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Form 485BPOS AMERICAN FUNDS CORPORATE

July 28, 2016 1:16 PM EDT

 

SEC. File Nos. 333-183929

811-22744

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-1A

 

Registration Statement

Under

the Securities Act of 1933

Post-Effective Amendment No. 13

 

and

 

Registration Statement

Under

the Investment Company Act of 1940

Amendment No. 15

 

 

 

AMERICAN FUNDS CORPORATE BOND FUND

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618-4518

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

(213) 486-9200

 

 

Steven I. Koszalka, Secretary

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund

333 South Hope Street

Los Angeles, California 90071-1406

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

____________________

 

Copies to:

Michael Glazer

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

300 South Grand Avenue, 22nd Floor

Los Angeles, California 90071-3106

(Counsel for the Registrant)

____________________

 

 

Approximate date of proposed public offering:

It is proposed that this filing become effective on July 29, 2016, pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485.

 

 
 

 

   
 

American Funds
Corporate Bond FundSM

Prospectus

July 29, 2016

 
                 
Class A B C F-1 F-2 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E
BFCAX BFCBX BFCCX BFCFX BFCGX COBAX COBBX COBCX COBEX
                 
529- F-1 R-1 R-2 R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5E R-5 R-6
COBFX RCBAX RCBBX RCBGX RCBCX RCBDX RCBHX RCBEX RCBFX

 

Table of contents

Investment objective 1
Fees and expenses of the fund 1
Principal investment strategies 3
Principal risks 4
Investment results 6
Management 7
Purchase and sale of fund shares 7
Tax information 7
Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries 7
Investment objective, strategies and risks 8
Management and organization 14
Shareholder information 16
Purchase, exchange and sale of shares 17
How to sell shares 23
Distributions and taxes 26
Choosing a share class 27
Sales charges 28
Sales charge reductions and waivers 31
Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs 34
Plans of distribution 35
Other compensation to dealers 36
Fund expenses 37
Financial highlights 38

 

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


 
 

 

Investment objective

The fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide maximum total return consistent with capital preservation and prudent risk management.

Fees and expenses of the fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the fund. You may qualify for sales charge discounts if you and your family invest, or agree to invest in the future, at least $100,000 in American Funds. More information about these and other discounts is available from your financial professional and in the “Sales charge reductions and waivers” section on page 31 of the prospectus and on page 70 of the fund’s statement of additional information.

               

Shareholder fees

(fees paid directly from your investment)

  Share classes
  A and
529-A
B and
529-B
C and
529-C
529-E F-1, F-2
and
529-F-1
All R
share
classes
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on purchases (as a percentage of offering price) 3.75% none none none none none
Maximum deferred sales charge (load) (as a percentage of the amount redeemed) 1.001 5.00% 1.00% none none none
Maximum sales charge (load) imposed on reinvested dividends none none none none none none
Redemption or exchange fees none none none none none none
                     

Annual fund operating expenses

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

  Share classes
  A B C F-1 F-2 529-A 529-B 529-C 529-E
Management fees 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.30 1.00 1.00 0.25  none 0.30 1.00 1.00 0.50
Other expenses2 0.41 0.43 0.46 0.46 0.43 0.50 0.51 0.51 0.47
Total annual fund operating expenses 1.17 1.89 1.92 1.17 0.89 1.26 1.97 1.97 1.43
Expense reimbursement3 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement 0.95 1.67 1.70 0.95 0.67 1.04 1.75 1.75 1.21

1     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

                   
  529-F-1 R-1 R-2 R-2E R-3 R-4 R-5E R-5 R-6
Management fees 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46 % 0.46% 0.46% 0.46% 0.46%
Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees 0.00 1.00 0.75 0.60 0.50 0.25  none  none  none
Other expenses2 0.50 0.36 0.83 0.58 0.68 0.40 0.49 0.36 0.33
Total annual fund operating expenses 0.96 1.82 2.04 1.64 1.64 1.11 0.95 0.82 0.79
Expense reimbursement3 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22 0.22
Total annual fund operating expenses after expense reimbursement 0.74 1.60 1.82 1.42 1.42 0.89 0.73 0.60 0.57

 

1 A contingent deferred sales charge of 1.00% applies on certain redemptions within one year following purchases of $1 million or more made without an initial sales charge. Contingent deferred sales charge is calculated based on the lesser of the offering price or market value of shares being sold.

2 Based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.

3 The investment adviser is currently reimbursing a portion of the other expenses for each share class. This reimbursement will be in effect through at least August 1, 2017. The adviser may elect at its discretion to extend, modify or terminate the reimbursement at that time.

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

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

         
Share classes 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
A $468 $712 $ 974 $1,723
B 670 973 1,201 2,006
C 273 582 1,016 2,225
F-1 97 350 622 1,401
F-2 68 262 472 1,076
529-A 477 739 1,020 1,822
529-B 678 997 1,242 2,094
529-C 278 597 1,042 2,278
529-E 123 431 761 1,694
529-F-1 76 284 509 1,158
R-1 163 551 965 2,119
R-2 185 618 1,078 2,351
R-2E 145 496 871 1,925
R-3 145 496 871 1,925
R-4 91 331 590 1,332
R-5E 75 281 504 1,146
R-5 61 240 433 993
R-6 58 230 417 957

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

         
Share classes 1 year 3 years 5 years 10 years
B $170 $573 $1,001 $2,006
C 173 582 1,016 2,225
529-B 178 597 1,042 2,094
529-C 178 597 1,042 2,278

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     2


 
 

 

Portfolio turnover The fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the fund’s investment results. During the most recent fiscal year, the fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 295% of the average value of its portfolio.

Principal investment strategies

The fund seeks to provide maximum total return consistent with capital preservation and prudent risk management by investing primarily in investment-grade corporate debt securities, such as bonds. Normally, at least 80% of the fund’s assets will be invested in corporate debt securities, which may be represented by other investment instruments, including derivatives. The fund will also normally invest all of its assets in debt instruments, including bonds, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, money market instruments, cash, cash equivalents and certain derivative instruments, with quality ratings of Baa3 or better or BBB- or better by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or in debt instruments that are unrated but determined at the time of purchase to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. However, the fund may invest in debt securities guaranteed or sponsored by the U.S. government, as well as debt issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, without regard to the quality rating assigned to the U.S. government by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization. The fund invests in debt securities with a wide range of maturities.

The fund may invest significantly in debt securities issued by companies domiciled outside the United States, including issuers domiciled in developing countries. All securities held by the fund will be denominated in U.S. dollars.

The fund may invest in certain derivative instruments, such as futures contracts and swaps. A derivative is a financial contract, the value of which is based on the value of an underlying financial asset (such as a stock, bond or currency), a reference rate or a market index. The fund may invest in a derivative only if, in the opinion of the investment adviser, the expected risks and rewards of the proposed investment are consistent with the investment objective and strategies of the fund as disclosed in this prospectus and in the fund’s statement of additional information.

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

The fund relies on the professional judgment of its investment adviser to make decisions about the fund’s portfolio investments. The basic investment philosophy of the investment adviser is to seek to invest in attractively priced securities that, in its opinion, represent good, long-term investment opportunities. The investment adviser believes that an important way to accomplish this is through fundamental research, which may include analysis of credit quality, general economic conditions and various quantitative measures and, in the case of corporate obligations, meeting with company executives and employees, suppliers, customers and competitors. Securities may be sold when the investment adviser believes that they no longer represent relatively attractive investment opportunities.

3     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Principal risks

This section describes the principal risks associated with the fund’s principal investment strategies. You may lose money by investing in the fund. The likelihood of loss may be greater if you invest for a shorter period of time.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Investing in derivatives — The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional cash securities, such as stocks and bonds. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with, and may be more sensitive to market events than, the underlying asset, rate or index, and a derivative instrument may expose the fund to losses in excess of its initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult for the fund to buy or sell at an opportune time or price and may be difficult to terminate or otherwise offset. The fund’s

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     4


 
 

 

use of derivatives may result in losses to the fund, and investing in derivatives may reduce the fund’s returns and increase the fund’s price volatility. The fund’s counterparty to a derivative transaction (including, if applicable, the fund’s clearing broker, the derivatives exchange or the clearinghouse) may be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations in respect of the transaction. A description of the derivative instruments in which the fund may invest and the various risks associated with those derivatives is included in the fund’s statement of additional information under “Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks.”

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

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

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

5     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

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

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

Investment results

The following bar chart shows how the fund’s investment results have varied from year to year, and the following table shows how the fund’s average annual total returns for various periods compare with a broad measure of securities market results and other applicable measures of market results. This information provides some indication of the risks of investing in the fund. The Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB-Rated Average includes the fund and other funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. The Lipper Corporate Debt Funds A-Rated Average also includes funds that disclose investment objectives and/or strategies reasonably comparable to those of the fund. Past investment results (before and after taxes) are not predictive of future investment results. Updated information on the fund’s investment results can be obtained by visiting americanfunds.com.

       

Average annual total returns

For the periods ended December 31, 2015 (with maximum sales charge):

Share class Inception date 1 year Lifetime
A — Before taxes 12/14/2012 –2.86% 1.15%
— After taxes on distributions   –4.79 –0.21
— After taxes on distributions and sale of fund shares –1.59 0.27
     
Index 1 year Lifetime
(from Class A inception)
Barclays U.S. Corporate Investment Grade Index (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes) –0.68% 1.68%
Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB-Rated Average (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes) –1.71 1.23
Lipper Corporate Debt Funds A-Rated Average (reflects no deductions for sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes) –0.92 1.29
Class A annualized 30-day yield at May 31, 2016: 0.91%
(For current yield information, please call American FundsLine® at (800) 325-3590.)

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     6


 
 

 

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

Management

Investment adviser Capital Research and Management CompanySM

Portfolio managers The individual primarily responsible for the portfolio management of the fund is:

Portfolio manager/
Fund title (if applicable)
Portfolio manager
experience in this fund
Primary title
with investment adviser
David S. Lee
President
4 years Partner –
Capital Fixed Income Investors

 

Purchase and sale of fund shares

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

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

Tax information

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

Payments to broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries

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

7     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Investment objective, strategies and risks

The fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide maximum total return consistent with capital preservation and prudent risk management. While it has no present intention to do so, the fund’s board may change the fund’s investment objective without shareholder approval upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.

Normally, at least 80% of the fund’s assets will be invested in corporate debt securities, which may be represented by other investment instruments, including derivatives. This policy is subject to change only upon 60 days’ written notice to shareholders. In addition, under normal market conditions, the fund invests all of its assets in debt instruments, including bonds, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, money market instruments, cash, cash equivalents and certain derivative instruments, rated Baa3 or better or BBB- or better by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or in debt instruments that are unrated but determined at the time of purchase to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser. However, the fund may invest in debt securities guaranteed or sponsored by the U.S. government, as well as debt issued by government-sponsored entities and federal agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, without regard to the quality rating assigned to the U.S. government by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization. The fund invests in debt securities with a wide range of maturities.

The fund may invest significantly in debt securities issued by companies domiciled outside the United States, including issuers domiciled in developing countries. All securities held by the fund will be denominated in U.S. dollars.

The fund may invest in certain derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial contract, the value of which is based on the value of an underlying financial asset (such as a stock, bond or currency), a reference rate or a market index. The fund may invest in a derivative only if, in the opinion of the investment adviser, the expected risks and rewards of the proposed investment are consistent with the investment objective and strategies of the fund as disclosed in this prospectus and in the fund’s statement of additional information.

Among other derivative instrument types, the fund may invest in futures contracts and interest rate swaps in order to seek to manage the fund’s sensitivity to interest rates, and in credit default swap indices, or CDX, in order to assume exposure to a diversified portfolio of credits or to hedge against existing credit risks. A futures contract is a standardized exchange-traded agreement to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying asset, rate or index at an agreed-upon price at a stipulated future date. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange or swap payments based on changes in one or more interest rates, one of which is typically fixed and the other of which is typically a floating rate based on a designated short-term interest rate, such as the London Interbank Offered Rate, prime rate or other benchmark. A CDX is based on a portfolio of credit default swaps with similar characteristics, such as credit default swaps on high-yield bonds. In a typical CDX transaction, one party – the protection buyer – is obligated to pay the other party – the protection seller – a stream of periodic payments over the term of the contract, provided generally that no credit event on an underlying reference obligation has occurred. If such a credit event has occurred, the protection seller must pay the protection buyer the loss on those credits.

The fund may also hold cash or money market instruments, including commercial paper and short-term securities issued by the U.S. government, its agencies and instrumentalities. The percentage of the fund invested in such holdings varies and

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     8


 
 

 

depends on various factors, including market conditions and purchases and redemptions of fund shares. The investment adviser may determine that it is appropriate to invest a substantial portion of the fund’s assets in such instruments in response to certain circumstances, such as periods of market turmoil. In addition, for temporary defensive purposes, the fund may invest without limitation in such instruments. A larger percentage of such holdings could moderate the fund’s investment results in a period of rising market prices. Alternatively, a larger percentage of such holdings could reduce the magnitude of the fund’s loss in a period of falling market prices and provide liquidity to make additional investments or to meet redemptions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Investing in derivatives — The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional cash securities, such as stocks and bonds. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with, and may be more sensitive to market events than, the underlying asset, rate or index, and a derivative instrument may expose the fund to losses in excess of its initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult for the fund to buy or sell at an opportune time or price and may be difficult to terminate or otherwise offset. The fund’s use of derivatives may result in losses to the fund, and investing in derivatives may reduce the fund’s returns and increase the fund’s price volatility. The fund’s counterparty to a derivative transaction (including, if applicable, the fund’s clearing broker, the derivatives exchange or the clearinghouse) may be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations in respect of the transaction. A description of the derivative instruments in which the fund may invest and the various risks associated with those derivatives is included in the fund’s statement of additional information under “Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks.”

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     10


 
 

 

calculating the fund’s net asset value. Additionally, there may be increased settlement risks for transactions in local securities.

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

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

Interest rate risk — The values and liquidity of the securities held by the fund may be affected by changing interest rates. For example, the values of these securities may decline when interest rates rise and increase when interest rates fall. Longer maturity debt securities generally have greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates and may be subject to greater price fluctuations than shorter maturity debt securities. The fund may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Although such securities are generally less sensitive to interest rate changes, the value of variable and floating rate securities may decline if their interest rates do not rise as quickly, or as much, as general interest rates. Conversely, floating rate securities will not generally increase in value if interest rates decline. During periods of extremely low short-term interest rates, the fund may not be able to maintain a positive yield and, given the current historically low interest rate environment, risks associated with rising rates are currently heightened.

Investing in mortgage-related and other asset-backed securities — Mortgage-related securities, such as mortgage-backed securities and other asset-backed securities, include debt obligations that represent interests in pools of mortgages or other income-bearing assets, such as consumer loans or receivables. Such securities often involve risks that are different from or more acute than the risks associated with investing in other types of debt securities. Mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are subject to changes in the payment patterns of borrowers of the underlying debt. When interest rates fall, borrowers are more likely to refinance or prepay their debt before its stated maturity. This may result in the fund having to reinvest the proceeds in lower yielding securities, effectively reducing the fund’s income. Conversely, if interest rates rise and borrowers repay their debt more slowly than expected, the time in which the mortgage-backed and other asset-backed securities are paid off could be extended, reducing the fund’s cash available for reinvestment in higher yielding securities.

Investing in futures contracts — In addition to the risks generally associated with investing in derivative instruments, futures contracts are subject to the creditworthiness of the clearing organizations, exchanges and futures commission merchants with which the fund transacts. Additionally, although futures require only a small initial investment in the form of a deposit of initial margin, the amount of a potential loss on a futures contract could greatly exceed the initial amount invested. While futures contracts are generally liquid instruments, under certain market conditions futures may be deemed to be illiquid. For example, the fund may be temporarily prohibited from closing out its position in a futures contract if intraday price change limits or limits on trading volume imposed by the applicable futures exchange are triggered. If the fund is unable to close out a position on a futures contract, the fund would remain subject to the risk of adverse price movements until the fund is able to close out the futures position. The ability of the fund to successfully utilize futures contracts may depend in part upon the ability of the fund’s investment adviser to accurately forecast interest rates and other economic factors and to assess and predict the impact of such economic factors on the futures in which

11     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

the fund invests. If the investment adviser incorrectly forecasts economic developments or incorrectly predicts the impact of such developments on the futures in which it invests, the fund could be exposed to the risk of loss.

Investing in swaps — Swaps, including interest rate swaps and credit default swap indices, or CDX, are subject to many of the risks generally associated with investing in derivative instruments. Additionally, although swaps require no or only a small initial investment in the form of a deposit of initial margin, the amount of a potential loss on a swap contract could greatly exceed the initial amount invested. The use of swaps involves the risk that the investment adviser will not accurately predict anticipated changes in interest rates or other economic factors, which may result in losses to the fund. To the extent the fund enters into a bilaterally negotiated swap transaction, there is a possibility that the counterparty will fail to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreement. If a counterparty defaults on its obligations under a swap agreement, the fund may lose any amount it expected to receive from the counterparty, potentially including amounts in excess of the fund’s initial investment. Certain swap transactions are subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Although clearing interposes a central clearinghouse as the ultimate counterparty to each participant’s swap, central clearing will not eliminate (but may decrease) counterparty risk relative to uncleared bilateral swaps. Some swaps, such as CDX, may be dependent on both the individual credit of the fund’s counterparty and on the credit of one or more issuers of any underlying assets. If the fund does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of its counterparty and, where applicable, of issuers of any underlying reference assets, the fund’s investment in a swap may result in losses to the fund.

High portfolio turnover — The fund may engage in frequent and active trading of its portfolio securities. High portfolio turnover may involve correspondingly greater transaction costs in the form of dealer spreads, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs on the sale of securities and on reinvestment in other securities. The sale of portfolio securities may also result in the realization of net capital gains, which are taxable when distributed to shareholders, unless the shareholder is exempt from taxation or his or her account is tax-favored. These costs and tax effects may adversely affect the fund’s returns to shareholders.

Exposure to country, region, industry or sector — It is possible that the fund may have significant exposure to a particular country, region, industry or sector. Such exposure may cause the fund to be more impacted by risks relating to the country, region, industry or sector than a fund without such levels of exposure. For example, if the fund has significant exposure in a particular country, then social, economic, regulatory or other issues that negatively affect that country may have a greater impact on the fund than on a fund that is more geographically diversified.

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     12


 
 

 

Fund comparative indexes The investment results table in this prospectus shows how the fund’s average annual total returns compare with various broad measures of market results. The Barclays U.S. Corporate Investment Grade Index represents the universe of investment grade, publically issued U.S. corporate and specified foreign debentures and secured notes that meet the specified maturity, liquidity, and quality requirements. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes. The Lipper Corporate Debt Funds BBB-Rated Average is composed of funds that invest at least 65% of their assets in corporate and government debt issues rated in the top four grades. The results of the underlying funds in the average include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the fund for portfolio transactions and other fund expenses, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes. The Lipper Corporate Debt Funds A-Rated Average is composed of funds that invest primarily in corporate debt issues rated A or better or government issues. The results of the underlying funds in the average include the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions, as well as brokerage commissions paid by the fund for portfolio transactions and other fund expenses, but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, account fees or U.S. federal income taxes.

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

13     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Management and organization

Investment adviser Capital Research and Management Company, an experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, serves as the investment adviser to the fund and other funds, including the American Funds. Capital Research and Management Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071. Capital Research and Management Company manages the investment portfolio and business affairs of the fund. The total management fee paid by the fund to its investment adviser for the most recent fiscal year, as a percentage of average net assets, appears in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table under “Fees and expenses of the fund.” The management fee is based on the daily net assets of the fund. Please see the statement of additional information for further details. A discussion regarding the basis for the approval of the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement by the fund’s board of trustees is contained in the fund’s annual report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016.

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     14


 
 

 

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

Certain senior members of Capital Fixed Income Investors, the investment adviser’s fixed-income investment division, serve on the Portfolio Strategy Group. The group utilizes a research-driven process with input from the investment adviser’s analysts, portfolio managers and economists to define investment themes on a range of macroeconomic factors, including duration, yield curve and sector allocation. The investment decisions made by the fund’s portfolio managers are informed by the investment themes discussed by the group.

The table below shows the investment experience and role in management of the fund for the fund’s primary portfolio manager.

       
Portfolio manager Investment
experience
Experience
in this fund
Role in
management
of the fund
David S. Lee Investment professional for 17 years in total;
14 years with Capital Research and Management Company or affiliate
4 years Serves as a fixed-income portfolio manager
 

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

15     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Certain privileges and/or services described on the following pages of this prospectus and in the statement of additional information may not be available to you, depending on your investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper. Please see your financial advisor, investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper for more information.

Shareholder information

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     16


 
 

 

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

Purchase, exchange and sale of shares

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

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

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

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

17     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

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

Equity securities are valued primarily on the basis of market quotations, and debt securities are valued primarily on the basis of prices from third-party pricing services. Futures contracts are valued primarily on the basis of settlement prices. The fund has adopted procedures for making fair value determinations if market quotations or prices from third-party pricing services, as applicable, are not readily available or are not considered reliable. For example, if events occur between the close of markets outside the United States and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange that, in the opinion of the investment adviser, materially affect the value of any of the fund’s equity securities that trade principally in those international markets, those securities will be valued in accordance with fair value procedures. Similarly, fair value procedures may be employed if an issuer defaults on its debt securities and there is no market for its securities. Use of these procedures is intended to result in more appropriate net asset values and, where applicable, to reduce potential arbitrage opportunities otherwise available to short-term investors.

Because the fund may hold securities that are listed primarily on foreign exchanges that trade on weekends or days when the fund does not price its shares, the values of securities held in the fund may change on days when you will not be able to purchase or redeem fund shares.

Your shares will be purchased at the net asset value (plus any applicable sales charge, in the case of Class A shares) or sold at the net asset value next determined after American Funds Service Company receives your request, provided that your request contains all information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. A contingent deferred sales charge may apply at the time you sell certain Class A, B and C shares.

Purchase of Class A and C shares You may generally open an account and purchase Class A and C shares by contacting any financial advisor (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell the fund’s shares. You may purchase additional shares in various ways, including through your financial advisor and by mail, telephone, the Internet and bank wire.

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     18


 
 

 

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

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

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

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

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

Investors residing in any state may purchase Class 529 shares through an account established with a 529 college savings plan managed by the American Funds organization. Class 529-A, 529-B, 529-C and 529-F-1 shares are structured similarly to the corresponding Class A, B, C and F-1 shares. For example, the same initial sales charges apply to Class 529-A shares as to Class A shares.

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

Purchases by employer-sponsored retirement plans Eligible retirement plans generally may open an account and purchase Class A or R shares by contacting any investment

19     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

dealer (who may impose transaction charges in addition to those described in this prospectus) authorized to sell these classes of the fund’s shares. Some or all R share classes may not be available through certain investment dealers. Additional shares may be purchased through a plan’s administrator or recordkeeper.

Class A shares are generally not available for retirement plans using the PlanPremier® or Recordkeeper Direct® recordkeeping programs. These programs are proprietary recordkeeping solutions for small retirement plans.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans that are eligible to purchase Class R shares may instead purchase Class A shares and pay the applicable Class A sales charge, provided that their recordkeepers can properly apply a sales charge on plan investments. These plans are not eligible to make initial purchases of $1 million or more in Class A shares and thereby invest in Class A shares without a sales charge, nor are they eligible to establish a statement of intention that qualifies them to purchase Class A shares without a sales charge. More information about statements of intention can be found under “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus. Plans investing in Class A shares with a sales charge may purchase additional Class A shares in accordance with the sales charge table in this prospectus.

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     20


 
 

 

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

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

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

The purchase maximum for Class C shares is $500,000 per transaction. In addition, if you have significant American Funds holdings, you may not be eligible to invest in Class C or 529-C shares. Specifically, you may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if you are eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1 million or more sales charge discount rate (that is, at net asset value). See “Sales charge reductions and waivers” in this prospectus and the statement of additional information for more details regarding sales charge discounts.

21     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

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

Exchanges of shares from American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund initially purchased without a sales charge to shares of an American Funds non-money market fund generally will be subject to the appropriate sales charge applicable to the non-money market fund. For purposes of computing the contingent deferred sales charge on Class B and C shares, the length of time you have owned your shares will be measured from the first day of the month in which shares were purchased and will not be affected by any permitted exchange.

Exchanges have the same tax consequences as ordinary sales and purchases. For example, to the extent you exchange shares held in a taxable account that are worth more now than what you paid for them, the gain will be subject to taxation.

See “Transactions by telephone, fax or the Internet” in the section “How to sell shares” of this prospectus for information regarding electronic exchanges.

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     22


 
 

 

How to sell shares

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

Employer-sponsored retirement plans

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

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

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

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

Writing to American Funds Service Company

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

· A signature guarantee is required if the redemption is:

— more than $125,000;

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

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

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

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

Telephoning or faxing American Funds Service Company or using the Internet

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

· Checks must be made payable to the registered shareholder.

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

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

Although payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund’s declaration of trust permits payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of trustees. The disposal of the securities received in-kind may be subject to brokerage costs and until sold such securities remain at market risk and liquidity risk, including the risk that such securities are or become difficult to sell. If the fund pays your redemption with illiquid securities, you will bear the risk of not being able to sell such illiquid securities.

23     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Transactions by telephone, fax or the Internet Generally, you are automatically eligible to redeem or exchange shares by telephone, fax or the Internet, unless you notify us in writing that you do not want any or all of these services. You may reinstate these services at any time.

Unless you decide not to have telephone, fax or Internet services on your account(s), you agree to hold the fund, American Funds Service Company, any of its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges, provided that American Funds Service Company employs reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine. If reasonable procedures are not employed, American Funds Service Company and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions.

