SEC File Nos. 333-67455

811-09105

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

Registration Statement

Under

the Securities Act of 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No. 30

 

and

 

Registration Statement

Under

the Investment Company Act of 1940

Amendment No. 31

 

NEW WORLD FUND, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071-1406

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

(213) 486-9200

 

Michael W. Stockton, Secretary

New World Fund, Inc.

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071-1406

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copies to:

Mark D. Perlow

Dechert LLP

One Bush Street, Suite 1600

San Francisco, California 94104

(Counsel for the Registrant)

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

It is proposed that this filing become effective on November 1, 2015, pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.

 

 

 
 

 

   
 

New World Fund ®

Prospectus

November 1, 2015

 
                 
Class A B C F-1 F-2 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E
NEWFX NEWBX NEWCX NWFFX NFFFX CNWAX CNWBX CNWCX CNWEX
                 
 
529-F-1 R-1 R-2 R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5E R-5 R-6
CNWFX RNWAX RNWBX RNEBX RNWCX RNWEX RNWHX RNWFX RNWGX
 

Table of contents

   
Investment objective 1
Fees and expenses of the fund 1
Principal investment strategies 2
Principal risks 3
Investment results 5
Management 7
Purchase and sale of fund shares 7
Tax information 7
Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries 7
Investment objective, strategies and risks 8
Management and organization 12
Shareholder information 15
Purchase, exchange and sale of shares 16
How to sell shares 20
Distributions and taxes 23
Choosing a share class 24
Sales charges 25
Sales charge reductions and waivers 27
Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs 30
Plans of distribution 30
Other compensation to dealers 30
Fund expenses 32
Financial highlights 33

 

 
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities. Further, it has not determined that this prospectus is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


 
 

 

Investment objective

The fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation.

Fees and expenses of the fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $25,000 in American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” section on page 27 of the prospectus and on page 65 of the fund’s statement of additional information.

               

Shareholder fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

  Share classes
  A and
529-A
B and
529-B
C and
529-C
529-E F-1, F-2
and
529-F-1
All R
share
classes
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 5.75% none none none none none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) 1.00 1 5.00% 1.00% none none none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends none none none none none none
Redemption or exchange fees none none none none none none
                     

Annual fund operating expenses

(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

  Share classes
  A B C F-1 F-2 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E
Management fees 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.23 1.00 1.00 0.25  none 0.20 0.99 0.99 0.50
Other expenses 0.25 0.24 0.29 0.22 0.20 0.35 0.37 0.36 0.28
Total annual fund operating expenses 1.03 1.79 1.84 1.02 0.75 1.10 1.91 1.90 1.33
                   
  529-F-1 R-1 R-2 R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5E R-5 R-6
Management fees 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55% 0.55%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00 1.00 0.74 0.60 2 0.50 0.25 none none none
Other expenses 0.34 0.24 0.52 2 0.22 0.29 2 0.20 0.26 2 0.14 0.10
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.89 1.79 1.81 1.37 1.34 1.00 0.81 0.69 0.65

1  A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge.

2   Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

1     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Example This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds.

The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

         
Share classes 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
A $674 $ 884 $1,111 $1,762
B 682 963 1,170 1,905
C 287 579 995 2,159
F-1 104 325 563 1,248
F-2 77 240 417 930
529-A 681 905 1,146 1,838
529-B 694 1,000 1,232 2,022
529-C 293 597 1,026 2,222
529-E 135 421 729 1,601
529-F-1 91 284 493 1,096
R-1 182 563 970 2,105
R-2 184 569 980 2,127
R-2E 139 434 750 1,646
R-3 136 425 734 1,613
R-4 102 318 552 1,225
R-5E 83 259 450 1,002
R-5 70 221 384 859
R-6 66 208 362 810

For the share classes listed below, you would pay the following if you did not redeem your shares:

         
Share classes 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
B $182 $563 $970 $1,905
C 187 579 995 2,159
529-B 194 600 1,032 2,022
529-C 193 597 1,026 2,222

Portfolio turnover The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s investment results. During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 32% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies with significant exposure to countries with developing economies and/or markets. Many of these countries may be referred to as emerging countries or emerging markets. The fund may also invest in debt

New World Fund / Prospectus     2


 
 

 

securities of issuers, including issuers of lower rated bonds (rated Ba1 or below and BB+ or below by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser), with exposure to these countries. Bonds rated Ba1 or BB+ or below are sometimes referred to as “junk bonds.”

Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 35% of its assets in equity and debt securities of issuers primarily based in qualified countries that have developing economies and/or markets.

In determining whether a country is qualified, the fund’s investment adviser will consider such factors as the country’s per capita gross domestic product, the percentage of the country’s economy that is industrialized, market capital as a percentage of gross domestic product, the overall regulatory environment, the presence of government regulation limiting or banning foreign ownership, and restrictions on repatriation of initial capital, dividends, interest and/or capital gains. The fund’s investment adviser will maintain a list of qualified countries and securities in which the fund may invest. Qualified developing countries in which the fund may invest currently include, but are not limited to, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zambia.

The fund may invest in equity securities of any company, regardless of where it is based, if the fund’s investment adviser determines that a significant portion of the company’s assets or revenues (generally 20% or more) is attributable to developing countries. In addition, the fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in nonconvertible debt securities of issuers, including issuers of lower rated bonds and government bonds, that are primarily based in qualified countries or that have a significant portion of their assets or revenues attributable to developing countries. The fund may also, to a limited extent, invest in securities of issuers based in nonqualified developing countries.

The investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing the fund’s assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments managed by individual managers who decide how their respective segments will be invested.

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively valued companies that, in its opinion, represent good, 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.

Principal risks

This section describes the principal risks associated with the fund’s principal investment strategies. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time. Investors in the fund should have a long-term perspective and be able to tolerate potentially sharp declines in value.

3     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments. These risks may be even greater in the case of smaller capitalization stocks.

Investing outside the United States — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes, that could adversely impact revenues. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards and practices, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.

Investing in developing countries — Investing in countries with developing economies and/or markets may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in developed countries. For instance, developing countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems than those in developed countries. The governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or impose punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Less certainty with respect to security valuations may lead to additional challenges and risks in calculating the fund’s net asset value. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.

New World Fund / Prospectus     4


 
 

 

Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.

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

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

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

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

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

Your investment in the fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency, entity or person. You should consider how this fund fits into your overall investment program.

Investment results

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with different broad measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index reflects the market sectors in which the fund invests. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Updated information on the fund’s investment results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.

5     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

           

Average annual total returns

For the periods ended December 31, 2014 (with maximum sales charge):

Share class Inception date 1 year 5 years 10 years Lifetime
A — Before taxes 6/17/1999 –9.19% 3.79% 7.86% 7.85%
— After taxes on distributions   –10.28 3.41 7.40 N/A
— After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares –4.12 3.12 6.65 N/A
           
Share classes (before taxes) Inception date 1 year 5 years 10 years Lifetime
B 3/15/2000 –8.93% 3.88% 7.83% 6.65%
C 3/15/2001 –5.34 4.20 7.65 9.21
F-1 3/16/2001 –3.64 5.05 8.52 9.89
F-2 8/1/2008 –3.38 5.33 N/A 2.83
529-A 2/19/2002 –9.27 3.74 7.82 9.98
529-B 2/26/2002 –9.04 3.78 7.73 9.91
529-C 2/25/2002 –5.40 4.13 7.57 9.60
529-E 3/22/2002 –3.95 4.70 8.14 9.69
529-F-1 9/17/2002 –3.51 5.19 8.65 11.94
R-1 6/11/2002 –4.38 4.23 7.65 9.44
R-2 6/7/2002 –4.39 4.23 7.65 9.46
R-3 6/6/2002 –3.94 4.72 8.14 9.96
R-4 10/7/2002 –3.62 5.07 8.51 12.50
R-5 5/15/2002 –3.31 5.39 8.84 10.35
R-6 5/1/2009 –3.29 5.44 N/A 11.30
         
Indexes 1 year 5 years 10 years Lifetime
(from Class A inception)
MSCI ® All Country World Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes) 4.16% 9.17% 6.09% 4.12%
MSCI Emerging Markets Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes) –2.19 1.78 8.43 8.02

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

New World Fund / Prospectus     6


 
 

 

Management

Investment adviser Capital Research and Management Company SM

Portfolio managers The individuals primarily responsible for the portfolio management of the fund are:

     
Portfolio manager/
Fund title (if applicable)
Portfolio manager
experience in this fund
Primary title
with investment adviser
Robert W. Lovelace
Vice Chairman of the Board and President
16 years Partner –
Capital International Investors
Nicholas J. Grace
Senior Vice President and Director
8 years Partner –
Capital World Investors
Mark E. Denning
Senior Vice President
16 years Partner –
Capital Research Global Investors
Galen Hoskin
Vice President
6 years Partner –
Capital World Investors
Carl M. Kawaja
Vice President
16 years Partner –
Capital World Investors
Winnie Kwan
Vice President
6 years Partner –
Capital Research Global Investors
Christopher Thomsen
Vice President
6 years Partner –
Capital Research Global Investors
Wahid Butt 8 years Partner –
Capital Research Global Investors
Robert H. Neithart 4 years Partner –
Capital Fixed Income Investors
 

Purchase and sale of fund shares

The minimum amount to establish an account for all share classes is $250 and the minimum to add to an account is $50. For a payroll deduction retirement plan account, payroll deduction savings plan account or employer-sponsored 529 account, the minimum is $25 to establish or add to an account.

If you are a retail investor, you may sell (redeem) shares on any business day through your dealer or financial advisor or by writing to American Funds Service Company ® at P.O. Box 6007, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6007; telephoning American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225; faxing American Funds Service Company at (888) 421-4351; or accessing our website at americanfunds.com. Please contact your plan administrator or recordkeeper to sell (redeem) shares from your retirement plan.

Tax information

Dividends and capital gain distributions you receive from the fund are subject to federal income taxes and may also be subject to state and local taxes, unless you are tax-exempt or your account is tax-favored.

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

If you purchase shares of the fund through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the fund and the fund’s distributor or its affiliates may pay the intermediary for the sale of fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your individual financial advisor to recommend the fund over another investment. Ask your individual financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

7     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Investment objective, strategies and risks

The fund’s investment objective is long-term capital appreciation. While it has no present intention to do so, the fund’s board may change the fund’s investment objective without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders. The fund invests primarily in common stocks of companies with significant exposure to countries with developing economies and/or markets. Many of these countries may be referred to as emerging countries or emerging markets. The fund may also invest in debt securities of issuers, including issuers of lower rated bonds (rated Ba1 or below and BB+ or below by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser), with exposure to these countries. Bonds rated Ba1 or BB+ or below are sometimes referred to as “junk bonds.”

Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest at least 35% of its assets in equity and debt securities of issuers primarily based in qualified countries that have developing economies and/or markets.

In determining whether a country is qualified, the fund’s investment adviser will consider such factors as the country’s per capita gross domestic product, the percentage of the country’s economy that is industrialized, market capital as a percentage of gross domestic product, the overall regulatory environment, the presence of government regulation limiting or banning foreign ownership, and restrictions on repatriation of initial capital, dividends, interest and/or capital gains. The fund’s investment adviser will maintain a list of qualified countries and securities in which the fund may invest. Qualified developing countries in which the fund may invest currently include, but are not limited to, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and Zambia.

The fund may invest in equity securities of any company, regardless of where it is based, if the fund’s investment adviser determines that a significant portion of the company’s assets or revenues (generally 20% or more) is attributable to developing countries. In addition, the fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in nonconvertible debt securities of issuers, including issuers of lower rated bonds and government bonds, that are primarily based in qualified countries or that have a significant portion of their assets or revenues attributable to developing countries. The fund may also, to a limited extent, invest in securities of issuers based in nonqualified developing countries.

The fund may also hold cash or money market instruments, including commercial paper and short-term securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. The percentage of the fund invested in such holdings varies and depends on various factors, including market conditions and purchases and redemptions of fund shares. For temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest without limitation in such instruments. The investment adviser may determine that it is appropriate to invest a substantial portion of the fund’s assets in such instruments in response to certain circumstances, such as periods of market turmoil. A larger percentage of such holdings could moderate the fund’s investment results in a period of rising market prices. Alternatively, a larger percentage of such holdings 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.

New World Fund / Prospectus     8


 
 

 

The following are certain risks associated with the fund’s investment strategies.

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments. These risks may be even greater in the case of smaller capitalization stocks.

Investing outside the United States — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes, that could adversely impact revenues. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards and practices, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.

Investing in developing countries — Investing in countries with developing economies and/or markets may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in developed countries. For instance, developing countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems than those in developed countries. The governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or impose punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Less certainty with respect to security valuations may lead to additional challenges and risks in calculating the fund’s net asset value. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.

9     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.

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

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

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

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

Investing in small companies — Investing in smaller companies may pose additional risks. For example, it is often more difficult to value or dispose of small company stocks and more difficult to obtain information about smaller companies than about larger companies. Furthermore, smaller companies often have limited product lines, operating histories, markets and/or financial resources, may be dependent on one or a few key persons for management, and can be more susceptible to losses. Moreover, the prices of their stocks may be more volatile than stocks of larger, more established companies.

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

In addition to the investment strategies described above, the fund has other investment practices that are described in the statement of additional information, which includes a description of certain risks related to the fund’s investment strategies and other investment practices. The fund’s investment results will depend on the ability of the fund’s investment adviser to navigate the risks discussed above as well as those described in the statement of additional information.

New World Fund / Prospectus     10


 
 

 

Fund comparative indexes The investment results table in this prospectus shows how the fund’s average annual total returns compare with various broad measures of market results. The MSCI All Country World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market results in the global developed and emerging markets, consisting of more than 40 developed and emerging market country indexes. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market results in the global emerging markets, consisting of more than 20 emerging market country indexes. Results for both indexes reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes through December 31, 2000, and dividends net of withholding taxes thereafter. These indexes are unmanaged and their results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.

Fund results All fund results in this prospectus reflect the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, if any. Unless otherwise noted, fund results reflect any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements in effect during the periods presented.

11     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Management and organization

Investment adviser Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, serves as the investment adviser to the fund and other funds, including the American Funds. Capital Research and Management Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. Capital Research and Management Company manages the investment portfolio and business affairs of the fund. The total management fee paid by the fund, as a percentage of average net assets, for the previous fiscal year appears in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under “Fees and expenses of the fund.” Please see the statement of additional information for further details. A discussion regarding the basis for approval of the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement by the fund’s board of directors is contained in the fund’s semi-annual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended April 30, 2015.

Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through three equity investment divisions and fixed-income assets through its fixed-income investment division, Capital Fixed Income Investors. The three equity investment divisions — Capital World Investors, Capital Research Global Investors and Capital International Investors — make investment decisions independently of one another.

The equity investment divisions may, in the future, be incorporated as wholly owned subsidiaries of Capital Research and Management Company. In that event, Capital Research and Management Company would continue to be the investment adviser, and day-to-day investment management of equity assets would continue to be carried out through one or more of these subsidiaries. Although not currently contemplated, Capital Research and Management Company could incorporate its fixed-income investment division in the future and engage it to provide day-to-day investment management of fixed-income assets. Capital Research and Management Company and each of the funds it advises have received an exemptive order from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that allows Capital Research and Management Company to use, upon approval of the fund’s board, its management subsidiaries and affiliates to provide day-to-day investment management services to the fund, including making changes to the management subsidiaries and affiliates providing such services. The fund’s shareholders have approved this arrangement; however, there is no assurance that Capital Research and Management Company will incorporate its investment divisions or exercise any authority granted to it under the exemptive order.

In addition, shareholders approved a proposal to reorganize the fund into a Delaware statutory trust. The reorganization may be completed in the next 12 months; however, the fund reserves the right to delay the implementation.

Portfolio holdings Portfolio holdings information for the fund is available on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. A description of the fund’s policies and procedures regarding disclosure of information about its portfolio holdings is available in the statement of additional information.

New World Fund / Prospectus     12


 
 

 

The Capital System SM Capital Research and Management Company uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing mutual fund assets. Under this approach, the portfolio of a fund is divided into segments managed by individual managers who decide how their respective segments will be invested. In addition, Capital Research and Management Company’s investment analysts may make investment decisions with respect to a portion of a fund’s portfolio. Investment decisions are subject to a fund’s objective(s), policies and restrictions and the oversight of the appropriate investment-related committees of Capital Research and Management Company and its investment divisions. The table below shows the investment experience and role in management of the fund for each of the fund’s primary portfolio managers.

Portfolio manager Investment
experience
Experience
in this fund
Role in
management
of the fund
Robert W. Lovelace Investment professional for 30 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate 16 years Serves as an equity portfolio manager
Nicholas J. Grace Investment professional for 25 years in total;
22 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
8 years
(plus 8 years
of prior experience
as an
investment analyst
for the fund)
Serves as an equity portfolio manager
Mark E. Denning Investment professional for 33 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate 16 years Serves as an equity portfolio manager
Galen Hoskin Investment professional for 21 years in total;
20 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
6 years
(plus 10 years
of prior experience
as an
investment analyst
for the fund)
Serves as an equity portfolio manager
Carl M. Kawaja Investment professional for 28 years in total;
24 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
16 years Serves as an equity portfolio manager

13     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Portfolio manager Investment
experience
Experience
in this fund
Role in
management
of the fund
Winnie Kwan Investment professional for 19 years in total;
16 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
6 years
(plus 7 years
of prior experience
as an
investment analyst
for the fund)
Serves as an equity portfolio manager
Christopher Thomsen Investment professional for 18 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate 6 years
(plus 5 years
of prior experience
as an
investment analyst
for the fund)
Serves as an equity portfolio manager
Wahid Butt Investment professional for 24 years in total;
12 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
8 years Serves as an equity portfolio manager
Robert H. Neithart Investment professional for 28 years, all with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate 4 years
(plus 2 years
of prior experience
as an
investment analyst
for the fund)
Serves as a fixed-income portfolio manager
 

Information regarding the portfolio managers’ compensation, their ownership of securities in the fund and other accounts they manage is in the statement of additional information.

New World Fund / Prospectus     14


 
 

 

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 advisor, investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper for more information.

Shareholder information

Shareholder services American Funds Service Company, the fund’s transfer agent, offers a wide range of services that you can use to alter your investment program should your needs or circumstances change. These services may be terminated or modified at any time upon 60 days’ written notice.

A more detailed description of policies and services is included in the fund’s statement of additional information and the owner’s guide sent to new American Funds shareholders entitled Welcome . Class 529 shareholders should also refer to the applicable program description for information on policies and services relating specifically to their account(s). These documents are available by writing to or calling American Funds Service Company.

15     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Unless otherwise noted, references to Class A, B, C or F-1 shares on the following pages also refer to the corresponding Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C or 529-F-1 shares. Unless otherwise noted, references to Class F shares refer to both Class F-1 and F-2 shares and references to Class R shares refer to Class R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares.

Purchase, exchange and sale of shares

The fund’s transfer agent, on behalf of the fund and American Funds Distributors , ® the fund’s distributor, is required by law to obtain certain personal information from you or any other person(s) acting on your behalf in order to verify your or such person’s identity. If you do not provide the information, the transfer agent may not be able to open your account. If the transfer agent is unable to verify your identity or that of any other person(s) authorized to act on your behalf, or believes it has identified potentially criminal activity, the fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to close your account or take such other action they deem reasonable or required by law.

When purchasing shares, you should designate the fund or funds in which you wish to invest. Subject to the exception below, if no fund is designated, your money will be held uninvested (without liability to the transfer agent for loss of income or appreciation pending receipt of proper instructions) until investment instructions are received, but for no more than three business days. Your investment will be made at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge, in the case of Class A shares) next determined after investment instructions are received and accepted by the transfer agent. If investment instructions are not received, your money will be invested in Class A shares of American Funds Money Market Fund ® on the third business day after receipt of your investment.

If the amount of your cash investment is $10,000 or less, no fund is designated, and you made a cash investment (excluding exchanges) within the last 16 months, your money will be invested in the same proportion and in the same fund or funds and in the same class of shares in which your last cash investment was made.

Different procedures may apply to certain employer-sponsored arrangements, including, but not limited to, SEPs and SIMPLE IRAs.

Valuing shares The net asset value of each share class of the fund is the value of a single share of that class. The fund calculates the net asset value each day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, the normal close of regular trading. If, for example, the New York Stock Exchange closes at 1 p.m. New York time, the fund’s net asset value would still be determined as of 4 p.m. New York time. In this example, portfolio securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange would be valued at their closing prices unless the investment adviser determines that a “fair value” adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events. 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 trade principally 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 is intended to reduce potential arbitrage opportunities otherwise available to short-term investors.

Because the fund may hold securities that are listed primarily on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or days when the fund does not price its shares, the values of

New World Fund / Prospectus     16


 
 

 

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 your request, provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply at the time you sell certain Class A, B and C shares.

Purchase of Class A and C shares You may generally open an account and purchase Class A and C shares by contacting any financial advisor (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 advisor and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.

Class B shares Class B and 529-B shares may not be purchased or acquired, except by exchange from Class B or 529-B shares of another fund in the American Funds family. Any other investment received by the fund that is intended for Class B or 529-B shares will instead be invested in Class A or 529-A shares and will be subject to any applicable sales charges.

Shareholders with investments in Class B and 529-B shares may continue to hold such shares until they convert to Class A or 529-A shares. However, no additional investments will be accepted in Class B or 529-B shares. Dividends and capital gain distributions may continue to be reinvested in Class B or 529-B shares until their conversion dates. In addition, shareholders invested in Class B or 529-B shares will be able to exchange those shares for Class B or 529-B shares of other American Funds offering Class B or 529-B shares until they convert.

Automatic conversion of Class B and C shares Class B shares automatically convert to Class A shares in the month of the eight-year anniversary of the purchase date. Class C shares automatically convert to Class F-1 shares in the month of the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date; however, Class 529-C shares will not convert to Class 529-F-1 shares. The Internal Revenue Service currently takes the position that these automatic conversions are not taxable. Should its position change, the automatic conversion feature may be suspended. If this were to happen, you would have the option of converting your Class B, 529-B or C shares to the respective share classes at the anniversary dates described above. This exchange would be based on the relative net asset values of the two classes in question, without the imposition of a sales charge or fee, but you might face certain tax consequences as a result.

Purchase of Class F shares You may generally open an account and purchase Class F shares only through fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor, through certain registered investment advisors and through other intermediaries approved by the fund’s distributor. These intermediaries typically charge ongoing fees for services they provide. Intermediary fees are not paid by the fund and normally range from .75% to 1.50% of assets annually, depending on the services offered.

Purchase of Class 529 shares Class 529 shares may be purchased only through an account established with a 529 college savings plan managed by the American Funds organization. You may open this type of account and purchase Class 529 shares by contacting any financial advisor (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell such an account. You may

17     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial advisor and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.

Class 529-E shares may be purchased only by employees participating through an eligible employer plan.

Accounts holding Class 529 shares are subject to a $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee. These fees are waived until further notice.

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-1 shares are structured similarly to the corresponding Class A, B, C and F-1 shares. For example, the same initial sales charges apply to Class 529-A shares as to Class A shares.

Purchase of Class R shares Class R shares are generally available only to retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a), 403(b) or 457, and to nonqualified deferred compensation plans and certain voluntary employee benefit association and post-retirement benefit plans. Class R shares also are generally available only to retirement plans where plan level or omnibus accounts are held on the books of the fund. Class R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares are generally available only to fee-based programs or through retirement plan intermediaries. In addition, Class R-5 and R-6 shares are available for investment by other registered investment companies approved by the fund’s investment adviser or distributor. Class R shares generally are not available to retail nonretirement accounts, traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs), Coverdell Education Savings Accounts, SEPs, SARSEPs, SIMPLE IRAs and 529 college savings plans.

Purchases by employer-sponsored retirement plans Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or R shares by contacting any investment dealer (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell these classes of the fund’s shares. Some or all R share classes may not be available through certain investment dealers. Additional shares may be purchased through a plan’s administrator or recordkeeper.

Class A shares are generally not available for retirement plans using the PlanPremier ® or Recordkeeper Direct ® recordkeeping programs. These programs are proprietary recordkeeping solutions for small 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 that their recordkeepers can properly apply a sales charge on plan investments. These plans are not eligible to make initial purchases of $1 million or more in Class A shares and thereby invest in Class A shares without a sales charge, nor are they eligible to establish a statement of intention that qualifies them to purchase Class A shares without a sales charge. More information about statements of intention can be found under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus. Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales charge table in this prospectus.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans that invested in Class A shares without any sales charge before April 1, 2004, and that continue to meet the eligibility requirements in effect as of that date for purchasing Class A shares at net asset value, may continue to purchase Class A shares without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.

New World Fund / Prospectus     18


 
 

 

A 403(b) plan may not invest in Class A or C shares unless it was invested in Class A or C shares before January 1, 2009.

Purchase minimums and maximums Purchase minimums described in this prospectus may be waived in certain cases. In addition, the fund reserves the right to redeem the shares of any shareholder for their then current net asset value per share if the shareholder’s aggregate investment in the fund falls below the fund’s minimum initial investment amount. See the statement of additional information for details.

For accounts established with an automatic investment plan, the initial purchase minimum of $250 may be waived if the purchases (including purchases through exchanges from another fund) made under the plan are sufficient to reach $250 within five months of account establishment.

The effective purchase maximums for Class 529-A, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1 shares will reflect the maximum applicable contribution limits under state law. See the applicable program description for more information.

The purchase maximum for Class C shares is $500,000 per transaction. In addition, if you have significant American Funds holdings, you may not be eligible to invest in Class C or 529-C shares. Specifically, 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 (that is, at net asset value). See “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus and the statement of additional information for more details regarding sales charge discounts.

Exchange Generally, you may exchange your shares for shares of the same class of other American Funds without a sales charge. Class A, C or F-1 shares may generally be exchanged for the corresponding 529 share class without a sales charge. Class B shares may not be exchanged for Class 529-B shares. Exchanges from Class A, C or F-1 shares to the corresponding 529 share class, particularly in the case of Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or Uniform Transfers to Minors Act custodial accounts, may result in significant legal and tax consequences, as described in the applicable program description. Please consult your financial advisor before making such an exchange.

Exchanges of shares from American Funds Money Market Fund initially purchased without a sales charge generally will be subject to the appropriate sales charge. For purposes of computing the contingent deferred sales charge on Class B and C shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the first day of the month in which shares were purchased 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” in the section “How to sell shares” of this prospectus for information regarding electronic exchanges.

Please see the statement of additional information for details and limitations on moving investments in certain share classes to different share classes and on moving investments held in certain accounts to different accounts.

19     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

How to sell shares

You may sell (redeem) shares in any of the following ways:

Employer-sponsored retirement plans

Shares held in eligible retirement plans may be sold through the plan’s administrator or recordkeeper.

Through your dealer or financial advisor (certain charges may apply)

·  Shares held for you in your dealer’s name must be sold through the dealer.

·  Generally, Class F shares must be sold through intermediaries such as dealers or financial advisors.

Writing to American Funds Service Company

·  Requests must be signed by the registered shareholder(s).

·  A signature guarantee is required if the redemption is:

—  more than $125,000;

—  made payable to someone other than the registered shareholder(s); or

—  sent to an address other than the address of record or to an address of record that has been changed within the previous 10 days.

·  American Funds Service Company reserves the right to require signature guarantee(s) on any redemption.

·  Additional documentation may be required for redemptions of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary accounts.

Telephoning or faxing American Funds Service Company or using the Internet

·  Redemptions by telephone, fax or the Internet (including American FundsLine ® and americanfunds.com) are limited to $125,000 per American Funds shareholder each day.

·  Checks must be made payable to the registered shareholder.

·  Checks must be mailed to an address of record that has been used with the account for at least 10 days.

If you recently purchased shares and subsequently request a redemption of those shares, you will receive proceeds from the redemption once a sufficient period of time has passed to reasonably ensure that checks or drafts, including certified or cashier’s checks, for the shares purchased have cleared (normally 10 business days).

Although payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund’s articles of incorporation permit payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of directors. The disposal of the securities received in-kind may be subject to brokerage costs and such securities remain at market risk until sold.

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

New World Fund / Prospectus     20


 
 

 

privileges, provided that American Funds Service Company employs reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, American Funds Service Company and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.

Frequent trading of fund shares The fund and American Funds Distributors reserve the right to reject any purchase order for any reason. The fund is not designed to serve as a vehicle for frequent trading. Frequent trading of fund shares may lead to increased costs to the fund and less efficient management of the fund’s portfolio, potentially resulting in dilution of the value of the shares held by long-term shareholders. Accordingly, purchases, including those that are part of exchange activity, that the fund or American Funds Distributors has determined could involve actual or potential harm to the fund may be rejected.

The fund, through its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, maintains surveillance procedures that are designed to detect frequent trading in fund shares. Under these procedures, various analytics are used to evaluate factors that may be indicative of frequent trading. For example, transactions in fund shares that exceed certain monetary thresholds may be scrutinized. American Funds Service Company also may review transactions that occur close in time to other transactions in the same account or in multiple accounts under common ownership or influence. Trading activity that is identified through these procedures or as a result of any other information available to the fund will be evaluated to determine whether such activity might constitute frequent trading. These procedures may be modified from time to time as appropriate to improve the detection of frequent trading, to facilitate monitoring for frequent trading in particular retirement plans or other accounts and to comply with applicable laws.

In addition to the fund’s broad ability to restrict potentially harmful trading as described above, the fund’s board of directors has adopted a “purchase blocking policy” under which any shareholder redeeming shares having a value of $5,000 or more from a fund will be precluded from investing in that fund for 30 calendar days after the redemption transaction. This policy also applies to redemptions and purchases that are part of exchange transactions. Under the fund’s purchase blocking policy, certain purchases will not be prevented and certain redemptions will not trigger a purchase block, such as:

·  purchases and redemptions of shares having a value of less than $5,000;

·  transactions in Class 529 shares;

·  purchases and redemptions by investment companies managed or sponsored by the fund’s investment adviser or its affiliates, including reallocations and transactions allowing the investment company to meet its redemptions and purchases;

·  retirement plan contributions, loans and distributions (including hardship withdrawals) identified as such on the retirement plan recordkeeper’s system;

·  purchase transactions involving in-kind transfers of shares of the fund, rollovers, Roth IRA conversions and IRA recharacterizations, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as one of these types of transactions; and

·  systematic redemptions and purchases, where the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase.

Generally, purchases and redemptions will not be considered “systematic” unless the transaction is prescheduled for a specific date.

21     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

The fund reserves the right to waive the purchase blocking policy with respect to specific shareholder accounts in those instances where American Funds Service Company determines that its surveillance procedures are adequate to detect frequent trading in fund shares.

American Funds Service Company will work with certain intermediaries (such as investment dealers holding shareholder accounts in street name, retirement plan recordkeepers, insurance company separate accounts and bank trust companies) to apply their own procedures, provided that American Funds Service Company believes the intermediary’s procedures are reasonably designed to enforce the frequent trading policies of the fund. You should refer to disclosures provided by the intermediaries with which you have an account to determine the specific trading restrictions that apply to you.

If American Funds Service Company identifies any activity that may constitute frequent trading, it reserves the right to contact the intermediary and request that the intermediary either provide information regarding an account owner’s transactions or restrict the account owner’s trading. If American Funds Service Company is not satisfied that the intermediary has taken appropriate action, American Funds Service Company may terminate the intermediary’s ability to transact in fund shares.

There is no guarantee that all instances of frequent trading in fund shares will be prevented.

Notwithstanding the fund’s surveillance procedures and purchase blocking policy described above, all transactions in fund shares remain subject to the right of the fund, American Funds Distributors and American Funds Service Company to restrict potentially abusive trading generally, including the types of transactions described above that will not be prevented or trigger a block under the purchase blocking policy. See the statement of additional information for more information about how American Funds Service Company may address other potentially abusive trading activity in the American Funds.

New World Fund / Prospectus     22


 
 

 

Distributions and taxes

Dividends and distributions The fund intends to distribute dividends to you, usually in December.

Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed in December. 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. Dividends and capital gain distributions for 529 share classes and retirement plan shareholders will be reinvested automatically.

Taxes on dividends and distributions For federal tax purposes, dividends and distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income. The fund’s distributions of net long-term capital gains are taxable as long-term capital gains. Any dividends or capital gain distributions you receive from the fund will normally be taxable to you when made, regardless of whether you reinvest dividends or capital gain distributions or receive them in cash.

Dividends and capital gain distributions that are automatically reinvested in a tax-favored retirement or education savings account do not result in federal or state income tax at the time of reinvestment.

Taxes on transactions Your redemptions, including exchanges, may result in a capital gain or loss for federal tax purposes. A capital gain or loss on your investment is the difference between the cost of your shares, including any sales charges, and the amount you receive when you sell them.

Exchanges within a tax-favored retirement plan account will not result in a capital gain or loss for federal or state income tax purposes. With limited exceptions, distributions from a retirement plan account are taxable as ordinary income.

Shareholder fees Fees borne directly by the fund normally have the effect of reducing a shareholder’s taxable income on distributions. By contrast, fees paid directly to advisors by a fund shareholder for ongoing advice are deductible for income tax purposes only to the extent that they (combined with certain other qualifying expenses) exceed 2% of such shareholder’s adjusted gross income.

Please see your tax advisor for more information. Holders of Class 529 shares should refer to the applicable program description for more information regarding the tax consequences of selling Class 529 shares.

23     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Choosing a share class

The fund offers different classes of shares through this prospectus. The services or share classes available to you may vary depending upon how you wish to purchase shares of the fund.

Each share class represents an investment in the same portfolio of securities, but each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, allowing you to choose the class that best fits your situation. For example, Class F-1 shares are subject to a 12b-1 fee while Class F-2 shares are not. The different fee structures allow the investor to choose how to pay for advisory platform expenses. Class R shares offer different levels of 12b-1 and recordkeeping fees so that a plan can choose the class that best meets the cost associated with obtaining investment related services and participant level recordkeeping for the plan. When you purchase shares of the fund for an individual-type account, you should choose a share class. If none is chosen, your investment will be made in Class A shares or, in the case of a 529 plan investment, Class 529-A shares.

Factors you should consider when choosing a class of shares include:

·  how long you expect to own the shares;

·  how much you intend to invest;

·  total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;

·  whether you qualify for any reduction or waiver of sales charges (for example, Class A or 529-A shares may be a less expensive option over time, particularly if you qualify for a sales charge reduction or waiver);

·  whether you plan to take any distributions in the near future (for example, the contingent deferred sales charge will not be waived if you sell your Class 529-B or 529-C shares to cover higher education expenses); and

·  availability of share classes:

—  Class B and 529-B shares may not be purchased or acquired except by exchange from Class B or 529-B shares of another fund in the American Funds family;

—  Class C shares are not available to retirement plans that do not currently invest in such shares and that are eligible to invest in Class R shares, including retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a) (including 401(k) plans), 403(b) or 457;

—  Class F and 529-F-1 shares are generally available only to fee-based programs of investment dealers that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor, to certain registered investment advisors and to other intermediaries approved by the fund’s distributor; and

—  Class R shares are generally available only to retirement plans established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(a) (including 401(k) plans), 403(b) or 457, and to nonqualified deferred compensation plans and certain voluntary employee benefit association and post-retirement benefit plans.

Each investor’s financial considerations are different. You should speak with your financial advisor to help you decide which share class is best for you.

New World Fund / Prospectus     24


 
 

 

Sales charges

Class A shares The initial sales charge you pay each time you buy Class A shares differs depending upon the amount you invest and may be reduced or eliminated for larger purchases as indicated below. The “offering price,” the price you pay to buy shares, includes any applicable sales charge, which will be deducted directly from your investment. Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to an initial sales charge.

       
  Sales charge as a
percentage of:
 
Investment Offering price Net amount
invested
Dealer commission
as a percentage
of offering price
Less than $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 investments described below none none see below

 

The sales charge, expressed as a percentage of the offering price or the net amount invested, may be higher or lower than the percentages described in the table above due to rounding. This is because the dollar amount of the sales charge is determined by subtracting the net asset value of the shares purchased from the offering price, which is calculated to two decimal places using standard rounding criteria. The impact of rounding will vary with the size of the investment and the net asset value of the shares. Similarly, any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on investments in Class A shares may be higher or lower than the 1% charge described below due to rounding.

Except as provided below, investments in Class A shares of $1 million or more may be subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge if the shares are sold within one year of purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less.

Class A share purchases not subject to sales charges The following investments are not subject to any initial or contingent deferred sales charge if American Funds Service Company is properly notified of the nature of the investment:

·  investments made by accounts that are part of certain qualified fee-based programs and that purchased Class A shares before the discontinuation of the relevant investment dealer’s load-waived Class A share program with the American Funds; and

·  certain rollover investments from retirement plans to IRAs (see “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” in this prospectus for more information).

The distributor may pay dealers a commission of up to 1% on investments made in Class A shares with no initial sales charge. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution (see “Plans of distribution” in this prospectus).

25     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Transfers from certain 529 plans to plans managed by the American Funds organization will be made with no sales charge. No commission will be paid to the dealer on such a transfer. Please see the statement of additional information for more information.

Certain other investors may qualify to purchase shares without a sales charge, such as employees of investment dealers and registered investment advisors authorized to sell American Funds and employees of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliates. Please see the statement of additional information for further details.

Class B and C shares For Class B shares, a contingent deferred sales charge may be applied to shares you sell within six years of the date you purchased the Class B shares, as shown in the table below. The contingent deferred sales charge is eliminated six years after purchase.

               
Contingent deferred sales charge on Class B shares
Year of redemption: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7+
Contingent deferred sales charge: 5% 4% 4% 3% 2% 1% 0%

Class C shares are sold without any initial sales charge. American Funds Distributors pays 1% of the amount invested to dealers who sell Class C shares. A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% applies if Class C shares are sold within one year of purchase. The contingent deferred sales charge is eliminated one year after purchase.

Any contingent deferred sales charge paid by you on sales of Class B or C shares, expressed as a percentage of the applicable redemption amount, may be higher or lower than the percentages described above due to rounding.

Class 529-E and Class F shares Class 529-E and Class F shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.

Class R shares Class R shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. The distributor will pay dealers annually asset-based compensation of up to 1.00% for sales of Class R-1 shares, up to .75% for Class R-2 shares, up to .60% for Class R-2E shares, up to .50% for Class R-3 shares and up to .25% for Class R-4 shares. No dealer compensation is paid from fund assets on sales of Class R-5E, R-5 or R-6 shares. The fund may reimburse the distributor for these payments through its plans of distribution.

See “Plans of distribution” in this prospectus for ongoing compensation paid to your dealer or financial advisor for all share classes.

Contingent deferred sales charges Shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. In addition, the contingent deferred sales charge may be waived in certain circumstances. See “Contingent deferred sales charge waivers” in the section “Sales charge reductions and waivers” of this prospectus. The contingent deferred sales charge is based on the original purchase cost or the current market value of the shares being sold, whichever is less. For purposes of determining the contingent deferred sales charge, if you sell only some of your shares, shares that are not subject to any contingent deferred sales charge will be sold first, followed by shares that you have owned the longest.

New World Fund / Prospectus     26


 
 

 

Sales charge reductions and waivers

To receive a reduction in your Class A initial sales charge, you must let your financial advisor 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 advisor or American Funds Service Company know that you are eligible for a reduction, you may not receive the sales charge discount to which you are otherwise entitled. In order to determine your eligibility to receive a sales charge discount, it may be necessary for you to provide your advisor or American Funds Service Company with information and records (including account statements) of all relevant accounts invested in the American Funds.

In addition to the information in this prospectus, you may obtain more information about share classes, sales charges and sales charge reductions and waivers through a link on the home page of the American Funds website at americanfunds.com, from the statement of additional information or from your financial advisor.

Reducing your Class A initial sales charge Consistent with the policies described in this prospectus, you and your “immediate family” (your spouse — or equivalent, if recognized under local law — and your children under the age of 21) may combine all of your American Funds investments to reduce Class A sales charges. In addition, two or more retirement plans of an employer or an employer’s affiliates may combine all of their American Funds investments to reduce Class A sales charges. Certain investments in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, ® American Funds Portfolio Series SM and American Funds College Target Date Series ® may also be combined for this purpose. Please see the applicable series’ prospectus for further information. However, for this purpose, investments representing direct purchases of American Funds Money Market Fund are excluded. Following are different ways that you may qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge:

Aggregating accounts To receive a reduced Class A sales charge, investments made by you and your immediate family (see above) may be aggregated if made for your own account(s) and/or certain other accounts, such as:

·  trust accounts established by the above individuals (please see the statement of additional information for details regarding aggregation of trust accounts where the person(s) who established the trust is/are deceased);

·  solely controlled business accounts; and

·  single-participant retirement plans.

Investments made through employer-sponsored retirement plan accounts will not be aggregated with individual-type accounts.

Concurrent purchases You may combine simultaneous purchases (including, upon your request, purchases for gifts) of any class of shares of two or more American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) to qualify for a reduced Class A sales charge.

Rights of accumulation You may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) to determine the initial sales charge you pay on each purchase of Class A shares. Subject to your investment dealer’s capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated as the higher of (a) the current value of your existing holdings (as of the day prior to your additional American Funds investment) or (b) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals. Please see the statement of additional information for further

27     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

details. You should retain any records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you have invested.

If you make a gift of shares, upon your request you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your American Funds accounts.

Statement of intention You may reduce your Class A sales charge by establishing a statement of intention. A statement of intention allows you to combine all purchases of all share classes of the American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) that you intend to make over a 13-month period to determine the applicable sales charge; however, purchases made under a right of reinvestment, appreciation of your holdings, and reinvested dividends and capital gains do not count as purchases made during the statement period. Your accumulated holdings (as described and calculated under “Rights of accumulation” above) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the start of the statement period may be credited toward satisfying the statement. A portion of your account may be held in escrow to cover additional Class A sales charges that may be due if your total purchases over the statement period do not qualify you for the applicable sales charge reduction. Employer-sponsored retirement plans may be restricted from establishing statements of intention. See the discussion regarding employer-sponsored retirement plans under “Purchase, exchange and sale of shares” in this prospectus for more information.

Right of reinvestment If you notify American Funds Service Company prior to the time of reinvestment, you may reinvest proceeds from a redemption, dividend payment or capital gain distribution without a sales charge in the same fund or other American Funds, provided that the reinvestment occurs within 90 days after the date of the redemption, dividend payment or distribution and is made into the same account from which you redeemed the shares or received the dividend payment or distribution. If the account has been closed, you may reinvest without a sales charge if the new receiving account has the same registration as the closed account and the reinvestment is made within 90 days after the date of redemption, dividend payment or distribution.

Proceeds from a Class B share redemption for which a contingent deferred sales charge was paid will be reinvested in Class A shares without any initial sales charge. If you redeem Class B shares without paying a contingent deferred sales charge, you may reinvest the proceeds in Class B shares or purchase Class A shares. If you purchase Class A shares, you are responsible for paying any applicable Class A sales charges. Proceeds from any other type of redemption and all dividend payments and capital gain distributions will be reinvested in the same share class from which the original redemption, dividend payment or distribution was made. Any contingent deferred sales charge on Class A or C shares will be credited to your account. Redemption proceeds of Class A shares representing direct purchases in American Funds Money Market Fund that are reinvested in other American Funds will be subject to a sales charge.

Proceeds will be reinvested at the next calculated net asset value after your request is received by American Funds Service Company, provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. For purposes of this “right of reinvestment policy,” automatic transactions (including, for example, automatic purchases, withdrawals and payroll deductions) and ongoing retirement plan contributions are not eligible for investment without a sales charge. You may not reinvest proceeds in the American Funds as described in this paragraph if such proceeds are subject to a purchase block as described under “Frequent trading of fund shares” in this

New World Fund / Prospectus     28


 
 

 

prospectus. This paragraph does not apply to certain rollover investments as described under “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” in this prospectus.

Contingent deferred sales charge waivers The contingent deferred sales charge on Class A, B and C shares may be waived in the following cases:

·  permitted exchanges of shares, except if shares acquired by exchange are then redeemed within the period during which a contingent deferred sales charge would apply to the initial shares purchased;

·  tax-free returns of excess contributions to IRAs;

·  redemptions due to death or postpurchase disability of the shareholder (this generally excludes accounts registered in the names of trusts and other entities);

·  for 529 share classes only, redemptions due to a beneficiary’s death, postpurchase disability or receipt of a scholarship (to the extent of the scholarship award);

·  redemptions due to the complete termination of a trust upon the death of the trustor/grantor or beneficiary, but only if such termination is specifically provided for in the trust document; and

·  the following types of transactions, if together they do not exceed 12% of the value of an account annually (see the statement of additional information for further details about waivers regarding these types of transactions):

—  redemptions due to receiving required minimum distributions from retirement accounts upon reaching age 70½ (required minimum distributions that continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account owner is deceased also qualify for a waiver); and

—  if you have established an automatic withdrawal plan, redemptions through such a plan (including any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash).

To have your Class A, B or C contingent deferred sales charge waived, you must inform your advisor or American Funds Service Company at the time you redeem shares that you qualify for such a waiver.

29     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs

Assets from retirement plans may be invested in Class A, C or F shares through an IRA rollover, subject to the other provisions of this prospectus. Class C shares are not available if the assets are being rolled over from investments held in the American Funds Recordkeeper Direct and PlanPremier retirement plan recordkeeping programs.

Rollovers to IRAs from retirement plans that are rolled into Class A shares will be subject to applicable sales charges. The following rollovers to Class A shares will be made without a sales charge:

·  rollovers to Capital Bank and Trust Company SM IRAs if the assets were invested in American Funds at the time of distribution;

·  rollovers to IRAs from 403(b) plans with Capital Bank and Trust Company as custodian; and

·  rollovers to Capital Bank and Trust Company IRAs from investments held in the American Funds Recordkeeper Direct and PlanPremier retirement plan recordkeeping programs.

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. All other rollovers invested in Class A shares, as well as future contributions to the IRA, will be subject to sales charges and to the terms and conditions generally applicable to Class A share investments as described in this prospectus and in the statement of additional information.

Plans of distribution

The fund has plans of distribution, or “12b-1 plans,” for certain share classes under which it may finance activities intended primarily to sell shares, provided that 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: Share class(es)
0.30% Class A shares
0.50% Class 529-A, F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4 shares
0.75% Class 529-E and R-3 shares
0.85% Class R-2E shares
1.00% Class B, 529-B, C, 529-C, R-1 and R-2 shares

For all share classes indicated above, up to .25% may be used to pay service fees to qualified dealers for providing certain shareholder services. The amount remaining for each share class, if any, may be used for distribution expenses.

The 12b-1 fees paid by each applicable share class of the fund, as a percentage of average net assets for the previous fiscal year (or, for Class R-2E shares only, based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year), are indicated in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table on page 1 of this prospectus. Since these fees are paid out of the fund’s assets on an ongoing basis, over time they may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges or service fees and reduce the return on your investment. The higher fees for Class B and C shares may cost you more over time than paying the initial sales charge for Class A shares.

Other compensation to dealers

American Funds Distributors, at its expense, provides additional compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the discretion of American Funds

New World Fund / Prospectus     30


 
 

 

Distributors, to the top 100 dealers (or their affiliates) that have sold shares of the American Funds. A number of factors will be considered in determining payments, including the qualifying dealer’s sales, assets and positive cash flows, and the quality of the dealer’s relationship with American Funds Distributors. The payment will be determined using a formula applied consistently to dealers based on the relevant facts and circumstances. The level of payments made to a qualifying firm in any given year will vary and (excluding payments for meetings as described below) will represent the sum of (a) up to .10% of the previous year’s American Funds sales by that dealer and (b) up to .02% of American Funds assets attributable to that dealer, with an adjustment made for the dealer’s positive cash flows and the quality of the dealer’s relationship with American Funds Distributors. For calendar year 2014, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers were less than .02% of the average assets of the American Funds. Aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers may also change from year to year. American Funds Distributors makes these payments to help defray the costs incurred by qualifying dealers in connection with efforts to educate financial advisors 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.

Firms receiving additional compensation payments must sign a letter acknowledging the purpose of the payment and American Funds Distributors’ goal that the payment will help facilitate education of the firm’s financial advisors about the American Funds to help the advisors make suitable recommendations and better serve their clients who invest in the funds. The letters generally require the firms to (1) have significant assets invested in the American Funds, (2) perform the due diligence necessary to classify the American Funds as “approved” or “preferred” (or an equivalent) on their platform, (3) not provide financial advisors, branch managers or associated persons with any financial incentives to promote the sales of one approved fund group over another approved group, (4) provide individual advice to their clients through financial advisors, (5) provide American Funds Distributors broad access to their financial advisors and product platforms and develop a business plan to achieve such access, and (6) work with the fund’s transfer agent to promote operational efficiencies and to facilitate necessary communication between the American Funds and the firm’s clients who own shares of the American Funds.

American Funds Distributors may also pay expenses associated with meetings and other training and educational opportunities conducted by selling dealers, advisory platform providers and other intermediaries to facilitate educating financial advisors and shareholders about the American Funds. For example, some of these expenses may include, but not be limited to, meeting sponsor fees, meeting location fees, and fees to obtain lists of financial advisors to better tailor training and education opportunities.

If investment advisers, distributors or other affiliates of mutual funds pay additional compensation or other incentives to investment dealers in differing amounts, dealer firms and their advisors may have financial incentives for recommending a particular mutual fund over other mutual funds or investments. You should consult with your financial advisor and review carefully any disclosure by your financial advisor’s firm as to compensation received.

31     New World Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Fund expenses

Note that references to Class A, B, C and F-1 shares in this “Fund expenses” section do not include the corresponding Class 529 shares.

In periods of market volatility, assets of the fund may decline significantly, causing total annual fund operating expenses (as a percentage of the value of your investment) to become higher than the numbers shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table on page 1 of this prospectus.

For all share classes except Class B shares, “Other expenses” items in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in this prospectus include fees for administrative services provided by the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliates. Administrative services include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders. The fund's investment adviser receives an administrative services fee at the annual rate of .01% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class A shares and .05% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class C, F, R and 529 shares for its provision of administrative services.

The “Other expenses” items in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table also include custodial, legal, transfer agent and subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments and various other expenses applicable to all share classes.

Retail investors Subtransfer agent/recordkeeping payments may be made to third parties (including affiliates of the fund’s investment adviser) that provide subtransfer agent, recordkeeping and/or shareholder services with respect to certain shareholder accounts in lieu of the transfer agent providing such services. The amount paid for subtransfer agent/recordkeeping services varies depending on the share class and services provided, and typically ranges from $3 to $19 per account. For Class 529 shares, an expense of up to a maximum of .10% paid to a state or states for oversight and administrative services is included as an “Other expenses” item.

Employer-sponsored retirement plan investors The amount paid for subtransfer agent/ recordkeeping services varies depending on the share class selected and the entity receiving the payments. The table below shows the maximum payments to entities providing these services to retirement plans.

     
  Payments to affiliated entities Payments to unaffiliated entities
Class A 0.05% of assets or
$12 per participant position 1
0.05% of assets or
$12 per participant position 1
Class R-1 0.10% of assets 0.10% of assets
Class R-2 0.15% of assets plus $27 per participant position 2 or 0.35% of assets 3 0.25% of assets
Class R-2E N/A 0.20% of assets
Class R-3 0.10% of assets plus $12 per participant position 2 or 0.19% of assets 3 0.15% of assets
Class R-4 0.10% of assets 0.10% of assets
Class R-5E N/A 0.15% of assets
Class R-5 0.05% of assets 0.05% of assets
Class R-6 none none

 

1 Payment amount depends on the date services commenced.

2 Payment with respect to Recordkeeper Direct program.

3 Payment with respect to PlanPremier program.

New World Fund / Prospectus     32


 
 

 

Financial highlights

The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s results for the past five fiscal years (and for the six months ended April 30, 2015). 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 information in the Financial Highlights table has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP (except for the six months ended April 30, 2015), whose current report, along with the fund’s financial statements, is included in the statement of additional information, which is available upon request. The information for the six-month period presented has been derived from the fund’s unaudited financial statements and includes all adjustments that management considers necessary for a fair presentation of such information for the period presented.

                         
    Income (loss) from investment operations 1 Dividends and distributions          
  Net
asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss) 2

Net (losses)

gains on
securities
(both
realized
and
unrealized)

Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from
capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return 3,4
Net
assets,
end of
period
(in
millions)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
Ratio
of net
income (loss) to
average
net assets 2
Class A:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 $59.28 $ .19 $ (.05) $ .14 $(.49) $(2.63) $(3.12) $56.30 .49% $12,963 1.05% 7 .68% 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 59.37 .76 .33 1.09 (.57) (.61) (1.18) 59.28 1.86 13,217 1.03 1.28
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.44 .66 6.98 7.64 (.71)  — (.71) 59.37 14.71 13,221 1.06 1.20
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.61 .73 2.86 3.59 (.76)  — (.76) 52.44 7.43 11,755 1.07 1.47
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.58 .71 (4.90) (4.19) (.78)  — (.78) 49.61 (7.80) 11,945 1.02 1.33
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.76 .77 9.62 10.39 (.57)  — (.57) 54.58 23.43 13,335 1.04 1.60
Class B:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 58.30 (.04) (.01) (.05) (2.63) (2.63) 55.62 .13 86 1.82 7 (.16) 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 58.31 .30 .32 .62 (.02) (.61) (.63) 58.30 1.07 121 1.79 .51
Year ended 10/31/2013 51.45 .23 6.87 7.10 (.24)  — (.24) 58.31 13.85 192 1.83 .43
Year ended 10/31/2012 48.55 .33 2.84 3.17 (.27)  — (.27) 51.45 6.61 237 1.84 .68
Year ended 10/31/2011 53.42 .28 (4.79) (4.51) (.36)  — (.36) 48.55 (8.51) 304 1.80 .54
Year ended 10/31/2010 43.87 .38 9.43 9.81 (.26)  — (.26) 53.42 22.48 417 1.82 .81
 
33     New World Fund / Prospectus

 


 
 

 

                                   
    Income (loss) from investment operations 1 Dividends and distributions          
  Net
asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss) 2

Net (losses)

gains on
securities
(both
realized
and
unrealized)

Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from
capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return 3,4
Net
assets,
end of
period
(in
millions)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
Ratio
of net
income (loss) to
average
net assets 2
Class C:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 $57.18 $(.04) $ (.03) $ (.07) $(.02) $(2.63) $(2.65) $54.46 .10% $ 998 1.85% 7 (.13)% 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 57.34 .27 .32 .59 (.14) (.61) (.75) 57.18 1.04 1,047 1.84 .47
Year ended 10/31/2013 50.67 .21 6.75 6.96 (.29)  — (.29) 57.34 13.80 1,052 1.87 .39
Year ended 10/31/2012 47.91 .32 2.78 3.10 (.34)  — (.34) 50.67 6.57 938 1.87 .66
Year ended 10/31/2011 52.80 .29 (4.74) (4.45) (.44)  — (.44) 47.91 (8.51) 1,007 1.79 .56
Year ended 10/31/2010 43.43 .39 9.31 9.70 (.33)  — (.33) 52.80 22.51 1,128 1.82 .83
Class F—1:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 58.83 .19 (.04) .15 (.42) (2.63) (3.05) 55.93 .52 1,776 1.03 7 .70 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 58.96 .79 .29 1.08 (.60) (.61) (1.21) 58.83 1.87 1,791 1.02 1.34
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.09 .67 6.93 7.60 (.73)  — (.73) 58.96 14.75 2,802 1.03 1.21
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.28 .75 2.83 3.58 (.77)  — (.77) 52.09 7.47 2,052 1.03 1.51
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.23 .71 (4.86) (4.15) (.80)  — (.80) 49.28 (7.78) 1,816 1.02 1.34
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.51 .77 9.55 10.32 (.60)  — (.60) 54.23 23.43 1,884 1.04 1.61
Class F—2:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 59.34 .27 (.05) .22 (.68) (2.63) (3.31) 56.25 .64 3,854 .76 7 .98 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 59.46 .90 .34 1.24 (.75) (.61) (1.36) 59.34 2.12 3,624 .75 1.51
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.53 .85 6.97 7.82 (.89)  — (.89) 59.46 15.06 1,673 .76 1.52
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.71 .88 2.85 3.73 (.91)  — (.91) 52.53 7.77 1,106 .77 1.77
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.68 .86 (4.91) (4.05) (.92)  — (.92) 49.71 (7.54) 923 .76 1.61
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.86 .91 9.63 10.54 (.72)  — (.72) 54.68 23.77 829 .76 1.89
Class 529—A:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 58.81 .17 (.04) .13 (.46) (2.63) (3.09) 55.85 .47 787 1.11 7 .61 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 58.92 .71 .33 1.04 (.54) (.61) (1.15) 58.81 1.79 793 1.10 1.21
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.06 .62 6.93 7.55 (.69)  — (.69) 58.92 14.65 776 1.12 1.14
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.29 .70 2.83 3.53 (.76)  — (.76) 52.06 7.36 664 1.13 1.42
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.24 .69 (4.87) (4.18) (.77)  — (.77) 49.29 (7.81) 602 1.06 1.30
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.51 .75 9.55 10.30 (.57)  — (.57) 54.24 23.37 555 1.08 1.57
(The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.)                  
 
New World Fund / Prospectus     34

 


 
 

 

                         
    Income (loss) from investment operations 1 Dividends and distributions          
  Net
asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss) 2

Net (losses)

gains on
securities
(both
realized
and
unrealized)

Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from
capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return 3,4
Net
assets,
end of
period
(in
millions)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
Ratio
of net
income (loss) to
average
net assets 2
Class 529—B:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 $57.75 $(.07) $ (.01) $ (.08) $(2.63) $(2.63) $55.04 .06% $ 11 1.93% 7 (.25)% 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 57.81 .23 .32 .55 (.61) (.61) 57.75 .97 14 1.91 .40
Year ended 10/31/2013 51.01 .18 6.80 6.98 (.18)  — (.18) 57.81 13.72 21 1.93 .33
Year ended 10/31/2012 48.17 .28 2.82 3.10 (.26)  — (.26) 51.01 6.50 26 1.94 .58
Year ended 10/31/2011 53.02 .24 (4.76) (4.52) (.33)  — (.33) 48.17 (8.58) 33 1.88 .46
Year ended 10/31/2010 43.57 .34 9.37 9.71 (.26)  — (.26) 53.02 22.38 42 1.90 .73
Class 529—C:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 57.25 (.05) (.02) (.07) (2.63) (2.63) 54.55 .09 169 1.91 7 (.18) 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 57.42 .24 .31 .55 (.11) (.61) (.72) 57.25 .96 175 1.90 .41
Year ended 10/31/2013 50.77 .18 6.76 6.94 (.29)  — (.29) 57.42 13.74 174 1.92 .34
Year ended 10/31/2012 48.05 .29 2.79 3.08 (.36)  — (.36) 50.77 6.51 150 1.94 .60
Year ended 10/31/2011 52.98 .25 (4.76) (4.51) (.42)  — (.42) 48.05 (8.58) 142 1.88 .49
Year ended 10/31/2010 43.57 .36 9.35 9.71 (.30)  — (.30) 52.98 22.39 129 1.89 .76
Class 529—E:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 58.32 .10 (.03) .07 (.32) (2.63) (2.95) 55.44 .37 37 1.34 7 .38 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 58.45 .57 .32 .89 (.41) (.61) (1.02) 58.32 1.54 38 1.33 .97
Year ended 10/31/2013 51.65 .50 6.87 7.37 (.57)  — (.57) 58.45 14.37 38 1.36 .91
Year ended 10/31/2012 48.87 .57 2.82 3.39 (.61)  — (.61) 51.65 7.10 32 1.38 1.16
Year ended 10/31/2011 53.81 .53 (4.83) (4.30) (.64)  — (.64) 48.87 (8.10) 30 1.35 1.00
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.19 .60 9.49 10.09 (.47)  — (.47) 53.81 23.01 29 1.38 1.27
Class 529—F—1:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 58.89 .23 (.05) .18 (.58) (2.63) (3.21) 55.86 .58 49 .90 7 .83 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 59.00 .83 .32 1.15 (.65) (.61) (1.26) 58.89 1.99 49 .89 1.41
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.13 .74 6.93 7.67 (.80)  — (.80) 59.00 14.87 44 .92 1.34
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.36 .80 2.83 3.63 (.86)  — (.86) 52.13 7.59 34 .93 1.62
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.31 .79 (4.88) (4.09) (.86)  — (.86) 49.36 (7.65) 28 .87 1.50
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.55 .85 9.56 10.41 (.65)  — (.65) 54.31 23.63 26 .88 1.77
 
35     New World Fund / Prospectus

 


 
 

 

                                   
    Income (loss) from investment operations 1 Dividends and distributions          
  Net
asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss) 2

Net (losses)

gains on
securities
(both
realized
and
unrealized)

Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from
capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return 3,4
Net
assets,
end of
period
(in
millions)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
Ratio
of net
income (loss) to
average
net assets 2
Class R—1:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 $57.35 $(.02) $ (.03) $ (.05) $(.05) $(2.63) $(2.68) $54.62 .13% $ 34 1.81% 7 (.09)% 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 57.51 .30 .31 .61 (.16) (.61) (.77) 57.35 1.07 37 1.79 .52
Year ended 10/31/2013 50.76 .24 6.78 7.02 (.27)  — (.27) 57.51 13.89 36 1.79 .46
Year ended 10/31/2012 47.98 .34 2.79 3.13 (.35)  — (.35) 50.76 6.61 33 1.83 .70
Year ended 10/31/2011 52.87 .28 (4.75) (4.47) (.42)  — (.42) 47.98 (8.53) 41 1.82 .53
Year ended 10/31/2010 43.51 .38 9.33 9.71 (.35)  — (.35) 52.87 22.44 44 1.85 .80
Class R—2:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 57.33 (.02) (.03) (.05) (.05) (2.63) (2.68) 54.60 .14 353 1.78 7 (.06) 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 57.49 .29 .32 .61 (.16) (.61) (.77) 57.33 1.07 364 1.79 .51
Year ended 10/31/2013 50.80 .26 6.77 7.03 (.34)  — (.34) 57.49 13.90 370 1.78 .48
Year ended 10/31/2012 48.04 .34 2.79 3.13 (.37)  — (.37) 50.80 6.60 338 1.83 .71
Year ended 10/31/2011 52.91 .29 (4.75) (4.46) (.41)  — (.41) 48.04 (8.49) 333 1.80 .55
Year ended 10/31/2010 43.50 .37 9.33 9.70 (.29)  — (.29) 52.91 22.45 364 1.84 .80
Class R—2E:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 59.26 .09 (.06) .03 (.67) (2.63) (3.30) 55.99 .31 8 9 1.44 7,8 .31 7,8
Period from 8/29/2014 to 10/31/2014 6,10 61.11 .01 (1.86) (1.85)  — 59.26 (3.04) 8 9 .22 3,8 .01 3,8
Class R—3:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 58.44 .11 (.03) .08 (.34) (2.63) (2.97) 55.55 .37 502 1.33 7 .40 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 58.58 .57 .32 .89 (.42) (.61) (1.03) 58.44 1.53 495 1.32 .97
Year ended 10/31/2013 51.76 .51 6.89 7.40 (.58)  — (.58) 58.58 14.41 472 1.34 .92
Year ended 10/31/2012 48.97 .58 2.82 3.40 (.61)  — (.61) 51.76 7.12 414 1.36 1.18
Year ended 10/31/2011 53.91 .53 (4.84) (4.31) (.63)  — (.63) 48.97 (8.09) 395 1.35 1.00
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.29 .61 9.50 10.11 (.49)  — (.49) 53.91 23.01 398 1.38 1.28
(The Financial Highlights table continues on the following page.)                  
 
New World Fund / Prospectus     36

 


 
 

 

                         
    Income (loss) from investment operations 1 Dividends and distributions          
  Net
asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income (loss) 2

Net (losses)

gains on
securities
(both
realized
and
unrealized)

Total from
investment
operations
Dividends
(from net
investment
income)
Distributions
(from
capital
gains)
Total
dividends
and
distributions
Net
asset
value,
end of
period
Total
return 3,4
Net
assets,
end of
period
(in
millions)
Ratio of
expenses
to average
net assets
Ratio
of net
income (loss) to
average
net assets 2
Class R—4:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 $59.06 $.20 $ (.04) $ .16 $(.53) $(2.63) $(3.16) $56.06 .54% $ 481 1.01% 7 .73% 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 59.19 .78 .31 1.09 (.61) (.61) (1.22) 59.06 1.87 471 1.00 1.31
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.29 .69 6.96 7.65 (.75)  — (.75) 59.19 14.79 369 1.01 1.26
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.46 .76 2.85 3.61 (.78)  — (.78) 52.29 7.50 292 1.01 1.53
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.43 .71 (4.89) (4.18) (.79)  — (.79) 49.46 (7.80) 258 1.01 1.34
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.68 .78 9.59 10.37 (.62)  — (.62) 54.43 23.46 268 1.03 1.63
Class R—5:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 59.56 .29 (.05) .24 (.69) (2.63) (3.32) 56.48 .68 438 .70 7 1.04 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 59.66 .98 .30 1.28 (.77) (.61) (1.38) 59.56 2.19 407 .69 1.64
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.68 .87 7.01 7.88 (.90)  — (.90) 59.66 15.14 477 .70 1.56
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.85 .91 2.86 3.77 (.94)  — (.94) 52.68 7.81 383 .72 1.82
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.81 .84 (4.88) (4.04) (.92)  — (.92) 49.85 (7.50) 363 .71 1.57
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.94 .91 9.66 10.57 (.70)  — (.70) 54.81 23.79 554 .74 1.90
Class R—6:                        
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6 59.47 .30 (.05) .25 (.73) (2.63) (3.36) 56.36 .70 1,794 .66 7 1.09 7
Year ended 10/31/2014 59.58 .98 .32 1.30 (.80) (.61) (1.41) 59.47 2.22 1,640 .65 1.64
Year ended 10/31/2013 52.61 .89 7.01 7.90 (.93)  — (.93) 59.58 15.19 1,043 .65 1.60
Year ended 10/31/2012 49.80 .94 2.84 3.78 (.97)  — (.97) 52.61 7.87 630 .66 1.89
Year ended 10/31/2011 54.76 .90 (4.91) (4.01) (.95)  — (.95) 49.80 (7.46) 426 .66 1.70
Year ended 10/31/2010 44.85 .94 9.65 10.59 (.68)  — (.68) 54.76 23.89 327 .68 1.96
 
37     New World Fund / Prospectus

 


 
 

 

             
  Six months ended
April 30
Year ended October 31
  2015 3,5,6 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes 19% 32% 36% 25% 25% 20%

1  Based on average shares outstanding.

2  For the year ended October 31, 2014, this column reflects the impact of a corporate action event that resulted in a one-time increase to net investment income. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the Class A net investment income per share and ratio of net income to average net assets would have been lower by $.19 and .31 percentage points, respectively. The impact to the other share classes would have been similar.

3  Not annualized.

4  Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.

5  Unaudited.

6  Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.

7  Annualized.

8  Although the fund has a plan of distribution for Class R-2E shares, fees for distribution services are not paid by the fund on accounts for which a broker-dealer (or other financial intermediary) has not been assigned, including amounts invested in the fund by Capital Research and Management Company and/or its affiliates. If fees for distribution services were charged on these assets, fund expenses would be higher and net income and total return would be lower.

9  Amount less than $1 million.

10  Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.

 
New World Fund / Prospectus     38

 


 
 

 

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

Multiple translations  This prospectus may be translated into other languages. If there is any inconsistency or ambiguity as to the meaning of any word or phrase in a translation, the English text will prevail. Liability is not limited as a result of any material misstatement or omission introduced in the translation.

Annual/Semi-annual report to shareholders  The shareholder reports contain additional information about the fund, including financial statements, investment results, portfolio holdings, a discussion of market conditions and the fund’s investment strategies, and the independent registered public accounting firm’s report (in the annual report).

Program description  The CollegeAmerica ® 529 program description contains additional information about the policies and services related to 529 plan accounts.

Statement of additional information (SAI) and codes of ethics  The current SAI, as amended from time to time, contains more detailed information about the fund, including the fund’s financial statements, and is incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This means that the current SAI, for legal purposes, is part of this prospectus. The codes of ethics describe the personal investing policies adopted by the fund, the fund’s investment adviser and its affiliated companies.

The codes of ethics and current SAI are on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These and other related materials about the fund are available for review or to be copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C., (202) 551-8090, on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at sec.gov or, after payment of a duplicating fee, via email request to publicinfo@sec.gov or by writing to the SEC’s Public Reference Section, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. The codes of ethics, current SAI and shareholder reports are also available, free of charge, on our website, americanfunds.com.

E-delivery and household mailings  Each year you are automatically sent an updated summary prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports for the fund. You may also occasionally receive proxy statements for the fund. In order to reduce the volume of mail you receive, when possible, only one copy of these documents will be sent to shareholders who are part of the same family and share the same household address. You may elect to receive these documents electronically in lieu of paper form by enrolling in e-delivery on our website, americanfunds.com.

If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics, annual/semi-annual report to shareholders or applicable program description, please call American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225 or write to the secretary of the fund at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071-1406.

Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC)  Shareholders may obtain information about SIPC ® on its website at sipc.org or by calling (202) 371-8300.

   
 
MFGEPRX-036-1115P Litho in USA CGD/ALD/8017 Investment Company File No. 811-09105


 

 

 
 

 

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

 

/s/ MICHAEL W. STOCKTON
  MICHAEL W. STOCKTON
  SECRETARY

 

 

 
 

 

New World Fund, Inc. ®

Part B
Statement of Additional Information

November 1, 2015

This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus of New World Fund, Inc. (the “fund”) dated November 1, 2015. You may obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor, by calling American Funds Service Company ® at (800) 421-4225 or by writing to the fund at the following address:

New World Fund, Inc.
Attention: Secretary

333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071

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 advisor, investment dealer, plan recordkeeper or employer for more information.

           
Class A NEWFX Class 529-A CNWAX Class R-1 RNWAX
Class B NEWBX Class 529-B CNWBX Class R-2 RNWBX
Class C NEWCX Class 529-C CNWCX Class R-2E RNEBX
Class F-1 NWFFX Class 529-E CNWEX Class R-3 RNWCX
Class F-2 NFFFX Class 529-F-1 CNWFX Class R-4 RNWEX
 
        Class R-5E RNWHX
 
        Class R-5 RNWFX
        Class R-6 RNWGX

Table of Contents

Item Page no.
Certain investment limitations and guidelines 2
Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks 3
Fund policies 17
Management of the fund 19
Execution of portfolio transactions 46
Disclosure of portfolio holdings 49
Price of shares 51
Taxes and distributions 54
Purchase and exchange of shares 57
Sales charges 62
Sales charge reductions and waivers 65
Selling shares 70
Shareholder account services and privileges 71
General information 74
Appendix 83
Investment portfolio  
Financial statements  

 

New World Fund — Page 1


 
 

 

 

Certain investment limitations and guidelines

The following limitations and guidelines are considered at the time of purchase, under normal circumstances, and are based on a percentage of the fund’s net assets unless otherwise noted. This summary is not intended to reflect all of the fund’s investment limitations.

General

·  The fund will invest at least 35% of its assets in equity and debt securities of issuers based primarily in qualified countries with developing economies and/or markets. The prospectus contains information on factors considered in determining whether a country is qualified, as well as information on the qualified developing countries in which the fund may currently invest.

·  In determining the domicile of an issuer, the fund’s investment adviser will consider the domicile determination of a leading provider of global indexes, such as Morgan Stanley Capital International, and may also take into account such factors as where the issuer’s securities are listed and where the issuer is legally organized, maintains principal corporate offices, conducts its principal operations and/or generates revenues.

Equity securities

·  The fund may invest its assets in equity securities of any company, regardless of where it is based, if the fund’s investment adviser determines that a significant portion of its assets or revenues (generally 20% or more) is attributable to developing countries.

Debt instruments

·  The fund may invest up to 25% of its assets in nonconvertible debt securities, including government bonds and securities rated Ba1 or below and BB+ or below by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality, of issuers primarily based in qualified countries with developing economies and/or markets, or of issuers that the fund’s investment adviser determines have a significant portion of their assets or revenues (generally 20% or more) attributable to developing countries. The fund will generally purchase debt securities considered consistent with its objective of long-term capital appreciation. The fund currently intends to look to the ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Fitch Ratings. If rating agencies differ, securities will be considered to have received the highest of these ratings, consistent with the fund's investment policies.

* * * * * *

The fund may experience difficulty liquidating certain portfolio securities during significant market declines or periods of heavy redemptions.

New World Fund — Page 2


 
 

 

 

Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks

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 and may also include securities with equity conversion or purchase rights. The prices of equity securities fluctuate based on, among other things, events specific to their issuers and market, economic and other conditions. For example, prices of these securities can be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) relating to the security or other assets or indices. Holders of equity securities are not creditors of the issuer. If an issuer liquidates, holders of equity securities are entitled to their pro rata share of the issuer’s assets, if any, after creditors (including the holders of fixed income securities and senior equity securities) are paid.

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 particularly in the case of smaller capitalization stocks.

Investing in smaller capitalization stocks — The fund may invest in the stocks of smaller capitalization companies (typically companies with market capitalizations of $4.0 billion and below at the time of purchase). 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 operating histories, limited markets or financial resources, may be dependent on one or a few key persons for management 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.

Investing outside the U.S. — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers are domiciled, operate or generate revenue. These issuers may also be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes that could adversely impact revenues. To the extent the fund invests in securities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, these securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholdings taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.

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

New World Fund — Page 3


 
 

 

certain expenses in connection with its currency transactions. Furthermore, increased custodian costs may be associated with maintaining assets in certain jurisdictions.

Investing in developing countries — Investing in developing countries may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in the securities markets of developed countries. For instance, developing countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems than those in developed countries. The governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or impose punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.

Although there is no universally accepted definition, the investment adviser generally considers a developing country to be 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, and would include markets commonly referred to as “frontier markets.”

Certain risk factors related to developing countries

Currency fluctuations — Certain developing countries’ currencies have experienced and in the future may experience significant declines against the U.S. dollar. For example, if the U.S. dollar appreciates against foreign currencies, the value of the fund’s developing countries securities holdings would generally depreciate and vice versa. Further, the fund may lose money due to losses and other expenses incurred in converting various currencies to purchase and sell securities valued in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, as well as from currency restrictions, exchange control regulation and currency devaluations.

Government regulation — Certain developing countries lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting and disclosure standards, have less governmental supervision of financial markets than in the United States, and do not honor legal rights enjoyed in the United States. Certain governments may be more unstable and present greater risks of nationalization or restrictions on foreign ownership of local companies. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some developing countries. While the fund will only invest in markets where these restrictions are considered acceptable by the investment adviser, a country could impose new or additional repatriation restrictions after the fund’s investment. If this happened, the fund’s response might include, among other things, applying to the appropriate authorities for a waiver of the restrictions or engaging in transactions in other markets designed to offset the risks of decline in that country. Such restrictions will be considered in relation to the fund’s liquidity needs and other factors. Further, some attractive equity securities may not be available to the fund due to foreign shareholders already holding the maximum amount legally permissible.

While government involvement in the private sector varies in degree among developing countries, such involvement may in some cases include government ownership of companies in certain sectors, wage and price controls or imposition of trade barriers and other protectionist measures. With respect to any developing country, there is no guarantee that some future economic or political crisis will not lead to price controls, forced mergers of

New World Fund — Page 4


 
 

 

companies, expropriation, or creation of government monopolies to the possible detriment of the fund’s investments.

Fluctuations in inflation rates — Rapid fluctuations in inflation rates may have negative impacts on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries.

Less developed securities markets — Developing countries may have less well-developed securities markets and exchanges. These markets have lower trading volumes than the securities markets of more developed countries and may be unable to respond effectively to increases in trading volume. Consequently, these markets may be substantially less liquid than those of more developed countries, and the securities of issuers located in these markets may have limited marketability. These factors may make prompt liquidation of substantial portfolio holdings difficult or impossible at times.

Settlement risks — Settlement systems in developing countries are generally less well organized than those of developed markets. Supervisory authorities may also be unable to apply standards comparable to those in developed markets. Thus, there may be risks that settlement may be delayed and that cash or securities belonging to the fund may be in jeopardy because of failures of or defects in the systems. In particular, market practice may require that payment be made before receipt of the security being purchased or that delivery of a security be made before payment is received. In such cases, default by a broker or bank (the “counterparty”) through whom the transaction is effected might cause the fund to suffer a loss. The fund will seek, where possible, to use counterparties whose financial status is such that this risk is reduced. However, there can be no certainty that the fund will be successful in eliminating this risk, particularly as counterparties operating in developing countries frequently lack the standing or financial resources of those in developed countries. There may also be a danger that, because of uncertainties in the operation of settlement systems in individual markets, competing claims may arise with respect to securities held by or to be transferred to the fund.

Insufficient market information — The fund may encounter problems assessing investment opportunities in certain developing countries in light of limitations on available information and different accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards. In such circumstances, the fund’s investment adviser will seek alternative sources of information, and to the extent the investment adviser is not satisfied with the sufficiency of the information obtained with respect to a particular market or security, the fund will not invest in such market or security.

Taxation — Taxation of dividends, interest and capital gains received by the fund varies among developing countries and, in some cases, is comparatively high. In addition, developing countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that the fund could become subject in the future to local tax liability that it had not reasonably anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets.

Litigation — The fund and its shareholders may encounter substantial difficulties in obtaining and enforcing judgments against individuals residing outside of the U.S. and companies domiciled outside of the U.S.

Fraudulent securities — Securities purchased by the fund may subsequently be found to be fraudulent or counterfeit, resulting in a loss to the fund.

Investing through Stock Connect — The fund may invest in China A-shares of certain Chinese companies listed and traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (“SSE”) through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect Program (“Stock Connect”). Stock Connect is a securities trading and clearing

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program developed by the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, the SSE and the China Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation Limited. Stock Connect facilitates foreign investment in the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) via brokers in Hong Kong. Investors through Stock Connect are subject to PRC regulations and SSE listing rules, among others. These could include limitations on trading or suspension of trading. These regulations are relatively new, untested and subject to changes which could adversely impact the fund’s rights with respect to the securities. As Stock Connect is new there are no assurances that the necessary systems to run the program will function properly.

Stock Connect is subject to aggregate and daily quota limitations on purchases and the fund may experience delays in transacting via Stock Connect. Once the daily quota is reached, the remaining orders for that day are rejected. A-shares obtained on Stock Connect may only be sold, purchased or otherwise transferred through Stock Connect. Stock Connect only operates when both PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banking services are available in both markets for the corresponding settlement dates. The fund’s shares are held in an omnibus account and registered in nominee name. The fund may have additional risks relating to investments in China, for example, through purchases in H shares of Chinese companies listed on the Hong Kong Exchange or as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) purchasing A shares in China. Please see the sections on risks relating to investing outside of the United States and risks of investing in developing countries for further information.

Synthetic local access instruments — Participation notes, market access warrants and other similar structured products (collectively, “synthetic local access instruments”) are instruments used by investors to obtain exposure to equity investments in local markets, such as in China and Saudi Arabia, where direct ownership by foreign investors is not permitted or is otherwise restricted by local law. Synthetic local access instruments, which are generally structured and sold over-the-counter by a local branch of a bank or broker-dealer that is permitted to purchase equity securities in the local market, are designed to replicate exposure to one or more underlying equity securities. The price and performance of a synthetic local access instrument are normally intended to track the price and performance of the underlying equity assets as closely as possible. However, there can be no assurance that the results of synthetic local access instruments will replicate exactly the performance of the underlying securities due to transaction costs, taxes and other fees and expenses. The holder of a synthetic local access instrument may also be entitled to receive any dividends paid in connection with the underlying equity assets, but usually does not receive voting rights as it would if such holder directly owned the underlying assets.

Investments in synthetic local access instruments involve the same risks associated with a direct investment in the shares of the companies the instruments seek to replicate, including, in particular, the risks associated with investing outside the United States. Synthetic local access instruments also involve risks that are in addition to the risks normally associated with a direct investment in the underlying equity securities. For instance, synthetic local access instruments represent unsecured, unsubordinated contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them. Consequently, a purchaser of a synthetic local access instrument relies on the creditworthiness of such a bank or broker-dealer counterparty and has no rights under the instrument against the issuer of the underlying equity securities. Additionally, there is no guarantee that a liquid market for a synthetic local access instrument will exist or that the issuer of the instrument will be willing to repurchase the instrument when an investor wishes to sell it.

Loan assignments and participations — The fund may invest in loans or other forms of indebtedness that represent interests in amounts owed by corporations or other borrowers (collectively "borrowers"). The investment adviser defines debt securities to include investments in loans, such as loan assignments and participations. Most corporate loans are variable or floating rate obligations.

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Some loans may represent revolving credit facilities or delayed funding loans, in which a lender agrees to make loans up to a maximum amount upon demand by the borrower during a specified term. These commitments may have the effect of requiring the fund to increase its investment in a company at a time when it might not otherwise decide to do so (including at a time when the company’s financial condition makes it unlikely that such amounts will be repaid). To the extent that the fund is committed to advance additional funds, the fund will segregate assets determined to be liquid in an amount sufficient to meet such commitments.

Some loans may represent debtor-in-possession financings (commonly known as “DIP financings”). DIP financings are arranged when an entity seeks the protections of the bankruptcy court under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. These financings allow the entity to continue its business operations while reorganizing under Chapter 11. Such financings constitute senior liens on unencumbered collateral (i.e., collateral not subject to other creditors’ claims). There is a risk that the entity will not emerge from Chapter 11 and be forced to liquidate its assets under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In the event of liquidation, the fund’s only recourse will be against the collateral securing the DIP financing.

The fund normally acquires loan obligations through an assignment from another lender, but may also acquire loan obligations by purchasing a participation interest from a lender or other holder of the interest. When the fund purchases assignments, it acquires direct contractual rights against the borrower on the loan. The fund acquires the right to receive principal and interest payments directly from the borrower and to enforce its rights as a lender directly against the borrower. However, because assignments are arranged through private negotiations between potential assignees and potential assignors, the rights and obligations acquired by a fund as the purchaser of an assignment may differ from, and be more limited than, those held by the assigning lender. Loan assignments are often administered by a financial institution that acts as agent for the holders of the loan, and the fund may be required to receive approval from the agent and/or borrower prior to the purchase of a loan. Risks may also arise due to the ability of the agent to meet its obligations under the loan agreement.

Loan participations are loans or other direct debt instruments that are interests in amounts owed by the borrower to another party. The fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations, the fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement and may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the loan. As a result, the fund will be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling a participation, a fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.

Loan assignments and participations are generally subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and are not currently listed on any securities exchange or automatic quotation system. Risks may arise due to delayed settlements of loan assignments and participations. If there is no active secondary market for a particular loan, it may be difficult for the investment adviser to sell its interest in such loan at a price that is acceptable to it and to obtain pricing information on such loan.

Investments in loan participations and assignments present the possibility that the fund could be held liable as a co-lender under emerging legal theories of lender liability. In addition, if the loan is foreclosed, the fund could be part owner of any collateral and could bear the costs and liabilities of owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, some loan participations and assignments may not be rated by major rating agencies and may not be protected by securities laws.

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Currency transactions — The fund may enter into currency transactions to provide for the purchase or sale of a currency needed to purchase a security denominated in that currency (often referred to as a spot or cover transaction). The fund may also enter into forward currency contracts to protect against changes in currency exchange rates. A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. Although forward contracts entered into by the fund will typically involve the purchase or sale of a currency against the U.S. dollar, the fund also may purchase or sell one currency against another currency (other than the U.S. dollar).

Currency exchange rates generally are determined by forces of supply and demand in the foreign exchange markets and the relative merits of investment in different countries as viewed from an international perspective. Currency exchange rates can also be affected unpredictably by intervention by U.S. or foreign governments or central banks or by currency controls or political developments in the United States or abroad.

Generally, the fund will not attempt to protect against all potential changes in exchange rates and the use of forward contracts does not eliminate the risk of fluctuations in the prices of the underlying securities. If the value of the underlying securities declines or the amount of the fund’s commitment increases because of changes in exchange rates, the fund may need to provide additional cash or securities to satisfy its commitment under the forward contract. The fund is also subject to the risk that it may be delayed or prevented from obtaining payments owed to it under the forward contract as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty with which it entered into the forward contract or the failure of the counterparty to comply with the terms of the contract.

While entering into forward currency transactions could minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, it could also limit any potential gain that may result from an increase in the value of the currency. Entering into forward currency transactions may change the fund’s exposure to currency exchange rates and could result in losses to the fund if currencies do not perform as expected by the fund’s investment adviser. For example, if the fund’s investment adviser increases the fund’s exposure to a foreign currency using forward contracts and that foreign currency’s value declines, the fund may incur a loss. The fund will segregate liquid assets that will be marked to market daily to meet its forward contract commitments to the extent required by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward currency transactions also may affect the character and timing of income, gain, or loss recognized by the fund for U.S. tax purposes. The use of forward currency contracts could result in the application of the mark-to-market provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and may cause an increase (or decrease) in the amount of taxable dividends paid by the fund.

Warrants and rights — Warrants and rights may be acquired by the fund in connection with other securities or separately. Warrants generally entitle, but do not obligate, their holder to purchase other equity or fixed-income securities at a specified price at a later date. Rights are similar to warrants but typically have a shorter duration and are issued by a company to existing holders of its stock to provide those holders the right to purchase additional shares of stock at a later date. Warrants and rights do not carry with them the right to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities that they entitle their holder to purchase, and they do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. Additionally, a warrant or right ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. As a result, warrants and rights may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments. Changes in the value of a warrant or right do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant or right may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and they therefore present greater potential for capital appreciation and capital loss. The effective price paid for warrants or rights added to the subscription price of the related security may exceed the value of the subscribed security’s market price, such as when there is

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no movement in the price of the underlying security. The market for warrants or rights may be very limited and it may be difficult to sell them promptly at an acceptable price.

Depositary receipts — Depositary receipts are securities that evidence ownership interests in, and represent the right to receive, a security or a pool of securities that have been deposited with a bank or trust depository. The fund may invest in American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), and other similar securities. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a non-U.S. entity. For other depositary receipts, the depository may be a non-U.S. or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may be issued by a non-U.S. or a U.S. entity. Depositary receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs are issued in registered form, denominated in U.S. dollars, and designed for use in the U.S. securities markets. Other depositary receipts, such as EDRs and GDRs, may be issued in bearer form, may be denominated in either U.S. dollars or in non-U.S. currencies, and are primarily designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. ADRs, EDRs and GDRs can be sponsored by the issuing bank or trust company or the issuer of the underlying securities. Although the issuing bank or trust company may impose charges for the collection of dividends and the conversion of such securities into the underlying securities, generally no fees are imposed on the purchase or sale of these securities other than transaction fees ordinarily involved with trading stock. Such securities may be less liquid or may trade at a lower price than the underlying securities of the issuer. Additionally, the issuers of securities underlying depositary receipts may not be obligated to timely disclose information that is considered material under the securities laws of the United States. Therefore, less information may be available regarding these issuers than about the issuers of other securities and there may not be a correlation between such information and the market value of the depositary receipts.

Debt instruments — Debt securities, also known as “fixed-income securities,” are used by issuers to borrow money. Bonds, notes, debentures, asset-backed securities (including those backed by mortgages), and loan participations and assignments are common types of debt securities. Generally, issuers pay investors periodic interest and repay the amount borrowed either periodically during the life of the security and/or at maturity. Some debt securities, such as zero coupon bonds, do not pay current interest, but are purchased at a discount from their face values and their values accrete over time to face value at maturity. Some debt securities bear interest at rates that are not fixed, but that vary with changes in specified market rates or indices. The market prices of debt securities fluctuate depending on such factors as interest rates, credit quality and maturity. In general, market prices of debt securities decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. These fluctuations will generally be greater for longer-term debt securities than for shorter-term debt securities. Prices of these securities can also be affected by financial contracts held by the issuer or third parties (such as derivatives) relating to the security or other assets or indices.

Lower rated debt securities, rated Ba1/BB+ or below by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations, are described by the rating agencies as speculative and involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the issuer’s creditworthiness than higher rated debt securities, or they may already be in default. Such securities are sometimes referred to as “junk bonds” or high yield bonds. The market prices of these securities may fluctuate more than higher quality securities and may decline significantly in periods of general economic difficulty. It may be more difficult to dispose of, and to determine the value of, lower rated debt securities. Investment grade bonds in the ratings categories A or Baa/BBB also may be more susceptible to changes in market or economic conditions than bonds rated in the highest rating categories.

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 a period of rising interest rates, issuers that are

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highly leveraged may experience increased financial stress that could adversely affect their ability to meet projected business goals, to obtain additional financing and to service their principal and interest payment obligations. Periods of economic change and uncertainty also can be expected to result in increased volatility of market prices and yields of certain debt securities and derivative instruments. For example, during the financial crisis of 2007-2009, the Federal Reserve implemented a number of economic policies that impacted, and may continue to impact, interest rates and the market. These policies, as well as potential actions by governmental entities both in and outside of the U.S., may expose fixed-income markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain investments, which could cause the value of the fund’s portfolio to decline.

Payment expectations — Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a lower interest rate market, the fund may 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 reflect an evaluation of the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency’s view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect actual outcomes. There can be a lag between the time of developments relating to an issuer and the time a rating is assigned and updated. The investment adviser considers these ratings of securities as one of many criteria in making its investment decisions.

Bond rating agencies may assign modifiers (such as +/–) to ratings categories to signify the relative position of a credit within the rating category. Investment policies that are based on ratings categories should be read to include any security within that category, without giving consideration to the modifier except where otherwise provided. See the Appendix to this statement of additional information for more information about credit ratings.

Securities with equity and debt characteristics — Certain securities have a combination of equity and debt characteristics. Such securities may at times behave more like equity than debt or vice versa.

Preferred stock — Preferred stock represents an equity interest in an issuer that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to common stockholders and the holders of certain other stocks, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the issuer. Preferred stocks may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return, and preferred stock dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative and participating or non-participating. Cumulative dividend provisions require all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends can be paid to the issuer’s common stockholders, while prior unpaid dividends on non-cumulative preferred stock are forfeited. Participating preferred stock may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the issuer’s declared dividend in certain cases, while non-

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participating preferred stock is entitled only to the stipulated dividend. Preferred stock is subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. As with debt securities, the prices and yields of preferred stocks often move with changes in interest rates and the issuer’s credit quality. Additionally, a company’s preferred stock typically pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. Accordingly, the price of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the issuing company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred stock of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies.

Convertible securities — A convertible security is a debt obligation, preferred stock or other security that may be converted, within a specified period of time and at a stated conversion rate, into common stock or other equity securities of the same or a different issuer. The conversion may occur automatically upon the occurrence of a predetermined event or at the option of either the issuer or the security holder. Under certain circumstances, a convertible security may also be called for redemption or conversion by the issuer after a particular date and at predetermined price specified upon issue. If a convertible security held by the fund is called for redemption or conversion, the fund could be required to tender the security for redemption, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell it to a third party.

The holder of a convertible security is generally entitled to participate in the capital appreciation resulting from a market price increase in the issuer’s common stock and to receive interest paid or accrued until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities have characteristics similar to non-convertible debt or preferred securities, as applicable. Convertible securities rank senior to common stock in an issuer’s capital structure and, therefore, normally entail less risk than the issuer’s common stock. However, convertible securities may also be subordinate to any senior debt obligations of the issuer, and, therefore, an issuer’s convertible securities may entail more risk than such senior debt obligations. Convertible securities usually offer lower interest or dividend yields than non-convertible debt securities of similar credit quality because of the potential for capital appreciation. In addition, convertible securities are often lower-rated securities.

Because of the conversion feature, the price of a convertible security will normally fluctuate in some proportion to changes in the price of the underlying asset, and, accordingly, convertible securities are subject to risks relating to the activities of the issuer and/or general market and economic conditions. The income component of a convertible security may cushion the security against declines in the price of the underlying asset but may also cause the price of the security to fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and the credit quality of the issuer. As with a straight fixed-income security, the price of a convertible security tends to increase when interest rates decline and decrease when interest rates rise. Like the price of a common stock, the price of a convertible security also tends to increase as the price of the underlying stock rises and to decrease as the price of the underlying stock declines.

Hybrid securities — A hybrid security is a type of security that also has equity and debt characteristics. Like equities, which have no final maturity, a hybrid security may be perpetual. On the other hand, like debt securities, a hybrid security may be callable at the option of the issuer on a date specified at issue. Additionally, like common equities, which may stop paying dividends at virtually any time without violating any contractual terms or conditions, hybrids typically allow for issuers to withhold payment of interest until a later date or to suspend coupon payments entirely without triggering an event of default. Hybrid securities are normally at the bottom of an issuer’s debt capital structure because holders of an issuer’s hybrid securities are structurally subordinated to the issuer’s senior creditors. In bankruptcy, hybrid security holders should only get paid after all senior creditors of the issuer have been paid but

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before any disbursements are made to the issuer’s equity holders. Accordingly, hybrid securities may be more sensitive to economic changes than more senior debt securities. Such securities may also be viewed as more equity-like by the market when the issuer or its parent company experiences financial difficulties.

Contingent convertible or contingent capital securities are a form of hybrid security that are intended to either convert into equity or have their principal written down upon the occurrence of certain trigger events. One type of contingent convertible security has characteristics designed to absorb losses, where the liquidation value of the security may be adjusted downward to below the original par value or written off entirely under certain circumstances. For instance, if losses have eroded the issuer’s capital levels below a specified threshold, the liquidation value of the security may be reduced in whole or in part. The write-down of the security’s par value may occur automatically and would not entitle holders to institute bankruptcy proceedings against the issuer. In addition, an automatic write-down could result in a reduced income rate if the dividend or interest payment associated with the security is based on the security’s par value. Such securities may, but are not required to, provide for circumstances under which the liquidation value of the security may be adjusted back up to par, such as an improvement in capitalization or earnings. Another type of contingent convertible security provides for mandatory conversion of the security into common shares of the issuer under certain circumstances. The mandatory conversion might relate, for example, to the issuer’s failure to maintain a capital minimum. Since the common stock of the issuer may not pay a dividend, investors in such instruments could experience reduced yields (or no yields at all) and conversion would deepen the subordination of the investor, effectively worsening the investor’s standing in the case of an issuer’s insolvency. An automatic write-down or conversion event with respect to a contingent convertible security will typically be triggered by a reduction in the issuer’s capital level, but may also be triggered by regulatory actions, such as a change in regulatory capital requirements, or by other factors.

Obligations backed by the “full faith and credit” of the U.S. government — U.S. government obligations include the following types of securities:

U.S. Treasury securities — U.S. Treasury securities include direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds. For these securities, the payment of principal and interest is unconditionally guaranteed by the U.S. government, and thus they are of high credit quality. Such securities are subject to variations in market value due to fluctuations in interest rates and in government policies, but, if held to maturity, are expected to be paid in full (either at maturity or thereafter).

Federal agency securities — The securities of certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Such agencies and entities include, but are not limited to, the Federal Financing Bank (“FFB”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Veterans Administration (“VA”), the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), the Export-Import Bank (“Exim Bank”), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”), the Commodity Credit Corporation (“CCC”) and the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).

Other federal agency obligations — Additional federal agency securities are neither direct obligations of, nor guaranteed by, the U.S. government. These obligations include securities issued by certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities. However, they generally involve some form of federal sponsorship: some operate under a congressional charter; some are backed by collateral consisting of “full faith and credit” obligations as described above; 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: the Federal

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Home Loan Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Federal Farm Credit Bank System.

In 2008, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed into conservatorship by their new regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”). Simultaneously, the U.S. Treasury made a commitment of indefinite duration to maintain the positive net worth of both firms. As conservator, the FHFA has the authority to repudiate any contract either firm has entered into prior to the FHFA’s appointment as conservator (or receiver should either firm go into default) if the FHFA, in its sole discretion determines that performance of the contract is burdensome and repudiation would promote the orderly administration of Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s affairs. While the FHFA has indicated that it does not intend to repudiate the guaranty obligations of either entity, doing so could adversely affect holders of their mortgage-backed securities. For example, if a contract were repudiated, the liability for any direct compensatory damages would accrue to the entity’s conservatorship estate and could only be satisfied to the extent the estate had available assets. As a result, if interest payments on Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed securities held by the fund were reduced because underlying borrowers failed to make payments or such payments were not advanced by a loan servicer, the fund’s only recourse might be against the conservatorship estate, which might not have sufficient assets to offset any shortfalls.

The FHFA, in its capacity as conservator, has the power to transfer or sell any asset or liability of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. The FHFA has indicated it has no current intention to do this; however, should it do so a holder of a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac mortgage-backed security would have to rely on another party for satisfaction of the guaranty obligations and would be exposed to the credit risk of that party.

Certain rights provided to holders of mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac under their operative documents may not be enforceable against the FHFA, or enforcement may be delayed during the course of the conservatorship or any future receivership. For example, the operative documents may provide that upon the occurrence of an event of default by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, holders of a requisite percentage of the mortgage-backed security may replace the entity as trustee. However, under the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008, holders may not enforce this right if the event of default arises solely because a conservator or receiver has been appointed.

Forward commitment, when issued and delayed delivery transactions — The fund may enter into commitments to purchase or sell securities at a future date. When the fund agrees to purchase such securities, it assumes the risk of any decline in value of the security from the date of the agreement. If the other party to such a transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity, or could experience a loss.

The fund may enter into roll transactions, such as a mortgage dollar roll where the fund sells mortgage-backed securities for delivery in the current month and simultaneously contracts to repurchase substantially similar (same type, coupon, and maturity) securities on a specified future date, at a pre-determined price. During the period between the sale and repurchase (the “roll period”), the fund forgoes principal and interest paid on the mortgage-backed securities. The fund is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase (often referred to as the “drop”), if any, as well as by the interest earned on the cash proceeds of the initial sale. The fund could suffer a loss if the contracting party fails to perform the future transaction and the fund is therefore unable to buy back the mortgage-backed securities it initially sold. The fund also takes the risk that the mortgage-backed securities that it repurchases at a later date will have less favorable market characteristics than the securities originally sold (e.g., greater prepayment risk). These transactions are accounted for as purchase and sale transactions, which may increase the fund’s portfolio turnover rate.

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With to be announced (TBA) transactions, the particular securities (i.e., specified mortgage pools) to be delivered or received are not identified at the trade date, but are “to be announced” at a later settlement date. However, securities to be delivered must meet specified criteria, including face value, coupon rate and maturity, and be within industry-accepted “good delivery” standards.

The fund will not use these transactions for the purpose of leveraging and will segregate liquid assets that will be marked to market daily in an amount sufficient to meet its payment obligations in these transactions. Although these transactions will not be entered into for leveraging purposes, to the extent the fund’s aggregate commitments in connection with these transactions exceed its segregated assets, the fund temporarily could be in a leveraged position (because it may have an amount greater than its net assets subject to market risk). Should market values of the fund’s portfolio securities decline while the fund is in a leveraged position, greater depreciation of its net assets would likely occur than if it were not in such a position. The fund will not borrow money to settle these transactions and, therefore, will liquidate other portfolio securities in advance of settlement if necessary to generate additional cash to meet its obligations. After a transaction is entered into, the fund may still dispose of or renegotiate the transaction. Additionally, prior to receiving delivery of securities as part of a transaction, the fund may sell such securities.

Inflation linked bonds — The fund may invest in inflation linked bonds issued by governments, their agencies or instrumentalities and corporations.

The principal amount of an inflation linked bond is adjusted in response to changes in the level of an inflation index, such as the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (“CPURNSA”). If the index measuring inflation falls, the principal value or coupon of these securities will be adjusted downward. Consequently, the interest payable on these securities will be reduced. Also, if the principal value of these securities is adjusted according to the rate of inflation, the adjusted principal value repaid at maturity may be less than the original principal. In the case of U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”), currently the only inflation linked security that is issued by the U.S Treasury, the principal amounts are adjusted daily based upon changes in the rate of inflation (as currently represented by the non-seasonally adjusted CPURNSA, calculated with a three-month lag). TIPS may pay interest semi-annually, equal to a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. The interest rate on these bonds is fixed at issuance, but over the life of the bond this interest may be paid on an increasing or decreasing principal amount that has been adjusted for inflation. The current market value of TIPS is not guaranteed and will fluctuate. However, the U.S. government guarantees that, at maturity, principal will be repaid at the higher of the original face value of the security (in the event of deflation) or the inflation adjusted value.

Other non-U.S. sovereign governments also issue inflation linked securities that are tied to their own local consumer price indexes and that offer similar deflationary protection. In certain of these non-U.S. jurisdictions, the repayment of the original bond principal upon the maturity of an inflation linked bond is not guaranteed, allowing for the amount of the bond repaid at maturity to be less than par. Corporations also periodically issue inflation linked securities tied to CPURNSA or similar inflationary indexes. While TIPS and non-U.S. sovereign inflation linked securities are currently the largest part of the inflation linked market, the fund may invest in corporate inflation linked securities.

The value of inflation linked securities is expected to change in response to the changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates, in turn, are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates would decline, leading to an increase in value of the inflation linked securities. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation linked securities. There can be no assurance, however, that the value of inflation linked securities will be directly correlated to the changes in interest rates. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

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The interest rate for inflation linked bonds is fixed at issuance as a percentage of this adjustable principal. Accordingly, the actual interest income may both rise and fall as the principal amount of the bonds adjusts in response to movements of the consumer price index. For example, typically interest income would rise during a period of inflation and fall during a period of deflation.

The market for inflation linked securities may be less developed or liquid, and more volatile, than certain other securities markets. There is a limited number of inflation linked securities currently available for the fund to purchase, making the market less liquid and more volatile than the U.S. Treasury and agency markets.

Cash and cash equivalents — The fund may hold cash or invest in cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to: ( 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 that 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.

Restricted or illiquid securities — The fund may purchase securities subject to restrictions on resale. Restricted securities may only be sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or in a registered public offering. Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. Difficulty in selling such securities may result in a loss to the fund or cause it to incur additional administrative costs.

Some fund holdings (including some restricted securities) may be deemed illiquid if they cannot be sold in the ordinary course of business at approximately the price at which the fund values them. The determination of whether a holding is considered liquid or illiquid is made by the fund’s adviser under procedures adopted by the fund’s board. The fund’s adviser makes this determination based on factors it deems relevant, such as the frequency and volume of trading, the commitment of dealers to make markets and the availability of qualified investors, all of which can change from time to time. The fund may incur significant additional costs in disposing of illiquid securities. If the fund holds more than its allowable amount of illiquid assets due to appreciation of illiquid securities, the depreciation of liquid securities or changes in market conditions, the fund will seek over time to increase its investments in liquid securities to the extent practicable.

Cybersecurity risks — With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the fund has become potentially more susceptible to operational and information security risks through breaches in cybersecurity. In general, a breach in cybersecurity can result from either a deliberate attack or an unintentional event. Cybersecurity breaches may involve, among other things, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code or unauthorized access to the fund’s digital information systems, networks or devices through “hacking” or other means, in each case for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information (including, for example, personal shareholder information), corrupting data or causing operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the fund. Cybersecurity risks also include the risk of losses of service resulting from external attacks that do not require unauthorized access to the fund’s systems, networks or devices. For example, denial-of-service attacks on the investment adviser’s or an affiliate’s website could effectively render the fund’s network services unavailable to fund shareholders and other intended end-users. Any such cybersecurity breaches or losses of service may cause the

New World Fund — Page 15


 
 

 

fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity, which, in turn, could cause the fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures and/or financial loss. While the fund and its investment adviser have established business continuity plans and risk management systems designed to prevent or reduce the impact of cybersecurity attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems due in part to the ever-changing nature of technology and cybersecurity attack tactics, and there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for.

In addition, cybersecurity failures by or breaches of the fund’s third-party service providers (including, but not limited to, the fund’s investment adviser, transfer agent, custodian, administrators and other financial intermediaries) may disrupt the business operations of the service providers and of the fund, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of fund shareholders to transact business with the fund and of the fund to process transactions, the inability of the fund to calculate its net asset value, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, rules and regulations, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensatory costs and/or additional compliance costs associated with implementation of any corrective measures. The fund and its shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result of any such cybersecurity breaches, and there can be no assurance that the fund will not suffer losses relating to cybersecurity attacks or other informational security breaches affecting the fund’s third-party service providers in the future, particularly as the fund cannot control any cybersecurity plans or systems implemented by such service providers.

Cybersecurity risks may also impact issuers of securities in which the fund invests, which may cause the fund’s investments in such issuers to lose value.

* * * * * *

Portfolio turnover — Portfolio changes will be made without regard to the length of time particular investments may have been held. Short-term trading profits are not the fund’s objective, and changes in its investments are generally accomplished gradually, though short-term transactions may occasionally be made. High portfolio turnover may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads or brokerage commissions. It may also result in the realization of net capital gains, which are taxable when distributed to shareholders, unless the shareholder is exempt from taxation or his or her account is tax-favored.

The fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014 and 2013 were 32% and 36%, respectively. The portfolio turnover rate would equal 100% if each security in a fund’s portfolio were replaced once per year. See “Financial highlights” in the prospectus for the fund’s annual portfolio turnover rate for each of the last five fiscal years.

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Fund policies

All percentage limitations in the following fund policies are considered at the time securities are purchased and are based on the fund’s net assets unless otherwise indicated. None of the following policies involving a maximum percentage of assets will be considered violated unless the excess occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition by the fund. In managing the fund, the fund’s investment adviser may apply more restrictive policies than those listed below.

Fundamental policies — The fund has adopted the following policies, which may not be changed without approval by holders of a majority of its outstanding shares. Such majority is currently defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as the vote of the lesser of ( a ) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a shareholder meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present in person or by proxy, or ( b ) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.

1. Except as permitted by ( i ) the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, or other successor law governing the regulation of registered investment companies, or interpretations or modifications thereof by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, or ( ii ) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority of competent jurisdiction, the fund may not:

a. Borrow money;

b. Issue senior securities;

c. Underwrite the securities of other issuers;

d. Purchase or sell real estate or commodities;

e. Make loans; or

f.  Purchase the securities of any issuer if, as a result of such purchase, the fund’s investments would be concentrated in any particular industry.

2. The fund may not invest in companies for the purpose of exercising control or management.

Nonfundamental policies — The following policy may be changed without shareholder approval:

The fund may not acquire securities of open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts registered under the 1940 Act in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act.

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Additional information about the fund’s policies — The information below is not part of the fund’s fundamental or nonfundamental policies. This information is intended to provide a summary of what is currently required or permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, or by the interpretive guidance thereof by the SEC or SEC staff, for particular fundamental policies of the fund. Information is also provided regarding the fund’s current intention with respect to certain investment practices permitted by the 1940 Act.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1a, the fund may borrow money in amounts of up to 33-1/3% of its total assets from banks for any purpose. Additionally, the fund may borrow up to 5% of its total assets from banks or other lenders for temporary purposes (a loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed).

For purposes of fundamental policy 1b, a senior security does not include any promissory note or evidence of indebtedness if such loan is for temporary purposes only and in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the total assets of the fund at the time the loan is made (a loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within 60 days and is not extended or renewed). Further, to the extent the fund covers its commitments under certain types of agreements and transactions, including mortgage-dollar-roll transactions, sale-buybacks, when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward commitment transactions, and other similar trading practices, by segregating or earmarking liquid assets equal in value to the amount of the fund’s commitment, such agreement or transaction will not be considered a senior security by the fund.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1c, the policy will not apply to the fund to the extent the fund may be deemed an underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act in connection with the purchase and sale of fund portfolio securities in the ordinary course of pursuing its investment objectives and strategies.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1e, the fund may not lend more than 33-1/3% of its total assets, provided that this limitation shall not apply to the fund’s purchase of debt obligations.

For purposes of fundamental policy 1f, the fund may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in the securities of issuers in a particular industry. This policy does not apply to investments in securities of the U.S. Government, its agencies or Government Sponsored Enterprises or repurchase agreements with respect thereto.

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Management of the fund

Board of directors and officers

Independent directors 1

The fund’s nominating and governance committee and board select independent directors with a view toward constituting a board that, as a body, possesses the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience to appropriately oversee the actions of the fund’s service providers, decide upon matters of general policy and represent the long-term interests of fund shareholders. In doing so, they consider the qualifications, skills, attributes and experience of the current board members, with a view toward maintaining a board that is diverse in viewpoint, experience, education and skills.

The fund seeks independent directors who have high ethical standards and the highest levels of integrity and commitment, who have inquiring and independent minds, mature judgment, good communication skills, and other complementary personal qualifications and skills that enable them to function effectively in the context of the fund’s board and committee structure and who have the ability and willingness to dedicate sufficient time to effectively fulfill their duties and responsibilities.

Each independent director has a significant record of accomplishments in governance, business, not-for-profit organizations, government service, academia, law, accounting or other professions. Although no single list could identify all experience upon which the fund’s independent directors draw in connection with their service, the following table summarizes key experience for each independent director. These references to the qualifications, attributes and skills of the directors are pursuant to the disclosure requirements of the SEC, and shall not be deemed to impose any greater responsibility or liability on any director or the board as a whole. Notwithstanding the accomplishments listed below, none of the independent directors is considered an “expert” within the meaning of the federal securities laws with respect to information in the fund’s registration statement.

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Name, year of birth and position with fund
(year first elected as a director 2 )
Principal occupation(s)
during the past five years
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by
director
Other directorships 3 held
by director during the past five years
Other relevant experience
Elisabeth Allison, 1946
Director (1999)
Trustee, Co-Director, The Stanton Foundation; former Senior Business Advisor, Harvard Medical School 3 Former director of Helicos BioSciences Corporation (until 2011)

·  Senior corporate management experience, international publishing company

·  Business consulting experience

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service as associate professor, economics

·  Service on advisory boards, trustee boards or finance committees for educational, charitable, municipal and nonprofit organizations

·  Ph.D., business economics

Vanessa C. L. Chang, 1952
Director (2005)
Director, EL & EL Investments (real estate) 16 Edison International;
Transocean Ltd.

·  Service as a chief executive officer, insurance-related (claims/dispute resolution) internet company

·  Senior management experience, investment banking

·  Former partner, public accounting firm

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations

·  Former member of the Governing Council of the Independent Directors Council

·  C.P.A. (inactive)

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Name, year of birth and position with fund
(year first elected as a director 2 )
Principal occupation(s)
during the past five years
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by
director
Other directorships 3 held
by director during the past five years
Other relevant experience
Nicholas Donatiello, Jr., 1960
Director (2008)
President and CEO, Odyssey Ventures, Inc. (business strategy and marketing consulting); Lecturer, Graduate School of Business, Stanford University 3 Big 5 Sporting Goods Corporation; Dolby Laboratories, Inc.

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable and nonprofit organizations

·  Global media and technology consultant

·  M.B.A.

Pablo R. González Guajardo, 1967
Director (2014)
CEO, Kimberly-Clark de México, S.A.B. de C.V. 7 Kimberly-Clark de México, S.A.B. de C.V.; América Móvil, S.A.B. de C.V.; Grupo Sanborns, S.A.B. de C.V.; Grupo Lala, S.A.B. de C.V.

·  Service as a chief executive officer

·  Senior corporate management experience

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for nonprofit organizations

·  M.B.A.

Koichi Itoh, 1940
Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive) (1999)
Chairman, Itoh Building Co., Ltd. (building management) 6 None

·  Senior management experience with multiple companies

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for educational, charitable and nonprofit organizations

William H. Kling, 1942
Director (1999)
President Emeritus and former CEO, American Public Media 10 None

·  Service as chief executive officer, media and entertainment company

·  Media and technology consultant

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable and nonprofit organizations

·  B.A., economics, M.S., mass communications

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Name, year of birth and position with fund
(year first elected as a director 2 )
Principal occupation(s)
during the past five years
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by
director
Other directorships 3 held
by director during the past five years
Other relevant experience
William I. Miller, 1956
Director (1999)
President, The Wallace Foundation; Chairman, Irwin Management Company 3 Cummins, Inc.

·  Service as chief executive officer

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on advisory and trustee boards for charitable, educational and nonprofit organizations

·  M.B.A.

Alessandro Ovi, 1944
Director (2001)
Publisher and Editor, Technology Review ; President, TechRev.srl; former Special Advisor to the Italian Prime Minister (2005 – 2008); former Special Advisor to the President of the European Commission (2001 – 2005) 3

Guala Closures SpA; Landi Renzo SpA; ST Microelectronics SNV

Former director of Enia SpA (until 2010); Telecom Italia Media SpA (until 2012)

·  Corporate board experience

·  Service on university trustee board

·  M.S.

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Interested director(s) 4,5

Interested directors have similar qualifications, skills and attributes as the independent directors. Interested directors are senior executive officers and/or directors of Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates. Such management roles with the fund’s service providers also permit the interested directors to make a significant contribution to the fund’s board.

       
Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as a director/officer 2 )
Principal occupation(s)
during the
past five years
and positions
held with affiliated
entities or the
Principal Underwriter
of the fund
Number of
portfolios in fund complex
overseen
by director
Other directorships 3
held by director
during the
past five years
Robert W. Lovelace, 1962
Vice Chairman of the Board and President (1999)
President and Director, Capital Research and Management Company; Partner – Capital International Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.*; Director, Capital Group Private Markets, Inc.* 2 None
Nicholas J. Grace, 1966
Senior Vice President
and Director (2008)
Partner – Capital World Investors, Capital Research Company* 1 None

 

Other officers 5

   
Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as an officer 2 )
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
and positions held with affiliated entities
or the Principal Underwriter of the fund
Walter R. Burkley, 1966
Executive Vice President
(2012)
Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, Capital Research Company*
Mark E. Denning, 1957
Senior Vice President
(1999)
Director, Capital Research and Management Company; Partner – Capital Research Global Investors, Capital Research Company*; Partner – Capital Research Global Investors, Capital International, Inc.*
Michael J. Downer, 1955
Vice President (2003)
Director, Senior Vice President and Secretary, Capital Research and Management Company; Chairman of the Board, Capital Bank and Trust Company*
Bradford F. Freer, 1969
Vice President (2006)
Partner – Capital World Investors, Capital Research and Management Company

 

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Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as an officer 2 )
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
and positions held with affiliated entities
or the Principal Underwriter of the fund
Galen Hoskin, 1964
Vice President (2008)
Partner – Capital World Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, Capital Strategy Research, Inc.*
Carl M. Kawaja, 1964
Vice President (1999)
Partner – Capital World Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, Capital Research and Management Company; Chairman of the Board, Capital International Asset Management (Canada), Inc.*
Winnie Kwan, 1972
Vice President (2010)
Director, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.*; Partner – Capital Research Global Investors, Capital International, Inc.*
Christopher Thomsen, 1970
Vice President (2014)
Partner – Capital Research Global Investors, Capital Research Company*
Michael W. Stockton, 1967
Secretary (2013)
Vice President — Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
Brian C. Janssen, 1972
Treasurer (2010)
Vice President — Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company
Jennifer L. Butler, 1966
Assistant Secretary (2013)
Assistant Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
Dori Laskin, 1951
Assistant Treasurer (2010)
Vice President – Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company
 

* Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.

1  The term independent director refers to a director who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act.

Directors and officers of the fund serve until their resignation, removal or retirement.

3  This includes all directorships/trusteeships (other than those in the American Funds or other funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates) that are held by each director as a director/trustee of a public company or a registered investment company. Unless otherwise noted, all directorships/trusteeships are current.

4  The term interested director refers to a director who is an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, on the basis of his or her affiliation with the fund’s investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, or affiliated entities (including the fund’s principal underwriter).

5  All of the officers listed, with the exception of Winnie Kwan and Christopher Thomsen, 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.

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Fund shares owned by directors as of December 31, 2014:

         
Name Dollar range 1
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range 1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by director
Dollar
range 1,2 of
independent
directors
deferred compensation 3 allocated
to fund
Aggregate
dollar
range 1,2 of
independent
directors
deferred
compensation 3 allocated to
all funds
within
American Funds
family overseen
by director
Independent directors
Elisabeth Allison Over $100,000 Over $100,000 N/A N/A
Vanessa C. L. Chang Over $100,000 Over $100,000 N/A N/A
Nicholas Donatiello, Jr. $50,001 – $100,000 Over $100,000 N/A N/A
Pablo R. González Guajardo 4 $10,001 – $50,000 $50,001 – $100,000 $10,001 – $50,000 Over $100,000
Koichi Itoh $50,001 – $100,000 5 Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
William H. Kling Over $100,000 Over $100,000 N/A N/A
William I. Miller Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000 Over $100,000
Alessandro Ovi Over $100,000 Over $100,000 N/A N/A
     
Name Dollar range 1
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range 1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by directors
Interested directors
Nicholas J. Grace Over $100,000 Over $100,000
Robert W. Lovelace 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.

2  N/A indicates that the listed individual, as of December 31, 2014, was not a director of a particular fund, did not allocate deferred compensation to the fund or did not participate in the deferred compensation plan.

3  Eligible directors may defer their compensation under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan. Amounts deferred by the director accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more American Funds as designated by the director.

4  Mr. González was elected to the board effective April 1, 2014. The fund shares owned information is as of June 30, 2014.

5  Information is as of January 15, 2015.

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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. Except for the independent directors listed in the “Board of directors and officers — Independent directors” table under the “Management of the fund” section in this statement of additional information, all other officers and directors of the fund are directors, officers or employees of the investment adviser or its affiliates. The boards of funds advised by the investment adviser typically meet either individually or jointly with the boards of one or more other such funds with substantially overlapping board membership (in each case referred to as a “board cluster”). The fund typically pays each independent director an annual fee, which ranges from $13,125 to $29,667, 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 and committee 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.

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.

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Director compensation earned during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014:

     
Name Aggregate compensation
(including voluntarily
deferred compensation 1 )
from the fund
Total compensation (including
voluntarily deferred
compensation 1 )
from all funds managed by
Capital Research and
Management
Company or its affiliates
Elisabeth Allison $49,347 $124,430
Vanessa C. L. Chang 41,780 229,927
Nicholas Donatiello, Jr. 54,763 139,014
Pablo R. González Guajardo 2,3 24,167 72,500
Koichi Itoh 3 54,614 239,563
William H. Kling 29,462 294,472
William I. Miller 3 51,430 130,680
Alessandro Ovi 51,680 131,430

Amounts may be deferred by eligible directors under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan adopted by the fund in 1999. 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 October 31, 2014 does not include earnings on amounts deferred in previous fiscal years. See footnote 3 to this table for more information.

2  Mr. González was elected to the board effective April 1, 2014.

3  Since the deferred compensation plan’s adoption, the total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) through the end of the 2014 fiscal year for participating directors is as follows: Pablo R. González Guajardo ($23,884), Koichi Itoh ($816,566) and William I. Miller ($203,280). Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are not funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund until paid to the directors.

Fund organization and the board of directors — The fund, an open-end, diversified management investment company, was organized as a Maryland corporation on November 13, 1998. At a meeting of the fund’s shareholders on November 24, 2009, shareholders approved the reorganization of the fund to a Delaware statutory trust. The reorganization may be completed in the next year; however, the fund reserves the right to delay the implementation. A summary comparison of the governing documents and state laws affecting the Delaware statutory trust and the current form of organization of the fund can be found in a joint proxy statement available on the SEC’s website at sec.gov. Although the board of directors has delegated day-to-day oversight to the investment adviser, all fund operations are supervised by 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.

Independent board members are paid certain fees for services rendered to the fund as described above. They may elect to defer all or a portion of these fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund.

The fund has several different classes of shares. Shares of each class represent an interest in the same investment portfolio. Each class has pro rata rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different distribution expenses and may bear different transfer agent fees and other expenses properly attributable to the particular class as approved by the board of directors

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and set forth in the fund’s rule 18f-3 Plan. Each class’ shareholders have exclusive voting rights with respect to the respective class’ rule 12b-1 plans adopted in connection with the distribution of shares and on other matters in which the interests of one class are different from interests in another class. Shares of all classes of the fund vote together on matters that affect all classes in substantially the same manner. Each class votes as a class on matters that affect that class alone. Note that 529 college savings plan account owners invested in Class 529 shares are not shareholders of the fund and, accordingly, do not have the rights of a shareholder, such as the right to vote proxies relating to fund shares. As the legal owner of the fund’s Class 529 shares, Virginia College Savings Plan SM (Virginia529 SM ) will vote any proxies relating to the fund’s Class 529 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 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.

Leadership structure — The board’s chair is currently an independent director who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The board has determined that an independent chair facilitates oversight and enhances the effectiveness of the board. The independent chair’s duties include, without limitation, generally presiding at meetings of the board, approving board meeting schedules and agendas, leading meetings of the independent directors in executive session, facilitating communication with committee chairs, and serving as the principal independent director contact for fund management and counsel to the independent directors and the fund.

Risk oversight — Day-to-day management of the fund, including risk management, is the responsibility of the fund’s contractual service providers, including the fund’s investment adviser, principal underwriter/distributor and transfer agent. Each of these entities is responsible for specific portions of the fund’s operations, including the processes and associated risks relating to the fund’s investments, integrity of cash movements, financial reporting, operations and compliance. The board of directors oversees the service providers’ discharge of their responsibilities, including the processes they use to manage relevant risks. In that regard, the board receives reports regarding the operations of the fund’s service providers, including risks. For example, the board receives reports from investment professionals regarding risks related to the fund’s investments and trading. The board also receives compliance reports from the fund’s and the investment adviser’s chief compliance officers addressing certain areas of risk.

Committees of the fund’s board, which are comprised of independent board members, none of whom is an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act, as well as joint committees of independent board members of funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, also explore risk management procedures in particular areas and then report back to the full board. For example, the fund’s audit committee oversees the processes and certain attendant risks relating to financial reporting, valuation of fund assets, and related controls. Similarly, a joint review and advisory committee oversees certain risk controls relating to the fund’s transfer agency services.

New World Fund — Page 28


 
 

 

Not all risks that may affect the fund can be identified or processes and controls developed to eliminate or mitigate their effect. Moreover, it is necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the fund’s objectives. As a result of the foregoing and other factors, the ability of the fund’s service providers to eliminate or mitigate risks is subject to limitations.

Committees of the board of directors — The fund has an audit committee comprised of Elisabeth Allison, Vanessa C. L. Chang, Pablo R. González Guajardo and William I. Miller. The committee provides oversight regarding the fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and the internal controls of the fund’s principal service providers. The committee acts as a liaison between the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full board of directors. The audit committee held five meetings during the 2014 fiscal year.

The fund has a contracts committee comprised of all of its independent board members. 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. The contracts committee held one meeting during the 2014 fiscal year.

The fund has a nominating and governance committee comprised of Nicholas Donatiello, Jr., William H. Kling and Alessandro Ovi. 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 and governance committee of the fund, addressed to the fund’s secretary, and must be accompanied by complete biographical and occupational data on the prospective nominee, along with a written consent of the prospective nominee for consideration of his or her name by the committee. The nominating and governance committee held five meetings during the 2014 fiscal year.

Proxy voting procedures and principles — The fund’s investment adviser, in consultation with the fund’s board, has adopted Proxy Voting Procedures and Principles (the “Principles”) with respect to voting proxies of securities held by the fund, other American Funds and American Funds Insurance Series. The complete text of these principles is available on the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. Proxies are voted by a committee of the appropriate equity investment division of the investment adviser under authority delegated by the funds’ boards. Therefore, if more than one fund invests in the same company, they may vote differently on the same proposal.

The Principles, which have been in effect in substantially their current form for many years, provide an important framework for analysis and decision-making by all funds. However, they are not exhaustive and do not address all potential issues. The Principles provide a certain amount of flexibility so that all relevant facts and circumstances can be considered in connection with every vote. As a result, each proxy received is voted on a case-by-case basis considering the specific circumstances of each proposal. The voting process reflects the funds’ understanding of the company’s business, its management and its relationship with shareholders over time.

The investment adviser seeks to vote all U.S. proxies; however, in certain circumstances it may be impracticable or impossible to do so. Proxies for companies outside the U.S. also are voted, provided there is sufficient time and information available. After a proxy statement is received, the investment

New World Fund — Page 29


 
 

 

adviser prepares a summary of the proposals contained in the proxy statement. A notation of any potential conflicts of interest also is included in the summary (see below for a description of Capital Research and Management Company’s special review procedures).

For proxies of securities managed by a particular investment division of the investment adviser, the initial voting recommendation is made by one or more of the division’s investment analysts familiar with the company and industry. A second recommendation is made by a proxy coordinator (an investment analyst or other individual with experience in corporate governance and proxy voting matters) within the appropriate investment division, based on knowledge of these Principles and familiarity with proxy-related issues. The proxy summary and voting recommendations are made available to the appropriate proxy voting committee for a final voting decision.

In addition to its proprietary proxy voting, governance and executive compensation research, Capital Research and Management Company may utilize research provided by Institutional Shareholder Services, Glass-Lewis & Co. or other third party advisory firms on a case-by-case basis. It does not, as a policy, follow the voting recommendations provided by these firms. It periodically assesses the information provided by the advisory firms and reports to the Joint Proxy Committee of the American Funds (“JPC”), as appropriate.

The JPC is composed of independent board members from each board. The JPC’s role is to facilitate appropriate oversight of the proxy voting process and provide valuable input on corporate governance and related matters. Members of the JPC also may be called upon to resolve voting conflicts involving funds co-managed by the investment adviser’s equity investment divisions and vote proxies when necessary as a result of regulatory requirements (see below for more information).

From time to time the investment adviser may vote proxies issued by, or on proposals sponsored or publicly supported by (a)  a client with substantial assets managed by the investment adviser or its affiliates, (b)  an entity with a significant business relationship with the American Funds organization, or (c)  a company with a director of an American Fund on its board (each referred to as an “Interested Party”). Other persons or entities may also be deemed an Interested Party if facts or circumstances appear to give rise to a potential conflict. The investment adviser analyzes these proxies and proposals on their merits and does not consider these relationships when casting its vote.

The investment adviser has developed procedures to identify and address instances where a vote could appear to be influenced by such a relationship. Under the procedures, prior to a final vote being cast by the investment adviser, the relevant proxy committees’ voting results for proxies issued by Interested Parties are reviewed by a Special Review Committee (“SRC”) of the investment division voting the proxy if the vote was in favor of the Interested Party.

If a potential conflict is identified according to the procedure above, the SRC will be provided with a summary of any relevant communications with the Interested Party, the rationale for the voting decision, information on the organization’s relationship with the party and any other pertinent information. The SRC will evaluate the information and determine whether the decision was in the best interest of fund shareholders. It will then accept or override the voting decision or determine alternative action. The SRC includes senior investment professionals and legal and compliance professionals.

In cases where a fund is co-managed and a portfolio company is held by more than one of the investment adviser’s equity investment divisions, voting ties are resolved by one of the following methods. First, for those funds that have delegated tie-breaking authority to the investment adviser, the outcome will be determined by the equity investment division or divisions with the larger position in the portfolio company as of the record date for the shareholder meeting. For the remaining funds, members of the JPC representing those funds will determine the outcome based on a review of the

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same information provided to the relevant investment analysts, proxy coordinators and proxy committee members.

Information regarding how the fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the 12-month period ended June 30 of each year will be available on or about September 1 of each year ( a ) without charge, upon request by calling American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225, ( b ) on the American Funds website and ( c ) on the SEC’s website at sec.gov.

The following summary sets forth the general positions of the American Funds, American Funds Insurance Series and the investment adviser on various proposals. A copy of the full Principles is available upon request, free of charge, by calling American Funds Service Company or visiting the American Funds website.

Director matters The election of a company’s slate of nominees for director generally is supported. Votes may be withheld for some or all of the nominees if this is determined to be in the best interest of shareholders or if, in the opinion of the investment adviser, such nominee has not fulfilled his or her fiduciary duty. Separation of the chairman and CEO positions also may be supported.

Governance provisions — Typically, proposals to declassify a board (elect all directors annually) are supported based on the belief that this increases the directors’ sense of accountability to shareholders. Proposals for cumulative voting generally are supported in order to promote management and board accountability and an opportunity for leadership change. Proposals designed to make director elections more meaningful, either by requiring a majority vote or by requiring any director receiving more withhold votes than affirmative votes to tender his or her resignation, generally are supported.

Shareholder rights — Proposals to repeal an existing poison pill generally are supported. (There may be certain circumstances, however, when a proxy voting committee of a fund or an investment division of the investment adviser believes that a company needs to maintain anti-takeover protection.) Proposals to eliminate the right of shareholders to act by written consent or to take away a shareholder’s right to call a special meeting typically are not supported.

Compensation and benefit plans — Option plans are complicated, and many factors are considered in evaluating a plan. Each plan is evaluated based on protecting shareholder interests and a knowledge of the company and its management. Considerations include the pricing (or repricing) of options awarded under the plan and the impact of dilution on existing shareholders from past and future equity awards. Compensation packages should be structured to attract, motivate and retain existing employees and qualified directors; however, they should not be excessive.

Routine matters — The ratification of auditors, procedural matters relating to the annual meeting and changes to company name are examples of items considered routine. Such items generally are voted in favor of management’s recommendations unless circumstances indicate otherwise.

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Principal fund shareholders — The following table identifies those investors who own of record, or are known by the fund to own beneficially, 5% or more of any class of its shares as of the opening of business on October 1, 2015. Unless otherwise indicated, the ownership percentages below represent ownership of record rather than beneficial ownership.

       
Name and address Ownership Ownership percentage
Edward D. Jones & Co.
Omnibus Account
Saint Louis, MO
Record

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class F-1

Class 529-A

Class 529-B

23.84%

16.84

5.15

31.33

10.51

6.79

First Clearing, LLC

Custody Account

Saint Louis, MO

Record

Class A

Class C

Class F-2

7.77

12.53

22.12

Pershing, LLC

Custody Account

Jersey City, NJ

Record

Class A

Class B

Class C

Class F-1

Class F-2

Class R-1

Class R-2E

7.40

7.16

8.92

12.26

23.94

7.85

25.83

National Financial Services, LLC

Omnibus Account

Jersey City, NJ

Record

Class B

Class C

Class F-1

Class F-2

5.06

5.81

17.25

6.38

Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc.

Omnibus Account

Jersey City, NJ

Record

Class C

Class F-2

7.31

6.05

Raymond James

Omnibus Account

St. Petersburg, FL

Record

Class C

Class F-1

6.20

8.32

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

Custody Account

San Francisco, CA

Record

Class F-1

Class F-2

10.70

6.72

Capital Group Private Client Services Account

Irvine, CA

Record Class F-2 6.89

UBS WM USA

Omnibus Account

Jersey City, NJ

Record Class F-2 6.21

MassMutual Financial Group

Omnibus Account

Atlanta, GA

Record Class R-1 8.30

Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust

Retirement Plans

Des Moines, IA

Record

Beneficial

Class R-1

Class R-3

Class R-4

Class R-5

8.57

8.14

6.47

10.47

Safe Street USA LLC

401K Plan

Covington, KY

Record

Beneficial

Class R-2E 68.11

Taynik & Co.

Boston, MA

Record Class R-4 5.65

John Hancock Life Insurance Co. USA

Omnibus Account

Boston, MA

Record Class R-5 15.70

Edward D. Jones & Co.

Retirement Plan

Norwood, MA

Record

Beneficial

Class R-5 10.75

 

 

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Name and address Ownership Ownership percentage

Edward Jones

Profit Sharing Plan #1

Pittsburgh, PA

Record Class R-5 6.77

Edward Jones

Profit Sharing Plan #2

Pittsburgh, PA

Record Class R-5 6.11

American Funds Global Growth Portfolio

Irvine, CA

Record Class R-6 16.71

The Capital Group Companies

Retirement Plan

Los Angeles, CA

Record

Beneficial

Class R-6 7.45

American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund

Los Angeles, CA

Record Class R-6 8.43

American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund

Los Angeles, CA

Record Class R-6 8.49

American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund

Los Angeles, CA

Record Class R-6 7.95

As of October 1, 2015, the officers and directors of the fund, as a group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund.

Unless otherwise noted, references in this statement of additional information to Class F shares, Class R shares or Class 529 shares refer to both F share classes, all R share classes or all 529 share classes, respectively.

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Investment adviser — Capital Research and Management Company, the fund’s investment adviser, founded in 1931, maintains research facilities in the United States and abroad (Beijing, Geneva, Hong Kong, London, Los Angeles, Mumbai, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Tokyo and Washington, D.C.). These facilities are staffed with experienced investment professionals. The investment adviser is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., a holding company for several investment management subsidiaries. Capital Research and Management Company manages equity assets through three equity investment divisions and fixed-income assets through its fixed-income investment division, Capital Fixed Income Investors. The three equity investment divisions — Capital World Investors, Capital Research Global Investors and Capital International Investors — make investment decisions independently of one another. Portfolio managers in Capital International Investors rely on a research team that also provides investment services to institutional clients and other accounts advised by affiliates of Capital Research and Management Company. The investment adviser, which is deemed under the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”) to be the operator of the fund, has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the CEA with respect to the fund and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA with respect to the fund.

The investment adviser has adopted policies and procedures that address issues that may arise as a result of an investment professional’s management of the fund and other funds and accounts. Potential issues could involve allocation of investment opportunities and trades among funds and accounts, use of information regarding the timing of fund trades, investment professional compensation and voting relating to portfolio securities. The investment adviser believes that its policies and procedures are reasonably designed to address these issues.

Compensation of investment professionals — As described in the prospectus, the investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers 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 managers 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 plans will vary depending on the individual’s portfolio results, contributions to the organization and other factors.

To encourage a long-term focus, bonuses based on investment results are calculated by comparing pretax total investment returns to relevant benchmarks over the most recent year, a four-year rolling average and an eight-year rolling average with greater weight placed on the four-year and eight-year rolling averages. For portfolio managers, benchmarks may include measures of the marketplaces in which the fund invests and measures of the results of comparable mutual funds. For investment analysts, benchmarks may include relevant market measures and appropriate industry or sector indexes reflecting their areas of expertise. Capital Research and Management Company makes periodic subjective assessments of analysts’ contributions to the investment process and this is an element of their overall compensation. The investment results of each of the fund’s portfolio managers may be measured against one or more benchmarks, depending on his or her investment focus, such as: MSCI All Country World Index; Lipper Global Funds Index; Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Index; JP Morgan Emerging Markets Bond Index Global; MSCI Emerging Markets Index; and Lipper Emerging Markets Debt Funds Average. From time to time, Capital Research and Management Company may adjust or customize these benchmarks to better reflect the universe of comparably managed funds of competitive investment management firms.

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Portfolio manager fund holdings and other managed accounts — As described below, portfolio managers may personally own shares of the fund. In addition, portfolio managers may manage portions of other mutual funds or accounts advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates.

The following table reflects information as of October 31, 2014:

               
Portfolio
manager
Dollar range
of fund
shares
owned 1
Number
of other
registered
investment
companies (RICs)
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of RICs
in billions) 2
Number
of other
pooled
investment
vehicles (PIVs)
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of PIVs
in billions) 3
Number
of other
accounts
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of
other accounts
in billions) 4
Robert W. Lovelace Over $1,000,000 2 $56.6 None None
Nicholas J. Grace $500,001 – $1,000,000 2 $126.6 None None
Mark E. Denning $100,001 – $500,000 5 $256.6 1 $0.22 None
Galen Hoskin $500,001 – $1,000,000 1 $2.7 1 $2.47 None
Carl M. Kawaja Over $1,000,000 4 $280.1 1 $2.47 None
Winnie Kwan $100,001 – $500,000 2 $103.0 None None
Christopher Thomsen Over $1,000,000 2 $131.8 None None
Wahid Butt $100,001 – $500,000 None None None
Robert H. Neithart Over $1,000,000 8 $53.4 6 $2.75 11 5 $5.26

 

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.

Indicates RIC(s) for which the portfolio manager also has significant day to day management responsibilities. Assets noted are the total net assets of the RIC(s) and are not the total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower amount. No RIC or account has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the RIC or account.

Represents funds advised or sub-advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates and sold outside the United States and/or fixed-income assets in institutional accounts managed by investment adviser subsidiaries of Capital Group International, Inc., an affiliate of Capital Research and Management Company. Assets noted are the total net assets of the funds or accounts and are not the total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower amount. No fund or account has an advisory fee that is based on the performance of the fund or account.

Reflects other professionally managed accounts held at companies affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company. Personal brokerage accounts of portfolio managers and their families are not reflected.

5  The advisory fee of two of these accounts (representing $1.22 billion in total assets) is based partially on their investment results.

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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 January 31, 2016, 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, the Agreement provides that the investment adviser may delegate all, or a portion of, its investment management responsibilities to one or more subsidiary advisers approved by the fund’s board, pursuant to an agreement between the investment adviser and such subsidiary. Any such subsidiary adviser will be paid solely by the investment adviser out of its fees.

In addition to providing investment advisory services, the investment adviser furnishes the services and pays the compensation and travel expenses of persons to perform the fund’s executive, administrative, clerical and bookkeeping functions, and provides suitable office space, necessary small office equipment and utilities, general purpose accounting forms, 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.

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As compensation for its services, the investment adviser receives a monthly fee that is accrued daily, calculated at the annual rate of:

     
Rate Net asset level
In excess of Up to
0.850% $ 0 $ 500,000,000
0.770 500,000,000 1,000,000,000
0.710 1,000,000,000 1,500,000,000
0.660 1,500,000,000 2,500,000,000
0.620 2,500,000,000 4,000,000,000
0.580 4,000,000,000 6,500,000,000
0.540 6,500,000,000 10,500,000,000
0.510 10,500,000,000 17,000,000,000
0.500 17,000,000,000 21,000,000,000
0.490 21,000,000,000 27,000,000,000
0.485 27,000,000,000  

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For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the investment adviser received from the fund management fees of $131,241,000, $115,073,000 and $104,129,000, respectively.

Administrative services — The investment adviser and its affiliates provide certain administrative services for shareholders of the fund’s Class A, C, F, R and 529 shares. Services include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders.

