<PAGE> [logo - American Funds (r)] The right choice for the long term/(R)/ AMCAP Fund/(R)/ PROSPECTUS May 1, 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Risk/Return summary 5 Fees and expenses of the fund 7 Investment objective, strategies and risks 10 Management and organization 13 Shareholder information 14 Choosing a share class 16 Purchase and exchange of shares 20 Sales charges 24 Sales charge reductions and waivers 27 Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs 27 Plans of distribution 28 Other compensation to dealers 29 How to sell shares 31 Distributions and taxes 32 Financial highlights THE 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. <PAGE> <PAGE> Risk/Return summary The fund seeks to make your investment grow over time by investing primarily in stocks of U.S. companies with a record of above average long-term growth. The fund may also invest in non-U.S. securities to a limited extent. The fund is designed for investors seeking capital appreciation through investments in stocks. Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially wide price fluctuations. Your investment in the fund is subject to risks, including the possibility that the value of the fund's portfolio holdings may fluctuate in response to events specific to the companies or markets in which the fund invests, as well as economic, political or social events in the United States or abroad. 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 government agency, entity or person. 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. 1 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>HISTORICAL INVESTMENT RESULTS The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from year to year, and the Investment Results table on page 4 shows how the fund's average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market performance. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All fund results 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 period presented. Past results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future results. [begin - bar chart] Calendar year total returns for Class A shares (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.) 1997 30.55 1998 30.02 1999 21.78 2000 7.50 2001 - 5.01 2002 -18.66 2003 29.64 2004 9.80 2005 6.98 2006 8.63 [end - bar chart] Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were: HIGHEST 22.00% (quarter ended December 31, 1998) LOWEST -15.40% (quarter ended September 30, 2001) The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was 2.05%. 2 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Unlike the bar chart on the previous page, the Investment Results table on the following page reflects, as required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the fund's investment results with the following maximum initial or contingent deferred sales charges imposed: . Class A share results reflect the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. This charge is reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more. . Class B share results reflect the applicable contingent deferred sales charge. For example, results for the one-year period shown reflect a contingent deferred sales charge of 5%. These charges begin to decline one year after purchase and are eliminated six years after purchase. . Class C share results for the one-year period shown reflect a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%, which only applies if shares are sold within one year of purchase. . Class 529-E and Class F shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. Results would be higher if calculated without sales charges. The references above to Class A, B, C or F sales charges also refer to the corresponding Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C or 529-F sales charges. The Investment Results table shows the fund's results on both a pretax and after-tax basis, as required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules. After-tax returns are shown only for Class A shares; after-tax returns for other share classes will vary. Total returns shown "after taxes on distributions" reflect the effect of taxes on distributions (for example, dividends or capital gain distributions) by the fund. Total returns shown "after taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares" assume that you sold your fund shares at the end of the particular time period and, as a result, reflect the effect of both taxes on distributions by the fund and taxes on any gain or loss realized upon the sale of the shares. 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 BELOW. IN ADDITION, AFTER-TAX RETURNS MAY NOT BE RELEVANT IF YOU HOLD YOUR FUND SHARES THROUGH A TAX-DEFERRED ARRANGEMENT, SUCH AS A 401(K) PLAN, INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNT (IRA) OR 529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLAN./ / Unlike the Investment Results table on page 4, the Additional Investment Results table on page 8 reflects the fund's results calculated without sales charges. 3AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITH MAXIMUM SALES CHARGES) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 5/1/67 Before taxes 2.37% 4.87% 10.35% 12.18% After taxes on distributions 1.80 4.60 8.72 N/A After taxes on distributions and 2.25 4.16 8.38 N/A sale of fund shares ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 YEAR 5 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS B -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/00 Before taxes 2.80% 4.97% 3.74% ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS C -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/01 Before taxes 6.79 5.25 4.66 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS F -- FIRST SOLD 3/16/01 Before taxes 8.69 6.07 5.79 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-A -- FIRST SOLD 2/15/02 Before taxes 2.39 N/A 5.82 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-B -- FIRST SOLD 2/19/02 Before taxes 2.72 N/A 6.25 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-C -- FIRST SOLD 2/19/02 Before taxes 6.65 N/A 6.58 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-E -- FIRST SOLD 3/7/02 Before taxes 8.22 N/A 5.98 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-F -- FIRST SOLD 9/17/02 Before taxes 8.77 N/A 12.86 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEXES (BEFORE TAXES) S&P 500/3/ 15.78% 6.19% 8.42% 10.62% Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index/4/ 14.14 7.37 8.34 10.28 Lipper Growth Funds Index/5/ 10.28 4.66 6.57 9.50 Consumer Price Index/6/ 2.54 2.69 2.44 4.66 /1/ Lifetime results for each share class are measured from the date the share class was first sold. /2/ Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A shares were first sold. The funds or securities that compose each index may vary over time. /3/ Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but does not reflect sales charges, commissions, expenses or taxes. /4/ Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted index of funds that invest in a variety of market capitalization ranges without concentrating 75% of their equity assets in any one market capitalization range over an extended period of time. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /5/ Lipper Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted index of growth funds, as defined by each fund's related prospectus. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /6/ Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Widely used as a measure of inflation, the CPI is computed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 4 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Fees and expenses of the fund These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund.SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) CLASS A/1/ CLASS B/1/ CLASS C/1/ CLASS 529-E/2/ CLASS F/1,3/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum initial sales charge on purchases 5.75%/4/ none none none none (as a percentage of offering price) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum sales charge none none none none none on reinvested dividends -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum contingent none/5/ 5.00%/6/ 1.00%/7/ none none deferred sales charge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption or none none none none none exchange fees ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS F ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management fees/8/ 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and/or service 0.23 1.00 1.00 0.25 (12b-1) fees/9/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other expenses/10/ 0.13 0.14 0.19 0.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual fund operating 0.68 1.46 1.51 0.68 expenses/8/ CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E 529-F ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management fees/8/ 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and/or service 0.19 1.00 1.00 0.50 -- (12b-1) fees/11/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other expenses/10,12/ 0.23 0.25 0.24 0.23 0.23 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual fund operating 0.74 1.57 1.56 1.05 0.55 expenses/8/ /1/ Includes corresponding 529 share class. Accounts holding these 529 shares are subject to a $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee, which are not reflected in this table. /2/ Available only to employer-sponsored 529 plans. Accounts holding these shares are subject to a $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee, which are not reflected in this table. /3/ Class F and 529-F shares are generally available only to fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund's distributor and to certain registered investment advisers. /4/ The initial sales charge is reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more. /5/ A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions made within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. /6/ The contingent deferred sales charge is reduced one year after purchase and eliminated six years after purchase. /7/ The contingent deferred sales charge is eliminated one year after purchase. /8/ The fund's investment adviser is currently waiving 10% of its management fee. The waiver may be discontinued at any time in consultation with the fund's board, but it is expected to continue at this level until further review. The fund's investment adviser and board intend to review the waiver as circumstances warrant. Management fees and total expenses do not reflect any waiver. The effect of any waiver on total operating expenses can be found in the Financial Highlights table in this prospectus and in the fund's annual report. /9/ Class A and F 12b-1 fees may not exceed .25% and .50%, respectively, of each class' average net assets annually. Class B and C 12b-1 fees may not exceed 1.00% of each class' average net assets annually. /10/Includes custodial, legal, transfer agent and subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments and various other expenses. 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 will vary depending on the share class and services provided, and typically ranges from $3 to $19 per account. /11/Class 529-A and 529-F 12b-1 fees may not exceed .50% of each class' average net assets annually. Class 529-B and 529-C 12b-1 fees may not exceed 1.00% of each class' average net assets annually. Class 529-E 12b-1 fees may not exceed .75% of the class' average net assets annually. /12/Includes .10% paid to a state or states for oversight and administrative services. 5 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> EXAMPLES The examples below are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same as shown above. The examples do not reflect the impact of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. The examples assuming redemption do not reflect the effect of any taxable gain or loss at the time of the redemption. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your cumulative estimated expenses would be:1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A/1/ $640 $780 $ 932 $1,373 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B -- assuming redemption/2/ 649 862 997 1,534 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class B -- assuming no redemption/3/ 149 462 797 1,534 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C -- assuming redemption/4/ 254 477 824 1,802 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class C -- assuming no redemption 154 477 824 1,802 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class F -- excluding intermediary 69 218 379 847 fees/5/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class 529-A/1,6/ 666 837 1,021 1,545 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class 529-B -- assuming 679 934 1,112 1,745 redemption/2,6/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class 529-B -- assuming no 179 534 912 1,745 redemption/3,6/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class 529-C -- assuming 278 531 907 1,956 redemption/4,6/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class 529-C -- assuming no redemption/6/ 178 531 907 1,956 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class 529-E/6/ 127 373 637 1,385 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class 529-F -- excluding intermediary 76 216 366 795 fees/5,6/ /1/ Reflects the maximum initial sales charge in the first year. /2/ Reflects applicable contingent deferred sales charges through year six and Class A or 529-A expenses for years nine and 10 because Class B and 529-B shares automatically convert to Class A and 529-A shares, respectively, after eight years. /3/ Reflects Class A or 529-A expenses for years nine and 10 because Class B and 529-B shares automatically convert to Class A and 529-A shares, respectively, after eight years. /4/ Reflects a contingent deferred sales charge in the first year. /5/ Does not include fees charged by financial intermediaries, which are independent of fund expenses and will increase the overall cost of your investment. Intermediary fees typically range from .75% to 1.50% of assets annually depending on the services offered. /6/ Reflects an initial $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee. 6 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Investment objective, strategies and risks The fund's investment objective is to provide you with long-term growth of capital. It invests primarily in stocks of issuers located in the U.S. but may invest in non-U.S. securities to a limited extent. The prices of securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The growth-oriented, equity-type securities generally purchased by the fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. The fund's investment adviser focuses primarily on companies with attributes that are associated with long-term growth, such as strong management, participation in a growing market and a history of above average growth in earnings, revenues, book value, cash flow and/or return on assets. The fund may also hold cash or money market instruments. The percentage of the fund invested in such holdings varies and depends on various factors, including market conditions and purchases and redemptions of fund shares. A larger percentage of such holdings could moderate the fund's investment results in a period of rising market prices. 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 relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities. 7 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT RESULTS Unlike the Investment Results table on page 4, the table below reflects the fund's results calculated without sales charges. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITHOUT SALES CHARGES) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 5/1/67 Before taxes 8.63% 6.12% 11.00% 12.35% After taxes on distributions 8.03 5.84 9.36 N/A After taxes on distributions and 6.37 5.24 8.98 N/A sale of fund shares ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 YEAR 5 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS B -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/00 Before taxes 7.80% 5.30% 3.74% ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS C -- FIRST SOLD 3/15/01 Before taxes 7.79 5.25 4.66 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS F -- FIRST SOLD 3/16/01 Before taxes 8.69 6.07 5.79 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-A -- FIRST SOLD 2/15/02 Before taxes 8.61 N/A 7.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-B -- FIRST SOLD 2/19/02 Before taxes 7.71 N/A 6.57 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-C -- FIRST SOLD 2/19/02 Before taxes 7.65 N/A 6.58 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-E -- FIRST SOLD 3/7/02 Before taxes 8.22 N/A 5.98 ------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-F -- FIRST SOLD 9/17/02 Before taxes 8.77 N/A 12.86 ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEXES (BEFORE TAXES) S&P 500/3/ 15.78% 6.19% 8.42% 10.62% Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index/4/ 14.14 7.37 8.34 10.28 Lipper Growth Funds Index/5/ 10.28 4.66 6.57 9.50 Consumer Price Index/6/ 2.54 2.69 2.44 4.66 /1/ Lifetime results for each share class are measured from the date the share class was first sold. /2/ Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A shares were first sold. The funds or securities that compose each index may vary over time. /3/ Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but does not reflect sales charges, commissions, expenses or taxes. /4/ Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted index of funds that invest in a variety of market capitalization ranges without concentrating 75% of their equity assets in any one market capitalization range over an extended period of time. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /5/ Lipper Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted index of growth funds, as defined by each fund's related prospectus. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /6/ Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Widely used as a measure of inflation, the CPI is computed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 8AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> [begin - pie chart] Largest industry sector holdings as of February 28, 2007 (percent of net assets) Information technology 20.28% Consumer discretionary 18.68 Other industries 16.48 Health care 16.19 Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities 14.43 Financials 7.89 Consumer staples 6.05 [end - pie chart] TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2007 PERCENT OF NET ASSETS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Lowe's Companies 2.64% ------------------------------------------------------------------ Cisco Systems 2.49 ------------------------------------------------------------------ UnitedHealth Group 2.46 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Target 2.22 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Oracle 2.12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Wellpoint 2.07 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Intel 1.98 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Fannie Mae 1.91 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Google 1.81 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Microsoft 1.71 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Because the fund is actively managed, its holdings will change over time. For updated information on the fund's portfolio holdings, please visit us at americanfunds.com. 9 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Management and organizationINVESTMENT ADVISER Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, serves as 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, and 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, California 92821. 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, for the previous fiscal year appears in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund." A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the fund's investment advisory and service agreement by the fund's board of directors is contained in the fund's semi-annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2006. EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund's portfolio transactions. The investment adviser strives to obtain best execution for the fund's portfolio transactions, taking into account a variety of factors to produce the most favorable total price reasonably attainable under the circumstances. These factors include the size and type of transaction, the cost and quality of executions, and the broker-dealer's ability to offer liquidity and anonymity. For example, with respect to equity transactions, the fund does not consider the investment adviser as having an obligation to obtain the lowest available commission rate to the exclusion of price, service and qualitative considerations. Subject to the considerations outlined above, the investment adviser may place orders for the fund's portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who have sold shares of funds managed by the investment adviser, or who have provided investment research and/or brokerage services to the investment adviser. In placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions, the investment adviser does not commit to any specific amount of business with any particular broker-dealer. Subject to best execution, the investment adviser may consider investment research and/or brokerage services provided to the adviser in placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions. However, when the investment adviser places orders for the fund's portfolio transactions, it does not give any consideration to whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser. 10 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. To reach this information, access the lower portion of the fund's details page on the website. A list of the fund's top 10 equity holdings, updated as of each month-end, is generally posted to this page within 14 days after the end of the applicable month. A link to the fund's complete list of publicly disclosed portfolio holdings, updated as of each calendar quarter-end, is generally posted to this page within 45 days after the end of the applicable quarter. Both lists remain available on the website until new information for the next month or quarter is posted. Portfolio holdings information for the fund is also contained in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. 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. Counselors 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. 11 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> The primary individual portfolio counselors for AMCAP Fund are: PRIMARY TITLE WITH PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISER COUNSELOR'S PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/ COUNSELOR (OR AFFILIATE) ROLE IN FUND TITLE EXPERIENCE AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (IF APPLICABLE) IN THIS FUND EXPERIENCE OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. MICHAEL SHANAHAN 21 years Chairman Emeritus, Serves as an equity Vice Chairman of the Capital Research and portfolio counselor Board Management Company Investment professional for 42 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLAUDIA P. HUNTINGTON 11 years Senior Vice President, Serves as an equity President and (plus 14 years of Capital Research and portfolio counselor Director prior experience Management Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 34 years in total; 32 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TIMOTHY D. ARMOUR 11 years President and Director, Serves as an equity Senior Vice President (plus 7 years of Capital Research and portfolio counselor prior experience Management Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 24 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. ROSS SAPPENFIELD 8 years Vice President, Capital Serves as an equity Vice President (plus 5 years of Research and Management portfolio counselor prior experience Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 15 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Information regarding the portfolio counselors' compensation, their ownership of securities in the fund and other accounts they manage can be found in the statement of additional information. 12 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 and circumstances change. These services may be terminated or modified at any time upon 60 days' written notice. For your convenience, American Funds Service Company has four service centers across the country.AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY SERVICE AREAS Call toll-free from anywhere in the United States (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET): 800/421-0180 Access the American Funds website : americanfunds.com [map of the United States] Western Western Central Eastern Central Eastern service center service center service center service center American Funds American Funds American Funds American Funds Service Company Service Company Service Company Service Company P.O. Box 25065 P.O. Box 659522 P.O. Box 6007 P.O. Box 2280 Santa Ana, San Antonio, Texas Indianapolis, Indiana Norfolk, Virginia California 78265-9522 46206-6007 23501-2280 92799-5065 Fax: 210/474-4352 Fax: 317/735-6636 Fax: 757/670-4761 Fax: 714/671-7133 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 or calling American Funds Service Company. 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. Please see your financial adviser or investment dealer for more information. 13 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Choosing a share class The fund offers different classes of shares through this prospectus. Class A, B, C and F shares are available through various investment programs or accounts, including certain types of retirement plans (see limitations below). The services or share classes available to you may vary depending upon how you wish to purchase shares of the fund. 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 organization. Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C and 529-F shares are structured similarly to the corresponding Class A, B, C and F shares. For example, the same initial sales charges apply to Class 529-A shares as to Class A shares. Class 529-E shares are available only to investors participating through an eligible employer plan. 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, 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 in 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); . availability of share classes: -- Class B and 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, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, and money purchase pension and profit-sharing plans; and -- Class F and 529-F shares are generally available only to fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund's distributor and to certain registered investment advisers. 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. UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, REFERENCES IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO CLASS A, B, C OR F SHARES ALSO REFER TO THE CORRESPONDING CLASS 529-A, 529-B, 529-C OR 529-F SHARES. 14 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>SUMMARY OF THE PRIMARY DIFFERENCES AMONG SHARE CLASSES CLASS A SHARES Initial sales charge up to 5.75% (reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more) Contingent deferred none (except that a charge of 1.00% applies to certain sales charge redemptions made within one year following purchases of $1 million or more without an initial sales charge) 12b-1 fees up to .25% annually (for 529-A shares, may not exceed .50% annually) Dividends generally higher than other classes due to lower annual expenses, but may be lower than F shares, depending on relative expenses Purchase maximum none Conversion none CLASS B SHARES Initial sales charge none Contingent deferred starts at 5.00%, declining to 0% six years after sales charge purchase 12b-1 fees up to 1.00% annually Dividends generally lower than A and F shares due to higher 12b-1 fees and other expenses, but higher than C shares due to lower other expenses Purchase maximum see the discussion regarding purchase minimums and maximums in "Purchase and exchange of shares" Conversion automatic conversion to A or 529-A shares after eight years, reducing future annual expenses CLASS C SHARES Initial sales charge none Contingent deferred 1.00% if shares are sold within one year after sales charge purchase 12b-1 fees up to 1.00% annually Dividends generally lower than other classes due to higher 12b-1 fees and other expenses Purchase maximum see the discussion regarding purchase minimums and maximums in "Purchase and exchange of shares" Conversion automatic conversion to F shares after 10 years, reducing future annual expenses (529-C shares will not convert to 529-F shares) CLASS 529-E SHARES Initial sales charge none Contingent deferred none sales charge 12b-1 fees currently up to .50% annually (may not exceed .75% annually) Dividends generally higher than 529-B and 529-C shares due to lower 12b-1 fees, but lower than 529-A and 529-F shares due to higher 12b-1 fees Purchase maximum none Conversion none CLASS F SHARES Initial sales charge none Contingent deferred none sales charge 12b-1 fees currently up to .25% annually (may not exceed .50% annually) Dividends generally higher than B and C shares due to lower 12b-1 fees, and may be higher than A shares, depending on relative expenses Purchase maximum none Conversion none 15 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Purchase and exchange 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. PURCHASE OF CLASS A, B AND C SHARES You may generally open an account and purchase Class A, B and C 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. You may purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial adviser and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire. 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 and through certain registered investment advisers. These dealers and advisers typically charge ongoing fees for services they provide. 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 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. 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 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 SHARES TO THE CORRESPONDING 529 SHARE CLASS, PARTICULARLY IN THE CASE OF UNIFORM GIFTS TO MINORS ACT OR 16 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 funds 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" for information regarding electronic exchanges. 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 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 directors has adopted a "purchase blocking policy," under which any shareholder redeeming shares (including redemptions that are part of an exchange transaction) having a value of $5,000 or more from the fund will be precluded from investing in the fund (including investments that are part of an exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption transaction. Under the fund's purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and certain redemptions will not trigger a 17 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> purchase block, such as: systematic redemptions and purchases where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase; purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000; transactions in Class 529 shares; purchases and redemptions resulting from reallocations by American Funds Target Date Retirement Series/SM/; retirement plan contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals) identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper's system; and 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. The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy 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 procedures which American Funds Service Company believes 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, ALL TRANSACTIONS IN FUND SHARES REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE FUND'S AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS' RIGHT 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. 18 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>PURCHASE MINIMUMS AND MAXIMUMS PURCHASE MINIMUMS FOR ALL CLASSES OF SHARES/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To establish an account (including retirement plan and 529 $ 250/2/ accounts) For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll deduction 25 savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account To add to an account 50 For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll 25 deduction savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PURCHASE MAXIMUM PER TRANSACTION FOR CLASS B SHARES 50,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PURCHASE MAXIMUM PER TRANSACTION FOR CLASS C SHARES 500,000 /1/ Purchase minimums may be waived in certain cases. Please see the statement of additional information for details. /2/ 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-C, 529-E and 529-F shares will reflect the maximum applicable contribution limits under state law. See the applicable program description for more information. If you have significant American Funds holdings, you may not be eligible to invest in Class B or C shares (or their corresponding 529 share classes). Specifically, you may not purchase Class B or 529-B shares if you are eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $100,000 or higher sales charge discount rate, and you may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if you are eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1 million or more sales charge discount rate (i.e., at net asset value). See "Sales charge reductions and waivers" below and the statement of additional information for more information regarding sales charge discounts.VALUING SHARES The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single share. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4:00 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, if events occur between the close of markets outside the United States and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange that, in the opinion of the investment adviser, materially affect the value of any of the fund's securities that principally trade in those international markets, those securities will be valued in accordance with fair value procedures. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more appropriate net asset values. In addition, such use will reduce, if not eliminate, potential arbitrage opportunities otherwise available to short-term investors. 19 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Because the fund may hold securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of securities held in the fund may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares. 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 and accepts your request. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply at the time you sell certain Class A, B and C shares. MOVING BETWEEN SHARE CLASSES AND ACCOUNTS 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. 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. Any applicable sales charge will be deducted directly from your investment. SALES CHARGE AS A PERCENTAGE OF: DEALER NET COMMISSION OFFERING AMOUNT AS A PERCENTAGE INVESTMENT PRICE INVESTED OF OFFERING PRICE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $25,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $25,000 but less than $50,000 5.00 5.26 4.25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 3.75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 2.75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $250,000 but 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 none none see below investments described below ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 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 your investment dealer's load-waived A share program with the American Funds; and . certain rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs (see "Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs" below for more information). The distributor may pay dealers 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" below). 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. 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. Please see the statement of additional information for more information. 21 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS Many employer-sponsored retirement plans are eligible to purchase Class R shares. Eligible plans and Class R shares are described in more detail in the fund's retirement plan prospectus. 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 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." Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales charge table above. Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in Class A shares without any sales charge on or before March 31, 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. CLASS B AND C SHARES Class B and C shares are sold without any initial sales charge. American Funds Distributors pays 4% of the amount invested to dealers who sell Class B shares and 1% to dealers who sell Class C shares. For Class B shares, a contingent deferred sales charge may be applied to shares you sell within six years of purchase, as shown in the table below. 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. Any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on investments in 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. 22 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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" below. 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. See "Plans of distribution" below for ongoing compensation paid to your dealer or financial adviser for all share classes. 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 purchase date. Class C shares automatically convert to Class F 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 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. CLASS 529-E AND CLASS F SHARES Class 529-E and Class F shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. 23 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 A 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. To have your Class A, B or C contingent deferred sales charge waived, you must let your adviser or American Funds Service Company know at the time you redeem shares that you qualify for such a waiver. IN ADDITION TO THE INFORMATION BELOW, YOU MAY OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT 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 your Class A sales charge. However, for this purpose, investments representing direct purchases of American Funds money market funds 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. 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 to qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge. 24 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> RIGHTS OF ACCUMULATION You may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the American Funds 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 or (b) the amount you invested (excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals. Please see the statement of additional information for 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 American Funds non-money market funds 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. The market value of your existing holdings 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 "Sales charges" above for more information. RIGHT OF REINVESTMENT Please see "How to sell shares" below for information on how to reinvest proceeds from a redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge. 25 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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; . 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 more information about waivers regarding these types of transactions): -- redemptions due to receiving required minimum distributions from retirement accounts upon reaching age 70 1/2 (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 a systematic withdrawal plan, redemptions through such a plan (including any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash). 26 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, B, C or F shares through an IRA rollover. 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 the prospectus and statement of additional information. Plans of distribution The fund has plans of distribution or "12b-1 plans" under which it may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares, provided the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund's board of directors. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of up to .25% for Class A shares; up to .50% for Class 529-A shares; up to 1.00% for Class B, 529-B, C and 529-C shares; up to .75% for Class 529-E shares; and up to .50% for Class F and 529-F shares. For all share classes, 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 may be used for distribution expenses. The 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as a percentage of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund." Since these fees are paid out of the fund's assets or income on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost and reduce the return of 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. 