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

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

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

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

· transactions in Class 529 shares;

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     24


 
 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

25     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Distributions and taxes

Dividends and distributions The fund declares daily dividends from net investment income and distributes the accrued dividends, which may fluctuate, to you each month. Generally, dividends begin accruing on the day payment for shares is received by the fund or American Funds Service Company.

Capital gains, if any, are usually distributed in December. When a capital gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is reduced by the amount of the payment.

You may elect to reinvest dividends and/or capital gain distributions to purchase additional shares of this fund or other American Funds, or you may elect to receive them in cash. Dividends and capital gain distributions for 529 share classes and retirement plan shareholders will be reinvested automatically.

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

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

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

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     26


 
 

 

Choosing a share class

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

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

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

· how long you expect to own the shares;

· how much you intend to invest;

· total expenses associated with owning shares of each class;

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

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

· availability of share classes:

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

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

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

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

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

27     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Sales charges

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

       
  Sales charge as a percentage of:  
Investment Offering price Net amount
invested
Dealer commission
as a percentage
of offering price
Less than $100,000 3.75% 3.90% 3.00%
$100,000 but less than $250,000 3.50 3.63 2.75
$250,000 but less than $500,000 2.50 2.56 2.00
$500,000 but less than $750,000 2.00 2.04 1.60
$750,000 but less than $1 million 1.50 1.52 1.20
$1 million or more and certain other investments described below none none see below

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     28


 
 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

29     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     30


 
 

 

Sales charge reductions and waivers

To receive a reduction in your Class A initial sales charge, you must let your financial advisor or American Funds Service Company know at the time you purchase shares that you qualify for such a reduction. If you do not let your advisor or American Funds Service Company know that you are eligible for a reduction, you may not receive the sales charge discount to which you are otherwise entitled. In order to determine your eligibility to receive a sales charge discount, it may be necessary for you to provide your advisor or American Funds Service Company with information and records (including account statements) of all relevant accounts invested in the American Funds. Sales charge waivers may not be available through certain financial intermediaries, due to the policies, procedures, trading platforms and/or systems of the financial intermediaries. You may need to invest directly through American Funds Service Company in order to receive the sales charge waivers described in this prospectus. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

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

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

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

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

· solely controlled business accounts; and

· single-participant retirement plans.

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

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

Rights of accumulation You may take into account your accumulated holdings in all share classes of the American Funds (excluding American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund) to determine the initial sales charge you pay on each purchase of

31     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Class A shares. Subject to your investment dealer’s capabilities, your accumulated holdings will be calculated as the higher of (a) the current value of your existing holdings (as of the day prior to your additional American Funds investment) or (b) the amount you invested (including reinvested dividends and capital gains, but excluding capital appreciation) less any withdrawals. Please see the statement of additional information for further details. You should retain any records necessary to substantiate the historical amounts you have invested.

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

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

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

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

Proceeds will be reinvested at the next calculated net asset value after your request is received by American Funds Service Company, provided that your request contains all

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     32


 
 

 

information and legal documentation necessary to process the transaction. For purposes of this “right of reinvestment policy,” automatic transactions (including, for example, automatic purchases, withdrawals and payroll deductions) and ongoing retirement plan contributions are not eligible for investment without a sales charge. You may not reinvest proceeds in the American Funds as described in this paragraph if such proceeds are subject to a purchase block as described under “Frequent trading of fund shares” in this prospectus. This paragraph does not apply to certain rollover investments as described under “Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs” in this prospectus. Depending on the financial intermediary holding your account, your reinvestment privileges may be unavailable or differ from those described in this prospectus. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

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

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

· tax-free returns of excess contributions to IRAs;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

33     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Rollovers from retirement plans to IRAs

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

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

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

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

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

IRA rollover assets that roll over without a sales charge as described above will not be subject to a contingent deferred sales charge, and investment dealers will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue immediately. All other rollovers invested in Class A shares, as well as future contributions to the IRA, will be subject to sales charges and to the terms and conditions generally applicable to Class A share investments as described in this prospectus and in the statement of additional information.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     34


 
 

 

Plans of distribution

The fund has plans of distribution, or “12b-1 plans,” for certain share classes under which it may finance activities intended primarily to sell shares, provided that the categories of expenses are approved in advance by the fund’s board of trustees. The plans provide for payments, based on annualized percentages of average daily net assets, of:

   
Up to: Share class(es)
0.30% Class A shares
0.50% Class 529-A, F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4 shares
0.75% Class 529-E and R-3 shares
0.85% Class R-2E shares
1.00% Class B, 529-B, C, 529-C, R-1 and R-2 shares

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

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

35     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Other compensation to dealers

American Funds Distributors, at its expense, provides additional compensation to investment dealers. These payments may be made, at the discretion of American Funds Distributors, to the top 100 dealers (or their affiliates) that have sold shares of the American Funds. A number of factors will be considered in determining payments, including the qualifying dealer’s sales, assets and positive cash flows, and the quality of the dealer’s relationship with American Funds Distributors. The payment will be determined using a formula applied consistently to dealers based on the relevant facts and circumstances. The level of payments made to a qualifying firm in any given year will vary and (excluding payments for meetings as described below) will represent the sum of (a) up to .10% of the previous year’s American Funds sales by that dealer and (b) up to .02% of American Funds assets attributable to that dealer, with an adjustment made for the dealer’s positive cash flows and the quality of the dealer’s relationship with American Funds Distributors. For calendar year 2015, aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers were less than .02% of the average assets of the American Funds. Aggregate payments made by American Funds Distributors to dealers may also change from year to year. American Funds Distributors makes these payments to help defray the costs incurred by qualifying dealers in connection with efforts to educate financial advisors about the American Funds so that they can make recommendations and provide services that are suitable and meet shareholder needs. American Funds Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine the advisability of continuing these payments.

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     36


 
 

 

Fund expenses

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

In periods of market volatility, assets of the fund may decline significantly, causing total annual fund operating expenses (as a percentage of the value of your investment) to become higher than the numbers shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table on pages 1 and 2 of this prospectus.

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

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

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

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

   
  Payments
Class A 0.05% of assets or
$12 per participant position*
Class R-1 0.10% of assets
Class R-2 0.35% of assets
Class R-2E 0.20% of assets
Class R-3 0.15% of assets
Class R-4 0.10% of assets
Class R-5E 0.15% of assets
Class R-5 0.05% of assets
Class R-6 none

* Payment amount depends on the date services commenced.

37     American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus


 
 

 

Financial highlights

The Financial Highlights table is intended to help you understand the fund’s results. Certain information reflects financial results for a single share of a particular class. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions). Where indicated, figures in the table reflect the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements from Capital Research and Management Company. For more information about these reimbursements, see the fund’s statement of additional information and annual report. The information in the Financial Highlights table has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose current report, along with the fund’s financial statements, is included in the statement of additional information, which is available upon request.

                           
    Income (loss) from investment operations1 Dividends and distributions            
  Net
asset
value,
beginning
of period
Net
investment
income2
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
return2,3,4
Net
assets,
end of
period
(in
thousands)
Ratio of
expenses
to
average
net
assets
before
reim-
bursements2
Ratio of
expenses
to
average
net
assets
after
reim-
bursements2,3
Ratio
of net
income
to
average
net
assets2,3
Class A:                          
Year ended 5/31/2016 $10.20 $.30 $.26 $.56 $(.29) $(.20) $(.49) $10.27 5.71% $51,584 .75% .53% 2.97%
Year ended 5/31/2015 10.11 .26 .08 .34 (.25)  — (.25) 10.20 3.44 51,010 .71 .53 2.52
Year ended 5/31/2014 9.85 .26 .25 .51 (.25) 5 (.25) 10.11 5.36 50,537 .69 .53 2.65
Period from 12/14/2012 to 5/31/20136,7 10.00 .09 (.15) (.06) (.09)  — (.09) 9.85 (.60)8 49,245 .338 .248 0.918
         
  Year ended May 31 For the period
  2016 2015 2014 12/14/2012 to 5/31/20136,7
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes 295% 204% 178% 65%

 

1 Based on average shares outstanding.

2 All or a significant portion of assets in this class consisted of seed capital invested by Capital Research and Management Company and/or its affiliates. Fees for distribution services are not charged or accrued on these seed capital assets. If such fees were paid by the fund on seed capital assets, fund expenses would have been higher and net income and total return would have been lower.

3 This column reflects the impact of a reimbursement from Capital Research and Management Company. During the periods shown, Capital Research and Management Company reimbursed other fees and expenses

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

5 Amount less than $.01.

6 For the period December 14, 2012, commencement of operations, through May 31, 2013.

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

8 Not annualized.

 
American Funds Corporate Bond Fund / Prospectus     38

 


 
 

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you would like to opt out of household-based mailings or receive a complimentary copy of the current SAI, codes of ethics, annual/semi-annual report to shareholders or applicable program description, please call American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225 or write to the secretary of the fund at 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618.

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

MFGEPRX-032-0716P Litho in USA CGD/UNL/10236 Investment Company File No. 811-22744

 

 
 

 

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

 

/s/ STEVEN I. KOSZALKA
  STEVEN I. KOSZALKA
  SECRETARY

 

 
 

 

American Funds Corporate Bond FundSM

Part B
Statement of Additional Information

July 29, 2016

This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the current prospectus of American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (the “fund”) dated July 29, 2016. You may obtain a prospectus from your financial advisor, by calling American Funds Service Company® at (800) 421-4225 or by writing to the fund at the following address:

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund
Attention: Secretary

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, California 92618

Certain privileges and/or services described below may not be available to all shareholders (including shareholders who purchase shares at net asset value through eligible retirement plans) depending on the shareholder’s investment dealer or retirement plan recordkeeper. Please see your financial advisor, investment dealer, plan recordkeeper or employer for more information.

           
Class A BFCAX Class 529-A COBAX Class R-1 RCBAX
Class B BFCBX Class 529-B COBBX Class R-2 RCBBX
Class C BFCCX Class 529-C COBCX Class R-2E RCBGX
Class F-1 BFCFX Class 529-E COBEX Class R-3 RCBCX
Class F-2 BFCGX Class 529-F-1 COBFX Class R-4 RCBDX
        Class R-5E RCBHX
        Class R-5 RCBEX
        Class R-6 RCBFX

 

Table of Contents

Item Page no.
Certain investment limitations and guidelines 2
Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks 3
Fund policies 23
Management of the fund 25
Execution of portfolio transactions 51
Disclosure of portfolio holdings 54
Price of shares 56
Taxes and distributions 59
Purchase and exchange of shares 62
Sales charges 67
Sales charge reductions and waivers 70
Selling shares 74
Shareholder account services and privileges 75
General information 78
Appendix 87
Investment portfolio  
Financial statements  

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Certain investment limitations and guidelines

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

· The fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in corporate debt securities. For purposes of this investment guideline, corporate debt securities include any corporate debt instrument, including but not limited to bank loans, covered bonds, hybrids (securities with equity and debt characteristics), certain preferred securities and commercial paper and other cash equivalents. Additionally, investments in corporate debt securities for purposes of this guideline may be represented by derivative instruments, such as swap agreements.

· Under normal market conditions, the fund will invest 100% of its assets in debt instruments, including bonds, mortgage- and other asset-backed securities, money market instruments, cash, cash equivalents and certain derivative instruments, rated Baa3 or better or BBB- or better by Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organizations designated by the fund’s investment adviser or unrated but determined to be of equivalent quality by the fund’s investment adviser at time of purchase. The fund currently intends to look to the ratings from Moody’s Investors Service, Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Fitch Ratings. If rating agencies differ, securities will be considered to have received the highest of these ratings, consistent with the fund’s investment policies. The fund may invest in debt securities guaranteed or sponsored by the U.S. government without regard to the quality rating assigned to the U.S. government by a Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization.

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

* * * * * *

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

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Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks

The descriptions below are intended to supplement the material in the prospectus under “Investment objective, strategies and risks.”

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

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

Certain additional risk factors relating to debt securities are discussed below:

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

Payment expectations — Debt securities may contain redemption or call provisions. If an issuer exercises these provisions in a lower interest rate market, the fund may have to replace the security with a lower yielding security, resulting in decreased income to investors. If the issuer of a debt security defaults on its obligations to pay interest or principal or is the subject of bankruptcy proceedings, the fund may incur losses or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it.

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Liquidity and valuation — There may be little trading in the secondary market for particular debt securities, which may affect adversely the fund’s ability to value accurately or dispose of such debt securities. Adverse publicity and investor perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the value and/or liquidity of debt securities.

The investment adviser attempts to reduce the risks described above through diversification of the fund’s portfolio and by credit analysis of each issuer, as well as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate and legislative developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be successful in doing so.

Credit ratings for debt securities provided by rating agencies reflect an evaluation of the safety of principal and interest payments, not market value risk. The rating of an issuer is a rating agency’s view of past and future potential developments related to the issuer and may not necessarily reflect actual outcomes. There can be a lag between the time of developments relating to an issuer and the time a rating is assigned and updated. The investment adviser considers these ratings of securities as one of many criteria in making its investment decisions.

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

Pass-through securities — The fund may invest in various debt obligations backed by pools of mortgages or other assets including, but not limited to, loans on single family residences, home equity loans, mortgages on commercial buildings, credit card receivables and leases on airplanes or other equipment. Principal and interest payments made on the underlying asset pools backing these obligations are typically passed through to investors, net of any fees paid to any insurer or any guarantor of the securities. Pass-through securities may have either fixed or adjustable coupons. These securities include:

Mortgage-backed securities — These securities may be issued by U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities, such as Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and by private entities. The payment of interest and principal on mortgage-backed obligations issued by U.S. government agencies may be guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (in the case of Ginnie Mae), or may be guaranteed by the issuer (in the case of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). However, these guarantees do not apply to the market prices and yields of these securities, which vary with changes in interest rates.

Mortgage-backed securities issued by private entities are structured similarly to those issued by U.S. government agencies. However, these securities and the underlying mortgages are not guaranteed by any government agencies and the underlying mortgages are not subject to the same underwriting requirements. These securities generally are structured with one or more types of credit enhancements such as insurance or letters of credit issued by private companies. Borrowers on the underlying mortgages are usually permitted to prepay their underlying mortgages. Prepayments can alter the effective maturity of these instruments. In addition, delinquencies, losses or defaults by borrowers can adversely affect the prices and volatility of these securities. Such delinquencies and losses can be exacerbated by declining or flattening housing and property values. This, along with other outside pressures, such as bankruptcies and financial difficulties experienced by mortgage loan originators, decreased investor demand for mortgage loans and mortgage-related securities and increased investor demand for yield, can adversely affect the value and liquidity of mortgage-backed securities.

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Adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities — Adjustable rate mortgage-backed securities (“ARMS”) have interest rates that reset at periodic intervals. Acquiring ARMS permits the fund to participate in increases in prevailing current interest rates through periodic adjustments in the coupons of mortgages underlying the pool on which ARMS are based. Such ARMS generally have higher current yield and lower price fluctuations than is the case with more traditional fixed income debt securities of comparable rating and maturity. In addition, when prepayments of principal are made on the underlying mortgages during periods of rising interest rates, the fund can reinvest the proceeds of such prepayments at rates higher than those at which they were previously invested. Mortgages underlying most ARMS, however, have limits on the allowable annual or lifetime increases that can be made in the interest rate that the mortgagor pays. Therefore, if current interest rates rise above such limits over the period of the limitation, the fund, when holding an ARMS, does not benefit from further increases in interest rates. Moreover, when interest rates are in excess of coupon rates (i.e., the rates being paid by mortgagors) of the mortgages, ARMS behave more like fixed income securities and less like adjustable rate securities and are subject to the risks associated with fixed income securities. In addition, during periods of rising interest rates, increases in the coupon rate of adjustable rate mortgages generally lag current market interest rates slightly, thereby creating the potential for capital depreciation on such securities.

Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) — CMOs are also backed by a pool of mortgages or mortgage loans, which are divided into two or more separate bond issues. CMOs issued by U.S. government agencies are backed by agency mortgages, while privately issued CMOs may be backed by either government agency mortgages or private mortgages. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to each bond issue at varying schedules resulting in bonds with different coupons, effective maturities and sensitivities to interest rates. Some CMOs may be structured in a way that when interest rates change, the impact of changing prepayment rates on the effective maturities of certain issues of these securities is magnified. CMOs may be less liquid or may exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage or asset-backed securities.

Commercial mortgage-backed securities — These securities are backed by mortgages on commercial property, such as hotels, office buildings, retail stores, hospitals and other commercial buildings. These securities may have a lower prepayment uncertainty than other mortgage-related securities because commercial mortgage loans generally prohibit or impose penalties on prepayments of principal. In addition, commercial mortgage-related securities often are structured with some form of credit enhancement to protect against potential losses on the underlying mortgage loans. Many of the risks of investing in commercial mortgage-backed securities reflect the risks of investing in the real estate securing the underlying mortgage loans, including the effects of local and other economic conditions on real estate markets, the ability of tenants to make rental payments and the ability of a property to attract and retain tenants. Commercial mortgage-backed securities may be less liquid or exhibit greater price volatility than other types of mortgage or asset-backed securities and may be more difficult to value.

Asset-backed securities — These securities are backed by other assets such as credit card, automobile or consumer loan receivables, retail installment loans or participations in pools of leases. Credit support for these securities may be based on the underlying assets and/or provided through credit enhancements by a third party. The values of these securities are sensitive to changes in the credit quality of the underlying collateral, the credit strength of the credit enhancement, changes in interest rates and at times the financial condition of the issuer. Obligors of the underlying assets also may make prepayments that can change effective maturities of the asset-backed securities. These securities may be less liquid and more difficult to value than other securities.

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

Preferred stock — Preferred stock represents an equity interest in an issuer that generally entitles the holder to receive, in preference to common stockholders and the holders of certain other stocks, dividends and a fixed share of the proceeds resulting from a liquidation of the issuer. Preferred stocks may pay fixed or adjustable rates of return, and preferred stock dividends may be cumulative or non-cumulative and participating or non-participating. Cumulative dividend provisions require all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends can be paid to the issuer’s common stockholders, while prior unpaid dividends on non-cumulative preferred stock are forfeited. Participating preferred stock may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the issuer’s declared dividend in certain cases, while non-participating preferred stock is entitled only to the stipulated dividend. Preferred stock is subject to issuer-specific and market risks applicable generally to equity securities. As with debt securities, the prices and yields of preferred stocks often move with changes in interest rates and the issuer’s credit quality. Additionally, a company’s preferred stock typically pays dividends only after the company makes required payments to holders of its bonds and other debt. Accordingly, the price of preferred stock will usually react more strongly than bonds and other debt to actual or perceived changes in the issuing company’s financial condition or prospects. Preferred stock of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than preferred stock of larger companies.

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

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

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

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stock, the price of a convertible security also tends to increase as the price of the underlying stock rises and to decrease as the price of the underlying stock declines.

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

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

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

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

Federal agency securities — The securities of certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities are guaranteed as to the timely payment of principal and interest by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. Such agencies and entities include,

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but are not limited to, the Federal Financing Bank (“FFB”), the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Veterans Administration (“VA”), the Federal Housing Administration (“FHA”), the Export-Import Bank (“Exim Bank”), the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (“OPIC”), the Commodity Credit Corporation (“CCC”) and the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).

Other federal agency obligations — Additional federal agency securities are neither direct obligations of, nor guaranteed by, the U.S. government. These obligations include securities issued by certain U.S. government agencies and government-sponsored entities. However, they generally involve some form of federal sponsorship: some operate under a congressional charter; some are backed by collateral consisting of “full faith and credit” obligations as described above; some are supported by the issuer’s right to borrow from the Treasury; and others are supported only by the credit of the issuing government agency or entity. These agencies and entities include, but are not limited to: the Federal Home Loan Banks, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”), the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Federal Farm Credit Bank System.

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

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

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

Investing outside the U.S. — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the United States, or with significant operations or revenues outside the United States, may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers are domiciled, operate or generate revenue. These issuers may also be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments such as the imposition of price controls or punitive taxes that could adversely impact the value of these securities. To the extent the

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fund invests in securities that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, these securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile or less liquid than those in the United States. Investments outside the United States may also be subject to different accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the United States. In addition, the value of investments outside the United States may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund. The risks of investing outside the United States may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.

Additional costs could be incurred in connection with the fund’s investment activities outside the United States. Brokerage commissions may be higher outside the United States, and the fund will bear certain expenses in connection with its currency transactions. Furthermore, increased custodian costs may be associated with maintaining assets in certain jurisdictions.

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

Although there is no universally accepted definition, the investment adviser generally considers an emerging market to be a market that is in the earlier stages of its industrialization cycle with a low per capita gross domestic product (“GDP”) and a low market capitalization to GDP ratio relative to those in the United States and the European Union, and would include markets commonly referred to as “frontier markets.”

Certain risk factors related to emerging markets

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

Government regulation — Certain developing countries lack uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting and disclosure standards, have less governmental supervision of financial markets than in the United States, and do not honor legal rights enjoyed in the United States. Certain governments may be more unstable and present greater risks of nationalization or restrictions on foreign ownership of local companies. Repatriation of investment income, capital and the proceeds of sales by foreign investors may require governmental registration and/or approval in some developing countries. While the fund will only invest in markets where these restrictions are considered acceptable by the investment adviser, a country could

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impose new or additional repatriation restrictions after the fund’s investment. If this happened, the fund’s response might include, among other things, applying to the appropriate authorities for a waiver of the restrictions or engaging in transactions in other markets designed to offset the risks of decline in that country. Such restrictions will be considered in relation to the fund’s liquidity needs and other factors. Further, some attractive equity securities may not be available to the fund if foreign shareholders already hold the maximum amount legally permissible.

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

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

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

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

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

Taxation — Taxation of dividends, interest and capital gains received by the fund varies among developing countries and, in some cases, is comparatively high. In addition, developing countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 10


 
 

 

retroactive taxation so that the fund could become subject in the future to local tax liability that it had not reasonably anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets.

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

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

Real estate investment trusts — Real estate investment trusts ("REITs"), which primarily invest in real estate or real estate-related loans, may issue equity or debt securities. Equity REITs own real estate properties, while mortgage REITs hold construction, development and/or long-term mortgage loans. The values of REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property of the trusts, the creditworthiness of the issuer, property taxes, interest rates, tax laws and regulatory requirements, such as those relating to the environment. Both types of REITs are dependent upon management skill and the cash flows generated by their holdings, the real estate market in general and the possibility of failing to qualify for any applicable pass-through tax treatment or failing to maintain any applicable exemptive status afforded under relevant laws.

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

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

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

The value of inflation linked securities is expected to change in response to the changes in real interest rates. Real interest rates, in turn, are tied to the relationship between nominal interest rates and the rate of inflation. If inflation were to rise at a faster rate than nominal interest rates, real interest rates would decline, leading to an increase in value of the inflation linked securities. In contrast, if nominal interest rates were to increase at a faster rate than inflation, real interest rates might rise, leading to a decrease in value of inflation linked securities. There can be no assurance, however, that the value of

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inflation linked securities will be directly correlated to the changes in interest rates. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, investors in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the security’s inflation measure.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Repurchase agreements — The fund may enter into repurchase agreements under which the fund buys a security and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller to repurchase the security at a specified time and price. Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan by the fund that is collateralized by the security purchased. Repurchase agreements permit the fund to maintain liquidity and earn income over periods of time as short as overnight. The seller must maintain with a custodian collateral equal to at least the repurchase price, including accrued interest. The fund will only enter into repurchase agreements involving securities of the type in which it could otherwise invest. If the seller under the repurchase agreement defaults, the fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement has declined and may incur disposition costs and delays in connection with liquidating the collateral. If bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller, realization of the collateral by the fund may be delayed or limited.

Cash and cash equivalents — The fund may hold cash or invest in cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to: (a) commercial paper (for example, short-term notes with maturities typically up to 12 months in length issued by corporations, governmental bodies or bank/corporation sponsored conduits (asset-backed commercial paper)); (b) short-term bank obligations (for example, certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances (time drafts on a commercial bank where the bank accepts an irrevocable obligation to pay at maturity)) or bank notes; (c) savings association and savings bank obligations (for example, bank notes and certificates of deposit issued by savings banks or savings associations); (d) securities of the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities that mature, or that may be redeemed, in one year or less; and (e) corporate bonds and notes that mature, or that may be redeemed, in one year or less.

Loan assignments and participations — The fund may invest in loans or other forms of indebtedness that represent interests in amounts owed by corporations or other borrowers (collectively “borrowers”). The investment adviser defines debt securities to include investments in loans, such as loan assignments and participations. Loans may be originated by the borrower in order to address its working capital needs, as a result of a reorganization of the borrower’s assets and liabilities (recapitalizations), to merge with or acquire another company (mergers and acquisitions), to take control of another company (leveraged buy-outs), to provide temporary financing (bridge loans), or for other corporate purposes. Most corporate loans are variable or floating rate obligations.

Some loans may be secured in whole or in part by assets or other collateral. In other cases, loans may be unsecured or may become undersecured by declines in the value of assets or other collateral securing such loan. The greater the value of the assets securing the loan the more the lender is protected against loss in the case of nonpayment of principal or interest. Loans made to highly leveraged borrowers may be especially vulnerable to adverse changes in economic or market conditions and may involve a greater risk of default.

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

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

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Code. In the event of liquidation, the fund’s only recourse will be against the collateral securing the DIP financing.

