American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund - Class F-1 (BFIFX) N-CSRS Certified semi-annual shareholder report (management investment company)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

Certified Shareholder Report of

Registered Management Investment Companies

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-22746

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

6455 Irvine Center Drive

Irvine, California 92618

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (949) 975-5000

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2013

Courtney R. Taylor

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

6455 Irvine Center Drive

Irvine, California 92618

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

Copies to:

Michael Glazer

Bingham McCutchen LLP

355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Counsel for the Registrant)

ITEM 1 – Reports to Stockholders

From Capital Group

American Funds Inflation

Linked Bond Fund^SM

 

Semi-annual report for the period ended May 31, 2013

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund seeks to provide inflation protection and income consistent with investment in inflation linked securities.

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

Fund results shown in this report, unless otherwise indicated, are for Class A shares at net asset value. If a sales charge (maximum 2.50%) had been deducted, the results would have been lower. Results are for past periods and are not predictive of results for future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.

Here is the cumulative total return on a $1,000 investment with all distributions reinvested for the period ended June 30, 2013 (the most recent calendar quarter-end):

Class A shares	Lifetime (since 12/14/12)
Reflecting 2.50% maximum sales charge	–10.04%

The fund’s estimated gross expense ratio for Class A shares is 0.92% for the current fiscal year.

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The investment adviser is currently reimbursing a portion of certain expenses. Investment results and net expense ratios shown reflect the reimbursements, without which the results would have been lower and the expenses would have been higher. The fund expects the reimbursement, which can only be modified or terminated with the approval of the fund’s board of trustees, will be in effect through at least January 31, 2014. Refer to the fund’s most recent prospectus for details.

The return of principal for bond funds and for funds with significant underlying bond holdings is not guaranteed. Fund shares are subject to the same interest rate, inflation and credit risks associated with the underlying bond holdings. The values of inflation linked bonds generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates. Inflation linked bonds may experience greater losses than other debt securities with similar durations. There can be no assurance that the value of inflation linked securities will be directly correlated to changes in interest rates. Refer to the fund prospectus and the Risk Factors section of this report for more information on these and other risks associated with investing in the fund.

Fellow investors:

We welcome the opportunity to present to you the first shareholder report for American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund. This fund’s investment approach is designed to preserve purchasing power, mostly through investment in inflation linked bonds.

For the period from its inception on December 14, 2012, through May 31, 2013, the fund produced a total return of –3.7%. By way of comparison, the unmanaged Barclays U.S.Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) Index returned –4.5%, while the Lipper Inflation Protected Bond Funds Average — a peer group measure — returned –4.0%.

At the end of the period, 83.3% of the fund’s portfolio was invested in inflation-linked government bonds — mostly U.S. TIPS. Issued by the U.S. Treasury, the values of TIPS are directly linked to the U.S. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. Other fund investments included corporate floating-rate notes — issues that pay bond investors a variable interest rate.

Total returns for higher quality U.S. bonds were generally negative as, for the most part, U.S.Treasury yields (which move inversely to prices) rose. Meanwhile, low inflation and muted expectations of future inflation levels tempered demand for U.S. TIPS among investors. Against this backdrop, total returns for U.S. TIPS significantly lagged those of “nominal” (that is, standard, non–inflation linked) Treasuries over the period.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 1

The fund’s investment professionals have a fairly positive outlook in terms of the return potential of U.S. TIPS over the medium term. For much of the recent period, real yields have been trending upward and, in our view, certain TIPS have begun to look more attractively valued (relative to Treasuries of similar maturity). We are also mindful of the Federal Reserve’s indication that a 2% inflation rate would be consistent with its Congress-mandated dual goals of full employment and stable prices.

We look forward to reporting to you again in six months.

Cordially,

 

David A. Hoag

President

July 16, 2013

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

The fund’s 30-day yield for Class A shares as of June 30, 2013, reflecting the 2.50% maximum sales charge and calculated in accordance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission formula, was –0.27%.

