[The American Funds Group(r)]
ICA
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA
1998 Annual Report
For the year ended December 31
RESULTS BUILT
ON CONTINUITY
AND CONVICTION
40 Years of the Multiple Portfolio Counselor System
[cover: photo collage: clockwise, from top - Photo 1: Rick Beleson, Gordon
Crawford, Jim Rothenberg; Photo 2: David Riley and Brad Vogt; Photo 3: Mark
Merritt and Leslie Wexner; Photo 4: Bill Grimsley; Photo 5: Jim Lovelace and
Darcy Kopcho; Photo 6: Jon Lovelace, Joyce Gordon, Mike Shanahan; Photo 7:
David Riley, Dina Perry, Brad Vogt; Center photo: Carl Kawaja and Jody
Jonsson.]
PREPARING FOR THE YEAR 2000
The fund's key service providers - Capital Research and Management Company, the
investment adviser, and American Funds Service Company, the transfer agent -
have updated all significant computer systems to process date-related
information properly following the turn of the century. Testing of these and
other systems with business partners, vendors and other service providers will
continue through much of 1999. We will continue to keep you up to date in our
regular publications. If you'd like more detailed information, call Shareholder
Services at 800/421-0180, ext. 21, or visit our Web site at
www.americanfunds.com.
ICA(SM)
The Investment Company of America(r) seeks long-term growth of capital and
income, placing greater emphasis on future dividends than on current income.
ICA is one of the 28 funds in The American Funds Group,(r) managed by Capital
Research and Management Company. Since 1931, Capital has invested with a
long-term focus based on thorough research and attention to risk.
1998 RESULTS AT A GLANCE
Year ended December 31, 1998
(with dividends and capital gain distributions reinvested)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C>
Standard &
Poor's 500
ICA Composite Index
Income Return 1.82% 1.68%
Capital Return 21.12% 26.84%
Total Return 22.94% 28.52%
</TABLE>
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAIN DISTRIBUTIONS PAID IN 1998
Per Share Payment Date
Income Dividends $0.12 March 9
$0.12 June 8
$0.12 Sept. 8
$0.12 + $0.03 Dec. 18
$0.51
Capital Gain Distributions $0.33 March 9
$2.61 Dec. 18
$2.94
Fund results in this report were computed without a sales charge unless
otherwise indicated. The fund's 30-day yield as of January 31, 1998, calculated
in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission formula, was 1.38%.
FIGURES SHOWN ARE PAST RESULTS. SHARE PRICE AND RETURN WILL VARY, SO YOU MAY
LOSE MONEY. INVESTING FOR SHORT PERIODS MAKES LOSSES MORE LIKELY. INVESTMENTS
ARE NOT FDIC-INSURED, NOR ARE THEY DEPOSITS OF OR GUARANTEED BY A BANK OR ANY
OTHER ENTITY.
FELLOW SHAREHOLDERS
ICA achieved its fourth consecutive year of extraordinary growth, overcoming a
sharp but brief downturn in the overall stock market. Over the period
1995-1998, an investment in the fund has produced a total return of 149%.
As it has throughout ICA's 65-year history, identifying long-term values and
retaining those holdings through weak periods as well as strong had much to do
with the fund's success in 1998. For the year ended December 31, ICA's total
return was 22.9%, assuming you reinvested income dividends and the capital gain
distributions totaling $2.94. That was substantially above the 13.6% gain for
the fund's peer group as measured by the Lipper Growth and Income Funds Index.
Dividends from income totaled 51 cents a share, a penny more than in 1997,
amounting to an income return of 1.82% on the fund's value at the beginning of
1998.
ICA has now experienced double-digit total returns in seven of the past ten
years, and returns in excess of 20% in five of them. We should point out,
however, that to set expectations on that basis would be to disregard the fact
that such results far exceed historical patterns. ICA's 17.2% average annual
compound return for the decade far exceeds its 65-year average of 13.7%.
A YEAR OF SHARP CONTRASTS
As exceptional a year as it was for ICA, it was even more so for the unmanaged
Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Index, which encompasses 500 of mostly the
largest companies. On a total return basis, the index was up 28.5%. To arrive
at that pleasant finish, however, investors had to endure a perilous passage.
For one thing, 57% of the 10,000-plus stocks available in U.S. markets were
down for the year. For another, results differed dramatically by quarter: the
S&P 500 ranging from -10% to +21%, and ICA, from -7% to +17%.
The sharpest decline occurred between July 17 and August 31, when the S&P 500
fell 19%. ICA showed some resistance to that slide, declining 16%.
In contrast with the majority of the overall market that declined for the year,
more than two-thirds of the stocks in ICA's portfolio throughout 1998 were up.
THE STORY BEHIND THE NUMBERS
For the second year in a row, there was a sharp divergence between the S&P 500
and the more broadly publicized Dow Jones Industrial Average. Not counting
dividends, the S&P 500 was up 26.7% last year and 31.0% in 1997. The Dow was up
16.1% and 22.6% respectively. (Note that ICA exceeded the Dow in both years
with increases of 20.9% in 1998 and 27.6% in 1997.) Similarly, a broader
measure, the New York Stock Exchange Composite Index, was up only 16.6% in
1998.
In most respects, the Dow is the narrowest of those unmanaged indexes,
measuring 30 carefully selected major company stocks covering a number of basic
industries. Last year, however, the S&P 500's gains were dominated by a much
shorter list. The twelve stocks listed below accounted for 46% of the gain in
the S&P 500 in 1998. (Only four of them are included in the Dow 30.) The
distortion, as some would call it, reflects both the unusual popularity of
those twelve stocks and the weighting they receive in the index due to the
large total market value of their shares.
Cisco Systems Intel Merck
Dell Computer IBM Microsoft
General Electric Lucent Technologies Pfizer
Home Depot MCI WorldCom Wal-Mart Stores
Their popularity also is reflected in the high price investors have been
willing to pay relative to the companies' annual earnings, commonly known as
the P/E ratio. The average for the group on December 31 (not counting one
without reported earnings) was over 50 times estimated 1998 earnings, while the
S&P 500 Index ratio was 32.