The investment adviser generally makes investment decisions based on publicly available information, but may rely on non-public information if necessary. Borrowers may offer to provide lenders with material, non-public information regarding a specific loan or the borrower in general. The investment adviser generally chooses not to receive this information. As a result, the investment adviser may be at a disadvantage compared to other investors that may receive such information. The investment adviser’s decision not to receive material, non-public information may impact the investment adviser’s ability to assess a borrower’s requests for amendments or waivers of provisions in the loan agreement. However, the investment adviser may on a case-by-case basis decide to receive such information when it deems prudent. In these situations the investment adviser may be restricted from trading the loan or buying or selling other debt and equity securities of the borrower while it is in possession of such material, non-public information, even if such loan or other security is declining in value.

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

Loan participations are loans or other direct debt instruments that are interests in amounts owed by the borrower to another party. They may represent amounts owed to lenders or lending syndicates, to suppliers of goods or services, or to other parties. The fund will have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which it is entitled only from the lender selling the participation and only upon receipt by the lender of the payments from the borrower. In connection with purchasing participations, the fund generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the borrower with the terms of the loan agreement relating to the loan, nor any rights of set-off against the borrower. In addition, the fund may not directly benefit from any collateral supporting the loan in which it has purchased the participation and the fund will have to rely on the agent bank or other financial intermediary to apply appropriate credit remedies. As a result, the fund will be subject to the credit risk of both the borrower and the lender that is selling the participation. In the event of the insolvency of the lender selling a participation, a fund may be treated as a general creditor of the lender and may not benefit from any set-off between the lender and the borrower.

Loan assignments and participations are generally subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale and are not currently listed on any securities exchange or automatic quotation system. Risks may arise due to delayed settlements of loan assignments and participations. The investment adviser expects that most loan assignments and participations purchased for the fund will trade on a secondary market. However, although secondary markets for investments in loans are growing among institutional investors, there may be a limited number of investors interested in a specific loan. It is possible that loan participations, in particular, could be sold only to a limited number of institutional investors. If there is no active secondary market for a particular loan, it may be difficult for the investment adviser to sell the fund’s interest in such loan at a price that is acceptable to it and to obtain pricing information on such loan.

Investments in loan participations and assignments present the possibility that the fund could be held liable as a co-lender under emerging legal theories of lender liability. In addition, if the loan is

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foreclosed, the fund could be part owner of any collateral and could bear the costs and liabilities of owning and disposing of the collateral. In addition, some loan participations and assignments may not be rated by major rating agencies and may not be protected by securities laws.

Restricted or illiquid securities — The fund may purchase securities subject to restrictions on resale. Restricted securities may only be sold pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), or in a registered public offering. Restricted securities held by the fund are often eligible for resale under Rule 144A, an exemption under the 1933 Act allowing for resales to “Qualified Institutional Buyers.” Where registration is required, the holder of a registered security may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time it may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. Difficulty in selling such securities may result in a loss to the fund or cause it to incur additional administrative costs.

Some fund holdings (including some restricted securities) may be deemed illiquid if they cannot be sold in the ordinary course of business at approximately the price at which the fund values them. The determination of whether a holding is considered liquid or illiquid is made by the fund’s adviser under procedures adopted by the fund’s board. The fund’s adviser makes this determination based on factors it deems relevant, such as the frequency and volume of trading, the commitment of dealers to make markets and the availability of qualified investors, all of which can change from time to time. The fund may incur significant additional costs in disposing of illiquid securities. If the fund holds more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid assets due to appreciation of illiquid securities, the depreciation of liquid securities or changes in market conditions, the fund will seek over time to increase its investments in liquid securities to the extent practicable.

Maturity — There are no restrictions on the maturity composition of the portfolio. The fund invests in debt securities with a wide range of maturities. Under normal market conditions, longer term securities yield more than shorter term securities, but are subject to greater price fluctuations.

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Derivatives — In pursuing its investment objective, the fund may invest in derivative instruments. A derivative is a financial instrument, the value of which depends on, or is otherwise derived from, another underlying variable. Most often, the variable underlying a derivative is the price of a traded asset, such as a traditional cash security (e.g., a stock or bond), a currency or a commodity; however, the value of a derivative can be dependent on almost any variable, from the level of an index or a specified rate to the occurrence (or non-occurrence) of a credit event with respect to a specified reference asset. The fund may take positions in futures contracts, interest rate swaps and credit default swap indices, each of which is a derivative instrument described in greater detail below.

Derivative instruments may be distinguished by the manner in which they trade: some are standardized instruments that trade on an organized exchange while others are individually negotiated and traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) market. Derivatives also range broadly in complexity, from simple derivatives to more complex instruments. As a general matter, however, all derivatives — regardless of the manner in which they trade or their relative complexities — entail certain risks, some of which are different from, and potentially greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in traditional cash securities.

As is the case with traditional cash securities, derivative instruments are generally subject to counterparty credit risk; however, in some cases, derivatives may pose counterparty risks greater than those posed by cash securities. The use of derivatives involves the risk that a loss may be sustained by the fund as a result of the failure of the fund’s counterparty to make required payments or otherwise to comply with its contractual obligations. For some derivatives, though, the value of — and, in effect, the return on — the instrument may be dependent on both the individual credit of the fund’s counterparty and on the credit of one or more issuers of any underlying assets. If the fund does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of its counterparty and, where applicable, of issuers of any underlying reference assets, the fund’s investment in a derivative instrument may result in losses. Further, if a fund’s counterparty were to default on its obligations, the fund’s contractual remedies against such counterparty may be subject to applicable bankruptcy and insolvency laws, which could affect the fund’s rights as a creditor and delay or impede the fund’s ability to receive the net amount of payments that it is contractually entitled to receive.

The value of some derivative instruments in which the fund invests may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, currency exchange rates or other market conditions. Like the fund’s other investments, the ability of the fund to successfully utilize such derivative instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the fund’s investment adviser to accurately forecast interest rates and other economic factors. The success of the fund’s derivative investment strategy will also depend on the investment adviser’s ability to assess and predict the impact of market or economic developments on the derivative instruments in which the fund invests, in some cases without having had the benefit of observing the performance of a derivative under all possible market conditions. If the investment adviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, or if the investment adviser incorrectly predicts the impact of developments on a derivative instrument, the fund could be exposed to the risk of loss.

Certain derivatives may also be subject to liquidity and valuation risks. The potential lack of a liquid secondary market for a derivative (and, particularly, for an OTC derivative) may cause difficulty in valuing or selling the instrument. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid, as is often the case with many privately-negotiated OTC derivatives, the fund may not be able to initiate a transaction or to liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price. Particularly when there is no liquid secondary market for the fund’s derivative positions, the fund may encounter difficulty in valuing such illiquid positions. The value of a derivative instrument does not always correlate perfectly with its underlying asset, rate or index, and many derivatives, and OTC derivatives in particular, are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to the fund.

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Because certain derivative instruments may obligate the fund to make one or more potential future payments, which could significantly exceed the value of the fund’s initial investments in such instruments, derivative instruments may also have a leveraging effect on the fund’s portfolio. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, irrespective of the size of the fund’s investment in the instrument. When a fund leverages its portfolio, investments in that fund will tend to be more volatile, resulting in larger gains or losses in response to market changes. In accordance with applicable regulatory requirements, the fund will generally segregate or earmark liquid assets, or enter into offsetting financial positions, to cover its obligations under derivative instruments, effectively limiting the risk of leveraging the fund’s portfolio. Because the fund is legally required to maintain asset coverage or offsetting positions in connection with leveraging derivative instruments, the fund’s investments in such derivatives may also require the fund to buy or sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous times or prices in order to comply with applicable requirements.

Futures — The fund may enter into futures contracts to seek to manage the fund’s interest rate sensitivity by increasing or decreasing the duration of the fund or a portion of the fund’s portfolio. A futures contract is an agreement to buy or sell a security or other financial instrument (the “reference asset”) for a set price on a future date. Futures contracts are standardized, exchange-traded contracts, and, when a futures contract is bought or sold, the fund will incur brokerage fees and will be required to maintain margin deposits.

Unlike when the fund purchases or sells a security, such as a stock or bond, no price is paid or received by the fund upon the purchase or sale of a futures contract. When the fund enters into a futures contract, the fund is required to deposit with its futures broker, known as a futures commission merchant (FCM), a specified amount of liquid assets in a segregated account in the name of the FCM at the applicable derivatives clearinghouse or exchange. This amount, known as initial margin, is set by the futures exchange on which the contract is traded and may be significantly modified during the term of the contract. The initial margin is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract, which is returned to the fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. Additionally, on a daily basis, the fund pays or receives cash, or variation margin, equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by the fund but is instead a settlement between the fund and the FCM of the amount one party would owe the other if the futures contract expired. In computing daily net asset value, the fund will mark-to-market its open futures positions. In the event of the bankruptcy or insolvency of an FCM that holds margin on behalf of the fund, the fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCM’s other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the fund. An event of bankruptcy or insolvency at a clearinghouse or exchange holding initial margin could also result in losses for the fund.

When the fund invests in futures contracts and deposits margin with an FCM, the fund becomes subject to so-called “fellow customer” risk – that is, the risk that one or more customers of the FCM will default on their obligations and that the resulting losses will be so great that the FCM will default on its obligations and margin posted by one customer, such as the fund, will be used to cover a loss caused by a different defaulting customer. Applicable rules generally prohibit the use of one customer’s funds to meet the obligations of another customer and limit the ability of an FCM to use margin posed by non-defaulting customers to satisfy losses caused by defaulting customers. As a general matter, an FCM is required to use its own funds to meet a defaulting customer’s obligations. While a customer’s loss would likely need to be substantial before non-defaulting customers would be exposed to loss on account of fellow customer risk, applicable rules nevertheless permit the commingling of margin and do not limit the mutualization of customer losses from investment losses, custodial failures, fraud or other causes. If the loss is so great that, notwithstanding the application of an FCM’s own funds, there is a shortfall in the amount of customer funds required to be held in

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segregation, the FCM could default and be placed into bankruptcy. Under these circumstances, bankruptcy law provides that non-defaulting customers will share pro rata in any shortfall. A shortfall in customer segregated funds may also make the transfer of the accounts of non-defaulting customers to another FCM more difficult.

Although certain futures contracts, by their terms, require actual future delivery of and payment for the reference asset, in practice, most futures contracts are usually closed out before the delivery date by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts. Closing out an open futures contract purchase or sale is effected by entering into an offsetting futures contract sale or purchase, respectively, for the same aggregate amount of the identical reference asset and the same delivery date with the same FCM. If the offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price (in each case taking into account transaction costs, including brokerage fees), the fund realizes a gain; if it is more, the fund realizes a loss. Conversely, if the offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price (in each case taking into account transaction costs, including brokerage fees), the fund realizes a gain; if it is less, the fund realizes a loss.

The fund is generally required to segregate liquid assets equivalent to the fund’s outstanding obligations under each futures contract. With respect to long positions in futures contracts that are not legally required to cash settle, the fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount equal to the contract price the fund will be required to pay on settlement less the amount of margin deposited with an FCM. For short positions in futures contracts that are not legally required to cash settle, the fund will segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount that, when added to the amounts deposited with an FCM as margin, equals the market value of the reference asset underlying the futures contract. With respect to futures contracts that are required to cash settle, however, the fund is permitted to segregate or earmark liquid assets in an amount that, when added to the amounts deposited with an FCM as margin, equals the fund’s daily marked-to-market (net) obligation under the contract (i.e., the daily market value of the contract itself), if any; in other words, the fund may set aside its daily net liability, if any, rather than the notional value of the futures contract. By segregating or earmarking assets equal only to its net obligation under cash-settled futures, the fund may be able to utilize these contracts to a greater extent than if the fund were required to segregate or earmark assets equal to the full contract price or current market value of the futures contract. Such segregation of assets is intended to ensure that the fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to futures contracts and to limit any potential leveraging of the fund’s portfolio. However, segregation of liquid assets will not limit the fund’s exposure to loss. To maintain a sufficient amount of segregated assets, the fund may also have to sell less liquid portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices, and the earmarking of liquid assets will have the effect of limiting the fund’s ability to otherwise invest those assets in other securities or instruments.

The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of its underlying reference asset. Purchasing futures contracts will, therefore, tend to increase the fund’s exposure to positive and negative price fluctuations in the reference asset, much as if the fund had purchased the reference asset directly. When the fund sells a futures contract, by contrast, the value of its futures position will tend to move in a direction contrary to the market for the reference asset. Accordingly, selling futures contracts will tend to offset both positive and negative market price changes, much as if the reference asset had been sold.

There is no assurance that a liquid market will exist for any particular futures contract at any particular time. Futures exchanges may establish daily price fluctuation limits for futures contracts and may halt trading if a contract’s price moves upward or downward more than the limit in a given day. On volatile trading days, when the price fluctuation limit is reached and a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible to enter into new positions or close out existing

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positions. If the market for a futures contract is not liquid because of price fluctuation limits or other market conditions, the fund may be prevented from promptly liquidating unfavorable futures positions and the fund could be required to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in its value, potentially subjecting the fund to substantial losses. Additionally, the fund may not be able to take other actions or enter into other transactions to limit or reduce its exposure to the position. Under such circumstances, the fund would remain obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is cleared. As a result, the fund’s access to other assets held to cover its futures positions could also be impaired.

Although futures exchanges generally operate similarly in the United States and abroad, foreign futures exchanges may follow trading, settlement and margin procedures that are different than those followed by futures exchanges in the United States. Futures contracts traded outside the United States may not involve a clearing mechanism or related guarantees and may involve greater risk of loss than U.S.-traded contracts, including potentially greater risk of losses due to insolvency of a futures broker, exchange member, or other party that may owe initial or variation margin to the fund. Margin requirements on foreign futures exchanges may be different than those of futures exchanges in the United States, and, because initial and variation margin payments may be measured in foreign currency, a futures contract traded outside the United States may also involve the risk of foreign currency fluctuations.

Interest rate swaps The fund may enter into interest rate swaps to seek to manage the interest rate sensitivity of the fund by increasing or decreasing the duration of the fund or a portion of the fund’s portfolio. An interest rate swap is an agreement between two parties to exchange or swap payments based on changes in an interest rate or rates. Typically, one interest rate is fixed and the other is based on a designated short-term interest rate such as the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), prime rate or other benchmark. Interest rate swaps generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other principal amounts. Rather, cash payments are exchanged by the parties based on the application of the designated interest rates to a notional amount, which is the predetermined dollar principal of the trade upon which payment obligations are computed. Accordingly, the fund’s current obligation or right under the swap agreement is generally equal to the net amount to be paid or received under the swap agreement based on the relative value of the position held by each party. The fund will generally segregate assets with a daily value at least equal to the excess, if any, of the fund’s accrued obligations under the swap agreement over the accrued amount the fund is entitled to receive under the agreement, less the value of any posted margin or collateral on deposit with respect to the position.

The use of interest rate swaps involves certain risks, including losses if interest rate changes are not correctly anticipated by the fund’s investment adviser. To the extent the fund enters into bilaterally negotiated swap transactions, the fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain credit standards; however, if the counterparty’s creditworthiness deteriorates rapidly and the counterparty defaults on its obligations under the swap agreement or declares bankruptcy, the fund may lose any amount it expected to receive from the counterparty. Certain interest rate swap transactions are currently subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Because clearing interposes a central clearinghouse as the ultimate counterparty to each participant’s swap, central clearing is intended to decrease (but not eliminate) counterparty risk relative to uncleared bilateral swaps. Additionally, the term of an interest rate swap can be days, months or years and, as a result, certain swaps may be less liquid than others.

Credit default swap indices — In order to assume exposure to a diversified portfolio of credits or to hedge against existing credit risks, the fund may invest in credit default swap indices (“CDXs”). A CDX is based on a portfolio of credit default swaps with similar characteristics, such as credit default swaps on high-yield bonds. In a typical CDX transaction, one party — the

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protection buyer — is obligated to pay the other party — the protection seller — a stream of periodic payments over the term of the contract. If a credit event, such as a default or restructuring, occurs with respect to any of the underlying reference obligations, the protection seller must pay the protection buyer the loss on those credits.

The fund may enter into a CDX transaction as either protection buyer or protection seller. If the fund is a protection buyer, it would pay the counterparty a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract and would not recover any of those payments if no credit events were to occur with respect to any of the underlying reference obligations. However, if a credit event did occur, the fund, as a protection buyer, would have the right to deliver the referenced debt obligations or a specified amount of cash, depending on the terms of the applicable agreement, and to receive the par value of such debt obligations from the counterparty protection seller. As a protection seller, the fund would receive fixed payments throughout the term of the contract if no credit events were to occur with respect to any of the underlying reference obligations. If a credit event were to occur, however, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the fund, coupled with the periodic payments previously received by the fund, may be less than the full notional value that the fund, as a protection seller, pays to the counterparty protection buyer, effectively resulting in a loss of value to the fund. Furthermore, as a protection seller, the fund would effectively add leverage to its portfolio because it would have investment exposure to the notional amount of the swap transaction.

The use of CDX, like all other swap agreements, is subject to certain risks, including the risk that the fund’s counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default were to occur, any contractual remedies that the fund might have may be subject to applicable bankruptcy laws, which could delay or limit the fund’s recovery. Thus, if the fund’s counterparty to a CDX transaction defaults on its obligation to make payments thereunder, the fund may lose such payments altogether or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve substantial costs or delays. Certain CDX transactions are subject to mandatory central clearing or may be eligible for voluntary central clearing. Because clearing interposes a central clearinghouse as the ultimate counterparty to each participant’s swap, central clearing is intended to decrease (but not eliminate) counterparty risk relative to uncleared bilateral swaps.

Additionally, when the fund invests in a CDX as a protection seller, the fund will be indirectly exposed to the creditworthiness of issuers of the underlying reference obligations in the index. If the investment adviser to the fund does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of issuers of the underlying instruments on which the CDX is based, the investment could result in losses to the fund.

Pursuant to regulations and published positions of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the fund’s obligations under a CDX agreement will be accrued daily and, where applicable, offset against any amounts owing to the fund. In connection with CDX transactions in which the fund acts as protection buyer, the fund will segregate liquid assets with a value at least equal to the fund’s exposure (i.e., any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed by the fund to any counterparty), on a marked-to-market basis, less the value of any posted margin. When the fund acts as protection seller, the fund will segregate liquid assets with a value at least equal to the full notional amount of the swap, less the value of any posted margin. Such segregation is intended to ensure that the fund has assets available to satisfy its obligations with respect to CDX transactions and to limit any potential leveraging of the fund’s portfolio. However, segregation of liquid assets will not limit the fund’s exposure to loss. To maintain this required margin, the fund may also have to sell portfolio securities at disadvantageous prices, and the earmarking of liquid assets will have the effect of limiting the fund’s ability to otherwise invest those assets in other securities or instruments.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 20


 
 

 

 

Cybersecurity risks — With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the fund has become potentially more susceptible to operational and information security risks through breaches in cybersecurity. In general, a breach in cybersecurity can result from either a deliberate attack or an unintentional event. Cybersecurity breaches may involve, among other things, infection by computer viruses or other malicious software code or unauthorized access to the fund’s digital information systems, networks or devices through “hacking” or other means, in each case for the purpose of misappropriating assets or sensitive information (including, for example, personal shareholder information), corrupting data or causing operational disruption or failures in the physical infrastructure or operating systems that support the fund. Cybersecurity risks also include the risk of losses of service resulting from external attacks that do not require unauthorized access to the fund’s systems, networks or devices. For example, denial-of-service attacks on the investment adviser’s or an affiliate’s website could effectively render the fund’s network services unavailable to fund shareholders and other intended end-users. Any such cybersecurity breaches or losses of service may cause the fund to lose proprietary information, suffer data corruption or lose operational capacity, which, in turn, could cause the fund to incur regulatory penalties, reputational damage, additional compliance costs associated with corrective measures and/or financial loss. While the fund and its investment adviser have established business continuity plans and risk management systems designed to prevent or reduce the impact of cybersecurity attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems due in part to the ever-changing nature of technology and cybersecurity attack tactics, and there is a possibility that certain risks have not been adequately identified or prepared for.

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

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

* * * * * *

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

Fixed-income securities are generally traded on a net basis and usually neither brokerage commissions nor transfer taxes are involved. Transaction costs are usually reflected in the spread between the bid and asked price.

The fund’s portfolio turnover rates for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016 and 2015 were 295% and 204%, respectively. The increase in turnover was due to increased trading activity during the period. The portfolio turnover rate would equal 100% if each security in a fund’s portfolio were replaced once per year.

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Fund policies

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

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

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

a. Borrow money;

b. Issue senior securities;

c. Underwrite the securities of other issuers;

d. Purchase or sell real estate or commodities;

e. Make loans; or

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Management of the fund

Board of trustees and officers

Independent trustees1

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 25


 
 

 

 

         
Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios
in fund
complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3
held by trustee
during the
past five years
Other relevant experience
William H. Baribault, 1945
Trustee (2012)
CEO and President, Richard Nixon Foundation; Chairman of the Board and CEO, Oakwood Enterprises (private investment and consulting) 81 General Finance Corporation

· Service as chief executive officer for multiple companies

· Corporate board experience

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

James G. Ellis, 1947
Trustee (2012)
Dean and Professor of Marketing, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California 81

Mercury General Corporation

Former director of Quiksilver, Inc. (until 2014)

· Service as chief executive officer for multiple companies

· Corporate board experience

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

· MBA

Leonard R.
Fuller, 1946
Trustee (2012)
Private investor; former President and CEO, Fuller Consulting (financial management consulting) 81 None

· Former partner, public accounting firm

· Financial management consulting

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

· MBA

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 26


 
 

 

         
Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios
in fund
complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3
held by trustee
during the
past five years
Other relevant experience
R. Clark
Hooper, 1946
Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive) (2012)
Private investor 81 Former director of JPMorgan Value Opportunities Fund, Inc. (until 2014); The Swiss Helvetia Fund, Inc. (until 2016)

· Senior regulatory and management experience, National Association of Securities Dealers (now FINRA)

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

Merit E. Janow, 1958
Trustee (2012)
Dean and Professor, Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs 80

MasterCard Incorporated; Trimble Navigation Limited

Former director of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (until 2016)

· Service with Office of the U.S. Trade Representative and U.S. Department of Justice

· Corporate board experience

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

· Experience as corporate lawyer

· JD

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Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios
in fund
complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3
held by trustee
during the
past five years
Other relevant experience
Laurel B. Mitchell, PhD, 1955
Trustee (2012)
Distinguished Professor of Accounting, University of Redlands; former Director, Accounting Program, University of Redlands 77 None

· Professor at multiple universities

· Service in the Office of Chief Accountant and Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

· Experience in corporate management and public accounting

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

· PhD, accounting

· Formerly licensed as CPA

Frank M. Sanchez, 1943
Trustee (2012)
Principal, The Sanchez Family Corporation dba McDonald’s Restaurants (McDonald’s licensee) 77 None

· Senior academic leadership position

· Corporate board experience

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

·  PhD, education administration and finance  

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Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as a trustee2)
Principal
occupation(s)
during the
past five years
Number of
portfolios
in fund
complex
overseen
by
trustee
Other directorships3
held by trustee
during the
past five years
Other relevant experience
Margaret Spellings, 1957
Trustee (2012)
President, The University of North Carolina; former President, George W. Bush Foundation; former President and CEO, Margaret Spellings & Company (public policy and strategic consulting); former President, U.S. Chamber Foundation and Senior Advisor to the President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 82

ClubCorp Holdings, Inc.

Former director of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (until 2013)

· Former U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education

· Former Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, The White House

· Former senior advisor to the Governor of Texas

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

Steadman Upham, PhD, 1949
Trustee (2012)
President and University Professor, The University of Tulsa 80 None

· Senior academic leadership positions for multiple universities

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

· PhD, anthropology

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Interested trustee(s)4,5

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

Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as a director/officer2)
Principal occupation(s)
during the
past five years
and positions
held with affiliated
entities or the
Principal Underwriter
of the fund
Number of
portfolios
in fund
complex
overseen
by trustee
Other directorships3
held by trustee
during the
past five years
John H. Smet, 1956
Vice Chairman of the Board (2012)
Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, Capital Research and Management Company 23 None

Michael C. Gitlin,

1970
(2015)

Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Director, Capital Research and Management Company; served as Head of Fixed Income at a large investment management firm prior to joining Capital Research and Management Company in 2015 19 None

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 30


 
 

 

Other officers5

Name, year of birth
and position with fund
(year first elected
as an officer2)
Principal occupation(s) during the past five years
and positions held with affiliated entities
or the Principal Underwriter of the fund
David S. Lee, 1972
President (2015)
Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Research and Management Company; Partner – Capital Fixed Income Investors, Capital Bank and Trust Company*
Kristine M. Nishiyama, 1970
Senior Vice President (2012)
Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company; Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Capital Bank and Trust Company*
Steven I. Koszalka, 1964
Secretary (2012)
Vice President – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
Brian C. Janssen, 1972
Treasurer (2012)
Vice President – Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company
Jane Y. Chung, 1974
Assistant Secretary (2014)
Associate – Fund Business Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company
Dori Laskin, 1951
Assistant Treasurer (2012)
Vice President – Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company
Gregory F. Niland, 1971
Assistant Treasurer (2015)
Vice President – Investment Operations, Capital Research and Management Company

   

* Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.

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

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

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

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

5 All of the officers listed are officers and/or directors/trustees of one or more of the other funds for which Capital Research and Management Company serves as investment adviser.

