INCOME FUND OF AMERICA INC
485APOS, 1996-10-01
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SEC File Nos.
811-1880
2-33371
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C. 20549
                       
                                   FORM N-1A
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                      Post-Effective Amendment No. 46  (X)
                                      and
        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
                             Amendment No. 27   (X)
                                                   
                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.           
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
       P.O. Box 7650, Four Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, California 94120
                (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
         Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:  (415) 421-9360
                       
                               Patrick F. Quan
                                  Secretary
                       The Income Fund of America, Inc.
                     P.O. Box 7650, Four Embarcadero Center
                        San Francisco, California 94120
                    (Name and address of agent for service)
                                                   
                    The Registrant has filed a declaration
                         pursuant to Rule 24f-2.  On
                    September 17, 1996, it filed its 24f-2
                           Notice for fiscal 1996.
                       
                 Approximate date of proposed public offering:
                  [X] It is proposed that this filing will
                    become effective on December 1, 1996
                    pursuant to paragraph (a) of Rule 485.
<PAGE>
                        THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
                             Cross Reference Sheet
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Captions in        
Item Number                                                  Prospectus         
of Part "A"                                                    (Part "A")       
of Form N-1A                                                                     
<S>           <C>                                            <C>                
 1.           Cover Page                                     Cover Page         
                                                                                
 2.           Synopsis                                       Expenses           
                                                                                
 3.           Condensed Financial Information                Financial Highlights; Investment Results   
                                                                                
 4.           General Description of Registrant              Fund Organization   
                                                             and Management;    
                                                             Investment Policies and   
                                                             Risks; Securities and Investment Techniques   
                                                                                
 5.           Management of the Fund                         Financial Highlights;   
                                                             Fund Organization and   
                                                             Management         
                                                                                
 6.           Capital Stock and Other Securities             Investment Policies and Risks; Fund   
                                                             Organization and   
                                                             Management; Dividends,   
                                                             Distributions and Taxes   
                                                                                
 7.           Purchase of Securities Being Offered           Purchasing Shares;   
                                                             Fund Organization and   
                                                             Management; Other Important Things to Remember   
                                                                                
 8.           Redemption or Repurchase                       Selling Shares     
                                                                                
 9.           Legal Proceedings                              N/A                
 
</TABLE>
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Captions in Statement   
Item Number                                                  of Additional      
of Part "B"                                                  Information        
of Form N-1A                                                        (Part "B")         
                                                                                
<S>           <C>                                            <C>                
 10.          Cover Page                                     Cover              
                                                                                
 11.          Table of Contents                              Table of Contents   
                                                                                
 12.          General Information and History                None               
                                                                                
 13.          Investment Objectives and Policies             Description of Certain   
                                                             Securities; Fundamental   
                                                             Policies and Investment   
                                                             Restrictions       
                                                                                
 14.          Management of the Fund                         Fund Officers and   
                                                             Directors          
                                                                                
 15.          Control Persons and Principal                  Fund Officers and   
              Holders of Securities                          Directors; Fund    
                                                             Organization and   
                                                             Management (Part "A")   
                                                                                
 16.          Investment Advisory and Other Services         Fund Officers and   
                                                             Directors; Fund    
                                                             Organization and   
                                                             Management (Part "A");   
                                                             General Information;   
                                                             Management         
                                                                                
 17.          Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices       Execution of Portfolio   
                                                             Transactions; Fund   
                                                             Organization and   
                                                             Management (Part "A")   
                                                                                
 18.          Capital Stock and Other Securities             None               
                                                                                
 19.          Purchase, Redemption and Pricing               Purchase of Shares; Redeeming Shares;   
              of Securities Being Offered                                       
                                                             Shareholder Account   
                                                             Services and Privileges;   
                                                             Purchasing Shares (Part   
                                                             "A"); General      
                                                             Information        
                                                                                
 20.          Tax Status                                     Dividends,         
                                                             Distributions and Federal   
                                                             Taxes              
                                                                                
 21.          Underwriter                                    Management; Fund   
                                                             Organization and   
                                                             Management (Part "A")   
                                                                                
 22.          Calculation of Performance Data                Investment Results   
                                                                                
 23.          Financial Statements                           Financial Statements   
 
</TABLE>
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Item in                                                                      
 
Part "C"                                                                                                          
<S>           <C>                                                            
                                                                             
24.           Financial Statements and Exhibits                              
                                                                             
25.           Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control                  
              with Registrant                                                
                                                                             
26.           Number of Holders of Securities                                
                                                                             
27.           Indemnification                                                
                                                                             
28.           Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser           
                                                                             
29.           Principal Underwriter                                          
                                                                             
30.           Location of Accounts and Records                               
                                                                             
31.           Management Services                                            
                                                                             
32.           Undertakings                                                   
                                                                             
 
</TABLE>
 
Signature Page
 
<PAGE>
   
PROSPECTUS                                                                     
DECEMBER 1, 1996
 
THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA
One Market
Steuart Tower, Suite 1800
San Francisco, CA  94105
 
The fund's investment objective is to emphasize current income while
secondarily striving to attain capital growth.  The fund strives to accomplish
this objective by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of securities
including stocks and bonds.
 
This prospectus presents information you should know before investing in the
fund.  You should keep it on file for future reference.
 
More detailed information about the fund, including the fund's financial
statements, is contained in the statement of additional information dated
December 1, 1996, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission and is available to you without charge, by writing to the Secretary
of the fund at the above address or calling American Funds Service Company.
 
               PHONE NUMBERS TO CALL FOR SERVICE AND INFORMATION
Call American Funds Service Company
for shareholder services  800/421-0180 ext. 1
 
Call American Funds Distributors 
for dealer services  800/421-9900 ext. 11
 
Call American FundsLineR 
for 24-hour information 800/325-3590
 
     Telephone conversations may be recorded or monitored for verification,
                 recordkeeping and quality assurance purposes.
 
YOU MAY LOSE MONEY BY INVESTING IN THE FUND.  The likelihood of loss is greater
if you intend to invest for a shorter period of time.  Your investment in the
fund is not a deposit or obligation of, or insured or guaranteed by, any entity
or person including the U.S. Government and the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.  ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                                                                    
06-010-1296
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                         <C>                                        
Expenses                                    Fund Organization and Management           
                                                                                       
Financial Highlights                        Shareholder Services                       
Investment Policies and Risks                   Purchasing Shares                      
Securities and Investment Techniques            Selling Shares                         
Investment Results                              Other Important Things to              
Dividends, Distributions and Taxes              Remember                               
 
</TABLE>
 
EXPENSES
- --------
THE EFFECT OF THE EXPENSES DESCRIBED BELOW IS REFLECTED IN THE FUND'S SHARE 
PRICE OR RETURN.
 
You may pay certain shareholder transaction expenses when you buy or sell
shares of a fund.  Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of the fund's
assets and are factored into its share price.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shareholder Transaction Expenses                               
<S>                                                <C>         
Maximum sales charge on purchases (as a            5.75%       
percentage of offering price)                                  
 
</TABLE>
 
SALES CHARGES ARE REDUCED OR ELIMINATED FOR LARGER PURCHASES.  The fund has no
sales charge on reinvested dividends, and no deferred sales charge or
redemption or exchange fees.  A contingent deferred sales charge of 1% applies
on certain redemptions made within 12 months following purchases without a
sales charge.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Fund Operating Expenses (as a percentage of                
average net assets)                                             
<S>                                                <C>          
Management fees                                    .30%         
12b-1 expenses                                     .23%/*/      
Other expenses                                     .09%         
Total fund operating expenses                      .62%         
 
</TABLE>
 
/*/ 12b-1 expenses may not exceed 0.25% of the fund's average net assets
annually.  Due to these distribution expenses, long-term shareholders may pay
more than the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge
permitted by the National Association of Securities Dealers.
 
 
Examples
- --------
Assuming a hypothetical annual return of 5% and shareholder transaction and
operating expenses as described above, for every $1,000 you invested, you would
pay the following expenses annually:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                      <C>
One year                 $ 63         
Three years                76           
Five years                 90           
Ten years                 130          
 
</TABLE>
 
THESE EXAMPLES ARE NOT MEANT TO REPRESENT YOUR ACTUAL INVESTMENT RESULTS OR 
EXPENSES, WHICH MAY VARY.
 
 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
The following information has been derived from the fund's financial statements
which have been audited by Deloitte and Touche LLP, independent auditors.  This
table should be read together with the financial statements which are included
in the statement of additional information and annual report.
 
<TABLE>
Selected Per-Share Data
 
<S>                                        <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Years ended July 31                        1996   1995   1994   1993   1992   1991   1990   1989   1988   1987
                                           ------- -----------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value, Beginning of
 Year                                      $14.92 $13.59 $14.47 $13.94 $12.54 $12.11 $13.20 $11.50 $12.54 $12.11
                                          ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
 Income from Investment
  Operations:
  Net investment income                       .87    .85    .83    .85    .85    .86    .82    .90    .82    .82
  Net realized and unrealized
   gain (loss) on investments                1.11   1.29   (.53)   .74   1.48    .53   (.67)  1.68   (.68)  1.08
                                          ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total income from
 investment operations                       1.98   2.14    .30   1.59   2.33   1.39    .15   2.58    .14   1.90
                                          ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
 Less Distributions:
  From net investment
  income                                     (.83)  (.75)  (.83)  (.84)  (.85)  (.89)  (.87)  (.88)  (.80)  (.88)
  From net
  realized gains                             (.18)  (.06)  (.35)  (.22)  (.08)  (.07)  (.37)  (---)  (.38)  (.59)
                                          ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
   Total distributions                      (1.01)  (.81) (1.18) (1.06)  (.93)  (.96) (1.24)  (.88) (1.18) (1.47)
                                          ------- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net Asset Value, End of Year               $15.89 $14.92 $13.59 $14.47 $13.94 $12.54 $12.11 $13.20 $11.50 $12.54
                                          ======= ==============================================================
Total Return/1/                             13.46% 16.42%  1.98% 11.88% 19.16% 12.24%  1.12% 23.43%  1.71% 16.67%
 
 
Ratios and Supplemental Data
 
  Net assets, end of year  (in
 millions)                                $14,459 $12,290 $10,537 $9,045 $5,121 $2,771 $2,110 $1,271  $925  $943
  Ratio of expenses to average
 net assets                                  .62%    .65%   .63%   .62%   .66%    .73%   %.67   .69%  .55%  .54%
  Ratio of net income to average
 net assets                                 5.56%   6.12%  5.92%  6.05%  6.40%   7.23%  7.36%  7.45% 7.14%  6.55%
  Portfolio turnover rate                   37.77% 26.26% 26.42% 29.18% 22.71%  23.35% 18.90% 34.38% 42.83% 38.73%
 
 
/1/Excludes maximum sales charge of 5.75%.
 
 
INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS
 
THE INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE OF THE FUND IS TO EMPHASIZE CURRENT INCOME WHILE
SECONDARILY STRIVING TO ATTAIN CAPITAL GROWTH.  BECAUSE THE FUND INVESTS IN
STOCKS AND BONDS IT IS SUBJECT TO CERTAIN RISKS.
 
The portfolio of the fund is managed to earn current income on, and to
anticipate long-term capital growth of, the portfolio as a whole rather than
any individual security in it.  Normally, the fund will maintain at least 65%
of the value of its total assets in income-producing securities.  The relative
percentages of each type of security in the portfolio may be expected to
fluctuate.  Generally, 60% of the fund will be invested in equity securities,
however at times the fund may be invested solely in fixed-income securities or
solely in equity securities including securities convertible into common stock. 
A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT POLICIES IS CONTAINED IN ITS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
 
The fund's investment restrictions (which are described in the statement of
additional information) and objective may not be changed without shareholder
approval.  All other investment practices may be changed by the fund's board of
directors.
 
ACHIEVEMENT OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE CANNOT, OF COURSE, BE ASSURED
DUE TO THE RISK OF CAPITAL LOSS FROM FLUCTUATING PRICES INHERENT IN ANY
INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES.
 
 
SECURITIES AND INVESTMENT TECHNIQUES
 
EQUITY SECURITIES  Equity securities represent an ownership position in a
company. These securities may include common stocks, preferred stocks, and
securities with equity conversion or purchase rights.  Although equity
securities have a history of long-term growth in value, their prices fluctuate
based on changes in a company's financial condition and on overall market and
economic conditions, and the fund's results will be related to the overall
market for these securities.
 
DEBT SECURITIES  Bonds and other debt securities are used by issuers to borrow
money.  The issuer pays the investor a fixed or variable rate of interest, and
must repay the amount borrowed 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. 
 
In general, bond prices rise when interest rates fall, and vice versa.  Debt
securities have varying levels of sensitivity to changes in interest rates and
varying degrees of quality as measured by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
(which rates bonds from Aaa to C) or Standard & Poor's Corporation (which rates
bonds from AAA to D) or as rated by the fund's investment adviser.  Longer-term
bonds are generally more sensitive to interest rate changes than short-term
bonds.
 
The fund may invest up to 20% of its total assets in debt securities rated Ba
and BB or below.  These securities are commonly known as "junk" or "high-yield,
high-risk" bonds.  High-yield, high-risk bonds have speculative characteristics
and involve greater risk of default or price changes due to changes in the
issuer's creditworthiness, or they may already be in default.  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, or to determine the value of, high-yield,
high-risk bonds.  
 
The fund's high-yield, high risk securities may be rated as low as Ca or CC
which are described by the ratings agencies as "speculative in a high degree;
often in default or [having] other marked shortcomings." See the statement of
additional information for a complete description of the bond ratings.  
 
Capital Research and Management Company attempts to reduce the risks described
above through diversification of the portfolio and by credit analysis of each
issuer as well as by monitoring broad economic trends and corporate and
legislative developments.
 
During the previous fiscal year, the monthly average percentage of the fund's
net assets in fixed-income investments was 35%.  The average monthly
composition of the fund's portfolio based on the higher of Moody's or S&P
ratings for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996 was as follows:
 
  Aaa/AAA -  13.16%
  Aa/AA -   0.40%
  A/A -   2.00%
  Baa/BBB -   3.94%
  Ba/BB -   5.96%
  B/B -   8.04%
  Caa/CCC -   0.88%
  Non-rated-  0.59%
 
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES  Convertible securities are securities having both debt
and equity characteristics and can include corporate bonds, notes or preferred
stocks.  The convertible security typically gives its holder the right to
exchange the security for a fixed number of shares of common stock. 
Convertible securities may pay less interest or may be priced at a premium as
compared to similar securities without convertible characteristics.  In
addition, they are more susceptible to the type of market fluctuations common
to equity securities.
 
ASSET-BACKED SECURITIES  The fund may invest in various asset-backed
securities.  These securities include mortgage-backed obligations such as those
issued by the Government National Mortgage Association, the Federal National
Mortgage Corporation and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Association as well as
collateralized mortgage obligations and mortgage-backed bonds.  They also can
include obligations backed by pools of motor vehicle retail installment sales
contracts and security interests in the vehicles servicing the contracts or a
pool of credit card loan receivables.
 
PRIVATE PLACEMENTS  Private placements may be either purchased from another
institutional investor that originally acquired the securities in a private
placement or directly from the issuers of the securities.  Generally,
securities acquired in private placements are subject to contractual
restrictions on resale and may not be resold except pursuant to a registration
statement under the Securities Act of 1933 or in reliance upon an exemption
from the registration requirements under the Act, for example, private
placements sold pursuant to Rule 144A.  Accordingly, all private placements
will be deemed illiquid unless they have been specifically determined to be
liquid taking into account factors such as the frequency and volume of trading
and the commitment of dealers to make markets under procedures adopted by the
fund's board of directors.  
 
FORWARD COMMITMENTS    The fund may purchase securities on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis or sell them on a delayed-delivery basis and enter into
firm commitment agreements.  These are trading practices in which payment and
delivery for the securities take place at a future date.  In addition, the fund
may also enter into "roll" transactions which generally are the sale of a
security by the fund and its agreement to purchase the security or a similar
security at a specified time and price at a later date.  The fund assumes the
rights and risks of ownership, including the risk of price and yield
fluctuations as of the time of the agreement.  The fund does not participate in
further gains or losses with respect to the security.  If the other party to a
delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the
fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity, or could suffer a loss. 
 
INVESTING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES  The fund may invest in non-U.S. issuers.  The
fund may invest no more than 10% of its total assets in equity securities of
issuers which are domiciled outside the U.S. and which are not included in the
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index (a broad measure of the U.S. stock
market).  Furthermore, the fund may invest more than 10% in fixed-income
securities of issuers domiciled outside the U.S. provided that any straight
debt instrument (those without equity features included) are U.S.
dollar-denominated.  Non-U.S. issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting,
auditing and financial reporting standards and practices or regulatory
requirements comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers.  There may also be
less public information available about certain non-U.S. issuers. 
Additionally, specific local political and economic factors must be evaluated
in making these investments including trade balances and imbalances, and
related economic policies; expropriation or confiscatory taxation; limitations
on the removal of funds or other assets; political or social instability; the
diverse structure and liquidity of the various securities markets; and
nationalization policies of governments around the world.  However, investing
outside the U.S. can also reduce certain risks due to greater diversification
opportunities.
 
NON-U.S. CURRENCY CONSIDERATIONS  The fund has the ability to invest in
securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies, to purchase and sell currencies
to facilitate securities transactions and to enter into forward currency
contracts to hedge against changes in currency exchange rates.  While entering
into forward transactions could minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in
the value of the hedged currency, it could also limit any potential gain which
might result from an increase in the value of the currency.
 
MULTIPLE PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR SYSTEM  The basic investment philosophy of Capital
Research and Management Company is to seek fundamental values at reasonable
prices, using a system of multiple portfolio counselors in managing mutual fund
assets.  Under this system the portfolio of the fund is divided into segments
which are managed by individual counselors.  Counselors decide how their
respective segments will be invested (within the limits provided by the fund's
objective and policies and by Capital Research and Management Company's
investment committee).  In addition, Capital Research and Management Company's
research professionals make investment decisions with respect to a portion of
the fund's portfolio.  The primary individual portfolio counselors for the fund
are listed on the following page.
 
 
 
 
 
 

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                       <C>                                <C>                                <C>                <C>              
PORTFOLIO                 PRIMARY TITLE(S)                   YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS             YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS 
COUNSELORS FOR THE                                           PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR (AND           INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL
INCOME FUND                                                  RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL, IF               (APPROXIMATE)
OF AMERICA,                                                  APPLICABLE) FOR THE INCOME         WITH CAPITAL         TOTAL YEARS
INC.                                                         FUND OF AMERICA, INC.              RESEARCH AND
                                                             (APPROXIMATE)                      MANAGEMENT COMPANY
                                                                                                OR AFFILIATES
 
 
Stephen E. Bepler         Senior Vice President of           12 years (in addition to 11        24 years           30 years         
                          the fund.  Senior Vice             years as a research                                                    
                          President, Capital Research        professional prior to                                                  
                          Company*                           becoming a portfolio                                                   
                                                             counselor for the fund)                                                
 
Abner D. Goldstine        Senior Vice President of           23 years                           29 years           44 years         
                          the fund.  Senior Vice                                                                                    
                          President and Director,                                                                                   
                          Capital Research and                                                                                      
                          Management Company                                                                                        
 
Gregg E. Ireland          Vice President, Capital            7 years (in addition to 5          23 years           23 years         
                          Research and Management            years as a research                                                    
                          Company                            professional prior to                                                  
                                                             becoming a portfolio                                                   
                                                             counselor for the fund)                                                
 
Janet A. McKinley         President of the fund.             3 years (in addition to 8          14 years           20 years         
                          Senior Vice President,             years as a research                                                    
                          Capital Research Company*          professional prior to                                                  
                                                             becoming a portfolio                                                   
                                                             counselor for the fund)                                                
 
Dina N. Perry             Vice President of the fund.        4 years                            5 years            30 years         
                          Vice President, Capital                                                                                   
                          Research and Management                                                                                   
                          Company                                                                                                   
 
Richard T. Schotte        Senior Vice President of           18 years                           19 years           29 years         
                          the fund.  Senior Vice                                                                                    
                          President, Capital Research                                                                               
                          and Management Company                                                                                    
 
John H. Smet              Vice President of the fund.        4 years                            13 years           14 years         
                          Vice President, Capital                                                                                   
                          Research and Management                                                                                   
                          Company                                                                                                   
 
* Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.                                                                  
                                          
 
</TABLE>
 
INVESTMENT RESULTS
 
THE FUND MAY FROM TIME TO TIME COMPARE INVESTMENT RESULTS TO VARIOUS INDICES OR
OTHER MUTUAL FUNDS.  FUND RESULTS MAY BE CALCULATED ON A TOTAL RETURN, YIELD,
AND/OR DISTRIBUTION RATE BASIS.  RESULTS CALCULATED WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE WILL
BE HIGHER.
 
+  TOTAL RETURN is the change in value of an investment in the fund over a
given period, assuming reinvestment of any dividends and capital gain
distributions. 
 
+  YIELD refers to the income generated by an investment in the fund over a
given period of time, expressed as an annual percentage rate.  Because yield is
calculated using a formula mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission
that differs from other accounting methods, the quoted yield may not equal the
income actually paid to shareholders.
 
+ DISTRIBUTION RATE reflects dividends that were paid by the fund.  The
distribution rate is calculated by dividing the dividends paid over the last 12
months by the sum of the month-end price and the capital gain distributions
paid over the last 12 months.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                <C>                <C>                       <C>                
                   AVERAGE ANNUAL                                                  
                   COMPOUND RETURNS^                                                
 
                   FUND*              LEHMAN +                  S&P 500#         
 
One year           +_____%            +_____%                   +_____%            
 
Five years         +_____%            +_____%                   +_____%            
 
Ten years          +_____%            +_____%                   +_____%            
 
                   30-DAY                                                          
 
                    YIELD^          DISTRIBUTION RATE                            
 
                   _____%             _____%                                       
 
^ All returns are as of September 30, 1996.                                                                   
* These fund results were calculated according to a standard that is required for all stock and bond funds.  The maximum sales
charge has been deducted.                                                                   
+ Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index represents investment grade debt.                                                            
      
# The Standard & Poor's 500 Index represents stocks.                                                                   
 
</TABLE>
 
[CHART]
ANNUAL RETURNS*
FOR THE CALENDAR YEARS
(WITHOUT SALES CHARGE)
Year          Percentage (%)
1986          15.25
1987           0.72
1988          14.79
1989          22.99
1990          -3.03
1991          23.78
1992          12.03
1993          14.01
1994          -2.50
1995          29.08
[END CHART]
 
Past results are not an indication of future results.  Further information
regarding the fund's investment results is contained in the fund's annual
report.
 
 
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The fund pays a dividend three times during the
year (usually in March, June and September) plus a fourth dividend (usually in
December) that can vary widely in size.  Capital gains, if any, are usually
distributed in December.  When a dividend or capital gain is distributed, the
net asset value per share is reduced by the amount of the payment.
 
FEDERAL TAXES In any fiscal year in which the fund so qualifies and distributes
to shareholders all of its net investment income and net capital gains, the
fund itself is relieved of federal income tax.
 
All dividends and capital gains are taxable whether they are reinvested or
received in cash--unless you are exempt from taxation or entitled to tax
deferral.  Early each year, you will be notified as to the amount and federal
tax status of all income distributions paid during the prior year.  Such
distributions may also be subject to state or local taxes.
 
YOU MUST PROVIDE THE FUND WITH A CERTIFIED CORRECT TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER (GENERALLY YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER) AND CERTIFY THAT YOU ARE NOT
SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING.  IF YOU FAIL TO DO SO THE IRS CAN REQUIRE THE
FUND TO WITHHOLD 31% OF YOUR TAXABLE DISTRIBUTIONS AND REDEMPTIONS.  Federal
law also requires the fund to withhold 30% or the applicable tax treaty rate
from dividends paid to certain nonresident alien, non-U.S. partnership and
non-U.S. corporation shareholder accounts.
 
 
FUND ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT
 
FUND ORGANIZATION AND VOTING RIGHTS The fund, an open-end, diversified
management investment company, was organized as a Delaware corporation in 1969
and reorganized as a Maryland corporation in 1983.  All fund operations are
supervised by the fund's board of directors who meet periodically and perform
duties required by applicable state and federal laws.  The fund does not hold
annual meetings of shareholders.  However, significant corporate matters which
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 INVESTMENT ADVISER  Capital Research and Management Company, a large and
experienced investment management organization founded in 1931, is the
investment adviser to the fund and other funds, including those in The American
Funds Group.  Capital Research and Management Company is headquartered at 333
South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA  90071.  Capital Research and Management
Company manages the investment portfolio and business affairs of the fund.  The
management fee paid by the fund to Capital Research and Management Company is
composed of a basic management fee which may not exceed 0.24% of the fund's
average net assets annually and declines at certain asset levels and 2.25% of
the fund's gross investment income for the preceding month.  The total
management fee paid by the fund for the previous fiscal year is listed above
under "Expenses."
 
Capital Research and Management Company and its affiliated companies have
adopted a personal investing policy that is consistent with the recommendations
contained in the report date May 9, 1994 issued by the Investment Company
Institute's Advisory Group on Personal Investing.  (See the statement of
additional information.)  This policy has also been incorporated into the
fund's "code of ethics" which is available from the fund's Secretary upon
request.
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The fund has a Plan of Distribution or "12b-1 Plan" under
which it may finance activities primarily intended to sell shares, provided the
categories of expenses are approved in advance by the board and the expenses
paid under the plan were incurred within the preceeding 12 months and accrued
while the plan is in effect.  The 12b-1 fee paid by the fund for the last
fiscal year is listed above under "Expenses."
 
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS Orders for the fund's portfolio securities transactions
are placed by Capital Research and Management Company, which strives to obtain
the best available prices, taking into account the costs and quality of
executions.  Fixed-income securities are generally traded on a "net" basis with
a dealer acting as principal for its own account without a stated commission,
although the price of the security usually includes a profit to the dealer.  In
underwritten offerings, securities are usually purchased at a fixed price which
includes an amount of compensation to the dealer, generally referred to as a
concession or discount.  On occasion, securities may be purchased directly from
an issuer, in which case no commissions or discounts are paid. In the
over-the-counter market, purchases and sales are transacted directly with
principal market-makers except in those circumstances where it appears better
prices and executions are available elsewhere.
 
Subject to the above policy, when two or more brokers are in a position to
offer comparable prices and executions, preference may be given to brokers who
have sold shares of the fund or have provided investment research, statistical,
and other related services for the benefit of the fund and/or other funds
served by Capital Research and Management Company.
 
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER AND TRANSFER AGENT American Funds Distributors, Inc. and
American Funds Service Company serve as the principal underwriter and transfer
agent for the fund, respectively.  They are headquartered at 333 South Hope
Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071 and 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 
92821, respectively.
 
                  AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY SERVICE AREA
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SERVICE AREA        ADDRESS                            AREAS SERVED                           
 
<S>                 <C>                                <C>                                    
WEST                P.O. Box 2205                      AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, MT, NV,            
                    Brea, CA 92822-2205                OR, UT, WA and outside the             
                    Fax: 714/671-7080                  U.S.                                   
 
CENTRAL-            P.O. Box 659522                    AR, CO, IA, KS, LA, MN, MO,            
WEST                San Antonio, TX 78265-9522         ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, and WY         
                    Fax: 210/530-4050                                                         
 
CENTRAL-            P.O. Box 6007                      AL, IL, IN, KY, MI, MS, OH, TN         
EAST                Indianapolis, IN 46206-6007        and WI                                 
                    Fax: 317/735-6620                                                         
 
EAST                P.O. Box 2280                      CT, DE, FL, GA, MA, MD, ME,            
                    Norfolk, VA 23501-2280             NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, SC,            
                    Fax: 804/670-4773                  VA, VT, WV and Washington,             
                                                       D.C.                                   
 
ALL SHAREHOLDERS MAY CALL AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY AT 800/421-0180                                                            
                
FOR SERVICE.                                                                                  
 
</TABLE>
 
                                                         SHAREHOLDER SERVICES  
 
The fund offers you a valuable array of services you can use to alter your
investment program as your needs and circumstances change.  These services,
which are summarized below, are available only in states where they may be
legally offered and may be terminated or modified at any time upon 60 days'
written notice.  A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF SHAREHOLDER SERVICES AND ACCOUNT
POLICIES IS CONTAINED IN THE FUND'S STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.  In
addition, an easy-to-read guide to owning a fund in The American Funds Group
titled "Welcome to the Family" is sent to new shareholders and is available
upon request.
 
 
PURCHASING SHARES
 
HOW TO PURCHASE SHARES  You may open an account by contacting any investment
dealer authorized to sell the fund's shares.  You may add to your account
through your dealer or directly through American Funds Service Company by mail,
wire, or bank debit.  You may also establish or add to your account by
exchanging shares from any of your other accounts in The American Funds Group
(see below). 
 
Various purchase options are available as described below subject to certain
investment minimums and limitations described in the statement of additional
information.
 
+ Automatic Investment Plan - You may invest monthly or quarterly through
automatic withdrawals from your bank account.
 
+ Automatic Reinvestment -  You may reinvest your dividends and capital gain
distributions into the fund (with no sales charge).  This will be done
automatically UNLESS you elect to have the dividends and/or capital gain
distributions paid to you in cash.  
 
+ Cross-Reinvestment -  You may invest your dividend and capital gain
distributions into any other fund in The American Funds Group.
 
+ Exchange Privilege - You may exchange your shares into other funds in The
American Funds Group with no sales charge.  Exchanges of shares from the money
market funds that were initially purchased with no sales charge will generally
be subject to the appropriate sales charge.  You may also elect to
automatically exchange shares among any of the funds in The American Funds
Group.  Exchange requests may be made in writing, by telephone including
American FundsLineR (see below) or by fax.  EXCHANGES HAVE THE SAME TAX 
CONSEQUENCES AS ORDINARY SALES AND PURCHASES.
 
+ Retirement Plans -  You may invest in the funds through various retirement
plans.  For further information contact your investment dealer or American
Funds Distributors.
 
SHARE PRICE  The fund's share price, also called net asset value, is determined
as of the close of trading (normally 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) every day the New
York Stock Exchange is open.  The fund calculates its net asset value per share
by dividing the total value of its assets after subtracting liabilities by the
number of its shares outstanding.  Shares are purchased at the offering price
next determined after your investment is received and accepted by American
Funds Service Company.  The offering price is the net asset value plus a sales
charge, if applicable.
 
SHARE CERTIFICATES   Shares are credited to your account and certificates are
not issued unless you request them by writing to American Funds Service
Company. 
 
INVESTMENT MINIMUMS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                    <C>             
To establish an account                                                $1,000          
For a retirement plan account                                          $250            
For a retirement plan account through payroll deduction                $50             
To add to an account                                                   $50             
For a retirement plan account                                          $25             
</TABLE>
 
SALES CHARGES You may pay a sales charge when purchasing shares.  Sales charges
may be reduced for larger purchases as indicated below.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Investment                                                                                         Dealer                 
                                                                                                   Concession as %
                                                      Sales Charge as a Percentage of              of Offering Price
<S>                                                <C>                      <C>                    <C>                    
                                                   Offering Price           Net Amount Invested                           
Less than $50,000                                  5.75%                    6.10%                  5.00%                  
$50,000 but less than $100,000                     4.50%                    4.71%                  3.75%                  
$100,000 but less than $250,000                    3.50%                    3.63%                   2.75%                 
$250,000 but less than $500,000                    2.50%                    2.56%                  2.00%                  
$500,000 but less than $1 million                  2.00%                    2.04%                  1.60%                  
$1 million or more and certain other               see below                see below              see  below             
investments described below                                                                                               
 
</TABLE>
 
PURCHASES NOT SUBJECT TO SALES CHARGES  Investments of $1 million or more and
investments made by employer-sponsored defined contribution-type plans with 200
or more eligible employees are sold with no initial sales charge.  A 1%
CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE MAY BE IMPOSED ON CERTAIN REDEMPTIONS MADE
WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PURCHASE BY THESE ACCOUNTS.  A dealer concession of up to 1%
may be paid by the fund from its Plan of Distribution on these investments. 
Investments by retirement plans with $100 million or more in assets may be made
with no sales charge and are not subject to a contingent deferred sales charge. 
A dealer concession of up to 1% may be paid by American Funds Distributors on
these investments.  Investments by certain individuals and entities including
employees and other associated persons of dealers authorized to sell shares of
the fund and Capital Research and Management Company and its affiliated
companies are not subject to a sales charge.
 
ADDITIONAL DEALER COMPENSATION  In addition to the concessions listed, up to
0.25% of average net assets is paid annually to qualified dealers for providing
certain services pursuant to the fund's Plan of Distribution.  During 1996,
American Funds Distributors will also provide additional compensation to the
top one hundred dealers who have sold shares of funds in The American Funds
Group based on the pro rata share of a qualifying dealer's sales.
 
REDUCING YOUR SALES CHARGE  You and your immediate family may combine
investments to reduce your costs.  You must let your investment dealer or
American Funds Service Company know if you qualify for a reduction in your
sales charge using one or any combination of the methods described below.
 
+ Aggregation -  Investments that may be aggregated include those made by you,
your spouse and your children under the age of 21, if all parties are
purchasing shares for their own account(s), including any retirement plan or 
business account solely "controlled by", as well as any trust account solely
for the benefit, of these individuals.   Investments made for multiple employee
benefit plans of a single employer or "affiliated" employers may be aggregated
provided they are not also aggregated with individual accounts.  Finally,
investments made by a common trust fund or other diversified pooled account not
specifically formed for the purpose of accumulating fund shares may be
aggregated. 
 
Purchases made for nominee or street name
accounts will generally not be aggregated with
those made for other accounts unless qualified
as described above.
 
+ Concurrent Purchases -  You may combine concurrent purchases of two or more
funds in The American Funds Group, except direct purchases of the money market
funds.  Shares of the money market funds purchased through an exchange,
reinvestment or cross-reinvestment from a fund having a sales charge do
qualify.
 
+ Right of Accumulation -   You may take into account the current value of your
existing holdings in The American Funds Group to determine your sales charge. 
Direct purchases of the money market funds are excluded.
 
+ Statement of Intention -  You may enter into a non-binding commitment to
invest a certain amount in non-money market fund shares over a 13-month period.
A portion of your account may be held in escrow to cover additional sales
charges which may be due if your total investments over the statement period
are insufficient to qualify for a sales charge reduction.
 
 
SELLING SHARES
 
HOW TO SELL SHARES  You may sell (redeem) shares in your account by contacting
your investment dealer or American Funds Service Company.  You may also use
American FundsLineR (see below).  You may also sell shares in amounts of $50 or
more automatically.  If you sell shares through your investment dealer you may
be charged for this service.  Shares held for you in your dealer's street name
must be sold through the dealer.
 
Shares are sold at the net asset value next determined after your request is
received and accepted by American Funds Service Company.  Sale requests may be
made in writing, by telephone including American FundsLineR (see below) or by
fax.  Sales by telephone or fax are limited to $10,000 in accounts registered
to individual(s)  (including non-retirement trust accounts).  In addition,
checks must be made payable to the registered shareholder(s) and mailed to an
address of record that has been used with the account for at least 10 days. 
Proceeds will not be mailed until sufficient time has passed to provide
reasonable assurance that checks or drafts (including certified or cashier's
check) for shares purchased have cleared.  Except for delays relating to
clearance of checks for share purchases or in extraordinary circumstances (and
as permissible under the Investment Company Act of 1940), sale proceeds will be
paid on or before the seventh day following receipt and acceptance of an order. 
The fund may, with 60 days' written notice, close your account if due to a sale
of shares, the account has a value of less than the minimum required initial
investment.
 
Generally, written requests to sell shares must be signed by you and must
include any shares you wish to sell that are in certificate form.  Your
signature must be guaranteed by a bank, savings association, credit union, or
member firm of a domestic stock exchange or the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., that is an eligible guarantor institution.  A
signature guarantee is not currently required for any sale of $50,000 or less
provided the check is made payable to the registered shareholder(s) and is
mailed to the address of record on the account, provided the address has been
used with the account for at least 10 days.  Additional documentation may be
required for sale of shares held in corporate, partnership or fiduciary
accounts.
 
