Washington, D.C. 20549
Vincent P. Corti
Mark D. Perlow
[logo - American Funds®]
The right choice for the long term®
EuroPacific Growth Fund
[photo of people walking in Sergel's Torg (Sergel's Square) in Stockholm, Sweden]
Semi-annual report for the six months ended September 30, 2009
EuroPacific Growth Fund® seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in the securities of companies based in Europe and the Pacific Basin. More than half of the world’s investment opportunities can be found beyond the borders of our country. As a shareholder in the fund, you have access to what we believe are the best of those opportunities.
This fund is one of the 30 American Funds. American Funds is one of the nation’s largest mutual fund families. For nearly 80 years, Capital Research and Management Company,SM the American Funds adviser, 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 5.75%) 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. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.
Here are the average annual total returns on a $1,000 investment with all distributions reinvested for periods ended September 30, 2009: |
| | | | | | | | | |
Class A shares | | 1 year | | | 5 years | | | 10 years | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Reflecting 5.75% maximum sales charge | | | 2.34 | % | | | 8.51 | % | | | 5.42 | % |
The total annual fund operating expense ratio was 0.88% for Class A shares for the 12 months ended September 30, 2009. Note that the expense ratio shown above differs from those shown in the Financial Highlights table on pages 26 to 31 and the Expense Example on pages 32 to 34, which are annualized for the six-month period ended September 30, 2009.
Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its management fees from September 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008. Fund results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. See the Financial Highlights table on pages 26 to 31 for details.
Results for other share classes can be found on page 35.
Equity investments are subject to market fluctuations. Investing outside the United States may be subject to risks, such as currency fluctuations and political instability. See the prospectus and the Risk Factors section of this report for more information on these and other risks associated with investing in the fund.
Fellow shareholders:
[photo of people walking in Sergel's Torg (Sergel's Square) in Stockholm, Sweden]
When EuroPacific Growth Fund’s fiscal year began in April, the panic of the previous year’s financial distress was ebbing and world markets were beginning to recover from one of the most turbulent periods in market history. Fears brought on by the steep market decline and credit contraction contributed to the sharpest drop in global activity and trade in decades, and many markets hit bottom in March. Then, as coordinated government intervention reduced uncertainty, markets quickly responded. For the six months ended September 30, 2009, the fund returned 46.2%.
During the period, the unmanaged MSCI All Country World ex USA Index, which measures 44 developed- and developing-country stock markets, returned 53.2%, and the Lipper International Funds Average recorded a 48.1% gain. EuroPacific trailed these returns, but maintained its advantage over its peers over 12 months and the longer term, as shown in the table below. It’s important to keep in mind that the global economic recovery, while encouraging, is inherently fragile, and thus we kept the fund positioned with an eye toward the possibility of renewed turbulence ahead.
[Begin Sidebar]
Results at a glance | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
For periods ended September 30, 2009, with all distributions reinvested | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Total returns | | | Average annual total returns | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | Lifetime | |
| | Six months | | | 1 year | | | 5 years | | | 10 years | | | (since 4/16/84) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EuroPacific Growth Fund | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Class A shares) | | | 46.2 | % | | | 8.6 | % | | | 9.8 | % | | | 6.0 | % | | | 12.3 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
MSCI All Country World ex USA | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Index1,2 | | | 53.2 | | | | 6.4 | | | | 8.6 | | | | 4.5 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lipper International Funds | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average3 | | | 48.1 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 5.9 | | | | 3.6 | | | | 9.7 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
MSCI EAFE Index1 | | | 50.4 | | | | 3.8 | | | | 6.6 | | | | 3.0 | | | | 9.6 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 Indexes are unmanaged. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
2 The index did not exist prior to December 31, 1987. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3 Source: Lipper. Lipper averages do not reflect the effect of sales charges. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
[End Sidebar]
Government intervention
Much of the recent market optimism stemmed from swift and aggressive intervention by governments around the world. The U.S., European nations, Chinese and other governments injected hundreds of billions of dollars to stabilize their economies. They worked to recapitalize some of the troubled banks, including Citigroup and Royal Bank of Scotland, and to spur lending at the large Chinese commercial banks. Central banks reacted quickly with large interest rate cuts and took unconventional measures to inject liquidity into the economies and support lending. These measures were designed to build confidence and reduce volatility and uncertainty in the financial markets.
How the fund responded
EuroPacific focuses on solid companies that offer stable earnings and sustainable cash flows with strong balance sheets. For this reason, health care, telecommunication services and consumer staples companies were well represented in the portfolio. In the run-up to the crisis and during it, we had relatively little exposure to financials. In the past six months, however, we returned to a select group of financial stocks, recognizing that strong companies could be purchased at very low prices compared to our valuation of the worth of those businesses. Our largest holding in this group — at 1.8% of the net assets of the fund — was Banco Santander, which gained 134.5%. Other holdings were smaller but in aggregate added up to 19.6% of the fund’s portfolio at the end of the six-month period. Most of these stocks gained considerably, including Banco Bradesco (+98.9%), Banco do Brasil (+141.2%), BNP Paribas (+94.2%), Bank of China (+58.7%), Société Générale (+105.3%) and State Bank of India (+116.5%).
Health care companies, often regarded as defensive investments in recessions, showed solid returns. The fund’s largest holding, Bayer AG, was up 44.9%; fourth-largest Roche (+18.0%), sixth-largest Novartis (+32.8%) and 10th-largest Novo Nordisk (+30.7%) were also strong. Telecommunication services made up 9.5% of the portfolio, and our largest holding in that sector, América Móvil, returned 61.8%. Telefónica, our seventh-largest security, was up 38.4%. The fund’s other top 10 holdings were Anheuser-Busch InBev (+65.7%), software maker SAP (+37.6%) and Gazprom (+58.3%).
The fund ended the first half of the fiscal year with 5.8% of the portfolio in cash and short-term equivalents, compared to 12.1% at the end of the previous year. This marked shift underscores the level of opportunities for quality companies at attractive stock prices that we uncovered in the period. The weakness in the U.S. dollar helped returns for the fund.
[Begin Sidebar]
Where the fund’s assets are invested (percent invested by country) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
EuroPacific invests primarily in the stocks of companies based in Europe and the Pacific Basin.1 | | | | | | |
| | | | | MSCI | |
| | (9/30/09) | | | (3/31/09) | | | (9/30/09) | |
Europe | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Euro zone3 | | | 34.7 | % | | | 30.0 | % | | | 24.3 | % |
United Kingdom | | | 9.5 | | | | 8.3 | | | | 14.9 | |
Switzerland | | | 8.1 | | | | 8.3 | | | | 5.5 | |
Russia | | | 2.2 | | | | 2.1 | | | | 1.3 | |
Denmark | | | 1.9 | | | | 2.4 | | | | .7 | |
Sweden | | | 1.4 | | | | 1.2 | | | | 1.8 | |
Norway | | | .7 | | | | .7 | | | | .5 | |
Other Europe | | | .6 | | | | .5 | | | | .8 | |
| | | 59.1 | | | | 53.5 | | | | 49.8 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Pacific Basin | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Japan | | | 7.4 | | | | 7.8 | | | | 15.4 | |
China | | | 3.7 | | | | 3.0 | | | | 3.7 | |
Mexico | | | 3.0 | | | | 3.2 | | | | .9 | |
Australia | | | 2.7 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 5.9 | |
Canada | | | 2.5 | | | | 2.4 | | | | 7.1 | |
South Korea | | | 2.1 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 2.9 | |
Taiwan | | | 1.7 | | | | 2.4 | | | | 2.5 | |
Hong Kong | | | 1.2 | | | | 1.9 | | | | 1.7 | |
Indonesia | | | .4 | | | | .3 | | | | .4 | |
Other Pacific Basin | | | 1.1 | | | | 1.1 | | | | 2.0 | |
| | | 25.8 | | | | 25.9 | | | | 42.5 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Brazil | | | 3.4 | | | | 2.7 | | | | 3.3 | |
India | | | 3.0 | | | | 2.8 | | | | 1.6 | |
South Africa | | | 1.5 | | | | 1.2 | | | | 1.5 | |
Israel | | | 1.3 | | | | 1.7 | | | | .6 | |
Other countries | | | .1 | | | | .1 | | | | .7 | |
| | | 9.3 | | | | 8.5 | | | | 7.7 | |
Short-term securities & other | | | | | | | | | | | | |
assets less liabilities | | | 5.8 | | | | 12.1 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
1 A country is considered part of the Pacific Basin if any of its borders touches the Pacific Ocean. | | | | | | | | | |
2 Weighted by market capitalization. | | | | | | | | | | | | |
3 Countries using the euro as a common currency: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia and Spain. |
[End Sidebar]
Looking ahead
The global economy continues to show signs of rebounding, but we are cautious about the sustainability of the pace of growth in some regions. In many ways, the world is a different place than a year ago and we expect the recovery could be full of noise and volatility. Although it is clear that government involvement helped reverse the sharp downtown, the long-term consequences of these actions are unclear. We are watching to see how different countries will unwind their fiscal and monetary policy interventions.
Global markets fell last year in unprecedented coordination across all asset classes; however, the upturn has highlighted the differences among companies and regions and the importance of differentiating among them. We continue to travel to meet with managements, monitor developments in countries around the world, and look to select industry-leading companies with efficient operations and strong financial health. We believe these are the securities that will provide compelling long-term returns. EuroPacific has the resources and dedication to stay focused and a research process that has been the backbone of our shareholders’ success for decades.
We thank you for your conviction in the long-term benefits of our investment philosophy.
Sincerely,
/s/ Gina H. Despres
Gina H. Despres
Vice Chairman of the Board
/s/ Carl Kawaja
Carl Kawaja
President
November 9, 2009
For current information about the fund, visit americanfunds.com.