[Begin Pullquote]
It has been 21 years since ICA experienced a down year, one of the longest such
strings in the mutual fund industry.
[End Pullquote]
While nine of those twelve stocks were in ICA's portfolio at year-end, only IBM
and Pfizer were among the fund's ten-largest holdings (see page 16). Most of
those ten have been in the portfolio for a number of years. Eight showed
substantial gains for the year, ranging from 18% to 100%.
ICA's ten largest provide a good snapshot of the major crosscurrents in last
year's stock market. In the broadest terms, investors favored companies related
to the technological advances in communications, whether it was the Internet,
new phone and data delivery services or new avenues for providing
entertainment. Time Warner, one of ICA's longest term holdings, recorded a 100%
gain. Viacom, another entertainment provider and one of the four newcomers to
the top ten, was up 79%. Pfizer, reflecting technology-spurred advances in drug
development, was up 68%. Cendant, another newcomer to the list, was off for the
year, but the bulk of ICA's holding in the consumer and business services
company was acquired during 1998, when the stock was deeply depressed. It has
since regained some ground.
Banks generally did less well; those with heavy international exposure suffered
from the financial and economic difficulties that began in Asian markets and
spread to Russia and Latin America. Energy sources, ICA's third-largest
industry holding at the beginning of the year, was its eighth-largest at the
end. The fund reduced some holdings during the year as the Asian problems
softened demand for oil.
Looking ahead, slowing growth in corporate earnings and continuing turmoil in
some of the Asian and Latin American economies leave us wondering whether some
air pockets like those experienced in last year's stock market may still lie
ahead of us.
THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVIDENDS
One factor guiding ICA's investments is its commitment to a solid income
component, which has helped cushion the fund against stock market declines
while providing a significant portion of its growth. Shareholders who
reinvested their dividends would have added an extra 41% to the value of their
accounts over the past ten years, helped over time by the effect of
compounding. For a look at the longer term impact of reinvested dividends, see
the chart on pages 3-5.
It has now been 21 years since ICA last experienced a year of negative total
return, one of the longest such strings currently in the mutual fund industry.
By contrast, the overall market has had two down years in that period. For
those 21 years, ICA has exceeded the average annual compound return of the
Lipper Growth and Income Funds Index 17.1% to 15.6% and has matched exactly the
figure for the S&P 500.
We believe that the ability to achieve such consistency is a tribute at least
in part to the fund's unique long-term approach to managing investments.
Beginning on page 6, we offer you a close look at that system and those who
make it work.
Sincerely,
/s/Jon B. Lovelace, Jr.
Jon B. Lovelace, Jr.
Chairman of the Board
/s/R. Michael Shanahan
R. Michael Shanahan
President
February 12, 1999
FOLLOWING THE COURSE OF AN INVESTMENT IN ICA (1934-1998)
This chart illustrates a hypothetical $10,000 investment in The Investment
Company of America over the past 65 years, from January 1, 1934 through
December 31, 1998, showing the high, low and closing values for each year. The
figures in the table below the chart include the fund's total return for each
of those years.
As you look through the table, you will see that the fund's total return can
fluctuate greatly from year to year. In some years it was well into double
digits. In other years the fund had a negative return. During the entire
period, a $10,000 investment in the fund, with all dividends reinvested, would
have grown to $39,193,457 compared with $18,854,419 in the S&P 500 Index. Over
the same period, $10,000 in a savings account would have grown to $158,492 with
all interest compounded.*
You can use this table to estimate how the value of your own holdings has
grown. Let's say, for example, that you have been reinvesting all of your
dividends and want to know how your investment has done since the end of 1988.
At that time, the table shows the value of the investment illustrated here was
$7,989,285. Since then, it has almost quintupled to $39,193,457. Thus, in the
same period, the value of your 1988 investment - regardless of size - has also
almost quintupled.
*Based on figures from the U.S. League of Savings Institutions and the Federal
Reserve Board, reflecting all kinds of savings deposits (maximum allowable
interest rates imposed by law until 1983). Savings accounts are guaranteed; the
fund is not.
AVERAGE ANNUAL COMPOUND RETURNS(+)
For periods ended December 31, 1998
Ten Years +16.55%
Five Years +18.62%
One Year +15.88%
(+)Based on the maximum sales charge of 5.75%.
Sales charges are lower for investments of $50,000 or more.