You may reinvest proceeds from a redemption or a dividend or capital gain
distribution without a sales charge in any fund in The American Fund Group
within 90 days after the date of the redemption or distribution.  Reinvestment
will be at the next calculated net asset value after receipt and acceptance by
American Funds Service Company. 
 
 
OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER
 
AMERICAN FUNDSLINE(R)  You may check your share balance, the price of your
shares, or your most recent account transactions, sell shares (up to $10,000
per fund, per account each day), or exchange shares around the clock with
American FundsLineR.  To use this service, call 800/325-3590 from a TouchTonet
telephone.
 
TELEPHONE PURCHASES, SALES AND EXCHANGES Unless you opt out of the telephone
(including American FundsLineR) or fax purchase, sale and/or exchange options
(see below), 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 liability (including attorney fees) which may be
incurred in connection with the exercise of these privileges. 
 
Generally, all shareholders are automatically eligible to use these options. 
However, you may elect to opt out of these options by writing American Funds
Service Company.  (You may also reinstate them at any time by writing to
American Funds Service Company.)  If American Funds Service Company does not
employ reasonable procedures to confirm that the instructions received from any
person with appropriate account information are genuine the fund may be liable
for losses due to unauthorized or
fraudulent instructions.
 
ACCOUNT STATEMENTS  You will receive regular confirmation statements reflecting
transactions in your account.  Purchases through automatic investment plans
will be confirmed at least quarterly.

THIS PROSPECTUS HAS BEEN PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER USING SOY-BASED INK.
    
<PAGE>
 
           Prospectus
           for Eligible Retirement Plans
 
            The Income
             Fund of
           America, Inc.
 
An opportunity for current income and, secondarily,
growth of capital from a portfolio of both stocks and bonds
 
     
           DECEMBER 1, 1996     
 
           [LOGO OF THE AMERICAN FUNDS GROUP(R)]
 
 
                       THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
    
                                  One Market
                           Steuart Tower, Suite 1800
                            San Francisco, CA 94105    
 
The investment objective of the fund is to emphasize current income while
secondarily striving to attain capital growth. The fund believes that a
portfolio with relatively high current income can also generate growth of
capital. The fund strives to accomplish this objective by investing in a
broadly diversified portfolio of securities including stocks and bonds.
 
This prospectus relates only to shares of the fund offered without a sales
charge to eligible retirement plans. For a prospectus regarding shares of the
fund to be acquired otherwise, contact the Secretary of the fund at the
address indicated above.
 
This prospectus presents information you should know before investing in the
fund. It should be retained for future reference.
    
You may obtain the statement of additional information dated December 1, 1996,
which contains the fund's financial statements, without charge, by writing to
the Secretary of the fund at the above address or telephoning 800/421-0180.
These requests will be honored within three business days of receipt.    
 
SHARES OF THE FUND ARE NOT DEPOSITS OR OBLIGATIONS OF, OR INSURED OR
GUARANTEED BY, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, ANY FINANCIAL INSTITUTION, THE FEDERAL
DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, OR ANY OTHER AGENCY, ENTITY OR PERSON. THE
PURCHASE OF FUND SHARES INVOLVES INVESTMENT RISKS, INCLUDING THE POSSIBLE LOSS
OF PRINCIPAL.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS
A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
    
RP 06-010-1296     
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                SUMMARY OF 
                  EXPENSES
 
   Average annual expenses 
       paid over a 10-year 
           period would be 
      approximately $8 per 
   year, assuming a $1,000 
       investment and a 5% 
            annual return.
 
 
     TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
  <S>                            <C>
  Summary of Expenses..........   2
  Financial Highlights.........   3
  Investment Objective and
   Policies....................   3
  Certain Securities and
   Investment Techniques.......   4
  Investment Results...........   7
  Dividends, Distributions and
   Taxes.......................   7
  Fund Organization and
   Management..................   8
  Purchasing Shares............  10
  Shareholder Services.........  11
  Redeeming Shares.............  11
</TABLE>
 
This table is designed to help you understand the costs of investing in the
fund. These are historical expenses; your actual expenses may vary.
 
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
Certain retirement plans may purchase shares of the fund with no sales
charge./1/ The fund also has no sales charge on reinvested dividends, deferred
sales charge, redemption fees or exchange fees.
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES (as a percentage of average net assets)
    
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                    <C>
Management fees....................................................... 0.30%
12b-1 expenses........................................................ 0.23%
Other expenses (including audit, legal, shareholder services, 
 transfer agent and custodian expenses)..............................  0.09%/2/
Total fund operating expenses......................................... 0.62%
</TABLE>     
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXAMPLE                                       1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- -------                                       ------ ------- ------- --------
<S>                                           <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>
You would pay the following cumulative ex-
penses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5%
annual return./3/                              $6      $20     $35     $77
</TABLE>     
 
/1/ Retirement plans of organizations with $100 million or more in collective
    retirement plan assets may purchase shares of the fund with no sales charge.
    In addition, any defined contribution plan qualified under Section 401(a) of
    the Internal Revenue Code including a "401(k)" plan with 200 or more
    eligible employees or any other plan that invests at least $1 million in
    shares of the fund (or in combination with shares of other funds in The
    American Funds Group other than the money market funds) may purchase shares
    at net asset value; however, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1%
    applies on certain redemptions within 12 months following such purchases.
    (See "Redeeming Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.")
    
/2/ These expenses may not exceed 0.25% of the fund's average net assets
    annually. (See "Fund Organization and Management--Plan of Distribution.")
    Due to these distribution expenses, long-term shareholders may pay more than
    the economic equivalent of the maximum front-end sales charge permitted by
    the National Association of Securities Dealers.
 
/3/ Use of this assumed 5% return is required by the Securities and Exchange
    Commission; it is not an illustration of past or future investment results.
    THIS EXAMPLE SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A REPRESENTATION OF PAST OR FUTURE
    EXPENSES; ACTUAL EXPENSES MAY BE GREATER OR LESSER THAN THOSE SHOWN.
    
2
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          FINANCIAL    The following information for the ten years ended July
         HIGHLIGHTS    31, 1996 has been derived from financial statements
       (For a share    which have been audited by Deloitte & Touche llp, inde-
        outstanding    pendent auditors. This information should be read in
     throughout the    conjunction with the financial statements and related
       fiscal year)    notes, which are included in the statement of addi-
                       tional information.
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEAR ENDED JULY 31
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            1996     1995     1994     1993    1992    1991    1990    1989    1988    1987  
                            -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
  <S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>   
  Net Asset Value, Begin-
   ning of Year...........   $14.92   $13.59   $14.47  $13.94  $12.54  $12.11  $13.20  $11.50  $12.54  $12.11
                            -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
  INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
   OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income..      .87      .85      .83     .85     .85     .86     .82     .90     .82     .82
   Net realized and
    unrealized gain
    (loss) on investments      1.11     1.29     (.53)    .74    1.48     .53   (.67)    1.68    (.68)   1.08
                            -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
     Total income from in-
      vestment operations.     1.98     2.14      .30    1.59    2.33    1.39     .15    2.58     .14    1.90
                            -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------
  LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
   Distributions from net
    investment income.....     (.83)    (.75)    (.83)   (.84)   (.85)   (.89)   (.87)   (.88)   (.80)   (.88)
   Distributions from net
    realized gains........     (.18)    (.06)    (.35)   (.22)   (.08)   (.07)   (.37)    --     (.38)   (.59)
                            -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
     Total distributions..    (1.01)    (.81)   (1.18)  (1.06)   (.93)   (.96)  (1.24)   (.88)  (1.18)  (1.47)
                            -------  -------  -------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------ 
  Net Asset Value, End of
   Year...................   $15.89   $14.92   $13.59  $14.47  $13.94  $12.54  $12.11  $13.20  $11.50  $12.54 
                            =======  =======  =======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ====== 
  Total Return/1/.........    13.46%   16.42%    1.98%  11.88%  19.16%  12.24%  1.12%   23.43%   1.71%  16.67%
  RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL 
   DATA:
   Net Assets, end of
    year (in millions)....  $14,459  $12,290  $10,537  $9,045  $5,121  $2,771  $2,110  $1,271  $  925  $  943 
   Ratio of expenses to
    average net assets....      .62%     .65%     .63%    .62%    .66%    .73%    .67%    .69%    .55%    .54%
   Ratio of net income to
    average net assets....     5.56%    6.12%    5.92%   6.05%   6.40%   7.23%   7.36%   7.45%   7.14%   6.55%
   Portfolio turnover
    rate..................    37.77%   26.26%   26.42%  29.18%  22.71%  23.35%  18.90%  34.38%  42.83%  38.73%
</TABLE>
 --------
 /1/ Calculated with no sales charge.     
 
         INVESTMENT    The fund's investment objective is to emphasize current
          OBJECTIVE    income while secondarily striving to attain capital
       AND POLICIES    growth. The fund believes that a portfolio with rela-
                       tively high current income can also generate growth of
   The fund aims to    capital.
   provide you with  
     current income    The portfolio of the fund is managed to earn current
  while secondarily    income on, and to anticipate long-term capital growth
       striving for    of, the portfolio as a whole rather than any individual
    capital growth.    security in it. The fund may invest in common and pre-
                       ferred stocks, straight debt securities (including gov-
                       ernment securities) or debt securities with equity con-
                       version or purchase rights, and cash and cash equiva-
                       lents. In addition, the fund may invest in various
                       mortgage-related securities including those issued by
                       the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA),
                       the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), and
                       the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), and
                       collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) and mort-
                       gage-backed bonds. The fund may also invest to a very
                       limited extent in inverse floating rate notes (a type
                       of derivative instrument). (See the statement of addi-
                       tional information for a description of cash equiva-
                       lents, mortgage-related securities and inverse floating
                       rate notes.) The mix of these securities is determined
                       on the basis of existing and anticipated conditions.
                       The relative percentages of each type of security in
                       the portfolio may be expected to fluctuate and at times
                       the fund may be invested solely in fixed-income securi-
                       ties or solely in equity securities. The fund may also
                       invest in fixed-income securities of issuers domiciled
                       outside the U.S. provided such
 
                                                                              3
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       securities are denominated in U.S. dollars. Further-
                       more, while the fund generally does not invest in eq-
                       uity securities of issuers based outside the U.S., it
                       may from time to time invest a small portion of assets
                       in other North American issuers. The fund will maintain
                       at least 65% of the value of its total assets in in-
                       come-producing securities under normal market condi-
                       tions.
 
                       The fund's straight debt securities may consist of
                       bonds that are rated, measured at the time of purchase,
                       as low as CC by Standard & Poor's Corporation or Ca by
                       Moody's Investors Service, Inc. (or unrated but consid-
                       ered of similar quality). However, securities rated BB
                       and Ba or below (or unrated but considered of similar
                       quality) must represent no more than 20% of the fund's
                       total assets. Securities rated BB and Ba or below (or
                       unrated but considered of similar quality) are commonly
                       referred to as "junk bonds" or "high-yield, high-risk"
                       bonds. The 20% limit shall not apply to debt securities
                       that have equity conversion or purchase rights.
    
                       During the previous fiscal year, the monthly average
                       percentage of the fund's net assets in fixed-income in-
                       vestments was 35%. The average monthly composition of
                       the fund's portfolio based on the higher of the Moody's
                       or S&P ratings for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996
                       was as follows: Aaa/AAA-13.16%; Aa/AA-0.40%; A/A-2.00%;
                       Baa/BBB-3.94%; Ba/BB-5.96%; B/B-8.04%; and Caa/CCC-
                       0.88%.    
 
                       The fund's investment restrictions (which are described
                       in the statement of additional information) and objec-
                       tive cannot be changed without shareholder approval.
                       All other investment practices may be changed by the
                       fund's board.
 
                       The fund's rate of portfolio turnover will depend pri-
                       marily on market conditions. The rate of portfolio
                       turnover will not be a limiting factor when changes are
                       appropriate.
 
                       ACHIEVEMENT OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE CANNOT,
                       OF COURSE, BE ASSURED DUE TO THE RISK OF CAPITAL LOSS
                       FROM FLUCTUATING PRICES INHERENT IN ANY INVESTMENT IN
                       SECURITIES.
 
            CERTAIN    RISKS OF INVESTING IN STOCKS AND BONDS Because the fund
     SECURITIES AND    invests in common stocks or securities convertible into
         INVESTMENT    common stocks, the fund is subject to stock market
         TECHNIQUES    risks. For example, the fund is subject to the possi-
                       bility that stock prices in general will decline over
       Investing in    short or even extended periods.
   stocks and bonds   
   involves certain    The fund also invests in fixed-income securities, in-    
             risks.    cluding bonds, which have market values which tend to   
                       vary inversely with the level of interest rates--when   
                       interest rates rise, their values will tend to decline  
                       and vice versa. Although under normal market conditions 
                       longer term securities yield more than shorter term se- 
                       curities of similar quality, they are subject to        
                       greater price fluctuations. These fluctuations in the   
                       value of the fund's investments will be reflected in    
                       its net asset value per share. The values of high-      
                       yield, high-risk securities may be subject to greater   
                       fluctuations in value than are higher rated securities  
                       because the values of high-yield, high-risk securities  
                       tend to reflect short-term corporate and market devel-  
                       opments and investor perceptions of the issuer's credit 
                       quality to a greater extent. It may be more difficult   
                       to dispose of, or determine the value of, high-yield,   
                                                                                
4
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       high-risk securities. See the statement of additional
                       information for a description of the ratings and for
                       more information about the risks of high-yield, high-
                       risk securities. High-yield, high-risk securities rated
                       CC or Ca generally are described by the rating agencies
                       as "speculative in a high degree; often in default or
                       [having] other marked shortcomings."
 
                       U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES Securities guaranteed by the
                       U.S. Government include: (1) direct obligations of the
                       U.S. Treasury (such as Treasury bills, notes and bonds)
                       and (2) federal agency obligations guaranteed as to
                       principal and interest by the U.S. Treasury.
 
                       Certain securities issued by U.S. Government instrumen-
                       talities and certain federal agencies are neither di-
                       rect obligations of, nor guaranteed by, the Treasury.
                       However, they generally involve federal sponsorship in
                       one way or another: some are backed by specific types
                       of collateral; some are supported by the issuer's right
                       to borrow from the Treasury; some are supported by the
                       discretionary authority of the Treasury to purchase
                       certain obligations of the issuer; and others are sup-
                       ported only by the credit of the issuing government
                       agency or instrumentality.
 
                       WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES, FIRM COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS AND
                       "ROLL" TRANSACTIONS The fund may purchase securities on
                       a delayed delivery or "when-issued" basis and enter
                       into firm commitment agreements (transactions whereby
                       the payment obligation and interest rate are fixed at
                       the time of the transaction but the settlement is
                       delayed). The fund as purchaser assumes the risk of any
                       decline in value of the security beginning on the date
                       of the agreement or purchase. As the fund's aggregate
                       commitments under these transactions increase, the
                       opportunity for leverage similarly increases.
 
                       The fund also may enter into "roll" transactions, which
                       consist of the sale of securities together with a com-
                       mitment (for which the fund typically receives a fee)
                       to purchase similar, but not identical, securities at a
                       later date.
 
                       PRIVATE PLACEMENTS Private placements may be either
                       purchased from another institutional investor that
                       originally acquired the securities in a private place-
                       ment or directly from the issuers of the securities.
                       Generally, securities acquired in private placements
                       are subject to contractual restrictions on resale and
                       may not be resold except pursuant to a registration
                       statement under the Securities Act of 1933 or in reli-
                       ance upon an exemption from the registration require-
                       ments under the Act, for example, private placements
                       sold pursuant to Rule 144A. Accordingly, any such obli-
                       gation will be deemed illiquid unless it has been spe-
                       cifically determined to be liquid under procedures
                       adopted by the fund's board of directors.
 
                       In determining whether these securities are liquid,
                       factors such as the frequency and volume of trading and
                       the commitment of dealers to make markets will be con-
                       sidered. Additionally, the liquidity of any particular
                       security will depend on such factors as the availabil-
                       ity of "qualified" institutional investors and the ex-
                       tent of investor interest in the security, which can
                       change from time to time.
 
                       RISKS OF INVESTING IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES The fund may
                       invest in non-U.S. issuers as described above. These
                       issuers may not be subject to
 
                                                                              5
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting
                       standards and practices or regulatory requirements com-
                       parable to those applicable to U.S. issuers. There may
                       also be less public information available about non-
                       U.S. issuers. Additionally, specific local political
                       and economic factors must be evaluated in making these
                       investments including trade balances and imbalances,
                       and related economic policies; expropriation or confis-
                       catory taxation; limitations on the removal of funds or
                       other assets; political or social instability; the di-
                       verse structure and liquidity of the various securities
                       markets; and nationalization policies of governments
                       around the world. However, investing outside the U.S.
                       can also reduce certain risks due to greater diversifi-
                       cation opportunities.
 
                       MULTIPLE PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR SYSTEM The basic
                       investment philosophy of Capital Research and
                       Management Company is to seek fundamental values at
                       reasonable prices, using a system of multiple portfolio
                       counselors in managing mutual fund assets. Under this
                       system the portfolio of the fund is divided into
                       segments which are managed by individual counselors.
                       Each counselor decides how their segment will be
                       invested (within the limits provided by the fund's
                       objective and policies and by Capital Research and
                       Management Company's investment committee). In
                       addition, Capital Research and Management Company's
                       research professionals make investment decisions with
                       respect to a portion of the fund's portfolio. The
                       primary individual portfolio counselors for the fund
                       are listed below.
    
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS
                                                 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS   INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL
                                                   PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR         (APPROXIMATE)
                                                          (AND            WITH CAPITAL
                                                 RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL,   RESEARCH AND
                           PRIMARY TITLE(S)        IF APPLICABLE) FOR      MANAGEMENT
 PORTFOLIO COUNSELORS                              THE INCOME FUND OF      COMPANY OR
 FOR THE INCOME FUND                                  AMERICA, INC.            ITS        TOTAL
   OF AMERICA, INC.                                   (APPROXIMATE)        AFFILIATES     YEARS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <C>                  <C>                         <S>                      <C>           <C>    
 Stephen E. Bepler    Senior Vice President of    12 years (in             24 years      30 years
                      the fund.                   addition to
                      Senior Vice President and   11 years as a
                      Director, Capital Research  research professional
                      Company*                    prior to becoming a
                                                  portfolio counselor
                                                  for the fund)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Abner D. Goldstine   Senior Vice President of    23 years                 29 years      44 years
                      the fund.
                      Senior Vice President and
                      Director, Capital Research
                      and Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Gregg E. Ireland     Vice President, Capital     7 years (in              23 years      23 years
                      Research and Management     addition to
                      Company                     5 years as a research
                                                  professional prior to
                                                  becoming a portfolio
                                                  counselor for the
                                                  fund)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janet A. McKinley    President of the            3 years (in              14 years      20 years
                      fund. Senior Vice Presi-    addition to
                      dent, Capital Research      8 years as a
                      Company*                    research professional
                                                  prior to becoming a
                                                  portfolio counselor
                                                  for the fund)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Dina Perry           Vice President of the       4 years                  5 years       30 years
                      fund.
                      Vice President, Capital
                      Research and Management
                      Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Richard T. Schotte   Senior Vice President of    18 years                 19 years      29 years
                      the fund.
                      Senior Vice President,
                      Capital Research and 
                      Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 John H. Smet         Vice President of the       4 years                  13 years      14 years
                      fund.
                      Vice President, Capital
                      Research and Management
                      Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 
 *COMPANY AFFILIATED WITH CAPITAL RESEARCH AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY.
     
6
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
    
         INVESTMENT    The fund may from time to time compare its investment
            RESULTS    results to various unmanaged indices or other mutual
                       funds in reports to shareholders, sales literature and
       The fund has    advertisements. The results may be calculated on a
   averaged a total    yield and/or total return basis for various periods,
      return (at no    with or without sales charges. Results calculated with-
   sales charge) of    out a sales charge will be higher. Total returns assume
     +_____% a year    the reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain dis-
      under Capital    tributions.  The fund's distribution rate is calculated
       Research and    by dividing the dividends paid by the fund over the
         Management    last 12 months by the sum of the month-end price and
          Company's    the capital gains paid over the last 12 months.  The
         management    SEC yield reflects income the fund expects to earn
  (December 1, 1973    based on its current portfolio of securities, while
            through    the distribution rate is based solely on the fund's
September 30, 1996).   past dividends.  Accordingly, the fund's SEC yield
                       and distribution rate may differ.    
                       
    
                       For the 30-day period ended September 30, 1996, the
                       fund's SEC yield was ____% and the distribution rate
                       was ____% with no sales charge.  The fund's total
                       return over the past 12 months and average annual total
                       returns over the past five- and ten-year periods were
                       _____%, _____% and ____%, respectively. These results
                       were calculated in accordance with Securities and
                       Exchange Commission requirements at no sales charge.
                       Of course, past results are not an indication of future
                       results. Further information regarding the fund's
                       investment results is contained in the fund's annual
                       report which may be obtained without charge by writing
                       to the Secretary of the fund at the address indicated
                       on the cover of this prospectus.                    
                      
         DIVIDENDS,    DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS Dividends are usually paid
      DISTRIBUTIONS    in March, June, September and December. Capital gains,
          AND TAXES    if any, are usually distributed in December. When a
                       dividend or capital gain is distributed, the net asset
             Income    value per share is reduced by the amount of the pay-
  distributions are    ment.
    usually made in  
       March, June,    The terms of your plan will govern how your plan may   
      September and    receive distributions from the fund. Generally, peri-  
          December.    odic distributions from the fund to your plan are rein-
                       vested in additional fund shares, although your plan   
                       may permit fund distributions from net investment in-  
                       come to be received by you in cash while reinvesting   
                       capital gain distributions in additional shares or all 
                       fund distributions to be received in cash. Unless you  
                       select another option, all distributions will be rein- 
                       vested in additional fund shares.                      
                                                                              
                       FEDERAL TAXES The fund intends to operate as a "regu-  
                       lated investment company" under the Internal Revenue   
                       Code. In any fiscal year in which the fund so qualifies
                       and distributes to shareholders all of its net invest- 
                       ment income and net capital gains, the fund itself is  
                       relieved of federal income tax. The tax treatment of   
                       redemptions from a retirement plan may differ from re- 
                       demptions from an ordinary shareholder account.        
                                                                              
                       PLEASE SEE THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND 
                       YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.              
                                                                              
                                                                              7
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
               FUND    FUND ORGANIZATION AND VOTING RIGHTS The fund, an open-
       ORGANIZATION    end, diversified management investment company, was or-
                AND    ganized as a Delaware corporation in 1969 and reorga-
         MANAGEMENT    nized as a Maryland corporation in 1983. The fund's
                       board supervises fund operations and performs duties
      The fund is a    required by applicable state and federal law. Members
      member of The    of the board who are not employed by Capital Research
     American Funds    and Management Company or its affiliates are paid cer-
    Group, which is    tain fees for services rendered to the fund as de-
  managed by one of    scribed in the statement of additional information.
    the largest and    They may elect to defer all or a portion of these fees
   most experienced    through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the
         investment    fund. Shareholders have one vote per share owned and,
          advisers.    at the request of the holders of at least 10% of the
                       shares, the fund will hold a meeting at which any mem-
                       ber of the board could be removed by a majority vote.
                       There will not usually be a shareholder meeting in any
                       year except, for example, when the election of the
                       board is required to be acted upon by shareholders un-
                       der the Investment Company Act of 1940.
    
                       THE INVESTMENT ADVISER Capital Research and Management
                       Company, a large and experienced investment management
                       organization founded in 1931, is the investment adviser
                       to the fund and other funds, including those in The
                       American Funds Group. Capital Research and Management
                       Company is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Ange-
                       les, CA 90071, and at 135 South State College Boule-
                       vard, Brea, CA 92621. Capital Research and Management
                       Company manages the investment portfolio and business
                       affairs of the fund and receives a fee at the annual
                       rates of 0.24% on the first $1 billion of the fund's
                       net assets, 0.20% on net assets in excess of $1 billion
                       but not exceeding $2 billion, 0.18% on net assets in
                       excess of $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion,
                       0.165% on net assets in excess of $3 billion but not
                       exceeding $5 billion, 0.155% on net assets in excess of
                       $5 billion but not exceeding $8 billion, and 0.15% on
                       net assets in excess of $8 billion, but not exceeding
                       $13 billion, and 0.147% on net assets in excess of
                       $13 billion plus 2.25% of the portion of the fund's
                       gross investment income for the preceding month.
                       Assuming net assets of $14 billion and gross investment
                       income levels of 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7% and 8%, management
                       fees would be 0.23%, 0.26%, 0.28%, 0.30%, 0.32% and
                       0.35%, respectively.    
 
                       Capital Research and Management Company is a wholly
                       owned subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
                       (formerly "The Capital Group, Inc."), which is located
                       at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071. The
                       research activities of Capital Research and Management
                       Company are conducted by affiliated companies which
                       have offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York,
                       Washington, D.C., London, Geneva, Singapore, Hong Kong
                       and Tokyo.
 
                       Capital Research and Management Company and its
                       affiliated companies have adopted a personal investing
                       policy that is consistent with the recommendations
                       contained in the report dated May 9, 1994 issued by
 
8
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       the Investment Company Institute's Advisory Group on
                       Personal Investing. (See the statement of additional
                       information.)
 
                       PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS Orders for the fund's portfolio
                       securities transactions are placed by Capital Research
                       and Management Company, which strives to obtain the
                       best available prices, taking into account the costs
                       and quality of executions. In the over-the-counter mar-
                       ket, purchases and sales are transacted directly with
                       principal market-makers except in those circumstances
                       where it appears better prices and executions are
                       available elsewhere.
 
                       Subject to the above policy, when two or more brokers
                       are in a position to offer comparable prices and
                       executions, preference may be given to brokers that
                       have sold shares of the fund or have provided
                       investment research, statistical, and other related
                       services for the benefit of the fund and/or of other
                       funds served by Capital Research and Management
                       Company.
    
                       PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER American Funds Distributors,
                       Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Research and
                       Management Company, is the principal underwriter of the
                       fund's shares. American Funds Distributors, Inc. is lo-
                       cated at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071,
                       135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821, 8000
                       IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230, 8332 Woodfield
                       Crossing Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240, and 5300
                       Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513. Telephone conversa-
                       tions with American Funds Distributors may be recorded
                       or monitored for verification, recordkeeping and qual-
                       ity assurance purposes.    
 
                       PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION The fund has a plan of distribu-
                       tion or "12b-1 Plan" under which it may finance activi-
                       ties primarily intended to sell shares, provided the
                       categories of expenses are approved in advance by the
                       board and the expenses paid under the plan were in-
                       curred within the last 12 months and accrued while the
                       plan is in effect. Expenditures by the fund under the
                       plan may not exceed 0.25% of its average net assets an-
                       nually (all of which may be for service fees.)
    
                       TRANSFER AGENT American Funds Service Company, 800/421-
                       0180, a wholly owned subsidiary of Capital Research and
                       Management Company, is the transfer agent and performs
                       shareholder service functions. American Funds Service
                       Company is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los Ange-
                       les, CA 90071, 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea,
                       CA 92821, 8000 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230, 5300
                       Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513 and 8332 Woodfield
                       Crossing Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240. It was paid
                       a fee of $8,735,000 for the fiscal year ended July 31,
                       1996. Telephone conversations with American Funds Serv-
                       ice Company may be recorded or monitored for verifica-
                       tion, recordkeeping and quality assurance purposes.    
 
                                                                              9
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
  PURCHASING SHARES    ALL ORDERS TO PURCHASE SHARES MUST BE MADE THROUGH YOUR
                       RETIREMENT PLAN. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO
                       PURCHASE SHARES OF THE FUND THROUGH YOUR PLAN OR
                       LIMITATIONS ON THE AMOUNT THAT MAY BE PURCHASED, PLEASE
                       CONSULT WITH YOUR EMPLOYER. Shares are sold to eligible
                       retirement plans at the net asset value per share next
                       determined after receipt of an order by the fund or
                       American Funds Service Company. Orders must be received
                       before the close of regular trading on the New York
                       Stock Exchange in order to receive that day's net asset
                       value. Plans of organizations with collective
                       retirement plan assets of $100 million or more may
                       purchase shares at net asset value. In addition, any
                       defined contribution plan qualified under Section
                       401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a
                       "401(k)" plan with 200 or more eligible employees or
                       any other plan that invests at least $1 million in
                       shares of the fund (or in combination with shares of
                       other funds in The American Funds Group other than the
                       money market funds) may purchase shares at net asset
                       value; however, a contingent deferred sales charge of
                       1% is imposed on certain redemptions within one year of
                       such purchase. (See "Redeeming Shares--Contingent
                       Deferred Sales Charge.") Plans may also qualify to
                       purchase shares at net asset value by completing a
                       statement of intention to purchase $1 million in fund
                       shares subject to commission over a maximum of 13
                       consecutive months. Certain redemptions of such shares
                       may also be subject to a contingent deferred sales
                       charge as described above. (See the statement of
                       additional information.)
 
                       The minimum initial investment is $250, except that the
                       money market funds have a minimum of $1,000 for
                       individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Minimums are
                       reduced to $50 for purchases through "Automatic
                       Investment Plans" (except for the money market funds)
                       or to $25 for purchases by retirement plans through
                       payroll deductions and may be reduced or waived for
                       shareholders of other funds in The American Funds
                       Group.
 
                       American Funds Distributors, at its expense (from a
                       designated percentage of its income), will provide
                       additional promotional incentives to dealers. Currently
                       these incentives are limited to the top hundred dealers
                       who have sold shares of the fund or other funds in The
                       American Funds Group. The incentive payments will be
                       based on a pro rata share of a qualifying dealer's
                       sales.
 
                       Qualified dealers currently are paid a continuing
                       service fee not to exceed 0.25% of average net assets
                       annually in order to promote selling efforts and to
                       compensate them for providing certain services. (See
                       "Fund Organization and Management--Plan of
                       Distribution.") These services include processing
                       purchase and redemption transactions, establishing
                       shareholder accounts and providing certain information
                       and assistance with respect to the fund.
 
10
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       Shares of the fund are offered to other shareholders
                       pursuant to another prospectus at public offering
                       prices that may include an initial sales charge.
 
                       SHARE PRICE Shares are offered to eligible retirement
                       plans at the net asset value after the order is
                       received by the fund or American Funds Service Company.
                       In the case of orders sent directly to the fund or
                       American Funds Service Company, an investment dealer
                       must be indicated. Dealers are responsible for promptly
                       transmitting orders. (See the statement of additional
                       information under "Purchase of Shares--Price of
                       Shares.")
 
                       The fund's net asset value per share is determined as
                       of the close of trading (currently 4:00 p.m., New York
                       time) on each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.
                       The current value of the fund's total assets, less all
                       liabilities, is divided by the total number of shares
                       outstanding and the result, rounded to the nearer cent,
                       is the net asset value per share.
 
        SHAREHOLDER    Subject to any restrictions contained in your plan, you
           SERVICES    can exchange your shares for shares of other funds in
                       The American Funds Group which are offered through the
                       plan at net asset value. In addition, again depending
                       on your plan, you may be able to exchange shares
                       automatically or cross-reinvest dividends in shares of
                       other funds. Contact your plan administrator/trustee
                       regarding how to use these services. Also, see the
                       fund's statement of additional information for a
                       description of these and other services that may be
                       available through your plan. These services are
                       available only in states where the fund to be purchased
                       may be legally offered and may be terminated or
                       modified at any time upon 60 days' written notice.
 
   REDEEMING SHARES    Subject to any restrictions imposed by your plan, you
                       can sell your shares through the plan any day the New
                       York Stock Exchange is open. For more information about
                       how to sell shares of the fund through your retirement
                       plan, including any charges that may be imposed by the
                       plan, please consult with your employer.
 
                        By              Your plan administrator/trustee must    
                        contacting      send a letter of instruction            
                        your plan       specifying the name of the fund, the    
                        administrator/  number of shares or dollar amount to    
                        trustee         be sold, and, if applicable, your       
                                        name and account number. For your       
                                        protection, if you redeem more than     
                                        $50,000, the signatures of the          
                                        registered owners (i.e., trustees or    
                                        their legal representatives) must be    
                                        guaranteed by a bank, savings           
                                        association, credit union, or member    
                                        firm of a domestic stock exchange or    
                                        the National Association of             
                                        Securities Dealers, Inc., that is an    
                                        eligible guarantor institution. Your    
                                        plan administrator/trustee should       
                                        verify with the institution that it     
                                        is an eligible guarantor prior to       
                                        signing. Additional documentation may   
                                        be required to redeem shares from       
                                        certain accounts. Notarization by a     
                                        Notary Public is not an acceptable      
                                        signature guarantee.                    
                       --------------------------------------------------------
                        By              Shares may also be redeemed through
                        contacting      an investment dealer; however, you or
                        an              your plan may be charged for this
                        investment      service. SHARES HELD FOR YOU IN AN
                        dealer          INVESTMENT DEALER'S STREET NAME MUST
                                        BE REDEEMED THROUGH THE DEALER.
  
                                                                             11
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       THE PRICE YOU RECEIVE FOR THE SHARES YOU REDEEM IS THE
                       NET ASSET VALUE NEXT DETERMINED AFTER YOUR ORDER AND ALL
                       REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION ARE RECEIVED BY THE FUND OR
                       AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY. (SEE "PURCHASING
                       SHARES--SHARE PRICE.")
 
                       CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE A contingent deferred
                       sales charge of 1% applies to certain redemptions
                       within the first year on investments of $1 million or
                       more and, subject to regulatory approval, on any
                       investment made with no initial sales charge by any
                       defined contribution plan qualified under Section
                       401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including "401(k)"
                       plans with 200 or more eligible employees. The charge
                       is 1% of the lesser of the value of the shares redeemed
                       (exclusive of reinvested dividends and capital gain
                       distributions) or the total cost of such shares. Shares
                       held for the longest period are assumed to be redeemed
                       first for purposes of calculating this charge. The
                       charge is waived for exchanges (except if shares
                       acquired by exchange were then redeemed within 12
                       months of the initial purchase); for distributions from
                       qualified retirement plans and other employee benefit
                       plans; for redemptions resulting from participant-
                       directed switches among investment options within a
                       401(k) plan; and for redemptions in connection with
                       loans made by qualified retirement plans.
 
                       OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER  The net asset value
                       for redemptions is determined as indicated under
                       "Purchasing Shares--Share Price." Because the fund's
                       net asset value fluctuates, reflecting the market value
                       of the portfolio, the amount you receive for shares
                       redeemed may be more or less than the amount paid for
                       them.
 
                       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 15 calendar 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 Investment Company Act of
                       1940), redemption proceeds will be paid on or before
                       the seventh day following receipt of a proper
                       redemption request.
 
                               [LOGO OF      This prospectus has been printed on
                           RECYCLED PAPER]   recycled paper that meets the
                                             guidelines of the United States
                                             Environmental Protection Agency
 
                       THIS PROSPECTUS RELATES ONLY TO SHARES OF THE FUND
                       OFFERED WITHOUT A SALES CHARGE TO ELIGIBLE RETIREMENT
                       PLANS. FOR A PROSPECTUS REGARDING SHARES OF THE FUND
                       TO BE ACQUIRED OTHERWISE, CONTACT THE SECRETARY OF
                       THE FUND AT THE ADDRESS INDICATED ON THE FRONT.
 
 
12
<PAGE>
 
                        THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
                                   Part B
                      Statement of Additional Information
                               DECEMBER 1, 1996    
 
    This document is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with
the current Prospectus of The Income Fund of America, Inc. (the fund or IFA)
dated December 1, 1996.  The Prospectus may be obtained from your investment
dealer or financial planner or by writing to the fund at the following
address:    
 
                       THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
                           ATTENTION:  SECRETARY
                     ONE MARKET, STEUART TOWER, SUITE 1800
                               P.O. BOX 7650
                           SAN FRANCISCO, CA  94120
                          TELEPHONE:  (415) 421-9360
 
 The fund has two forms of prospectuses.  Each reference to the prospectus in
this statement of additional information includes both of the fund's
Prospectuses.  Shareholders who purchase shares at net asset value through
eligible retirement plans should note that not all of the services or features
described below may be available to them, and they should contact their
employer for details.
 