These services are provided pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement (the “Administrative Agreement”) between the fund and the investment adviser relating to the fund’s Class A, C, F, R and 529 shares. The Administrative Agreement will continue in effect until January 31, 2016, unless sooner renewed or terminated, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the members of the fund’s board who are not parties to the Administrative Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The fund may terminate the Administrative Agreement at any time by vote of a majority of independent board members. The investment adviser has the right to terminate the Administrative Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to the fund. The Administrative Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

Under the Administrative Agreement, the investment adviser receives an administrative services fee at the annual rate of .01% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class A shares and .05% of the average daily net assets of the fund attributable to Class C, F, R and 529 shares for administrative services. Administrative services fees are paid monthly and accrued daily.

During the 2014 fiscal year, administrative services fees were:

   
  Administrative services fee
Class A $1,340,000
Class C 533,000
Class F-1 1,225,000
Class F-2 1,349,000
Class 529-A 397,000
Class 529-B 9,000
Class 529-C 88,000
Class 529-E 19,000
Class 529-F-1 23,000
Class R-1 18,000
Class R-2 184,000
Class R-2E —*
Class R-3 241,000
Class R-4 214,000
Class R-5 227,000
Class R-6 671,000

* Amount less than $1,000.

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Principal Underwriter and plans of distribution — American Funds Distributors, Inc. (the “Principal Underwriter”) is the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares. The Principal Underwriter is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071; 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX 78251; and 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032.

The Principal Underwriter receives revenues relating to sales of the fund’s shares, as follows:

·  For Class A and 529-A shares, the Principal Underwriter receives commission revenue consisting of the balance of the Class A and 529-A sales charge remaining after the allowances by the Principal Underwriter to investment dealers.

·  For Class B and 529-B shares sold prior to April 21, 2009, the Principal Underwriter sold its rights to the .75% distribution-related portion of the 12b-1 fees paid by the fund, as well as any contingent deferred sales charges, to a third party. The Principal Underwriter compensated investment dealers for sales of Class B and 529-B shares out of the proceeds of this sale and kept any amounts remaining after this compensation was paid.

·  For Class C and 529-C shares, the Principal Underwriter receives any contingent deferred sales charges that apply during the first year after purchase.

In addition, the fund reimburses the Principal Underwriter for advancing immediate service fees to qualified dealers and advisors upon the sale of Class C and 529-C shares. The fund also reimburses the Principal Underwriter for service fees (and, in the case of Class 529-E shares, commissions) paid on a quarterly basis to intermediaries, such as qualified dealers or financial advisors, in connection with investments in Class F-1, 529-F-1, 529-E, R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3 and R-4 shares.

Commissions, revenue or service fees retained by the Principal Underwriter after allowances or compensation to dealers were:

       
  Fiscal year Commissions,
revenue
or fees retained
Allowance or
compensation
to dealers
Class A 2014 $4,273,000 $19,022,000
  2013 4,550,000 20,377,000
  2012 3,255,000 15,015,000
Class C 2014 165,000 1,694,000
  2013 1,515,000
  2012 142,000 871,000
Class 529-A 2014 391,000 1,759,000
  2013 419,000 1,925,000
  2012 405,000 1,898,000
Class 529-C 2014 16,000 185,000
  2013 6,000 206,000
  2012 20,000 198,000

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Plans of distribution — The fund has adopted plans of distribution (the “Plans”) pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. The Plans permit the fund to expend amounts to finance any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of fund shares, provided the fund’s board of directors has approved the category of expenses for which payment is being made.

Each Plan is specific to a particular share class of the fund. As the fund has not adopted a Plan for Class F-2, R-5E, R-5 or R-6, no 12b-1 fees are paid from Class F-2, R-5E, R-5 or R-6 share assets and the following disclosure is not applicable to these share classes.

Payments under the Plans may be made for service-related and/or distribution-related expenses. Service-related expenses include paying service fees to qualified dealers. Distribution-related expenses include commissions paid to qualified dealers. The amounts actually paid under the Plans for the past fiscal year, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to the applicable share class, are disclosed in the prospectus under “Fees and expenses of the fund.” Further information regarding the amounts available under each Plan is in the “Plans of Distribution” section of the prospectus.

Following is a brief description of the Plans:

Class A and 529-A — For Class A and 529-A shares, up to .25% of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to such shares is reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter for paying service-related expenses, and the balance available under the applicable Plan may be paid to the Principal Underwriter for distribution-related expenses. The fund may annually expend up to .30% for Class A shares and up to .50% for Class 529-A shares under the applicable Plan.

Distribution-related expenses for Class A and 529-A shares include dealer commissions and wholesaler compensation paid on sales of shares of $1 million or more purchased without a sales charge. Commissions on these “no load” purchases (which are described in further detail under the “Sales Charges” section of this statement of additional information) in excess of the Class A and 529-A Plan limitations and not reimbursed to the Principal Underwriter during the most recent fiscal quarter are recoverable for 15 months, provided that the reimbursement of such commissions does not cause the fund to exceed the annual expense limit. After 15 months, these commissions are not recoverable.

Class B and 529-B — The Plans for Class B and 529-B shares provide for payments to the Principal Underwriter of up to .25% of the fund’s average daily net assets attributable to such shares for paying service-related expenses and .75% for distribution-related expenses, which include the financing of commissions paid to qualified dealers.

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

       
Share class Service
related
payments 1
Distribution
related
payments 1
Total
allowable
under
the Plans 2
Class C 0.25% 0.75% 1.00%
Class F-1 0.25 0.50
Class 529-C 0.25 0.75 1.00
Class 529-E 0.25 0.25 0.75
Class 529-F-1 0.25 0.50
Class R-1 0.25 0.75 1.00
Class R-2 0.25 0.50 1.00
Class R-2E 0.25 0.35 0.85
Class R-3 0.25 0.25 0.75
Class R-4 0.25 0.50

Amounts in these columns represent the amounts approved by the board of directors under the applicable Plan.

The fund may annually expend the amounts set forth in this column under the current Plans with the approval of the board of directors.

During the 2014 fiscal year, 12b-1 expenses accrued and paid, and if applicable, unpaid, were:

     
  12b-1 expenses 12b-1 unpaid liability
outstanding
Class A $31,101,000 $3,154,000
Class B 1,530,000 122,000
Class C 10,627,000 1,194,000
Class F-1 6,125,000 453,000
Class 529-A 1,624,000 195,000
Class 529-B 173,000 16,000
Class 529-C 1,749,000 242,000
Class 529-E 189,000 27,000
Class 529-F-1
Class R-1 364,000 43,000
Class R-2 2,735,000 422,000
Class R-2E —* —*
Class R-3 2,402,000 353,000
Class R-4 1,068,000 160,000

* Amount less than $1,000.

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Approval of the Plans — As required by rule 12b-1 and the 1940 Act, the Plans (together with the Principal Underwriting Agreement) have been approved by the full board of 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. In addition, the selection and nomination of independent directors of the fund are committed to the discretion of the independent directors during the existence of the Plans.

Potential benefits of the Plans to the fund include quality shareholder services, savings to the fund in transfer agency costs, and benefits to the investment process from growth or stability of assets. The Plans may not be amended to materially increase the amount spent for distribution without shareholder approval. Plan expenses are reviewed quarterly by the board of directors and the Plans must be renewed annually by the board of directors.

A portion of the fund’s 12b-1 expense is paid to financial advisors to compensate them for providing ongoing services. If you have questions regarding your investment in the fund or need assistance with your account, please contact your financial advisor. If you need a financial advisor, please call American Funds Distributors at (800) 421-4120 for assistance.

Fee to Virginia529 — With respect to Class 529 shares, as compensation for its oversight and administration, Virginia529 receives a quarterly fee accrued daily and calculated at the annual rate of .10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds, .07% on net assets between $30 billion and $50 billion, .06% on net assets between $50 billion and $70 billion and .05% on net assets over $70 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter.

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Other compensation to dealers — As of July 2015, the top dealers (or their affiliates) that American Funds Distributors anticipates will receive additional compensation (as described in the prospectus) include:

AIG Advisor Group

FSC Securities Corporation

Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.

SagePoint Financial, Inc.

Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.

AEGON/Transamerica/Diversified

 Diversified Capital Corporation

 Diversified Resources, LLC

 Diversified Securities, Incorporated

 Merrill Lynch Life Insurance Company Of New York

 Transam Securities, Inc.

 Transamerica Advisors Life Insurance Company

 Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.

 Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company

 Transamerica Investors Securities Corporation

 TransAmerica Life Insurance Co.

 Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company

 Western Reserve Life Insurance Co.

American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc.

AXA Advisors

AXA Advisors, LLC

Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc.

Cambridge

Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.

Cetera Financial Group

 Cetera Advisor Networks LLC

Cetera Advisors LLC

Cetera Financial Specialists LLC

Cetera Investment Services LLC

CIMAS, LLC

First Allied Securities Inc

Investors Capital Corp.

J.P. Turner & Company, L.L.C.

Legend Equities Corporation

Summit Brokerage Services, Inc.

Commonwealth

Commonwealth Financial Network

D.A. Davidson & Co.

 Crowell, Weedon & Co.

D.A. Davidson & Co.

Edward Jones Organization

 Edward Jones Health Savings Account

Edward Jones

Hefren-Tillotson

 Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.

New World Fund — Page 43


 
 

 

HTK / Janney Montgomery Group

Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

J.J.B. Hilliard Lyons

Hilliard Lyons Trust Company LLC

J. J. B. Hilliard, W. L. Lyons, LLC

J.P. Morgan Chase Banc One

 J.P. Morgan Institutional Investments, Inc.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Ladenburg Thalmann Group

 Investacorp, Inc.

KMS Financial Services, Inc.

Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., Inc.

Triad Advisors, Inc.

Securities America, Inc.

Securities Service Network Inc.

Lincoln Network

 Lincoln Capital Corp (RI)

 Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp

Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc.

Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation

Lincoln Investment Advisors Corporation

Lincoln Management

Lincoln-Legacy

LPL Group

 LPL Financial LLC

Mass Mutual / MML

 MassMutual Trust Company FSB

 Massmutual Trust Company, FSB (The)

 MML Distributors LLC

 MML Investors Services, LLC

Merrill Lynch Banc of America

 Bank Of America

 Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

Metlife Enterprises

 MetLife Advisers, LLC

Metlife Securities Inc.

New England Securities

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

NFP Securities

 NFP Advisor Services LLC

NFP Securities Inc

NMIS

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC

NPH / Jackson National

Invest Financial Corporation

Investment Centers of America, Inc.

National Planning Corporation

SII Investments, Inc.

Park Avenue Securities LLC

New World Fund — Page 44


 
 

 

PFS

PFS Investments Inc.

Puplava Securities, Inc.

PNC Network

 PNC Bank, National Association

 PNC Investments LLC

Raymond James Group

Morgan Keegan & Company, Inc.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Raymond James Financial Services Inc.

RBC Capital Markets Corporation

Robert W. Baird & Co, Incorporated

Securian / H. Beck / CRI

 CRI Securities, LLC

H. Beck, Inc.

Minnesota Life Insurance Company

Securian Financial Services, Inc.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

UBS

UBS Financial Services Inc.

UBS Securities, LLC

Voya Financial

 ING Financial Advisers, LLC

 Voya Financial Advisors Inc

Voya Financial Partners LLC

Voya Retirement Advisors LLC

Wells Fargo Network

First Clearing LLC

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC

Wells Fargo Advisors Investment Services Group

Wells Fargo Advisors Latin American Channel

Wells Fargo Advisors Private Client Group

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

New World Fund — Page 45


 
 

 

 

Execution of portfolio transactions

The investment adviser places orders with broker-dealers for the fund’s portfolio transactions. Purchases and sales of equity securities on a securities exchange or an over-the-counter market are effected through broker-dealers who receive commissions for their services. Generally, commissions relating to securities traded on foreign exchanges will be higher than commissions relating to securities traded on U.S. exchanges and may not be subject to negotiation. Equity securities may also be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees. Purchases and sales of fixed-income securities are generally made with an issuer or a primary market maker acting as principal with no stated brokerage commission. The price paid to an underwriter for fixed-income securities includes underwriting fees. Prices for fixed-income securities in secondary trades usually include undisclosed compensation to the market maker reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices for the securities.

In selecting broker-dealers, the investment adviser strives to obtain “best execution” (the most favorable total price reasonably attainable under the circumstances) for the fund’s portfolio transactions, taking into account a variety of factors. These factors include the size and type of transaction, the nature and character of the markets for the security to be purchased or sold, the cost, quality, likely speed and reliability of execution and settlement, the broker-dealer’s or execution venue’s ability to offer liquidity and anonymity and the potential for minimizing market impact. The investment adviser considers these factors, which involve qualitative judgments, when selecting broker-dealers and execution venues for fund portfolio transactions. The investment adviser views best execution as a process that should be evaluated over time as part of an overall relationship with particular broker-dealer firms. The investment adviser and its affiliates negotiate commission rates with broker-dealers based on what they believe is necessary to obtain best execution. They seek, on an ongoing basis, to determine what the reasonable levels of commission rates are in the marketplace in respect of both execution and research — taking various considerations into account, including the extent to which a broker-dealer has put its own capital at risk, historical commission rates, commission rates that other institutional investors are paying, and the provision of brokerage and research products and services. The fund does not consider the investment adviser as having an obligation to obtain the lowest commission rate available for a portfolio transaction to the exclusion of price, service and qualitative considerations. Brokerage commissions are only a small part of total execution costs and other factors, such as market impact and speed of execution, contribute significantly to overall transaction costs.

The investment adviser may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who provide certain brokerage and/or investment research services to it, either directly or through a commission sharing arrangement, but only when in the investment adviser’s judgment the broker-dealer is capable of providing best execution for that transaction. The receipt of these services permits the investment adviser to supplement its own research and analysis and makes available the views of, and information from, individuals and the research staffs of other firms. Such views and information may be provided in the form of written reports, telephone contacts and meetings with securities analysts. These services may include, among other things, reports and other communications with respect to individual companies, industries, countries and regions, economic, political and legal developments, as well as scheduling meetings with corporate executives and seminars and conferences related to relevant subject matters. The investment adviser considers these services to be supplemental to its own internal research efforts and therefore the receipt of investment research from broker-dealers does not tend to reduce the expenses involved in the investment adviser’s research efforts. If broker-dealers were to discontinue providing such services, it is unlikely the investment adviser would attempt to replicate them on its own, in part because they would then no longer provide an independent, supplemental viewpoint. Nonetheless, if it were to attempt to do so, the investment adviser would incur substantial additional costs. Research services that the investment adviser receives from broker-dealers may be used by the investment adviser in servicing the fund and other funds and accounts that it advises; however, not all such services will necessarily benefit the fund.

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The investment adviser may pay commissions in excess of what other broker-dealers might have charged for certain portfolio transactions in recognition of brokerage and/or investment research services. In this regard, the investment adviser has adopted a brokerage allocation procedure consistent with the requirements of Section 28(e) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Section 28(e) permits the investment adviser and its affiliates to cause an account to pay a higher commission to a broker-dealer to compensate the broker-dealer or another service provider for certain brokerage and/or investment research services provided to the investment adviser and its affiliates, if the investment adviser and each affiliate makes a good faith determination that such commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the services provided by such broker-dealer to the investment adviser and its affiliates in terms of that particular transaction or the investment adviser’s overall responsibility to the fund and other accounts that it advises. Certain brokerage and/or investment research services may not necessarily benefit all accounts paying commissions to each such broker-dealer; therefore, the investment adviser and its affiliates assess the reasonableness of commissions in light of the total brokerage and investment research services provided to the investment adviser and its affiliates. Further, investment research services may be used by all investment associates of the investment adviser and its affiliates, regardless of whether they advise accounts with trading activity that generates eligible commissions.

In accordance with their internal brokerage allocation procedure, the investment adviser and its affiliates periodically assess the brokerage and investment research services provided by each broker-dealer and each other service provider from which they receive such services. As part of its ongoing relationships, the investment adviser and its affiliates routinely meet with firms to discuss the level and quality of the brokerage and research services provided, as well as the value and cost of such services. In valuing the brokerage and investment research services the investment adviser and its affiliates receive from broker-dealers and other research providers in connection with its good faith determination of reasonableness, the investment adviser and its affiliates take various factors into consideration, including the quantity, quality and usefulness of the services to the investment adviser and its affiliates. Based on this information and applying their judgment, the investment adviser and its affiliates set an annual research budget.

Research analysts and portfolio managers periodically participate in a research poll to determine the usefulness and value of the research provided by individual broker-dealers and research providers. Based on the results of this research poll, the investment adviser and its affiliates may, through commission sharing arrangements with certain broker-dealers, direct a portion of commissions paid to a broker-dealer to be used to compensate the broker-dealer for proprietary research or to be paid to a third-party research provider for research it has provided.

When executing portfolio transactions in the same equity security for the funds and accounts, or portions of funds and accounts, over which the investment adviser, through its equity investment divisions, has investment discretion, each investment division within the adviser and its affiliates normally aggregates its respective purchases or sales and executes them as part of the same transaction or series of transactions. When executing portfolio transactions in the same fixed-income security for the fund and the other funds or accounts over which it or one of its affiliated companies has investment discretion, the investment adviser normally aggregates such purchases or sales and executes them as part of the same transaction or series of transactions. The objective of aggregating purchases and sales of a security is to allocate executions in an equitable manner among the funds and other accounts that have concurrently authorized a transaction in such security.

The investment adviser currently owns an interest in IEX Group and Luminex Trading and Analytics. The investment adviser may place orders on these or other exchanges or alternative trading systems in which it, or one of its affiliates, has an ownership interest, provided such ownership interest is less than five percent of the total ownership interests in the entity. The investment adviser is subject to the same best execution obligations when trading on any such exchange or alternative trading system.

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Purchase and sale transactions may be effected directly among and between certain funds or accounts advised by the investment adviser or its affiliates, including the fund. The investment adviser maintains cross-trade policies and procedures and places a cross-trade only when such a trade is in the best interest of all participating clients and is not prohibited by the participating funds’ or accounts’ investment management agreement or applicable law.

The investment adviser may place orders for the fund’s portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who have sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliated companies; however, it does not consider whether a broker-dealer has sold shares of the funds managed by the investment adviser or its affiliated companies when placing any such orders for the fund’s portfolio transactions.

Forward currency contracts are traded directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The cost to the fund of engaging in such contracts varies with factors such as the currency involved, the length of the contract period and the market conditions then prevailing. Because such contracts are entered into on a principal basis, their prices usually include undisclosed compensation to the market maker reflecting the spread between the bid and ask prices for the contracts. The fund may incur additional fees in connection with the purchase or sale of certain contracts.

Brokerage commissions paid on portfolio transactions for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amounted to $14,690,000, $15,327,000 and $9,713,000 respectively. The volume of trading activity increased since 2012, resulting in an increase in brokerage commissions paid on portfolio transactions.

The fund is required to disclose information regarding investments in the securities of its “regular” broker-dealers (or parent companies of its regular broker-dealers) that derive more than 15% of their revenue from broker-dealer, underwriter or investment adviser activities. A regular broker-dealer is ( a ) one of the 10 broker-dealers that received from the fund the largest amount of brokerage commissions by participating, directly or indirectly, in the fund’s portfolio transactions during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year; ( b ) one of the 10 broker-dealers that engaged as principal in the largest dollar amount of portfolio transactions of the fund during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year; or ( c ) one of the 10 broker-dealers that sold the largest amount of securities of the fund during the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year.

At the end of the fund’s 2014 fiscal year, the fund’s regular broker-dealers included Citigroup Global Markets Inc. At the end of the fund’s 2014 fiscal year, the fund held equity securities of Citigroup Inc. in the amount of $97,425,000.

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Disclosure of portfolio holdings

The fund’s investment adviser, on behalf of the fund, has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of information about fund portfolio securities. These policies and procedures have been reviewed by the fund’s board of 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 10th day after such calendar quarter. In practice, the publicly disclosed portfolio is typically posted on the American Funds website within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter. The publicly disclosed portfolio may exclude certain securities when deemed to be in the best interest of the fund as permitted by applicable regulations. In addition, the fund’s list of top 10 equity portfolio holdings measured by percentage of net assets, dated as of the end of each calendar month, is permitted to be posted on the American Funds website no earlier than the 10th day after such month. Such portfolio holdings information may 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, auditor, financial printers, proxy voting service providers, pricing information vendors, consultants or agents operating under a contract with the investment adviser or its affiliates, co-litigants (such as in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding related to a fund holding) and certain other third parties described below, each of which requires portfolio holdings information for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes, may receive fund portfolio holdings information earlier. See the “General information” section in this statement of additional information for further information about the fund’s custodian, outside counsel and auditor.

The fund’s portfolio holdings, dated as of the end of each calendar month, are made available to up to 20 key broker-dealer relationships with research departments to help them evaluate the fund for eligibility on approved lists or in model portfolios. These firms include certain of those listed under the “Other compensation to dealers” section of this statement of additional information and certain broker-dealer firms that offer trading platforms for registered investment advisers. Monthly holdings may be provided to these intermediaries no earlier than the 10th day after the end of the calendar month. In practice, monthly holdings are provided within 30 days after the end of the calendar month. Holdings may also be disclosed more frequently to certain statistical and data collection agencies including Morningstar, Lipper, Inc., Value Line, Vickers Stock Research, Bloomberg, Overlap and Thomson Financial Research.

Affiliated persons of the fund, including officers of the fund and employees of the investment adviser and its affiliates, who receive portfolio holdings information are subject to restrictions and limitations on the use and handling of such information pursuant to applicable codes of ethics, including requirements not to trade in securities based on confidential and proprietary investment information, to maintain the confidentiality of such information, and to pre-clear securities trades and report securities transactions activity, as applicable. For more information on these restrictions and limitations, please see the “Code of ethics” section in this statement of additional information and the Code of Ethics. Third-party service providers of the fund and other entities, as described in this statement of additional information, receiving such information are subject to confidentiality obligations. When portfolio holdings information is disclosed other than through the American Funds website to persons not affiliated with the fund, such persons will be bound by agreements (including confidentiality agreements) or fiduciary or other obligations that restrict and limit their use of the information to legitimate business uses only. None of the fund, its investment adviser or any of their affiliates receives compensation or other consideration in connection with the disclosure of information about portfolio securities.

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Subject to board policies, the authority to disclose a fund’s portfolio holdings, and to establish policies with respect to such disclosure, resides with the appropriate investment-related committees of the fund’s investment adviser. In exercising their authority, the committees determine whether disclosure of information about the fund’s portfolio securities is appropriate and in the best interest of fund shareholders. The investment adviser has implemented policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest that may arise from the disclosure of fund holdings. For example, the investment adviser’s code of ethics specifically requires, among other things, the safeguarding of information about fund holdings and contains prohibitions designed to prevent the personal use of confidential, proprietary investment information in a way that would conflict with fund transactions. In addition, the investment adviser believes that its current policy of not selling portfolio holdings information and not disclosing such information to unaffiliated third parties until such holdings have been made public on the American Funds website (other than to certain fund service providers and other third parties for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes) helps reduce potential conflicts of interest between fund shareholders and the investment adviser and its affiliates.

The fund’s investment adviser and its affiliates provide investment advice to clients other than the fund that have investment objectives that may be substantially similar to those of the fund. These clients also may have portfolios consisting of holdings substantially similar to those of the fund and generally have access to current portfolio holdings information for their accounts. These clients do not owe the fund’s investment adviser or the fund a duty of confidentiality with respect to disclosure of their portfolio holdings.

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Price of shares

Shares are purchased at the offering price or sold at the net asset value price next determined after the purchase or sell order is received by the fund or the Transfer Agent provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. The Transfer Agent may accept written orders for the sale of fund shares on a future date. These orders are subject to the Transfer Agent’s policies, which generally allow shareholders to provide a written request to sell shares at the net asset value on a specified date no more than five business days after receipt of the order by the Transfer Agent. Any request to sell shares on a future date will be rejected if the request is not in writing, if the requested transaction date is more than five business days after the Transfer Agent receives the request or if the request does not contain all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction.

The offering or net asset value price is effective for orders received prior to the time of determination of the net asset value and, in the case of orders placed with dealers or their authorized designees, accepted by the Principal Underwriter, the Transfer Agent, a dealer or any of their designees. In the case of orders sent directly to the fund or the Transfer Agent, an investment dealer should be indicated. The dealer is responsible for promptly transmitting purchase and sell orders to the Principal Underwriter.

Orders received by the investment dealer or authorized designee, the Transfer Agent or the fund after the time of the determination of the net asset value will be entered at the next calculated offering price. Note that investment dealers or other intermediaries may have their own rules about share transactions and may have earlier cut-off times than those of the fund. For more information about how to purchase through your intermediary, contact your intermediary directly.

Prices that appear in the newspaper do not always indicate prices at which you will be purchasing and redeeming shares of the fund, since such prices generally reflect the previous day’s closing price, while purchases and redemptions are made at the next calculated price. The price you pay for shares, the offering price, is based on the net asset value per share, which is calculated once daily as of approximately 4 p.m. New York time, which is the normal close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange, each day the New York Stock Exchange is open. If, for example, the New York Stock Exchange closes at 1 p.m. New York time, the fund’s share price would still be determined as of 4 p.m. New York time. In such example, portfolio securities traded on the New York Stock Exchange would be valued at their closing prices unless the investment adviser determines that a fair value adjustment is appropriate due to subsequent events. The New York Stock Exchange is currently closed on weekends and on the following holidays: New Year’s Day; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; Presidents’ Day; Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving; and Christmas Day. Each share class of the fund has a separately calculated net asset value (and share price).

All portfolio securities of funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company (other than American Funds Money Market Fund ® ) are valued, and the net asset values per share for each share class are determined, as indicated below. The fund follows standard industry practice by typically reflecting changes in its holdings of portfolio securities on the first business day following a portfolio trade.

Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are generally valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market on which the security trades.

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Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities, are generally valued at prices obtained from one or more pricing vendors. The pricing vendors base prices on, among other things, benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, underlying equity of the issuer, interest rate volatilities, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, financial or collateral characteristics or performance, credit enhancements, liquidation value calculations, specific deal information and other reference data. The fund’s investment adviser performs certain checks on vendor prices prior to calculation of the fund’s net asset value. When the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or not deemed to be representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and ask prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if ask prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type.

Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics (e.g., convertible bonds, preferred stocks, units comprised of more than one type of security, etc.), or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described above for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the investment adviser.

Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and ask prices, generally based on prices supplied by one or more pricing vendors.

Assets or liabilities initially expressed in terms of currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated prior to the next determination of the net asset value of the fund’s shares into U.S. dollars at the prevailing market rates.

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the investment adviser are valued at fair value as determined in good faith under fair value guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s board. Subject to board oversight, the fund’s board has delegated the obligation to make fair valuation determinations to a valuation committee established by the fund’s investment adviser. The board receives regular reports describing fair-valued securities and the valuation methods used.

The valuation committee has adopted guidelines and procedures (consistent with SEC rules and guidance) to consider certain relevant principles and factors when making all fair value determinations. As a general principle, securities lacking readily available market quotations, or that have quotations that are considered unreliable by the investment adviser, are valued in good faith by the valuation committee based upon what the fund might reasonably expect to receive upon their current sale. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred. The valuation committee considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security, contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security, relevant financial or business developments of the issuer, actively traded similar or related securities, conversion or exchange rights on the security, related corporate actions, significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security and changes in overall market conditions. 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 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).

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Each class of shares represents interests in the same portfolio of investments and is identical in all respects to each other class, except for differences relating to distribution, service and other charges and expenses, certain voting rights, differences relating to eligible investors, the designation of each class of shares, conversion features and exchange privileges. Expenses attributable to the fund, but not to a particular class of shares, are borne by each class pro rata based on relative aggregate net assets of the classes. Expenses directly attributable to a class of shares are borne by that class of shares. Liabilities attributable to particular share classes, such as liabilities for repurchase of fund shares, are deducted from total assets attributable to such share classes.

Net assets so obtained for each share class are then divided by the total number of shares outstanding of that share class, and the result, rounded to the nearest cent, is the net asset value per share for that class.

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Taxes and distributions

Disclaimer: Some of the following information may not apply to certain shareholders, including those holding fund shares in a tax-favored account, such as a retirement plan or education savings account. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the application of federal, state and local tax law in light of their particular situation.

Taxation as a regulated investment company — The fund intends to qualify each year as a “regulated investment company” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), so that it will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to qualify as a regulated investment company, and avoid being subject to federal income taxes, the fund intends to distribute substantially all of its net investment income and realized net capital gains on a fiscal year basis, and intends to comply with other tests applicable to regulated investment companies under Subchapter M.

The Code includes savings provisions allowing the fund to cure inadvertent failures of certain qualification tests required under Subchapter M. However, should the fund fail to qualify under Subchapter M, the fund would be subject to federal, and possibly state, corporate taxes on its taxable income and gains.

Amounts not distributed by the fund on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement may be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax. Unless an applicable exception applies, to avoid the tax, the fund must distribute during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of ( a ) at least 98% of its ordinary income (not taking into account any capital gains or losses) for the calendar year, ( b ) at least 98.2% of its capital gains in excess of its capital losses for the twelve month period ending on October 31, and ( c ) all ordinary income and capital gains for previous years that were not distributed during such years.

Dividends paid by the fund from ordinary income or from an excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income dividends. For corporate shareholders, a portion of the fund’s ordinary income dividends may be eligible for the 70% deduction for dividends received by corporations to the extent the fund’s income consists of dividends paid by U.S. corporations. This deduction does not include dividends received from non-U.S. corporations and dividends on stocks the fund has not held for more than 45 days during the 90-day period beginning 45 days before the stock became ex-dividend (90 and 180 days for certain preferred stock). Corporate shareholders can only apply the lower rate to the qualified portion of a fund’s dividends if they have held the shares in the fund on which the dividends were paid for the applicable 45 day or 90 day holding period surrounding the ex-dividend date of the fund’s dividends.

The fund may declare a capital gain distribution consisting of the excess of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. Net capital gains for a fiscal year are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the fund. For fund fiscal years beginning on or after December 22, 2010, capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as either short-term or long-term. Under prior law, net capital losses could be carried forward for eight tax years and were treated as short-term capital losses. The fund is required to use capital losses arising in fiscal years beginning on or after December 22, 2010 before using capital losses arising in fiscal years prior to December 22, 2010.

The fund may retain a portion of net capital gain for reinvestment and may elect to treat such capital gain as having been distributed to shareholders of the fund. Shareholders may receive a credit for the tax that the fund paid on such undistributed net capital gain and would increase the basis in their shares of the fund by the difference between the amount of includible gains and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder.

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Distributions of net capital gain that the fund properly designates as a capital gain distribution generally will be taxable as long-term capital gain, regardless of the length of time the shares of the fund have been held by a shareholder. Any loss realized upon the redemption of shares held at the time of redemption for six months or less from the date of their purchase will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain distributions (including any undistributed amounts treated as distributed capital gains, as described above) during such six-month period.

Capital gain distributions by the fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of the fund’s shares. Investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a capital gain distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those purchasing just prior to a distribution will subsequently receive a partial return of their investment capital upon payment of the distribution, which will be taxable to them.

Redemptions and exchanges of fund shares — Redemptions of shares, including exchanges for shares of other American Funds, may result in federal, state and local tax consequences (gain or loss) to the shareholder.

Any loss realized on a redemption or exchange of shares of the fund will be disallowed to the extent substantially identical shares are reacquired within the 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the shares are disposed of. Any loss disallowed under this rule will be added to the shareholder’s tax basis in the new shares purchased.

If a shareholder exchanges or otherwise disposes of shares of the fund within 90 days of having acquired such shares, and if, as a result of having acquired those shares, the shareholder subsequently pays a reduced or no sales charge for shares of the fund, or of a different fund acquired before January 31 st of the year following the year the shareholder exchanged or otherwise disposed of the original fund shares, the sales charge previously incurred in acquiring the fund’s shares will not be taken into account (to the extent such previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales charges) for the purposes of determining the amount of gain or loss on the exchange, but will be treated as having been incurred in the acquisition of such other fund(s).

Tax consequences of investments in non-U.S. securities — Dividend and interest income received by the fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such foreign jurisdictions. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States, however, may reduce or eliminate these foreign taxes. Some foreign countries impose taxes on capital gains with respect to investments by foreign investors.

If more than 50% of the value of the total assets of the fund at the close of the taxable year consists of securities of foreign corporations, the fund may elect to pass through to shareholders the foreign taxes paid by the fund. If such an election is made, shareholders may claim a credit or deduction on their federal income tax returns for, and will be required to treat as part of the amounts distributed to them, their pro rata portion of qualified taxes paid by the fund to foreign countries. The application of the foreign tax credit depends upon the particular circumstances of each shareholder.

Foreign currency gains and losses, including the portion of gain or loss on the sale of debt securities attributable to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, are generally taxable as ordinary income or loss. These gains or losses may increase or decrease the amount of dividends payable by the fund to shareholders. A fund may elect to treat gain and loss on certain foreign currency contracts as capital gain and loss instead of ordinary income or loss.

If the fund invests in stock of certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the fund intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any gains at the end of its fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any previously recognized gains. Both gains

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and losses will be treated as ordinary income or loss, and the fund is required to distribute any resulting income. If the fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC security and thus does not make a timely mark-to-market election, the fund may be subject to adverse tax consequences.

Other tax considerations — After the end of each calendar year, individual shareholders holding fund shares in taxable accounts will receive a statement of the federal income tax status of all distributions. Shareholders of the fund also may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions received from the fund.

For fund shares acquired on or after January 1, 2012, the fund is required to report cost basis information for redemptions, including exchanges, to both shareholders and the IRS.

Shareholders may obtain more information about cost basis online at americanfunds.com/costbasis.

Under the backup withholding provisions of the Code, the fund generally will be required to withhold federal income tax on all payments made to a shareholder if the shareholder either does not furnish the fund with the shareholder’s correct taxpayer identification number or fails to certify that the shareholder is not subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding also applies if the IRS notifies the shareholder or the fund that the taxpayer identification number provided by the shareholder is incorrect or that the shareholder has previously failed to properly report interest or dividend income.

The foregoing discussion of U.S. federal income tax law relates solely to the application of that law to U.S. persons (i.e., U.S. citizens and legal residents and U.S. corporations, partnerships, trusts and estates). Each shareholder who is not a U.S. person should consider the U.S. and foreign tax consequences of ownership of shares of the fund, including the possibility that such a shareholder may be subject to U.S. withholding taxes.

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Unless otherwise noted, all references in the following pages to Class A, B, C or F-1 shares also refer to the corresponding Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C or 529-F-1 shares. Class 529 shareholders should also refer to the applicable program description for information on policies and services specifically relating to these accounts. Shareholders holding shares through an eligible retirement plan should contact their plan’s administrator or recordkeeper for information regarding purchases, sales and exchanges.

Purchase and exchange of shares

Purchases by individuals — As described in the prospectus, you may generally open an account and purchase fund shares by contacting a financial advisor or investment dealer authorized to sell the fund’s shares. You may make investments by any of the following means:

Contacting your financial advisor — Deliver or mail a check to your financial advisor.

By mail — For initial investments, you may mail a check, made payable to the fund, directly to the address indicated on the account application. Please indicate an investment dealer on the account application. You may make additional investments by filling out the “Account Additions” form at the bottom of a recent transaction confirmation and mailing the form, along with a check made payable to the fund, using the envelope provided with your confirmation.

The amount of time it takes for us to receive regular U.S. postal mail may vary and there is no assurance that we will receive such mail on the day you expect. Mailing addresses for regular U.S. postal mail can be found in the prospectus. To send investments or correspondence to us via overnight mail or courier service, use either of the following addresses:

American Funds

12711 North Meridian Street

Carmel, IN 46032-9181

American Funds

5300 Robin Hood Road

Norfolk, VA 23513-2407

By telephone — Using the American FundsLine. Please see the “Shareholder account services and privileges” section of this statement of additional information for more information regarding this service.

By Internet — Using americanfunds.com. Please see the “Shareholder account services and privileges” section of this statement of additional information for more information regarding this service.

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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) 421-4225 if you have questions about making wire transfers.

Other purchase information — Class 529 shares may be purchased only through CollegeAmerica by investors establishing qualified higher education savings accounts. Class 529-E shares may be purchased only by investors participating in CollegeAmerica through an eligible employer plan. The American Funds state tax-exempt funds are qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions, and tax-exempt funds in general should not serve as retirement plan investments. In addition, the fund and the Principal Underwriter reserve the right to reject any purchase order.

Class R-5 and R-6 shares may be made available to certain charitable foundations organized and maintained by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates.

Class R-5 and R-6 shares may also be made available to Virginia529 for use in the Virginia Education Savings Trust and the Virginia Prepaid Education Program and other registered investment companies approved by the fund’s investment adviser or distributor. Class R-6 shares are also available to other post employment benefits plans.

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.

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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.

The following account types may be established without meeting the initial purchase minimum, but shareholders wishing to invest in two or more funds must meet the normal initial purchase minimum of each fund:

·  Accounts that are funded with ( a) transfers of assets, ( b ) rollovers from retirement plans, ( c ) rollovers from 529 college savings plans or ( d ) required minimum distribution automatic exchanges; and

·  American Funds Money Market Fund accounts registered in the name of clients of Capital Guardian Trust Company’s Capital Group Private Client Services division.

Certain accounts held on the fund’s books, known as omnibus accounts, contain multiple underlying accounts that are invested in shares of the fund. These underlying accounts are maintained by entities such as financial intermediaries and are subject to the applicable initial purchase minimums as described in the prospectus and this statement of additional information. However, in the case where the entity maintaining these accounts aggregates the accounts’ purchase orders for fund shares, such accounts are not required to meet the fund’s minimum amount for subsequent purchases.

Exchanges — You may only exchange shares into other American Funds within the same share class. However, exchanges from Class A shares of American Funds Money Market Fund may be made to Class C shares of other American Funds for dollar cost averaging purposes. Exchanges are not permitted from Class A shares of American Funds Money Market Fund to Class C shares of American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, Intermediate Bond Fund of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, Short-Term Bond Fund of America or American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund. Exchange purchases are subject to the minimum investment requirements of the fund purchased and no sales charge generally applies. However, exchanges of shares from American Funds Money Market Fund are subject to applicable sales charges, unless the American Funds Money Market Fund shares were acquired by an exchange from a fund having a sales charge, or by reinvestment or cross-reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. Exchanges of Class F shares generally may only be made through fee-based programs of investment firms that have special agreements with the fund’s distributor and certain registered investment advisors.

You may exchange shares of other classes by contacting the Transfer Agent, by contacting your investment dealer or financial advisor, by using American FundsLine or americanfunds.com, or by telephoning (800) 421-4225 toll-free, or faxing (see “American Funds Service Company service areas” in the prospectus for the appropriate fax numbers) the Transfer Agent. For more information, see “Shareholder account services and privileges” in this statement of additional information. These transactions have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases.

Shares held in employer-sponsored retirement plans may be exchanged into other American Funds by contacting your plan administrator or recordkeeper. Exchange redemptions and purchases are processed simultaneously at the share prices next determined after the exchange order is received (see “Price of shares” in this statement of additional information).

Frequent trading of fund shares — As noted in the prospectus, certain redemptions may trigger a purchase block lasting 30 calendar days under the fund’s “purchase blocking policy.” Under this policy, systematic redemptions will not trigger a purchase block and systematic purchases will not be prevented if the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase. For purposes of this policy, systematic redemptions include, for

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example, regular periodic automatic redemptions and statement of intention escrow share redemptions. Systematic purchases include, for example, regular periodic automatic purchases and automatic reinvestments of dividends and capital gain distributions. Generally, purchases and redemptions will not be considered “systematic” unless the transaction is prescheduled for a specific date.

Other potentially abusive activity — In addition to implementing purchase blocks, American Funds Service Company will monitor for other types of activity that could potentially be harmful to the American Funds — for example, short-term trading activity in multiple funds. When identified, American Funds Service Company will request that the shareholder discontinue the activity. If the activity continues, American Funds Service Company will freeze the shareholder account to prevent all activity other than redemptions of fund shares.

Moving between share classes

If you wish to “move” your investment between share classes (within the same fund or between different funds), we generally will process your request as an exchange of the shares you currently hold for shares in the new class or fund. Below is more information about how sales charges are handled for various scenarios.

Exchanging Class B shares for Class A shares — If you exchange Class B shares for Class A shares during the contingent deferred sales charge period you are responsible for paying any applicable deferred sales charges attributable to those Class B shares, but you will not be required to pay a Class A sales charge. If, however, you exchange your Class B shares for Class A shares after the contingent deferred sales charge period, you are responsible for paying any applicable Class A sales charges.

Exchanging Class C shares for Class A shares — If you exchange Class C shares for Class A shares, you are still responsible for paying any Class C contingent deferred sales charges and applicable Class A sales charges.

Exchanging Class C shares for Class F shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program and you wish to exchange your Class C shares for Class F shares to be held in the program, you are still responsible for paying any applicable Class C contingent deferred sales charges.

Exchanging Class F shares for Class A shares — You can exchange Class F shares held in a qualified fee-based program for Class A shares without paying an initial Class A sales charge if you are leaving or have left the fee-based program. You can exchange Class F shares received in a conversion from Class C shares for Class A shares at any time without paying an initial Class A sales charge if you notify American Funds Service Company of the conversion when you make your request. If you have already redeemed your Class F shares, the foregoing requirements apply and you must purchase Class A shares within 90 days after redeeming your Class F shares to receive the Class A shares without paying an initial Class A sales charge.

Exchanging Class A shares for Class F shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program and you wish to exchange your Class A shares for Class F shares to be held in the program, any Class A sales charges (including contingent deferred sales charges) that you paid or are payable will not be credited back to your account.

Exchanging Class A shares for Class R shares — Provided it is eligible to invest in Class R shares, a retirement plan currently invested in Class A shares may exchange its shares for Class R shares. Any Class A sales charges that the retirement plan previously paid will not be credited back to the plan’s account.

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Exchanging Class F-1 shares for Class F-2 shares — If you are part of a qualified fee-based program that offers Class F-2 shares, you may exchange your Class F-1 shares for Class F-2 shares to be held in the program.

Moving between other share classes — If you desire to move your investment between share classes and the particular scenario is not described in this statement of additional information, please contact American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225 for more information.

Non-reportable transactions — Automatic conversions described in the prospectus will be non-reportable for tax purposes. In addition, an exchange of shares from one share class of a fund to another share class of the same fund will be treated as a non-reportable exchange for tax purposes, provided that the exchange request is received in writing by American Funds Service Company and processed as a single transaction. However, a movement between a 529 share class and a non-529 share class of the same fund will be reportable.

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Sales charges

Class A purchases

Purchases by certain 403(b) plans

A 403(b) plan may not invest in Class A or C shares unless such plan was invested in Class A or C shares before January 1, 2009.

Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that were treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that were treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is established on or after January 1, 2009, are treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes.

Purchases by SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans

Participant accounts in a Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan or a Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees of Small Employers IRA (SIMPLE IRA) will be aggregated at the plan level for Class A sales charge purposes if an employer adopts a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc. or ( a ) the employer or plan sponsor submits all contributions for all participating employees in a single contribution transmittal or the contributions are identified as related to the same plan; ( b ) each transmittal is accompanied by checks or wire transfers and generally must be submitted through the transfer agent’s automated contribution system if held on the fund’s books; and ( c ) if the fund is expected to carry separate accounts in the name of each plan participant and ( i ) the employer or plan sponsor notifies the funds’ transfer agent or the intermediary holding the account that the separate accounts of all plan participants should be linked and ( ii ) all new participant accounts are established by submitting the appropriate documentation on behalf of each new participant. Participant accounts in a SEP or SIMPLE plan that are eligible to aggregate their assets at the plan level may not also aggregate the assets with their individual accounts. The ability to link SEP and SIMPLE IRA accounts at the plan level may not be available to you depending on the policies and system capabilities of your financial intermediary.

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 and partners of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliated companies, certain family members of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons;
  (2) currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed by such representatives, retired registered representatives with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their ( a ) spouses or equivalents if recognized under local law, ( b ) parents and

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    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 (these policies are subject to the dealer’s policies and system capabilities);
  (3) currently registered investment advisors (“RIAs”) and assistants directly employed by such RIAs, retired RIAs with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible RIAs”) (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 RIAs or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible RIAs 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 RIAs, their spouses, parents and/or children (these policies are subject to the RIA’s policies and system capabilities);
  (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. and its affiliated companies;
  (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. These privileges may not be available if your account is held with an investment dealer or through an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

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. Investment dealers will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue immediately.

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:

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·  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 are not subject to sales charges if American Funds Service Company is notified of the repayment.

Dealer commissions and compensation — Commissions (up to 1.00%) are paid to dealers who initiate and are responsible for certain Class A share purchases not subject to initial sales charges. These purchases consist of a ) purchases of $1 million or more, and b ) purchases by employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans investing $1 million or more or with 100 or more eligible employees. 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 $10 million, .50% on amounts of at least $10 million but less than $25 million and .25% on amounts of at least $25 million. Commissions are based on cumulative investments over the life of the account with no adjustment for redemptions, transfers, or market declines. For example, if a shareholder has accumulated investments in excess of $10 million (but less than $25 million) and subsequently redeems all or a portion of the account(s), purchases following the redemption will generate a dealer commission of .50%.

A dealer concession of up to 1% may be paid by the fund under its Class A plan of distribution to reimburse the Principal Underwriter in connection with dealer and wholesaler compensation paid by it with respect to investments made with no initial sales charge.

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Sales charge reductions and waivers

Reducing your Class A sales charge — As described in the prospectus, there are various ways to reduce your sales charge when purchasing Class A shares. Additional information about Class A sales charge reductions is provided below.

Statement of intention — By establishing a statement of intention (the "Statement"), you enter into a nonbinding commitment to purchase shares of the American Funds (excluding American Funds Money Market Fund) over a 13-month period and receive the same sales charge (expressed as a percentage of your purchases) as if all shares had been purchased at once, unless the Statement is upgraded as described below.

The Statement period starts on the date on which your first purchase made toward satisfying the Statement is processed. Your accumulated holdings (as described in the paragraph below titled “Rights of accumulation”) eligible to be aggregated as of the day immediately before the start of the Statement period may be credited toward satisfying the Statement.

You may revise the commitment you have made in your Statement upward at any time during the Statement period. If your prior commitment has not been met by the time of the revision, the Statement period during which purchases must be made will remain unchanged. Purchases made from the date of the revision will receive the reduced sales charge, if any, resulting from the revised Statement. If your prior commitment has been met by the time of the revision, your original Statement will be considered met and a new Statement will be established.

The Statement will be considered completed if the shareholder dies within the 13-month Statement period. Commissions to dealers will not be adjusted or paid on the difference between the Statement amount and the amount actually invested before the shareholder’s death.

When a shareholder elects to use a Statement, shares equal to 5% of the dollar amount specified in the Statement may be held in escrow in the shareholder’s account out of the initial purchase (or subsequent purchases, if necessary) by the Transfer Agent. All dividends and any capital gain distributions on shares held in escrow will be credited to the shareholder’s account in shares (or paid in cash, if requested). If the intended investment is not completed within the specified Statement period the investments made during the statement period will be adjusted to reflect the difference between the sales charge actually paid and the sales charge which would have been paid if the total of such purchases had been made at a single time. Any dealers assigned to the shareholder’s account at the time a purchase was made during the Statement period will receive a corresponding commission adjustment if appropriate.

In addition, if you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to apply purchases under such contracts and policies to a Statement.

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:

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·  individual-type employee benefit plans, such as an IRA, single-participant Keogh-type plan, or a participant account of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales charges” in this statement of additional information);

·  SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting any plan document other than a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc.;

·  business accounts solely controlled by you or your immediate family (for example, you own the entire business);

·  trust accounts established by you or your immediate family (for trusts with only one primary beneficiary, upon the trustor’s death the trust account may be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts; for trusts with multiple primary beneficiaries, upon the trustor’s death the trustees of the trust may instruct American Funds Service Company to establish separate trust accounts for each primary beneficiary; each primary beneficiary’s separate trust account may then be aggregated with such beneficiary’s own accounts);

·  endowments or foundations established and controlled by you or your immediate family; or

·  529 accounts, which will be aggregated at the account owner level (Class 529-E accounts may only be aggregated with an eligible employer plan).

Individual purchases by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the investments are:

·  for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including employee benefit plans other than the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

·  made for two or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act, excluding the individual-type employee benefit plans described above;

·  for a diversified common trust fund or other diversified pooled account not specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund shares;

·  for nonprofit, charitable or educational organizations, or any endowments or foundations established and controlled by such organizations, or any employer-sponsored retirement plans established for the benefit of the employees of such organizations, their endowments, or their foundations;

·  for participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that is treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes (see “Purchases by certain 403(b) plans” under “Sales charges” in this statement of additional information), or made for participant accounts of two or more such plans, in each case of a single employer or affiliated employers as defined in the 1940 Act; or

·  for a SEP or SIMPLE IRA plan established after November 15, 2004, by an employer adopting a prototype plan produced by American Funds Distributors, Inc.

Purchases made for nominee or street name accounts (securities held in the name of an investment dealer or another nominee such as a bank trust department instead of the customer) may not be aggregated with those made for other accounts and may not be aggregated with other nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise qualified as described above.

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Joint accounts may be aggregated with other accounts belonging to the primary owner and/or his or her immediate family. The primary owner of a joint account is the individual responsible for taxes on the account.

Concurrent purchases — As described in the prospectus, you may reduce your Class A sales charge by combining purchases of all classes of shares in the American Funds, as well as applicable holdings in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Portfolio Series, American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series and American Funds College Target Date Series. Shares of American Funds Money Market Fund purchased through an exchange, reinvestment or cross-reinvestment from a fund having a sales charge also qualify. However, direct purchases of American Funds Money Market Fund are excluded. If you currently have individual holdings in American Legacy variable annuity contracts or variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007, you may continue to combine purchases made under such contracts and policies to reduce your Class A sales charge.

Rights of accumulation — Subject to the limitations described in the aggregation policy, you may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the American Funds, as well as applicable holdings in the American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Portfolio Series, American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series and American Funds College Target Date Series, to determine your sales charge on investments in accounts eligible to be aggregated. Direct purchases of American Funds Money Market Fund are excluded. Subject to your investment dealer’s or recordkeeper’s capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated as the higher of ( a ) the current value of your existing holdings (the “market value”) as of the day prior to your American Funds investment or ( b ) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals (the “cost value”). Depending on the entity on whose books your account is held, the value of your holdings in that account may not be eligible for calculation at cost value. For example, accounts held in nominee or street name may not be eligible for calculation at cost value and instead may be calculated at market value for purposes of rights of accumulation.

The value of all of your holdings in accounts established in calendar year 2005 or earlier will be assigned an initial cost value equal to the market value of those holdings as of the last business day of 2005. Thereafter, the cost value of such accounts will increase or decrease according to actual investments or withdrawals. You must contact your financial advisor or American Funds Service Company if you have additional information that is relevant to the calculation of the value of your holdings.

When determining your American Funds Class A sales charge, if your investment is not in an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may also continue to take into account the market value (as of the day prior to your American Funds investment) of your individual holdings in various American Legacy variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies that were established on or before March 31, 2007. An employer-sponsored retirement plan may also continue to take into account the market value of its investments in American Legacy Retirement Investment Plans that were established on or before March 31, 2007.

You may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if such combined holdings cause you to be 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).

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If you make a gift of American Funds Class A shares, upon your request, you may purchase the shares at the sales charge discount allowed under rights of accumulation of all of your American Funds and applicable American Legacy accounts.

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CDSC waivers for Class A, B and C shares — As noted in the prospectus, a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) may be waived for redemptions due to death or post-purchase disability of a shareholder (this generally excludes accounts registered in the names of trusts and other entities). In the case of joint tenant accounts, if one joint tenant dies, a surviving joint tenant, at the time he or she notifies the Transfer Agent of the other joint tenant’s death and removes the decedent’s name from the account, may redeem shares from the account without incurring a CDSC. Redemptions made after the Transfer Agent is notified of the death of a joint tenant will be subject to a CDSC.

In addition, a CDSC may be waived for the following types of transactions, if together they do not exceed 12% of the value of an “account” (defined below) annually (the “12% limit”):

·  Required minimum distributions taken from retirement accounts upon the shareholder’s attainment of age 70½ (required minimum distributions that continue to be taken by the beneficiary(ies) after the account owner is deceased also qualify for a waiver).

·  Redemptions through an automatic withdrawal plan (“AWP”) (see “Automatic withdrawals” under “Shareholder account services and privileges” in this statement of additional information). For each AWP payment, assets that are not subject to a CDSC, such as shares acquired through reinvestment of dividends and/or capital gain distributions, will be redeemed first and will count toward the 12% limit. If there is an insufficient amount of assets not subject to a CDSC to cover a particular AWP payment, shares subject to the lowest CDSC will be redeemed next until the 12% limit is reached. Any dividends and/or capital gain distributions taken in cash by a shareholder who receives payments through an AWP will also count toward the 12% limit. In the case of an AWP, the 12% limit is calculated at the time an automatic redemption is first made, and is recalculated at the time each additional automatic redemption is made. Shareholders who establish an AWP should be aware that the amount of a payment not subject to a CDSC may vary over time depending on fluctuations in the value of their accounts. This privilege may be revised or terminated at any time.

For purposes of this paragraph, “account” means your investment in the applicable class of shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.

CDSC waivers are allowed only in the cases listed here and in the prospectus. For example, CDSC waivers will not be allowed on redemptions of Class 529-B and 529-C shares due to termination of CollegeAmerica; a determination by the Internal Revenue Service that CollegeAmerica does not qualify as a qualified tuition program under the Code; proposal or enactment of law that eliminates or limits the tax-favored status of CollegeAmerica; or elimination of the fund by Virginia529 as an option for additional investment within CollegeAmerica.

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Selling shares

The methods for selling (redeeming) shares are described more fully in the prospectus. If you wish to sell your shares by contacting American Funds Service Company directly, any such request must be signed by the registered shareholders. To contact American Funds Service Company via overnight mail or courier service, see “Purchase and exchange of shares.”

A signature guarantee may be required for certain redemptions. In such an event, your signature may be guaranteed by a domestic stock exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, bank, savings association or credit union that is an eligible guarantor institution. The Transfer Agent reserves the right to require a signature guarantee on any redemptions.

Additional documentation may be required for sales of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary accounts. You must include with your written request any shares you wish to sell that are in certificate form.

If you sell Class A, B or C shares and request a specific dollar amount to be sold, we will sell sufficient shares so that the sale proceeds, after deducting any applicable CDSC, equals the dollar amount requested.

If you hold multiple American Funds and a CDSC applies to the shares you are redeeming, the CDSC will be calculated based on the applicable class of shares of the particular fund from which you are making the redemption.

Redemption proceeds will not be mailed until sufficient time has passed to provide reasonable assurance that checks or drafts (including certified or cashier’s checks) for shares purchased have cleared (which may take up to 10 business days from the purchase date). Except for delays relating to clearance of checks for share purchases or in extraordinary circumstances (and as permissible under the 1940 Act), sale proceeds will be paid on or before the seventh day following receipt and acceptance of an order. Interest will not accrue or be paid on amounts that represent uncashed distribution or redemption checks.

You may request that redemption proceeds of $1,000 or more from American Funds Money Market Fund be wired to your bank by writing American Funds Service Company. A signature guarantee is required on all requests to wire funds.

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Shareholder account services and privileges

The following services and privileges are generally available to all shareholders. However, certain services and privileges described in the prospectus and this statement of additional information may not be available for Class 529 shareholders or if your account is held with an investment dealer or through an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Automatic investment plan — An automatic investment plan enables you to make monthly or quarterly investments in the American Funds through automatic debits from your bank account. To set up a plan, you must fill out an account application and specify the amount that you would like to invest and the date on which you would like your investments to occur. The plan will begin within 30 days after your account application is received. Your bank account will be debited on the day or a few days before your investment is made, depending on the bank’s capabilities. The Transfer Agent will then invest your money into the fund you specified on or around the date you specified. If the date you specified falls on a weekend or holiday, your money will be invested on the following business day. However, if the following business day falls in the next month, your money will be invested on the business day immediately preceding the weekend or holiday. If your bank account cannot be debited due to insufficient funds, a stop-payment or the closing of the account, the plan may be terminated and the related investment reversed. You may change the amount of the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by contacting the Transfer Agent.

Automatic reinvestment — Dividends and capital gain distributions are reinvested in additional shares of the same class and fund at net asset value unless you indicate otherwise on the account application. You also may elect to have dividends and/or capital gain distributions paid in cash by informing the fund, the Transfer Agent or your investment dealer. Dividends and capital gain distributions paid to retirement plan shareholders or shareholders of the 529 share classes will be automatically reinvested.

If you have elected to receive dividends and/or capital gain distributions in cash, and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver checks to your address of record, or you do not respond to mailings from American Funds Service Company with regard to uncashed distribution checks, your distribution option may be automatically converted to having all dividends and other distributions reinvested in additional shares.

Cross-reinvestment of dividends and distributions — For all share classes, except the 529 classes of shares, you may cross-reinvest dividends and capital gains (distributions) into other American Funds in the same share class at net asset value, subject to the following conditions:

(1) the aggregate value of your account(s) in the fund(s) paying distributions equals or exceeds $5,000 (this is waived if the value of the account in the fund receiving the distributions equals or exceeds that fund’s minimum initial investment requirement);

(2) if the value of the account of the fund receiving distributions is below the minimum initial investment requirement, distributions must be automatically reinvested; and

(3) if you discontinue the cross-reinvestment of distributions, the value of the account of the fund receiving distributions must equal or exceed the minimum initial investment requirement. If you do not meet this requirement within 90 days of notification, the fund has the right to automatically redeem the account.

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.

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Automatic withdrawals — Depending on the type of account, for all share classes except R shares, you may automatically withdraw shares from any of the American Funds. You can make automatic withdrawals of $50 or more. You can designate the day of each period for withdrawals and request that checks be sent to you or someone else. Withdrawals may also be electronically deposited to your bank account. The Transfer Agent will withdraw your money from the fund you specify on or around the date you specify. If the date you specified falls on a weekend or holiday, the redemption will take place on the previous business day. However, if the previous business day falls in the preceding month, the redemption will take place on the following business day after the weekend or holiday. You should consult with your advisor or intermediary to determine if your account is eligible for automatic withdrawals.

Withdrawal payments are not to be considered as dividends, yield or income. Generally, automatic investments may not be made into a shareholder account from which there are automatic withdrawals. Withdrawals of amounts exceeding reinvested dividends and distributions and increases in share value would reduce the aggregate value of the shareholder’s account. The Transfer Agent arranges for the redemption by the fund of sufficient shares, deposited by the shareholder with the Transfer Agent, to provide the withdrawal payment specified.

Redemption proceeds from an automatic withdrawal plan are not eligible for reinvestment without a sales charge.

Account statements — Your account is opened in accordance with your registration instructions. Transactions in the account, such as additional investments, will be reflected on regular confirmation statements from the Transfer Agent. Dividend and capital gain reinvestments, purchases through automatic investment plans and certain retirement plans, as well as automatic exchanges and withdrawals, will be confirmed at least quarterly.

American FundsLine and americanfunds.com — You may check your share balance, the price of your shares or your most recent account transaction; redeem shares (up to $125,000 per American Funds shareholder each day) from nonretirement plan accounts; or exchange shares around the clock with American FundsLine or using americanfunds.com. To use American FundsLine, call (800) 325-3590 from a TouchTone™ telephone. Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLine and americanfunds.com are subject to the conditions noted above and in “Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges” below. You will need your fund number (see the list of the American Funds under the “General information — fund numbers” section in this statement of additional information), 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 advisor 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 liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges. Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these services. However, you may elect to opt out of these services by writing the Transfer Agent (you may also reinstate them at any time by writing the Transfer Agent). If the Transfer Agent does not employ reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine, it and/or the fund may be liable for

New World Fund — Page 72


 
 

 

losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. In the event that shareholders are unable to reach the fund by telephone because of technical difficulties, market conditions or a natural disaster, redemption and exchange requests may be made in writing only.

Checkwriting — You may establish check writing privileges for Class A shares (but not Class 529-A shares) of American Funds Money Market Fund upon meeting the fund’s initial purchase minimum of $1,000. This can be done by using an account application. If you request check writing privileges, you will be provided with checks that you may use to draw against your account. These checks may be made payable to anyone you designate and must be signed by the authorized number of registered shareholders exactly as indicated on your account application.

Redemption of shares — The fund’s 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 with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of directors. For example, redemptions could be made in this manner if the board determined that making payments wholly in cash over a particular period would be unfair and/or harmful to other fund shareholders.

Share certificates — Shares are credited to your account. The fund does not issue share certificates.

New World Fund — Page 73


 
 

 

 

General information

Custodian of assets — Securities and cash owned by the fund, including proceeds from the sale of shares of the fund and of securities in the fund’s portfolio, are held by JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070, as custodian. If the fund holds securities of issuers outside the U.S., the custodian may hold these securities pursuant to subcustodial arrangements in banks outside the U.S. or branches of U.S. banks outside the U.S.

Transfer agent services — American Funds Service Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the investment adviser, maintains the records of shareholder accounts, processes purchases and redemptions of the fund’s shares, acts as dividend and capital gain distribution disbursing agent, and performs other related shareholder service functions. The principal office of American Funds Service Company is located at 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618. Transfer agent fees are paid according to a fee schedule, based principally on the number of accounts serviced, contained in a Shareholder Services Agreement between the fund and American Funds Service Company.

In the case of certain shareholder accounts, third parties who may be unaffiliated with the investment adviser provide transfer agency and shareholder services in place of American Funds Service Company. These services are rendered under agreements with American Funds Service Company or its affiliates and the third parties receive compensation according to such agreements. Compensation for transfer agency and shareholder services, whether paid to American Funds Service Company or such third parties, is ultimately paid from fund assets and is reflected in the expenses of the fund as disclosed in the prospectus.

During the 2014 fiscal year, transfer agent fees, gross of any payments made by American Funds Service Company to third parties, were:

   
  Transfer agent fee
Class A $26,093,000
Class B 314,000
Class C 2,102,000
Class F-1 3,178,000
Class F-2 2,974,000
Class 529-A 1,254,000
Class 529-B 31,000
Class 529-C 298,000
Class 529-E 37,000
Class 529-F-1 74,000
Class R-1 56,000
Class R-2 1,492,000
Class R-2E —*
Class R-3 882,000
Class R-4 443,000
Class R-5 234,000
Class R-6 31,000

* Amount less than $1,000.

Independent registered public accounting firm — Deloitte & Touche LLP, 695 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 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 SEC. The financial statements included in this statement of additional information from the annual report have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statements have been so included in reliance upon the

New World Fund — Page 74


 
 

 

report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The selection of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is reviewed and determined annually by the board of directors.

Independent legal counsel — Dechert LLP, One Bush Street, Suite 1600, San Francisco, CA 94104, serves as independent legal counsel (“counsel”) for the fund and for independent directors in their capacities as such. Counsel does not provide legal services to the fund’s investment adviser, but provides an insignificant amount of legal services unrelated to the operations of the fund to an investment adviser affiliate. A determination with respect to the independence of the fund’s counsel will be made at least annually by the independent directors of the fund, as prescribed by applicable 1940 Act rules.

Prospectuses, reports to shareholders and proxy statements — The fund’s fiscal year ends on October 31. Shareholders are provided updated summary prospectuses annually and at least semi-annually with reports showing the fund’s investment portfolio or summary investment portfolio, financial statements and other information. Shareholders may request a copy of the fund’s current prospectus at no cost by calling (800) 421-4225 or by sending an email request to prospectus@americanfunds.com. Shareholders may also access the fund’s current summary prospectus, prospectus, statement of additional information and shareholder reports at americanfunds.com/prospectus. The fund’s annual financial statements are audited by the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, 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 summary prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements. To receive additional copies of a summary prospectus, report or proxy statement, shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent.

Shareholders may also elect to receive updated summary prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports electronically by signing up for electronic delivery on our website, americanfunds.com. Upon electing the electronic delivery of updated summary prospectuses and other reports, a shareholder will no longer automatically receive such documents in paper form by mail. A shareholder who elects electronic delivery is able to cancel this service at any time and return to receiving updated summary prospectuses and other reports in paper form by mail.

Summary prospectuses, prospectuses, annual reports and semi-annual reports that are mailed to shareholders by the American Funds organization are printed with ink containing soy and/or vegetable oil on paper containing recycled fibers.

Codes of ethics — The fund and Capital Research and Management Company and its affiliated companies, including the fund’s Principal Underwriter, have adopted codes of ethics that allow for personal investments, including securities in which the fund may invest from time to time. These codes include a ban on acquisitions of securities pursuant to an initial public offering; restrictions on acquisitions of private placement securities; preclearance and reporting requirements; review of duplicate confirmation statements; annual recertification of compliance with codes of ethics; blackout periods on personal investing for certain investment personnel; ban on short-term trading profits for investment personnel; limitations on service as a director of publicly traded companies; disclosure of personal securities transactions; and policies regarding political contributions.

New World Fund — Page 75


 
 

 

 

Determination of net asset value, redemption price and maximum offering price per share for Class A shares — April 30, 2015

   
Net asset value and redemption price per share
(Net assets divided by shares outstanding)  
$56.30
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)  
$59.74

Other information — The fund reserves the right to modify the privileges described in this statement of additional information at any time.

The fund’s 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.

New World Fund — Page 76


 
 

 

 

Fund numbers — Here are the fund numbers for use with our automated telephone line, American FundsLine ® , or when making share transactions:

           
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class B Class C Class F-1 Class F-2
Stock and stock/fixed income funds          
AMCAP Fund ®   002 202 302 402 602
American Balanced Fund ®   011 211 311 411 611
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund SM   30100 32100 33100 34100 36100
American Funds Global Balanced Fund SM   037 237 337 437 637
American Mutual Fund ®   003 203 303 403 603
Capital Income Builder ®   012 212 312 412 612
Capital World Growth and Income Fund ®   033 233 333 433 633
EuroPacific Growth Fund ®   016 216 316 416 616
Fundamental Investors ®   010 210 310 410 610
The Growth Fund of America ®   005 205 305 405 605
The Income Fund of America ®   006 206 306 406 606
International Growth and Income Fund SM   034 234 334 434 634
The Investment Company of America ®   004 204 304 404 604
The New Economy Fund ®   014 214 314 414 614
New Perspective Fund ®   007 207 307 407 607
New World Fund ®   036 236 336 436 636
SMALLCAP World Fund ®   035 235 335 435 635
Washington Mutual Investors Fund SM   001 201 301 401 601
Fixed income funds          
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund ®   060 260 360 460 660
American Funds Mortgage Fund ®   042 242 342 442 642
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund ®  
039 N/A N/A 439 639
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of
New York ®  
041 241 341 441 641
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund ® 040 240 340 440 640
American High-Income Trust ®   021 221 321 421 621
The Bond Fund of America ®   008 208 308 408 608
Capital World Bond Fund ®   031 231 331 431 631
Intermediate Bond Fund of America ®   023 223 323 423 623
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
of America ®  
043 243 343 443 643
Short-Term Bond Fund of America ®   048 248 348 448 648
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America ®   019 219 319 419 619
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California ®   020 220 320 420 620
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland ® 024 224 324 424 624
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia ® 025 225 325 425 625
U.S. Government Securities Fund ®   022 222 322 422 622
Money market fund          
American Funds Money Market Fund ®   059 259 359 459 659

___________

*Qualified for sale only in certain jurisdictions.

