
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Bruce L. DePriester
 
 
 
Director,
Senior Vice President,
Treasurer and Controller
 
None
LAO
Kevin F. Dolan
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Hedy B. Donahue
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Michael J. Downer
 
Director
None
LAO
Ryan T. Doyle
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Craig A. Duglin
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Alan J. Dumas
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Bryan K. Dunham
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Kevin C. Easley
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Timothy L. Ellis
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
John M. Fabiano
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Lorna Fitzgerald
 
Vice President
None
LAO
William F. Flannery
 
Vice President
None
LAO
John R. Fodor
 
Director, Executive Vice President
None
LAO
Charles L. Freadhoff
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Daniel B. Frick
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
J. Christopher Gies
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Earl C. Gottschalk
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Jeffrey J. Greiner
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Eric M. Grey
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Christopher M. Guarino
 
Senior Vice President
None
IRV
Steven Guida
 
Director, Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Derek S. Hansen
 
Vice President
None
LAO
John R. Harley
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Robert J. Hartig, Jr.
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Craig W. Hartigan
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Russell K. Holliday
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Heidi Horwitz-Marcus
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Kevin B. Hughes
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Jeffrey K. Hunkins
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Marc Ialeggio
 
Vice President
None
HRO
Jill Jackson-Chavis
 
Vice President
None
IND
David K. Jacocks
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
W. Chris Jenkins
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Linda Johnson
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Marc J. Kaplan
 
Vice President
None
LAO
John P. Keating
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Brian G. Kelly
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Ryan C. Kidwell
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Mark Kistler
 
Vice President
None
NYO
Dorothy Klock
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Stephen J. Knutson
 
Assistant Vice President
None
IRV
Elizabeth K. Koster
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Christopher F. Lanzafame
 
Vice President
None
IRV
Laura Lavery
 
Vice President
None
LAO
R. Andrew LeBlanc
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Matthew N. Leeper
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Clay M. Leveritt
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Susan B. Lewis
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
T. Blake Liberty
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Lorin E. Liesy
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Louis K. Linquata
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
James M. Maher
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Brendan T. Mahoney
 
Director, Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Nathan G. Mains
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Paul R. Mayeda
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Eleanor P. Maynard
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Dana C. McCollum
Vice President
 
None
LAO
Joseph A. McCreesh, III
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Ross M. McDonald
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Timothy W. McHale
 
Secretary
None
LAO
Will McKenna
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Scott M. Meade
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
David A. Merrill
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
William C. Miller, Jr.
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
William T. Mills
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Sean C. Minor
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
James R. Mitchell III
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Charles L. Mitsakos
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Linda M. Molnar
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Monty L. Moncrief
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Brian D. Munson
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Jon Christian Nicolazzo
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Earnest M. Niemi
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Jack Nitowitz
 
Vice President
None
LAO
William E. Noe
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Matthew P. O’Connor
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Jonathan H. O’Flynn
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Jeffrey A. Olson
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Thomas A. O’Neil
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Shawn M. O’Sullivan
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Rodney Dean Parker II
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
W. Burke Patterson, Jr.
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Gary A. Peace
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
David K. Petzke
 
Senior Vice President
None
IRV
John H. Phelan, Jr.
 
Director
None
LAO
Keith A. Piken
 
Vice President
None
LAO
John Pinto
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Carl S. Platou
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Charles R. Porcher
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Julie K. Prather
 
Vice President
None
SNO
Richard P. Prior
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Steven J. Quagrello
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Mike Quinn
 
Vice President
None
SNO
John P. Raney
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
James P. Rayburn
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Rene M. Reincke
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Steven J. Reitman
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Jeffrey Robinson
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Suzette M. Rothberg
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
James F. Rothenberg
 
Non-Executive Chairman and Director
None
LAO
Romolo D. Rottura
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
William M. Ryan
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Dean B. Rydquist
 
Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer
None
LAO
Richard A. Sabec, Jr.
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Paul V. Santoro
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Keith A. Saunders
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Joseph D. Scarpitti
 
Senior Vice President
None
IRV
MaryAnn Scarsone
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Kim D. Schmidt
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
David L. Schroeder
 
Vice President
None
LAO
James J. Sewell III
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Arthur M. Sgroi
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Steven D. Shackelford
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Michael J. Sheldon
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Brad Short
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Nathan W. Simmons
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Connie F. Sjursen
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Jerry L. Slater
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Matthew Smith
 
Assistant Vice President
None
SNO
Stacy D. Smolka
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
J. Eric Snively
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Therese L. Soullier
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Kristen J. Spazafumo
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Mark D. Steburg
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Michael P. Stern
 
Vice President
None
NYO
Andrew B. Suzman
 
Director
None
LAO
Libby J. Syth
 
Vice President
None
LAO
David R. Therrien
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Gary J. Thoma
 
Vice President
None
LAO
John B. Thomas
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Mark R. Threlfall
 
Vice President
None
IND
James P. Toomey
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Luke N. Trammell
 
Vice President
None
IND
Christopher E. Trede
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Scott W. Ursin-Smith
 
Senior Vice President
None
SNO
Cindy Vaquiax
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Srinkanth Vemuri
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
J. David Viale
 
Senior Vice President
None
DCO
Bradley J. Vogt
 
Director
None
LAO
Jon N. Wainman
 
Regional Vice President
None
LAO
Sherrie S. Walling
 
Assistant Vice President
None
SNO
Chris L. Wammack
 
Assistant Vice President
None
LAO
Thomas E. Warren
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Gregory J. Weimer
 