Table of Contents       
Item                                                                Page No.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES
CERTAIN RISK FACTORS RELATING TO BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES AND INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
FUND OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
MANAGEMENT
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND FEDERAL TAXES
PURCHASE OF SHARES
   REDEEMING SHARES    
SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES
EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
GENERAL INFORMATION
INVESTMENT RESULTS
DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS      
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN SECURITIES
 
    CASH EQUIVALENTS - These securities include (1) commercial paper
(short-term notes up to 9 months in maturity which may be direct obligations of
corporations or governmental bodies or obligations of special purpose issuers
which represent an interest in a pool of financial assets), (2) commercial bank
obligations (E.G., certificates of deposit, bankers' acceptances (time drafts
on a commercial bank where the bank accepts an irrevocable obligation to pay at
maturity) and documented discount notes (corporate promissory discount notes
accompanied by a commercial bank guarantee to pay at maturity)), (3) savings
association and savings bank obligations (E.G., certificates of deposit issued
by savings banks or savings associations), (4) securities of the U.S.
Government, its agencies or instrumentalities that mature, or may be redeemed,
in one year or less, and (5) corporate bonds and notes that mature, or that may
be redeemed, in one year or less.    
 
    U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES Securities guaranteed by the U.S. Government
include: (1) direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (such as Treasury bills,
notes and bonds) and (2) federal agency obligations guaranteed as to principal
and interest by the U.S. Treasury.    
 
    Certain securities issued by U.S. Government instrumentalities and certain
federal agencies are neither direct obligations of, nor guaranteed by, the
Treasury.  However, they generally involve federal sponsorship in one way or
another: some are backed by specific types of collateral; some are supported by
the issuer's right to borrow from the Treasury; some are supported by the
discretionary authority of the Treasury to purchase certain obligations of the
issuer; and others are supported only by the credit of the issuing government
agency or instrumentality.    
 
 GOVERNMENT NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION CERTIFICATES - Certificates issued by
the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) are mortgage-backed
securities representing part ownership of a pool of mortgage loans, which are
issued by lenders such as mortgage bankers, commercial banks and savings and
loan associations, and are either insured by the Federal Housing Administration
or guaranteed by the Veterans Administration.  A pool of these mortgages is
assembled and, after being approved by GNMA, is offered to investors through
securities dealers.  The timely payment of interest and principal on each
mortgage is guaranteed by GNMA and backed by the full faith and credit of the
U.S. Government.  
 
 Principal is paid back monthly by the borrower over the term of the loan. 
Reinvestment of prepayments may occur at higher or lower rates than the
original yield on the certificates.  Due to the prepayment feature and the need
to reinvest prepayments of principal at current market rates, GNMA certificates
can be less effective than typical bonds of similar maturities at "locking in"
yields during periods of declining interest rates.  GNMA certificates typically
appreciate or decline in market value during periods of declining or rising
interest rates, respectively.  Due to the regular repayment of principal and
the prepayment feature, the effective maturities of mortgage pass-through
securities are shorter than stated maturities, will vary based on market
conditions and cannot be predicted in advance.  The effective maturities of
newly-issued GNMA certificates backed by relatively new loans at or near the
prevailing interest rates are generally assumed to range between approximately
9 and 12 years.
 
    FNMA AND FHLMC MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS - Federal National Mortgage
Association (FNMA), a federally chartered and privately-owned corporation,
issues pass-through securities representing interests in a pool of conventional
mortgage loans.  FNMA guarantees the timely payment of principal and interest
but this guarantee is not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government.      
 
    Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), a corporate instrumentality
of the U.S. Government, issues participation certificates which represent an
interest in a pool of conventional mortgage loans.  FHLMC guarantees the timely
payment of interest and the ultimate collection of principal, and maintains
reserves to protect holders against losses due to default, but the certificates
are not backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.      
 
 As is the case with GNMA certificates, the actual maturity of and realized
yield on particular FNMA and FHLMC pass-through securities will vary based on
the prepayment experience of the underlying pool of mortgages.
 
 OTHER MORTGAGE-RELATED SECURITIES - The fund may invest in mortgage-related
securities issued by financial institutions such as commercial banks, savings
and loan associations, mortgage bankers and securities broker-dealers (or
separate trusts or affiliates of such institutions established to issue these
securities).  These securities include mortgage pass-through certificates,
collateralized mortgage obligations (including real estate mortgage investment
conduits as authorized under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) (CMOs) or
mortgage-backed bonds.  Each class of bonds in a CMO series may have a
different effective maturity, bear a different coupon, and have a different
priority in receiving payments.  All principal payments, both regular principal
payments as well as any prepayment of principal, are passed through to the
holders of the various CMO classes dependent on the characteristics of each
class.  In some cases, all payments are passed through first to the holders of
the class with the shortest stated maturity until it is completely retired. 
Thereafter, principal payments are passed through to the next class of bonds in
the series, until all the classes have been paid off.  In other cases, payments
are passed through to holders of whichever class first has the shortest
effective maturity at the time payments are made.  As a result, an acceleration
in the rate of prepayments that may be associated with declining interest rates
shortens the expected life of each class.  The impact of an acceleration in
prepayments affects the expected life of each class differently depending on
the unique characteristics of that class.  In the case of some CMO series, each
class may receive a differing proportion of the monthly interest and principal
repayments on the underlying collateral.  In these series the classes would be
more affected by an acceleration (or slowing) in the rate of prepayments than
CMOs which share principal and interest proportionally.
 
 Mortgage-backed bonds are general obligations of the issuer fully
collateralized directly or indirectly by a pool of mortgages.  The mortgages
serve as collateral for the issuer's payment obligations on the bonds, but
interest and principal payments on the mortgages are not passed through either
directly (as with GNMA certificates and FNMA and FHLMC pass-through securities)
or on a modified basis (as with CMOs).  Accordingly, a change in the rate of
prepayments on the pool of mortgages could change the effective maturity of a
CMO but not that of a mortgage-backed bond (although, like many bonds,
mortgage-backed bonds can provide that they are callable by the issuer prior to
maturity).
 
 INVERSE FLOATING RATE NOTES - The fund may invest to a very limited extent in
inverse floating rate notes (a type of derivative instrument).  These notes
have rates that move in the opposite direction of prevailing interest rates.  A
change in prevailing interest rates will often result in a greater change in
the instruments' interest rates.  Therefore, these securities have a greater
degree of volatility than other types of interest-bearing securities.
 
    WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES, FIRM COMMITMENT AGREEMENTS AND "ROLL TRANSACTIONS"
- - The fund may purchase securities in which it may invest on a when-issued or
delayed-delivery basis or sell them on a delayed-delivery basis.  These are
trading practices in which payment and delivery for the securities take place
at a future date.  The fund as purchaser assumes the risk of any decline in
value of the security beginning on the date of the agreement or purchase.  As
the fund's aggregate commitments under these transactions increase, the
opportunity for leverage similarly increases.    
 
 The fund will identify liquid assets such as cash, U.S. Government securities
or other appropriate high-grade debt obligations 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 under these transactions exceed its holdings
of cash and securities that do not fluctuate in value (such as short-term money
market instruments), the fund temporarily will be in a leveraged position
(because it will 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
will likely occur than were it 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 thereunder.
 
 The fund also may enter into "roll" transactions, which consist of the sale of
securities together with a commitment (for which the fund typically receives a
fee) to purchase similar, but not identical, securities at a later date.  The
fund intends to treat roll transactions as two separate transactions: one
involving the purchase of a security and a separate transaction involving the
sale of a security.  Since the fund does not intend to enter into roll
transactions for financing purposes, it may treat these transactions as not
falling within the definition of "borrowing" set forth in Section 2(a)(23) of
the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
 CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS - The fund has the ability to purchase and sell
currencies to facilitate securities transactions and to enter into forward
currency contracts to hedge against changes in currency exchange rates.  The
fund purchases or sells currency in connection with settling transactions
involving securities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  A
forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specific
currency at a future date and price, both of which are set at the time of the
contract.  For example, the fund might sell a currency on a forward basis to
hedge against an anticipated decline in the currency in which a portfolio
security is denominated.  Although this strategy could minimize the risk of
loss due to a decline in the value of the hedged currency, it could also limit
any potential gain which might result from an increase in the value of the
currency.  
 
 
         CERTAIN RISK FACTORS RELATING TO BELOW INVESTMENT GRADE BONDS
 
 Certain risk factors relating to investing in below investment grade
securities ("high-yield, high-risk bonds") are discussed below.
    SENSITIVITY TO INTEREST RATE AND ECONOMIC CHANGES - High-yield, high-risk
bonds are very sensitive to adverse economic changes and corporate
developments.  During an economic downturn or substantial period of rising
interest rates, highly leveraged issuers may experience financial stress that
would adversely affect their ability to service their principal and interest
payment obligations, to meet projected business goals, and to obtain additional
financing.  If the issuer of a bond defaults on its obligations to pay interest
or principal or enters into bankruptcy proceedings, the fund may incur losses
or expenses in seeking recovery of amounts owed to it.  In addition, periods of
economic uncertainty and changes can be expected to result in increased
volatility of market prices of high-yield, high-risk bonds.    
 
 PAYMENT EXPECTATIONS - High-yield, high-risk bonds, like other bonds, may
contain redemption or call provisions.  If an issuer exercised these provisions
in a declining interest rate market, the fund would have to replace the
security with a lower yielding security, resulting in a decreased return for
investors.  Conversely, a high-yield, high-risk bond's value is likely to
decrease in a rising interest rate market, as is generally true with all bonds.
 
 LIQUIDITY AND VALUATION - There may be little trading in the secondary market
for particular bonds, which may affect adversely the fund's ability to value
accurately or dispose of such bonds.  Adverse publicity and investor
perceptions, whether or not based on fundamental analysis, may decrease the
values and liquidity of high-yield, high-risk bonds, especially in a thin
market.
 
 The fund may invest no more than 20% of its total assets in securities rated
BB and Ba or below (or unrated but considered of similar quality).  The 20%
limit shall not apply to debt securities that have equity conversion or
purchase rights.  In addition, the fund has no current intention of holding
more than 25% of its total assets in high-yield, high-risk bonds, INCLUDING
those that have equity conversion or purchase rights.
 
 The fund's investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company,
attempts to reduce the fund's risks through diversification of the portfolio by
credit analysis of each issuer as well as by monitoring broad economic trends
and corporate developments, but there can be no assurance that it will be
successful in doing so.  The fund's investment policy with respect to investing
in high-yield, high-risk securities is a "non-fundamental" policy and thus, may
be changed by the board of directors at any time.  It is contemplated that most
of the fund's common stock investments will be made in securities that are
listed on a stock exchange.
 
                FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES AND INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
 
 The fund has adopted certain fundamental policies and investment restrictions
which cannot be changed without shareholder approval.  Approval requires the
affirmative vote of 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting
of shareholders, provided more than 50% of such securities are represented at
the meeting, or the vote of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities,
whichever is less.
 
The fund may not:
 
 1. Act as underwriter of securities issued by other persons.
 
 2. Invest more than 10% of the value of its total assets in securities that
are illiquid.
 
 3. Borrow amounts in excess of 5% of its gross assets taken at cost or market
value, whichever is lower, determined at the time of borrowing, and then only
from banks as a temporary measure for extraordinary or emergency purposes; or
pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate its assets taken at market value to any extent
greater than 15% of its gross assets taken at cost or market value, whichever
is lower, at the time of such action.
 
 4. Purchase real estate (including limited partnership interests but excluding
securities of companies, such as real estate investment trusts, which deal in
real estate or interests therein) or purchase oil, gas, or other mineral
leases.
 
 5. Purchase or deal in commodities or commodity contracts.
 
 6. Make loans to other persons, except by making time or demand deposits with
banks or by purchasing a portion of an issue (not prohibited by any investment
restriction set forth herein) of bonds, debentures, commercial paper or other
debt securities at original issue or otherwise.
 
 7. Purchase securities of any company for the purpose of exercising control or
management.
 
 8. Purchase securities of any other managed investment company.
 
 9. Purchase any securities on "margin", except that it may obtain such
short-term credit as may be necessary for the clearance of purchases of
securities.
 
 10. Sell or contract to sell any security which it does not own unless by
virtue of its ownership of other securities it has at the time of sale a right
to obtain securities, without payment of further consideration, equivalent in
kind and amount to the securities sold and provided that if such right is
conditional the sale is made upon the same conditions.
 
 11. Purchase or sell puts, calls, straddles, or spreads, but this restriction
shall not prevent the purchase or sale of rights represented by warrants or
convertible securities.
 
 12. Purchase any securities of any issuer, except the U.S. Government (or its
instrumentalities), if immediately after and as a result of such investment (1)
the market value of the securities of such other issuer shall exceed 5% of the
market value of the total assets of the fund, or (2) the fund shall own more
than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, provided that
this restriction shall apply only as to 75% of the fund's total assets.
 
 13. Purchase any securities (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the
U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities) if immediately after and
as a result of such purchase 25% or more of the market value of the total
assets of the fund would be invested in securities of companies in any one
industry.
 
 14. Purchase securities of companies (other than real estate investment
trusts) which, with their predecessors, have a record of less than three years'
continuous operations, if such purchase would cause more than 5% of the fund's
total assets to be invested in the securities of such companies.
 
    For purposes of Investment Restriction #2, restricted securities are
treated as illiquid by the fund, with the exception of those securities that
have been determined to be liquid pursuant to procedures adopted by the fund's
Board of Directors.  Notwithstanding Investment Restriction #8, the fund may
invest in securities of other investment companies if deemed advisable by its
officers in connection with the administration of a deferred compensation plan
adopted by directors pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities
and Exchange Commission.  Pursuant to Ohio Administrative Code, the fund will
not invest in securities of registered investment companies that are subject to
the Investment Company Act of 1940.    
 
 The fund has also agreed that it will not purchase any warrants if immediately
after and as a result of such purchase more than 5% of the market value of the
total assets of the fund would be invested in such warrants, with no more than
2% being unlisted on the New York or American Stock Exchanges.  These are not
fundamental policies of the fund and may be changed without shareholder
approval.
 
                            FUND OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
                      DIRECTORS AND DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME, ADDRESS AND AGE            POSITION         PRINCIPAL                 AGGREGATE            TOTAL              TOTAL           
                                 WITH             OCCUPATION(S)             COMPENSATION         COMPENSATION FROM   NUMBER         
                                 REGISTRANT       DURING PAST               (INCLUDING           ALL FUNDS          OF FUND         
                                                  5 YEARS (POSITIONS        VOLUNTARILY          MANAGED BY         BOARDS          
                                                  WITHIN THE                DEFERRED             CAPITAL            ON WHICH        
                                                  ORGANIZATIONS             COMPENSATION/1/)     RESEARCH           DIRECTOR        
                                                  LISTED MAY HAVE           FROM THE FUND        AND                SERVES          
                                                  CHANGED DURING            DURING FISCAL        MANAGEMENT                         
                                                  THIS PERIOD)              YEAR ENDED           COMPANY                            
 
                                                                            7/31/96              FOR THE                            
                                                                                                 YEAR ENDED                         
                                                                                                 7/31/96/2/                         
 
<S>                              <C>              <C>                       <C>                  <C>                <C>             
 
Robert A. Fox                    Director         President and             $ 17,000/3/          $ 80,550           5               
P.O. Box 457                                      Chief Executive                                                                   
1000 Davis Street                                 Officer,                                                                          
Livingston, CA 95334                              Foster Farms;                                                                     
Age: 59                                           former President,                                                                 
                                                  Revlon                                                                            
                                                  International,                                                                    
                                                  Chairman and                                                                      
                                                  Chief Executive                                                                   
                                                  Officer, Clarke                                                                   
                                                  Hooper America                                                                    
                                                  (advertising) 

 
 Roberta L. Hazard               Director         Consultant; Rear          $ 17,000             $ 42,650           3               
 1419 Audmar Drive                                Admiral, United                                                                   
 McLean, VA 22101                                 States Navy                                                                       
 Age: 61                                          (Retired)                                                                         

 
++ Richard H. M. Holmes          Director         Retired; former           $ 14,800             $ 58,650           4               
 580 Laurent Road                                 Vice President,                                                                   
 Hillsborough, CA 94010                           Capital Research                                                                  
 Age: 70                                          and Management                                                                    
                                                  Company (retired                                                                  
                                                  1986)                                                                             

 
 Leonade D. Jones                Director         Treasurer, The            $ 16,400/3/          $ 69,100           5               
 1150-15th Street, N.W.                           Washington Post                                                                   
 Washington, D.C. 20071                           Company                                                                           
 Age: 48                                                                                                                            
 
 John G. McDonald                Director         The IBJ Professor         $ 17,900/3/          $ 138,950          7               
 Stanford University                              of Finance,                                                                       
 Stanford, CA 94305                               Graduate School of                                                                
 Age: 59                                          Business, Stanford                                                                
                                                  University                                                                        

 
 Theodore D. Nierenberg          Director         Private investor;         $ 16,400             $ 41,150           3               
 15 Middle Patent Road                            former President,                                                                 
 Armonk, NY 10504                                 Dansk                                                                             
 Age: 73                                          International                                                                     
                                                  Designs, Ltd.                                                                     

 
+ James W. Ratzlaff              Director         Senior Partner,           None/4/              None/4/            8               
 P.O. Box 7650                                    The Capital Group                                                                 
 San Francisco, CA 94120                          Partners L.P.                                                                     
 Age: 60                                                                                                                            

 
 Henry E. Riggs                  Director         President and             $ 17,900/3/          $ 71,750           5               
 Kingston Hall 201                                Professor of                                                                      
 Harvey Mudd College                              Engineering,                                                                      
 Claremont, CA 91711                              Harvey Mudd                                                                       
 Age: 61                                          College                                                                           

 
+ Walter P. Stern                Chairman         Chairman, Capital         None/4/              None/4/            8               
 630 Fifth Avenue                of               Group                                                                             
 New York, NY 10111              the Board        International,                                                                    
 Age: 68                                          Inc.; Vice                                                                        
                                                  Chairman,                                                                         
                                                  Capital Research                                                                  
                                                  International;                                                                    
                                                  Chairman, Capital                                                                 
                                                  International,                                                                    
                                                  Inc.;                                                                             
                                                  Director, Temple-Inland Inc.                                                      
                                                  (forest                                                                           
                                                  products)                                                                         
 
 
 Patricia K. Woolf               Director         Private investor;         $ 17,300             $ 70,500           5               
 506 Quaker Road                                  Lecturer,                                                                         
 Princeton, NJ 08540                              Department                                                                        
 Age: 62                                          of Molecular                                                                      
                                                  Biology, Princeton                                                                
                                                  University                                                                        
 
 
</TABLE>
 
+ "Interested persons" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940
(the 1940 Act) on the basis of their affiliation with the fund's Investment
Adviser , Capital Research and Management Company or the parent company of the
Investment Adviser, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.
 
++ Not considered an "interested person" within the meaning of the 1940 Act;
but he does not participate on the Contracts Committee due to his former
affiliation with the Investment Adviser.
 
 /1/ Amounts may be deferred by eligible directors under a non-qualified
deferred compensation plan adopted by the fund in 1993.  Deferred amounts
accumulate at an earnings rate determined by the total return of one or more of
the funds in the American Funds Group as designated by the director.
 
 /2/ Capital Research and Management Company manages The American Funds Group
consisting of 28 funds: AMCAP Fund, Inc., American Balanced Fund, Inc.,
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., American High-Income Trust,
American Mutual Fund, Inc., The Bond Fund of America, Inc., The Cash Management
Trust of America, Capital Income Builder, Inc., Capital World Growth and Income
Fund, Inc., Capital World Bond Fund, Inc., EuroPacific Growth Fund, Fundamental
Investors, Inc., The Growth Fund of America, Inc., The Income Fund of America.
Inc., Intermediate Bond Fund of America, The Investment Company of America,
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, The New Economy Fund, New
Perspective Fund, Inc., SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of
America, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Fund of California, The Tax-Exempt Fund of
Maryland, The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia, The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of
America, The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of America, U.S. Government Securities
Fund and Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc.  Capital Research and
Management Company also manages American Variable Insurance Series and Anchor
Pathway Fund which serve as the underlying investment vehicles for certain
variable insurance contracts; and Bond Portfolio for Endowments, Inc. and
Endowments, Inc. whose shares may be owned only by tax-exempt organizations.
 
/3/ Since the plan's adoption, the total amounts of deferred compensation
accrued by the fund (plus earnings thereon) for participating directors are as
follows:  Robert A. Fox ($86,692), Leonade D. Jones ($27,833), John G. McDonald
($45,767) and Henry E. Riggs ($52,352).  Amounts deferred and accumulated
earnings thereon are not funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the
fund until paid to the director.
 
/4/ James W. Ratzlaff and Walter P. Stern are affiliated with the Investment
Adviser and, accordingly, receive no compensation from the fund.     
 
 
                           OFFICERS
(with their principal occupations for the past five years)#
 
Walter P. Stern, Chairman of the Board.
 Fund officers whose other positions are not described above are:
 
Stephen E. Bepler, Senior Vice President /2/; Senior Vice President and
Director, Capital Research Company.
 
Abner D. Goldstine, Senior Vice President /3/; Senior Vice President and
Director, Capital Research and Management Company.
 
Paul G. Haaga, Jr., Senior Vice President, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles,
CA 90071; Senior  Vice President and Director, Capital Research and Management
Company; Director, American Funds Service Company.
 
Richard T. Schotte, Senior Vice President /3/; Senior Vice President, Capital
Research and
Management Company.
 
Steven N. Kearsley, Vice President /4/; Vice President and Treasurer,
  Capital Research and Management Company; Director, American Funds Service
Company.
 
   Janet A. McKinley, President /2/; Senior Vice President, Capital Research
Company.    
 
Dina N. Perry, Vice President, 3000 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007;
Vice President,
Capital Research and Management Company.
 
John H. Smet, Vice President /3/; Vice President, Capital Research and
Management Company.
 
Patrick F. Quan, Secretary /1/; Vice President - Fund Business Management
Group, Capital
Research and Management Company.
 
   Mary C. Hall, Treasurer /4/; Senior Vice President - Fund Business
Management Group, Capital Research and Management Company    
 
R. Marcia Gould, Assistant Treasurer /4/; Vice President - Fund Business
Management Group, Capital
Research and Management Company.
 
/1/  Address is P.O. Box 7650, San Francisco, CA 94120.
 
/2/  Address is 630 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10111.
 
/3/  Address is 11100 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90025.
 
   /4/  Address is 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821.    
 
#  Positions within the organizations listed may have changed during this
period.
 
 
    All of the directors and officers are also officers and/or directors and/or
trustees of one or more of the other funds for which Capital Research and
Management Company serves as Investment Adviser.  No compensation is paid by
the fund to any officer or director who is a director, officer or employee of
the Investment Adviser or affiliated companies.  The fund pays fees of $12,000
per annum to directors who are not affiliated with the Investment Adviser, plus
$700 for each Board of Directors meeting attended, plus $300 for each meeting
attended as a member of a committee of the Board of Directors.  The directors
may elect, on a voluntary basis, to defer all or a portion of these fees
through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the fund.  The fund also
reimburses certain expenses of the directors who are not affiliated with the
Investment Adviser.  As of July 31, 1996 the officers and directors of the fund
and their families, as a group, owned beneficially or of record less than 1% of
the outstanding shares.    
 
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
    INVESTMENT ADVISER - The Investment Adviser, founded in 1931, maintains
research facilities in the U.S. and abroad (Los Angeles, San Francisco, New
York, Washington D.C., London, Geneva, Singapore, Hong Kong and Tokyo), with a
staff of professionals, many of whom have a number of years of investment
experience.  The Investment Adviser is located at 333 South Hope Street, Los
Angeles, CA 90071, and at 135 South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821.
The Investment Adviser's research professionals travel several million miles a
year, making more than 5,000 research visits in more than 50 countries around
the world.  The Investment Adviser believes that it is able to attract and
retain quality personnel.  The Investment Adviser is a wholly owned subsidiary
of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.    
 
 An affiliate of the Investment Adviser compiles indices for major stock
markets around the world and compiles and edits the Morgan Stanley Capital
International Perspective, providing financial and market information about
more than 2,400 companies around the world.
 
    The Investment Adviser is responsible for managing more than $100 billion
of stocks, bonds and money market instruments and serves over five million
investors of all types.  These investors include privately owned businesses and
large corporations as well as schools, colleges, foundations and other
non-profit and tax-exempt organizations.    
 
    INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND SERVICE AGREEMENT - The Investment Advisory and
Service Agreement (the Agreement) between the fund and the Investment Adviser,
dated January 1, 1994, and approved by the shareholders on December 14, 1993,
shall be in effect until the close of business on November 30, 19__ and may be
renewed from year to year thereafter, provided that any such renewal has been
specifically approved at least annually by (i) the Board of Directors of the
fund, or by the vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the
outstanding voting securities of the fund, and (ii) the vote of a majority of
directors who are not parties to the Agreement or interested persons (as
defined in said Act) of any such party, cast in person, at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval.  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 said Act).    
 
 The Investment Adviser, in addition to providing investment advisory services,
furnishes the services and pays the compensation and travel expenses of persons
to perform the executive, administrative, clerical and bookkeeping functions of
the fund, and provides suitable office space, necessary small office equipment
and utilities, as well as general purpose accounting forms, supplies, and
postage to be used at the offices of the fund relating to the services
furnished by the Investment Adviser.  The fund pays all expenses not
specifically assumed by the Investment Adviser, including, but not limited to,
custodian, stock transfer and dividend disbursing fees and expenses; costs of
designing, printing and mailing reports, prospectuses, proxy statements, and
notices to shareholders; taxes; expenses for the issuance and redemption of
shares of the fund (including stock certificates, registration and
qualification fees and expenses); expenses pursuant to the fund's Plan of
Distribution (described below); legal and auditing expenses; compensation,
fees, and expenses paid to directors unaffiliated with the Investment Adviser;
association dues; costs of stationery and forms prepared exclusively for the
fund; and costs of assembling and storing shareholder account data.
 
    The management fee is based upon the net assets of the fund and monthly
gross investment income.  Gross investment income means gross income, computed
without taking account of gains or losses from sales of capital assets, but
including original issue discount as defined for federal income tax purposes. 
The Internal Revenue Code in general defines original issue discount to mean
the difference between the issue price and the stated redemption price at
maturity of certain debt obligations.  The holder of such indebtedness is in
general required to treat as ordinary income the proportionate part of the
original issue discount attributable to the period during which the holder held
the indebtedness.  The management fee is based upon the annual rates of 0.24%
on the first $1 billion of the fund's net assets, 0.20% on net assets in excess
of $1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion, 0.18% on net assets in excess of $2
billion but not exceeding $3 billion, 0.165% on net assets in excess of $3
billion but not exceeding $5 billion, 0.155% on net assets in excess of $5
billion but not exceeding $8 billion, 0.15% on net assets in excess of $8
billion but not exceeding $13 billion, and 0.147% on net assets in excess of
$13 billion, plus 2.25% of the fund's gross investment income for the preceding
month. Assuming net assets of $14 billion and gross investment income levels of
3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7% and 8%, management fees would be 0.23%, 0.26%, 0.28%, 0.30%,
0.32% and 0.35% of net assets, respectively.    
 
    The Agreement provides for a managemenet  fee reduction to the extent that
the fund's annual ordinary operating expenses exceed 1-1/2% of the first $30
million of the net assets of the fund and 1% of the net assets in excess
thereof.  Expenses which are not subject to this limitation are interest,
taxes, and extraordinary expenses.  Expenditures, including costs incurred in
connection with the purchase or sale of portfolio securities, which are
capitalized in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applicable to investment companies, are accounted for as capital items and not
as expenses.    
 
    For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, the Investment Adviser received
$22,874,000 for the basic management fee (based on a percentage of the net
assets of the fund as expressed above) plus $19,191,000 (based on a percentage
of the fund's gross income as expressed above), for a total fee of $42,065,000. 
For the fiscal years ended July 31, 1995 and 1994, management fees paid by the
fund amounted to $35,698,000 and  $32,273,000, respectively.    
 
    PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER - 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, 135
South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92821, 8000 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX
78230, 8332 Woodfield Crossing Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240, and 5300
Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513. The fund has adopted a Plan of Distribution
(the Plan), pursuant to rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, The Principal
Underwriter receives amounts payable pursuant to the Plan (see below) and
commissions consisting of that portion of the sales charge remaining after the
discounts which it allows to investment dealers.  Commissions retained by the
Principal Underwriter on sales of fund shares during the fiscal year ended July
31, 1996 amounted to $11,114,000 after allowance of $56,184,000 to dealers. 
During the fiscal years ended 1995 and 1994, the Principal Underwriter received
$7,246,000 and $15,331,000, after allowance of $36,662,000 and $79,611,000,
respectively.    
 
 As required by rule 12b-1, the Plan (together with the Principal Underwriting
Agreement) has been approved by the full Board of Directors, and separately by
a majority of the directors who are not interested persons of the fund and who
have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Plan or
the Principal Underwriting Agreement, and the Plan has been approved by the
vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the fund.  The
officers and directors who are "interested" persons of the fund may be
considered to have a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of
the Plan due to present or past affiliations with the Investment Adviser and
related companies.  Potential benefits of the Plan to the fund include improved
shareholder services, savings to the fund in transfer agency costs, savings to
the fund in advisory fees and other expenses, benefits to the investment
process from growth or stability of assets and maintenance of a financially
healthy management organization.  The selection and nomination of directors who
are not "interested persons" of the fund are committed to the discretion of the
directors who are not interested persons during the existence of the Plan.  The
Plan is reviewed quarterly and must be renewed annually by the Board of
Directors.
 
    Under the Plan the fund may expend up to 0.25% of its net assets annually
to finance any activity which is primarily intended to result in the sale of
fund shares, provided the fund's Board of Directors has approved the category
of expenses for which payment is being made.  These include service fees for
qualified dealers and dealer commissions and wholesaler compensation on sales
of shares exceeding $1 million (including purchases by any employer-sponsored
403(b) plan or purchases by any defined contribution plan qualified under
Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a "401(k)" plan with 200
or more eligible employees).  Only expenses incurred during the preceding 12
months and accrued while the Plan is in effect may be paid by the fund.  During
the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, the fund paid or accrued $31,409,000 for
compensation to dealers under the Plan.    
 
    The Glass-Steagall Act and other applicable laws, among other things,
generally prohibit commercial banks from engaging in the business of
underwriting, selling or distributing securities, but permit banks to make
shares of mutual funds available to their customers and to perform
administrative and shareholder servicing functions.  However, judicial or
administrative decisions or interpretations of such laws, as well as changes in
either federal or state statutes or regulations relating to the permissible
activities of banks or their subsidiaries or affiliates, could prevent a bank
from continuing to perform all or a part of its servicing activities.  If a
bank were prohibited from so acting, shareholder clients of such bank would be
permitted to remain shareholders of the fund and alternate means for continuing
the servicing of such shareholders would be sought.  In such event, changes in
the operation of the fund might occur and shareholders serviced by such bank
might no longer be able to avail themselves of any automatic investment or
other services then being provided by such bank.  It is not expected that
shareholders would suffer adverse financial consequences as a result of any of
these occurrences.    
 
 In addition, state securities laws on this issue may differ from the
interpretations of federal law expressed herein and certain banks and financial
institutions may be required to be registered as dealers pursuant to state law.
 
 
                   DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS AND FEDERAL TAXES
 
    The fund intends to meet all the requirements, and has elected the tax
status of, a "regulated investment company," under the provisions of Subchapter
M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code).  Under Subchapter M, if the
fund distributes within specified times at least 90% of the sum of its
investment company taxable income (net investment income and the excess of net
short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and its tax-exempt
interest, if any, it will be taxed only on that portion of such investment
company taxable income that it retains.    
 
    To qualify, the fund must (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income from
dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from
the sale or other disposition of stock, securities, currencies or other income
derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or
currencies; (b) derive less than 30% of its gross income from the gains on sale
or other disposition of stock or securities held less than three months; and
(c) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each fiscal quarter, (i) at
least 50% of the market value of the fund's assets is represented by cash, cash
items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment
companies, and other securities (but such other securities must be limited, in
respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the fund's
assets and 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer), and (ii)
not more than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities of
any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of
other regulated investment companies), or in two or more issuers which the fund
controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or
related trades or businesses.    
 
 Under the Code, a nondeductible excise tax of 4% is imposed on the excess of a
regulated investment company's "required distribution" for the calendar year
ending within the regulated investment company's taxable year over the
"distributed amount" for such calendar year.  The term "required distribution"
means the sum of (i) 98% of ordinary income (generally net investment income)
for the calendar year, (ii) 98% of capital gains (both long-term and
short-term) for the one-year period ending on October 31 (as though the
one-year period ending on October 31 were the regulated investment company's
taxable year), and (iii) the sum of any untaxed, undistributed net investment
income and net capital gains of the regulated investment company for prior
periods.  The term "distributed amount" generally means the sum of (i) amounts
actually distributed by the fund from its current year's ordinary income and
capital gain net income and (ii) any amount on which the fund pays income tax
during the periods described above.  The fund intends to distribute net
investment income and net capital gains so as to minimize or avoid the excise
tax liability.
 
 The fund also intends to continue distributing to shareholders all of the
excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss on sales
of securities.  If the net asset value of shares of the fund should, by reason
of a distribution of realized capital gains, be reduced below a shareholder's
cost, such distribution would to that extent be a return of capital to that
shareholder even though taxable to the shareholder, and a sale of shares by a
shareholder at net asset value at that time would establish a capital loss for
federal tax purposes.
 
 Dividends generally are taxable to shareholders at the time they are paid. 
However, dividends declared in October, November and December and made payable
to shareholders of record in such a month are treated as paid and are thereby
taxable as of December 31, provided that the fund pays the dividend no later
than the end of January of the following year.
 
    Corporate shareholders of the fund may be eligible for the
dividends-received deduction on the dividends (excluding the net capital gain
distributions) paid by the fund to the extent the fund's income is derived from
dividends (which  if received directly would qualify for such deduction)
received from domestic corporations.  In order to qualify for the
dividends-received deduction, a corporate shareholder must hold the fund shares
paying the dividends upon which the deduction is based for at least 46
days.    
 
    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 sales charge
for shares of the fund, or of a different fund, the sales charge previously
incurred acquiring the fund's shares shall not be taken into account (to the
extent such previous sales charges do not exceed the reduction in sales
charges) for the purpose 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 shares.  Also, any loss realized on a redemption or exchange of
shares of a 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.    
 
    Under the Code, distributions of net investment income by the fund to a
shareholder who, as to the U.S., is a nonresident alien individual, nonresident
alien fiduciary of a trust or estate, foreign corporation or foreign
partnership (a foreign shareholder) will be subject to U.S. withholding tax (at
a rate of 30% or lower treaty rate).  Withholding will not apply if a dividend
paid by the fund to a foreign shareholder is "effectively connected" with a
U.S. trade or business, in which case the reporting and withholding
requirements applicable to U.S. citizens, U.S. residents, or domestic
corporations will apply.  Distributions of net long-term capital gains not
effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business are not subject to tax
withholding, but in the case of a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident
alien individual, such distributions ordinarily will be subject to U.S. income
tax at a rate of 30% if the individual is physically present in the U.S. for
more than 182 days during the taxable year.    
 
 Income and dividends received by the fund from sources within foreign
countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such
countries.  Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may
reduce or eliminate such taxes.  Because not more than 50% of the value of the
total assets of the fund is expected to consist of securities of foreign
issuers, the fund will not be eligible to elect to "pass through" foreign tax
credits to shareholders.
 