[begin mountain chart]
$39,193,457/1//2/
ICA
with dividends
reinvested
$18,854,419
S&P 500
with dividends
reinvested
$5,008,219/1//3/
ICA
not including
dividends
$10,000/1/
original
investment
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested - - $398 1,006 181
Value at Year-End/1/ $11,822 21,643 31,560 19,424 24,776
Dividends in Cash - - $398 976 170
Value at Year-End/1/ $11,822 21,643 31,042 18,339 23,174
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested $9,848 14,536 19,441 12,689 16,591
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 0.0% 0.0 1.8 3.2 0.9
Capital Return 18.2% 83.1 44.0 (41.7) 26.7
ICA TOTAL RETURN 18.2% 83.1 45.8 (38.5) 27.6
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.94% 1.13 1.19 1.53 1.89
Year ended December 31 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 536 891 1,262 1,186 1,101
Value at Year-End/1/ 24,986 24,384 22,590 26,376 35,019
Dividends in Cash 498 806 1,089 969 861
Value at Year-End/1/ 22,860 21,460 18,816 20,893 26,861
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 16,529 14,914 13,186 15,842 19,904
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 2.2 3.6 5.2 5.3 4.2
Capital Return (1.4) (6.0) (12.6) 11.5 28.6
ICA TOTAL RETURN 0.8 (2.4) (7.4) 16.8 32.8
Fund Expenses/4/ 2.02 1.88 1.95 2.13 1.72
Year ended December 31 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 1,242 1,191 1,775 2,409 2,685
Value at Year-End/1/ 43,193 59,091 57,692 58,217 58,430
Dividends in Cash 942 878 1,277 1,672 1,785
Value at Year-End/1/ 32,130 42,948 40,686 39,332 37,714
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 23,792 32,430 29,829 31,509 33,200
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 3.5 2.8 3.0 4.2 4.6
Capital Return 19.8 34.0 (5.4) (3.3) (4.2)
ICA TOTAL RETURN 23.3 36.8 (2.4) 0.9 0.4
Fund Expenses/4/ 1.45 1.06 0.98 1.10 1.08
</TABLE>
- ---
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 2,661 3,152 3,391 3,535 3,927
Value at Year-End/1/ 63,941 76,618 90,274 101,293 101,747
Dividends in Cash 1,689 1,911 1,970 1,974 2,113
Value at Year-End/1/ 39,436 45,185 51,159 55,305 53,362
39,376 51,763 64,169 75,825 75,109
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 4.6 4.9 4.4 3.9 3.9
Capital Return 4.8 14.9 13.4 8.3 (3.5)
ICA TOTAL RETURN 9.4 19.8 17.8 12.2 0.4
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.96 1.01 0.93 0.81 0.85
Year ended December 31 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 4,104 5,124 5,608 6,228 6,546
Value at Year-End/1/ 158,859 199,215 220,648 194,432 281,479
Dividends in Cash 2,127 2,579 2,748 2,969 3,028
Value at Year-End/1/ 80,780 98,530 106,303 90,911 128,040
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 114,370 150,290 160,035 130,886 204,535
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 4.0 3.2 2.8 2.8 3.4
Capital Return 52.1 22.2 8.0 (14.7) 41.4
ICA TOTAL RETURN 56.1 25.4 10.8 (11.9) 44.8
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.88 0.86 0.80 0.76 0.68
Year ended December 31 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 7,013 8,139 8,383 9,122 9,620
Value at Year-End/1/ 321,419 335,998 413,552 358,800 440,900
Dividends in Cash 3,161 3,582 3,603 3,831 3,936
Value at Year-End/1/ 142,882 145,597 175,370 148,178 177,833
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 228,983 230,021 291,847 266,562 327,243
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.2 2.7
Capital Return 11.7 2.0 20.6 (15.4) 20.2
ICA TOTAL RETURN 14.2 4.5 23.1 (13.2) 22.9
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.64 0.62 0.59 0.61 0.59
</TABLE>
- --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 10,708 12,112 15,516 18,359 22,628
Value at Year-End/1/ 512,591 650,689 657,093 846,941 990,640
Dividends in Cash 4,285 4,742 5,946 6,869 8,270
Value at Year-End/1/ 202,346 251,553 248,034 312,473 356,572
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 381,015 428,493 385,546 477,643 530,376
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.8 2.7
Capital Return 13.9 24.5 (1.4) 26.1 14.3
ICA TOTAL RETURN 16.3 26.9 1.0 28.9 17.0
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.58 0.57 0.52 0.50 0.49
Year ended December 31 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 25,318 27,305 28,565 29,917 33,353
Value at Year-End/1/ 884,824 908,018 1,062,651 1,231,087 1,024,067
Dividends in Cash 9,024 9,438 9,569 9,750 10,569
Value at Year-End/1/ 309,611 307,421 349,727 394,701 317,911
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 485,806 504,725 576,517 685,814 585,221
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 2.6 3.1 3.1 2.8 2.7
Capital Return (13.3) (0.5) 13.9 13.1 (19.5)
ICA TOTAL RETURN (10.7) 2.6 17.0 15.9 (16.8)
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.48 0.55 0.51 0.49 0.47
Year ended December 31 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 52,187 49,800 46,441 49,838 55,969
Value at Year-End/1/ 840,310 1,137,660 1,474,369 1,436,402 1,647,483
Dividends in Cash 15,908 14,318 12,804 13,279 14,386
Value at Year-End/1/ 245,526 317,655 398,099 374,307 414,421
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 431,257 591,429 732,244 679,620 723,941
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 5.1 5.9 4.1 3.4 3.9
Capital Return (23.0) 29.5 25.5 (6.0) 10.8
ICA TOTAL RETURN (17.9) 35.4 29.6 (2.6) 14.7
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.49 0.48 0.46 0.49 0.49
</TABLE>
- --
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 69,960 91,302 115,901 146,105 147,156
Value at Year-End/1/ 1,963,310 2,380,187 2,401,091 3,211,997 3,859,712
Dividends in Cash 17,347 21,746 26,420 31,589 30,264
Value at Year-End/1/ 475,669 552,242 530,864 670,590 774,518
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 857,494 1,135,716 1,080,290 1,312,586 1,607,373
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 4.2 4.7 4.9 6.1 4.6
Capital Return 15.0 16.5 (4.0) 27.7 15.6
ICA TOTAL RETURN 19.2 21.2 0.9 33.8 20.2
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.47 0.46 0.45 0.46 0.44
Year ended December 31 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 160,449 174,890 203,830 267,489 318,747
Value at Year-End/1/ 4,117,187 5,491,890 6,685,657 7,049,178 7,989,285
Dividends in Cash 31,680 33,152 37,328 47,452 54,382
Value at Year-End/1/ 791,971 1,017,904 1,200,518 1,220,928 1,327,375
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 1,707,344 2,247,607 2,666,026 2,804,108 3,266,701
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 4.2 4.2 3.7 4.0 4.5
Capital Return 2.5 29.2 18.0 1.4 8.8
ICA TOTAL RETURN 6.7 33.4 21.7 5.4 13.3
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.47 0.43 0.41 0.42 0.48
Year ended December 31 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 370,835 406,318 320,422 357,779 374,395
Value at Year-End/1/ 10,338,589 10,409,027 13,171,892 14,092,236 15,729,365
Dividends in Cash 60,741 64,056 48,721 52,965 54,005
Value at Year-End/1/ 1,652,751 1,598,821 1,969,876 2,052,162 2,234,153
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 4,564,914 4,164,749 5,428,149 5,841,123 6,427,233
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 4.6 3.9 3.1 2.7 2.7
Capital Return 24.8 (3.2) 23.4 4.3 8.9
ICA TOTAL RETURN 29.4 0.7 26.5 7.0 11.6
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.52 0.55 0.59 0.58 0.59
Year ended December 31 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
YEAR-BY-YEAR SUMMARY OF RESULTS
Dividends Reinvested 407,211 450,124 480,065 510,312 584,125
Value at Year-End/1/ 15,753,834 20,578,696 24,560,540 31,881,108 39,193,457
Dividends in Cash 57,286 61,704 64,313 67,021 75,420
Value at Year-End/1/ 2,180,610 2,779,658 3,247,852 4,142,648 5,008,219
S&P 500/Div. Reinvested 6,514,488 8,953,818 11,004,232 14,670,341 18,854,419
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE RETURNS ASSUMING DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
Income Return 2.6 2.9 2.3 2.1 1.8
Capital Return (2.4) 27.7 17.0 27.7 21.1
ICA TOTAL RETURN 0.2 30.6 19.3 29.8 22.9
Fund Expenses/4/ 0.60 0.60 0.59 0.56 0.55
</TABLE>
- ---
[end chart]
Past results are not predictive of future results. The S&P 500 Index is
unmanaged and does not reflect sales charges, commissions or expenses.