27 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Other compensation to dealers American Funds Distributors, at its expense, currently provides additional compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the discretion of American Funds Distributors, to the top 75 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 would 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 2006, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers were less than .02% of the 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 dealers outside the top 75 firms to facilitate educating financial advisers and shareholders about the American Funds. 28 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> How to sell shares You may sell (redeem) shares in any of the following ways: 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. . Class F shares must be sold through your dealer or financial adviser. WRITING TO AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY . Requests must be signed by the registered shareholder(s). . A signature guarantee is required if the redemption is: -- over $75,000; -- 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 redemptions. . Additional documentation may be required for sales 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/(R)/ and americanfunds.com) are limited to $75,000 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). 29 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of the redemption or distribution and is made into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the distribution. If the account has been closed, reinvestment can be made without a sales charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed account. Proceeds from a Class B share redemption made during the contingent deferred sales charge period will be reinvested in Class A shares. 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 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 funds that are reinvested in non-money market 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 and accepted by American Funds Service Company. Redemption proceeds from a systematic withdrawal plan are not eligible for reinvestment 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." This paragraph does not apply to rollover investments as described under "Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs." 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, provided 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. 30 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Distributions and taxesDIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The fund intends to distribute dividends to you, usually twice a year. Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed twice a year. When a dividend or 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. Most shareholders do not elect to take capital gain distributions in cash because these distributions reduce principal value. Dividends and capital gain distributions for 529 share classes will be automatically reinvested. TAXES ON DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the fund will be subject to federal income tax and may also be subject to state or local taxes -- unless you are exempt from taxation. For federal tax purposes, dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. Some or all of your dividends may be eligible for a reduced tax rate if you meet a holding period requirement. 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. 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. PLEASE SEE YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR MORE INFORMATION. HOLDERS OF 529 SHARES SHOULD REFER TO THE APPLICABLE PROGRAM DESCRIPTION FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF SELLING 529 SHARES. 31 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Financial highlights/1/ The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's results for the past five fiscal years. 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). The figures under "Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/waivers" reflect the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management Company. For more information about these reimbursements/waivers, see the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund" in this prospectus and the fund's annual report. The information below has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose 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/2/ DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Net gains (losses) on securities Net asset Net (both Dividends Distributions Total value, investment realized Total from (from net (from dividends beginning income and investment investment capital and of period (loss) unrealized) operations income) gains) distributions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $19.48 $.18 $ 1.37 $ 1.55 $(.16) $(.58) $(.74) Year ended 2/28/2006 18.02 .12 1.82 1.94 (.09) (.39) (.48) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.50 .06 .63 .69 (.04) (.13) (.17) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.78 .02 4.70 4.72 --/5/ -- --/5/ Year ended 2/28/2003 15.29 .03 (2.42) (2.39) (.02 ) (.10) (.12) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS B: Year ended 2/28/2007 18.83 .02 1.32 1.34 -- (.58) (.58) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.48 (.02) 1.76 1.74 -- (.39) (.39) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.07 (.07) .61 .54 -- (.13) (.13) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.56 (.10) 4.61 4.51 -- -- -- Year ended 2/28/2003 15.12 (.07) (2.39) (2.46) -- (.10) (.10) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS C: Year ended 2/28/2007 18.72 .01 1.31 1.32 -- (.58) (.58) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.39 (.03) 1.75 1.72 -- (.39) (.39) Year ended 2/28/2005 16.99 (.08) .61 .53 -- (.13) (.13) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.51 (.11) 4.59 4.48 -- -- -- Year ended 2/28/2003 15.07 (.07) (2.39) (2.46) -- (.10) (.10) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS F: Year ended 2/28/2007 $19.40 $.18 $ 1.36 $ 1.54 $(.16) $(.58) $(.74) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.94 .12 1.82 1.94 (.09) (.39) (.48) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.41 .06 .62 .68 (.02) (.13) (.15) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.73 .01 4.67 4.68 --/5/ -- --/5/ Year ended 2/28/2003 15.25 .03 (2.41) (2.38) (.04) (.10) (.14) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-A: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.45 .17 1.36 1.53 (.15) (.58) (.73) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.99 .11 1.82 1.93 (.08) (.39) (.47) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.46 .06 .62 .68 (.02) (.13) (.15) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.76 .01 4.70 4.71 (.01) -- (.01) Year ended 2/28/2003 15.29 .04 (2.43) (2.39) (.04) (.10) (.14) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-B: Year ended 2/28/2007 18.91 --/5/ 1.32 1.32 -- (.58) (.58) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.58 (.05) 1.77 1.72 -- (.39) (.39) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.20 (.10) .61 .51 -- (.13) (.13) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.68 (.13) 4.65 4.52 -- -- -- Year ended 2/28/2003 15.28 (.08) (2.42) (2.50) -- (.10) (.10) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-C: Year ended 2/28/2007 18.93 --/5/ 1.32 1.32 -- (.58) (.58) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.59 (.05) 1.78 1.73 -- (.39) (.39) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.21 (.10) .61 .51 -- (.13) (.13) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.68 (.13) 4.66 4.53 -- -- -- Year ended 2/28/2003 15.28 (.08) (2.42) (2.50) -- (.10) (.10) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-E: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.28 .10 1.35 1.45 (.08) (.58) (.66) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.85 .05 1.80 1.85 (.03) (.39) (.42) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.37 (.01) .62 .61 -- (.13) (.13) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.73 (.05) 4.69 4.64 -- -- -- Period from 3/7/2002 to 2/28/2003 16.08 (.01) (3.22) (3.23) (.02) (.10) (.12) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-F: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.46 .20 1.37 1.57 (.19) (.58) (.77) Year ended 2/28/2006 17.99 .14 1.82 1.96 (.10) (.39) (.49) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.46 .04 .62 .66 -- (.13) (.13) Year ended 2/29/2004 12.78 (.01) 4.69 4.68 --/5/ -- --/5/ Period from 9/17/2002 to 2/28/2003 12.80 .01 --/5/ .01 (.03) -- (.03) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of Ratio of expenses expenses Ratio of to average to average net Net net assets net assets income Net asset assets, before after (loss) to value, end of reim- reim- average end of Total period bursements/ bursements/ net period return/3/ (in millions) waivers waivers/4/ assets ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $20.29 8.07% $17,341 .68 % .65 % .91% Year ended 2/28/2006 19.48 10.87 16,091 .68 .65 .66 Year ended 2/28/2005 18.02 3.94 13,350 .69 .68 .36 Year ended 2/29/2004 17.50 36.96 11,086 .73 .73 .11 Year ended 2/28/2003 12.78 (15.70) 6,641 .77 .77 .25 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS B: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.59 7.23 1,163 1.46 1.42 .13 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.83 10.04 1,139 1.47 1.44 (.13) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.48 3.13 984 1.48 1.47 (.41) Year ended 2/29/2004 17.07 35.91 740 1.50 1.50 (.66) Year ended 2/28/2003 12.56 (16.36) 299 1.55 1.55 (.52) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS C: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.46 7.16 1,667 1.51 1.48 .07 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.72 9.98 1,607 1.52 1.49 (.18) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.39 3.09 1,262 1.54 1.53 (.47) Year ended 2/29/2004 16.99 35.81 849 1.56 1.56 (.73) Year ended 2/28/2003 12.51 (16.42) 274 1.59 1.59 (.55) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS F: Year ended 2/28/2007 20.20 8.06 2,506 .68 .65 .90 Year ended 2/28/2006 19.40 10.90 2,132 .71 .68 .63 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.94 3.88 1,513 .76 .75 .31 Year ended 2/29/2004 17.41 36.81 978 .78 .78 .05 Year ended 2/28/2003 12.73 (15.74) 289 .82 .82 .22 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-A: Year ended 2/28/2007 20.25 7.99 432 .74 .71 .84 Year ended 2/28/2006 19.45 10.85 339 .75 .72 .60 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.99 3.86 224 .77 .76 .31 Year ended 2/29/2004 17.46 36.90 128 .77 .77 .06 Year ended 2/28/2003 12.76 (15.73) 39 .78 .78 .28 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-B: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.65 7.09 84 1.57 1.54 .01 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.91 9.87 73 1.61 1.58 (.27) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.58 2.94 56 1.66 1.65 (.59) Year ended 2/29/2004 17.20 35.65 37 1.68 1.68 (.85) Year ended 2/28/2003 12.68 (16.45) 12 1.71 1.71 (.65) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-C: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.67 7.08 136 1.56 1.53 .02 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.93 9.92 110 1.59 1.56 (.25) Year ended 2/28/2005 17.59 2.93 76 1.65 1.64 (.58) Year ended 2/29/2004 17.21 35.72 46 1.67 1.67 (.84) Year ended 2/28/2003 12.68 (16.45) 14 1.69 1.69 (.63) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-E: Year ended 2/28/2007 20.07 7.66 25 1.05 1.02 .54 Year ended 2/28/2006 19.28 10.46 20 1.08 1.05 .27 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.85 3.48 14 1.13 1.12 (.05) Year ended 2/29/2004 17.37 36.45 8 1.14 1.14 (.31) Period from 3/7/2002 to 2/28/2003 12.73 (20.18) 3 1.16/6/ 1.16/6/ (.09)/6/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-F: Year ended 2/28/2007 20.26 8.20 14 .55 .52 1.04 Year ended 2/28/2006 19.46 10.99 10 .62 .59 .73 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.99 3.75 6 .88 .87 .20 Year ended 2/29/2004 17.46 36.66 3 .89 .89 (.07) Period from 9/17/2002 to 2/28/2003 12.78 .05 --/7/ .40 .40 .07 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.) 32 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28 OR 29 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE FOR ALL CLASSES 20% 20% 16% 17% 18% OF SHARES /1/ Based on operations for the periods shown (unless otherwise noted) and, accordingly, may not be representative of a full year. /2/ Based on average shares outstanding. /3/ Total returns exclude all sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges. /4/ The ratios in this column reflect 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 for all share classes.. /5/ Amount less than one cent. /6/ Annualized. /7/ Amount less than $1 million. 33 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> This page left intentionally blank. 34AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> NOTES 35 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> [logo - American Funds (r)] The right choice for the long term/(R)/ FOR SHAREHOLDER American Funds Service Company SERVICES 800/421-0180 FOR RETIREMENT PLAN Call your employer or plan SERVICES administrator FOR ADVISER American Funds Distributors MARKETING 800/421-9900 FOR 529 PLANS American Funds Service Company 800 /421-0180, ext. 529 FOR 24 American FundsLine -HOUR INFORMATION 800/325-3590 americanfunds.com Telephone calls you have with the American Funds organization may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance, verification and/or recordkeeping purposes. By speaking with us on the telephone, you are giving your consent to such monitoring and recording. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS This prospectus may be translated into other languages. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity as to the meaning of any word or phrase in a translation, 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 DESCRIPTIONS Program descriptions for 529 programs managed by the American Funds organization contain 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 on all aspects of 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 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, DC (202/551-8090) or on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at sec.gov or, after payment of a duplicating fee, via e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The current SAI and shareholder reports are also available, free of charge, on americanfunds.com. HOUSEHOLD MAILINGS Each year you are automatically sent an updated 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. 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 800/421-0180 or write to the secretary of the fund at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. [logo - recycled bug] Printed on recycled paper MFGEPR-902-0507P Litho in USA Investment Company File No. 811-01435 CGD/RRD/8003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES American Funds Capital Research and Management Capital International Capital Guardian Capital Bank and Trust <PAGE> [logo - American Funds (r)] The right choice for the long term/(R)/ AMCAP Fund/(R)/ PROSPECTUS ADDENDUM May 1, 2007 THE 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. <PAGE> Class R-5 shares of AMCAP Fund are available to certain clients of the Personal Investment Management group of Capital Guardian Trust Company./SM/ Accordingly, for these shareholders, the following information should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for this fund. Fees and expenses of the fund -- pages 5-6 These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) CLASS R-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum initial sales charge on purchases (as a percentage of none offering price) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum sales charge on reinvested dividends none ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maximum contingent deferred sales charge none ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Redemption or exchange fees none ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) CLASS R-5 -------------------------------------------------------------- Management fees/1/ 0.32% -------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees none -------------------------------------------------------------- Other expenses/2/ 0.11 -------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual fund operating expenses/1/ 0.43 /1/ The fund's investment adviser is currently waiving 10% of its management fee. The waiver may be discontinued at any time in consultation with the fund's board, but it is expected to continue at this level until further review. The fund's investment adviser and board intend to review the waiver as circumstances warrant. Management fees and total expenses do not reflect any waiver. Information regarding the effect of any waiver on total annual fund operating expenses can be found in the Financial Highlights table in this prospectus addendum and in the fund's annual report. /2/ A portion of the fund's expenses may be used to pay third parties (including affiliates of the fund's investment adviser) that provide recordkeeping services to retirement plans invested in the fund. EXAMPLE The example below 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, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same as shown above. The example does not reflect the impact of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your cumulative estimated expenses would be:1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS ------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-5 $44 $138 $241 $542 ------------------------------------------------------------- <PAGE> Purchase and exchange of shares -- pages 16-20 PURCHASE OF CLASS R-5 SHARES Class R-5 shares of the fund are available to certain clients of the Personal Investment Management group of Capital Guardian Trust Company. Please contact Capital Guardian Trust Company if you wish to purchase Class R-5 shares of the fund. Sales charges -- pages 20-23 CLASS R-5 SHARES Class R-5 shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. In addition, no compensation is paid to investment dealers on sales of Class R-5 shares. <PAGE> Financial highlights/1/ -- pages 32-34 The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's results. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share. 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). The figures under "Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/ waivers" reflect the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management Company. For more information about these reimbursements/waivers, see the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund" in this prospectus addendum and the fund's annual report. The information below has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose 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/2/ Net gains (losses) on securities Net asset (both value, Net realized Total from beginning investment and investment of period income unrealized) operations ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 $19.55 $.23 $ 1.36 $ 1.59 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.07 .17 1.83 2.00 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.54 .11 .63 .74 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.78 .06 4.71 4.77 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.72 .06 (2.85) (2.79) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dividends and distributions Ratio of expenses to average Net net assets Dividends Total assets, before (from net Distributions dividends Net asset end of reim- investment (from and value, end Total period bursements/ income) capital gains) distributions of period return (in millions) waivers --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 $(.21) $(.58) $(.79) $20.35 8.29% $514 .43 % Year ended 2/28/2006 (.13) (.39) (.52) 19.55 11.19 359 .44 Year ended 2/28/2005 (.08) (.13) (.21) 18.07 4.20 274 .45 Year ended 2/29/2004 (.01) -- (.01) 17.54 37.32 127 .47 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.05) (.10) (.15) 12.78 (17.83) 53 .48/4/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio of expenses Ratio of to average net net assets income after to reim- average bursements/ net waivers/3/ assets ------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 .40 % 1.15 % Year ended 2/28/2006 .41 .90 Year ended 2/28/2005 .44 .62 Year ended 2/29/2004 .47 .37 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 .48/4/ .58/4/ ------------------------------------------------------------ YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28 OR 29 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE FOR ALL CLASSES 20% 20% 16% 17% 18% OF SHARES /1/ Based on operations for the period shown (unless otherwise noted) and, accordingly, may not be representative of a full year. /2/ Based on average shares outstanding. /3/ The ratios in this column reflect 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. /4/ Annualized. <PAGE> AMCAP FUND, INC. Part BStatement of Additional Information May 1, 2007 This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus or retirement plan prospectus of AMCAP Fund (the "fund" or "AMCAP") dated May 1, 2007. You may obtain a prospectus from your financial adviser or by writing to the fund at the following address: AMCAP Fund, Inc. 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. TABLE OF CONTENTS Item Page no. ---- -------- Certain investment limitations and guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Description of certain securities and investment techniques . . . . 2 Fundamental policies and investment restrictions. . . . . . . . . . 6 Management of the fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Execution of portfolio transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Disclosure of portfolio holdings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Price of shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Taxes and distributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Purchase and exchange of shares . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Sales charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Sales charge reductions and waivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Selling shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Shareholder account services and privileges . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 General information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Appendix. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Financial statements AMCAP Fund -- Page 1 <PAGE> 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. GENERAL GUIDELINES . The fund will invest primarily in stocks of companies domiciled in the United States. In determining whether a company is domiciled in the United States, the fund's investment adviser will consider the domicile determination of a leading securities index and may also take into account such factors as where the company is legally organized and/or maintains principal corporate offices and/or conducts its principal operations. The fund may invest in non-U.S. securities to a limited extent. . The fund may also invest in securities convertible into common stocks, straight debt securities (i.e., not convertible into equity), cash or cash equivalents, U.S. government securities or nonconvertible preferred stocks. DEBT SECURITIES . The fund may invest in debt securities with an investment grade rating by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Moody's Investors Service (or unrated but considered to be of equivalent quality). * * * * * * The fund may experience difficulty liquidating certain portfolio securities during significant market declines or periods of heavy redemptions. 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." EQUITY SECURITIES -- Equity securities represent an ownership position in a company. Equity securities held by the fund typically consist of common stocks. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on, among other things, events specific to their issuers and market, economic and other conditions. The prices of these securities can also be adversely affected depending on the outcome of financial contracts (such as derivatives) held by third parties relating to various assets or indices. There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular equity securities, which may adversely affect the fund's ability to value accurately or dispose of such equity securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of equity securities. The growth-oriented, equity-type securities generally purchased by the fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. AMCAP Fund -- Page 2 <PAGE> DEBT SECURITIES -- Debt securities are used by issuers to borrow money. 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 accrue interest at the applicable coupon rate over a specified time period. 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. 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 would 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. The prices of these securities also can be adversely affected depending on the outcome of financial contracts (such as derivatives) held by third parties relating to various assets or indices. 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. The investment adviser attempts to reduce the risks described above through diversification of the fund's portfolio and by credit analysis of each issuer, as well as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so. Credit ratings for debt securities provided by rating agencies evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is also heavily weighted by past developments and does not necessarily reflect future conditions. There is frequently a lag between the time a rating is assigned and the time it is updated. 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. See the Appendix for more information about credit ratings. SECURITIES WITH EQUITY AND DEBT CHARACTERISTICS -- The fund may invest in securities that have a combination of equity and debt characteristics. These securities may at times behave more like equity than debt and vice versa. Some types of convertible bonds or preferred securities automatically convert into common stocks and some may be subject to redemption at the option AMCAP Fund -- Page 3 <PAGE> of the issuer at a predetermined price. The prices and yields of nonconvertible preferred securities generally move with changes in interest rates and the issuer's credit quality, similar to the factors affecting debt securities. Nonconvertible preferred securities will be treated as debt for fund investment limit purposes. Convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks and other securities may sometimes be converted, or may automatically convert, into common stocks or other securities at a stated conversion ratio. These securities, prior to conversion, may pay a fixed rate of interest or a dividend. Because convertible securities have both debt and equity characteristics, their value varies in response to many factors, including the value of the underlying assets, general market and economic conditions, and convertible market valuations, as well as changes in interest rates, credit spreads and the credit quality of the issuer. U.S. GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS -- U.S. government obligations are securities 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 the highest possible 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 BACKED BY "FULL FAITH AND CREDIT" -- 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 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. INVESTING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES -- Investing outside the United States may involve risks caused by, among other things, currency controls and fluctuating currency values; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting and legal standards and practices in some countries; changing local, regional and global economic, political and social conditions; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. AMCAP Fund -- Page 4 <PAGE> The risks described above may be heightened in connection with investments in developing 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 countries have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries. The fund may invest in securities of issuers in developing countries only to a limited extent. Additional costs could be incurred in connection with the fund's investment activities outside the United States. Brokerage commissions may be higher outside the United States, and the fund will bear certain expenses in connection with its currency transactions. Furthermore, increased custodian costs may be associated with maintaining assets in certain jurisdictions. INVESTING IN SMALLER CAPITALIZATION STOCKS -- The fund may invest in the stocks of smaller capitalization companies (typically companies with market capitalizations of less than $3.5 billion at the time of purchase). The investment adviser believes that the issuers of smaller capitalization stocks often provide attractive investment opportunities. However, investing in smaller capitalization stocks can involve greater risk than is customarily associated with investing in stocks of larger, more established companies. For example, smaller companies often have limited product lines, limited markets or financial resources, may be dependent for management on one or a few key persons and can be more susceptible to losses. Also, their securities may be thinly traded (and therefore have to be sold at a discount from current prices or sold in small lots over an extended period of time), may be followed by fewer investment research analysts and may be subject to wider price swings, thus creating a greater chance of loss than securities of larger capitalization companies. 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. 4(2) COMMERCIAL PAPER -- The fund may purchase commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "1933 Act"). 4(2) commercial paper has substantially the same price and liquidity characteristics as commercial paper generally, except that the resale of 4(2) commercial paper is limited to the institutional investor marketplace. Such a restriction on resale makes 4(2) commercial paper technically a restricted security under the 1933 Act. In practice, however, 4(2) commercial paper can be resold as easily as any other unrestricted security held by the fund. Accordingly, 4(2) commercial paper has been determined to be liquid under procedures adopted by the fund's board of directors. * * * * * * AMCAP Fund -- Page 5 <PAGE> 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 involves correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads or brokerage commissions, and may result in the realization of net capital gains, which are taxable when distributed to shareholders. A fund's portfolio turnover rate would equal 100% if each security in the fund's portfolio were replaced once per year. The fund's portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2007 and 2006 were 20% and 20%, respectively. See "Financial highlights" in the prospectus for the fund's annual portfolio turnover rate for each of the last five fiscal years. FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES AND INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES -- The fund has adopted the following fundamental policies and investment restrictions, which may not be changed without approval by holders of a majority of its outstanding shares. Such majority is 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 outstanding 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. All percentage limitations are considered at the time securities are purchased and are based on the fund's net assets unless otherwise indicated. None of the following investment restrictions 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. 1. The fund may not invest in: (a) real estate (although it has not been the practice of the fund to make such investments, the fund may invest in the securities of real estate investment trusts); (b) commodities or commodity contracts; (c) companies for the purpose of exercising control or management; (d) the securities of companies which, with their predecessors, have a record of less than three years' continuing operation, if such purchase at the time thereof would cause more than 5% of the value of the fund's total assets to be invested in the securities of such companies; (e) securities which would subject the fund to unlimited liability (such as assessable shares or partnership interests); (f) any securities of another issuer if immediately after and as a result of such purchase (1) the market value of the securities of such other issuer shall exceed 5% of the market value of the total assets of the fund or (2) the fund shall own more than 10% of any class of securities or of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer; or (g) any securities if immediately after and as a result of such purchase more than 25% of the market value of the total assets of the fund are invested in securities of companies in any one industry. AMCAP Fund -- Page 6 <PAGE> 2. The fund may not engage in short sales or margin purchases. 3. The fund may not lend money or securities. The making of deposits with banks and the purchase of a portion of the issue of bonds, debentures, or other debt securities which are publicly distributed or of a type generally purchased by institutional investors, are not regarded as loans. 4. The fund may not invest more than 10% of the value of its total assets in securities that are illiquid, nor may it engage in the business of underwriting securities of other issuers. 5. The fund may not borrow in excess of 10% of its total assets taken at cost or pledge its assets taken at market value to an extent greater than 15% of total assets taken at cost. Asset coverage of at least 300% taken at market value must be maintained. No borrowing may be undertaken except as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes. (The fund may borrow only from banks. The fund, however, has never borrowed and does not currently anticipate borrowing.) Investment restriction #1 does not apply to deposits in banks or to the purchase of securities issued or fully guaranteed by the U.S. government (or its agencies or instrumentalities). For purposes of investment restriction #1(g), the fund will not invest 25% or more (rather than "more than 25%") of its total assets in the securities of issuers in the same industry. Notwithstanding investment restriction #5, the fund has no current intention (at least during the next 12 months) to leverage its assets. The following policies are non-fundamental policies which may be changed by action of the board of directors, without shareholder approval: 1. The fund may not invest in securities of open-end investment companies except in connection with a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets. (Notwithstanding this restriction, if deemed advisable by its officers, compensation paid by the fund to its directors may be invested in securities of this or other investment companies under a deferred compensation plan adopted by directors pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.) 2. The fund may invest in securities of closed-end investment companies within the limitations imposed by the 1940 Act. In general, this means that the fund (i) will not own more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of a closed-end investment company, (ii) will not invest more than an aggregate of 5% of its total assets in securities issued by closed-end investment companies, and (iii) together with all other investment companies served by the investment adviser, will not own more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock of a closed-end investment company. Any such purchases will be made only in the open market or as a part of a merger, consolidation, or acquisition of assets, and will not involve commissions or profits to a sponsor or dealer other than customary brokerage commissions. 3. The fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted under the 1940 Act. 4. The fund may not acquire securities of open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. AMCAP Fund -- Page 7 <PAGE> MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND "INDEPENDENT" DIRECTORS/1/ NAME, AGE AND NUMBER OF POSITION WITH FUND PORTFOLIOS/3/ (YEAR FIRST ELECTED PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS/4// /HELD AS A DIRECTOR/2/) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS BY DIRECTOR BY DIRECTOR -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H. Frederick Christie, 73 Private investor; former 21 Ducommun Incorporated; Chairman of the Board President and CEO, The Mission IHOP Corporation; (Independent and Group (non-utility holding Southwest Water Company Non-Executive) (1998) company, subsidiary of Southern California Edison Company) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Anne Dolan, 60 Founder and President, M.A.D., 3 None Director (1998) Inc. (communications company); former Editor-in-Chief, The --- Los Angeles Herald Examiner --------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin Fenton, 71 Chairman of the Board, Senior 18 None Director (1990) Resource Group LLC (development and management of senior living communities) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William D. Jones, 51 President and CEO, CityLink 2 Sempra Energy; Southwest Water Director (2006) Investment Corporation (real Company estate development and management) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Myers Kauppila, 53 Private investor; Chairman of 6 None Director (1998) the Board and CEO, Ladera Management Company (venture capital and agriculture); former owner and President, Energy Investment, Inc. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William H. Kling,/5/ 65 President, American Public 8 Irwin Financial Corporation Director (2006) Media Group -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bailey Morris-Eck, 62 Director and Programming 3 None Director (1999) Chair, WYPR Baltimore/ Washington (public radio station); Senior Adviser, Financial News (London); ----------------------- Senior Fellow, Institute for International Economics -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kirk P. Pendleton, 67 Chairman of the Board and CEO, 7 None Director (1986) Cairnwood, Inc. (venture capital investment) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Olin C. Robison, 70 Fellow, The Oxford Centre for 3 American Shared Hospital Director (1998) the Study of Christianity and Services Culture; Director, The Oxford Project on Religion and Public Policy; President Emeritus of the Salzburg Seminar; President Emeritus, Middlebury College -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steven B. Sample, 66 President, University of 2 Intermec, Inc.; Director (1999) Southern California William Wrigley Jr. Company -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMCAP Fund -- Page 8 <PAGE> "INTERESTED" DIRECTORS/6,7/ PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS NAME, AGE AND AND POSITIONS NUMBER OF POSITION WITH FUND HELD WITH AFFILIATED ENTITIES PORTFOLIOS/3/ (YEAR FIRST ELECTED OR THE PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER OVERSEEN OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS/4/ HELD AS A DIRECTOR/OFFICER/2/) OF THE FUND BY DIRECTOR BY DIRECTOR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. Michael Shanahan, 68 Chairman Emeritus, Capital 2 None Vice Chairman and Director Research and Management (1986) Company; Director, American Funds Distributors, Inc.*; Chairman of the Executive Committee, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.*; Chairman of the Board, Capital Management Services, Inc.*; Director, Capital Strategy Research, Inc.* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Claudia P. Huntington, 55 Senior Vice President, 1 None President and Director Capital Research and (1992-1994) (1996) Management Company; Director, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMCAP Fund -- Page 9 <PAGE> OTHER OFFICERS/7/ NAME, AGE AND POSITION WITH FUND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST FIVE YEARS (YEAR FIRST ELECTED AND POSITIONS HELD WITH AFFILIATED ENTITIES AS AN OFFICER/2/) OR THE PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER OF THE FUND ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timothy D. Armour, 46 President and Director, Capital Research and Senior Vice President Management Company; Director, The Capital Group (1996) Companies, Inc./*/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Paul G. Haaga, Jr., Vice Chairman of the Board, Capital Research and 58 Management Company; Director, The Capital Group Senior Vice Companies, Inc./*/ President (1994) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barry S. Senior Vice President, Capital Research Company/*/ Crosthwaite, 48 Vice President (2006) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Ross Sappenfield, Vice President, Capital Research and Management 41 Company Vice President (1999) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Terrile, 41 Senior Vice President, Capital Research Company/*/ Vice President (2006) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vincent P. Corti, 50 Vice President - Fund Business Management Group, Secretary (1998) Capital Research and Management Company ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Karl C. Grauman, 39 Vice President - Fund Business Management Group, Treasurer (2006) Capital Research and Management Company ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jeffrey P. Regal, 35 Vice President - Fund Business Management Group, Assistant Treasurer Capital Research and Management Company (2003) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /*/ Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company. /1/ The term "independent" director refers to a director who is not an "interested person" within the meaning of the 1940 Act. /2/ Directors 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,(R) which is composed of 15 funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable insurance contracts, American Funds Target Date Retirement Series,/SM/ Inc., which is composed of nine funds and is available to investors in tax-deferred retirement plans and IRAs, and Endowments, which is composed of two portfolios and is available to certain nonprofit organizations. /4/ This includes all directorships (other than those in the American Funds) that are held by each director as a director of a public company or a registered investment company. /5/ During the past two years, Karin Larson (President and Chairman of Capital International Research, Inc., an affiliate of the investment adviser) has been a trustee of Minnesota Public Radio, of which Mr. Kling is President and CEO. During the past two years, Gordon Crawford (Senior Vice President and Director of the investment adviser) has been a trustee of Southern California Public Radio, where Mr. Kling serves as a trustee and as Second Vice Chair. Neither Ms. Larson nor Mr. Crawford participates in decisions directly related to Mr. Kling's status or compensation. /6/ "Interested persons," 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). /7/ All of the officers listed, with the exception of Barry S. Crosthwaite and C. Ross Sappenfield, 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 DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS OF THE FUND IS 333 SOUTH HOPE STREET, 55TH FLOOR, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071, ATTENTION: SECRETARY. AMCAP Fund -- Page 10 <PAGE> FUND SHARES OWNED BY DIRECTORS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2006 AGGREGATE DOLLAR RANGE/1/ OF SHARES OWNED IN ALL FUNDS IN THE AMERICAN FUNDS DOLLAR RANGE/1/ OF FUND FAMILY OVERSEEN NAME SHARES OWNED BY DIRECTOR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "INDEPENDENT" DIRECTORS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- H. Frederick Christie Over $100,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Anne Dolan Over $100,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Martin Fenton Over $100,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William D. Jones $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mary Myers Kauppila Over $100,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- William H. Kling $50,001 - $100,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bailey Morris-Eck $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kirk P. Pendleton $10,001 - $50,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Olin C. Robison None Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Steven B. Sample Over $100,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "INTERESTED" DIRECTORS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Claudia P. Huntington Over $100,000 Over $100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. Michael Shanahan 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" directors include shares owned through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION -- No compensation is paid by the fund to any officer or director who is a director, officer or employee 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 director an annual fee, which ranges from $14,000 to $34,000, based primarily on the total number of board clusters on which that independent director serves. In addition, the fund generally pays independent directors attendance and other fees for meetings of the board and its committees. Board chairs receive additional fees for their services. Independent directors 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 director each pay an equal portion of these attendance fees. AMCAP Fund -- Page 11 <PAGE> No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of fund expenses. Independent directors 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 directors. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PAID DURING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 2007TOTAL COMPENSATION (INCLUDING VOLUNTARILY DEFERRED COMPENSATION1/1) AGGREGATE COMPENSATION FROM ALL FUNDS MANAGED BY (INCLUDING VOLUNTARILY CAPITAL RESEARCH AND DEFERRED COMPENSATION/1/) MANAGEMENT NAME FROM THE FUND COMPANY OR ITS AFFILIATES/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ H. Frederick Christie/3/ $47,512 $391,810 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary Anne Dolan 35,708 156,792 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Martin Fenton/3/ 32,096 349,390 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ James D. Fullerton 9,000 9,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ William D. Jones/3,//4/ 16,933 38,133 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mary Myers Kauppila/3/ 34,517 235,167 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ William H. Kling/5/ 27,274 261,625 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bailey Morris-Eck/3/ 36,458 151,292 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kirk P. Pendleton/3/ 35,350 246,667 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Olin C. Robison/3/ 34,958 158,792 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Steven B. Sample 43,250 89,400 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ /1/ Amounts may be deferred by eligible directors 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 directors. Compensation shown in this table for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2007 does not include earnings on amounts deferred in previous fiscal years. 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,(R) which is composed of 15 funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable insurance contracts, American Funds Target Date Retirement Series,/SM/ Inc., which is composed of nine funds and is available to investors in tax-deferred retirement plans and IRAs, and Endowments, which is composed of two portfolios and is available to certain nonprofit organizations. /3/ Since the deferred compensation plan's adoption, the total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) through the 2007 fiscal year for participating directors is as follows: H. Frederick Christie ($118,125), Martin Fenton ($260,642), William D. Jones ($5,732), Mary Myers Kauppila ($303,920), Bailey Morris-Eck ($230,052), Kirk P. Pendleton ($444,857) and Olin C. Robison ($276,753). Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are not funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund until paid to the directors. /4/ William D. Jones was elected director on November 15, 2006. /5/ William H. Kling was elected director on March 15, 2006. As of April 1, 2007, the officers and directors of the fund and their families, as a group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund.FUND ORGANIZATION AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS -- The fund, an open-end, diversified management investment company, was organized as a Delaware corporation in 1966 and reorganized as a Maryland corporation on May 10, 1990. Although the board of directors has delegated day-to-day oversight to the investment adviser, all fund operations are supervised by AMCAP Fund -- Page 12 <PAGE> the fund's board, which meets periodically and performs duties required by applicable state and federal laws. Under Maryland law, the business affairs of a fund are managed under the direction of the board of directors, and all powers of the fund are exercised by or under the authority of the board except as reserved to the shareholders by law or the fund's charter or by-laws. Maryland law requires each director to perform his/her duties as a director, including his/her duties as a member of any board committee on which he/she serves, in good faith, in a manner he/she reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the fund, and with the care that an ordinarily prudent person in a like position would use under similar circumstances. Members of the board who are not employed by the investment adviser or its affiliates 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 directors 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 CollegeAmerica/(R)/ 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 such fund shares. 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. At the request of the holders of at least 10% of the shares, the fund will hold a meeting at which any member of the board could be removed by a majority vote. The fund's articles of incorporation and by-laws as well as separate indemnification agreements that the fund has entered into with independent directors provide in effect that, subject to certain conditions, the fund will indemnify its officers and directors against liabilities or expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them relating to their service to the fund. However, directors 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. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS -- The fund has an audit committee comprised of Martin Fenton, William D. Jones, William H. Kling, Bailey Morris-Eck, Kirk P. Pendleton and Olin C. Robison, 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 AMCAP Fund -- Page 13 <PAGE> accounting firm and the full board of directors. Six audit committee meetings were held during the 2007 fiscal year. The fund has a contracts committee comprised of H. Frederick Christie, Mary Anne Dolan, Martin Fenton, William D. Jones, Mary Myers Kauppila, William H. Kling, Bailey Morris-Eck, Kirk P. Pendleton, Olin C. Robison and Steven B. Sample, 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 directors on these matters. One contracts committee meeting was held during the 2007 fiscal year. The fund has a nominating committee comprised of Mary Anne Dolan, Mary Myers Kauppila and Steven B. Sample, 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 directors. The committee also evaluates, selects and nominates independent director candidates to the full board of directors. 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 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. Four nominating committee meetings were held during the 2007 fiscal year. PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES -- The fund and its investment adviser have adopted Proxy Voting Guidelines (the "Guidelines") with respect to voting proxies of securities held by the fund, other American Funds, Endowments and American Funds Insurance Series. Certain American Funds have established separate proxy voting committees that vote proxies or delegate to a voting officer the authority to vote on behalf of those funds. Proxies for all other funds are voted by a committee of the investment adviser under authority delegated by those funds' boards. Therefore, if more than one fund invests in the same company, they may vote differently on the same proposal. All U.S. proxies are voted. Non-U.S. proxies also are voted, provided there is sufficient time and information available. After a proxy is received, the investment adviser prepares a summary of the proposals in the proxy. A discussion of any potential conflicts of interest is also included in the summary. After reviewing the summary, one or more research analysts familiar with the company and industry make a voting recommendation on the proxy proposals. A second recommendation is made by a proxy coordinator (a senior investment professional) based on the individual's knowledge of the Guidelines and familiarity with proxy-related issues. The proxy summary and voting recommendations are then sent to the appropriate proxy voting committee for the 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 director of one or more AMCAP Fund -- Page 14 <PAGE> American Funds is also a director 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 Guidelines, 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 Guidelines 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 800/421-0180, (b) on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com and (c) on the SEC's website at sec.gov. The following summary sets forth the general positions of the American Funds, Endowments, American Funds Insurance Series and the investment adviser on various proposals. A copy of the full Guidelines is available upon request, free of charge, by calling American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180 or visiting the American Funds website. DIRECTOR MATTERS -- The election of a company's slate of nominees for director is generally 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 may also be supported. Typically, proposals to declassify the board (elect all directors annually) are supported based on the belief that this increases the directors' sense of accountability to shareholders. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS -- Proposals to repeal an existing poison pill, to provide for confidential voting and to provide for cumulative voting are usually supported. 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 are not typically 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 are generally voted in favor of management's recommendations unless circumstances indicate otherwise. AMCAP Fund -- Page 15 <PAGE> 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 April 1, 2007. Unless otherwise indicated, the ownership percentages below represent ownership of record rather than beneficial ownership. NAME AND ADDRESS OWNERSHIP PERCENTAGE ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward D. Jones & Co. Class A 16.06% 201 Progress Parkway Class B 6.50 Maryland Heights, MO 63043-3009 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MLPF&S Class C 15.00 4800 Deer Lake Drive East, Floor 2 Class R-3 8.35 Jacksonville, FL 32246-6484 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. Class C 10.33 333 W. 34th Street Class F 8.42 New York, NY 10001-2402 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Class F 13.79 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, CA 94104-4151 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hartford Life Insurance Co. Class R-1 24.86 P.O. Box 2999 Class R-3 6.42 Hartford, CT 06104-2999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nationwide Trust Company FSB Class R-3 7.00 P.O. Box 182029 Columbus, OH 43218-2029 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Transamerica Life Insurance & Annuity Co. Class R-3 6.56 P.O. Box 30368 Los Angeles, CA 90030-0368 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Co. Class R-4 23.87 100 Magellan Way Class R-5 15.70 Covington, KY 41015-1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ameriprise Trust Co. Class R-4 6.91 50534 AXP Financial Center Minneapolis, MN 55474-0001 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reliance Trust Co. Class R-4 6.30 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South Las Vegas, NV 89109-4319 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAC & Co. Class R-5 28.36 P.O. Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- CGTC Trust Class R-5 7.31 400 S. Hope Street, Floor 22 Los Angeles, CA 90071-2801 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMCAP Fund -- Page 16 <PAGE> 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, DC, 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 and 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., a holding company for several investment management subsidiaries. The investment adviser manages equity assets for the American Funds through two divisions. These divisions generally function separately from each other with respect to investment research activities and they make investment decisions for the funds on a separate basis. 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 has adopted policies and procedures that it believes 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. Portfolio counselors and investment analysts may also make investment decisions for other mutual funds advised by Capital Research and Management Company. 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 relative mix of compensation represented by bonuses, salary and profit-sharing will vary depending on the individual's portfolio results, contributions to the organization and other factors. In order to encourage a long-term focus, bonuses based on investment results are calculated by comparing pretax total returns to relevant benchmarks over both the most recent year and a four-year rolling average, with the greater weight placed on the four-year rolling average. For portfolio counselors, benchmarks may include measures of the marketplaces in which the relevant 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 also separately compensates analysts for the quality of their research efforts. The benchmarks against which AMCAP Fund portfolio counselors are measured include: S&P 500, the securities that are eligible to be purchased by the fund and Lipper Growth Funds Index. 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.AMCAP Fund -- Page 17 <PAGE> THE FOLLOWING TABLE REFLECTS INFORMATION AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2007: NUMBER NUMBER OF OTHER OF OTHER NUMBER REGISTERED POOLED OF OTHER INVESTMENT INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS COMPANIES (RICS) VEHICLES (PIVS) THAT THAT THAT PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR DOLLAR RANGE COUNSELOR COUNSELOR MANAGES OF FUND MANAGES MANAGES (ASSETS OF PORTFOLIO SHARES (ASSETS OF RICS (ASSETS OF PIVS OTHER ACCOUNTS COUNSELOR OWNED/1/ IN BILLIONS)/2/ IN BILLIONS)/3/ IN BILLIONS)/4/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ R. Michael Shanahan Over 3 $273.8 None None $1,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Claudia P. Over 3 $122.2 1 $0.01 None Huntington $1,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timothy D. Armour Over 2 $ 97.0 None None $1,000,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. Ross Sappenfield $100,001 - 2 $180.2 None None $500,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /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 indicative of 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 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 indicative of 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, 2008, 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 directors, 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 directors 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 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 AMCAP Fund -- Page 18 <PAGE> executive, administrative, clerical and bookkeeping functions, and provides suitable office space, necessary small office equipment and utilities, general purpose accounting forms, 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 directors; association dues; costs of stationery and forms prepared exclusively for the fund; and costs of assembling and storing shareholder account data. The Agreement provides for monthly fees, accrued daily, based on the following annual rates and net asset levels: Net asset levelRATE IN EXCESS OF UP TO ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.485% $ 0 $ 1 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.385 1 billion 2 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.355 2 billion 3 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.335 3 billion 5 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.32 5 billion 8 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.31 8 billion 13 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.30 13 billion 21 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.295 21 billion 27 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 0.29 27 billion ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Agreement provides for a management fee reduction to the extent that the annual ordinary operating expenses of the fund's Class A shares exceed 1% of the fund's average net assets. Expenses which are not subject to these limitations are interest, taxes and extraordinary expenses. Expenditures, including costs incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, which are capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applicable to investment companies, are accounted for as capital items and not as expenses. To the extent the fund's management fee must be waived due to Class A share expense ratios exceeding the expense limitations described above, management fees will be reduced similarly for all classes of shares of the fund, or other Class A fees will be waived in lieu of management fees. For the fiscal years ended February 28, 2007, 2006 and 2005, the investment adviser was entitled to receive from the fund management fees of $77,407,000, $67,456,000 and $53,852,000, respectively. After giving effect to the management fee waivers described below, the fund paid the investment adviser management fees of $69,666,000 (a reduction of AMCAP Fund -- Page 19 <PAGE> $7,741,000), $60,970,000 (a reduction of $6,486,000) and $52,433,000 (a reduction of $1,419,000) for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2007, 2006 and 2005, respectively. For the period from September 1, 2004 through March 31, 2005, the investment adviser agreed to waive 5% of the management fees that it was otherwise entitled to receive under the Agreement. Beginning April 1, 2005, this waiver increased to 10% of the management fees that the investment adviser is otherwise entitled to receive. As a result of this waiver, management fees are reduced similarly for all classes of shares of the fund. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT -- The Administrative Services Agreement (the "Administrative Agreement") between the fund and the investment adviser relating to the fund's Class C, F, R and 529 shares will continue in effect until March 31, 2008, 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 the vote of a majority of directors 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 directors. 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 provides certain transfer agent and administrative services for shareholders of the fund's Class C and F shares, and Class R and 529 shares. The investment adviser may contract with third parties, including American Funds Service Company, the fund's Transfer Agent, to provide these services. Services include, but are not limited to, shareholder account maintenance, transaction processing, tax information reporting and shareholder and fund communications. In addition, the investment adviser monitors, coordinates and oversees the activities performed by third parties providing such services. For Class R-1 and R-2 shares, the investment adviser has agreed to pay a portion of the fees payable under the Administrative Agreement that would otherwise have been paid by the fund. For the year ended February 28, 2007, the total fees paid by the investment adviser were $376,000. The investment adviser receives an administrative services fee at the annual rate of up to 0.15% of the average daily net assets for Class C, F, R (excluding Class R-5 shares) and 529 shares for administrative services provided to these share classes. Administrative services fees are paid monthly and accrued daily. The investment adviser uses a portion of this fee to compensate third parties for administrative services provided to the fund. Of the remainder, the investment adviser does not retain more than 0.05% of the average daily net assets for each applicable share class. For Class R-5 shares, the administrative services fee is calculated at the annual rate of up to 0.10% of the average daily net assets. The administrative services fee includes compensation for transfer agent and shareholder services provided to the fund's Class C, F, R and 529 shares. In addition to making administrative service fee payments to unaffiliated third parties, the investment adviser also makes payments from the administrative services fee to American Funds Service Company according to a fee schedule contained in a Shareholder Services Agreement between the fund and American Funds Service Company.AMCAP Fund -- Page 20 <PAGE> During the 2007 fiscal year, administrative services fees, gross of any payments made by the investment adviser, were: ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES FEE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS C $2,762,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS F 2,186,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-A 408,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-B 101,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-C 149,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-E 24,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-F 12,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-1 64,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-2 1,972,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-3 1,448,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-4 639,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-5 433,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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; 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821; 15370 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92618; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78251; 8332 Woodfield Crossing Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240; and 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513. The Principal Underwriter receives revenues from sales of the fund's shares. For Class A and 529-A shares, the Principal Underwriter receives commission revenue consisting of that portion 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, the Principal Underwriter sells the rights to the 12b-1 fees paid by the fund for distribution expenses to a third party and receives the revenue remaining after compensating investment dealers for sales of Class B and 529-B shares. The fund also pays the Principal Underwriter for advancing the immediate service fees paid to qualified dealers of Class B and 529-B shares. For Class C and 529-C shares, the Principal Underwriter receives any contingent deferred sales charges that apply during the first year after purchase. The fund pays the Principal Underwriter for advancing the immediate service fees and commissions paid to qualified dealers of Class C and 529-C shares. For Class 529-E shares, the fund pays the Principal Underwriter for advancing the immediate service fees and commissions paid to qualified dealers. For Class F and 529-F shares, the fund pays the Principal Underwriter for advancing the immediate service fees paid to qualified dealers and advisers who sell Class F and 529-F shares. For Class R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 shares, the fund pays the Principal Underwriter for advancing the immediate service fees paid to qualified dealers and advisers who sell Class R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 shares.AMCAP Fund -- Page 21 <PAGE> Commissions, revenue or service fees retained by the Principal Underwriter after allowances or compensation to dealers were: COMMISSIONS, ALLOWANCE OR REVENUE COMPENSATION FISCAL YEAR/PERIOD OR FEES RETAINED TO DEALERS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A 2007 $ 8,650,000 $38,070,000 2006 11,370,000 50,629,000 2005 12,496,000 56,126,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS B 2007 564,000 3,384,000 2006 817,000 5,500,000 2005 1,418,000 10,267,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS C 2007 947,000 2,452,000 2006 627,000 3,917,000 2005 360,000 4,802,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-A 2007 516,000 2,414,000 2006 590,000 2,801,000 2005 573,000 2,717,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-B 2007 58,000 369,000 2006 73,000 444,000 2005 125,000 704,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS 529-C 2007 12,000 279,000 2006 7,000 303,000 2005 5,000 290,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The fund has adopted plans of distribution (the "Plans") pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Principal Underwriter receives amounts payable pursuant to the Plans (see below). 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 directors and separately by a majority of the independent directors of the fund who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the Principal Underwriting Agreement. Potential benefits of the Plans to the fund include quality shareholder services; savings to the fund in transfer agency costs; and benefits to AMCAP Fund -- Page 22 <PAGE> the investment process from growth or stability of assets. The selection and nomination of independent directors are committed to the discretion of the independent directors during the existence of the Plans. The Plans may not be amended to increase materially the amount spent for distribution without shareholder approval. Plan expenses are reviewed quarterly and the Plans must be renewed annually by the board of directors. Under the Plans, the fund may annually expend the following amounts to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of fund shares, provided the fund's board of directors has approved the category of expenses for which payment is being made: (a) for Class A shares, up to 0.25% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares; (b) for Class 529-A shares, up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class 529-A shares; (c) for Class B and 529-B shares, up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class B and 529-B shares, respectively; (d) for Class C and 529-C shares, up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class C and 529-C shares, respectively; (e) for Class 529-E shares, up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class 529-E shares; (f) for Class F and 529-F shares, up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class F and 529-F shares, respectively; (g) for Class R-1 shares, up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R-1 shares; (h) for Class R-2 shares, up to 1.00% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R-2 shares; (i) for Class R-3 shares, up to 0.75% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R-3 shares; and (j) for Class R-4 shares, up to 0.50% of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R-4 shares. The fund has not adopted a Plan for Class R-5 shares; accordingly, no 12b-1 fees are paid from Class R-5 share assets. For Class A and 529-A shares: (a) up to 0.25% is reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers, and (b) up to the amount allowable under the fund's Class A and 529-A 12b-1 limit, after reimbursement for paying service-related expenses, is reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter for paying distribution-related expenses, including dealer commissions and wholesaler compensation paid on sales of shares of $1 million or more purchased without a sales charge (including purchases by employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans investing $1 million or more or with 100 or more eligible employees, and retirement plans, endowments and foundations with $50 million or more in assets -- "no load purchases"). Commissions on no load purchases of Class A and 529-A shares in excess of the Class A and 529-A plan limitations not reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter during the most recent fiscal quarter are recoverable for five quarters, provided the amount recovered does not cause the fund to exceed the annual expense limit. After five quarters, these commissions are not recoverable. For Class B and 529-B shares: (a) up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers, and (b) 0.75% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for distribution-related expenses, including the financing of commissions paid to qualified dealers. For Class C and 529-C shares: (a) up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers, and (b) up to 0.75% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying distribution-related expenses, including commissions paid to qualified dealers. For Class 529-E shares: currently (a) up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers, and (b) up to 0.25% AMCAP Fund -- Page 23 <PAGE> is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying distribution-related expenses, including commissions paid to qualified dealers. For Class F and 529-F shares: currently up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers or advisers. For Class R-1 shares: (a) up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers, and (b) up to 0.75% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for distribution-related expenses, including commissions paid to qualified dealers. For Class R-2 shares: currently (a) up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers, and (b) up to 0.50% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying distribution-related expenses, including commissions paid to qualified dealers. For Class R-3 shares: currently (a) up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers, and (b) up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying distribution-related expenses, including commissions paid to qualified dealers. For Class R-4 shares: currently up to 0.25% is paid to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, including paying service fees to qualified dealers or advisers. As of the end of the 2007 fiscal year, total 12b-1 expenses, and the portion of the expenses that remained unpaid, were:12B-1 UNPAID LIABILITY 12B-1 EXPENSES OUTSTANDING ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS A $37,941,000 $7,745,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS B 11,414,000 1,322,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS C 16,176,000 3,292,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS F 5,662,000 1,368,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-A 738,000 191,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-B 781,000 96,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-C 1,205,000 281,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-E 111,000 29,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS 529-F -- -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-1 386,000 106,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-2 2,913,000 751,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-3 3,532,000 813,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-4 1,060,000 215,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AMCAP Fund -- Page 24 <PAGE> OTHER COMPENSATION TO DEALERS -- As of January 2007, the top dealers (or their affiliates) that American Funds Distributors anticipates will receive additional compensation (as described in the prospectus) include: A. G. Edwards & Sons, Inc. AIG Advisors Group: Advantage Capital Corporation AIG Financial Advisors, Inc. American General Securities Incorporated FSC Securities Corporation Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. AXA Advisors, LLC Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Cambridge Investment Research, Inc. Commonwealth Financial Network Cuna Brokerage Services, Inc. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. Edward Jones Genworth Financial Securities Corporation Hefren-Tillotson, Inc. HTK/Janney Montgomery Group: Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC ING Advisors Network Inc.: Bancnorth Investment Group, Inc. Financial Network Investment Corporation Guaranty Brokerage Services, Inc. ING Financial Partners, Inc. Multi-Financial Securities Corporation Primevest Financial Services, Inc. InterSecurities/Transamerica: InterSecurities, Inc. Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. J.J.B. Hilliard/PNC Bank: J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc. PNC Bank, National Association PNC Brokerage Corp. PNC Investments LLC Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation: Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation Jefferson Pilot Securities Corporation LPL Financial Services: Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. Uvest Investment Services Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated Metlife Enterprises: Metlife Securities Inc. Tower Square Securities New England Securities Walnut Street Securities, Inc. AMCAP Fund -- Page 25 <PAGE> MML Investors Services, Inc. Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc. Morgan Stanley DW Inc. National Planning Holdings Inc.: Invest Financial Corporation Investment Centers of America, Inc. National Planning Corporation SII Investments, Inc. NFP Securities, Inc. Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC Pacific Select Distributors Inc.: Associated Securities Corp. Contemporary Financial Solutions, Inc. M.L. Stern & Co., LLC Mutual Service Corporation Sorrento Pacific Financial, LLC United Planners' Financial Services of America Waterstone Financial Group, Inc. Park Avenue Securities LLC Princor Financial Services Corporation Raymond James Group: Raymond James & Associates, Inc. Raymond James Financial Services Inc. RBC Dain Rauscher Inc. Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated Securian/C.R.I.: CRI Securities, LLC Securian Financial Services, Inc. Smith Barney U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. UBS Financial Services Inc. First Clearing LLC Wells Fargo Investments, L.L.C.EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS As described in the prospectus, the investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund's portfolio transactions. Portfolio transactions for the fund may be executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same security for other funds served by the investment adviser, or for trusts or other accounts served by affiliated companies of the investment adviser. When such concurrent authorizations occur, the objective is to allocate the executions in an equitable manner. Brokerage commissions paid on portfolio transactions, including investment dealer concessions on underwritings, if applicable, for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2007, 2006 and 2005 amounted to $8,176,000, $7,175,000 and $6,710,000, respectively. With respect to fixed-income securities, brokerage commissions include explicit investment dealer concessions and may exclude other transaction costs which may be reflected in the spread between the bid and asked price. The volume of trading activity increased during the year, resulting in an increase in brokerage commissions paid on portfolio transactions. AMCAP Fund -- Page 26 <PAGE> 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 recent 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 recent 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 recent fiscal year. At the end of the fund's most recent fiscal year, the fund's regular broker-dealers included J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. and First Clearing, LLC. As of the fund's most recent fiscal year-end, the fund held equity securities of Wachovia Corporation in the amount of $183,109,000 and debt securities of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. in the amount of $49,700,000 . 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 directors 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 approximately 45 days after the end of the calendar quarter. In addition, the fund's list of top 10 equity portfolio holdings measured by percentage of net assets invested, dated as of the end of each calendar month, is permitted to be posted on the American Funds website no earlier than the tenth day after such month. 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. Affiliated persons of the fund as described above 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 to maintain the confidentiality of such information, preclear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as applicable. Third party service providers of the fund 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 may be bound by agreements (including confidentiality agreements) 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 27 <PAGE> 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. 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 and accepted by the fund or the Transfer Agent; 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 4:00 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 1:00 p.m., the fund's share price would still be determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time. 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 money market funds) 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 28 <PAGE> 1. Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market in which the security trades. Fixed-income securities are valued at prices obtained from an independent pricing service, when such prices are available; however, in circumstances where the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so, such securities will be valued at the mean quoted bid and asked prices (or bid prices, if asked prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type. The pricing services base bond prices on, among other things, an evaluation of the yield curve as of approximately 3:00 p.m. New York time. The fund's investment adviser performs certain checks on these prices prior to calculation of the fund's net asset value. 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 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 asked prices. Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of non-U.S. currencies 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 assets for which market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under policies approved by 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 ensure that certain basic principles and factors are considered 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. The valuation committee considers all indications of value available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, including, without limitation, 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. The valuation committee employs additional fair value procedures to address issues related to equity holdings of applicable fund portfolios outside the United States. Securities owned by these funds trade in markets that open and close at different times, reflecting time zone differences. If significant events occur after the close of a market (and before AMCAP Fund -- Page 29 <PAGE> these fund's net asset values are next determined) which affect the value of portfolio securities, appropriate adjustments from closing market prices may be made to reflect these events. Events of this type could include, for example, earthquakes and other natural disasters or significant price changes in other markets (e.g., U.S. stock markets). 2. 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, including accruals of taxes and other expense items attributable to particular share classes, are deducted from total assets attributable to such share classes. 3. 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 share class. TAXES AND DISTRIBUTIONS FUND TAXATION -- The fund has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"). A regulated investment company qualifying under Subchapter M of the Code is required to distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (including the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital losses) and generally is not subject to federal income tax to the extent that it distributes annually 100% of its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains in the manner required under the Code. The fund intends to distribute annually all of its investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains and therefore does not expect to pay federal income tax, although in certain circumstances, the fund may determine that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute less than that amount. To be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code, the fund must also (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, net income from certain publicly traded partnerships and gains from the sale or other disposition of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to the business of investing in such securities or currencies, and (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at least 50% of the market value of the fund's assets is represented by cash, U.S. government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities (for purposes of this calculation, generally limited in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the market value of the fund's assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer) and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of (other than U.S. government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) any one issuer; two or more issuers which the fund controls and which are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses; or the securities of certain publicly traded partnerships. Under the Code, a nondeductible excise tax of 4% is imposed on the excess of a regulated investment company's "required distribution" for the calendar year ending within the regulated AMCAP Fund -- Page 30 <PAGE> investment company's taxable year over the "distributed amount" for such calendar year. The term "required distribution" means the sum of (a) 98% of ordinary income (generally net investment income) for the calendar year, (b) 98% of capital gain (both long-term and short-term) for the one-year period ending on October 31 (as though the one-year period ending on October 31 were the regulated investment company's taxable year) and (c) the sum of any untaxed, undistributed net investment income and net capital gains of the regulated investment company for prior periods. The term "distributed amount" generally means the sum of (a) amounts actually distributed by the fund from its current year's ordinary income and capital gain net income and (b) any amount on which the fund pays income tax during the periods described above. Although the fund intends to distribute its net investment income and net capital gains so as to avoid excise tax liability, the fund may determine that it is in the interest of shareholders to distribute a lesser amount. The following information may not apply to you if you hold fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as a retirement plan or education savings account. Please see your tax adviser for more information. DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS -- Dividends and capital gain distributions on fund shares will be reinvested in shares of the fund of the same class, unless shareholders indicate in writing that they wish to receive them in cash or in shares of the same class of other American Funds, as provided in the prospectus. Dividends and capital gain distributions by 529 share classes will be automatically reinvested. Distributions of investment company taxable income and net realized capital gains to shareholders will be taxable whether received in shares or in cash, unless such shareholders are exempt from taxation. Shareholders electing to receive distributions in the form of additional shares will have a cost basis for federal income tax purposes in each share so received equal to the net asset value of that share on the reinvestment date. Dividends and capital gain distributions by the fund to a tax-deferred retirement plan account are not taxable currently. DIVIDENDS -- The fund intends to follow the practice of distributing substantially all of its investment company taxable income. Investment company taxable income generally includes dividends, interest, net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, and certain foreign currency gains, if any, less expenses and certain foreign currency losses. To the extent the fund invests in stock of domestic and certain foreign corporations and meets the applicable holding period requirement, it may receive "qualified dividends". The fund will designate the amount of "qualified dividends" to its shareholders in a notice sent within 60 days of the close of its fiscal year and will report "qualified dividends" to shareholders on Form 1099-DIV. Dividends from domestic corporations are expected to comprise some portion of the fund's gross income. To the extent that such dividends constitute any of the fund's gross income, a portion of the income distributions of the fund may be eligible for the deduction for dividends received by corporations. Corporate shareholders will be informed of the portion of dividends that so qualifies. The dividends-received deduction is reduced to the extent that either the fund shares, or the underlying shares of stock held by the fund, with respect to which dividends are received, are treated as debt-financed under federal income tax law, and is eliminated if the shares are deemed to have been held by the shareholder or the fund, as the case may be, for less than 46 days during the 90-day period beginning on the date that is 45 days before the date on which the shares become AMCAP Fund -- Page 31 <PAGE> ex-dividend. Capital gain distributions are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction. A portion of the difference between the issue price of zero coupon securities and their face value (original issue discount) is considered to be income to the fund each year, even though the fund will not receive cash interest payments from these securities. This original issue discount (imputed income) will comprise a part of the investment company taxable income of the fund that must be distributed to shareholders in order to maintain the qualification of the fund as a regulated investment company and to avoid federal income taxation at the level of the fund. The price of a bond purchased after its original issuance may reflect market discount which, depending on the particular circumstances, may affect the tax character and amount of income required to be recognized by a fund holding the bond. In determining whether a bond is purchased with market discount, certain de minimis rules apply. CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS -- The fund also intends to follow the practice of distributing the entire 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 carry forward of the fund. If any net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses are retained by the fund for reinvestment, requiring federal income taxes to be paid thereon by the fund, the fund intends to elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to shareholders. As a result, each shareholder will report such capital gains as long-term capital gains taxable to individual shareholders at a maximum 15% capital gains rate, will be able to claim a pro rata share of federal income taxes paid by the fund on such gains as a credit against personal federal income tax liability, and will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis on fund shares by the difference between a pro rata share of the retained gains and such shareholder's related tax credit. SHAREHOLDER TAXATION -- In January of each 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. DIVIDENDS -- Fund dividends are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. All or a portion of a fund's dividend distribution may be a "qualified dividend." If the fund meets the applicable holding period requirement, it will distribute dividends derived from qualified corporation dividends to shareholders as qualified dividends. Interest income from bonds and money market instruments and nonqualified foreign dividends will be distributed to shareholders as nonqualified fund dividends. The fund will report on Form 1099-DIV the amount of each shareholder's dividend that may be treated as a qualified dividend. If a shareholder meets the requisite holding period requirement, qualified dividends are taxable at a maximum rate of 15%. CAPITAL GAINS -- Distributions of the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses that the fund properly designates as "capital gain dividends" 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, a capital gain distribution by the fund is subject AMCAP Fund -- Page 32 <PAGE> to a maximum tax rate of 15%. 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 amounts treated as distributions of long-term capital gains during such six-month period. 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 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 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. 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 sales charge for shares of the fund, or of a different fund, 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). 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. The fund will be required to report to the IRS all distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gains as well as gross proceeds from the redemption or exchange of fund shares, except in the case of certain exempt shareholders. Under the backup withholding provisions of Section 3406 of the Code, distributions of investment company taxable income and capital gains and proceeds from the redemption or exchange of a regulated investment company may be subject to backup withholding of federal income tax in the case of non-exempt U.S. shareholders who fail to furnish the investment company with their taxpayer identification numbers and with required certifications regarding their status under the federal income tax law. Withholding may also be required if the fund is notified by the IRS or a broker that the taxpayer identification number furnished by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously failed to report interest or dividend income. If the withholding provisions are applicable, any such distributions and proceeds, whether taken in cash or reinvested in additional shares, will be reduced by the amounts required to be withheld. 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 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. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers about the application of federal, state and local tax law in light of their particular situation. AMCAP Fund -- Page 33 <PAGE> UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, ALL REFERENCES IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO CLASS A, B, C OR F SHARES ALSO REFER TO THE CORRESPONDING CLASS 529-A, 529-B, 529-C OR 529-F 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 account statement and mailing the form, along with a check made payable to the fund, using the envelope provided with your account statement. 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 any of the following addresses: American Funds 8332 Woodfield Crossing Blvd. Indianapolis, IN 46240-2482 American Funds 3500 Wiseman Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78251-4321 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 document for more information regarding this service. BY INTERNET -- using americanfunds.com. Please see the "Shareholder account services and privileges" section of this document for more information regarding this service. AMCAP Fund -- Page 34 <PAGE> 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 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 800/421-0180 if you have questions about making wire transfers. OTHER PURCHASE INFORMATION -- The Principal Underwriter will not knowingly sell shares of the fund directly or indirectly to any person or entity, where, after the sale, such person or entity would own beneficially directly or indirectly more than 3.0% of the outstanding shares of the fund without the consent of a majority of the fund's board. 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. Class R-5 shares are also available to clients of the Personal Investment Management group of Capital Guardian Trust Company who do not have an intermediary associated with their accounts and without regard to the $1 million purchase minimum. In addition, 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. The fund and the Principal Underwriter reserve the right to reject any purchase order. 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 35 <PAGE> 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 Personal Investment Management group. 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 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 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 The Cash Management Trust of America may be made to Class B or C shares of other American Funds for dollar cost averaging purposes. Exchanges are not permitted from Class A shares of The Cash Management Trust of America to Class B or C shares of Intermediate Bond Fund of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America and 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 funds are subject to applicable sales charges on the fund being purchased, unless the 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 800/421-0180 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" below. 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" above). 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. For purposes of this policy, systematic redemptions include, for example, regular periodic automatic redemptions and statement of intention escrow share AMCAP Fund -- Page 36 <PAGE> redemptions. Systematic purchases include, for example, regular periodic automatic purchases and automatic reinvestments of dividends and capital gain distributions. 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 AUTOMATIC CONVERSIONS -- As described more fully in the prospectus, Class B, 529-B and C shares automatically convert to Class A, 529-A and F shares, respectively, after a certain period from the purchase date. MOVING FROM CLASS B TO CLASS A SHARES -- Under the right of reinvestment policy as described in the prospectus, if you redeem Class B shares during the contingent deferred sales charge period, you may reinvest the proceeds in Class A shares without paying a Class A sales charge if you notify American Funds Service Company and the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of redemption and is made into the same account from which you redeemed the shares. If you redeem your Class B shares after the contingent deferred sales charge period, you may either 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. MOVING FROM CLASS C TO CLASS A SHARES -- If you redeem Class C shares and with the redemption proceeds purchase Class A shares, you are still responsible for paying any Class C contingent deferred sales charges and applicable Class A sales charges. MOVING FROM CLASS F TO CLASS A SHARES -- You can redeem Class F shares held in a qualified fee-based program and with the redemption proceeds purchase Class A shares without paying an initial Class A sales charge if all of the following are met: (a) you are leaving or have left the fee-based program, (b) you have held the Class F shares in the program for at least one year, and (c) you notify American Funds Service Company and purchase the Class A shares within 90 days after redeeming the Class F shares. MOVING FROM CLASS A TO CLASS F SHARES -- If you are part of a qualified fee-based program and you wish to redeem your Class A shares and with the redemption proceeds purchase Class F shares for 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. MOVING FROM CLASS A TO CLASS R SHARES -- Provided it is eligible to invest in Class R shares, a retirement plan currently invested in Class A shares may redeem its shares and purchase Class R shares with the redemption proceeds. Any Class A sales charges that the retirement plan previously paid will not be credited back to the plan's account. NON-REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS -- As described above, automatic conversions will be non-reportable for tax purposes. In addition, except in the case of a movement between a 529 AMCAP Fund -- Page 37 <PAGE> share class and a non-529 share class or vice versa, 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. SALES CHARGES CLASS A PURCHASES PURCHASES BY CERTAIN 403(B) PLANS Individual 403(b) plans may be treated similarly to employer-sponsored plans for Class A sales charge purposes (i.e., individual participant accounts are eligible to be aggregated together) if: (a) the American Funds are principal investment options; (b) the employer facilitates the enrollment process by, for example, allowing for onsite group enrollment meetings held during working hours; and (c) there is only one dealer firm assigned to the plans. 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 and employees 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, (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, AMCAP Fund -- Page 38 <PAGE> 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. 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 39 <PAGE> 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 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, 0.50% on amounts of at least $4 million but less than $10 million and 0.25% on amounts of at least $10 million. Commissions are based on cumulative investments and are not annually reset. 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. 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 American Funds non-money market funds 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. The market value of your existing holdings eligible to be aggregated (see below) as of the day immediately before the start of the Statement period may be credited toward satisfying the Statement. The Statement may be revised upward at any time during the Statement period, and such a revision will be treated as a new Statement, except that the Statement period during which the purchases must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the revised Statement. 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 AMCAP Fund -- Page 40 <PAGE> 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. Certain payroll deduction retirement plans purchasing Class A shares under a Statement on or before November 12, 2006, may continue to purchase Class A shares at the sales charge determined by that particular Statement until the plans' values reach the amounts specified in their Statements. Upon reaching such amounts, the Statements for these plans will be deemed completed and will terminate at that time. After such termination, these plans are eligible for additional sales charge reductions by meeting the criteria under the fund's rights of accumulation policy. If you make an American Funds purchase under a statement of intention prior to April 1, 2007, purchases of American Legacy variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies may also be credited toward completion of that statement of intention. 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, individual 403(b) plan (see exception in "Purchases by certain 403(b) plans" under "Sales charges") or single-participant Keogh-type plan; . 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; AMCAP Fund -- Page 41 <PAGE> . 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; or . for individually established participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated similarly to an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see "Purchases by certain 403(b) plans" under "Sales charges" above), or made for two or more such 403(b) plans that are treated similarly to employer-sponsored plans for sales charge purposes, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act. 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 individual holdings in Endowments. Shares of money market funds 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 funds are excluded. 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 your holdings in Endowments, to determine your sales charge on investments in accounts eligible to be aggregated. 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") 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 are not eligible for calculation at cost value and instead will 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 42 <PAGE> 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 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 postpurchase 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 70-1/2 (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 a systematic withdrawal plan (SWP) (see "Automatic withdrawals" under "Shareholder account services and privileges" below). For each SWP payment, assets that are not subject to a CDSC, such as appreciation on shares and 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 SWP 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 a SWP will also count toward the 12% limit. In the case of a SWP, the 12% limit is calculated at the time a systematic redemption is first made, and is recalculated at the time each additional systematic redemption is made. Shareholders who establish a SWP 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: . in the case of Class A shares, your investment in Class A shares of all American Funds (investments representing direct purchases of American Funds money market funds are excluded); . in the case of Class B shares, your investment in Class B shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption; and . in the case of Class C shares, your investment in Class C 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 AMCAP Fund -- Page 43 <PAGE> 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. 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 National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., 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. 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 money market funds be wired to your bank by writing American Funds Service Company. A signature guarantee is required on all requests to wire funds. SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES The following services and privileges are generally available to all shareholders. However, certain services and privileges 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 ($50 minimum per fund; $25 minimum per fund in the case of employer-sponsored 529 accounts) 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 AMCAP Fund -- Page 44 <PAGE> 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 will automatically be 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. 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 -- For all share classes, except the R and 529 classes of 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 45 <PAGE> Withdrawal payments are not to be considered as dividends, yield or income. 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. 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 $75,000 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(TM) 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, 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 liability (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 funds. 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 46 <PAGE> REDEMPTION OF SHARES -- The fund's Articles of Incorporation permit 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 directors of the fund may from time to time adopt. While payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund's Articles of Incorporation permit payment of the redemption price wholly or partly in securities or other property included in the assets belonging to the fund when in the opinion of the fund's board of directors, which shall be conclusive, conditions exist which make payment wholly in cash unwise or undesirable. SHARE CERTIFICATES -- Shares are credited to your account and certificates are not issued unless you request them by contacting the Transfer Agent. Certificates are not available for the 529 or R share classes. 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 JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070, as Custodian. If the fund holds non-U.S. securities, the Custodian may hold these securities pursuant to subcustodial arrangements in non-U.S. banks or non-U.S. branches of U.S. banks. TRANSFER AGENT -- 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 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821-5823. American Funds Service Company was paid a fee of $17,593,000 for Class A shares and $1,296,000 for Class B shares for the 2006 fiscal year. American Funds Service Company is also compensated for certain transfer agency services provided to all other share classes from the administrative services fees paid to Capital Research and Management Company, as described under "Administrative services agreement." 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. INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM -- Deloitte & Touche LLP, 695 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92626, 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 so included in reliance on the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The selection of the AMCAP Fund -- Page 47 <PAGE> fund's independent registered public accounting firm is reviewed and determined annually by the board of directors. INDEPENDENT LEGAL COUNSEL -- O'Melveny & Myers LLP, 400 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071, serves as counsel for the fund and for independent directors in their capacities as such. Certain legal matters in connection with the capital shares offered by the prospectus have been passed upon for the fund by O'Melveny & Myers LLP. Counsel does not provide legal services to the fund's investment adviser or any of its affiliated companies or control persons. A determination with respect to the independence of the fund's "independent legal counsel" will be made at least annually by the independent directors 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 the last day of February. Shareholders are provided updated prospectuses annually and at least semiannually with reports showing the fund's investment portfolio or summary investment portfolio, financial statements and other information. The fund's annual financial statements are audited by the fund's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche 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 prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements. To receive additional copies of a prospectus, report or proxy statement, shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent. 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; and disclosure of personal securities transactions. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS -- On February 16, 2005, the NASD filed an administrative complaint against the Principal Underwriter. The complaint alleges violations of certain NASD rules by the Principal Underwriter with respect to the selection of broker-dealer firms that buy and sell securities for mutual fund investment portfolios. The complaint seeks sanctions, restitution and disgorgement. On August 30, 2006, the NASD Hearing Panel ruled against the Principal Underwriter and imposed a $5 million fine. The Principal Underwriter has appealed this decision to the NASD's National Adjudicatory Council. On March 24, 2005, the investment adviser and Principal Underwriter filed a complaint against the Attorney General of the State of California in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The complaint alleged that the Attorney General threatened to take enforcement actions against the investment adviser and Principal Underwriter that are without merit and preempted by federal law. On the same day, following the filing of the investment adviser's and Principal Underwriter's complaint, the Attorney General of the State of California filed a complaint against the Principal Underwriter and investment adviser. Filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, the Attorney General's complaint alleged violations of certain sections of the California Corporations Code with respect to so-called "revenue sharing" disclosures in mutual fund prospectuses and AMCAP Fund -- Page 48 <PAGE> statements of additional information. On November 22, 2005, the Los Angeles Superior Court dismissed the Attorney General's complaint. The Attorney General subsequently appealed the Superior Court's decision to California's Court of Appeal for the Second Appellate District. On January 26, 2007, the Court of Appeal issued a ruling allowing the California Attorney General to proceed with his civil action. The investment adviser and Principal Underwriter believe that the likelihood that these matters could have a material adverse effect on the fund or on the ability of the investment adviser or Principal Underwriter to perform their contracts with the fund is remote. The SEC is conducting a related investigation as of the date of this statement of additional information. The investment adviser and Principal Underwriter are cooperating fully. In addition, class action lawsuits have been filed in the U.S. District Court, Central District of California, relating to these matters. The investment adviser believes that these suits are without merit and will defend itself vigorously. Further updates on these issues will be available on the American Funds website (americanfunds.com) under "American Funds regulatory matters." OTHER INFORMATION -- 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. The following information on fund numbers is not included in the annual report: DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE, REDEMPTION PRICE AND MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE FOR CLASS A SHARES -- FEBRUARY 28, 2007 Net asset value and redemption price per share (Net assets divided by shares outstanding). . . . . . . . . . . $20.29 Maximum offering price per share (100/94.25 of net asset value per share, which takes into account the fund's current maximum sales charge). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $21.53 AMCAP Fund -- Page 49 <PAGE> FUND NUMBERS -- Here are the fund numbers for use with our automated telephone line, American FundsLine/(R)/, or when making share transactions: FUND NUMBERS ------------------------------------ FUND CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C CLASS F ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS AMCAP Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 002 202 302 402 American Balanced Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 011 211 311 411 American Mutual Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 003 203 303 403 Capital Income Builder/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 012 212 312 412 Capital World Growth and Income Fund/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . 033 233 333 433 EuroPacific Growth Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 016 216 316 416 Fundamental Investors/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 010 210 310 410 The Growth Fund of America/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 005 205 305 405 The Income Fund of America/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 006 206 306 406 The Investment Company of America/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . 004 204 304 404 The New Economy Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 014 214 314 414 New Perspective Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 007 207 307 407 New World Fund/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 036 236 336 436 SMALLCAP World Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 035 235 335 435 Washington Mutual Investors Fund/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 001 201 301 401 BOND FUNDS American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . 040 240 340 440 American High-Income Trust/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 021 221 321 421 The Bond Fund of America/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 008 208 308 408 Capital World Bond Fund/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 031 231 331 431 Intermediate Bond Fund of America/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . 023 223 323 423 Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America/SM/ . . . . . . . 043 243 343 443 Short-Term Bond Fund of America/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 048 248 348 448 The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . . 019 219 319 419 The Tax-Exempt Fund of California/(R)/* . . . . . . . . . . . 020 220 320 420 The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland/(R)/* . . . . . . . . . . . . 024 224 324 424 The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia/(R)/* . . . . . . . . . . . . 025 225 325 425 U.S. Government Securities Fund/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . 022 222 322 422 MONEY MARKET FUNDS The Cash Management Trust of America/(R)/ . . . . . . . . . . 009 209 309 409 The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America/SM/ . . . . . . . . . . . 039 N/A N/A N/A The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of America/SM/ . . . . . . . . . 049 N/A N/A N/A ___________ *Qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions.AMCAP Fund -- Page 50 <PAGE> FUND NUMBERS --------------------------------------------- CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS FUND 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E 529-F ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS AMCAP Fund . . . . . . . . . . 1002 1202 1302 1502 1402 American Balanced Fund . . . . 1011 1211 1311 1511 1411 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 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 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 The Cash Management Trust of America . . . . . . . . . . . . 1009 1209 1309 1509 1409 AMCAP Fund -- Page 51 <PAGE> FUND NUMBERS ---------------------------------------- CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS FUND R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS AMCAP Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2102 2202 2302 2402 2502 American Balanced Fund . . . . . . . 2111 2211 2311 2411 2511 American Mutual Fund . . . . . . . . 2103 2203 2303 2403 2503 Capital Income Builder . . . . . . . 2112 2212 2312 2412 2512 Capital World Growth and Income Fund 2133 2233 2333 2433 2533 EuroPacific Growth Fund . . . . . . 2116 2216 2316 2416 2516 Fundamental Investors . . . . . . . 2110 2210 2310 2410 2510 The Growth Fund of America . . . . . 2105 2205 2305 2405 2505 The Income Fund of America . . . . . 2106 2206 2306 2406 2506 The Investment Company of America . 2104 2204 2304 2404 2504 The New Economy Fund . . . . . . . . 2114 2214 2314 2414 2514 New Perspective Fund . . . . . . . . 2107 2207 2307 2407 2507 New World Fund . . . . . . . . . . . 2136 2236 2336 2436 2536 SMALLCAP World Fund . . . . . . . . 2135 2235 2335 2435 2535 Washington Mutual Investors Fund . . 2101 2201 2301 2401 2501 BOND FUNDS American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A N/A N/A N/A 2540 American High-Income Trust . . . . . 2121 2221 2321 2421 2521 The Bond Fund of America . . . . . . 2108 2208 2308 2408 2508 Capital World Bond Fund . . . . . . 2131 2231 2331 2431 2531 Intermediate Bond Fund of America . 2123 2223 2323 2423 2523 Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N/A N/A N/A N/A 2543 Short-Term Bond Fund of America. . . 2148 2248 2348 2448 2548 The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America N/A N/A N/A N/A 2519 The Tax-Exempt Fund of California* . N/A N/A N/A N/A 2520 The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland* . . N/A N/A N/A N/A 2524 The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia* . . N/A N/A N/A N/A 2525 U.S. Government Securities Fund . . 2122 2222 2322 2422 2522 MONEY MARKET FUNDS The Cash Management Trust of America 2109 2209 2309 2409 2509 The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America N/A N/A N/A N/A 2539 The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of America . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2149 2249 2349 2449 2549 ___________ *Qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions.AMCAP Fund -- Page 52 <PAGE> FUND NUMBERS ------------------------------------------------- CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS FUND CLASS A R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AMERICAN FUNDS TARGET DATE RETIREMENT SERIES American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 069 2169 2269 2369 2469 2569 American Funds 2045 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 068 2168 2268 2368 2468 2568 American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 067 2167 2267 2367 2467 2567 American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 066 2166 2266 2366 2466 2566 American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 065 2165 2265 2365 2465 2565 American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 064 2164 2264 2364 2464 2564 American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 063 2163 2263 2363 2463 2563 American Funds 2015 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 062 2162 2262 2362 2462 2562 American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund . . . 061 2161 2261 2361 2461 2561 AMCAP Fund -- Page 53 <PAGE>APPENDIX The following descriptions of debt security ratings are based on information provided by Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's Corporation. 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 54 <PAGE> 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 in 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 55 <PAGE> C The C rating may be used to cover a situation where a bankruptcy petition has been filed or similar action has been taken, but payments on this obligation are being continued. 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. 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. AMCAP Fund -- Page 56
Summary
investment portfolio
|
February
28,
2007
|
Percent
of
|
||||
Industry
sector diversification
|
net
assets
|
|||
Information
technology
|
20.28
|
%
|
||
Consumer
discretionary
|
18.68
|
|||
Health
care
|
16.19
|
|||
Financials
|
7.89
|
|||
Consumer
staples
|
6.05
|
|||
Other
industries
|
16.48
|
|||
Short-term
securities & other assets less liabilities
|
14.43
|
"Miscellaneous"
securities include holdings in their initial period of acquisition
that
have not previously been publicly disclosed.
|
"Other
securities" includes all issues that are not disclosed separately
in the
summary investment portfolio.
|
Investments
in affiliates
|
A
company is
considered to be an affiliate of the fund under the Investment
Company Act
of 1940 if the fund's holdings in that company represent 5%
or more of the
outstanding voting shares of that company. The fund's affiliated
holdings
listed below are either shown in the preceding summary investment
portfolio or included in the market value of "Other securities"
under
their respective industry sectors. Further details on these
holdings and
related transactions during the year ended February 28, 2007,
appear
below.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market
value
|
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividend
|
|
of
affiliates
|
|
||||||
Company
|
|
Beginning
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ending
|
|
income
|
|
at
2/28/2007
|
|
||||||
|
|
shares
|
|
Purchases
|
|
Sales
|
|
shares
|
|
(000)
|
|
(000)
|
|||||||
Williams-Sonoma,
Inc.
|
3,205,200
|
2,794,800
|
-
|
6,000,000
|
$
|
2,011
|
$
|
202,560
|
|||||||||||
Medicis
Pharmaceutical Corp., Class A
|
3,625,000
|
-
|
-
|
3,625,000
|
435
|
131,805
|
|||||||||||||
Tractor
Supply Co. (1)
|
-
|
2,525,000
|
-
|
2,525,000
|
-
|
129,204
|
|||||||||||||
Mine
Safety
Appliances Co.
|
-
|
1,942,750
|
-
|
1,942,750
|
1,226
|
78,973
|
|||||||||||||
P.F.
Chang's
China Bistro, Inc. (1)
|
1,000,000
|
650,000
|
-
|
1,650,000
|
-
|
72,089
|
|||||||||||||
Fossil,
Inc.