    As of the date of this statement of additional information, the maximum
federal individual stated tax rate applicable to ordinary income is 39.6%
(effective tax rates may be higher for some individuals due to phase out of
exemptions and elimination of deductions); the maximum individual tax rate
applicable to net capital gains is 28%; and the maximum corporate tax
applicable to ordinary income and net capital gains is 35%.  However, to
eliminate the benefit of lower marginal corporate income tax rates,
corporations which have taxable income in excess of $100,000 for a taxable year
will be required to pay an additional amount of tax of up to $11,750 and
corporations which have taxable income in excess of $15,000,000 for a taxable
year will be required to pay an additional amount of tax of up to $100,000. 
Naturally, the amount of tax payable by a shareholder with respect to either
distributions from the fund or disposition of fund shares will be affected by a
combination of tax law rules covering, E.G., deductions, credits, deferrals,
exemptions, sources of income and other matters.  Under the Code, an individual
is entitled to establish an IRA each year (prior to the tax return filing
deadline for the year) whereby earnings on investments are tax-deferred.  In
addition, in some cases, the IRA contribution itself may be deductible.    
 
 The foregoing is limited to a summary of federal taxation and should not be
viewed as a comprehensive discussion of all provisions of the Code relevant to
investors.  Dividends and capital gain distributions may also be subject to
state or local taxes.  Shareholders should consult their own tax advisers for
additional details as to their particular tax status.
 
 
                                PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                   <C>                                            <C>                                                   
METHOD                INITIAL INVESTMENT                             ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS                                
 
                      See "Investment Minimums and                   $50 minimum (except where a lower                     
                      Fund Numbers" for initial                      minimum is noted under "Investment                    
                      investment minimums.                           Minimums and Fund Numbers").                          
 
By contacting         Visit any investment dealer who                Mail directly to your investment                      
your                  is registered in the state where               dealer's address printed on your                      
investment            the purchase is made and who                   account statement.                                    
dealer                has a sales agreement with                                                                           
                      American Funds Distributors.                                                                         
 
By mail               Make your check payable to the                 Fill out the account additions form at the            
                      fund and mail to the address                   bottom of a recent account statement, make            
                      indicated on the account                       your check payable to the fund, write your            
                      application.  Please indicate an               account number on your check, and mail                
                      investment dealer on the account               the check and form in the envelope                    
                      application.                                   provided with your account statement.                 
 
By telephone          Please contact your investment                 Complete the "Investments by Phone"                   
                      dealer to open account, then                   section on the account application or                 
                      follow the procedures for                      American FundsLink Authorization Form.                
                      additional investments.                        Once you establish the privilege, you, your           
                                                                     financial advisor or any person with your             
                                                                     account information can call American                 
                                                                     FundsLineR and make investments by                    
                                                                     telephone (subject to conditions noted in             
                                                                     "Telephone Purchases, Redemptions and                 
                                                                     Exchanges" below).                                    
 
By wire               Call 800/421-0180 to obtain                    Your bank should wire your additional                 
                      your account number(s), if                     investments in the same manner as                     
                      necessary.  Please indicate an                 described under "Initial Investment."                 
                      investment dealer on the                                                                             
                      account.  Instruct your bank to                                                                      
                      wire funds to:                                                                                       
                      Wells Fargo Bank                                                                                     
                      155 Fifth Street                                                                                     
                      Sixth Floor                                                                                          
                      San Francisco, CA 94106                                                                              
                      (ABA #121000248)                                                                                     
                      For credit to the account of:                                                                        
                      American Funds Service                                                                               
                      Company                                                                                              
                      a/c #4600-076178                                                                                     
                      (fund name)                                                                                          
                      (your fund acct. no.)                                                                                
 
THE FUNDS AND AMERICAN FUNDS DISTRIBUTORS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REJECT ANY PURCHASE ORDER.                                           
                                                            
 
</TABLE>
 
    
    INVESTMENT MINIMUMS AND FUND NUMBERS - Here are the minimum initial
investments required by the funds in The American Funds Group along with fund
numbers for use with our automated phone line, American FundsLineR (see
description below):    
   
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                          <C>                     <C>         
FUND                                         MINIMUM                 FUND        
                                             INITIAL                 NUMBER      
                                             INVESTMENT                          
 
STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS                                                       
 
AMCAP FundR                                                          02          
                                             $1,000                              
 
American Balanced FundR                                              11          
                                             500                                 
 
American Mutual FundR                                                03          
                                             250                                 
 
Capital Income BuilderR                                              12          
                                             1,000                               
 
Capital World Growth and Income Fund$                                33          
                                             1,000                               
 
EuroPacific Growth FundR                                             16          
                                             250                                 
 
Fundamental Investors$                                               10          
                                             250                                 
 
The Growth Fund of AmericaR                                          05          
                                             1,000                               
 
The Income Fund of AmericaR                                          06          
                                             1,000                               
 
The Investment Company of AmericaR                                   04          
                                             250                                 
 
The New Economy FundR                                                14          
                                             1,000                               
 
New Perspective FundR                                                07          
                                             250                                 
 
SMALLCAP World Fund$                                                 35          
                                             1,000                               
 
Washington Mutual Investors Fund$                                    01          
                                             250                                 
 
BOND FUNDS                                                                       
 
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund$                            40          
                                             $1,000                              
 
American High-Income TrustR                                          21          
                                             1,000                               
 
The Bond Fund of America$                                            08          
                                             1,000                               
 
Capital World Bond FundR                                             31          
                                             1,000                               
 
Intermediate Bond Fund of AmericaR                                   23          
                                             1,000                               
 
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America(SM)                     43          
                                             1,000                               
 
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America(SM)                                 19          
                                             1,000                               
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of CaliforniaR*                                  20          
                                             1,000                               
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of MarylandR*                                    24          
                                             1,000                               
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of VirginiaR*                                    25          
                                             1,000                               
 
U.S. Government Securities Fund(SM)                                     22          
                                             1,000                               
 
MONEY MARKET FUNDS                                                               
 
The Cash Management Trust of AmericaR                                09          
                                             2,500                               
 
The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America(SM)                                39          
                                             2,500                               
 
The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of America(SM)                             49          
                                             2,500                               
 
___________                                                                      
*Available only in certain states.                                               
 
</TABLE>
 
     
    For retirement plan investments, the minimum is $250, except that the money
market funds have a minimum of $1,000 for individual retirement accounts
(IRAs).  Minimums are reduced to $50 for purchases through "Automatic
Investment Plans" (except for the money market funds) or to $25 for purchases
by retirement plans through payroll deductions and may be reduced or waived for
shareholders of other funds in The American Funds Group.  TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
SHOULD NOT SERVE AS RETIREMENT PLAN INVESTMENTS.  The minimum is $50 for
additional investments (except as noted above).    
 
    DEALER COMMISSIONS - The sales charges you pay when purchasing the stock,
stock/bond, and bond funds of The American Funds Group are set forth below. 
The money market funds of The American Funds Group are offered at net asset
value.  (See "Investment Minimums and Fund Numbers" for a listing of the
funds.)    
   
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                              <C>                  <C>                <C>                       
AMOUNT OF PURCHASE               SALES CHARGE AS                         DEALER                    
AT THE OFFERING PRICE            PERCENTAGE OF THE:                      CONCESSION                
                                                                         AS PERCENTAGE             
                                                                         OF THE                    
                                                                         OFFERING                  
                                                                         PRICE                     
 
                                 NET AMOUNT           OFFERING                                     
                                 INVESTED             PRICE                                        
 
STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS                                                                         
 
Less than $50,000                                                                                  
                                 6.10%                5.75%              5.00%                     
 
$50,000 but less than $100,000                                                                     
                                 4.71                 4.50               3.75                      
 
BOND FUNDS                                                                                         
 
Less than $25,000                                                                                  
                                 4.99                 4.75               4.00                      
 
$25,000 but less than $50,000                                                                      
                                 4.71                 4.50               3.75                      
 
$50,000 but less than $100,000                                                                     
                                 4.17                 4.00               3.25                      
 
STOCK, STOCK/BOND, AND BOND FUNDS                                                                     
 
$100,000 but less than $250,000                                                                     
                                 3.63                 3.50               2.75                      
 
$250,000 but less than $500,000                                                                     
                                 2.56                 2.50               2.00                      
 
$500,000 but less than $1,000,000                                                                     
                                 2.04                 2.00               1.60                      
 
$1,000,000 or more               none                 none              (see below)               
                          
 
</TABLE>
 
    Commissions of up to 1% will be paid to dealers who initiate and are
responsible for purchases of $1 million or more, for purchases by any
employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or purchases by any defined contribution plan
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a
"401(k)" plan with 200 or more eligible employees, and for purchases made at
net asset value by certain retirement plans of organizations with collective
retirement plan assets of $100 million or more:  1.00% on amounts of $1 million
to $2 million, 0.80% on amounts over $2 million to $3 million, 0.50% on amounts
over $3 million to $50 million, 0.25% on amounts over $50 million to $100
million, and 0.15% on amounts over $100 million.  The level of dealer
commissions will be determined based on sales made over a 12-month period
commencing from the date of the first sale at net asset value.    
 
    American Funds Distributors, at its expense (from a designated percentage
of its income), will, during calendar year 1996, provide additional
compensation to dealers. Currently these payments are limited to the top one
hundred dealers who have sold shares of the fund or other funds in The American
Funds Group. These payments will be based on a pro rata share of a qualifying
dealer's sales. American Funds Distributors will, on an annual basis, determine
the advisability of continuing these payments.    
 
    Any employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or defined contribution plan qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a "401(k)" plan
with 200 or more eligible employees or any other purchaser investing at least
$1 million in shares of the fund (or in combination with shares of other funds
in The American Funds Group other than the money market funds) may purchase
shares at net asset value; however, a contingent deferred sales charge of 1% is
imposed on certain redemptions made within twelve months of the purchase. (See
"Redeeming Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.")    
 
    Qualified dealers currently are paid a continuing service fee not to exceed
0.25% of average net assets (0.15% in the case of the money market funds)
annually in order to promote selling efforts and to compensate them for
providing certain services.  These services include processing purchase and
redemption transactions, establishing shareholder accounts and providing
certain information and assistance with respect to the fund.    
 
    NET ASSET VALUE PURCHASES - The stock, stock/bond and bond funds may sell
shares at net asset value to: (1) current or retired directors, trustees,
officers and advisory board members of the funds managed by Capital Research
and Management Company, employees of Washington Management Corporation,
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) current registered representatives, retired
registered representatives with respect to accounts established while active,
or full-time employees (and their spouses, parents, and children) of dealers
who have sales agreements with American Funds Distributors (or who clear
transactions through such dealers) and plans for such persons or the dealers;
(3) companies exchanging securities with the fund through a merger, acquisition
or exchange offer; (4) trustees or other fiduciaries purchasing shares for
certain retirement plans of organizations with retirement plan assets of $100
million or more; (5) insurance company separate accounts; (6) accounts managed
by subsidiaries of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.; and (7) The Capital Group
Companies, Inc., its affiliated companies and Washington Management
Corporation. Shares are offered at net asset value to these persons and
organizations due to anticipated economies in sales effort and expense.     
 
    STATEMENT OF INTENTION - The reduced sales charges and offering prices set
forth in the Prospectus apply to purchases of $50,000 or more made within a
13-month period subject to the following statement of intention (the Statement)
terms.  The Statement is not a binding obligation to purchase the indicated
amount.  When a shareholder elects to utilize the Statement in order to qualify
for a reduced sales charge, shares equal to 5% of the dollar amount specified
in the Statement will 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
13-month period, the purchaser will remit to the Principal Underwriter 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.  If the difference is not paid within 45 days after written request by
the Principal Underwriter or the securities dealer, the appropriate number of
shares held in escrow will be redeemed to pay such difference.  If the proceeds
from this redemption are inadequate, the purchaser will be liable to the
Principal Underwriter for the balance still outstanding.  The Statement may be
revised upward at any time during the 13-month period, and such a revision will
be treated as a new Statement, except that the 13-month period during which the
purchase must be made will remain unchanged and there will be no retroactive
reduction of the sales charges paid on prior purchases.  Existing holdings
eligible for rights of accumulation (see the prospectus and account
application) may be credited toward satisfying the Statement.  During the
Statement period reinvested dividends and capital gain distributions,
investments in money market funds, and investments made under a right of
reinstatement will not be credited toward satisfying the Statement.    
 
    In the case of purchase orders by the trustees of certain retirement plans
by payroll deduction, the sales charge for the investments made during the
13-month period will be handled as follows:  The regular monthly payroll
deduction investment will be multiplied by 13 and then multiplied by 1.5.  The
current value of existing American Funds investments (other than money market
fund investments) and any rollovers or transfers reasonably anticipated to be
invested in non-money market American Funds during the 13-month period are
added to the figure determined above.  The sum is the Statement amount and
applicable breakpoint level.  On the first investment and all other investments
made pursuant to the Statement, a sales charge will be assessed according to
the sales charge breakpoint thus determined.  There will be no retroactive
adjustments in sales charges on investments previously made during the 13-month
period.    
 
    Shareholders purchasing shares at a reduced sales charge under a Statement
indicate their acceptance of these terms with their first purchase.    
 
    AGGREGATION - Sales charge discounts are available for certain aggregated
investments. Qualifying investments include those by you, your spouse and your
children under the age of 21, if all parties are purchasing shares for their
own account(s), which may include purchases through employee benefit plan(s)
such as an IRA, individual-type 403(b) plan or single-participant Keogh-type
plan or by a business solely controlled by these individuals (for example, the
individuals own the entire business) or by a trust (or other fiduciary
arrangement) solely for the benefit of these individuals. Individual purchases
by a trustee(s) or other fiduciary(ies) may also be aggregated if the
investments are (1) for a single trust estate or fiduciary account, including
an employee benefit plan other than those described above or (2) made for two
or more employee benefit plans of a single employer or of affiliated employers
as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, again excluding employee
benefit plans described above, or (3) for a diversified common trust fund or
other diversified pooled account not specifically formed for the purpose of
accumulating fund shares. 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.    
 
    PRICE OF SHARES - Purchases of shares are made at the offering price next
determined after the purchase order is received by the fund or American Funds
Service Company.  This offering 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, accepted by the Principal Underwriter prior to its close
of business.  In case of orders sent directly to the fund or American Funds
Service Company, an investment dealer MUST be indicated.  The dealer is
responsible for promptly transmitting purchase orders to the Principal
Underwriter.  Orders received by the investment dealer, 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.  Prices which appear in the
newspaper are not always indicative of prices at which you will be purchasing
and redeeming shares of the fund, since such prices generally reflect the
previous day's closing price whereas purchases and redemptions are made at the
next calculated price.  The  net asset value per share of the money market
funds normally will remain constant at $1.00 based on the funds' current
practice of valuing their shares using the penny-rounding method in accordance
with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.    
 
 The price you pay for shares, the offering price, is based on the net asset
value per share which is calculated once daily at the close of trading
(currently 4:00 p.m., New York time) each day the New York Stock Exchange is
open.  The New York Stock Exchange is currently closed on weekends and on the
following holidays:  New Year's Day, Presidents' Day, Good Friday, Memorial
Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  The net
asset value per share is determined as follows:
 
     1. Equity-type securities traded on a national securities exchange (or
reported on the NASDAQ national market) and securities traded in the
over-the-counter market are stated at the last reported sales price on the day
of valuation; other securities, and securities for which no sale was reported
on that date, are stated at the last quoted bid price.    
 
 Bonds and notes are valued at prices obtained from a bond-pricing service
provided by a major dealer in bonds, when such prices are available; however,
in circumstances where the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so,
such securities will be valued at the mean of their representative quoted bid
and asked prices or, if such prices are not available, at prices for securities
of comparable maturity, quality, and type.
 
    Short-term securities with original or remaining maturities in excess of 60
days are valued at the mean of their quoted bid and asked prices.  Short-term
securities with 60 days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value.  Securities for which market quotations are not
readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the
Valuation Committee of the Board of Directors.    
 
  2.  There are deducted from the total assets, thus determined, the
liabilities, including proper accruals of taxes and other expense items; and
 
  3.  The value of the net assets so obtained is then divided by the total
number of shares outstanding, and the result, rounded to the nearer cent, is
the net asset value per share.
 
 Any purchase order may be rejected by the Principal Underwriter or the fund. 
The Principal Underwriter will not knowingly sell fund shares directly,
indirectly, or through a unit investment trust to any other investment company,
or to any person or entity, where, after the sale, such investment company,
person, or entity would own beneficially, directly, indirectly, or through a
unit investment trust, more than 4.5% of the outstanding shares of the fund
without the consent of a majority of the fund's directors.
 
   Redeeming Shares
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                     <C>                                                                              
By writing to American Funds            Send a letter of instruction specifying the name of the fund, the                
Service Company (at the                 number of shares or dollar amount to be sold, your name and                      
appropriate address indicated           account number.  You should also enclose any share certificates                  
under "Fund Organization and            you wish to redeem.  For redemptions over $50,000 and for                        
Management - Transfer                   certain redemptions of $50,000 or less (see below), your signature               
Agent")                                 must be guaranteed by a bank, savings association, credit union, or              
                                        member firm of a domestic stock exchange or the National                         
                                        Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. that is an eligible guarantor            
                                        institution.  You should verify with the institution that it is an               
                                        eligible guarantor prior to signing.  Additional documentation may               
                                        be required for redemption of shares held in corporate, partnership              
                                        or fiduciary accounts.  Notarization by a Notary Public is not an                
                                        acceptable signature guarantee.                                                  
 
By contacting your investment           If you redeem shares through your investment dealer, you may be                  
dealer                                  charged for this service.  SHARES HELD FOR YOU IN YOUR INVESTMENT                
                                        DEALER'S STREET NAME MUST BE REDEEMED THROUGH THE DEALER.                        
 
You may have a redemption               You may use this option, provided the account is registered in the               
check sent to you by using              name of an individual(s), a UGMA/UTMA custodian, or a non-retirement plan trust.  These
redemptions may not exceed $10,000   
American FundsLineR or by               per day, per fund account and the check must be made payable to                  
telephoning, faxing, or                 the shareholder(s) of record and be sent to the address of record                
telegraphing American Funds             provided the address has been used with the account for at least 10              
Service Company (subject to             days.  See "Transfer Agent" and "Exchange Privilege" below for                   
the conditions noted in this            the appropriate telephone or fax number.                                         
section and in "Telephone                                                                                                
Purchases, Redemptions and                                                                                               
Exchanges" below)                                                                                                        
 
In the case of the money                Upon request (use the account application for the money market                   
market funds, you may have              funds) you may establish telephone redemption privileges (which                  
redemptions wired to your               will enable you to have a redemption sent to your bank account)                  
bank by telephoning American            and/or check writing privileges.  If you request check writing                   
Funds Service Company                   privileges, you will be provided with checks that you may use to                 
($1,000 or more) or by writing          draw against your account.  These checks may be made payable to anyone you designate and    
a check ($250 or more)                  must be signed by the authorized number of registered shareholders exactly as indicated on  
                                        your checking account signature card.   
 
</TABLE>
 
 A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE IS NOT CURRENTLY REQUIRED FOR ANY REDEMPTION OF $50,000
OR LESS PROVIDED THE REDEMPTION CHECK IS MADE PAYABLE TO THE REGISTERED
SHAREHOLDER(S) AND IS MAILED TO THE ADDRESS OF RECORD, PROVIDED THE ADDRESS HAS
BEEN USED WITH THE ACCOUNT FOR AT LEAST 10 DAYS.
    
 
    CONTINGENT DEFERRED SALES CHARGE - A contingent deferred sales charge of 1%
applies to certain redemptions made within twelve months of purchase on
investments of $1 million or more and on any investment made with no initial
sales charge by any employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or defined contribution plan
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code including a
"401(k)" plan with 200 or more eligible employees. The charge is 1% of the
lesser of the value of the shares redeemed (exclusive of reinvested dividends
and capital gain distributions) or the total cost of such shares.  Shares held
for the longest period are assumed to be redeemed first for purposes of
calculating this charge.  The charge is waived for exchanges (except if shares
acquired by exchange were then redeemed within 12 months of the initial
purchase); for distributions from qualified retirement plans and other employee
benefit plans; for redemptions resulting from participant-directed switches
among investment options within a participant-directed employer-sponsored
retirement plan; for distributions from 403(b) plans or IRAs due to death,
disability or attainment of age 591/2; for tax-free returns of excess
contributions to IRAs; for redemptions through certain automatic withdrawals
not exceeding 10% of the amount that would otherwise be subject to the charge;
and for redemptions in connection with loans made by qualified retirement
plans.    
 
 
                  SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICES AND PRIVILEGES
 
 AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN - The automatic investment plan enables shareholders
to make regular monthly or quarterly investments in shares through automatic
charges to their bank accounts.  With shareholder authorization and bank
approval, the Transfer Agent will automatically charge the bank account for the
amount specified ($50 minimum), which will be automatically invested in shares
at the offering price on or about the 10th day of the month (or on or about the
15th day of the month in the case of accounts for retirement plans where
Capital Guardian Trust Company serves as custodian or trustee).  Bank accounts
will be charged on the day or a few days before investments are credited,
depending on the bank's capabilities, and shareholders will receive a
confirmation statement at least quarterly.  Participation in the plan will
begin within 30 days after receipt of the account application.  If the
shareholder's bank account cannot be charged due to insufficient funds, a
stop-payment order or the closing of the account, the plan may be terminated
and the related investment reversed.  The shareholder may change the amount of
the investment or discontinue the plan at any time by writing to the Transfer
Agent.
 
    AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT  - Dividends and capital gain distributions are
reinvested in additional shares at no sales charge 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, American
Funds Service Company or your investment dealer.    
 
 CROSS-REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS - A shareholder in one fund
may elect to cross-reinvest dividends or dividends and capital gain
distributions paid by that fund (the paying fund) into any other fund in The
American Funds Group (the receiving fund) subject to the following conditions: 
(i) the aggregate value of the shareholder's account(s) in the paying fund(s)
must equal or exceed $5,000 (this condition is waived if the value of the
account in the receiving fund equals or exceeds that fund's minimum initial
investment requirement), (ii) as long as the value of the account in the
receiving fund is below that fund's minimum initial investment requirement,
dividends and capital gain distributions paid by the receiving fund must be
automatically reinvested in the receiving fund, and (iii) if this privilege is
discontinued with respect to a particular receiving fund, the value of the
account in that fund must equal or exceed the fund's minimum initial investment
requirement or the fund shall have the right, if the shareholder fails to
increase the value of the account to such minimum within 90 days after being
notified of the deficiency, automatically to redeem the account and send the
proceeds to the shareholder.  These cross-reinvestments of dividends and
capital gain distributions will be at net asset value (without sales charge).  
 
    EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE - You may exchange shares into other funds in The
American Funds Group. Exchange purchases are subject to the minimum investment
requirements of the fund purchased and no sales charge generally applies.
However, exchanges of shares from the money market funds are subject to
applicable sales charges on the fund being purchased, unless the 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.    
 
    You may exchange shares by writing to American Funds Service Company (see
"Redeeming Shares"), by contacting your investment dealer, by using American
FundsLineR (see "American FundsLineR" below), or by telephoning 800/421-0180
toll-free, faxing (see "Transfer Agent"  below for the appropriate fax numbers)
or telegraphing American Funds Service Company. (See "Telephone Redemptions and
Exchanges" below.) Shares held in corporate-type retirement plans for which
Capital Guardian Trust Company serves as trustee may not be exchanged by
telephone, fax or telegraph. Exchange redemptions and purchases are processed
simultaneously at the share prices next determined after the exchange order is
received. (See "Purchase of Shares--Price of Shares.") THESE TRANSACTIONS HAVE
THE SAME TAX CONSEQUENCES AS ORDINARY SALES AND PURCHASES.    
    AUTOMATIC EXCHANGES - You may automatically exchange shares (in amounts of
$50 or more) among any of the funds in The American Funds Group on any day (or
preceding business day if the day falls on a non-business day) of each month
you designate. You must either meet the minimum initial investment requirement
for the receiving fund OR the originating fund's balance must be at least
$5,000 and the receiving fund's minimum must be met within one year.    
 
 AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWALS - Withdrawal payments are not to be considered as
dividends, yield or income.  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.
 
    ACCOUNT STATEMENTS - Your account is opened in accordance with your
registration instructions. Transactions in the account, such as additional
investments and dividend reinvestments, will be reflected on regular
confirmation statements from American Funds Service Company. Purchases through
automatic investment plans will be confirmed at least quarterly.    
 
    AMERICAN FUNDSLINER - You may check your share balance, the price of your
shares, or your most recent account transaction, redeem shares (up to $10,000
per fund, per account each day), or exchange shares around the clock with
American FundsLineR. To use this service, call 800/325-3590 from a TouchTonet
telephone.  Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLineR are subject
to the conditions noted above and in "Redeeming Shares--Telephone Redemptions
and Exchanges" below. You will need your fund number (see the list of funds in
The American Funds Group under "Purchase of Shares--Investment Minimums and
Fund Numbers"), personal identification number (the last four digits of your
Social Security number or other tax identification number associated with your
account) and account number.    
 
    TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES - By using the telephone (including
American FundsLineR), fax or telegraph redemption and/or exchange options, 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 liability (including attorney fees) which may be incurred in
connection with the exercise of these privileges. Generally, all shareholders
are automatically eligible to use these options. However, you may elect to opt
out of these options by writing American Funds Service Company (you may also
reinstate them at any time by writing American Funds Service Company). If
American Funds Service Company does not employ reasonable procedures to confirm
that the instructions received from any person with appropriate account     
   information are genuine, 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.    
 
                      EXECUTION OF PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
 There are occasions on which portfolio transactions for the fund may be
executed as part of concurrent authorizations to purchase or sell the same
security for other funds served by the Investment Adviser, or for trusts or
other accounts served by affiliated companies of the Investment Adviser. 
Although such concurrent authorizations potentially could be either
advantageous or disadvantageous to the fund, they are effected only when the
Investment Adviser believes that to do so is in the interest of the fund.  When
such concurrent authorizations occur, the objective is to allocate the
executions in an equitable manner.  The fund will not pay a mark-up for
research in principal transactions.
 
    The fund is required to disclose information regarding investments in the
securities of broker-dealers which have certain relationships with the fund. 
During the last fiscal year, General Electric Capital Corp., Lehman Commercial
Paper Inc., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., and J.P. Morgan & Co.
Inc. were among  the top 10 dealers that acted as principals in portfolio
transactions; and Lehman Brothers Inc., an affiliate of American Express Co.
was among the top 10 dealers receiving commissions due to portfolio
transactions.  The fund held equity securities of American Express Co. and J.P.
Morgan & Co. Inc. in the amounts of $10,937,000 and $56,760,000, respectively,
and debt securities of American Express Credit Corp., GE Capital Mortgage
Services, General Electric Capital Corp., and Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors
Inc. in the amounts of $43,257,000, $8,145,000, $4,563,000, and $19,807,000,
respectively, as of the close of its most recent fiscal year.    
 
    Brokerage commissions paid on portfolio transactions, including dealer
concessions on underwritings, during the fiscal years ended July 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994, amounted to $29,327,000, $11,980,000, and 22,437,000,
respectively.    
 
 
                              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 The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., One Chase Manhattan
Plaza, New York, NY 10081, as Custodian.
 
    TRANSFER AGENT - American Funds Service Company, a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Investment Adviser, maintains the records of each shareholder's account,
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.  When fund shares are purchased by an insurance
company separate account to serve as the underlying investment vehicle for
variable insurance contracts, the fund may pay a fee to the insurance company
or another party for performing certain transfer agent services with respect to
contract owners having interests in the fund.  American Funds Service Company
was paid a fee of $8,735,000 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996.    
 
    INDEPENDENT AUDITORS - Deloitte & Touche LLP located at 1000 Wilshire
Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90017, serves as the fund's independent auditors
providing audit services, preparation of tax returns and review of certain
documents of the fund to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 
The financial statements included in this statement of additional information
from the annual report have been so included in reliance on the report of
Deloitte & Touche LLP given on the authority of said firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.    
 
    REPORTS TO SHAREHOLDERS - The fund's fiscal year ends on July 31.
Shareholders are provided at least semi-annually with reports showing the
investment portfolio, financial statements and other information.  The annual
financial statements are audited annually by the fund's independent auditors,
Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose selection is determined annually by the Board of
Directors.    
 
 PERSONAL INVESTING POLICY - Capital Research and Management Company and its
affiliated companies have adopted a personal investing policy consistent with
Investment Company Institute guidelines.  This policy includes:  a ban on
acquisitions of securities pursuant to an initial public offering; restrictions
on acquisitions of private placement securities; pre-clearance and reporting
requirements; review of duplicate confirmation statements; annual
recertification of compliance with codes of ethics; disclosure of personal
holdings by certain investment personnel prior to recommendation for purchase
for the fund; 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; and
disclosure of personal securities transactions.  You may obtain a summary of
the personal investing policy by contacting the Secretary of the fund.
 
 The financial statements including the investment portfolio and the report of
Independent Auditors contained in the annual report are included in this
statement of additional information.  The following information is not included
in the annual report:
   
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                        <C>      
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE,                                   
REDEMPTION PRICE AND                                                
MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE--JULY 31, 1996                     
                                                                    
Net asset value and redemption price per share                      
  (Net assets divided by shares outstanding)               $15.89   
Maximum offering price per share                                    
  (100/94.25 of net asset value per share                           
   which takes into account the fund's current                      
   maximum sales charge)                                   $16.86   
</TABLE>
 
    
 REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS BY SHAREHOLDERS - At any meeting of shareholders, duly
called and at which a quorum is present, the shareholders may, by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes entitled to be cast
thereon, remove any director or directors from office and may elect a successor
or successors to fill any resulting vacancies for the unexpired terms of
removed directors.  The fund has made an undertaking, at the request of the
staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, to apply the provisions of
section 16(c) of the 1940 Act with respect to the removal of directors as
though the fund were a common-law trust.  Accordingly, the directors of the
fund shall promptly call a meeting of shareholders for the purpose of voting
upon the question of removal of any director when requested in writing to do so
by the record holders of not less than 10% of the outstanding shares.
 
 
                               INVESTMENT RESULTS
 
    The fund's yield is 4.98% based on a 30-day (or one month) period ended
July 31, 1996, computed by dividing the net investment income per share earned
during the period by the maximum offering price per share on the last day of
the period, according to the following formula:    
 
  YIELD = 2[(a-b/cd+1)/6/-1]
Where:   a = dividends and interest earned during the period.
   b = expenses accrued for the period (net of reimbursements).
   c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during the period that   
       were entitled to receive dividends.
   d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the period.
 
 The fund's average annual total return for the one-, five- and ten-year
periods ended on July 31, 1996 was +6.94%, +11.09% and +10.90%, respectively. 
The average annual total return (T) is computed by equating the value at the
end of the period (ERV) with a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000 (P)
over a period of years (n) according to the following formula as required by
the Securities and Exchange Commission:  P(1+T)/n/ = ERV.
 
 The following assumptions will be reflected in computations made in accordance
with the formula stated above:  (1) deduction of the maximum sales load of
5.75% from the $1,000 initial investment; (2) reinvestment of dividends and
distributions at net asset value on the reinvestment date determined by the
Board; and (3) a complete redemption at the end of any period illustrated.
 
 The fund may also, at times, calculate total return based on net asset value
per share (rather than the offering price), in which case the figure would not
reflect the effect of any sales charges which would have been paid if shares
were purchased during the period reflected in the computation.  Consequently,
total return calculated in this manner will be higher.  These total returns may
be calculated over periods in addition to those described above.  Total return
for the unmanaged indices will be calculated assuming reinvestment of dividends
and interest, but will not reflect any deductions for advisory fees, brokerage
costs or administrative expenses.
 
 The fund may also calculate a distribution rate on a taxable and tax
equivalent basis.  The distribution rate is computed by dividing the dividends
paid by the fund over the last 12 months by the sum of the month-end net asset
value or maximum offering price and the capital gains paid over the last 12
months.   The distribution rate may differ from the yield.
 
 The fund may include information on its investment results and/or comparisons
of its investment results to various unmanaged indices (such as The Dow Jones
Average of 30 Industrial Stocks, The Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Composite
Index, the Lehman Brothers Corporate Bond Index, the Lehman Brothers Aggregate
Bond Index and the Salomon Brothers High-Grade Corporate Bond Index) or results
of other mutual funds or investment or savings vehicles in advertisements or in
reports furnished to present or prospective shareholders.
 
 The fund may refer to results compiled by organizations such as CDA Investment
Technologies, Ibbotson Associates, Lipper Analytical Services, Morningstar,
Inc., and Wiesenberger Investment Companies Services and by the U.S. Department
of Commerce.  Additionally, the fund may, from time to time, refer to results
published in various newspapers and periodicals, including Barrons, Forbes,
Fortune, Institutional Investor, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, Money,
U.S. News and World Report and The Wall Street Journal.
 
 The fund may, from time to time, illustrate the benefits of tax-deferral by
comparing taxable investments to investments made through tax-deferred
retirement plans.
 
 The fund may, from time to time, compare its investment results with the
Consumer Price Index, which is a measure of the average change in prices over
time in a fixed market basket of goods and services (E.G. food, clothing,
fuels, transportation, and other goods and services that people buy for
day-to-day living).
 
 The investment results for the fund set forth below were calculated as
described in the fund's prospectus.  Data contained in Salomon's Market
Performance and Lehman Brothers' The Bond Market Report are used to calculate
cumulative total return from their base period (12/31/68 and 12/31/72,
respectively) for each index.  The percentage increases shown in the table
below or used in published reports of the fund are obtained by subtracting the
index results at the beginning of the period from the index results at the end
of the period and dividing the difference by the index results at the beginning
of the period.
 
                         IFA vs. Various Unmanaged Indices
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>             <C>          <C>           <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>        
 
                                                                                           Lehman                                   
 
10-Year                                                     Lehman         Lehman          Brothers                      Average    
 
Period                                                      Brothers       Brothers        Government/     Salomon       Savings    
 
8/1 -  7/31      IFA         DJIA/1/       S&P 500/2/       Corporate/3/   Aggregate/4/    Corporate/5/    High-Grade/6/  
Account/7/ 
1986 - 1996      +181%        +330%         +269%           +141%           +126%           +123%           +149%         +69%      
 
1985 - 1995      +197         +391          +306            +179            +160            +158            +206          + 73      
 
1984 - 1994      +241         +385          +327            +217            +193            +189            +254          + 83      
 
1983 - 1993      +254         +333          +294            +241            +218            +213            +281          + 94      
 
1982 - 1992      +351         +528          +478            +295            +251            +242            +330          +105      
 
1981 - 1991      +298         +392          +343            +304            +269            +256            +329          +117      
 
1980 - 1990      +293         +392          +344            +235            +217            +209            +239          +124      
 
1979 - 1989      +317         +409          +416            +202            +201            +197            +202          +125      
 
1978 - 1988      +267         +308          +326            +180            +178            +175            +166          +125      
 
1977 - 1987      +283         +388          +417            +159            +164            +162            +146          +125      
 
1976 - 1986      +265         +209          +271            +184            +181            +180            +177          +124      
 
1975 - 1985      +295         +177          +250            +161            N/A             +158            +134          +121      
 
1974 - 1984      +270         +153          +210            +136            N/A             +136            +112          +116      
 
1973#- 1983      +237         +147          +172            + 95            N/A             +105            + 76          +106      
 
 
</TABLE>
 
________________
#  From December 1, 1973  
 
/1/ The Dow Jones Average of 30 Industrial Stocks is comprised of 30 industrial
companies such as General Motors and General Electric.
 
/2/ The Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Composite Index is comprised of industrial,
transportation, public utilities, and financial stocks and represents a large
portion of the value of issues traded on the New York Stock Exchange.  Selected
issues traded on the American Stock Exchange are also included.
 
/3/ The Lehman Brothers Corporate Bond Index is comprised of all public, fixed
rate, non-convertible investment grade domestic corporate debt.  Issues
included in this index are rated at least Baa by Moody's Investors Service, BBB
by Standard & Poor's Corporation or, in the case of bank bonds not rated by
either of the previously mentioned services, BBB by Fitch Investors Service.
 
/4/ The Lehman Brothers Aggregate Bond Index covers all sectors of the fixed
income market and is a combination of the Lehman Brothers Treasury Bond Index,
the Agency Bond Index, the Corporate Bond Index, the Yankee Bond Index and the
Mortgage Backed Securities Index.  Its inception date is December 31, 1975.
 