The address for all trustees and officers of the fund is 333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor, Los Angeles, California 90071, Attention: Secretary.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 31


 
 

 

 

Fund shares owned by trustees as of December 31, 2015:

         
Name Dollar range1,2
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
Dollar
range1,2 of
independent
trustees
deferred compensation3 allocated
to fund
Aggregate
dollar
range1,4 of
independent
trustees
deferred
compensation3 allocated to
all funds
within
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
Independent trustees
William H. Baribault N/A Over $100,000 N/A $10,001 – $50,000
James G. Ellis N/A Over $100,000 N/A N/A
Leonard R. Fuller N/A $1 – $10,000 N/A Over $100,000
R. Clark Hooper N/A Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
Merit E. Janow N/A Over $100,000 N/A N/A
Laurel B. Mitchell N/A Over $100,000 N/A $50,001 – $100,000
Frank M. Sanchez N/A $1 – $10,000 N/A N/A
Margaret Spellings N/A Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
Steadman Upham N/A Over $100,000 N/A Over $100,000
     
Name Dollar range1
of fund
shares owned
Aggregate
dollar range1
of shares
owned in
all funds
in the
American Funds
family overseen
by trustee
Interested trustees
John H. Smet5 Over $100,000 Over $100,000
Michael C. Gitlin5,6 Over $100,000 Over $100,000

 

1 Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 – $10,000; $10,001 – $50,000; $50,001 – $100,000; and Over $100,000. The amounts listed for interested trustees include shares owned through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan.

2 N/A indicates that, as of May 31, 2016, the fund was not offered for purchase to the public and, as such, the listed trustee could not have owned any shares of the fund.

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

4 N/A indicates that the listed individual, as of December 31, 2015, was not a trustee of a particular fund, did not allocate deferred compensation to the fund or did not participate in the deferred compensation plan.

5 Information regarding dollar range of fund shares owned is as of July 1, 2016. All other information is as of December 31, 2015.

6 Mr. Gitlin was elected to the board on December 4, 2015.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 32


 
 

 

 

Trustee compensation — No compensation is paid by the fund to any officer or trustee who is a director, officer or employee of the investment adviser or its affiliates. Except for the independent trustees listed in the “Board of trustees and officers — Independent trustees” table under the “Management of the fund” section in this statement of additional information, all other officers and trustees of the fund are directors, officers or employees of the investment adviser or its affiliates. The boards of funds advised by the investment adviser typically meet either individually or jointly with the boards of one or more other such funds with substantially overlapping board membership (in each case referred to as a “board cluster”). The fund typically pays each independent trustee an annual fee, which ranges from $13 to $25, based primarily on the total number of board clusters on which that independent trustee serves.

In addition, the fund generally pays independent trustees attendance and other fees for meetings of the board and its committees. Board and committee chairs receive additional fees for their services.

Independent trustees also receive attendance fees for certain special joint meetings and information sessions with directors and trustees of other groupings of funds advised by the investment adviser. The fund and the other funds served by each independent trustee each pay an equal portion of these attendance fees.

No pension or retirement benefits are accrued as part of fund expenses. Independent trustees may elect, on a voluntary basis, to defer all or a portion of their fees through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund. The fund also reimburses certain expenses of the independent trustees.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 33


 
 

 

 

Trustee compensation earned during the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016:

Name Aggregate compensation
(including voluntarily
deferred compensation1)
from the fund
Total compensation (including
voluntarily deferred
compensation1)
from all funds managed by
Capital Research and
Management
Company or its affiliates
William H. Baribault $41 $384,125
James G. Ellis 41 385,750
Leonard R. Fuller2 39 380,625
R. Clark Hooper 45 484,650
Merit E. Janow 36 360,375
Laurel B. Mitchell2 52 297,250
Frank M. Sanchez 49 286,250
Margaret Spellings2 35 380,956
Steadman Upham2 40 354,250

 

Amounts may be deferred by eligible trustees under a nonqualified deferred compensation plan adopted by the fund in 2012. Deferred amounts accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more American Funds as designated by the trustees. Compensation shown in this table for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2016 does not include earnings on amounts deferred in previous fiscal years. See footnote 2 to this table for more information.

2 Since the deferred compensation plan’s adoption, the total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) through the end of the 2016 fiscal year for participating trustees is as follows: Leonard R. Fuller ($19), Laurel B. Mitchell ($15), Margaret Spellings ($26) and Steadman Upham ($97). Amounts deferred and accumulated earnings thereon are not funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund until paid to the trustees.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 34


 
 

 

 

Fund organization and the board of trustees — The fund, an open-end, diversified management investment company, was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on May 25, 2012. All fund operations are supervised by the fund’s board of trustees which meets periodically and performs duties required by applicable state and federal laws.

Delaware law charges trustees with the duty of managing the business affairs of the trust. Trustees are considered to be fiduciaries of the trust and owe duties of care and loyalty to the trust and its shareholders.

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

The fund has several different classes of shares. Shares of each class represent an interest in the same investment portfolio. Each class has pro rata rights as to voting, redemption, dividends and liquidation, except that each class bears different distribution expenses and may bear different transfer agent fees and other expenses properly attributable to the particular class as approved by the board of trustees and set forth in the fund’s rule 18f-3 Plan. Each class’ shareholders have exclusive voting rights with respect to the respective class’ rule 12b-1 plans adopted in connection with the distribution of shares and on other matters in which the interests of one class are different from interests in another class. Shares of all classes of the fund vote together on matters that affect all classes in substantially the same manner. Each class votes as a class on matters that affect that class alone. Note that 529 college savings plan account owners invested in Class 529 shares are not shareholders of the fund and, accordingly, do not have the rights of a shareholder, such as the right to vote proxies relating to fund shares. As the legal owner of the fund’s Class 529 shares, Virginia College Savings PlanSM (Virginia529SM) will vote any proxies relating to the fund’s Class 529 shares. In addition, the trustees have the authority to establish new series and classes of shares, and to split or combine outstanding shares into a greater or lesser number, without shareholder approval.

The fund does not hold annual meetings of shareholders. However, significant matters that require shareholder approval, such as certain elections of board members or a change in a fundamental investment policy, will be presented to shareholders at a meeting called for such purpose. Shareholders have one vote per share owned.

The fund’s declaration of trust and by-laws, as well as separate indemnification agreements with independent trustees, provide in effect that, subject to certain conditions, the fund will indemnify its officers and trustees against liabilities or expenses actually and reasonably incurred by them relating to their service to the fund. However, trustees are not protected from liability by reason of their willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of their office.

Removal of trustees by shareholders — At any meeting of shareholders, duly called and at which a quorum is present, shareholders may, by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast, remove any trustee from office and may elect a successor or successors to fill any resulting vacancies for the unexpired terms of removed trustees. In addition, the trustees of the fund will promptly call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting upon the removal of any trustees when requested in writing to do so by the record holders of at least 10% of the outstanding shares.

Leadership structure — The board’s chair is currently an independent trustee who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the 1940 Act. The board has determined that an independent chair facilitates oversight and enhances the effectiveness of the board. The independent chair’s duties include, without limitation, generally presiding at meetings of the board, approving board meeting schedules and agendas, leading meetings of the independent trustees in executive

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 35


 
 

 

session, facilitating communication with committee chairs, and serving as the principal independent trustee contact for fund management and counsel to the independent trustees and the fund.

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

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

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

Committees of the board of trustees — The fund has an audit committee comprised of Leonard R. Fuller, Laurel B. Mitchell, Frank M. Sanchez and Steadman Upham. The committee provides oversight regarding the fund’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, its internal controls and the internal controls of the fund’s principal service providers. The committee acts as a liaison between the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full board of trustees. The audit committee held five meetings during the 2016 fiscal year.

The fund has a contracts committee comprised of all of its independent board members. The committee’s principal function is to request, review and consider the information deemed necessary to evaluate the terms of certain agreements between the fund and its investment adviser or the investment adviser’s affiliates, such as the Investment Advisory and Service Agreement, Principal Underwriting Agreement, Administrative Services Agreement and Plans of Distribution adopted pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, that the fund may enter into, renew or continue, and to make its recommendations to the full board of trustees on these matters. The contracts committee held one meeting during the 2016 fiscal year.

The fund has a nominating and governance committee comprised of William H. Baribault, James G. Ellis, R. Clark Hooper, Merit E. Janow and Margaret Spellings. 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. The committee also evaluates, selects and nominates independent trustee candidates to the full board of trustees. While the committee normally is able to identify from its own and other resources an ample number of qualified candidates, it will consider shareholder suggestions of persons to be considered as nominees to fill future vacancies on the board. Such suggestions must be sent in writing to the nominating and governance committee of the fund, addressed to the fund’s secretary, and must be

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accompanied by complete biographical and occupational data on the prospective nominee, along with a written consent of the prospective nominee for consideration of his or her name by the committee. The nominating and governance committee held two meetings during the 2016 fiscal year.

The independent board members of the fund have oversight responsibility for the fund and certain other funds managed by the investment adviser. As part of their oversight responsibility for these funds, each independent board member sits on one of three fund review committees comprised solely of independent board members. The three committees are divided by portfolio type. Each committee functions independently and is not a decision making body. The purpose of the committees is to assist the board of each fund in the oversight of the investment management services provided by the investment adviser. In addition to regularly monitoring and reviewing investment results, investment activities and strategies used to manage the fund’s assets, the committees also receive reports from the investment adviser’s Principal Investment Officers for the funds, portfolio managers and other investment personnel concerning efforts to achieve the fund’s investment objectives. Each committee reports to the full board of the fund.

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

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

The investment adviser seeks to vote all U.S. proxies; however, in certain circumstances it may be impracticable or impossible to do so. Proxies for companies outside the U.S. also are voted, provided there is sufficient time and information available. After a proxy statement is received, the investment adviser prepares a summary of the proposals contained in the proxy statement. A notation of any potential conflicts of interest also is included in the summary (see below for a description of Capital Research and Management Company’s special review procedures).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Principal fund shareholders — Capital Research and Management Company, the fund’s investment adviser, owns 99.25% of the fund. Once the fund is offered to the public, Capital Research and Management Company is expected to own less than 1% of the fund. As of July 1, 2016, the officers and trustees of the fund, as a group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the fund.

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

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

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

Compensation of investment professionals — As described in the prospectus, the investment adviser uses a system of multiple portfolio managers in managing fund assets. In addition, Capital Research and Management Company’s investment analysts may make investment decisions with respect to a portion of a fund’s portfolio within their research coverage.

Portfolio managers and investment analysts are paid competitive salaries by Capital Research and Management Company. In addition, they may receive bonuses based on their individual portfolio results. Investment professionals also may participate in profit-sharing plans. The relative mix of compensation represented by bonuses, salary and profit-sharing plans will vary depending on the individual’s portfolio results, contributions to the organization and other factors.

To encourage a long-term focus, bonuses based on investment results are calculated by comparing pretax total investment returns to relevant benchmarks over the most recent year, a four-year rolling average and an eight-year rolling average with greater weight placed on the four-year and eight-year rolling averages. Bonuses for investment results generated in 2016 and thereafter will be based on the most recent year, a three-year rolling average, a five-year rolling average and an eight-year rolling average, with increasing weight placed on each succeeding measurement period. Bonuses for investment results generated in 2015 will be calculated using both methods referenced above, and the payment for individual managers and analysts will be the higher of the two calculations. For portfolio managers, benchmarks may include measures of the marketplaces in which the fund invests and measures of the results of comparable mutual funds. For investment analysts, benchmarks may include relevant market measures and appropriate industry or sector indexes reflecting their areas of expertise. Capital Research and Management Company makes periodic subjective assessments of analysts’ contributions to the investment process and this is an element of their overall compensation. The investment results of each of the fund’s portfolio managers may be measured against one or more benchmarks, depending on his or her investment focus, such as: a custom average consisting of one share class per fund of corporate debt BBB-rated funds that disclose investment objectives and strategies comparable to those of the fund and a custom average consisting of one share class per fund of corporate debt A rated funds that disclose investment objectives and strategies comparable to those of the fund. From time to time, Capital Research and Management Company may adjust or

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 41


 
 

 

customize these benchmarks to better reflect the universe of comparably managed funds of competitive investment management firms.

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

The following table reflects information as of May 31, 2016:

               
Portfolio
manager
Dollar range
of fund
shares
owned1
Number
of other
registered
investment
companies (RICs)
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of RICs
in billions)2
Number
of other
pooled
investment
vehicles (PIVs)
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of PIVs
in billions)3
Number
of other
accounts
for which
portfolio
manager
is a manager
(assets of
other accounts
in billions)4
David S. Lee $100,001 – $500,000 3 $111.9 2 $0.84 6 $5.98

 

Ownership disclosure is made using the following ranges: None; $1 – $10,000; $10,001 – $50,000; $50,001 – $100,000; $100,001 – $500,000; $500,001 – $1,000,000; and Over $1,000,000. The amounts listed include shares owned through The Capital Group Companies, Inc. retirement plan and 401(k) plan.

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

Represents funds advised or sub-advised by Capital Research and Management Company or its affiliates and sold outside the United States and/or fixed-income assets in institutional accounts managed by investment adviser subsidiaries of Capital Group International, Inc., an affiliate of Capital Research and Management Company. Assets noted are the total net assets of the funds or accounts and are not the total assets managed by the individual, which is a substantially lower amount.

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

The fund’s investment adviser has adopted policies and procedures to mitigate material conflicts of interest that may arise in connection with the portfolio manager’s management of the fund, on the one hand, and investments in the other pooled investment vehicles and other accounts, on the other hand, such as material conflicts relating to the allocation of investment opportunities that may be suitable for both the fund and such other accounts.

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Investment Advisory and Service Agreement — The Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “Agreement”) between the fund and the investment adviser will continue in effect until April 30, 2017, unless sooner terminated, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at least annually by (a) the board of trustees, or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the fund, and (b) the vote of a majority of trustees who are not parties to the Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Agreement provides that the investment adviser has no liability to the fund for its acts or omissions in the performance of its obligations to the fund not involving willful misconduct, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of its obligations under the Agreement. The Agreement also provides that either party has the right to terminate it, without penalty, upon 60 days’ written notice to the other party, and that the Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). In addition, the Agreement provides that the investment adviser may delegate all, or a portion of, its investment management responsibilities to one or more subsidiary advisers approved by the fund’s board, pursuant to an agreement between the investment adviser and such subsidiary. Any such subsidiary adviser will be paid solely by the investment adviser out of its fees.

In addition to providing investment advisory services, the investment adviser furnishes the services and pays the compensation and travel expenses of persons to perform the fund’s executive, administrative, clerical and bookkeeping functions, and provides suitable office space, necessary small office equipment and utilities, general purpose accounting forms, supplies and postage used at the fund’s offices. The fund pays all expenses not assumed by the investment adviser, including, but not limited to: custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing fees and expenses; shareholder recordkeeping and administrative expenses; costs of the designing, printing and mailing of reports, prospectuses, proxy statements and notices to its shareholders; taxes; expenses of the issuance and redemption of fund shares (including stock certificates, registration and qualification fees and expenses); expenses pursuant to the fund’s plans of distribution (described below); legal and auditing expenses; compensation, fees and expenses paid to independent trustees; association dues; costs of stationery and forms prepared exclusively for the fund; and costs of assembling and storing shareholder account data.

Under the Agreement, the investment adviser receives a management fee at the annual rate of .46% of the average daily net assets of the fund. Management fees are paid monthly and accrued daily.

For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the investment adviser received from the fund management fees of $231,000, $234,000 and $224,000, respectively.

The investment adviser has agreed to reimburse a portion of the fees and expenses of the fund during its start-up period. This reimbursement may be adjusted or discontinued by the investment adviser, subject to any restrictions in the fund’s prospectus. For the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, the total fees and expenses reimbursed by the investment adviser were $113,000, $90,000 and $76,000, respectively. Fees and expenses in the statement of operations are presented gross of any reimbursements from the investment adviser.

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

These services are provided pursuant to an Administrative Services Agreement (the “Administrative Agreement”) between the fund and the investment adviser relating to the fund’s Class A, C, F, R and 529 shares. The Administrative Agreement will continue in effect until April 30, 2017, unless sooner renewed or terminated, and may be renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been specifically approved at least annually by the vote of a majority of the members of the fund’s board who are not parties to the Administrative Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The fund may terminate the Administrative Agreement at any time by vote of a majority of independent board members. The investment adviser has the right to terminate the Administrative Agreement upon 60 days’ written notice to the fund. The Administrative Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

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

During the 2016 fiscal year, administrative services fees were:

   
  Administrative services fee
Class A $5,000

 

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

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

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

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

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

No commissions, revenues or service fees were retained by the Principal Underwriter during the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

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

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

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

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Following is a brief description of the Plans:

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

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

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

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




Share class

Service
related
payments1

Distribution
related
payments1
Total
allowable
under
the Plans2
Class C 0.25% 0.75% 1.00%
Class F-1 0.25 0.50
Class 529-C 0.25 0.75 1.00
Class 529-E 0.25 0.25 0.75
Class 529-F-1 0.25 0.50
Class R-1 0.25 0.75 1.00
Class R-2 0.25 0.50 1.00
Class R-2E 0.25 0.35 0.85
Class R-3 0.25 0.25 0.75
Class R-4 0.25 0.50

 

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

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

During the 2016 fiscal year, there were no accrued or paid 12b-1 expenses.

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Approval of the Plans — As required by rule 12b-1 and the 1940 Act, the Plans (together with the Principal Underwriting Agreement) have been approved by the full board of trustees and separately by a majority of the independent trustees of the fund who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plans or the Principal Underwriting Agreement. In addition, the selection and nomination of independent trustees of the fund are committed to the discretion of the independent trustees during the existence of the Plans.

Potential benefits of the Plans to the fund and its shareholders include enabling shareholders to obtain advice and other services from a financial advisor at a reasonable cost, the likelihood that the Plans will stimulate sales of the fund benefiting the investment process through growth or stability of assets and the ability of shareholders to choose among various alternatives in paying for sales and service. The Plans may not be amended to materially increase the amount spent for distribution without shareholder approval. Plan expenses are reviewed quarterly by the board of trustees and the Plans must be renewed annually by the board of trustees.

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

Fee to Virginia529 — With respect to Class 529 shares, as compensation for its oversight and administration, Virginia529 receives a quarterly fee accrued daily and calculated at the annual rate of .10% on the first $20 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds, .05% on net assets between $20 billion and $100 billion and .03% on net assets over $100 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter.

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Other compensation to dealers — As of July 2016, the top dealers (or their affiliates) that American Funds Distributors anticipates will receive additional compensation (as described in the prospectus) include:

AIG Advisor Group

 AIG Capital Services Inc

FSC Securities Corporation

Royal Alliance Associates, Inc.

SagePoint Financial, Inc.

Woodbury Financial Services, Inc.

American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc.

 American Portfolios Advisors, Inc

American Portfolios Financial Services, Inc.

AXA Advisors, LLC

Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc.

Cambridge

 Cambridge Advisors, Inc.

Cambridge Appleton Trust

Cambridge Associates, LLC (USA)

Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc.

Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.

Cambridge Southern Financial Advisors

Cetera Financial Group

 Cetera Advisor Networks LLC

Cetera Advisors LLC

Cetera Financial Specialists LLC

Cetera Investment Services LLC

CIMAS, LLC

First Allied Securities Inc

Investors Capital Corp.

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

Legend Equities Corporation

Summit Brokerage Services, Inc.

Commonwealth

 Commonwealth Advisory Group, LTD

Commonwealth Bank and Trust Company

Commonwealth Financial Advisors, LLC

Commonwealth Financial Group, Inc.

Commonwealth Financial Network

Commonwealth Retirement Services, Inc.

D.A. Davidson & Co.

Edward Jones

Hefren-Tillotson, Inc.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 48


 
 

 

HTK / Janney Montgomery Group

Hornor, Townsend & Kent, Inc.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC

J.J.B. Hilliard Lyons

Hilliard Lyons Trust Company LLC

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

J.P. Morgan Chase Banc One

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Ladenburg Thalmann Group

 Investacorp, Inc.

KMS Financial Services, Inc.

Ladenburg, Thalmann & Co., Inc.

Securities America, Inc.

Securities Service Network Inc.

Triad Advisors, Inc.

Lincoln Network

 Lincoln Financial Advisors Corporation

Lincoln Financial Distributors, Inc.

Lincoln Financial Securities Corporation

LPL Financial LLC

Mass Mutual / MML

 MassMutual Trust Company FSB

MML Distributors LLC

MML Investors Services, LLC

The Massmutual Trust Company FSB

Merrill Lynch Banc of America

 Bank Of America

Bank of America, NA

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated

Metlife Enterprises

 MetLife Advisers, LLC

Metlife Securities Inc.

New England Securities

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC

NFP Securities

Kestra Investment Services LLC

NFP Advisor Services, LLC

NFP Retirement

NMIS

Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC

Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co

NPH / Jackson National

Invest Financial Corporation

Investment Centers of America, Inc.

National Planning Corporation

SII Investments, Inc.

Park Avenue Securities LLC

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PFS

PFS Investments Inc.

Puplava Securities, Inc.

PNC Network

PNC Bank, National Association

PNC Investments LLC

Raymond James Group

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Raymond James (USA) LTD.

Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.

Raymond James Financial Services Inc.

RBC

RBC Capital Markets, LLC

RBC Capital Markets Corporation

RBC Trust Company

Robert W. Baird & Co, Incorporated

Securian / H. Beck / CRI

 CRI Securities, LLC

H. Beck, Inc.

Securian Financial Services, Inc.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Co

 Sterne Agee Investment Advisor Services, Inc.

Stifel Trust Company, N.A.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorported

Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc.

UBS

UBS Financial Services, Inc.

UBS Securities, LLC

Voya Financial Advisors Inc

Wells Fargo Network

First Clearing LLC

Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC

Wells Fargo Advisors Latin American Channel

Wells Fargo Advisors LLC (WBS)

Wells Fargo Advisors Private Client Group

Well Fargo Advisors, LLC

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

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Execution of portfolio transactions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purchases and sales of futures contracts for the fund will be effected through executing brokers and FCMs that specialize in the types of futures contracts that the fund expects to hold. The investment adviser will use reasonable efforts to choose executing brokers and FCMs capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable price and execution available. The full range and quality of services available will be considered in making these determinations. The investment adviser will monitor the executing brokers and FCMs used for purchases and sales of futures contracts for their ability to execute trades based on many factors, such as the sizes of the orders, the difficulty of executions, the operational facilities of the firm involved and other factors.

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

No brokerage commissions were paid by the fund on portfolio transactions for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014.

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

At the end of the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the fund’s regular broker-dealers included Wells Fargo, Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group, Deutsche Bank A.G. and Morgan Stanley. At the end of the fund’s most recently completed fiscal year, the fund held debt securities of Wells Fargo & Company in the amount of $507,000, Citigroup Inc. in the amount of $667,000, Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. in the amount of $1,082,000, Deutsche Bank A.G. in the amount of $198,000 and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC in the amount of $500,000.

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Disclosure of portfolio holdings

The fund’s investment adviser, on behalf of the fund, has adopted policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of information about fund portfolio securities. These policies and procedures have been reviewed by the fund’s board of trustees, and compliance will be periodically assessed by the board in connection with reporting from the fund’s Chief Compliance Officer.

Under these policies and procedures, the fund’s complete list of portfolio holdings available for public disclosure, dated as of the end of each calendar quarter, is permitted to be posted on the American Funds website no earlier than the 10th day after such calendar quarter. In practice, the publicly disclosed portfolio is typically posted on the American Funds website within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter. The publicly disclosed portfolio may exclude certain securities when deemed to be in the best interest of the fund as permitted by applicable regulations. In addition, the fund’s list of top 10 equity portfolio holdings measured by percentage of net assets, dated as of the end of each calendar month, is permitted to be posted on the American Funds website no earlier than the 10th day after such month. Such portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to any person pursuant to an ongoing arrangement to disclose portfolio holdings information to such person no earlier than one day after the day on which the information is posted on the American Funds website.

The fund’s custodian, outside counsel, auditor, financial printers, proxy voting service providers, pricing information vendors, consultants or agents operating under a contract with the investment adviser or its affiliates, co-litigants (such as in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding related to a fund holding) and certain other third parties described below, each of which requires portfolio holdings information for legitimate business and fund oversight purposes, may receive fund portfolio holdings information earlier. See the “General information” section in this statement of additional information for further information about the fund’s custodian, outside counsel and auditor.

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

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

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

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

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Price of shares

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Futures contracts are generally valued at the official settlement price of, or the last reported sale price on, the principal exchange or market on which such instruments are traded, as of the close of business on the day the contracts are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price.

Swaps, including both interest rate swaps and positions in credit default swap indices, are valued using market quotations or valuations provided by one or more pricing vendors.

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

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

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

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security and changes in overall market conditions. The valuation committee employs additional fair value procedures to address issues related to equity securities that trade principally in markets outside the United States. Such securities may trade in markets that open and close at different times, reflecting time zone differences. If significant events occur after the close of a market (and before the fund’s net asset values are next determined) which affect the value of equity securities held in the fund’s portfolio, appropriate adjustments from closing market prices may be made to reflect these events. Events of this type could include, for example, earthquakes and other natural disasters or significant price changes in other markets (e.g., U.S. stock markets).

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

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

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Taxes and distributions

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

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

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

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

Dividends paid by the fund from ordinary income or from an excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss are taxable to shareholders as ordinary income dividends.

The fund may declare a capital gain distribution consisting of the excess of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. Net capital gains for a fiscal year are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforward of the fund. Capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as either short-term or long-term.

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

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

Capital gain distributions by the fund result in a reduction in the net asset value of the fund’s shares. Investors should consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a capital gain distribution. The price of shares purchased at that time includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution. Those

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purchasing just prior to a distribution will subsequently receive a partial return of their investment capital upon payment of the distribution, which will be taxable to them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

If the fund invests in stock of certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), the fund intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any gains at the end of its fiscal and excise tax years. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any previously recognized gains. Both gains and losses will be treated as ordinary income or loss, and the fund is required to distribute any resulting income. If the fund is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC security and thus does not make a timely mark-to-market election, the fund may be subject to adverse tax consequences.