2 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

Investment portfolio May 31, 2013 unaudited

Investment mix by security type Percent of net assets

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments — 89.09%	Principal amount (000)		Value (000)		Percent of net assets
U.S. Treasury inflation-protected securities1 — 83.26%
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.50% 2015	$	1,504	$	1,548
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 1.625% 2015		609		636
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.125% 2017		687		716
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.125% 2018		3,574		3,754		83.26	%
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.625% 2021		3,769		4,097
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.125% 2023		3,328		3,400
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 2.00% 2026		3,518		4,317
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.625% 2043		1,721		1,579
				20,047		83.26
Financials — 2.91%
Toyota Motor Credit Corp. 0.564% 20162		400		400		1.66
American Express Co. 0.863% 20182		300		301		1.25
				701		2.91
Materials — 1.67%
Glencore Xstrata LLC 1.574% 20192,3		400		401		1.67
Health care — 1.25%
Pfizer Inc. 0.596% 20182		300		301		1.25
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $22,181,000)				21,450		89.09

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 3

Short-term securities — 11.62%	Principal amount (000)		Value (000)			Percent of net assets
Federal Farm Credit Banks 0.10% due 1/10/2014	$	2,800	$	2,798			11.62	%
Total short-term securities (cost: $2,798,000)				2,798			11.62
Total investment securities (cost: $24,979,000)				24,248			100.71
Other assets less liabilities				(171	)		(.71	)
Net assets			$	24,077			100.00	%

1	Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.
2	Coupon rate may change periodically.
3	Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A 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 $401,000, which represented 1.67% of the net assets of the fund.
See Notes to Financial Statements

4 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

Financial statements

Statement of assets and liabilities	unaudited
at May 31, 2013	(dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Investment securities, at value (cost: $24,979)				$	24,248
Cash					93
Receivables for interest					45
					24,386
Liabilities:
Payables for:
Purchases of investments	$	300
Investment advisory services		8
Services provided by related parties		—	*
Other		1			309
Net assets at May 31, 2013				$	24,077
Net assets consist of:
Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest				$	25,000
Accumulated net investment loss					(87	)
Accumulated net realized loss					(105	)
Net unrealized depreciation					(731	)
Net assets at May 31, 2013				$	24,077

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

Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) —

unlimited shares authorized (2,500 total shares outstanding)

	Net assets		Shares  outstanding		Net asset value  per share
Class A	$	24,077		2,500	$	9.63

*Amount less than one thousand.

See Notes to Financial Statements

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 5

Statement of operations		unaudited
for the period December 14, 20121 to May 31, 2013	(dollars in thousands)
Investment loss:
Loss:
Amortization				$	38
Fees and expenses2:
Investment advisory services	$	41
Administrative services		1
Registration statement and prospectus		9
Auditing and legal		1
Custodian		—	3
Other		11
Total fees and expenses before reimbursement		63
Less reimbursement of fees and expenses		14
Total fees and expenses after reimbursement					49
Net investment loss					(87	)
Net realized loss and unrealized depreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency:
Net realized (loss) gain on:
Investments		(125	)
Forward currency contracts		25
Currency transactions		(5	)		(105	)
Net unrealized depreciation on investments					(731	)
Net realized loss and unrealized depreciation on investments, forward currency contracts and currency					(836	)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations				$	(923	)

1	Commencement of operations.
2	Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the Notes to Financial Statements.
3	Amount less than one thousand.
See Notes to Financial Statements

6 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

Statement of changes in net assets	unaudited
for the period ended December 14, 2012* to May 31, 2013	(dollars in thousands)

Operations:
Net investment loss	$	(87	)
Net realized loss on investments, forward currency contracts and currency transactions		(105	)
Net unrealized depreciation on investments		(731	)
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations		(923	)
Net capital share transactions		25,000
Total increase in net assets		24,077
Net assets:
Beginning of period		—
End of period (including accumulated net investment loss: $(87))	$	24,077

*Commencement of operations.

See Notes to Financial Statements

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 7

Notes to financial statements unaudited

1. Organization

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (the “fund”) was organized on May 25, 2012, as a Delaware statutory trust. On December 6, 2012, the fund obtained its initial capitalization of $100,000 from the sale of 10,000 Class A shares of beneficial interest to Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”), the fund’s investment adviser. Operations commenced on December 14, 2012, upon the initial purchase of investment securities. The fund’s fiscal year ends on November 30. The fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks to provide inflation protection and income consistent with investment in inflation linked securities.

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

Share class	Initial sales charge	Contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption	Conversion feature
Classes A and 529-A	Up to 2.50%	None (except 1% for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)	None
Classes B and 529-B*	None	Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase	Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years
Class C	None	1% for redemptions within one year of purchase	Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years
Class 529-C	None	1% for redemptions within one year of purchase	None
Class 529-E	None	None	None
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1	None	None	None
Classes R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6	None	None	None

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

8 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

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

2. Significant accounting policies

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

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

Class allocations — Income, fees and expenses (other than class-specific fees and expenses) 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, administrative and shareholder 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. On the accompanying financial statements, 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. 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.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 9

3. Valuation

CRMC values the fund’s investments at fair value as defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The net asset value of each share class of the fund is generally determined as of approximately 4:00 p.m. New York time each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.