(1) (3)
|
4,415,000
|
-
|
3,000,000
|
1,415,000
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
OSI
Restaurant Partners, Inc. (3)
|
3,750,000
|
-
|
1,500,000
|
2,250,000
|
1,365
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
Power
Integrations, Inc. (3)
|
1,850,000
|
-
|
1,850,000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|||||||||||||
$
|
5,037
|
$
|
614,631
|
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)
Security
did not produce income during the last 12 months.
|
(2)
Restricted security that can be resold only to institutional
investors. In
practice, this security is typically as liquid as unrestricted
securities
in the portfolio. The total value of all such restricted securities,
including those in "Other securities" in the summary investment
portfolio,
was $2,356,826,000, which represented 9.19% of the net assets
of the fund.
|
(3)
Unaffiliated issuer at 2/28/2007.
|
The
descriptions of the companies shown in the summary investment
portfolio
are supplemental. These descriptions and the industry classifications
were
obtained from published reports and other sources believed to
be reliable,
and are not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm.
|
See
Notes to
Financial Statements
|
1. |
Organization
and significant accounting
policies
|
Share
class
|
Initial
sales charge
|
Contingent
deferred sales charge upon redemption
|
Conversion
feature
|
|||
Class
A and
529-A
|
Up
to
5.75%
|
None
(except
1%
for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an
initial
sales charge)
|
None
|
|||
Class
B and
529-B
|
None
|
Declines
from
5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase
|
Class
B and
529-B convert to Class 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 after 10 years
|
|||
Class
529-C
|
None
|
1%
for
redemptions within one year of purchase
|
None
|
|||
Class
529-E
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|||
Class
F and
529-F
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
|||
Class
R-1,
R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5
|
None
|
None
|
None
|
(dollars
in
thousands)
|
||
Undistributed
ordinary income
|
$48,723
|
|
Undistributed
long-term capital gain
|
119,036
|
|
Gross
unrealized appreciation on investment securities
|
5,963,124
|
|
Gross
unrealized depreciation on investment securities
|
(123,765)
|
|
Net
unrealized appreciation on investment securities
|
5,839,359
|
|
Cost
of
investment securities
|
19,711,805
|
Year
ended February 28, 2007
|
|
Year
ended February 28, 2006
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|
Ordinary
income
|
|
Long-term
c
apital
gains
|
|
Total
distributions
paid
|
|
Ordinary
income
|
|
Long-term
capital
gains
|
|
Total
distributions
paid
|
|||||||
Share
class
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Class
A
|
$
|
138,143
|
$
|
474,443
|
$
|
612,586
|
$
|
72,208
|
$
|
301,745
|
$
|
373,953
|
|||||||
Class
B
|
665
|
33,768
|
34,433
|
-
|
22,692
|
22,692
|
|||||||||||||
Class
C
|
945
|
48,247
|
49,192
|
-
|
30,880
|
30,880
|
|||||||||||||
Class
F
|
19,657
|
66,410
|
86,067
|
9,265
|
38,509
|
47,774
|
|||||||||||||
Class
529-A
|
3,126
|
11,205
|
14,331
|
1,362
|
5,755
|
7,117
|
|||||||||||||
Class
529-B
|
44
|
2,354
|
2,398
|
-
|
1,370
|
1,370
|
|||||||||||||
Class
529-C
|
67
|
3,667
|
3,734
|
-
|
1,978
|
1,978
|
|||||||||||||
Class
529-E
|
109
|
663
|
772
|
30
|
349
|
379
|
|||||||||||||
Class
529-F
|
120
|
341
|
461
|
42
|
152
|
194
|
|||||||||||||
Class
R-1
|
21
|
1,177
|
1,198
|
-
|
558
|
558
|
|||||||||||||
Class
R-2
|
215
|
11,654
|
11,869
|
-
|
6,340
|
6,340
|
|||||||||||||
Class
R-3
|
3,213
|
20,676
|
23,889
|
1,283
|
11,210
|
12,493
|
|||||||||||||
Class
R-4
|
3,285
|
12,219
|
15,504
|
2,042
|
5,723
|
7,765
|
|||||||||||||
Class
R-5
|
5,167
|
13,124
|
18,291
|
2,354
|
6,515
|
8,869
|
|||||||||||||
Total
|
$
|
174,777
|
$
|
699,948
|
$
|
874,725
|
$
|
88,586
|
$
|
433,776
|
$
|
522,362
|
Share
class
|
Currently
approved limits
|
Plan
limits
|
Class
A
|
0.25%
|
0.25%
|
Class
529-A
|
0.25
|
0.50
|
Class
B and
529-B
|
1.00
|
1.00
|
Class
C,
529-C and R-1
|
1.00
|
1.00
|
Class
R-2
|
0.75
|
1.00
|
Class
529-E
and R-3
|
0.50
|
0.75
|
Class
F,
529-F and R-4
|
0.25
|
0.50
|
Share
class
|
Distribution
services
|
Transfer
agent services
|
Administrative
services
|
||
CRMC
administrative services
|
Transfer
agent services
|
Commonwealth
of Virginia administrative services
|
|||
Class
A
|
$37,941
|
$17,593
|
Not
applicable
|
Not
applicable
|
Not
applicable
|
Class
B
|
11,414
|
1,296
|
Not
applicable
|
Not
applicable
|
Not
applicable
|
Class
C
|
16,176
|
Included
in
administrative
services
|
$2,387
|
$375
|
Not
applicable
|
Class
F
|
5,662
|
1,957
|
229
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Class
529-A
|
738
|
346
|
62
|
$
379
|
|
Class
529-B
|
781
|
71
|
30
|
78
|
|
Class
529-C
|
1,205
|
110
|
39
|
121
|
|
Class
529-E
|
111
|
20
|
4
|
22
|
|
Class
529-F
|
-
|
10
|
2
|
12
|
|
Class
R-1
|
386
|
46
|
18
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Class
R-2
|
2,913
|
560
|
1,412
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Class
R-3
|
3,532
|
1,009
|
439
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Class
R-4
|
1,060
|
619
|
20
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Class
R-5
|
Not
applicable
|
425
|
8
|
Not
applicable
|
|
Total
|
$81,919
|
$18,889
|
$7,560
|
$2,638
|
$612
|
|
Income
(loss)
from investment operations(2)
|
Dividends
and
distributions
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
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)
|
|
Distributions
(from capital gains)
|
Total
dividends and distributions
|
|
Net
asset
value, end of period
|
Total
return
(3)
|
Net
assets,
end of period (in millions)
|
|
Ratio
of
expenses to average net assets before reimbursements/
waivers
|
|
Ratio
of
expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/
waivers
(4)
|
|
Ratio
of net
income (loss) to average net assets
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
A:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
$
|
19.48
|
$
|
.18
|
$
|
1.37
|
$
|
1.55
|
$
|
(.16
|
)
|
$
|
(.58
|
)
|
$
|
(.74
|
)
|
$
|
20.29
|
8.07
|
%
|
$
|
17,341
|
.68
|
%
|
.65
|
%
|
.91
|
%
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
18.02
|
.12
|
1.82
|
1.94
|
(.09
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.48
|
)
|
19.48
|
10.87
|
16,091
|
.68
|
.65
|
.66
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.50
|
.06
|
.63
|
.69
|
(.04
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.17
|
)
|
18.02
|
3.94
|
13,350
|
.69
|
.68
|
.36
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.78
|
.02
|
4.70
|
4.72
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
17.50
|
36.96
|
11,086
|
.73
|
.73
|
.11
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2003
|
15.29
|
.03
|
(2.42
|
)
|
(2.39
|
)
|
(.02
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.12
|
)
|
12.78
|
(15.70
|
)
|
6,641
|
.77
|
.77
|
.25
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
B:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
18.83
|
.02
|
1.32
|
1.34
|
-
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
19.59
|
7.23
|
1,163
|
1.46
|
1.42
|
.13
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.48
|
(.02
|
)
|
1.76
|
1.74
|
-
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
18.83
|
10.04
|
1,139
|
1.47
|
1.44
|
(.13
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.07
|
(.07
|
)
|
.61
|
.54
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.48
|
3.13
|
984
|
1.48
|
1.47
|
(.41
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.56
|
(.10
|
)
|
4.61
|
4.51
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17.07
|
35.91
|
740
|
1.50
|
1.50
|
(.66
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2003
|
15.12
|
(.07
|
)
|
(2.39
|
)
|
(2.46
|
)
|
-
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
12.56
|
(16.36
|
)
|
299
|
1.55
|
1.55
|
(.52
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
C:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
18.72
|
.01
|
1.31
|
1.32
|
-
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
19.46
|
7.16
|
1,667
|
1.51
|
1.48
|
.07
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.39
|
(.03
|
)
|
1.75
|
1.72
|
-
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
18.72
|
9.98
|
1,607
|
1.52
|
1.49
|
(.18
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
16.99
|
(.08
|
)
|
.61
|
.53
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.39
|
3.09
|
1,262
|
1.54
|
1.53
|
(.47
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.51
|
(.11
|
)
|
4.59
|
4.48
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16.99
|
35.81
|
849
|
1.56
|
1.56
|
(.73
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2003
|
15.07
|
(.07
|
)
|
(2.39
|
)
|
(2.46
|
)
|
-
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
12.51
|
(16.42
|
)
|
274
|
1.59
|
1.59
|
(.55
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
F:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.40
|
.18
|
1.36
|
1.54
|
(.16
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.74
|
)
|
20.20
|
8.06
|
2,506
|
.68
|
.65
|
.90
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.94
|
.12
|
1.82
|
1.94
|
(.09
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.48
|
)
|
19.40
|
10.90
|
2,132
|
.71
|
.68
|
.63
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.41
|
.06
|
.62
|
.68
|
(.02
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.15
|
)
|
17.94
|
3.88
|
1,513
|
.76
|
.75
|
.31
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.73
|
.01
|
4.67
|
4.68
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
17.41
|
36.81
|
978
|
.78
|
.78
|
.05
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2003
|
15.25
|
.03
|
(2.41
|
)
|
(2.38
|
)
|
(.04
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.14
|
)
|
12.73
|
(15.74
|
)
|
289
|
.82
|
.82
|
.22
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
529-A:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.45
|
.17
|
1.36
|
1.53
|
(.15
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.73
|
)
|
20.25
|
7.99
|
432
|
.74
|
.71
|
.84
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.99
|
.11
|
1.82
|
1.93
|
(.08
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.47
|
)
|
19.45
|
10.85
|
339
|
.75
|
.72
|
.60
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.46
|
.06
|
.62
|
.68
|
(.02
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.15
|
)
|
17.99
|
3.86
|
224
|
.77
|
.76
|
.31
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.76
|
.01
|
4.70
|
4.71
|
(.01
|
)
|
-
|
(.01
|
)
|
17.46
|
36.90
|
128
|
.77
|
.77
|
.06
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2003
|
15.29
|
.04
|
(2.43
|
)
|
(2.39
|
)
|
(.04
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.14
|
)
|
12.76
|
(15.73
|
)
|
39
|
.78
|
.78
|
.28
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
529-B:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
18.91
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
1.32
|
1.32
|
-
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
19.65
|
7.09
|
84
|
1.57
|
1.54
|
.01
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.58
|
(.05
|
)
|
1.77
|
1.72
|
-
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
18.91
|
9.87
|
73
|
1.61
|
1.58
|
(.27
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.20
|
(.10
|
)
|
.61
|
.51
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.58
|
2.94
|
56
|
1.66
|
1.65
|
(.59
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.68
|
(.13
|
)
|
4.65
|
4.52
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17.20
|
35.65
|
37
|
1.68
|
1.68
|
(.85
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2003
|
15.28
|
(.08
|
)
|
(2.42
|
)
|
(2.50
|
)
|
-
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
12.68
|
(16.45
|
)
|
12
|
1.71
|
1.71
|
(.65
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
529-C:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
18.93
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
1.32
|
1.32
|
-
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
19.67
|
7.08
|
136
|
1.56
|
1.53
|
.02
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.59
|
(.05
|
)
|
1.78
|
1.73
|
-
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
18.93
|
9.92
|
110
|
1.59
|
1.56
|
(.25
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.21
|
(.10
|
)
|
.61
|
.51
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.59
|
2.93
|
76
|
1.65
|
1.64
|
(.58
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.68
|
(.13
|
)
|
4.66
|
4.53
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17.21
|
35.72
|
46
|
1.67
|
1.67
|
(.84
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2003
|
15.28
|
(.08
|
)
|
(2.42
|
)
|
(2.50
|
)
|
-
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
12.68
|
(16.45
|
)
|
14
|
1.69
|
1.69
|
(.63
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
529-E:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.28
|
.10
|
1.35
|
1.45
|
(.08
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.66
|
)
|
20.07
|
7.66
|
25
|
1.05
|
1.02
|
.54
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.85
|
.05
|
1.80
|
1.85
|
(.03
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.42
|
)
|
19.28
|
10.46
|
20
|
1.08
|
1.05
|
.27
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.37
|
(.01
|
)
|
.62
|
.61
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.85
|
3.48
|
14
|
1.13
|
1.12
|
(.05
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.73
|
(.05
|
)
|
4.69
|
4.64
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17.37
|
36.45
|
8
|
1.14
|
1.14
|
(.31
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period
from
3/7/2002 to 2/28/2003
|
16.08
|
(.01
|
)
|
(3.22
|
)
|
(3.23
|
)
|
(.02
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.12
|
)
|
12.73
|
(20.18
|
)
|
3
|
1.16
|
(6
|
)
|
1.16
|
(6
|
)
|
(.09
|
)
|
(6
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
529-F:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.46
|
.20
|
1.37
|
1.57
|
(.19
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.77
|
)
|
20.26
|
8.20
|
14
|
.55
|
.52
|
1.04
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.99
|
.14
|
1.82
|
1.96
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.49
|
)
|
19.46
|
10.99
|
10
|
.62
|
.59
|
.73
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.46
|
.04
|
.62
|
.66
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.99
|
3.75
|
6
|
.88
|
.87
|
.20
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.78
|
(.01
|
)
|
4.69
|
4.68
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
17.46
|
36.66
|
3
|
.89
|
.89
|
(.07
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period
from
9/17/2002 to 2/28/2003
|
12.80
|
.01
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
.01
|
(.03
|
)
|
-
|
(.03
|
)
|
12.78
|
.05
|
-
|
(7
|
)
|
.40
|
.40
|
.07
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
R-1:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
$
|
19.04
|
$
|
.02
|
$
|
1.32
|
$
|
1.34
|
$
|
-
|
$
|
(.58
|
)
|
$
|
(.58
|
)
|
$
|
19.80
|
7.14
|
%
|
$
|
43
|
1.50
|
%
|
1.47
|
%
|
.09
|
%
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.69
|
(.03
|
)
|
1.77
|
1.74
|
-
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
19.04
|
9.92
|
35
|
1.55
|
1.51
|
(.19
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.28
|
(.08
|
)
|
.62
|
.54
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.69
|
3.09
|
23
|
1.57
|
1.54
|
(.47
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.73
|
(.12
|
)
|
4.68
|
4.56
|
(.01
|
)
|
-
|
(.01
|
)
|
17.28
|
35.81
|
12
|
1.60
|
1.57
|
(.75
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period
from
6/26/2002 to 2/28/2003
|
13.96
|
(.04
|
)
|
(1.19
|
)
|
(1.23
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12.73
|
(8.81
|
)
|
1
|
3.01
|
(6
|
)
|
1.58
|
(6
|
)
|
(.49
|
)
|
(6
|
)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
R-2:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.03
|
.02
|
1.32
|
1.34
|
-
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
19.79
|
7.15
|
427
|
1.59
|
1.46
|
.09
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.66
|
(.03
|
)
|
1.79
|
1.76
|
-
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
19.03
|
10.05
|
358
|
1.66
|
1.48
|
(.17
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.26
|
(.07
|
)
|
.60
|
.53
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.66
|
3.04
|
245
|
1.73
|
1.51
|
(.43
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.71
|
(.11
|
)
|
4.66
|
4.55
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
17.26
|
35.80
|
130
|
1.91
|
1.53
|
(.70
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period
from
5/21/2002 to 2/28/2003
|
15.51
|
(.05
|
)
|
(2.63
|
)
|
(2.68
|
)
|
(.02
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.12
|
)
|
12.71
|
(17.37
|
)
|
25
|
2.21
|
(6
|
)
|
1.54
|
(6
|
)
|
(.46
|
)
|
(6
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
R-3:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.28
|
.11
|
1.35
|
1.46
|
(.08
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.66
|
)
|
20.08
|
7.68
|
747
|
1.04
|
1.01
|
.55
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.86
|
.05
|
1.80
|
1.85
|
(.04
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.43
|
)
|
19.28
|
10.45
|
662
|
1.06
|
1.02
|
.29
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.37
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
.62
|
.62
|
-
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
17.86
|
3.54
|
421
|
1.08
|
1.07
|
.01
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.75
|
(.05
|
)
|
4.67
|
4.62
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
-
|
-
|
(5
|
)
|
17.37
|
36.27
|
189
|
1.16
|
1.15
|
(.32
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period
from
6/4/2002 to 2/28/2003
|
15.06
|
(.01
|
)
|
(2.17
|
)
|
(2.18
|
)
|
(.03
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
12.75
|
(14.58
|
)
|
24
|
1.29
|
(6
|
)
|
1.16
|
(6
|
)
|
(.09
|
)
|
(6
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
R-4:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.42
|
.17
|
1.35
|
1.52
|
(.14
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.72
|
)
|
20.22
|
7.97
|
555
|
.73
|
.70
|
.85
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
17.99
|
.11
|
1.81
|
1.92
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.49
|
)
|
19.42
|
10.79
|
405
|
.75
|
.71
|
.61
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.45
|
.06
|
.62
|
.68
|
(.01
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.14
|
)
|
17.99
|
3.85
|
168
|
.76
|
.75
|
.35
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.76
|
.01
|
4.69
|
4.70
|
(.01
|
)
|
-
|
(.01
|
)
|
17.45
|
36.84
|
60
|
.78
|
.78
|
.05
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period
from
5/20/2002 to 2/28/2003
|
15.67
|
.02
|
(2.78
|
)
|
(2.76
|
)
|
(.05
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.15
|
)
|
12.76
|
(17.74
|
)
|
3
|
.95
|
(6
|
)
|
.81
|
(6
|
)
|
.24
|
(6
|
)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class
R-5:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2007
|
19.55
|
.23
|
1.36
|
1.59
|
(.21
|
)
|
(.58
|
)
|
(.79
|
)
|
20.35
|
8.29
|
514
|
.43
|
.40
|
1.15
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2006
|
18.07
|
.17
|
1.83
|
2.00
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.39
|
)
|
(.52
|
)
|
19.55
|
11.19
|
359
|
.44
|
.41
|
.90
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/28/2005
|
17.54
|
.11
|
.63
|
.74
|
(.08
|
)
|
(.13
|
)
|
(.21
|
)
|
18.07
|
4.20
|
274
|
.45
|
.44
|
.62
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year
ended
2/29/2004
|
12.78
|
.06
|
4.71
|
4.77
|
(.01
|
)
|
-
|
(.01
|
)
|
17.54
|
37.32
|
127
|
.47
|
.47
|
.37
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Period
from
5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003
|
15.72
|
.06
|
(2.85
|
)
|
(2.79
|
)
|
(.05
|
)
|
(.10
|
)
|
(.15
|
)
|
12.78
|
(17.83
|
)
|
53
|
.48
|
(6
|
)
|
.48
|
(6
|
)
|
.58
|
(6
|
)
|
|
Year
ended February 28 or 29
|
||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
2003
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
turnover rate for all classes of shares
|
|
|
|
|
20%
|
|
20%
|
|
16%
|
|
17%
|
|
18%
|
(1)
Based on
operations for the periods shown (unless otherwise noted)
and,
accordingly, may not be representative of a full year.
|
(2)
Based on
average shares outstanding.
|
(3)
Total
returns exclude all sales charges, including contingent deferred
sales
charges.
|
(4)
The
ratios in this column reflect the impact, if any, of certain
reimbursements/waivers from CRMC. During some of the periods
shown, CRMC
reduced fees for investment advisory services for all share
classes. 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.
|
(5)
Amount
less than $.01.
|
(6)
Annualized.
|
(7)
Amount
less than $1 million.
|
See
Notes to
Financial Statements
|
Tax
information
|
unaudited
|
Long-term
capital gains
|
$727,046,000
|
Qualified
dividend income
|
100%
|
Corporate
dividends received deduction
|
100%
|
U.S.
government income that may be exempt from state taxation
|
$12,923,000
|
<PAGE> [logo - American Funds (r)] The right choice for the long term/(R)/ AMCAP Fund/(R)/ RETIREMENT PLAN PROSPECTUS May 1, 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Risk/Return summary 4 Fees and expenses of the fund 6 Investment objective, strategies and risks 9 Management and organization 12 Purchase, exchange and sale of shares 16 Sales charges 18 Sales charge reductions 20 Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs 21 Plans of distribution 22 Other compensation to dealers 23 Distributions and taxes 24 Financial highlights THE 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. <PAGE> <PAGE> Risk/Return summary The fund seeks to make your investment grow over time by investing primarily in stocks of U.S. companies with a record of above average long-term growth. The fund may also invest in non-U.S. securities to a limited extent. The fund is designed for investors seeking capital appreciation through investments in stocks. Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially wide price fluctuations. Your investment in the fund is subject to risks, including the possibility that the value of the fund's portfolio holdings may fluctuate in response to events specific to the companies or markets in which the fund invests, as well as economic, political or social events in the United States or abroad. 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 government agency, entity or person. 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. 1 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>HISTORICAL INVESTMENT RESULTS The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from year to year, and the Investment Results table on page 3 shows how the fund's average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market performance. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All fund results 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 period presented. Past results are not predictive of future results. [begin - bar chart] Calendar year total returns for Class A shares (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.) 1997 30.55 1998 30.02 1999 21.78 2000 7.50 2001 - 5.01 2002 -18.66 2003 29.64 2004 9.80 2005 6.98 2006 8.63 [end - bar chart] Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were: HIGHEST 22.00% (quarter ended December 31, 1998) LOWEST -15.40% (quarter ended September 30, 2001) The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was 2.05%. 2 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Unlike the bar chart on the previous page, the Investment Results table below reflects, as required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the fund's investment results with the following maximum initial sales charge imposed: . Class A share results reflect the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. This charge is reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more. . Class R shares are sold without any initial sales charge. Results would be higher if calculated without a sales charge. Unlike the Investment Results table below, the Additional Investment Results table on page 7 reflects the fund's results calculated without a sales charge.INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITH A MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 5/1/67 2.37% 4.87% 10.35% 12.18% 1 YEAR LIFETIME/1/ -------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-1 -- FIRST SOLD 6/26/02 7.71% 9.16% CLASS R-2 -- FIRST SOLD 5/21/02 7.78 6.67 CLASS R-3 -- FIRST SOLD 6/4/02 8.25 7.88 CLASS R-4 -- FIRST SOLD 5/20/02 8.60 7.22 CLASS R-5 -- FIRST SOLD 5/15/02 8.91 7.47 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEXES S&P 500/3/ 15.78% 6.19% 8.42% 10.62% Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index/4/ 14.14 7.37 8.34 10.28 Lipper Growth Funds Index/5/ 10.28 4.66 6.57 9.50 Consumer Price Index/6/ 2.54 2.69 2.44 4.66 /1/ Lifetime results for each share class are measured from the date the share class was first sold. /2/ Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A shares were first sold. The funds or securities that compose each index may vary over time. /3/ Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but does not reflect sales charges, commissions, expenses or taxes. /4/ Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted index of funds that invest in a variety of market capitalization ranges without concentrating 75% of their equity assets in any one market capitalization range over an extended period of time. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /5/ Lipper Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted index of growth funds, as defined by each fund's related prospectus. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /6/ Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Widely used as a measure of inflation, the CPI is computed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 3AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Fees and expenses of the fund These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) CLASS A ALL R SHARE CLASSES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maximum initial sales charge on purchases 5.75%/*/ none (as a percentage of offering price) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maximum sales charge on reinvested dividends none none ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maximum contingent deferred sales charge none none ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Redemption or exchange fees none none /*/The initial sales charge is reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more.ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS A R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management fees/1/ 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and/or service 0.23 1.00 0.75 0.50 0.25 none (12b-1) fees/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other expenses 0.13 0.18 0.52 0.22 0.16 0.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual fund operating 0.68 1.50 1.59 1.04 0.73 0.43 expenses/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /1/ The fund's investment adviser is currently waiving 10% of its management fee. The waiver may be discontinued at any time in consultation with the fund's board, but it is expected to continue at this level until further review. The fund's investment adviser and board intend to review the waiver as circumstances warrant. In addition, the investment adviser paid a portion of the fund's transfer agent fees for certain R share classes. Management fees and total expenses do not reflect any waiver or reimbursement. Information regarding the effect of any waiver/reimbursement on total annual fund operating expenses can be found in the Financial Highlights table in this prospectus and in the fund's annual report. /2/ Class A, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 12b-1 fees may not exceed .25%, 1.00%, 1.00%, .75% and .50%, respectively, of the class' average net assets annually. 4 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> OTHER EXPENSES The "Other expenses" items in the table above include custodial, legal, transfer agent and subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments, as well as various other expenses. Subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments may be made to the fund's investment adviser, affiliates of the adviser and unaffiliated third parties for providing recordkeeping and other administrative services to retirement plans invested in the fund in lieu of the transfer agent providing such services. 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 services to retirement plans.PAYMENTS TO UNAFFILIATED PAYMENTS TO AFFILIATED ENTITIES ENTITIES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A .05% of assets or .05% of assets or $12 per participant position/1/ $12 per participant position/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-1 .10% of assets .10% of assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-2 .15% of assets plus $27 per .25% of assets participant position/2/ or .35% of assets/3/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-3 .10% of assets plus $12 per .15% of assets participant position/2/ or .19% of assets/3/ Class R-4 .10% of assets .10% of assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-5 .05% of assets .05% of assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /1/ Payment amount depends on the date upon which services commenced. /2/ Payment with respect to Recordkeeper Direct/(R)/ program. /3/ Payment with respect to PlanPremier/(R)/ program. EXAMPLES The examples below are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same as shown above. The examples do not reflect the impact of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your cumulative estimated expenses would be:1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A/*/ $640 $780 $932 $1,373 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-1 153 474 818 1,791 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-2 162 502 866 1,889 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-3 106 331 574 1,271 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-4 75 233 406 906 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-5 44 138 241 542 -------------------------------------------------------------------- /*/ Reflects the maximum initial sales charge in the first year. 5 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Investment objective, strategies and risks The fund's investment objective is to provide you with long-term growth of capital. It invests primarily in stocks of issuers located in the U.S. but may invest in non-U.S. securities to a limited extent. The prices of securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The growth-oriented, equity-type securities generally purchased by the fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. The fund's investment adviser focuses primarily on companies with attributes that are associated with long-term growth, such as strong management, participation in a growing market and a history of above average growth in earnings, revenues, book value, cash flow and/or return on assets. The fund may also hold cash or money market instruments. The percentage of the fund invested in such holdings varies and depends on various factors, including market conditions and purchases and redemptions of fund shares. A larger percentage of such holdings could moderate the fund's investment results in a period of rising market prices. 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 relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities. 6 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT RESULTS Unlike the Investment Results table on page 3, the table below reflects the fund's results calculated without a sales charge. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 5/1/67 8.63% 6.12% 11.00% 12.35% 1 YEAR LIFETIME/1/ -------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-1 -- FIRST SOLD 6/26/02 7.71% 9.16% CLASS R-2 -- FIRST SOLD 5/21/02 7.78 6.67 CLASS R-3 -- FIRST SOLD 6/4/02 8.25 7.88 CLASS R-4 -- FIRST SOLD 5/20/02 8.60 7.22 CLASS R-5 -- FIRST SOLD 5/15/02 8.91 7.47 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEXES S&P 500/3/ 15.78% 6.19% 8.42% 10.62% Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index/4/ 14.14 7.37 8.34 10.28 Lipper Growth Funds Index/5/ 10.28 4.66 6.57 9.50 Consumer Price Index/6/ 2.54 2.69 2.44 4.66 /1/ Lifetime results for each share class are measured from the date the share class was first sold. /2/ Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A shares were first sold. The funds or securities that compose each index may vary over time. /3/ Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but does not reflect sales charges, commissions, expenses or taxes. /4/ Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted index of funds that invest in a variety of market capitalization ranges without concentrating 75% of their equity assets in any one market capitalization range over an extended period of time. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /5/ Lipper Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted index of growth funds, as defined by each fund's related prospectus. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /6/ Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Widely used as a measure of inflation, the CPI is computed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 7AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> [begin - pie chart] Largest industry sector holdings as of February 28, 2007 (percent of net assets) Information technology 20.28% Consumer discretionary 18.68 Other industries 16.48 Health care 16.19 Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities 14.43 Financials 7.89 Consumer staples 6.05 [end - pie chart] TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2007 PERCENT OF NET ASSETS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Lowe's Companies 2.64% ------------------------------------------------------------------ Cisco Systems 2.49 ------------------------------------------------------------------ UnitedHealth Group 2.46 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Target 2.22 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Oracle 2.12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Wellpoint 2.07 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Intel 1.98 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Fannie Mae 1.91 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Google 1.81 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Microsoft 1.71 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Because the fund is actively managed, its holdings will change over time. For updated information on the fund's portfolio holdings, please visit us at americanfunds.com. 8 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Management and organizationINVESTMENT ADVISER Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, serves as 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, and 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, California 92821. 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, for the previous fiscal year appears in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund." A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the fund's investment advisory and service agreement by the fund's board of directors is contained in the fund's semi-annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2006. EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund's portfolio transactions. The investment adviser strives to obtain best execution for the fund's portfolio transactions, taking into account a variety of factors to produce the most favorable total price reasonably attainable under the circumstances. These factors include the size and type of transaction, the cost and quality of executions, and the broker-dealer's ability to offer liquidity and anonymity. For example, with respect to equity transactions, the fund does not consider the investment adviser as having an obligation to obtain the lowest available commission rate to the exclusion of price, service and qualitative considerations. Subject to the considerations outlined above, the investment adviser may place orders for the fund's portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who have sold shares of funds managed by the investment adviser, or who have provided investment research and/or brokerage services to the investment adviser. In placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions, the investment adviser does not commit to any specific amount of business with any particular broker-dealer. Subject to best execution, the investment adviser may consider investment research and/or brokerage services provided to the adviser in placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions. However, when the investment adviser places orders for the fund's portfolio transactions, it does not give any consideration to whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser. 9 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. To reach this information, access the lower portion of the fund's details page on the website. A list of the fund's top 10 equity holdings, updated as of each month-end, is generally posted to this page within 14 days after the end of the applicable month. A link to the fund's complete list of publicly disclosed portfolio holdings, updated as of each calendar quarter-end, is generally posted to this page within 45 days after the end of the applicable quarter. Both lists remain available on the website until new information for the next month or quarter is posted. Portfolio holdings information for the fund is also contained in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. 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. Counselors 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. The primary individual portfolio counselors for AMCAP Fund are: PRIMARY TITLE WITH PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISER COUNSELOR'S PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/ COUNSELOR (OR AFFILIATE) ROLE IN FUND TITLE EXPERIENCE AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (IF APPLICABLE) IN THIS FUND EXPERIENCE OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. MICHAEL SHANAHAN 21 years Chairman Emeritus, Serves as an equity Vice Chairman of the Capital Research and portfolio counselor Board Management Company Investment professional for 42 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLAUDIA P. HUNTINGTON 11 years Senior Vice President, Serves as an equity President and (plus 14 years of Capital Research and portfolio counselor Director prior experience Management Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 34 years in total; 32 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TIMOTHY D. ARMOUR 11 years President and Director, Serves as an equity Senior Vice President (plus 7 years of Capital Research and portfolio counselor prior experience Management Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 24 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. ROSS SAPPENFIELD 8 years Vice President, Capital Serves as an equity Vice President (plus 5 years of Research and Management portfolio counselor prior experience Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 15 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Information regarding the portfolio counselors' compensation, their ownership of securities in the fund and other accounts they manage can be found in the statement of additional information. 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 PLAN RECORDKEEPER FOR MORE INFORMATION. 