Tax consequences of investing in derivatives — The fund may enter into transactions involving derivatives, such as futures, swaps and forward contracts. Special tax rules may apply to these types of transactions that could defer losses to the fund, accelerate the fund’s income, alter the holding period of certain securities or change the classification of capital gains. These tax rules may therefore impact the amount, timing and character of fund distributions.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Purchase and exchange of shares

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

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

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

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

American Funds

12711 North Meridian Street

Carmel, IN 46032-9181

American Funds

5300 Robin Hood Road

Norfolk, VA 23513-2407

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

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

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By wire — If you are making a wire transfer, instruct your bank to wire funds to:

Wells Fargo Bank

ABA Routing No. 121000248

Account No. 4600-076178

Your bank should include the following information when wiring funds:

For credit to the account of:

American Funds Service Company

(fund’s name)

For further credit to:

(shareholder’s fund account number)

(shareholder’s name)

You may contact American Funds Service Company at (800) 421-4225 if you have questions about making wire transfers.

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

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

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

Purchase minimums and maximums — All investments are subject to the purchase minimums and maximums described in the prospectus. As noted in the prospectus, purchase minimums may be waived or reduced in certain cases.

In the case of American Funds non-tax-exempt funds, the initial purchase minimum of $25 may be waived for the following account types:

· Payroll deduction retirement plan accounts (such as, but not limited to, 403(b), 401(k), SIMPLE IRA, SARSEP and deferred compensation plan accounts); and

· Employer-sponsored CollegeAmerica accounts.

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The following account types may be established without meeting the initial purchase minimum:

· Retirement accounts that are funded with employer contributions; and

· Accounts that are funded with monies set by court decree.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conversion — Currently, Class C shares of the fund automatically convert to Class F-1 shares in the month of the 10-year anniversary of the purchase date. The board of trustees of the fund reserves the right at any time, without shareholder approval, to amend the conversion feature of the Class C shares,

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including without limitation, providing for conversion into a different share class or for no conversion. In making its decision, the board of trustees will consider, among other things, the effect of any such amendment on shareholders.

Frequent trading of fund shares — As noted in the prospectus, certain redemptions may trigger a purchase block lasting 30 calendar days under the fund’s “purchase blocking policy.” Under this policy, systematic redemptions will not trigger a purchase block and systematic purchases will not be prevented if the entity maintaining the shareholder account is able to identify the transaction as a systematic redemption or purchase. For purposes of this policy, systematic redemptions include, for example, regular periodic automatic redemptions and statement of intention escrow share redemptions. Systematic purchases include, for example, regular periodic automatic purchases and automatic reinvestments of dividends and capital gain distributions. Generally, purchases and redemptions will not be considered “systematic” unless the transaction is prescheduled for a specific date.

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

Moving between share classes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Sales charges

Class A purchases

Purchases by certain 403(b) plans

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

Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that invested in Class A or C shares of any of the American Funds and were treated as an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an individual-type plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that invested in Class A or C shares of any of the American Funds and were treated as an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes before January 1, 2009, may continue to be treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes. Participant accounts of a 403(b) plan that was established on or after January 1, 2009, are treated as accounts of an employer-sponsored plan for sales charge purposes.

Purchases by SEP plans and SIMPLE IRA plans

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

Other purchases

Pursuant to a determination of eligibility by a vice president or more senior officer of the Capital Research and Management Company Fund Administration Unit, or by his or her designee, Class A shares of the American Funds stock, stock/bond and bond funds may be sold at net asset value to:

     
  (1) current or retired directors, trustees, officers and advisory board members of, and certain lawyers who provide services to, the funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company, current or retired employees and partners of The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliated companies, certain family members of the above persons, and trusts or plans primarily for such persons;
  (2) currently registered representatives and assistants directly employed by such representatives, retired registered representatives with respect to accounts

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    established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible Persons”) (and their (a) spouses or equivalents if recognized under local law, (b) parents and children, including parents and children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and (c) parents-in-law, if the Eligible Persons or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible Persons are listed in the account registration with the parents-in-law) of dealers who have sales agreements with the Principal Underwriter (or who clear transactions through such dealers), plans for the dealers, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible Persons, their spouses, parents and/or children (these policies are subject to the dealer’s policies and system capabilities);
  (3) currently registered investment advisors (“RIAs”) and assistants directly employed by such RIAs, retired RIAs with respect to accounts established while active, or full-time employees (collectively, “Eligible RIAs”) (and their (a) spouses or equivalents if recognized under local law, (b) parents and children, including parents and children in step and adoptive relationships, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and (c) parents-in-law, if the Eligible RIAs or the spouses, children or parents of the Eligible RIAs are listed in the account registration with the parents-in-law) of RIA firms that are authorized to sell shares of the funds, plans for the RIA firms, and plans that include as participants only the Eligible RIAs, their spouses, parents and/or children (these policies are subject to the RIA’s policies and system capabilities);
  (4) companies exchanging securities with the fund through a merger, acquisition or exchange offer;
  (5) insurance company separate accounts;
  (6) accounts managed by subsidiaries of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.;
  (7) The Capital Group Companies, Inc. and its affiliated companies;
  (8) an individual or entity with a substantial business relationship with The Capital Group Companies, Inc. or its affiliates, or an individual or entity related or relating to such individual or entity;
  (9) wholesalers and full-time employees directly supporting wholesalers involved in the distribution of insurance company separate accounts whose underlying investments are managed by any affiliate of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.; and
  (10) full-time employees of banks that have sales agreements with the Principal Underwriter, who are solely dedicated to directly supporting the sale of mutual funds.

Shares are offered at net asset value to these persons and organizations due to anticipated economies in sales effort and expense. Once an account is established under this net asset value privilege, additional investments can be made at net asset value for the life of the account. Depending on the financial intermediary holding your account, these privileges may be unavailable. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

Transfers to CollegeAmerica — A transfer from the Virginia Prepaid Education ProgramSM or the Virginia Education Savings TrustSM to a CollegeAmerica account will be made with no sales charge. No commission will be paid to the dealer on such a transfer. Investment dealers will be compensated solely with an annual service fee that begins to accrue immediately.

Moving between accounts — American Funds investments by certain account types may be moved to other account types without incurring additional Class A sales charges. These transactions include:

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· redemption proceeds from a non-retirement account (for example, a joint tenant account) used to purchase fund shares in an IRA or other individual-type retirement account;

· required minimum distributions from an IRA or other individual-type retirement account used to purchase fund shares in a non-retirement account; and

· death distributions paid to a beneficiary’s account that are used by the beneficiary to purchase fund shares in a different account.

These privileges are generally available only if your account is held directly with the fund’s transfer agent or if the financial intermediary holding your account has the systems, policies and procedures to support providing the privileges on their systems. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

Loan repayments — Repayments on loans taken from a retirement plan are not subject to sales charges if American Funds Service Company is notified of the repayment.

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

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

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Sales charge reductions and waivers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shareholders purchasing shares at a reduced sales charge under a Statement indicate their acceptance of these terms and those in the prospectus with their first purchase.

Aggregation — Qualifying investments for aggregation include those made by you and your “immediate family” as defined in the prospectus, if all parties are purchasing shares for their own accounts and/or:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You may not purchase Class C or 529-C shares if such combined holdings cause you to be eligible to purchase Class A or 529-A shares at the $1 million or more sales charge discount rate (i.e. at net asset value).

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pursuant to a determination of eligibility by a vice president or more senior officer of the Capital Research and Management Company Fund Administration Unit, or by his or her designee, the CDSC on Class A shares of the American Funds may be waived for bulk conversions to another share class in cases where the fund’s transfer agent determines the benefit to the fund of collecting the CDSC would be outweighed by the cost of applying it.

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

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Selling shares

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Shareholder account services and privileges

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Depending on the financial intermediary holding your account, your reinvestment privileges may be unavailable or differ from those described in this statement of additional information. Investors should consult their financial intermediary for further information.

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Automatic exchanges — For all share classes, you may automatically exchange shares of the same class in amounts of $50 or more among any of the American Funds on any day (or preceding business day if the day falls on a nonbusiness day) of each month you designate.

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

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

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

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

American FundsLine and americanfunds.com — You may check your share balance, the price of your shares or your most recent account transaction; redeem shares (up to $125,000 per American Funds shareholder each day) from nonretirement plan accounts; or exchange shares around the clock with American FundsLine or using americanfunds.com. To use American FundsLine, call (800) 325-3590 from a TouchTone™ telephone. Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLine and americanfunds.com are subject to the conditions noted above and in “Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges” below. You will need your fund number (see the list of the American Funds under the “General information — fund numbers” section in this statement of additional information), personal identification number (generally the last four digits of your Social Security number or other tax identification number associated with your account) and account number.

Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these services. However, if you are not currently authorized to do so, you may complete an American FundsLink Authorization Form. Once you establish this privilege, you, your financial advisor or any person with your account information may use these services.

Telephone and Internet purchases, redemptions and exchanges — By using the telephone (including American FundsLine) or the Internet (including americanfunds.com), or fax purchase, redemption and/or exchange options, you agree to hold the fund, the Transfer Agent, any of its affiliates or mutual funds managed by such affiliates, and each of their respective directors, trustees, officers, employees and agents harmless from any losses, expenses, costs or liabilities (including attorney fees) that may be incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges. Generally, all shareholders are

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 76


 
 

 

automatically eligible to use these services. However, you may elect to opt out of these services by writing the Transfer Agent (you may also reinstate them at any time by writing the Transfer Agent). If the Transfer Agent does not employ reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account information are genuine, it and/or the fund may be liable for losses due to unauthorized or fraudulent instructions. In the event that shareholders are unable to reach the fund by telephone because of technical difficulties, market conditions or a natural disaster, redemption and exchange requests may be made in writing only.

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

Redemption of shares — The fund’s declaration of trust permits the fund to direct the Transfer Agent to redeem the shares of any shareholder for their then current net asset value per share if at such time the shareholder of record owns shares having an aggregate net asset value of less than the minimum initial investment amount required of new shareholders as set forth in the fund’s current registration statement under the 1940 Act, and subject to such further terms and conditions as the board of trustees of the fund may from time to time adopt.

While payment of redemptions normally will be in cash, the fund’s declaration of trust permits payment of the redemption price wholly or partly with portfolio securities or other fund assets under conditions and circumstances determined by the fund’s board of trustees. For example, redemptions could be made in this manner if the board determined that making payments wholly in cash over a particular period would be unfair and/or harmful to other fund shareholders.

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

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General information

Custodian of assets — Securities and cash owned by the fund, including proceeds from the sale of shares of the fund and of securities in the fund’s portfolio, are held by Bank of New York Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, NY 10286, as custodian. If the fund holds securities of issuers outside the U.S., the custodian may hold these securities pursuant to subcustodial arrangements in banks outside the U.S. or branches of U.S. banks outside the U.S.

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

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

During the 2016 fiscal year, transfer agent fees were less than $1000.

Independent registered public accounting firm — PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 601 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017, serves as the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, providing audit services, preparation of tax returns and review of certain documents to be filed with the SEC. The financial statement included in this statement of additional information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report appearing herein. Such financial statement has been so included in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing. The selection of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm is reviewed and determined annually by the board of trustees.

Independent legal counsel — Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, 300 South Grand Avenue, 22nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071, serves as independent legal counsel (“counsel”) for the fund and for independent trustees in their capacities as such. A determination with respect to the independence of the fund’s counsel will be made at least annually by the independent trustees of the fund, as prescribed by applicable 1940 Act rules.

Prospectuses, reports to shareholders and proxy statements — The fund’s fiscal year ends on May 31. Shareholders are provided updated summary prospectuses annually and at least semi-annually with reports showing the fund’s investment portfolio or summary investment portfolio, financial statements and other information. Shareholders may request a copy of the fund’s current prospectus at no cost by calling (800) 421-4225 or by sending an email request to [email protected]. Shareholders may also access the fund’s current summary prospectus, prospectus, statement of additional information and shareholder reports at americanfunds.com/prospectus. The fund’s annual financial statements are audited by the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. In addition, shareholders may also receive proxy statements for the fund. In an effort to reduce the volume of mail shareholders receive from the fund when a household owns more than one account, the Transfer Agent has taken steps to eliminate duplicate mailings of

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 78


 
 

 

summary prospectuses, shareholder reports and proxy statements. To receive additional copies of a summary prospectus, report or proxy statement, shareholders should contact the Transfer Agent.

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

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

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

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Determination of net asset value, redemption price and maximum offering price per share for Class A shares — May 31, 2016

   
Net asset value and redemption price per share
(Net assets divided by shares outstanding)  
$10.27
Maximum offering price per share
(100/96.25 of net asset value per share, which takes into account the fund’s current maximum sales charge)  
$10.67

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

The fund’s financial statements, including the investment portfolio and the report of the fund’s independent registered public accounting firm contained in the annual report, are included in this statement of additional information.

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 80


 
 

 

 

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

           
  Fund numbers
Fund Class A Class B Class C Class F-1 Class F-2
Stock and stock/fixed income funds          
AMCAP Fund®  002 202 302 402 602
American Balanced Fund®  011 211 311 411 611
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income FundSM  30100 32100 33100 34100 36100
American Funds Global Balanced FundSM  037 237 337 437 637
American Mutual Fund®  003 203 303 403 603
Capital Income Builder®  012 212 312 412 612
Capital World Growth and Income Fund®  033 233 333 433 633
EuroPacific Growth Fund®  016 216 316 416 616
Fundamental Investors®  010 210 310 410 610
The Growth Fund of America®  005 205 305 405 605
The Income Fund of America®  006 206 306 406 606
International Growth and Income FundSM  034 234 334 434 634
The Investment Company of America®  004 204 304 404 604
The New Economy Fund®  014 214 314 414 614
New Perspective Fund®  007 207 307 407 607
New World Fund®  036 236 336 436 636
SMALLCAP World Fund®  035 235 335 435 635
Washington Mutual Investors FundSM  001 201 301 401 601
Fixed income funds          
American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund SM  30114 32114 33114 34114 36114
American Funds Corporate Bond Fund SM  032 232 332 432 632
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund®  060 260 360 460 660
American Funds Mortgage Fund®  042 242 342 442 642
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt
Bond Fund® 
039 N/A N/A 439 639
American Funds Strategic Bond FundSM  30112 32112 33112 34112 36112
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of
New York® 
041 241 341 441 641
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund® 040 240 340 440 640
American High-Income Trust®  021 221 321 421 621
The Bond Fund of America®  008 208 308 408 608
Capital World Bond Fund®  031 231 331 431 631
Intermediate Bond Fund of America®  023 223 323 423 623
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund
of America® 
043 243 343 443 643
Short-Term Bond Fund of America®  048 248 348 448 648
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America®  019 219 319 419 619
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California®  020 220 320 420 620
U.S. Government Securities Fund®  022 222 322 422 622
Money market fund          
American Funds U.S. Government
Money Market FundSM 
059 259 359 459 659

 

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  Fund numbers
Fund Class
529-A
Class
529-B
Class
529-C
Class
529-E
Class
529-F-1
Stock and stock/fixed income funds          
AMCAP Fund  1002 1202 1302 1502 1402
American Balanced Fund  1011 1211 1311 1511 1411
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund  10100 12100 13100 15100 14100
American Funds Global Balanced Fund  1037 1237 1337 1537 1437
American Mutual Fund  1003 1203 1303 1503 1403
Capital Income Builder  1012 1212 1312 1512 1412
Capital World Growth and Income Fund  1033 1233 1333 1533 1433
EuroPacific Growth Fund  1016 1216 1316 1516 1416
Fundamental Investors  1010 1210 1310 1510 1410
The Growth Fund of America  1005 1205 1305 1505 1405
The Income Fund of America  1006 1206 1306 1506 1406
International Growth and Income Fund  1034 1234 1334 1534 1434
The Investment Company of America  1004 1204 1304 1504 1404
The New Economy Fund  1014 1214 1314 1514 1414
New Perspective Fund  1007 1207 1307 1507 1407
New World Fund  1036 1236 1336 1536 1436
SMALLCAP World Fund  1035 1235 1335 1535 1435
Washington Mutual Investors Fund  1001 1201 1301 1501 1401
Fixed income funds          
American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund   10114 12114 13114 15114 14114
American Funds Corporate Bond Fund   1032 1232 1332 1532 1432
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund  1060 1260 1360 1560 1460
American Funds Mortgage Fund  1042 1242 1342 1542 1442
American Funds Strategic Bond Fund  10112 12112 13112 15112 14112
American High-Income Trust  1021 1221 1321 1521 1421
The Bond Fund of America  1008 1208 1308 1508 1408
Capital World Bond Fund  1031 1231 1331 1531 1431
Intermediate Bond Fund of America  1023 1223 1323 1523 1423
Short-Term Bond Fund of America  1048 1248 1348 1548 1448
U.S. Government Securities Fund  1022 1222 1322 1522 1422
Money market fund          
American Funds U.S. Government
Money Market Fund 
1059 1259 1359 1559 1459

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 82


 
 

 

                 
  Fund numbers
Fund Class
R-1
Class
R-2
Class
R-2E
Class
R-3
Class
R-4
Class
R-5E
Class
R-5
Class
R-6
Stock and stock/fixed income funds                
AMCAP Fund  2102 2202 4102 2302 2402 2702 2502 2602
American Balanced Fund  2111 2211 4111 2311 2411 2711 2511 2611
American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund  21100 22100 41100 23100 24100 27100 25100 26100
American Funds Global Balanced Fund  2137 2237 4137 2337 2437 2737 2537 2637
American Mutual Fund  2103 2203 4103 2303 2403 2703 2503 2603
Capital Income Builder  2112 2212 4112 2312 2412 2712 2512 2612
Capital World Growth and Income Fund 2133 2233 4133 2333 2433 2733 2533 2633
EuroPacific Growth Fund  2116 2216 4116 2316 2416 2716 2516 2616
Fundamental Investors  2110 2210 4110 2310 2410 2710 2510 2610
The Growth Fund of America  2105 2205 4105 2305 2405 2705 2505 2605
The Income Fund of America  2106 2206 4106 2306 2406 2706 2506 2606
International Growth and Income Fund  2134 2234 41034 2334 2434 27034 2534 2634
The Investment Company of America 2104 2204 4104 2304 2404 2704 2504 2604
The New Economy Fund  2114 2214 4114 2314 2414 2714 2514 2614
New Perspective Fund  2107 2207 4107 2307 2407 2707 2507 2607
New World Fund  2136 2236 4136 2336 2436 2736 2536 2636
SMALLCAP World Fund  2135 2235 4135 2335 2435 2735 2535 2635
Washington Mutual Investors Fund  2101 2201 4101 2301 2401 2701 2501 2601
Fixed income funds                
American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund  21114 22114 41114 23114 24114 27114 25114 26114
American Funds Corporate Bond Fund  2132 2232 4132 2332 2432 2732 2532 2632
American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund  2160 2260 4160 2360 2460 2760 2560 2660
American Funds Mortgage Fund  2142 2242 4142 2342 2442 2742 2542 2642
American Funds Strategic Bond Fund  21112 22112 41112 23112 24112 27112 25112 26112
American High-Income Trust  2121 2221 4121 2321 2421 2721 2521 2621
The Bond Fund of America  2108 2208 4108 2308 2408 2708 2508 2608
Capital World Bond Fund  2131 2231 4131 2331 2431 2731 2531 2631
Intermediate Bond Fund of America 2123 2223 4123 2323 2423 2723 2523 2623
Short-Term Bond Fund of America  2148 2248 4148 2348 2448 2748 2548 2648
U.S. Government Securities Fund  2122 2222 4122 2322 2422 2722 2522 2622
Money market fund                
American Funds U.S. Government
Money Market Fund 
2159 2259 4159 2359 2459 2759 2559 2659

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 83


 
 

 

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 84


 
 

 

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 85


 
 

 

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 86


 
 

 

 

Appendix

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

Description of bond ratings

Moody’s
Long-term rating scale

Aaa
Obligations rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, subject to the lowest level of credit risk.

Aa
Obligations rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.

A
Obligations rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.

Baa
Obligations rated Baa are judged to be medium-grade and subject to moderate credit risk and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics.

Ba
Obligations rated Ba are judged to be speculative and are subject to substantial credit risk.

B
Obligations rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk.

Caa
Obligations rated Caa are judged to be speculative and of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk.

Ca
Obligations rated Ca are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest.

C
Obligations rated C are the lowest rated and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.

Note: Moody’s appends numerical modifiers 1, 2, and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the obligation ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a mid-range ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category. Additionally, a “(hyb)” indicator is appended to all ratings of hybrid securities issued by banks, insurers, finance companies and securities firms.

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Standard & Poor’s
Long-term issue credit ratings

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

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

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

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

BB, B, CCC, CC, and C

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

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

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 88


 
 

 

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

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

Plus (+) or minus (–)

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

NR

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 89


 
 

 

 

Fitch Ratings, Inc.
Long-term credit ratings

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

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

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

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

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

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

CCC
Substantial credit risk. Default is a real possibility.

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

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

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 90


 
 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 91


 
 

 

 

Description of commercial paper ratings

Moody’s

Global short-term rating scale

P-1

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

P-2

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

P-3

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

NP

Issuers (or supporting institutions) rated Not Prime do not fall within any of the Prime rating categories.

Standard & Poor’s

Commercial paper ratings (highest three ratings)

A-1

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

A-2

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

A-3

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

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund — Page 92


 

 
 

 

Investment portfolio May 31, 2016

 

Industry sector diversification Percent of net assets

 

 

 

Portfolio quality summary*   Percent of
net assets
U.S. Treasury and agency     8.52 %
AAA/Aaa     2.35  
AA/Aa     10.40  
A/A     36.31  
BBB/Baa     40.38  
Below investment grade     .08  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities     1.96  

 

* Bond ratings, which typically range from AAA/Aaa (highest) to D (lowest), are assigned by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and/or Fitch as an indication of an issuer’s creditworthiness. In assigning a credit rating to a security, the fund looks specifically to the ratings assigned to the issuer of the security by Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and/or Fitch. If agency ratings differ, the security will be considered to have received the highest of those ratings, consistent with the fund’s investment policies. The ratings are not covered by the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
These securities are guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the United States government.