Summary investment portfolio, September 30, 2009
unaudited
The following summary investment portfolio is designed to streamline the report and help investors better focus on a fund’s principal holdings. See the inside back cover for details on how to obtain a complete schedule of portfolio holdings.
[begin pie chart]
Industry sector diversification (percent of net assets) | | | |
| | | | |
Financials | | | 19.58 | % |
Health care | | | 11.45 | |
Telecommunication services | | | 9.53 | |
Consumer staples | | | 9.24 | |
Consumer discretionary | | | 8.89 | |
Other industries | | | 34.94 | |
Bonds & notes | | | 0.43 | |
Preferred stocks | | | 0.16 | |
Rights | | | 0.03 | |
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities | | | 5.75 | |
[end pie chart]
Country diversification (percent of net assets) | | | |
Euro zone* | | | 34.7 | % |
United Kingdom | | | 9.5 | |
Switzerland | | | 8.1 | |
Japan | | | 7.4 | |
China | | | 3.7 | |
Brazil | | | 3.4 | |
India | | | 3.0 | |
Mexico | | | 3.0 | |
Australia | | | 2.7 | |
Canada | | | 2.5 | |
Russia | | | 2.2 | |
South Korea | | | 2.1 | |
Other countries | | | 11.9 | |
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities | | | 5.8 | |
| | | | |
*Countries using the euro as a common currency; those represented in the fund's portfolio are Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain. |
| | | | | | | | Percent | |
| | | | | Value | | | of net | |
Common stocks - 93.63% | | Shares | | | | (000 | ) | | assets | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Financials - 19.58% | | | | | | | | | | |
Banco Santander, SA | | | 107,686,453 | | | $ | 1,734,064 | | | | 1.83 | % |
UBS AG (1) | | | 58,196,671 | | | | 1,065,834 | | | | 1.12 | |
Prudential PLC | | | 108,287,024 | | | | 1,041,438 | | | | 1.10 | |
AXA SA | | | 32,235,604 | | | | 873,009 | | | | .92 | |
Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. | | | 12,629,346 | | | | 738,269 | | | | .78 | |
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H | | | 961,504,000 | | | | 724,587 | | | | .76 | |
UniCredit SpA (1) | | | 180,918,348 | | | | 707,140 | | | | .74 | |
Deutsche Bank AG | | | 8,868,504 | | | | 680,873 | | | | .72 | |
Société Générale | | | 8,306,094 | | | | 668,761 | | | | .70 | |
Banco Bradesco SA, preferred nominative | | | 32,412,550 | | | | 646,490 | | | | .68 | |
Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, preferred nominative | | | 17,739,630 | | | | 358,346 | | | | | |
Itaú Unibanco Holding SA, preferred nominative (ADR) | | | 11,638,203 | | | | 234,510 | | | | .63 | |
Bank of China Ltd., Class H | | | 1,102,582,000 | | | | 580,494 | | | | .61 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 8,539,290 | | | | 8.99 | |
| | | | | | | 18,593,105 | | | | 19.58 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Health care - 11.45% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bayer AG | | | 34,925,925 | | | | 2,420,914 | | | | 2.55 | |
Roche Holding AG | | | 10,896,868 | | | | 1,762,141 | | | | 1.85 | |
Novartis AG | | | 33,877,325 | | | | 1,695,829 | | | | 1.79 | |
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B | | | 22,139,400 | | | | 1,387,060 | | | | 1.46 | |
Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (ADR) | | | 23,429,100 | | | | 1,184,575 | | | | 1.25 | |
CSL Ltd. | | | 18,545,000 | | | | 547,543 | | | | .58 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 1,874,872 | | | | 1.97 | |
| | | | | | | 10,872,934 | | | | 11.45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Telecommunication services - 9.53% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
América Móvil, SAB de CV, Series L (ADR) | | | 47,128,000 | | | | 2,065,620 | | | | | |
América Móvil, SAB de CV, Series L | | | 31,090,000 | | | | 68,053 | | | | 2.25 | |
Telefónica, SA | | | 57,330,000 | | | | 1,582,413 | | | | 1.67 | |
Koninklijke KPN NV | | | 52,946,400 | | | | 878,556 | | | | .92 | |
SOFTBANK CORP. | | | 25,438,900 | | | | 559,605 | | | | .59 | |
MTN Group Ltd. (2) | | | 32,238,200 | | | | 525,403 | | | | .55 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 3,369,789 | | | | 3.55 | |
| | | | | | | 9,049,439 | | | | 9.53 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer staples - 9.24% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV | | | 41,213,464 | | | | 1,882,672 | | | | 1.98 | |
Nestlé SA | | | 23,852,000 | | | | 1,016,899 | | | | 1.07 | |
Pernod Ricard SA | | | 10,715,737 | | | | 851,321 | | | | .90 | |
Tesco PLC | | | 120,067,773 | | | | 767,137 | | | | .81 | |
British American Tobacco PLC | | | 21,144,999 | | | | 663,666 | | | | .70 | |
Danone SA | | | 10,881,168 | | | | 655,954 | | | | .69 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 2,933,032 | | | | 3.09 | |
| | | | | | | 8,770,681 | | | | 9.24 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer discretionary - 8.89% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Daimler AG | | | 16,398,778 | | | | 825,932 | | | | | |
Daimler AG (New York registered) | | | 250,000 | | | | 12,578 | | | | .88 | |
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | | | 25,418,250 | | | | 783,604 | | | | .83 | |
Industria de Diseño Textil, SA | | | 12,714,674 | | | | 729,816 | | | | .77 | |
Toyota Motor Corp. | | | 17,223,300 | | | | 685,552 | | | | .72 | |
adidas AG (3) | | | 11,373,000 | | | | 602,192 | | | | .63 | |
British Sky Broadcasting Group PLC | | | 64,377,805 | | | | 588,266 | | | | .62 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 4,214,008 | | | | 4.44 | |
| | | | | | | 8,441,948 | | | | 8.89 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Energy - 7.84% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OAO Gazprom (ADR) | | | 62,015,000 | | | | 1,441,849 | | | | 1.52 | |
Petróleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras, ordinary nominative (ADR) | | | 21,256,340 | | | | 975,666 | | | | | |
Petróleo Brasileiro SA - Petrobras, preferred nominative (ADR) | | | 6,700,860 | | | | 263,411 | | | | 1.30 | |
Reliance Industries Ltd. (1) | | | 14,650,000 | | | | 675,905 | | | | .71 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 4,093,846 | | | | 4.31 | |
| | | | | | | 7,450,677 | | | | 7.84 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Materials - 7.74% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Xstrata PLC (1) | | | 52,410,053 | | | | 773,041 | | | | .81 | |
Linde AG | | | 7,005,200 | | | | 759,684 | | | | .80 | |
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. | | | 27,872,707 | | | | 650,797 | | | | .69 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 5,172,231 | | | | 5.44 | |
| | | | | | | 7,355,753 | | | | 7.74 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Information technology - 7.64% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
SAP AG | | | 24,000,795 | | | | 1,169,285 | | | | | |
SAP AG (ADR) | | | 4,812,500 | | | | 235,187 | | | | 1.48 | |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. | | | 1,844,259 | | | | 1,279,210 | | | | | |
Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., nonvoting preferred | | | 48,800 | | | | 20,475 | | | | 1.37 | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. | | | 346,983,677 | | | | 699,826 | | | | | |
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (ADR) | | | 5,822,723 | | | | 63,817 | | | | .80 | |
Canon, Inc. | | | 15,305,300 | | | | 619,448 | | | | .65 | |
HOYA CORP. (3) | | | 23,734,700 | | | | 561,016 | | | | .59 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 2,607,347 | | | | 2.75 | |
| | | | | | | 7,255,611 | | | | 7.64 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Industrials - 6.30% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Siemens AG | | | 9,473,900 | | | | 877,620 | | | | .93 | |
Ryanair Holdings PLC (ADR) (1) | | | 19,373,900 | | | | 562,618 | | | | .59 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 4,540,921 | | | | 4.78 | |
| | | | | | | 5,981,159 | | | | 6.30 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Utilities - 3.62% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
GDF Suez | | | 18,018,103 | | | | 800,401 | | | | .84 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 2,633,663 | | | | 2.78 | |
| | | | | | | 3,434,064 | | | | 3.62 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Miscellaneous - 1.80% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition | | | | | | | 1,705,870 | | | | 1.80 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total common stocks (cost: $70,932,095,000) | | | | | | | 88,911,241 | | | | 93.63 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Percent | |
| | | | | | Value | | | of net | |
Preferred stocks - 0.16% | | | | | | | (000 | ) | | assets | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials - 0.16% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 151,587 | | | | .16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total preferred stocks (cost: $133,749,000) | | | | | | | 151,587 | | | | .16 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Percent | |
| | | | | | Value | | | of net | |
Rights - 0.03% | | | | | | | (000 | ) | | assets | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Miscellaneous - 0.03% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other rights in initial period of acquisition | | | | | | | 31,058 | | | | .03 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total rights (cost: $23,702,000) | | | | | | | 31,058 | | | | .03 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal | | | | | | | Percent | |
| | amount | | | Value | | | of net | |
Bonds & notes - 0.43% | | | (000 | ) | | | (000 | ) | | assets | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other - 0.43% | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gazprom International SA 7.201% 2020 (4) | | $ | 21,159 | | | | 22,111 | | | | | |
Open Joint Stock Co. Gazprom, Series 2, 8.625% 2034 | | | 5,875 | | | | 6,448 | | | | | |
Gaz Capital SA 7.288%-8.146% 2013-2037 | | | 43,480 | | | | 45,390 | | | | .08 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 331,557 | | | | .35 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total bonds & notes (cost: $306,771,000) | | | | | | | 405,506 | | | | .43 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal | | | | | | | Percent | |
| | amount | | | Value | | | of net | |
Short-term securities - 5.75% | | | (000 | ) | | | (000 | ) | | assets | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Freddie Mac 0.19%-1.00% due 10/6/2009-5/17/2010 | | | 1,334,561 | | | | 1,333,925 | | | | 1.40 | |