/1/These figures, unlike those shown earlier in this report, reflect payment of
the maximum sales charge of 5.75% on the $10,000 investment. Thus, the net
amount invested was $9,425. As outlined in the prospectus, the sales charge is
reduced for larger investments. There is no sales charge for dividends or
capital gain distributions. The maximum initial sales charge was 8.5% prior to
July 1, 1988. No adjustment has been made for income or capital gain taxes.
/2/Includes dividends of $6,537,847 and capital gain distributions of
$13,594,989 reinvested in the years 1936-1998.
/3/Includes reinvested capital gain distributions of $2,146,514 but does not
reflect income dividends of $1,140,291 taken in cash.
/4/Fund expense percentages are provided as additional information. They should
not be subtracted from any other figure on the table because all fund results
already reflect their effect.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Average
annual
compound
return for
65 years:
Income Return 3.29%
Capital Return 10.28%
ICA Total Return 13.57%/1/
</TABLE>
RESULTS BUILT ON CONTINUITY AND CONVICTION
40 YEARS OF THE MULTIPLE PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR SYSTEM
ICA just completed its 65th year under the direction of Capital Research and
Management Company. During many of those years we have spoken in these pages
about the fund's consistent, long-term approach and about the unusual level of
experience its investment professionals bring to the fund.
This year we want to focus on another significant milestone: the 40th year ICA
has been managed using the unique multiple portfolio counselor system. Because
that system has contributed so much to sustaining the fund's approach in a
variety of stock market conditions and through a period of remarkable growth,
we want to give you an inside look at how it works.
Until early 1958, ICA was managed either by a committee or by one primary
individual (the two ways in which most mutual funds operate today). With the
impending retirement of some senior officers, the hope was that by trying
something new - dividing the portfolio into four parts, each to be managed
separately - different views could be represented in the portfolio and at the
same time a smooth transition to the next generation of management could be
ensured.
[Begin Caption]
CONTINUITY WITH CHANGE
Jon Lovelace, left, has been chairman of the fund since 1970. Mike Shanahan,
who has been with Capital since 1965, became president of ICA last spring. Here
they meet with banking analyst Joyce Gordon, who serves as coordinator of ICA's
research portfolio.
[End Caption]
OVERCOMING SKEPTICISM AT THE BEGINNING
Actually, this approach was expected to be no more than a transitional move.
"There was considerable skepticism about it," recalls Jon Lovelace, chairman of
ICA and one of the original four counselors. "But once we tried it, the system
worked so well we kept it."
Indeed, the system does provide seamless succession; an individual counselor
nearing retirement can be phased out and a successor phased in with an
opportunity to learn from the others.
"It's continuity with change," says Bill Grimsley, a 26-year veteran ICA
portfolio counselor. "It allows shareholders to be confident that they've
bought into an approach, not just an individual manager whose successor might
have a vastly different philosophy. It means that probably 40 years from now
ICA will still be following the same reliable approach."
As we shall see, however, having multiple counselors has proved to offer many
benefits beyond continuity. Not the least of them is that it led to creation of
the research portfolio - another innovation that contributes further to the
multiplicity of views and the continuity of approach. In 1965, ICA's analysts,
whose research and recommendations support the counselors, began to manage a
portion of the fund directly. Thus, they could demonstrate their own
convictions in their area of specialization by putting investment money into
companies in which they had the most confidence.
Put the two plans together and the ICA investor benefits from the extensive
interaction among the counselors and analysts, observes portfolio counselor
Gregg Ireland. "We have a lot of talented people with diverse backgrounds and
styles of investing who challenge and learn from one another. It is a real team
approach where one plus one equals three!"
A New York broker who recommends ICA to his clients puts it more colorfully. He
calls it "the multiple brain advantage without death by committee" system.
[Begin Caption]
A DIVERSITY OF STYLES
Bill Newton, left, who has been with ICA since 1961 and served as president for
13 years, continues as a portfolio counselor. He favors a concentrated list of
holdings and low turnover. Gregg Ireland, who joined Capital in 1972, likes to
find gems among companies currently experiencing difficulties.
[End Caption]
WHAT THE NUMBERS SHOW
Exactly how much advantage that has been is, of course, impossible to measure.
But as the table below shows, the fund has maintained an edge over the broad
market as measured by the unmanaged S&P 500 Index in the 40 years since the
system began. Considering that the fund has grown from $96 million in assets
under management in 1958 to $48 billion at the end of 1998, that's an important
accomplishment. It displays another plus from the multiple counselor system:
the ability to add to the number of counselors as the fund grows.
[Begin Sidebar]
TOTAL RETURN FOR ICA AND THE S&P 500 SINCE CREATION OF THE MULTIPLE PORTFOLIO
COUNSELOR SYSTEM
April 1, 1958 to December 31, 1999
ICA 18,578% or 13.7% a year
S&P 500 12,328% or 12.6% a year
[End Sidebar]
One additional measure of ICA's ability to adapt to change and growth: It
became one of the dozen largest equity funds in 1969 and is the only one of
that 1969 list to remain in the top twelve every year since. That is at once a
tribute to the staying power of ICA's approach and an indication of how
ephemeral success can be if a fund's methods don't have such lasting benefits.