/5/ The Lehman Brothers Government/Corporate Bond Index is comprised of all
public obligations of the U.S. Treasury, all publicly issued debt of U.S.
Government agencies, and corporate debt guaranteed by the U.S. Government
(exlcuding mortgage-backed securities).  It also includes all U.S. dollar
denominated, SEC registered, public, non-convertible debt issued or guaranteed
by foreign or international governments/agencies.  Also included are all
public, fixed-rate non-convertible investment grade domestic corporate debt.
 
/6/ The Salomon Brothers High-Grade Corporate Bond Index is comprised of a
sample of high-grade corporate bonds which have a rating of AAA or AA by
Standard & Poor's Corporation.
 
/7/ Based on figures supplied by the U.S. League of Savings Institutions and
the Federal Reserve Board which reflect all kinds of savings deposits,
including longer-term certificates. Savings accounts offer a guaranteed return
of principal, but no opportunity for capital growth.  During a portion of the
period, the maximum rates paid on some savings deposits were fixed by law.
    
   
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                    <C>                                    
                                                                              
 
If you are considering IFA for an                                             
Individual Retirement Account. . .                                            
                                                                              
Here's how much you would have if you had invested $2,000 a year on August 1                                          
of each year in IFA over the past 5 and 10 years:                                          
                                                                              
5 years                                10 years                               
(8/1/91-7/31/96)                       (8/1/86-7/31/96)                       
                                                                              
$13,456                                $36,311                                
                                                                              
</TABLE>
 
    
   
           SEE THE DIFFERENCE TIME CAN MAKE IN AN INVESTMENT PROGRAM
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      . . . and had taken all      
                                                      dividends and capital        
                                                      gain distributions           
                                                      in shares, your              
If you had                                            investment would             
invested $10,000                                      have been worth              
in IFA this many                                      this much at                 
 years ago . . .                                           7/31/96                 
<S>                          <C>                      <C>                          
|                                                     |                            
Number                       Periods                                               
of Years                     8/1  - 7/31              Value                        
1                            1995 - 1996                                           
                                                     $10,694                      
2                            1994 - 1996                                           
                                                      12,449                       
3                            1993 - 1996                                           
                                                      12,698                       
 
4                            1992 - 1996                                           
                                                      14,202                       
 
                             1991 - 1996                                           
5                                                     16,916                       
 
6                            1990 - 1996                                           
                                                      18,989                       
 
7                            1989 - 1996                                           
                                                      19,206                       
 
8                            1988 - 1996                                           
                                                      23,717                       
 
9                            1987 - 1996                                           
                                                      24,111                       
 
10                           1986 - 1996                                           
                                                      28,137                       
 
                             1985 - 1996                                           
11                                                    33,737                       
 
12                           1984 - 1996                                           
                                                      44,001                       
 
13                           1983 - 1996                                           
                                                      47,739                       
 
14                           1982 - 1996                                           
                                                      67,948                       
 
15                           1981 - 1996                                           
                                                      71,528                       
 
16                           1980 - 1996                                           
                                                      79,743                       
 
17                           1979 - 1996                                           
                                                      84,952                       
 
18                           1978 - 1996                                           
                                                      92,420                       
 
19                           1977 - 1996                                           
                                                      98,119                       
 
20                           1976 - 1996                                           
                                                      109,018                      
 
21                           1975 - 1996                                           
                                                      141,200                      
 
22                           1974 - 1996                                           
                                                      176,874                      
 
23                           1973#- 1995                                           
                                                      170,626                      
 
</TABLE>
 
#  From December 1, 1973
    
   Illustration of a $10,000 investment in IFA with
dividends reinvested and capital gain distributions taken in shares
(for the period December 1, 1973 through July 31, 1996)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            
                                    COST OF SHARES                                                                                  
   VALUE OF SHARES                                                                                
 
                                                                                                                        
 
Year           Annual         Dividends      Total          From Initial   From           From           Total          
Ended          Dividends      (cumulative)   Investment     Investment     Capital Gains   Dividends      Value          
July 31                                      Cost                          Reinvested     Reinvested                    
 
                                                                                                                        
 
1974#           $  347         $  347         $10,347        $ 8,767       -               $   321        $ 9,088       
 
1975            785            1,132          11,132         10,141        -               1,250          11,391        
 
1976            998            2,130          12,130         12,155        -               2,596          14,751        
 
1977            969            3,099          13,099         12,701        -               3,691          16,392        
 
1978            1,117          4,216          14,216         12,584        -               4,820          17,404        
 
1979            1,333          5,549          15,549         12,693        -               6,228          18,921        
 
1980            1,463          7,012          17,012         12,490        -               7,672          20,162        
 
1981            1,743          8,755          18,755         12,818        -               9,667          22,485        
 
1982            2,187          10,942         20,942         12,256        -               11,408         23,664        
 
1983            2,549          13,491         23,491         16,112        -               17,573         33,685        
 
1984            2,896          16,387         26,387         15,254         $1,013         19,455         35,722        
 
1985            3,365          19,752         29,752         18,236         2,637          26,804         47,677        
 
1986            3,909          23,661         33,661         18,907         6,434          31,807         57,148        
 
1987            4,431          28,092         38,092         19,578         9,644          37,452         66,674        
 
1988            4,479          32,571         42,571         17,955         10,904         38,957         67,816        
 
1989            5,338          37,909         47,909         20,609         12,515         50,578         83,702        
 
1990            5,269          43,178         53,178         18,907         13,755         51,497         84,159        
 
1991            6,311          49,489         59,489         19,578         14,787         60,070         94,435        
 
1992            6,578          56,067         66,067         21,764         17,093         73,764         112,621       
 
1993            6,995          63,062         73,062         22,592         19,653         83,771         126,016       
 
1994            7,471          70,533         80,533         21,218         21,364         85,868         128,450       
 
1995            8,046          78,579         88,579         23,294         24,107         102,984        150,385       
 
1996            8,581          87,160         97,160         24,809         27,526         118,291        170,626       
 
</TABLE>
 
# From December 1, 1973
 
The dollar amount of capital gain distributions during the period was $21,184.
    
 
   EXPERIENCE OF INVESTMENT ADVISER - Capital Research and Management Company
manages nine common stock funds that are at least 10 years old.  In the rolling
10-year periods since January 1, 1966 (121 in all), those funds have had better
total returns than the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Index in 94 of the
121 periods.    
 
 Note that past results are not an indication of future investment results. 
Also, the fund has different investment policies than the funds mentioned
above.  These results are included solely for the purpose of informing
investors about the experience and history of Capital Research and Management
Company.
 
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF BOND RATINGS
                           Corporate Debt Securities
 
 MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. rates the long-term debt securities issued by
various entities from "Aaa" to "C" according to quality.
 
"AAA -- Best quality.  These securities carry the smallest degree of investment
risk and are generally referred to as "gilt edge."  Interest payments are
protected by a large, or by an exceptionally stable margin and principal is
secure.  While the various protective elements are likely to change, such
changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the fundamentally
strong position of such issues."
 
"AA -- High quality by all standards.  They are rated lower than the best bond
because margins of protection may not be as large as in Aaa securities,
fluctuation of protective elements may be of greater amplitude, or there may be
other elements present which make the long-term risks appear somewhat greater."
 
"A -- Upper medium grade obligations.  These bonds possess many favorable
investment attributes.  Factors giving security to principal and interest are
considered adequate, but elements may be present which suggest a susceptibility
to impairment sometime in the future."
 
"BAA -- Medium grade obligations.  Interest payments and principal security
appear adequate for the present but certain protective elements may be lacking
or may be characteristically unreliable over any great length of time.  Such
bonds lack outstanding investment characteristics and, in fact, have
speculative characteristics as well."
 
"BA -- Have speculative elements; future cannot be considered as well assured. 
The protection of interest and principal payments may be very moderate and
thereby not well safeguarded during both good and bad times over the future. 
Bonds in this class are characterized by uncertainty of position."
 
"B -- Generally lack characteristics of the desirable investment; assurance of
interest and principal payments or of maintenance of other terms of the
contract over any long period of time may be small."
 
"CAA -- Of poor standing.  Issues may be in default or there may be present
elements of danger with respect to principal or interest."
 
"CA -- Speculative in a high degree; often in default or have other marked
shortcomings."
 
"C -- Lowest rated class of bonds; can be regarded as having extremely poor
prospects of ever attaining any real investment standing."
 
 
 STANDARD & POOR'S CORPORATION rates the long-term securities debt of various
entities in categories ranging from "AAA" to "D" according to quality.
 
"AAA -- Highest rating.  Capacity to pay interest and repay principal is
extremely strong."
 
"AA -- High grade.  Very strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal. 
Generally, these bonds differ from AAA issues only in a small degree."
 
"A -- Have a strong capacity to pay interest and repay principal, although they
are somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of change in circumstances
and economic conditions, than debt in higher rated categories."
 
"BBB -- Regarded as having adequate capacity to pay interest and repay
principal.  These bonds normally exhibit adequate protection parameters, but
adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead
to a weakened capacity to pay interest and repay principal than for debt in
higher rated categories."
 
"BB, B, CCC, CC, C -- Regarded, on balance, as predominantly speculative with
respect to capacity to pay interest and repay principal in accordance with the
terms of the obligation.  BB indicates the lowest degree of speculation and C
the highest degree of speculation.  While such debt will likely have some
quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large
uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions."
 
"C1 -- Reserved for income bonds on which no interest is being paid."
 
"D -- In default and payment of interest and/or repayment of principal is in
arrears."
 
<TABLE>
INCOME FUND OF AMERICA
July 31, 1996
- ----------------------------        -------------                         --------------
Asset Mix Comparison of Fiscal 1996 Investment                            Investment
to Fiscal 1995                       Portfolio                             Portfolio
                                    July 31, 1996                         July 31, 1995
- ----------------------------        -------------                         -------------
<S>                                 <C>        <C>                        <C>
U.S. Equity-Type Securities*              56.7%U.S. Equity-Type Securities      53.4%
Non-U.S. Equity-Type Securities            4.0 Non-U.S. Equity-Type Securi       0.4
Corporate Bonds                           19.8            Corporate Bonds       23.3
Government Bonds                          13.1           Government Bonds       17.2
Cash & Equivalents                         6.4         Cash & Equivalents        5.7
 
*Also includes 0.4% (1996) and 0.3% (1995)
in Canadian equities which are part of the
S&P 500.
 
 
- ----------------------------        ---------- -------------------------------------
 
Ten Largest Equity Holdings         Percent of Ten Largest Equity HoldingsPercent of
July 31, 1996                       Net Assets              July 31, 1995 Net Assets
- ----------------------------        ---------- -------------------------------------
 
Philip Morris                             1.81%                 Eli Lilly       1.91%
Atlantic Richfield                        1.72       Bristol-Myers Squibb       1.59
J.C. Penney                               1.67              Philip Morris       1.46
American Home Products                    1.63     American Home Products       1.30
Bristol-Myers Squibb                      1.51                     Upjohn       1.17
Ford Motor                                1.33       Occidental Petroleum        .87
First Union                               1.25           Lincoln National        .85
Phillips Petroleum                        1.25                 Ford Motor        .78
Texaco                                    1.23         Phillips Petroleum        .78
PNC Bank                                  1.12                   U S WEST        .77
 
 
- ----------------------------        ---------------------------------------------------
Five Largest Industry Holdings                 Five Largest Industry Holdings
 in Equities                        Percent of                in Equities Percent of
 July 31, 1996                      Net Assets              July 31, 1995 Net Assets
- ----------------------------        --------------------------------------------------
Banking                                  11.30%                   Banking       7.65%
Energy Sources                            8.65     Health & Personal Care       7.63
Health & Personal Care                    6.11             Energy Sources       6.14
Utilities: Electric & Gas                 4.23                  Insurance       4.03
Insurance                                 3.55         Telecommunications       3.42
 
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
The Income Fund of America
 
 
Investment Portfolio July 31, 1996
- ----------------------------------                                     ---         ---    ---
                                                                 Shares or      Market Percent
                                                                 Principal       Value of Net
Equity-Type Securities                                              Amount       (000) Assets
- ----------------------------------                                     ---         ---    ---
<S>                                                                    <C>         <C>    <C>
Banking - 11.30%
First Union Corp.                                                2,850,000     180,975   1.25%
PNC Bank Corp.                                                   5,580,000     162,518   1.12
CoreStates Financial Corp.                                       3,810,000     149,543   1.03
Bankers Trust New York Corp.                                     1,910,200     137,296    .95
Bank of New York Co., Inc.                                       1,600,000      82,400
Bank of New York Co., Inc. 7.50% convertible debentures
                                                           2001$13,000,000      34,229    .83
Chase Manhattan Corp. (New)                                      1,554,000     108,003    .74
Boatmen's Bancshares, Inc.                                       2,522,500     100,900    .70
Royal Bank of Canada                                             3,250,000      78,602    .54
First Security Corp.                                             2,400,000      61,200    .42
Banc One Corp.                                                   1,650,000      57,131    .40
J.P. Morgan & Co. Inc.                                             660,000      56,760    .39
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.                                      1,325,000      53,663    .37
Comerica Inc.                                                    1,080,000      47,385    .33
National Bank of Canada                                          5,275,000      42,590    .29
Westpac Banking Corp.                                            9,042,400      40,542    .28
First Chicago NBD Corp.                                          1,045,000      40,232    .28
Bancorp Hawaii, Inc.                                             1,000,000      34,875    .24
NationsBank Corp.                                                  350,000      30,056    .21
Regions Financial Corp.                                            630,000      27,484    .19
U.S. Bancorp                                                       800,000      27,400    .19
Barnett Banks, Inc.                                                300,000      18,412    .13
National City Corp.                                                500,000      17,312    .12
Central Fidelity Banks, Inc.                                       675,000      14,681    .10
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1)                               2,890,000      14,162    .10
First Nationwide Bank, FSB preferred                               100,000      10,900    .07
Banco Nacional de Mexico, SA 11.00% exchangeable notes
 2003 (1)                                                       $4,175,000       3,966    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                             1,633,217  11.30
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Energy Sources - 8.65%
Atlantic Richfield Co.                                           2,150,000     249,400   1.72
Phillips Petroleum Co.                                           4,574,000     180,673   1.25
Texaco Inc.                                                      2,100,000     178,500   1.23
Chevron Corp.                                                    2,005,000     116,039    .80
Amoco Corp.                                                      1,634,000     109,274    .76
Sun Co., Inc.                                                    1,037,613      26,848
Sun Co., Inc. $1.80 TARGETS, cumulative preferred,
 Series A                                                        2,495,000      65,806    .64
USX-Marathon Group                                               3,500,000      71,750    .50
Occidental Petroleum Corp.                                       2,000,000      44,750
Occidental Petroleum Corp. $3.875 convertible
 preferred (1)                                                     300,000      16,800    .43
Unocal Corp. $3.50 convertible preferred                           750,000      42,000    .29
Exxon Corp.                                                        500,000      41,125    .28
Ashland Inc. $3.125 convertible preferred                          600,000      35,700    .25
Enterprise Oil PLC                                               3,600,000      26,702    .18
Cyprus Amax Minerals Co. $4.00 convertible preferred,
 Series A                                                          465,000      24,412    .17
Valero Energy Corp. $3.125 convertible preferred                   345,000      16,387    .11
Santa Fe Energy Resources, Inc. $0.732 DECS
 convertible preferred, Series A                                   500,000       5,125    .04
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                             1,251,291   8.65
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Health & Personal Care - 6.11%
American Home Products Corp.                                     4,160,000     236,080   1.63
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                         2,515,000     217,862   1.51
Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc.                                         3,580,000     147,675   1.02
Eli Lilly and Co.                                                2,462,800     137,917    .95
Warner-Lambert Co.                                               1,550,000      84,475    .58
Tambrands Inc.                                                   1,300,000      52,975    .37
Glycomed Inc. 7.50% convertible debentures 2003                 $5,000,000       4,150    .03
McKesson Corp. 4.50% convertible debentures 2004                $2,650,000       2,292    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               883,426   6.11
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Utilities: Electric & Gas - 4.23%
Southern Co.                                                     2,300,000      52,037    .36
DTE Energy Co.                                                   1,750,000      50,312    .35
National Power PLC                                               8,140,000      50,061    .35
Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.                             1,825,000      47,678    .33
Entergy Corp.                                                    1,850,000      47,175    .33
Consolidated Edison Co. of New York, Inc.                        1,700,000      45,900    .32
Union Electric Co.                                               1,175,000      44,209    .31
Long Island Lighting Co.                                         2,450,000      41,650    .29
Equitable Resources, Inc.                                        1,500,000      38,063    .26
Peoples Energy Corp.                                             1,080,000      33,615    .23
General Public Utilities Corp.                                   1,023,900      33,277    .23
American Electric Power Co., Inc.                                  780,000      32,370    .22
Houston Industries Inc.                                          1,300,000      29,413    .20
AGL Resources, Inc.                                              1,340,000      24,455    .17
Puget Sound Power & Light Co.                                      700,000      15,925    .11
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.                                       435,000       8,591    .06
PECO Energy Co.                                                    275,000       6,462    .05
Eastern Utilities Associates                                       387,100       6,145    .04
Unicom Corp.                                                       150,000       3,525    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               610,863   4.23
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Insurance - 3.55%
Lincoln National Corp.                                           2,540,000     108,267    .75
American General Corp.                                           2,500,000      86,875    .60
St. Paul Companies, Inc.                                         1,280,000      66,240    .46
Ohio Casualty Corp. (2)                                          1,830,400      58,115    .40
SAFECO Corp.                                                     1,500,000      51,656    .36
Italy (Republic of) 5.00% PENs 2001
 (exchangeable into INA SpA)                                   $51,000,000      50,939    .35
USF&G Corp.                                                      1,300,000      20,638
USF&G Corp. 0% convertible debentures 2009                     $10,000,000       5,900    .18
CIGNA Corp.                                                        200,000      21,300    .15
Allstate Corp. 6.76% exchangeable notes 1998                       370,000      15,771    .11
Alexander & Alexander Services Inc. $3.625 convertible
 preferred, Series A (1)                                           220,000      10,230    .07
St. Paul Capital LLC 6.00% MIPS convertible preferred              190,000       9,856    .07
Mutual Risk Management Ltd. 0% convertible debentures
 2015 (1)                                                      $22,000,000       7,700    .05
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               513,487   3.55
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Telecommunications - 3.21%
U S WEST Communications Group                                    4,400,000     133,650
U S WEST Communications Group 0% convertible debentures
 2011                                                          $70,000,000      24,500   1.09
Ameritech Corp.                                                  1,492,200      82,817    .57
Pacific Telesis Group                                            2,435,000      81,877    .57
Bell Atlantic Corp.                                              1,100,000      65,038    .45
NYNEX Corp.                                                        900,000      40,387    .28
International CableTel Inc. 7.25% convertible
 notes 2005 (1)                                                 $8,000,000       8,540
International CableTel Inc. 7.00% convertible debentures
 2008 (1)                                                      $15,000,000      13,538    .15
ALLTEL Corp.                                                       500,000      13,687    .10
IntelCom Group (USA), Inc. warrants, expire 2005
 (1)(3)                                                             19,800         252    .00
Comunicacion Celular SA warrants, expire 2003 (1)(3)                31,000         155    .00
NEXTEL Communications, Inc. warrants (formerly Dial Page, Inc.)
 (3)(4)                                                             51,912           0    .00
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               464,441   3.21
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Beverages & Tobacco - 2.81%
Philip Morris Companies Inc.                                     2,500,000     261,562   1.81
RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp.                                       3,200,000      98,400    .68
UST Inc.                                                         1,400,000      46,550    .32
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               406,512   2.81
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Merchandising - 2.41%
J.C. Penney Co., Inc.                                            4,864,300     241,999   1.67
Giant Food Inc., Class A                                         2,340,000      78,682    .54
Staples, Inc. 4.50% convertible debentures 2000 (1)            $17,000,000      16,957    .12
Home Shopping Network, Inc. 5.875% convertible debentures
 2006 (1)                                                      $10,000,000       9,700    .07
Thrifty PayLess, Inc., Class B (3)                                  57,000         798    .01
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               348,136   2.41
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Forest Products & Paper - 2.08%
Union Camp Corp.                                                 1,660,000      79,680    .55
Weyerhaeuser Co.                                                 1,805,000      75,359    .52
UPM-Kymmene Corp.                                                2,628,300      57,724    .40
James River Corp. of Virginia                                      550,000      13,887
James River Corp. of Virginia $1.55 DECS convertible
 preferred                                                       1,665,000      40,376    .37
Sonoco Products Co. $2.25 convertible preferred                    345,000      21,131    .15
Bowater Inc. 7.00% PRIDES convertible preferred
 depositary shares, Series B                                       485,000      13,156    .09
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               301,313   2.08
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Chemicals - 2.03%
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.                                  1,820,000     146,965   1.02
Dow Chemical Co.                                                   900,000      66,937    .46
Ethyl Corp.                                                      5,200,000      46,800    .33
Eastman Chemical Co.                                               450,000      23,513    .16
Atlantic Richfield Co. DECS convertible preferred                  400,000       9,150    .06
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               293,365   2.03
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Automobiles - 1.55%
Ford Motor Co.                                                   5,932,700     192,813   1.33
General Motors Corp.                                               650,000      31,687    .22
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               224,500   1.55
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Business & Public Services - 1.43%
Dun & Bradstreet Corp.                                             750,000      43,125    .30
Moore Corp. Ltd.                                                 1,900,000      33,012    .23
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. 7.25% ACES convertible
 preferred                                                       1,000,000      26,625    .18
Alco Standard Corp.                                                201,612       8,821
Alco Standard Corp. 6.50% ACES convertible preferred               200,000      16,600    .18
Tenet Healthcare Corp. 6.00% exchangeable notes 2005           $25,000,000      24,250    .17
FHP International Corp. convertible preferred, Series A            785,000      19,061    .13
Ceridian Corp. $2.75 cumulative convertible
 exchangeable preferred                                            170,000      16,235    .11
Vivra Inc. 5.00% convertible debentures 2001 (1)               $15,000,000      14,550    .10
Electronic Data Systems Holding Corp.                               78,546       4,153    .03
Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc. warrants (1)(3)               57,600         562    .00
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               206,994   1.43
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Broadcasting & Publishing - 1.20%
Time Warner Financing Trust 4.00% PERCS 1997                       790,000      28,144
Time Warner Inc. exchangeable preferred, Series K (1)               30,668      30,362
Time Warner Inc. 0% convertible debentures 2012                $36,000,000      13,050
Time Warner Inc. 0% convertible debentures 2013                $57,500,000      24,006    .66
Comcast Corp. 1.125% convertible debentures 2007               $54,000,000      23,962    .17
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. 0% convertible
 debentures 2007 (1)                                           $45,000,000      21,375    .15
Reader's Digest Assn., Inc., Class  A                              500,000      20,688    .14
Tele-Communications International 4.50% convertible
 debentures 2006                                               $15,000,000      12,375    .08
Heartland Wireless Communications, Inc. warrants, expire
 2000 (1)(3)                                                        18,000          72    .00
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               174,034   1.20
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Multi-Industry - 0.94%
Tenneco Inc.                                                     2,051,300     101,027    .70
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.                             400,000      26,000    .18
Harsco Corp.                                                       160,000       9,480    .06
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               136,507    .94
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Food & Household Products - 0.84%
General Mills, Inc.                                              1,435,000      77,849    .54
H.J. Heinz Co.                                                   1,300,000      43,062    .30
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               120,911    .84
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Miscellaneous Materials & Commodities - 0.79%
English China Clays PLC (2)                                     17,932,600      72,920    .50
Cooper Industries, Inc. 6.00% DECS convertible preferred         1,500,000      24,000    .17
Olin Corp.                                                         203,100      17,213    .12
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               114,133    .79
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Real Estate - 0.71%
Security Capital Realty, Inc. (1)(3)(4)                             18,680      19,696
Security Capital Realty, Inc. 12.00% convertible
 debentures 2014 (1)(4)                                        $14,150,000      14,263    .23
Security Capital Pacific Trust                                     830,000      17,222
Security Capital Pacific Trust $1.75
 convertible preferred, Series A                                   600,000      15,225    .23
Weingarten Realty Investors                                        685,000      27,571    .19
Western Investment Real Estate Trust                               710,000       8,875    .06
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               102,852    .71
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Financial Services - 0.66%
Beneficial Corp.                                                 1,200,000      64,800    .45
American Express Co.                                               250,000      10,937    .08
First USA, Inc. 6.25% PRIDES convertible preferred                 250,000      10,625    .07
United Companies Financial Corp. 6.75% PRIDES
 convertible preferred                                             159,000       8,904    .06
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                95,266    .66
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Transportation: Airlines - 0.54%
Continental Airlines Finance Trust 8.50% convertible
 TOPrS (1)                                                         450,000      27,000
Continental Airlines, Inc. 6.75% convertible debentures
 2006 (1)                                                      $18,500,000      18,454    .31
Delta Air Lines, Inc.                                              309,752      21,644    .15
Airborne Freight Corp. 6.75% convertible debentures 2001        $6,500,000       6,435    .05
Alaska Air Group, Inc. 6.50% convertible debentures 2005        $4,000,000       4,820    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                78,353    .54
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Recreation & Other Consumer Products - 0.52%
Eastman Kodak Co.                                                  600,000      44,775    .31
Jostens, Inc.                                                    1,580,000      30,218    .21
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                74,993    .52
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Industrial Components - 0.44%
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.                                       1,000,000      44,250    .31
Dana Corp.                                                         700,000      19,512    .13
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                63,762    .44
                                                                              --------  -----
 
Metals: Steel - 0.42%
USX Corp. $3.25 convertible preferred                              350,000      15,006
USX Corp. 5.75% convertible debentures 2001                    $21,000,000      19,110    .24
Carpenter Technology Corp.                                         500,000      16,625    .11
Bethlehem Steel Corp. $3.50 convertible preferred (1)              250,000       9,750    .07
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                60,491    .42
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Energy Equipment - 0.30%
Cooper Industries, Inc.                                          1,100,000      43,313    .30
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                43,313    .30
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Metals: Nonferrous - 0.29%
Inco Ltd. 5.75% convertible debentures 2004                    $15,000,000      18,150    .13
Alumax Inc. $4.00 convertible preferred, Series A                   90,000      11,385    .08
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Class B                       299,991       8,887    .06
Kaiser Aluminum Corp. 8.255% PRIDES convertible
 preferred                                                         260,000       2,892    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                41,314    .29
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Machinery & Engineering - 0.18%
Thermo Electron Corp. 5.00% convertible debentures
 2001 (1)                                                       $1,900,000       3,401
Thermo Electron Corp. 4.25% convertible debentures 2003
 (1)                                                           $20,000,000      22,800    .18
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                26,201    .18
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Data Processing & Reproduction - 0.15%
Data General Corp. 7.75% convertible debentures 2001           $10,000,000       9,000    .06
Wang Laboratories, Inc. 6.50% convertible preferred
 depositary shares, Series B (1)                                   170,000       7,650    .06
AST Research, Inc. 0% convertible debentures 2013              $15,000,000       4,575    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                21,225    .15
                                                                              --------  -----
 
Electronic Components & Instruments - 0.09%
Seagate Technology 5.00% convertible debentures 2003 (1)        $3,365,000       6,259    .04
Maxtor Corp. 5.75% convertible debentures 2012                  $7,500,000       5,175    .04
Geotek Communications, Inc. warrants, expire 2005 (1)(3)           300,000       1,500    .01
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                12,934    .09
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
MISCELLANEOUS: Equity-type securities
 in initial period of acquisition                                              470,471   3.26
                                                                              --------  -----
 
TOTAL EQUITY-TYPE SECURITIES (cost: $7,328,943,000)                          8,774,305  60.69
                                                                              --------  -----
 