Nestlé Capital Corp. 0.21%-0.24% due 1/25-2/11/2010 (5) | | | 157,000 | | | | 156,840 | | | | .17 | |
Novartis Finance Corp. 0.23% due 3/1/2010 (5) | | | 25,000 | | | | 24,956 | | | | .03 | |
Other securities | | | | | | | 3,945,828 | | | | 4.15 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total short-term securities (cost: $5,461,003,000) | | | | | | | 5,461,549 | | | | 5.75 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total investment securities (cost: $76,857,320,000) | | | | | | | 94,960,941 | | | | 100.00 | |
Other assets less liabilities | | | | | | | 3,035 | | | | .00 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net assets | | | | | | $ | 94,963,976 | | | | 100.00 | % |
"Miscellaneous" securities include holdings in their initial period of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed. | |
"Other securities" includes all issues that are not disclosed separately in the summary investment portfolio. | | |
Investments in affiliates |
|
A company is considered to be an affiliate of the fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 if the fund's holdings in that company represent 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of that company. The fund's affiliated holdings listed below are either shown in the preceding summary investment portfolio or included in the value of "Other securities" under their respective industry sectors. Further details on these holdings and related transactions during the six months ended September 30, 2009, appear below. |
| | Beginning shares | | | Additions | | | Reductions | | | Ending shares | | | | (000 | ) | | | at 9/30/09 (000 | ) |
adidas AG | | | 6,843,000 | | | | 4,530,000 | | | | - | | | | 11,373,000 | | | $ | 5,344 | | | $ | 602,192 | |
HOYA CORP. | | | 26,989,700 | | | | - | | | | 3,255,000 | | | | 23,734,700 | | | | 8,446 | | | | 561,016 | |
UCB SA | | | 10,179,479 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 10,179,479 | | | | 10,656 | | | | 429,766 | |
Hirose Electric Co., Ltd. | | | 2,547,000 | | | | - | | | | 144,500 | | | | 2,402,500 | | | | 1,465 | | | | 271,082 | |
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd. | | | 86,710,000 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 86,710,000 | | | | 671 | | | | 71,946 | |
Housing Development Finance Corp. Ltd. (6) | | | 15,436,346 | | | | - | | | | 2,807,000 | | | | 12,629,346 | | | | 7,928 | | | | - | |
HTC Corp.(6) | | | 38,751,100 | | | | 2,344,555 | | | | 18,225,500 | | | | 22,870,155 | | | | 22,319 | | | | - | |
Qantas Airways Ltd.(6) | | | 127,259,300 | | | | - | | | | 40,000,000 | | | | 87,259,300 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 56,829 | | | $ | 1,936,002 | |
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) Valued under fair value procedures adopted by authority of the board of trustees. The total value of all such securities, including those in "Miscellaneous" and "Other securities," was $1,157,309,000, which represented 1.22% of the net assets of the fund. |
(3) Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940. | |
(4) Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date. | |
(5) Purchased in a transaction exempt from registration under 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 $1,616,221,000, which represented 1.70% of the net assets of the fund. |
(6) Unaffiliated issuer at 9/30/2009. | | | |
| | | |
| | | |
Key to abbreviation | | | |
ADR = American Depositary Receipts | | | |
| | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements | | | |
Statement of assets and liabilities | | | | | unaudited | |
at September 30, 2009 | | (dollars in thousands) | |
| | | | | | |
Assets: | | | | | | |
Investment securities, at value: | | | | | | |
Unaffiliated issuers (cost: $74,959,166) | | $ | 93,024,939 | | | | |
Affiliated issuers (cost: $1,898,154) | | | 1,936,002 | | | $ | 94,960,941 | |
Cash denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars (cost: $18,273) | | | | | | | 18,287 | |
Cash | | | | | | | 201 | |
Receivables for: | | | | | | | | |
Sales of investments | | | 91,560 | | | | | |
Sales of fund's shares | | | 272,589 | | | | | |
Dividends and interest | | | 200,246 | | | | 564,395 | |
| | | | | | | 95,543,824 | |
Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Payables for: | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of investments | | | 69,576 | | | | | |
Repurchases of fund's shares | | | 331,161 | | | | | |
Investment advisory services | | | 32,550 | | | | | |
Services provided by affiliates | | | 30,257 | | | | | |
Trustees' deferred compensation | | | 2,583 | | | | | |
Non-U.S. taxes | | | 108,586 | | | | | |
Other | | | 5,135 | | | | 579,848 | |
Net assets at September 30, 2009 | | | | | | $ | 94,963,976 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net assets consist of: | | | | | | | | |
Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest | | | | | | $ | 89,253,427 | |
Undistributed net investment income | | | | | | | 1,113,282 | |
Accumulated net realized loss | | | | | | | (13,405,745 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation | | | | | | | 18,003,012 | |
Net assets at September 30, 2009 | | | | | | $ | 94,963,976 | |
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts) | |
Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) - unlimited shares authorized (2,532,369 total shares outstanding) | |
| | Net assets | | | Shares outstanding | | | Net asset value per share* | |
Class A | | $ | 39,991,385 | | | | 1,061,388 | | | $ | 37.68 | |
Class B | | | 1,002,179 | | | | 26,965 | | | | 37.17 | |
Class C | | | 2,782,357 | | | | 75,806 | | | | 36.70 | |
Class F-1 | | | 7,738,002 | | | | 206,287 | | | | 37.51 | |
Class F-2 | | | 2,895,311 | | | | 76,728 | | | | 37.73 | |
Class 529-A | | | 751,684 | | | | 20,104 | | | | 37.39 | |
Class 529-B | | | 90,910 | | | | 2,479 | | | | 36.67 | |
Class 529-C | | | 287,599 | | | | 7,859 | | | | 36.60 | |
Class 529-E | | | 41,928 | | | | 1,131 | | | | 37.08 | |
Class 529-F-1 | | | 49,896 | | | | 1,334 | | | | 37.40 | |
Class R-1 | | | 228,635 | | | | 6,278 | | | | 36.42 | |
Class R-2 | | | 1,214,163 | | | | 33,186 | | | | 36.59 | |
Class R-3 | | | 6,467,154 | | | | 174,785 | | | | 37.00 | |
Class R-4 | | | 10,658,454 | | | | 287,375 | | | | 37.09 | |
Class R-5 | | | 16,426,751 | | | | 435,709 | | | | 37.70 | |
Class R-6 | | | 4,337,568 | | | | 114,955 | | | | 37.73 | |
| |
(*) Maximum offering price and redemption price per share were equal to the net asset value per share for all share classes, except for Classes A and 529-A, for which the maximum offering prices per share were $39.98 and $39.67, respectively. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Statement of operations | | | | | unaudited | |
for the six months ended September 30, 2009 | | (dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | | |
Investment income: | | | | | | |
Income: | | | | | | |
Dividends (net of non-U.S. taxes of $168,227; also includes $56,829 from affiliates) | | $ | 1,251,166 | | | | |
Interest | | | 47,256 | | | $ | 1,298,422 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Fees and expenses*: | | | | | | | | |
Investment advisory services | | | 173,824 | | | | | |
Distribution services | | | 98,504 | | | | | |
Transfer agent services | | | 26,256 | | | | | |
Administrative services | | | 31,631 | | | | | |
Reports to shareholders | | | 2,044 | | | | | |
Registration statement and prospectus | | | 7,569 | | | | | |
Trustees' compensation | | | 956 | | | | | |
Auditing and legal | | | 41 | | | | | |
Custodian | | | 9,364 | | | | | |
Other | | | 1,424 | | | | 351,613 | |
Net investment income | | | | | | | 946,809 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net realized loss and unrealized appreciation on investments and currency: | | | | | | | | |
Net realized (loss) gain on: | | | | | | | | |
Investments (including $5,352 net loss from affiliates) | | | (827,775 | ) | | | | |
Currency transactions | | | 4,054 | | | | (823,721 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation on: | | | | | | | | |
Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $108,586) | | | 29,546,014 | | | | | |
Currency translations | | | 9,689 | | | | 29,555,703 | |
Net realized loss and unrealized appreciation on investments and currency | | | | | | | 28,731,982 | |
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations | | | | | | $ | 29,678,791 | |
| | | | | | | | |
(*) Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the Notes to Financial Statements. | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Statements of changes in net assets | | | (dollars in thousands) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Six months ended September 30, 2009* | | | | Year ended March 31, 2009 | |
Operations: | | | | | | | | |
Net investment income | | $ | 946,809 | | | $ | 2,108,347 | |
Net realized loss on investments and currency transactions | | | (823,721 | ) | | | (12,486,045 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and currency translations | | | 29,555,703 | | | | (36,391,191 | ) |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations | | | 29,678,791 | | | | (46,768,889 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends from net investment income | | | - | | | | (1,815,409 | ) |
Distributions from net realized gain on investments | | | - | | | | (3,253,052 | ) |
Total dividends and distributions paid to shareholders | | | - | | | | (5,068,461 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net capital share transactions | | | 1,800,738 | | | | 546,261 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total increase (decrease) in net assets | | | 31,479,529 | | | | (51,291,089 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net assets: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of period | | | 63,484,447 | | | | 114,775,536 | |
End of period (including undistributed net investment income: $1,113,282 and $166,473, respectively) | | $ | 94,963,976 | | | $ | 63,484,447 | |
| | | | | | | | |
*Unaudited. | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Financial Statements | | | | | | | | |
Notes to financial statements
unaudited
1. Organization and significant accounting policies
Organization – EuroPacific Growth Fund (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 primarily in the securities of companies based in Europe and the Pacific Basin.