The brief biographies on pages 10 and 11 give you a snapshot of the mix of
experience and backgrounds of ICA's counselors, averaging 26 years with
Capital. Note that there are effectively four "generations" of experience
represented. Much the same is true of the research portfolio group, numbering
more than 20 with an average tenure with Capital of eight years.
The ability to make independent decisions - monitored to be certain they fall
within the objectives of the fund - is an energizing factor for ICA's
counselors. "We meet and discuss and then we go back and each do exactly what
we think is best for our shareholders," says counselor Dina Perry.
[Begin Caption]
MULTIPLE PERSPECTIVES
In Washington, D.C., portfolio counselor Dina Perry confers with ICA's
Washington, D.C.-based telecommunications analyst Brad Vogt, back to camera,
and Geneva, Switzerland-based telecom analyst David Riley.
[End Caption]
[Begin Caption]
THE VALUE OF MEETING WITH MANAGEMENT
ICA's retailing analyst Mark Merritt examines the latest offerings in a meeting
with Leslie Wexner, chairman and chief executive officer of The Limited, in
Columbus, Ohio. Mark often visits stores to check service and competitiveness
of merchandise.
[End Caption]
It's a case of diversity promoting continuity, explains Jim Rothenberg, a
counselor and president of Capital Research and Management Company. The range
of styles and views means that "through all the wiggles and waggles of the
stock market, you see some of us doing well and others not so well at any given
time. That's balance."
THE PROCESS AT WORK
Some of that balance can be viewed from the bottom up - that is, by examining
how some individual securities came to be added to ICA's portfolio. Chrysler is
a good example. ICA built a position in Chrysler early in the decade when the
stock was depressed. The most recent additions, however, came in early 1997 and
again in early 1998, when Chrysler's shares looked risky to many people. Both
the earlier purchases and those in 1997 and 1998 came on gutsy recommendations
from auto analyst Darcy Kopcho, who compares automakers on a global basis. She
even moved her family to Switzerland for a year to facilitate her research and
gain new perspective.
In making her 1997 call on Chrysler, she determined that the company had moved
onto the inside track competitively and might even be a merger candidate.
"Chrysler had become much more efficient. Based on my valuation, the stock was
the cheapest it had been in ten years." Some of ICA's counselors were doubtful,
but others followed her lead. Jim Lovelace is one, and Darcy recalls placing an
excited call to him from Geneva with her findings, convincing him to buy.
From the low point of $28 a share when ICA started adding in 1997, the stock
went to the $40s in early 1998 and to $60 when the merger with Daimler-Benz was
announced.
Speaking of the purchases in 1998, Jim observes, "It's always difficult to
change your mind and buy a stock when it's already up. But Darcy made a really
good call."
On the flip side, it can be difficult to ride out a bad spell with a stock.
Gordon Crawford, whose role as analyst for the fund dates back 27 years,
foresaw the long-term growth potential of a number of entertainment companies'
stocks. That gave him the conviction, even in the face of criticism in the
media, to recommend holding them through a couple of severely down years. His
patience was rewarded by that industry's recovery. A prime example is Time
Warner, which ICA has held continuously since 1979 and which returned 230% over
the past two years alone.
[Begin Caption]
THE RESEARCH CONNECTION
Darcy Kopcho, who maintains a global perspective on the auto industry for ICA,
keeps portfolio counselor Jim Lovelace up to date. A year prior to the
Chrysler/Daimler-Benz merger, both bought Chrysler for the fund. She credits
spending a year looking at the industry from a base in Capital's Geneva office
with helping her spot a competitive advantage for Chrysler.
[End Caption]
SOME OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO MANAGE ICA
ICA's investment portfolio is managed by multiple counselors and analysts. The
counselors and analysts responsible for the bulk of the portfolio are pictured
elsewhere in these pages. Here's a
biographical snapshot of each of those featured in this report, arranged in
order of years of experience with Capital Research and Management Company
(CRMC), which began managing ICA more than 65 years ago:
COUNSELORS
JON LOVELACE
Has been with CRMC for 47 years, and with ICA for 41. He is one of only two
chairmen in ICA's history. Likes to find undervalued stocks and stick with them
at least for a market cycle and a half - often six years or more.
BILL NEWTON
Joined CRMC in 1959 and ICA in 1961. Served as the fund's fourth president from
1985 to last spring. Prefers to concentrate on a short list of stocks and stay
with them.
MIKE SHANAHAN
Began with CRMC in 1965 and is now the company's chairman. Last spring he was
elected president of ICA. Believes in paying attention to lessons from stock
markets of the past 30 years, investing with due regard for risk.
BILL GRIMSLEY
With Capital since 1969 and ICA since 1971, he chairs CRMC's investment
committee. Currently based in San Francisco, he opened CRMC's London office in
1979. Stresses long-term holdings and minimal turnover, keeping capital gains
moderate.
JIM ROTHENBERG
Joined Capital in 1970 and is currently president of CRMC. Believes the
multiple counselor system works best if you listen to the diversity of
perspectives but don't spend too much time looking at what the others are
actually investing in.
GREGG IRELAND
Has served Capital for 26 years. Currently works out of the Washington, D.C.
office. Has a penchant for out-of-favor stocks. He is not afraid to buy early
when the market is discounting the worst - like Caterpillar before it settled
its labor problems.
JIM LOVELACE
Has spent 16 years with Capital. Likes to observe and learn from the wide range
of investing styles among ICA's counselors, believes his own "is still
developing." Has favored some higher growth stocks like AutoZone, AirTouch
Communications and Viacom.
DON O'NEAL
Joined CRMC in 1985. Based in San Francisco, he finds ICA's consistent approach
built on the willingness of newer counselors to be a bit more aggressive,
tempered by the perspective they get from the older hands who have seen stocks
"get out of whack ten times before."