- ----------------------------------                                     ---
                                                                 Principal
Bonds & Notes                                                       Amount
                                                                     (000)
- ----------------------------------                                     ---
Broadcasting, Advertising & Publishing - 3.92%
Time Warner Inc. 7.45% 1998                                      $  10,000      10,093
Time Warner Inc. 9.625% 2002                                        24,000      26,317
Time Warner Inc. 10.15% 2012                                        12,000      13,753
Time Warner Inc. 9.125% 2013                                        20,000      20,820    .49
Bell Cablemedia PLC 0%/11.95% 2004 (5)                              53,750      38,700    .27
News America Holdings Inc. 10.125% 2012                             20,000      22,365
News America Holdings Inc. 9.25% 2013                                7,500       8,111
News America Holdings Inc. 8.45% 2034                                7,500       7,913    .27
Continental Cablevision, Inc. 8.50% 2001                            20,200      21,062
Continental Cablevision, Inc. 10.625% 2002                           5,500       5,926
Continental Cablevision, Inc. 8.875% 2005                            7,000       7,497    .24
Cablevision Systems Corp. 10.75% 2004                               18,000      18,090
Cablevision Systems Corp. 9.875% 2013                               11,500      10,580
Cablevision Systems Corp. 9.875% 2023                                6,000       5,370    .24
TKR Cable I, Inc. 10.50% 2007                                       30,000      32,687    .23
International CableTel Inc. 0%/10.875% 2003 (5)                     20,075      14,755
International CableTel Inc. 0%/12.75% 2005 (5)                      22,000      14,135    .20
Videotron Holdings PLC 0%/11.125% 2004 (5)                          37,500      27,375    .19
Chancellor Broadcasting Co. 9.375% 2004                             24,000      23,160
Chancellor Broadcasting Co. 12.50% 2004                              2,000       2,210    .18
Marvel Holdings Inc. 0% 1998                                        24,250      19,279    .13
Univision Television Group, Inc. 11.75% 2001                        17,000      18,105    .13
American Media Operations, Inc. 11.625% 2004                        17,750      18,016    .12
Tele-Communications, Inc. 9.875% 1998                                7,100       7,420
Tele-Communications, Inc. 10.125% 2001                               5,000       5,456
Tele-Communications, Inc. 9.25% 2023                                 3,500       3,360    .11
Comcast Corp. 10.25% 2001                                           12,600      13,041
Comcast Corp. 9.375% 2005                                            3,000       2,940    .11
TeleWest plc 9.625% 2006                                             5,000       4,863
TeleWest plc 0%/11.00% 2007 (5)                                     18,000      10,530    .11
Century Communications Corp. 9.50% 2000                              3,500       3,518
Century Communications Corp. 9.75% 2002                              7,000       7,070
Century Communications Corp. 11.875% 2003                            4,400       4,664    .10
Viacom International Inc. 9.125% 1999                                4,000       4,110
Viacom International Inc. 10.25% 2001                                9,500      10,201    .10
Insight Communications Co., LP 11.25% 2000 (6)                      12,750      12,846    .09
Comcast UK Cable Partners Ltd. 0%/11.20% 2007 (5)                   18,500      11,192    .08
Infinity Broadcasting Corp. 10.375% 2002                            10,250      10,814    .07
Young Broadcasting Inc. 10.125% 2005                                10,500      10,185    .07
Multicanal Participacoes SA 12.625% 2004 (1)                         8,750       9,100    .06
TCI Communications, Inc. 8.75% 2015                                  8,000       7,677    .05
Grupo Televisa, SA, Series A, 11.375% 2003 (1)                       3,750       3,802
Grupo Televisa, SA 0%/13.25% 2008 (1)(5)                             6,500       3,510    .05
Summitt Communications 10.50% 2005                                   6,655       7,221    .05
Storer Communications, Inc. 10.00% 2003                              6,000       6,000    .04
Adelphia Communications Corp. 9.875% 2005                            6,500       5,915    .04
American Radio Systems Corp. 9.00% 2006                              4,000       3,810    .03
Rogers Communications Inc. 10.875% 2004                              3,500       3,570    .02
Heartland Wireless Communications, Inc. 13.00% 2003                  3,000       3,210    .02
CAI Wireless Systems, Inc. 12.25% 2002                               3,000       3,105    .02
EZ Communications, Inc. 9.75% 2005                                   2,000       1,970    .01
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               567,419   3.92
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Wireless Communications - 2.22%
NEXTEL Communications, Inc. 0%/11.50% 2003 (5)                      40,500      26,325
NEXTEL Communications, Inc. 0%/9.75% 2004 (5)                       61,000      34,160
NEXTEL Communications, Inc. 0%/10.125% 2004
 (formerly CenCall) (5)                                             44,250      25,886
NEXTEL Communications, Inc. 0%/12.25% 2004
 (formerly Dial Call) (5)                                           32,500      19,906    .74
360 Communications Co. 7.125% 2003                                  22,500      21,660
360 Communications Co. 7.50% 2006                                   14,000      13,357    .24
Centennial Cellular Corp. 8.875% 2001                               28,000      26,040
Centennial Cellular Corp. 10.125% 2005                               3,000       2,880    .20
Comcast Cellular Corp., Series A, 0% 2000                           14,500       9,896
Comcast Cellular Corp., Series B, 0% 2000                           25,300      17,394    .19
PriCellular Wireless Corp. 0%/14.00% 2001 (5)                       10,000       8,950
PriCellular Wireless Corp. 0%/12.25% 2003 (5)                       14,550      11,494    .14
Comunicacion Celular SA 0%/13.125% 2003 (5)                         31,000      18,600    .13
Cellular Communications International, Inc.,
 units consisting of notes and warrants, 0% 2000 (3)                24,500      15,067    .10
Cellular, Inc. 0%/11.75% 2003 (5)                                   18,000      14,760    .10
Horizon Cellular Telephone Co., LP, Series B,
 0%/11.375% 2000 (5)                                                15,000      14,100    .10
Paging Network, Inc. 11.75% 2002                                    10,500      11,366    .08
InterCel, Inc. 0%/12.00% 2006 (5)                                   17,500       9,406    .06
Geotek Communications, Inc., Series B, 0%/15.00% 2005
 (5)                                                                10,000       6,150    .04
MobileMedia Communications, Inc. 0%/10.50% 2003 (5)                  8,000       5,620    .04
Commnet Cellular Inc. 11.25% 2005                                    3,000       3,165    .02
Rogers Cantel Inc. 9.375% 2008                                       3,000       2,910    .02
Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. 9.375% 2006                          3,000       2,895    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               321,987   2.23
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Transportation - 1.90%
Jet Equipment Trust, Series 1994-A, Class B1, 10.91%
 2006 (1)                                                            6,965       7,923
Jet Equipment Trust, Series 1995-B, Certificates,
 10.91% 2014 (1)                                                     4,750       5,166
Jet Equipment Trust, Series 1995-A, Class B, 8.64%
 2015 (1)                                                           14,756      15,633
Jet Equipment Trust, Series 1995-A, Class C, 10.69%
 2015 (1)                                                            5,000       5,829
Jet Equipment Trust, Series 1995-B, Class A, 7.63%
 2015 (1)                                                           14,241      14,290
Jet Equipment Trust, Series 1995-B, Class C, 9.71%
 2015 (1)                                                            5,500       5,947    .38
Airplanes Pass Through Trust, pass-through certificates,
 Class B, 6.596% 2019 (6)(7)                                         7,396       7,451
Airplanes Pass Through Trust, pass-through certificates,
 Class C, 8.15% 2019 (7)                                            15,000      14,963
Airplanes Pass Through Trust, pass-through certificates,
 Class D, 10.875% 2019 (7)                                          22,800      23,740    .32
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 9.875% 1998                                    6,750       7,033
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 10.375% 2022                                  13,000      15,511
Delta Air Lines, Inc., pass-through certificates,
 Series 1992-A2, 9.20% 2014 (7)                                      5,000       5,402
Delta Air Lines, Inc., pass-through certificates,
 Series 1993-A2, 10.50% 2016 (7)                                     6,000       7,057    .24
USAir, Inc. 9.625% 2001                                             13,179      12,256
USAir, Inc., enhanced equipment notes, Class C, 8.93%
 2008 (1)                                                            7,000       7,245
USAir, Inc., pass-through trust, Series 1993-A3, 10.375%
 2013 (7)                                                           10,000       9,912    .21
Continental Airlines, pass-through certificates,
 Series 1996-2C, 10.22% 2014 (1)(7)                                  4,250       4,802
Continental Airlines, pass-through certificates,
 Series 1996-A, 6.94% 2015 (1)(7)                                    9,000       8,663
Continental Airlines, pass-through certificates,
 Series 1996-C, 9.50% 2015 (1)(7)                                   13,000      14,056    .19
United Air Lines, Inc. 9.00% 2003                                    8,000       8,369
United Air Lines, Inc., pass-through certificates,
 Series 1993-A3, 8.39% 2011 (7)                                      7,500       7,541
United Airlines, Inc., pass-through certificates,
 Series 1996-A2 7.87% 2019 (7)                                       5,000       4,692    .14
Northwest Airlines, Inc. 12.0916% 2000                               9,663       9,735
NWA Trust No. 2, Class D, 13.875% 2008                               9,000      10,440    .14
TNT Transport (Euro) PLC/TNT (USA) Inc. 11.50% 2004                 11,750      11,956    .08
Atlas Air, pass-through certificates, 12.25% 2002 (7)               10,000      10,600    .07
Teekay Shipping Corp. 8.32% 2008                                     9,820       9,231    .06
MC-Cuernavaca Trust 9.25% 2001 (1)                                   7,730       5,295    .04
SFP Pipeline Holdings, Inc. 11.16% 2010                              3,000       3,544    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               274,282   1.91
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Energy Sources and Energy Equipment & Services - 1.70%
California Energy Co., Inc. 9.875% 2003                              5,000       5,075
California Energy Co., Inc. 0%/10.25% 2004 (5)                      61,300      60,687    .45
Oryx Energy Co. 9.50% 1999                                          15,000      15,733
Oryx Energy Co. 8.375% 2004                                          8,000       8,020
Oryx Energy Co. 8.125% 2005                                          3,500       3,434    .19
Mesa Capital Corp. 12.75% 1998                                      15,000      15,038
Mesa Operating Co. 0%/11.625% 2006 (5)                               8,500       5,142
Mesa Operating Co. 10.625% 2006                                      2,000       2,045    .15
Global Marine, Inc. 12.75% 1999                                     17,500      18,900    .13
J. Ray McDermott, SA 9.375% 2006                                    17,000      16,745    .12
Cliffs Drilling Co. 10.25% 2003 (1)                                 14,250      14,250    .10
Flores & Rucks, Inc. 13.50% 2004                                    12,000      13,800    .10
Occidental Petroleum Corp. 9.25% 2019                               11,400      13,273    .09
Falcon Drilling Co., Inc. 9.75% 2001                                 6,000       6,060
Falcon Drilling Co., Inc. 8.875% 2003                                5,000       4,800    .08
Chesapeake Energy Corp. 10.50% 2002                                  3,850       4,067
Chesapeake Energy Corp. 9.125% 2006                                  6,000       5,880    .07
Dual Drilling Co. 9.875% 2004                                        8,550       8,978    .06
OXYMAR 7.50% 2016 (1)                                                8,000       7,270    .05
Subic Power Corp. 9.50% 2008 (1)                                     6,552       6,552    .05
Noble Drilling Corp. 9.25% 2003                                      2,750       2,764    .02
Petroleo Brasileiro SA-PETROBRAS 10.15% 1998 (6)                     2,500       2,584    .02
Parker & Parsley Petroleum Co. 8.25% 2007                            2,000       2,073    .01
TransTexas Gas Corp. 11.50% 2002                                     2,000       1,990    .01
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               245,160   1.70
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Utilities - Electric & Gas - 1.50%
Long Island Lighting Co. 7.30% 1999                                 41,240      40,051
Long Island Lighting Co. 6.25% 2001                                  9,000       8,103
Long Island Lighting Co. 7.125% 2005                                10,000       8,817
Long Island Lighting Co. 7.50% 2007                                 15,000      13,205
Long Island Lighting Co. 7.90% 2008                                 20,000      19,105
Long Island Lighting Co. 8.90% 2019                                 32,000      29,326
Long Island Lighting Co. 9.00% 2022                                 17,000      15,778
Long Island Lighting Co. 8.20% 2023                                 22,500      19,909
Long Island Lighting Co. 9.625% 2024                                22,250      22,040   1.22
Midland Cogeneration Venture LP, Secured Lease
 Obligation Bonds, Series C-91 10.33% 2002                           5,656       5,854
Midland Cogeneration Venture LP, Secured Lease
 Obligation Bonds, Series C-94 10.33% 2002                           8,650       8,953    .10
Columbia Gas System, Inc., Series F 7.42% 2015                      12,000      11,118    .08
Bridas Corp. 12.50% 1999                                             6,000       6,240    .04
El Paso Electric Co., Series A, 7.25% 1999                           5,431       5,340    .04
CMS Energy Corp. 9.50% 1997                                          3,000       3,053    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               216,892   1.50
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Telecommunications - 1.05%
MFS Communications Co., Inc. 0%/9.375% 2004 (5)                     97,800      73,350
MFS Communications Co., Inc. 0%/8.875% 2006 (5)                     43,250      25,409    .68
IntelCom Group (USA), Inc. 0%/13.50% 2005 (5)                        8,000       4,780
IntelCom Group (USA), Inc. 0%/12.5% 2006 (1)(5)                     22,500      11,925    .12
Brooks Fiber Properties, Inc. 0%/10.875% 2006 (1)(5)                29,000      15,225    .11
PanAmSat, LP 9.75% 2000                                             10,300      10,712    .07
Teleport Communications 9.875% 2006                                  7,500       7,181    .05
Telecom Argentina STET-France Telecom SA 12.00% 2002                 2,500       2,637    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               151,219   1.05
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Business & Public Services - 0.82%                                                          .
Federal Express Corp. 10.00% 1998                                    4,000       4,260
Federal Express Corp. 9.875% 2002                                    7,000       7,843
Federal Express Corp. 7.53% 2006                                    13,287      13,275
Federal Express Corp, pass-through certificates,
 Series 1996-A1, 7.85% 2015 (7)                                     10,000      10,034    .24
Integrated Health Services, Inc. 10.75% 2004                         5,175       5,330
Integrated Health Services, Inc. 10.25% 2006 (1)                    16,900      16,942    .15
Protection One Alarm Monitoring, Inc.
 0%/13.625% 2005 (5)                                                18,000      15,435    .11
Neodata Services, Inc. 12.00% 2003                                  11,000      10,973    .08
Mariner Health Group, Inc. 9.50% 2006 (1)                           11,000      10,780    .07
Regency Health Services, Inc. 9.875% 2002                            5,000       4,850
Regency Health Services, Inc. 12.25% 2003 (1)                        5,000       5,150    .07
ADT Operations 9.25% 2003                                            7,000       7,315    .05
Merit Behavioral Care Corp. 11.50% 2005                              6,750       7,054    .05
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               119,241    .82
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Forest Products & Paper - 0.78%
Container Corp. of America 10.75% 2002                               1,000       1,035
Container Corp. of America 9.75% 2003                               49,050      48,560
Container Corp. of America 11.25% 2004                              23,000      23,920    .51
Fort Howard Corp. 9.25% 2001                                         9,500       9,548
Fort Howard Corp. 8.25% 2002                                         4,500       4,297    .10
Tjiwi Kimia International Finance Co. 13.25% 2001                    6,750       7,594    .05
Grupo Industrial Durango, SA de CV 12.00% 2001                       6,000       6,067    .04
Repap Wisconsin 9.875% 2006                                          6,325       5,787    .04
Four M Corp., Series A, 12.00% 2006 (1)                              4,000       4,080    .03
Pacific Lumber Co. 10.50% 2003                                       1,500       1,470    .01
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               112,358    .78
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Food Retailing and Food Products & Beverages - 0.54%
Canandaigua Wine Co., Inc. 8.75% 2003                               17,500      17,063    .12
Stater Brothers Holdings Inc. 11.00% 2001                           16,000      16,640    .11
Star Markets Co., Inc. 13.00% 2004                                   9,750      10,189    .07
Dr Pepper Bottling Co. of Texas 10.25% 2000                          7,500       7,687    .05
Allied Supermarkets Inc. (Vons) 6.625% 1998                          7,443       7,369    .05
Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc., pass-through
 certificates, Series 94-A2, 8.64% 2012 (7)                          8,000       6,400    .04
Carr-Gottstein Foods Co. 12.00% 2005                                 5,000       5,100    .04
Bruno's, Inc. 10.50% 2005                                            5,000       4,987    .03
Safeway Inc. 10.00% 2002                                             3,500       3,885    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                79,320    .54
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
General Retailing & Merchandising - 0.49%
Barnes & Noble, Inc. 11.875% 2003                                   22,500      24,244    .17
AnnTaylor, Inc. 8.75% 2000                                          13,696      12,635    .09
May Department Stores Co. 8.375% 2024                               10,000      10,165    .07
Thrifty PayLess, Inc. 12.25% 2004                                    6,491       7,205    .05
Woolworth Corp., Series A, 7.00% 2002                                6,800       6,635    .05
Dayton Hudson Corp. 9.50% 2015                                       5,000       5,719    .04
Loehmann's Inc. 11.875% 2003                                         3,250       3,376    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                69,979    .49
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Banking and Insurance - 0.46%
SFFED Corp. 11.20% 2004 (1)                                         10,000      11,500    .08
The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the
 United States 7.70% 2015 (1)                                       10,000       9,656    .07
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. 7.45% 2023 (1)                      10,000       9,073    .06
Midland American Capital 12.75% 2003                                 6,000       6,740    .05
Bank of Scotland 8.80% 2004 (1)                                      5,000       5,375    .04
New American Capital, Inc. 9.60% 1999 (1)                            5,000       5,212    .03
Dime Bancorp, Inc. 10.50% 2005                                       4,000       4,320    .03
First Nationwide Holdings Inc. 12.50% 2003                           4,000       4,200    .03
Coast Federal Bank 13.00% 2002                                       3,500       3,885    .03
Chevy Chase Savings Bank, FSB 9.25% 2005                             4,000       3,770    .02
Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. 8.25% 2015                           3,000       2,979    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                66,710    .46
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Metals: Steel & Nonferrous - 0.46%
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. 9.875% 2002                       5,000       4,900
Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Corp. 12.75% 2003                       9,000       9,405    .10
Acme Metals Inc. 12.50% 2002                                         3,000       3,030
Acme Metals Inc. 0%/13.50% 2004 (5)                                 10,500       9,555    .09
Inco Ltd. 9.60% 2022                                                 1,625       1,693
Inco Ltd. 9.875% 2019                                                6,500       7,013    .06
Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. 7.375% 2005                            7,000       6,842    .05
Ispat Mexicana, SA de CV, 10.375% 2001 (1)                           2,000       1,940
Ispat Mexicana, SA de CV, 10.375% 2001                               4,000       3,880    .04
USX Corp. 9.125% 2013                                                5,000       5,393    .04
UCAR Global Enterprises Inc. 12.00% 2005                             4,250       4,802    .03
Oregon Steel Mills, Inc. 11.00% 2003                                 4,250       4,441    .03
AK Steel Corp. 10.75% 2004                                           2,750       2,977    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                65,871    .46
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Data Processing & Reproduction - 0.36%
Digital Equipment Corp. 8.625% 2012                                 25,314      24,607    .17
Apple Computer, Inc. 6.50% 2004                                     18,920      14,947    .10
Unisys Corp. 12.00% 2003                                            12,000      12,060    .09
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                51,614    .36
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Real Estate - 0.35%
B.F. Saul Real Estate Investment Trust 11.625% 2002                 23,000      23,575    .16
Irvine Co. 7.46% 2006 (1)(4)                                        10,000       9,300    .06
Beverly Finance Corp. 8.36% 2004 (1)                                 5,000       5,144    .04
Shopping Center Associates 6.75% 2004 (1)                            5,000       4,719    .03
Security Capital Industrial Trust 7.95% 2008                         4,000       3,948    .03
ERP Operating LP 7.95% 2002                                          3,750       3,784    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                50,470    .35
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Financial Services - 0.33%
General Motors Acceptance Corp. 7.00% 2000                           3,000       3,007
General Motors Acceptance Corp. 9.625% 2001                         20,000      22,174
General Motors Acceptance Corp. 8.75% 2005                           5,000       5,389    .21
Ford Capital BV 10.125% 2000                                         5,500       6,120    .04
General Electric Capital Corp. 8.875% 2009                           4,000       4,563    .03
Credit Foncier de France 8.00% 2002                                  4,000       4,095    .03
HomeSide, Inc. 11.25% 2003 (1)                                       3,000       3,128    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                48,476    .33
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Leisure & Tourism - 0.31%
Foodmaker, Inc. 9.25% 1999                                           8,750       8,662
Foodmaker, Inc. 9.75% 2002                                           3,550       3,390    .08
Trump Atlantic City Funding, Inc. 11.25% 2006                       11,750      11,456    .08
Harrah's Operating Co. Inc. 8.75% 2000                               4,000       4,030
Harrah's Operating Co. Inc. 10.875% 2002                             5,000       5,325    .07
Station Casinos, Inc. 9.625% 2003                                    7,650       7,277    .05
Rio Hotel & Casino, Inc. 10.625% 2005                                2,000       2,100    .01
Four Seasons Hotels Inc. 9.125% 2000 (1)                             2,000       1,993    .01
Plitt Theatres, Inc. 10.875% 2004                                    1,000       1,011    .01
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                45,244    .31
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Automobiles - 0.31%
General Motors Corp. 9.45% 2011                                      5,000       5,722
General Motors Corp. 8.80% 2021                                     35,000      38,957    .31
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                44,679    .31
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Construction & Building Materials - 0.29%
M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. 11.125% 2003                                  12,000      11,520    .08
Del Webb Corp. 9.75% 2003                                           10,500      10,185    .07
The Ryland Group, Inc. 10.50% 2006                                   7,500       7,388    .05
Building Materials Corp. 0%/11.75% 2004 (5)                          7,500       5,644    .04
Continental Homes Holding Corp. 10.00% 2006                          5,000       4,750    .03
Schuller International Group, Inc. 10.875% 2004                      2,000       2,160    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                41,647    .29
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Aerospace, Automotive Parts and Machinery - 0.22%
Coltec Industries Inc 9.75% 1999                                     5,500       5,638
Coltec Industries Inc 9.75% 2000                                     8,500       8,712    .10
AGCO Corp. 8.50% 2006 (1)                                           10,000       9,925    .07
Caterpillar Inc. 8.01% 2002                                          5,000       5,207    .04
MagneTek, Inc. 10.75% 1998                                           2,000       1,995    .01
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                31,477    .22
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Recreation, Other Consumer Products - 0.18%
Tyco Toys, Inc. 10.125% 2002                                        18,700      17,952    .12
AMF Group Inc. 0%/12.25% 2006 (1)(5)                                10,000       5,600
AMF Group Inc. 10.875% 2006 (1)                                      3,000       2,985    .06
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                26,537    .18
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Appliances & Household Durables - 0.07%
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. 8.50% 2002 (1)                         6,000       6,272    .04
The Knoll Group, Inc. 10.875% 2006                                   3,750       3,816    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                10,088    .07
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Miscellaneous - 0.23%
Newsquest Capital plc 11.00% 2006 (1)                                8,500       8,500    .06
Swire Pacific Ltd. 8.50% 2004 (1)                                    7,500       7,765    .05
Owens-Illinois, Inc. 11.00% 2003                                     6,000       6,465    .05
WestPoint Stevens Inc. 8.75% 2001                                    4,000       3,970    .03
Tenneco Inc. 10.00% 1998                                             1,500       1,593
Tenneco Inc. 7.875% 2002                                             2,000       2,049    .02
Lifestyle Furnishings International Ltd. 10.875% 2006                3,000       3,000    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                33,342    .23
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Collateralized Mortgage/Asset-Backed Obligations (7)
 (excluding those issued by federal agencies) - 1.08%
Green Tree Financial Corp., Net Interest Margin Trust,
 Series 1994-A, 6.90% 2004                                           4,979       4,923
Green Tree Financial Corp., Seller and Servicer
 Manufactured Housing Contract, Series 1993-2, Class B,
 8.00% 2018                                                         14,000      13,821
Green Tree Financial Corp., Seller and Servicer
 Manufactured Housing Contract, Series 1995-1, Class A-3,
 7.95% 2025                                                          5,000       5,081
Green Tree Financial Corp., Seller and Servicer
 Manufactured Housing Contract, Series 1995-9, Class A-5,
 6.80% 2027                                                          4,000       3,837    .19
Resolution Trust Corp., Series 1992-CHF, Class E,
 8.25% 2020                                                         10,825      10,420
Resolution Trust Corp., Series 1993-C1, Class D,
 9.45% 2024                                                          6,143       6,288
Resolution Trust Corp., Series 1993-C1, Class E,
 9.50% 2024                                                          1,712       1,691
Resolution Trust Corp., Series 1993-C2, Class C,
 8.00% 2025                                                          3,000       3,005
Resolution Trust Corp., Series 1993-C2, Class D,
 8.50% 2025                                                          3,290       3,307
Resolution Trust Corp., Series 1993-C2, Class E,
 8.50% 2025                                                            677         666    .18
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Seller
 Manufactured Housing Contract, Series 1992-B, Class A2,
 8.05% 2012                                                          1,834       1,845
Merrill Lynch Mortgage Investors, Inc., Seller
 Manufactured Housing Contract, Series 1995-C2,
 Class A-1, 7.251% 2021 (6)                                         17,953      17,962    .14
Electronic Transfer Master Trust 9.35% 2002 (1)                     15,000      15,135    .10
UCFC Acceptance Corp., home-equity loan pass-through
 certificates, Series 1996-B1, Class A-2 7.075% 2010                15,000      15,038    .10
Chase Manhattan Bank, NA, Series 1993-I, Class 2A5,
 7.25% 2024                                                          9,910       9,427    .07
GE Capital Mortgage Services, Inc., Series 94-2, Class
 A15, 5.442% 2009 (8)                                                6,310       3,549
GE Capital Mortgage Services, Inc., Series 94-9, Class
 A9, 6.50% 2024                                                      5,657       4,596    .06
Banco Nacional de Mexico 0% 2002 (1)                                 7,680       5,910    .04
Prudential Home Mortgage Securities Co., Inc.,
 Series 1992-37, Class A6, 7.00% 2022                                5,856       5,842    .04
Citicorp Mortgage Securities, Inc., Series 1992-20,
 Class A3, 7.50% 2006                                                5,432       5,436    .04
Fifth Avenue Capital Trust, Class C, 12.36% 2007 (1)                 5,000       5,312    .04
Standard Credit Card Master Trust I, credit card
 participation certificates, Series 1994-2A, 7.25% 2008              5,000       4,958    .03
CSFB Finance Co. Ltd. 7.00% 2005 (1)(6)                              5,000       4,813    .03
CMC Securities Corp. I, Series 1993-E, Class S9,
 6.50% 2008                                                          2,801       2,538    .02
Bank of America 9.50% 2008                                              73          74    .00
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               155,474   1.08
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Federal Agency Obligations: Mortgage Pass-Throughs (7)
  - 2.83%
Government National Mortgage Assn. 5.00% 2025 (6)                    3,975       3,888
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.00% 2023                        3,003       2,703
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.00% 2024 (6)                    7,164       7,224
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.50% 2024                        4,663       4,326
Government National Mortgage Assn. 6.50% 2023-2024 (6)              88,518      88,830
Government National Mortgage Assn. 7.00% 2008-2023                  25,941      24,900
Government National Mortgage Assn. 7.00% 2022 (6)                   17,369      17,569
Government National Mortgage Assn. 7.50% 2017-2026                  34,940      34,506
Government National Mortgage Assn. 8.00% 2017                        6,152       6,309
Government National Mortgage Assn. 8.50% 2017-2026                  43,942      45,208
Government National Mortgage Assn. 9.00% 2008-2025                  13,983      14,775
Government National Mortgage Assn. 9.50% 2009-2021                  15,343      16,495
Government National Mortgage Assn. 10.00% 2016-2019                  1,732       1,883
Government National Mortgage Assn. 10.50% 2018-2019                    258         286
Government National Mortgage Assn. 11.00% 2015                         118         132   1.86
Federal National Mortgage Assn. 7.50% 2007-2023                     26,557      26,597
Federal National Mortgage Assn. 8.00% 2009-2024                     12,004      12,217
Federal National Mortgage Assn. 8.50% 2014-2023                      3,194       3,298
Federal National Mortgage Assn. 9.00% 2008-2025                     12,768      13,409
Federal National Mortgage Assn. 10.00% 2008-2025                    32,469      35,235    .63
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 8.00% 2025                          8,928       8,986
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 8.50% 2008-2020                    25,348      26,069
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 9.00% 2007-2021                    13,002      13,546
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 10.00% 2019                           124         134
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 11.50% 2000                            15          16    .34
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               408,541   2.83
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Federal Agency Obligations: Collateralized Mortgage
 Obligations - 0.16%
Federal National Mortgage Assn., Series 1993-234,
 Class SC, 5.829% 2008 (8)                                           8,754       5,493
Federal National Mortgage Assn., Series 1991-78,
 Class PK, 8.50% 2020                                                8,278       8,531
Federal National Mortgage Assn., Series 1996-4,
 Class ZA, 6.50% 2022                                                5,443       4,341    .13
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Series 1475, Class SA,
 9.118% 2008 (8)                                                     2,168       1,599
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., Series 1673, Class SA,
 5.116% 2024 (8)                                                     6,000       2,586    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                22,550    .16
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Other Federal Agency Obligations - 0.54%
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.74% 2003                          5,000       4,639
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.39% 2003                          7,750       7,417
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.44% 2003                          3,000       2,873
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.50% 2003                          5,000       4,770
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.59% 2003                          6,000       5,765
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.19% 2004                         12,750      11,979
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 6.27% 2004                          5,450       5,157    .29
Federal Home Loan Bank 6.41% 2003                                   10,000       9,547
Federal Home Loan Bank 6.16% 2004                                   13,000      12,265
Federal Home Loan Bank 6.27% 2004                                    6,000       5,675    .19
FNSM Principal STRIPS 0%/8.62% 2022 (5)                             10,000       8,647    .06
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                78,734    .54
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Governments and Governmental Authorities
(excluding U.S. government) - 0.87%
Argentina (Republic of) 8.375% 2003                                 13,000      11,018
Argentina (Republic of) Eurobond Series L, 6.312% 2005
 (6)                                                                40,343      30,559    .29
Venezuela (Republic of) 6.625% 2007 (6)                             45,000      32,850    .22
United Mexican States Government 7.687% 2001 (1)(6)                 15,000      14,962
United Mexican States Government 9.75% 2001                          5,000       4,963
United Mexican States Government 6.25% Eurobonds 2019                1,000         645    .14
British Columbia Hydro & Power Authority 12.50% 2014                10,000      11,621    .08
Philippine Front-Loaded Interest Reduction Bond,
 Series B 5.00% 2008 (6)                                             8,000       7,260    .05
Brazil (Republic of) Debt Conversion Bond 6.562%
 2012 (6)                                                            8,000       5,440    .04
Italy (Republic of) 6.875% 2023                                      5,000       4,517    .03
Ontario (Province of) 7.75% 2002                                     2,500       2,598    .02
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               126,433    .87
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Floating Rate Eurodollar Notes (Undated) (6) - 0.23%
Standard Chartered Bank 6.062%                                      15,000      12,336    .08
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce 5.375%                           10,000       8,437    .06
Bank of Nova Scotia 5.375%                                          10,000       8,250    .06
Midland Bank 6.00%                                                   5,000       4,294    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                33,317    .23
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
U.S. Treasury Obligations - 8.69%
7.25% August 1996                                                   50,000      50,047    .35
7.25% November 1996                                                 50,000      50,235    .35
8.00% January 1997                                                  50,000      50,524    .35
6.75% February 1997                                                  4,000       4,024    .03
6.875% April 1997                                                   50,000      50,375    .35
8.50% May 1997                                                       6,000       6,121    .04
8.50% July 1997                                                      4,000       4,094    .03
5.625% August 1997                                                  50,000      49,781    .34
8.625% August 1997                                                  50,000      51,320    .36
5.50% September 1997                                                50,000      49,726    .34
5.75% October 1997                                                  50,000      49,836    .35
8.75% October 1997                                                  25,000      25,781    .18
6.00% November 1997                                                 50,000      49,969    .35
7.875% January 1998                                                 50,000      51,242    .35
8.125% February 1998                                                30,000      30,867    .21
9.25% August 1998                                                   55,000      58,111    .40
8.875% February 1999                                                42,000      44,448    .31
9.125% May 1999                                                     10,000      10,688    .07
6.75% June 1999                                                     50,000      50,461    .35
8.75% August 2000                                                   22,500      24,261    .17
8.50% November 2000                                                 20,000      21,453    .15
7.75% February 2001                                                 50,000      52,320    .36
11.625% November 2002                                               38,000      47,601    .33
10.75% February 2003                                                19,500      23,656    .16
7.25% May 2004                                                     100,000     103,109    .71
11.625% November 2004                                               26,500      34,562    .24
6.50% May 2005                                                      55,000      54,029    .37
10.75% August 2005                                                   9,000      11,367    .08
10.375% November 2012                                                6,000       7,572    .05
8.875% August 2017                                                  61,500      73,368    .51
7.125% February 2023                                                65,250      65,546    .45
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                             1,256,494   8.69
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
TOTAL BONDS & NOTES (cost: $4,794,755,000)                                   4,755,555  32.89
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
 
- ----------------------------------                                     ---         ---    ---
                                                                 Principal      Market Percent
Short-Term Securities                                               Amount       Value of Net
                                                                     (000)       (000) Assets
- ----------------------------------                                     ---         ---    ---
Corporate Short-Term Notes - 4.95%
Hewlett-Packard Co. 5.33%-5.42% due 9/23-10/25/96                  104,757     103,682    .72
International Lease Finance Corp. 5.27%-5.47%
 due 8/14-10/8/96                                                   90,600      90,107    .62
Walt Disney Co. 5.26%-5.32% due 8/16-9/18/96                        70,400      70,043    .48
Lucent Technologies Inc. 5.28%-5.38% due 8/2-8/28/96                52,500      52,368    .36
Weyerhaeuser Co. 5.27%-5.38% due 8/14-9/17/96                       50,000      49,727    .34
American Express Credit Corp. 5.29%-5.33%
 due 8/1-9/16/96                                                    43,400      43,257    .30
Ameritech Corp. 5.26%-5.36% due 8/13-8/29/96 (1)                    43,400      43,248    .30
National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corp.
 5.35%-5.39% due 8/23-10/02/96                                      40,000      39,801    .28
J.C. Penney Funding Corp. 5.34%-5.40% due 8/29-10/11/96             39,300      38,966    .27
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. 5.27% due 8/7/96 (1)                30,000      29,969
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. 5.35% due 9/4/96                     5,000       4,974    .24
CIT Group Holdings, Inc. 5.31%-5.35% due 8/1-9/19/96                32,500      32,355    .22
Beneficial Corp. 5.35% due 8/15/96                                  30,000      29,933    .21
A.I. Credit Corp. 5.27% due 8/12/96                                 20,000      19,964    .14
BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. 5.34% due 8/13/96                14,900      14,871    .10
AT&T Corp. 5.27%-5.35% due 8/6-8/26/96                              13,700      13,671    .09
American Brands, Inc. 5.47% due 10/1/96                             10,000       9,906    .07
Eli Lilly and Co. 5.42% due 10/7/96                                  9,900       9,798    .07
Xerox Corp. 5.36% due 10/11/96                                       8,600       8,507    .06
Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. 5.40% due 10/15/96                   7,500       7,414    .05
Monsanto Co. 5.38% due 9/20/96                                       4,200       4,168    .03
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                               716,729   4.95
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Certificates of Deposit - 0.21%
Mellon Bank Corp. 5.35% due 8/6/96                                  30,000      30,000    .21
                                                                              --------  -----
 
 
Federal Agency Short-Term Obligations - 0.51%
Federal National Mortgage Assn.
 5.21%-5.35% due 8/8-10/30/96                                       44,550      44,262    .31
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.21% due 8/16/96                  23,000      22,946    .16
Federal Home Loan Bank 5.35% due 10/28/96                            6,500       6,414    .04
                                                                              --------  -----
                                                                                73,622    .51
                                                                              --------  -----
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM SECURITIES (cost: $820,392,000)                               820,351   5.67
                                                                              --------  -----
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (cost: $12,944,090,000)                         14,350,211  99.25
 
Excess of cash and receivables over payables                                   108,953    .75
                                                                              --------  -----
NET ASSETS                                                                 $14,459,164 ######
                                                                              ========  =====
 
(1)  Purchased in a private placement transaction;
 resale to the public may require registration or sale
 only to qualified institutional buyers.
(2) The fund owns 5.18% and 5.85% of the outstanding voting
 securities of Ohio Casualty and English China Clays,
 respectively, which represent investments in an affiliate as
 defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.
(3)  Non-income-producing securities.
(4)  Valued under procedures established by the
 Board of Directors.
(5)  Represents a zero coupon bond which will convert
 to an interest-bearing security at a later date.
(6)  Coupon rates may change periodically.
(7)  Pass-through securities backed by a pool of
 mortgages or other loans on which principal payments
 are periodically made. Therefore, the effective
 maturity of these securities is shorter than the
 stated maturity.
(8)  Represents an inverse floater, which is a floating
 rate note whose interest rate moves in the opposite
 direction of prevailing interest rates.
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements
 
 
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
The Income Fund of America
Financial Statements
- -----------------------------------------          --------- ------------------
Statement of Assets and Liabilities                                (dollars in
July 31, 1996                                                       thousands)
- ----------------------------------------           --------- ------------------
<S>                                        <C>               <C>
ASSETS:
Investment securities at market
 (cost: $12,944,090)                                               $14,350,211
Cash                                                                     4,819
Receivables for-
 Sales of investments                               $ 72,536
 Sales of fund's shares                               13,807
 Dividends and accrued interest                      128,072           214,415
                                                   --------- ------------------
                                                                    14,569,445
LIABILITIES:
Payables for-
 Purchases of investments                             63,447
 Repurchases of fund's shares                         37,847
 Management services                                   3,902
 Accrued expenses                                      5,085           110,281
                                                   --------- ------------------
NET ASSETS AT JULY 31, 1996-
 Equivalent to $15.89 per share on
 909,913,014 shares of $1 par value
 capital stock outstanding (authorized
 capital stock--1,200,000,000 shares)                              $14,459,164
                                                             =================
 
 
 
Statement of Operations                                            (dollars in
for the year ended July 31, 1996                                    thousands)
- -----------------------------------------          --------- ------------------
INVESTMENT INCOME:
Income:
 Dividends                                        $  328,343
 Interest                                            524,572        $  852,915
                                                   ---------
Expenses:
 Management services fee                              42,065
 Distribution expenses                                31,409
 Transfer agent fee                                    8,735
 Reports to shareholders                                 879
 Registration statement and
  prospectus                                             426
 Postage, stationery and supplies                      1,701
 Directors' fees                                         149
 Auditing and legal fees                                  58
 Custodian fee                                           312
 Taxes other than federal income tax                       2
 Other expenses                                          120            85,856
                                                   ---------  ----------------
 Net investment income                                                 767,059
                                                             -----------------
REALIZED GAIN AND UNREALIZED
 APPRECIATION ON INVESTMENTS:
 Net realized gain                                                     630,886
 Net increase in unrealized appreciation on
  investments                                                          276,975
  Net realized gain and unrealized                           -----------------
  appreciation on investments                                          907,861
                                                              ----------------
 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING
 FROM OPERATIONS                                                    $1,674,920
                                                              ================
- ----------------------------------------                      ----------------
Statement of Changes in Net Assets                                 (dollars in
                                                                    thousands)
- -----------------------------------------                    ------------------
                                           Year ended July 31
                                           -----------------
                                                        1996              1995
                                           -----------------  ----------------
OPERATIONS:
Net investment income                            $   767,059       $   680,297
Net realized gain on investments                     630,886            50,302
Net increase in unrealized appreciation
 on investments                                      276,975           994,833
                                                   ---------         ---------
 Net increase in net assets
  resulting from operations                        1,674,920         1,725,432
                                                   ---------         ---------
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 PAID TO SHAREHOLDERS:
Dividends from net investment income                (718,292)         (598,609)
Distributions from net realized
 gain on investments                                (152,790)          (47,119)
                                                   ---------         ---------
 Total dividends and distributions                  (871,082)         (645,728)
                                                   ---------         ---------
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:
Proceeds from shares sold:
 143,040,894 and 118,485,003
 shares, respectively                              2,275,579         1,645,595
Proceeds from shares issued in
 reinvestment of net investment
 income dividends and distributions of
 net realized gain on investments:
 46,413,197 and 42,687,032
 shares, respectively                                734,433           586,118
Cost of shares repurchased:
 103,371,820 and 112,581,008
 shares, respectively                             (1,644,843)       (1,558,083)
                                                   ---------         ---------
 Net increase in net assets
  resulting from capital share
  transactions                                     1,365,169           673,630
                                                   ---------         ---------
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS                       2,169,007         1,753,334
 
NET ASSETS:
Beginning of year                                 12,290,157        10,536,823
                                                   ---------         ---------
End of year (including undistributed
 net investment income: $159,002
 and $110,419, respectively)                     $14,459,164       $12,290,157
                                                 ===========       ===========
 
 
 
 
See Notes to Financial Statements
</TABLE>
 
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
1. The Income Fund of America, Inc. (the "fund") is registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management
investment company. The fund seeks current income while secondarily striving
for capital growth through investments in stocks and fixed-income securities.
The following paragraphs summarize the significant accounting policies
consistently followed by the fund in the preparation of its financial
statements:
 
  Equity-type securities traded on a national securities exchange (or reported
on the NASDAQ national market) and securities traded in the over-the-counter
market are stated at the last-reported sales price on the day of valuation;
other securities, and securities for which no sale was reported on that date,
are stated at the last quoted bid price.
 
  Bonds and notes are valued at prices obtained from a bond-pricing service
provided by a major dealer in bonds, when such prices are available; however,
in circumstances where the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so,
such securities will be valued at the mean of their representative quoted bid
and asked prices or, if such prices are not available, at prices for securities
of comparable maturity, quality, and type. 
 
  Short-term securities with original or remaining maturities in excess of 60
days are valued at the mean of their quoted bid and asked prices. Short-term
securities with 60 days or less to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which
approximates market value. 
 
  Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are valued
at fair value as determined in good faith by the Valuation Committee of the
Board of Directors.
 
  As is customary in the mutual fund industry, securities transactions are
accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold. Realized gains
and losses from securities transactions are reported on an identified cost
basis. Dividend and interest income is reported on the accrual basis. Discounts
on securities purchased are amortized over the life of the respective
securities. The fund does not amortize premiums on securities purchased.
Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are recorded on the
ex-dividend date.
 
  Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in
non-U.S. currencies are recorded in the financial statements after translation
into U.S. dollars utilizing rates of exchange on the last business day of the
year. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are
calculated using the prevailing exchange rate as accrued. The effects of
changes in foreign currency exchange rates on investment securities are
included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investment
securities. 
 
  Pursuant to the custodian agreement, the fund receives credits against its
custodian fee for imputed interest on certain balances with the custodian bank.
The custodian fee of $312,000 includes $248,000 that was paid by these credits
rather than in cash.  
 
2. It is the fund's policy to continue to comply with the requirements of the
Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to
distribute all of its net taxable income, including any net realized gain on
investments, to its shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is
required.
 
  As of July 31, 1996, net unrealized appreciation on investments for federal
income tax purposes aggregated $1,406,195,000, of which $1,661,133,000 related
to appreciated securities and $254,938,000 related to depreciated securities.
During the year ended July 31, 1996, the fund realized, on a tax basis, a net
capital gain of $631,096,000 on securities transactions. The cost of portfolio
securities for federal income tax purposes was $12,944,016,000 at July 31,
1996. 
  
3. The fee of $42,065,000 for management services was paid pursuant to an
agreement with Capital Research and Management Company (CRMC), with which
certain officers and Directors of the fund are affiliated. The Investment
Advisory and Service Agreement provides for monthly fees, accrued daily, based
on an annual rate of 0.24% of the first $1 billion of average net assets; 0.20%
of such assets in excess of $1 billion but not exceeding $2 billion; 0.18% of
such assets in excess of $2 billion but not exceeding $3 billion; 0.165% of
such assets in excess of $3 billion but not exceeding $5 billion; 0.155% of
such assets in excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $8 billion; 0.15% of such
assets in excess of $8 billion but not exceeding $13 billion; 0.147% of such
assets in excess of $13 billion;  plus 2.25% of monthly gross investment
income.
 