The fund has 16 share classes consisting of five retail share classes, five 529 college savings plan share classes and six retirement plan share classes. The 529 college savings plan share classes (529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) can be used to save for college education. The six retirement plan share classes (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6) are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described below:
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-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6 | None | None | None |
*Effective April 21, 2009, Class B and 529-B shares of the fund are not available for purchase.
On May 1, 2009, the fund made an additional retirement plan share class (Class R-6) available for sale pursuant to an amendment to its registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Refer to the fund’s retirement plan prospectus for more details.
Holders of all share classes have equal pro rata rights to assets, dividends and liquidation proceeds. Each share class has identical voting rights, except for the exclusive right to vote on matters affecting only its class. Share classes have different fees and expenses ("class-specific fees and expenses"), primarily due to different arrangements for distribution, administrative and shareholder services. Differences in class-specific fees and expenses will result in differences in net investment income and, therefore, the payment of different per-share dividends by each class.
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 following is a summary of the significant accounting policies followed by the fund:
Net asset value – The fund generally determines its net asset value as of approximately 4:00 p.m. New York time each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
Security valuation – Equity securities are valued at the official closing price of, or the last reported sale price on, the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. Prices for each security are taken from the principal exchange or market in which the security trades. Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities purchased with more than 60 days left to maturity, are valued at prices obtained from one or more independent pricing vendors when such prices are available. However, where the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so, such securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and asked prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if asked prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type. Vendors base bond prices on, among other things, valuation matrices that incorporate dealer-supplied valuations, proprietary pricing models and evaluations of the yield curve as of approximately 3:00 p.m. New York time. Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics, or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are valued in the manner described above for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the investment adviser. Short-term securities purchased within 60 days to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market 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 or less remaining to maturity.
Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under guidelines adopted by authority of the fund's board of trustees. Market quotations may be considered unreliable if events occur that materially affect the value of securities (particularly securities outside the U.S.) between the close of trading in those securities and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Various factors may be reviewed in order to make a good faith determination of a security’s fair value. These factors include, but are not limited to, 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.
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. 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, administrative and shareholder services, are charged directly to the respective share class.
Dividends and distributions to shareholders – Dividends and distributions paid 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 in effect 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.
2. Risk factors
Investing in the fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.
The prices of securities held by the fund may decline in response to certain events taking place around the world, including those directly involving the companies whose securities are owned by the fund; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; and currency, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations. The growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities generally purchased by the fund may involve large price swings and potential for loss.
Investments in securities issued by entities based outside the U.S. may also be affected by currency controls; different accounting, auditing, financial reporting, and legal standards and practices; expropriation; changes in tax policy; greater market volatility; differing securities market structures; higher transaction costs; and various administrative difficulties, such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio transactions or in receiving payment of dividends. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. Investments in securities issued by entities domiciled in the U.S. may also be subject to many of these risks.
3. 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 September 30, 2009, 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 2005, by state tax authorities for tax years before 2004 and by tax authorities outside the U.S. for tax years before 2002.
Non-U.S. taxation – Dividend and interest income is 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.; net capital losses; and income on certain investments. The fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year in which the net investment income and net realized gains are recorded by the fund for financial reporting purposes.
The components of distributable earnings on a tax basis are reported as of the fund’s most recent year-end. As of March 31, 2009, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows:
(dollars in thousands) | |
Undistributed ordinary income | | $ | 208,481 | |
Capital loss carryforward expiring 2017* | | | (4,409,277 | ) |
Post-October capital loss deferrals (realized during the period November 1, 2008, through March 31, 2009)† | | | (7,980,201 | ) |
*The capital loss carryforward will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the fund in the current year or in subsequent years through the expiration date. The fund will not make distributions from capital gains while a capital loss carryforward remains. †These deferrals are considered incurred in the subsequent year. |
As of September 30, 2009, the tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows:
(dollars in thousands) | |
Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities | | $ | 22,053,416 | |
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities | | | (4,172,793 | ) |
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities | | | 17,880,623 | |
Cost of investment securities | | | 77,080,318 | |
No distributions were paid to shareholders during the six months ended September 30, 2009. The tax character of distributions paid to shareholders during the year ended March 31, 2009, was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Share class | | Ordinary income | | | Long-term capital gains | | | Total distributions paid | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | $ | 839,399 | | | $ | 1,498,388 | | | $ | 2,337,787 | |
Class B | | | 12,697 | | | | 43,006 | | | | 55,703 | |
Class C | | | 32,384 | | | | 107,659 | | | | 140,043 | |
Class F-1 | | | 149,238 | | | | 270,367 | | | | 419,605 | |
Class F-2* | | | 17,616 | | | | 29,790 | | | | 47,406 | |
Class 529-A | | | 14,222 | | | | 25,098 | | | | 39,320 | |
Class 529-B | | | 1,086 | | | | 3,313 | | | | 4,399 | |
Class 529-C | | | 3,327 | | | | 9,999 | | | | 13,326 | |
Class 529-E | | | 674 | | | | 1,410 | | | | 2,084 | |
Class 529-F-1 | | | 1,029 | | | | 1,653 | | | | 2,682 | |
Class R-1 | | | 2,511 | | | | 6,888 | | | | 9,399 | |
Class R-2 | | | 13,440 | | | | 40,158 | | | | 53,598 | |
Class R-3 | | | 98,652 | | | | 208,012 | | | | 306,664 | |
Class R-4 | | | 204,977 | | | | 360,608 | | | | 565,585 | |
Class R-5 | | | 424,157 | | | | 646,703 | | | | 1,070,860 | |
Total | | $ | 1,815,409 | | | $ | 3,253,052 | | | $ | 5,068,461 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
*Class F-2 was offered beginning August 1, 2008. | | | | | |
4. Fees and transactions with related parties
Capital Research and Management Company ("CRMC"), the fund’s investment adviser, is the parent company of American Funds Service Company® ("AFS"), the fund’s transfer agent, and American Funds Distributors,® Inc. ("AFD"), the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares.
Investment advisory services - The Investment Advisory and Service Agreement with CRMC provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on a declining series of annual rates beginning with 0.690% on the first $500 million of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.397% on such assets in excess of $115 billion. For the six months ended September 30, 2009, the investment advisory services fee was $173,824,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.429% of average daily net assets.
Class-specific fees and expenses – Expenses that are specific to individual share classes are accrued directly to the respective share class. The principal class-specific fees and expenses are described below:
Distribution services – The fund has adopted plans of distribution for all share classes, except Classes F-2, R-5 and R-6. 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 0.25% to 1.00% as noted below. In some cases, the board of trustees has limited the amounts that may be paid to less than the maximum allowed by the plans. All share classes with a plan may use 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 Classes A and 529-A, the board of trustees has also approved the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.25% is not exceeded. As of September 30, 2009, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Classes A or 529-A.
Share class | Currently approved limits | Plan limits |
Class A | 0.25% | 0.25% |
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 transfer agent agreement with AFS for Classes A and B. Under this agreement, these share classes compensate AFS for transfer agent services including shareholder recordkeeping, communications and transaction processing. AFS is also compensated for certain transfer agent services provided to all other share classes from the administrative services fees paid to CRMC as described below.
Administrative services – The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC to provide transfer agent and other related shareholder services for all share classes other than Classes A and B. Each relevant share class pays CRMC annual fees up to 0.15% (0.10% for Class R-5 and 0.05% for Class R-6) based on its respective average daily net assets. Each relevant share class also pays AFS additional amounts for certain transfer agent services. CRMC and AFS may use these fees to compensate third parties for performing these services. Each 529 share class is subject to an additional administrative services fee payable to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the maintenance of the 529 college savings plan. The quarterly fee is based on a declining series of 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. Although these amounts are included with administrative services fees on the accompanying financial statements, the Commonwealth of Virginia is not considered a related party.
Expenses under the agreements described above for the six months ended September 30, 2009, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Share class | Distribution services | Transfer agent services | Administrative services |
CRMC administrative services | Transfer agent services | Commonwealth of Virginia administrative services |
Class A | $42,356 | $25,690 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Class B | 4,518 | 566 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Class C | 11,955 | Included in administrative services | $1,797 | $271 | Not applicable |
Class F-1 | 7,618 | 4,686 | 430 | Not applicable |
Class F-2 | Not applicable | 1,197 | 39 | Not applicable |
Class 529-A | 636 | 346 | 59 | $318 |
Class 529-B | 394 | 43 | 16 | 40 |
Class 529-C | 1,214 | 133 | 43 | 122 |
Class 529-E | 89 | 19 | 3 | 18 |
Class 529-F-1 | - | 23 | 4 | 21 |
Class R-1 | 943 | 133 | 33 | Not applicable |
Class R-2 | 3,818 | 760 | 1,603 | Not applicable |
Class R-3 | 13,522 | 3,909 | 959 | Not applicable |
Class R-4 | 11,441 | 6,862 | 79 | Not applicable |
Class R-5 | Not applicable | 6,986 | 40 | Not applicable |
Class R-6* | Not applicable | 638 | 1 | Not applicable |
Total | $98,504 | $26,256 | $27,532 | $3,580 | $519 |
*Class R-6 was offered beginning May 1, 2009.
Trustees’ deferred compensation – Since the adoption of the deferred compensation plan in 1993, trustees who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Trustees’ compensation of $956,000, shown on the accompanying financial statements, includes $193,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $763,000 in the value of the deferred amounts.
Affiliated officers and trustees – Officers and certain trustees of the fund are or may be considered to be affiliated with CRMC, AFS and AFD. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.