DINA PERRY
Joined Capital in 1991. Has more than 20 years in the investment business and
close familiarity with hundreds of companies. Known as a contrarian, she seeks
those stocks not well understood by most investors.
ANALYSTS
GORDON CRAWFORD
Joined Capital in 1971. Covers entertainment and cable television. His
conviction about a number of those stocks has led to ICA having substantial
positions in several, including Time Warner (up 100% in 1998) and Viacom (up
79%).
JOYCE GORDON
Joined Capital in 1975 and became an analyst in 1988. Focuses on banking and
coordinates ICA's research portfolio. Her research helped the fund make timely
investments in a number of bank stocks when they were depressed early in the
current decade.
[Begin Sidebar]
BUILDING UPON EXPERIENCE
The chart below illustrates the years of experience of ICA portfolio counselors
and featured analysts. The colors highlight four "generations" or groups of
experience levels in ICA.
[Begin bar chart]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Portfolio Counselor/Analyst Years Employed at Capital
Peter Labon 5
Ross Sappenfield 6
Carl Kawaja 7
Mark Merritt 7
Dina Perry 7
Jody Jonsson 8
Brad Vogt 11
Darcy Kopcho 12
Mike Kerr 13
Don O'Neal 13
Rick Beleson 14
Jim Lovelace 16
Joyce Gordon 23
Gregg Ireland 26
Gordon Crawford 27
Jim Rothenberg 28
Bill Grimsley 29
Mike Shanahan 33
Bill Newton 40
Jon Lovelace 47
</TABLE>
[end chart]
YEAR BEGAN AT CAPITAL
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C>
Peter Labon '93
Ross Sappenfield '92
Carl Kawaja '91
Mark Merritt '91
Dina Perry '91
Jody Jonsson '90
Brad Vogt '87
Darcy Kopcho '86
Mike Kerr '85
Don O'Neal '85
Rick Beleson '84
Jim Lovelace '82
Joyce Gordon '75
Gregg Ireland '72
Gordon Crawford '71
Jim Rothenberg '70
Bill Grimsley '69
Mike Shanahan '65
Bill Newton '59
Jon Lovelace '51
</TABLE>
[End Sidebar]
RICK BELESON
With CRMC since 1984, he brings an academic background in molecular biology to
his health care and biotechnology effort for ICA, helping him assess new
product development. Much of his investment for the fund is in Warner-Lambert
(up 82%) and Pfizer (up 68%), both among ICA's biggest holdings.
MIKE KERR
Joined CRMC in 1985 with a background in geology and oil exploration. Covers
energy on a global basis for ICA, which helped him recognize early the impact
economic turmoil in Asia would have on demand for oil.
DARCY KOPCHO
Became an analyst for Capital in 1989. Follows the auto industry, applying
global standards to measure each company's competitive position. Interacts with
several other Capital analysts based around the world to gain the broadest
possible perspective.
BRAD VOGT
Joined CRMC in 1987. Focuses on U.S. telecommunications from his base in
Washington, D.C. Recognized early the boom in data and wireless, which led to
big investments in Sprint, AirTouch and MCI WorldCom.
JODY JONSSON
Joined CRMC in 1990. Covers insurance and consumer products. Her own research
portfolio investment is concentrated in American International Group (up 33%
for the year) and McDonald's (up 60%).
CARL KAWAJA
Came to CRMC in 1991. Focuses on household products but also manages the
international portion of the ICA research portfolio. Lived in Japan in 1993 and
Europe in 1994 to gain global perspective. Represents CRMC's global analyst
group in ICA discussions.
MARK MERRITT
Joined CRMC in 1991. Concentrates on retailing. He chose Lowe's (up 115% for
the year) after visiting its North Carolina headquarters several times, its
stores in many cities and its better-known competitors.
ROSS SAPPENFIELD
Began in 1992. Covers financial and business services. In his own portion of
the ICA research portfolio, he tends to concentrate only on the best of stocks
among the 20 he follows closely, choosing the two or three about which he has
the highest conviction.
PETER LABON
Has been with Capital since 1993, specializing in software stocks. An
electrical engineer by training, he follows a high-growth field where solid
research and close communication with managements can help spot buying
opportunities when companies have momentary setbacks. Oracle has been a key
example.
[Begin Caption]
GATHERING FOR A "CLUSTER" MEETING
Capital's telecommunications and telecommunications equipment analysts from
around the world gather in Washington, D.C. to talk with industry executives
and compare notes. Clockwise from the large photo, David Riley and Brad Vogt
atop the Department of Housing and Urban Development building; right top,
Jesper Lyckeus from London and Jeff Urban from Los Angeles; right middle, David
Daigle, right, from Los Angeles; right bottom, Harry Tai, right, from New York
and Hong Kong with Chris Buchbinder, from Los Angeles.
[End Caption]
The diversity of investment styles among the counselors provides many avenues
for additions to the portfolio. Analyst Jody Jonsson experienced that on
Jefferson-Pilot, a life insurance company she figured was an overlooked gem.
She found one counselor, Jim Rothenberg, willing to add it to ICA's holdings,
and the stock rose more than the overall market over the last year.
Similarly, analyst Mark Merritt examined the home improvement sector and came
up with what he considers possibly "one of the last big growth stocks left in
retailing" - Lowe's. Between Mark and Gregg Ireland, it has become an ICA
holding, the value of which has nearly tripled in the last 18 months.
Brad Vogt, a Washington, D.C.-based telecommunications analyst, observes that a
big advantage of the multiple counselor system is that "there's always someone
open to your ideas in your industry - unlike a fund with a single $star'
manager who may just not like the whole sector you follow."
Brad spotted an opportunity in Sprint when it was pouring money into a new
unprofitable wireless service. That financial drain had spooked many investors,
but Brad visited Sprint and its competitors. He concluded that the high
expenditures would soon end and the wireless investment would pay off. He also
drew on the expertise of David Riley, one of Capital's European analysts, who
follows Sprint's strategic partner Deutsche Telekom. Brad invested in Sprint
for ICA. So did several of ICA's counselors, and the stock outperformed the
overall market even when stocks generally were at their peaks.