  Pursuant to a Plan of Distribution, the fund may expend up to 0.25% of its
average net assets annually for any activities primarily intended to result in
sales of fund shares, provided the categories of expenses for which
reimbursement is made are approved by the fund's Board of Directors. Fund
expenses under the Plan include payments to dealers to compensate them for
their selling and servicing efforts. During the year ended July 31, 1996,
distribution expenses under the Plan were $31,409,000. As of July 31, 1996,
accrued and unpaid distribution expenses were $4,779,000.
 
  American Funds Service Company (AFS), the transfer agent for the fund, was
paid a fee of $8,735,000. American Funds Distributors, Inc. (AFD), the
principal underwriter of the fund's shares, received $11,114,000 (after
allowances to dealers) as its portion of the sales charges paid by purchasers
of the fund's shares. Such sales charges are not an expense of the fund and,
hence, are not reflected in the accompanying statement of operations.
 
  Directors who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer part or all of
the fees earned for services as members of the Board. Amounts deferred are not
funded and are general unsecured liabilities of the fund. As of July 31, 1996,
aggregate amounts deferred and earnings thereon were $213,000.
 
  CRMC is owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc. AFS and AFD are both
wholly owned subsidiaries of CRMC. Certain Directors and officers of the fund
are or may be considered to be affiliated with CRMC, AFS and AFD. No such
persons received any remuneration directly from the fund.
 
4. As of July 31, 1996, accumulated undistributed net realized gain on
investments was $525,840,000 and additional paid-in capital was
$11,458,261,000.
 
  The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term securities, of $5,557,992,000 and $4,871,034,000, respectively,
during the year ended July 31, 1996.
 
  Net realized currency losses on dividends and withholding taxes reclaimable
were $26,000 for the year ended July 31, 1996.
 
  The fund reclassified $184,000 from undistributed net investment income to
undistributed net realized gains for the year ended July 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
Per-Share Data and Ratios
 
 
                                Year ended July 31
                                             1996   1995   1994   1993   1992
                                          ------- ----------------------------
<S>                                        <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of
 Year                                      $14.92 $13.59 $14.47 $13.94 $12.54
                                          ------- ----------------------------
 Income from Investment
  Operations:
  Net investment income                       .87    .85    .83    .85    .85
  Net realized and unrealized
   gain (loss) on investments                1.11   1.29   (.53)   .74   1.48
                                          ------- ----------------------------
   Total income from
 investment operations                       1.98   2.14    .30   1.59   2.33
                                          ------- ----------------------------
 Less Distributions:
  Dividends from net investment
 income                                      (.83)  (.75)  (.83)  (.84)  (.85)
  Distributions from net
 realized gains                              (.18)  (.06)  (.35)  (.22)  (.08)
                                          ------- ----------------------------
   Total distributions                      (1.01)  (.81) (1.18) (1.06)  (.93)
                                          ------- ----------------------------
Net Asset Value, End of Year               $15.89 $14.92 $13.59 $14.47 $13.94
                                          ======= ============================
 
Total Return1                               13.46% 16.42%  1.98% 11.88% 19.16%
 
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
  Net assets, end of year  (in
 millions)                                 $14,459 $12,290 $10,537 $9,045 $5,121
  Ratio of expenses to average
 net assets                                  .62%    .65%   .63%   .62%   .66%
  Ratio of net income to average
 net assets                                 5.56%   6.12%  5.92%  6.05%  6.40%
  Portfolio turnover rate                   37.77% 26.26% 26.42% 29.18% 22.71%
 
 
 
 
1Calculated without
 deducting a sales charge.
 The maximum sales charge is
 5.75% of the fund's offering
 price.
 
</TABLE>
 
 
 
Independent Auditors' Report 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
 
The Income Fund of America, Inc.:
 
 We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of The
Income Fund of America, Inc., including the schedule of portfolio investments
as of July 31, 1996, and the related statement of operations for the year then
ended, the statement of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the
period then ended, and the per-share data and ratios for each of the five years
in the period then ended.  These financial statements and the per-share data
and ratios are the responsibility of the Fund's management.  Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements and the per-share data
and ratios based on our audits.
 
 We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and
per-share data and ratios are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements.  Our procedures included confirmation of securities
owned at July 31, 1996 by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where
replies were not received from brokers, we performed other procedures.  An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
 In our opinion, the financial statements and per-share data and ratios
referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial
position of the Income Fund of America, Inc. as of July 31, 1996, 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 per-share data and
ratios for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Los Angeles, California
August 30, 1996
 
Tax Information (unaudited)
 
  We are required to advise you within 60 days of the fund's fiscal year-end
regarding the federal tax status of distributions received by shareholders
during such fiscal year. The distributions made during the fiscal year by the
fund were earned from the following sources:
 
                Dividends and Distributions per Share  
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                <C>             <C>            <C>            
To Shareholders     Payment Date       From Net Investment Income   From Net Realized Short-Term Gains   From Net       
of Record                                                                   Realized  Long-Term Gains   
 
September 22, 1995  September 25, 1995   $0.20            -              -             
 
December 26, 1995   December 27, 1995     0.23           -             $0.18          
 
March 22, 1996      March 25, 1996       0.20           -              -             
 
June 21, 1996       June 24, 1996        0.20           -              -             
 
</TABLE>
 
  Corporate shareholders may exclude up to 70% of qualifying dividends received
during the year. For purposes of computing this exclusion, 40% of the dividends
paid by the fund from net investment income represent qualifying  dividends. 
  
  Dividends and distributions received by retirement plans such as IRAs,
Keogh-type plans, and 403(b) plans need not be reported as taxable income.
However, many plan retirement trusts may need this information for their annual
information reporting.
 
  Certain states may exempt from income taxation that portion of the dividends
paid from net investment income that was derived from direct U.S. Treasury
obligations.  For purposes of computing this exclusion, 15% of the dividends
paid by the fund from net investment income was derived from interest on direct
U.S. Treasury obligations.
 
  SINCE THE AMOUNTS ABOVE ARE REPORTED FOR THE FUND'S FISCAL YEAR AND NOT THE
CALENDAR YEAR, SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD REFER TO THEIR FORM 1099 DIV OR OTHER TAX
INFORMATION WHICH WILL BE MAILED IN JANUARY 1997 TO DETERMINE THE CALENDAR YEAR
AMOUNTS TO BE INCLUDED ON THEIR RESPECTIVE 1996 TAX RETURNS. SHAREHOLDERS
SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS.
 
<PAGE>
                               OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
 (a) Included in Prospectus - Part A
    Financial Highlights
  Included in Statement of Additional Information - Part B
    Investment Portfolio
    Statement of Assets and Liabilities
    Statement of Operations 
    Statement of Changes in Net Assets
    Notes to Financial Statements 
    Selected Per-Share Data and Ratios
    Independent Auditors' Report
 (b) Exhibits.
  1. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
  2. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
  3. None
   4. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
   5. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
   6. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
   7. None
   8. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
   9. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
  10. Not applicable to this filing
  11. Consent of Independent Auditors
  12. None
  13. None
  14. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
  15. On file (see SEC files nos. 811-1880 and 2-33371)
  16. Updates to previously filed schedule for computation of each performance
quotation provided in the Registration Statement in response to Item 22 (see
SEC files nos. 811-66 and 2-10758)
  17. EX-27 Financial Data Schedule
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant.
 None.
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities.
                As of August 31, 1996
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                      <C>                            
Title of Class           Number of Record-Holders       
 
Common Stock             575,197                        
 
($1.00 Par Value)                                       
 
</TABLE>
 
Item 27. Indemnification.
 
  Registrant is a joint-insured under an Investment Adviser/Mutual Fund Errors
and Omissions Policy.  The carrier of the primary policy in the amount of $15
million is American International Surplus Lines Insurance Company, and the
policy has a $250,000 deductible.  The carrier of the secondary policy in the
amount of $10 million is Chubb Custom Insurance Company.  The carrier of the
excess policy in the amount of $20 million is ICI Mutual Insurance Company.
 
  The Articles of Incorporation state:
  The Corporation shall indemnify (a) its directors to the full extent provided
by the general laws of the State of Maryland now or hereafter in force,
including the advance of expenses under the procedures provided by such laws;
(b) its officers to the same extent it shall indemnify its directors; and (c)
its officers who are not directors to such further extent as shall be
authorized by the Board of Directors and be consistent with law.  The foregoing
shall not limit the authority of the Corporation to indemnify other employees
and agents consistent with law.
 
  The By-Laws of the Corporation state:
           Section 5.01.  Any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason
of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise, may be indemnified by the Corporation
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding in the manner and on the terms provided by, and to
the fullest extent authorized by, applicable state law, and shall be
indemnified by the Corporation against such expenses, judgments, fines, and
amounts in the manner and to the fullest extent required by applicable state
law.  However, no indemnification may be made under this section in the absence
of a judicial or administrative determination absolving the prospective
indemnitee of liability to the Corporation or its security holders unless,
based upon a review of all material facts, (1) a majority of a quorum of
directors who are neither interested persons of the Corporation nor parties to
the proceeding, or (2) independent legal counsel in a written opinion,
concludes that such person was not guilty of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties initiated in the conduct
of his office.
 
           Section 5.02.  No expenses incurred by a director, officer, 
employee, or agent of the Corporation in defending a civil or criminal  action,
suit, or proceeding to which he is a party may be paid or  reimbursed by the
Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such  action, suit, or
proceeding unless:
 (1)  One of the following determines, on the basis of the facts then known to
it, that there is reason to believe that indemnification would be permissible:
 (a)  a majority of a quorum of disinterested non-party directors, or, if such
a quorum cannot be obtained, a majority of a committee of two or more
disinterested non-party directors duly designated to act in the matter by a
majority vote of the full board;
 (b)  special legal counsel selected by such a committee or such a quorum of
disinterested non-party directors; or
 (c)  the stockholders; and
  (2)  the Corporation receives the following from the prospective recipient of
the advance:
 (a)  a written affirmation of his good faith belief that he met the standard
of conduct necessary for indemnification; and
 (b)  an undertaking to repay the advance if it is ultimately determined that
he is not entitled to indemnification under this Article.
 
           Section 5.03.  The Corporation is authorized to purchase and
maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of
the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any
liability asserted against him and incurred by him in any such capacity, or
arising out of his status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have
the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this
Article.  Anything in this Article V to the contrary notwithstanding, however,
the Corporation shall not pay for insurance which protects any director or
officer against liabilities arising from action involving willful misfeasance,
bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in
the conduct of his office; provided, that any such insurance may cover any of
such categories if it provides only for payment to the Corporation and/or third
parties of any damages caused by a director or officer, and also provides that
the insurance company would be subrogated to the rights of the Corporation to
recover from the director or officer.
 
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
  None.
 
Item 29. Principal Underwriters.
  (a)  American Funds Distributors, Inc. is also the Principal Underwriter of
shares of:  AMCAP Fund, Inc., American Balanced Fund, Inc., American Funds
Income Series, The American Funds Tax-Exempt Series I, The American Funds
Tax-Exempt Series II, American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund, Inc., American
High-Income Trust, American Mutual Fund, Inc., The Bond Fund of America, Inc.,
Capital Income Builder, Capital World Bond Fund, Capital World Growth and
Income Fund, Inc., The Cash Management Trust of America, EuroPacific Growth
Fund, Fundamental Investors, Inc., The Growth Fund of America, Inc.,
Intermediate Bond Fund of America, The Investment Company of America, Limited
Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America, The New Economy Fund, New Perspective
Fund, Inc., SMALLCAP World Fund, Inc., The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America,
Inc., The Tax-Exempt Money Fund of America, The U.S. Treasury Money Fund of
America and Washington Mutual Investors Fund, Inc.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      (B) (1)                      (2)                          (3)                 
 
                                                                                    
 
      NAME AND PRINCIPAL           POSITIONS AND OFFICES        POSITIONS AND OFFICES   
       BUSINESS ADDRESS                 WITH UNDERWRITER             WITH REGISTRANT       
                                                                                    
<S>   <C>                          <C>                          <C>                 
#    David A. Abzug               Assistant Vice President     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      John A. Agar                 Regional Vice President      None                
      1501 N. University Drive                                                     
      Little Rock, AR  72207                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      Robert B. Aprison            Regional Vice President      None                
      2983 Bryn Wood Drive                                                         
      Madison, WI  53711                                                           
 
                                                                                    
 
#    Richard Armstrong            Assistant Vice President     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    William W. Bagnard           Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Steven L. Barnes             Vice President               None                
      8000 Town Line Avenue South                                                    
      Suite 204                                                                    
      Minneapolis, MN  55438                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      Michelle A. Bergeron         Regional Vice President      None                
      1190 Rockmart Circle                                                         
      Kennesaw, GA  30144                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
      Joseph T. Blair              Vice President               None                
      27 Drumlin Road                                                              
      West Simsbury, CT  06092                                                     
 
                                                                                    
 
      John A. Blanchard 6421 Aberdeen Road   Regional Vice President      None                
      Mission Hills, KS  66208                                                     
 
                                                                                    
 
      Ian B. Bodell                Senior Vice President        None                
      3100 West End Ave., Suite 870                                                    
      Nashville, TN  37215                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      Michael L. Brethower         Vice President               None                
      108 Hagen Court                                                              
      Georgetown, TX  78628                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
      C. Alan Brown                Regional Vice President      None                
      4619 McPherson Avenue                                                        
      St. Louis, MO  63108                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Daniel C. Brown              Senior Vice President and Director   None                
 
                                                                                    
 
@    J. Peter Burns               Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Brian C. Casey               Regional Vice President      None                
      9508 Cable Drive                                                             
      Kensington, MD  20895                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
      Victor C. Cassato            Vice President               None                
      999 Green Oaks Drive                                                         
      Littleton, CO  80121                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      Christopher J. Cassin        Regional Vice President      None                
      231 Burlington                                                               
      Clarendon Hills, IL  60514                                                    
 
                                                                                    
 
      Denise M. Cassin             Regional Vice President      None                
      1425 Vallejo, #203                                                           
      San Francisco, CA  94109                                                     
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Larry P. Clemmensen          Treasurer and Director       None                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Kevin G. Clifford            Senior Vice President        None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Ruth M. Collier              Vice President               None                
      145 West 67th Street, 12K                                                    
      New York, NY  10023                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
      Thomas E. Cournoyer          Vice President               None                
      2333 Granada Boulevard                                                       
      Coral Gables, FL  33134                                                      
 
                                                                                    
 
      Douglas A. Critchell         Vice President               None                
      4116 Woodbine St.                                                            
      Chevy Chase, MD  20815                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Carl D. Cutting              Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Michael A. Dilella           Vice President               None                
      P.O. Box 661                                                                 
      Ramsey, NJ  07446                                                            
 
                                                                                    
 
      G. Michael Dill              Senior Vice President        None                
      3622 E. 87th Street                                                          
      Tulsa, OK  74137                                                             
 
                                                                                    
 
      Kirk D. Dodge                Regional Vice President      None                
      2617 Salisbury Road                                                          
      Ann Arbor, MI  48103                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      Peter J. Doran               Senior Vice President        None                
      1205 Franklin Avenue                                                         
      Garden City, NY  11530                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Michael J. Downer            Secretary                    None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Robert W. Durbin             Vice President               None                
      74 Sunny Lane                                                                
      Tiffin, OH  44883                                                            
 
                                                                                    
 
&    Lloyd G. Edwards             Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Paul H. Fieberg              Senior Vice President        None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      John Fodor                   Regional Vice President      None                
      15 Latisquama Road                                                           
      Southborough, MA  01722                                                      
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Mark P. Freeman, Jr.         President and Director       None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Clyde E. Gardner             Vice President               None                
      Route 2, Box 3162                                                            
      Osage Beach, MO  65065                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
#    Evelyn K. Glassford          Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Jeffrey J. Greiner           Regional Vice President      None                
      5898 Heather Glen Court                                                      
      Dublin, OH  43017                                                            
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Paul G. Haaga, Jr.           Director                     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      David E. Harper              Vice President               None                
      R.D. 1, Box 210, Rte. 519                                                    
      Frenchtown, NJ  08825                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
      Ronald R. Hulsey             Regional Vice President      None                
      6744 Avalon                                                                  
      Dallas, TX  75214                                                            
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Robert L. Johansen           Vice President and Controller   None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Michael J. Johnston          Chairman of the Board        None                
      630 Fifth Ave., 36th Floor                                                    
      New York, NY  10111                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Victor J. Kriss              Senior Vice President        None                
      P.O. Box 274                                                                 
      Surfside, CA  90743                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
      Arthur J. Levine             Vice President               None                
      12558 Highlands Place                                                        
      Fishers, IN  46038                                                           
 
                                                                                    
 
#    Karl A. Lewis                Assistant Vice President     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      T. Blake Liberty             Regional Vice President      None                
      12585-E East Tennessee Circle                                                    
      Aurora, CO  80012                                                            
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Susan G. Lindgren            Vice President - Institutional   None                
                                  Investment Services Division                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      Steve A. Malbasa             Regional Vice President      None                
      13405 Lake Shore Blvd.                                                       
      Cleveland, OH  44110                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      Steven M. Markel             Vice President               None                
      5241 South Race Street                                                       
      Littleton, CO  80121                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
*    John C. Massar               Senior Vice President        None                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    E. Lee McClennahan           Senior Vice President        None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Laurie B. McCurdy            Regional Vice President      None                
      6008 E. Anderson Drive                                                       
      Scottsdale, AZ  85255                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
%    John V. McLaughlin           Senior Vice President        None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Terry W. McNabb              Vice President               None                
      2002 Barrett Station Road                                                    
      St. Louis, MO  63131                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
*    R. William Melinat           Vice President - Institutional   None                
                                  Investment Services Division                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      David R. Murray              Regional Vice President      None                
      25701 S.E. 32nd Place                                                        
      Issaquah, WA  98027                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
      Stephen S. Nelson            Vice President               None                
      7215 Trevor Road                                                             
      Charlotte, NC  28226                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Barbara G. Nicholich         Assistant Vice President -   None                
                                  Institutional Investment                         
                                  Services Division                                
 
                                                                                    
 
      William E. Noe               Regional Vice President      None                
      304 River Oaks Road                                                          
      Brentwood, TN  37027                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      Peter A. Nyhus               Regional Vice President      None                
      3084 Wilds Ridge Court                                                       
      Prior Lake, MN   55372                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      Eric P. Olson                Regional Vice President      None                
      62 Park Drive                                                                
      Glenview, IL  60025                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
      Fredric Phillips             Regional Vice President      None                
      32 Ridge Avenue                                                              
      Newton Center, MA  02159                                                     
 
                                                                                    
 
#    Candance D. Pilgrim          Assistant Vice President     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Carl S. Platou               Regional Vice President      None                
      4021 96th Avenue, SE                                                         
      Mercer Island, WA  98040                                                     
 
                                                                                    
 
*    John O. Post, Jr.            Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Steven J. Reitman            Vice President               None                
      212 The Lane                                                                 
      Hinsdale, IL  60521                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
      Brian A. Roberts             Regional Vice President      None                
      12025 Delmahoy Drive                                                         
      Charlotte, NC  28277                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      George S. Ross               Vice President               None                
      55 Madison Avenue                                                            
      Morristown, NJ  07962                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Julie D. Roth                Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    James F. Rothenberg          Director                     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Douglas F. Rowe              Regional Vice President      None                
      30309 Oak Tree Drive                                                         
      Georgetown, TX  78628                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
      Christopher Rowey            Regional Vice President      None                
      9417 Beverlywood Street                                                      
      Los Angeles, CA  90034                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      Dean B. Rydquist             Vice President               None                
      1080 Bay Pointe Crossing                                                     
      Alpharetta, GA  30202                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
      Richard R. Samson            Vice President               None                
      4604 Glencoe, Ave., No. 4                                                    
      Marina del Rey, CA  90292                                                    
 
                                                                                    
 
      Joe D. Scarpitti             Regional Vice President      None                
      25760 Kensington Drive                                                       
      Westlake, OH  44145                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
*    R. Michael Shanahan          Director                     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      David W. Short               Senior Vice President        None                
      1000 RIDC Plaza, Suite 212                                                    
      Pittsburgh, PA  15238                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Victor S. Sidhu              Vice President - Institutional   None                
                                  Investment Services Division                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      William P. Simon, Jr.        Vice President               None                
      554 Canterbury Lane                                                          
      Berwyn, PA  19312                                                            
 
                                                                                    
 
*    John C. Smith                Assistant Vice President -   None                
                                  Institutional Investment                         
                                  Services Division                                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Mary E. Smith                Assistant Vi ce President -   None                
                                  Institutional Investment                         
                                  Services Division                                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Rodney G. Smith              Regional Vice President      None                
      2350 Lakeside Blvd., #850                                                    
      Richardson, TX  75082                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
      Nicholas D. Spadaccini       Regional Vice President      None                
      855 Markley Woods Way                                                        
      Cincinnati, OH  45230                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
      Daniel S. Spradling          Senior Vice President        None                
      #4 West Fourth Avenue, Suite 406                                                    
      San Mateo, CA  94402                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      Thomas A. Stout              Regional Vice President      None                
      2603 Kresson Place                                                           
      Bowie, MD  20715                                                             
 
                                                                                    
 
      Craig R. Strauser            Regional Vice President      None                
      17040 Summer Place                                                           
      Lake Oswego, OR  97035                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
      Francis N. Strazzeri         Regional Vice President      None                
      31641 Saddletree Drive                                                       
      Westlake Village, CA  91361                                                    
 
                                                                                    
 
#    James P. Toomey              Assistant Vice President     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
&    Christopher E. Trede         Assistant Vice President     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      George F. Truesdail          Vice President               None                
      400 Abbotsford Court                                                         
      Charlotte, NC  28270                                                         
 
                                                                                    
 
      Scott W. Ursin-Smith         Regional Vice President      None                
      606 Glenwood Avenue                                                          
      Mill Valley, CA  94941                                                       
 
                                                                                    
 
@    Andrew J. Ward               Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    David M Ward                 Assistant Vice President -   None                
                                  Institutional Investment                         
                                  Services Division                                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Thomas E. Warren             Regional Vice President      None                
      4001 Crockers Lake Blvd., #1012                                                    
      Sarasota, FL  34238                                                          
 
                                                                                    
 
*    J. Kelly Webb                Senior Vice President        None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Gregory J. Weimer            Regional Vice President      None                
      125 Surrey Drive                                                             
      Canonsburg, PA  15317                                                        
 
                                                                                    
 
#    Timothy W. Weiss             Director                     None                
 
                                                                                    
 
**   N. Dexter Williams           Vice President               None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      Timothy J. Wilson            Regional Vice President      None                
      113 Farmview Place                                                           
      Venetia, PA  15367                                                           
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Marshall D. Wingo            Senior Vice President        None                
 
                                                                                    
 
*    Robert L. Winston            Senior Vice President and Director   None                
 
                                                                                    
 
      William R. Yost              Regional Vice President      None                
      9320 Overlook Trail                                                          
      Eden Prairie, MN  55347                                                      
 
                                                                                    
 
      Janet M. Young               Regional Vice President      None                
      1616 Vermont                                                                 
      Houston, TX  77006                                                           
 
</TABLE>
 
____________________________________
* Business Address, 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071
** Business Address, Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 1800, San Francisco, CA
94111
#  Business Address, 135 South State College Blvd., Brea, CA 92821
% Business Address, 8000 IH-10, Suite 1400, San Antonio, TX 78230
@ Business Address, 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513
& Business Address, 8332 Woodfield Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46240
 (c)  None.
 
Item 30. 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, are maintained and held in the offices of its
investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, 333 South Hope
Street, Los Angeles, California 90071, and/or 135 South State College
Boulevard, Brea, California 92821, and/or the offices of the Registrant, Four
Embarcadero Center (Suite 1800), San Francisco, California 94111.
 
  Registrant's records covering shareholder accounts are maintained and kept by
the fund's transfer agent, American Funds Service Company, 135 South State
College Boulevard, Brea, California 92821, 8332 Woodfield Crossing Boulevard,
Indianapolis, IN 46240, 8000 IH-10, Suite 1400, San Antonio, Texas 78230 and
5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA  23513.
 
  Registrant's records covering portfolio transactions are maintained and kept
by the fund's custodian, The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., One Chase Manhattan
Plaza, New York, New York 10081.
 
Item 31. Management Services.
  None.
 
Item 32. Undertakings.
  As reflected in the prospectus, the fund undertakes to provide each person to
whom a prospectus is delivered with a copy of the fund's latest annual report
to shareholders, upon request and without charge.
 
<PAGE>
                            SIGNATURE OF REGISTRANT
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940 the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
the City and County of San Francisco, and State of California on the 1st day of
October, 1996.
 
THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
By /s/ Patrick F. Quan   
    Patrick F. Quan, Secretary
 
ATTEST:
/s/ Louise M. Pescetta     
Louise M. Pescetta
 
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this amendment to
its registration statement has been signed below on October 1, 1996  by the
following persons in the capacities indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Signature                                            Title              
<S>      <C>                                                  <C>                
                                                                                 
(1)      Principal Executive Officer:                         President          
                                                                                 
         /s/ Janet A. McKinley                                                   
         (Janet A. McKinley)                                                     
                                                                                 
(2)      Principal Financial Officer and                                         
         Principal Accounting Officer:                        Treasurer          
                                                                                 
         /s/ Mary C. Hall                                                        
         (Mary C. Hall)                                                          
                                                                                 
(3)      Directors:                                                              
                                                                                 
         Robert A. Fox*                                       Director           
         Roberta L. Hazard*                                   Director           
         Richard H. M. Holmes*                                Director           
         Leonade D. Jones*                                    Director           
         John G. McDonald*                                    Director           
         Theodore D. Nierenberg*                              Director           
                                                                                 
         /s/ James W. Ratzlaff                                Director           
         (James W. Ratzlaff)                                                     
                                                                                 
         Henry E. Riggs*                                      Director           
         Walter P. Stern*                                     Chairman           
         Patricia K. Woolf*                                   Director           
</TABLE>
 
*By /s/ Patrick F. Quan     
    Patrick F. Quan, Attorney-in-Fact
 
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
The Income Fund of America, Inc.
We consent to (a) the use in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 46 to
Registration Statement No. 2-33371 on Form N-1A of our report dated August 30,
1996 appearing in the Financial Statements, which are included in Part B, the
Statement of Additional Information of such Registration Statement, (b) the
references to us under the heading "General Information" in such Statement of
Additional Information and (c) the reference to us under the heading "Financial
Highlights" in the Prospectus, which is a part of such Registration Statement.
 
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Los Angeles, California
September 27, 1996
 
 
                                   EXHIBIT 16
SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATION OF EACH PERFORMANCE QUOTATION 
PROVIDED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
(1) ENDING REDEMPTION VALUE AND TOTAL RETURN
 
Value of an initial investment at the end of a period and total return for the
period are computed as set forth below.
 (A) INITIAL INVESTMENT divided by
  PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE FOR ONE SHARE AT 
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD equals
  NUMBER OF SHARES INITIALLY PURCHASED
 (B) NUMBER OF SHARES INITIALLY PURCHASED plus
  NUMBER OF SHARES ACQUIRED AT NET ASSET 
  VALUE THROUGH REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS 
  AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS DURING 
  PERIOD equals
  NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED DURING PERIOD
 (C) NUMBER OF SHARES PURCHASED DURING PERIOD multiplied by
  NET ASSET VALUE OF ONE SHARE AS OF THE LAST 
  DAY OF THE PERIOD equals
  VALUE OF INVESTMENT AT END OF PERIOD
 (D) VALUE OF INVESTMENT AT END OF PERIOD divided by
  INITIAL INVESTMENT minus one
   and then
   multiplied by
   100 equals
  TOTAL RETURN FOR THE PERIOD EXPRESSED AS A 
  PERCENTAGE
(2)  AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN
Average annual total return quotations for the 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods
ended on the date of the most recent balance sheet are computed according to
the formula set forth below.
 
                                P(1+T)/n/ = ERV
WHERE: P = a hypothetical initial investment of $1,000
 T = average annual total return
 n = number of years
 ERV = ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 investment as of the
end of 1-, 5-, and 10-year periods (computed in accordance with the formula
shown in (1), above) 
THUS:
    AVG. ANNUAL TOTAL RETURN AT PUBLIC OFFERING PRICE:
 1 Year Total Return  1,000(1+T)/1/ = _____
     T = _____%
 5 Year Avg. Annual Total Return  1,000(1+T)/5/ = _____
     T = _____%
 10 Year Avg. Annual Total Return  1,000(1+T)/10/ = _____
     T = _____%
 
Hypothetical illustrations based on $1,000 and $10,000 initial investments used
to obtain ending values over various time periods are attached.  Illustrations
of $2,000 per year which show the benefits of systematic investing are also
included.
(3) YIELD
Yield is computed as set forth below.
 (A) DIVIDENDS AND INTEREST EARNED DURING 
  THE PERIOD minus
  EXPENSES ACCRUED FOR THE PERIOD equals
  NET INVESTMENT INCOME
 (B) NET INCOME INVESTMENT divided by
 AVERAGE DAILY NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING 
  DURING THE PERIOD THAT WERE ENTITLED 
  TO RECEIVE DIVIDENDS equals
 NET INVESTMENT INCOME PER SHARE EARNED 
  DURING THE PERIOD
 (C) NET INVESTMENT INCOME PER SHARE EARNED 
  DURING THE PERIOD divided by
 MAXIMUM OFFERING PRICE PER SHARE ON 
  LAST DAY OF THE PERIOD equals
 CURRENT MONTH'S YIELD
 (D) CURRENT MONTH'S YIELD plus one raised
   to the sixth
   power equals
  SEMIANNUAL COMPOUNDED YIELD
 (E) SEMIANNUAL COMPOUNDED YIELD minus one
   multiplied by
   two equals
 ANNUALIZED RATE
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/95  1000           15.83    5.75 %  63.171       14.92                943
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/96     1000    54      54    1054      12   1004     12    1016       53   1069.38    67.299
                                TOTAL       $12
</TABLE>
 
 
<TABLE> 
                                THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                           SALES              NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/86  1000           12.85    5.75 %  77.821       12.11                942
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/87     1000    74      74    1074      46    976     49    1025       74   1099.48    87.678
07/31/88     1000    74     148    1148      33    895     79     974      144   1118.33    97.246
07/31/89     1000    88     236    1236       0   1027     91    1118      262   1380.28   104.567
07/31/90     1000    87     323    1323      39    942    121    1063      324   1387.81     114.6
07/31/91     1000   104     427    1427       8    976    134    1110      447   1557.27   124.184
07/31/92     1000   109     536    1536      10   1085    160    1245      612   1857.16   133.225
07/31/93     1000   115     651    1651      30   1126    197    1323      755   2078.05   143.611
07/31/94     1000   123     774    1774      51   1058    233    1291      827   2118.21   155.865
07/31/95     1000   132     906    1906       9   1161    267    1428     1051   2479.93   166.215
07/31/96     1000   142    1048    2048      30   1237    315    1552     1261   2813.71   177.074
                                TOTAL      $256
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/86 10000           12.85    5.75 %  778.21       12.11               9424
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/87    10000   731     731   10731     459   9759    492   10251      743  10994.96   876.791
07/31/88    10000   738    1469   11469     333   8949    791    9740     1443  11183.24   972.456
07/31/89    10000   880    2349   12349       0  10272    907   11179     2623  13802.98   1045.68
07/31/90    10000   869    3218   13218     393   9424   1207   10631     3247  13878.39  1146.027
07/31/91    10000  1041    4259   14259      82   9759   1340   11099     4474  15573.07  1241.872
07/31/92    10000  1085    5344   15344     101  10848   1598   12446     6125   18571.9  1332.274
07/31/93    10000  1152    6496   16496     297  11261   1973   13234     7546  20780.92  1436.138
07/31/94    10000  1232    7728   17728     509  10576   2332   12908     8274  21182.33   1558.67
07/31/95    10000  1327    9055   19055      95  11611   2668   14279    10520  24799.58   1662.17
07/31/96    10000  1415   10470   20470     303  12366   3147   15513    12624  28137.41  1770.762
                                TOTAL    $2,572
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          DOW JONES INDUSTRIAL AVERAGE
 
                                           SALES              NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
         DATE     INVESTMENT    PRICE INCLUDED  PURCHASED     PER SHARVALUE
         08/01/86 10000         1775.31       0 %           5.633 1775   10000
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM   FROM
CUM      INCOME         INCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAIDIVS             TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'INV'M'TREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>                           <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/87    10000   397     397   10397       0  14488      0   14488      494  14982.31     5.825
07/31/88    10000   437     834   10834       0  11991      0   11991      849   12840.5     6.032
07/31/89    10000   565    1399   11399       0  14987      0   14987     1737  16724.91     6.286
07/31/90    10000   668    2067   12067       0  16364      0   16364     2606  18970.96      6.53
07/31/91    10000   658    2725   12725       0  17038      0   17038     3437  20475.01     6.769
07/31/92    10000   654    3379   13379       0  19116      0   19116     4562   23678.4     6.977
07/31/93    10000   720    4099   14099       0  19937      0   19937     5518  25455.87     7.192
07/31/94    10000   750    4849   14849       0  21205      0   21205     6625  27830.95     7.393
07/31/95    10000   828    5677   15677       0  26522      0   26522     9257  35779.66     7.599
07/31/96    10000   944    6621   16621       0  31143      0   31143    11882  43025.98     7.782
                                TOTAL        $0
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  STANDA    500 COMPOSITE INDEX
 
                                        SALES                 NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/86 10000          236.12       0 %  42.351      236.12    10000
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/87    10000   366     366   10366       0  13496      0   13496      433  13929.27    43.712
07/31/88    10000   408     774   10774       0  11520      0   11520      785  12305.37    45.237
07/31/89    10000   472    1246   11246       0  14657      0   14657     1571  16228.04    46.891
07/31/90    10000   554    1800   11800       0  15083      0   15083     2184  17267.93    48.485
07/31/91    10000   597    2397   12397       0  16424      0   16424     3044  19468.06      50.2
07/31/92    10000   625    3022   13022       0  17966      0   17966     3994   21960.5    51.768
07/31/93    10000   655    3677   13677       0  18979      0   18979     4895  23874.57    53.276
07/31/94    10000   691    4368   14368       0  19408      0   19408     5691  25099.82    54.772
07/31/95    10000   739    5107   15107       0  23804      0   23804     7835  31639.48    56.292
07/31/96    10000   811    5918   15918       0  27103      0   27103     9761  36864.32    57.605
                                TOTAL        $0
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          AVERAGE FIXED INCOME ACCOUNT
 
                                           SALES              NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE            VALUE
         08/01/86 10000              10       0 %    1000                   10     10000
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/87    10000   657     657   10657       0  10000      0   10000      657  10657.08  1065.708
07/31/88    10000   682    1339   11339       0  10000      0   10000     1338  11338.37  1133.837
07/31/89    10000   800    2139   12139       0  10000      0   10000     2138  12138.79  1213.879
07/31/90    10000   893    3032   13032       0  10000      0   10000     3032  13032.19  1303.219
07/31/91    10000   865    3897   13897       0  10000      0   10000     3898  13898.74  1389.874
07/31/92    10000   712    4609   14609       0  10000      0   10000     4610  14610.99  1461.099
07/31/93    10000   535    5144   15144       0  10000      0   10000     5146  15146.33  1514.633
07/31/94    10000   482    5626   15626       0  10000      0   10000     5628  15628.33  1562.833
07/31/95    10000   575    6201   16201       0  10000      0   10000     6203  16203.36  1620.336
07/31/96    10000   676    6877   16877       0  10000      0   10000     6879  16879.65  1687.965
                                TOTAL        $0
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          AVERAGE FIXED INCOME ACCOUNT
 