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  Fund numbers
Fund Class
529-A
Class
529-B
Class
529-C
Class
529-E
Class
529-F-1
Stock and stock/fixed income funds          
AMCAP Fund  1002 1202 1302 1502 1402
American Balanced Fund  1011 1211 1311 1511 1411
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund  10100 12100 13100 15100 14100
American Funds Global Balanced Fund  1037 1237 1337 1537 1437
American Mutual Fund  1003 1203 1303 1503 1403
Capital Income Builder  1012 1212 1312 1512 1412
Capital World Growth and Income Fund  1033 1233 1333 1533 1433
EuroPacific Growth Fund  1016 1216 1316 1516 1416
Fundamental Investors  1010 1210 1310 1510 1410
The Growth Fund of America  1005 1205 1305 1505 1405
The Income Fund of America  1006 1206 1306 1506 1406
International Growth and Income Fund  1034 1234 1334 1534 1434
The Investment Company of America  1004 1204 1304 1504 1404
The New Economy Fund  1014 1214 1314 1514 1414
New Perspective Fund  1007 1207 1307 1507 1407
New World Fund  1036 1236 1336 1536 1436
SMALLCAP World Fund  1035 1235 1335 1535 1435
Washington Mutual Investors Fund  1001 1201 1301 1501 1401
Fixed income funds          
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund  1060 1260 1360 1560 1460
American Funds Mortgage Fund  1042 1242 1342 1542 1442
American High-Income Trust  1021 1221 1321 1521 1421
The Bond Fund of America  1008 1208 1308 1508 1408
Capital World Bond Fund  1031 1231 1331 1531 1431
Intermediate Bond Fund of America  1023 1223 1323 1523 1423
Short-Term Bond Fund of America  1048 1248 1348 1548 1448
U.S. Government Securities Fund  1022 1222 1322 1522 1422
Money market fund          
American Funds Money Market Fund  1059 1259 1359 1559 1459

New World Fund — Page 78


 
 

 

                 
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
Stock and stock/fixed income funds                
AMCAP Fund  2102 2202 4102 2302 2402 2702 2502 2602
American Balanced Fund  2111 2211 4111 2311 2411 2711 2511 2611
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund  21100 22100 41100 23100 24100 27100 25100 26100
American Funds Global Balanced Fund  2137 2237 4137 2337 2437 2737 2537 2637
American Mutual Fund  2103 2203 4103 2303 2403 2703 2503 2603
Capital Income Builder  2112 2212 4112 2312 2412 2712 2512 2612
Capital World Growth and Income Fund 2133 2233 4133 2333 2433 2733 2533 2633
EuroPacific Growth Fund  2116 2216 4116 2316 2416 2716 2516 2616
Fundamental Investors  2110 2210 4110 2310 2410 2710 2510 2610
The Growth Fund of America  2105 2205 4105 2305 2405 2705 2505 2605
The Income Fund of America  2106 2206 4106 2306 2406 2706 2506 2606
International Growth and Income Fund  2134 2234 41034 2334 2434 27034 2534 2634
The Investment Company of America 2104 2204 4104 2304 2404 2704 2504 2604
The New Economy Fund  2114 2214 4114 2314 2414 2714 2514 2614
New Perspective Fund  2107 2207 4107 2307 2407 2707 2507 2607
New World Fund  2136 2236 4136 2336 2436 2736 2536 2636
SMALLCAP World Fund  2135 2235 4135 2335 2435 2735 2535 2635
Washington Mutual Investors Fund  2101 2201 4101 2301 2401 2701 2501 2601
Fixed income funds                
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund  2160 2260 4160 2360 2460 2760 2560 2660
American Funds Mortgage Fund  2142 2242 4142 2342 2442 2742 2542 2642
American High-Income Trust  2121 2221 4121 2321 2421 2721 2521 2621
The Bond Fund of America  2108 2208 4108 2308 2408 2708 2508 2608
Capital World Bond Fund  2131 2231 4131 2331 2431 2731 2531 2631
Intermediate Bond Fund of America 2123 2223 4123 2323 2423 2723 2523 2623
Short-Term Bond Fund of America  2148 2248 4148 2348 2448 2748 2548 2648
U.S. Government Securities Fund  2122 2222 4122 2322 2422 2722 2522 2622
Money market fund                
American Funds Money Market Fund 2159 2259 4159 2359 2459 2759 2559 2659

New World Fund — Page 79


 
 

 

           
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class B Class C Class F-1 Class F-2
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series ®          
American Funds 2060 Target Date Retirement Fund SM 083 283 383 483 683
American Funds 2055 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 082 282 382 482 682
American Funds 2050 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 069 269 369 469 669
American Funds 2045 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 068 268 368 468 668
American Funds 2040 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 067 267 367 467 667
American Funds 2035 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 066 266 366 466 36066
American Funds 2030 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 065 265 365 465 665
American Funds 2025 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 064 264 364 464 664
American Funds 2020 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 063 263 363 463 663
American Funds 2015 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 062 262 362 462 662
American Funds 2010 Target Date Retirement Fund ® 061 261 361 461 661
                 
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series ®                
American Funds 2060
Target Date Retirement Fund SM
2183 2283 4183 2383 2483 2783 2583 2683
American Funds 2055
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2182 2282 4182 2382 2482 2782 2582 2682
American Funds 2050
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2169 2269 4169 2369 2469 2769 2569 2669
American Funds 2045
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2168 2268 4168 2368 2468 2768 2568 2668
American Funds 2040
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2167 2267 4167 2367 2467 2767 2567 2667
American Funds 2035
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2166 2266 4166 2366 2466 2766 2566 2666
American Funds 2030
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2165 2265 4165 2365 2465 2765 2565 2665
American Funds 2025
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2164 2264 4164 2364 2464 2764 2564 2664
American Funds 2020
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2163 2263 4163 2363 2463 2763 2563 2663
American Funds 2015
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2162 2262 4162 2362 2462 2762 2562 2662
American Funds 2010
Target Date Retirement Fund ®
2161 2261 4161 2361 2461 2761 2561 2661
           
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
529-A
Class
529-B
Class
529-C
Class
529-E
Class
529-F-1
American Funds College Target Date Series ®          
American Funds College 2033 Fund SM   10103 12103 13103 15103 14103
American Funds College 2030 Fund ®   1094 1294 1394 1594 1494
American Funds College 2027 Fund ®   1093 1293 1393 1593 1493
American Funds College 2024 Fund ®   1092 1292 1392 1592 1492
American Funds College 2021 Fund ®   1091 1291 1391 1591 1491
American Funds College 2018 Fund ®   1090 1290 1390 1590 1490
American Funds College Enrollment Fund ®   1088 1288 1388 1588 1488

New World Fund — Page 80


 
 

 

                           
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class B Class C Class F-1 Class F-2
American Funds Portfolio Series SM          
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio SM   055 255 355 455 655
American Funds Growth Portfolio SM   053 253 353 453 653
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio SM   051 251 351 451 651
American Funds Balanced Portfolio SM   050 250 350 450 650
American Funds Income Portfolio SM   047 247 347 447 647
American Funds Tax-Advantaged Income Portfolio SM 046 246 346 446 646
American Funds Preservation Portfolio SM   045 245 345 445 645
American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio SM 044 244 344 444 644
  Class
529-A
Class
529-B
Class
529-C
Class
529-E
Class
529-F-1
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio  1055 1255 1355 1555 1455
American Funds Growth Portfolio  1053 1253 1353 1553 1453
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio  1051 1251 1351 1551 1451
American Funds Balanced Portfolio  1050 1250 1350 1550 1450
American Funds Income Portfolio  1047 1247 1347 1547 1447
American Funds Tax-Advantaged Income Portfolio  N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
American Funds Preservation Portfolio  1045 1245 1345 1545 1445
American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio  N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
  Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
American Funds Global Growth Portfolio  2155 2255 4155 2355 2455 2755 2555 2655
American Funds Growth Portfolio  2153 2253 4153 2353 2453 2753 2553 2653
American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio  2151 2251 4151 2351 2451 2751 2551 2651
American Funds Balanced Portfolio  2150 2250 4150 2350 2450 2750 2550 2650
American Funds Income Portfolio  2147 2247 4147 2347 2447 2747 2547 2647
American Funds Tax-Advantaged Income Portfolio N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
American Funds Preservation Portfolio  2145 2245 4145 2345 2445 2745 2545 2645
American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

New World Fund — Page 81


 
 

 

                         
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class B Class C Class F-1 Class F-2
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series SM          
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Conservative SM   30109 32109 33109 34109 36109
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Moderate SM   30110 32110 33110 34110 36110
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Enhanced SM   30111 32111 33111 34111 36111
  Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Conservative  21109 22109 41109 23109 24109 27109 25109 26109
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Moderate  21110 22110 41110 23110 24110 27110 25110 26110
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio – Enhanced  21111 22111 41111 23111 24111 27111 25111 26111

New World Fund — Page 82


 
 

 

 

Appendix

The following descriptions of debt security ratings are based on information provided by Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Corporation and Fitch Ratings, Inc.

Description of bond ratings

Moody’s
Long-term rating definitions

Aaa
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of 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 judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba
Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative 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 speculative and 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 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. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies and securities firms.

New World Fund — Page 83


 
 

 

 

Standard & Poor’s
Long-term issue credit ratings

AAA
An obligation rated AAA has the highest rating assigned by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.

AA
An obligation rated AA differs from the highest-rated obligations only to a small degree. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is very strong.

A
An obligation rated A is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher-rated categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is still strong.

BBB
An obligation rated BBB exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

Obligations rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest. While such obligations will likely have some quality and protective characteristics, these may be outweighed by large uncertainties or major exposures to adverse conditions.

BB
An obligation rated BB is less vulnerable to nonpayment than other speculative issues. However, it faces major ongoing uncertainties or exposure to adverse business, financial, or economic conditions which could lead to the obligor’s inadequate capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

B
An obligation rated B is more vulnerable to nonpayment than obligations rated BB, but the obligor currently has the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. Adverse business, financial, or economic conditions will likely impair the obligor’s capacity or willingness to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CCC
An obligation rated CCC is currently vulnerable to nonpayment and is dependent upon favorable business, financial, and economic conditions for the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation. In the event of adverse business, financial, or economic conditions, the obligor is not likely to have the capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

CC
An obligation rated CC is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment. The CC rating is used when a default has not occurred, but Standard & Poor’s expects default to be a virtual certainty, regardless of the anticipated time to default.

New World Fund — Page 84


 
 

 

C
An obligation rated C is currently highly vulnerable to nonpayment, and the obligation is expected to have lower relative seniority or lower ultimate recovery compared to obligations that are rated higher.

D
An obligation rated D is in default or in breach of an imputed promise. For non-hybrid capital instruments, the D rating category is used when payments on an obligation are not made on the date due, unless Standard & Poor’s believes that such payments will be made within five business days in the absence of a stated grace period or within the earlier of the stated grace period or 30 calendar days. The D rating also will be used upon the filing of a bankruptcy petition or the taking of similar action and where default on an obligation is a virtual certainty, for example due to automatic stay provisions. An obligation’s rating is lowered to D if it is subject to a distressed exchange offer.

Plus (+) or minus (–)

The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.

NR

This indicates that no rating has been requested, that there is insufficient information on which to base a rating, or that Standard & Poor’s does not rate a particular obligation as a matter of policy.

New World Fund — Page 85


 
 

 

 

Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Long-term credit ratings

AAA
Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in case of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.

AA
Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.

A
High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to changes in circumstances or in economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.

BBB
Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse changes in circumstances and economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.

BB
Speculative. BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.

B
Highly speculative. B ratings indicate that material default risk is present, but a limited margin of safety remains. Financial commitments are currently being met; however, capacity for continued payment is vulnerable to deterioration in the business and economic environment.

CCC
Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

CC
Very high levels of credit risk. Default of some kind appears probable.

C
Exceptionally high levels of credit risk. Default is imminent or inevitable, or the issuer is in standstill. Conditions that are indicative of a C category rating for an issuer include:

·  The issuer has entered into a grace or cure period following nonpayment of a material financial obligation;

·  The issuer has entered into a temporary negotiated waiver or standstill agreement following a payment default on a material financial obligation; or

·  Fitch Ratings otherwise believes a condition of RD or D to be imminent or inevitable, including through the formal announcement of a distressed debt exchange.

New World Fund — Page 86


 
 

 

RD
Restricted default. RD ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has experienced an uncured payment default on a bond, loan or other material financial obligation but which has not entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding up procedure, and which has not otherwise ceased operating. This would include:

·  The selective payment default on a specific class or currency of debt;

·  The uncured expiry of any applicable grace period, cure period or default forbearance period following a payment default on a bank loan, capital markets security or other material financial obligation;

·  The extension of multiple waivers or forbearance periods upon a payment default on one or more material financial obligations, either in series or in parallel; or

·  Execution of a distressed debt exchange on one or more material financial obligations.

D
Default. D ratings indicate an issuer that in Fitch Ratings’ opinion has entered into bankruptcy filings, administration, receivership, liquidation or other formal winding up procedure, or which has otherwise ceased business.

Default ratings are not assigned prospectively to entities or their obligations; within this context, nonpayment on an instrument that contains a deferral feature or grace period will generally not be considered a default until after the expiration of the deferral or grace period, unless a default is otherwise driven by bankruptcy or other similar circumstance, or by a distressed debt exchange.

Imminent default typically refers to the occasion where a payment default has been intimated by the issuer, and is all but inevitable. This may, for example, be where an issuer has missed a scheduled payment, but (as is typical) has a grace period during which it may cure the payment default. Another alternative would be where an issuer has formally announced a distressed debt exchange, but the date of the exchange still lies several days or weeks in the immediate future.

In all cases, the assignment of a default rating reflects the agency’s opinion as to the most appropriate rating category consistent with the rest of its universe of ratings, and may differ from the definition of default under the terms of an issuer’s financial obligations or local commercial practice.

Note: The modifiers “+” or “–” may be appended to a rating to denote relative status within major rating categories. Such suffixes are not added to the AAA long-term rating category, or to categories below B.

New World Fund — Page 87


 
 

 

Description of commercial paper ratings

Moody’s

Commercial paper ratings (highest three ratings)

P-1

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-1 have a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-2

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-2 have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.

P-3

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Prime-3 have an acceptable ability to repay short-term obligations.

Standard & Poor’s

Commercial paper ratings (highest three ratings)

A-1

A short-term obligation rated A-1 is rated in the highest category by Standard & Poor’s. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is strong. Within this category, certain obligations are designated with a plus sign (+). This indicates that the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on these obligations is extremely strong.

A-2

A short-term obligation rated A-2 is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than obligations in higher rating categories. However, the obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is satisfactory.

A-3

A short-term obligation rated A-3 exhibits adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity of the obligor to meet its financial commitment on the obligation.

New World Fund — Page 88


 

 

 
 

 

 

New World Fund ®
 
Investment portfolio
April 30, 2015
unaudited
Common stocks 83.09%
Financials 13.28%
Shares Value
(000)
HDFC Bank Ltd. 1 11,844,629 $211,072
HDFC Bank Ltd. (ADR) 1,221,000 69,402
AIA Group Ltd. 1 40,324,600 269,178
ICICI Bank Ltd. 1 37,322,310 194,098
ICICI Bank Ltd. (ADR) 3,375,000 36,889
Prudential PLC 1 7,718,755 192,624
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. 1 8,660,989 181,998
KASIKORNBANK PCL 1 22,530,000 143,078
AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. 1 5,127,500 130,535
American Tower Corp. 1,258,900 119,004
Axis Bank Ltd. 1 12,204,216 109,310
Bank of the Philippine Islands 1 46,231,443 104,994
Fibra Uno Administración, SA de CV 39,082,098 97,514
Citigroup Inc. 1,820,000 97,042
Ayala Land, Inc. 1 93,008,400 80,622
Ayala Land, Inc., preference shares 1,2 30,910,900 69
Siam Commercial Bank PCL 1 16,680,000 80,294
Banco Santander, SA 1,2 8,360,627 63,256
Banco Santander, SA (ADR) 2,145,600 16,135
Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. 1 4,000,250 73,587
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. 1 17,500,000 73,098
Sberbank of Russia (ADR) 1 4,965,000 29,485
Sberbank of Russia (ADR) 4,562,500 27,557
Sberbank of Russia (GDR) 1,3 1,432,900 8,509
Grupo Financiero Santander México, SAB de CV, Class B (ADR) 6,082,700 61,861
Standard Chartered PLC (HKD denominated) 1 2,193,721 35,977
Standard Chartered PLC 1 1,479,794 24,200
Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, preferred nominative 4,270,576 54,613
UniCredit SpA 1 7,350,011 52,631
ACE Ltd. 425,000 45,471
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class A 1 2,950,000 42,190
Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk PT 1 46,200,000 41,363
China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd., Class H 1 7,260,000 39,555
BM&FBOVESPA SA - Bolsa de Valores, Mercadorias e Futuros, ordinary nominative 9,595,000 39,521
Bangkok Bank PCL, nonvoting depository receipt 1 6,400,000 35,841
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H 1 41,106,845 35,711
Bank of China Ltd., Class H 1 47,531,000 32,648
Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Class A 562,000 30,264
IDFC Ltd. 1 10,725,000 29,841
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. 1 13,243,082 27,652
Türkiye Garanti Bankasi AS 1 8,559,582 27,217
United Bank Ltd. 1 14,926,100 26,123
Investment AB Kinnevik, Class B 1 717,000 24,753
Banco Bradesco SA, preferred nominative 2 2,098,449 22,399
Moody’s Corp. 155,000 16,666
Itaúsa - Investimentos Itaú SA, preferred nominative 4,645,592 16,359
Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd. 1 1,031,200 15,737
New World Fund — Page 1 of 13

unaudited
Common stocks
Financials (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
GT Capital Holdings, Inc. 1 494,405 $ 13,936
HSBC Holdings PLC (HKD denominated) 1 1,125,779 11,135
Eurobank Ergasias SA 1,2 69,857,000 10,542
Piraeus Bank SA 1,2 16,410,000 7,246
C C Land Holdings Ltd. 1 2,000,000 507
Banco Espírito Santo, SA 1,2 79,923,674
    3,231,309
Consumer discretionary 12.94%    
Naspers Ltd., Class N 1 2,713,881 425,852
Altice SA 1,2 2,935,286 308,223
Toyota Motor Corp. 1 2,512,900 174,562
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. 1,313,000 141,607
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. 1 2,198,000 130,602
Inchcape PLC 1 8,816,000 112,376
Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (ADR) 2 1,663,000 105,900
SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., Class A 1 22,946,763 99,875
L’Occitane International SA 1 28,451,250 83,848
Li & Fung Ltd. 1 81,686,000 83,254
Kroton Educacional SA, ordinary nominative 20,990,000 76,632
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. 1 14,495,000 71,130
NIKE, Inc., Class B 705,600 69,741
Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd. 1 75,214,000 68,691
Renault SA 1 644,894 67,615
Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Ltd. 1 27,076,000 62,347
Hyundai Motor Co. 1 358,999 56,354
Wynn Macau, Ltd. 1 27,536,600 55,824
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. 1 15,175,000 53,913
Estácio Participações SA, ordinary nominative 8,844,600 53,427
The Swatch Group AG 1 342,000 30,015
The Swatch Group AG, non-registered shares 1 48,300 21,675
Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc., Class A 8,241,177 49,447
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. 1 222,600 48,859
Hankook Tire Co., Ltd. 1 1,096,759 45,996
Industria de Diseño Textil, SA 1 1,397,500 44,787
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (ADR) 2,152,000 43,944
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. 1 8,845,000 42,637
PT Surya Citra Media Tbk 1 177,470,000 39,639
Kering SA 1 200,563 37,050
Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC 1 853,537 36,640
Mr Price Group Ltd. 1 1,605,916 34,320
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. 1 1,830,500 32,968
JD.com, Inc., Class A (ADR) 2 950,500 31,899
Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd., Class H 1 17,518,000 29,234
Global Brands Group Holding Ltd. 1,2 139,392,000 28,586
Shangri-La Asia Ltd. 1 16,916,571 25,726
Truworths International Ltd. 1 3,483,000 25,378
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 1 700,000 23,669
Belle International Holdings Ltd. 1 17,605,000 22,588
Nokian Renkaat Oyj 1 650,000 21,199
OPAP SA 1 2,242,000 19,923
General Motors Co. 548,000 19,213
Volkswagen AG, nonvoting preferred 1 66,000 17,110
Melco International Development Ltd. 1 9,008,000 15,273
Sands China Ltd. 1 3,630,000 14,846
New World Fund — Page 2 of 13

unaudited
Common stocks
Consumer discretionary (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
Moncler SpA 1 747,835 $ 13,265
Ripley Corp SA 24,852,892 13,206
Hermès International 1 22,073 8,331
Jumbo SA 1 560,000 5,752
Hero MotoCorp Ltd. 1 122,789 4,495
Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd. 1 318,000 477
    3,149,920
Information technology 11.37%    
Baidu, Inc., Class A (ADR) 2 1,534,200 307,270
Google Inc., Class C 2 272,195 146,261
Google Inc., Class A 2 212,950 116,861
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 1 44,293,000 213,837
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (ADR) 1,400,000 34,216
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 1 1,581,800 223,181
AAC Technologies Holdings Inc. 1 35,261,500 186,789
Tencent Holdings Ltd. 1 7,980,500 164,817
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1 112,250 147,218
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., nonvoting preferred 1 4,400 4,456
Mail.Ru Group Ltd. (GDR) 1,2 6,342,266 151,116
Alcatel-Lucent 1,2 37,384,619 130,002
Tech Mahindra Ltd. 1 9,530,936 93,200
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A 2 1,550,000 90,737
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. (ADR) 2 1,077,400 87,582
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. 1,2 553,465,500 61,210
Infosys Ltd. 1 1,165,000 35,652
Infosys Ltd. (ADR) 788,000 24,412
Avago Technologies Ltd. 483,700 56,535
MasterCard Inc., Class A 600,000 54,126
Hexagon AB, Class B 1 1,435,000 53,161
Yandex NV, Class A 2 2,735,000 52,621
ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. 1 3,419,900 38,277
EPAM Systems, Inc. 2 589,900 38,172
Quanta Computer Inc. 1 13,200,000 33,068
JDS Uniphase Corp. 2 2,588,000 32,764
Gemalto NV 1 344,009 31,964
Visa Inc., Class A 422,000 27,873
Accenture PLC, Class A 290,000 26,868
Infineon Technologies AG 1 2,038,003 24,215
Western Union Co. 1,020,000 20,686
TDK Corp. 1 241,000 17,301
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. 1 153,500 17,089
STMicroelectronics NV 1 1,193,035 9,507
Broadcom Corp., Class A 170,000 7,515
Apple Inc. 45,000 5,632
    2,766,191
Consumer staples 8.61%    
Hypermarcas SA, ordinary nominative 2 24,842,300 163,914
Nestlé SA 1 2,054,417 160,203
Pernod Ricard SA 1 1,211,460 150,376
Magnit PJSC (GDR) 1 2,415,700 133,170
Coca-Cola Co. 3,280,000 133,037
British American Tobacco PLC 1 2,348,000 129,145
Lenta Ltd. (GDR) 1,2 12,172,252 106,186
New World Fund — Page 3 of 13

unaudited
Common stocks
Consumer staples (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
Lenta Ltd. (GDR) 1,2,3 1,680,100 $ 14,656
LT Group, Inc. 1,2 336,174,800 112,685
Wal-Mart de México, SAB de CV, Series V 26,190,000 61,865
Wal-Mart de México, SAB de CV, Series V (ADR) 1,500,000 35,190
Associated British Foods PLC 1 1,516,600 66,414
Thai Beverage PCL 1 108,400,000 58,488
SABMiller PLC 1 1,097,200 58,133
Unilever NV, depository receipts 1 1,299,000 56,540
Shiseido Co., Ltd. 1 3,135,000 56,494
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, nonvoting preferred 1 470,000 54,940
Emperador Inc. 1 168,700,000 43,806
China Mengniu Dairy Co. 1 8,115,547 41,249
Procter & Gamble Co. 513,000 40,789
PepsiCo, Inc. 410,000 38,999
United Breweries Ltd. 1 2,641,459 38,721
Kao Corp. 1 798,000 38,097
Coca-Cola Icecek AS, Class C 1 2,201,800 37,330
ITC Ltd. 1 7,290,000 36,917
Grupo Nutresa SA 3,341,557 34,734
Kimberly-Clark de México, SAB de CV, Class A 12,000,000 26,617
Shoprite Holdings Ltd. 1 1,811,000 25,869
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV 1 204,000 24,784
Ambev SA 3,250,000 20,430
Uni-Charm Corp. 1 721,500 18,098
Orion Corp. 1 15,489 18,081
Wumart Stores, Inc., Class H 1 18,335,000 16,041
Avon Products, Inc. 1,900,000 15,523
PZ Cussons PLC 1 2,321,000 12,702
L’Oréal SA, bonus shares 1,2 41,800 7,974
Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) 1 370,300 7,814
    2,096,011
Industrials 8.52%    
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. 1,4 107,077,980 264,655
Cummins Inc. 1,598,500 221,009
Airbus Group NV, non-registered shares 1 1,628,573 113,092
DP World Ltd. 4,859,353 112,154
ASSA ABLOY AB, Class B 1 1,838,329 106,267
Alliance Global Group, Inc. 1 167,000,000 95,008
Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. 1 1,435,400 88,744
Safran SA 1 1,142,000 83,351
Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd. 1 20,253,000 80,903
United Technologies Corp. 607,000 69,046
Andritz AG 1 965,000 56,416
Boeing Co. 391,000 56,046
Edenred SA 1 2,002,000 53,640
SMC Corp. 1 167,000 50,260
Industries Qatar QSC 1 1,257,816 49,700
Polypore International, Inc. 2 700,000 40,992
Intertek Group PLC 1 1,000,000 39,911
Meyer Burger Technology AG 1,2,4 5,800,000 39,775
Bureau Veritas SA 1 1,620,000 38,095
China State Construction International Holdings Ltd. 1 19,528,000 37,680
JG Summit Holdings, Inc. 1 22,837,900 36,706
SGS SA 1 16,200 31,525
New World Fund — Page 4 of 13

unaudited
Common stocks
Industrials (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
Orient Overseas (International) Ltd. 1 4,830,000 $ 29,681
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 1,2 1,800,000 28,844
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC, Class C, preference shares 1,2 253,800,000 389
Experian PLC 1 1,520,000 27,176
COSCO Pacific Ltd. 1 16,736,000 26,266
Deutsche Post AG 1 744,000 24,683
Toshiba Corp. 1 6,170,000 24,674
Avianca Holdings SA, preferred, restricted-voting (ADR) 2 1,805,300 23,577
Chart Industries, Inc. 2 579,061 23,481
CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd. 1 18,700,000 20,723
Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd. 1 546,500 18,771
Spirax-Sarco Engineering PLC 1 362,144 18,733
KONE Oyj, Class B 1 419,800 18,095
Kühne + Nagel International AG 1 90,000 13,531
Caterpillar Inc. 96,000 8,341
PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk 1,2 1,332,820,100 925
    2,072,865
Health care 8.49%    
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B 1 5,577,630 312,433
Novartis AG 1 2,714,600 280,470
Novartis AG (ADR) 300,000 30,540
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 1 9,348,828 293,041
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2 1,227,904 207,798
Grifols SA, Class B, preferred nonvoting, non-registered shares 1 3,528,983 115,295
Grifols, SA, Class B (ADR) 1,771,115 56,339
Bayer AG 1,2 788,200 114,824
PerkinElmer, Inc. 1,480,000 75,865
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. 2 592,029 66,337
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 503,000 63,217
AstraZeneca PLC 1 765,000 52,720
Merck & Co., Inc. 860,000 51,222
Genomma Lab Internacional, SAB de CV, Series B 2 40,876,084 48,224
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR) 710,000 42,898
Waters Corp. 2 330,000 41,313
Sysmex Corp. 1 730,100 40,340
Cochlear Ltd. 1 540,000 35,640
Pharmstandard OJSC (GDR) 1,2 6,508,871 31,911
Life Healthcare Group Holdings Ltd. 1 9,080,000 31,046
Krka, dd, Novo mesto 1 400,000 30,859
OTCPharm PJSC 1,2 6,516,318 26,522
Kalbe Farma Tbk PT 1 114,880,000 15,897
    2,064,751
Energy 4.72%    
InterOil Corp. 2,4 3,655,239 188,976
Petróleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras, ordinary nominative (ADR) 14,278,852 135,649
Petróleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras), preferred nominative 1,719,100 7,446
Petróleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras, preferred nominative (ADR) 200,000 1,736
Noble Energy, Inc. 2,003,000 101,592
Genel Energy PLC 1,2 10,315,600 99,435
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B 1 1,905,000 61,333
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B (ADR) 210,000 13,564
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A (GBP denominated) 1 340,000 10,709
Reliance Industries Ltd. 1 6,007,606 81,462
New World Fund — Page 5 of 13

unaudited
Common stocks
Energy (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
Galp Energia, SGPS, SA, Class B 1 5,394,108 $ 73,829
Ophir Energy PLC 1,2 24,052,003 52,423
Ophir Energy PLC 1,2 3,732,700 8,136
Oil Search Ltd. 1 8,106,014 51,641
BG Group PLC 1 2,050,000 37,208
Cobalt International Energy, Inc. 2 3,330,000 35,631
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 1,2,4 39,594,850 24,311
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 1,2,3,4 14,287,125 8,772
CNOOC Ltd. 1 15,861,000 27,036
Tullow Oil PLC (Ireland) 1 4,217,174 26,791
Indus Gas Ltd. 1,2,4 10,429,272 23,301
YPF Sociedad Anónima, Class D (ADR) 728,959 22,262
BP PLC 1 2,796,000 20,174
Eni SpA 1 780,000 15,015
Weatherford International PLC 2 687,830 10,008
Coal India Ltd. 1 1,726,234 9,830
    1,148,270
Telecommunication services 3.88%    
SoftBank Corp. 1 3,869,000 241,787
China Mobile Ltd. 1 7,617,000 108,913
Orange Polska SA 1 37,250,000 105,487
MTN Group Ltd. 1 4,901,491 98,213
Globe Telecom, Inc. 1 1,984,670 96,710
Reliance Communications Ltd. 1,2 64,516,096 61,393
Bharti Infratel Ltd. 1 7,100,000 44,786
Idea Cellular Ltd. 1 13,745,000 37,817
América Móvil, SAB de CV, Series L (ADR) 1,795,000 37,498
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. 1 8,141,000 27,203
Bharti Airtel Ltd. 1 4,350,000 26,049
TIM Participações SA, ordinary nominative 5,667,900 18,153
Intouch Holdings PCL 1 7,400,000 17,272
China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H 1 20,400,000 11,510
Mobile TeleSystems OJSC (ADR) 437,891 5,290
China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. 1,2 2,234,000 4,196
MegaFon OJSC (GDR) 1 46,753 794
    943,071
Materials 3.46%    
Vale SA, ordinary nominative (ADR) 10,199,299 78,331
Vale SA, Class A, preferred nominative (ADR) 1,756,000 10,624
Vale SA, Class A, preferred nominative 840,000 5,060
Linde AG 1 367,092 71,939
Holcim Ltd. 1 883,708 71,383
Grasim Industries Ltd. 1 586,502 36,543
Grasim Industries Ltd. (GDR) 1 527,053 32,839
Celanese Corp., Series A 1,041,000 69,081
Arkema SA 1 602,285 48,499
CEMEX, SAB de CV, ordinary participation certificates, units (ADR) 2 4,095,104 39,395
Akzo Nobel NV 1 480,000 36,583
L’Air Liquide SA, bonus shares 1 271,500 35,547
BASF SE 1 332,096 33,317
Wacker Chemie AG 1 252,452 31,560
Koninklijke DSM NV 1 549,700 31,250
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. 266,500 30,581
New World Fund — Page 6 of 13

unaudited
Common stocks
Materials (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
Solvay NV 1 172,700 $ 25,461
Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H 1 5,444,000 22,115
Givaudan SA 1 10,660 20,078
Fortescue Metals Group Ltd. 1 11,140,000 19,038
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 1,200,000 18,380
BHP Billiton PLC 1 700,000 16,658
Glencore PLC 1 3,480,000 16,572
LG Chem, Ltd. 1 62,696 15,817
Rio Tinto PLC 1 346,000 15,413
ArcelorMittal 1 980,000 10,415
African Minerals Ltd. 1,2 7,793,102
    842,479
Utilities 2.82%    
Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd. 1 97,858,870 230,975
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. 1 21,994,000 158,428
China Resources Gas Group Ltd. 1 28,540,000 99,354
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. 1 9,755,000 82,891
PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk 1 261,683,500 82,574
Energy World Corp. Ltd. 1,2 64,078,880 22,038
Infraestructura Energética Nova, SAB de CV 1,575,000 9,165
    685,425
Miscellaneous 5.00%    
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition   1,216,633
Total common stocks (cost: $15,833,944,000)   20,216,925
Preferred securities 0.01%
Consumer discretionary 0.01%
   
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., 6.00% preferred, expires 2022 260,820,000 3,285
Total preferred securities (cost: $1,848,000)   3,285
Rights & warrants 0.00%
Miscellaneous 0.00%
   
Other rights & warrants in initial period of acquisition   165
Total rights & warrants (cost: $20,000)   165
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 9.62%
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. 7.76%
Principal amount
(000)
 
Argentina (Republic of) 7.00% 2015 $ 6,310 6,197
Argentina (Republic of) 7.00% 2017 103,361 98,948
Argentina (Republic of) 8.75% 2024 5 4,300 4,272
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 10.00% 2017 BRL42,500 13,420
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 6.00% 2018 6 29,260 9,381
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 6.00% 2020 6 16,891 5,425
Brazil (Federal Republic of) Global 4.25% 2025 $ 9,150 9,037
City of Buenos Aires Argentina 8.95% 2021 5 6,795 7,288
City of Buenos Aires Argentina 8.95% 2021 3,5 3,000 3,218
Colombia (Republic of), Series B, 10.00% 2024 COP21,730,000 11,157
New World Fund — Page 7 of 13

unaudited
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Colombia (Republic of), Series B, 6.00% 2028 30,523,900 $11,490
Colombia (Republic of) 5.00% 2045 $11,260 11,429
Colombia (Republic of) Global 4.375% 2021 18,800 19,994
Colombia (Republic of) Global 4.00% 2024 2,200 2,266
Colombia (Republic of) Global 9.85% 2027 COP5,915,000 3,268
Colombia (Republic of) Global 6.125% 2041 $11,200 13,188
Croatian Government 6.75% 2019 3 3,490 3,906
Croatian Government 6.625% 2020 27,365 30,606
Croatian Government 6.375% 2021 3 8,650 9,580
Croatian Government 5.50% 2023 3 9,785 10,436
Dominican Republic 7.50% 2021 3,5 6,000 6,780
Dominican Republic 7.50% 2021 5 2,375 2,684
Dominican Republic 5.50% 2025 3 25,450 26,404
Dominican Republic 8.625% 2027 3,5 9,900 11,930
Dominican Republic 7.45% 2044 3 55,325 62,517
Dominican Republic 7.45% 2044 2,350 2,656
Dominican Republic 6.85% 2045 3 13,885 14,579
Egypt (Arab Republic of) 5.75% 2020 3 4,000 4,278
Ghana (Republic of) 8.50% 2017 2,100 2,189
Ghana (Republic of) 7.875% 2023 16,595 16,100
Ghana (Republic of) 8.125% 2026 3,5 12,900 12,514
Greek Government 4.75% 2019 €13,995 11,565
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2023 7 270 180
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2024 7 270 180
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2025 7 270 177
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2026 7 270 170
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2027 7 270 167
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2028 7 270 165
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2029 7 270 165
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2030 7 270 164
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2031 7 270 164
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2032 7 270 166
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2033 7 270 164
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2034 7 270 164
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2035 7 270 164
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2036 7 270 165
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2037 7 270 165
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2038 7 270 164
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2039 7 270 165
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2040 7 270 165
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2041 7 270 164
Greek Government 3.00%/3.65% 2042 7 270 164
Hungarian Government 4.00% 2019 $ 7,960 8,328
Hungarian Government 6.25% 2020 21,900 25,153
Hungarian Government 6.375% 2021 9,260 10,828
Hungarian Government 5.375% 2023 7,590 8,548
Hungarian Government 5.75% 2023 4,200 4,848
Hungarian Government 5.375% 2024 1,050 1,182
Hungarian Government, Series 25B, 5.50% 2025 HUF2,346,590 10,137
Hungarian Government 7.625% 2041 $ 5,400 7,790
India (Republic of) 7.28% 2019 INR2,079,000 32,320
India (Republic of) 8.83% 2023 1,650,000 27,502
India (Republic of) 8.60% 2028 2,380,000 39,988
India (Republic of) 9.20% 2030 533,400 9,464
Indonesia (Republic of) 5.875% 2020 $26,650 30,314
New World Fund — Page 8 of 13

unaudited
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.875% 2021 $16,565 $18,139
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.875% 2021 3 15,300 16,754
Indonesia (Republic of) 8.25% 2021 IDR143,000,000 11,335
Indonesia (Republic of) 3.75% 2022 $10,360 10,606
Indonesia (Republic of) 3.375% 2023 4,120 4,053
Indonesia (Republic of) 5.875% 2024 3 6,500 7,483
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.125% 2025 12,200 12,490
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.125% 2025 3 4,100 4,197
Indonesia (Republic of) 6.625% 2037 10,250 12,518
Indonesia (Republic of) 5.25% 2042 2,950 3,097
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.625% 2043 4,000 3,900
Indonesia (Republic of) 6.75% 2044 41,450 52,538
Indonesia (Republic of) 6.75% 2044 3 4,500 5,704
Kenya (Rebulic of) 5.875 2019 3 3,155 3,271
Kenya (Republic of) 6.875% 2024 40,200 42,612
Kenya (Republic of) 6.875% 2024 3 35,165 37,275
Malaysian Government 3.043% 2025 3 5,100 5,103
Morocco Government 4.25% 2022 6,500 6,679
Morocco Government 4.25% 2022 3 2,200 2,261
Morocco Government 5.50% 2042 19,200 20,664
Morocco Government 5.50% 2042 3 1,800 1,937
Nigeria (Republic of) 5.125% 2018 3 4,265 4,386
Nigeria (Republic of) 6.75% 2021 3 9,900 10,643
Nigeria (Republic of) 6.375% 2023 25,000 26,425
Nigeria (Republic of) 6.375% 2023 3 2,145 2,267
Pakistan (Republic of) 6.875% 2017 3 4,935 5,194
Pakistan (Republic of) 7.25% 2019 3 10,400 11,018
Pakistan (Republic of) 7.25% 2019 3,000 3,178
Pakistan (Republic of) 8.25% 2024 3 6,500 7,109
Pakistan (Republic of) 8.25% 2024 1,900 2,078
Panama (Republic of) Global 3.75% 2025 7,095 7,228
Panama (Republic of) Global 8.875% 2027 2,775 4,052
Panama (Republic of) Global 9.375% 2029 9,034 13,788
Panama (Republic of) Global 6.70% 2036 5 6,819 8,848
Peru (Republic of) 8.75% 2033 14,975 23,698
Peru (Republic of) 6.55% 2037 5 5,042 6,700
Peru (Republic of) 5.625% 2050 2,490 3,007
Perusahaan Penerbit SBSN 4.35% 2024 3 11,250 11,610
Philippines (Republic of) 7.75% 2031 9,968 14,940
Philippines (Republic of) 6.25% 2036 PHP330,000 8,646
Philippines (Republic of) 3.95% 2040 $23,544 25,004
Polish Government 5.00% 2022 22,395 25,603
Polish Government, Series 102, 4.00% 2023 PLN51,900 15,990
Polish Government 4.00% 2024 $ 9,880 10,799
Slovenia (Republic of) 4.75% 2018 3 13,285 14,309
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.50% 2022 3 3,000 3,473
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.85% 2023 5,800 6,900
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.85% 2023 3 4,170 4,961
South Africa (Republic of) 5.50% 2020 24,100 26,510
South Africa (Republic of), Series R-2023, 7.75% 2023 ZAR192,450 16,173
South Africa (Republic of) 4.665% 2024 $12,850 13,538
South Africa (Republic of), Series R-214, 6.50% 2041 ZAR724,250 47,937
Turkey (Republic of) 9.00% 2016 TRY9,900 3,682
Turkey (Republic of) 4.557% 2018 $24,000 25,212
Turkey (Republic of) 4.557% 2018 3 8,605 9,040
New World Fund — Page 9 of 13

unaudited
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Turkey (Republic of) 3.50% 2019 6 TRY13,846 $ 5,434
Turkey (Republic of) 7.00% 2019 $ 3,500 3,969
Turkey (Republic of) 3.00% 2021 6 TRY13,985 5,426
Turkey (Republic of) 5.625% 2021 $48,875 53,562
Turkey (Republic of) 2.00% 2024 6 TRY15,785 5,723
Turkey (Republic of) 9.00% 2024 18,550 6,923
Turkey (Republic of) 7.375% 2025 $20,000 24,625
Turkey (Republic of) 6.00% 2041 41,570 46,319
Turkey (Republic of) 4.875% 2043 6,200 6,006
United Mexican States Government, Series M, 5.00% 2017 MXN50,900 3,386
United Mexican States Government 4.00% 2019 6 126,846 8,870
United Mexican States Government 2.50% 2020 6 153,913 10,019
United Mexican States Government, Series M, 6.50% 2021 219,400 15,006
United Mexican States Government 2.00% 2022 6 53,074 3,315
United Mexican States Government, Series M20, 10.00% 2024 307,000 25,966
United Mexican States Government 4.00% 2040 6 68,465 4,912
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 5.625% 2017 $ 6,250 6,725
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 5.125% 2020 22,026 24,724
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 3.625% 2022 18,000 18,630
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 4.00% 2023 86,400 90,914
United Mexican States Government Global 3.60% 2025 45,541 46,406
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 6.05% 2040 15,542 18,903
United Mexican States Government Global 4.75% 2044 7,450 7,687
United Mexican States Government Global 5.55% 2045 23,095 26,444
United Mexican States Government Global, 4.60% 2046 10,900 10,914
Uruguay (Republic of) 4.375% 2028 5,6 UYU122,948 4,701
Zambia (Republic of) 5.375% 2022 $ 8,350 7,781
Zambia (Republic of) 8.50% 2024 3 8,550 9,277
    1,887,575
Corporate bonds & notes 1.63%
Energy 0.88%
   
Ecopetrol SA 5.875% 2023 2,300 2,504
Ecopetrol SA 5.875% 2045 9,535 9,189
Gazprom OJSC 9.25% 2019 15,000 16,718
Gazprom OJSC, Series 9, 6.51% 2022 17,200 17,380
Gazprom OJSC 6.51% 2022 3 10,810 10,923
Genel Energy Finance 3 Ltd. 7.50% 2019 3 9,600 9,240
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, Series 13, 6.625% 2035 15,000 16,980
Petrobras Global Finance Co. 4.375% 2023 8,505 7,585
Petrobras Global Finance Co. 6.25% 2024 30,652 30,673
Petrobras International Finance Co. 3.875% 2016 2,810 2,818
Petrobras International Finance Co. 5.375% 2021 8,200 7,911
Petróleos Mexicanos 5.50% 2021 7,675 8,462
Petróleos Mexicanos 4.875% 2022 5,568 5,902
Petróleos Mexicanos 3.50% 2023 3,975 3,851
Petróleos Mexicanos 7.47% 2026 MXN73,750 4,636
Petróleos Mexicanos 6.50% 2041 $ 8,825 9,785
Petróleos Mexicanos 5.50% 2044 3 20,510 20,336
Petróleos Mexicanos 5.50% 2044 2,425 2,404
PTT Exploration & Production Ltd. 5.692% 2021 3 3,400 3,856
YPF Sociedad Anónima 8.50% 2025 3 11,150 11,336
Zhaikmunai LP 7.125% 2019 3 11,000 10,574
    213,063
New World Fund — Page 10 of 13

unaudited
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Corporate bonds & notes (continued)
Financials 0.22%
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Banco de Crédito del Perú 5.375% 2020 3 $ 5,000 $ 5,575
Bank of India 3.625% 2018 3 6,000 6,186
BBVA Bancomer SA 6.50% 2021 3 6,550 7,283
HSBK (Europe) BV 7.25% 2021 3 11,150 11,523
Magyar Export-Import Bank 4.00% 2020 3 8,710 8,895
SB Capital SA 5.40% 2017 5,950 5,950
SB Capital SA 5.25% 2023 3 5,000 4,025
VEB Finance Ltd. 6.902% 2020 5,300 5,128
    54,565
Utilities 0.17%    
AES Panamá, SA 6.35% 2016 3 10,400 10,867
CEZ, a s 4.25% 2022 3 4,720 5,082
Eskom Holdings Ltd. 5.75% 2021 3 12,300 12,312
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. 5.75% 2021 12,000 12,012
    40,273
Telecommunication services 0.14%    
Digicel Group Ltd. 8.25% 2020 3 6,500 6,737
Digicel Group Ltd. 6.00% 2021 3 6,285 6,147
Digicel Group Ltd. 7.125% 2022 3 6,575 6,242
MTS International Funding Ltd. 8.625% 2020 13,200 14,404
    33,530
Industrials 0.11%    
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd. 6.50% 2017 10,455 6,482
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd. 6.50% 2017 3 9,345 5,794
Zoomlion H.K. SPV Co., Ltd. 6.125% 2022 3 17,000 14,960
    27,236
Consumer staples 0.05%    
Brasil Foods SA 5.875% 2022 3 12,000 13,230
Materials 0.05%    
CEMEX SAB de CV 4.984% 2018 3,8 12,000 12,585
Consumer discretionary 0.01%    
Grupo Televisa, SAB 7.25% 2043 MXN30,240 1,721
Total corporate bonds & notes   396,203
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes 0.23%
U.S. Treasury 0.23%
   
U.S. Treasury 2.125% 2016 9 $55,000 55,872
Total U.S. Treasury bonds & notes   55,872
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $2,281,443,000)   2,339,650
Short-term securities 7.61%    
American Honda Finance Corp. 0.14% due 5/6/2015 50,000 49,999
AstraZeneca PLC 0.12% due 5/20/2015–6/19/2015 3 47,000 46,993
Bank of Montreal due 5/19/2015 50,000 50,002
New World Fund — Page 11 of 13

unaudited
Short-term securities Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Bank of Nova Scotia 0.16%–0.26% due 5/13/2015–8/19/2015 3 $ 93,100 $ 93,073
BASF AG 0.20% due 9/1/2015 3 23,100 23,080
Ciesco LLC 0.28% due 8/10/2015 35,000 34,979
Coca-Cola Co. 0.22% due 7/28/2015 3 50,000 49,984
Electricité de France 0.18%–0.20% due 5/15/2015–6/8/2015 3 65,600 65,590
Fannie Mae 0.08%–0.16% due 6/1/2015–8/17/2015 190,700 190,693
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.08%–0.19% due 5/1/2015–11/3/2015 376,850 376,762
Freddie Mac 0.10%–0.19% due 5/26/2015–12/1/2015 206,900 206,832
General Electric Capital Corp. 0.30% due 10/21/2015 50,000 49,935
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp. 0.24% due 5/6/2015 3 37,000 36,999
National Australia Bank Ltd. 0.10%–0.14% due 5/1/2015–7/23/2015 3 84,300 84,278
Nestlé Capital Corp. 0.15% due 6/18/2015 3 77,500 77,484
Old Line Funding, LLC 0.28% due 10/5/2015 3 15,000 14,981
Québec (Province of) 0.12% due 6/16/2015 3 40,000 39,993
Siemens Capital Co. LLC 0.11% due 5/26/2015 3 15,000 14,999
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. 0.24% due 5/8/2015 3 50,000 49,998
Svenska Handelsbanken Inc. 0.16% due 5/4/2015 3 51,600 51,599
Thunder Bay Funding, LLC 0.27% due 7/20/2015 3 65,301 65,270
Toronto-Dominion Holdings USA Inc. 0.42% due 11/20/2015 3 30,000 29,954
Toyota Credit Canada Inc. 0.12% due 8/5/2015 25,000 24,993
Toyota Motor Credit Corp. 0.15%–0.25% due 5/20/2015–8/21/2015 54,200 54,187
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.13% due 6/25/2015 6,800 6,800
Victory Receivables Corp. 0.18% due 5/13/2015 3 63,100 63,096
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,852,238,000)   1,852,553
Total investment securities 100.33% (cost: $19,969,493,000)   24,412,578
Other assets less liabilities (0.33)%   (80,928)
Net assets 100.00%   $24,331,650
As permitted by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, “Miscellaneous” securities include holdings in their first year of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.
1 Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of directors. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Miscellaneous“ and “Other securities,“ was $14,635,460,000, which represented 60.15% of the net assets of the fund. This amount includes $14,546,657,000 related to certain securities trading outside the U.S. whose values were adjusted as a result of significant market movements following the close of local trading.
2 Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
3 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Other securities,“ was $1,386,430,000, which represented 5.70% of the net assets of the fund.
4 Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5 Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
6 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
7 Step bond; coupon rate will increase at a later date.
8 Coupon rate may change periodically.
9 A portion of this security was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $5,572,000, which represented .02% of the net assets of the fund.
    
New World Fund — Page 12 of 13

unaudited
Key to abbreviations and symbol
ADR = American Depositary Receipts
CDI = CREST Depository Receipts
GDR = Global Depositary Receipts
BRL = Brazilian reais
COP = Colombian pesos
€ = Euros
HKD/HK$ = Hong Kong dollars
HUF = Hungarian forints
INR = Indian rupees
IDR = Indonesian rupiah
MXN = Mexican pesos
PHP = Philippine pesos
PLN = Polish zloty
ZAR = South African rand
TRY = Turkish lira
UYU = Uruguayan pesos
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at (800) 421-4225 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.
 
 
Summary investment portfolio April 30, 2015 unaudited

 

Industry sector diversification Percent of net assets
   
 

 

Country diversification by domicile   Percent of
 net assets
United States     13.91 %
Euro zone*     10.25  
India     8.85  
China     7.76  
United Kingdom     7.37  
Japan     4.79  
Hong Kong     4.54  
Philippines     3.80  
Mexico     3.60  
Other countries     27.85  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities     7.28  
* Countries using the euro as a common currency; those represented in the fund’s portfolio are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

 

Common stocks 83.09%   Shares     Value
(000)
 
Financials 13.28%                
HDFC Bank Ltd. 1     11,844,629     $ 211,072  
HDFC Bank Ltd. (ADR)     1,221,000       69,402  
AIA Group Ltd. 1     40,324,600       269,178  
ICICI Bank Ltd. 1     37,322,310       194,098  
ICICI Bank Ltd. (ADR)     3,375,000       36,889  
Prudential PLC 1     7,718,755       192,624  
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. 1     8,660,989       181,998  
KASIKORNBANK PCL 1     22,530,000       143,078  
AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. 1     5,127,500       130,535  
American Tower Corp.     1,258,900       119,004  
Axis Bank Ltd. 1     12,204,216       109,310  
Other securities             1,574,121  
              3,231,309  

 

New World Fund 7
 
Common stocks (continued)   Shares     Value
(000)
 
Consumer discretionary 12.94%                
Naspers Ltd., Class N 1     2,713,881     $ 425,852  
Altice SA 1,2     2,935,286       308,223  
Toyota Motor Corp. 1     2,512,900       174,562  
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.     1,313,000       141,607  
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. 1     2,198,000       130,602  
Inchcape PLC 1     8,816,000       112,376  
              3,149,920  
                 
Information technology 11.37%                
Baidu, Inc., Class A (ADR) 2     1,534,200       307,270  
Google Inc., Class C 2     272,195       146,261  
Google Inc., Class A 2     212,950       116,861  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 1     44,293,000       213,837  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (ADR)     1,400,000       34,216  
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 1     1,581,800       223,181  
AAC Technologies Holdings Inc. 1     35,261,500       186,789  
Tencent Holdings Ltd. 1     7,980,500       164,817  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 1     112,250       147,218  
Mail.Ru Group Ltd. (GDR) 1,2     6,342,266       151,116  
Alcatel-Lucent 1,2     37,384,619       130,002  
Other securities             944,623  
              2,766,191  
                 
Consumer staples 8.61%                
Hypermarcas SA, ordinary nominative 2     24,842,300       163,914  
Nestlé SA 1     2,054,417       160,203  
Pernod Ricard SA 1     1,211,460       150,376  
Magnit PJSC (GDR) 1     2,415,700       133,170  
Coca-Cola Co.     3,280,000       133,037  
British American Tobacco PLC 1     2,348,000       129,145  
Lenta Ltd. (GDR) 1,2,3     13,852,352       120,842  
LT Group, Inc. 1,2     336,174,800       112,685  
Other securities             992,639  
              2,096,011  
                 
Industrials 8.52%                
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. 1,4     107,077,980       264,655  
Cummins Inc.     1,598,500       221,009  
Airbus Group NV, non-registered shares 1     1,628,573       113,092  
DP World Ltd.     4,859,353       112,154  
Other securities             1,361,955  
              2,072,865  
                 
Health care 8.49%                
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B 1     5,577,630       312,433  
Novartis AG 1     2,714,600       280,470  
Novartis AG (ADR)     300,000       30,540  
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 1     9,348,828       293,041  
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2     1,227,904       207,798  
Grifols SA, Class B, preferred nonvoting, non-registered shares 1     3,528,983       115,295  

 

8 New World Fund
 
      Shares       Value
(000)
 
Bayer AG 1, 2     788,200     $ 114,824  
Other securities             710,350  
              2,064,751  
                 
Energy 4.72%                
InterOil Corp. 2,4     3,655,239       188,976  
Petróleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras, ordinary nominative (ADR)     14,278,852       135,649  
Other securities             823,645  
              1,148,270  
                 
Telecommunication services 3.88%                
SoftBank Corp. 1     3,869,000       241,787  
China Mobile Ltd. 1     7,617,000       108,913  
              943,071  
                 
Materials 3.46%                
Other securities             842,479  
                 
Utilities 2.82%                
Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd. 1     97,858,870       230,975  
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. 1     21,994,000       158,428  
Other securities             296,022  
              685,425  
                 
Miscellaneous 5.00%                
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition             1,216,633  
                 
Total common stocks (cost: $15,833,944,000)             20,216,925  
                 
Preferred securities 0.01%                
Consumer discretionary 0.01%                
Other securities             3,285  
                 
Total preferred securities (cost: $1,848,000)             3,285  
                 
Rights & warrants 0.00%                
Miscellaneous 0.00%                
Other rights & warrants in initial period of acquisition             165  
                 
Total rights & warrants (cost: $20,000)             165  
                 
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 9.62%   Principal amount
(000)
         
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. 7.76%                
United Mexican States Government 2.00%–10.00% 2017–2040 5     MXN979,598       71,474  
United Mexican States Government Global 3.60%–6.05% 2017–2046     235,204       251,347  
Other securities             1,564,754  
              1,887,575  
                 
Other bonds & notes 1.86%                
Other securities             452,075  
                 
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $2,281,443,000)             2,339,650  

 

New World Fund 9
 
Short-term securities 7.61%   Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
 
Fannie Mae 0.08%–0.16% due 6/1/2015–8/17/2015     190,700     $ 190,693  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.08%–0.19% due 5/1/2015–11/3/2015     376,850       376,762  
Freddie Mac 0.10%–0.19% due 5/26/2015–12/1/2015     206,900       206,832  
Toyota Credit Canada Inc. 0.12% due 8/5/2015     25,000       24,993  
Toyota Motor Credit Corp. 0.15%–0.25% due 5/20/2015–8/21/2015     54,200       54,187  
Other securities             999,086  
                 
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,852,238,000)             1,852,553  
Total investment securities 100.33% (cost: $19,969,493,000)             24,412,578  
Other assets less liabilities (0.33)%             (80,928 )
                 
Net assets 100.00%           $ 24,331,650  

 

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

 

As permitted by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, “Miscellaneous” securities include holdings in their first year of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.

 

“Other securities” includes all issues that are not disclosed separately in the summary investment portfolio, including securities which were pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $5,572,000, which represented .02% of the net assets of the fund.

 

10 New World Fund
 

Forward currency contracts

The fund has entered into forward currency contracts as shown in the following table. The average notional amount of open forward currency contracts was $249,777,000 over the prior 12-month period.

 

                    Unrealized  
                    (depreciation)  
            Contract amount   appreciation  
            Receive   Deliver   at 4/30/2015  
    Settlement date   Counterparty   (000)   (000)   (000)  
Sales:                        
Brazilian reais   5/11/2015   UBS AG   $9,557   BRL30,102     $(395 )
Brazilian reais   5/13/2015   Citibank   $341   BRL1,050     (6 )
British pounds   5/12/2015   Citibank   $15,570   £10,500     (546 )
British pounds   5/12/2015   Citibank   $38,467   £26,050     (1,516 )
British pounds   6/10/2015   Citibank   $28,504   £19,100     (805 )
Colombian pesos   5/11/2015   JPMorgan Chase   $6,345   COP15,859,500     (306 )
Euros   5/15/2015   Bank of America, N.A.   $28,701   €27,095     (1,728 )
Euros   5/22/2015   Bank of America, N.A.   $3,479   €3,211     (127 )
Japanese yen   5/20/2015   Citibank   $24,984   ¥2,975,000     64  
Japanese yen   6/2/2015   UBS AG   $3,512   ¥420,000     (7 )
Japanese yen   6/8/2015   Bank of America, N.A.   $5,547   ¥660,000     17  
Mexican pesos   5/13/2015   UBS AG   $6,561   MXN101,760     (66 )
South African rand   5/21/2015   Bank of America, N.A.   $6,273   ZAR76,125     (103 )
South African rand   5/21/2015   Citibank   $25,967   ZAR311,950     (163 )
Turkish lira   6/5/2015   UBS AG   $247   TRY675     (3 )
                      $(5,690 )

 

Investments in affiliates

 

A company is an affiliate of the fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 if the fund’s holdings in that company represent 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares. The value of the fund’s affiliated-company holdings is either shown in the summary investment portfolio or included in the value of “Other securities” under the respective industry sectors. Further details on such holdings and related transactions during the six months ended April 30, 2015, appear below.

 

                                  Value of  
                            Dividend     affiliates at  
    Beginning                 Ending     income     4/30/2015  
    shares     Additions     Reductions     shares     (000)     (000)  
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. 1     106,374,000       703,980             107,077,980     $ 1,519     $ 264,655  
InterOil Corp. 2     3,655,239                   3,655,239             188,976  
Meyer Burger Technology AG 1,2     5,800,000                   5,800,000             39,775  
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 1,2     19,594,850       20,000,000             39,594,850             24,311  
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 1,2,3     14,287,125                   14,287,125             8,772  
Indus Gas Ltd. 1,2     10,429,272                   10,429,272             23,301  
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 1,6     11,129,828             1,781,000       9,348,828       1,990        
                                    $ 3,509     $ 549,790  

 

New World Fund 11
 

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 Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of directors. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Miscellaneous” and “Other securities,” was $14,635,460,000, which represented 60.15% of the net assets of the fund. This amount includes $14,546,657,000 related to certain securities trading outside the U.S. whose values were adjusted as a result of significant market movements following the close of local trading.
2 Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
3 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Other securities,” was $1,386,430,000, which represented 5.70% of the net assets of the fund.
4 Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
6 Unaffiliated issuer at 4/30/2015.

 

Key to abbreviations and symbols

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

GDR = Global Depositary Receipts
BRL = Brazilian reais
£ = British pounds
COP = Colombian pesos
€ = Euros
¥ = Japanese yen
MXN = Mexican pesos
ZAR = South African rand
TRY = Turkish lira

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

12 New World Fund
 

Financial statements

 

Statement of assets and liabilities   unaudited  
at April 30, 2015   (dollars in thousands)  

 

Assets:                
Investment securities, at value:                
Unaffiliated issuers (cost: $19,399,339)   $ 23,862,788          
Affiliated issuers (cost: $570,154)     549,790     $ 24,412,578  
Cash denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars (cost: $6,339)             6,393  
Cash             2,123  
Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts             81  
Receivables for:                
Sales of investments     39,279          
Sales of fund’s shares     35,972          
Closed forward currency contracts     311          
Dividends and interest     85,393          
Other     905       161,860  
              24,583,035  
Liabilities:                
Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts             5,771  
Payables for:                
Purchases of investments     175,982          
Repurchases of fund’s shares     23,542          
Closed forward currency contracts     785          
Investment advisory services     10,985          
Services provided by related parties     9,097          
Directors’ deferred compensation     2,159          
Other     23,064       245,614  
Net assets at April 30, 2015           $ 24,331,650  
                 
Net assets consist of:                
Capital paid in on shares of capital stock           $ 19,848,504  
Distributions in excess of net investment income             (29,599 )
Undistributed net realized gain             93,733  
Net unrealized appreciation             4,419,012  
Net assets at April 30, 2015           $ 24,331,650  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

New World Fund 13
 

(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

Total authorized capital stock — 1,000,000 shares,
$.01 par value (433,591 total shares outstanding)

 

          Shares     Net asset value  
    Net assets     outstanding     per share  
Class A   $ 12,963,256       230,239     $ 56.30  
Class B     85,833       1,543       55.62  
Class C     997,432       18,314       54.46  
Class F-1     1,776,293       31,761       55.93  
Class F-2     3,853,458       68,501       56.25  
Class 529-A     787,366       14,098       55.85  
Class 529-B     10,655       194       55.04  
Class 529-C     169,238       3,103       54.55  
Class 529-E     37,392       675       55.44  
Class 529-F-1     48,655       871       55.86  
Class R-1     34,325       628       54.62  
Class R-2     353,418       6,473       54.60  
Class R-2E     241       4       55.99  
Class R-3     501,647       9,031       55.55  
Class R-4     480,687       8,575       56.06  
Class R-5     437,842       7,753       56.48  
Class R-6     1,793,912       31,828       56.36  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

14 New World Fund
 
Statement of operations   unaudited
for the six months ended April 30, 2015   (dollars in thousands)

 

Investment income:            
Income:                
Dividends (net of non-U.S. taxes of $12,149; also includes $3,509 from affiliates)   $ 131,618          
Interest (net of non-U.S. taxes of $82)     71,761     $ 203,379  
Fees and expenses*:                
Investment advisory services     64,503          
Distribution services     27,494          
Transfer agent services     18,842          
Administrative services     3,320          
Reports to shareholders     1,056          
Registration statement and prospectus     996          
Directors’ compensation     271          
Auditing and legal     103          
Custodian     3,651          
Other     1,189       121,425  
Net investment income             81,954  
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency:                
Net realized gain (loss) on:                
Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $1,475; also includes $35,635 net gain from affiliates)     74,455          
Forward currency contracts     35,534          
Currency transactions     (3,310 )     106,679  
Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on:                
Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $19,151)     (71,582 )        
Forward currency contracts     (8,936 )        
Currency translations     1,835       (78,683 )
Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency             27,996  
                 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations           $ 109,950  

 

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

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

New World Fund 15
 

Statements of changes in net assets

(dollars in thousands)

 

    Six months ended     Year ended  
    April 30,     October 31,  
    2015*     2014  
Operations:                
Net investment income   $ 81,954     $ 303,886  
Net realized gain on investments, forward currency contracts and currency transactions     106,679       1,072,746  
Net unrealized depreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency translations     (78,683 )     (956,191 )
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     109,950       420,441  
                 
Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders:                
Dividends from net investment income     (203,057 )     (218,413 )
Distributions from net realized gain on investments     (1,079,222 )     (238,779 )
Total dividends and distributions paid to shareholders     (1,282,279 )     (457,192 )
                 
Net capital share transactions     1,220,565       1,559,982  
                 
Total increase in net assets     48,236       1,523,231  
                 
Net assets:                
Beginning of period     24,283,414       22,760,183  
End of period (including distributions in excess of and undistributed net investment income: $(29,599) and $91,504, respectively)   $ 24,331,650     $ 24,283,414  

 

*Unaudited.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

16 New World Fund
 
Notes to financial statements unaudited

 

1. Organization

 

New World Fund, Inc. (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified investment company. The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks and bonds with significant exposure to countries that have developing economies and/or markets. Shareholders approved a proposal to reorganize the fund into a Delaware statutory trust. The reorganization may be completed in the next 12 months; however, the fund reserves the right to delay the implementation.

 

The fund has 17 share classes consisting of five retail share classes (Classes A, B and C, as well as two F share classes, F-1 and F-2), five 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) and seven retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6). The 529 college savings plan share classes can be used to save for college education. The retirement plan share classes are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described further in the following table:

 

Share class   Initial sales charge   Contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption   Conversion feature  
Classes A and 529-A   Up to 5.75%   None (except 1% for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)   None  
Classes B and 529-B*   None   Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase   Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years  
Class C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years  
Class 529-C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   None  
Class 529-E   None   None   None  
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1   None   None   None  
Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6   None   None   None  

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

 

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

 

New World Fund 17
 

2. Significant accounting policies

 

The fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The fund’s financial statements have been prepared to comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require the fund’s investment adviser to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described in this section, as well as the valuation policies described in the next section on valuation.

 

Security transactions and related investment income — Security transactions are recorded by the fund as of the date the trades are executed with brokers. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined based on the specific identified cost of the securities. In the event a security is purchased with a delayed payment date, the fund will segregate liquid assets sufficient to meet its payment obligations. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Market discounts, premiums and original issue discounts on fixed-income securities are amortized daily over the expected life of the security.

 

Class allocations — Income, fees and expenses (other than class-specific fees and expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, transfer agent and administrative services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Currency translation — Assets and liabilities, including investment securities, denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates supplied by one or more pricing vendors on the valuation date. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the dates of such transactions. The effects of changes in exchange rates on investment securities are included with the net realized gain or loss and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments in the fund’s statement of operations. The realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation resulting from all other transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are disclosed separately.

 

3. Valuation

 

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

 

18 New World Fund
 

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

 

Equity securities are generally valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market on which the security trades.

 

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

 

Fixed-income class Examples of standard inputs
All Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
Corporate bonds & notes; convertible securities Standard inputs and underlying equity of the issuer
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies Standard inputs and interest rate volatilities

 

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

 

Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics, or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the fund’s investment adviser. Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and ask prices, generally based on prices supplied by one or more pricing vendors.

 

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the fund’s investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under fair valuation guidelines adopted by authority of the

 

New World Fund 19
 

fund’s board of directors as further described. The investment adviser follows fair valuation guidelines, consistent with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and guidance, to consider relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. The investment adviser considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. In addition, the closing prices of equity securities that trade in markets outside U.S. time zones may be adjusted to reflect significant events that occur after the close of local trading but before the net asset value of each share class of the fund is determined. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

 

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

 

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

 

Classifications — The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Certain securities trading outside the U.S. may transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 due to valuation adjustments resulting from significant market movements following the close of local trading. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing

 

20 New World Fund
 

the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market. The following table presents the fund’s valuation levels as of April 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Investment securities  
    Level 1     Level 2*     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Common stocks:                                
Financials   $ 750,697     $ 2,480,543     $ 69     $ 3,231,309  
Consumer discretionary     605,016       2,544,904             3,149,920  
Information technology     1,130,131       1,636,060             2,766,191  
Consumer staples     571,098       1,524,913             2,096,011  
Industrials     554,646       1,518,219             2,072,865  
Health care     683,753       1,380,998             2,064,751  
Energy     516,864       631,406             1,148,270  
Telecommunication services     60,941       882,130             943,071  
Materials     251,452       591,027             842,479  
Utilities     9,165       676,260             685,425  
Miscellaneous     447,867       758,468       10,298       1,216,633  
Preferred securities     3,285                   3,285  
Rights & warrants           165             165  
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments:                                
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S.           1,887,575             1,887,575  
Other           452,075             452,075  
Short-term securities           1,852,553             1,852,553  
Total   $ 5,584,915     $ 18,817,296     $ 10,367     $ 24,412,578  

 

    Other investments  
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts   $     $ 81     $     $ 81  
Liabilities:                                
Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts           (5,771 )           (5,771 )
Total   $     $ (5,690 )   $     $ (5,690 )

 

* Securities with a value of $13,617,913,000, which represented 55.97% of the net assets of the fund, transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 since the prior fiscal year-end, primarily due to significant market movements following the close of local trading.
Forward currency contracts are not included in the investment portfolio.

 

4. Risk factors

 

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

 

New World Fund 21
 

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline – sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

 

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

 

Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments. These risks may be even greater in the case of smaller capitalization stocks.

 

Investing outside the U.S. — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the U.S., or with significant operations outside the U.S., may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers are domiciled or operate. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the U.S. Investments outside the U.S. may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the U.S. In addition, the value of investments outside the U.S. may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the U.S. may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.

 

Investing in developing countries — Investing in countries with developing economies and/or markets may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in developed countries. For instance, developing countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems than those in developed countries. The governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or impose punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than

 

22 New World Fund
 

securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Less certainty with respect to security valuations may lead to additional challenges and risks in calculating the fund’s net asset value. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.

 

Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

New World Fund 23
 

5. Certain investment techniques

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

The following tables present the financial statement impacts resulting from the fund’s use of forward currency contracts as of, or for the six months ended, April 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Assets     Liabilities
Contract   Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
  Value     Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
  Value
Forward currency   Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts   $ 81     Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts   $ 5,771
Forward currency   Receivables for closed forward currency contracts     311     Payables for closed forward currency contracts     785
        $ 392         $ 6,556

 

    Net realized gain     Net unrealized depreciation
Contract   Location on statement of
operations
  Value     Location on statement of
operations
  Value
Forward currency   Net realized gain on forward currency contracts   $ 35,534     Net unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts   $ (8,936)

 

24 New World Fund
 

Collateral — The fund participates in a collateral program due to its use of forward currency contracts. The program calls for the fund to either receive or pledge collateral based on the net gain or loss on unsettled forward currency contracts by counterparty. The purpose of the collateral is to cover potential losses that could occur in the event that either party cannot meet its contractual obligations.

 

Rights of offset — The fund has entered into enforceable master netting agreements with certain counterparties for forward currency contracts, where on any date amounts payable by each party to the other (in the same currency with respect to the same transaction) may be closed or offset by each party’s payment obligation. If an early termination date occurs under these agreements following an event of default or termination event, all obligations of each party to its counterparty are settled net through a single payment in a single currency (“close-out netting”). For financial reporting purposes, the fund does not offset financial assets and financial liabilities that are subject to these master netting arrangements in the statement of assets and liabilities.

