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 (October 1, 2005, through March 31, 2006).
The first line of each 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. There are some account fees that are charged to certain types of accounts, such as Individual Retirement Accounts and CollegeAmerica 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 and Class 529-F 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 also be lower by the amount of these fees.
The second line of each 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. There are some account fees that are charged to certain types of accounts, such as Individual Retirement Accounts and CollegeAmerica 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 and Class 529-F 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 on the previous page. In addition, your ending account value would also be lower by the amount of these fees.
Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line of each 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.
* Expenses 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 (182), and divided by 365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
Approval of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement
The fund’s board has approved the fund’s amended Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “agreement”) with Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”) for an additional one-year term through December 31, 2006. The board approved the agreement following the recommendation of the fund’s Contracts Committee (the “committee”), which is composed of all of the fund’s independent board members. The information, material factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the committee’s recommendation and the board’s subsequent approval are described below.
1. Information reviewed
Materials reviewed
During the course of each year, board members review a wide variety of materials relating to the services provided by CRMC, including reports on the fund’s investment results; portfolio composition; portfolio trading practices; shareholder services; and other information relating to the nature, extent and quality of services provided by CRMC to the fund. In addition, the committee requests and reviews supplementary information that includes extensive materials regarding the fund’s investment results, advisory fee and expense comparisons, financial and profitability information regarding CRMC, descriptions of various functions such as compliance monitoring and portfolio trading practices, and information about the personnel providing investment management and administrative services to the fund.
Review process
The committee received assistance and advice regarding legal and industry standards from independent counsel to the board. The committee discussed the approval of the agreement with CRMC representatives and in a private session with counsel at which no representatives of CRMC were present. In deciding to recommend the approval of the agreement, the committee did not identify any single issue or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor. This summary describes the most important, but not all, of the factors considered by the board and the committee.
2. Nature, extent and quality of services
CRMC, its personnel and its resources
The board and the committee 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 ability of its organizational structure to address the recent growth in assets under management. The board and the committee also considered that CRMC made available to its investment professionals a variety of resources and systems relating to investment management, compliance, trading, investment results and portfolio accounting. They considered CRMC’s commitment to investing in information technology supporting investment management and compliance. They further considered CRMC’s continuing need to attract and retain qualified personnel and to maintain and enhance its resources and systems. The board and the committee also considered the benefits to fund shareholders from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds offering a variety of investment objectives.
Other services
The board and the committee considered CRMC’s policies, procedures and systems designed to comply with applicable laws and regulations and its commitment to compliance; its efforts to keep board members informed; and its attention to matters that may involve potential conflicts of interest with the fund. The board and the committee also considered the nature, extent, quality and cost of administrative, distribution and shareholder services provided by CRMC to the fund under the agreement and other agreements, including the information technology, legal and fund accounting and treasury functions.
3. Investment results
The board and the committee considered the fund’s investment results in light of its primary objective of providing long-term growth of capital and secondary objective of future income. They also considered information regarding the selection of indexes and funds comparable to the fund. The board and the committee reviewed the fund’s absolute investment results, as well as the fund’s relative investment results measured against: (i) the Lipper Global Funds Index (the Lipper category that includes the fund), (ii) the MSCI USA Index, (iii) the MSCI World Index and (iv) a comparison group of the other funds in the Lipper Global Funds Index as of July 31, 2005. The board and the committee noted that for the five- and 10-year periods ended July 31, 2005, the fund’s investment results significantly exceeded those of all indexes and the average and median results of the comparison group, and were among the best in the group. The board and the committee also considered the volatility of the fund’s results as well as the investment risks assumed by the fund relative to comparable market indexes and funds.
4. Advisory fees and total expenses
The board and the committee reviewed the advisory fees and total expenses of the fund (each as a percentage of average net assets) and compared such amounts with the median fee and expense levels of other funds in the Lipper Global Funds Index as well as a comparison group of the other funds in the Lipper Global Funds Index. The board and the committee observed that the fund’s advisory fees and total expenses (each as a percentage of average net assets) were among the lowest of all 27 funds in that comparison group (with the second lowest ratio of total operating expenses to average net assets, not including 12b-1 expenses). The board and the committee also noted the 5% advisory fee waiver that CRMC put into effect September 1, 2004, which was increased to 10% on April 1, 2005.
The board and the committee also reviewed information and materials regarding the advisory fees paid by institutional clients of an affiliate of CRMC with similar investment mandates. They noted that, although the fees paid by those clients generally were lower than those paid by the American Funds, these differences reflected the significant investment, operational and regulatory differences between advising mutual funds and institutional clients.
5. Adviser financial information
The board and the committee reviewed information regarding CRMC’s costs of providing services to the American Funds, as well as the resulting level of profits to CRMC, comparing those to the reported results of several large, publicly held investment management companies. The committee also received information during the past year regarding the structure and manner in which CRMC’s investment professionals were compensated and CRMC’s view of the relationship of such compensation to the attraction and retention of quality personnel. The board and the committee considered CRMC’s willingness to invest in technology, infrastructure and staff to reinforce and offer new services and to accommodate changing regulatory requirements. They further considered that breakpoint discounts in the fund’s advisory fee structure reduce the level of fees charged by CRMC to the fund as fund assets increase. They also considered the impact of the current 10% advisory fee waiver.