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

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

Fixed-income class	Examples of standard inputs
All	Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference  data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
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 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.

Short-term securities purchased within 60 days to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The value of short-term securities originally purchased with maturities greater than 60 days is determined based on an amortized value to par when they reach 60 days.

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the fund’s investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under fair valuation guidelines adopted by authority of the fund’s board of trustees as further described below. The investment adviser follows fair valuation guidelines, consistent with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and

10 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

guidance, to consider relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. The investment adviser considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

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

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

Classifications — The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market. At May 31, 2013, all of the fund’s investment securities were classified as Level 2.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 11

4. Risk factors

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

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

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

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

Investing in inflation linked bonds — The values of inflation linked bonds generally fluctuate in response to changes in real interest rates, or the rates of interest one expects to receive after factoring in inflation. A rise in real interest rates may cause the prices of inflation linked securities to fall, while a decline in real interest rates may cause the prices to increase. Inflation linked bonds may experience greater losses than other debt securities with similar durations when real interest rates rise faster than nominal interest rates. There can be no assurance that the value of inflation linked securities will be directly correlated to changes in interest rates; for example, if interest rates rise for reasons other than inflation, the increase may not be reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

Investing in inflation linked bonds may also mean that during periods of extreme deflation, the fund may have reduced income to distribute. If prices for goods and services decline throughout the economy, the principal and income on inflation linked securities may decline and result in losses to the fund.

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

12 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

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

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 based on the applicable exchange rates 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. As of May 31, 2013, the fund did not have any open forward currency contracts.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 13

Collateral — To reduce the risk to counterparties of forward currency contracts, the fund has entered into a collateral program with certain counterparties. 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.

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 May 31, 2013, 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 and state tax authorities for tax years before 2012, the year the fund commenced operations.

Non-U.S. taxation — Interest income is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid.

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

As of May 31, 2013, the tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities	$	—
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities		(836	)
Net unrealized depreciation on investment securities		(836	)
Cost of investment securities		25,084

No distributions were paid to shareholders during the period ended May 31, 2013.

14 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

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 an annual rate of 0.360% of average daily net assets. For the period ended May 31, 2013, the investment advisory services fee was $41,000.

CRMC has agreed to reimburse a portion of the fees and expenses of the fund during its startup period. This reimbursement may be adjusted or discontinued by CRMC, subject to any restrictions in the fund’s prospectus. For the period ended May 31, 2013, total fees and expenses reimbursed by CRMC were $14,000. Fees and expenses in the statement of operations are presented gross of any reimbursements from CRMC.

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

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

For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.30% is not exceeded. As of May 31, 2013, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 15

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

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

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

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

For the period ended May 31, 2013, 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		$—		$—		$1	Not applicable
Total class-specific expenses		$—		$—		$1	Not applicable

16 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

Trustees’ deferred compensation — Trustees who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. The fund did not incur any expenses for trustees’ compensation during the period ended May 31, 2013.

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

8. Capital share transactions

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

					Reinvestments
	Sales				of dividends				Repurchases				Net increase
Share class	Amount		Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Shares
For the period December 14, 2012* to May 31, 2013
Class A	$	25,000		2,500	$	—		—	$	—		—	$	25,000		2,500
Total net increase	$	25,000		2,500	$	—		—	$	—		—	$	25,000		2,500

* Commencement of operations.

9. Investment transactions and other disclosures

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $3,394,000 and $1,998,000, respectively, during the period ended May 31, 2013.

CRMC has agreed to bear all offering and organizational expenses of the fund. The offering costs include state and SEC registration fees. Organizational costs include administrative and legal fees. The total amount of offering and organizational expenses borne by CRMC was $20,000. These expenses are not included in the accompanying financial statements.

10. Ownership concentration

At May 31, 2013, CRMC held 100% of the fund’s outstanding shares. The ownership represents the seed money invested in the fund when it began operations on December 14, 2012.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 17

Financial highlights

			Loss from investment operations1
	Net asset value, beginning of period		Net investment loss			Net losses on securities (both realized and unrealized)			Total from investment operations
Class A:
Period from 12/14/20124 to 5/31/20135	$	10.00	$	(.03	)	$	(.34	)	$	(.37	)

	For the period 12/14/20124 to 5/31/20135
Portfolio turnover rate	269%

1	Based on average shares outstanding.
2	Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
3	This column reflects the impact of certain reimbursements from CRMC. During the period shown, CRMC reimbursed other fees and expenses.
4	Commencement of operations.
5	Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.