 

The following table presents the fund’s forward currency contracts by counterparty that are subject to master netting agreements but that are not offset in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. The net amount column shows the impact of offsetting on the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities as of April 30, 2015 (dollars in thousands) if close-out netting was exercised:

 

          Gross amounts not offset in the        
    Gross amounts     statement of assets and liabilities and        
    recognized in the     subject to a master netting agreement        
    statement of assets     Available     Non-cash     Cash     Net  
Counterparty   and liabilities     to offset     collateral*     collateral     amount  
Assets:                                        
Bank of America, N.A.   $ 17     $ (17 )   $     $     $  
Citibank     92       (64 )                 28  
JPMorgan Chase     283             (260 )           23  
Total   $ 392     $ (81 )   $ (260 )   $     $ 51  
Liabilities:                                        
Bank of America, N.A.   $ 1,999     $ (17 )   $ (1,251 )   $     $ 731  
Citibank     3,222       (64 )     (3,158 )            
JPMorgan Chase     306                         306  
UBS AG     1,029             (1,029 )            
Total   $ 6,556     $ (81 )   $ (5,438 )   $     $ 1,037  

 

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

 

6. Taxation and distributions

 

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

 

New World Fund 25
 

As of and during the period ended April 30, 2015, the fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

The fund is not subject to examination by U.S. federal tax authorities for tax years before 2010, by state tax authorities for tax years before 2009 and by tax authorities outside the U.S. for tax years before 2008.

 

Non-U.S. taxation — Dividend and interest income are recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. Gains realized by the fund on the sale of securities in certain countries are subject to non-U.S. taxes. The fund records a liability based on unrealized gains to provide for potential non-U.S. taxes payable upon the sale of these securities.

 

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

 

The components of distributable earnings on a tax basis are reported as of the fund’s most recent year-end. As of October 31, 2014, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Undistributed ordinary income   $ 200,705  
Undistributed long-term capital gains     1,077,556  

 

As of April 30, 2015, the tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities   $ 5,977,826  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities     (1,650,485 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities     4,327,341  
Cost of investment securities     20,085,237  

 

26 New World Fund
 

The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders was as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

    Six months ended April 30, 2015     Year ended October 31, 2014  
                Total                 Total  
                dividends and                 dividends and  
    Ordinary     Long-term     distributions     Ordinary     Long-term     distributions  
Share class   income     capital gains     paid     income     capital gains     paid  
Class A   $ 108,207     $ 581,444     $ 689,651     $ 126,194     $ 136,993     $ 263,187  
Class B           5,070       5,070       59       1,910       1,969  
Class C     371       47,424       47,795       2,578       11,329       13,907  
Class F-1     12,848       79,861       92,709       26,756       27,344       54,100  
Class F-2     41,553       161,776       203,329       25,069       20,504       45,573  
Class 529-A     6,136       35,391       41,527       7,092       8,127       15,219  
Class 529-B           598       598             211       211  
Class 529-C           7,960       7,960       329       1,873       2,202  
Class 529-E     208       1,702       1,910       261       393       654  
Class 529-F-1     482       2,179       2,661       493       462       955  
Class R-1     30       1,638       1,668       99       377       476  
Class R-2     330       16,567       16,897       1,025       3,918       4,943  
Class R-2E*     2       10       12                    
Class R-3     2,875       22,451       25,326       3,390       4,974       8,364  
Class R-4     4,237       21,020       25,257       3,916       3,940       7,856  
Class R-5     4,698       17,952       22,650       6,251       4,986       11,237  
Class R-6     21,080       76,179       97,259       14,901       11,438       26,339  
Total   $ 203,057     $ 1,079,222     $ 1,282,279     $ 218,413     $ 238,779     $ 457,192  

 

*Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.

 

7. Fees and transactions with related parties

 

CRMC, the fund’s investment adviser, is the parent company of American Funds Distributors, ® Inc. (“AFD”), the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares, and American Funds Service Company ® (“AFS”), the fund’s transfer agent. CRMC, AFD and AFS are considered related parties to the fund.

 

Investment advisory services — The fund has an investment advisory and service agreement with CRMC that provides for monthly fees accrued daily. At the beginning of the year, these fees were based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.850% on the first $500 million of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.490% on such assets in excess of $21 billion. On December 10, 2014, the fund’s board of trustees approved an amended investment advisory and service agreement effective February 1, 2015, decreasing the annual rates on daily net assets in excess of $27 billion to 0.485%. For the six months ended April 30, 2015, the investment advisory services fee was $64,503,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.549% of average daily net assets.

 

New World Fund 27
 

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

 

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

 

For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.30% is not exceeded. As of April 30, 2015, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.

 

  Share class   Currently approved limits   Plan limits  
  Class A     0.30 %     0.30 %  
  Class 529-A     0.30       0.50    
  Classes B and 529-B     1.00       1.00    
  Classes C, 529-C and R-1     1.00       1.00    
  Class R-2     0.75       1.00    
  Class R-2E     0.60       0.85    
  Classes 529-E and R-3     0.50       0.75    
  Classes F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4     0.25       0.50    

 

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

 

Administrative services — The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC under which the fund compensates CRMC for providing administrative services to Class A, C, F, 529 and R shares. These services include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third parties that provide

 

28 New World Fund
 

services to fund shareholders. Under the agreement, Class A shares pay an annual fee of 0.01% and Class C, F, 529 and R shares pay an annual fee of 0.05% of their respective average daily net assets.

 

529 plan services — Each 529 share class is subject to service fees to compensate the Virginia College Savings Plan (“Virginia529”) for its oversight and administration of the 529 college savings plan. The quarterly fee is based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds and decreasing to 0.05% on such assets in excess of $70 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. The fee is included in other expenses in the fund’s statement of operations. Virginia529 is not considered a related party to the fund.

 

For the six months ended April 30, 2015, class-specific expenses under the agreements were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

      Distribution     Transfer agent     Administrative     529 plan
  Share class   services     services     services     services
  Class A   $14,889     $12,457     $633     Not applicable
  Class B     505       113       Not applicable     Not applicable
  Class C     4,931       989       247     Not applicable
  Class F-1     2,153       1,074       431     Not applicable
  Class F-2     Not applicable       1,936       900     Not applicable
  Class 529-A     798       610       191     $341
  Class 529-B     59       12       3     5
  Class 529-C     825       142       42     74
  Class 529-E     91       18       9     16
  Class 529-F-1           37       12     21
  Class R-1     172       27       9     Not applicable
  Class R-2     1,294       661       87     Not applicable
  Class R-2E     1       *     *   Not applicable
  Class R-3     1,202       425       120     Not applicable
  Class R-4     574       229       115     Not applicable
  Class R-5     Not applicable       91       103     Not applicable
  Class R-6     Not applicable       21       418     Not applicable
  Total class-specific expenses   $27,494     $18,842     $3,320     $457

 

*Amount less than one thousand.

 

Directors’ deferred compensation — Directors who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Directors’ compensation of $271,000 in the fund’s statement of operations includes $233,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $38,000 in the value of the deferred amounts.

 

New World Fund 29
 

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

 

8. Capital share transactions

 

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

 

                Reinvestments of                          
                dividends and                 Net increase
    Sales 1     distributions     Repurchases 1     (decrease)
Share class   Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount   Shares     Amount     Shares  
                                                 
Six months ended April 30, 2015                                    
                                     
Class A   $ 622,670       11,174     $ 678,871       12,600     $ (918,817 )     (16,504 )   $ 382,724       7,270  
Class B     773       14       5,040       94       (35,134 )     (640 )     (29,321 )     (532 )
Class C     72,862       1,349       47,376       907       (121,701 )     (2,261 )     (1,463 )     (5 )
Class F-1     210,019       3,797       92,127       1,722       (232,263 )     (4,209 )     69,883       1,310  
Class F-2     617,817       11,115       195,151       3,629       (406,764 )     (7,322 )     406,204       7,422  
Class 529-A     47,195       854       41,508       777       (56,159 )     (1,020 )     32,544       611  
Class 529-B     100       2       597       12       (3,570 )     (66 )     (2,873 )     (52 )
Class 529-C     10,896       202       7,955       152       (16,289 )     (303 )     2,562       51  
Class 529-E     2,305       43       1,909       36       (2,841 )     (52 )     1,373       27  
Class 529-F-1     5,110       92       2,662       50       (5,408 )     (98 )     2,364       44  
Class R-1     5,539       102       1,667       32       (7,960 )     (147 )     (754 )     (13 )
Class R-2     44,694       827       16,867       322       (55,504 )     (1,028 )     6,057       121  
Class R-2E     194       3       12       2     (9 )     2     197       3  
Class R-3     84,716       1,541       25,309       476       (79,852 )     (1,461 )     30,173       556  
Class R-4     85,872       1,551       25,197       470       (77,976 )     (1,413 )     33,093       608  
Class R-5     71,107       1,288       22,624       419       (44,460 )     (792 )     49,271       915  
Class R-6     316,585       5,672       96,877       1,799       (174,931 )     (3,222 )     238,531       4,249  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 2,198,454       39,626     $ 1,261,749       23,497     $ (2,239,638 )     (40,538 )   $ 1,220,565       22,585  

 

30 New World Fund
 
                Reinvestments of                          
                dividends and                 Net increase
    Sales 1     distributions     Repurchases 1     (decrease)
Share class   Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount   Shares     Amount     Shares  
                                                 
Year ended October 31, 2014                                    
                                     
Class A   $ 1,482,434       25,050     $ 258,955       4,455     $ (1,727,378 )     (29,204 )   $ 14,011       301  
Class B     2,935       50       1,956       34       (76,037 )     (1,305 )     (71,146 )     (1,221 )
Class C     191,413       3,341       13,773       244       (206,937 )     (3,617 )     (1,751 )     (32 )
Class F-1     757,128       12,926       53,817       933       (1,842,420 )     (30,932 )     (1,031,475)       (17,073)  
Class F-2     2,444,039       40,730       42,796       737       (507,892 )     (8,519 )     1,978,943       32,948  
Class 529-A     99,135       1,689       15,213       263       (95,614 )     (1,626 )     18,734       326  
Class 529-B     379       6       211       4       (7,436 )     (129 )     (6,846 )     (119 )
Class 529-C     25,582       446       2,201       39       (27,065 )     (469 )     718       16  
Class 529-E     4,779       82       653       11       (4,973 )     (85 )     459       8  
Class 529-F-1     10,995       187       955       17       (7,406 )     (126 )     4,544       78  
Class R-1     12,973       225       476       9       (12,477 )     (216 )     972       18  
Class R-2     98,868       1,713       4,937       87       (108,232 )     (1,885 )     (4,427 )     (85 )
Class R-2E 3     55       1                               55       1  
Class R-3     173,870       2,969       8,355       146       (157,412 )     (2,698 )     24,813       417  
Class R-4     208,220       3,523       7,835       135       (114,020 )     (1,931 )     102,035       1,727  
Class R-5     194,795       3,257       11,231       193       (275,308 )     (4,613 )     (69,282 )     (1,163 )
Class R-6     686,747       11,524       26,173       450       (113,295 )     (1,905 )     599,625       10,069  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 6,394,347       107,719     $ 449,537       7,757     $ (5,283,902 )     (89,260 )   $ 1,559,982       26,216  

 

1 Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
2 Amount less than one thousand.
3 Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.

 

9. Investment transactions

 

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $4,331,186,000 and $3,992,294,000, respectively, during the six months ended April 30, 2015.

 

New World Fund 31
 

Financial highlights

 

          Income (loss) from investment operations 1  
                Net (losses)        
    Net asset     Net     gains on        
    value,     investment     securities (both     Total from  
    beginning     income     realized and     investment  
    of period     (loss) 2     unrealized)     operations  
Class A:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6   $ 59.28     $ .19     $ (.05 )   $ .14  
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.37       .76       .33       1.09  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.44       .66       6.98       7.64  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.61       .73       2.86       3.59  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.58       .71       (4.90 )     (4.19 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.76       .77       9.62       10.39  
Class B:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     58.30       (.04 )     (.01 )     (.05 )
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.31       .30       .32       .62  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.45       .23       6.87       7.10  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.55       .33       2.84       3.17  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.42       .28       (4.79 )     (4.51 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.87       .38       9.43       9.81  
Class C:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     57.18       (.04 )     (.03 )     (.07 )
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.34       .27       .32       .59  
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.67       .21       6.75       6.96  
Year ended 10/31/2012     47.91       .32       2.78       3.10  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.80       .29       (4.74 )     (4.45 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.43       .39       9.31       9.70  
Class F-1:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     58.83       .19       (.04 )     .15  
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.96       .79       .29       1.08  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.09       .67       6.93       7.60  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.28       .75       2.83       3.58  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.23       .71       (4.86 )     (4.15 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.51       .77       9.55       10.32  
Class F-2:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     59.34       .27       (.05 )     .22  
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.46       .90       .34       1.24  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.53       .85       6.97       7.82  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.71       .88       2.85       3.73  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.68       .86       (4.91 )     (4.05 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.86       .91       9.63       10.54  
Class 529-A:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     58.81       .17       (.04 )     .13  
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.92       .71       .33       1.04  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.06       .62       6.93       7.55  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.29       .70       2.83       3.53  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.24       .69       (4.87 )     (4.18 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.51       .75       9.55       10.30  

 

32 New World Fund
 
Dividends and distributions                                
Dividends           Total                       Ratio of     Ratio of net  
(from net     Distributions     dividends     Net asset           Net assets,     expenses     income (loss)  
investment     (from capital     and     value, end     Total     end of period     to average     to average  
income)     gains)     distributions     of period     return 3,4     (in millions)     net assets     net assets 2  
                                             
$ (.49 )   $ (2.63 )   $ (3.12 )   $ 56.30       .49 %   $ 12,963       1.05 % 7     .68 % 7
  (.57 )     (.61 )     (1.18 )     59.28       1.86       13,217       1.03       1.28  
  (.71 )           (.71 )     59.37       14.71       13,221       1.06       1.20  
  (.76 )           (.76 )     52.44       7.43       11,755       1.07       1.47  
  (.78 )           (.78 )     49.61       (7.80 )     11,945       1.02       1.33  
  (.57 )           (.57 )     54.58       23.43       13,335       1.04       1.60  
                                                             
        (2.63 )     (2.63 )     55.62       .13       86       1.82 7     (.16 ) 7
  (.02 )     (.61 )     (.63 )     58.30       1.07       121       1.79       .51  
  (.24 )           (.24 )     58.31       13.85       192       1.83       .43  
  (.27 )           (.27 )     51.45       6.61       237       1.84       .68  
  (.36 )           (.36 )     48.55       (8.51 )     304       1.80       .54  
  (.26 )           (.26 )     53.42       22.48       417       1.82       .81  
                                                             
  (.02 )     (2.63 )     (2.65 )     54.46       .10       998       1.85 7     (.13 ) 7
  (.14 )     (.61 )     (.75 )     57.18       1.04       1,047       1.84       .47  
  (.29 )           (.29 )     57.34       13.80       1,052       1.87       .39  
  (.34 )           (.34 )     50.67       6.57       938       1.87       .66  
  (.44 )           (.44 )     47.91       (8.51 )     1,007       1.79       .56  
  (.33 )           (.33 )     52.80       22.51       1,128       1.82       .83  
                                                             
  (.42 )     (2.63 )     (3.05 )     55.93       .52       1,776       1.03 7     .70 7
  (.60 )     (.61 )     (1.21 )     58.83       1.87       1,791       1.02       1.34  
  (.73 )           (.73 )     58.96       14.75       2,802       1.03       1.21  
  (.77 )           (.77 )     52.09       7.47       2,052       1.03       1.51  
  (.80 )           (.80 )     49.28       (7.78 )     1,816       1.02       1.34  
  (.60 )           (.60 )     54.23       23.43       1,884       1.04       1.61  
                                                             
  (.68 )     (2.63 )     (3.31 )     56.25       .64       3,854       .76 7     .98 7
  (.75 )     (.61 )     (1.36 )     59.34       2.12       3,624       .75       1.51  
  (.89 )           (.89 )     59.46       15.06       1,673       .76       1.52  
  (.91 )           (.91 )     52.53       7.77       1,106       .77       1.77  
  (.92 )           (.92 )     49.71       (7.54 )     923       .76       1.61  
  (.72 )           (.72 )     54.68       23.77       829       .76       1.89  
                                                             
  (.46 )     (2.63 )     (3.09 )     55.85       .47       787       1.11 7     .61 7
  (.54 )     (.61 )     (1.15 )     58.81       1.79       793       1.10       1.21  
  (.69 )           (.69 )     58.92       14.65       776       1.12       1.14  
  (.76 )           (.76 )     52.06       7.36       664       1.13       1.42  
  (.77 )           (.77 )     49.29       (7.81 )     602       1.06       1.30  
  (.57 )           (.57 )     54.24       23.37       555       1.08       1.57  

 

See page 38 for footnotes.

 

New World Fund 33
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

          Income (loss) from investment operations 1  
                Net (losses)        
    Net asset     Net     gains on        
    value,     investment     securities (both     Total from  
    beginning     income     realized and     investment  
    of period     (loss) 2     unrealized)     operations  
Class 529-B:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6   $ 57.75     $ (.07 )   $ (.01 )   $ (.08 )
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.81       .23       .32       .55  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.01       .18       6.80       6.98  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.17       .28       2.82       3.10  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.02       .24       (4.76 )     (4.52 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.57       .34       9.37       9.71  
Class 529-C:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     57.25       (.05 )     (.02 )     (.07 )
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.42       .24       .31       .55  
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.77       .18       6.76       6.94  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.05       .29       2.79       3.08  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.98       .25       (4.76 )     (4.51 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.57       .36       9.35       9.71  
Class 529-E:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     58.32       .10       (.03 )     .07  
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.45       .57       .32       .89  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.65       .50       6.87       7.37  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.87       .57       2.82       3.39  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.81       .53       (4.83 )     (4.30 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.19       .60       9.49       10.09  
Class 529-F-1:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     58.89       .23       (.05 )     .18  
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.00       .83       .32       1.15  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.13       .74       6.93       7.67  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.36       .80       2.83       3.63  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.31       .79       (4.88 )     (4.09 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.55       .85       9.56       10.41  
Class R-1:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     57.35       (.02 )     (.03 )     (.05 )
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.51       .30       .31       .61  
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.76       .24       6.78       7.02  
Year ended 10/31/2012     47.98       .34       2.79       3.13  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.87       .28       (4.75 )     (4.47 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.51       .38       9.33       9.71  
Class R-2:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     57.33       (.02 )     (.03 )     (.05 )
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.49       .29       .32       .61  
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.80       .26       6.77       7.03  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.04       .34       2.79       3.13  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.91       .29       (4.75 )     (4.46 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.50       .37       9.33       9.70  

 

34 New World Fund
 
Dividends and distributions                                
Dividends           Total                       Ratio of     Ratio of net  
(from net     Distributions     dividends     Net asset           Net assets,     expenses     income (loss)  
investment     (from capital     and     value, end     Total     end of period     to average     to average  
income)     gains)     distributions     of period     return 3,4     (in millions)     net assets     net assets 2  
                                             
$     $ (2.63 )   $ (2.63 )   $ 55.04       .06 %   $ 11       1.93 % 7     (.25 )% 7
        (.61 )     (.61 )     57.75       .97       14       1.91       .40  
  (.18 )           (.18 )     57.81       13.72       21       1.93       .33  
  (.26 )           (.26 )     51.01       6.50       26       1.94       .58  
  (.33 )           (.33 )     48.17       (8.58 )     33       1.88       .46  
  (.26 )           (.26 )     53.02       22.38       42       1.90       .73  
                                                             
        (2.63 )     (2.63 )     54.55       .09       169       1.91 7     (.18 ) 7
  (.11 )     (.61 )     (.72 )     57.25       .96       175       1.90       .41  
  (.29 )           (.29 )     57.42       13.74       174       1.92       .34  
  (.36 )           (.36 )     50.77       6.51       150       1.94       .60  
  (.42 )           (.42 )     48.05       (8.58 )     142       1.88       .49  
  (.30 )           (.30 )     52.98       22.39       129       1.89       .76  
                                                             
  (.32 )     (2.63 )     (2.95 )     55.44       .37       37       1.34 7     .38 7
  (.41 )     (.61 )     (1.02 )     58.32       1.54       38       1.33       .97  
  (.57 )           (.57 )     58.45       14.37       38       1.36       .91  
  (.61 )           (.61 )     51.65       7.10       32       1.38       1.16  
  (.64 )           (.64 )     48.87       (8.10 )     30       1.35       1.00  
  (.47 )           (.47 )     53.81       23.01       29       1.38       1.27  
                                                             
  (.58 )     (2.63 )     (3.21 )     55.86       .58       49       .90 7     .83 7
  (.65 )     (.61 )     (1.26 )     58.89       1.99       49       .89       1.41  
  (.80 )           (.80 )     59.00       14.87       44       .92       1.34  
  (.86 )           (.86 )     52.13       7.59       34       .93       1.62  
  (.86 )           (.86 )     49.36       (7.65 )     28       .87       1.50  
  (.65 )           (.65 )     54.31       23.63       26       .88       1.77  
                                                             
  (.05 )     (2.63 )     (2.68 )     54.62       .13       34       1.81 7     (.09 ) 7
  (.16 )     (.61 )     (.77 )     57.35       1.07       37       1.79       .52  
  (.27 )           (.27 )     57.51       13.89       36       1.79       .46  
  (.35 )           (.35 )     50.76       6.61       33       1.83       .70  
  (.42 )           (.42 )     47.98       (8.53 )     41       1.82       .53  
  (.35 )           (.35 )     52.87       22.44       44       1.85       .80  
                                                             
  (.05 )     (2.63 )     (2.68 )     54.60       .14       353       1.78 7     (.06 ) 7
  (.16 )     (.61 )     (.77 )     57.33       1.07       364       1.79       .51  
  (.34 )           (.34 )     57.49       13.90       370       1.78       .48  
  (.37 )           (.37 )     50.80       6.60       338       1.83       .71  
  (.41 )           (.41 )     48.04       (8.49 )     333       1.80       .55  
  (.29 )           (.29 )     52.91       22.45       364       1.84       .80  

 

See page 38 for footnotes.

 

New World Fund 35
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

          Income (loss) from investment operations 1  
                Net (losses)        
    Net asset     Net     gains on        
    value,     investment     securities (both     Total from  
    beginning     income     realized and     investment  
    of period     (loss) 2     unrealized)     operations  
Class R-2E:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6   $ 59.26     $ .09     $ (.06 )   $ .03  
Period from 8/29/2014 to 10/31/2014 6,10     61.11       .01       (1.86 )     (1.85 )
Class R-3:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     58.44       .11       (.03 )     .08  
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.58       .57       .32       .89  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.76       .51       6.89       7.40  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.97       .58       2.82       3.40  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.91       .53       (4.84 )     (4.31 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.29       .61       9.50       10.11  
Class R-4:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     59.06       .20       (.04 )     .16  
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.19       .78       .31       1.09  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.29       .69       6.96       7.65  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.46       .76       2.85       3.61  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.43       .71       (4.89 )     (4.18 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.68       .78       9.59       10.37  
Class R-5:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     59.56       .29       (.05 )     .24  
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.66       .98       .30       1.28  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.68       .87       7.01       7.88  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.85       .91       2.86       3.77  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.81       .84       (4.88 )     (4.04 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.94       .91       9.66       10.57  
Class R-6:                                
Six months ended 4/30/2015 5,6     59.47       .30       (.05 )     .25  
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.58       .98       .32       1.30  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.61       .89       7.01       7.90  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.80       .94       2.84       3.78  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.76       .90       (4.91 )     (4.01 )
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.85       .94       9.65       10.59  

 

    Six months                              
    ended                  
    April 30,   Year ended October 31
    2015 3, 5, 6   2014   2013   2012   2011   2010
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes   19%   32%   36%   25%   25%   20%
                                                 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

36 New World Fund
 
Dividends and distributions                                
Dividends           Total                       Ratio of     Ratio of net  
(from net     Distributions     dividends     Net asset           Net assets,     expenses     income (loss)  
investment     (from capital     and     value, end     Total     end of period     to average     to average  
income)     gains)     distributions     of period     return 3,4     (in millions)     net assets     net assets 2  
                                             
$ (.67 )   $ (2.63 )   $ (3.30 )   $ 55.99       .31 % 8   $ 9     1.44 % 7,8     .31 % 7,8
                    59.26       (3.04 ) 8     9     .22 3,8     .01 3,8
                                                             
  (.34 )     (2.63 )     (2.97 )     55.55       .37       502       1.33 7     .40 7
  (.42 )     (.61 )     (1.03 )     58.44       1.53       495       1.32       .97  
  (.58 )           (.58 )     58.58       14.41       472       1.34       .92  
  (.61 )           (.61 )     51.76       7.12       414       1.36       1.18  
  (.63 )           (.63 )     48.97       (8.09 )     395       1.35       1.00  
  (.49 )           (.49 )     53.91       23.01       398       1.38       1.28  
                                                             
  (.53 )     (2.63 )     (3.16 )     56.06       .54       481       1.01 7     .73 7
  (.61 )     (.61 )     (1.22 )     59.06       1.87       471       1.00       1.31  
  (.75 )           (.75 )     59.19       14.79       369       1.01       1.26  
  (.78 )           (.78 )     52.29       7.50       292       1.01       1.53  
  (.79 )           (.79 )     49.46       (7.80 )     258       1.01       1.34  
  (.62 )           (.62 )     54.43       23.46       268       1.03       1.63  
                                                             
  (.69 )     (2.63 )     (3.32 )     56.48       .68       438       .70 7     1.04 7
  (.77 )     (.61 )     (1.38 )     59.56       2.19       407       .69       1.64  
  (.90 )           (.90 )     59.66       15.14       477       .70       1.56  
  (.94 )           (.94 )     52.68       7.81       383       .72       1.82  
  (.92 )           (.92 )     49.85       (7.50 )     363       .71       1.57  
  (.70 )           (.70 )     54.81       23.79       554       .74       1.90  
                                                             
  (.73 )     (2.63 )     (3.36 )     56.36       .70       1,794       .66 7     1.09 7
  (.80 )     (.61 )     (1.41 )     59.47       2.22       1,640       .65       1.64  
  (.93 )           (.93 )     59.58       15.19       1,043       .65       1.60  
  (.97 )           (.97 )     52.61       7.87       630       .66       1.89  
  (.95 )           (.95 )     49.80       (7.46 )     426       .66       1.70  
  (.68 )           (.68 )     54.76       23.89       327       .68       1.96  

 

See page 38 for footnotes.

 

New World Fund 37
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

1 Based on average shares outstanding.
2 For the year ended October 31, 2014, this column reflects the impact of a corporate action event that resulted in a one-time increase to net investment income. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the Class A net investment income per share and ratio of net income to average net assets would have been lower by $.19 and .31 percentage points, respectively. The impact to the other share classes would have been similar.
3 Not annualized.
4 Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
5 Unaudited.
6 Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.
7 Annualized.
8 Although the fund has a plan of distribution for Class R-2E shares, fees for distribution services are not paid by the fund on accounts for which a broker-dealer (or other financial intermediary) has not been assigned, including amounts invested in the fund by CRMC and/or its affiliates. If fees for distribution services were charged on these assets, fund expenses would be higher and net income and total return would be lower.
9 Amount less than $1 million.
10 Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.

 

 

 
 

 

New World Fund ®
 
Investment portfolio
October 31, 2014
Common stocks 82.29%
Financials 12.82%
Shares Value
(000)
Prudential PLC 10,402,431 $240,043
HDFC Bank Ltd. 10,132,054 150,471
HDFC Bank Ltd. (ADR) 968,000 50,752
AIA Group Ltd. 34,774,600 193,936
ICICI Bank Ltd. 5,478,462 145,139
ICICI Bank Ltd. (ADR) 559,837 31,553
KASIKORNBANK PCL 23,945,000 173,504
Axis Bank Ltd. 19,784,560 141,585
American Tower Corp. 1,188,900 115,918
AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd. 5,570,000 113,904
Bank of the Philippine Islands 46,231,443 97,872
Citigroup Inc. 1,820,000 97,425
China Overseas Land & Investment Ltd. 31,706,000 91,989
Eurobank Ergasias SA 1 262,425,159 91,094
Sberbank of Russia (ADR) 10,202,500 77,072
Sberbank of Russia (GDR) 2 1,432,900 10,876
Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. 4,535,000 82,594
Fibra Uno Administración, SA de CV 23,647,098 82,182
Piraeus Bank SA 1 56,356,059 81,922
Siam Commercial Bank PCL 14,933,000 81,382
Grupo Financiero Santander México, SAB de CV, Class B (ADR) 6,082,700 80,900
Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. 4,000,250 72,050
UniCredit SpA 9,407,784 67,907
Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, SA 5,623,481 62,775
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co. of China, Ltd., Class H 7,023,000 57,369
BM&FBOVESPA SA, ordinary nominative 12,881,500 56,664
Grupo Financiero Banorte, SAB de CV, Series O 7,650,000 49,077
Ayala Land, Inc. 65,163,800 48,646
Ayala Land, Inc., preference shares 3 30,910,900 69
ACE Ltd. 425,000 46,452
Banco Santander, SA 1 2,605,102 22,943
Banco Santander, SA (ADR) 2,145,600 18,817
Bangkok Bank PCL, nonvoting depository receipt 6,400,000 38,907
Türkiye Garanti Bankasi AS 8,559,582 33,427
United Bank Ltd. 14,926,100 28,551
Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, preferred nominative 1,870,576 27,743
Brookfield Asset Management Inc., Class A 562,000 27,521
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero) Tbk 30,000,000 27,493
China Pacific Insurance (Group) Co., Ltd., Class H 7,260,000 27,148
Banco Bradesco SA, preferred nominative 1,748,708 26,338
Itaúsa - Investimentos Itaú SA, preferred nominative 6,117,705 24,417
Bank of China Ltd., Class H 47,531,000 22,738
Shriram Transport Finance Co. Ltd. 1,165,856 18,045
GT Capital Holdings, Inc. 778,000 17,510
Agricultural Bank of China, Class H 34,291,000 15,918
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H 20,106,845 13,301
Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. 6,743,750 12,398
New World Fund — Page 1 of 13

Common stocks
Financials (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
HSBC Holdings PLC (HKD denominated) 1,125,779 $ 11,446
Bao Viet Holdings 2,814,430 5,132
C C Land Holdings Ltd. 2,000,000 356
Banco Espírito Santo, SA 1,3 102,603,674
    3,113,271
Information technology 12.31%    
Baidu, Inc., Class A (ADR) 1 2,002,900 478,232
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. 241,250 280,815
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., nonvoting preferred 9,700 8,940
Google Inc., Class A 1 204,950 116,385
Google Inc., Class C 1 195,950 109,552
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 1,810,600 196,736
Mail.Ru Group Ltd. (GDR) 1 7,426,366 180,015
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. 33,313,000 142,927
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (ADR) 1,400,000 30,828
AAC Technologies Holdings Inc. 28,824,500 172,646
Infosys Ltd. 1,895,900 125,094
Infosys Ltd. (ADR) 394,000 26,343
Tencent Holdings Ltd. 9,498,000 151,377
Yandex NV, Class A 1 4,295,884 122,948
Alcatel-Lucent 1 37,384,619 114,685
TDK Corp. 1,569,800 86,089
Avago Technologies Ltd. 974,000 84,008
Tech Mahindra Ltd. 1,850,234 75,869
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A 1 1,550,000 75,718
Hexagon AB, Class B 1,435,000 48,292
Apple Inc. 434,350 46,910
Quanta Computer Inc. 15,486,000 38,898
ASM Pacific Technology Ltd. 3,419,900 37,616
JDS Uniphase Corp. 1 2,588,000 34,834
MasterCard Inc., Class A 370,000 30,988
Gemalto NV 337,200 25,781
Accenture PLC, Class A 290,000 23,525
Infineon Technologies AG 1,932,500 18,746
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. 153,500 18,097
Western Union Co. 1,020,000 17,299
NetEase, Inc. (ADR) 174,064 16,487
Spectris PLC 500,000 14,413
Broadcom Corp., Class A 340,000 14,239
STMicroelectronics NV 1,986,522 13,241
OMRON Corp. 230,000 10,607
    2,989,180
Consumer discretionary 11.76%    
Naspers Ltd., Class N 1,699,281 211,474
Altice SA 1 2,905,606 180,929
Toyota Motor Corp. 2,697,900 156,073
Domino’s Pizza, Inc. 1,745,000 154,939
Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. 18,514,326 103,804
Inchcape PLC 9,305,000 103,452
Li & Fung Ltd. 81,686,000 99,538
Ctrip.com International, Ltd. (ADR) 1 1,663,000 96,953
Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. 1,698,000 92,291
Hankook Tire Co., Ltd. 1,415,180 72,829
New World Fund — Page 2 of 13

Common stocks
Consumer discretionary (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
Swatch Group Ltd, non-registered shares 88,900 $ 42,096
Swatch Group Ltd 342,000 28,899
SAIC Motor Corp. Ltd., Class A 22,946,763 67,037
L’Occitane International SA 27,435,750 64,741
Chow Sang Sang Holdings International Ltd. 25,212,000 62,289
Kroton Educacional SA, ordinary nominative 8,520,000 60,722
Zhongsheng Group Holdings Ltd. 57,922,000 59,527
Melco Crown Entertainment Ltd. (ADR) 2,152,000 58,405
Estácio Participações SA, ordinary nominative 4,820,000 55,827
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. 17,785,000 55,613
Wynn Macau, Ltd. 14,801,400 53,441
Kering SA 266,633 51,440
Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. 1 7,520,000 51,344
Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc., Class A 8,241,177 50,766
Renault SA 644,894 47,867
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. 1,385,000 42,897
NIKE, Inc., Class B 445,000 41,372
Industria de Diseño Textil, SA 1,457,500 40,940
Hyundai Motor Co. 246,199 39,162
Tata Motors Ltd. 4,337,995 37,859
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. 1,680,500 35,750
PT Surya Citra Media Tbk 127,040,000 35,531
Truworths International Ltd. 5,003,000 34,246
Mr Price Group Ltd. 1,605,916 33,218
Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC 853,537 32,346
Publicis Groupe SA 464,476 32,170
Hero MotoCorp Ltd. 606,394 30,263
Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd., Class H 17,518,000 27,061
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd. 108,508 25,382
JD.com, Inc., Class A (ADR) 1 1,049,000 25,061
Global Brands Group Holding Ltd. 1 107,312,000 23,801
Ripley Corp SA 42,820,000 23,410
Sands China Ltd. 3,630,000 22,608
Belle International Holdings Ltd. 17,605,000 22,406
Shangri-La Asia Ltd. 14,802,000 21,492
Melco International Development Ltd. 7,315,000 19,808
Cie. Financière Richemont SA, Class A 235,000 19,772
PT Astra International Tbk 32,820,000 18,399
Nokian Renkaat Oyj 650,000 18,319
Bajaj Auto Ltd. 410,000 17,435
General Motors Co. 548,000 17,207
Volkswagen AG, nonvoting preferred 66,000 14,064
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG 90,000 9,623
Daimler AG 120,000 9,328
Golden Eagle Retail Group Ltd. 1,461,000 1,790
    2,855,016
Consumer staples 8.67%    
Nestlé SA 2,679,417 196,051
Magnit OJSC (GDR) 2,415,700 161,852
Lenta Ltd. (GDR) 1 15,606,450 151,851
Lenta Ltd. (GDR) 1,2 1
Coca-Cola Co. 3,280,000 137,366
British American Tobacco PLC 2,348,000 133,229
Pernod Ricard SA 1,096,460 124,803
New World Fund — Page 3 of 13

Common stocks
Consumer staples (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
ITC Ltd. 18,880,000 $ 109,221
LT Group, Inc. 336,174,800 106,677
Hypermarcas SA, ordinary nominative 1 12,240,200 85,507
SABMiller PLC 1,298,200 73,205
Unilever NV, depository receipts 1,871,000 72,555
PepsiCo, Inc. 646,000 62,126
Thai Beverage PCL 3 97,929,000 58,314
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV 500,000 55,207
Shiseido Co., Ltd. 3,135,000 51,201
United Breweries Ltd. 4,216,249 47,955
Shoprite Holdings Ltd. 3,290,000 47,660
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, nonvoting preferred 470,000 46,400
Grupo Nutresa SA 3,341,557 45,150
Procter & Gamble Co. 513,000 44,769
Associated British Foods PLC 1,015,000 44,717
Wal-Mart de México, SAB de CV, Series V (ADR) 1,500,000 34,590
Wal-Mart de México, SAB de CV, Series V 3,910,000 9,039
Coca-Cola Icecek AS, Class C 1,344,000 30,657
Kimberly-Clark de México, SAB de CV, Class A 12,000,000 27,776
China Mengniu Dairy Co. 5,678,000 25,076
United Spirits Ltd. 1 496,778 22,362
Avon Products, Inc. 1,900,000 19,760
Wumart Stores, Inc., Class H 22,535,000 19,498
Uni-Charm Corp. 721,500 16,530
Orion Corp. 20,250 15,632
PZ Cussons PLC 2,321,000 13,701
Japan Tobacco Inc. 222,000 7,443
L’Oréal SA, non-registered shares 41,800 6,553
    2,104,433
Health care 8.53%    
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 4 11,129,828 337,393
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B 5,920,750 267,852
Grifols, SA, Class B, non-registered shares 3,910,866 137,421
Grifols, SA, Class B (ADR) 2,442,767 86,450
Grifols, SA, Class A, non-registered shares 464,100 18,928
Novartis AG 2,505,100 232,469
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1 1,056,304 202,134
Bayer AG 891,500 126,745
Pharmstandard OJSC (GDR) 1 6,508,871 81,361
Genomma Lab Internacional, SAB de CV, Series B 1 27,395,000 69,147
AstraZeneca PLC 765,000 55,602
Krka, dd, Novo mesto 3 638,298 50,529
Merck & Co., Inc. 860,000 49,828
BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. 1 592,029 48,842
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR) 710,000 40,094
PerkinElmer, Inc. 860,000 37,341
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 313,000 36,799
Waters Corp. 1 330,000 36,564
Cochlear Ltd. 540,000 34,908
Life Healthcare Group Holdings Ltd. 9,080,000 34,329
Baxter International Inc. 480,000 33,667
Sysmex Corp. 654,000 27,453
New World Fund — Page 4 of 13

Common stocks
Health care (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
PT Kalbe Farma Tbk 114,880,000 $ 16,208
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 787,542 9,210
    2,071,274
Industrials 8.31%    
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. 4 106,374,000 274,972
Cummins Inc. 1,527,500 223,290
ASSA ABLOY AB, Class B 2,097,660 111,102
Alliance Global Group, Inc. 167,000,000 94,153
DP World Ltd. 4,393,601 84,181
Intertek Group PLC 1,760,700 76,668
Jardine Matheson Holdings Ltd. 1,275,000 76,373
Airbus Group NV 1,174,573 70,063
Industries Qatar QSC 3 1,257,816 65,322
United Technologies Corp. 607,000 64,949
JG Summit Holdings, Inc. 44,162,500 62,787
Shanghai Industrial Holdings Ltd. 20,253,000 62,416
Bureau Veritas SA 2,165,000 53,529
Deutsche Post AG 1,635,000 51,335
SGS SA 23,101 50,709
Meyer Burger Technology AG 1,4 5,800,000 48,768
Andritz AG 965,000 46,582
SMC Corp. 167,000 46,194
Kansas City Southern 355,000 43,590
Komatsu Ltd. 1,675,000 38,913
Toshiba Corp. 8,000,000 34,443
Chart Industries, Inc. 1 734,695 34,200
Polypore International, Inc. 1 700,000 30,744
Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC 1 2,255,000 30,410
China State Construction International Holdings Ltd. 19,528,000 30,166
Avianca Holdings SA, preferred, restricted-voting (ADR) 1,805,300 26,881
Siemens AG 235,000 26,478
CIMC Enric Holdings Ltd. 23,030,000 23,133
Experian PLC 1,520,000 22,820
Schneider Electric SE 266,800 21,023
ITOCHU Corp. 1,740,000 20,703
Jardine Strategic Holdings Ltd. 546,500 19,472
KONE Oyj, Class B 419,800 18,044
Rockwell Automation 115,200 12,943
A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S, Class B 3,900 9,088
KBR, Inc. 340,000 6,487
Kühne + Nagel International AG 37,500 4,880
PT Bakrie & Brothers Tbk 1,3 1,332,820,100 1,103
    2,018,914
Energy 4.82%    
InterOil Corp. 1,4 3,655,239 207,033
Genel Energy PLC 1 10,315,600 115,926
Pacific Rubiales Energy Corp. 6,329,828 95,477
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B 2,115,000 86,153
Galp Energia, SGPS, SA, Class B 5,679,155 82,306
Ophir Energy PLC 1 27,266,242 80,824
Reliance Industries Ltd. 4,517,606 73,617
Noble Energy, Inc. 1,262,000 72,729
Cobalt International Energy, Inc. 1 5,330,000 62,414
New World Fund — Page 5 of 13

Common stocks
Energy (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
Indus Gas Ltd. 1,4 10,429,272 $ 55,056
Oil Search Ltd. 6,607,492 50,180
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 1 19,594,850 20,923
Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd. 1,2 14,287,125 15,256
Africa Oil Corp. 1 8,015,500 25,532
Africa Oil Corp. (SEK denominated) 1 319,133 1,029
BG Group PLC 1,533,000 25,504
CNOOC Ltd. 15,861,000 24,911
Eni SpA 1,012,000 21,559
Petróleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras, ordinary nominative (ADR) 1,500,000 17,550
Petróleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras, preferred nominative (ADR) 200,000 2,446
BP PLC 2,480,000 17,813
INPEX CORP. 812,000 10,142
YPF Sociedad Anónima, Class D (ADR) 202,200 7,111
    1,171,491
Telecommunication services 4.22%    
SoftBank Corp. 3,719,000 262,855
MTN Group Ltd. 8,258,491 182,694
Reliance Communications Ltd. 1 64,516,096 111,537
China Mobile Ltd. 6,630,000 82,499
Globe Telecom, Inc. 1,815,000 68,151
TIM Participações SA, ordinary nominative 9,509,000 51,691
Bharti Infratel Ltd. 9,400,000 45,079
Idea Cellular Ltd. 13,745,000 36,433
Bharti Airtel Ltd. 4,350,000 28,261
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. 8,141,000 23,953
China Telecom Corp. Ltd., Class H 36,912,000 23,513
América Móvil, SAB de CV, Series L (ADR) 935,000 22,823
OJSC Mobile TeleSystems (ADR) 1,392,891 19,918
Intouch Holdings PCL 5,811,900 13,205
Intouch Holdings PCL, nonvoting depository receipts 1,588,100 3,608
MegaFon OJSC (GDR) 515,900 12,072
China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd. 7,000,000 10,525
China Communications Services Corp. Ltd., Class H 20,400,000 9,575
Hellenic Telecommunications Organization SA 1 822,500 9,287
PT XL Axiata Tbk 17,022,865 7,783
    1,025,462
Utilities 3.01%    
Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd. 97,858,870 232,375
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd. 32,943,000 213,669
PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk 293,633,500 144,569
Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. 9,755,000 71,196
Infraestructura Energética Nova, SAB de CV 4,575,000 28,001
China Resources Gas Group Ltd. 7,500,000 21,421
Energy World Corp. Ltd. 1 61,900,000 19,065
    730,296
Materials 2.92%    
Linde AG 463,392 85,450
Celanese Corp., Series A 1,041,000 61,138
Grasim Industries Ltd. (GDR) 3 527,053 30,113
Grasim Industries Ltd. 521,502 29,796
Holcim Ltd 689,676 48,850
New World Fund — Page 6 of 13

Common stocks
Materials (continued)
Shares Value
(000)
CEMEX, SAB de CV, ordinary participation certificates, units (ADR) 1 3,937,600 $ 48,433
L’Air Liquide SA, non-registered shares 271,500 32,747
Solvay NV 240,000 32,692
Arkema SA 527,000 32,505
Akzo Nobel NV 480,000 31,886
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 2,080,400 31,380
Koninklijke DSM NV 457,000 28,615
Glencore PLC 5,480,000 28,044
Wacker Chemie AG 228,000 27,495
BASF SE 280,000 24,646
Givaudan SA 13,412 22,345
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. 215,000 21,317
BHP Billiton PLC 700,000 18,034
Anhui Conch Cement Co. Ltd., Class H 5,444,000 17,830
Rio Tinto PLC 346,000 16,447
Vedanta Resources PLC 1,098,918 14,450
ArcelorMittal 980,000 12,821
FUCHS PETROLUB SE 267,950 9,822
African Minerals Ltd. 1 7,793,102 1,870
    708,726
Miscellaneous 4.92%    
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition   1,195,678
Total common stocks (cost: $15,533,012,000)   19,983,741
Preferred securities 0.02%
Miscellaneous 0.02%
   
Other preferred securities in initial period of acquisition   3,398
Total preferred securities (cost: $1,848,000)   3,398
Rights & warrants 0.00%
Miscellaneous 0.00%
   
Other rights & warrants in initial period of acquisition   496
Total rights & warrants (cost: $502,000)   496
Convertible bonds 0.03%
Consumer staples 0.03%
Principal amount
(000)
 
Shoprite Holdings Ltd. 6.50% convertible notes 2017 ZAR62,950 6,132
Total convertible bonds (cost: $8,166,000)   6,132
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 9.79%
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. 7.66%
   
Argentina (Republic of) 7.00% 2017 $ 61,166 53,903
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 6.00% 2015 5 BRL15,092 6,092
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 10.00% 2017 42,500 16,405
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 6.00% 2018 5 27,668 11,120
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 6.00% 2020 5 26,410 10,619
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 10.00% 2023 50,430 18,253
New World Fund — Page 7 of 13

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 10.00% 2025 BRL20,570 $ 7,350
Brazil (Federal Republic of) 6.00% 2045 5 11,445 4,594
Chilean Government 6.00% 2020 CLP1,850,000 3,506
Colombia (Republic of), Series B, 5.00% 2018 COP82,085,300 39,608
Colombia (Republic of), Series B, 7.00% 2022 25,900,000 13,021
Colombia (Republic of), Series B, 6.00% 2028 84,273,900 37,492
Colombia (Republic of) Global 4.375% 2021 $18,800 20,116
Colombia (Republic of) Global 4.00% 2024 2,200 2,272
Colombia (Republic of) Global 9.85% 2027 COP5,915,000 3,693
Colombia (Republic of) Global 6.125% 2041 $11,200 13,524
Colombia (Republic of) Global 5.625% 2044 1,400 1,582
Croatian Government 6.75% 2019 2 3,490 3,887
Croatian Government 6.625% 2020 27,365 30,495
Croatian Government 6.375% 2021 2 8,650 9,547
Croatian Government 5.50% 2023 2 9,785 10,293
Dominican Republic 9.04% 2018 2,6 815 892
Dominican Republic 7.50% 2021 2,6 6,000 6,855
Dominican Republic 7.50% 2021 6 2,375 2,713
Dominican Republic 8.625% 2027 2,6 9,900 12,276
Dominican Republic 7.45% 2044 2 53,940 60,548
Egypt (Arab Republic of) 5.75% 2020 2 4,000 4,256
Ghana (Republic of) 8.50% 2017 2,100 2,232
Ghana (Republic of) 8.125% 2026 2,6 12,900 12,997
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2023 7 2,040 1,823
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2024 7 2,040 1,796
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2025 7 2,040 1,687
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2026 7 2,040 1,639
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2027 7 2,040 1,601
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2028 7 2,040 1,546
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2029 7 2,985 2,240
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2030 7 2,985 2,182
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2031 7 2,985 2,137
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2032 7 2,985 2,108
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2033 7 2,985 2,075
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2034 7 2,985 2,070
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2035 7 2,985 2,039
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2036 7 3,775 2,572
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2037 7 3,775 2,567
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2038 7 3,775 2,542
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2039 7 3,775 2,541
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2040 7 3,775 2,545
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2041 7 3,775 2,534
Greek Government 2.00%/3.00% 2042 7 3,775 2,544
Hungarian Government 4.00% 2019 $ 1,960 2,013
Hungarian Government 6.25% 2020 26,040 29,393
Hungarian Government 6.375% 2021 9,260 10,555
Hungarian Government 5.375% 2023 10,840 11,721
Hungarian Government 5.75% 2023 4,200 4,641
Hungarian Government, Series 23A, 6.00% 2023 HUF2,153,410 10,193
Hungarian Government 5.375% 2024 $ 1,050 1,126
Hungarian Government, Series 25B, 5.50% 2025 HUF3,646,590 16,887
Hungarian Government 7.625% 2041 $ 5,400 7,007
India (Republic of) 7.28% 2019 INR2,079,000 32,770
Indonesia (Republic of) 5.875% 2020 $34,500 38,769
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.875% 2021 2 23,465 25,196
New World Fund — Page 8 of 13

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.875% 2021 $10,875 $11,677
Indonesia (Republic of) 8.25% 2021 IDR143,000,000 12,020
Indonesia (Republic of) 3.75% 2022 $ 1,950 1,950
Indonesia (Republic of) 5.875% 2024 2 6,500 7,410
Indonesia (Republic of) 5.25% 2042 2,950 2,982
Indonesia (Republic of) 4.625% 2043 4,000 3,760
Indonesia (Republic of) 6.75% 2044 15,950 19,599
Indonesia (Republic of) 6.75% 2044 2 4,500 5,529
Kenya (Rebulic of) 5.875 2019 2 3,155 3,277
Kenya (Republic of) 6.875% 2024 2 24,030 25,682
Kenya (Republic of) 6.875% 2024 12,500 13,359
Morocco Government 4.25% 2022 6,500 6,602
Morocco Government 4.25% 2022 2 2,200 2,234
Morocco Government 5.50% 2042 19,200 19,740
Morocco Government 5.50% 2042 2 1,800 1,851
Nigeria (Republic of) 5.125% 2018 2 4,265 4,388
Nigeria (Republic of) 6.75% 2021 2 9,900 10,779
Nigeria (Republic of) 6.375% 2023 25,000 26,625
Nigeria (Republic of) 6.375% 2023 2 2,145 2,284
Pakistan (Republic of) 7.25% 2019 2 10,400 10,790
Pakistan (Republic of) 7.25% 2019 3,000 3,113
Pakistan (Republic of) 8.25% 2024 2 6,500 6,825
Pakistan (Republic of) 8.25% 2024 1,900 1,995
Panama (Republic of) Global 8.875% 2027 2,775 3,996
Panama (Republic of) Global 9.375% 2029 9,034 13,664
Panama (Republic of) Global 6.70% 2036 6 6,819 8,609
Peru (Republic of) 7.35% 2025 3,550 4,713
Peru (Republic of) 8.75% 2033 14,975 23,024
Peru (Republic of) 6.55% 2037 6 5,042 6,466
Perusahaan Penerbit SBSN 4.35% 2024 2 7,000 7,053
Philippines (Republic of) 9.375% 2017 4,000 4,710
Philippines (Republic of) 4.95% 2021 PHP1,190,000 27,449
Philippines (Republic of) 5.50% 2026 $ 7,000 8,207
Philippines (Republic of) 7.75% 2031 16,070 22,880
Philippines (Republic of) 6.25% 2036 PHP860,000 21,065
Polish Government 5.00% 2022 $22,395 25,222
Polish Government, Series 102, 4.00% 2023 PLN51,900 17,310
Polish Government 4.00% 2024 $12,780 13,493
Russian Federation 6.20% 2018 RUB1,123,400 23,560
Russian Federation 5.00% 2020 $ 6,300 6,521
Russian Federation 7.50% 2030 2,6 20,182 22,947
Russian Federation 7.50% 2030 6 5,240 5,958
Slovenia (Republic of) 4.75% 2018 2 16,515 17,774
Slovenia (Republic of) 4.125% 2019 2 1,645 1,735
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.50% 2022 2 3,000 3,308
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.85% 2023 2 23,970 27,011
Slovenia (Republic of) 5.85% 2023 5,800 6,536
South Africa (Republic of) 5.50% 2020 24,100 26,540
South Africa (Republic of), Series R-2023, 7.75% 2023 ZAR311,150 28,346
South Africa (Republic of) 4.665% 2024 $12,850 13,428
South Africa (Republic of), Series R-214, 6.50% 2041 ZAR419,700 29,667
State of Qatar 5.75% 2042 $ 9,300 11,067
Turkey (Republic of) 4.557% 2018 2 8,605 9,078
Turkey (Republic of) 6.30% 2018 TRY16,300 6,956
Turkey (Republic of) 3.50% 2019 5 7,497 3,641
New World Fund — Page 9 of 13

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
Turkey (Republic of) 7.00% 2019 $ 3,500 $ 4,022
Turkey (Republic of) 10.50% 2020 TRY26,825 13,228
Turkey (Republic of) 3.00% 2021 5 13,481 6,496
Turkey (Republic of) 5.625% 2021 $28,575 31,432
Turkey (Republic of) 9.00% 2024 TRY9,000 4,203
Turkey (Republic of) 6.00% 2041 $52,300 58,155
United Mexican States Government, Series M, 5.00% 2017 MXN140,900 10,733
United Mexican States Government 4.00% 2019 5 436,847 35,917
United Mexican States Government 2.50% 2020 5 255,131 19,437
United Mexican States Government, Series M, 6.50% 2021 389,400 30,543
United Mexican States Government 2.00% 2022 5 52,068 3,812
United Mexican States Government, Series M20, 10.00% 2024 97,000 9,434
United Mexican States Government 4.00% 2040 5 171,302 13,971
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 5.625% 2017 $14,396 15,785
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 5.125% 2020 38,638 43,468
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 3.625% 2022 18,000 18,585
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 4.00% 2023 95,200 99,746
United Mexican States Government Global, Series A, 6.05% 2040 24,180 29,379
United Mexican States Government Global 4.75% 2044 7,450 7,603
United Mexican States Government Global 5.55% 2045 23,095 26,328
Uruguay (Republic of) 5.00% 2018 5 UYU121,464 5,370
Uruguay (Republic of) 4.375% 2028 5,6 117,895 5,361
Venezuela (Republic of) 9.25% 2027 $26,290 17,614
Venezuela (Republic of) 9.25% 2028 4,460 2,854
Zambia (Republic of) 5.375% 2022 19,500 18,761
Zambia (Republic of) 8.50% 2024 2 16,550 18,939
    1,860,781
Corporate bonds & notes 1.47%
Energy 0.67%
   
Ecopetrol SA 5.875% 2023 3,100 3,464
Ecopetrol SA 5.875% 2045 8,775 9,060
Gazprom OJSC 5.092% 2015 2 11,480 11,684
Gazprom OJSC 9.25% 2019 15,000 17,403
Gazprom OJSC, Series 9, 6.51% 2022 17,200 18,039
Gazprom OJSC 6.51% 2022 2 10,810 11,337
Pemex Project Funding Master Trust, Series 13, 6.625% 2035 15,000 17,775
Petróleos Mexicanos 5.50% 2021 7,675 8,524
Petróleos Mexicanos 4.875% 2022 5,568 5,949
Petróleos Mexicanos 3.50% 2023 3,975 3,857
Petróleos Mexicanos 6.50% 2041 8,825 10,369
Petróleos Mexicanos 5.50% 2044 2 23,010 24,103
Petróleos Mexicanos 5.50% 2044 2,425 2,540
PTT Exploration & Production Ltd. 5.692% 2021 2 3,400 3,854
Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas II 5.298% 2020 2,6 3,902 4,234
Zhaikmunai LP 7.125% 2019 2 11,000 11,481
    163,673
Financials 0.23%    
Banco de Crédito del Perú 5.375% 2020 2 5,000 5,475
Bank of India 3.625% 2018 2 6,000 6,125
BBVA Bancomer SA 6.50% 2021 2 6,550 7,303
HSBK (Europe) BV 7.25% 2021 2 11,150 11,963
Magyar Export-Import Bank 4.00% 2020 2 8,710 8,688
SB Capital SA 5.40% 2017 5,950 6,052
New World Fund — Page 10 of 13

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments
Corporate bonds & notes (continued)
Financials (continued)
Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
SB Capital SA 5.25% 2023 2 $ 5,000 $ 4,420
VEB Finance Ltd. 6.902% 2020 5,300 5,432
    55,458
Utilities 0.17%    
AES Panamá, SA 6.35% 2016 2 10,400 10,764
CEZ, a s 4.25% 2022 2 4,720 5,031
Eskom Holdings Ltd. 5.75% 2021 2 12,300 12,764
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. 5.75% 2021 12,000 12,452
    41,011
Telecommunication services 0.14%    
Digicel Group Ltd. 8.25% 2020 2 6,500 6,825
Digicel Group Ltd. 6.00% 2021 2 6,285 6,364
Digicel Group Ltd. 7.125% 2022 2 6,575 6,624
MTS International Funding Ltd. 8.625% 2020 13,200 14,426
    34,239
Industrials 0.14%    
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd. 6.50% 2017 10,455 9,409
Brunswick Rail Finance Ltd. 6.50% 2017 2 9,345 8,411
Zoomlion H.K. SPV Co., Ltd. 6.125% 2022 2 17,000 16,150
    33,970
Consumer staples 0.06%    
Brasil Foods SA 5.875% 2022 2 12,000 13,230
Materials 0.05%    
CEMEX SAB de CV 4.984% 2018 2,8 12,000 12,480
Consumer discretionary 0.01%    
Grupo Televisa, SAB 7.25% 2043 MXN30,240 1,926
Total corporate bonds & notes   355,987
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes 0.66%
U.S. Treasury 0.66%
   
U.S. Treasury 4.00% 2015 9 $157,900 159,670
Total U.S. Treasury bonds & notes   159,670
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $2,296,488,000)   2,376,438
Short-term securities 7.83%    
American Honda Finance Corp. 0.14% due 11/6/2014 40,000 40,000
Bank of Nova Scotia 0.17%–0.19% due 12/18/2014–3/6/2015 2 131,800 131,765
Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. 0.15% due 12/1/2014–12/2/2014 40,900 40,894
Coca-Cola Co. 0.15% due 12/9/2014 2 36,500 36,497
Electricité de France 0.25% due 1/2/2015 2 82,650 82,621
Fannie Mae 0.07%–0.15% due 11/12/2014–8/3/2015 258,100 258,022
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.09%–0.17% due 11/13/2014–7/21/2015 178,700 178,671
Freddie Mac 0.08%–0.17% due 11/26/2014–4/22/2015 238,452 238,418
General Electric Capital Corp. 0.21% due 1/13/2015 50,000 49,992
New World Fund — Page 11 of 13

Short-term securities Principal amount
(000)
Value
(000)
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 0.28% due 11/13/2014 2 $ 26,000 $ 25,999
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corp. 0.17% due 11/18/2014 2 39,600 39,597
Mizuho Funding LLC 0.21%–0.24% due 1/23/2015–2/6/2015 2 80,000 79,957
National Australia Funding (Delaware) Inc. 0.16% due 12/3/2014 2 37,400 37,395
Nestlé Finance International Ltd. 0.10% due 11/4/2014 2 45,400 45,400
Nordea North America, Inc. 0.17%–0.19% due 11/14/2014–2/9/2015 2 100,000 99,974
Old Line Funding, LLC 0.17%–0.22% due 11/24/2014–2/19/2015 2 84,900 84,879
Procter & Gamble Co. 0.12%–0.15% due 12/9/2014–1/21/2015 2 89,900 89,894
Québec (Province of) 0.10% due 11/3/2014 2 40,000 40,000
Reckitt Benckiser Treasury Services PLC 0.20%–0.23% due 11/21/2014–2/12/2015 2 37,300 37,291
Siemens Capital Co. LLC 0.07%–0.08% due 11/3/2014–11/12/2014 2 100,600 100,599
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. 0.15%–0.20% due 11/18/2014–1/5/2015 2 109,500 109,478
Svenska Handelsbanken Inc. 0.16% due 12/8/2014 2 15,000 14,998
Toronto-Dominion Holdings USA Inc. 0.18% due 11/25/2014 2 40,000 39,998
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,902,144,000)   1,902,339
Total investment securities 99.96% (cost: $19,742,160,000)   24,272,544
Other assets less liabilities 0.04%   10,870
Net assets 100.00%   $24,283,414
As permitted by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, “Miscellaneous” securities include holdings in their first year of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.
1 Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
2 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities was $1,667,422,000, which represented 6.87% of the net assets of the fund.
3 Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of directors. The total value of all such securities including those in "Miscellaneous," was $221,697,000, which represented .91% of the net assets of the fund. This amount includes $121,207,000 related to certain securities trading outside the U.S. whose values were adjusted as a result of significant market movements following the close of local trading.
4 Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
5 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
6 Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
7 Step bond; coupon rate will increase at a later date.
8 Coupon rate may change periodically.
9 A portion of this security was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $17,000, which represented less than .01% of the net assets of the fund.
    
New World Fund — Page 12 of 13

Key to abbreviations and symbol
ADR = American Depositary Receipts
GDR = Global Depositary Receipts
BRL = Brazilian reais
CLP = Chilean pesos
COP = Colombian pesos
€ = Euros
HKD = Hong Kong dollars
HUF = Hungarian forints
IDR = Indonesian rupiah
INR = Indian rupees
MXN = Mexican pesos
PHP = Philippine pesos
PLN = Polish zloty
RUB = Russian rubles
SEK = Swedish kronor
TRY = Turkish lira
UYU = Uruguayan pesos
ZAR = South African rand
Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at (800) 421-4225 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.
MFGEFPX-036-1214O-S42214 New World Fund — Page 13 of 13


 
 

Summary investment portfolio October 31, 2014

 

Industry sector diversification Percent of net assets

 

 

Country diversification by domicile   Percent of
net assets
United States     13.26 %
Euro zone*     11.07  
India     8.72  
China     8.25  
United Kingdom     8.01  
Japan     4.77  
Hong Kong     4.05  
Mexico     3.75  
Philippines     3.65  
Russian Federation     3.47  
Other countries     23.13  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities     7.87  

* Countries using the euro as a common currency; those represented in the fund’s portfolio are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.

 

Common stocks 82.29%   Shares     Value
(000)
 
Financials 12.82%                
Prudential PLC     10,402,431     $ 240,043  
HDFC Bank Ltd.     10,132,054       150,471  
HDFC Bank Ltd. (ADR)     968,000       50,752  
AIA Group Ltd.     34,774,600       193,936  
ICICI Bank Ltd.     5,478,462       145,139  
ICICI Bank Ltd. (ADR)     559,837       31,553  
KASIKORNBANK PCL     23,945,000       173,504  
Axis Bank Ltd.     19,784,560       141,585  
American Tower Corp.     1,188,900       115,918  
AEON Financial Service Co., Ltd.     5,570,000       113,904  
Other securities             1,756,466  
              3,113,271  
                 
Information technology 12.31%                
Baidu, Inc., Class A (ADR) 1     2,002,900       478,232  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.     241,250       280,815  
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., nonvoting preferred     9,700       8,940  
Google Inc., Class A 1     204,950       116,385  
Google Inc., Class C 1     195,950       109,552  
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.     1,810,600       196,736  
Mail.Ru Group Ltd. (GDR) 1     7,426,366       180,015  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd.     33,313,000       142,927  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (ADR)     1,400,000       30,828  
AAC Technologies Holdings Inc.     28,824,500       172,646  
Infosys Ltd.     1,895,900       125,094  
Infosys Ltd. (ADR)     394,000       26,343  
Tencent Holdings Ltd.     9,498,000       151,377  
Yandex NV, Class A 1     4,295,884       122,948  
Alcatel-Lucent 1     37,384,619       114,685  
Other securities             731,657  
              2,989,180  
                 
Consumer discretionary 11.76%                
Naspers Ltd., Class N     1,699,281       211,474  
Altice SA 1     2,905,606       180,929  
Toyota Motor Corp.     2,697,900       156,073  
Domino’s Pizza, Inc.     1,745,000       154,939  
Other securities             2,151,601  
              2,855,016  
                 
12 New World Fund
 
    Shares     Value
(000)
 
Consumer staples 8.67%                
Nestlé SA     2,679,417     $ 196,051  
Magnit OJSC (GDR)     2,415,700       161,852  
Lenta Ltd. (GDR) 1     15,606,450       151,851  
Coca-Cola Co.     3,280,000       137,366  
British American Tobacco PLC     2,348,000       133,229  
Pernod Ricard SA     1,096,460       124,803  
Other securities             1,199,281  
              2,104,433  
                 
Health care 8.53%                
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC 3     11,129,828       337,393  
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B     5,920,750       267,852  
Grifols, SA, Class B, non-registered shares     3,910,866       137,421  
Grifols, SA, Class B (ADR)     2,442,767       86,450  
Grifols, SA, Class A, non-registered shares     464,100       18,928  
Novartis AG     2,205,100       204,662  
Novartis AG (ADR)     300,000       27,807  
Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 1     1,056,304       202,134  
Bayer AG     891,500       126,745  
Other securities             661,882  
              2,071,274  
                 
Industrials 8.31%                
International Container Terminal Services, Inc. 3     106,374,000       274,972  
Cummins Inc.     1,527,500       223,290  
Other securities             1,520,652  
              2,018,914  
                 
Energy 4.82%                
InterOil Corp. 1,3     3,655,239       207,033  
Genel Energy PLC 1     10,315,600       115,926  
Other securities             848,532  
              1,171,491  
                 
Telecommunication services 4.22%                
SoftBank Corp.     3,719,000       262,855  
MTN Group Ltd.     8,258,491       182,694  
Reliance Communications Ltd. 1     64,516,096       111,537  
Other securities             468,376  
              1,025,462  
                 
Utilities 3.01%                
Power Grid Corp. of India Ltd.     97,858,870       232,375  
ENN Energy Holdings Ltd.     32,943,000       213,669  
PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk     293,633,500       144,569  
Other securities             139,683  
              730,296  
                 
Materials 2.92%                
Other securities             708,726  
                 
Miscellaneous 4.92%                
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition             1,195,678  
                 
Total common stocks (cost: $15,533,012,000)             19,983,741  
                 
Preferred securities 0.02%                
Miscellaneous 0.02%                
Other preferred securities in initial period of acquisition             3,398  
                 
Total preferred securities (cost: $1,848,000)             3,398  
                 
                 
Rights & warrants 0.00%                
Miscellaneous 0.00%                
Other rights & warrants in initial period of acquisition             496  
                 
Total rights & warrants (cost: $502,000)             496  

 

New World Fund 13
 
Convertible bonds 0.03%   Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
 
Consumer staples 0.03%                
Other securities           $ 6,132  
                 
Total convertible bonds (cost: $8,166,000)             6,132  
                 
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 9.79%                
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. 7.66%                
United Mexican States Government 5.00%—20.83% 2017—2040 4   MXN 1,542,648       123,847  
United Mexican States Government Global 3.63%—6.05% 2017—2045   $ 220,959       240,894  
Other securities             1,496,040  
              1,860,781  
                 
Corporate bonds & notes 1.47%                
Other securities             355,987  
                 
U.S.Treasury bonds & notes 0.66%                
U.S. Treasury 4.00% 2015 5     157,900       159,670  
                 
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $2,296,488,000)             2,376,438  
                 
Short-term securities 7.83%                
Bank of Nova Scotia 0.17%—0.18% due 12/18/2014—3/6/2015 2     131,800       131,765  
Fannie Mae 0.07%—0.15% due 11/12/2014—8/3/2015     258,100       258,022  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.09%—0.16% due 11/13/2014—7/21/2015     178,700       178,671  
Freddie Mac 0.08%—0.16% due 11/26/2014—4/22/2015     238,452       238,418  
Other securities             1,095,463  
                 
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,902,144,000)             1,902,339  
Total investment securities 99.96% (cost: $19,742,160,000)             24,272,544  
Other assets less liabilities 0.04%             10,870  
                 
Net assets 100.00%           $ 24,283,414  

 

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

 

As permitted by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations, “Miscellaneous” securities include holdings in their first year of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.

 

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

 

Forward currency contracts

The fund has entered into forward currency contracts to sell currencies as shown in the following table. The average notional amount of open forward currency contracts was $305,525,000 over the prior 12-month period.