5. Disclosure of fair value measurements
The fund classifies its assets and liabilities into three levels based on the method 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 fund’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 generally high-quality and liquid; however, they 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 September 30, 2009 (dollars in thousands):
Investment securities: | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total | |
Common stocks: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Financials | | $ | 18,145,570 | | | $ | 447,535 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 18,593,105 | |
Health care | | | 10,872,934 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 10,872,934 | |
Telecommunication services | | | 8,382,918 | | | | 666,521 | | | | - | | | | 9,049,439 | |
Consumer staples | | | 8,770,681 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 8,770,681 | |
Consumer discretionary | | | 8,441,948 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 8,441,948 | |
Energy | | | 7,450,677 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7,450,677 | |
Materials | | | 7,355,753 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7,355,753 | |
Information technology | | | 7,255,611 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 7,255,611 | |
Industrials | | | 5,981,159 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 5,981,159 | |
Utilities | | | 3,434,064 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,434,064 | |
Miscellaneous | | | 1,690,065 | | | | 15,805 | | | | - | | | | 1,705,870 | |
Preferred stocks | | | - | | | | 151,587 | | | | - | | | | 151,587 | |
Rights | | | 31,058 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 31,058 | |
Bonds & notes | | | - | | | | 405,506 | | | | - | | | | 405,506 | |
Short-term securities | | | - | | | | 5,461,549 | | | | - | | | | 5,461,549 | |
Total | | $ | 87,812,438 | | | $ | 7,148,503 | | | $ | - | | | $ | 94,960,941 | |
The following table reconciles the valuation of the fund's Level 3 investment securities and related transactions for the six months ended September 30, 2009 (dollars in thousands): |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning value at 4/1/2009 | | | Net unrealized appreciation* | | | Net sales | | | Net realized loss* | | | Ending value at 9/30/2009 | |
Investment securities | | $ | 47,255 | | | $ | 182,489 | | | $ | (85,796 | ) | | $ | (143,948 | ) | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
*Net realized loss and unrealized appreciation are included in the related amounts on investments in the statement of operations. | | | | | |
6. Capital share transactions
Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):
Share class | | Sales(1) | | | Reinvestments of dividends and distributions | | | Repurchases(1) | | | Net (decrease) increase | |
| | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | | | Amount | | | Shares | |
Six months ended September 30, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | $ | 2,403,168 | | | | 74,141 | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | (3,454,621 | ) | | | (106,396 | ) | | $ | (1,051,453 | ) | | | (32,255 | ) |
Class B | | | 22,254 | | | | 705 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (116,821 | ) | | | (3,707 | ) | | | (94,567 | ) | | | (3,002 | ) |
Class C | | | 196,854 | | | | 6,142 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (212,842 | ) | | | (6,765 | ) | | | (15,988 | ) | | | (623 | ) |
Class F-1 | | | 1,633,121 | | | | 49,890 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,356,767 | ) | | | (42,222 | ) | | | 276,354 | | | | 7,668 | |
Class F-2 | | | 1,684,949 | | | | 52,052 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (213,741 | ) | | | (6,589 | ) | | | 1,471,208 | | | | 45,463 | |
Class 529-A | | | 49,707 | | | | 1,539 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (28,473 | ) | | | (881 | ) | | | 21,234 | | | | 658 | |
Class 529-B | | | 1,726 | | | | 55 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (2,969 | ) | | | (93 | ) | | | (1,243 | ) | | | (38 | ) |
Class 529-C | | | 21,573 | | | | 684 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (13,694 | ) | | | (432 | ) | | | 7,879 | | | | 252 | |
Class 529-E | | | 3,077 | | | | 98 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (2,032 | ) | | | (65 | ) | | | 1,045 | | | | 33 | |
Class 529-F-1 | | | 5,191 | | | | 160 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (3,909 | ) | | | (120 | ) | | | 1,282 | | | | 40 | |
Class R-1 | | | 40,713 | | | | 1,296 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (23,042 | ) | | | (725 | ) | | | 17,671 | | | | 571 | |
Class R-2 | | | 188,839 | | | | 6,009 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (126,617 | ) | | | (4,014 | ) | | | 62,222 | | | | 1,995 | |
Class R-3 | | | 1,015,622 | | | | 31,877 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (656,071 | ) | | | (20,379 | ) | | | 359,551 | | | | 11,498 | |
Class R-4 | | | 2,398,221 | | | | 75,306 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (2,368,384 | ) | | | (75,221 | ) | | | 29,837 | | | | 85 | |
Class R-5 | | | 2,264,720 | | | | 70,607 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (5,074,738 | ) | | | (160,206 | ) | | | (2,810,018 | ) | | | (89,599 | ) |
Class R-6(2) | | | 5,497,473 | | | | 170,212 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,971,749 | ) | | | (55,257 | ) | | | 3,525,724 | | | | 114,955 | |
Total net increase | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(decrease) | | $ | 17,427,208 | | | | 540,773 | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | (15,626,470 | ) | | | (483,072 | ) | | $ | 1,800,738 | | | | 57,701 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Year ended March 31, 2009 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A | | $ | 5,512,120 | | | | 152,504 | | | $ | 2,228,985 | | | | 82,524 | | | $ | (12,335,632 | ) | | | (368,178 | ) | | $ | (4,594,527 | ) | | | (133,150 | ) |
Class B | | | 119,052 | | | | 3,157 | | | | 53,779 | | | | 2,007 | | | | (470,214 | ) | | | (13,667 | ) | | | (297,383 | ) | | | (8,503 | ) |
Class C | | | 418,358 | | | | 11,281 | | | | 134,244 | | | | 5,072 | | | | (945,447 | ) | | | (29,605 | ) | | | (392,845 | ) | | | (13,252 | ) |
Class F-1 | | | 3,099,787 | | | | 85,692 | | | | 367,327 | | | | 13,660 | | | | (3,997,425 | ) | | | (122,276 | ) | | | (530,311 | ) | | | (22,924 | ) |
Class F-2(3) | | | 1,334,657 | | | | 42,777 | | | | 32,368 | | | | 1,199 | | | | (346,233 | ) | | | (12,711 | ) | | | 1,020,792 | | | | 31,265 | |
Class 529-A | | | 122,309 | | | | 3,338 | | | | 39,278 | | | | 1,465 | | | | (73,674 | ) | | | (2,324 | ) | | | 87,913 | | | | 2,479 | |
Class 529-B | | | 10,270 | | | | 287 | | | | 4,398 | | | | 166 | | | | (8,634 | ) | | | (274 | ) | | | 6,034 | | | | 179 | |
Class 529-C | | | 49,756 | | | | 1,390 | | | | 13,323 | | | | 504 | | | | (38,798 | ) | | | (1,224 | ) | | | 24,281 | | | | 670 | |
Class 529-E | | | 6,980 | | | | 201 | | | | 2,083 | | | | 78 | | | | (4,727 | ) | | | (150 | ) | | | 4,336 | | | | 129 | |
Class 529-F-1 | �� | | 10,691 | | | | 299 | | | | 2,680 | | | | 100 | | | | (6,217 | ) | | | (197 | ) | | | 7,154 | | | | 202 | |
Class R-1 | | | 97,696 | | | | 2,669 | | | | 9,316 | | | | 355 | | | | (50,695 | ) | | | (1,509 | ) | | | 56,317 | | | | 1,515 | |
Class R-2 | | | 398,000 | | | | 11,679 | | | | 53,544 | | | | 2,028 | | | | (362,883 | ) | | | (10,918 | ) | | | 88,661 | | | | 2,789 | |
Class R-3 | | | 2,123,255 | | | | 60,014 | | | | 306,427 | | | | 11,529 | | | | (2,736,039 | ) | | | (74,167 | ) | | | (306,357 | ) | | | (2,624 | ) |
Class R-4 | | | 4,277,350 | | | | 123,309 | | | | 565,339 | | | | 21,262 | | | | (3,104,211 | ) | | | (94,894 | ) | | | 1,738,478 | | | | 49,677 | |
Class R-5 | | | 6,561,360 | | | | 180,483 | | | | 1,065,226 | | | | 39,511 | | | | (3,992,868 | ) | | | (115,763 | ) | | | 3,633,718 | | | | 104,231 | |
Total net increase | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(decrease) | | $ | 24,141,641 | | | | 679,080 | | | $ | 4,878,317 | | | | 181,460 | | | $ | (28,473,697 | ) | | | (847,857 | ) | | $ | 546,261 | | | | 12,683 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1)Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(2)Class R-6 was offered beginning May 1, 2009. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(3)Class F-2 was offered beginning August 1, 2008. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
7. Investment transactions
The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $14,516,259,000 and $9,687,229,000, respectively, during the six months ended September 30, 2009.