See Notes to Financial Statements

18 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

Dividends (from net investment income)		Net asset value, end of period		Total return2,3			Net assets, end of period (in thousands)		Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements			Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements3			Ratio of net loss to average net assets3
$	—	$	9.63		(3.70	)%	$	24,077		.25	%		.20	%		(.35	)%

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 19

Expense example unaudited

As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as initial sales charges on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions (loads), and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period.

Actual expenses:

The first line of the share class in the table on the next page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled “Expenses paid during period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical example for comparison purposes:

The second line of the share class in the table on the next page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio for the share class and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of the share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5.00% hypothetical example with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Notes:

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

20 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

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

			Ending		Expenses		Annualized
	Beginning		account value		paid during		expense
	account value		5/31/2013		period		ratio
Class A — actual return	$	1,000.00	$	963.00	$	1.94		.43	%
Class A — assumed 5% return		1,000.00		1,022.79		2.17		.43

The “expenses paid during period” are equal to the “annualized expense ratio,” multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period, and divided by 365 (to reflect the current period).

The period for the “annualized expense ratio” and “actual return” line is based on the number of days since the initial sale of the share class on December 14, 2012. The “assumed 5% return” line is based on 182 days.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 21

Approval of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement

The fund’s board has approved the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “agreement”) with Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”) for an initial term through March 31, 2014. The board determined that the fund’s proposed advisory fee structure was fair and reasonable in relation to the services proposed to be provided and that approving the agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

In reaching this decision, the board took into account information furnished to them throughout the year in connection with their service on boards of other American Funds, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with their review of the agreement, and were advised by their independent counsel. The board considered the factors discussed below, among others, but did not identify any single issue or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor.

1. Nature, extent and quality of services

The board considered the depth and quality of CRMC’s investment management process, including its global research capabilities; the experience, capability and integrity of its senior management and other personnel; the low turnover rates of its key personnel; the overall financial strength and stability of its organization; and the ongoing evolution of CRMC’s organizational structure designed to maintain and strengthen these qualities. The board also considered the nature, extent and quality of administrative, compliance and shareholder services that would be provided by CRMC to the fund under the agreement and other agreements, as well as the benefits to fund shareholders from investing in funds that are part of a large family of funds. The board concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by CRMC would benefit the fund and its shareholders.

2. Investment results

The board considered the manner in which CRMC proposed to manage the fund in light of its investment objective of providing, over the long term, a high level of total return largely comprised of current income. It also considered the proposed investment policies and restrictions of the fund and CRMC’s experience in managing similar funds. The board concluded that CRMC’s record indicated that its management of the fund should benefit the fund and its shareholders.

3. Advisory fees and total expenses

The board reviewed the proposed advisory fee schedule and projected total expenses of the fund compared to those of other relevant funds. They observed that the fund’s proposed advisory fees were at the median levels of other inflation-protected funds and that although its projected total expenses were slightly higher than the median levels of such funds, such expenses (less distribution expenses) were at the median levels. In addition, the board reviewed information regarding the advisory fees paid by clients of an affiliate of CRMC. It noted that, to the extent there were differences between the advisory

22 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

fee schedule for the fund and the advisory fees paid by those clients, the differences appropriately reflected the investment, operational and regulatory differences between advising the fund and the other clients. The board took into account the fund’s projected total cost structure and concluded that it would be fair and reasonable in relation to the services that CRMC proposed to provide, and that the shareholders would receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund.

4. Ancillary benefits

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

5. Adviser financial information

The board noted that it had previously reviewed information regarding CRMC’s costs of providing services to the American Funds, including personnel, systems and resources of investment, compliance, trading, accounting and other administrative operations. It considered CRMC’s costs and willingness to invest in technology, infrastructure and staff to maintain and expand services and capabilities, respond to industry and regulatory developments, and attract and retain qualified personnel. It noted information regarding the compensation structure for CRMC’s investment professionals. The board also compared CRMC’s profitability to the reported results of several large, publicly held investment management companies. The board noted the competitiveness and cyclicality of both the mutual fund industry and the capital markets, and the importance in that environment of CRMC’s long-term profitability for maintaining its independence, company culture and management continuity. The board concluded that the fund’s advisory fee structure reflected a reasonable sharing of benefits between CRMC and the fund’s shareholders.