 

            Contract amount   Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
 
    Settlement date   Counterparty   Receive
(000)
  Deliver
(000)
  at 10/31/2014
(000)
 
Sales:                      
Colombian pesos   11/10/2014   Citibank   $12,193   COP24,981,845   $66  
Colombian pesos   11/18/2014   Barclays Bank PLC   $28,519   COP58,920,000   (55 )
Colombian pesos   11/20/2014   Barclays Bank PLC   $14,548   COP30,011,600   (4 )
Euros   11/12/2014   HSBC Bank   $2,260   €1,750   67  
Euros   11/14/2014   Bank of America, N.A.   $7,042   €5,600   49  
Euros   12/3/2014   Bank of America, N.A.   $29,464   €23,300   260  
Euros   12/3/2014   JPMorgan Chase   $9,741   €7,700   90  
Hungarian forints   11/20/2014   HSBC Bank   $16,785   HUF4,033,100   391  
Indonesian rupiah   11/14/2014   Citibank   $3,690   IDR43,933,950   63  
Indonesian rupiah   11/17/2014   Barclays Bank PLC   $2,189   IDR26,996,625   (39 )
                       
14 New World Fund
 
            Contract amount   Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
 
    Settlement date   Counterparty   Receive
(000)
  Deliver
(000)
  at 10/31/2014
(000)
 
Japanese yen   11/25/2014   Bank of America, N.A.   $6,101   ¥660,000   $224  
Japanese yen   12/3/2014   UBS AG   $4,155   ¥449,700   150  
Japanese yen   12/5/2014   UBS AG   $3,888   ¥420,000   148  
Mexican pesos   11/12/2014   UBS AG   $29,444   MXN390,300   481  
Philippine pesos   11/12/2014   Barclays Bank PLC   $19,325   PHP850,575   379  
Russian rubles   11/12/2014   Citibank   $8,123   RUB307,525   997  
Russian rubles   12/4/2014   JPMorgan Chase   $12,316   RUB532,750   54  
Turkish lira   11/12/2014   Citibank   $6,034   TRY13,425   11  
Turkish lira   11/17/2014   UBS AG   $3,398   TRY7,775   (86 )
                    $3,246  

 

Investments in affiliates

 

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

 

    Beginning
shares
    Additions     Reductions     Ending
shares
    Dividend
income
(000)
    Value of
affiliates at
10/31/2014
(000)
 
Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC     11,911,828       490,000       1,272,000       11,129,828     $ 3,269     $ 337,393  
International Container Terminal Services, Inc.     106,374,000                   106,374,000       1,522       274,972  
InterOil Corp. 1     2,228,239       1,427,000             3,655,239             207,033  
Indus Gas Ltd. 1     7,000,000       3,429,272             10,429,272             55,056  
Meyer Burger Technology AG 1           5,800,000             5,800,000             48,768  
Ophir Energy PLC 1,6     32,317,242       15,046,495       20,097,495       27,266,242              
Caracal Energy Inc. (CDI) 6,7           8,059,986       8,059,986                      
Heritage Oil Ltd. 1,6,7     14,813,874             14,813,874                      
                                    $ 4,791     $ 923,222  

 

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 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities, including those in “Other securities,” was $1,667,422,000, which represented 6.87% of the net assets of the fund.
3 Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
4 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
5 A portion of this security was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $17,000, which represented less than .01% of the net assets of the fund.
6 Unaffiliated issuer at 10/31/2014.
7 Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of directors. The total value of all such securities including those in “Miscellaneous” and “Other securities,” was $221,697,000, which represented .91% of the net assets of the fund. This amount includes $121,207,000 related to certain securities trading outside the U.S. whose values were adjusted as a result of significant market movements following the close of local trading.

 

Key to abbreviations and symbols

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

GDR = Global Depositary Receipts

COP = Colombian pesos

€ = Euros

HUF = Hungarian forints

IDR = Indonesian rupiah

¥ = Japanese yen

MXN = Mexican pesos

PHP = Philippine pesos

RUB = Russian rubles

TRY = Turkish lira

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

New World Fund 15
 

Financial statements

 

Statement of assets and liabilities
at October 31, 2014
  (dollars in thousands)  
       
Assets:                
Investment securities, at value:                
Unaffiliated issuers (cost: $19,162,897)   $ 23,349,322          
Affiliated issuers (cost: $579,263)     923,222     $ 24,272,544  
Cash denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars (cost: $3,119)             3,121  
Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts             3,430  
Receivables for:                
Sales of investments     29,965          
Sales of fund’s shares     36,174          
Closed forward currency contracts     2,485          
Dividends and interest     54,424       123,048  
              24,402,143  
Liabilities:                
Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts             184  
Payables for:                
Purchases of investments     31,122          
Repurchases of fund’s shares     26,527          
Closed forward currency contracts     43          
Investment advisory services     11,053          
Services provided by related parties     10,634          
Directors’ deferred compensation     2,083          
Other     37,083       118,545  
Net assets at October 31, 2014           $ 24,283,414  
                 
Net assets consist of:                
Capital paid in on shares of capital stock           $ 18,627,939  
Undistributed net investment income             91,504  
Undistributed net realized gain             1,066,276  
Net unrealized appreciation             4,497,695  
Net assets at October 31, 2014           $ 24,283,414  


(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

Total authorized capital stock — 500,000 shares,

$.01 par value (411,006 total shares outstanding)

 

    Net assets     Shares
outstanding
    Net asset
value per share
 
Class A   $ 13,216,581       222,969     $ 59.28  
Class B     120,973       2,075       58.30  
Class C     1,047,377       18,319       57.18  
Class F-1     1,791,329       30,451       58.83  
Class F-2     3,624,424       61,079       59.34  
Class 529-A     793,129       13,487       58.81  
Class 529-B     14,220       246       57.75  
Class 529-C     174,712       3,052       57.25  
Class 529-E     37,815       648       58.32  
Class 529-F-1     48,685       827       58.89  
Class R-1     36,729       641       57.35  
Class R-2     364,136       6,352       57.33  
Class R-2E     55       1       59.26  
Class R-3     495,303       8,475       58.44  
Class R-4     470,546       7,967       59.06  
Class R-5     407,216       6,838       59.56  
Class R-6     1,640,184       27,579       59.47  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

16 New World Fund
 
Statement of operations
for the year ended October 31, 2014
  (dollars in thousands)  
       
Investment income:                
Income:                
Dividends (net of non-U.S. taxes of $28,609; also includes $4,791 from affiliates)   $ 413,948          
Interest (net of non-U.S. taxes of $485)     138,429     $ 552,377  
Fees and expenses*:                
Investment advisory services     131,241          
Distribution services     59,687          
Transfer agent services     39,493          
Administrative services     6,538          
Reports to shareholders     1,479          
Registration statement and prospectus     800          
Directors’ compensation     568          
Auditing and legal     267          
Custodian     7,209          
Other     1,209       248,491  
Net investment income             303,886  
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency:                
Net realized gain (loss) on:                
Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $4,065; also includes $8,068 net gain from affiliates)     1,054,493          
Forward currency contracts     23,700          
Currency transactions     (5,447 )     1,072,746  
Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on:                
Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $34,868)     (956,838 )        
Forward currency contracts     1,934          
Currency translations     (1,287 )     (956,191 )
Net realized gain and unrealized depreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency             116,555  
                 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations           $ 420,441  

 

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

 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

    Year ended October 31  
    2014     2013  
             
Operations:                
Net investment income   $ 303,886     $ 242,518  
Net realized gain on investments, forward currency contracts and currency transactions     1,072,746       708,210  
Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency translations     (956,191 )     1,875,383  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     420,441       2,826,111  
                 
Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders:                
Dividends from net investment income     (218,413 )     (252,287 )
Distributions from net realized gain on investments     (238,779 )      
Total dividends and distributions paid to shareholders     (457,192 )     (252,287 )
                 
Net capital share transactions     1,559,982       1,102,190  
                 
Total increase in net assets     1,523,231       3,676,014  
                 
Net assets:                
Beginning of year     22,760,183       19,084,169  
End of year (including undistributed net investment income: $91,504 and $102,763, respectively)   $ 24,283,414     $ 22,760,183  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

New World Fund 17
 

Notes to financial statements

 

1. Organization

 

New World Fund, Inc. (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in stocks and bonds with significant exposure to countries that have developing economies and/or markets. Shareholders approved a proposal to reorganize the fund into a Delaware statutory trust. The reorganization may be completed in the next 12 months; however, the fund reserves the right to delay the implementation.

 

The fund has 17 share classes consisting of five retail share classes (Classes A, B and C, as well as two F share classes, F-1 and F-2), five 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) and seven retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6). The 529 college savings plan share classes can be used to save for college education. The retirement plan share classes are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described further in the following table:

 

Share class   Initial sales charge   Contingent deferred sales charge upon
redemption
  Conversion feature
Classes A and 529-A   Up to 5.75%   None (except 1% for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)   None
Classes B and 529-B*   None   Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase   Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years
Class C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years
Class 529-C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   None
Class 529-E   None   None   None
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1   None   None   None
Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6   None   None   None

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

 

On August 29, 2014, the fund made an additional retirement plan share class (Class R-2E) available for sale pursuant to an amendment to its registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Refer to the fund’s prospectus for more details.

 

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

 

2. Significant accounting policies

 

The fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The fund’s financial statements have been prepared to comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require the fund’s investment adviser to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described in this section, as well as the valuation policies described in the next section on valuation.

 

Security transactions and related investment income — Security transactions are recorded by the fund as of the date the trades are executed with brokers. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined based on the specific identified cost of the securities. In the event a security is purchased with a delayed payment date, the fund will segregate liquid assets sufficient to meet its payment obligations. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Market discounts, premiums and original issue discounts on fixed-income securities are amortized daily over the expected life of the security.

 

18 New World Fund
 

Class allocations — Income, fees and expenses (other than class-specific fees and expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, transfer agent and administrative services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders — Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

Currency translation — Assets and liabilities, including investment securities, denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates supplied by one or more pricing vendors on the valuation date. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the dates of such transactions. The effects of changes in exchange rates on investment securities are included with the net realized gain or loss and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments in the fund’s statement of operations. The realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation resulting from all other transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are disclosed separately.

 

3. Valuation

 

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

 

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

 

Equity securities are generally valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market on which the security trades.

 

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

 

Fixed-income class   Examples of standard inputs
All   Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
Corporate bonds & notes; convertible securities   Standard inputs and underlying equity of the issuer
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies   Standard inputs and interest rate volatilities

 

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

 

Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics, or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the fund’s investment adviser. Forward currency contracts are valued at the mean of representative quoted bid and ask prices, generally based on prices supplied by one or more pricing vendors.

 

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the fund’s investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under fair valuation guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s board of directors as further described. The investment adviser follows fair valuation guidelines, consistent with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and guidance, to consider relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. The investment adviser considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related

 

New World Fund 19
 

corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. In addition, the closing prices of equity securities that trade in markets outside U.S. time zones may be adjusted to reflect significant events that occur after the close of local trading but before the net asset value of each share class of the fund is determined. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

 

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

 

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

 

Classifications — The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Certain securities trading outside the U.S. may transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 due to valuation adjustments resulting from significant market movements following the close of local trading. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market. The following table presents the fund’s valuation levels as of October 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

 

    Investment securities
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Assets:                                
Common stocks:                                
Financials   $ 3,113,202     $     $ 69     $ 3,113,271  
Information technology     2,989,180                   2,989,180  
Consumer discretionary     2,855,016                   2,855,016  
Consumer staples     2,046,119       58,314             2,104,433  
Health care     2,020,745       50,529             2,071,274  
Industrials     1,952,489       66,425             2,018,914  
Energy     1,171,491                   1,171,491  
Telecommunication services     1,025,462                   1,025,462  
Utilities     730,296                   730,296  
Materials     678,613       30,113             708,726  
Miscellaneous     1,179,431       5,621       10,626       1,195,678  
Preferred securities     3,398                   3,398  
Rights & warrants     496                   496  
Convertible bonds           6,132             6,132  
Bonds, notes & other debt instruments           2,376,438             2,376,438  
Short-term securities           1,902,339             1,902,339  
Total   $ 19,765,938     $ 4,495,911     $ 10,695     $ 24,272,544  
   
20 New World Fund
 
    Other investments*
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Asset:                                
Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts   $     $ 3,430     $     $ 3,430  
Liability:                                
Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts           (184 )           (184 )
Total   $     $ 3,246     $     $ 3,246  

 

* Forward currency contracts are not included in the investment portfolio.  

                             

4. Risk factors

 

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

 

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline –sometimes rapidly or unpredictably – due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental or governmental agency responses to economic conditions; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

 

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

 

Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments. These risks may be even greater in the case of smaller capitalization stocks.

 

Investing outside the U.S. — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the U.S., or with significant operations outside the U.S., may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers are domiciled or operate. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the U.S. Investments outside the U.S. may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the U.S. In addition, the value of investments outside the U.S. may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the U.S. may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.

 

Investing in developing countries — Investing in countries with developing economies and/or markets may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in developed countries. For instance, developing countries may have less developed legal and accounting systems than those in developed countries. The governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to impose capital controls, nationalize a company or industry, place restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or impose punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries that are more susceptible to local and global changes. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Less certainty with respect to security valuations may lead to additional challenges and risks in calculating the fund’s net asset value. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.

 

Investing in debt instruments — The prices of, and the income generated by, bonds and other debt securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates and by changes in the effective maturities and credit ratings of these securities.

 

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

 

New World Fund 21
 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5. Certain investment techniques

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

    Assets   Liabilities
Contract   Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
  Value   Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
  Value
Forward currency   Unrealized appreciation on open forward currency contracts   $ 3,430   Unrealized depreciation on open forward currency contracts     $184
Forward currency   Receivables for closed forward currency contracts     2,485   Payables for closed forward currency contracts     43
        $ 5,915       $ 227
                 
Contract   Location on statement of
operations
  Value   Location on statement of
operations
  Value
Forward currency   Net realized gain on forward currency contracts   $ 23,700   Net unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts   $ 1,934
                     
22 New World Fund
 

Collateral — The fund participates in a collateral program due to its use of forward currency contracts. The program calls for the fund to either receive or pledge collateral based on the net gain or loss on unsettled forward currency contracts by counterparty. The purpose of the collateral is to cover potential losses that could occur in the event that either party cannot meet its contractual obligations.

 

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

 

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

 

          Gross amounts not offset in the        
    Gross amounts     statement of assets and liabilities and        
    recognized in the     subject to a master netting agreement        
    statement of     Available     Non-cash     Cash     Net  
Counterparty   assets and liabilities     to offset     collateral*     collateral     amount  
Assets:                                        
Bank of America, N.A.   $ 533     $ (26 )   $     $     $ 507  
Barclays Bank PLC     1,054       (115 )     (683 )           256  
Citibank     1,137             (919 )           218  
HSBC Bank     609             (401 )           208  
JPMorgan Chase     1,803             (1,568 )           235  
UBS AG     779       (86 )     (567 )           126  
Total   $ 5,915     $ (227 )   $ (4,138 )   $     $ 1,550  
Liabilities:                                        
Bank of America, N.A.   $ 26     $ (26 )   $     $     $  
Barclays Bank PLC     115       (115 )                  
UBS AG     86       (86 )                  
Total   $ 227     $ (227 )   $     $     $  

 

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

     

6. Taxation and distributions

 

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

 

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

 

The fund is not subject to examination by U.S. federal tax authorities for tax years before 2010, by state tax authorities for tax years before 2009 and by tax authorities outside the U.S. for tax years before 2007.

 

Non-U.S. taxation — Dividend and interest income are recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. Gains realized by the fund on the sale of securities in certain countries are subject to non-U.S. taxes. The fund records a liability based on unrealized gains to provide for potential non-U.S. taxes payable upon the sale of these securities.

 

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

 

New World Fund 23
 

During the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund reclassified $100,743,000 from undistributed net investment income to capital paid in on shares of capital stock and $4,011,000 from undistributed net realized gain to undistributed net investment income to align financial reporting with tax reporting.

 

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

 

Undistributed ordinary income   $ 200,705  
Undistributed long-term capital gains     1,077,556  
Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities     5,915,512  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities     (1,500,690 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities     4,414,822  
Cost of investment securities     19,857,722  

 

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

 

    Year ended October 31, 2014   Year ended October 31, 2013
Share class   Ordinary
income
  Long-term
capital
gains
  Total
dividends and
distributions
paid
  Ordinary
income
  Long-term
capital
gains
  Total
dividends and
distributions
paid
Class A   $126,194   $136,993   $263,187   $157,755   $—   $157,755
Class B   59   1,910   1,969   1,069     1,069
Class C   2,578   11,329   13,907   5,304     5,304
Class F-1   26,756   27,344   54,100   27,103     27,103
Class F-2   25,069   20,504   45,573   21,075     21,075
Class 529-A   7,092   8,127   15,219   8,877     8,877
Class 529-B     211   211   86     86
Class 529-C   329   1,873   2,202   869     869
Class 529-E   261   393   654   348     348
Class 529-F-1   493   462   955   535     535
Class R-1   99   377   476   175     175
Class R-2   1,025   3,918   4,943   2,223     2,223
Class R-2E*                  
Class R-3   3,390   4,974   8,364   4,630     4,630
Class R-4   3,916   3,940   7,856   4,205     4,205
Class R-5   6,251   4,986   11,237   6,494     6,494
Class R-6   14,901   11,438   26,339   11,539     11,539
Total   $218,413   $238,779   $457,192   $252,287   $—   $252,287

 

* Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.          

 

7. Fees and transactions with related parties

 

CRMC, the fund’s investment adviser, is the parent company of American Funds Distributors, ® Inc. (“AFD”), the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares, and American Funds Service Company ® (“AFS”), the fund’s transfer agent. CRMC, AFD and AFS are considered related parties to the fund.

 

Investment advisory services — The fund has an investment advisory and service agreement with CRMC that provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.850% on the first $500 million of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.490% on such assets in excess of $21 billion. For the year ended October 31, 2014, the investment advisory services fee was $131,241,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.548% of average daily net assets.

 

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

 

Distribution services — The fund has plans of distribution for all share classes, except Class F-2, R-5 and R-6 shares. Under the plans, the board of directors approves certain categories of expenses that are used to finance activities primarily intended to sell fund shares and service existing accounts. The plans provide for payments, based on an annualized percentage of average daily net

 

24 New World Fund
 

assets, ranging from 0.30% to 1.00% as noted in this section. In some cases, the board of directors has limited the amounts that may be paid to less than the maximum allowed by the plans. All share classes with a plan may use up to 0.25% of average daily net assets to pay service fees, or to compensate AFD for paying service fees, to firms that have entered into agreements with AFD to provide certain shareholder services. The remaining amounts available to be paid under each plan are paid to dealers to compensate them for their sales activities.

 

For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.30% is not exceeded. As of October 31, 2014, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.

 

  Share class   Currently approved limits   Plan limits  
  Class A     0.30 %     0.30 %  
  Class 529-A     0.30       0.50    
  Classes B and 529-B     1.00       1.00    
  Classes C, 529-C and R-1     1.00       1.00    
  Class R-2     0.75       1.00    
  Class R-2E     0.60       0.85    
  Classes 529-E and R-3     0.50       0.75    
  Classes F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4     0.25       0.50    

 

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

 

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

 

529 plan services — Each 529 share class is subject to service fees to compensate the Virginia College Savings Plan (“Virginia529”) for its oversight and administration of the 529 college savings plan. During the period November 1, 2013, to March 31, 2014, the quarterly fee was based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds and decreasing to 0.06% on such assets between $120 billion and $150 billion. Effective April 1, 2014, the quarterly fee was amended to provide for reduced annual rates of 0.07%, 0.06% and 0.05% over $30 billion, $50 billion and $70 billion, respectively, of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. The fee is included in other expenses in the fund’s statement of operations. Virginia529 is not considered a related party to the fund.

 

New World Fund 25
 

For the year ended October 31, 2014, class-specific expenses under the agreements were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

      Distribution     Transfer agent     Administrative     529 plan
  Share class   services     services     services     services
  Class A   $31,101     $26,093       $1,340     Not applicable
  Class B     1,530       314       Not applicable     Not applicable
  Class C     10,627       2,102       533     Not applicable
  Class F-1     6,125       3,178       1,225     Not applicable
  Class F-2     Not applicable       2,974       1,349     Not applicable
  Class 529-A     1,624       1,254       397     $735
  Class 529-B     173       31       9     16
  Class 529-C     1,749       298       88     163
  Class 529-E     189       37       19     35
  Class 529-F-1     (1 )     74       23     44
  Class R-1     364       56       18     Not applicable
  Class R-2     2,735       1,492       184     Not applicable
  Class R-2E*               Not applicable
  Class R-3     2,402       882       241     Not applicable
  Class R-4     1,068       443       214     Not applicable
  Class R-5     Not applicable       234       227     Not applicable
  Class R-6     Not applicable       31       671     Not applicable
  Total class-specific expenses     $59,686       $39,493       $6,538     $993
   
* Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.
Amount less than one thousand.

 

Directors’ deferred compensation — Directors who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Directors’ compensation of $568,000 in the fund’s statement of operations includes $406,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $162,000 in the value of the deferred amounts.

 

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

 

8. Capital share transactions

 

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

 

    Sales*     Reinvestments of
dividends and distributions
    Repurchases*     Net increase
(decrease)
 
Share class   Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares  
                                                 
Year ended October 31, 2014                          
                           
Class A   $ 1,482,434       25,050     $ 258,955       4,455     $ (1,727,378 )     (29,204 )   $ 14,011       301  
Class B     2,935       50       1,956       34       (76,037 )     (1,305 )     (71,146 )     (1,221 )
Class C     191,413       3,341       13,773       244       (206,937 )     (3,617 )     (1,751 )     (32 )
Class F-1     757,128       12,926       53,817       933       (1,842,420 )     (30,932 )     (1,031,475 )     (17,073 )
Class F-2     2,444,039       40,730       42,796       737       (507,892 )     (8,519 )     1,978,943       32,948  
Class 529-A     99,135       1,689       15,213       263       (95,614 )     (1,626 )     18,734       326  
Class 529-B     379       6       211       4       (7,436 )     (129 )     (6,846 )     (119 )
Class 529-C     25,582       446       2,201       39       (27,065 )     (469 )     718       16  
Class 529-E     4,779       82       653       11       (4,973 )     (85 )     459       8  
Class 529-F-1     10,995       187       955       17       (7,406 )     (126 )     4,544       78  
Class R-1     12,973       225       476       9       (12,477 )     (216 )     972       18  
Class R-2     98,868       1,713       4,937       87       (108,232 )     (1,885 )     (4,427 )     (85 )
Class R-2E     55       1                               55       1  
Class R-3     173,870       2,969       8,355       146       (157,412 )     (2,698 )     24,813       417  
Class R-4     208,220       3,523       7,835       135       (114,020 )     (1,931 )     102,035       1,727  
Class R-5     194,795       3,257       11,231       193       (275,308 )     (4,613 )     (69,282 )     (1,163 )
Class R-6     686,747       11,524       26,173       450       (113,295 )     (1,905 )     599,625       10,069  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 6,394,347       107,719     $ 449,537       7,757     $ (5,283,902 )     (89,260 )   $ 1,559,982       26,216  
   
26 New World Fund
 
    Sales*     Reinvestments of
dividends and distributions
    Repurchases*     Net increase
(decrease)
 
Share class   Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares  
                                                 
Year ended October 31, 2013                                          
Class A   $ 1,670,601       30,072     $ 154,456       2,868     $ (1,901,954 )     (34,437 )   $ (76,897 )     (1,497 )
Class B     4,705       86       1,060       20       (77,359 )     (1,417 )     (71,594 )     (1,311 )
Class C     184,691       3,420       5,235       100       (197,331 )     (3,678 )     (7,405 )     (158 )
Class F-1     955,113       17,085       26,884       503       (512,588 )     (9,462 )     469,409       8,126  
Class F-2     723,705       13,172       19,214       357       (356,609 )     (6,454 )     386,310       7,075  
Class 529-A     108,024       1,965       8,875       166       (94,740 )     (1,727 )     22,159       404  
Class 529-B     497       9       86       2       (7,968 )     (147 )     (7,385 )     (136 )
Class 529-C     27,545       512       868       16       (23,783 )     (443 )     4,630       85  
Class 529-E     6,250       114       347       6       (5,012 )     (92 )     1,585       28  
Class 529-F-1     11,420       207       534       10       (6,908 )     (126 )     5,046       91  
Class R-1     10,148       188       174       3       (11,946 )     (222 )     (1,624 )     (31 )
Class R-2     101,231       1,879       2,221       43       (115,539 )     (2,148 )     (12,087 )     (226 )
Class R-3     191,242       3,476       4,625       87       (191,425 )     (3,513 )     4,442       50  
Class R-4     128,222       2,313       4,204       78       (95,598 )     (1,733 )     36,828       658  
Class R-5     123,697       2,219       6,484       120       (89,208 )     (1,605 )     40,973       734  
Class R-6     377,563       6,791       11,534       215       (81,297 )     (1,467 )     307,800       5,539  
Total net increase (decrease)   $ 4,624,654       83,508     $ 246,801       4,594     $ (3,769,265 )     (68,671 )   $ 1,102,190       19,431  
   
* Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.

 

9. Investment transactions

 

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $8,252,920,000 and $6,873,504,000, respectively, during the year ended October 31, 2014.

 

New World Fund 27
 

Financial highlights

 

        Income (loss) from
investment operations 1
  Dividends and distributions                                
    Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
(loss) 2
    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
    Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets 2
 
Class A:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014   $ 59.37     $ .76     $ .33     $ 1.09     $ (.57 )   $ (.61 )   $ (1.18 )   $ 59.28       1.86 %   $ 13,217       1.03 %     1.28 %
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.44       .66       6.98       7.64       (.71 )           (.71 )     59.37       14.71       13,221       1.06       1.20  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.61       .73       2.86       3.59       (.76 )           (.76 )     52.44       7.43       11,755       1.07       1.47  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.58       .71       (4.90 )     (4.19 )     (.78 )           (.78 )     49.61       (7.80 )     11,945       1.02       1.33  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.76       .77       9.62       10.39       (.57 )           (.57 )     54.58       23.43       13,335       1.04       1.60  
Class B:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.31       .30       .32       .62       (.02 )     (.61 )     (.63 )     58.30       1.07       121       1.79       .51  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.45       .23       6.87       7.10       (.24 )           (.24 )     58.31       13.85       192       1.83       .43  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.55       .33       2.84       3.17       (.27 )           (.27 )     51.45       6.61       237       1.84       .68  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.42       .28       (4.79 )     (4.51 )     (.36 )           (.36 )     48.55       (8.51 )     304       1.80       .54  
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.87       .38       9.43       9.81       (.26 )           (.26 )     53.42       22.48       417       1.82       .81  
Class C:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.34       .27       .32       .59       (.14 )     (.61 )     (.75 )     57.18       1.04       1,047       1.84       .47  
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.67       .21       6.75       6.96       (.29 )           (.29 )     57.34       13.80       1,052       1.87       .39  
Year ended 10/31/2012     47.91       .32       2.78       3.10       (.34 )           (.34 )     50.67       6.57       938       1.87       .66  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.80       .29       (4.74 )     (4.45 )     (.44 )           (.44 )     47.91       (8.51 )     1,007       1.79       .56  
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.43       .39       9.31       9.70       (.33 )           (.33 )     52.80       22.51       1,128       1.82       .83  
Class F-1:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.96       .79       .29       1.08       (.60 )     (.61 )     (1.21 )     58.83       1.87       1,791       1.02       1.34  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.09       .67       6.93       7.60       (.73 )           (.73 )     58.96       14.75       2,802       1.03       1.21  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.28       .75       2.83       3.58       (.77 )           (.77 )     52.09       7.47       2,052       1.03       1.51  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.23       .71       (4.86 )     (4.15 )     (.80 )           (.80 )     49.28       (7.78 )     1,816       1.02       1.34  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.51       .77       9.55       10.32       (.60 )           (.60 )     54.23       23.43       1,884       1.04       1.61  
Class F-2:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.46       .90       .34       1.24       (.75 )     (.61 )     (1.36 )     59.34       2.12       3,624       .75       1.51  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.53       .85       6.97       7.82       (.89 )           (.89 )     59.46       15.06       1,673       .76       1.52  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.71       .88       2.85       3.73       (.91 )           (.91 )     52.53       7.77       1,106       .77       1.77  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.68       .86       (4.91 )     (4.05 )     (.92 )           (.92 )     49.71       (7.54 )     923       .76       1.61  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.86       .91       9.63       10.54       (.72 )           (.72 )     54.68       23.77       829       .76       1.89  
Class 529-A:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.92       .71       .33       1.04       (.54 )     (.61 )     (1.15 )     58.81       1.79       793       1.10       1.21  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.06       .62       6.93       7.55       (.69 )           (.69 )     58.92       14.65       776       1.12       1.14  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.29       .70       2.83       3.53       (.76 )           (.76 )     52.06       7.36       664       1.13       1.42  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.24       .69       (4.87 )     (4.18 )     (.77 )           (.77 )     49.29       (7.81 )     602       1.06       1.30  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.51       .75       9.55       10.30       (.57 )           (.57 )     54.24       23.37       555       1.08       1.57  
Class 529-B:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.81       .23       .32       .55             (.61 )     (.61 )     57.75       .97       14       1.91       .40  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.01       .18       6.80       6.98       (.18 )           (.18 )     57.81       13.72       21       1.93       .33  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.17       .28       2.82       3.10       (.26 )           (.26 )     51.01       6.50       26       1.94       .58  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.02       .24       (4.76 )     (4.52 )     (.33 )           (.33 )     48.17       (8.58 )     33       1.88       .46  
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.57       .34       9.37       9.71       (.26 )           (.26 )     53.02       22.38       42       1.90       .73  
   
28 New World Fund
 
        Income (loss) from
investment operations 1
  Dividends and distributions                                
    Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
(loss) 2
    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
    Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets 2
 
Class 529-C:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014   $ 57.42     $ .24     $ .31     $ .55     $ (.11 )   $ (.61 )   $ (.72 )   $ 57.25       .96 %   $ 175       1.90 %     .41 %
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.77       .18       6.76       6.94       (.29 )           (.29 )     57.42       13.74       174       1.92       .34  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.05       .29       2.79       3.08       (.36 )           (.36 )     50.77       6.51       150       1.94       .60  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.98       .25       (4.76 )     (4.51 )     (.42 )           (.42 )     48.05       (8.58 )     142       1.88       .49  
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.57       .36       9.35       9.71       (.30 )           (.30 )     52.98       22.39       129       1.89       .76  
Class 529-E:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.45       .57       .32       .89       (.41 )     (.61 )     (1.02 )     58.32       1.54       38       1.33       .97  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.65       .50       6.87       7.37       (.57 )           (.57 )     58.45       14.37       38       1.36       .91  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.87       .57       2.82       3.39       (.61 )           (.61 )     51.65       7.10       32       1.38       1.16  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.81       .53       (4.83 )     (4.30 )     (.64 )           (.64 )     48.87       (8.10 )     30       1.35       1.00  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.19       .60       9.49       10.09       (.47 )           (.47 )     53.81       23.01       29       1.38       1.27  
Class 529-F-1:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.00       .83       .32       1.15       (.65 )     (.61 )     (1.26 )     58.89       1.99       49       .89       1.41  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.13       .74       6.93       7.67       (.80 )           (.80 )     59.00       14.87       44       .92       1.34  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.36       .80       2.83       3.63       (.86 )           (.86 )     52.13       7.59       34       .93       1.62  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.31       .79       (4.88 )     (4.09 )     (.86 )           (.86 )     49.36       (7.65 )     28       .87       1.50  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.55       .85       9.56       10.41       (.65 )           (.65 )     54.31       23.63       26       .88       1.77  
Class R-1:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.51       .30       .31       .61       (.16 )     (.61 )     (.77 )     57.35       1.07       37       1.79       .52  
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.76       .24       6.78       7.02       (.27 )           (.27 )     57.51       13.89       36       1.79       .46  
Year ended 10/31/2012     47.98       .34       2.79       3.13       (.35 )           (.35 )     50.76       6.61       33       1.83       .70  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.87       .28       (4.75 )     (4.47 )     (.42 )           (.42 )     47.98       (8.53 )     41       1.82       .53  
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.51       .38       9.33       9.71       (.35 )           (.35 )     52.87       22.44       44       1.85       .80  
Class R-2:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     57.49       .29       .32       .61       (.16 )     (.61 )     (.77 )     57.33       1.07       364       1.79       .51  
Year ended 10/31/2013     50.80       .26       6.77       7.03       (.34 )           (.34 )     57.49       13.90       370       1.78       .48  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.04       .34       2.79       3.13       (.37 )           (.37 )     50.80       6.60       338       1.83       .71  
Year ended 10/31/2011     52.91       .29       (4.75 )     (4.46 )     (.41 )           (.41 )     48.04       (8.49 )     333       1.80       .55  
Year ended 10/31/2010     43.50       .37       9.33       9.70       (.29 )           (.29 )     52.91       22.45       364       1.84       .80  
Class R-2E:                                                                                                
Period from 8/29/2014 to 10/31/2014 4,5     61.11       .01       (1.86 )     (1.85 )                       59.26       (3.04 )     6     .22       .01  
Class R-3:                                                                                                
Year ended 10/31/2014     58.58       .57       .32       .89       (.42 )     (.61 )     (1.03 )     58.44       1.53       495       1.32       .97  
Year ended 10/31/2013     51.76       .51       6.89       7.40       (.58 )           (.58 )     58.58       14.41       472       1.34       .92  
Year ended 10/31/2012     48.97       .58       2.82       3.40       (.61 )           (.61 )     51.76       7.12       414       1.36       1.18  
Year ended 10/31/2011     53.91       .53       (4.84 )     (4.31 )     (.63 )           (.63 )     48.97       (8.09 )     395       1.35       1.00  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.29       .61       9.50       10.11       (.49 )           (.49 )     53.91       23.01       398       1.38       1.28  
   
New World Fund 29
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

            Income (loss) from
investment operations 1
     

 

Dividends and distributions

                                   
      Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
    Net
investment
income
(loss) 2
    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
      Ratio of
net income
(loss) to
average
net assets 2
 
Class R-4:                                                                                      
Year ended 10/31/2014   $ 59.19   $ .78   $ .31     $ 1.09     $ (.61 )   $ (.61 )   $ (1.22 )   $ 59.06   1.87 %   $ 471     1.00 %     1.31 %
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.29     .69     6.96       7.65       (.75 )           (.75 )     59.19   14.79       369     1.01       1.26  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.46     .76     2.85       3.61       (.78 )           (.78 )     52.29   7.50       292     1.01       1.53  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.43     .71     (4.89 )     (4.18 )     (.79 )           (.79 )     49.46   (7.80 )     258     1.01       1.34  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.68     .78     9.59       10.37       (.62 )           (.62 )     54.43   23.46       268     1.03       1.63  
                                                                                       
Class R-5:                                                                                      
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.66     .98     .30       1.28       (.77 )     (.61 )     (1.38 )     59.56   2.19       407     .69       1.64  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.68     .87     7.01       7.88       (.90 )           (.90 )     59.66   15.14       477     .70       1.56  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.85     .91     2.86       3.77       (.94 )           (.94 )     52.68   7.81       383     .72       1.82  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.81     .84     (4.88 )     (4.04 )     (.92 )           (.92 )     49.85   (7.50 )     363     .71       1.57  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.94     .91     9.66       10.57       (.70 )           (.70 )     54.81   23.79       554     .74       1.90  
                                                                                       
Class R-6:                                                                                      
Year ended 10/31/2014     59.58     .98     .32       1.30       (.80 )     (.61 )     (1.41 )     59.47   2.22       1,640     .65       1.64  
Year ended 10/31/2013     52.61     .89     7.01       7.90       (.93 )           (.93 )     59.58   15.19       1,043     .65       1.60  
Year ended 10/31/2012     49.80     .94     2.84       3.78       (.97 )           (.97 )     52.61   7.87       630     .66       1.89  
Year ended 10/31/2011     54.76     .90     (4.91 )     (4.01 )     (.95 )           (.95 )     49.80   (7.46 )     426     .66       1.70  
Year ended 10/31/2010     44.85     .94     9.65       10.59       (.68 )           (.68 )     54.76   23.89       327     .68       1.96  

 

    Year ended October 31
    2014   2013   2012   2011   2010
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes     32 %     36 %     25 %     25 %     20 %

 

1 Based on average shares outstanding.
2 For the year ended October 31, 2014, this column reflects the impact of a corporate action event that resulted in a one-time increase to net investment income. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the Class A net investment income per share and ratio of net income to average net assets would have been lower by $.19 and .31 percentage points, respectively. The impact to the other share classes would have been similar.
3 Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
4 Class R-2E shares were offered beginning August 29, 2014.
5 Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.
6 Amount less than $1 million.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

30 New World Fund
 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of

New World Fund, Inc.:

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of New World Fund Inc. (the “Fund”), including the investment portfolio and the summary investment portfolio, as of October 31, 2014, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2014 correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

In our opinion, such financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of New World Fund, Inc. as of October 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Costa Mesa, California

December 10, 2014

 

 

 
 

 

New World Fund, Inc.

 

Part C

Other Information

 

 

Item 28. Exhibits for Registration Statement (1940 Act No. 811-09105 and 1933 Act. No. 333-67455)

 

(a-1) Articles of Incorporation – Articles of Incorporation effective 11/13/98 - previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed 3/3/99); Articles of Amendment effective 2/2/99 - previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed 3/3/99); Articles Supplementary effective 1/13/00 - previously filed (see Post-Effective ("P/E") Amendment No. 3 filed 3/10/00); Articles Supplementary effective 1/24/01 - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 5 filed 3/12/01); Articles Supplementary effective 1/18/02 - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 6 filed 2/14/02); Articles Supplementary effective 3/20/06 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 12 filed 12/29/06); Articles Supplementary effective 5/23/08 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 14 filed 7/1/08); Articles Supplementary effective 3/27/09 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 16 filed 4/8/09); and Articles Supplementary effective 7/2/14 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 26 filed 8/28/14); and Certificate of Correction effective 8/22/14 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 26 filed 8/28/14)

 

(a-2) Articles Supplementary effective 9/4/15

 

(b) By-laws – By-laws as amended 6/9/10 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 19 filed 12/30/10)

 

(c) Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – Form of Share Certificate - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 5 filed 3/12/01)

 

(d) Investment Advisory Contracts – Form of Amended and Restated Investment Advisory and Service Agreement dated 2/1/15 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 28 filed 12/31/14)

 

(e-1) Underwriting Contracts – Form of Class F Share Participation Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 26 filed 8/28/14); and Form of Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 26 filed 8/28/14)

 

(e-2) Form of Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement effective 11/20/15; Form of Selling Group Agreement; and Form of Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement

 

(f) Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – Form of Deferred Compensation Plan effective 3/21/13 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 24 filed 12/31/13)

 

(g-1) Custodian Agreements – Form of Global Custody Agreement dated 12/21/06 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 12 filed 12/29/06)

 

(g-2) Form of Amendment to Global Custody Agreement effective 7/1/15

 

(h-1) Other Material Contracts – Form of Indemnification Agreement - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 10 filed 12/30/04)

 

(h-2) Form of Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement dated 11/20/15; and Form of Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement dated 11/20/15

 

(i-1) Legal Opinion – Legal Opinion – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 filed 4/16/99; P/E Amendment No. 3 filed 3/10/00; P/E Amendment No. 6 filed 2/14/02; P/E Amendment No. 7 filed 5/13/02; P/E Amendment No. 14 filed 7/1/08; P/E Amendment No. 16 filed 4/8/09; and P/E Amendment No. 26 filed 8/28/14)

 

(i-2) Legal Opinion

 

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

 

(k) Omitted Financial Statements – None

 

(l) Initial Capital Agreements – Investment Letter from the Investment Adviser relating to initial shares - previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 filed 4/16/99)

 

(m) Rule 12b-1 Plan – Form of Plan of Distribution for Class A shares dated 4/16/99 - previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 filed 4/16/99); Form of Plan of Distribution for Class 529-A shares dated 2/1/02 - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 6 filed 2/14/02); Forms of Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution for Class B, C, F, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E, 529-F, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 shares dated 10/1/05 - previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 11 filed 12/29/05); Forms of Amendment to Plan of Distribution – Class F-1 and 529-F-1 shares dated 6/16/08 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 14 filed 7/1/08); and Form of Plan of Distribution for Class R-2E shares dated 8/29/14 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 26 filed 8/28/14)

 

(n) Rule 18f-3 Plan – Form of Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan dated 11/20/15

 

(o) Reserved

 

(p) Code of Ethics – Code of Ethics for The Capital Group Companies dated October 2015; and Code of Ethics for Registrant

 

 

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

 

None

 

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

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

 

Subsection (b) of Section 2-418 of the General Corporation Law of Maryland empowers a corporation to indemnify any person who was or is party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or enterprise, against reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually incurred by him in connection with such action, suit or proceeding unless it is established that: (i) the act or omission of the person was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and was committed in bad faith or was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty; (ii) the person actually received an improper personal benefit of money, property or services; or (iii) with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, the person had reasonable cause to believe his act or omission was unlawful.

 

Indemnification under subsection (b) of Section 2-418 may not be made by a corporation unless authorized for a specific proceeding after a determination has been made that indemnification is permissible in the circumstances because the party to be indemnified has met the standard of conduct set forth in subsection (b). This determination shall be made (i) by the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors not, at the time, parties to the proceeding, or, if such quorum cannot be obtained, then by a majority vote of a committee of the Board consisting solely of two or more directors not, at the time, parties to such proceeding and who were duly designated to act in the matter by a majority vote of the full Board in which the designated directors who are parties may participate; (ii) by special legal counsel selected by the Board of Directors of a committee of the Board by vote as set forth in subparagraph (i), or, if the requisite quorum of the full Board cannot be obtained therefor and the committee cannot be established, by a majority vote of the full Board in which any director who is a party may participate; or (iii) by the stockholders (except that shares held by any party to the specific proceeding may not be voted). A court of appropriate jurisdiction may also order indemnification if the court determines that a person seeking indemnification is entitled to reimbursement under subsection (b).

 

Section 2-418 further provides that indemnification provided for by Section 2-418 shall not be deemed exclusive of any rights to which the indemnified party may be entitled; that the scope of indemnification extends to directors, officers, employees or agents of a constituent corporation absorbed in a consolidation or merger and persons serving in that capacity at the request of the constituent corporation for another; and empowers the corporation to purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such person's status as such whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liabilities under Section 2-418.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

 

None

 

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

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

 

(b)

 

 

(1)

Name and Principal

Business Address

 

(2)

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

(3)

Positions and Offices

with Registrant

LAO

Raymond Ahn

 

Vice President None
IRV

Laurie M. Allen

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

William C. Anderson

 

 

Senior Vice President and Director of Investment Services None
LAO

Dion T. Angelopoulos

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Curtis A. Baker

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

T. Patrick Bardsley

 

Vice President None
LAO

Shakeel A. Barkat

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brett A. Beach

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Jerry R. Berg

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Joseph W. Best, Jr.

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Sandeep S. Bhasin

 

Vice President None
LAO

Roger J. Bianco, Jr.

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ryan M. Bickle

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

John A. Blanchard

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Marek Blaskovic

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Gerard M. Bockstie, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jill M. Boudreau

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

 

LAO

Andre W. Bouvier

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Michael A. Bowman

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

William P. Brady

 

Senior Vice President None
IRV

Jason E. Brady

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Mickey L. Brethower

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Kevin G. Broulette

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

C. Alan Brown

 

Vice President None
LAO

E. Chapman Brown, Jr.

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Toni L. Brown

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Gary D. Bryce

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Sheryl M. Burford

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Ronan J. Burke

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Steven Calabria

 

Vice President None
LAO

Thomas E. Callahan

 

Vice President None
LAO

Anthony J. Camilleri

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Susan H. Campbell

 

Vice President None
LAO

Damian F. Carroll

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

James D. Carter

 

Vice President None

 

LAO

Stephen L. Caruthers

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Brian C. Casey

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Christopher J. Cassin

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Craig L. Castner

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Christopher M. Cefalo

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

Becky C. Chao

 

Vice President None
LAO

David D. Charlton

 

 

Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing None
LAO

Thomas M. Charon

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Daniel A. Chodosch

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Wellington Choi

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Paul A. Cieslik

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew R. Claeson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Sara M. Clegg

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Kevin G. Clifford

 

 

 

 

 

Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer; President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Ruth M. Collier

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

Timothy J. Colvin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Christopher M. Conwell

 

Vice President None
LAO

C. Jeffrey Cook

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

 

LAO

Charles H. Cote

 

Vice President None
LAO

Joseph G. Cronin

 

Vice President None
LAO

D. Erick Crowdus

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brian M. Daniels

 

Vice President None
LAO

William F. Daugherty

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Scott T. Davis

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Shane L. Davis

 

Vice President None
LAO

Peter J. Deavan

 

Vice President None
LAO

Guy E. Decker

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Renee A. Degner

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Daniel Delianedis

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Mark A. Dence

 

Vice President None
LAO

Stephen Deschenes

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Mario P. DiVito

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Joanne H. Dodd

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Kevin F. Dolan

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Thomas L. Donham

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

John H. Donovan IV

 

Assistant Vice President None

 

LAO

John J. Doyle

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Ryan T. Doyle

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Craig Duglin

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Alan J. Dumas

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

John E. Dwyer IV

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
IND

Karyn B. Dzurisin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kevin C. Easley

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Damian Eckstein

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Matthew J. Eisenhardt

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Timothy L. Ellis

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John M. Fabiano

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

E. Luke Farrell

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Mark A. Ferraro

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

James M. Ferrauilo

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Lorna Fitzgerald

 

Vice President None
LAO

William F. Flannery

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Kevin H. Folks

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

David R. Ford

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Vanda S. Freesman

 

Assistant Vice President None

 

LAO

Daniel Frick

 

Senior Vice President None
SNO

Arturo V. Garcia, Jr.

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

J. Gregory Garrett

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Brian K. Geiger

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jacob M. Gerber

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

J. Christopher Gies

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Pamela A. Gillett

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

William F. Gilmartin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Robert E. Greeley, Jr.

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey J. Greiner

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Eric M. Grey

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

E. Renee Grimm

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
IRV

Steven Guida

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Sam S. Gumma

 

Regional Vice President None
IRV

DeAnn C. Haley

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Philip E. Haning

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Dale K. Hanks

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David R. Hanna

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Derek S. Hansen

 

Vice President None
LAO

Julie O. Hansen

 

Vice President None

 

LAO

John R. Harley

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Calvin L. Harrelson III

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Robert J. Hartig, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Craig W. Hartigan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Clifford W. “Webb” Heidinger

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Brock A. Hillman

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jennifer M. Hoang

 

Vice President None
LAO

David F. Holstein

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Heidi B. Horwitz-Marcus

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David R. Hreha

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Frederic J. Huber

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David K. Hummelberg

 

 

 

Director, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Controller None
LAO

Jeffrey K. Hunkins

 

Vice President None
LAO

Marc G. Ialeggio

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

David K. Jacocks

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

W. Chris Jenkins

 

Vice President None
LAO

Daniel J. Jess II

 

Regional Vice President None
IND

Jameel S. Jiwani

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Sarah C. Johnson

 

Assistant Vice President None

 

LAO

Brendan M. Jonland

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

David G. Jordt

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

Stephen T. Joyce

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Thomas J. Joyce

 

Vice President None
LAO

Maria Karahalis

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division  
LAO

John P. Keating

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brian G. Kelly

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Christopher J. Kennedy

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Ryan C. Kidwell

 

Vice President None
LAO

Christopher W. Kilroy

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Layla S. Kim

 

Vice President None
LAO

Charles A. King

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Mark Kistler

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey G. Klepacki

 

Senior Vice President None
NYO

Dorothy Klock

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Stephen J. Knutson

 

Assistant Vice President None
IRV

Elizabeth K. Koster

 

Vice President None
LAO

James M. Kreider

 

Vice President None
SNO

David D. Kuncho

 

Assistant Vice President None

 

LAO

Richard M. Lang

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Christopher F. Lanzafame

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew Le Blanc

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Richard Lee

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Matthew N. Leeper

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Clay M. Leveritt

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Lorin E. Liesy

 

Vice President None
LAO

Louis K. Linquata

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

James M. Maher

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Brendan T. Mahoney

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Nathan G. Mains

 

Vice President None
LAO

Sirish S. Mani

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Mark A. Marinella

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brooke M. Marrujo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Stephen B. May

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO Dana C. McCollum

Vice President

 

None
LAO

Joseph A. McCreesh, III

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ross M. McDonald

 

Vice President None
LAO

Timothy W. McHale

 

Secretary None
LAO

Max J. McQuiston

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Scott M. Meade

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David A. Merrill

 

Assistant Vice President None

 

LAO

William T. Mills

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Sean C. Minor

 

Vice President None
LAO

James R. Mitchell III

 

Vice President None
LAO

Charles L. Mitsakos

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Ryan D. Moore

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Steven A. Moreno

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David H. Morrison

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Andrew J. Moscardini

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
NYO

Timothy J. Murphy

 

Vice President None
LAO

Marc E. Nabi

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jon C. Nicolazzo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Earnest M. Niemi

 

Vice President None
LAO

William E. Noe

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Matthew P. O’Connor

 

 

 

 

 

Director and Executive Vice President; Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jonathan H. O’Flynn

 

Vice President None
LAO

Peter A. Olsen

 

Regional Vice President None

 

LAO

Jeffrey A. Olson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Thomas A. O’Neil

 

Vice President None
IRV

Paula A. Orologas

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Gregory H. Ortman

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Shawn M. O’Sullivan

 

Vice President None
IND

Lance T. Owens

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kristina E. Page

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Rodney Dean Parker II

 

Vice President None
LAO

Lynn M. Patrick

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Timothy C. Patterson

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

W. Burke Patterson, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Gary A. Peace

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Robert J. Peche

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David K. Petzke

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Adam W. Phillips

 

Assistant Vice President None
IND

Mary E. Phillips

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Joseph M. Piccolo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Keith A. Piken

 

Vice President None
LAO

John Pinto

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

 

LAO

Carl S. Platou

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David T. Polak

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Charles R. Porcher

 

Vice President None
LAO

Leah K. Porter

 

Vice President None
SNO

Richard P. Prior

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Steven J. Quagrello

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Michael R. Quinn

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

James R. Raker

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
SNO

John P. Raney

 

Vice President None
LAO

James P. Rayburn

 

Vice President None
LAO

Rene M. Reincke

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey J. Robinson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew M. Robinson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Thomas W. Rose

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Rome D. Rottura

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Shane A. Russell

 

Vice President None
LAO

William M. Ryan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Dean B. Rydquist

 

 

Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None
IND

Brenda S. Rynski

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Richard A. Sabec, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None

 

LAO

Paul V. Santoro

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Keith A. Saunders

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Joe D. Scarpitti

 

Senior Vice President None
IRV

MaryAnn Scarsone

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Mark A. Seaman

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

James J. Sewell III

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Arthur M. Sgroi

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brad W. Short

 

Vice President None
LAO

Nathan W. Simmons

 

Vice President None
LAO

Connie F. Sjursen

 

Vice President None
LAO

Melissa A. Sloane

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Matthew T. Smith

 

Assistant Vice President None
SNO

Stacy D. Smolka

 

Vice President None
LAO

J. Eric Snively

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kristen J. Spazafumo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Michael P. Stern

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew J. Strandquist

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

Gretchen L. Taibl

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Peter D. Thatch

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John B. Thomas

 

Vice President None
LAO

Cynthia M. Thompson

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

 

HRO

Stephen B. Thompson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Mark R. Threlfall

 

Vice President None
IND

James P. Toomey

 

Vice President None
LAO

Luke N. Trammell

 

Vice President None
IND

Christopher E. Trede

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jordan A. Trevino

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Shaun C. Tucker

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David E. Unanue

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Idoya Urrutia

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Scott W. Ursin-Smith

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Patrick D. Vance

 

Regional Vice President None
SNO

Cindy T. Vaquiax

 

Vice President None
LAO

Srinkanth Vemuri

 

Vice President None
LAO

Spilios Venetsanopoulos

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

J. David Viale

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Robert D. Vigneaux III

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Todd R. Wagner

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

 

LAO

Jon N. Wainman

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Sherrie S. Walling

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Brian M. Walsh

 

Vice President None
SNO

Chris L. Wammack

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew W. Ward

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Thomas E. Warren

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

George J. Wenzel

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jason M. Weybrecht

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Adam B. Whitehead

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

N. Dexter Williams

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Steven Wilson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Steven C. Wilson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kurt A. Wuestenberg

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jonathan A. Young

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jason P. Young

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Raul Zarco, Jr.

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

 

__________

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

 

(c) None

 

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

Item 34. Management Services

 

None

 

 

Item 35. Undertakings

 

None

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, and State of California, on the 29 th day of October, 2015.

 

NEW WORLD FUND, INC.

 

By /s/ Walter R. Burkley

(Walter R. Burkley, Executive Vice President)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to Registration Statement has been signed below on October 29, 2015, by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

 

  Signature Title
(1) Principal Executive Officer:
     
   /s/ Walter R. Burkley Executive Vice President
  (Walter R. Burkley)  
   
(2) Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer:
     
  /s/ Brian C. Janssen Treasurer
  (Brian C. Janssen)  
     
(3) Directors:  
     
  Elisabeth Allison* Director
  Vanessa C. L. Chang* Director
  Nicholas Donatiello, Jr.* Director
  Pablo R. González Guajardo* Director
  Nicholas J. Grace* Senior Vice President and Director
  Koichi Itoh* Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive)
  William H. Kling* Director
  Robert W. Lovelace* Vice Chairman of the Board and President
  William I. Miller* Director
  Alessandro Ovi* Director
     
  *By    /s/ Michael W. Stockton  
          (Michael W. Stockton, pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith)

 

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

 

/s/ Katherine H. Newhall

(Katherine H. Newhall, Counsel)

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

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

 

- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Belmont, MA , this 9 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Elisabeth Allison

Elisabeth Allison, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Vanessa C. L. Chang , the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) :

 

- American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)
- American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-190913, File No. 811-22881)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)
- International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Jeffrey P. Regal

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at North Berwick, Scotland , this 13 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Vanessa C. L. Chang

Vanessa C. L. Chang, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Nicholas Donatiello, Jr. , the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) :

 

- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at San Francisco, CA , this 27 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Nicholas Donatiello, Jr.

Nicholas Donatiello, Jr., Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

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

 

- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Mexico City , this 23 rd day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Pablo R. González Guajardo

Pablo R. González Guajardo, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Nicholas J. Grace , the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”) :

 

- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at London, England , this 10 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Nicholas J. Grace

Nicholas J. Grace, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

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

 

- Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
- Capital World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- The New Economy Fund (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Jeffrey P. Regal

Neal F. Wellons

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Tokyo, Japan , this 13 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Koichi Itoh

Koichi Itoh, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

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

 

- AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)
- American Funds Fundamental Investors (File No. 002-10760, File No. 811-00032)
- American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)
- American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- The Growth Fund of America (File No. 002-14728, File No. 811-00862)
- The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund
- SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc. (File No. 033-32785, File No. 811-05888)
- SMALLCAP World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Jeffrey P. Regal

Neal F. Wellons

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Minneapolis, MN , this 13 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ William H. Kling

William H. Kling, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

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

 

- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA , this 7 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Robert W. Lovelace

Robert W. Lovelace, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

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

 

- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at New York, NY , this 9 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ William I. Miller

William I. Miller, Board member

 
 

 

 

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

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

 

- EuroPacific Growth Fund (File No. 002-83847, File No. 811-03734)
- EuroPacific Growth Fund
- New Perspective Fund (File No. 002-47749, File No. 811-02333)
- New World Fund, Inc. (File No. 333-67455, File No. 811-09105)
- American Funds New World Fund

 

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

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Rome, Italy , this 13 th day of July, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Alessandro Ovi

Alessandro Ovi, Board member

 

 

 

NEW WORLD FUND, INC.

 

ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

 

New World Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation having its principal office in Baltimore City, Maryland (the “Corporation”), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

 

FIRST: (a) The Board of Directors of the Corporation has divided and further classified the authorized, but unissued shares of common stock of the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share, into 1 additional class, designated “Class R-5E”. The remaining shares of common stock, including the shares currently issued and outstanding, shall consist of the previously designated Class A, Class B, Class C, Class F-1, Class F-2, Class R-1, Class R-2, Class R-2E, Class R-3, Class R-4, Class R-5, Class R-6, Class 529-A, Class 529-B, Class 529-C, Class 529-E and Class 529-F-1 shares. The authorized shares of each such class of common stock shall consist of the sum of (x) the outstanding shares of that class and (y) one-eighteenth (1/18) of the authorized but unissued shares of all classes of common stock; provided, however , that in the event application of the above formula would result, at the time, in fractional shares of one or more classes, the number of authorized shares of each such class shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares; and provided, further, that at all times the aggregate number of authorized Class A, Class B, Class C, Class F-1, Class F-2, Class R-1, Class R-2, Class R-2E, Class R-3, Class R-4, Class R-5E, Class R-5, Class R-6, Class 529-A, Class 529-B, Class 529-C, Class 529-E and Class 529-F-1 shares of common stock shall not exceed the authorized number of shares of common stock ( i.e. , 1,000,000,000 shares until changed by action of the Board of Directors in accordance with Sections 2-105(c) and 2-208.1 of the Maryland General Corporation Law).

 

(b) The preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the Class A, Class B, Class C, Class F-1, Class F-2, Class R-1, Class R-2, Class R-2E, Class R-3, Class R-4, Class R-5, Class R-6, Class 529-A, Class 529-B, Class 529-C, Class 529-E and Class 529-F-1 shares are set forth in the Charter of the Corporation. The preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends, qualifications, and terms and conditions of redemption of the Class R-5E shares of the Corporation are set forth below.

 

SECOND: Except to the extent provided otherwise by the Charter of the Corporation, all classes of shares of the Corporation shall represent an equal proportionate interest in the assets of the Corporation (subject to the liabilities of the Corporation) and each share shall have identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights; provided , however , that notwithstanding anything in the Charter of the Corporation to the contrary:

 

(i) Each class of shares of the Corporation may be issued and sold subject to different sales loads or charges, whether initial, deferred or contingent, or any combination thereof, as may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Investment Company Act of

 
 

1940, as amended, and applicable rules and regulations of self-regulatory organizations and as shall be set forth in the applicable prospectus for the shares;

 

(ii) Expenses, costs and charges which are determined by or under the supervision of the Board of Directors to be attributable to the shares of a particular class may be charged to that class and appropriately reflected in the net asset value of, and/or dividends payable on, the shares of that class; and

 

(iii) Subject to the provisions in the Charter of the Corporation pertaining to the exchange rights of Class B, Class C and Class 529-B shares, each class of shares of the Corporation may have such different exchange rights as the Board of Directors shall provide in compliance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

 

THIRD: (a) The foregoing amendment to the Charter of the Corporation does not increase the aggregate authorized capital stock of the Corporation but decreases the number of authorized shares of each previously designated class of stock.

 

(b) (i) The authorized shares of each previously designated class of stock immediately before the decrease in such stock consisted of the sum of (x) the outstanding shares of that class and (y) one-seventeenth (1/17) of the authorized but unissued shares of all classes of common stock; provided, however, that in the event application of the above formula would result, at the time, in fractional shares of one or more classes, the number of authorized shares of each such class shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares; and provided, further, that at all times the aggregate number of authorized Class A, Class B, Class C, Class F-1, Class F-2, Class R-1, Class R-2, Class R-2E, Class R-3, Class R-4, Class R-5, Class R-6, Class 529-A, Class 529-B, Class 529-C, Class 529-E and Class 529-F-1 shares of common stock shall not exceed the authorized number of shares of common stock (i.e., 1,000,000,000 shares until changed by action of the Board of Directors in accordance with Sections 2-105(c) and 2-208.1 of the Maryland General Corporation Law).

 

(ii) The authorized shares of each previously designated class of stock as decreased consists of the sum of (x) the outstanding shares of that class and (y) one-eighteenth (1/18) of the authorized but unissued shares of all classes of common stock; provided, however, that in the event application of the above formula would result, at the time, in fractional shares of one or more classes, the number of authorized shares of each such class shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number of shares; and provided, further, that at all times the aggregate number of authorized Class A, Class B, Class C, Class F-1, Class F-2, Class R-1, Class R-2, Class R-2E, Class

 
 

R-3, Class R-4, Class R-5E, Class R-5, Class R-6, Class 529-A, Class 529-B, Class 529-C, Class 529-E and Class 529-F-1 shares of common stock shall not exceed the authorized number of shares of common stock (i.e., 1,000,000,000 shares until changed by action of the Board of Directors in accordance with Sections 2-105(c) and 2-208.1 of the Maryland General Corporation Law).

 

(iii) The total number of shares of stock of all classes that the Corporation has authority to issue, both as of immediately before the decrease in the previously designated classes of stock and as decreased, is 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, having an aggregate par value of $10,000,000.

 

FOURTH: The number of shares of each previously designated class of stock has been decreased by the Board of Directors in accordance with Section 2-105(c) of the Maryland General Corporation Law. The Corporation is registered as an open-end company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles Supplementary to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer and attested by its Secretary on this 3rd day of September, 2015.

 

NEW WORLD FUND, INC.

 

By: /s/ Walter R. Burkley

Walter R. Burkley

Executive Vice President and

Principal Executive Officer

ATTEST:

 

By: /s/ Michael W. Stockton

Michael W. Stockton, Secretary

 

The undersigned, Executive Vice President and Principal Executive Officer of New World Fund, Inc. who executed on behalf of said Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary of which this certificate is made a part, acknowledges in the name and on behalf of the Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the corporate act of the Corporation and certifies that, to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, the matters and facts set forth therein with respect to the authorization and approval thereof are true in all material respects under the penalties of perjury.

 

 

/s/ Walter R. Burkley

Walter R. Burkley

Executive Vice President and

Principal Executive Officer

 

[name of fund]

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

 

 

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT, is between [NAME OF FUND], [a Delaware statutory trust/Massachusetts business trust/Maryland corporation] (the “Fund”), and AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS, INC., a California corporation (the “Distributor”).

 

W I T N E S S E T H:

 

WHEREAS, the Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end diversified investment company which offers [eighteen] classes of shares of [common stock/beneficial interest], designated as [Class A shares; Class B shares; Class C shares; Class F-1 shares; Class F-2 shares; Class 529-A shares; Class 529-B shares; Class 529-C shares; Class 529-E shares; Class 529-F-1 shares; Class R-1 shares; Class R-2 shares; Class R-2E shares; Class R-3 shares; Class R-4 shares; Class R-5E shares; Class R-5 shares and Class R-6 shares], and it is a part of the business of the Fund, and affirmatively in the interest of the Fund, to offer shares of the Fund either from time to time or continuously as determined by the Fund’s officers subject to authorization by its Board of Trustees;

 

WHEREAS, the Distributor is engaged in the business of promoting the distribution of shares of investment companies through securities broker-dealers; and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund and the Distributor wish to enter into an agreement with each other to promote the distribution and servicing of the shares of the Fund and of all series or classes of the Fund which may be established in the future;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. (a) The Distributor shall be the exclusive principal underwriter for the sale of the shares of the Fund and of each series or class of the Fund which may be established in the future, except as otherwise provided pursuant to the following subsection (b). The terms “shares of the Fund” or “shares” as used herein shall mean shares of [common stock/beneficial interest] of the Fund and each series or class which may be established in the future and become covered by this Agreement in accordance with Section 31 of this Agreement.

 

(b) The Fund may, upon 60 days’ written notice to the Distributor, from time to time designate other principal underwriters of its shares with respect to areas other than the North American continent, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and such countries or other jurisdictions as to which the Fund may have expressly waived in writing its right to make such designation. In the event of such designation, the right of the Distributor under this Agreement to sell shares in the areas so designated shall

 
 

terminate, but this Agreement shall remain otherwise in full force and effect until terminated in accordance with the other provisions hereof.

 

2. In the sale of shares of the Fund, the Distributor shall act as agent of the Fund except in any transaction in which the Distributor sells such shares as a dealer to the public, in which event the Distributor shall act as principal for its own account.

 

3. The Fund shall sell shares only through the Distributor, except that the Fund may, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or pursuant thereto, at any time:

 

(a) issue shares to any corporation, association, trust, partnership or other organization, or its, or their, security holders, beneficiaries or members, in connection with a merger, consolidation or reorganization to which the Fund is a party, or in connection with the acquisition of all or substantially all the property and assets of such corporation, association, trust, partnership or other organization;

 

(b) issue shares at net asset value to the holders of shares of capital stock or beneficial interest of other investment companies served as investment adviser by any affiliated company or companies of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., to the extent of all or any portion of amounts received by such shareholders upon redemption or repurchase of their shares by the other investment companies;

 

(c) issue shares at net asset value to its shareholders in connection with the reinvestment of dividends paid and other distributions made by the Fund;

 

(d) issue shares at net asset value to persons entitled to purchase shares at net asset value without sales charge or contingent deferred sales charge as described in the Fund’s current Registration Statement in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, for each series issued by the Fund at the time of such offer or sale.

 

4. The Distributor shall devote its best efforts to the sale of shares of the Fund and shares of any other mutual funds served as investment adviser by affiliated companies of The Capital Group Companies, Inc., and insurance contracts funded by shares of such mutual funds, for which the Distributor has been authorized to act as principal underwriter for the sale of shares. The Distributor shall maintain a sales organization suited to the sale of shares of the Fund and shall use its best efforts to effect such sales in jurisdictions as to which the Fund shall have expressly waived in writing its right to designate another principal underwriter pursuant to subsection 1(b) hereof, and shall effect and maintain appropriate qualification to do so in all those jurisdictions in which it sells or offers shares for sale and in which qualification is required.

 
 

 

5. Within the United States of America, all dealers to whom the Distributor shall offer and sell shares must be duly licensed and qualified to sell shares of the Fund. Shares sold to dealers shall be for resale by such dealers only at the public offering price set forth in the current summary prospectus and/or prospectus of the Fund’s Registration Statement in effect under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Prospectus”). The Distributor shall not, without the consent of the Fund, sell or offer for sale any shares of a series or class issued by the Fund other than as principal underwriter pursuant to this Agreement.

 

6. In its sales to dealers, it shall be the responsibility of the Distributor to ensure that such dealers are appropriately qualified to transact business in the shares under applicable laws, rules and regulations promulgated by such national, state, local or other governmental or quasi-governmental authorities as may in a particular instance have jurisdiction.

 

7. The applicable public offering price of shares shall be set forth in and subject to the provisions of the Prospectus.

 

8. All orders for shares received by the Distributor shall, unless rejected by the Distributor or the Fund, be accepted by the Distributor immediately upon receipt and confirmed at an offering price determined in accordance with the provisions of the Prospectus and the 1940 Act, and applicable rules in effect thereunder. The Distributor shall not hold orders subject to acceptance nor otherwise delay their execution. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed to restrict the right of the Fund to withhold shares from sale under Section 26 hereof.

 

9. The Fund or its transfer agent shall be promptly advised of all orders received, and shall cause shares to be issued upon payment therefor in New York or Los Angeles Clearing House Funds.

 

10. The Distributor shall adopt and follow procedures as approved by the officers of the Fund for the confirmation of sales to dealers, the collection of amounts payable by dealers on such sales, and the cancellation of unsettled transactions, as may be necessary to comply with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”), as such requirements may from time to time exist.

 

11. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this Agreement for Class A shares, shall receive (i) that part of the sales charge which is retained by the Distributor after allowance of discounts to dealers, unless waived by the Distributor for certain qualified fee-based programs, as set forth in the Prospectus of the Fund, and (ii) amounts payable to the Distributor pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class A shares.

 

 
 

12. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for Class B shares, shall receive (i) distribution fees as compensation for the sale of Class B shares and contingent deferred sales charges (“CDSC”) (as defined below), as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, and (ii) shareholder service fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class B shares pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class B shares (the “Class B Plan”).

 

(a) In accordance with the Class B Plan, and subject to the limit on asset-based sales charges set forth in NASD Conduct Rule 2830 (and any successor provision thereto), the Fund shall pay to the Distributor or, at the Distributor’s direction, to a third-party, monthly in arrears on or prior to the 10 th business day of the following calendar month, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion (as defined below) of a fee (the “Distribution Fee”) which shall accrue daily in an amount equal to the product of (A) the daily equivalent of 0.75% per annum multiplied by (B) the net asset value of the Class B shares of the Fund outstanding on such day. The Fund agrees to withhold from redemption proceeds of the Class B shares, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of any CDSCs payable with respect to the Class B shares, as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus, and to pay the same over to the Distributor or, at the Distributor’s direction to a third-party, at the time the redemption proceeds are payable to the holder of such shares redeemed. Payment of these CDSC amounts to the Distributor is not contingent upon the adoption or continuation of any Class B Plan.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Allocable Portion” of Distribution Fees and CDSCs payable with respect to Class B shares shall mean the portion of such Distribution Fees and CDSC allocated to the Distributor in accordance with the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule A.

 

(c) The Distributor shall be considered to have completely earned the right to the payment of its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and the right to payment of its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs with respect to each “Commission Share” (as defined in the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule A) upon the settlement date of such Commission Share taken into account in determining the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees.

 

(d) The provisions set forth in Section 1 of the Class B Plan (in effect on the date hereof) relating to Class B shares, together with the related definitions are hereby incorporated into this Section 12 by reference with the same force and effect as if set forth herein in their entirety.

 

13. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for Class C shares, shall receive (i) distribution fees as commissions for the sale of Class C shares and CDSCs, as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, and (ii) shareholder service fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class C

 
 

shares pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class C shares (the “Class C Plan”).

 

(a) In accordance with the Class C Plan, and subject to the limit on asset-based sales charges set forth in NASD Conduct Rule 2830 (and any successor provision thereto), the Fund shall pay to the Distributor, no more frequently than monthly in arrears within 30 days of receipt of an invoice for payment, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion (as defined below) of a fee (the “Distribution Fee”) which shall accrue daily in an amount equal to the daily equivalent of 0.75% per annum of the net asset value of the Class C shares outstanding on such day. The Fund agrees to withhold from redemption proceeds of the Class C shares, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of any CDSCs payable with respect to the Class C shares, as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus and to pay the same over to the Distributor, or, at the Distributor’s direction to a third party, at the time the redemption proceeds are payable to the holder of such shares redeemed. Payment of these CDSC amounts to the Distributor is not contingent upon the adoption or continuation of any Class C Plan.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Allocable Portion” of Distribution Fees and CDSCs payable with respect to Class C shares shall mean the portion of such Distribution Fees and CDSC allocated to the Distributor in accordance with the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule B.