 

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments 98.04%   Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
 
Corporate bonds & notes 87.15%            
Financials 26.82%                
ACE INA Holdings Inc. 2.30% 2020   $ 25     $ 25  
ACE INA Holdings Inc. 2.875% 2022     15       15  
ACE INA Holdings Inc. 3.35% 2026     15       16  
ACE INA Holdings Inc. 4.35% 2045     20       22  
American Campus Communities, Inc. 3.35% 2020     260       266  
American Campus Communities, Inc. 4.125% 2024     200       207  
Bank of America Corp. 2.625% 2020     375       377  
Bank of America Corp. 2.625% 2021     138       139  
Bank of America Corp. 3.50% 2026     399       405  
Bank of Nova Scotia 4.50% 2025     150       155  
Barclays Bank PLC 3.65% 2025     200       194  
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 2.20% 2021     40       41  
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. 3.125% 2026     15       16  
BNP Paribas 4.375% 20251     200       203  
Boston Properties, Inc. 3.65% 2026     175       183  
BPCE SA group 4.50% 20251     200       197  
Citigroup Inc. 2.70% 2021     170       172  
Citigroup Inc. 3.40% 2026     275       277  
Citigroup Inc. 4.45% 2027     215       218  
Corporate Office Properties LP 5.00% 2025     30       31  
Credit Suisse Group Funding (Guernsey) 4.55% 20261     700       721  
Crown Castle International Corp. 3.40% 2021     225       232  
DDR Corp. 4.25% 2026     235       241  
Deutsche Bank AG 3.375% 2021     200       198  
Developers Diversified Realty Corp. 7.50% 2017     200       209  
Developers Diversified Realty Corp. 7.875% 2020     150       180  
DNB ASA 2.375% 20211     450       451  
EPR Properties 4.50% 2025     250       245  
Essex Portfolio L.P. 3.50% 2025     70       72  
Essex Portfolio L.P. 3.375% 2026     170       172  

 

4 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund

 

    Principal amount     Value  
    (000)     (000)  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 1.995% 20212   $ 620     $ 623  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. 3.75% 2026     445       459  
Hospitality Properties Trust 6.70% 2018     400       419  
Host Hotels & Resorts LP 4.50% 2026     205       212  
HSBC Holdings PLC 2.95% 2021     200       201  
HSBC Holdings PLC 3.90% 2026     450       456  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 2.40% 2021     270       270  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 2.55% 2021     105       106  
Kimco Realty Corp. 3.40% 2022     40       41  
MetLife Global Funding I 2.00% 20201     150       150  
MetLife Global Funding I 2.50% 20201     150       152  
Morgan Stanley 2.50% 2021     50       50  
Morgan Stanley 3.875% 2026     430       450  
New York Life Global Funding 2.00% 20211     500       499  
Prologis, Inc. 3.35% 2021     135       141  
Prologis, Inc. 3.75% 2025     15       16  
QBE Insurance Group Ltd. 2.40% 20181     250       252  
Rabobank Nederland 4.375% 2025     575       600  
Scentre Group 2.375% 20211     230       228  
Scentre Group 3.25% 20251     180       179  
Scentre Group 3.50% 20251     350       355  
Travelers Companies, Inc. 3.75% 2046     15       15  
UBS Group AG 4.125% 20251     225       231  
UDR, Inc. 4.00% 2025     20       21  
Unum Group 3.00% 2021     275       276  
WEA Finance LLC 1.75% 20171     250       250  
WEA Finance LLC 3.25% 20201     390       399  
WEA Finance LLC 3.75% 20241     390       398  
Wells Fargo & Co. 2.55% 2020     375       381  
Wells Fargo & Co. 2.50% 2021     125       126  
              13,836  
                 
Energy 13.54%                
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. 4.85% 2021     10       10  
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. 5.55% 2026     140       150  
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. 6.60% 2046     110       123  
Chevron Corp. 2.10% 2021     425       425  
Chevron Corp. 2.954% 2026     525       527  
ConocoPhillips 4.20% 2021     35       37  
ConocoPhillips 4.95% 2026     210       230  
ConocoPhillips 5.95% 2046     10       12  
Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc. 4.875% 2043     405       290  
Enbridge Energy Partners, LP 4.375% 2020     60       61  
Enbridge Energy Partners, LP 5.875% 2025     45       48  
Enbridge Energy Partners, LP 7.375% 2045     630       732  
Enbridge Inc. 4.00% 2023     275       270  
Energy Transfer Partners, LP 4.75% 2026     150       143  
Energy Transfer Partners, LP 6.125% 2045     100       94  
Enterprise Products Operating LLC 3.70% 2026     45       46  
Enterprise Products Operating LLC 3.95% 2027     10       10  
Exxon Mobil Corp. 2.222% 2021     250       253  
Exxon Mobil Corp. 3.043% 2026     105       108  
Halliburton Co. 3.80% 2025     140       142  
Halliburton Co. 4.85% 2035     20       21  
Halliburton Co. 5.00% 2045     350       359  
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, LP 5.40% 2044     25       22  
Kinder Morgan Finance Co. 5.05% 2046     225       198  
Kinder Morgan, Inc. 4.30% 2025     150       147  
Kinder Morgan, Inc. 5.55% 2045     250       231  
Noble Corp PLC 6.95% 2025     125       92  
Petróleos Mexicanos 6.875% 20261     430       468  
Petróleos Mexicanos 5.50% 2044     50       42  
Pioneer Natural Resources Co. 3.45% 2021     185       188  
Schlumberger BV 3.00% 20201     175       180  
Schlumberger BV 3.625% 20221     15       16  
Schlumberger BV 4.00% 20251     90       94  
Shell International Finance BV 1.875% 2021     275       271  
Shell International Finance BV 2.875% 2026     55       54  

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 5

 

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)   Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
 
Corporate bonds & notes (continued)            
Energy (continued)                
Shell International Finance BV 4.00% 2046   $ 275     $ 268  
Southwestern Energy Co. 4.95% 2025     50       42  
Williams Partners LP 3.60% 2022     175       154  
Williams Partners LP 4.00% 2025     375       324  
Williams Partners LP 5.40% 2044     125       102  
              6,984  
                 
Consumer discretionary 11.89%                
21st Century Fox America, Inc. 4.95% 2045     175       191  
Amazon.com, Inc. 4.95% 2044     150       176  
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG 2.00% 20211     500       498  
CCO Holdings LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. 4.908% 20251     325       349  
Comcast Corp. 3.15% 2026     50       52  
Comcast Corp. 4.75% 2044     100       112  
Daimler Finance NA LLC 2.70% 20201     250       255  
DaimlerChrysler North America Holding Corp. 2.25% 20201     225       226  
DaimlerChrysler North America Holding Corp. 2.45% 20201     200       202  
Ford Motor Credit Co. 3.20% 2021     375       383  
Ford Motor Credit Co. 4.134% 2025     200       210  
General Motors Co. 6.60% 2036     45       51  
General Motors Co. 6.75% 2046     105       123  
General Motors Financial Co. 3.70% 2023     250       248  
General Motors Financial Co. 4.30% 2025     450       457  
Lowe’s Companies, Inc. 2.50% 2026     40       40  
Marriott International, Inc., Series I, 6.375% 2017     80       84  
McDonald’s Corp. 2.75% 2020     10       10  
McDonald’s Corp. 3.70% 2026     125       133  
McDonald’s Corp. 4.70% 2035     100       108  
McDonald’s Corp. 4.875% 2045     125       139  
NBC Universal Enterprise, Inc. 5.25% 20491     475       493  
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. 3.15% 2021     170       174  
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. 3.85% 2023     120       125  
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. 4.20% 2026     235       249  
Newell Rubbermaid Inc. 5.50% 2046     390       446  
Starbucks Corp. 2.10% 2021     20       20  
Thomson Reuters Corp. 1.30% 2017     150       150  
Time Warner Inc. 4.85% 2045     175       184  
Volkswagen Group of America Finance, LLC 2.40% 20201     250       248  
              6,136  
                 
Health care 10.90%                
AbbVie Inc. 2.30% 2021     360       358  
AbbVie Inc. 2.85% 2023     25       25  
AbbVie Inc. 3.20% 2026     325       323  
AbbVie Inc. 4.30% 2036     25       25  
AbbVie Inc. 4.45% 2046     290       288  
Actavis Funding SCS 3.80% 2025     600       609  
Actavis Funding SCS 4.55% 2035     66       65  
Actavis Funding SCS 4.75% 2045     175       173  
AstraZeneca PLC 3.375% 2025     365       376  
Baxalta Inc. 2.875% 20201     100       100  
Becton, Dickinson and Co. 4.685% 2044     100       110  
Biogen Inc. 5.20% 2045     335       369  
Boston Scientific Corp. 3.85% 2025     200       208  
Celgene Corp. 3.875% 2025     403       422  
Celgene Corp. 5.00% 2045     30       32  
EMD Finance LLC 2.95% 20221     225       228  
EMD Finance LLC 3.25% 20251     100       101  
Gilead Sciences, Inc. 4.75% 2046     125       134  
HCA Inc. 5.00% 2024     100       103  
HCA Inc. 5.25% 2025     200       206  
HCA Inc. 5.25% 2026     50       51  
Johnson & Johnson 1.125% 2019     350       350  
Medtronic, Inc. 4.625% 2045     75       84  
Mylan Laboratories Inc. 3.15% 20211     250       250  
St. Jude Medical, Inc. 3.875% 2025     130       137  

 

6 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund

 

    Principal amount     Value  
    (000)     (000)  
Stryker Corp. 2.625% 2021   $ 175     $ 178  
UnitedHealth Group Inc. 3.75% 2025     200       216  
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. 2.00% 2018     100       100  
              5,621  
                 
Utilities 10.50%                
CMS Energy Corp. 3.60% 2025     65       68  
CMS Energy Corp. 3.00% 2026     550       547  
Dominion Resources, Inc. 4.104% 2021     295       304  
Duke Energy Corp. 3.75% 2024     175       186  
EDP Finance BV 5.25% 20211     200       212  
Electricité de France SA 4.95% 20451     220       235  
Enel Finance International SA 6.00% 20391     150       180  
Exelon Corp. 2.85% 2020     545       558  
Exelon Corp. 3.95% 2025     250       263  
Exelon Corp. 3.40% 2026     45       45  
FirstEnergy Corp., Series B, 4.25% 2023     50       52  
FirstEnergy Corp. 7.375% 2031     50       61  
Iberdrola Finance Ireland 5.00% 20191     150       164  
Mississippi Power Co. 4.25% 2042     250       214  
Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. 3.508% 20241     150       158  
PPL Capital Funding, Inc. 3.10% 2026     100       99  
Puget Energy Inc. 3.65% 2025     275       278  
Puget Sound Energy, Inc., First Lien, 6.50% 2020     101       116  
Puget Sound Energy, Inc., First Lien, 5.625% 2022     150       168  
Southern Co. 2.35% 2021     425       426  
Southern Co. 3.25% 2026     350       353  
Teco Finance, Inc. 5.15% 2020     515       564  
Xcel Energy Inc. 4.80% 2041     150       166  
              5,417  
                 
Consumer staples 8.91%                
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV 2.65% 2021     50       51  
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV 3.65% 2026     380       395  
Anheuser-Busch InBev NV 4.90% 2046     245       274  
Coca-Cola Co. 1.375% 2019     525       526  
CVS Caremark Corp. 2.80% 2020     100       103  
CVS Health Corp. 2.125% 2021     265       264  
CVS Health Corp. 2.875% 2026     65       65  
Kraft Heinz Co. 4.375% 20461     195       196  
Kroger Co. 2.60% 2021     95       97  
Kroger Co. 3.50% 2026     20       21  
Pernod Ricard SA 4.45% 20221     175       190  
Philip Morris International Inc. 1.875% 2021     25       25  
Philip Morris International Inc. 2.75% 2026     25       25  
Philip Morris International Inc. 3.875% 2042     150       148  
Philip Morris International Inc. 4.25% 2044     75       78  
Reynolds American Inc. 4.45% 2025     275       302  
Reynolds American Inc. 5.85% 2045     325       398  
Sysco Corp. 2.50% 2021     350       353  
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 2.60% 2021     180       181  
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 3.10% 2023     10       10  
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 3.45% 2026     375       375  
Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. 4.65% 2046     20       20  
WM. Wrigley Jr. Co 3.375% 20201     475       499  
              4,596  
                 
Telecommunication services 2.83%                
AT&T Inc. 2.80% 2021     385       391  
AT&T Inc. 4.125% 2026     155       163  
AT&T Inc. 4.35% 2045     65       61  
AT&T Inc. 4.75% 2046     225       224  
France Télécom 9.00% 2031     110       169  
Verizon Communications Inc. 4.272% 2036     225       224  
Verizon Communications Inc. 4.522% 2048     225       227  
              1,459  

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 7

 

Bonds, notes & other debt instruments (continued)   Principal amount
(000)
    Value
(000)
 
Corporate bonds & notes (continued)            
Industrials 1.08%                
Boeing Company 1.65% 2020   $ 60     $ 60  
Boeing Company 2.20% 2022     30       30  
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 1997-4, Class A, 6.90% 20193     34       35  
Continental Airlines, Inc., Series 2000-2, Class A-1, 7.707% 20223     88       96  
ERAC USA Finance Co. 2.60% 20211     175       175  
Lockheed Martin Corp. 1.85% 2018     15       15  
Lockheed Martin Corp. 2.50% 2020     30       31  
Lockheed Martin Corp. 3.10% 2023     10       10  
Lockheed Martin Corp. 3.55% 2026     40       43  
Lockheed Martin Corp. 4.50% 2036     10       11  
Lockheed Martin Corp. 4.70% 2046     45       51  
              557  
                 
Information technology 0.68%                
Apple Inc. 3.25% 2026     125       130  
Apple Inc. 4.65% 2046     100       110  
Harris Corp. 5.054% 2045     100       110  
              350  
                 
Total corporate bonds & notes             44,956  
                 
U.S. Treasury bonds & notes 8.52%                
U.S. Treasury 1.375% 2021     3,024       3,024  
U.S. Treasury 1.625% 20264     259       254  
U.S. Treasury 2.50% 2046     31       30  
U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Security 0.625% 20265     1,052       1,087  
              4,395  
                 
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies outside the U.S. 1.61%                
Bermuda Government 4.854% 20241     275       293  
State of Qatar 3.25% 20261     225       222  
United Mexican States Government Global 4.125% 2026     300       314  
              829  
                 
Municipals 0.76%                
State of Florida, State Board of Administration Fin. Corp., Rev. Bonds, 2016-A, 2.638% 2021     385       394  
                 
Total bonds, notes & other debt instruments (cost: $49,198,000)             50,574  
                 
Short-term securities 3.69%                
General Electric Co. 0.32% due 6/1/2016     1,400       1,400  
John Deere Capital Corp. 0.44% due 6/7/20161     500       500  
                 
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,900,000)             1,900  
Total investment securities 101.73% (cost: $51,098,000)             52,474  
Other assets less liabilities (1.73)%             (890 )
                 
Net assets 100.00%           $ 51,584  

 

8 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund

 

Interest rate swaps

 

The fund has entered into interest rate swaps as shown in the following table. The average month-end notional amount of interest rate swaps while held was $6,917,000.

 

                        Unrealized  
                        appreciation  
                        (depreciation)  
Pay/receive           Fixed   Expiration   Notional   at 5/31/2016  
fixed rate   Clearinghouse   Floating rate index   rate   date   (000)       (000)
Receive   LCH   3-month USD-LIBOR   1.789 % 7/7/2019   $3,000     $ 58  
Pay   LCH   3-month USD-LIBOR   2.7945   4/10/2024   2,500       (232 )
Pay   LCH   3-month USD-LIBOR   2.396   1/19/2046   500       (27 )
                          $ (201 )

 

1 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities was $11,397,000, which represented 22.09% of the net assets of the fund.
2 Coupon rate may change periodically.
3 Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
4 A portion of this security was pledged as collateral. The total value of pledged collateral was $185,000, which represented .36% of the net assets of the fund.
5 Index-linked bond whose principal amount moves with a government price index.

 

Key to abbreviations

Fin. = Finance

LCH = LCH.Clearnet

LIBOR = London Interbank Offered Rate

Rev. = Revenue

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 9

 

Financial statements

 

Statement of assets and liabilities

at May 31, 2016   (dollars in thousands)
     
Assets:                
Investment securities, at value (cost: $51,098)           $ 52,474  
Cash             111  
Receivables for:                
Sales of investments   $ 3,367          
Variation margin     4          
Interest     376          
Reimbursement from advisor     74          
Other     1       3,822  
              56,407  
Liabilities:                
Payables for:                
Purchases of investments     4,594          
Dividends on fund’s shares     128          
Investment advisory services     20          
Trustees’ deferred compensation     *        
Variation margin     4          
Other     77       4,823  
Net assets at May 31, 2016           $ 51,584  
                 
Net assets consist of:                
Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest           $ 50,250  
Undistributed net investment income             25  
Undistributed net realized gain             134  
Net unrealized appreciation             1,175  
Net assets at May 31, 2016           $ 51,584  

 

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

 

Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) —
unlimited shares authorized (5,024 total shares outstanding)

 

        Shares   Net asset value
    Net assets   outstanding   per share
Class A $ 51,584   5,024 $ 10.27

 

* Amount less than one thousand.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

10 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund
 

Statement of operations

for the year ended May 31, 2016   (dollars in thousands)
                 
Investment income:                
Income:                
Interest           $ 1,759  
Fees and expenses*:                
Investment advisory services   $ 231          
Transfer agent services            
Administrative services     5          
Reports to shareholders     14          
Registration statement and prospectus     13          
Trustees’ compensation            
Auditing and legal     91          
Custodian            
Other     25          
Total fees and expenses before reimbursement     379          
Less reimbursement of fees and expenses     113          
Total fees and expenses after reimbursement             266  
Net investment income             1,493  
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation:                
Net realized gain (loss) on:                
Investments     147          
Interest rate swaps     (29 )     118  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                
Investments     1,234          
Interest rate swaps     (91 )     1,143  
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation             1,261  
                 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations           $ 2,754  

 

* Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the Notes to Financial Statements.
Amount less than one thousand.

 

Statements of changes in net assets

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

    Year ended May 31  
    2016     2015  
Operations:                
Net investment income   $ 1,493     $ 1,282  
Net realized gain     118       1,876  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)     1,143       (1,412 )
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations     2,754       1,746  
                 
Dividends and distributions paid or accrued to shareholders:                
Dividends from net investment income     (1,455 )     (1,273 )
Distributions from net realized gain on investments     (975 )      
Total dividends and distributions paid or accrued to shareholders     (2,430 )     (1,273 )
Net capital share transactions     250        
Total increase in net assets     574       473  
Net assets:                
Beginning of year     51,010       50,537  
End of year (including undistributed net investment income: $25 and $9, respectively)   $ 51,584     $ 51,010  

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 11
 

Notes to financial statements

 

1. Organization

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks to provide maximum total return consistent with capital preservation and prudent risk management.

 

The fund has 18 share classes consisting of five retail share classes (Classes A, B and C, as well as two F share classes, F-1 and F-2), five 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) and eight retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6). The 529 college savings plan share classes can be used to save for college education. The retirement plan share classes are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described further in the following table:

 

Share class   Initial sales charge   Contingent deferred sales
charge upon redemption
  Conversion feature
Classes A and 529-A   Up to 3.75%   None (except 1% for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)   None
Classes B and 529-B*   None   Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase   Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years
Class C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years
Class 529-C   None   1% for redemptions within one year of purchase   None
Class 529-E   None   None   None
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1   None   None   None
Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6   None   None   None
* Class B and 529-B shares of the fund are not available for purchase.

 

On November 20, 2015, the fund made an additional retirement plan share class (Class R-5E) available for sale pursuant to an amendment to its registration statement filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Refer to the fund’s prospectus for more details.

 

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

 

2. Significant accounting policies

 

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

 

Security transactions and related investment income — Security transactions are recorded by the fund as of the date the trades are executed with brokers. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined based on the specific identified cost of the securities. In the event a security is purchased with a delayed payment date, the fund will segregate liquid assets sufficient to meet its payment obligations. 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.

 

12 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund
 

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

 

Dividends and distributions to shareholders — Dividends to shareholders are declared daily after the determination of the fund’s net investment income and are paid to shareholders monthly. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

3. Valuation

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Fixed-income class   Examples of standard inputs
All   Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
Corporate bonds & notes; convertible securities   Standard inputs and underlying equity of the issuer
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies   Standard inputs and interest rate volatilities
Mortgage-backed; asset-backed obligations       Standard inputs and cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, collateral characteristics, credit enhancements and specific deal information
Municipal securities       Standard inputs and, for certain distressed securities, cash flows or liquidation values using a net present value calculation based on inputs that include, but are not limited to, financial statements and debt contracts

 

When the fund’s investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or deemed to be not representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and ask prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if ask prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type. Interest rate swaps are generally valued by pricing vendors based on market inputs that include the index and term of index, reset frequency, payer/receiver, currency and pay frequency.

 

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

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 13
 

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

 

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

 

Classifications — The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Certain securities trading outside the U.S. may transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 due to valuation adjustments resulting from significant market movements following the close of local trading. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market. At May 31, 2016, all of the fund’s investments were classified as Level 2.

 

4. Risk factors

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Investing in securities backed by the U.S. government — Securities backed by the U.S. Treasury or the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are guaranteed only as to the timely payment of interest and principal when held to maturity. Accordingly, the current market values for these securities will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Securities issued by government-sponsored entities and federal

 

14 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund
 

agencies and instrumentalities that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.

 

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

 

Investing in derivatives — The use of derivatives involves a variety of risks, which may be different from, or greater than, the risks associated with investing in traditional cash securities, such as stocks and bonds. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with, and may be more sensitive to market events than, the underlying asset, rate or index, and a derivative instrument may expose the fund to losses in excess of its initial investment. Derivatives may be difficult for the fund to buy or sell at an opportune time or price and may be difficult to terminate or otherwise offset. The fund’s use of derivatives may result in losses to the fund, and investing in derivatives may reduce the fund’s returns and increase the fund’s price volatility. The fund’s counterparty to a derivative transaction (including, if applicable, the fund’s clearing broker, the derivatives exchange or the clearinghouse) may be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations in respect of the transaction. A description of the derivative instruments in which the fund may invest and the various risks associated with those derivatives is included in the fund’s statement of additional information under “Description of certain securities, investment techniques and risks.”

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

5. Certain investment techniques

 

Index-linked bonds — The fund has invested in index-linked bonds, which are fixed-income securities whose principal value is periodically adjusted to a government price index. Over the life of an index-linked bond, interest is paid on the adjusted principal value. Increases or decreases in the principal value of index-linked bonds are recorded as interest income in the fund’s statement of operations.

 

Loan transactions — The fund has entered into loan transactions in which the fund acquires a loan either through an agent, by assignment from another holder, or as a participation interest in another holder’s portion of a loan. The loan is often administered by a financial institution that acts as agent for the holders of the loan, and the fund may be required to receive approval from the agent and/or borrower prior to the sale of the investment. The loan’s interest rate and maturity date may change based on the terms of the loan, including potential early payments of principal.

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 15
 

Interest rate swaps — The fund has entered into interest rate swap contracts, which are agreements to exchange one stream of future interest payments for another based on a specified notional amount. Typically, interest rate swaps exchange a fixed interest rate for a payment that floats relative to a benchmark or vice versa. The fund’s investment adviser uses interest rate swaps to seek to manage the interest rate sensitivity of the fund by increasing or decreasing the duration of the fund or a portion of the fund’s portfolio. Risks may arise as a result of the fund’s investment adviser incorrectly anticipating changes in interest rates, increased volatility, reduced liquidity and the potential inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their agreements.

 

Upon entering into an interest rate swap contract, the fund is required to deposit cash, U.S. government securities or other liquid securities, which is known as “initial margin.” Generally, the initial margin required for a particular interest rate swap is set and held as collateral by the clearinghouse on which the contract is cleared. The amount of initial margin required may be significantly modified from time to time by the clearinghouse during the term of the contract.

 

On a daily basis, the fund’s investment adviser records daily interest accruals related to the exchange of future payments as a receivable and payable in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. The fund also pays or receives a “variation margin” based on the increase or decrease in the value of the interest rate swaps, including accrued interest, and records variation margin on interest rate swaps in the statement of assets and liabilities. The fund records realized gains and losses on both the net accrued interest and any gain or loss recognized at the time the interest rate swap is closed or expires. Net realized gains or losses, as well as any net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, from interest rate swaps are recorded in the fund’s statement of operations.

 

The following tables present the financial statement impacts resulting from the fund’s use of interest rate swaps as of, or for the year ended, May 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands):

 

        Assets     Liabilities  
Contract   Risk type   Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
    Value     Location on statement of
assets and liabilities
    Value  
Interest rate swaps   Interest   Net unrealized appreciation*   $58     Net unrealized depreciation*     $259  
                             
        Net realized loss     Net unrealized depreciation  
Contract   Risk type   Location on statement of
operations
    Value     Location on statement of
operations
    Value  
Interest rate swaps   Interest   Net realized loss on interest rate swaps     $(29 )   Net unrealized depreciation on interest rate swaps   $(91 )

 

*Includes cumulative appreciation/depreciation on interest rate swaps as reported in the applicable table following the fund’s investment portfolio. Only the current day’s variation margin is reported within the statement of assets and liabilities.

 

Collateral — The fund participates in a collateral program due to its use of interest rate swaps. The program calls for the fund to pledge collateral for initial and variation margin by contract. The purpose of the collateral is to cover potential losses that could occur in the event that either party cannot meet its contractual obligations.

 

6. Taxation and distributions

 

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

 

As of and during the period ended May 31, 2016, the fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

The fund is not subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax authorities for tax years before 2012, the year the fund commenced operations.

 

Non-U.S. taxation — Interest income is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. The fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. These reclaims are recorded when the amount is known and there are no significant uncertainties on collectability.

 

16 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund
 

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 short-term capital gains and losses; capital losses related to sales of certain securities within 30 days of purchase; cost of investments sold; paydowns on fixed-income securities; 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.

 

During the year ended May 31, 2016, the fund reclassified $22,000 from undistributed net investment income to undistributed net realized gain to align financial reporting with tax reporting.

 

As of May 31, 2016, the tax basis components of distributable earnings, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Undistributed ordinary income   $ 229  
Undistributed long-term capital gains     84  
Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities     1,494  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities     (149 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities     1,345  
Cost of investment securities     51,129  

 

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

 

      Year ended May 31, 2016     Year ended May 31, 2015  
                    Total                   Total  
                    dividends and                   dividends  
    Ordinary     Long-term     distributions   Ordinary     Long-term     paid  
Share class   income     capital gains     paid or accrued   income     capital gains     or accrued  
Class A   $2,395     $35     $2,430   $1,273       $—     $1,273  

 

7. Fees and transactions with related parties

 

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

 

Investment advisory services — The fund has an investment advisory and service agreement with CRMC that provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on an annual rate of 0.460% of daily net assets. For the year ended May 31, 2016, the investment advisory services fee was $231,000.

 

CRMC has agreed to reimburse a portion of the fees and expenses of the fund during its startup period. This reimbursement may be adjusted or discontinued by CRMC, subject to any restrictions in the fund’s prospectus. For the year ended May 31, 2016, total fees and expenses reimbursed by CRMC were $113,000. Fees and expenses in the statement of operations are presented gross of any reimbursements from CRMC.

 

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

 

Distribution services — The fund has plans of distribution for all share classes, except Class F-2, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares. Under the plans, the board of trustees approves certain categories of expenses that are used to finance activities primarily intended to sell fund shares and service existing accounts. The plans provide for payments, based on an annualized percentage of average daily net assets, ranging from 0.30% to 1.00% as noted in this section. 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.

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 17
 

For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.30% is not exceeded. As of May 31, 2016, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

529 plan services — Each 529 share class is subject to service fees to compensate the Virginia College Savings Plan (“Virginia529”) for its oversight and administration of the 529 college savings plan. The quarterly fee is based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds and decreasing to 0.05% on such assets in excess of $70 billion. Effective July 1, 2016, the quarterly fee will be amended to annual rates of 0.10% on the first $20 billion of the net assets invested in the Class 529 shares of the American Funds, 0.05% on net assets between $20 billion and $100 billion, and 0.03% on net assets over $100 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. The fee is included in other expenses in the fund’s statement of operations. Virginia529 is not considered a related party to the fund.

 

For the year ended May 31, 2016, class-specific expenses under the agreements were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Share class     Distribution
services
      Transfer agent
services
    Administrative
services
  529 plan
services
Class A     $—       $—*       $5   Not applicable

 

* Amount less than one thousand.

 

Trustees’ deferred compensation — Trustees who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Trustees’ compensation in the fund’s statement of operations reflects the current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and the net increase or decrease 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, AFD and AFS. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.