American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund 23

Offices

Offices of the fund and of the investment adviser
Capital Research and Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618

Transfer agent for shareholder accounts
American Funds Service Company
(Write to the address near you.)

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

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

Custodian of assets
Bank of New York Mellon
One Wall Street
New York, NY 10286

Counsel
Bingham McCutchen LLP
355 South Grand Avenue, Suite 4400
Los Angeles, CA 90071-3106

Independent registered public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
601 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017-3874

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

24 American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at (800) 421-4225 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.

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

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

This report is for the information of shareholders of American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund, but it also may be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus or summary prospectus, which gives details about charges, expenses, investment objectives and operating policies of the fund. If used as sales material after September 30, 2013, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.

The American Funds Advantage

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

Aligned with investor success

We base our decisions on a long-term perspective, which we believe aligns our goals with the interests of our clients. Our portfolio managers average 25 years of investment experience, including 20 years at our company, reflecting a career commitment to our long-term approach.¹

The Capital System^SM

Our investment process, The Capital System, combines individual accountability with teamwork. Each fund is divided into portions that are managed independently by investment professionals with diverse backgrounds, ages and investment approaches. An extensive global research effort is the backbone of our system.

Superior long-term track record

Our equity funds have beaten their Lipper peer indexes in 90% of 10-year periods and 96% of 20-year periods. Our fixed-income funds have beaten their Lipper indexes in 58% of 10-year periods and 63% of 20-year periods.² Our fund management fees have been among the lowest in the industry.³

1	Portfolio manager experience as of December 31, 2012.
2	Based on Class A share results for rolling periods through December 31, 2012. Periods covered are the shorter of the fund’s lifetime or since the comparable Lipper index inception date.
3	Based on management fees for the 20-year period ended December 31, 2012, versus comparable Lipper categories, excluding funds of funds.

	American Funds span a range of investment objectives
¢	Growth funds
	AMCAP Fund®
	EuroPacific Growth Fund®
	The Growth Fund of America®
	The New Economy Fund®
	New Perspective Fund®
	New World Fund®
	SMALLCAP World Fund®
¢	Growth-and-income funds
	American Mutual Fund®
	Capital World Growth and Income Fund®
	Fundamental Investors®
	International Growth and Income FundSM
	The Investment Company of America®
	Washington Mutual Investors FundSM
¢	Equity-income funds
	Capital Income Builder®
	The Income Fund of America®
¢	Balanced funds
	American Balanced Fund®
	American Funds Global Balanced FundSM
¢	Bond funds
	American Funds Mortgage Fund®
	American High-Income Trust®
	The Bond Fund of America® Capital World Bond Fund®
	Intermediate Bond Fund of America®
	Short-Term Bond Fund of America®
	U.S. Government Securities Fund®
¢	Tax-exempt bond funds
	American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund®
	American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund®
	Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America®
	The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America®
	State-specific tax-exempt funds
	American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York®
	The Tax-Exempt Fund of California®
	The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland®
	The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia®
¢	Money market fund
	American Funds Money Market Fund®
¢	American Funds Portfolio SeriesSM
	American Funds Global Growth PortfolioSM
	American Funds Growth PortfolioSM
	American Funds Growth and Income PortfolioSM
	American Funds Balanced PortfolioSM
	American Funds Income PortfolioSM
	American Funds Tax-Advantaged Income PortfolioSM
	American Funds Preservation PortfolioSM
	American Funds Tax-Exempt Preservation PortfolioSM
¢	American Funds Target Date Retirement Series®
¢	American Funds College Target Date SeriesSM

Lit. No. MFGESRX-060-07130   CT/10280-S38372

ITEM 2 – Code of Ethics

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.

ITEM 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.

ITEM 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.

ITEM 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

ITEM 6 – Schedule of Investments

Not applicable insofar as the schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

ITEM 11 – Controls and Procedures

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

ITEM 12 – Exhibits

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

SIGNATURES

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

AMERICAN FUNDS INFLATION LINKED BOND FUND

By /s/ David A. Hoag

David A. Hoag, President and

Principal Executive Officer

Date: July 31, 2013

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

By /s/ David A. Hoag

David A. Hoag, President and

Principal Executive Officer

Date: July 31, 2013

By /s/ Karl C. Grauman

Karl C. Grauman, Treasurer and

Principal Financial Officer

Date: July 31, 2013