8. Subsequent events
As of November 9, 2009, the date the financial statements were available to be issued, no subsequent events or transactions had occurred that would have materially impacted the financial statements as presented.
| | | | | | Income (loss) from investment operations(2) | | | Dividends and distributions | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Net asset value, beginning of period | | | Net investment income | | | 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)(4) | | | Net assets, end of period (in millions) | | | Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements/ waivers | | | Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/ waivers(4) | | | Ratio of net income to average net assets(4) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class A: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | $ | 25.78 | | | $ | .38 | | | $ | 11.52 | | | $ | 11.90 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 37.68 | | | | 46.16 | % | | $ | 39,991 | | | | .87 | %(6) | | | .87 | %(6) | | | 2.36 | %(6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.83 | | | | .88 | | | | (19.76 | ) | | | (18.88 | ) | | | (.78 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.17 | ) | | | 25.78 | | | | (40.54 | ) | | | 28,192 | | | | .83 | | | | .80 | | | | 2.40 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.92 | | | | .95 | | | | 2.60 | | | | 3.55 | | | | (1.01 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.64 | ) | | | 46.83 | | | | 6.40 | | | | 57,445 | | | | .79 | | | | .74 | | | | 1.87 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 44.20 | | | | .71 | | | | 6.49 | | | | 7.20 | | | | (.77 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.48 | ) | | | 47.92 | | | | 16.63 | | | | 57,407 | | | | .79 | | | | .75 | | | | 1.54 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.63 | | | | .62 | | | | 9.99 | | | | 10.61 | | | | (.72 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (2.04 | ) | | | 44.20 | | | | 30.25 | | | | 50,209 | | | | .81 | | | | .76 | | | | 1.58 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 32.26 | | | | .43 | | | | 3.45 | | | | 3.88 | | | | (.51 | ) | | | - | | | | (.51 | ) | | | 35.63 | | | | 12.08 | | | | 37,515 | | | | .83 | | | | .82 | | | | 1.31 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class B: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.52 | | | | .27 | | | | 11.38 | | | | 11.65 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.17 | | | | 45.65 | | | | 1,002 | | | | 1.61 | (6) | | | 1.61 | (6) | | | 1.67 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.14 | | | | .62 | | | | (19.44 | ) | | | (18.82 | ) | | | (.41 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.80 | ) | | | 25.52 | | | | (40.98 | ) | | | 765 | | | | 1.57 | | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.70 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.31 | | | | .56 | | | | 2.54 | | | | 3.10 | | | | (.64 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.27 | ) | | | 46.14 | | | | 5.60 | | | | 1,775 | | | | 1.52 | | | | 1.48 | | | | 1.12 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.71 | | | | .35 | | | | 6.42 | | | | 6.77 | | | | (.46 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.17 | ) | | | 47.31 | | | | 15.78 | | | | 1,709 | | | | 1.54 | | | | 1.50 | | | | .78 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.29 | | | | .32 | | | | 9.88 | | | | 10.20 | | | | (.46 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.78 | ) | | | 43.71 | | | | 29.32 | | | | 1,394 | | | | 1.55 | | | | 1.51 | | | | .82 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 32.00 | | | | .18 | | | | 3.41 | | | | 3.59 | | | | (.30 | ) | | | - | | | | (.30 | ) | | | 35.29 | | | | 11.24 | | | | 954 | | | | 1.58 | | | | 1.56 | | | | .55 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class C: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.21 | | | | .25 | | | | 11.24 | | | | 11.49 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 36.70 | | | | 45.58 | | | | 2,782 | | | | 1.66 | (6) | | | 1.66 | (6) | | | 1.57 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 45.64 | | | | .58 | | | | (19.20 | ) | | | (18.62 | ) | | | (.42 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.81 | ) | | | 25.21 | | | | (41.00 | ) | | | 1,927 | | | | 1.62 | | | | 1.58 | | | | 1.63 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 46.85 | | | | .53 | | | | 2.53 | | | | 3.06 | | | | (.64 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.27 | ) | | | 45.64 | | | | 5.57 | | | | 4,093 | | | | 1.57 | | | | 1.53 | | | | 1.06 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.35 | | | | .31 | | | | 6.35 | | | | 6.66 | | | | (.45 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.16 | ) | | | 46.85 | | | | 15.65 | | | | 3,640 | | | | 1.62 | | | | 1.58 | | | | .69 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.04 | | | | .27 | | | | 9.82 | | | | 10.09 | | | | (.46 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.78 | ) | | | 43.35 | | | | 29.21 | | | | 2,697 | | | | 1.64 | | | | 1.60 | | | | .71 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 31.81 | | | | .14 | | | | 3.40 | | | | 3.54 | | | | (.31 | ) | | | - | | | | (.31 | ) | | | 35.04 | | | | 11.16 | | | | 1,546 | | | | 1.67 | | | | 1.65 | | | | .44 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F-1: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.66 | | | | .38 | | | | 11.47 | | | | 11.85 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.51 | | | | 46.18 | | | | 7,738 | | | | .87 | (6) | | | .87 | (6) | | | 2.34 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.62 | | | | .87 | | | | (19.68 | ) | | | (18.81 | ) | | | (.76 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.15 | ) | | | 25.66 | | | | (40.55 | ) | | | 5,097 | | | | .84 | | | | .81 | | | | 2.38 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.73 | | | | .92 | | | | 2.60 | | | | 3.52 | | | | (1.00 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.63 | ) | | | 46.62 | | | | 6.38 | | | | 10,328 | | | | .81 | | | | .77 | | | | 1.81 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 44.05 | | | | .69 | | | | 6.47 | | | | 7.16 | | | | (.77 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.48 | ) | | | 47.73 | | | | 16.59 | | | | 8,639 | | | | .82 | | | | .78 | | | | 1.50 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.52 | | | | .59 | | | | 9.97 | | | | 10.56 | | | | (.71 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (2.03 | ) | | | 44.05 | | | | 30.22 | | | | 6,686 | | | | .84 | | | | .80 | | | | 1.50 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 32.18 | | | | .40 | | | | 3.45 | | | | 3.85 | | | | (.51 | ) | | | - | | | | (.51 | ) | | | 35.52 | | | | 12.01 | | | | 3,901 | | | | .90 | | | | .89 | | | | 1.20 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F-2: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.78 | | | | .33 | | | | 11.62 | | | | 11.95 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.73 | | | | 46.35 | | | | 2,895 | | | | .62 | (6) | | | .62 | (6) | | | 2.02 | (6) |
| Period from 8/1/2008 to 3/31/2009 | | | 43.75 | | | | .29 | | | | (16.05 | ) | | | (15.76 | ) | | | (.82 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.21 | ) | | | 25.78 | | | | (36.26 | ) | | | 806 | | | | .63 | (6) | | | .61 | (6) | | | 1.59 | (6) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class 529-A: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.59 | | | | .37 | | | | 11.43 | | | | 11.80 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.39 | | | | 46.11 | | | | 752 | | | | .91 | (6) | | | .91 | (6) | | | 2.29 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.53 | | | | .82 | | | | (19.59 | ) | | | (18.77 | ) | | | (.78 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.17 | ) | | | 25.59 | | | | (40.54 | ) | | | 497 | | | | .87 | | | | .83 | | | | 2.30 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.66 | | | | .90 | | | | 2.60 | | | | 3.50 | | | | (1.00 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.63 | ) | | | 46.53 | | | | 6.34 | | | | 789 | | | | .83 | | | | .79 | | | | 1.78 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 44.00 | | | | .67 | | | | 6.48 | | | | 7.15 | | | | (.78 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.49 | ) | | | 47.66 | | | | 16.59 | | | | 601 | | | | .83 | | | | .79 | | | | 1.45 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.49 | | | | .58 | | | | 9.97 | | | | 10.55 | | | | (.72 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (2.04 | ) | | | 44.00 | | | | 30.21 | | | | 387 | | | | .85 | | | | .80 | | | | 1.47 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 32.15 | | | | .39 | | | | 3.46 | | | | 3.85 | | | | (.51 | ) | | | - | | | | (.51 | ) | | | 35.49 | | | | 12.04 | | | | 197 | | | | .91 | | | | .89 | | | | 1.18 | |
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Class 529-B: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.20 | | | | .24 | | | | 11.23 | | | | 11.47 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 36.67 | | | | 45.52 | | | | 91 | | | | 1.73 | (6) | | | 1.73 | (6) | | | 1.50 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 45.71 | | | | .53 | | | | (19.20 | ) | | | (18.67 | ) | | | (.45 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.84 | ) | | | 25.20 | | | | (41.03 | ) | | | 63 | | | | 1.69 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 1.49 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 46.93 | | | | .48 | | | | 2.53 | | | | 3.01 | | | | (.60 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.23 | ) | | | 45.71 | | | | 5.47 | | | | 107 | | | | 1.66 | | | | 1.61 | | | | .97 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.42 | | | | .28 | | | | 6.37 | | | | 6.65 | | | | (.43 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.14 | ) | | | 46.93 | | | | 15.60 | | | | 90 | | | | 1.67 | | | | 1.63 | | | | .63 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.09 | | | | .25 | | | | 9.82 | | | | 10.07 | | | | (.42 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.74 | ) | | | 43.42 | | | | 29.10 | | | | 64 | | | | 1.71 | | | | 1.67 | | | | .64 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 31.86 | | | | .10 | | | | 3.40 | | | | 3.50 | | | | (.27 | ) | | | - | | | | (.27 | ) | | | 35.09 | | | | 11.01 | | | | 39 | | | | 1.80 | | | | 1.79 | | | | .30 | |
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Class 529-C: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.14 | | | | .23 | | | | 11.23 | | | | 11.46 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 36.60 | | | | 45.58 | | | | 288 | | | | 1.72 | (6) | | | 1.72 | (6) | | | 1.48 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 45.63 | | | | .53 | | | | (19.17 | ) | | | (18.64 | ) | | | (.46 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.85 | ) | | | 25.14 | | | | (41.05 | ) | | | 191 | | | | 1.68 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 1.49 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 46.87 | | | | .48 | | | | 2.53 | | | | 3.01 | | | | (.62 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.25 | ) | | | 45.63 | | | | 5.47 | | | | 317 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 1.61 | | | | .96 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.38 | | | | .28 | | | | 6.37 | | | | 6.65 | | | | (.45 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.16 | ) | | | 46.87 | | | | 15.62 | | | | 248 | | | | 1.67 | | | | 1.63 | | | | .62 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.08 | | | | .24 | | | | 9.83 | | | | 10.07 | | | | (.45 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.77 | ) | | | 43.38 | | | | 29.11 | | | | 164 | | | | 1.70 | | | | 1.66 | | | | .63 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 31.86 | | | | .10 | | | | 3.40 | | | | 3.50 | | | | (.28 | ) | | | - | | | | (.28 | ) | | | 35.08 | | | | 11.02 | | | | 88 | | | | 1.79 | | | | 1.78 | | | | .31 | |