11 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Purchase, exchange and sale of shares AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY, 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. PURCHASES AND EXCHANGES 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 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. Class R shares generally are available only to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and nonqualified deferred compensation 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 shares generally are available only to retirement plans with $1 million or more in plan assets. In addition, Class R-5 shares are available for investment by American Funds Target Date Retirement Series./SM/ 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, individual 403(b) plans and 529 college savings plans. Shares of the fund offered through this prospectus generally may be exchanged into shares of the same class of other American Funds. Exchanges of Class A shares from American Funds money market funds purchased without a sales charge generally will be subject to the appropriate sales charge. 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 12 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 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 directors has adopted a "purchase blocking policy," under which any shareholder redeeming shares (including redemptions that are part of an exchange transaction) having a value of $5,000 or more from the fund will be precluded from investing in the fund (including investments that are part of an exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption transaction. Under the fund's purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and certain redemptions will not trigger a purchase block, such as: systematic redemptions and purchases where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase; purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000; transactions in Class 529 shares; purchases and redemptions resulting from reallocations by American Funds Target Date Retirement Series; retirement plan contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals) identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper's system; and 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. The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy 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 procedures which American Funds Service Company believes are reasonably designed to enforce the frequent trading policies of the fund. You should refer to disclosures provided 13 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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, ALL TRANSACTIONS IN FUND SHARES REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE FUND'S AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS' RIGHT 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. SALES Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper in order to sell shares from your retirement plan. 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 the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of the redemption or distribution and is made into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the distribution. If the account has been closed, reinvestment can be made without a sales charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed account. Proceeds will be reinvested in the same share class from which the original redemption or distribution was made. Redemption proceeds of Class A shares representing direct purchases in American Funds money market funds that are reinvested in non-money market 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 and accepted by American Funds Service Company. Redemption proceeds from a systematic withdrawal plan are not eligible for reinvestment 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." This paragraph does not apply to rollover investments as described under "Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs." 14 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> VALUING SHARES The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single share. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4:00 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, if events occur between the close of markets outside the United States and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange that, in the opinion of the investment adviser, materially affect the value of any of the fund's securities that principally trade in those international markets, those securities will be valued in accordance with fair value procedures. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more appropriate net asset values. In addition, such use will reduce, if not eliminate, potential arbitrage opportunities otherwise available to short-term investors. Because the fund may hold securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of securities held in the fund may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares. 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 and accepts your request. MOVING BETWEEN SHARE CLASSES AND ACCOUNTS 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. 15 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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: DEALER NET COMMISSION OFFERING AMOUNT AS A PERCENTAGE INVESTMENT PRICE INVESTED OF OFFERING PRICE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $25,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $25,000 but less than $50,000 5.00 5.26 4.25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 3.75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 2.75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $250,000 but 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 none none see below investments described 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. 16 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> CLASS A 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 made by accounts that are part of certain qualified fee-based programs and that purchased Class A shares before the discontinuation of your investment dealer's load-waived A share program with the American Funds; and . certain rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs (see "Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs" below for more information). The distributor may pay dealers 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" below). 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. Please see the statement of additional information for more information. EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS 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 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." Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales charge table above. Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in Class A shares without any sales charge on or before March 31, 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. CLASS R SHARES Class R shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. The distributor will pay dealers annually an 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 on sales of Class R-5 shares. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution (see "Plans of distribution" below). 17 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Sales charge reductions 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 A 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 BELOW, YOU MAY OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS 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, two or more retirement plans of an employer or employer's affiliates may combine all of their American Funds investments to reduce their Class A sales charge. However, for this purpose, investments representing direct purchases of American Funds money market funds are excluded. Following are different ways that you may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge: CONCURRENT PURCHASES Simultaneous purchases of any class of shares of two or more American Funds may be combined 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 to determine the initial sales charge you pay on each purchase of Class A shares. 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 or (b) the amount you invested (excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals. Please see the statement of additional information for details. You should retain any records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you have invested. 18 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 American Funds non-money market funds 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. The market value of your existing holdings 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 "Sales charges" above for more information. RIGHT OF REINVESTMENT Please see the "Sales" section of "Purchase, exchange and sale of shares" above for information on how to reinvest proceeds from a redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge. 19 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, B, C or F shares through an IRA rollover. More information on Class B, C and F shares can be found in the fund's prospectus for nonretirement plan shareholders. 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 the prospectus and statement of additional information. 20 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Plans of distribution The fund has plans of distribution or "12b-1 plans" under which it may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares, provided the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund's board of directors. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of up to .25% for Class A shares, up to 1.00% for Class R-1 and R-2 shares, up to .75% for Class R-3 shares and up to .50% for Class R-4 shares. For all share classes, 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 may be used for distribution expenses. The 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as a percentage of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund." Since these fees are paid out of the fund's assets or income on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost and reduce the return of your investment. 21 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Other compensation to dealers American Funds Distributors, at its expense, currently provides additional compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the discretion of American Funds Distributors, to the top 75 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 would 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 2006, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers were less than .02% of the 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 dealers outside the top 75 firms to facilitate educating financial advisers and shareholders about the American Funds. 22 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Distributions and taxesDIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The fund intends to distribute dividends to shareholders, usually twice a year. Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed twice a year. When a dividend or capital gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is reduced by the amount of the payment. All dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan shareholders will be automatically reinvested. TAXES ON DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Dividends and capital gains distributed by the fund to tax-deferred retirement plan accounts are not taxable currently. TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS Exchanges within a tax-deferred 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. PLEASE SEE YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR MORE INFORMATION. 23 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Financial highlights/1/ The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's results for the past five fiscal years. 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). The figures under "Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/waivers" reflect the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management Company. For more information about these reimbursements/waivers, see the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund" in this prospectus and the fund's annual report. The information below has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose 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/2/ Net gains (losses) on securities Net asset Net (both value, investment realized Total from beginning income and investment of period (loss) unrealized) operations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $19.48 $ .18 $ 1.37 $ 1.55 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.02 .12 1.82 1.94 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.50 .06 .63 .69 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.78 .02 4.70 4.72 Year ended 2/28/2003 15.29 .03 (2.42) (2.39) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-1: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.04 .02 1.32 1.34 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.69 (.03) 1.77 1.74 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.28 (.08) .62 .54 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.73 (.12) 4.68 4.56 Period from 6/26/2002 to 2/28/2003 13.96 (.04) (1.19) (1.23) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-2: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.03 .02 1.32 1.34 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.66 (.03) 1.79 1.76 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.26 (.07) .60 .53 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.71 (.11) 4.66 4.55 Period from 5/21/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.51 (.05) (2.63) (2.68) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-3: Year ended 2/28/2007 $19.28 $ .11 $ 1.35 $ 1.46 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.86 .05 1.80 1.85 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.37 --/5/ .62 .62 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.75 (.05) 4.67 4.62 Period from 6/4/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.06 (.01) (2.17) (2.18) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-4: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.42 .17 1.35 1.52 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.99 .11 1.81 1.92 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.45 .06 .62 .68 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.76 .01 4.69 4.70 Period from 5/20/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.67 .02 (2.78) (2.76) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.55 .23 1.36 1.59 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.07 .17 1.83 2.00 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.54 .11 .63 .74 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.78 .06 4.71 4.77 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.72 .06 (2.85) (2.79) DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Dividends Distributions Total (from net (from dividends Net asset investment capital and value,end Total income) gains) distributions of period return ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $(.16) $(.58) $(.74) $20.29 8.07% Year ended 2/28/2006 (.09) (.39) (.48) 19.48 10.87 Year ended 2/28/2005 (.04) (.13) (.17) 18.02 3.94 Year ended 2/29/2004 --/5/ -- --/5/ 17.50 36.96 Year ended 2/28/2003 (.02) (.10) (.12) 12.78 (15.70) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-1: Year ended 2/28/2007 -- (.58) (.58) 19.80 7.14 Year ended 2/28/2006 -- (.39) (.39) 19.04 9.92 Year ended 2/28/2005 -- (.13) (.13) 17.69 3.09 Year ended 2/29/2004 (.01) -- (.01) 17.28 35.81 Period from 6/26/2002 to 2/28/2003 -- -- -- 12.73 (8.81) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-2: Year ended 2/28/2007 -- (.58) (.58) 19.79 7.15 Year ended 2/28/2006 -- (.39) (.39) 19.03 10.05 Year ended 2/28/2005 -- (.13) (.13) 17.66 3.04 Year ended 2/29/2004 --/5/ -- --/5/ 17.26 35.80 Period from 5/21/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.02) (.10) (.12) 12.71 (17.37) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-3: Year ended 2/28/2007 (.08) (.58) (.66) 20.08 7.68 Year ended 2/28/2006 (.04) (.39) (.43) 19.28 10.45 Year ended 2/28/2005 -- (.13) (.13) 17.86 3.54 Year ended 2/29/2004 --/5/ -- --/5/ 17.37 36.27 Period from 6/4/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.03) (.10) (.13) 12.75 (14.58) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-4: Year ended 2/28/2007 (.14) (.58) (.72) 20.22 7.97 Year ended 2/28/2006 (.10) (.39) (.49) 19.42 10.79 Year ended 2/28/2005 (.01) (.13) (.14) 17.99 3.85 Year ended 2/29/2004 (.01) -- (.01) 17.45 36.84 Period from 5/20/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.05) (.10) (.15) 12.76 (17.74) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 (.21) (.58) (.79) 20.35 8.29 Year ended 2/28/2006 (.13) (.39) (.52) 19.55 11.19 Year ended 2/28/2005 (.08) (.13) (.21) 18.07 4.20 Year ended 2/29/2004 (.01) -- (.01) 17.54 37.32 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.05) (.10) (.15) 12.78 (17.83) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of Ratio of expenses expenses Ratio of to average to average net Net net assets net assets income assets, before after (loss) to end of reim- reim- average period bursements/ bursements/ net (in millions) waivers waivers/4/ assets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $17,341 .68 % .65 % .91 % Year ended 2/28/2006 16,091 .68 .65 .66 Year ended 2/28/2005 13,350 .69 .68 .36 Year ended 2/29/2004 11,086 .73 .73 .11 Year ended 2/28/2003 6,641 .77 .77 .25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-1: Year ended 2/28/2007 43 1.50 1.47 .09 Year ended 2/28/2006 35 1.55 1.51 (.19) Year ended 2/28/2005 23 1.57 1.54 (.47) Year ended 2/29/2004 12 1.60 1.57 (.75) Period from 6/26/2002 to 2/28/2003 1 3.01/6/ 1.58/6/ (.49)/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-2: Year ended 2/28/2007 427 1.59 1.46 .09 Year ended 2/28/2006 358 1.66 1.48 (.17) Year ended 2/28/2005 245 1.73 1.51 (.43) Year ended 2/29/2004 130 1.91 1.53 (.70) Period from 5/21/2002 to 2/28/2003 25 2.21/6/ 1.54/6/ (.46)/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-3: Year ended 2/28/2007 747 1.04 1.01 .55 Year ended 2/28/2006 662 1.06 1.02 .29 Year ended 2/28/2005 421 1.08 1.07 .01 Year ended 2/29/2004 189 1.16 1.15 (.32) Period from 6/4/2002 to 2/28/2003 24 1.29/6/ 1.16/6/ (.09)/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-4: Year ended 2/28/2007 555 .73 .70 .85 Year ended 2/28/2006 405 .75 .71 .61 Year ended 2/28/2005 168 .76 .75 .35 Year ended 2/29/2004 60 .78 .78 .05 Period from 5/20/2002 to 2/28/2003 3 .95/6/ .81/6/ .24/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 514 .43 .40 1.15 Year ended 2/28/2006 359 .44 .41 .90 Year ended 2/28/2005 274 .45 .44 .62 Year ended 2/29/2004 127 .47 .47 .37 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 53 .48/6/ .48/6/ .58/6/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28 OR 29 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE FOR ALL CLASSES 20% 20% 16% 17% 18% OF SHARES /1/ Based on operations for the periods shown (unless otherwise noted) and, accordingly, may not be representative of a full year. /2/ Based on average shares outstanding. /3/ Total returns exclude all sales charges. /4/ The ratios in this column reflect 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 for all share classes. 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. /5/ Amount less than $.01. /6/ Annualized. 25 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> NOTES 26 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>NOTES 27 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> [logo - American Funds (r)] The right choice for the long term/(R)/ FOR SHAREHOLDER American Funds Service Company SERVICES 800/421-0180 FOR RETIREMENT PLAN Call your employer or plan SERVICES administrator FOR ADVISER American Funds Distributors MARKETING 800/421-9900 americanfunds.com FOR 24 For Class R share information, -HOUR INFORMATION visit AmericanFundsRetirement.com Telephone calls you have with the American Funds organization may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance, verification and/or recordkeeping purposes. By speaking with us on the telephone, you are giving your consent to such monitoring and recording. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS This prospectus may be translated into other languages. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity as to the meaning of any word or phrase in a translation, 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).STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) AND CODES OF ETHICS The current SAI, as amended from time to time, contains more detailed information on all aspects of 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 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, DC (202/551-8090) or on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at sec.gov or, after payment of a duplicating fee, via e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The current SAI and shareholder reports are also available, free of charge, on americanfunds.com. HOUSEHOLD MAILINGS Each year you are automatically sent an updated 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. If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics or annual/semi-annual report to shareholders, please call American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180 or write to the secretary of the fund at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. [logo - recycled bug] Printed on recycled paper RPGEPR-902-0507P Litho in USA Investment Company File No. 811-01435 CGD/RRD/8027 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES American Funds Capital Research and Management Capital International Capital Guardian Capital Bank and Trust <PAGE> THE FUND PROVIDES SPANISH TRANSLATION IN CONNECTION WITH THE PUBLIC OFFERING AND SALE OF ITS SHARES. THE FOLLOWING IS A FAIR AND ACCURATE ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF A SPANISH LANGUAGE PROSPECTUS FOR THE FUND. /s/ VINCENT P. CORTI VINCENT P. CORTI SECRETARY <PAGE> [logo - American Funds (r)] The right choice for the long term/(R)/ AMCAP Fund/(R)/ RETIREMENT PLAN PROSPECTUS May 1, 2007 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Risk/Return summary 4 Fees and expenses of the fund 6 Investment objective, strategies and risks 9 Management and organization 12 Purchase, exchange and sale of shares 16 Sales charges 18 Sales charge reductions 20 Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs 21 Plans of distribution 22 Other compensation to dealers 23 Distributions and taxes 24 Financial highlights THE 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. <PAGE> <PAGE> Risk/Return summary The fund seeks to make your investment grow over time by investing primarily in stocks of U.S. companies with a record of above average long-term growth. The fund may also invest in non-U.S. securities to a limited extent. The fund is designed for investors seeking capital appreciation through investments in stocks. Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially wide price fluctuations. Your investment in the fund is subject to risks, including the possibility that the value of the fund's portfolio holdings may fluctuate in response to events specific to the companies or markets in which the fund invests, as well as economic, political or social events in the United States or abroad. 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 government agency, entity or person. 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. 1 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> HISTORICAL INVESTMENT RESULTS The bar chart below shows how the fund's investment results have varied from year to year, and the Investment Results table on page 3 shows how the fund's average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market performance. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. All fund results 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 period presented. Past results are not predictive of future results. [begin - bar chart] Calendar year total returns for Class A shares (Results do not include a sales charge; if a sales charge were included, results would be lower.) 1997 30.55 1998 30.02 1999 21.78 2000 7.50 2001 - 5.01 2002 -18.66 2003 29.64 2004 9.80 2005 6.98 2006 8.63 [end - bar chart] Highest/Lowest quarterly results during this time period were: HIGHEST 22.00% (quarter ended December 31, 1998) LOWEST -15.40% (quarter ended September 30, 2001) The fund's total return for the three months ended March 31, 2007, was 2.05%. 2 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Unlike the bar chart on the previous page, the Investment Results table below reflects, as required by Securities and Exchange Commission rules, the fund's investment results with the following maximum initial sales charge imposed: . Class A share results reflect the maximum initial sales charge of 5.75%. This charge is reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more. . Class R shares are sold without any initial sales charge. Results would be higher if calculated without a sales charge. Unlike the Investment Results table below, the Additional Investment Results table on page 7 reflects the fund's results calculated without a sales charge.INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITH A MAXIMUM SALES CHARGE) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 5/1/67 2.37% 4.87% 10.35% 12.18% 1 YEAR LIFETIME/1/ -------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-1 -- FIRST SOLD 6/26/02 7.71% 9.16% CLASS R-2 -- FIRST SOLD 5/21/02 7.78 6.67 CLASS R-3 -- FIRST SOLD 6/4/02 8.25 7.88 CLASS R-4 -- FIRST SOLD 5/20/02 8.60 7.22 CLASS R-5 -- FIRST SOLD 5/15/02 8.91 7.47 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEXES S&P 500/3/ 15.78% 6.19% 8.42% 10.62% Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index/4/ 14.14 7.37 8.34 10.28 Lipper Growth Funds Index/5/ 10.28 4.66 6.57 9.50 Consumer Price Index/6/ 2.54 2.69 2.44 4.66 /1/ Lifetime results for each share class are measured from the date the share class was first sold. /2/ Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A shares were first sold. The funds or securities that compose each index may vary over time. /3/ Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but does not reflect sales charges, commissions, expenses or taxes. /4/ Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted index of funds that invest in a variety of market capitalization ranges without concentrating 75% of their equity assets in any one market capitalization range over an extended period of time. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /5/ Lipper Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted index of growth funds, as defined by each fund's related prospectus. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /6/ Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Widely used as a measure of inflation, the CPI is computed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 3AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Fees and expenses of the fund These tables describe the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. SHAREHOLDER FEES (PAID DIRECTLY FROM YOUR INVESTMENT) CLASS A ALL R SHARE CLASSES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maximum initial sales charge on purchases 5.75%/*/ none (as a percentage of offering price) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maximum sales charge on reinvested dividends none none ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Maximum contingent deferred sales charge none none ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Redemption or exchange fees none none /*/The initial sales charge is reduced for purchases of $25,000 or more and eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more.ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (DEDUCTED FROM FUND ASSETS) CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS CLASS A R-1 R-2 R-3 R-4 R-5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Management fees/1/ 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% 0.32% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Distribution and/or service 0.23 1.00 0.75 0.50 0.25 none (12b-1) fees/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other expenses 0.13 0.18 0.52 0.22 0.16 0.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total annual fund operating 0.68 1.50 1.59 1.04 0.73 0.43 expenses/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /1/ The fund's investment adviser is currently waiving 10% of its management fee. The waiver may be discontinued at any time in consultation with the fund's board, but it is expected to continue at this level until further review. The fund's investment adviser and board intend to review the waiver as circumstances warrant. In addition, the investment adviser paid a portion of the fund's transfer agent fees for certain R share classes. Management fees and total expenses do not reflect any waiver or reimbursement. Information regarding the effect of any waiver/reimbursement on total annual fund operating expenses can be found in the Financial Highlights table in this prospectus and in the fund's annual report. /2/ Class A, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 12b-1 fees may not exceed .25%, 1.00%, 1.00%, .75% and .50%, respectively, of the class' average net assets annually. 4 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> OTHER EXPENSES The "Other expenses" items in the table above include custodial, legal, transfer agent and subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments, as well as various other expenses. Subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments may be made to the fund's investment adviser, affiliates of the adviser and unaffiliated third parties for providing recordkeeping and other administrative services to retirement plans invested in the fund in lieu of the transfer agent providing such services. 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 services to retirement plans.PAYMENTS TO UNAFFILIATED PAYMENTS TO AFFILIATED ENTITIES ENTITIES ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A .05% of assets or .05% of assets or $12 per participant position/1/ $12 per participant position/1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-1 .10% of assets .10% of assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-2 .15% of assets plus $27 per .25% of assets participant position/2/ or .35% of assets/3/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-3 .10% of assets plus $12 per .15% of assets participant position/2/ or .19% of assets/3/ Class R-4 .10% of assets .10% of assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-5 .05% of assets .05% of assets ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- /1/ Payment amount depends on the date upon which services commenced. /2/ Payment with respect to Recordkeeper Direct/(R)/ program. /3/ Payment with respect to PlanPremier/(R)/ program. EXAMPLES The examples below are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The examples assume that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated, that your investment has a 5% return each year, that all dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested, and that the fund's operating expenses remain the same as shown above. The examples do not reflect the impact of any fee waivers or expense reimbursements. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your cumulative estimated expenses would be:1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class A/*/ $640 $780 $932 $1,373 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-1 153 474 818 1,791 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-2 162 502 866 1,889 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-3 106 331 574 1,271 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-4 75 233 406 906 -------------------------------------------------------------------- Class R-5 44 138 241 542 -------------------------------------------------------------------- /*/ Reflects the maximum initial sales charge in the first year. 5 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Investment objective, strategies and risks The fund's investment objective is to provide you with long-term growth of capital. It invests primarily in stocks of issuers located in the U.S. but may invest in non-U.S. securities to a limited extent. The prices of securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The growth-oriented, equity-type securities generally purchased by the fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss. The fund's investment adviser focuses primarily on companies with attributes that are associated with long-term growth, such as strong management, participation in a growing market and a history of above average growth in earnings, revenues, book value, cash flow and/or return on assets. The fund may also hold cash or money market instruments. The percentage of the fund invested in such holdings varies and depends on various factors, including market conditions and purchases and redemptions of fund shares. A larger percentage of such holdings could moderate the fund's investment results in a period of rising market prices. 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 relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund's portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent above-average long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental analysis, which may include meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities. 6 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT RESULTS Unlike the Investment Results table on page 3, the table below reflects the fund's results calculated without a sales charge. ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT RESULTS (WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE) AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2006: 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A -- FIRST SOLD 5/1/67 8.63% 6.12% 11.00% 12.35% 1 YEAR LIFETIME/1/ -------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-1 -- FIRST SOLD 6/26/02 7.71% 9.16% CLASS R-2 -- FIRST SOLD 5/21/02 7.78 6.67 CLASS R-3 -- FIRST SOLD 6/4/02 8.25 7.88 CLASS R-4 -- FIRST SOLD 5/20/02 8.60 7.22 CLASS R-5 -- FIRST SOLD 5/15/02 8.91 7.47 1 YEAR 5 YEARS 10 YEARS LIFETIME/2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INDEXES S&P 500/3/ 15.78% 6.19% 8.42% 10.62% Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index/4/ 14.14 7.37 8.34 10.28 Lipper Growth Funds Index/5/ 10.28 4.66 6.57 9.50 Consumer Price Index/6/ 2.54 2.69 2.44 4.66 /1/ Lifetime results for each share class are measured from the date the share class was first sold. /2/ Lifetime results for the index(es) shown are measured from the date Class A shares were first sold. The funds or securities that compose each index may vary over time. /3/ Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index based on the average weighted performance of 500 widely held common stocks. This index is unmanaged and includes reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but does not reflect sales charges, commissions, expenses or taxes. /4/ Lipper Multi-Cap Core Funds Index is an equally weighted index of funds that invest in a variety of market capitalization ranges without concentrating 75% of their equity assets in any one market capitalization range over an extended period of time. These funds typically have an average price-to-earnings ratio, price-to-book ratio, and three-year sales-per-share growth value, compared to the S&P SuperComposite 1500 Index. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /5/ Lipper Growth Funds Index is an equally weighted index of growth funds, as defined by each fund's related prospectus. The results of the underlying funds in the index include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the funds for portfolio transactions, but do not reflect sales charges or taxes. /6/ Consumer Price Index (CPI) is a measure of the average change over time in the prices paid by urban consumers for a market basket of consumer goods and services. Widely used as a measure of inflation, the CPI is computed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 7AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> [begin - pie chart] Largest industry sector holdings as of February 28, 2007 (percent of net assets) Information technology 20.28% Consumer discretionary 18.68 Other industries 16.48 Health care 16.19 Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities 14.43 Financials 7.89 Consumer staples 6.05 [end - pie chart] TEN LARGEST EQUITY HOLDINGS AS OF FEBRUARY 28, 2007 PERCENT OF NET ASSETS ------------------------------------------------------------------ Lowe's Companies 2.64% ------------------------------------------------------------------ Cisco Systems 2.49 ------------------------------------------------------------------ UnitedHealth Group 2.46 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Target 2.22 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Oracle 2.12 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Wellpoint 2.07 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Intel 1.98 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Fannie Mae 1.91 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Google 1.81 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Microsoft 1.71 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Because the fund is actively managed, its holdings will change over time. For updated information on the fund's portfolio holdings, please visit us at americanfunds.com. 8 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Management and organizationINVESTMENT ADVISER Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, serves as 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, and 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, California 92821. 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, for the previous fiscal year appears in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund." A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the fund's investment advisory and service agreement by the fund's board of directors is contained in the fund's semi-annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2006. EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund's portfolio transactions. The investment adviser strives to obtain best execution for the fund's portfolio transactions, taking into account a variety of factors to produce the most favorable total price reasonably attainable under the circumstances. These factors include the size and type of transaction, the cost and quality of executions, and the broker-dealer's ability to offer liquidity and anonymity. For example, with respect to equity transactions, the fund does not consider the investment adviser as having an obligation to obtain the lowest available commission rate to the exclusion of price, service and qualitative considerations. Subject to the considerations outlined above, the investment adviser may place orders for the fund's portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who have sold shares of funds managed by the investment adviser, or who have provided investment research and/or brokerage services to the investment adviser. In placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions, the investment adviser does not commit to any specific amount of business with any particular broker-dealer. Subject to best execution, the investment adviser may consider investment research and/or brokerage services provided to the adviser in placing orders for the fund's portfolio transactions. However, when the investment adviser places orders for the fund's portfolio transactions, it does not give any consideration to whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser. 9 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. To reach this information, access the lower portion of the fund's details page on the website. A list of the fund's top 10 equity holdings, updated as of each month-end, is generally posted to this page within 14 days after the end of the applicable month. A link to the fund's complete list of publicly disclosed portfolio holdings, updated as of each calendar quarter-end, is generally posted to this page within 45 days after the end of the applicable quarter. Both lists remain available on the website until new information for the next month or quarter is posted. Portfolio holdings information for the fund is also contained in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 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. 