 

(c) The Distributor shall be considered to have completely earned the right to the payment of its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and the right to payment of its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs with respect to each “Commission Share” (as defined in the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule B) upon the settlement date of such Commission Share taken into account in determining the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees.

 

(d) The provisions set forth in Section 1 of the Class C Plan (in effect on the date hereof) relating to Class C shares, together with the related definitions are hereby incorporated into this Section 13 by reference with the same force and effect as if set forth herein in their entirety.

 

14. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for Class F-1, shares shall receive (i) distribution fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class F-1 shares as compensation for the sale of Class F-1 shares as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, and (ii) shareholder service fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class F-1 shares. The payment of distribution and service fees is pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class F-1 shares (the “Class F-1 Plan”). The actual amounts paid shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 
 

 

15. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this Agreement for Class F-2 shares, shall receive no compensation.

 

16. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this Agreement for Class 529-A shares, shall receive (i) that part of the sales charge which is retained by the Distributor after allowance of discounts to dealers, unless waived by the Distributor for certain qualified fee-based programs, as set forth in the Prospectus of the Fund, and (ii) amounts payable to the Distributor pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class 529-A shares. The actual amounts paid shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

17. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for Class 529-B, shares shall receive (i) distribution fees as compensation for the sale of Class 529-B shares and CDSCs, as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, and (ii) shareholder service fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-B shares pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class 529-B shares (the “Class 529-B Plan”).

 

(a) In accordance with the Class 529-B Plan, and subject to the limit on asset-based sales charges set forth in NASD Conduct Rule 2830 (and any successor provision thereto), the Fund shall pay to the Distributor or, at the Distributor’s direction, to a third-party, monthly in arrears on or prior to the 10th business day of the following calendar month, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion (as defined below) of a fee (the “Distribution Fee”) which shall accrue daily in an amount equal to the product of (A) the daily equivalent of 0.75% per annum multiplied by (B) the net asset value of the Class 529-B shares of the Fund outstanding on such day. The Fund agrees to withhold from redemption proceeds of the Class 529-B shares, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of any CDSCs payable with respect to the Class 529-B shares, as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus, and to pay the same over to the Distributor or, at the Distributor’s direction to a third party, at the time the redemption proceeds are payable to the holder of such shares redeemed. Payment of these CDSC amounts to the Distributor is not contingent upon the adoption or continuation of any Class 529-B Plan.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Allocable Portion” of Distribution Fees and CDSCs payable with respect to Class 529-B shares shall mean the portion of such Distribution Fees and CDSC allocated to the Distributor in accordance with the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule C.

 

(c) The Distributor shall be considered to have completely earned the right to the payment of its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and the right to payment of its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs with respect to each “Commission Share” (as defined in the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule C) upon

 
 

the settlement date of such Commission Share taken into account in determining the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees.

 

(d) The provisions set forth in Section 1 of the Class 529-B Plan (in effect on the date hereof) relating to Class 529-B shares, together with the related definitions are hereby incorporated into this Section 17 by reference with the same force and effect as if set forth herein in their entirety.

 

18. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for Class 529-C shares, shall receive (i) distribution fees as compensation for the sale of Class 529-C shares and CDSCs, as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, and (ii) shareholder service fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-C shares pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class 529-C shares (the “Class 529-C Plan”).

 

(a) In accordance with the Class 529-C Plan, and subject to the limit on asset-based sales charges set forth in NASD Conduct Rule 2830 (and any successor provision thereto), the Fund shall pay to the Distributor, no more frequently than monthly in arrears within 30 days of receipt of an invoice for payment, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion (as defined below) of a fee (the “Distribution Fee”) which shall accrue daily in an amount equal to the product of (A) the daily equivalent of 0.75% per annum multiplied by (B) the net asset value of the Class 529-C shares of the Fund outstanding on such day. The Fund agrees to withhold from redemption proceeds of the Class 529-C shares, the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of any CDSCs payable with respect to the Class 529-C shares, as provided in the Fund’s Prospectus, and to pay the same over to the Distributor or, at the Distributor’s direction to a third party, at the time the redemption proceeds are payable to the holder of such shares redeemed. Payment of these CDSC amounts to the Distributor is not contingent upon the adoption or continuation of any Class 529-C Plan.

 

(b) For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Allocable Portion” of Distribution Fees and CDSCs payable with respect to Class 529-C shares shall mean the portion of such Distribution Fees and CDSC allocated to the Distributor in accordance with the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule D.

 

(c) The Distributor shall be considered to have completely earned the right to the payment of its Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees and the right to payment of its Allocable Portion of the CDSCs with respect to each “Commission Share” (as defined in the Allocation Schedule attached hereto as Schedule D) upon the settlement date of such Commission Share taken into account in determining the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees.

 

(d) The provisions set forth in Section 1 of the Class 529-C Plan (in effect on the date hereof ) relating to Class 529-C shares, together with the related

 
 

definitions are hereby incorporated into this Section 18 by reference with the same force and effect as if set forth herein in their entirety.

 

19. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for Class 529-E shares, shall receive (i) distribution fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-E shares as compensation for the sale of Class 529-E shares as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, and (ii) shareholder service fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-E shares. The payment of distribution and service fees is pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class 529-E shares (the “Class 529-E Plan”). The actual amounts paid shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

20. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for Class 529-F-1 shares, shall receive (i) distribution fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-F-1 shares as compensation for the sale of Class 529-F-1 shares as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus, and (ii) shareholder service fees at the rate of 0.25% per annum of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-F-1 shares. The payment of distribution and service fees is pursuant to the Fund’s Plan of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to its Class 529-F-1 shares (the “Class 529-F-1 Plan”). The actual amounts paid shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund.

 

21. The Distributor, as principal underwriter under this agreement for each of the Class R shares shall receive (i) distribution fees as compensation for the sale of Class R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares (collectively, “Class R shares”), and (ii) shareholder service fees as set forth below. The payment of distribution and service fees is pursuant to the Fund’s various Plans of Distribution under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to each of the Class R shares (the “Class R Plans”). For purposes of the following chart the fee rates represent annual fees as a percentage of average daily net assets of the respective share class. Fees shall accrue daily and be paid monthly. The actual amounts paid shall be determined by the Board of Trustees of the Fund, and are currently as follows:

 

Share Class Distribution Fee Service Fee
Class R-1 0.75% 0.25%
Class R-2 0.50% 0.25%
Class R-2E 0.35% 0.25%
Class R-3 0.25% 0.25%
Class R-4 0.00% 0.25%
Class R-5E 0.00% 0.00%
Class R-5 0.00% 0.00%
Class R-6 0.00% 0.00%

 

 
 

22. The Fund agrees to use its best efforts to maintain its registration as a diversified open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act.

 

23. The Fund agrees to use its best efforts to maintain an effective Prospectus under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and warrants that such Prospectus will contain all statements required by and will conform with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the rules and regulations thereunder, and that no part of any such Prospectus, at the time the Registration Statement of which it is a part becomes effective, will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading (excluding any information provided by the Distributor in writing for inclusion in the Prospectus). The Distributor agrees and warrants that it will not in the sale of shares use any Prospectus, advertising or sales literature not approved by the Fund or its officers nor make any untrue statement of a material fact nor omit the stating of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which they are made, not misleading. The Distributor agrees to indemnify and hold the Fund harmless from any and all loss, expense, damage and liability resulting from a breach of the agreements and warranties contained in this Section, or from the use of any sales literature, information, statistics or other aid or device employed in connection with the sale of shares.

 

24. The expense of each printing of each Prospectus and each revision thereof or addition thereto deemed necessary by the Fund’s officers to meet the requirements of applicable laws shall be divided between the Fund, the Distributor and any other principal underwriter of the shares of the Fund as follows:

 

(a) the Fund shall pay the typesetting and make-ready charges;

 

(b) the printing charges shall be prorated between the Fund, the Distributor, and any other principal underwriter(s) in accordance with the number of copies each receives; and

 

(c) expenses incurred in connection with the foregoing, other than to meet the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or other applicable laws, shall be borne by the Distributor, except in the event such incremental expenses are incurred at the request of any other principal underwriter(s), in which case such incremental expenses shall be borne by the principal underwriter(s) making the request.

 

25. The Fund agrees to use its best efforts to qualify and maintain the qualification of an appropriate number of the shares of each series or class it offers for sale under the securities laws of such states as the Distributor and the Fund may approve. Any such qualification for any series or class may be withheld, terminated

 
 

or withdrawn by the Fund at any time in its discretion. The expense of qualification and maintenance of qualification shall be borne by the Fund, but the Distributor shall furnish such information and other material relating to its affairs and activities as may be required by the Fund or its counsel in connection with such qualifications.

 

26. The Fund may withhold shares of any series or class from sale to any person or persons or in any jurisdiction temporarily or permanently if, in the opinion of its counsel, such offer or sale would be contrary to law or if the Trustees or the President or any Vice President of the Fund determines that such offer or sale is not in the best interest of the Fund. The Fund will give prompt notice to the Distributor of any withholding and will indemnify it against any loss suffered by the Distributor as a result of such withholding by reason of non-delivery of shares of any series or class after a good faith confirmation by the Distributor of sales thereof prior to receipt of notice of such withholding.

 

27. (a) This Agreement may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, as to the Fund or any series on sixty (60) days’ written notice by the Distributor to the Fund.

 

(b) This Agreement may be terminated as to the Fund or any series or class by either party upon five (5) days’ written notice to the other party in the event that the Securities and Exchange Commission has issued an order or obtained an injunction or other court order suspending effectiveness of the Registration Statement covering the shares of the Fund or such series or class.

 

(c) This Agreement may be terminated as to the Fund or any series or class by the Fund upon five (5) days’ written notice to the Distributor provided either of the following events has occurred:

 

(i) FINRA has expelled the Distributor or suspended its membership in that organization; or

 

(ii) the qualification, registration, license or right of the Distributor to sell shares of the Fund or any series or class in a particular state has been suspended or canceled by the State of California or any other state in which sales of the shares of the Fund or such series or class during the most recent 12-month period exceeded 10% of all shares of the Fund or such series or class sold by the Distributor during such period.

 

(d) This Agreement may be terminated as to the Fund or any series or class at any time on sixty (60) days’ written notice to the Distributor without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or such series or class.

 
 

 

28. This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party hereto and in the event of assignment shall automatically terminate forthwith. The term “assignment” shall have the meaning set forth in the 1940 Act. Notwithstanding this Section, this Agreement, with respect to the Fund’s Class B and Class 529-B shares, has been approved in accordance with Section 31 in anticipation of the Distributor’s transfer of its Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees and CDSCs (but not its obligations under this Agreement) to a third-party pursuant to a “Purchase and Sale Agreement” in order to raise funds to cover distribution expenditures, and such transfer will not cause a termination of this Agreement. If Distributor determines to transfer its Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees and CDSCs in respect of Class C or Class 529-C shares to a third party, such transfer shall not cause a termination of this Agreement.

 

29. No provision of this Agreement shall protect or purport to protect the Distributor against any liability to the Fund or holders of its shares for which the Distributor would otherwise be liable by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the Distributor’s obligations under this Agreement.

 

30. This Agreement shall become effective on [DATE]. Unless sooner terminated in accordance with the other provisions hereof, this Agreement shall continue in effect until [DATE], and shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter but only so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by (i) the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees of the Fund cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval, and (ii) the vote of either a majority of the entire Board of Trustees of the Fund or a majority (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund.

 

31. If the Fund shall at any time issue shares in more than one series or class, this Agreement shall take effect with respect to such series or class of the Fund which may be established in the future at such time as it has been approved as to such series or class by vote of the Board of Trustees and the Independent Trustees in accordance with Section 30. The Agreement as approved with respect to any series or class shall specify the compensation payable to the Distributor pursuant to Sections 11 through 21, as well as any provisions which may differ from those herein with respect to such series, subject to approval in writing by the Distributor.

 

32. This Agreement may be approved, amended, continued or renewed with respect to a series or class as provided herein notwithstanding such approval, amendment, continuance or renewal has not been effected with respect to any one or more other series or class of the Fund.

 

 
 

33. This Agreement shall be construed under and shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, and the parties hereto agree that proper venue of any action with respect hereto shall be Los Angeles County, California.

 

 

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed in duplicate original by their officers thereunto duly authorized, as of [DATE].

 

 

AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS, INC. [NAME OF FUND]

 

 

 

By:                                                                             By:                                             

Timothy W. McHale                                                 [                                       ]

Secretary                                                                 Secretary

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULE A

to the

Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement

 

ALLOCATION SCHEDULE

 

 

The following relates solely to Class B shares.

 

The Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees and CDSCs in respect of Class B shares shall be 100% until such time as the Distributor shall cease to serve as exclusive distributor of Class B shares; thereafter, collections that constitute CDSCs and Distribution Fees relating to Class B shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any successor distributor (“ Successor Distributor ”) in accordance with this Schedule.

 

Defined terms used in this Schedule and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Principal Underwriting Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”), of which this Schedule is a part. As used herein the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

Commission Share ” means each B share issued under circumstances which would normally give rise to an obligation of the holder of such share to pay a CDSC upon redemption of such share (including, without limitation, any B share issued in connection with a permitted free exchange), and any such share shall continue to be a Commission Share of the applicable Fund prior to the redemption (including a redemption in connection with a permitted free exchange) or conversion of such share, even though the obligation to pay the CDSC may have expired or conditions for waivers thereof may exist.

 

Date of Original Issuance ” means in respect of any Commission Share, the date with reference to which the amount of the CDSC payable on redemption thereof, if any, is computed.

 

“Free Share” means, in respect of a Fund, each B share of the Fund, other than a Commission Share (including, without limitation, any B share issued in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains).

 

Inception Date ” means in respect of a Fund, the first date on which the Fund issued shares.

 

Net Asset Value ” means the net asset value determined as set forth in the Prospectus of each Fund.

 

 
 

Omnibus Share ” means, in respect of a Fund, a Commission Share or Free Share sold by one of the selling agents maintaining shares in an omnibus account (“Omnibus Selling Agents”). If, subsequent to the Successor Distributor becoming exclusive distributor of the Class B shares, the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to track all Commission Shares and Free Shares sold by any of the Omnibus Selling Agents in the same manner that Non-Omnibus Commission Shares and Free Shares (defined below) are currently tracked, then Omnibus Shares of such Omnibus Selling Agent shall be treated as Commission Shares and Free Shares.

 

PART I: ATTRIBUTION OF CLASS B SHARES

 

Class B shares that are outstanding from time to time, shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Successor Distributor in accordance with the following rules;

 

(1) Commission Shares other than Omnibus Shares :

 

(a) Commission Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Commission Shares”) attributed to the Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares the Date of Original Issuance of which occurred on or after the Inception Date of the applicable Fund and on or prior to the date the Distributor ceased to be exclusive distributor of Class B shares of the Fund.

 

(b) Non-Omnibus Commission Shares attributable to each Successor Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares the Date of Original Issuance of which occurs after the date such Successor Distributor became the exclusive distributor of Class B shares of the Fund and on or prior to the date such Successor Distributor ceased to be the exclusive distributor of Class B shares of the Fund.

 

(c) A Non-Omnibus Commission Share of a Fund issued in consideration of the investment of proceeds of the redemption of a Non-Omnibus Commission Share of another fund (the “ Redeeming Fund ”) in connection with a permitted free exchange, is deemed to have a Date of Original Issuance identical to the Date of Original Issuance of the Non-Omnibus Commission Share of the Redeeming Fund, and any such Commission Share will be attributed to the Distributor or Successor Distributor based upon such Date of Original Issuance in accordance with rules (a) and (b) above.

 

(2) Free Shares :

 

 
 

Free Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Free Shares”) of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of a Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to each on such date; provided that if the Distributor and its transferees reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for such Non-Omnibus Free Shares, then such Free Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

(3) Omnibus Shares :

 

Omnibus Shares of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of the applicable Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to it on such date; provided that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the Omnibus Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

PART II: ALLOCATION OF CDSCs

 

(1) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor depending upon whether the related redeemed Commission Share is attributable to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 

(2) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Omnibus Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Omnibus Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor in the same proportion that CDSCs related to the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares are allocated to each thereof; provided , that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports which track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Omnibus Shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor depending on whether the related redeemed Omnibus Share is attributable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 
 

 

PART III: ALLOCATION OF DISTRIBUTION FEE

 

Assuming that the Distribution Fee remains constant over time so that Part IV hereof does not become operative:

 

(1) The portion of the aggregate Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all Class B shares of a Fund during any calendar month allocable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor is determined by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A + C)/2

(B + D)/2

 

where:

 

A= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class B shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the beginning of such calendar month

 

B= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class B shares of a Fund at the beginning of such calendar month

 

C= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class B shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the end of such calendar month

 

D= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class B shares of a Fund at the end of such calendar month

 

(2) If the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce automated monthly reports that allocate the average Net Asset Value of the Commission Shares (or all Class B shares if available) of a Fund among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor in a manner consistent with the methodology detailed in Part I and Part III(1) above, the portion of the Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all such Class B shares of a Fund during a particular calendar month will be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A)/(B)

 

where:

 

 
 
A= Average Net Asset Value of all such Class B shares of a Fund for such calendar month attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be

 

B= Total average Net Asset Value of all such Class B shares of a Fund for such calendar month

 

PART IV: ADJUSTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION AND EACH SUCCESSOR DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION

 

The parties to the Distribution Agreement recognize that, if the terms of any distributor’s contract, any distribution plan, any prospectus, the NASD Conduct Rules or any other applicable law change so as to disproportionately reduce, in a manner inconsistent with the intent of this Distribution Agreement, the amount of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion or any Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion had no such change occurred, the definitions of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion and/or the Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion in respect of the Class B shares relating to a Fund shall be adjusted by agreement among the relevant parties; provided , however , if the Distributor, the Successor Distributor and the Fund cannot agree within thirty (30) days after the date of any such change in applicable laws or in any distributor’s contract, distribution plan, prospectus or the NASD Conduct Rules, they shall submit the question to arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association and the decision reached by the arbitrator shall be final and binding on each of them.

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULE B

to the

Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement

 

ALLOCATION SCHEDULE

 

 

The following relates solely to Class C shares.

 

The Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees and CDSCs in respect of Class C shares shall be 100% until such time as the Distributor shall cease to serve as exclusive distributor of Class C shares; thereafter, collections that constitute CDSCs and Distribution Fees relating to Class C shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any successor distributor (“ Successor Distributor ”) in accordance with this Schedule. At such time as the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees equals zero, the Successor Distributor shall become the Distributor for purposes of this Allocation Schedule.

 

Defined terms used in this Schedule and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Principal Underwriting Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”), of which this Schedule is a part. As used herein the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

Commission Share ” means each C share issued under circumstances which would normally give rise to an obligation of the holder of such share to pay a CDSC upon redemption of such share (including, without limitation, any C share issued in connection with a permitted free exchange), and any such share shall continue to be a Commission Share of the applicable Fund prior to the redemption (including a redemption in connection with a permitted free exchange) or conversion of such share, even though the obligation to pay the CDSC may have expired or conditions for waivers thereof may exist.

 

Date of Original Issuance ” means in respect of any Commission Share, the date with reference to which the amount of the CDSC payable on redemption thereof, if any, is computed.

 

Free Share ” means, in respect of a Fund, each C share of the Fund, other than a Commission Share (including, without limitation, any C share issued in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains).

 

Inception Date ” means in respect of a Fund, the first date on which the Fund issued shares.

 

Net Asset Value ” means the net asset value determined as set forth in the Prospectus of each Fund.

 

 
 

Omnibus Share ” means, in respect of a Fund, a Commission Share or Free Share sold by one of the selling agents maintaining shares in an omnibus account (“ Omnibus Selling Agents ”). If, subsequent to the Successor Distributor becoming exclusive distributor of the Class C shares, the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to track all Commission Shares and Free Shares sold by any of the Omnibus Selling Agents in the same manner as Non-Omnibus Commission Shares and Free Shares (defined below) are currently tracked, then Omnibus Shares of such Omnibus Selling Agent shall be treated as Commission Shares and Free Shares.

 

PART I: ATTRIBUTION OF CLASS C SHARES

 

Class C shares that are outstanding from time to time, shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Successor Distributor in accordance with the following rules;

 

(1) Commission Shares other than Omnibus Shares :

 

(a) Commission Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Commission Shares”) attributed to the Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares (i) the Date of Original Issuance of which occurred on or after the Inception Date of the applicable Fund and on or prior to the date the Distributor ceased to be exclusive distributor of Class C shares of the Fund and (ii) that are subject to a CDSC (without regard to any conditions for waivers thereof).

 

(b) Non-Omnibus Commission Shares attributable to each Successor Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares (i) the Date of Original Issuance of which occurs after the date such Successor Distributor became the exclusive distributor of Class C shares of the Fund and on or prior to the date such Successor Distributor ceased to be the exclusive distributor of Class C shares of the Fund and (ii) that are subject to a CDSC (without regard to any conditions for waivers thereof).

 

(c) A Non-Omnibus Commission Share of a Fund issued in consideration of the investment of proceeds of the redemption of a Non-Omnibus Commission Share of another fund (the “ Redeeming Fund ”) in connection with a permitted free exchange, is deemed to have a Date of Original Issuance identical to the Date of Original Issuance of the Non-Omnibus Commission Share of the Redeeming Fund, and any such Commission Share will be attributed to the Distributor or Successor Distributor based upon such Date of Original Issuance in accordance with rules (a) and (b) above.

 

 
 

(2) Free Shares :

 

Free Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Free Shares”) of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of a Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to each on such date; provided that if the Distributor and its transferees reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for such Non-Omnibus Free Shares, then such Free Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

(3) Omnibus Shares :

 

Omnibus Shares of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of the applicable Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to it on such date; provided that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the Omnibus Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

PART II: ALLOCATION OF CDSCs

 

(1) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor depending upon whether the related redeemed Commission Share is attributable to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 

(2) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Omnibus Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Omnibus Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor in the same proportion that CDSCs related to the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares are allocated to each thereof; provided , that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports which track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Omnibus Shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor depending on whether the related redeemed Omnibus Share is attributable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 
 

PART III: ALLOCATION OF DISTRIBUTION FEE

 

Assuming that the Distribution Fee remains constant over time so that Part IV hereof does not become operative:

 

(1) The portion of the aggregate Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all Class C shares of a Fund during any calendar month allocable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor is determined by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A + C)/2

(B + D)/2

 

where:

 

A= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class C shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the beginning of such calendar month

 

B= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class C shares of a Fund at the beginning of such calendar month

 

C= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class C shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the end of such calendar month

 

D= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class C shares of a Fund at the end of such calendar month

 

(2) If the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce automated monthly reports that allocate the average Net Asset Value of the Commission Shares (or all Class C shares if available) of a Fund among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor in a manner consistent with the methodology detailed in Part I and Part III(1) above, the portion of the Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all such Class C shares of a Fund during a particular calendar month will be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A)/(B)

 

where:

 

 
 
A= Average Net Asset Value of all such Class C shares of a Fund for such calendar month attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be

 

B= Total average Net Asset Value of all such Class C shares of a Fund for such calendar month

 

PART IV: ADJUSTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION AND EACH SUCCESSOR DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION

 

The parties to the Distribution Agreement recognize that, if the terms of any distributor’s contract, any distribution plan, any prospectus, the NASD Conduct Rules or any other applicable law change so as to disproportionately reduce, in a manner inconsistent with the intent of this Distribution Agreement, the amount of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion or any Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion had no such change occurred, the definitions of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion and/or the Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion in respect of the Class C shares relating to a Fund shall be adjusted by agreement among the relevant parties; provided , however, if the Distributor, the Successor Distributor and the Fund cannot agree within thirty (30) days after the date of any such change in applicable laws or in any distributor’s contract, distribution plan, prospectus or the NASD Conduct Rules, they shall submit the question to arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association and the decision reached by the arbitrator shall be final and binding on each of them.

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULE C

to the

Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement

 

ALLOCATION SCHEDULE

 

 

The following relates solely to Class 529-B shares.

 

The Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees and CDSCs in respect of Class 529-B shares shall be 100% until such time as the Distributor shall cease to serve as exclusive distributor of Class 529-B shares; thereafter, collections that constitute CDSCs and Distribution Fees relating to Class 529-B shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any successor distributor (“ Successor Distributor ”) in accordance with this Schedule.

 

Defined terms used in this Schedule and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Principal Underwriting Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”), of which this Schedule is a part. As used herein the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

Commission Share ” means each 529-B share issued under circumstances which would normally give rise to an obligation of the holder of such share to pay a CDSC upon redemption of such share (including, without limitation, any 529-B share issued in connection with a permitted free exchange), and any such share shall continue to be a Commission Share of the applicable Fund prior to the redemption (including a redemption in connection with a permitted free exchange) or conversion of such share, even though the obligation to pay the CDSC may have expired or conditions for waivers thereof may exist.

 

Date of Original Issuance ” means in respect of any Commission Share, the date with reference to which the amount of the CDSC payable on redemption thereof, if any, is computed.

 

Free Share ” means, in respect of a Fund, each 529-B share of the Fund, other than a Commission Share (including, without limitation, any 529-B share issued in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains).

 

Inception Date ” means in respect of a Fund, the first date on which the Fund issued shares.

 

Net Asset Value ” means the net asset value determined as set forth in the Prospectus of each Fund.

 

 
 

Omnibus Share ” means, in respect of a Fund, a Commission Share or Free Share sold by one of the selling agents maintaining shares in an omnibus account (“Omnibus Selling Agents”). If, subsequent to the Successor Distributor becoming exclusive distributor of the Class 529-B shares, the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to track all Commission Shares and Free Shares sold by any of the Omnibus Selling Agents in the same manner that Non-Omnibus Commission Shares and Free Shares (defined below) are currently tracked, then Omnibus Shares of such Omnibus Selling Agent shall be treated as Commission Shares and Free Shares.

PART I: ATTRIBUTION OF CLASS 529-B SHARES

 

Class 529-B shares that are outstanding from time to time, shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Successor Distributor in accordance with the following rules;

 

(1) Commission Shares other than Omnibus Shares :

 

(a) Commission Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Commission Shares”) attributed to the Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares the Date of Original Issuance of which occurred on or after the Inception Date of the applicable Fund and on or prior to the date the Distributor ceased to be exclusive distributor of Class 529-B shares of the Fund.

 

(b) Non-Omnibus Commission Shares attributable to each Successor Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares the Date of Original Issuance of which occurs after the date such Successor Distributor became the exclusive distributor of Class 529-B shares of the Fund and on or prior to the date such Successor Distributor ceased to be the exclusive distributor of Class 529-B shares of the Fund.

 

(c) A Non-Omnibus Commission Share of a Fund issued in consideration of the investment of proceeds of the redemption of a Non-Omnibus Commission Share of another fund (the “ Redeeming Fund ”) in connection with a permitted free exchange, is deemed to have a Date of Original Issuance identical to the Date of Original Issuance of the Non-Omnibus Commission Share of the Redeeming Fund, and any such Commission Share will be attributed to the Distributor or Successor Distributor based upon such Date of Original Issuance in accordance with rules (a) and (b) above.

 
 

 

(2) Free Shares :

 

Free Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Free Shares”) of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of a Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to each on such date; provided that if the Distributor and its transferees reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for such Non-Omnibus Free Shares, then such Free Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

(3) Omnibus Shares :

 

Omnibus Shares of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of the applicable Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to it on such date; provided that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the Omnibus Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

PART II: ALLOCATION OF CDSCs

 

(1) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor depending upon whether the related redeemed Commission Share is attributable to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 

(2) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Omnibus Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Omnibus Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor in the same proportion that CDSCs related to the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares are allocated to each thereof; provided , that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports which track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Omnibus Shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor depending on whether the related redeemed Omnibus Share is attributable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 
 

PART III: ALLOCATION OF DISTRIBUTION FEE

 

Assuming that the Distribution Fee remains constant over time so that Part IV hereof does not become operative:

 

(1) The portion of the aggregate Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all Class 529-B shares of a Fund during any calendar month allocable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor is determined by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A + C)/2

(B + D)/2

 

where:

 

A= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-B shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the beginning of such calendar month

 

B= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-B shares of a Fund at the beginning of such calendar month

 

C= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-B shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the end of such calendar month

 

D= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-B shares of a Fund at the end of such calendar month

 

(2) If the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce automated monthly reports that allocate the average Net Asset Value of the Commission Shares (or all Class 529-B shares if available) of a Fund among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor in a manner consistent with the methodology detailed in Part I and Part III(1) above, the portion of the Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all such Class 529-B shares of a Fund during a particular calendar month will be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A)/(B)

 

where:

 

 
 
A= Average Net Asset Value of all such Class 529-B shares of a Fund for such calendar month attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be

 

B= Total average Net Asset Value of all such Class 529-B shares of a Fund for such calendar month

 

PART IV: ADJUSTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION AND EACH SUCCESSOR DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION

 

The parties to the Distribution Agreement recognize that, if the terms of any distributor’s contract, any distribution plan, any prospectus, the NASD Conduct Rules or any other applicable law change so as to disproportionately reduce, in a manner inconsistent with the intent of this Distribution Agreement, the amount of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion or any Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion had no such change occurred, the definitions of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion and/or the Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion in respect of the Class 529-B shares relating to a Fund shall be adjusted by agreement among the relevant parties; provided , however , if the Distributor, the Successor Distributor and the Fund cannot agree within thirty (30) days after the date of any such change in applicable laws or in any distributor’s contract, distribution plan, prospectus or the NASD Conduct Rules, they shall submit the question to arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association and the decision reached by the arbitrator shall be final and binding on each of them.

 

 
 

 

SCHEDULE D

to the

Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement

 

ALLOCATION SCHEDULE

 

 

The following relates solely to Class 529-C shares.

 

The Distributor’s Allocable Portion of Distribution Fees and CDSCs in respect of Class 529-C shares shall be 100% until such time as the Distributor shall cease to serve as exclusive distributor of Class 529-C shares; thereafter, collections that constitute CDSCs and Distribution Fees relating to Class 529-C shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any successor distributor (“ Successor Distributor ”) in accordance with this Schedule. At such time as the Distributor’s Allocable Portion of the Distribution Fees equals zero, the Successor Distributor shall become the Distributor for purposes of this Allocation Schedule.

 

Defined terms used in this Schedule and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Principal Underwriting Agreement (the “Distribution Agreement”), of which this Schedule is a part. As used herein the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

Commission Share ” means each 529-C share issued under circumstances which would normally give rise to an obligation of the holder of such share to pay a CDSC upon redemption of such share (including, without limitation, any 529-C share issued in connection with a permitted free exchange), and any such share shall continue to be a Commission Share of the applicable Fund prior to the redemption (including a redemption in connection with a permitted free exchange) or conversion of such share, even though the obligation to pay the CDSC may have expired or conditions for waivers thereof may exist.

 

Date of Original Issuance ” means in respect of any Commission Share, the date with reference to which the amount of the CDSC payable on redemption thereof, if any, is computed.

 

Free Share ” means, in respect of a Fund, each 529-C share of the Fund, other than a Commission Share (including, without limitation, any 529-C share issued in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains).

 

Inception Date ” means in respect of a Fund, the first date on which the Fund issued shares.

 

 
 

Net Asset Value ” means the net asset value determined as set forth in the Prospectus of each Fund.

 

Omnibus Share ” means, in respect of a Fund, a Commission Share or Free Share sold by one of the selling agents maintaining shares in an omnibus account (“ Omnibus Selling Agents” ). If, subsequent to the Successor Distributor becoming exclusive distributor of the Class 529-C shares, the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to track all Commission Shares and Free Shares sold by any of the Omnibus Selling Agents in the same manner that Non-Omnibus Commission Shares and Free Shares (defined below) are currently tracked, then Omnibus Shares of such Omnibus Selling Agent shall be treated as Commission Shares and Free Shares.

 

PART I: ATTRIBUTION OF CLASS 529-C SHARES

 

Class 529-C shares that are outstanding from time to time, shall be attributed to the Distributor and each Successor Distributor in accordance with the following rules;

 

(1) Commission Shares other than Omnibus Shares :

 

(a) Commission Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Commission Shares”) attributed to the Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares (i) the Date of Original Issuance of which occurred on or after the Inception Date of the applicable Fund and on or prior to the date the Distributor ceased to be exclusive distributor of Class 529-C shares of the Fund and (ii) that are subject to a CDSC (without regard to any conditions for waivers thereof).

 

(b) Non-Omnibus Commission Shares attributable to each Successor Distributor shall be those Non-Omnibus Commission Shares (i) the Date of Original Issuance of which occurs after the date such Successor Distributor became the exclusive distributor of Class 529-C shares of the Fund and on or prior to the date such Successor Distributor ceased to be the exclusive distributor of Class 529-C shares of the Fund and (ii) that are subject to a CDSC (without regard to any conditions for waivers thereof).

 

(c) A Non-Omnibus Commission Share of a Fund issued in consideration of the investment of proceeds of the redemption of a Non-Omnibus Commission Share of another fund (the “ Redeeming Fund ”) in connection with a permitted free exchange, is deemed to have a Date of Original Issuance identical to the Date of Original Issuance of the Non-Omnibus Commission Share of the Redeeming Fund, and any

 
 

such Commission Share will be attributed to the Distributor or Successor Distributor based upon such Date of Original Issuance in accordance with rules (a) and (b) above.

 

(2) Free Shares :

 

Free Shares that are not Omnibus Shares (“Non-Omnibus Free Shares”) of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of a Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to each on such date; provided that if the Distributor and its transferees reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for such Non-Omnibus Free Shares, then such Free Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

(3) Omnibus Shares :

 

Omnibus Shares of a Fund outstanding on any date shall be attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in the same proportion that the Non-Omnibus Commission Shares of the applicable Fund outstanding on such date are attributed to it on such date; provided that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports that track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the Omnibus Shares shall be allocated pursuant to clause 1(a), (b) and (c) above.

 

PART II: ALLOCATION OF CDSCs

 

(1) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor depending upon whether the related redeemed Commission Share is attributable to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 

(2) CDSCs Related to the Redemption of Omnibus Shares :

 

CDSCs in respect of the redemption of Omnibus Shares shall be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor in the same proportion that CDSCs related to the redemption of Non-Omnibus Commission Shares are allocated to each thereof; provided , that if the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce monthly reports which track the Date of Original Issuance for the Omnibus Shares, then the CDSCs in respect of the redemption of

 
 

Omnibus Shares shall be allocated among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor depending on whether the related redeemed Omnibus Share is attributable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be, in accordance with Part I above.

 

PART III: ALLOCATION OF DISTRIBUTION FEE

 

Assuming that the Distribution Fee remains constant over time so that Part IV hereof does not become operative:

 

(1) The portion of the aggregate Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all Class 529-C shares of a Fund during any calendar month allocable to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor is determined by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A + C)/2

(B + D)/2

 

where:

 

A= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-C shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the beginning of such calendar month

 

B= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-C shares of a Fund at the beginning of such calendar month

 

C= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-C shares of a Fund attributed to the Distributor or such Successor Distributor, as the case may be, and outstanding at the end of such calendar month

 

D= The aggregate Net Asset Value of all Class 529-C shares of a Fund at the end of such calendar month

 

(2) If the Distributor reasonably determines that the transfer agent is able to produce automated monthly reports that allocate the average Net Asset Value of the Commission Shares (or all Class 529-C shares if available) of a Fund among the Distributor and any Successor Distributor in a manner consistent with the methodology detailed in Part I and Part III(1) above, the portion of the Distribution Fee accrued in respect of all such Class 529-C shares of a Fund during a particular calendar month will be allocated to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor by multiplying the total of such Distribution Fee by the following fraction:

 

(A)/(B)

 
 

where:

 

A= Average Net Asset Value of all such Class 529-C shares of a Fund for such calendar month attributed to the Distributor or a Successor Distributor, as the case may be

 

B= Total average Net Asset Value of all such Class 529-C shares of a Fund for such calendar month

 

PART IV: ADJUSTMENT OF THE DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION AND EACH SUCCESSOR DISTRIBUTOR’S ALLOCABLE PORTION

 

The parties to the Distribution Agreement recognize that, if the terms of any distributor’s contract, any distribution plan, any prospectus, the NASD Conduct Rules or any other applicable law change so as to disproportionately reduce, in a manner inconsistent with the intent of this Distribution Agreement, the amount of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion or any Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion had no such change occurred, the definitions of the Distributor’s Allocable Portion and/or the Successor Distributor’s Allocable Portion in respect of the Class 529-C shares relating to a Fund shall be adjusted by agreement among the relevant parties; provided , however, if the Distributor, the Successor Distributor and the Fund cannot agree within thirty (30) days after the date of any such change in applicable laws or in any distributor’s contract, distribution plan, prospectus or the NASD Conduct Rules, they shall submit the question to arbitration in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association and the decision reached by the arbitrator shall be final and binding on each of them.

 

 
 

 

    TEXT BOX: AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
333 SOUTH HOPE STREET
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071
TELEPHONE 800|421-5475 EXT. 8

   

Selling Group Agreement

 

November 2015

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have entered into a principal underwriting agreement with each Fund in The American Funds group (Funds) under which we are appointed exclusive agent for the sale of shares. As such agent we offer to sell to you as a member of a Selling Group, shares of the Funds as are qualified for sale in your state, on the terms set forth below. We are acting as an underwriter within the meaning of the applicable rules of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). In addition, we are the distributor of CollegeAmerica (Program), a college savings program as described in Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code and The Recordkeeper Direct (multi-fund) Program which offers group fixed and variable annuity contracts (Contract or Contracts), using the Funds and certain other mutual funds as underlying investments. The Contracts are issued by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company (collectively, Great-West). Unless the context denotes otherwise, the term “shares” or “Fund shares” in the Agreement includes units of the Contracts.

 

1. Authorization to Sell

You are to offer and sell shares only at the regular public price currently determined by the respective Funds in the manner described in their offering Prospectuses. This Agreement on your part runs to us and to the respective Funds and is for the benefit of and enforceable by each. The offering Prospectuses and this Agreement set forth the terms applicable to members of the Selling Group and all other representations or documents are subordinate. You understand that Class 529 shares of the Funds are available only as underlying investments through the Program.

 

 

2. Compensation on Sales of Class A Shares and Class 529-A Shares

a. Category 1 Funds. On sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 1 on the attached Schedule A that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid dealer concessions as follows:

 

 

Purchases

Concession as

Percentage of

Offering Price

Sales Charge

as Percentage

of Offering Price

Less than $25,000 5.00% 5.75%
$25,000 but less than $50,000 4.25% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 3.75% 4.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 2.75% 3.50%
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.00% 2.50%
$500,000 but less than $750,000 1.60% 2.00%
$750,000 but less than $1,000,000 1.20% 1.50%
$1,000,000 or more See below None

 

b. Category 2 Funds. On sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 2 on the attached Schedule A that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid the same dealer concessions indicated above except as follows:

 

 

Purchases

Concession as

Percentage of

Offering Price

Sales Charge

as Percentage

of Offering Price

Less than $100,000 3.00%

3.75%

 

 

c. Category 3 Funds. On sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 3 on the attached Schedule A that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid dealer concessions as follows:

 

 

Purchases

Concession as

Percentage of

Offering Price

Sales Charge

as Percentage

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 below None

 

d. Category 4 Funds. On sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of the Funds listed in Category 4 on the attached Schedule A, no dealer concessions will be paid.

 

e. Category 5 Funds . On sales of Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid dealer concessions as follows:

 

 

Purchases

Concession as

Percentage of

Offering Price

Sales Charge

as Percentage

of Offering Price

Less than $100,000 3.50% 4.25%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 2.75% 3.50%
$250,000 but 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 below None

 

 

  1. Purchases of Class A and Class 529-A shares amounting to $1 million or more

 

Category 1, Category 2 and Category 5 Funds. If you initiate and are responsible for sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares, a) amounting to $1 million or more or b) made to certain entities described in the Fund Prospectuses, including employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans that qualify to invest at net asset value under the terms of the Fund Prospectuses, you will be paid a dealer concession of 1.00% on sales to $10 million, plus 0.50% on amounts over $10 million up to $25 million, plus 0.25% on amounts over $25 million.

 

Category 3 Funds. If you initiate and are responsible for sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares, a) amounting to $1 million or more or b) made to certain entities described in the Fund Prospectuses, including employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans that qualify to invest at net asset value under the

terms of the Fund Prospectuses, you will be paid a dealer concession of 1.00% on sales to $4 million, plus 0.50% on amounts over $4 million up to $10 million, plus 0.25% on amounts over $10 million.

 

All Funds. No dealer concessions are paid on any other sales of shares at net asset value, except that concessions may be paid to dealers on their sales of fund shares to accounts managed by affiliates of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. as set forth in this Agreement. Sales of shares of Washington Mutual Investors Fund below $1 million made in connection with certain accounts established before September 1, 1969, are subject to reduced concessions and sales charges as described in the Washington Mutual Investors Fund Prospectus. With respect to sales of shares of any tax-exempt fund, the concession schedule for sales of shares to retirement plans is inapplicable. The schedules of sales charges above apply to single purchases, concurrent purchases of two or more of the Funds (except those listed in Category 4 on the attached Schedule A), and purchases made under a statement of intention and pursuant to the right of accumulation, both of which are described in the Prospectuses.

 

 

3. Ongoing Service Fees for Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B Shares

We are also authorized to pay you continuing service fees each quarter with respect to the Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of all the Funds to promote selling efforts and to compensate you for providing certain services to your clients, subject to your compliance with the following terms, which may be revised by us from time to time. Such fee shall be paid within 30 days following the end of the quarter for which such fees are payable (currently the quarters are February, May, August and November). Your eligibility to continue receiving this compensation will be evaluated periodically, and your failure to comply with the terms below may result in our discontinuing service fee payments to you. Initial qualification does not assure continued participation, and this service fee program may be amended or terminated by us at any time as indicated below.

 

  1. You agree to cooperate as requested with programs that we provide to enhance shareholder service. You also agree to assume an active role in providing investment-related services, examples of which may include creating an investment plan, conducting periodic investment reviews, evaluating client investment needs, etc., as well as to encourage your representatives to supplement your provision of shareholder account-related services such as processing purchase and redemption transactions, establishing shareholder accounts and providing certain information and assistance with respect to the Funds. Redemption levels of shareholder accounts assigned to you will be considered in evaluating your continued participation in this service fee program.

 

b. You agree to support our marketing and servicing efforts by granting reasonable requests for visits to your offices by our wholesalers.

 

c. You agree to assign an individual to each shareholder account on your books and to reassign the account should that individual no longer be assigned to the account. You agree to instruct each such individual to regularly contact shareholders having accounts so assigned.

 

d. You agree to pass through either directly or indirectly to the individual(s) assigned to such accounts a share of the service fees paid to you pursuant to this Agreement. You recognize that the service fee is intended to compensate the individual for providing, and encourage the individual to continue to provide, service to the account holder.

 

e. You acknowledge that (i) all service fee payments are subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time, (ii) in order to receive a service fee for a particular quarter, the fee must amount to at least $10, and (iii) no service fees will be paid on shares purchased under the net asset value purchase privilege as described in the Funds’ statements of additional information.

 

f. Ongoing compensation under this Agreement is subject to your providing the investment related services described above in paragraph (a).

 

g. On Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A, we will pay you a quarterly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net asset value of Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares, respectively, that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made:

 

  Annual Service Fee Rate
Shares with a first anniversary of purchase before 7-1-88* 0.15%
Shares with a first anniversary of purchase on or after 7-1-88 0.25%
Shares of state-specific tax-exempt funds 0.25%

 

h. On Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of Funds listed in Category 4 on the attached Schedule A, we will pay you a quarterly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net asset value of Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares, respectively, that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made:

 

  Annual Service Fee Rate
All Shares 0.15%

 

i. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, on Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund of America and Class A and Class B shares of American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, we will pay you a quarterly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net asset value of Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares, respectively, that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made:

 

  Annual Service Fee Rate
All Shares 0.15%

 

 

4. Compensation on Class C Shares and Class 529-C Shares

a. On sales of Class C shares and Class 529-C shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, we will pay you:

• a dealer concession of 0.75% of the amount invested, plus

• an immediate service fee of 0.25% of the amount invested.

 

b. In addition, we will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class C shares and Class 529-C shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, Category 4 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time.

 


* Except U.S. Government Securities Fund, which pays service fees at the 0.25% rate on all shares held at least 12 months.

 

5. Compensation on Class F-1 Shares

On Class F-1 shares of the Funds that were converted from Class C shares of the Funds or that were transferred to you and not held in a fee-based program, we will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of Class F-1 shares of the Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 4 on the attached Schedule A that are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time. You may not purchase Class F-1 shares of the Funds unless you have executed a separate agreement allowing for the purchase of Class F-1 shares. In addition, no fees shall be payable on Class F-1 shares pursuant to this Agreement if you have executed a separate agreement allowing for the purchase of Class F-1 shares.

 

 

6. Compensation on Class 529-E Shares

We will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis at the annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-E shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, Category 4 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time.

 

 

7. Retirement Plan Share Classes (R shares) and Account Options (for retirement plans only)

a. We will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis, at the applicable annual rate set forth below, of the average daily net asset value of R shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 4 on the attached Schedule A that are held in an employer-sponsored retirement plan (Plan) account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time. We expect that you will maintain one account for each of your Plan customers on the books of the Funds.

 

R Share Class Annual Compensation Rate
Class R-1 1.00%
Class R-2 0.75%
Class R-2E 0.60%
Class R-3 0.50%
Class R-4 0.25%
Class R-5 No compensation paid
Class R-5E No compensation paid
Class R-6 No compensation paid

 

 

  1. If you hold Plan accounts in an omnibus account ( i.e., multiple Plans in one account on the books of the Funds), Plans that are added to the omnibus account after May 15, 2002 may invest only in R shares, and you must execute an Omnibus Addendum to the Selling Group Agreement, which you can obtain by calling our Home Office Service Team at 800/421-5475, extension 8.

 

 

 

 

8. Recordkeeper Direct (multi-fund)

a. Ongoing Service Fee

You shall be paid continuing service fees each month with respect to Contracts to compensate you for providing certain services to your clients, including assuming an active role in providing investment-related services, examples of which may include creating an investment plan, conducting periodic investment reviews evaluating client investment needs, etc. Such fee shall be paid within 30 days following the end of the month for which such fees are payable. Your eligibility to continue receiving this compensation will be evaluated periodically, and your failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement may result in discontinuing service fee payments to you. Initial qualification does not assure continued participation, and this service fee program may be amended or terminated by us at any time.

With respect to Contracts you shall be paid a monthly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily values of Contracts held in an account assigned to you at the end of the month for which payment is made.

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8
0.75% 0.65% 0.60% 0.50% 0.40% 0.25% none none

 

The rates for ongoing service fees set forth above will be modified as set forth below in paragraph b if a broker or adviser chooses to be paid dealer concessions on all contributions and deposits into Contracts (“Purchase Payments”) within the first year of inception of the Contract.

  1. Compensation on sales of the Contracts

                     i.                        A broker or advisor may choose to accept dealer concessions on Purchase Payments within the first year of inception of the Contract in connection with Options 1, 3, 4 or 5. If this option is utilized, for sales of Contracts that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible you will be paid dealer concessions on all Purchase Payments within the first year of inception of the Contract, as follows:

Concession as a percentage of Purchase Payment

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8
1.00% N/A 1.00% 0.75% 0.50% N/A N/A N/A

 

(ii)                 If this option is utilized, with respect to Contracts you shall be paid a monthly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily values of Contracts held in an account assigned to you at the end of the month for which payment is made.

Option 1 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5
none in year one; 0.40% in years two and three and 0.75% thereafter none in year one; 0.20% in years two and three and 0.60% thereafter none in year one; 0.25% in years two and three and 0.50% thereafter none in year one; 0.20% in years two and three and 0.40% thereafter

 

(iii)               You agree to return all concessions paid to you pursuant to paragraph b(i) in connection with Purchase Payments made in respect of any Contract for which the Contract owner has elected to terminate the Contract within the first two (2) years of the Contract’s inception. You acknowledge and agree that any such amounts may be deducted from any amounts owed to you pursuant to this Agreement. To the extent any amount payable to you under the Agreement is not sufficient to recompense amounts due pursuant to this provision; you agree to promptly pay any such amounts due and owing.

  1. Payment of compensation will be subject to certain underwriting minimums and practices, as determined by us to be applicable to the Contracts. These Contract underwriting minimums and compensation practices will be applied to the Contracts in a nondiscriminatory manner.
d. Acknowledgements

(i) Neither you nor your representatives shall engage in any activities that would require insurance agent licensing in the state or jurisdiction where such activities are performed, unless and until such persons are properly licensed to perform such services in the particular state or other jurisdiction. As used herein, “properly licensed” includes the filing of an appointment by Great-West and/or other person when required by the laws or regulations of the applicable state or jurisdiction.

 

(ii) You shall, from time to time, advise us of your representatives that you wish Great-West to appoint as their insurance agents. In that connection, you shall conduct background investigations of your representatives to determine their qualifications, good character and moral fitness to offer and sell Contracts, and shall prepare and submit completed agent appointment forms to us for Great-West’s approval. Great-West will be responsible for forwarding all approved agent appointment forms in a timely manner to the appropriate state insurance departments and pay all required appointment fees. Great-West may refuse to appoint your representatives as insurance agents and may terminate an agent’s appointment, but agrees not to act unreasonably in doing so and will promptly notify you in the event that such action is taken.

 

(iii) You shall undertake all actions necessary and pay all costs to effect licensing of your representatives and renewals thereof as required to offer and sell Contracts.

 

(iv) Neither you nor your representatives shall have any authority to, and shall not: (i) add, alter, waive or discharge any Contract or application provision or represent that such can be done by us or Great-West; (ii) extend the time of making any payments; (iii) alter or substitute our or Great-West’s forms in any manner; (iv) give or offer to give, on our behalf or on behalf of Great-West, any tax or legal advice related to the purchase of a Contract; or (v) guarantee the issuance of any Contract or the reinstatement of any lapsed Contract.

 

(v) Neither you nor any of your representatives shall make any representations concerning the Contracts, except those contained in or reasonably derived from the Contract, or in other written materials prepared, or reviewed, by us.

 

 

9. Order Processing

Any order by you for the purchase of shares of the respective Funds through us shall be accepted at the time when it is received by us (or any clearing house agency that we may designate from time to time), and at the offering and sale price next determined, unless rejected by us or the respective Funds. In addition to the right to reject any order, the Funds have reserved the right to withhold shares from sale temporarily or permanently. We will not accept any order from you that is placed on a conditional basis or subject to any delay or contingency prior to execution. The procedures relating to the handling of orders shall be subject to instructions that we shall forward from time to time to all members of the Selling

Group. The shares purchased will be issued by the respective Funds only against receipt of the purchase price, in collected New York or Los Angeles Clearing House funds subject to deduction of all concessions on such sale (reallowance of any concessions to which you are entitled on purchases at net asset value will be paid through our direct purchase concession system). If payment for the shares purchased is not received within three days after the date of confirmation the sale may be cancelled forthwith, by us or by the respective Funds, without any responsibility or liability on our part or on the part of the Funds, and we and/or the respective Funds may hold you responsible for any loss, expense, liability or damage, including loss of profit suffered by us and/or the respective Funds, resulting from your delay or failure to make payment as aforesaid.

 

 

10. Timeliness of Submitting Orders

a. You are obliged to date and indicate the time of receipt of all orders you receive from your customers and to transmit promptly all orders to us in time to provide for processing at the price next determined after receipt by you, in accordance with the Prospectuses. You are not to withhold placing with us orders received from any customers for the purchase of shares. You shall not purchase shares through us except for the purpose of covering purchase orders already received by you, or for your bona fide investment.

 

b . You confirm that your firm has policies and procedures in place to ensure that only those orders received by your firm by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any business day will be submitted to us to receive that business day’s price. Orders received by you after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time must be executed at the price next determined after the order was received by you.

 

 

11. Repurchase of Shares

If any share is repurchased by any of the Funds or is tendered thereto for redemption within seven business days after confirmation by us of the original purchase order from you for such security, you shall forthwith refund to us the full concessions paid to you on the original sale.

 

 

12. Processing Redemption Requests

You shall not purchase any share of any of the Funds from a record holder at a price lower than the net asset value next determined by or for the Funds’ shares. You shall, however, be permitted to sell any shares for the account of a shareholder of the Funds at the net asset value currently quoted by or for the Funds’ shares, and may charge a fair service fee for handling the transaction provided you disclose the fee to the record owner.

 

 

13. Prospectuses and Marketing Materials

We shall furnish you without charge reasonable quantities of offering Prospectuses (including any supplements currently in effect), current shareholder reports of the Funds, and sales materials issued by us from time to time. In the purchase of shares through us, you are entitled to rely only on the information contained in the offering Prospectus(es). You may not publish any advertisement or distribute sales literature or other written material to the public that makes reference to us or any of the Funds (except material that we furnished to you) without our prior written approval.

 

 

14. Effect of Prospectus

This Agreement is in all respects subject to statements regarding the sale and repurchase or redemption of shares made in offering Prospectuses of the Funds, and to the applicable Rules of FINRA, which shall control and override any provision to the contrary in this Agreement.

 

 

15. Relationship of Parties

You shall make available shares of the Funds only through us. In no transaction (whether of purchase or sale) shall you have any authority to act as agent for, partner of, or participant in a joint venture with us or with the Funds or any other entity having either a Selling Group Agreement or other Agreement with us.

 

 

16. State Securities Qualification

We act solely as agent for the Funds and are not responsible for qualifying the Funds or their shares for sale in any jurisdiction. Upon written request we will provide you with a list of the jurisdictions in which the Funds or their shares are qualified for sale. We also are not responsible for the issuance, form, validity, enforceability or value of Fund shares.

 

 

17. Representations

a. You represent that (i) you are a properly registered or licensed broker or dealer under applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations and are complying with and will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, (ii) you are a member of FINRA, (iii) your membership with FINRA is not currently suspended or terminated and (iv) to the extent you offer any Class 529 shares, you are properly registered to offer such shares.

 

b. We represent that (i) we are acting as an underwriter within the meaning of the applicable rules of FINRA and are complying with and will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, (ii) we are a member of FINRA and (iii) our membership with FINRA is not currently suspended or terminated.

 

c . Each party to this Agreement represents that it will comply with all applicable laws, including applicable state privacy laws.

 

d. Each party agrees to notify the other party immediately in writing if the foregoing representations cease to be true to a material extent.

 

 

18. Confidentiality

Each party to this Agreement agrees to maintain all information received from the other party pursuant to this Agreement in confidence, and each party agrees not to use any such information for any purpose, or disclose any such information to any person, except as permitted by applicable laws, rules and regulations. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

19. Termination

Either of us may cancel this Agreement at any time by written notice to the other.

 

 

 

20. Notices

All communications to us should be sent to the following address:

 

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

Attn: Contract Administration
3500 Wiseman Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78251-4321

 

Telephone No.: 800/421-5475, ext 8

Facsimile No.: 210/474-4088

 

Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or sent by overnight courier to you at the address specified by you below.

 

 

21. Miscellaneous

a . For all classes except F-1 shares, payments of 12b-1 fees to you for payment to your financial advisors in respect of American Funds Money Market Fund are currently suspended. Payments may resume at a future date, if the fund’s investment advisor determines, in its sole discretion, that the yield on the fund’s portfolio securities supports such payments. Payments of Class F-1 12b-1 fees in respect of American Funds Money Market Fund may be discontinued if the fund’s investment adviser determines, in its sole discretion, that the yield on the fund’s portfolio securities does not support such payments. We currently intend to make these payments under this Agreement.

 

b . We reserve the right not to pay any compensation more than six (6) months in arrears in respect of accounts and/or assets that were not timely identified as eligible for compensation pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

 

* * * * *

 

 

 

 

Execute this Agreement in duplicate and return one of the duplicate originals to us for our file. This Agreement (i) may be amended by notification from us and orders received following such notification shall be deemed to be an acceptance of any such amendment; (ii) may be electronically stored and the electronic copy shall constitute a true, complete, valid, authentic and enforceable record of the Agreement; and (iii) shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

 

Very truly yours,

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

 

 

By

 

Kevin G. Clifford

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted

 

________________________________________________

Firm

 

 

By_____________________________________________

Officer or Partner

 

________________________________________________

Print Name

 

________________________________________________

Title

 

 

Address:

 

________________________________________________

 

________________________________________________

 

 

Date:

________________________________________________

 

 
 

Schedule A

November 20, 2015

(supersedes all previous versions of Schedule A)

 

Category 1 A B C F-1 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E R-1 R-2 R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5 R-5E R-6
AMCAP Fund e e e
American Balanced Fund e e e
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund e e e
American Funds Global Balanced Fund e e e
American Funds Portfolio Series                                
    American Funds Balanced Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Global Growth Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Growth Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Income Portfolio     e e e
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series e e na na na na
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series e e na na na na
American Mutual Fund e e e
Capital Income Builder e e e
Capital World Growth and Income Fund e e e
EuroPacific Growth Fund e e e
Fundamental Investors e e e
The Growth Fund of America e e e
The Income Fund of America e e e
International Growth and Income Fund e e e
The Investment Company of America e e e
The New Economy Fund e e e
New Perspective Fund e e e
New World Fund e e e
SMALLCAP World Fund e e e
Washington Mutual Investors Fund e e e
                                 
Category 2                                
American Funds Mortgage Fund e e e
American Funds Portfolio Series                                
    American Funds Tax-Advantaged Income Portfolio     e e na na na na na na na na na na na na

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

 

B

 

 

C

 

 

F-1

 

 

529-A

 

 

529-B

 

 

529-C

 

 

529-E

 

 

R-1

 

 

R-2

 

 

R-2E

 

 

R-3

 

 

R-4

 

 

R-5

 

 

R-5E

 

 

R-6

Category 2 (continuation)                                
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
American High-Income Trust e e e
The Bond Fund of America e e e
Capital World Bond Fund e e e
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
U.S. Government Securities Fund e e e
                                 

Category 3

American Funds College Enrollment Fund

na na na na e na na na na na na na na
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund e e e e e

American Funds Portfolio Series

American Funds Preservation Portfolio

e e e
     American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund na na e na na na na na na na na na na na na
Intermediate Bond Fund of America e e e e e
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America e e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
Short-Term Bond Fund of America e e e e e
                                 
Category 4                                

American Funds Money Market Fund

 

e e e e e
Category 5                                

American Funds College Target Date Series (all funds

except American Funds College Enrollment Fund)

na na na na e na na na na na na na na

 

 

Class F-1, Class F-2 and Class 529-F-1 shares are available for purchase pursuant to a separate agreement.

Share class is available

e Share class is available for exchanges only

na Share class is not available

   

 

 
 

 

    TEXT BOX: AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
333 SOUTH HOPE STREET
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071
TELEPHONE 800|421-5475 EXT. 8

   

Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement

 

November 1, 2015

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have entered into a principal underwriting agreement with each Fund in The American Funds Group (Funds) under which we are appointed exclusive agent for the sale of shares. You have indicated that you wish to act as agent for your customers in connection with the purchase, sale and redemption of shares of the Funds as are qualified for sale in your state. We agree to honor your request, subject to the terms set forth below. In addition, we are the distributor of CollegeAmerica (Program), a college savings program as described in Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code and The Recordkeeper Direct (multi-fund) Program which offers group fixed and variable annuity contracts (Contract or Contracts), using the Funds and certain other mutual funds as underlying investments. The Contracts are issued by Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company and First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company (collectively, Great-West). Unless the context denotes otherwise, the term “shares” or “Fund shares” in the Agreement includes units of the Contracts.

 

 

1. Authorization

a. In placing orders for the purchase and sale of shares of the Funds, you will be acting as agent for your customers. We shall execute transactions for each of your customers only upon your authorization, at the regular public price currently determined by the respective Funds in the manner described in their offering Prospectuses. The offering Prospectuses and this Agreement set forth the terms applicable to sales of shares of the Funds through you and all other representations or documents are subordinate. You understand that

 

(i) Class 529 shares of the Funds are available only as underlying investments through the Program,
(ii) Class F shares are available only pursuant to a Bank/Trust Company Class F Share Participation Agreement,
(iii) Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are not currently invested in Class A shares and that wish to invest without a sales charge are not eligible to purchase Class A shares. Such plans may invest only in Class R shares,
(iv) You may not make available to your clients (Client), Class B, Class C, Class 529-B or Class 529-C shares until you have demonstrated to our affiliate, American Funds Service Company, that you have the appropriate systems in place to assess the contingent deferred sales charge associated with those share classes, and
(v) Unless otherwise permitted under this Agreement or any other Agreement with us, you may not maintain any non-retirement accounts for your Clients in an omnibus account ( i.e., multiple Client accounts in one account on the books of the Funds).

 

b. If your firm is providing trading and custodial services to other banks and the Client purchasing Shares is a client of another bank, you may not facilitate those transactions unless you disclose the identity of the underlying bank representing that client. You shall also disclose the identity of any introducing intermediary (for example, broker, consultant, or registered investment advisor) involved in any transaction that you facilitate. The required disclosures shall be made in such format as we mutually agree.

 

2. Compensation on Sales of Class A Shares and Class 529-A Shares

 

a. Category 1 Funds : On each purchase order for Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 1 on the attached Schedule A that is accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid compensation as follows:

 

Purchases Compensation as Percentage of Offering Price Sales Charge as Percentage of Offering Price
Less than $25,000 5.00% 5.75%
$25,000 but less than $50,000 4.25% 5.00%
$50,000 but less than $100,000 3.75% 4.50%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 2.75% 3.50%
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.00% 2.50%
$500,000 but less than $750,000 1.60% 2.00%
$750,000 but less than $1,000,000 1.20% 1.50%
$1,000,000 or more See below None

 

b. Category 2 Funds : On each purchase order for Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 2 on the attached Schedule A that is accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid the same compensation indicated above except as follows:

 

 

Purchases Compensation as Percentage of Offering Price Sales Charge as Percentage of Offering Price
Less than $100,000 3.00% 3.75%

 

c. Category 3 Funds . On each purchase order for Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 3 on the attached Schedule A, that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid compensation as follows:

 

 

Purchases Compensation as Percentage of Offering Price Sales Charge as Percentage 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 below None

 

d. Category 4 Funds . On sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 4 on the attached Schedule A, no compensation will be paid.

 

e. Category 5 Funds . On sales of Class 529-A shares of Funds listed in Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, you will be paid compensation as follows:

 

 

Purchases Compensation as Percentage of Offering Price Sales Charge as Percentage of Offering Price
Less than $100,000 3.50% 4.25%

 

$100,000 but less than $250,000 2.75% 3.50%
$250,000 but 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 below None

 

f. Purchases of Class A and Class 529-A shares amounting to $1 million or more

 

Category 1, Category 2 and Category 5 Funds. If you initiate and are responsible for sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares, a) amounting to $1 million or more or b) made to certain entities described in the Fund Prospectuses, including employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans that qualify to invest at net asset value under the terms of the Fund Prospectuses, you will be paid a dealer concession of 1.00% on sales to $10 million, plus 0.50% on amounts over $10 million up to $25 million, plus 0.25% on amounts over $25 million.

 

Category 3 Funds. If you initiate and are responsible for sales of Class A shares and Class 529-A shares, a) amounting to $1 million or more or b) made to certain entities described in the Fund Prospectuses, including employer-sponsored defined contribution-type retirement plans that qualify to invest at net asset value under the terms of the Fund Prospectuses, you will be paid a dealer concession of 1.00% on sales to $4 million, plus 0.50% on amounts over $4 million up to $10 million, plus 0.25% on amounts over $10 million.

 

All Funds. No dealer concessions are paid on any other sales of shares at net asset value, except that concessions may be paid to dealers on their sales of fund shares to accounts managed by affiliates of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. as set forth in this Agreement. Sales of shares of Washington Mutual Investors Fund below $1 million made in connection with certain accounts established before September 1, 1969, are subject to reduced concessions and sales charges as described in the Washington Mutual Investors Fund Prospectus. With respect to sales of shares of any tax-exempt fund, the concession schedule for sales of shares to retirement plans is inapplicable. The schedules of sales charges above apply to single purchases, concurrent purchases of two or more of the Funds (except those listed in Category 4 on the attached Schedule A), and purchases made under a statement of intention and pursuant to the right of accumulation, both of which are described in the Prospectuses.

 

 

3. Ongoing Service Fees for Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B Shares

We are also authorized to pay you continuing service fees each quarter with respect to the Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of all the Funds to compensate you for providing certain services to your clients, subject to your compliance with the following terms, which may be revised by us from time to time. Such fee shall be paid within 30 days following the end of the quarter for which such fees are payable (currently the quarters are February, May, August and November). Your eligibility to continue receiving this compensation will be evaluated periodically, and your failure to comply with the terms below may result in our discontinuing service fee payments to you. Initial qualification does not assure continued participation, and this service fee program may be amended or terminated by us at any time as indicated below.

 

a. You agree to cooperate as requested with programs that we provide to enhance shareholder service. You also agree to assume an active role in providing investment-related services, examples of which may include creating an investment plan, conducting periodic investment reviews, evaluating client investment needs, etc., as well as to encourage your representatives to supplement your provision of shareholder account-related services such as processing purchase and redemption transactions, establishing shareholder accounts and providing certain information and assistance with respect to the Funds. Redemption levels of shareholder accounts assigned to you will be considered in evaluating your continued participation in this service fee program.

 

b. You agree to support our marketing and servicing efforts by granting reasonable requests for visits to your offices by our wholesalers.

 

c. You agree to assign an individual to each shareholder account on your books and to reassign the account should that individual no longer be assigned to the account. You agree to instruct each such individual to regularly contact shareholders having accounts so assigned.

 

d. You agree to pass through either directly or indirectly to the individual(s) assigned to such accounts a share of the service fees paid to you pursuant to this Agreement. You recognize that the service fee is intended to compensate the individual for providing, and encourage the individual to continue to provide, service to the account holder.

 

e. You acknowledge that (i) all service fee payments are subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time; (ii) in order to receive a service fee for a particular quarter, the fee must amount to at least $10, and (iii) no service fees will be paid on shares purchased under the net asset value purchase privilege as described in the Funds’ statements of additional information.

 

f. Ongoing compensation under this Agreement is subject to your providing the investment related services as described above in paragraph (a).

 

g. On Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A, we will pay you a quarterly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net asset value of Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares, respectively, that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made:

 

  Annual Service Fee Rate
Shares with a first anniversary of purchase before 7-1-88 * 0.15%
Shares with a first anniversary of purchase on or after 7-1-88 0.25%
Shares of state-specific tax-exempt funds 0.25%

 

h. On Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of Funds listed in Category 4 on the attached Schedule A, we will pay you a quarterly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net asset value of Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares, respectively, that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made:
  Annual Service Fee Rate
All Shares 0.15%

 

i. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Agreement, on Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares of American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund and Short-Term Bond Fund of America and Class A and Class B shares of American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, we will pay you a quarterly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily net asset value of Class A, Class 529-A, Class B and Class 529-B shares, respectively, that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made:
  Annual Service Fee Rate
All Shares     0.15%

 

 

4. Compensation on Sales of Class C Shares and Class 529-C Shares

a. On purchase orders for Class C shares and Class 529-C shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible, we will pay you:

 

• compensation of 0.75% of the amount invested, plus

• an immediate service fee of 0.25% of the amount invested.

 

b. In addition, we will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis at the annual rate of 1.00% of the average daily net asset value of Class C shares and Class 529-C shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3,, Category 4 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that have been invested for 12 months and are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time.

 


* Except U.S. Government Securities Fund, which pays service fees at the 0.25% rate on all shares held at least 12 months.

 

5. Compensation on Class F-1 Shares

On Class F-1 shares of the Funds that were converted from Class C shares of the Funds or that were transferred to you and not held in a fee-based program, we will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis at the annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of Class F-1 shares of the Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 4 on the attached Schedule A that are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time. You may not purchase Class F-1 shares of the Funds unless you have executed a separate agreement allowing for the purchase of Class F-1 shares. In addition, no fees shall be payable on Class F-1 shares pursuant to this Agreement if you have executed a separate agreement allowing for the purchase of Class F-1 shares.

 

 

6. Compensation on Sales of Class 529-E Shares

We will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis at the annual rate of 0.50% of the average daily net asset value of Class 529-E shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3, Category 4 and Category 5 on the attached Schedule A that are held in an account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time.

 

 

7. Retirement Plan Share Classes (R shares) and Account Options (for retirement plans only)

a. We will pay you ongoing compensation on a quarterly basis, at the applicable annual rate set forth below, of the average daily net asset value of R shares of Funds listed in Category 1, Category 2, Category 3 and Category 4 on the attached Schedule A that are held in an employer-sponsored retirement plan (Plan) account assigned to you at the end of the quarter for which payment is made. The payment of this ongoing compensation is subject to the limitations contained in each Fund’s Plan of Distribution and may be varied or discontinued at any time. We expect that you will maintain one account for each of your Plan customers on the books of the Funds.