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Class 529-E: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | $ | 25.41 | | | $ | .32 | | | $ | 11.35 | | | $ | 11.67 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | | | $ | 37.08 | | | | 45.93 | % | | $ | 42 | | | | 1.21 | %(6) | | | 1.21 | %(6) | | | 1.99 | %(6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.17 | | | | .71 | | | | (19.42 | ) | | | (18.71 | ) | | | (.66 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.05 | ) | | | 25.41 | | | | (40.73 | ) | | | 28 | | | | 1.17 | | | | 1.14 | | | | 2.00 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.34 | | | | .74 | | | | 2.57 | | | | 3.31 | | | | (.85 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.48 | ) | | | 46.17 | | | | 6.00 | | | | 45 | | | | 1.14 | | | | 1.10 | | | | 1.47 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.75 | | | | .52 | | | | 6.43 | | | | 6.95 | | | | (.65 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.36 | ) | | | 47.34 | | | | 16.21 | | | | 36 | | | | 1.15 | | | | 1.11 | | | | 1.14 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.33 | | | | .45 | | | | 9.91 | | | | 10.36 | | | | (.62 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.94 | ) | | | 43.75 | | | | 29.77 | | | | 24 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.13 | | | | 1.13 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 32.04 | | | | .28 | | | | 3.43 | | | | 3.71 | | | | (.42 | ) | | | - | | | | (.42 | ) | | | 35.33 | | | | 11.63 | | | | 12 | | | | 1.26 | | | | 1.24 | | | | .84 | |
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Class 529-F-1: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.57 | | | | .40 | | | | 11.43 | | | | 11.83 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.40 | | | | 46.26 | | | | 50 | | | | .71 | (6) | | | .71 | (6) | | | 2.49 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.54 | | | | .88 | | | | (19.60 | ) | | | (18.72 | ) | | | (.86 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.25 | ) | | | 25.57 | | | | (40.44 | ) | | | 33 | | | | .67 | | | | .64 | | | | 2.48 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.65 | | | | .99 | | | | 2.62 | | | | 3.61 | | | | (1.09 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.72 | ) | | | 46.54 | | | | 6.55 | | | | 51 | | | | .64 | | | | .60 | | | | 1.96 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.98 | | | | .74 | | | | 6.49 | | | | 7.23 | | | | (.85 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.56 | ) | | | 47.65 | | | | 16.79 | | | | 39 | | | | .65 | | | | .61 | | | | 1.61 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.45 | | | | .64 | | | | 9.96 | | | | 10.60 | | | | (.75 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (2.07 | ) | | | 43.98 | | | | 30.39 | | | | 23 | | | | .70 | | | | .66 | | | | 1.63 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 32.13 | | | | .36 | | | | 3.44 | | | | 3.80 | | | | (.48 | ) | | | - | | | | (.48 | ) | | | 35.45 | | | | 11.89 | | | | 12 | | | | 1.01 | | | | .99 | | | | 1.09 | |
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Class R-1: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.01 | | | | .24 | | | | 11.17 | | | | 11.41 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 36.42 | | | | 45.62 | | | | 229 | | | | 1.65 | (6) | | | 1.65 | (6) | | | 1.52 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 45.45 | | | | .54 | | | | (19.09 | ) | | | (18.55 | ) | | | (.50 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.89 | ) | | | 25.01 | | | | (41.01 | ) | | | 143 | | | | 1.61 | | | | 1.57 | | | | 1.55 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 46.71 | | | | .49 | | | | 2.54 | | | | 3.03 | | | | (.66 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.29 | ) | | | 45.45 | | | | 5.52 | | | | 190 | | | | 1.61 | | | | 1.57 | | | | .99 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.29 | | | | .28 | | | | 6.38 | | | | 6.66 | | | | (.53 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.24 | ) | | | 46.71 | | | | 15.68 | | | | 136 | | | | 1.62 | | | | 1.58 | | | | .61 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.04 | | | | .26 | | | | 9.82 | | | | 10.08 | | | | (.51 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.83 | ) | | | 43.29 | | | | 29.16 | | | | 66 | | | | 1.65 | | | | 1.61 | | | | .66 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 31.89 | | | | .11 | | | | 3.43 | | | | 3.54 | | | | (.39 | ) | | | - | | | | (.39 | ) | | | 35.04 | | | | 11.18 | | | | 29 | | | | 1.72 | | | | 1.68 | | | | .34 | |
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Class R-2: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.13 | | | | .24 | | | | 11.22 | | | | 11.46 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 36.59 | | | | 45.60 | | | | 1,214 | | | | 1.69 | (6) | | | 1.69 | (6) | | | 1.50 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 45.62 | | | | .53 | | | | (19.17 | ) | | | (18.64 | ) | | | (.46 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (1.85 | ) | | | 25.13 | | | | (41.05 | ) | | | 784 | | | | 1.68 | | | | 1.64 | | | | 1.51 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 46.84 | | | | .50 | | | | 2.54 | | | | 3.04 | | | | (.63 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.26 | ) | | | 45.62 | | | | 5.51 | | | | 1,296 | | | | 1.61 | | | | 1.57 | | | | 1.01 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.36 | | | | .30 | | | | 6.35 | | | | 6.65 | | | | (.46 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.17 | ) | | | 46.84 | | | | 15.66 | | | | 1,093 | | | | 1.67 | | | | 1.59 | | | | .66 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.07 | | | | .26 | | | | 9.83 | | | | 10.09 | | | | (.48 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.80 | ) | | | 43.36 | | | | 29.20 | | | | 735 | | | | 1.76 | | | | 1.60 | | | | .68 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 31.86 | | | | .14 | | | | 3.41 | | | | 3.55 | | | | (.34 | ) | | | - | | | | (.34 | ) | | | 35.07 | | | | 11.17 | | | | 375 | | | | 1.90 | | | | 1.64 | | | | .42 | |
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Class R-3: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.35 | | | | .32 | | | | 11.33 | | | | 11.65 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.00 | | | | 45.96 | | | | 6,467 | | | | 1.16 | (6) | | | 1.16 | (6) | | | 2.02 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.04 | | | | .77 | | | | (19.41 | ) | | | (18.64 | ) | | | (.66 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.05 | ) | | | 25.35 | | | | (40.70 | ) | | | 4,139 | | | | 1.11 | | | | 1.08 | | | | 2.14 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.20 | | | | .78 | | | | 2.54 | | | | 3.32 | | | | (.85 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.48 | ) | | | 46.04 | | | | 6.05 | | | | 7,639 | | | | 1.11 | | | | 1.07 | | | | 1.55 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.64 | | | | .52 | | | | 6.41 | | | | 6.93 | | | | (.66 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.37 | ) | | | 47.20 | | | | 16.20 | | | | 6,918 | | | | 1.15 | | | | 1.10 | | | | 1.14 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.23 | | | | .46 | | | | 9.89 | | | | 10.35 | | | | (.62 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (1.94 | ) | | | 43.64 | | | | 29.85 | | | | 4,336 | | | | 1.15 | | | | 1.11 | | | | 1.18 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 31.96 | | | | .30 | | | | 3.42 | | | | 3.72 | | | | (.45 | ) | | | - | | | | (.45 | ) | | | 35.23 | | | | 11.68 | | | | 2,321 | | | | 1.18 | | | | 1.16 | | | | .89 | |
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Class R-4: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.37 | | | | .37 | | | | 11.35 | | | | 11.72 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.09 | | | | 46.14 | | | | 10,658 | | | | .87 | (6) | | | .87 | (6) | | | 2.34 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.17 | | | | .81 | | | | (19.43 | ) | | | (18.62 | ) | | | (.79 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.18 | ) | | | 25.37 | | | | (40.53 | ) | | | 7,290 | | | | .85 | | | | .82 | | | | 2.29 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.31 | | | | .88 | | | | 2.60 | | | | 3.48 | | | | (.99 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.62 | ) | | | 46.17 | | | | 6.32 | | | | 10,970 | | | | .85 | | | | .81 | | | | 1.75 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 43.69 | | | | .64 | | | | 6.45 | | | | 7.09 | | | | (.76 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.47 | ) | | | 47.31 | | | | 16.61 | | | | 8,627 | | | | .87 | | | | .82 | | | | 1.41 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.25 | | | | .57 | | | | 9.91 | | | | 10.48 | | | | (.72 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (2.04 | ) | | | 43.69 | | | | 30.20 | | | | 5,352 | | | | .87 | | | | .83 | | | | 1.45 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 31.95 | | | | .39 | | | | 3.44 | | | | 3.83 | | | | (.53 | ) | | | - | | | | (.53 | ) | | | 35.25 | | | | 12.04 | | | | 2,668 | | | | .90 | | | | .88 | | | | 1.17 | |
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Class R-5: | Six months ended 9/30/2009(5) | | | 25.75 | | | | .45 | | | | 11.50 | | | | 11.95 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.70 | | | | 46.41 | | | | 16,427 | | | | .57 | (6) | | | .57 | (6) | | | 2.77 | (6) |
| Year ended 3/31/2009 | | | 46.86 | | | | .93 | | | | (19.74 | ) | | | (18.81 | ) | | | (.91 | ) | | | (1.39 | ) | | | (2.30 | ) | | | 25.75 | | | | (40.37 | ) | | | 13,529 | | | | .54 | | | | .51 | | | | 2.60 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2008 | | | 47.94 | | | | 1.05 | | | | 2.63 | | | | 3.68 | | | | (1.13 | ) | | | (3.63 | ) | | | (4.76 | ) | | | 46.86 | | | | 6.64 | | | | 19,731 | | | | .55 | | | | .50 | | | | 2.05 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2007 | | | 44.22 | | | | .78 | | | | 6.53 | | | | 7.31 | | | | (.88 | ) | | | (2.71 | ) | | | (3.59 | ) | | | 47.94 | | | | 16.91 | | | | 14,993 | | | | .57 | | | | .52 | | | | 1.70 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2006 | | | 35.64 | | | | .69 | | | | 10.02 | | | | 10.71 | | | | (.81 | ) | | | (1.32 | ) | | | (2.13 | ) | | | 44.22 | | | | 30.56 | | | | 9,059 | | | | .58 | | | | .53 | | | | 1.74 | |
| Year ended 3/31/2005 | | | 32.26 | | | | .50 | | | | 3.47 | | | | 3.97 | | | | (.59 | ) | | | - | | | | (.59 | ) | | | 35.64 | | | | 12.38 | | | | 4,507 | | | | .59 | | | | .58 | | | | 1.51 | |
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Class R-6: | Period from 5/1/2009 to 9/30/2009(5) | | | 28.64 | | | | .24 | | | | 8.85 | | | | 9.09 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 37.73 | | | | 31.74 | | | | 4,338 | | | | .23 | | | | .23 | | | | .71 | |
| | Six months ended September 30, | | | Year ended March 31 | |
| | 2009(5) | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | |
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Portfolio turnover rate for all classes of shares | | | 13 | % | | | 41 | % | | | 38 | % | | | 27 | % | | | 35 | % | | | 30 | % |
(1)Based on operations for the periods shown (unless otherwise noted) and, accordingly, may not be representative of a full year. | | | | | | |
(2)Based on average shares outstanding. | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(3)Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges. | | | | | | | | |
(4)This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from CRMC. During some of the periods shown, CRMC reduced fees for investment advisory services. In addition, during some of the periods shown, CRMC paid a portion of the fund's transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes. |
(5)Unaudited. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(6)Annualized. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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See Notes to Financial Statements | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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 (April 1, 2009, through September 30, 2009).