6. Ancillary benefits
The board and the committee considered a variety of other benefits received by CRMC and its affiliates as a result of CRMC’s 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 and the committee reviewed CRMC’s portfolio trading practices, noting that while CRMC receives 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.
7. Conclusions
Based on their review, including their consideration of each of the factors referred to above, the board and the committee concluded that the agreement is fair and reasonable to the fund and its shareholders and that the fund’s shareholders receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund. The board and the committee concluded that the nature, extent and quality of services provided by CRMC, including its investment record, the fund’s cost structure and low level of fees, benefit and are in the best interests of the fund and, along with the consideration of other factors, support approval of the agreement.
Offices of the fund and of
the investment adviser
Capital Research and
Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406
135 South State College Boulevard
Brea, CA 92821-5823
Principal underwriter
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406
Transfer agent for
shareholder accounts
American Funds Service Company
(Please write to the address nearest you.)
P.O. Box 25065
Santa Ana, CA 92799-5065
P.O. Box 659522
San Antonio, TX 78265-9522
P.O. Box 6007
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6007
P.O. Box 2280
Norfolk, VA 23501-2280
Custodian of assets
JPMorgan Chase Bank
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017-2070
Counsel
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart
Nicholson Graham LLP
Four Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111-4121
Independent registered
public accounting firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
350 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2889
There are several ways to invest in New Perspective Fund. Class A shares are subject to a 5.75% maximum up-front sales charge that declines for accounts (and aggregated investments) of $25,000 or more and is eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more. Other share classes, which are generally not available for certain employer-sponsored retirement plans, have no up-front sales charges but are subject to additional annual expenses and fees. Annualized expenses for Class B shares were 0.77 percentage points higher than for Class A shares; Class B shares convert to Class A shares after eight years of ownership. If redeemed within six years, Class B shares may also be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of up to 5% that declines over time. Class C shares were subject to annualized expenses 0.84 percentage points higher than those for Class A shares and a 1% CDSC if redeemed within the first year after purchase. Class C shares convert to Class F shares after 10 years. Class F shares, which are available only through certain fee-based programs offered by broker-dealer firms and registered investment advisers, had the same annualized expenses as did Class A shares, and an annual asset-based fee charged by the sponsoring firm. Expenses are deducted from income earned by the fund. As a result, dividends and investment results will differ for each share class.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the American Funds. This and other important information is contained in the fund’s prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial adviser and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at 800/421-0180 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.
“American Funds Proxy Voting Guidelines” — which describes how we vote proxies relating to portfolio securities — is available free of charge on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) website at sec.gov, on the American Funds website or upon request by calling AFS. The fund files its proxy voting record with the SEC for the 12 months ended June 30 by August 31. The report also is available on the SEC and American Funds websites.
A complete March 31, 2006, portfolio of New Perspective Fund’s investments is available free of charge by calling AFS or visiting the SEC website (where it is part of Form N-CSR).
New Perspective 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. (800/SEC-0330). Additionally, the list of portfolio holdings also is available by calling AFS.
This report is for the information of shareholders of New Perspective Fund, but it may also be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus, which gives details about charges, expenses, investment objectives and operating policies of the fund. If used as sales material after June 30, 2006, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.
The right choice for the long term®
What makes American Funds different?
For nearly 75 years, we have followed a consistent philosophy that we firmly believe is in our investors’ best interests. The range of opportunities offered by our family of just 29 carefully conceived, broadly diversified funds has attracted over 35 million shareholder accounts.
Our unique combination of strengths includes these five factors:
• A long-term, value-oriented approach
We buy stocks and bonds of well-managed companies at reasonable prices and hold them for the long term.
• An extensive global research effort
American Funds investment professionals search the world to gain a comprehensive understanding of companies and markets.
• The multiple portfolio counselor system
Our unique method of portfolio management, developed nearly 50 years ago, blends teamwork with individual accountability and has provided American Funds with a sustainable method of achieving fund objectives.
• Experienced investment professionals
American Funds portfolio counselors have an average of 23 years of investment experience, providing a wealth of knowledge and experience that few organizations have.
• A commitment to low operating expenses
The American Funds provide exceptional value for shareholders, with operating expenses that are among the lowest in the mutual fund industry.
29 mutual funds, consistent philosophy, consistent results
• Growth funds
AMCAP Fund®
EuroPacific Growth Fund®
The Growth Fund of America®
The New Economy Fund®
> New Perspective Fund®
New World FundSM
SMALLCAP World Fund®
• Growth-and-income funds
American Mutual Fund®
Capital World Growth and Income FundSM
Fundamental InvestorsSM
The Investment Company of America®
Washington Mutual Investors FundSM
• Equity-income funds
Capital Income Builder®
The Income Fund of America®
• Balanced fund
American Balanced Fund®
• Bond funds
American High-Income TrustSM
The Bond Fund of AmericaSM
Capital World Bond Fund®
Intermediate Bond Fund of America®
U.S. Government Securities FundSM
• Tax-exempt bond funds
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund®
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of AmericaSM
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America®
State-specific tax-exempt funds
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California®
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland®
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia®
• Money market funds
The Cash Management Trust of America®
The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of AmericaSM
The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of AmericaSM
The Capital Group Companies
American Funds Capital Research and Management Capital International Capital Guardian Capital Bank and Trust
Lit. No. MFGESR-907-0506P
Litho in USA DD/LPT/8092-S4907
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