                                           SALES              NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE            VALUE
         08/01/85 10000              10       0 %    1000                   10     10000
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/86    10000   753     753   10753       0  10000      0   10000      752  10752.83  1075.283
07/31/87    10000   706    1459   11459       0  10000      0   10000     1459  11459.38  1145.938
07/31/88    10000   732    2191   12191       0  10000      0   10000     2191  12191.94  1219.194
07/31/89    10000   860    3051   13051       0  10000      0   10000     3052   13052.6   1305.26
07/31/90    10000   960    4011   14011       0  10000      0   10000     4013  14013.24  1401.324
07/31/91    10000   933    4944   14944       0  10000      0   10000     4945  14945.02  1494.502
07/31/92    10000   765    5709   15709       0  10000      0   10000     5710  15710.88  1571.088
07/31/93    10000   576    6285   16285       0  10000      0   10000     6286  16286.53  1628.653
07/31/94    10000   518    6803   16803       0  10000      0   10000     6804  16804.81  1680.481
07/31/95    10000   617    7420   17420       0  10000      0   10000     7423  17423.13  1742.313
                                TOTAL        $0
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          AVERAGE FIXED INCOME ACCOUNT
 
                                           SALES              NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE            VALUE
         08/01/82 10000              10       0 %    1000                   10     10000
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/83    10000  1002    1002   11002       0  10000      0   10000     1001  11001.48  1100.148
07/31/84    10000  1032    2034   12034       0  10000      0   10000     2032  12032.58  1203.258
07/31/85    10000  1063    3097   13097       0  10000      0   10000     3095  13095.38  1309.538
07/31/86    10000   987    4084   14084       0  10000      0   10000     4081  14081.24  1408.124
07/31/87    10000   926    5010   15010       0  10000      0   10000     5006  15006.49  1500.649
07/31/88    10000   959    5969   15969       0  10000      0   10000     5965  15965.82  1596.582
07/31/89    10000  1127    7096   17096       0  10000      0   10000     7092   17092.9   1709.29
07/31/90    10000  1259    8355   18355       0  10000      0   10000     8350   18350.9   1835.09
07/31/91    10000  1221    9576   19576       0  10000      0   10000     9571  19571.11  1957.111
07/31/92    10000  1002   10578   20578       0  10000      0   10000    10574  20574.04  2057.404
                                TOTAL        $0
</TABLE>
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                           SALES              NET ASSEINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDEDPURCHASPER    SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/91  2000           13.31     5.75150.26          12.54               1884
                       ANNUAL INVESTMENTS OF $    2000.00 -- SAME DAY AS INITIAL INVESTMENT
                                        DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
                  RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION DISCOUNT REFLECTED WHERE APPLICABLE IN THIS ILLUSTRATION
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURREN  CUM.    TOTAL  CURRENT         FROM            FROM
             CUM  INCOMEINCOME  INVM'T  CAP GAIN  FROM CAP GAISUB-       DIVS  TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T   DIVS   DIVS    COST  DISTRIB'INV'M'T REINV'TOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE      HELD
<S>      <C>       <C>    <C>     <C>   <C>             <C>           <C>      <C>        <C>
07/31/92     2000   131     131    2131      12   2095     13    2108      139   2247.14   161.201
07/31/93     4000   256     387    4387      66   4131     84    4215      408   4623.71   319.538
07/31/94     6000   386     773    6773     160   5650    229    5879      755    6634.8   488.212
07/31/95     8000   533    1306    9306      38   8273    294    8567     1407   9974.57   668.537
07/31/96    10000   676    1982   11982     145  10818    459   11277     2178  13455.83   846.811
                                TOTAL      $421
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/86  2000           12.85    5.75 % 155.642       12.11               1885
                       ANNUAL INVESTMENTS OF $    2000.00 -- SAME DAY AS INITIAL INVESTMENT
                                        DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
                  RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION DISCOUNT REFLECTED WHERE APPLICABLE IN THIS ILLUSTRATION
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/87     2000   146     146    2146      92   1952     98    2050      149      2199   175.359
07/31/88     4000   274     420    4420     124   3518    216    3734      419   4153.23    361.15
07/31/89     6000   476     896    6896       0   6202    248    6450     1003   7453.01   564.622
07/31/90     8000   588    1484    9484     266   7419    481    7900     1488   9388.37   775.258
07/31/91    10000   845    2329   12329      66   9634    571   10205     2444  12649.78  1008.754
07/31/92    12000  1012    3341   15341      94  12804    736   13540     3792  17332.84  1243.389
07/31/93    14000  1194    4535   18535     308  15247   1090   16337     5166  21503.74  1486.091
07/31/94    16000  1387    5922   21922     573  16091   1563   17654     6186  23840.88  1754.296
07/31/95    18000  1612    7534   25534     115  19735   1847   21582     8536  30118.88  2018.692
07/31/96    20000  1826    9360   29360     391  23026   2361   25387    10924  36311.38  2285.172
                                TOTAL    $2,029
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         12/01/73 10000           12.81    5.75 %  780.64       12.07               9422
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/74    10000   347     347   10347       0   8767      0    8767      321   9088.37   809.294
07/31/75    10000   785    1132   11132       0  10141      0   10141     1250  11391.16   876.918
07/31/76    10000   998    2130   12130       0  12155      0   12155     2596  14751.06   947.403
07/31/77    10000   969    3099   13099       0  12701      0   12701     3691  16392.32  1007.518
07/31/78    10000  1117    4216   14216       0  12584      0   12584     4819  17403.85  2159.287
07/31/79    10000  1333    5549   15549       0  12693      0   12693     6228  18921.39  2327.354
07/31/80    10000  1463    7012   17012       0  12490      0   12490     7672  20162.08   2520.26
07/31/81    10000  1743    8755   18755       0  12818      0   12818     9667  22485.17  2738.754
07/31/82    10000  2187   10942   20942       0  12256      0   12256    11408  23664.43  3014.577
07/31/83    10000  2549   13491   23491       0  16112      0   16112    17572  33684.71  3264.022
07/31/84    10000  2896   16387   26387    1077  15254   1013   16267    19455  35722.28  3656.323
07/31/85    10000  3365   19752   29752    1243  18236   2637   20873    26803   47676.5  4081.892
07/31/86    10000  3909   23661   33661    3266  18907   6434   25341    31807  57148.13  4719.086
07/31/87    10000  4431   28092   38092    2784  19578   9644   29222    37451  66673.83  5316.892
07/31/88    10000  4479   32571   42571    2020  17955  10904   28859    38956  67815.53  5897.003
07/31/89    10000  5338   37909   47909       0  20609  12515   33124    50577  83701.61  6341.031
07/31/90    10000  5269   43178   53178    2382  18907  13755   32662    51496  84158.81   6949.53
07/31/91    10000  6311   49489   59489     495  19578  14787   34365    60070  94435.49  7530.741
07/31/92    10000  6578   56067   66067     612  21764  17093   38857    73763 112620.51  8078.946
07/31/93    10000  6995   63062   73062    1803  22592  19653   42245    83771 126016.06  8708.781
07/31/94    10000  7471   70533   80533    3089  21218  21364   42582    85868 128450.19  9451.817
07/31/95    10000  8046   78579   88579     575  23294  24107   47401   102984 150385.29 10079.443
07/31/96    10000  8581   87160   97160    1838  24809  27526   52335   118291 170626.04 10737.951
                                TOTAL   $21,184
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/74 10000           11.92    5.75 % 838.926       11.23               9421
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/75    10000   814     814   10814       0  10898      0   10898      910  11808.25   909.026
07/31/76    10000  1034    1848   11848       0  13062      0   13062     2229  15291.19   982.093
07/31/77    10000  1006    2854   12854       0  13649      0   13649     3343  16992.52  1044.408
07/31/78    10000  1158    4012   14012       0  13523      0   13523     4518  18041.09  2238.349
07/31/79    10000  1382    5394   15394       0  13641      0   13641     5973  19614.19  2412.569
07/31/80    10000  1517    6911   16911       0  13423      0   13423     7477  20900.32   2612.54
07/31/81    10000  1807    8718   18718       0  13775      0   13775     9533  23308.48  2839.035
07/31/82    10000  2268   10986   20986       0  13171      0   13171    11359  24530.93  3124.959
07/31/83    10000  2641   13627   23627       0  17315      0   17315    17603  34918.11  3383.538
07/31/84    10000  3001   16628   26628    1117  16393   1050   17443    19587   37030.3  3790.205
07/31/85    10000  3489   20117   30117    1289  19597   2734   22331    27091  49422.25  4231.357
07/31/86    10000  4052   24169   34169    3385  20319   6669   26988    32252   59240.7  4891.883
07/31/87    10000  4592   28761   38761    2886  21040   9997   31037    38078  69115.19  5511.578
07/31/88    10000  4644   33405   43405    2094  19295  11303   30598    39700  70298.72  6112.932
07/31/89    10000  5533   38938   48938       0  22148  12974   35122    51644  86766.49  6573.219
07/31/90    10000  5463   44401   54401    2469  20319  14259   34578    52662  87240.42  7203.998
07/31/91    10000  6544   50945   60945     513  21040  15329   36369    61524  97893.37  7806.489
07/31/92    10000  6820   57765   67765     634  23389  17719   41108    75636 116744.24  8374.766
07/31/93    10000  7251   65016   75016    1869  24279  20373   44652    85978 130630.27  9027.662
07/31/94    10000  7746   72762   82762    3203  22802  22146   44948    88205  133153.5  9797.903
07/31/95    10000  8341   81103   91103     597  25034  24990   50024   105867 155891.77  10448.51
07/31/96    10000  8896   89999   99999    1905  26661  28533   55194   121679 176873.62 11131.128
                                TOTAL   $21,961
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/75 10000           13.78    5.75 % 725.689       12.99               9427
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/76    10000   825     825   10825       0  11299      0   11299      908  12207.16   784.018
07/31/77    10000   803    1628   11628       0  11807      0   11807     1758  13565.34   833.764
07/31/78    10000   924    2552   12552       0  11698      0   11698     2704  14402.45  1786.904
07/31/79    10000  1103    3655   13655       0  11800      0   11800     3858  15658.27  1925.986
07/31/80    10000  1211    4866   14866       0  11611      0   11611     5074     16685  2085.625
07/31/81    10000  1444    6310   16310       0  11916      0   11916     6691  18607.45  2266.437
07/31/82    10000  1811    8121   18121       0  11393      0   11393     8190  19583.35  2494.694
07/31/83    10000  2109   10230   20230       0  14978      0   14978    12897  27875.57  2701.121
07/31/84    10000  2395   12625   22625     891  14180    838   15018    14543  29561.74  3025.767
07/31/85    10000  2785   15410   25410    1029  16952   2182   19134    20320  39454.39  3377.944
07/31/86    10000  3236   18646   28646    2702  17576   5324   22900    24392  47292.59  3905.251
07/31/87    10000  3667   22313   32313    2304  18200   7981   26181    28994  55175.51  4399.961
07/31/88    10000  3706   26019   36019    1672  16691   9023   25714    30406  56120.32  4880.028
07/31/89    10000  4417   30436   40436       0  19158  10357   29515    39751  69266.76  5247.482
07/31/90    10000  4361   34797   44797    1971  17576  11383   28959    40686  69645.11  5751.041
07/31/91    10000  5223   40020   50020     410  18200  12237   30437    47712  78149.49  6232.017
07/31/92    10000  5444   45464   55464     506  20232  14146   34378    58820  93198.38   6685.68
07/31/93    10000  5789   51253   61253    1492  21001  16264   37265    67018 104283.77  7206.895
07/31/94    10000  6182   57435   67435    2557  19724  17679   37403    68895 106298.09  7821.787
07/31/95    10000  6658   64093   74093     476  21655  19950   41605    82845 124450.32  8341.174
07/31/96    10000  7101   71194   81194    1521  23062  22779   45841    95359 141200.42  8886.118
                                TOTAL   $17,531
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/76 10000           16.52    5.75 % 605.327       15.57               9425
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/77    10000   620     620   10620       0   9849      0    9849      624  10473.57   643.735
07/31/78    10000   715    1335   11335       0   9758      0    9758     1361  11119.87  1379.636
07/31/79    10000   852    2187   12187       0   9843      0    9843     2246  12089.46  1487.019
07/31/80    10000   936    3123   13123       0   9685      0    9685     3197  12882.18  1610.273
07/31/81    10000  1114    4237   14237       0   9939      0    9939     4427  14366.48  1749.876
07/31/82    10000  1398    5635   15635       0   9504      0    9504     5615  15119.96  1926.109
07/31/83    10000  1629    7264   17264       0  12494      0   12494     9028  21522.24  2085.488
07/31/84    10000  1850    9114   19114     688  11828    647   12475    10349   22824.1  2336.141
07/31/85    10000  2151   11265   21265     794  14140   1685   15825    14637  30462.02   2608.05
07/31/86    10000  2498   13763   23763    2086  14661   4111   18772    17741  36513.73  3015.172
07/31/87    10000  2831   16594   26594    1779  15182   6162   21344    21255  42599.99  3397.128
07/31/88    10000  2862   19456   29456    1291  13923   6967   20890    22439  43329.45  3767.778
07/31/89    10000  3411   22867   32867       0  15981   7997   23978    29501  53479.55  4051.481
07/31/90    10000  3367   26234   36234    1522  14661   8789   23450    30321  53771.67   4440.27
07/31/91    10000  4033   30267   40267     316  15182   9448   24630    35707  60337.74  4811.622
07/31/92    10000  4203   34470   44470     391  16877  10922   27799    44157  71956.69  5161.886
07/31/93    10000  4470   38940   48940    1152  17518  12557   30075    50440  80515.52  5564.307
07/31/94    10000  4773   43713   53713    1974  16453  13650   30103    51967  82070.77  6039.056
07/31/95    10000  5142   48855   58855     368  18063  15403   33466    62619  96085.77  6440.065
07/31/96    10000  5483   54338   64338    1174  19237  17587   36824    72194 109018.21  6860.806
                                TOTAL   $13,535
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/77 10000           17.26    5.75 % 579.374       16.27               9426
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/78    10000   642     642   10642       0   9340      0    9340      668  10008.09  1241.699
07/31/79    10000   766    1408   11408       0   9421      0    9421     1459  10880.74  1338.344
07/31/80    10000   842    2250   12250       0   9270      0    9270     2324  11594.19  1449.274
07/31/81    10000  1003    3253   13253       0   9513      0    9513     3417  12930.08  1574.919
07/31/82    10000  1257    4510   14510       0   9096      0    9096     4512  13608.23  1733.532
07/31/83    10000  1466    5976   15976       0  11958      0   11958     7412   19370.4  1876.977
07/31/84    10000  1665    7641   17641     619  11321    582   11903     8639  20542.11   2102.57
07/31/85    10000  1934    9575   19575     715  13534   1517   15051    12365  27416.39  2347.294
07/31/86    10000  2247   11822   21822    1878  14032   3700   17732    15131  32863.06  2713.713
07/31/87    10000  2548   14370   24370    1601  14531   5546   20077    18263   38340.8   3057.48
07/31/88    10000  2577   16947   26947    1162  13326   6270   19596    19401  38997.35  3391.074
07/31/89    10000  3069   20016   30016       0  15295   7197   22492    25640  48132.65  3646.413
07/31/90    10000  3029   23045   33045    1370  14032   7910   21942    26453  48395.56   3996.33
07/31/91    10000  3629   26674   36674     285  14531   8504   23035    31270  54305.18  4330.557
07/31/92    10000  3784   30458   40458     352  16153   9830   25983    38779  64762.49  4645.803
07/31/93    10000  4022   34480   44480    1037  16767  11302   28069    44396  72465.62   5007.99
07/31/94    10000  4296   38776   48776    1777  15747  12285   28032    45833  73865.35  5435.272
07/31/95    10000  4627   43403   53403     331  17289  13863   31152    55327  86479.14  5796.189
07/31/96    10000  4935   48338   58338    1057  18413  15829   34242    63876   98118.6  6174.865
                                TOTAL   $12,184
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE    VALUE
         08/01/78 10000            8.55    5.75 %1169.591        8.06               9427
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/79    10000   722     722   10722       0   9509      0    9509      739  10248.88  1260.625
07/31/80    10000   793    1515   11515       0   9357      0    9357     1563  10920.91  1365.114
07/31/81    10000   944    2459   12459       0   9602      0    9602     2577  12179.23  1483.463
07/31/82    10000  1185    3644   13644       0   9181      0    9181     3636  12817.97  1632.863
07/31/83    10000  1380    5024   15024       0  12070      0   12070     6175  18245.52  1767.977
07/31/84    10000  1568    6592   16592     583  11427    549   11976     7373  19349.17  1980.468
07/31/85    10000  1823    8415   18415     673  13661   1428   15089    10735  25824.23  2210.979
07/31/86    10000  2118   10533   20533    1769  14164   3485   17649    13305   30954.6  2556.119
07/31/87    10000  2401   12934   22934    1508  14667   5223   19890    16224  36114.25  2879.924
07/31/88    10000  2427   15361   25361    1094  13450   5906   19356    17376  36732.67  3194.145
07/31/89    10000  2891   18252   28252       0  15439   6779   22218    23119  45337.45  3434.655
07/31/90    10000  2854   21106   31106    1290  14164   7451   21615    23970  45585.09  3764.252
07/31/91    10000  3419   24525   34525     268  14667   8010   22677    28474  51151.49  4079.066
07/31/92    10000  3564   28089   38089     331  16304   9259   25563    35438  61001.48  4376.003
07/31/93    10000  3789   31878   41878     977  16924  10645   27569    40688  68257.25  4717.156
07/31/94    10000  4047   35925   45925    1673  15895  11572   27467    42108  69575.69  5119.624
07/31/95    10000  4358   40283   50283     312  17450  13058   30508    50948  81456.95  5459.581
07/31/96    10000  4648   44931   54931     996  18585  14909   33494    58926  92420.48  5816.267
                                TOTAL   $11,474
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE    VALUE
         08/01/79 10000            8.63    5.75 %1158.749        8.13               9421
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/80    10000   729     729   10729       0   9270      0    9270      768  10038.36  1254.795
07/31/81    10000   868    1597   11597       0   9513      0    9513     1681  11194.99   1363.58
07/31/82    10000  1089    2686   12686       0   9096      0    9096     2686  11782.13  1500.908
07/31/83    10000  1268    3954   13954       0  11958      0   11958     4813  16771.04  1625.101
07/31/84    10000  1442    5396   15396     536  11321    504   11825     5960  17785.51  1820.421
07/31/85    10000  1675    7071   17071     619  13534   1313   14847     8890  23737.31  2032.304
07/31/86    10000  1945    9016   19016    1626  14032   3203   17235    11218  28453.06  2349.551
07/31/87    10000  2207   11223   21223    1386  14531   4801   19332    13863  33195.75  2647.189
07/31/88    10000  2230   13453   23453    1006  13326   5429   18755    15009  33764.18  2936.016
07/31/89    10000  2657   16110   26110       0  15295   6231   21526    20147  41673.59   3157.09
07/31/90    10000  2623   18733   28733    1186  14032   6848   20880    21021  41901.22  3460.051
07/31/91    10000  3142   21875   31875     247  14531   7362   21893    25124  47017.79  3749.425
07/31/92    10000  3276   25151   35151     305  16153   8511   24664    31407  56071.78  4022.366
07/31/93    10000  3482   28633   38633     898  16767   9785   26552    36189   62741.2   4335.95
07/31/94    10000  3719   32352   42352    1538  15747  10637   26384    37569  63953.09  4705.893
07/31/95    10000  4005   36357   46357     287  17289  12003   29292    45582  74874.17  5018.376
07/31/96    10000  4272   40629   50629     915  18413  13704   32117    52834  84951.71  5346.237
                                TOTAL   $10,549
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE            VALUE
         08/01/80 10000            8.49    5.75 %1177.856                    8                9423
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/81    10000   814     814   10814       0   9670      0    9670      838  10508.56  1279.971
07/31/82    10000  1023    1837   11837       0   9246      0    9246     1813  11059.71   1408.88
07/31/83    10000  1191    3028   13028       0  12155      0   12155     3587  15742.74  1525.459
07/31/84    10000  1354    4382   14382     503  11508    473   11981     4714     16695  1708.802
07/31/85    10000  1573    5955   15955     581  13757   1232   14989     7292  22281.85  1907.693
07/31/86    10000  1828    7783   17783    1526  14264   3007   17271     9437  26708.46  2205.488
07/31/87    10000  2072    9855   19855    1301  14770   4507   19277    11883  31160.35  2484.876
07/31/88    10000  2094   11949   21949     944  13545   5096   18641    13052  31693.93  2755.994
07/31/89    10000  2495   14444   24444       0  15548   5849   21397    17721  39118.36  2963.512
07/31/90    10000  2463   16907   26907    1113  14264   6429   20693    18639  39332.02  3247.896
07/31/91    10000  2951   19858   29858     231  14770   6911   21681    22453  44134.87  3519.527
07/31/92    10000  3075   22933   32933     286  16419   7989   24408    28225  52633.73  3775.734
07/31/93    10000  3269   26202   36202     843  17044   9185   26229    32665  58894.19  4070.089
07/31/94    10000  3492   29694   39694    1444  16007   9984   25991    34040  60031.79   4417.35
07/31/95    10000  3760   33454   43454     269  17574  11267   28841    41442  70283.26  4710.674
07/31/96    10000  4010   37464   47464     859  18716  12864   31580    48162  79742.87  5018.431
                                TOTAL    $9,900
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE    VALUE
         08/01/81 10000            8.71    5.75 %1148.106        8.21               9426
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/82    10000   917     917   10917       0   9013      0    9013      907    9920.3  1263.733
07/31/83    10000  1068    1985   11985       0  11848      0   11848     2272  14120.88  1368.302
07/31/84    10000  1214    3199   13199     452  11217    425   11642     3333  14975.05  1532.758
07/31/85    10000  1411    4610   14610     521  13410   1106   14516     5470  19986.35   1711.16
07/31/86    10000  1639    6249   16249    1369  13904   2697   16601     7355  23956.93  1978.277
07/31/87    10000  1857    8106   18106    1167  14397   4043   18440     9510  27950.18  2228.882
07/31/88    10000  1878    9984   19984     847  13203   4571   17774    10654  28428.81   2472.07
07/31/89    10000  2237   12221   22221       0  15155   5247   20402    14686  35088.37   2658.21
07/31/90    10000  2209   14430   24430     999  13904   5766   19670    15610  35280.03  2913.297
07/31/91    10000  2645   17075   27075     208  14397   6199   20596    18992  39588.09  3156.945
07/31/92    10000  2758   19833   29833     257  16005   7166   23171    24040  47211.38  3386.756
07/31/93    10000  2932   22765   32765     756  16613   8239   24852    27974  52826.87  3650.786
07/31/94    10000  3132   25897   35897    1295  15603   8956   24559    29288  53847.28  3962.272
07/31/95    10000  3373   29270   39270     241  17130  10106   27236    35806  63042.61  4225.376
07/31/96    10000  3597   32867   42867     771  18243  11539   29782    41745  71527.71  4501.429
                                TOTAL    $8,883
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/82 10000            8.33    5.75 % 1200.48        7.85               9424
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/83    10000  1015    1015   11015       0  12389      0   12389     1025  13414.09  1299.815
07/31/84    10000  1153    2168   12168     429  11729    403   12132     2093  14225.51   1456.04
07/31/85    10000  1340    3508   13508     495  14022   1050   15072     3913  18985.98  1625.512
07/31/86    10000  1558    5066   15066    1300  14538   2562   17100     5657  22757.83  1879.259
07/31/87    10000  1765    6831   16831    1109  15054   3840   18894     7657  26551.19   2117.32
07/31/88    10000  1784    8615   18615     805  13806   4342   18148     8857  27005.85  2348.335
07/31/89    10000  2126   10741   20741       0  15846   4984   20830    12502  33332.07  2525.157
07/31/90    10000  2099   12840   22840     949  14538   5478   20016    13498  33514.13  2767.476
07/31/91    10000  2514   15354   25354     197  15054   5889   20943    16663  37606.57  2998.929
07/31/92    10000  2620   17974   27974     244  16735   6807   23542    21306   44848.3  3217.238
07/31/93    10000  2785   20759   30759     718  17371   7826   25197    24985  50182.74  3468.054
07/31/94    10000  2975   23734   33734    1230  16315   8508   24823    26329  51152.07  3763.949
07/31/95    10000  3205   26939   36939     229  17911   9600   27511    32376  59887.16  4013.885
07/31/96    10000  3417   30356   40356     732  19076  10961   30037    37910  67947.53  4276.119
                                TOTAL    $8,437
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/83 10000           10.95    5.75 % 913.242       10.32               9425
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/84    10000   809     809   10809     301   8922    283    9205      789   9994.75  1023.004
07/31/85    10000   941    1750   11750     348  10667    738   11405     1934  13339.42  1142.074
07/31/86    10000  1094    2844   12844     914  11059   1800   12859     3130   15989.5  1320.355
07/31/87    10000  1239    4083   14083     779  11452   2698   14150     4504   18654.7  1487.616
07/31/88    10000  1254    5337   15337     565  10502   3051   13553     5421  18974.15  1649.926
07/31/89    10000  1494    6831   16831       0  12055   3502   15557     7861  23418.94  1774.162
07/31/90    10000  1474    8305   18305     666  11059   3849   14908     8638  23546.83  1944.412
07/31/91    10000  1766   10071   20071     139  11452   4137   15589    10833  26422.14  2107.029
07/31/92    10000  1840   11911   21911     171  12731   4783   17514    13996  31510.13  2260.411
07/31/93    10000  1957   13868   23868     504  13215   5499   18714    16544  35258.07  2436.632
07/31/94    10000  2090   15958   25958     864  12411   5977   18388    17551  35939.09  2644.525
07/31/95    10000  2251   18209   28209     161  13626   6745   20371    21705  42076.34   2820.13
07/31/96    10000  2401   20610   30610     514  14511   7701   22212    25527  47739.49  3004.373
                                TOTAL    $5,926
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/84 10000           10.37    5.75 %  964.32        9.77               9421
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/85    10000   888     888   10888     328  11263    376   11639      935  12574.22   1076.56
07/31/86    10000  1031    1919   11919     861  11678   1366   13044     2028  15072.28  1244.614
07/31/87    10000  1169    3088   13088     734  12093   2201   14294     3290  17584.59   1402.28
07/31/88    10000  1181    4269   14269     533  11090   2561   13651     4234  17885.71  1555.279
07/31/89    10000  1407    5676   15676       0  12729   2940   15669     6406  22075.53  1672.389
07/31/90    10000  1390    7066   17066     628  11678   3297   14975     7221   22196.1  1832.874
07/31/91    10000  1665    8731   18731     131  12093   3557   15650     9256  24906.48  1986.163
07/31/92    10000  1735   10466   20466     161  13443   4127   17570    12132  29702.61  2130.747
07/31/93    10000  1845   12311   22311     476  13954   4788   18742    14493  33235.55  2296.859
07/31/94    10000  1969   14280   24280     815  13105   5263   18368    15509  33877.52  2492.827
07/31/95    10000  2123   16403   26403     152  14388   5950   20338    19324   39662.7  2658.358
07/31/96    10000  2263   18666   28666     485  15323   6825   22148    22853  45001.02  2832.034
                                TOTAL    $5,304
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/85 10000           12.39    5.75 % 807.103       11.68               9427
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/86    10000   773     773   10773     646   9774    731   10505      794  11299.76   933.093
07/31/87    10000   876    1649   11649     551  10121   1347   11468     1715  13183.25  1051.296
07/31/88    10000   885    2534   12534     399   9282   1643   10925     2483  13408.99  1165.999
07/31/89    10000  1055    3589   13589       0  10654   1885   12539     4011  16550.09  1253.795
07/31/90    10000  1042    4631   14631     471   9774   2179   11953     4687  16640.48  1374.111
07/31/91    10000  1248    5879   15879      98  10121   2364   12485     6187  18672.45  1489.031
07/31/92    10000  1301    7180   17180     121  11251   2758   14009     8259  22268.13  1597.427
07/31/93    10000  1383    8563   18563     356  11679   3240   14919     9997  24916.78  1721.961
07/31/94    10000  1476   10039   20039     611  10969   3617   14586    10812  25398.08   1868.88
07/31/95    10000  1591   11630   21630     114  12042   4101   16143    13592  29735.25  1992.979
07/31/96    10000  1696   13326   23326     363  12825   4733   17558    16179  33737.39  2123.184
                                TOTAL    $3,730
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/86 10000           12.85    5.75 %  778.21       12.11               9424
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/87    10000   731     731   10731     459   9759    492   10251      743  10994.96   876.791
07/31/88    10000   738    1469   11469     333   8949    791    9740     1443  11183.24   972.456
07/31/89    10000   880    2349   12349       0  10272    907   11179     2623  13802.98   1045.68
07/31/90    10000   869    3218   13218     393   9424   1207   10631     3247  13878.39  1146.027
07/31/91    10000  1041    4259   14259      82   9759   1340   11099     4474  15573.07  1241.872
07/31/92    10000  1085    5344   15344     101  10848   1598   12446     6125   18571.9  1332.274
07/31/93    10000  1152    6496   16496     297  11261   1973   13234     7546  20780.92  1436.138
07/31/94    10000  1232    7728   17728     509  10576   2332   12908     8274  21182.33   1558.67
07/31/95    10000  1327    9055   19055      95  11611   2668   14279    10520  24799.58   1662.17
07/31/96    10000  1415   10470   20470     303  12366   3147   15513    12624  28137.41  1770.762
                                TOTAL    $2,572
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/87 10000           13.31    5.75 % 751.315       12.54               9421
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/88    10000   633     633   10633     286   8640    291    8931      651   9582.82   833.289
07/31/89    10000   756    1389   11389       0   9917    334   10251     1576  11827.65   896.034
07/31/90    10000   744    2133   12133     337   9098    628    9726     2166  11892.27   982.021
07/31/91    10000   891    3024   13024      70   9421    727   10148     3196  13344.44   1064.15
07/31/92    10000   930    3954   13954      86  10473    901   11374     4540  15914.13  1141.616
07/31/93    10000   988    4942   14942     255  10872   1205   12077     5730  17807.01  1230.616
07/31/94    10000  1055    5997   15997     437  10210   1542   11752     6398  18150.95  1335.611
07/31/95    10000  1137    7134   17134      81  11210   1785   12995     8255  21250.56    1424.3
07/31/96    10000  1213    8347   18347     260  11938   2163   14101    10009  24110.72  1517.352
                                TOTAL    $1,812
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/88 10000            12.2    5.75 % 819.672        11.5               9426
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/89    10000   743     743   10743       0  10820      0   10820      814  11634.35    881.39
07/31/90    10000   732    1475   11475     331   9926    316   10242     1455  11697.88   965.969
07/31/91    10000   877    2352   12352      69  10279    403   10682     2444  13126.31  1046.755
07/31/92    10000   914    3266   13266      85  11426    539   11965     3688  15653.95  1122.952
07/31/93    10000   973    4239   14239     251  11861    825   12686     4829  17515.91  1210.498
07/31/94    10000  1038    5277   15277     429  11139   1178   12317     5537  17854.24  1313.778
07/31/95    10000  1119    6396   16396      80  12230   1385   13615     7288  20903.17  1401.017
07/31/96    10000  1192    7588   17588     255  13025   1732   14757     8959   23716.6  1492.549
                                TOTAL    $1,500
</TABLE>
 
 
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                             SALES            NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/89 10000           14.01    5.75 % 713.776        13.2               9422
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/90    10000   593     593   10593     268   8644    256    8900      573   9473.31   782.272
07/31/91    10000   710    1303   11303      56   8951    326    9277     1353  10630.12   847.697
07/31/92    10000   741    2044   12044      69   9950    436   10386     2291  12677.11   909.405
07/31/93    10000   787    2831   12831     203  10328    668   10996     3188  14184.97   980.302
07/31/94    10000   842    3673   13673     348   9700    954   10654     3804  14458.94   1063.94
07/31/95    10000   906    4579   14579      65  10650   1121   11771     5157  16928.07  1134.589
07/31/96    10000   966    5545   15545     207  11342   1402   12744     6462  19206.47  1208.714
                                TOTAL    $1,216
</TABLE>
<TABLE> 
 
                                THE INCOME FUND OF AMERICA, INC.
 
                                           SALES              NET ASSETINITIAL
                  INITIAL       OFFERINGCHARGE  SHARES        VALUE   NET ASSET
            DATE  INVESTMENT    PRICE   INCLUDED PURCHASEDPER SHARE   VALUE
         08/01/95 10000           15.83    5.75 % 631.712       14.92               9425
                                DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS REINVESTED
         ============COST OF SHARES=============================VALUE OF SHARES====================
                  CURRENCUM.    TOTAL   CURRENT        FROM           FROM
         CUM      INCOMEINCOMEINVM'T    CAP GAINFROM   CAP GAINSUB-   DIVS     TOTAL     SHARES
DATE     INV'M'T  DIVS  DIVS    COST    DISTRIB'N INV'MREINV'DTOTAL   REINV'D  VALUE     HELD
<S>      <C>      <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>                 <C>      <C>       <C>
07/31/96    10000   537     537   10537     115  10038    116   10154      539  10693.68   672.982
                                TOTAL      $115
 
</TABLE>
 

<TABLE> <S> <C>
 
 
<ARTICLE> 6
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUL-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                              AUG-1-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               JUL-31-1996
<INVESTMENTS-AT-COST>                       12,944,090
<INVESTMENTS-AT-VALUE>                      14,350,211
<RECEIVABLES>                                  214,415
<ASSETS-OTHER>                                   4,819
<OTHER-ITEMS-ASSETS>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                              14,569,445
<PAYABLE-FOR-SECURITIES>                        63,447
<SENIOR-LONG-TERM-DEBT>                              0
<OTHER-ITEMS-LIABILITIES>                       46,834
<TOTAL-LIABILITIES>                            110,281
<SENIOR-EQUITY>                                      0
<PAID-IN-CAPITAL-COMMON>                    11,458,261
<SHARES-COMMON-STOCK>                      909,913,014
<SHARES-COMMON-PRIOR>                      823,830,743
<ACCUMULATED-NII-CURRENT>                      159,002
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-NII>                               0
<ACCUMULATED-NET-GAINS>                        525,840
<OVERDISTRIBUTION-GAINS>                             0
<ACCUM-APPREC-OR-DEPREC>                     1,406,174
<NET-ASSETS>                                14,459,164
<DIVIDEND-INCOME>                              328,343
<INTEREST-INCOME>                              524,572
<OTHER-INCOME>                                       0
<EXPENSES-NET>                                  85,856
<NET-INVESTMENT-INCOME>                        767,059
<REALIZED-GAINS-CURRENT>                       630,886
<APPREC-INCREASE-CURRENT>                      276,975
<NET-CHANGE-FROM-OPS>                        1,674,920
<EQUALIZATION>                                       0
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-INCOME>                      718,292
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OF-GAINS>                       152,790
<DISTRIBUTIONS-OTHER>                                0
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-SOLD>                    143,040,894
<NUMBER-OF-SHARES-REDEEMED>                103,371,820
<SHARES-REINVESTED>                         46,413,197
<NET-CHANGE-IN-ASSETS>                       2,169,007
<ACCUMULATED-NII-PRIOR>                        110,419
<ACCUMULATED-GAINS-PRIOR>                       47,534
<OVERDISTRIB-NII-PRIOR>                              0
<OVERDIST-NET-GAINS-PRIOR>                           0
<GROSS-ADVISORY-FEES>                           42,065
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                   0
<GROSS-EXPENSE>                                 85,856
<AVERAGE-NET-ASSETS>                        13,803,709
<PER-SHARE-NAV-BEGIN>                            14.92
<PER-SHARE-NII>                                    .87
<PER-SHARE-GAIN-APPREC>                           1.11
<PER-SHARE-DIVIDEND>                               .83
<PER-SHARE-DISTRIBUTIONS>                          .18
<RETURNS-OF-CAPITAL>                                 0
<PER-SHARE-NAV-END>                              15.89
<EXPENSE-RATIO>                                   .006
<AVG-DEBT-OUTSTANDING>                               0
<AVG-DEBT-PER-SHARE>                                 0
        
 

</TABLE>


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