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. Counselors 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. The primary individual portfolio counselors for AMCAP Fund are: PRIMARY TITLE WITH PORTFOLIO PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT ADVISER COUNSELOR'S PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR/ COUNSELOR (OR AFFILIATE) ROLE IN FUND TITLE EXPERIENCE AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT (IF APPLICABLE) IN THIS FUND EXPERIENCE OF THE FUND ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- R. MICHAEL SHANAHAN 21 years Chairman Emeritus, Serves as an equity Vice Chairman of the Capital Research and portfolio counselor Board Management Company Investment professional for 42 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLAUDIA P. HUNTINGTON 11 years Senior Vice President, Serves as an equity President and (plus 14 years of Capital Research and portfolio counselor Director prior experience Management Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 34 years in total; 32 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TIMOTHY D. ARMOUR 11 years President and Director, Serves as an equity Senior Vice President (plus 7 years of Capital Research and portfolio counselor prior experience Management Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 24 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- C. ROSS SAPPENFIELD 8 years Vice President, Capital Serves as an equity Vice President (plus 5 years of Research and Management portfolio counselor prior experience Company as an investment analyst Investment professional for the fund) for 15 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Information regarding the portfolio counselors' compensation, their ownership of securities in the fund and other accounts they manage can be found in the statement of additional information. 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 PLAN RECORDKEEPER FOR MORE INFORMATION. 11 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Purchase, exchange and sale of shares AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY, 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. PURCHASES AND EXCHANGES 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 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. Class R shares generally are available only to 401(k) plans, 457 plans, employer-sponsored 403(b) plans, profit-sharing and money purchase pension plans, defined benefit plans and nonqualified deferred compensation 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 shares generally are available only to retirement plans with $1 million or more in plan assets. In addition, Class R-5 shares are available for investment by American Funds Target Date Retirement Series./SM/ 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, individual 403(b) plans and 529 college savings plans. Shares of the fund offered through this prospectus generally may be exchanged into shares of the same class of other American Funds. Exchanges of Class A shares from American Funds money market funds purchased without a sales charge generally will be subject to the appropriate sales charge. 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 12 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 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 directors has adopted a "purchase blocking policy," under which any shareholder redeeming shares (including redemptions that are part of an exchange transaction) having a value of $5,000 or more from the fund will be precluded from investing in the fund (including investments that are part of an exchange transaction) for 30 calendar days after the redemption transaction. Under the fund's purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and certain redemptions will not trigger a purchase block, such as: systematic redemptions and purchases where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase; purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000; transactions in Class 529 shares; purchases and redemptions resulting from reallocations by American Funds Target Date Retirement Series; retirement plan contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals) identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper's system; and 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. The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy 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 procedures which American Funds Service Company believes are reasonably designed to enforce the frequent trading policies of the fund. You should refer to disclosures provided 13 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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, ALL TRANSACTIONS IN FUND SHARES REMAIN SUBJECT TO THE FUND'S AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS' RIGHT 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. SALES Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper in order to sell shares from your retirement plan. 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 the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of the redemption or distribution and is made into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the distribution. If the account has been closed, reinvestment can be made without a sales charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed account. Proceeds will be reinvested in the same share class from which the original redemption or distribution was made. Redemption proceeds of Class A shares representing direct purchases in American Funds money market funds that are reinvested in non-money market 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 and accepted by American Funds Service Company. Redemption proceeds from a systematic withdrawal plan are not eligible for reinvestment 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." This paragraph does not apply to rollover investments as described under "Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs." 14 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> VALUING SHARES The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single share. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4:00 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, if events occur between the close of markets outside the United States and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange that, in the opinion of the investment adviser, materially affect the value of any of the fund's securities that principally trade in those international markets, those securities will be valued in accordance with fair value procedures. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more appropriate net asset values. In addition, such use will reduce, if not eliminate, potential arbitrage opportunities otherwise available to short-term investors. Because the fund may hold securities that are primarily listed on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or days when the fund does not price its shares, the value of securities held in the fund may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares. 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 and accepts your request. MOVING BETWEEN SHARE CLASSES AND ACCOUNTS 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. 15 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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: DEALER NET COMMISSION OFFERING AMOUNT AS A PERCENTAGE INVESTMENT PRICE INVESTED OF OFFERING PRICE ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Less than $25,000 5.75% 6.10% 5.00% ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $25,000 but less than $50,000 5.00 5.26 4.25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $50,000 but less than $100,000 4.50 4.71 3.75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 2.75 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ $250,000 but 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 none none see below investments described 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. 16 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> CLASS A 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 made by accounts that are part of certain qualified fee-based programs and that purchased Class A shares before the discontinuation of your investment dealer's load-waived A share program with the American Funds; and . certain rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs (see "Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs" below for more information). The distributor may pay dealers 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" below). 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. Please see the statement of additional information for more information. EMPLOYER-SPONSORED RETIREMENT PLANS 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 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." Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales charge table above. Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in Class A shares without any sales charge on or before March 31, 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. CLASS R SHARES Class R shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. The distributor will pay dealers annually an 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 on sales of Class R-5 shares. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution (see "Plans of distribution" below). 17 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Sales charge reductions 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 A 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 BELOW, YOU MAY OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SALES CHARGE REDUCTIONS 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, two or more retirement plans of an employer or employer's affiliates may combine all of their American Funds investments to reduce their Class A sales charge. However, for this purpose, investments representing direct purchases of American Funds money market funds are excluded. Following are different ways that you may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge: CONCURRENT PURCHASES Simultaneous purchases of any class of shares of two or more American Funds may be combined 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 to determine the initial sales charge you pay on each purchase of Class A shares. 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 or (b) the amount you invested (excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals. Please see the statement of additional information for details. You should retain any records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you have invested. 18 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> 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 American Funds non-money market funds 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. The market value of your existing holdings 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 "Sales charges" above for more information. RIGHT OF REINVESTMENT Please see the "Sales" section of "Purchase, exchange and sale of shares" above for information on how to reinvest proceeds from a redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge. 19 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, B, C or F shares through an IRA rollover. More information on Class B, C and F shares can be found in the fund's prospectus for nonretirement plan shareholders. 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 the prospectus and statement of additional information. 20 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Plans of distribution The fund has plans of distribution or "12b-1 plans" under which it may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares, provided the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund's board of directors. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of up to .25% for Class A shares, up to 1.00% for Class R-1 and R-2 shares, up to .75% for Class R-3 shares and up to .50% for Class R-4 shares. For all share classes, 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 may be used for distribution expenses. The 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as a percentage of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund." Since these fees are paid out of the fund's assets or income on an ongoing basis, over time they will increase the cost and reduce the return of your investment. 21 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Other compensation to dealers American Funds Distributors, at its expense, currently provides additional compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the discretion of American Funds Distributors, to the top 75 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 would 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 2006, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers were less than .02% of the 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 dealers outside the top 75 firms to facilitate educating financial advisers and shareholders about the American Funds. 22 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Distributions and taxesDIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The fund intends to distribute dividends to shareholders, usually twice a year. Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed twice a year. When a dividend or capital gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is reduced by the amount of the payment. All dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan shareholders will be automatically reinvested. TAXES ON DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Dividends and capital gains distributed by the fund to tax-deferred retirement plan accounts are not taxable currently. TAXES ON TRANSACTIONS Exchanges within a tax-deferred 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. PLEASE SEE YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR MORE INFORMATION. 23 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> Financial highlights/1/ The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund's results for the past five fiscal years. 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). The figures under "Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/waivers" reflect the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from Capital Research and Management Company. For more information about these reimbursements/waivers, see the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under "Fees and expenses of the fund" in this prospectus and the fund's annual report. The information below has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose 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/2/ Net gains (losses) on securities Net asset Net (both value, investment realized Total from beginning income and investment of period (loss) unrealized) operations ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $19.48 $ .18 $ 1.37 $ 1.55 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.02 .12 1.82 1.94 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.50 .06 .63 .69 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.78 .02 4.70 4.72 Year ended 2/28/2003 15.29 .03 (2.42) (2.39) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-1: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.04 .02 1.32 1.34 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.69 (.03) 1.77 1.74 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.28 (.08) .62 .54 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.73 (.12) 4.68 4.56 Period from 6/26/2002 to 2/28/2003 13.96 (.04) (1.19) (1.23) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-2: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.03 .02 1.32 1.34 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.66 (.03) 1.79 1.76 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.26 (.07) .60 .53 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.71 (.11) 4.66 4.55 Period from 5/21/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.51 (.05) (2.63) (2.68) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-3: Year ended 2/28/2007 $19.28 $ .11 $ 1.35 $ 1.46 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.86 .05 1.80 1.85 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.37 --/5/ .62 .62 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.75 (.05) 4.67 4.62 Period from 6/4/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.06 (.01) (2.17) (2.18) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-4: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.42 .17 1.35 1.52 Year ended 2/28/2006 17.99 .11 1.81 1.92 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.45 .06 .62 .68 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.76 .01 4.69 4.70 Period from 5/20/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.67 .02 (2.78) (2.76) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 19.55 .23 1.36 1.59 Year ended 2/28/2006 18.07 .17 1.83 2.00 Year ended 2/28/2005 17.54 .11 .63 .74 Year ended 2/29/2004 12.78 .06 4.71 4.77 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 15.72 .06 (2.85) (2.79) DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Dividends Distributions Total (from net (from dividends Net asset investment capital and value,end Total income) gains) distributions of period return ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $(.16) $(.58) $(.74) $20.29 8.07% Year ended 2/28/2006 (.09) (.39) (.48) 19.48 10.87 Year ended 2/28/2005 (.04) (.13) (.17) 18.02 3.94 Year ended 2/29/2004 --/5/ -- --/5/ 17.50 36.96 Year ended 2/28/2003 (.02) (.10) (.12) 12.78 (15.70) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-1: Year ended 2/28/2007 -- (.58) (.58) 19.80 7.14 Year ended 2/28/2006 -- (.39) (.39) 19.04 9.92 Year ended 2/28/2005 -- (.13) (.13) 17.69 3.09 Year ended 2/29/2004 (.01) -- (.01) 17.28 35.81 Period from 6/26/2002 to 2/28/2003 -- -- -- 12.73 (8.81) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-2: Year ended 2/28/2007 -- (.58) (.58) 19.79 7.15 Year ended 2/28/2006 -- (.39) (.39) 19.03 10.05 Year ended 2/28/2005 -- (.13) (.13) 17.66 3.04 Year ended 2/29/2004 --/5/ -- --/5/ 17.26 35.80 Period from 5/21/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.02) (.10) (.12) 12.71 (17.37) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-3: Year ended 2/28/2007 (.08) (.58) (.66) 20.08 7.68 Year ended 2/28/2006 (.04) (.39) (.43) 19.28 10.45 Year ended 2/28/2005 -- (.13) (.13) 17.86 3.54 Year ended 2/29/2004 --/5/ -- --/5/ 17.37 36.27 Period from 6/4/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.03) (.10) (.13) 12.75 (14.58) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-4: Year ended 2/28/2007 (.14) (.58) (.72) 20.22 7.97 Year ended 2/28/2006 (.10) (.39) (.49) 19.42 10.79 Year ended 2/28/2005 (.01) (.13) (.14) 17.99 3.85 Year ended 2/29/2004 (.01) -- (.01) 17.45 36.84 Period from 5/20/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.05) (.10) (.15) 12.76 (17.74) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 (.21) (.58) (.79) 20.35 8.29 Year ended 2/28/2006 (.13) (.39) (.52) 19.55 11.19 Year ended 2/28/2005 (.08) (.13) (.21) 18.07 4.20 Year ended 2/29/2004 (.01) -- (.01) 17.54 37.32 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 (.05) (.10) (.15) 12.78 (17.83) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ratio of Ratio of expenses expenses Ratio of to average to average net Net net assets net assets income assets, before after (loss) to end of reim- reim- average period bursements/ bursements/ net (in millions) waivers waivers/4/ assets -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS A: Year ended 2/28/2007 $17,341 .68 % .65 % .91 % Year ended 2/28/2006 16,091 .68 .65 .66 Year ended 2/28/2005 13,350 .69 .68 .36 Year ended 2/29/2004 11,086 .73 .73 .11 Year ended 2/28/2003 6,641 .77 .77 .25 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-1: Year ended 2/28/2007 43 1.50 1.47 .09 Year ended 2/28/2006 35 1.55 1.51 (.19) Year ended 2/28/2005 23 1.57 1.54 (.47) Year ended 2/29/2004 12 1.60 1.57 (.75) Period from 6/26/2002 to 2/28/2003 1 3.01/6/ 1.58/6/ (.49)/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-2: Year ended 2/28/2007 427 1.59 1.46 .09 Year ended 2/28/2006 358 1.66 1.48 (.17) Year ended 2/28/2005 245 1.73 1.51 (.43) Year ended 2/29/2004 130 1.91 1.53 (.70) Period from 5/21/2002 to 2/28/2003 25 2.21/6/ 1.54/6/ (.46)/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-3: Year ended 2/28/2007 747 1.04 1.01 .55 Year ended 2/28/2006 662 1.06 1.02 .29 Year ended 2/28/2005 421 1.08 1.07 .01 Year ended 2/29/2004 189 1.16 1.15 (.32) Period from 6/4/2002 to 2/28/2003 24 1.29/6/ 1.16/6/ (.09)/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-4: Year ended 2/28/2007 555 .73 .70 .85 Year ended 2/28/2006 405 .75 .71 .61 Year ended 2/28/2005 168 .76 .75 .35 Year ended 2/29/2004 60 .78 .78 .05 Period from 5/20/2002 to 2/28/2003 3 .95/6/ .81/6/ .24/6/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CLASS R-5: Year ended 2/28/2007 514 .43 .40 1.15 Year ended 2/28/2006 359 .44 .41 .90 Year ended 2/28/2005 274 .45 .44 .62 Year ended 2/29/2004 127 .47 .47 .37 Period from 5/15/2002 to 2/28/2003 53 .48/6/ .48/6/ .58/6/ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 28 OR 29 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE FOR ALL CLASSES 20% 20% 16% 17% 18% OF SHARES /1/ Based on operations for the periods shown (unless otherwise noted) and, accordingly, may not be representative of a full year. /2/ Based on average shares outstanding. /3/ Total returns exclude all sales charges. /4/ The ratios in this column reflect 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 for all share classes. 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. /5/ Amount less than $.01. /6/ Annualized. 25 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> NOTES 26 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE>NOTES 27 AMCAP Fund / Prospectus <PAGE> [logo - American Funds (r)] The right choice for the long term/(R)/ FOR SHAREHOLDER American Funds Service Company SERVICES 800/421-0180 FOR RETIREMENT PLAN Call your employer or plan SERVICES administrator FOR ADVISER American Funds Distributors MARKETING 800/421-9900 americanfunds.com FOR 24 For Class R share information, -HOUR INFORMATION visit AmericanFundsRetirement.com Telephone calls you have with the American Funds organization may be monitored or recorded for quality assurance, verification and/or recordkeeping purposes. By speaking with us on the telephone, you are giving your consent to such monitoring and recording. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MULTIPLE TRANSLATIONS This prospectus may be translated into other languages. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity as to the meaning of any word or phrase in a translation, 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).STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (SAI) AND CODES OF ETHICS The current SAI, as amended from time to time, contains more detailed information on all aspects of 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 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, DC (202/551-8090) or on the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at sec.gov or, after payment of a duplicating fee, via e-mail request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC's Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The current SAI and shareholder reports are also available, free of charge, on americanfunds.com. HOUSEHOLD MAILINGS Each year you are automatically sent an updated 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. If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics or annual/semi-annual report to shareholders, please call American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180 or write to the secretary of the fund at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. [logo - recycled bug] Printed on recycled paper RPGEPR-902-0507P Litho in USA Investment Company File No. 811-01435 CGD/RRD/8027 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- THE CAPITAL GROUP COMPANIES American Funds Capital Research and Management Capital International Capital Guardian Capital Bank and Trust
(a)
|
Articles
of Incorporation
- previously
filed (see P/E Amendment No. 60 filed 4/23/97, No. 64 filed 3/8/00,
No. 66 filed 3/12/01, and No. 69 filed 2/14/02)
|
(b)
|
By-laws
- By-Laws as
amended 3/15/06 - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 76 filed
4/28/06)
|
(c)
|
Instruments
Defining Rights of Security Holders
- Form of
share certificate - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 66
filed
3/12/01)
|
(d)
|
Investment
Advisory Contracts
- Amended
Investment Advisory and Service Agreement dated 4/1/06 - previously
filed
(see P/E Amendment No. 76 filed
4/28/06)
|
(e)
|
Underwriting
Contracts
- Form of
Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement; Selling
Group
Agreement
s;
and
Institutional Selling Group Agreement -
previously
filed (see P/E Amendment No. 69 filed 2/14/02; P/E Amendment N
o.
72
fi
led
5/13/02;
and
P/E Amendment No. 75 filed 4/29/05); Form of Amendment to Selling
Group
Agreement effective 11/1/06; and Form of Amendment to Selling Group
Agreement effective 2/1/07
|
(f)
|
Bonus
or Profit Sharing Contracts
-
Form of
Deferred Compensation Plan amended
1/1/05
|
(g)
|
Custodian
Agreements
- Form of
Global Custody Agreement dated
12/21/06
|
(h-1)
|
Other
Material Contracts
- Form of
Amended and Restated Administrative Service Agreement dated 10/1/05
-
previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 76 filed 4/28/06) Amended
Shareholder Services Agreement as of 4/1/03 - previously filed
(see P/E
Amendment No. 74 filed 4/29/04) and form of Indemnification Agreement
-
previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 75 filed
4/29/05)
|
(h-2)
|
Form
of
Amendment to Shareholder Services Agreement dated
11/1/06
|
(i)
|
Legal
Opinion
- Legal
Opinion - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 72 filed
5/13/02)
|
(m)
|
Rule
12b-1 Plan
- Forms of
Plans of Distribution - Class A Plan of Distributions previously
filed
(see P/E No. 60 filed 4/23/97, No. 64 filed 3/8/00, No. 66 filed
3/12/01,
No. 69 filed 2/14/02, and No. 72 filed 5/13/02); Forms of Amended
Plans of
Distribution - for Classes B, C, F, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E, 529-F
and R-1,
R-2, R-3 and R-4 dated 10/1/05 - previously filed (see P/E Amendment
No.
76 filed 4/28/06)
|
(n)
|
Rule
18f-3
- Form of
Amended
and Restated Multiple Class Plan
- previously
filed (see P/E Amendment No. 69 filed 2/14/02)
|
(o) |
Reserved
|
(p-1)
|
Code
of Ethics
-
Code of
Ethics for The Capital Group Companies dated December
2006
|
(p-2)
|
Code
of
Ethics for Registrant dated December 2005- previously filed (see
P/E
Amendment No. 76 filed 4/28/06)
|
L
|
Business
Address, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
|
LW
|
Business
Address, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA
90025
|
B
|
Business
Address, 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA
92821
|
S
|
Business
Address, 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78251
|
SF
|
Business
Address, One Market, Steuart Tower, Suite 1800, San Francisco,
CA
94105-1016
|
H
|
Business
Address, 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
|
I
|
Business
Address, 8332 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46240
|
N
|
Business
Address, 630 Fifth Avenue, 36
th
Floor, New
York, NY10111
|
D
|
Business
Address, 3000 K Street N.W., Suite 230, Washington, DC
20007-5140
|
G1
|
Business
Address, 3 Place des Bergues, 1201 Geneva,
Switzerland
|
Signature
|
Title
|
|
(1)
|
Principal
Executive Officer:
|
|
/s/
Claudia
P. Huntington
|
President
and
Director
|
|
(Claudia
P.
Huntington)
|
||
(2)
|
Principal
Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer:
|
|
/s/
Karl C.
Grauman
|
Treasurer
|
|
(Karl
C.
Grauman)
|
||
(3)
|
Directors:
|
|
H.
Frederick
Christie*
|
Chairman
of
the Board
|
|
Mary
Anne
Dolan*
|
Director
|
|
Martin
Fenton*
|
Director
|
|
/s/
Claudia
P. Huntington
|
President
and
Director
|
|
(Claudia
P.
Huntington)
|
||
William
D.
Jones*
|
Director
|
|
Mary
Myers
Kauppila*
|
Director
|
|
William
H.
Kling*
|
Director
|
|
Bailey
Morris-Eck*
|
Director
|
|
Kirk
P.
Pendleton*
|
Director
|
|
Olin
C.
Robison*
|
Director
|
|
Steven
B.
Sample*
|
Director
|
|
/s/
R.
Michael Shanahan
|
Vice
Chairman
of the Board
|
|
(R.
Michael
Shanahan)
|
||
*By:
/s/
Vincent
P. Corti
|
||
(Vincent
P.
Corti, pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith)
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
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 Target Date Retirement Series, Inc. (File No. 333-138648,
811-21981)
|
- |
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, Inc. (File No. 033-80630, File No.
811-08576)
|
- |
American
High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No.
811-05364)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
The
Bond Fund
of America, Inc. (File No. 002-50700, File No.
811-02444)
|
- |
Capital
Income Builder, Inc. (File No. 033-12967, File No.
811-05085)
|
- |
Capital
World
Bond Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-12447, File No.
811-05104)
|
- |
Capital
World
Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-54444, File No.
811-07338)
|
- |
The
Cash
Management Trust of America (File No. 002-47940, File No.
811-02380)
|
- |
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)
|
- |
Short-Term
Bond Fund of America, Inc. (File No. 333-135770, File No.
811-21928)
|
- |
SMALLCAP
World Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-32785, File No.
811-05888)
|
- |
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Inc. (File No. 002-49291, File No.
811-02421)
|
- |
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America (File No. 033-26431, File No.
811-05750)
|
- |
The
U.S.
Treasury Money Fund of America (File No. 033-38475, File No.
811-06235)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
Sheryl
F.
Johnson
Sharon
G.
Moseley
David
A.
Pritchett
Jeffrey
P.
Regal
Susi
M.
Silverman
Ari
M.
Vinocor
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
The
Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No.
811-00116)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
Carmelo
Spinella
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
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 Target Date Retirement Series, Inc. (File No. 333-138648,
811-21981)
|
- |
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, Inc. (File No. 033-80630, File No.
811-08576)
|
- |
American
High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No.
811-05364)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
The
Bond Fund
of America, Inc. (File No. 002-50700, File No.
811-02444)
|
- |
Capital
World
Bond Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-12447, File No.
811-05104)
|
- |
The
Cash
Management Trust of America (File No. 002-47940, File No.
811-02380)
|
- |
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, Inc. (File No. 333-135770, File No.
811-21928)
|
- |
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Inc. (File No. 002-49291, File No.
811-02421)
|
- |
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America (File No. 033-26431, File No.
811-05750)
|
- |
The
U.S.
Treasury Money Fund of America (File No. 033-38475, File No.
811-06235)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
Sheryl
F.
Johnson
Sharon
G.
Moseley
David
A.
Pritchett
Susi
M.
Silverman
Carmelo
Spinella
Ari
M.
Vinocor
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No.
811-03857)
|
- |
American
Funds Target Date Retirement Series, Inc. (File No. 333-138648,
811-21981)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
Capital
Income Builder, Inc. (File No. 033-12967, File No.
811-05085)
|
- |
Capital
World
Growth and Income Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-54444, File No.
811-07338)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
Sheryl
F.
Johnson
David
A.
Pritchett
Jeffrey
P.
Regal
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
EuroPacific
Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No.
811-03734)
|
- |
The
New
Economy Fund (File No. 002-83848, File No.
811-03735)
|
- |
New
Perspective Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-47749, File No.
811-02333)
|
- |
New
World
Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No.
811-09105)
|
- |
SMALLCAP
World Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-32785, File No.
811-05888)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
R.
Marcia
Gould
Karl
C.
Grauman
David
A.
Pritchett
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
The
Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No.
811-00116)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
Carmelo
Spinella
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No.
811-03857)
|
- |
American
Funds Target Date Retirement Series, Inc. (File No. 333-138648,
811-21981)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
EuroPacific
Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No.
811-03734)
|
- |
New
Perspective Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-47749, File No.
811-02333)
|
- |
New
World
Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No.
811-09105).
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
R.
Marcia
Gould
Karl
C.
Grauman
Sheryl
F.
Johnson
David
A.
Pritchett
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
- |
The
Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No.
811-00116)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
Carmelo
Spinella
|
- |
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc. (File No. 002-26516, File No.
811-01435)
|
- |
American
Mutual Fund, Inc. (File No. 002-10607, File No.
811-00572)
|
Vincent
P.
Corti
Chad
L.
Norton
Patrick
F.
Quan
Kimberly
S.
Verdick
Steven
I.
Koszalka
|
Karl
C.
Grauman
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
529-A
|
529-B
|
529-C
|
529-E
|
R-1
|
R-2
|
R-3
|
R-4
|
R-5
|
|
Category
1
|
||||||||||||
AMCAP
Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
American
Balanced Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
American
Funds Target Date Retirement Series
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
American
Mutual Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Capital
Income Builder
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Capital
World
Growth and Income Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
EuroPacific
Growth Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Fundamental
Investors
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Growth
Fund of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Income
Fund of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Investment Company of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
New
Economy Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
New
Perspective Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
New
World
Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
SMALLCAP
World Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Washington
Mutual Investors Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Category
2
|
||||||||||||
American
High-Income Trust
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
American
High-Income Municipal Bond Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Bond Fund
of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Capital
World
Bond Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of California
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
U.S.
Government Securities Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Category
3
|
||||||||||||
Intermediate
Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Limited
Term
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
Short-Term
Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Category
4
|
||||||||||||
The
Cash
Management Trust of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
U.S.
Treasury Money Fund of America
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
1.
|
Each
instance
of “Category 3” in the body of the Agreement is replaced by “Category 4.”
|
2.
|
The
existing
Schedule A to the Agreement is replaced in its entirety by the new
Schedule A attached hereto.
|
3.
|
A
concession
schedule for the new Category 3 Funds is added to the Agreement as
follows:
|
Concession
as
|
Sales
Charge
|
|
Percentage
of
|
as
Percentage
|
|
Purchases
|
Offering
Price
|
of
Offering Price
|
Less
than
$500,000
|
2.00%
|
2.50%
|
$500,000
but
less than $750,000
|
1.60%
|
2.00%
|
$750,000
but
less than $1 million
|
1.20%
|
1.50%
|
$1
million or
more
|
See
Agreement
|
None
|
4.
|
Ongoing
service fees for Class A and Class 529-A shares and compensation
on all
other share classes as currently stated in the Agreement for Category
2
Funds, shall also apply to the new Category 3
Funds.
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
529-A
|
529-B
|
529-C
|
529-E
|
R-1
|
R-2
|
R-3
|
R-4
|
R-5
|
|
Category
1
|
||||||||||||
AMCAP
Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
American
Balanced Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
American
Mutual Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Capital
Income Builder
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Capital
World
Growth and Income Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
EuroPacific
Growth Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Fundamental
Investors
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Growth
Fund of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Income
Fund of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Investment Company of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
New
Economy Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
New
Perspective Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
New
World
Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
SMALLCAP
World Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Washington
Mutual Investors Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Category
2
|
||||||||||||
American
High-Income Trust
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
American
High-Income Municipal Bond Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Bond Fund
of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Capital
World
Bond Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of California
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
U.S.
Government Securities Fund
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Category
3
|
||||||||||||
Intermediate
Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Limited
Term
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
Short-Term
Bond Fund of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Category
4
|
||||||||||||
The
Cash
Management Trust of America
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
e
|
e
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
The
U.S.
Treasury Money Fund of America
|
l
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
na
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
l
|
Share
class is available
|
|
e
|
Share
class is available for exchanges only
|
|
na
|
Share
class is not available
|
Paragraph
Title
|
Page
Number
|
|
1.
|
Definitions
|
1
|
2.
|
Introduction
|
4
|
3.
|
Plan
Oversight; Administration and Amendment
|
4
|
3.1.
Plan
Oversight and Operation
|
4
|
|
3.2.
Plan
Interpretation and Administration
|
4
|
|
3.3.
Plan
Amendment or Termination
|
4
|
|
4.
|
Election
to
Defer Payments
|
4
|
4.1.
Election
to
Defer
|
4
|
|
4.2.
Current
Independent Board Members
|
5
|
|
4.2.a.
Newly
Elected
or Appointed Independent Board Members
|
5
|
|
4.3.