[Begin Caption]
EXPERIENCE COUNTS
Mike Kerr, left, joined Capital in 1985. He brings a background in geology and
oil exploration to his analysis of the oil industry. Bill Grimsley has been an
ICA portfolio counselor since 1971. He believes the multiple portfolio
counselor system helps ensure the fund's basic approach will remain as constant
in the next 40 years as it was in the past 40.
[End Caption]
Mike Kerr, an oil analyst based in Los Angeles, says the ICA multiple
counselor/research portfolio combination "gives an analyst tremendous
flexibility to get done what you want to get done; there's no individual or
committee to shut you down." Often, he says, the sequence is that he invests,
helping to convince one or two of the counselors to invest, and then later, as
others become comfortable with the recommendation, there's a second wave of
buying. The same sequence can be true when the recommendation is to consider
selling. Mike, along with others in ICA, spotted storm clouds over the oil
industry in time to lighten holdings in that area ahead of slumping oil prices.
In the research portfolio, each analyst is able to concentrate on a specific
industry and own only what he or she thinks is best. Ross Sappenfield, a New
York-based financial services analyst, follows about 20 companies and
frequently has no more than two or three in his portion of the portfolio, those
he considers at the top of his list at the time.
Ross points out that the multiple portfolio counselor system means that ICA's
counselors enjoy much the same opportunity to run a concentrated portfolio,
investing in a relatively short list of securities about which each is most
comfortable. "I think the system has been a great help during ICA's great
growth surge," says Bill Newton, former president of the fund and still a
counselor. "It keeps you from having to add too many companies to your own part
of the portfolio. You own what you really want to own and the result is also
lower portfolio turnover."
[Begin Caption]
STRESSING FIRSTHAND RESEARCH
New York-based Ross Sappenfield, right, who tracks financial and business
services companies for ICA, has a San Francisco meeting with William Aldinger,
center, chairman and chief executive officer of Household International, a
major consumer finance company. At left is Bobby Mehta, group executive of
Household Credit Services, a subsidiary of Household International.
[End Caption]
Low, indeed. The rate at which ICA's portfolio is changed is well under half
the average for all growth-and-income funds. Bill Grimsley cites one unusual
example: He bought Abbott Laboratories in 1972 and has held it continuously
ever since.
"The system is perfectly suited to investing for the long term," says Don
O'Neal, a San Francisco-based counselor. "It makes it easier not to worry about
how your own part of the portfolio is doing in a bad quarter."
Counselors and analysts interact in a variety of ways. There are weekly
meetings, written reports, one-on-one conversations and, occasionally, more
intense get-togethers - like one nicknamed "bank mania." Joyce Gordon, bank
analyst and coordinator of the ICA research portfolio, put that meeting
together, inviting the senior management of 15 banks to meet serially over
several days with a group of counselors and analysts in New York. One surprise
result was that a less well-known company, Washington Mutual, based in
Washington state, "jumped out at us on the strength of its management, its
growth rate and its relatively inexpensive stock price," recalls Don.
[Begin Caption]
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
ICA analysts Jody Jonsson and Carl Kawaja in San Francisco. Jody covers
insurance and consumer products, while Carl focuses on household products and
also represents Capital Research's international analyst group in ICA's
investment deliberations.
[End Caption]
[Begin Caption]
A RANGE OF INTERESTS
Portfolio counselor Don O'Neal, second from left, meets in San Francisco with
three ICA analysts: from left, Scott Bonham, who covers technology, Martin
Romo, a chemicals specialist, and Peter Labon, who tracks the computer software
industry.
[End Caption]
Like many bank stocks, Washington Mutual didn't do well for the year. The stock
was especially weak in early October, reflecting some concerns about its
acquisition of Great Western. Based on Joyce's assessment, however, ICA took
the opportunity to add to its holding while the stock was down.
This exchange of ideas is broader than just within the ranks of ICA's
counselors and analysts. Capital Research has 84 equity portfolio counselors
and analysts based around the world for the American Funds family, of which ICA
is one of 28 funds. All the analysts and counselors interact at times. Carl
Kawaja, for example, is ICA's liaison with the non-U.S.-based analyst force. He
visits a half-dozen or more countries in a year, flying more than 100,000 miles
to keep track of ICA investments in companies such as Nestl<UNDEF>, Unilever,
Fujitsu and the British drug concern Zeneca, currently merging with Astra.
ICA also benefits from what we call the cluster approach to research. Peter
Labon, an electrical engineer, covers computer software for the fund. He gets
together weekly in person or by phone with up to ten other Capital Research
technology analysts.
How did last year's stock market correction affect the research and
decision-making process at ICA? Not much, say those involved. "It doesn't
really matter whether stocks are going up or down," observes Peter. "The job
really doesn't change. We look for value. Actually that's harder in good times.
In a period like last September, there's lots of opportunity."
Rick Beleson, who brings an academic background in molecular biology to his
analysis of the pharmaceutical industry, sees the diverse preferences of the
counselors paying off in a period like last year. "There's a natural
progression. Those who prefer buying value (which often means buying when a
stock is depressed relative to others) will buy some pharmaceutical stocks when
they're down. Those who are inclined to buy growth stocks, even when they're
already up, will come along later and buy those companies. Sometimes it's like
a relay race.
Mike Shanahan, president of the fund, has been associated with Capital Research
since 1965, so he has experienced firsthand some of the best and worst the
stock market has to offer. "If you've been through the bad times, you tend to
be more concerned about preserving capital than those who haven't. ICA has a
nice mix of experience levels and that's part of what has kept this
fund so consistent."
[Begin Caption]
NEARLY 70 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AMONG THEM
Three of ICA's associates meet in Los Angeles. From left, Rick Beleson, with
health care and biotechnology stocks; Gordon Crawford, an analyst, has been
following entertainment and cable television since 1972; Jim Rothenberg, a
portfolio counselor, joined Capital in 1970.