Actual expenses:
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.
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes:
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.
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 on the previous page. In addition, your ending account value would be lower by the amount of these fees.
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.
| | Beginning account value 4/1/2009 | | | Ending account value 9/30/2009 | | | Expenses paid during period* | | | Annualized expense ratio | |
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Class A -- actual return | | $ | 1,000.00 | | | $ | 1,461.61 | | | $ | 5.37 | | | | .87 | % |
Class A -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,020.71 | | | | 4.41 | | | | .87 | |
Class B -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,456.51 | | | | 9.91 | | | | 1.61 | |
Class B -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,017.00 | | | | 8.14 | | | | 1.61 | |
Class C -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,455.78 | | | | 10.22 | | | | 1.66 | |
Class C -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.75 | | | | 8.39 | | | | 1.66 | |
Class F-1 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,461.80 | | | | 5.37 | | | | .87 | |
Class F-1 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,020.71 | | | | 4.41 | | | | .87 | |
Class F-2 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,463.55 | | | | 3.83 | | | | .62 | |
Class F-2 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,021.96 | | | | 3.14 | | | | .62 | |
Class 529-A -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,461.13 | | | | 5.61 | | | | .91 | |
Class 529-A -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,020.51 | | | | 4.61 | | | | .91 | |
Class 529-B -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,455.18 | | | | 10.65 | | | | 1.73 | |
Class 529-B -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.39 | | | | 8.74 | | | | 1.73 | |
Class 529-C -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,455.84 | | | | 10.59 | | | | 1.72 | |
Class 529-C -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.44 | | | | 8.69 | | | | 1.72 | |
Class 529-E -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,459.28 | | | | 7.46 | | | | 1.21 | |
Class 529-E -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,019.00 | | | | 6.12 | | | | 1.21 | |
Class 529-F-1 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,462.64 | | | | 4.38 | | | | .71 | |
Class 529-F-1 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,021.51 | | | | 3.60 | | | | .71 | |
Class R-1 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,456.22 | | | | 10.16 | | | | 1.65 | |
Class R-1 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.80 | | | | 8.34 | | | | 1.65 | |
Class R-2 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,456.03 | | | | 10.41 | | | | 1.69 | |
Class R-2 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,016.60 | | | | 8.54 | | | | 1.69 | |
Class R-3 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,459.58 | | | | 7.15 | | | | 1.16 | |
Class R-3 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,019.25 | | | | 5.87 | | | | 1.16 | |
Class R-4 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,461.38 | | | | 5.37 | | | | .87 | |
Class R-4 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,020.71 | | | | 4.41 | | | | .87 | |
Class R-5 -- actual return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,464.08 | | | | 3.52 | | | | .57 | |
Class R-5 -- assumed 5% return | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,022.21 | | | | 2.89 | | | | .57 | |
Class R-6 -- actual return † | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,317.38 | | | | 2.65 | | | | .55 | |
Class R-6 -- assumed 5% return † | | | 1,000.00 | | | | 1,022.31 | | | | 2.79 | | | | .55 | |
*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 one-half year period).
† The period for the “annualized expense ratio” and “actual return” line is based on the number of days from May 1, 2009 (the initial sale of the share class), through September 30, 2009, and accordingly, is not representative of a full period. The “assumed 5% return” line is based on 183 days.
Other share class results
unaudited
Classes B, C, F and 529
Fund results shown 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. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.
Average annual total returns for periods ended September 30, 2009: | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | 1 year | | | 5 years | | | Life of class | |
Class B shares1 — first sold 3/15/00 | | | | | | | | | |
Reflecting applicable contingent deferred sales charge | | | | | | | | | |
(CDSC), maximum of 5%, payable only if shares are | | | | | | | | | |
sold within six years of purchase | | | 2.77 | % | | | 8.71 | % | | | 2.78 | % |
Not reflecting CDSC | | | 7.77 | | | | 9.00 | | | | 2.78 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class C shares — first sold 3/15/01 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reflecting CDSC, maximum of 1%, payable only | | | | | | | | | | | | |
if shares are sold within one year of purchase | | | 6.73 | | | | 8.92 | | | | 6.45 | |
Not reflecting CDSC | | | 7.73 | | | | 8.92 | | | | 6.45 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F-1 shares2 — first sold 3/15/01 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged | | | | | | | | | | | | |
by sponsoring firm | | | 8.58 | | | | 9.78 | | | | 7.30 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class F-2 shares2 — first sold 8/1/08 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged | | | | | | | | | | | | |
by sponsoring firm | | | 8.84 | | | | — | | | | –5.79 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class 529-A shares3 — first sold 2/15/02 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reflecting 5.75% maximum sales charge | | | 2.30 | | | | 8.47 | | | | 8.58 | |
Not reflecting maximum sales charge | | | 8.54 | | | | 9.76 | | | | 9.42 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class 529-B shares1,3 — first sold 2/19/02 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reflecting applicable CDSC, maximum of 5%, payable | | | | | | | | | | | | |
only if shares are sold within six years of purchase | | | 2.67 | | | | 8.55 | | | | 8.77 | |
Not reflecting CDSC | | | 7.67 | | | | 8.84 | | | | 8.77 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class 529-C shares3 — first sold 2/15/02 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reflecting CDSC, maximum of 1%, payable only | | | | | | | | | | | | |
if shares are sold within one year of purchase | | | 6.68 | | | | 8.85 | | | | 8.50 | |
Not reflecting CDSC | | | 7.68 | | | | 8.85 | | | | 8.50 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class 529-E shares2,3 — first sold 3/7/02 | | | 8.21 | | | | 9.41 | | | | 8.40 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Class 529-F-1 shares2,3 — first sold 9/16/02 | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged | | | | | | | | | | | | |
by sponsoring firm | | | 8.75 | | | | 9.92 | | | | 12.51 | |
| 1These shares are not available for purchase. |
| 2These shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge. |
| 3Results shown do not reflect the $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee. |
Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its management fees from September 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008. Fund results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. See the Financial Highlights table on pages 26 to 31 for details.
For information regarding the differences among the various share classes, refer to the fund’s prospectus.
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
JPMorgan Chase Bank
270 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10017-2070
Counsel
K&L Gates LLP
55 Second Street, Suite 1700
San Francisco, CA 94105
Independent registered public accounting firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
695 Town Center Drive
Suite 1200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7188
Principal underwriter
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406
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 professional 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 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.
A complete September 30, 2009, portfolio of EuroPacific Growth Fund’s investments is available free of charge by calling AFS or visiting the SEC website (where it is part of Form N-CSR).
EuroPacific Growth 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 EuroPacific Growth Fund, but it also may 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 December 31, 2009, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.
[logo - American Funds®]
The right choice for the long term®
What makes American Funds different?
For nearly 80 years, we have followed a consistent philosophy to benefit our investors. Our carefully conceived, broadly diversified funds, in addition to the target date retirement series, offer opportunities that have attracted over 50 million shareholder accounts.
Our unique combination of strengths includes these five factors:
| •A long-term, value-oriented approach |
| We seek to buy securities at reasonable prices relative to their prospects and hold them for the long term. |
| •An extensive global research effort |
| Our investment professionals travel the world to find the best investment opportunities and gain a comprehensive understanding of companies and markets. |
| •The multiple portfolio counselor system |
| Our unique approach to portfolio management, developed 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 25 years of investment experience, providing a depth of knowledge and broad perspective that few organizations have. |
| •A commitment to low management fees |
| The American Funds provide exceptional value for shareholders, with management fees that are among the lowest in the mutual fund industry. |
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 FundSM
Fundamental InvestorsSM
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 fund
American Balanced Fund®
• Bond funds
American High-Income TrustSM
The Bond Fund of AmericaSM
Capital World Bond Fund®
Intermediate Bond Fund of America®
Short-Term Bond Fund of AmericaSM
U.S. Government Securities FundSM
• Tax-exempt bond funds
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond FundSM
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 fund
American Funds Money Market Fund SM
• American Funds Target Date Retirement Series®
The Capital Group Companies
American Funds Capital Research and Management Capital International Capital Guardian Capital Bank and Trust
Lit. No. MFGESR-916-1109P
Litho in USA BG/AC/8082-S20695
Printed on paper containing 10% post-consumer waste
Printed with inks containing soy and/or vegetable oil
ITEM 2 – Code of Ethics
Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.
Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.
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.
Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a closed-end management investment company.
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.
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 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 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 committee.
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.
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.