Modification
or Revocation of Election to Defer
|
5
|
|
5.
|
Beneficiary
Designation
|
5
|
6.
|
Deferred
Payment Account
|
5
|
6.1.
Crediting
Amounts
|
5
|
|
6.2.
Change
of
Investment Designation
|
6
|
|
6.3.
Exchange
Requests
|
6
|
|
6.4.
Plan
Participants Serving on Money Market Fund Boards
|
6
|
|
7.
|
Timing
and
Manner of Payments
|
6
|
7.1.
Timing
of
Payments
|
6
|
|
7.2.
Manner
of
Payment - Lump Sum
|
6
|
|
7.3.
Alternative
Payment Methods
|
7
|
|
7.4.
Death
of Plan
Participant
|
7
|
|
7.5.
Disability
of
Plan Participant
|
7
|
|
7.6.
Unforeseeable
Emergency
|
7
|
|
7.7.
Modification
or Revocation for Post-2004 Deferrals
|
8
|
|
7.7.a.
Special
Transition Rule
|
8
|
|
7.8.
Modification
or Revocation for Pre-2005 Deferrals
|
8
|
|
8.
|
Miscellaneous
|
8
|
Signature
Pages
|
||
Exhibits
A
through D
|
1. |
DEFINITIONS
|
(i) |
With
respect
to a retainer deferred by a Plan Participant, the Date of Crediting
is the
first day of the period to which the retainer relates.
|
(ii) |
With
respect
to a meeting fee deferred by a Plan Participant, the Date of Crediting
is
the date of the meeting.
|
(iii) |
If
any Date
of Crediting falls on a Saturday, Sunday or federal holiday, the
Date of
Crediting will be the first business day following such Saturday,
Sunday
or federal holiday.
|
(i) |
The
date
specified in Exhibit B by the Plan Participant that is objectively
determinable at the time compensation is deferred under the Plan
and
is at
least twenty-four months past the date of the first deferral election
made
by the Plan Participant;
or
|
(ii) |
The
date on
which the Plan Participant is no longer an Independent Board Member
of any
Fund; or
|
(iii) |
The
date the
Plan Participant dies; or
|
(iv) |
The
date the
Administrator receives notification that the Plan Participant is
Disabled;
or
|
(v) |
The
date the
Committee determines that the Plan Participant has an Unforeseeable
Emergency; or
|
(vi) |
For
pre-2005
deferrals only, a distribution event permissible under the terms
of the
Plan in effect on January 1, 2004.
|
2. |
INTRODUCTION
|
3. |
PLAN
OVERSIGHT; INTERPRETATION AND
AMENDMENT
|
4. |
ELECTION
TO DEFER PAYMENTS
|
5. |
BENEFICIARY
DESIGNATION
|
6. |
DEFERRED
PAYMENT ACCOUNT
|
7. |
TIMING
AND MANNER OF PAYMENTS
|
8. |
MISCELLANEOUS
|
AMCAP
Fund, Inc.:
|
Claudia
P.
Huntington, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Vincent
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
American
Balanced Fund, Inc.:
|
Robert
G.
O’Donnell, Vice Chairman & Principal Executive
Officer
|
Patrick
F.
Quan, Secretary
|
The
American Funds Income Series:
|
John
H. Smet,
President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
American
Funds Insurance Series
:
|
James
K.
Dunton, Vice Chairman & Principal Executive Officer
|
Chad
L.
Norton, Secretary
|
The
American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II
:
|
Abner
D.
Goldstine, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
American
High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.:
|
Mark
R.
Macdonald, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
American
High-Income Trust:
|
David
C.
Barclay, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
American
Mutual Fund, Inc.:
|
James
K.
Dunton, Vice Chairman & Principal Executive Officer
|
Vince
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
The
Bond Fund of America, Inc.:
|
Abner
D.
Goldstine, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
Capital
Income Builder, Inc.:
|
James
B.
Lovelace, Vice Chairman & Principal Executive
Officer
|
Vincent
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
Capital
World Bond Fund, Inc.:
|
Mark
H.
Dalzell, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
Capital
World Growth and Income Fund, Inc.:
|
Stephen
E.
Bepler, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Vincent
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
The
Cash Management Trust of America:
|
Abner
D.
Goldstine, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
EuroPacific
Growth Fund:
|
Mark
E.
Denning, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Vincent
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
Fundamental
Investors, Inc.:
|
James
F.
Rothenberg, Vice Chairman & Principal Executive
Officer
|
Patrick
F.
Quan, Secretary
|
The
Growth Fund of America, Inc.:
|
James
F.
Rothenberg, Vice Chairman & Principal Executive
Officer
|
Patrick
F.
Quan, Secretary
|
The
Income Fund of America, Inc.:
|
Hilda
L.
Appplbaum, Chairman & Principal Executive Officer
|
Patrick
F.
Quan, Secretary
|
Intermediate
Bond Fund of America:
|
John
H. Smet,
President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
The
Investment Company of America:
|
R.
Michael
Shanahan, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
|
Vincent
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
Limited
Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America:
|
Brenda
S.
Ellerin, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
The
New Economy Fund:
|
Timothy
D.
Armour, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Chad
L.
Norton, Secretary
|
New
Perspective Fund, Inc.:
|
Robert
W.
Lovelace, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Vincent
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
New
World Fund, Inc.:
|
Robert
W.
Lovelace, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Vincent
P.
Corti, Secretary
|
Short-Term
Bond Fund of America, Inc.
|
David
A.
Hoag, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
SMALLCAP
World Fund, Inc.:
|
Gordon
Crawford, Vice Chairman & Principal Executive
Officer
|
Chad
L.
Norton, Secretary
|
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Inc.:
|
Neil
L.
Langberg, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America, Inc.
:
|
Abner
D.
Goldstine, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
The
U.S. Treasury Money Fund of America:
|
Abner
D.
Goldstine, President & Principal Executive Officer
|
Kimberly
S.
Verdick, Secretary
|
LIST
OF PARTICIPATING FUNDS
|
ABBREVIATION
|
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc.
|
AMCAP
|
American
Balanced Fund, Inc.
|
AMBAL
|
American
Funds Insurance Series
|
VI
|
American
High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
|
AHIM
|
American
High-Income Trust
|
AHIT
|
American
Mutual Fund, Inc.
|
AMF
|
The
Bond Fund
of America, Inc.
|
BFA
|
Capital
Income Builder, Inc.
|
CIB
|
Capital
World
Bond Fund, Inc.
|
WBF
|
Capital
World
Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
|
WGI
|
The
Cash
Management Trust of America
|
CMTA
|
EuroPacific
Growth Fund
|
EUPAC
|
Fundamental
Investors, Inc.
|
FI
|
The
Growth
Fund of America, Inc.
|
GFA
|
The
Income
Fund of America, Inc.
|
IFA
|
Intermediate
Bond Fund of America
|
IBFA
|
The
Investment Company of America
|
ICA
|
Limited
Term
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
|
LTEX
|
The
New
Economy Fund
|
NEF
|
New
Perspective Fund, Inc.
|
NPF
|
New
World
Fund, Inc.
|
NWF
|
SMALLCAP
World Fund, Inc.
|
SCWF
|
Short-Term
Bond Fund of America, Inc.
|
STBF
|
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Inc.
|
TEBF
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of California
|
TEFCA
|
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America, Inc.
|
CTEX
|
The
U.S.
Treasury Money Fund of America
|
CTRS
|
U.S.
Government Securities Fund
|
GVT
|
FUNDS
|
%
ALLOCATION
|
|
With
respect to
|
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc.
|
%
|
future
earnings, I
|
American
Balanced Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
hereby
elect to have
|
American
High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
amounts
credited to
|
American
High-Income Trust
|
%
|
my
Deferred
|
American
Mutual Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
Payment
Account(s)
|
The
Bond Fund
of America, Inc.
|
%
|
for
the fund(s) listed
|
Capital
Income Builder, Inc.
|
%
|
above
invested in
|
Capital
World
Bond Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
Class
A shares of
|
Capital
World
Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
the
specified funds:
|
The
Cash
Management Trust of America*
|
%
|
EuroPacific
Growth Fund
|
%
|
|
Fundamental
Investors, Inc.
|
%
|
|
*I
understand that if I
|
The
Growth
Fund of America, Inc.
|
%
|
serve
on the Board
|
The
Income
Fund of America, Inc.
|
%
|
of
a
Money Market
|
Intermediate
Bond Fund of America
|
%
|
Fund,
I may only
|
The
Investment Company of America
|
%
|
have
amounts
|
Limited
Term
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
|
%
|
credited
to my
|
The
New
Economy Fund
|
%
|
Deferred
Payment
|
New
Perspective Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
Account
for that
|
New
World
Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
Money
Market Fund
|
SMALLCAP
World Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
with
respect to future
|
Short-Term
Bond Fund of America, Inc. (available January 2007)
|
%
|
earnings
invested in
|
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Inc.
|
%
|
Class
A shares of
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of California
|
%
|
that
particular Money
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland
|
%
|
Market
Fund.
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia
|
%
|
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America, Inc.*
|
%
|
|
The
U.S.
Treasury Money Fund of America*
|
%
|
|
U.S.
Government Securities Fund
|
%
|
|
Washington
Mutual Investors Fund, Inc.
|
%
|
Appointment
of Custodian; Customer
Accounts.
|
(iii) |
which:
|
3.
|
Maintenance
of Financial Assets and Cash at Bank and Subcustodian
Locations.
|
5. |
Appointment
as Foreign Custody
Manager.
|
(i)
|
Such
contract
must provide:
|
Use
of Subcustodians and Securities
Depositories.
|
CUSTOMER
PORTFOLIO:
|
EFFECTIVE
AS
OF:
|
AMCAP
Fund,
Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
EuroPacific
Growth Fund
|
12/26/2006
|
New
Perspective Fund, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
New
World
Fund, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
American
Mutual Fund, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
Capital
World
Growth and Income Fund, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
The
Investment Company of America
|
12/26/2006
|
Capital
Income Builder, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
The
Income
Fund of America, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
American
Balanced Fund, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
American
High
Income Trust
|
12/26/2006
|
The
Bond Fund
of America, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
Capital
World
Bond Fund, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
Intermediate
Bond Fund of America
|
12/26/2006
|
U.S.
Government Securities Fund
|
12/26/2006
|
American
High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
Limited
Term
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America
|
12/26/2006
|
The
Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
The
Tax-Exempt Fund of California
|
12/26/2006
|
The
Cash
Management Trust of America
|
12/26/2006
|
The
Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America
|
12/26/2006
|
The
U.S.
Treasury Money Fund of America
|
12/26/2006
|
Endowments
-
Equity Portfolio
|
12/26/2006
|
Endowments
-
Fixed Income Portfolio
|
12/26/2006
|
Short-Term
Bond Fund of America, Inc.
|
12/26/2006
|
COUNTRY
|
DEPOSITORY
|
INSTRUMENTS
|
ARGENTINA
|
CVSA
(Caja
de
Valores S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
CRYL
(Central
de
Registration y Liquidacion de Instrumentos de Endeudamiento
Publico)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
AUSTRALIA
|
Austraclear
Limited
|
Corporate
Debt, Money Market, Government Debt and Semi-Government
Debt
|
CHESS
(Clearing
House Electronic Sub-register System)
|
Equity
|
|
AUSTRIA
|
OeKB
(Oesterreichische
Kontrollbank AG)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
BAHRAIN
|
CSDR
(Clearing,
Settlement, Central Depository and Registry System)
|
Equity
|
BANGLADESH
|
CDBL
(Central
Depository Bangladesh Limited)
|
Equity,
Government Debt
|
BELGIUM
|
Euroclear
Belgium
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
NBB
(National
Bank of Belgium)
|
Corporate
Debt, Government Debt
|
|
BERMUDA
|
BSD
(Bermuda
Securities Depository)
|
Equity
|
BRAZIL
|
CBLC
(Companhia
Brasileira de Liquidacao e Custodia)
|
Equity
|
CETIP
(Central
de
Custodia e de Liquidacao Financiera de Titulos Privados)
|
Corporate
Debt
|
|
SELIC
(Sistema
Especial de Liquidacao e Custodia)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
BULGARIA
|
BNB
(Bulgaria
National Bank)
|
Government
Debt
|
CDAD
(Central
Depository A.D.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
|
CANADA
|
CDS
(The
Canadian
Depository for Securities Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate, Government Debt
|
CHILE
|
DCV
(Deposito
Central de Valores S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
CHINA,
SHANGHAI
|
CSDCC,
Shanghai Branch
(
China
Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited, Shanghai
Branch
)
|
Equity
|
CHINA,
SHENZHEN
|
CSDCC,
Shenzhen Branch
(
China
Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited, Shenzhen
Branch
)
|
Equity
|
COLOMBIA
|
DCV
(Deposito
Central de Valores)
|
Government
Debt
|
DECEVAL
(Deposito
Centralizado de Valores de Colombia S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
|
CROATIA
|
CDA
(Central
Depository Agency Inc. - Stredisnja depozitarna agencija
d.d.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
CYPRUS
|
CSD
(Central
Securities Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
CZECH
REPUBLIC
|
SCP
(Stredisko
cennych papiru - Ceska republica)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
CNB
(Czech
National Bank)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
DENMARK
|
VP
(Vaerdipapircentralen
A/S)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
EGYPT
|
MCSD
(Misr
for
Clearing, Settlement and Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
CBE
(Central
Bank
of Egypt)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
ESTONIA
|
ECDS
(Estonian
Central Depository for Securities Limited - Eesti Vaatpaberite
Keskdepositoorium)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
EUROMARKET
|
CBL
(Clearstream
Banking, S.A.)
|
Internationally
Traded Debt, Equity
|
Euroclear
Bank S.A./N.V.
|
Internationally
Traded Debt, Equity
|
|
FINLAND
|
APK
(Finnish
Central Securities Depository Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
FRANCE
|
Euroclear
France
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
GERMANY
|
CBF
(Clearstream
Banking AG)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
GREECE
|
CSD
(Central
Securities Depository S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
BoG
(Bank
of
Greece)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
HONG
KONG
|
HKSCC
(Hong
Kong
Securities Clearing Company Limited)
|
Equity
|
CMU
(Central
Moneymarkets Unit)
|
Corporate
Debt, Government Debt
|
|
HUNGARY
|
KELER
Zrt.
(Central
Clearing House and Depository (Budapest) Zrt. - Kozponti Elszamolohaz
es
Ertektar (Budapest) Zrt.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
ICELAND
|
ISD
(The
Islandic
Securities Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
INDIA
|
NSDL
(National
Securities Depository Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
CDSL
(Central
Depository Services (India) Limited)
|
Equity
|
|
RBI
(Reserve
Bank
of India)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
INDONESIA
|
KSEI
(PT
Kustodian
Sentral Efek Indonesia)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
Bank
Indonesia
|
Government
Debt
|
|
IRELAND
|
CREST
(CRESTCo
Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
ISRAEL
|
TECH
(Tel
Aviv
Stock Exchange Clearing House Ltd.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
ITALY
|
Monte
Titoli
S.p.A.
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
IVORY
COAST
|
DC/BR
(Le
Depositaire Central / Banque de Reglement)
|
Equity
|
JAMAICA
|
JCSD
(Jamaica
Central Securities Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
JAPAN
|
JASDEC
(Japan
Securities Depository Center, Incorporated)
|
Equity,
Convertible Debt
|
BoJ
(Bank
of
Japan)
|
Registered
Government Debt
|
|
JSSC
(Japan
Securities Settlement and Custody, Inc.)
|
Foreign
Securities
|
|
JORDAN
|
SDC
(Securities
Depository Center)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
KAZAKHSTAN
|
CSD
(Central
Securities Depository CJSC)
|
Equity
|
KENYA
|
CBCD
(Central
Bank
Central Depository)
|
Government
Debt
|
CDSC
(Central
Depository & Settlement Corporation Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
|
KUWAIT
|
KCC
(The
Kuwait
Clearing Company S.A.K.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
LATVIA
|
LCD
(Latvian
Central Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
LEBANON
|
Midclear
S.A.L.
(Custodian
and Clearing Center of Financial Instruments for Lebanon and the
Middle
East S.A.L.)
|
Equity
|
BDL
(Banque
du
Liban)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
LITHUANIA
|
CSDL
(Central
Securities Depository of Lithuania)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
LUXEMBOURG
|
CBL
(Clearstream
Banking, S.A.)
|
Equity
|
MALAYSIA
|
Bursa
Depository
(Bursa
Malaysia Depository Sdn Bhd)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
BNM
(Bank
Negara
Malaysia)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
MALTA
|
CSD
(The
Central
Securities Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
MAURITIUS
|
CDS
(Central
Depository and Settlement Company Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
MEXICO
|
INDEVAL
(S.D.
INDEVAL
S.A. de C.V.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
MOROCCO
|
Maroclear
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
NETHERLANDS
|
Euroclear
Nederland
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
NEW
ZEALAND
|
NZCSD
(New
Zealand
Central Securities Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
NIGERIA
|
CSCS
(Central
Securities Clearing System Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
NORWAY
|
VPS
(Verdipapirsentralen
ASA)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
OMAN
|
MDSRC
(The
Muscat
Depository and Securities Registration Company, S.A.O.C.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
PAKISTAN
|
CDC
(Central
Depository Company of Pakistan Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
SBP
(State
Bank
of Pakistan)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
PANAMA
|
LATINCLEAR
(Central
Latinoamericana de Valores, S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
PERU
|
CAVALI
(CAVALI
ICLV
S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
PHILIPPINES
|
PDTC
(Philippine
Depository and Trust Corp.)
|
Equity
|
RoSS
(Bangko
Sentral ng Pilipinas / Register of Scripless Securities)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
POLAND
|
NDS
(National
Depository for Securities S.A.)
|
Equity,
Long-Term Government Debt
|
RPW
(Registry
of
Securities)
|
Short-Term
Government Debt
|
|
PORTUGAL
|
INTERBOLSA
(Sociedade
Gestora de Sistemas de Liquidação e de Sistemas Centralizados de Valores
Mobiliários, S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
QATAR
|
DSM
(Doha
Securities Market)
|
Equity
|
ROMANIA
|
BSE
(
Bucharest
Stock Exchange)
|
Equity
|
NBR
(National
Bank of Romania)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
RUSSIA
|
VTB
(Vneshtorgbank)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt (Ministry of Finance
Bonds)
|
NDC
(The
National
Depository Center)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
|
SAUDI
ARABIA
|
Tadawul
|
Equity
|
SAMA
(Saudi
Arabian Monetary Authority)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
SERBIA
|
CSD
(Central
Register and Central Depository for Securities)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
SINGAPORE
|
CDP
(The
Central
Depository (Pte) Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
MAS
(Monetary
Authority of Singapore)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
SLOVAK
REPUBLIC
|
CSD
(Centralny
depozitar cennych papierov SR, a.s.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
NBS
(National
Bank of Slovakia)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
SLOVENIA
|
KDD
(Centralna
klirinsko depotna druzba d.d.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
SOUTH
AFRICA
|
STRATE
(Share
Transactions Totally Electronic)
|
Equity
|
SOUTH
KOREA
|
KSD
(Korea
Securities Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
SPAIN
|
IBERCLEAR
(Sociedad
de
Gestion de los Sistemas de Registro, Compensacion y Liquidacion de
Valores, S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
SRI
LANKA
|
CDS
(Central
Depository System (Private) Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
SWEDEN
|
VPC
(Vardepapperscentralen
AB)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
SWITZERLAND
|
SIS
(SIS
SegaInterSettle AG)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
TAIWAN
|
TDCC
(Taiwan
Depository and Clearing Corporation)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
THAILAND
|
TSD
(Thailand
Securities Depository Company Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
TUNISIA
|
STICODEVAM
(Societe
Tunisienne Interprofessionnelle pour la Compensation et le Depot
des
Valeurs Mobilieres)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
TURKEY
|
Central
Registry Agency
(CRA)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
CBoT
(Central
Bank
of Turkey)
|
Government
Debt
|
|
UKRAINE
|
NBU
(National
Bank of Ukraine)
|
Government
Debt
|
MFS
(Interregional
Securities Union)
|
Corporate
Debt, Selected Equity
|
|
UNITED
ARAB
EMIRATES
|
DFM
(Dubai
Financial Market Clearing House)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
DIFX
(Dubai
International Financial Exchange Central Securities Depository and
Registry)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
|
UNITED
KINGDOM
|
CREST
(CRESTCo
Limited)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
UNITED
STATES
|
DTC
(The
Depository Trust Company)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt
|
FRB
(Federal
Reserve Bank)
|
Government
Debt, Mortgage Back Debt
|
|
URUGUAY
|
BCU
(Banco
Central del Uruguay)
|
Government
Debt
|
VENEZUELA
|
BCV
(Banco
Central de Venezuela)
|
Government
Debt
|
CVV
(Caja
Venezolana de Valores, S.A.)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Money Market
|
|
VIETNAM
|
VSD
(Vietnam
Securities Depository)
|
Equity,
Corporate Debt, Government Debt
|
ZAMBIA
|
CSD
(LuSE
Central
Shares Depository Limited)
|
Equity,
Government Debt
|
BoZ
(Bank
of
Zambia)
|
Government
Debt
|
·
|
No
Board
member shall so use his or her position or knowledge gained therefrom
as
to create a conflict between his or her personal interest and that
of the
Fund.
|
·
|
No
Board
member shall so use his or her position or knowledge gained therefrom
as
to create a conflict between his or her personal interest and that
of the
Fund.
|
·
|
Each
non-affiliated Board member shall report to the Secretary of the
Fund not
later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter
any
transaction in securities which such Board member has effected during
the
quarter which the Board member then knows to have been effected within
fifteen (15) days before or after a date on which the Fund purchased
or
sold, or considered the purchase or sale of, the same
security.
|
·
|
For
purposes
of this Code of Ethics, transactions involving United States Government
securities as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, bankers’
acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, or shares
of
registered open-end investment companies are exempt from reporting
as are
non-volitional transactions such as dividend reinvestment programs
and
transactions over which the Board member exercises no
control.
|
1.
|
It
is the
responsibility of Covered Officers to foster, by their words and
actions,
a corporate culture that encourages honest and ethical conduct, including
the ethical resolution of, and appropriate disclosure of conflicts
of
interest. Covered Officers should work to assure a working environment
that is characterized by respect for law and compliance with applicable
rules and regulations.
|
2.
|
Each
Covered
Officer must act in an honest and ethical manner while conducting
the
affairs of the Fund, including the ethical handling of actual or
apparent
conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships.
Duties of Covered Officers include:
|
3.
|
Each
Covered
Officer should act to promote full, fair, accurate, timely and
understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund
files
with or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in
other
public communications made by the
Fund.
|
4.
|
Any
existing
or potential violations of this Code of Ethics should be reported
to The
Capital Group Companies’ Personal Investing Committee.
The
Personal
Investing Committee is authorized to investigate any such violations
and
report their findings to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the
Fund.
The Chairman of the Audit Committee may report violations of the
Code of
Ethics to the Board or other appropriate entity including the Audit
Committee, if he or she believes such a reporting is appropriate.
The
Personal Investing Committee may also determine the appropriate sanction
for any violations of this Code of Ethics, including removal from
office,
provided that removal from office shall only be carried out with
the
approval of the Board.
|
5.
|
Application
of this Code of Ethics is the responsibility of the Personal Investing
Committee, which shall report periodically to the Chairman of the
Audit
Committee of the Fund.
|
6.
|
Material
amendments to these provisions must be ratified by a majority vote
of the
Board. As required by applicable rules, substantive amendments to
the Code
of Ethics must be filed or appropriately
disclosed.
|
·
|
IPO
investments
|
·
|
Short
sales
of securities that are subject to preclearance
|
·
|
Spread
betting on securities
|
·
|
Writing
puts
and calls on securities that are subject to
preclearance
|
·
|
Firm
(or
bank) accounts holding securities
|
·
|
American
Funds (AFS) and Capital Bank and Trust (CB&T) accounts
|
·
|
Firm
(or
bank) accounts holding American
Funds
|
·
|
Capital
International Fund and Capital International Emerging Markets Fund
accounts with JP Morgan Luxembourg or held with other
firms
|
·
|
Accounts
holding GIG sub-advised funds and/or other Capital-affiliated funds,
and
accounts/plan numbers with insurance companies that sell variable
annuities or insurance products that hold American Funds Insurance
Series
(could be through a brokerage account or insurance contract)
|
·
|
Employer-sponsored
retirement or stock purchase accounts holding securities (ESPP,
ESOP,
401(k), company stock funds, etc.)
|
·
|
Direct
investment/purchase accounts (
e.g.,
DRP,
transfer agent accounts, or LDO registrar
accounts)
|
·
|
PEP
and ISA
accounts that currently hold
securities
|
·
|
Discretionary
accounts for which you have completely turned over investment
decision-making authority to a professional money manager (other
than
PIM);
i.e.,
you make no
investment decisions regarding your
account
|
·
|
Investment
clubs
|
·
|
Stocks
of
companies (public or private, including purchases through private
placements)
|
·
|
Bonds
(except
U.S. government bonds or other sovereign government bonds rated
AAA or Aaa
or equivalent)
|
·
|
Investments
in venture capital partnerships and hedge
funds
|
·
|
Options
on
securities subject to preclearance
|
·
|
Closed-end
funds (including investment trust
companies)
|
·
|
All
Exchange
traded Funds (ETFs) or index funds not listed on the approved list
(including UCITS, SICAVs, OEICs, FCPs, Unit Trusts,
Publikumsfonds,
etc.).
If the
ETF or index fund is listed on the approved list, transactions
are only
subject to reporting.
|
·
|
Debt
instruments including derivative products and structured notes
(even if
the underlying pool of assets consists of securities that do not
require
preclearance, such as commodities, broad-based indexes, or currencies).
|
·
|
Transactions
in securities subject to preclearance in IRAs (or company-sponsored
retirement accounts), in Personal Equity Plans (PEPs), and Individual
Savings Accounts (ISAs) (available in the U.K. only) over which
you have
discretion
|
·
|
Gifts
of
securities to individuals, including family members not covered
under the
Policy
|
·
|
Purchases
and
sales of American Funds held outside American Funds Service Company
(AFS)
or Capital Bank & Trust
(CB&T)
|
·
|
Purchases
and
sales of Capital Affiliated Funds, except the American Funds
|
·
|
Purchases
and
sales of GIG Advised/Sub-Advised Funds and Insurance
Products
|
·
|
Purchases
and
sales (including options and futures) of index funds or exchange
traded
funds that are on the pre-approved list of index funds/ETFs
|
·
|
Participation
in any CGII private equity
fund/partnership
|
·
|
De
minimis
transactions
|
·
|
Distributions
of stock from venture capital partnerships
|
·
|
Capital
calls
of venture capital partnerships and hedge funds that have been
pre-approved
|
·
|
Securities
received as a gift or through a
bequest
|
·
|
Securities
given to charitable organizations or individuals not related to
the
associate or to the associate’s immediate family
|
·
|
Corporate
Actions; for example:
|
§
|
Name
changes
|
§
|
Splits
and
reverse splits
|
§
|
Spin-offs,
merger/acquisitions
|
§
|
Tender
offers
|
§
|
Expiration
of
options and bonds matured, redeemed, or
called
|
·
|
Investments
in Capital’s 401(k) or MRP
|
·
|
LDO
Pension
Plan investments with Friends
Provident
|
·
|
Open-end
investment funds except funds advised or sub-advised by any Capital
company
|
·
|
Money
market
instruments or other short-term debt instruments with maturities
(at
issuance) of one year or less that are rated in one of the highest
two
rating categories by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating
Organization or unrated but of equivalent
quality
|
·
|
Direct
obligations of the U.S. Government or bonds issued by sovereign
governments outside the U.S. that are rated AAA or Aaa or
equivalent
|
·
|
Bankers'
acceptances, CDs, or other commercial
paper
|
·
|
Currencies
(including options and futures)
|
·
|
Commodities
|
·
|
Transactions
in accounts for which you have completely turned over investment
decision-making authority to a professional money manager
|