 

Security transactions with related funds — The fund may purchase from, or sell securities to, other CRMC-managed funds (or funds managed by certain affiliates of CRMC) under procedures adopted by the fund’s board of trustees. The funds involved in such transactions are considered related by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers. When such transactions occur, each transaction is executed at the current market price of the security and no brokerage commissions or fees are paid in accordance with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act.

 

18 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund
 

8. Capital share transactions

 

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

 

      Sales*   Reinvestments of
dividends and distributions
    Repurchases*     Net increase  
Share class   Amount     Shares   Amount   Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount     Shares  
                                                             
Year ended May 31, 2016                                        
Class A   $ 250       24   $     $           $ 250       24  

 

* Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
Amount less than one thousand.

 

There were no capital share transactions in the fund for the year ended May 31, 2015.

 

9. Investment transactions

 

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $102,605,000 and $103,454,000, respectively, during the year ended May 31, 2016.

 

10. Ownership concentration

 

At May 31, 2016, CRMC held 100% of the fund’s outstanding shares. The ownership represents the seed money invested in the fund when it began operations on December 14, 2012.

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 19
 

Financial highlights

 

        Income (loss) from
investment operations1
    Dividends and distributions                                  
    Net asset
value,
beginning
of period
  Net
investment
income2
  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 return2,3,4     Net assets,
end of period
(in thousands)
  Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
reimburse-
ments2
    Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
reimburse-
ments2,3
    Ratio of
net income
to average
net assets2,3
 
Class A:                                                                                                
Year ended 5/31/2016   $ 10.20   $ .30   $ .26     $ .56     $ (.29 )   $ (.20 )   $ (.49 )   $ 10.27     5.71 %   $ 51,584     .75 %     .53 %     2.97 %
Year ended 5/31/2015     10.11     .26     .08       .34       (.25 )           (.25 )     10.20     3.44       51,010     .71       .53       2.52  
Year ended 5/31/2014     9.85     .26     .25       .51       (.25 )     5     (.25 )     10.11     5.36       50,537     .69       .53       2.65  
Period from 12/14/2012 to 5/31/20136,7     10.00     .09     (.15 )     (.06 )     (.09 )           (.09 )     9.85     (.60 )8     49,245     .33 8     .24 8     .91 8

 

    Year ended   For the period
    2016   2015   2014   12/14/2012 to 5/31/20136,7
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes     295 %     204 %     178 %     65 %

 

1 Based on average shares outstanding.
2 All or a significant portion of assets in this class consisted of seed capital invested by CRMC and/or its affiliates. Fees for distribution services are not charged or accrued on these seed capital assets. If such fees were paid by the fund on seed capital assets, fund expenses would have been higher and net income and total return would have been lower.
3 This column reflects the impact of a reimbursement from CRMC. During the periods shown, CRMC reimbursed other fees and expenses.
4 Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
5 Amount less than $.01.
6 For the period December 14, 2012, commencement of operations, through May 31, 2013.
7 Based on operations for the period shown and, accordingly, is not representative of a full year.
8 Not annualized.

 

See Notes to Financial Statements

 

20 American Funds Corporate Bond Fund
 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Board of Trustees and Shareholders of American Funds Corporate Bond Fund

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the investment portfolio, and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (the “Fund”) at May 31, 2016, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at May 31, 2016 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

Los Angeles, California
July 19, 2016

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund 21

 

 
 

 

American Funds Corporate Bond Fund

 

Part C

Other Information

 

 

Item 28. Exhibits for Registration Statement (1940 Act No. 811-22744 and 1933 Act No.

333-183929)

 

(a)Articles of Incorporation – Certificate of Trust dated 5/25/12; Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated 5/25/12 – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 12/13/12); Certificate of Establishment and Designation of Class R-2E Shares – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 4 filed 8/28/14); and Certificate of Establishment and Designation of Class R-5E Shares dated 9/2/15 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15)

 

(b)By-laws – By-laws – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 12/13/12)

 

(c)Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders – None

 

(d)Investment Advisory Contracts – Form of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 12/13/12)

 

(e)Underwriting Contracts – Form of Amended and Restated Principal Underwriting Agreement effective 11/20/15 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15); Form of Selling Group Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15); Form of Bank/Trust Company Selling Group Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15); Form of Class F Share Participation Agreement – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 4 filed 8/28/14); and Form of Bank/Trust Company Participation Agreement for Class F Shares – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 4 filed 8/28/14)

 

(f)Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts – Deferred Compensation Plan effective 1/1/14 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 11 filed 1/22/16)

 

(g)Custodian Agreements – Form of Global Custody Agreement – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 12/13/12)

 

(h)Other Material Contracts – Form of Indemnification Agreement – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 12/13/12); Form of Amended and Restated Shareholder Services Agreement dated 11/20/15 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15); and Form of Amended and Restated Administrative Services Agreement dated 11/20/15 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15)

 

(i)Legal Opinion – Legal Opinion – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 4 filed 8/28/14; and P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15)

 

(j)Other Opinions – Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

(k)Omitted financial statements – None

 

 
 

 

(l)Initial capital agreements – Initial capital agreements – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 12/13/12)

 

(m)Rule 12b-1 Plan – Forms of Plans of Distribution for Class A, B, C, F-1, 529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E, 529-F-1, R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 shares dated 12/14/12 – previously filed (see Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed 12/13/12); and Form of Plan of Distribution for Class R-2E shares dated 8/29/14 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 4 filed 8/28/14)

 

(n)Rule 18f-3 Plan – Form of Amended and Restated Multiple Class Plan dated 11/20/15 – previously filed (see P/E Amendment No. 8 filed 10/29/15)

 

(o)Reserved

 

(p)Code of Ethics – Code of Ethics for The Capital Group Companies dated July 2016; and Code of Ethics for Registrant

 

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with the Fund

 

None

 

 

Item 30. Indemnification

 

The Registrant is a joint-insured under Investment Adviser/Mutual Fund Errors and Omissions Policies, which insure its officers and trustees against certain liabilities. However, in no event will Registrant maintain insurance to indemnify any such person for any act for which Registrant itself is not permitted to indemnify the individual.

 

Article 8 of the Registrant’s Declaration of Trust as well as the indemnification agreements that the Registrant has entered into with each of its trustees who is not an “interested person” of the Registrant (as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended), provide in effect that the Registrant will indemnify its officers and trustees against any liability or expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in any proceeding arising out of or in connection with his or her service to the Registrant, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, subject to certain conditions. In accordance with Section 17(h) and 17(i) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and their respective terms, these provisions do not protect any person against any liability to the Registrant or its shareholders to which such person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

 

Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling

 
 

person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

Registrant will comply with the indemnification requirements contained in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Release Nos. 7221 (June 9, 1972) and 11330 (September 4, 1980).

 

 

Item 31. Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser

 

None

 

 

Item 32. Principal Underwriters

 

(a) American Funds Distributors, Inc. is the Principal Underwriter of shares of: AMCAP Fund, American Balanced Fund, American Funds College Target Date Series, American Funds Corporate Bond Fund, American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund, American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund, American Funds Fundamental Investors, American Funds Global Balanced Fund, The American Funds Income Series, American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund, American Funds Mortgage Fund, American Funds Portfolio Series, American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series, American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund, American Funds Strategic Bond Fund, American Funds Target Date Retirement Series, American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II, American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund, American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, American High-Income Trust, American Mutual Fund, The Bond Fund of America, Capital Group Emerging Markets Total Opportunities Fund, Capital Income Builder, Capital Group Private Client Services Funds, Capital World Bond Fund, Capital World Growth and Income Fund, Emerging Markets Growth Fund, Inc., EuroPacific Growth Fund, The Growth Fund of America, The Income Fund of America, Intermediate Bond Fund of America, International Growth and Income Fund, The Investment Company of America, Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, The New Economy Fund, New Perspective Fund, New World Fund, Inc., Short-Term Bond Fund of America, SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America and Washington Mutual Investors Fund

 

(b)

 

 

(1)

Name and Principal

Business Address

 

(2)

Positions and Offices

with Underwriter

(3)

Positions and Offices

with Registrant

LAO

Raymond Ahn

 

Vice President None
IRV

Laurie M. Allen

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

William C. Anderson

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Dion T. Angelopoulos

 

Assistant Vice President None

  

LAO

Curtis A. Baker

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

T. Patrick Bardsley

 

Vice President None
LAO

Shakeel A. Barkat

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brett A. Beach

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Jerry R. Berg

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Michel L. Bergesen

 

Vice President None
LAO

Joseph W. Best, Jr.

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Sandeep S. Bhasin

 

Vice President None
LAO

Roger J. Bianco, Jr.

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ryan M. Bickle

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

John A. Blanchard

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Marek Blaskovic

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Gerard M. Bockstie, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jill M. Boudreau

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Andre W. Bouvier

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Michael A. Bowman

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

  

LAO

William P. Brady

 

Senior Vice President None
IRV

Jason E. Brady

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kevin G. Broulette

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

C. Alan Brown

 

Vice President None
LAO

E. Chapman Brown, Jr.

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Toni L. Brown

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Gary D. Bryce

 

Vice President None
LAO

Sheryl M. Burford

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Ronan J. Burke

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Steven Calabria

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Thomas E. Callahan

 

Vice President None
LAO

Anthony J. Camilleri

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jason S. Carlough

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Damian F. Carroll

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

James D. Carter

 

Vice President None
LAO

Stephen L. Caruthers

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Brian C. Casey

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Craig L. Castner

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Christopher M. Cefalo

 

Regional Vice President

 

None

  

LAO

Becky C. Chao

 

Vice President None
LAO

David D. Charlton

 

 

Senior Vice President and Director of Marketing None
LAO

Thomas M. Charon

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Daniel A. Chodosch

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Wellington Choi

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Paul A. Cieslik

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew R. Claeson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kevin G. Clifford

 

 

 

 

 

Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Ruth M. Collier

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

Timothy J. Colvin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Christopher M. Conwell

 

Vice President None
LAO

C. Jeffrey Cook

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Joseph G. Cronin

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

D. Erick Crowdus

 

Vice President None
LAO

Brian M. Daniels

 

Vice President None
LAO

William F. Daugherty

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Scott T. Davis

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Shane L. Davis

 

Vice President None
LAO

Peter J. Deavan

 

Vice President None

  

LAO

Guy E. Decker

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Renee A. Degner

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Daniel Delianedis

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Mark A. Dence

 

Vice President None
LAO

Stephen Deschenes

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Mario P. DiVito

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Joanne H. Dodd

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Kevin F. Dolan

 

Vice President None
LAO

Thomas L. Donham

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

John H. Donovan IV

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

John J. Doyle

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Ryan T. Doyle

 

Vice President None
LAO

Craig Duglin

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Alan J. Dumas

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

John E. Dwyer IV

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
IND

Karyn B. Dzurisin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Kevin C. Easley

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Damian Eckstein

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Matthew J. Eisenhardt

 

Senior Vice President None

  

LAO

Timothy L. Ellis

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John M. Fabiano

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

E. Luke Farrell

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Mark A. Ferraro

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

James M. Ferrauilo

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Lorna Fitzgerald

 

Vice President None
LAO

William F. Flannery

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Kevin H. Folks

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

David R. Ford

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Vanda S. Freesman

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Daniel Frick

 

Senior Vice President None
SNO

Arturo V. Garcia, Jr.

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

J. Gregory Garrett

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Brian K. Geiger

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jacob M. Gerber

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

J. Christopher Gies

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Pamela A. Gillett

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

William F. Gilmartin

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Robert E. Greeley, Jr.

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey J. Greiner

 

Senior Vice President None

  

LAO

Eric M. Grey

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

E. Renee Grimm

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
IRV

Steven Guida

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Sam S. Gumma

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jan S. Gunderson

 

Senior Vice President None
IRV

DeAnn C. Haley

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Philip E. Haning

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Dale K. Hanks

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David R. Hanna

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Derek S. Hansen

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Julie O. Hansen

 

Vice President None
LAO

John R. Harley

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Calvin L. Harrelson III

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Robert J. Hartig, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Craig W. Hartigan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Clifford W. “Webb” Heidinger

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Brock A. Hillman

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division

 

None
LAO

Jennifer M. Hoang

 

Vice President None
LAO

David F. Holstein

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

  

LAO

Heidi B. Horwitz-Marcus

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David R. Hreha

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Frederic J. Huber

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David K. Hummelberg

 

 

 

Director, Senior Vice President, Treasurer and Controller None
LAO

James A. Humpherson Mollett

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey K. Hunkins

 

Vice President None
LAO

Marc G. Ialeggio

 

Senior Vice President None
IND

David K. Jacocks

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

W. Chris Jenkins

 

Vice President None
LAO

Daniel J. Jess II

 

Regional Vice President None
IND

Jameel S. Jiwani

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Sarah C. Johnson

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Brendan M. Jonland

 

Vice President None
LAO

David G. Jordt

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

Stephen T. Joyce

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Thomas J. Joyce

 

Vice President None
LAO

Maria Karahalis

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division  
LAO

John P. Keating

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brian G. Kelly

 

Senior Vice President None

  

LAO

Christopher J. Kennedy

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jason A. Kerr

 

Vice President None
LAO

Ryan C. Kidwell

 

Vice President None
LAO

Layla S. Kim

 

Vice President None
LAO

Charles A. King

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Mark Kistler

 

Senior Vice President None
NYO

Dorothy Klock

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Stephen J. Knutson

 

Assistant Vice President None
IRV

Elizabeth K. Koster

 

Vice President None
LAO

James M. Kreider

 

Vice President None
SNO

David D. Kuncho

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Richard M. Lang

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Christopher F. Lanzafame

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew Le Blanc

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Matthew N. Leeper

 

Vice President None
LAO

Clay M. Leveritt

 

Vice President None
LAO

Louis K. Linquata

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Heather M. Lord

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

James M. Maher

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Brendan T. Mahoney

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Nathan G. Mains

 

Vice President None

  

LAO

Sirish S. Mani

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Mark A. Marinella

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brooke M. Marrujo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Stephen B. May

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Joseph A. McCreesh, III

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Ross M. McDonald

 

Vice President None
LAO

Timothy W. McHale

 

Secretary None
LAO

Max J. McQuiston

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Scott M. Meade

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Simon Mendelson

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David A. Merrill

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

William T. Mills

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Sean C. Minor

 

Vice President None
LAO

James R. Mitchell III

 

Vice President None
LAO

Charles L. Mitsakos

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Ryan D. Moore

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

David H. Morrison

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Andrew J. Moscardini

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
NYO

Timothy J. Murphy

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jon C. Nicolazzo

 

Vice President None

  

LAO

Earnest M. Niemi

 

Vice President None
LAO

William E. Noe

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Matthew P. O’Connor

 

 

 

 

 

Director and President; Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jonathan H. O’Flynn

 

Vice President None
LAO

Peter A. Olsen

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey A. Olson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Thomas A. O’Neil

 

Vice President None
IRV

Paula A. Orologas

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Gregory H. Ortman

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Shawn M. O’Sullivan

 

Vice President None
IND

Lance T. Owens

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kristina E. Page

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Rodney Dean Parker II

 

Vice President None
LAO

Lynn M. Patrick

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Timothy C. Patterson

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

W. Burke Patterson, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Gary A. Peace

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Robert J. Peche

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

  

LAO

David K. Petzke

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Adam W. Phillips

 

Assistant Vice President None
IND

Mary E. Phillips

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Joseph M. Piccolo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Keith A. Piken

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John Pinto

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Carl S. Platou

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David T. Polak

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Charles R. Porcher

 

Vice President None
LAO

Leah K. Porter

 

Vice President None
SNO

Richard P. Prior

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Steven J. Quagrello

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Michael R. Quinn

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

James R. Raker

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
SNO

John P. Raney

 

Vice President None
LAO

James P. Rayburn

 

Vice President None
LAO

Rene M. Reincke

 

Vice President None
LAO

Christopher J. Richardson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Jeffrey J. Robinson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew M. Robinson

 

Regional Vice President None

  

LAO

Thomas W. Rose

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Rome D. Rottura

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Shane A. Russell

 

Vice President None
LAO

William M. Ryan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Dean B. Rydquist

 

 

Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer None
IND

Brenda S. Rynski

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Richard A. Sabec, Jr.

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Paul V. Santoro

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Keith A. Saunders

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Joe D. Scarpitti

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Mark A. Seaman

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

James J. Sewell III

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Arthur M. Sgroi

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Brad W. Short

 

Vice President None
LAO

Nathan W. Simmons

 

Vice President None
LAO

Connie F. Sjursen

 

Vice President None
LAO

Melissa A. Sloane

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Matthew T. Smith

 

Assistant Vice President None
SNO

Stacy D. Smolka

 

Vice President None
LAO

J. Eric Snively

 

Vice President None
LAO

Jason M. Snow

 

Regional Vice President None

  

LAO

Kristen J. Spazafumo

 

Vice President None
LAO

Michael P. Stern

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Andrew J. Strandquist

 

Regional Vice President

 

None
LAO

Gretchen L. Taibl

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Peter D. Thatch

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

John B. Thomas

 

Vice President None
LAO

Cynthia M. Thompson

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
HRO

Stephen B. Thompson

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Mark R. Threlfall

 

Vice President None
LAO

Russell W. Tipper

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Luke N. Trammell

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jordan A. Trevino

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Shaun C. Tucker

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

David E. Unanue

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Idoya Urrutia

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Scott W. Ursin-Smith

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Patrick D. Vance

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Michael R. Van Wyk

 

Vice President None
LAO

Srinkanth Vemuri

 

Vice President None
LAO

Spilios Venetsanopoulos

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

J. David Viale

 

Senior Vice President None

  

LAO

Robert D. Vigneaux III

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jayakumar Vijayanathan

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Todd R. Wagner

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Jon N. Wainman

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Sherrie S. Walling

 

Assistant Vice President None
LAO

Brian M. Walsh

 

Vice President None
LAO

Susan O. Walton

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
SNO

Chris L. Wammack

 

Vice President None
LAO

Matthew W. Ward

 

Regional Vice President None
LAO

Thomas E. Warren

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

George J. Wenzel

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jason M. Weybrecht

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None
LAO

Adam B. Whitehead

 

Vice President None
LAO

N. Dexter Williams

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Steven Wilson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Steven C. Wilson

 

Vice President None
LAO

Kurt A. Wuestenberg

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jonathan A. Young

 

Senior Vice President None
LAO

Jason P. Young

 

Senior Vice President None

  

LAO

Raul Zarco, Jr.

 

 

 

Vice President, Capital Group Institutional Investment Services Division None

 

__________

DCO Business Address, 3000 K Street N.W., Suite 230, Washington, DC 20007-5140
GVO-1 Business Address, 3 Place des Bergues, 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
HRO Business Address, 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
IND Business Address, 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, IN 46032
IRV Business Address, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, CA 92618
LAO Business Address, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA  90071
LAO-W Business Address, 11100 Santa Monica Blvd., 15th Floor, Los Angeles, CA  90025
NYO Business Address, 630 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10111
SFO Business Address, One Market, Steuart Tower, Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94105
SNO Business Address, 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, TX  78251

 

(c) None

 

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

 

Accounts, books and other records required by Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, are maintained and kept in the offices of the Registrant’s investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, California 90071; 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618; and/or 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, Virginia 23513.

 

Registrant’s records covering shareholder accounts are maintained and kept by its transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, 6455 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, California 92618; 12811 North Meridian Street, Carmel, Indiana 46032; 3500 Wiseman Boulevard, San Antonio, Texas 78251; and 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, Virginia 23513.

 

Registrant’s records covering portfolio transactions are maintained and kept by its custodian, Bank of New York – Mellon, One Wall Street, New York, New York 10286.

 

 

Item 34. Management Services

 

None

 

 

Item 35. Undertakings

 

n/a

 
 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the City of Los Angeles, and State of California, on the 28th day of July, 2016.

 

AMERICAN FUNDS CORPORATE BOND FUND

 

By /s/ David S. Lee

(David S. Lee, President)

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below on July 28, 2016, by the following persons in the capacities indicated.

  Signature Title
 
(1) Principal Executive Officer:
 
 

/s/ David S. Lee

(David S. Lee)

President
 
(2) Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer:
 
 

/s/ Brian C. Janssen

(Brian C. Janssen)

Treasurer
 
(3) Trustees:
 
  William H. Baribault* Trustee
  James G. Ellis* Trustee
  Leonard R. Fuller* Trustee
  Michael C. Gitlin* Trustee
  R. Clark Hooper* Chairman of the Board (Independent and Non-Executive)
  Merit E. Janow* Trustee
  Laurel B. Mitchell* Trustee
  Frank M. Sanchez* Trustee
  John H. Smet* Vice Chairman of the Board
  Margaret Spellings* Trustee
  Steadman Upham* Trustee

 

*By /s/ Steven I. Koszalka

(Steven I. Koszalka, pursuant to a power of attorney filed herewith)

 

Counsel represents that this amendment does not contain disclosures that would make the amendment ineligible for effectiveness under the provisions of Rule 485(b).

 

/s/ Erik A. Vayntrub

(Erik A. Vayntrub, Counsel)

 

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, William H. Baribault, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)
-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-190913, File No. 811-22881)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

Jeffrey P. Regal

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ William H. Baribault

William H. Baribault, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, James G. Ellis, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)
-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

Jeffrey P. Regal

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ James G. Ellis

James G. Ellis, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Leonard R. Fuller, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-AMCAP Fund (File No. 002-26516, File No. 811-01435)
-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global Balanced Fund (File No. 333-170605, File No. 811-22496)
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-American Mutual Fund (File No. 002-10607, File No. 811-00572)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-The Investment Company of America (File No. 002-10811, File No. 811-00116)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

Jeffrey P. Regal

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Leonard R. Fuller

Leonard R. Fuller, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Michael C. Gitlin, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Michael C. Gitlin

Michael C. Gitlin, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, R. Clark Hooper, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I – (File No. 33-5270, File No. 811-4653)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Capital World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-The New Economy Fund (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)
-Washington Mutual Investors Fund (File No. 002-11051, File No. 811-00604)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian D. Bullard

Karl C. Grauman

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

Jeffrey P. Regal

Neal F. Wellons

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ R. Clark Hooper

R. Clark Hooper, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Merit E. Janow, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Capital World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-The New Economy Fund (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

Jeffrey P. Regal

Neal F. Wellons

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Merit E. Janow

Merit E. Janow, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Laurel B. Mitchell, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Laurel B. Mitchell

Laurel B. Mitchell, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Frank M. Sanchez, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Frank M. Sanchez

Frank M. Sanchez, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, John H. Smet, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 4th day of December, 2015.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ John H. Smet

John H. Smet, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Margaret Spellings, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Balanced Fund (File No. 002-10758, File No. 811-00066)
-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Developing World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-190913, File No. 811-22881)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-The Income Fund of America (File No. 002-33371, File No. 811-01880)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-International Growth and Income Fund (File No. 333-152323, File No. 811-22215)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)
-Washington Mutual Investors Fund (File No. 002-11051, File No. 811-00604)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian D. Bullard

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

Jeffrey P. Regal

Neal F. Wellons

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Washington, DC, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Margaret Spellings

Margaret Spellings, Board member

 
 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

I, Steadman Upham, the undersigned Board member of the following registered investment companies (collectively, the “Funds”):

 

-American Funds College Target Date Series (File No. 333-180729, File No. 811-22692)
-American Funds Corporate Bond Fund (File No. 333-183929, File No. 811-22744)
-American Funds Emerging Markets Bond Fund
-American Funds Global High-Income Opportunities Fund (File No. 333-183930, File No. 811-22745)
-The American Funds Income Series – U.S. Government Securities Fund (File No. 002-98199, File No. 811-04318)
-American Funds Inflation Linked Bond Fund (File No. 333-183931, File No. 811-22746)
-American Funds Insurance Series (File No. 002-86838, File No. 811-03857)
-American Funds Insurance Series
-American Funds Mortgage Fund (File No. 333-168595, File No. 811-22449)
-American Funds Portfolio Series (File No. 333-178936, File No. 811-22656)
-American Funds Retirement Income Portfolio Series (File No. 333-203797, File No. 811-23053)
-American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund (File No. 033-26431, File No. 811-05750)
-American Funds Strategic Bond Fund (File No. 333-207474, File No. 811-23101)
-American Funds Target Date Retirement Series (File No. 333-138648, File No. 811-21981)
-American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New York (File No. 333-168594, File No. 811-22448)
-The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series II – The Tax-Exempt Fund of California (File No. 033-06180, File No. 811-04694)
-American Funds U.S. Government Money Market Fund (File No. 333-157162, File No. 811-22277)
-American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund (File No. 033-80630, File No. 811-08576)
-American High-Income Trust (File No. 033-17917, File No. 811-05364)
-The Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-50700, File No. 811-02444)
-Capital Income Builder (File No. 033-12967, File No. 811-05085)
-Capital World Bond Fund (File No. 033-12447, File No. 811-05104)
-Capital World Growth and Income Fund (File No. 033-54444, File No. 811-07338)
-Intermediate Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-19514, File No. 811-05446)
-Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 033-66214, File No. 811-07888)
-The New Economy Fund (File No. 002-83848, File No. 811-03735)
-Short-Term Bond Fund of America (File No. 333-135770, File No. 811-21928)
-The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America (File No. 002-49291, File No. 811-02421)

 

hereby revoke all previous powers of attorney I have signed and otherwise act in my name and behalf in matters involving the Funds and do hereby constitute and appoint

 

Jennifer L. Butler

Steven I. Koszalka

Michael W. Stockton

Jane Y. Chung

Susan K. Countess

Julie E. Lawton

Viviane T. Russo

Raymond F. Sullivan, Jr.