 

  R Share Class Annual Compensation Rate
  Class R-1 1.00%
  Class R-2 0.75%
  Class R-2E   0.60%
  Class R-3 0.50%
  Class R-4 0.25%

 

  Class R-5 No compensation paid
  Class R-5E No compensation paid
  Class R-6 No compensation paid
     

 

b. If you hold Plan accounts in an omnibus account ( i.e., multiple Plans in one account on the books of the Funds), the Plans may invest only in R shares, and you may be required to execute an Omnibus Addendum to the Bank/Trust Selling Group Agreement, which you can obtain by calling our Home Office Service Team at 800/421-5475, extension

 

 

8. Recordkeeper Direct (multi-fund)

a. Ongoing Service Fee

You shall be paid continuing service fees each month with respect to Contracts to compensate you for providing certain services to your clients, including assuming an active role in providing investment-related services, examples of which may include creating an investment plan, conducting periodic investment reviews evaluating client investment needs, etc. Such fee shall be paid within 30 days following the end of the month for which such fees are payable. Your eligibility to continue receiving this compensation will be evaluated periodically, and your failure to comply with the terms of the Agreement may result in discontinuing service fee payments to you. Initial qualification does not assure continued participation, and this service fee program may be amended or terminated by us at any time.

With respect to Contracts you shall be paid a monthly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily values of Contracts held in an account assigned to you at the end of the month for which payment is made.

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8
0.75% 0.65% 0.60% 0.50% 0.40% 0.25% none none

 

The rates for ongoing service fees set forth above will be modified as set forth below in paragraph b if you choose to be paid compensation on all contributions and deposits into Contracts (“Purchase Payments”) within the first year of inception of the Contract.

b. Compensation on sales of the Contracts

 

(i)                  A broker or advisor may choose to accept dealer concessions on Purchase Payments within the first year of inception of the Contract in connection with Options 1, 3, 4 or 5. If this option is utilized, for sales of Contracts that are accepted by us and for which you are responsible you will be paid dealer concessions on all Purchase Payments within the first year of inception of the Contract, as follows:

Compensation as a percentage of Purchase Payment

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Option 7 Option 8
1.00% N/A 1.00% 0.75% 0.50% N/A N/A N/A

 

(ii)                 If this option is utilized, with respect to Contracts you shall be paid a monthly service fee at the following annual rates, based on the average daily values of Contracts held in an account assigned to you at the end of the month for which payment is made.

Option 1 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5

 

none in year one; 0.40% in years two and three and 0.75% thereafter none in year one; 0.20% in years two and three and 0.60% thereafter none in year one; 0.25% in years two and three and 0.50% thereafter none in year one; 0.20% in years two and three and 0.40% thereafter

 

(iii)               You agree to return all compensation paid to you pursuant to paragraph b (i) in connection with Purchase Payments made in respect of any Contract for which the Contract owner has elected to terminate the Contract within the first two (2) years of the Contract’s inception. You acknowledge and agree that any such amounts may be deducted from any amounts owed to you pursuant to this Agreement. To the extent any amount payable to you under the Agreement is not sufficient to recompense amounts due pursuant to this provision; you agree to promptly pay any such amounts due and owing.

c. Payment of compensation will be subject to certain underwriting minimums and practices, as determined by us to be applicable to the Contracts. These Contract underwriting minimums and compensation practices will be applied to the Contracts in a nondiscriminatory manner.

d. Acknowledgements

(i) Neither you nor your representatives shall engage in any activities that would require insurance agent licensing in the state or jurisdiction where such activities are performed, unless and until such persons are properly licensed to perform such services in the particular state or other jurisdiction. As used herein, “properly licensed” includes the filing of an appointment by Great-West and/or other person when required by the laws or regulations of the applicable state or jurisdiction.

 

(ii) You shall, from time to time, advise us of your representatives that you wish Great-West to appoint as their insurance agents. In that connection, you shall conduct background investigations of your representatives to determine their qualifications, good character and moral fitness to offer and sell Contracts, and shall prepare and submit completed agent appointment forms to us for Great-West’s approval. Great-West will be responsible for forwarding all approved agent appointment forms in a timely manner to the appropriate state insurance departments and pay all required appointment fees. Great-West may refuse to appoint your representatives as insurance agents and may terminate an agent’s appointment, but agrees not to act unreasonably in doing so and will promptly notify you in the event that such action is taken.

 

(iii) You shall undertake all actions necessary and pay all costs to effect licensing of your representatives and renewals thereof as required to offer and sell Contracts.

 

(iv) Neither you nor your representatives shall have any authority to, and shall not: (i) add, alter, waive or discharge any Contract or application provision or represent that such can be done by us or Great-West; (ii) extend the time of making any payments; (iii) alter or substitute our or Great-West’s forms in any manner; (iv) give or offer to give, on our behalf or on behalf of Great-West, any tax or legal advice related to the purchase of a Contract; or (v) guarantee the issuance of any Contract or the reinstatement of any lapsed Contract.

 

(v) Neither you nor any of your representatives shall make any representations concerning the Contracts, except those contained in or reasonably derived from the Contract, or in other written materials prepared, or reviewed, by us.

 

 

9. Order Processing

Any order by you for the purchase of shares of the respective Funds through us shall be accepted at the time when it is received by us (or any clearinghouse agency that we may designate from time to time), and at the offering and sale price next determined, unless rejected by us or the respective Funds. In addition to the right to reject any order, the Funds have reserved the right to withhold shares from sale temporarily or permanently. We will not accept any order from you that is placed on a conditional basis or subject to any delay or contingency prior to execution. The procedure relating to the

handling of orders shall be subject to the rules of the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC) and any instructions that we shall forward from time to time to all members of the Selling Group. The shares purchased will be issued by the respective Funds only against receipt of the purchase price, in collected New York or Los Angeles Clearing House funds subject to deduction of all compensation on such sale (reallowance of any compensation to which you are entitled on purchases at net asset value will be paid through our direct purchase compensation system). If payment for the shares purchased is not received within the time limits set by the NSCC, the sale may be cancelled forthwith, by us or by the respective Funds, without any responsibility or liability on our part or on the part of the Funds, and we and/or the respective Funds may hold you responsible for any loss, expense, liability or damage, including loss of profit suffered by us and/or the respective Funds, resulting from your delay or failure to make payment as aforesaid.

 

 

10. Timeliness of Submitting Orders

a. You are obliged to date and indicate the time of receipt of all orders you receive from your customers and to transmit promptly all orders to us in time to provide for processing at the price next determined after receipt by you, in accordance with the Prospectuses. You are not to withhold placing with us orders received from any customers for the purchase of shares. You shall not purchase shares through us except for the purpose of covering purchase orders already received by you, or for your bona fide investment.

 

b. You confirm that your firm has policies and procedures in place to ensure that only those orders received by your firm by 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on any business day will be submitted to us to receive that business day’s price. Orders received by you after 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time must be executed at the price next determined after the order was received by you.

 

 

11. Repurchase of Shares

If any share is repurchased by any of the Funds or is tendered thereto for redemption within seven business days after confirmation by us of the original purchase order from you for such security, you shall forthwith refund to us the full compensation paid to you on the original sale.

 

 

12. Processing Redemption Requests

You shall not purchase any share of any of the Funds from a record holder at a price lower than the net asset value next determined by or for the Funds’ shares. You shall, however, be permitted to sell any shares for the account of a shareholder of the Funds at the net asset value currently quoted by or for the Funds’ shares, and may charge a fair service fee for handling the transaction provided you disclose the fee to the record owner.

 

 

13. Prospectuses and Marketing Materials

We shall furnish you without charge reasonable quantities of offering Prospectuses (including any supplements currently in effect) current shareholder reports of the Funds, and sales materials issued by us from time to time. In the purchase of shares through us, you are entitled to rely only on the information contained in the offering Prospectus (es). You may not publish any advertisement or distribute sales literature or other written material to the public that makes reference to us or any of the Funds (except material that we furnished to you) without our prior written approval.

 

 

14. Effect of Prospectus

This Agreement is in all respects subject to statements regarding the sale and repurchase or redemption of shares made in offering Prospectuses of the Funds, which shall control and override any provision to the contrary in this Agreement.

 

 

15. Relationship of Parties

You shall make available shares of the Funds only through us. In no transaction (whether of purchase or sale) shall you have any authority to act as agent for, partner of, or participant in a joint venture with us or with the Funds or any other entity having either a Bank Trust Selling Group Agreement or other Agreement with us.

 

 

 

16. State Securities Qualification

We act solely as agent for the Funds and are not responsible for qualifying the Funds or their shares for sale in any jurisdiction. Upon written request we will provide you with a list of the jurisdictions in which the Funds or their shares are qualified for sale. We also are not responsible for the issuance, form, validity, enforceability or value of Fund shares.

 

 

17. Representations

a. You represent that (1) you are (a) a properly registered or licensed broker or dealer under applicable federal and state securities laws and regulations, a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and your membership with FINRA is not currently suspended or terminated or (b) a "bank" as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (or other financial institution) and not otherwise required to register as a broker or dealer under such Act or any state laws; (2) you are complying with and will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations; (3) you have received a legal opinion that your receipt of 12b-1 distribution fees will not violate any applicable federal or state laws or regulations, and (4) to the extent you offer any Class 529 shares, you are permitted by applicable law to offer such shares. You also agree that, if you are a bank or other financial institution as set forth above, you will comply with the applicable rules of FINRA, that you will maintain adequate records with respect to your customers and their transactions, and that such transactions will be without recourse against you by your customers. We recognize that, in addition to applicable provisions of state and federal securities laws, you may be subject to the provisions of other laws governing, among other things, the conduct of activities by federal- and state-chartered and supervised financial institutions and their affiliated organizations. Because you will be the only entity having a direct relationship with the customer in connection with securities purchases hereunder, you will be responsible in that relationship for insuring compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations relating to securities purchases hereunder.

 

b. We represent that (1) we are acting as an underwriter within the meaning of the applicable rules of FINRA and are complying with and will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations, (2) we are a member of FINRA and (3) our membership with FINRA is not currently suspended or terminated.

 

c. Each party to this Agreement represents that it will comply with all applicable laws, including applicable state privacy laws.

 

d. Each party agrees to notify the other party immediately in writing if the foregoing representations cease to be true to a material extent.

 

 

18. Confidentiality

Each party to this Agreement agrees to maintain all information received from the other party pursuant to this Agreement in confidence, and each party agrees not to use any such information for any purpose, or disclose any such information to any person, except as permitted by applicable laws, rules and regulations. This provision shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

 

19. Termination

Either of us may cancel this Agreement at any time by written notice to the other.

 

 

20. Notices

All communications to us should be sent to the following address:

 

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

Attn: Contract Administration
3500 Wiseman Boulevard
San Antonio, TX 78251-4321

Telephone No.: 800/421-5475, extension 8

Facsimile No.: 210/474-4088

 

Any notice to you shall be duly given if mailed or sent by overnight courier to you at the address specified by you below.

 

 

21. Miscellaneous

a . For all share classes except F-1 shares, payment of 12b-1 fees to you for payment to your financial advisors in respect of American Funds Money Market Fund are currently suspended. Payments may resume at a future date, if the fund’s investment advisor determines, in its sole discretion, that the yield on the fund’s portfolio securities supports such payments. Payments of Class F-1 12b-1 fees in respect of American Funds Money Market Fund may be discontinued if the fund’s investment advisor determines, in its sole discretion, that the yield on the fund’s portfolio securities does not support such payments. We currently intend to make these payments under this Agreement.

 

b. We reserve the right not to pay any compensation more than six (6) months in arrears in respect of accounts and/or assets that were not timely identified as eligible for compensation pursuant to this Agreement.

 

 

 

* * * * *

 

 

Execute this Agreement in duplicate and return one of the duplicate originals to us for our file. This Agreement (i) may be amended by notification from us and orders received following such notification shall be deemed to be an acceptance of any such amendment; (ii) may be electronically stored and the electronic copy shall constitute a true, complete, valid, authentic and enforceable record of the Agreement; and (iii) shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California.

 

 

Very truly yours,

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

 

 

By: ____________________________________

Kevin G. Clifford

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Accepted

 

 

________________________________________________

Firm

 

 

By_____________________________________________

Officer or Partner

 

________________________________________________

Print Name

 

________________________________________________

Title

 

 

Address:

 

________________________________________________

 

________________________________________________

 

 

Date:

 

 

 

 
 

 

Schedule A

November 20, 2015

(supersedes all previous versions of Schedule A)

 

Category 1 A B C F-1 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E R-1 R-2 R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5 R-5E R-6
AMCAP Fund e e e
American Balanced Fund e e e
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund e e e
American Funds Global Balanced Fund e e e
American Funds Portfolio Series                                
    American Funds Balanced Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Global Growth Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Growth and Income Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Growth Portfolio e e e
    American Funds Income Portfolio     e e e
American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series e e na na na na
American Funds Target Date Retirement Series e e na na na na
American Mutual Fund e e e
Capital Income Builder e e e
Capital World Growth and Income Fund e e e
EuroPacific Growth Fund e e e
Fundamental Investors e e e
The Growth Fund of America e e e
The Income Fund of America e e e
International Growth and Income Fund e e e
The Investment Company of America e e e
The New Economy Fund e e e
New Perspective Fund e e e
New World Fund e e e
SMALLCAP World Fund e e e
Washington Mutual Investors Fund e e e
                                 
Category 2                                
American Funds Mortgage Fund e e e
American Funds Portfolio Series                                
    American Funds Tax-Advantaged Income Portfolio     e e na na na na na na na na na na na na

 

 

 

 

 

 

A

 

 

B

 

 

C

 

 

F-1

 

 

529-A

 

 

529-B

 

 

529-C

 

 

529-E

 

 

R-1

 

 

R-2

 

 

R-2E

 

 

R-3

 

 

R-4

 

 

R-5

 

 

R-5E

 

 

R-6

Category 2 (continuation)                                
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
American High-Income Trust e e e
The Bond Fund of America e e e
Capital World Bond Fund e e e
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
U.S. Government Securities Fund e e e
                                 

Category 3

American Funds College Enrollment Fund

na na na na e na na na na na na na na
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund e e e e e

American Funds Portfolio Series

American Funds Preservation Portfolio

e e e
     American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation Portfolio e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund na na e na na na na na na na na na na na na
Intermediate Bond Fund of America e e e e e
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America e e e na na na na na na na na na na na na
Short-Term Bond Fund of America e e e e e
                                 
Category 4                                

American Funds Money Market Fund

 

e e e e e
Category 5                                

American Funds College Target Date Series (all funds

except American Funds College Enrollment Fund)

na na na na e na na na na na na na na

 

Class F-1, Class F-2 and Class 529-F-1 shares are available for purchase pursuant to a separate agreement.

Share class is available

e Share class is available for exchanges only

na Share class is not available

FORM OF

AMENDMENT TO

GLOBAL CUSTODY AGREEMENT

 

 

This AMENDMENT to the Global Custody Agreement is made effective as of ______________, 2015. Capitalized terms in this Amendment shall have the same meanings as given in the Global Custody Agreement.

 

WHEREAS, Bank and each Customer entered into a Global Custody Agreement effective as of December 21, 2006 (the “Agreement”) such that Appendix A to the Agreement listing each Customer and its Portfolios may be amended from time to time;

 

WHEREAS, Bank desires to engage a third-party provider of securities class action services to assist Bank in providing to each Customer and its Portfolios securities class action services as described in the Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, Bank and each Customer, on behalf of itself and its Portfolios, desire to amend the Agreement;

 

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises above, Bank and each Customer agree as follows:

 

1. Section 14(c)(ii) of the Agreement is amended in its entirety to read:

 

“(ii) any act, omission, default or for the solvency of any broker or agent which it or a Subcustodian appoints and which is not a branch or Affiliate of the Bank; it being understood that Bank or a Subcustodian shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in respect of this subparagraph (ii) if it exercised reasonable care in the selection and continued retention of any such broker or agent; it being further understood that for purposes of this subparagraph (ii) neither “broker” nor “agent” includes any third-party provider of securities class action services that is engaged by Bank to assist Bank in providing to each Customer and its Portfolios class action services as described in Section 11(d) of this Agreement, and that, notwithstanding the engagement of such a third party provider, the Bank’s standard of care in respect of the performance of such services by such a third-party provider shall be the same as described in paragraph (a) of this Section 14 herein; or”

 

2. All other provisions of the Agreement remain in effect without change.

 

 

* * * * *

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the Customers and Bank have executed this Amendment as of the date first-written above. Execution of this Amendment by more than one Customer shall not create a contractual or other obligation between or among such Customers (or between or among their respective Portfolios) and this Amendment shall constitute a separate agreement between Bank and each Customer on behalf of itself or each of its Portfolios.

 

EACH OF THE CUSTOMERS LISTED ON APPENDIX A

IN EFFECT FOR THE AGREEMENT, ON BEHALF OF ITSELF OR ITS LISTED PORTFOLIOS

 

 

By: CAPITAL RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY

 

 

By: ____________________________

Name:

Title:

 

By: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

 

 

By: ____________________________

Name:

Title:

 

 

[NAME OF FUND]

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

 

1. The parties to this Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement (the “Agreement”), which is effective as of [DATE], are [Name Of Fund], a [Delaware statutory trust/Massachusetts business trust/Maryland corporation] (the “Fund”), and American Funds Service Company, a California corporation (“AFS”). AFS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”). This Agreement will continue in effect until amended or terminated in accordance with its terms.

 

2. The Fund hereby employs AFS, and AFS hereby accepts such employment by the Fund, as its transfer agent. In such capacity AFS will provide the services of stock transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent, redemption agent, and such additional related services as the Fund may from time to time require, in respect of [Class A shares; Class B shares; Class C shares; Class F-1 and Class F-2 shares (“Class F shares”); Class 529-A shares, Class 529-B shares, Class 529-C shares, Class 529-E shares and Class 529-F-1 (“Class 529 shares”); Class R-1 shares, Class R-2 shares, Class R-2E shares, Class R-3 shares, Class R-4 shares, Class R-5E shares, Class R-5 shares and Class R-6 shares (“Class R shares”) (Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class F shares, Class 529 shares and Class R shares] collectively the “shares”) of the Fund, all of which services are sometimes referred to herein as “shareholder services.” In addition, AFS assumes responsibility for the Fund’s implementation and compliance with the procedures set forth in the Anti-Money Laundering Program (“AML Program”) of the Fund and does hereby agree to provide all records relating to the AML Program to any federal examiner of the Fund upon request.

 

3. AFS has entered into substantially identical agreements with other investment companies for which CRMC serves as investment adviser. (For the purposes of this Agreement, such investment companies, including the Fund, are called “participating investment companies.”)

 

4. AFS has entered into an agreement with DST Systems, Inc. (hereinafter called “DST”), to provide AFS with electronic data processing services sufficient for the performance of the shareholder services referred to in paragraph 2.

 

5. The Fund, together with the other participating investment companies, will maintain a Review and Advisory Committee, which Committee will review and may make recommendations to the boards of the participating investment companies regarding all fees and charges provided for in this Agreement, as well as review the level and quality of the shareholder services rendered to the participating investment companies and their shareholders. Each participating investment company may select one director or trustee who is not affiliated with CRMC, or any of its affiliated companies, to serve on the Review and Advisory Committee.

 
 

 

6. AFS will provide to the participating investment companies the shareholder services referred to herein in return for the following fees:

 

Annual account maintenance fee (paid monthly):

 

Fee per account (annual rate)                                                      Rate

Broker controlled account (networked and street)                   $0.84

Full service account                                                                     $16.00

 

No annual fee will be charged for a participant account underlying a 401(k) or other defined contribution plan where the plan maintains a single account on AFS’ books and responds to all participant inquiries.

 

The fees described above shall be invoiced and paid within 30 days after the end of the month in which the services were performed.

 

Any revision of the schedule of charges set forth herein shall require the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board of trustees of the Fund.

 

7. a. All Fund-specific charges from third parties -- including DST charges, payments described in the next sentence, postage, NSCC transaction charges and similar out-of-pocket expenses -- will be passed through directly to the Fund or other participating investment companies, as applicable. AFS, subject to approval of its board of directors, is authorized in its discretion to negotiate payments to third parties for account maintenance and/or transaction processing services described in paragraph 7.b., provided such payments do not exceed the anticipated savings to the Fund, either in fees payable to AFS hereunder or in other direct Fund expenses, that AFS reasonably anticipates would be realized by the Fund from using the services of such third party rather than maintaining the accounts directly on AFS’ books and/or processing non-automated transactions. The limitation set forth above shall not apply to Class C shares, Class F shares, Class 529 shares or Class R shares.

 

b. During the term of this Agreement, AFS shall perform or cause to be performed the transfer agent services set forth in Exhibit A hereto, as such exhibit may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of the parties. The Fund and AFS acknowledge that AFS will contract with third parties, to perform such transfer agent services. In selecting third parties to perform transfer agent services, AFS shall select only those third parties that AFS reasonably believes have adequate facilities and personnel to diligently perform such services. As set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement between the Fund and CRMC, CRMC or its affiliates shall monitor, coordinate and oversee the activities performed by the third parties with which AFS contracts.

 

 
 

8. It is understood that AFS may have income in excess of its expenses and may accumulate capital and surplus. AFS is not, however, permitted to distribute any net income or accumulated surplus to its parent, CRMC, in the form of a dividend without the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the boards of the Fund and all participating investment companies.

 

9. This Agreement may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties, with agreement of the Fund to be evidenced by affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the board of the Fund.

 

10. This Agreement may be terminated on 180 days’ written notice by either party. In the event of a termination of this Agreement, AFS and the Fund will each extend full cooperation in effecting a conversion to whatever successor shareholder service provider(s) the Fund may select, it being understood that all records relating to the Fund and its shareholders are property of the Fund.

 

11. In the event of a termination of this Agreement by the Fund, the Fund will pay to AFS as a termination fee the Fund’s proportionate share of any costs of conversion of the Fund’s shareholder service from AFS to a successor. In the event of termination of this Agreement and all corresponding agreements with all the participating investment companies, all assets of AFS will be sold or otherwise converted to cash, with a view to the liquidation of AFS when it ceases to provide shareholder services for the participating investment companies. To the extent any such assets are sold by AFS to CRMC and/or any of its affiliates, such sales shall be at fair market value at the time of sale as agreed upon by AFS, the purchasing company or companies, and the Review and Advisory Committee. After all assets of AFS have been converted to cash and all liabilities of AFS have been paid or discharged, an amount equal to any capital or paid-in surplus of AFS that shall have been contributed by CRMC or its affiliates shall be set aside in cash for distribution to CRMC upon liquidation of AFS. Any other capital or surplus and any assets of AFS remaining after the foregoing provisions for liabilities and return of capital or paid-in surplus to CRMC shall be distributed to the participating investment companies in such proportions as may be determined by the Review and Advisory Committee.

 

12. In the event of disagreement between the Fund and AFS, or between the Fund and other participating investment companies as to any matter arising under this Agreement, which the parties to the disagreement are unable to resolve, the question shall be referred to the Review and Advisory Committee for resolution. If the Review and Advisory Committee is unable to resolve the question to the satisfaction of both parties, either party may elect to submit the question to arbitration; one arbitrator to be named by each party to the disagreement and a third arbitrator to be selected by the two arbitrators named by the original parties. The decision of a majority of the arbitrators shall be final and binding on all parties to the arbitration. The expenses of such arbitration shall be paid by the party electing to submit the question to arbitration.

 
 

 

13. The obligations of the Fund under this Agreement are not binding upon any of the trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders of the Fund individually, but bind only the Fund itself. AFS agrees to look solely to the assets of the Fund for the satisfaction of any liability of the Fund in respect to this Agreement and will not seek recourse against such trustees, officers, employees, agents or shareholders, or any of them or their personal assets for such satisfaction.

 

 

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 
 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be executed in duplicate original by their officers thereunto duly authorized, as of [DATE].

 

 

AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY                                          [NAME OF FUND]

 

 

 

By                                                                                                                By                                             

Angela M. Mitchell                                                                                         [                                ]

Secretary                                                                                                         Secretary

 

 

 
 

Exhibit A

to the

Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement

 

AFS or any third party with whom it may contract (AFS and any such third-party are collectively referred to as “Service Provider”) shall act, as necessary, as stock transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and redemption agent for the Fund’s shares and shall provide such additional related services as the Fund’s shares may from time to time require.

 

1. Record Maintenance

 

The Service Provider shall maintain, and require any third parties with which it contracts to maintain with respect to each Fund shareholder holding the Fund’s shares in a Service Provider account (“Customers”) the following records:

 

a. Number of shares;

 

b. Date, price and amount of purchases and redemptions (including dividend reinvestments) and dates and amounts of dividends paid for at least the current year to date;

 

c. Name and address of the Customer, including zip codes and social security numbers or taxpayer identification numbers;

 

d. Records of distributions and dividend payments; and

 

e. Any transfers of shares.

 

2. Shareholder Communications

 

Service Provider shall:

 

a. Provide to a shareholder mailing agent for the purpose of delivering certain Fund-related materials the names and addresses of all Customers. The Fund-related materials shall consist of updated summary prospectuses and/or prospectuses and any supplements and amendments thereto, annual and other periodic reports, proxy or information statements and other appropriate shareholder communications. In the alternative, the Service Provider may distribute the Fund-related materials to its Customers.

 

b. Deliver current Fund summary prospectuses, prospectuses and statements of additional information and annual and other periodic reports upon Customer request, and, as applicable, with confirmation statements.

 

c. Deliver statements to Customers on no less frequently than a quarterly basis showing, among other things, the number of shares of the Fund

 
 

owned by such Customer and the net asset value of shares of the Fund as of a recent date.

 

d. Produce and deliver to Customers confirmation statements reflecting purchases and redemptions of shares of the Fund.

 

e. Respond to Customer inquiries regarding, among other things, share prices, account balances, dividend amounts and dividend payment dates.

 

f. With respect to Class A, Class B, Class C and/or Class F shares of the Fund purchased by Customers, provide average cost basis reporting to Customers to assist them in preparation of their income tax returns.

 

g. If the Service Provider accepts transactions in the Fund’s shares from any brokers or banks in an omnibus relationship, require each such broker or bank to provide such shareholder communications as set forth in 2(a) through 2(e) to its own Customers.

 

3. Transactional Services

 

The Service Provider shall communicate to its Customers, as to shares of the Fund, purchase, redemption and exchange orders reflecting the orders it receives from its Customers or from any brokers and banks for their Customers. The Service Provider shall also communicate to beneficial owners holding through it, and to any brokers or banks for beneficial owners holding through them, as to shares of the Fund, mergers, splits and other reorganization activities, and require any broker or bank to communicate such information to its Customers.

 

4. Tax Information Returns and Reports

 

The Service Provider shall prepare and file, and require to be prepared and filed by any brokers or banks as to their Customers, with the appropriate governmental agencies, such information, returns and reports as are required to be so filed for reporting: (i) dividends and other distributions made; (ii) amounts withheld on dividends and other distributions and payments under applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations; and (iii) gross proceeds of sales transactions as required.

 

5. Fund Communications

 

The Service Provider shall, upon request by the Fund, on each business day, report the number of shares on which the transfer agency fee is to be paid pursuant to this Agreement. The Service Provider shall also provide the Fund with a monthly invoice.

 
 

 

6. Coordination, Oversight and Monitoring of Service Providers

 

As set forth in the Administrative Services Agreement between the Fund and CRMC, CRMC shall coordinate, monitor and oversee the activities performed by the Service Providers’ with which AFS contracts. AFS shall monitor Service Providers provision of services, including the delivery of Customer account statements and all Fund-related materials, including summary prospectuses and/or prospectuses, shareholder reports, and proxies.

 

 

 
 

 

[name of FUND]

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AGREEMENT

 

WHEREAS, [Name Of Fund] (the “Fund”), is a [Delaware statutory trust/Massachusetts business trust/Maryland corporation] registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end diversified investment company that offers [Class A shares; Class C shares; Class F-1 shares and Class F-2 shares ( “Class F shares”); Class R-1 shares, Class R-2 shares, Class R-2E shares, Class R-3 shares, Class R-4 shares, Class R-5E shares, Class R-5 shares and Class R-6 shares (“Class R shares”); and Class 529-A shares, Class 529-B shares, Class 529-C shares, Class 529-E shares and Class 529-F-1 shares (“Class 529 shares”) of [common stock/beneficial interest] (Class A shares, Class C shares, Class F shares, Class R shares and Class 529 shares, collectively, the “shares”)];

 

WHEREAS, Capital Research and Management Company (the “Investment Adviser”), is a Delaware corporation registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and is engaged in the business of providing investment advisory and related services to the Fund and to other investment companies;

 

WHEREAS, the Fund wishes to have the Investment Adviser assist financial advisers and other intermediaries with their provision of service to shareholders of the Fund and to arrange for and coordinate, monitor and oversee the activities performed by the third parties with which affiliates of the Investment Adviser contract for the provision of sub-transfer agency services (the “administrative services”);

 

WHEREAS, the Investment Adviser is willing to perform or to cause to be performed such administrative services for the Fund’s shares on the terms and conditions set forth herein; and

 

WHEREAS, the Fund and the Investment Adviser wish to enter into an Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement (“Agreement”) whereby the Investment Adviser would perform or cause to be performed such administrative services for the Fund’s shares;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, the parties agree as follows:

 

1. Services . During the term of this Agreement, the Investment Adviser shall perform or cause to be performed the administrative services set forth in Exhibit A hereto, as such exhibit may be amended from time to time by mutual consent of the parties.

 

2. Fees . In consideration of administrative services performed by the Investment Adviser for the Fund’s shares the Fund shall pay the Investment Adviser an administrative services fee (“administrative fee”). For the Fund’s Class A

 
 

shares the administrative fee shall accrue daily and shall be calculated at the annual rate of 0.01% of the average daily net assets of those shares. For the Fund’s Class C shares, Class F shares, Class 529 shares and Class R shares, the administrative fee shall accrue daily and shall be calculated at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of those shares. The administrative fee shall be invoiced and paid within 30 days after the end of the month in which the administrative services were performed.

 

3. Effective Date and Termination of Agreement . This Agreement shall become effective on [DATE] and unless terminated sooner it shall continue in effect until [DATE]. It may thereafter be continued from year to year only with the approval of a majority of those trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of this Agreement or any agreement related to it (the “Independent Trustees”). This Agreement may be terminated as to the Fund as a whole or any class of shares individually at any time by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Investment Adviser may terminate this agreement upon sixty (60) days’ prior written notice to the Fund.

 

4. Amendment . No material amendment to this Agreement shall be made unless such amendment is approved by the vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees.

 

5. Assignment . This Agreement shall not be assignable by either party hereto and in the event of assignment shall automatically terminate forthwith. The term “assignment” shall have the meaning set forth in the 1940 Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Investment Adviser is specifically authorized to contract with its affiliates for the provision of administrative services on behalf of the Fund.

 

6. Issuance of Series of Shares . If the Fund shall at any time issue shares in more than one series, this Agreement may be adopted, amended, continued or renewed with respect to a series as provided herein, notwithstanding that such adoption, amendment, continuance or renewal has not been effected with respect to any one or more other series of the Fund.

 

7. Choice of Law . This Agreement shall be construed under and shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, and the parties hereto agree that proper venue of any action with respect hereto shall be Los Angeles County, California.

 

 

 

 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed in duplicate original by their officers thereunto duly authorized, as of [DATE].

 

 

 

CAPITAL RESEARCH AND                                                          [NAME OF FUND]

MANAGEMENT COMPANY

 

 

 

By:                                                                                                       By:                                          

Michael J. Downer                                                                                  [                                  ]

Senior Vice President and Secretary                                                 Secretary

 

 
 

EXHIBIT A

to the

Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement

 

1. Assisting Financial Intermediaries in their Provision of Shareholder Services

 

The Investment Adviser shall assist financial advisers and other intermediaries in their provision of services to shareholders of the Fund. Such assistance shall include, but not be limited to, responding to a variety of inquiries such as cost basis information, share class conversion policies, retirement plan distribution requirements, Fund investment policies and Fund market timing policies. In addition, the Investment Adviser shall provide such intermediaries with in-depth information on current market developments and economic trends/forecasts and their effects on the Fund and detailed Fund analytics, and such other matters as may reasonably be requested by financial advisers or other intermediaries to assist them in their provision of service to shareholders of the Fund.

 

2. Coordination, Oversight and Monitoring of Service Providers

 

The Investment Adviser shall monitor, coordinate and oversee the activities performed by the third parties with which its affiliates contract for the provision of sub-transfer agency services. In doing so the Investment Adviser shall establish procedures to monitor the activities of such third parties. These procedures may, but need not, include monitoring: (i) telephone queue wait times; (ii) telephone abandon rates; (iii) website and voice response unit downtimes; (iv) downtime of the third party’s shareholder account recordkeeping system; (v) the accuracy and timeliness of financial and non-financial transactions; (vi) compliance with the Fund prospectus; and (vii) with respect to Class 529 shares, compliance with the CollegeAmerica program description.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dechert LLP Letterhead]

 

October 26, 2015

 

New World Fund, Inc.

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, CA 90071

 

Re: Securities Act Registration No. 333-67455

Investment Company Act File No. 811-09105

 

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

We have acted as counsel for New World Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation (the “Fund”), in connection with Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the Fund’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A, together with all Exhibits thereto (the “Registration Statement”), under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and Amendment No. 31 to the Registration Statement under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). You have asked for our opinion regarding the issuance of shares of common stock by the Fund in connection with its registration of Class R-5E shares (the “Shares”).

 

We have examined originals and certified copies, or copies otherwise identified to our satisfaction as being true copies, of various organizational records of the Fund and such other instruments, documents and records as we have deemed necessary in order to render this opinion. We have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents examined by us and the correctness of all statements of fact contained in those documents. We have further assumed the legal capacity of natural persons, that persons identified to us as officers of the Fund are actually serving in such capacity, and that the representations of officers of the Fund are correct as to matters of fact.  We have not independently verified any of these assumptions.

 

Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares proposed to be sold pursuant to the Registration Statement, when sold and delivered by the Fund against receipt of the net asset value of the Shares in accordance with the terms of the Registration Statement and the requirements of applicable law, will be duly and validly authorized, legally and validly issued, and fully paid and non-assessable by the Fund.

 

The opinions expressed herein are based on the facts in existence and the laws in effect on the date hereof and are limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and the provisions of the 1940 Act that are applicable to equity securities issued by registered open-end investment companies.  We are not opining on, and we assume no responsibility for, the applicability to or effect on any of the matters covered herein of any other laws.

 

 
 

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and to the use of our name in the Fund’s Registration Statement and in any revised or amended versions thereof. In giving such consent, however, we do not admit that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required by Section 7 of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

 

Very truly yours,

 

/s/ Dechert LLP

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We consent to the use in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to Registration Statement No. 333-67455 on Form N-1A of our report dated December 10, 2014, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of New World Fund, Inc. appearing in the Statement of Additional Information, which is part of such Registration Statement, and to the references to us under the headings “Financial highlights” in the Prospectus and “Independent registered public accounting firm” and “Prospectuses, reports to shareholders and proxy statements” in the Statement of Additional Information, which are part of such Registration Statement.

 

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

 

Costa Mesa, California

October 28, 2015

 

 

[name of fund]

 

AMENDED AND RESTATED MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN

 

 

WHEREAS, [Name Of Fund] (the “Fund”), [a Delaware statutory trust/Massachusetts business trust/Maryland corporation], is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company that offers shares of [common stock/beneficial interest];

 

WHEREAS, American Funds Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”) serves as the principal underwriter for the Fund;

 

WHEREAS, the Fund has adopted Plans of Distribution (each a “12b-1 Plan”) under which the Fund may bear expenses of distribution and servicing of its shares, including payments to and/or reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the Distributor in connection with its distribution of the Fund’s shares;

 

WHEREAS, the Fund has entered into an Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement with Capital Research and Management Company under which the Fund may bear certain administrative expenses for certain classes of shares;

 

WHEREAS, the Fund has entered into an Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement with American Funds Service Company under which the Fund may bear certain transfer agency expenses for its shares;

 

WHEREAS, the Fund is authorized to issue the following classes of shares of [common stock/beneficial interest]: [Class A shares; Class B shares; Class C shares; Class F-1 shares and Class F-2 shares (“Class F shares”); Class R-1 shares, Class R-2 shares, Class R-2E shares, Class R-3 shares, Class R-4 shares, Class R-5E shares, Class R-5 shares and Class R-6 shares (“Class R shares”); as well as Class 529-A shares, Class 529-B shares, Class 529-C shares, Class 529-E shares and Class 529-F-1 shares (“Class 529 shares”)];

 

WHEREAS, Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act permits open-end management investment companies to issue multiple classes of voting shares representing interests in the same portfolio if, among other things, an investment company adopts a written Multiple Class Plan (the “Plan”) setting forth the separate arrangement and expense allocation of each class and any related conversion features or exchange privileges; and

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has determined, that it is in the best interest of each class of shares of the Fund individually, and the Fund as a whole, to adopt this amended and restated Plan;

 
 

 

NOW THEREFORE, the Fund adopts the Amended and Restated Plan as follows:

 

1. Each class of shares will represent interests in the same portfolio of investments of the Fund, and be identical in all respects to each other class, except as set forth below. The differences among the various classes of shares of the Fund will relate to: (i) distribution, service and other charges and expenses as provided for in paragraph 3 of this Plan; (ii) the exclusive right of each class of shares to vote on matters submitted to shareholders that relate solely to that class or the separate voting right of each class on matters for which the interests of one class differ from the interests of another class; and (iii) such differences relating to (a) eligible investors, (b) the designation of each class of shares, (c) conversion features, and (d) exchange privileges each as may be set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and statement of additional information (“SAI”), as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

2. (a) Certain expenses may be attributable to the Fund, but not a particular class of shares thereof. All such expenses will be borne by each class on the basis of the relative aggregate net assets of the classes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Distributor, the investment adviser or other provider of services to the Fund may waive or reimburse the expenses of a specific class or classes to the extent permitted by Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act and any other applicable law.

 

(b) A class of shares may be permitted to bear expenses that are directly attributable to that class, including: (i) any distribution service fees associated with any rule 12b-1 Plan for a particular class and any other costs relating to implementing or amending such rule 12b-1 Plan; (ii) any administrative service fees attributable to such class; and (iii) any transfer agency, sub-transfer agency and shareholder servicing fees attributable to such class.

 

(c) Any additional incremental expenses not specifically identified above that are subsequently identified and determined to be applied properly to one class of shares of the Fund shall be so applied upon approval by votes of the majority of both (i) the Board of Trustees of the Fund; and (ii) those trustees of the Fund who are not “interested persons” of the Fund (as defined in the 1940 Act) (“Independent Trustees”).

 

3. Consistent with the general provisions of section 2(b), above, each class of shares of the Fund shall differ in the amount of, and the manner in which costs are borne by shareholders as follows:

 

(a) Class A shares

 

(i) Class A shares shall be sold at net asset value plus a front-end sales charge, at net asset value without a front-end sales

 
 

charge but subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”), and at net asset value without any sales charge, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI.

 

(ii) Class A shares shall be subject to an annual distribution expense under the Fund’s Class A Plan of Distribution of up to 0.30% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Plan of Distribution. This expense consists of a service fee of up to 0.25% plus certain other distribution costs.

 

(iii) Class A shares shall be subject to a transfer agent fee according to the Shareholder Services Agreement between the Fund and its transfer agent. In calculating transfer agent fees allocable to the Class A shares, the fees generated shall be charged to the Fund and allocated to the Class A shares based on their aggregate net assets relative to those of the Class B, Class C and Class 529 shares, except that sub-transfer agency fees payable to intermediaries holding shareholder accounts in street name are not allocated to the Class 529 shares (other than intermediaries holding accounts with Class 529 shares in street name).

 

(iv) Class A shares shall be subject to an administrative services fee of 0.01% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and its Administrative Services Agreement.

 

(b) Class B shares

 

(i) Class B shares shall be sold at net asset value without a front-end sales charge, but subject to a CDSC and maximum purchase limits as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI.

 

(ii) Class B shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class B Plan of Distribution of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class B Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of 0.75% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(iii) Class B shares shall be subject to a transfer agent fee according to the Shareholder Services Agreement between the Fund and its transfer agent. In calculating transfer agent fees allocable to the Class B shares, the fees generated shall be

 
 

charged to the Fund and allocated to the Class B shares based on their aggregate net assets relative to those of the Class A, Class C and Class 529 shares, except that sub-transfer agency fees payable to intermediaries holding shareholder accounts in street name are not allocated to the Class 529 shares (other than intermediaries holding accounts with Class 529 shares in street name).

 

(iv) Class B shares will automatically convert to Class A shares of the Fund approximately eight years after purchase, subject to the limitations described in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI. All conversions shall be effected on the basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes of shares without the imposition of any sales load or other charge.

 

(v) Class B shares shall be subject to a fee (included within the transfer agency expense) for additional costs associated with tracking the age of each Class B share.

 

(c) Class C shares

 

(i) Class C shares shall be sold at net asset value without a front-end sales charge, but subject to a CDSC and maximum purchase limits as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI.

 

(ii) Class C shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class C Plan of Distribution of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class C Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.75% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(iii) Class C shares shall be subject to a transfer agent fee according to the Shareholder Services Agreement between the Fund and its transfer agent. In calculating transfer agent fees allocable to the Class C shares, the fees generated shall be charged to the Fund and allocated to the Class C shares based on their aggregate net assets relative to those of the Class A, Class B and Class 529 shares, except that sub-transfer agency fees payable to intermediaries holding shareholder accounts in street name are not allocated to the Class 529 shares (other than intermediaries holding accounts with Class 529 shares in street name).

 

(iv) Class C shares shall be subject to an administrative services fee of 0.05% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the

 
 

Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and its Administrative Services Agreement.

 

(v) Class C shares will automatically convert to Class F-1 shares of the Fund approximately ten years after purchase, subject to the limitations described in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI. All conversions shall be effected on the basis of the relative net asset values of the two classes of shares without the imposition of any sales load or other charge.

 

(vi) Class C shares shall be subject to a fee, if any, (included within the transfer agency expense) for additional costs associated with tracking the age of each Class C share.

 

(d) The Class F shares consisting of Class F-1 shares and Class F-2 shares

 

(i) The Class F shares shall be sold at net asset value without a front-end or back-end sales charge.

 

(ii) Class F-1 shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class F-1 Plan of Distribution of up to 0.50% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class F-1 Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.25% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(iii) Class F-2 shares shall not be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense.

 

(iv) The Class F shares shall be subject to a transfer agent fee according to the Shareholder Services Agreement between the Fund and its transfer agent. The Class F shares will pay only those transfer agent fees and third party pass-through fees (e.g., DST and NSCC fees) that are directly attributed to accounts of and activities generated by the Class F shares.

 

(v) The Class F shares shall be subject to an administrative services fee of 0.05% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and its Administrative Services Agreement.

 

(e) The Class R shares consisting of Class R-1 shares, Class R-2 shares, Class R-2E shares, Class R-3 shares, Class R-4 shares, Class R-5E shares, Class R-5 shares, and Class R-6 shares

 

 
 

(i) The Class R shares shall be sold at net asset value without a front-end or back-end sales charge.

 

(ii) Class R-1 shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class R-1 Plan of Distribution of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class R-1 Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.75% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(iii) Class R-2 shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class R-2 Plan of Distribution of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class R-2 Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.75% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(iv) Class R-2E shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class R-2E Plan of Distribution of up to .85% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class R-2E Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.60% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(v) Class R-3 shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class R-3 Plan of Distribution of up to 0.75% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class R-3 Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.50% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(vi) Class R-4 shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class R-4 Plan of Distribution of up to 0.50% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class R-4 Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.25% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(vii) Class R-5E shares shall not be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense.

 

(viii) Class R-5 shares shall not be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense.

 

(ix) Class R-6 shares shall not be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense.

 
 

 

(x) The Class R shares shall be subject to a transfer agent fee (including sub-transfer agency fees) according to the Shareholder Services Agreement between the Fund and its transfer agent. Each of the Class R share classes will pay only those transfer agent fees and third party pass-through fees ( e.g. , DST and NSCC fees) that are directly attributed to accounts of and activities generated by its own share class.

 

 

(xi) The Class R shares shall be subject to an administrative services fee of 0.05% of average daily net assets as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Administrative Services Agreement.

 

(f) The 529 share classes consisting of Class 529-A shares, Class 529-B shares, Class 529-C shares, Class 529-E shares and Class 529-F-1 shares

 

(i) The Class 529-A shares shall be sold at net asset value plus a front-end sales charge, at net asset value without a front-end sales charge but subject to a CDSC, and at net asset value without any sales charge, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI.

 

(ii) The Class 529-B and Class 529-C shares shall be sold at net asset value without a front-end sales charge, but subject to a CDSC and maximum purchase limits as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI.

 

(iii) The Class 529-E and Class 529-F-1 shares shall be sold at net asset value without a front-end or back-end sales charge.

 

(iv) Class 529-A shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class 529-A Plan of Distribution of up to 0.50% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class 529-A Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.25% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(v) Class 529-B shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class 529-B Plan of Distribution of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class 529-B Plan of Distribution. This

 
 

expense shall consist of a distribution fee of 0.75% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(vi) Class 529-C shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class 529-C Plan of Distribution of up to 1.00% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class 529-C Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.75% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(vii) Class 529-E shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class 529-E Plan of Distribution of up to 0.75% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class 529-E Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.50% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(viii) Class 529-F-1 shares shall be subject to an annual 12b-1 expense under the Fund’s Class 529-F-1 Plan of Distribution of up to 0.50% of average daily net assets, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and Class 529-F-1 Plan of Distribution. This expense shall consist of a distribution fee of up to 0.25% and a service fee of up to 0.25% of such average daily net assets.

 

(ix) The Class 529 shares shall be subject to a transfer agent fee according to the Shareholder Services Agreement between the Fund and its transfer agent. In calculating transfer agent fees allocable to the Class 529 shares, the fees generated shall be charged to the Fund and allocated to the Class 529 shares based on their aggregate net assets relative to those of the Class A, Class B and Class C shares.

 

(x) The Class 529 shares shall be subject to an administrative services fee of 0.05% of average daily net assets as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus, SAI, and its Administrative Services Agreement.

 

(xi) The Class 529 shares shall be subject to a 529 plan services fee of up to 0.10% of average daily net assets payable to the Commonwealth of Virginia, as set forth in the Fund’s prospectus and SAI.

 

All other rights and privileges of Fund shareholders are identical regardless of which class of shares is held.

 

 
 

4. This Plan shall not take effect until it has been approved by votes of the majority of both (i) the Board of Trustees of the Fund and (ii) the Independent Trustees.

 

5. This Plan shall become effective with respect to any class of shares of the Fund, other than [Class A shares, Class B shares, Class C shares, Class F shares, Class R shares or Class 529 shares] upon the commencement of the initial public offering thereof (provided that the Plan has previously been approved with respect to such additional class by votes of the majority of both (i) the Board of Trustees of the Fund; and (ii) Independent Trustees prior to the offering of such additional class of shares), and shall continue in effect with respect to such additional class or classes until terminated in accordance with paragraph 7. An addendum setting forth such specific and different terms of such additional class or classes shall be attached to and made part of this Plan.

 

6. No material amendment to the Plan shall be effective unless it is approved by the votes of the majority of both (i) the Board of Trustees of the Fund and (ii) Independent Trustees.

 

7. This Plan may be terminated at any time with respect to the Fund as a whole or any class of shares individually, by the votes of the majority of both (i) the Board of Trustees of the Fund and (ii) Independent Trustees. This Plan may remain in effect with respect to a particular class or classes of shares of the Fund even if it has been terminated in accordance with this paragraph with respect to any other class of shares.

 

 

 

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

 
 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Fund has caused this Plan to be executed by its officer thereunto duly authorized, as of [DATE].

 

 

[NAME OF FUND]

 

 

 

By:                                                 

     [                                     ]

     Secretary

 

[logo - The Capital Group]

 

Code of Ethics

 

October 2015

 

The following is the Code of Ethics for Capital Group, which includes Capital Research and Management Company (CRMC), the investment advis e r to American Funds, and those involved in the distribution of the funds, client support and services; and Capital Group International Inc. (CGII), which includes Capital Guardian Trust Company and Capital International Inc. The Code of Ethics applies to all Capital associates.

 

Guidelines

 

Capital Group associates are responsible for maintaining the highest ethical standards when conducting business, regardless of lesser standards that may be followed through business or community custom. In keeping with these standards, all associates must place the interests of fund shareholders and clients first.

 

Capital’s Code of Ethics requires that all associates: (1) act with integrity, competence and in an ethical manner; (2) comply with applicable U.S. federal securities laws, as well as all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; and (3) promptly report violations of the Code of Ethics, as outlined below.

 

As part of the Code of Ethics, Capital has adopted the guidelines and policies below to address certain aspects of Capital’s business. In the absence of specific guidelines and policies on a particular matter, associates must keep in mind and adhere to the requirements of the Code of Ethics set forth above.

 

It is important that all associates comply with the Code of Ethics, including its related guidelines and policies. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action, including termination.

 

Questions regarding the Code of Ethics may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Protecting sensitive information

 

Antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws as well as the laws of other countries generally prohibit persons in possession of material non-public information from trading on or communicating the information to others. Associates who believe they may have material non-public information should contact a member of the Legal staff.

 

Capital Group regularly creates, collects and maintains valuable proprietary information, which is essential to our business operations and the performance of services for our clients. This information derives its value, in part, from not being generally known outside of Capital (hereinafter “Confidential Information”). It includes confidential electronic information in any medium, hard-copy information, and information shared orally or visually (such as by telephone or video conference). The confidentiality, integrity and limited availability of such information is regarded as fundamental to the successful business operations of Capital Group. The purpose of this Confidential Information Policy is to protect our information from disclosure – intentional or inadvertent – and to ensure that associates understand their obligation to protect and maintain its confidentiality.

 

Extravagant or excessive gifts and entertainment

 

Associates should not accept extravagant or excessive gifts or entertainment from persons or companies that conduct business with Capital. Please see below for a summary of the Gifts and Entertainment Policy.

 

No special treatment from broker-dealers

 

Associates may not accept negotiated commission rates or any other terms they believe may be more favorable than the broker-dealer grants to accounts with similar characteristics. U.S. broker-dealers are subject to certain rules designed to prevent favoritism toward such accounts. Favors or preferential treatment from broker-dealers may not be accepted. This rule applies to the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and any immediate family member residing in the same household.

 

No excessive trading of Capital-affiliated funds

 

Associates should not engage in excessive trading of the American Funds or other Capital-managed investment vehicles worldwide in order to take advantage of short-term market movements. Excessive activity, such as a frequent pattern of exchanges, could involve actual or potential harm to shareholders or clients. This rule applies to the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and any immediate family member residing in the same household.

 

Ban on Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

 

Associates and immediate family members residing in the same household may not participate in IPOs. Exceptions are rarely granted; however, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis (for example, where a family member is employed by the IPO company and IPO shares are considered part of that family member’s compensation).

 

Outside business interests/affiliations

 

Board service as a director or advisory board member

Associates must obtain approval from the Code of Ethics Team prior to serving on the board of directors or as an advisory board member of any public or private company. This rule does not apply to: 1) boards of Capital companies or funds, or 2) board service that is a direct result of the associate’s responsibilities at Capital, such as for portfolio companies of private equity funds managed by Capital and 3) boards of non-profit and charitable organizations.

 

Associates and any family members residing in the same household must disclose service as a board director or as an advisory board member of any public or private company to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Senior officer positions

 

Associates and family members residing in the same household must disclose senior officer positions, such as CEO, CFO, Treasurer, etc. of any private or public company.

Material business ownership interest and affiliations

Material business ownership interests may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Associates and family members residing in the same household are required to disclose ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of public or private companies that do, or potentially may do, business with Capital or American Funds.

 

Family members employed by a financial institution

 

Associates must disclose family members, including extended family members such as in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, who are employed by a financial institution, such as a bank, brokerage firm, credit union, money management firm, etc. Family members with whom the associate rarely speaks or sees does not need to be disclosed. This disclosure is not limited to those family members residing in the same household.

 

Requests for approval or questions may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Other guidelines

 

Statements and disclosures about Capital, including those made to fund shareholders and clients and in regulatory filings, should be accurate and not misleading.

 

Reporting requirements

 

Annual certification of the Code of Ethics

 

All associates are required to certify at least annually that they have read and understand the Code of Ethics. Questions or issues relating to the Code of Ethics should be directed to the associate’s manager or the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Reporting violations

 

All associates are responsible for complying with the Code of Ethics. As part of that responsibility, associates are obligated to report violations of the Code of Ethics promptly, including: 1) fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of Capital’s business; 2) noncompliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; 3) intentional or material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, or client records and reports; or 4) activity that is harmful to fund shareholders or clients. Deviations from controls or procedures that safeguard Capital, including the assets of shareholders and clients, should also be reported. Reported violations of the Code of Ethics will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken. Once a violation has been reported, all associates are required to cooperate with Capital in the internal investigation of any matter by providing honest, truthful and complete information.

 

Associates may report confidentially to a manager/department head, or by accessing the Open Line. Calls and emails will be directed to the Open Line Committee.

 

Associates may also contact the Chief Compliance Officers of CGTC, CIInc, or CRMC, or legal counsel employed with Capital.

Capital strictly prohibits retaliation against any associate who in good faith makes a complaint, raises a concern, provides information or otherwise assists in an investigation regarding any conduct that he or she reasonably believes to be in violation of the Code of Ethics. This policy is designed to ensure that associates comply with their obligations to report violations without fear of retaliation.

 

Policies

 

Capital’s policies regarding gifts and entertainment, political contributions, insider trading and personal investing are summarized below.

 

Gifts and Entertainment Policy

 

Under the Gifts and Entertainment Policy, associates may not receive or extend gifts or entertainment that are excessive, repetitive or extravagant, if such gifts or entertainment involve a government official or are due to a third party’s business relationship (or prospective business relationship) with Capital. The Policy is intended to ensure that gifts and entertainment involving associates do not raise questions of propriety regarding Capital’s business relationships or prospective business relationships, or Capital’s interactions with government officials. Accordingly, for gifts and entertainment involving those who conduct, or may conduct, business with Capital:

 

· An associate may not accept gifts from (or give gifts to) the same person or entity worth more than $100 (or the local currency equivalent) in a 12-month calendar year period.
· An associate may not accept or extend entertainment valued at over $500 (or the local currency equivalent) unless a business reason exists for such entertainment and the entertainment is pre-approved by the associate’s manager and the Code of Ethics Team. Trading department associates are prohibited from accepting entertainment, regardless of value.

 

Gifts or entertainment extended to a private-sector person by a Capital associate and approved by the associate’s manager for reimbursement by Capital do not need to be reported (or precleared). Trading department associates should report gifts and entertainment extended regardless of reimbursement. Note: Separate policies regarding extending business gifts or entertainment apply to AFD and CGIIS associates. Dollar amounts in this document refer to US dollars.

 

Capital Group is registered as a federal lobbyist and special rules apply to gifts and entertainment involving government officials and employees as a result. Associates must receive approval from Capital’s Code of Ethics Team prior to either: (1) hosting a federal government official or employee at a Capital facility if anything of value (e.g. food, tangible item) will be presented to that individual; or (2) providing anything of value to a federal government official or employee if Capital will pay or reimburse for the related cost.

 

 
 

 Reporting

 

The limitations relating to gifts and entertainment apply to all associates as described above, and associates will be asked to complete quarterly disclosures. Associates must report any gift exceeding $50 and business entertainment in which an event exceeds $75 (although it is recommended that associates report all gifts and entertainment). Trading department associates should notify the Code of Ethics Team when gifts are received and report such gifts quarterly, whether the gift is received by an individual associate or by a department. In addition, trading associates should report gifts and entertainment extended regardless of reimbursement.

 

Charitable contributions

 

Associates must not allow Capital’s present or anticipated business to be a factor in soliciting political or charitable contributions from outside parties.

 

Gifts and Entertainment Committee

 

The Gifts and Entertainment Committee oversees administration of the Policy. Questions regarding the Gifts and Entertainment Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Political Contributions Policy

 

Associates must be cautious when engaging in personal political activities, particularly when supporting officials, candidates, or organizations that may be in a position to influence decisions to award business to investment management firms. Associates should not make political contributions to officials or candidates (in any country) for the purpose of influencing the hiring of a Capital Group company as an advisor to a governmental entity.

 

Associates may not use Capital offices or equipment to engage in political fundraising or solicitation activity (for example, hosting a fundraising event at the office or using Capital phones or email systems to help solicit donations for a candidate, political action committee (PAC) or political party). Associates may volunteer their time on behalf of a candidate or political organization, but should limit volunteer activities to non-work hours.

 

For contributions or activities supporting candidates or political organizations within the U.S. , we have adopted the guidelines set forth below, which apply to associates classified as “Restricted Associates.”

Guidelines for political contributions and activities within the U.S.


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations limit political contributions to certain Covered Government Officials by employees of investment advisory firms and certain affiliated companies. “Covered Government Official,” for purposes of the Political Contributions Policy, is defined as: 1) a state or local official, 2) a candidate for state or local office, or 3) a federal candidate currently holding state or local office.

 

Many U.S. cities and states have also adopted regulations restricting political contributions by associates of investment management firms seeking to provide services to a governmental entity. Some associates are also subject to these regulations.

 

Restricted Associates

 

Certain Capital associates are deemed Restricted Associates under this policy because their work duties are sufficiently related to Capital’s provision of investment advisory services to U.S. governmental entities either directly or through an investment in one of our funds. Restricted Associates are subject to specific limitations, preclearance, and reporting requirements as described below.

 

Preclearance of political contributions

 

Contributions by Restricted Associates to any of the following must be precleared and certain documentation may be required.

 

 

Note: Contributions to federal political parties do not require preclearance.

 

Contributions include:

 

· Monetary contributions, gifts or loans
· “In kind” contributions (for example, donations of goods or services or underwriting or hosting fundraisers)
· Contributions to help pay a debt incurred in connection with an election (including transition or inaugural expenses, purchasing tickets to inaugural events)
· Contributions to joint fund-raising committees
· Contributions made by a Political Action Committee (PAC) controlled by a Restricted Associate [1]

 

Please contact the Code of Ethics Team to preclear a contribution.

 


[1] “Control” for this purpose includes service as an officer or member of the board (or other governing body) of a PAC.

 

Required documentation and other restrictions

 

Restricted Associates must:

 

· Obtain legal documentation from an appropriate government official (for example, City Attorney or State Attorney General) prior to making any contribution to a Covered Government Official, PAC or Super PAC
· Not make contributions to state or local political parties
· Report any political contributions made or certify that they have made no contributions during each calendar quarter
· Not direct any other person or entity to make a political contribution on their behalf that would otherwise be prohibited by the Political Contributions Policy

 

Special political contribution requirements – CollegeAmerica

 

Certain associates involved with "CollegeAmerica," the American Funds 529 college savings plan sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia, will receive a special reporting form. These associates are subject to additional restrictions and reporting requirements. For example, these associates generally may not contribute to Virginia political candidates or parties. These associates must also preclear any contributions to political candidates and parties in all states and municipalities and any Political Action Committee (PAC) other than to the Investment Company Institute PAC (ICI PAC).

 

Political Contributions Committee

 

The Political Contributions Committee oversees the administration of this Policy, including considering and granting possible exceptions. Questions regarding the Political Contributions Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Insider Trading Policy

 

Antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws as well as the laws of other countries generally prohibit persons in possession of material non-public information from trading on or communicating the information to others. Sanctions for violations can include civil injunctions, permanent bars from the securities industry, civil penalties up to three times the profits made or losses avoided, criminal fines and jail sentences. In addition, trading in fund shares while in possession of material, non-public information that may have an immediate impact on the value of the fund’s shares may constitute insider trading.

 

While investment research analysts are most likely to come in contact with material non-public information, the rules (and sanctions) in this area apply to all Capital associates and extend to activities both within and outside each associate's duties. Associates who believe they have material non-public information should contact any lawyer in the organization.

 

Personal Investing Policy

 

This policy applies only to “Covered Associates.” Special rules apply to certain associates in some non-US offices.

 

The Personal Investing Policy (Policy) sets forth specific rules regarding personal investments that apply to "covered" associates. These associates may have access to confidential information that places them in a position of special trust. The Code of Ethics requires that associates act with integrity and in an ethical manner and place the interests of fund shareholders and clients first. Associates are reminded that the requirements of the Code of Ethics apply to personal investing activities, even if the matter is not covered by a specific provision of the Policy.

 

Personal investing should be viewed as a privilege, not a right. As such, the Personal Investing Committee may place limitations on the number of preclearance requests and/or transactions.

 

Covered Associates

 

“Covered Associates” are associates with access to non-public information relating to current or imminent fund/client transactions, investment recommendations or fund portfolio holdings. Covered Associates include the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and other immediate family members (for example, children, siblings and parents) residing in the same household. Any reference to the requirements of Covered Associates in this document applies to these family members.

 

Additional rules apply to Investment Professionals

“Investment Professionals” include portfolio managers, investment counselors, investment analysts and research associates, investment group administrative assistants, portfolio specialists, investment specialists, trading associates, and global investment control and fixed income control associates, including assistants.

 

Questions regarding coverage status should be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

Prohibited transactions

 

The following transactions are prohibited:

 

· Initial Public Offering (IPO) investments

Exceptions are rarely granted; however, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis (for example, where a family member is employed by the IPO company and IPO shares are considered part of that family member’s compensation).

· Short selling of securities subject to preclearance
· Investments by Investment Professionals in short ETFs except those based on certain broad-based indices
· Spread betting/contracts for difference (CFD) on securities (allowed only on currencies, commodities, and broad-based indices)
· Writing puts and calls on securities subject to preclearance

 

Reporting requirements

 

Covered Associates are required to report their securities accounts, holdings and transactions. An electronic reporting platform is available for these disclosures.

 

As of July 1, 2015, newly hired U.S.-based associates and associates transferring into a position designated as “covered” are required to maintain their brokerage accounts with electronic reporting firms. This requirement includes immediate family members living in the same household. There are some exceptions to this requirement which include discretionary accounts, employer-sponsored retirement accounts, and employee stock purchase plans. The full list of electronic reporting firms may be found in the Personal Investing Policy.

 

In addition, duplicate statements and trade confirmations (or equivalent documentation) are required for accounts holding securities subject to preclearance and/or reporting. This requirement includes employer-sponsored retirement accounts and employee stock purchase plans [ESPP, ESOP, 401(k)].

 

Discretionary (professionally managed) accounts

 

Covered Associates must disclose discretionary (professionally managed) accounts. An account is deemed a “discretionary account” if the associate has no direct or indirect influence or control over the trust or account. Associates may not direct or suggest purchases or sales of investments to the trustee or third party discretionary account manager. Covered Associates do not need to preclear or report transactions in such accounts.

 

Capital requires an account confirmation letter from the trustee or account manager. To request a letter, please contact the Code of Ethics Team. Covered Associates must certify annually that all disclosed accounts continue to meet the discretionary account requirements.

 

Accounts that Covered Associates identify as discretionary are subject to further review. In certain circumstances associates may be required to preclear and report transactions in such accounts.

 

Preclearance procedures

 

Certain transactions may be exempt from preclearance.

 

Before buying or selling securities subject to preclearance, including securities that are not publicly traded, Covered Associates must receive approval from the Code of Ethics Team first. Please refer to the Personal Investing Policy for more details on preclearable securities.

 

Submitting preclearance requests

 

Covered Associates should log into Protegent PTA. Covered Associates should then click on the Preclear button on the Dashboard and enter the request details.

 

For assistance or questions, please contact the Code of Ethics Team.

Preclearance requests will be handled during the hours the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open, generally 6:30am to 1:00pm Pacific Time. A response to requests will generally be sent within one business day.

 

Transactions will generally not be permitted in securities on days the funds or clients are transacting in the issuer in question. In the case of Investment Professionals, permission to transact will be denied if the transaction would violate the seven-day blackout or short-term profits policies (see “Additional policies for Investment Professionals” below). Preclearance requests by Investment Professionals are subject to special review.

 

Preclearance will generally not be approved for analysts’ transactions involving securities held in their professional portfolio(s) or if the issuer of such securities falls within their industry research responsibilities.

 

Unless a different period is specified, clearance is good until the close of the NYSE on the day of the request. Associates from offices outside the U.S. and/or associates trading on non-U.S. exchanges are usually granted enough time to complete their transaction during the next available trading day.

If the precleared trade has not been executed within the cleared timeframe, preclearance must be requested again. For this reason, the following are strongly discouraged:

· Limit orders (for example, stop loss and good-till-canceled orders)
· Margin accounts

 

Investments in private companies (for example, private placements), venture capital partnerships, private equity funds, and hedge funds must be precleared and reported and are subject to special review. In addition, opportunities to acquire a stock that is "limited" (that is, a broker-dealer is only given a certain number of shares to sell and is offering the opportunity to buy) may be subject to the Gifts and Entertainment Policy.

 

Additional policies for Investment Professionals

 

Disclosure of personal and professional holdings (cross-holdings)

 

Portfolio managers, investment analysts, portfolio specialists and certain investment specialists will be asked to disclose securities they own both personally and professionally on a quarterly basis. Analysts will also be required to disclose securities they hold personally that are within their research coverage or could be eligible for recommendation by the analyst professionally in the future in light of current research coverage areas. This disclosure will be reviewed by the Code of Ethics Team and may also be reviewed by various Capital committees.

If disclosure has not already been made to the Personal Investing Committee, any associate who is in a position to recommend a security that the associate owns personally for purchase or sale in a fund or client account should first disclose such personal ownership either in writing (in a company write-up) or verbally (when discussing the company at investment meetings) prior to making a recommendation. This disclosure requirement is consistent with both the CFA Institute standards as well as the ICI Advisory Group Guidelines .

 

In addition, portfolio managers, investment analysts, portfolio specialists and certain investment specialists are encouraged to notify investment/portfolio/fixed-income control of personal ownership of securities when placing an order (especially with respect to a first-time purchase).

 

Blackout periods

 

Investment Professionals may not buy or sell a security during a period beginning seven calendar days before and ending seven calendar days after a fund or client account transacts in that issuer. The blackout period applies to trades in the same management company with which the associate is affiliated. In addition, in instances where the fund or client accounts are active in fixed income assets, the blackout period will apply across all management companies, regardless of the management company with which the associate is affiliated.

 

If a fund or client account transaction takes place in the seven calendar days following a precleared transaction by an Investment Professional, the personal transaction may be reviewed by the Personal Investing Committee to determine the appropriate action, if any. For example, the Personal Investing Committee may recommend the associate be subject to a price adjustment to ensure that the associate has not received a better price than the fund or client account.

 

Ban on short-term trading

 

Investment Professionals are generally prohibited from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of a security within 60 calendar days. This restriction applies to securities subject to preclearance and the investment vehicles listed below. However, if a situation arises whereby the associate is attempting to take a tax loss, an exception may be made. This restriction applies to the purchase of an option and the sale of an option, or the purchase of an option and the exercise of the option and sale of shares within 60 days. Although the associate may be granted preclearance at the time the option is purchased, there is a risk of being denied permission to sell the option or exercise and sell the underlying security. Accordingly, transactions in options on individual securities are strongly discouraged.

 

Additionally, this ban applies to the following investment vehicles based on indices listed on certain broad-based indices:

· ETFs
· ETF options and futures
· Index futures

 

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

 

Investment Professionals must preclear ETFs (including UCITS, SICAVs, OEICs, FCPs, Unit Trusts and Publikumsfonds) except those based on certain broad-based indices. Investment Professionals are prohibited from investing in short ETFs based on certain broad-based indices.

 

Although Investment Professionals may invest in ETFs based on indices listed on Appendix A without preclearance, the ban on short-term trading still applies.

 

Penalties for violating the Personal Investing Policy

 

Covered Associates may be subject to penalties for violating the Personal Investing Policy including failing to preclear, report, submit statements and/or failing to submit timely initial, quarterly and annual certification forms. Failure to adhere to the Personal Investing Policy could also result in disciplinary action, including termination.

 

Personal Investing Committee

 

The Personal Investing Committee oversees the administration of the Policy. Among other duties, the Committee considers certain types of preclearance requests as well as requests for exceptions to the Policy.

 

Questions regarding the Personal Investing Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

* * * * *

 

 

 

Questions regarding the Code of Ethics may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team .

 

 

 
 

 

 

[Logo – American Funds®]

 

 

The following is representative of the Code of Ethics in effect for each Fund:

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

With respect to non-affiliated Board members and all other access persons to the extent that they are not covered by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. policies:

 

 

  · 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 engage in excessive trading of shares of the fund or any other affiliated fund to take advantage of short-term market movements.

 

  · 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.

 

* * * *

 

In addition, the Fund has adopted the following standards in accordance with the requirements of Form N-CSR adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for the purpose of deterring wrongdoing and promoting: 1) honest and ethical conduct, including handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; 2) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a fund files with or submits to the Commission and in other public communications made by the fund; 3) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; 4) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Ethics; and 5) accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics. These provisions shall apply to the principal executive officer or chief executive officer and treasurer (“Covered Officers”) of the Fund.

 

 

  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:

 

  · Acting with integrity;
  · Adhering to a high standard of business ethics; and
  · Not using personal influence or personal relationships to improperly influence investment decisions or financial reporting whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund.

 

  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.

 

  · Covered Officers should familiarize themselves with disclosure requirements applicable to the Fund and disclosure controls and procedures in place to meet these requirements; and
  · Covered Officers must not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent facts about the Fund to others, including the Fund’s auditors, independent directors, governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.

 

  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.