Senior Vice President
None
SFO
Gregory W. Wendt
 
Director
None
LAO
George J. Wenzel
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
N. Dexter Williams, Jr.
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Steven C. Wilson
 
Vice President
None
LAO
Timothy J. Wilson
 
Director, Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager
None
LAO
Kurt A. Wuestenberg
 
Senior Vice President
None
LAO
Jason P. Young
 
Director, Vice President
None
LAO
Jonathan A. Young
 
Vice President
None

__________
DCO
Business Address, 3000 K Street N.W., Suite 230, Washington, DC 20007-5140
GVO-1
Business Address, 3 Place des Bergues, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
HRO
Business Address, 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
IND
Business Address, 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032
IRV
Business Address, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
LAO
Business Address, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA  90071
LAO-W
Business Address, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., 15 th Floor, Los Angeles, CA  90025
NYO
Business Address, 630 Fifth Avenue, 36 th Floor, New York, NY 10111
SFO
Business Address, One Market, Steuart Tower, Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105
SNO
Business Address, 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX  78251

(c)           None


Item 33.                      Location of Accounts and Records

Accounts, books and other records required by Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are maintained and held in the offices of the Registrant’s investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618 and/or 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, Virginia  23513.

Registrant’s records covering shareholder accounts are maintained and kept by its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618 ; 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032 ; 14636 North Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85254; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, Texas 78251; and 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, Virginia  23513.

Registrant’s records covering portfolio transactions are maintained and kept by its custodian, JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017-2070.


Item 34.                      Management Services

None


Item 35.                      Undertakings

n/a
 
 
 

 
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, and State of California, on the 29 th day of October, 2012.

SHORT-TERM BOND FUND OF AMERICA

/s/ David A. Hoag
David A. Hoag, President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below on October 29, 2012, by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

 
 
Signature
 
Title
 
 
(1)
 
Principal Executive Officer
 
 
 
/s/ David A. Hoag
 
 
President
 
 
(David A. Hoag)
 
 
(2)
 
Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer:
 
 
 
/s/ Karl C. Grauman
 
 
Treasurer
 
 
(Karl C. Grauman)
 
 
(3)
 
Trustees:
 
 
William H. Baribault*
 
Trustee
 
 
James G. Ellis*
 
Trustee
 
 
Leonard R. Fuller*
 
Trustee
 
 
W. Scott Hedrick*
 
Trustee
 
 
R. Clark Hooper*
 
Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive)
 
 
Merit E. Janow*
 
Trustee
 
 
Laurel B. Mitchell*
 
Trustee
 
 
Frank M. Sanchez*
 
Trustee
 
 
 
/s/ John H. Smet
 
 
Trustee
 
 
(John H. Smet)
 
 
Margaret Spellings*
 
Trustee
 
 
Steadman Upham*
 
Trustee
 
 
*By:         /s/ Courtney R. Taylor
 
 
 
(Courtney R. Taylor, pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith)

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

/s/ Michael J. Triessl
(Michael J. Triessl)

 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

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

-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ William H. Baribault
 
     
William H. Baribault, Board member
 

 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

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

-  
AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)
-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Brian D. Bullard
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
Ari M. Vinocor
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ James G. Ellis
 
     
James G. Ellis, Board member
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

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

-  
AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)
-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Brian D. Bullard
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
Ari M. Vinocor
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ Leonard R. Fuller
 
     
Leonard R. Fuller, Board member
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, W. Scott Hedrick , the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) :

-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ W. Scott Hedrick
 
     
W. Scott Hedrick, Board member
 


 
 
 

 
 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

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

-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-  
Capital World Growth and Income Fund
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
The New Economy Fund  (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-  
The New Economy Fund
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
Neal F. Wellons
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ R. Clark Hooper
 
     
R. Clark Hooper, Board member
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Merit E. Janow , the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) :

-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-  
Capital World Growth and Income Fund
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
The New Economy Fund  (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-  
The New Economy Fund
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
Neal F. Wellons
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ Merit E. Janow
 
     
Merit E. Janow, Board member
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

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

-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ Laurel B. Mitchell
 
     
Laurel B. Mitchell, Board member
 


 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Frank M. Sanchez , the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) :

-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ Frank M. Sanchez
 
     
Frank M. Sanchez, Board member
 


 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Margaret Spellings, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

-  
American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)
-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
Jeffrey P. Regal
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 18 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ Margaret Spellings
 
     
Margaret Spellings, Board member
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
POWER OF ATTORNEY

I, Steadman Upham , the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) :

-  
American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-  
The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-  
American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-  
American Funds Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-  
American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-  
American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-  
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-  
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-  
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-  
The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-  
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-  
American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-  
The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-  
Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-  
Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-  
Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-  
Capital World Growth and Income Fund
-  
Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-  
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-  
The New Economy Fund  (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-  
The New Economy Fund
-  
Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-  
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

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

Vincent P. Corti
Steven I. Koszalka
Patrick F. Quan
Courtney R. Taylor
Julie E. Lawton
Tanya Schneider
Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.
Karl C. Grauman
M. Susan Gupton
Brian C. Janssen
Dori Laskin
Gregory F. Niland
Neal F. Wellons
 
 
each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission.  I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 

 
EXECUTED at Washington, DC , this 13 th day of June, 2012.
 
   
(City, State)
   
         
         
     
/s/ Steadman Upham
 
     
Steadman Upham, Board member
 

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