Brian C. Janssen

Dori Laskin

Gregory F. Niland

Jeffrey P. Regal

Neal F. Wellons

 

each of them singularly, my true and lawful attorneys-in-fact, with full power of substitution, and with full power to each of them, to sign for me and in my name in the appropriate capacities, all Registration Statements of the Funds on Form N-1A, any and all subsequent Amendments, or Post-Effective Amendments to said Registration Statement on Form N-1A or any successor thereto, and any supplements or other instruments in connection therewith, and generally to do all such things in my name and behalf in connection therewith as said attorneys-in-fact deem necessary or appropriate, to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940 as amended, and all related requirements of the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission. I hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys-in-fact or their substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

EXECUTED at Los Angeles, CA, this 1st day of April, 2016.

(City, State)

 

 

/s/ Steadman Upham

Steadman Upham, Board member

 

 

 
 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated July 19, 2016, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights of American Funds Corporate Bond Fund, which appear in such Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings "Financial highlights", "Independent registered public accounting firm" and "Prospectuses, reports to shareholders and proxy statements" in such Registration Statement.

 

 

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Los Angeles, California

July 28, 2016

 

[logo - The Capital Group]

 

Code of Ethics

 

July 2016

 

The following is the Code of Ethics for Capital Group, which includes Capital Research and Management Company (CRMC), the investment adviser to American Funds, and those involved in the distribution of the funds, client support and services; and Capital Group International Inc. (CGII), which includes Capital Guardian Trust Company and Capital International Inc. The Code of Ethics applies to all Capital associates.

 

Guidelines

 

Capital Group associates are responsible for maintaining the highest ethical standards when conducting business, regardless of lesser standards that may be followed through business or community custom. In keeping with these standards, all associates must place the interests of fund shareholders and clients first.

 

Capital’s Code of Ethics requires that all associates: (1) act with integrity, competence and in an ethical manner; (2) comply with applicable U.S. federal securities laws, as well as all other applicable laws, rules and regulations; and (3) promptly report violations of the Code of Ethics, as outlined below.

 

As part of the Code of Ethics, Capital has adopted the guidelines and policies below to address certain aspects of Capital’s business. In the absence of specific guidelines and policies on a particular matter, associates must keep in mind and adhere to the requirements of the Code of Ethics set forth above.

 

It is important that all associates comply with the Code of Ethics, including its related guidelines and policies. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action, including termination.

 

Questions regarding the Code of Ethics may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Protecting sensitive information

 

Antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws as well as the laws of other countries generally prohibit persons in possession of material non-public information from trading on or communicating the information to others. Associates who believe they may have material non-public information should contact a member of the Legal staff.

 

Capital Group regularly creates, collects and maintains valuable proprietary information, which is essential to our business operations and the performance of services for our clients. This information derives its value, in part, from not being generally known outside of Capital (hereinafter “Confidential Information”). It includes confidential electronic information in any medium, hard-copy information, and information shared orally or visually (such as by telephone or video conference). The confidentiality, integrity and limited availability of such information is regarded as fundamental to the successful business operations of Capital Group. The purpose of this Confidential Information Policy is to protect our information from disclosure – intentional or inadvertent – and to ensure that associates understand their obligation to protect and maintain its confidentiality.

 

 

Extravagant or excessive gifts and entertainment

 

Associates should not accept extravagant or excessive gifts or entertainment from persons or companies that conduct business with Capital. Please see below for a summary of the Gifts and Entertainment Policy.

 

No special treatment from broker-dealers

 

Associates may not accept negotiated commission rates or any other terms they believe may be more favorable than the broker-dealer grants to accounts with similar characteristics. U.S. broker-dealers are subject to certain rules designed to prevent favoritism toward such accounts. Favors or preferential treatment from broker-dealers may not be accepted. This rule applies to the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and any immediate family member residing in the same household.

 

No excessive trading of Capital-affiliated funds

 

Associates should not engage in excessive trading of the American Funds or other Capital-managed investment vehicles worldwide in order to take advantage of short-term market movements. Excessive activity, such as a frequent pattern of exchanges, could involve actual or potential harm to shareholders or clients. This rule applies to the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and any immediate family member residing in the same household.

 

Ban on Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

 

Associates and immediate family members residing in the same household may not participate in IPOs. Exceptions are rarely granted; however, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis (for example, where a family member is employed by the IPO company and IPO shares are considered part of that family member’s compensation).

 

Outside business interests/affiliations

 

Board service as a director or advisory board member

Associates must obtain approval from the Code of Ethics Team prior to serving on the board of directors or as an advisory board member of any public or private company. This rule does not apply to: (1) boards of Capital companies or funds, or (2) board service that is a direct result of the associate’s responsibilities at Capital, such as for portfolio companies of private equity funds managed by Capital and (3) boards of non-profit and charitable organizations.

 

Associates and any family members residing in the same household must disclose service as a board director or as an advisory board member of any public or private company to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Senior officer positions

 

Associates and family members residing in the same household must disclose senior officer positions, such as CEO, CFO, Treasurer, etc. of any private or public company.

 

Material business ownership interest and affiliations

Material business ownership interests may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. Associates and family members residing in the same household are required to disclose ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of public or private companies that do, or potentially may do, business with Capital or American Funds.

 

Family members employed by a financial institution

 

Associates must disclose family members, including extended family members such as in-laws, cousins, aunts and uncles, who are employed by a financial institution, such as a bank, brokerage firm, credit union, money management firm, etc. Family members with whom the associate rarely speaks or sees does not need to be disclosed. This disclosure is not limited to those family members residing in the same household.

 

Requests for approval or questions may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Other guidelines

 

Statements and disclosures about Capital, including those made to fund shareholders and clients and in regulatory filings, should be accurate and not misleading.

 

 

Reporting requirements

 

Annual certification of the Code of Ethics

 

All associates are required to certify at least annually that they have read and understand the Code of Ethics. Questions or issues relating to the Code of Ethics should be directed to the associate’s manager or the Code of Ethics Team.

 

Reporting violations

 

All associates are responsible for complying with the Code of Ethics. As part of that responsibility, associates are obligated to report violations of the Code of Ethics promptly, including: (1) fraud or illegal acts involving any aspect of Capital’s business; (2) noncompliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; (3) intentional or material misstatements in regulatory filings, internal books and records, or client records and reports; or (4) activity that is harmful to fund shareholders or clients. Deviations from controls or procedures that safeguard Capital, including the assets of shareholders and clients, should also be reported. Reported violations of the Code of Ethics will be investigated and appropriate action will be taken. Once a violation has been reported, all associates are required to cooperate with Capital in the internal investigation of any matter by providing honest, truthful and complete information.

 

Associates may report confidentially to a manager/department head, or by accessing the Open Line. Calls and emails will be directed to the Open Line Committee.

 

Associates may also contact the Chief Compliance Officers of CB&T, CGTC, CIInc, CRC, or CRMC, or legal counsel employed with Capital.

 

Capital strictly prohibits retaliation against any associate who in good faith makes a complaint, raises a concern, provides information or otherwise assists in an investigation regarding any conduct that he or she reasonably believes to be in violation of the Code of Ethics. This policy is designed to ensure that associates comply with their obligations to report violations without fear of retaliation.

 

 

Policies

 

Capital’s policies regarding gifts and entertainment, political contributions, insider trading and personal investing are summarized below.

 

 

Gifts and Entertainment Policy

 

Under the Gifts and Entertainment Policy, associates may not receive or extend gifts or entertainment that are excessive, repetitive or extravagant, if such gifts or entertainment involve a government official or are due to a third party’s business relationship (or prospective business relationship) with Capital. The Policy is intended to ensure that gifts and entertainment involving associates do not raise questions of propriety regarding Capital’s business relationships or prospective business relationships, or Capital’s interactions with government officials. Accordingly, for gifts and entertainment involving those who conduct, or may conduct, business with Capital:

 

·An associate may not accept gifts from (or give gifts to) the same person or entity worth more than $100 (or the local currency equivalent) in a 12-month calendar year period.
·An associate may not accept or extend entertainment valued at over $500 (or the local currency equivalent) unless a business reason exists for such entertainment and the entertainment is pre-approved by the associate’s manager and the Code of Ethics Team. Trading department associates are prohibited from accepting entertainment, regardless of value.

 

Gifts or entertainment extended to a private-sector person by a Capital associate and approved by the associate’s manager for reimbursement by Capital do not need to be reported (or precleared). Trading department associates should report gifts and entertainment extended regardless of reimbursement. Note: Separate policies regarding extending business gifts or entertainment apply to AFD and CGIIS associates. Dollar amounts in this document refer to US dollars.

 

Capital Group is registered as a federal lobbyist and special rules apply to gifts and entertainment involving government officials and employees as a result. Associates must receive approval from Capital’s Code of Ethics Team prior to either: (1) hosting a federal government official or employee at a Capital facility if anything of value (e.g. food, tangible item) will be presented to that individual; or (2) providing anything of value to a federal government official or employee if Capital will pay or reimburse for the related cost.

 

Reporting

 

The limitations relating to gifts and entertainment apply to all associates as described above, and associates will be asked to complete quarterly disclosures. Associates must report any gift exceeding $50 and business entertainment in which an event exceeds $75 (although it is recommended that associates report all gifts and entertainment). Trading department associates should notify the Code of Ethics Team when gifts are received and report such gifts quarterly, whether the gift is received by an individual associate or by a department. In addition, trading associates should report gifts and entertainment extended regardless of reimbursement.

 

Charitable contributions

 

Associates must not allow Capital’s present or anticipated business to be a factor in soliciting political or charitable contributions from outside parties.

 

Gifts and Entertainment Committee

 

The Gifts and Entertainment Committee oversees administration of the Policy. Questions regarding the Gifts and Entertainment Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

Political Contributions Policy

 

Associates must be cautious when engaging in personal political activities, particularly when supporting officials, candidates, or organizations that may be in a position to influence decisions to award business to investment management firms. Associates should not make political contributions to officials or candidates (in any country) for the purpose of influencing the hiring of a Capital Group company as an advisor to a governmental entity.

 

Associates may not use Capital offices or equipment to engage in political fundraising or solicitation activity (for example, hosting a fundraising event at the office or using Capital phones or email systems to help solicit donations for a candidate, political action committee (PAC) or political party). Associates may volunteer their time on behalf of a candidate or political organization, but should limit volunteer activities to non-work hours.

 

For contributions or activities supporting candidates or political organizations within the U.S., we have adopted the guidelines set forth below, which apply to associates classified as “Restricted Associates.”


Guidelines for political contributions and activities within the U.S.


U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations limit political contributions to certain Covered Government Officials by employees of investment advisory firms and certain affiliated companies. “Covered Government Official,” for purposes of the Political Contributions Policy, is defined as: (1) a state or local official, (2) a candidate for state or local office, or (3) a federal candidate currently holding state or local office.

 

Many U.S. cities and states have also adopted regulations restricting political contributions by associates of investment management firms seeking to provide services to a governmental entity. Some associates are also subject to these regulations.

 

Restricted Associates

 

Certain Capital associates are deemed Restricted Associates under this policy because their work duties are sufficiently related to Capital’s provision of investment advisory services to U.S. governmental entities either directly or through an investment in one of our funds. Restricted Associates are subject to specific limitations, preclearance, and reporting requirements as described below.

 

Preclearance of political contributions

 

Contributions by Restricted Associates to any of the following must be precleared and certain documentation may be required.

 

  • Covered Government Officials
  • Federal candidate campaigns and affiliated committees
  • Political Action Committees (PACs) and Super PACs
  • Non-profit organizations that may engage in political activities, such as 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations

 

Note: Contributions to federal political parties do not require preclearance.

 

Contributions include:

 

·Monetary contributions, gifts or loans
·“In kind” contributions (for example, donations of goods or services or underwriting or hosting fundraisers)
·Contributions to help pay a debt incurred in connection with an election (including transition or inaugural expenses, purchasing tickets to inaugural events)
·Contributions to joint fund-raising committees
·Contributions made by a Political Action Committee (PAC) controlled by a Restricted Associate 1

 

Please contact the Code of Ethics Team to preclear a contribution.

  


1 “Control” for this purpose includes service as an officer or member of the board (or other governing body) of a PAC.

 

 

 

Required documentation and other restrictions

 

Restricted Associates must:

 

·Obtain legal documentation from an appropriate government official (for example, City Attorney or State Attorney General) prior to making any contribution to a Covered Government Official, PAC or Super PAC
·Not make contributions to state or local political parties
·Report any political contributions made or certify that they have made no contributions during each calendar quarter
·Not direct any other person or entity to make a political contribution on their behalf that would otherwise be prohibited by the Political Contributions Policy

 

Special political contribution requirements – CollegeAmerica

 

Certain associates involved with "CollegeAmerica," the American Funds 529 college savings plan sponsored by the Commonwealth of Virginia, will receive a special reporting form. These associates are subject to additional restrictions and reporting requirements. For example, these associates generally may not contribute to Virginia political candidates or parties. These associates must also preclear any contributions to political candidates and parties in all states and municipalities and any Political Action Committee (PAC) other than to the Investment Company Institute PAC (ICI PAC).

 

Political Contributions Committee

 

The Political Contributions Committee oversees the administration of this Policy, including considering and granting possible exceptions. Questions regarding the Political Contributions Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

Insider Trading Policy

 

Antifraud provisions of U.S. securities laws as well as the laws of other countries generally prohibit persons in possession of material non-public information from trading on or communicating the information to others. Sanctions for violations can include civil injunctions, permanent bars from the securities industry, civil penalties up to three times the profits made or losses avoided, criminal fines and jail sentences. In addition, trading in fund shares while in possession of material, non-public information that may have an immediate impact on the value of the fund’s shares may constitute insider trading.

 

While investment research analysts are most likely to come in contact with material non-public information, the rules (and sanctions) in this area apply to all Capital associates and extend to activities both within and outside each associate's duties. Associates who believe they have material non-public information should contact any lawyer in the organization.

 

 

Personal Investing Policy

 

This policy applies only to “Covered Associates.” Special rules apply to certain associates in some non-US offices.

 

The Personal Investing Policy (Policy) sets forth specific rules regarding personal investments that apply to "covered" associates. These associates may have access to confidential information that places them in a position of special trust. The Code of Ethics requires that associates act with integrity and in an ethical manner and place the interests of fund shareholders and clients first. Associates are reminded that the requirements of the Code of Ethics apply to personal investing activities, even if the matter is not covered by a specific provision of the Policy.

 

Personal investing should be viewed as a privilege, not a right. As such, the Personal Investing Committee may place limitations on the number of preclearance requests and/or transactions.

 

Covered Associates

 

“Covered Associates” are associates with access to non-public information relating to current or imminent fund/client transactions, investment recommendations or fund portfolio holdings. Covered Associates include the associate’s spouse/spouse equivalent and other immediate family members (for example, children, siblings and parents) residing in the same household. Any reference to the requirements of Covered Associates in this document applies to these family members.

 

Additional rules apply to Investment Professionals

“Investment Professionals” include portfolio managers, investment counselors, investment analysts and research associates, investment group administrative assistants, portfolio specialists, investment specialists, trading associates, and global investment control and fixed income control associates, including assistants.

 

Questions regarding coverage status should be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

Prohibited transactions

 

The following transactions are prohibited:

 

·Initial Public Offering (IPO) investments

Exceptions are rarely granted; however, they will be considered on a case-by-case basis (for example, where a family member is employed by the IPO company and IPO shares are considered part of that family member’s compensation).

·Short selling of securities subject to preclearance
·Investments by Investment Professionals in short ETFs except those based on certain broad-based indices
·Spread betting/contracts for difference (CFD) on securities (allowed only on currencies, commodities, and broad-based indices)
·Writing puts and calls on securities subject to preclearance

 

Reporting requirements

 

Covered Associates are required to report their securities accounts, holdings and transactions. An electronic reporting platform is available for these disclosures.

 

Newly hired U.S.-based associates and associates transferring into a position designated as “covered” are required to maintain their brokerage accounts with electronic reporting firms. This requirement includes immediate family members living in the same household. There are some exceptions to this requirement which include discretionary accounts, employer-sponsored retirement accounts, and employee stock purchase plans. The full list of electronic reporting firms may be found in the Personal Investing Policy.

 

In addition, duplicate statements and trade confirmations (or equivalent documentation) are required for accounts holding securities subject to preclearance and/or reporting. This requirement includes employer-sponsored retirement accounts and employee stock purchase plans [ESPP, ESOP, 401(k)].

 

Discretionary (professionally managed) accounts

 

Covered Associates must disclose discretionary (professionally managed) accounts. An account is deemed a “discretionary account” if the associate or immediate family member has no direct or indirect influence or control over the account and does not direct or suggest purchases or sales of investments to the third party discretionary account manager. The associate or immediate family member may frame the overall strategy of the account(s) and impose reasonable restrictions, such as restricting certain securities. Covered Associates do not need to preclear or report transactions in such accounts.

 

Capital requires an account confirmation letter from the account manager. To request a letter, please contact the Code of Ethics Team. Covered Associates must certify annually that all disclosed accounts continue to meet the discretionary account requirements.

 

Accounts that Covered Associates identify as discretionary are subject to further review. In certain circumstances associates may be required to preclear and report transactions in such accounts.

 

Covered Associates are required to notify the Code of Ethics Team of the termination of the discretionary status of an account.

 

Preclearance procedures

 

Certain transactions may be exempt from preclearance.

 

Before buying or selling securities subject to preclearance, including securities that are not publicly traded, Covered Associates must receive approval from the Code of Ethics Team first. Please refer to the Personal Investing Policy for more details on preclearable securities.

 

Submitting preclearance requests

 

To submit a preclear request, log into Protegent PTA. Covered Associates should then click on the Preclear button on the Dashboard and enter the request details.

 

For assistance or questions, please contact the Code of Ethics Team.

Preclearance requests will be handled during the hours the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open, generally 6:30am to 1:00pm Pacific Time. A response to requests will generally be sent within one business day.

 

Transactions will generally not be permitted in securities on days the funds or clients are transacting in the issuer in question. In the case of Investment Professionals, permission to transact will be denied if the transaction would violate the seven-day blackout or short-term profits policies (see “Additional policies for Investment Professionals” below). Preclearance requests by Investment Professionals are subject to special review.

 

Preclearance will generally not be approved for analysts’ transactions involving securities held in their professional portfolio(s) or if the issuer of such securities falls within their industry research responsibilities or a related industry.

 

Unless a different period is specified, clearance is good until the close of the NYSE on the day of the request. Associates from offices outside the U.S. and/or associates trading on non-U.S. exchanges are usually granted enough time to complete their transaction during the next available trading day.

If the precleared trade has not been executed within the cleared timeframe, preclearance must be requested again. For this reason, the following are strongly discouraged:

·Limit orders (for example, stop loss and good-till-canceled orders)
·Margin accounts

 

Investments in private companies (for example, private placements), venture capital partnerships, private equity funds, and hedge funds must be precleared and reported and are subject to special review. In addition, opportunities to acquire a stock that is "limited" (that is, a broker-dealer is only given a certain number of shares to sell and is offering the opportunity to buy) may be subject to the Gifts and Entertainment Policy.

 

Additional policies for Investment Professionals

 

Disclosure of personal and professional holdings (cross-holdings)

 

Portfolio managers, investment analysts, portfolio specialists and certain investment specialists will be asked to disclose securities they own both personally and professionally on a quarterly basis. Analysts will also be required to disclose securities they hold personally that are within their research coverage or could be eligible for recommendation by the analyst professionally in the future in light of current research coverage areas. This disclosure will be reviewed by the Code of Ethics Team and may also be reviewed by various Capital committees.

If disclosure has not already been made to the Personal Investing Committee, any associate who is in a position to recommend a security that the associate owns personally for purchase or sale in a fund or client account should first disclose such personal ownership either in writing (in a company write-up) or verbally (when discussing the company at investment meetings) prior to making a recommendation. This disclosure requirement is consistent with both the CFA Institute standards as well as the ICI Advisory Group Guidelines.

 

In addition, portfolio managers, investment analysts, portfolio specialists and certain investment specialists are encouraged to notify investment/portfolio/fixed-income control of personal ownership of securities when placing an order (especially with respect to a first-time purchase).

 

 

 

 

 

Blackout periods

 

Investment Professionals may not buy or sell a security during the period seven calendar days after a fund or client account transacts in that issuer. The blackout period applies to trades in the same management company with which the associate is affiliated.

 

 

If a fund or client account transaction takes place in the seven calendar days following a transaction executed by an Investment Professional, the personal transaction may be reviewed by the Personal Investing Committee to determine the appropriate action, if any. For example, the Personal Investing Committee may recommend the associate be subject to a price adjustment.

 

Ban on short-term trading

 

Investment Professionals are generally prohibited from the purchase and sale or sale and purchase of a security within 60 calendar days. This restriction applies to securities subject to preclearance and the investment vehicles listed below. However, if a situation arises whereby the associate is attempting to take a tax loss, an exception may be made. This restriction applies to the purchase of an option and the sale of an option, or the purchase of an option and the exercise of the option and sale of shares within 60 days. Although the associate may be granted preclearance at the time the option is purchased, there is a risk of being denied permission to sell the option or exercise and sell the underlying security. Accordingly, transactions in options on individual securities are strongly discouraged.

 

Additionally, this ban applies to the following investment vehicles based on indices listed on certain broad-based indices:

·ETFs
·ETF options and futures
·Index futures

 

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

 

Investment Professionals must preclear ETFs (including UCITS, SICAVs, OEICs, FCPs, Unit Trusts and Publikumsfonds) except those based on certain broad-based indices. Investment Professionals are prohibited from investing in short ETFs based on certain broad-based indices.

 

Although Investment Professionals may invest in ETFs based on certain broad-based indices without preclearance, the ban on short-term trading still applies.

 

Penalties for violating the Personal Investing Policy

 

Covered Associates may be subject to penalties for violating the Personal Investing Policy including failing to preclear, report, submit statements and/or failing to submit timely initial, quarterly and annual certification forms. Failure to adhere to the Personal Investing Policy could also result in disciplinary action, including termination.

 

 

Personal Investing Committee

 

The Personal Investing Committee oversees the administration of the Policy. Among other duties, the Committee considers certain types of preclearance requests as well as requests for exceptions to the Policy.

 

 

Questions regarding the Personal Investing Policy may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

 

* * * * *

 

 

 

Questions regarding the Code of Ethics may be directed to the Code of Ethics Team.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Logo – American Funds®]

 

 

The following is representative of the Code of Ethics in effect for each Fund:

 

 

CODE OF ETHICS

 

 

With respect to non-affiliated Board members and all other access persons to the extent that they are not covered by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. policies:

 

 

  · No Board member shall so use his or her position or knowledge gained therefrom as to create a conflict between his or her personal interest and that of the Fund.

 

  · No Board member shall engage in excessive trading of shares of the fund or any other affiliated fund to take advantage of short-term market movements.

 

  · Each non-affiliated Board member shall report to the Secretary of the Fund not later than thirty (30) days after the end of each calendar quarter any transaction in securities which such Board member has effected during the quarter which the Board member then knows to have been effected within fifteen (15) days before or after a date on which the Fund purchased or sold, or considered the purchase or sale of, the same security.

 

  · For purposes of this Code of Ethics, transactions involving United States Government securities as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, bankers’ acceptances, bank certificates of deposit, commercial paper, or shares of registered open-end investment companies are exempt from reporting as are non-volitional transactions such as dividend reinvestment programs and transactions over which the Board member exercises no control.

 

* * * *

 

In addition, the Fund has adopted the following standards in accordance with the requirements of Form N-CSR adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for the purpose of deterring wrongdoing and promoting: 1) honest and ethical conduct, including handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; 2) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that a fund files with or submits to the Commission and in other public communications made by the fund; 3) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; 4) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the Code of Ethics to an appropriate person or persons identified in the Code of Ethics; and 5) accountability for adherence to the Code of Ethics. These provisions shall apply to the principal executive officer or chief executive officer and treasurer (“Covered Officers”) of the Fund.

 

 

  1. It is the responsibility of Covered Officers to foster, by their words and actions, a corporate culture that encourages honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical resolution of, and appropriate disclosure of conflicts of interest. Covered Officers should work to assure a working environment that is characterized by respect for law and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.

 

  2. Each Covered Officer must act in an honest and ethical manner while conducting the affairs of the Fund, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships. Duties of Covered Officers include:

 

  · Acting with integrity;
  · Adhering to a high standard of business ethics; and
  · Not using personal influence or personal relationships to improperly influence investment decisions or financial reporting whereby the Covered Officer would benefit personally to the detriment of the Fund.

 

  3. Each Covered Officer should act to promote full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that the Fund files with or submits to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications made by the Fund.

 

  · Covered Officers should familiarize themselves with disclosure requirements applicable to the Fund and disclosure controls and procedures in place to meet these requirements; and
  · Covered Officers must not knowingly misrepresent, or cause others to misrepresent facts about the Fund to others, including the Fund’s auditors, independent directors, governmental regulators and self-regulatory organizations.

 

  4. Any existing or potential violations of this Code of Ethics should be reported to The Capital Group Companies’ Personal Investing Committee. The Personal Investing Committee is authorized to investigate any such violations and report their findings to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fund. The Chairman of the Audit Committee may report violations of the Code of Ethics to the Board or other appropriate entity including the Audit Committee, if he or she believes such a reporting is appropriate. The Personal Investing Committee may also determine the appropriate sanction for any violations of this Code of Ethics, including removal from office, provided that removal from office shall only be carried out with the approval of the Board.

 

  5. Application of this Code of Ethics is the responsibility of the Personal Investing Committee, which shall report periodically to the Chairman of the Audit Committee of the Fund.

 

  6. Material amendments to these provisions must be ratified by a majority vote of the Board. As required by applicable rules, substantive amendments to the Code of Ethics must be filed or appropriately disclosed.


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