[End Caption]
<TABLE>
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO - December 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------ ----------
<S> <C>
Percent of
Largest Individual Holdings Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------ ----------
Philip Morris 3.68%
Fannie Mae 2.96
Time Warner 2.93
Viacom 2.08
Intenational Business Machines 1.82
Pfizer 1.71
AT&T 1.71
BankAmerica 1.52
Cendant 1.51
Sprint FON Group 1.42
- ------------------------------------------ ----------
Percent of
Largest Industry Holdings Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------ ----------
Telecommunications 8.70%
Banking 7.96
Health & Personal Care 7.19
Broadcasting & Publishing 6.82
Data Processing & Reproduction 6.46
- ------------------------------------------ ----------
Percent of
Largest Investment Categories Net Assets
- ------------------------------------------ ----------
Services 24.06%
Finance 16.06
Consumer Goods 15.47
COMPANIES WHOSE EQUITY SECURITIES WERE ADDED TO OR ELIMINATED FROM THE PORTFOLIO LISTING
Companies appearing in the portfolio listing
since June 30, 1998
- ------------------------------------------
American Stores
Aon
Baxter International
Bayer
Cardinal Health
Compaq Computer
Corning
Deutsche Telekom
Illinois Tool Works
International Flavors & Fragrances
Jefferson-Pilot
Kimberly-Clark
Motorola
Northern Telecom
Northrop Grumman
Perkin-Elmer
Sara Lee
SunTrust Banks
Texas Utilities
Thermo Electron
- ------------------------------------------
Companies eliminated from the portfolio listing
since June 30, 1998
- ------------------------------------------
Amgen
Bay Networks
Boston Scientific
CIGNA
Citicorp
Emerson Electric
First Chicago NBD
Fleet Financial Group
General Motors (Hughes)
General Re
Halliburton
H.F Ahmanson
Inco
PNC Bank
Rockwell International
Solutia
Toronto-Dominion Bank
Union Pacific
UNOVA
Western Atlas
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY OF AMERICA
INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO, December 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Equity Securities Market Percent
- ------------------------------------------ Number of Value of Net
Energy Shares (millions) Assets
- ------------------------------------------ ----------- ------- -------
Energy Sources-4.71%
Amoco Corp. 4,665,000 281.649 .58
Atlantic Richfield Co. 2,350,000 153.337 .32
British Petroleum Co. PLC (ADR) 900,000 80.662 .17
Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd. 3,931,689 28.920 .06
Chevron Corp. 1,950,000 161.728 .33
Elf Aquitaine (ADR) 1,500,000 84.937 .18
Exxon Corp. 800,000 58.500 .12
Kerr-McGee Corp. 860,600 32.918 .07
Mobil Corp. 1,700,000 148.113 .30
Murphy Oil Corp. 2,175,000 89.719 .18
Phillips Petroleum Co. 5,100,000 217.388 .45
Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. (New York Registered Shares) 9,200,000 440.450 .91
Texaco Inc. 2,600,000 137.475 .28
TOTAL, Class B 1,273,469 128.838
TOTAL, Class B (ADR) 2,200,000 109.450 .49
Unocal Corp. 2,500,000 72.969 .15
USX-Marathon Group 2,000,000 60.250 .12
Utilities: Electric & Gas-0.98%
Ameren Corp. 600,000 25.612 .05
American Electric Power Co., Inc. 1,686,600 79.376 .16
Duke Energy Corp. 529,200 33.902 .07
Florida Progress Corp. 400,000 17.925 .04
GPU, Inc. 2,000,000 88.375 .18
KeySpan Energy Corp. (formerly MarketSpan Corp.) 2,816,000 87.296 .18
Southern Co. 2,372,500 68.951 .14
Texas Utilities Co. 1,500,000 70.031 .16
------- -------
2,758.771 5.69
------- -------
- ------------------------------------------
Materials
- ------------------------------------------
Chemicals-3.09%
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. 3,870,000 154.800 .32
Bayer AG 2,050,000 85.478 .18
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. 5,350,000 283.884 .59
Imperial Chemical Industries PLC (ADR) 4,100,000 143.244 .30
International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. 2,007,000 88.684 .18
Monsanto Co. 13,265,800 630.126 1.30
Praxair, Inc. 3,144,700 110.851 .22
Forest Products & Paper-2.66%
Champion International Corp. 1,950,000 78.975 .16
Fort James Corp. 9,000,000 360.000 .74
Georgia-Pacific Corp., Georgia-Pacific Group 4,575,000 267.924 .55
Georgia-Pacific Corp., Timber Group 3,250,000 77.391 .16
International Paper Co. 1,500,000 67.219 .14
Louisiana-Pacific Corp. 2,900,000 53.106 .11
Union Camp Corp. 1,530,000 103.275 .21
Weyerhaeuser Co. 5,550,000 282.009 .59
Metals: Nonferrous-0.70%
Aluminum Co. of America 2,500,000 186.406 .38
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Class B 2,200,000 22.963 .05
Phelps Dodge Corp. 1,696,300 86.299 .18
Rio Tinto PLC 1,652,835 19.055 .04
WMC Ltd. 9,000,000 27.099 .05
Metals: Steel-0.01%
USX-U.S. Steel Group 200,000 4.600 .01
------- -------
3,133.388 6.46
------- -------
- ------------------------------------------
Capital Equipment
- ------------------------------------------
Aerospace & Military Technology-1.10%
Boeing Co. 3,720,000 121.365 .25
Northrop Grumman Corp. 700,000 51.187 .11
Raytheon Co., Class A 2,310,305 119.414
Raytheon Co., Class B 1,700,000 90.525 .43
Sundstrand Corp. 1,412,600 73.279 .15
United Technologies Corp. 720,000 78.300 .16
Data Processing & Reproduction-6.46%
Ascend Communications, Inc. (1) 2,366,200 155.578 .32
Cisco Systems, Inc. (1) 2,800,000 259.875 .54
Compaq Computer Corp. 2,800,000 117.425 .24
Computer Associates International, Inc. 2,795,000 119.137 .25
Fujitsu Ltd. 7,223,000 95.667 .20
Hewlett-Packard Co. 4,100,000 280.081 .58
International Business Machines Corp. 4,784,600 883.955 1.82
Microsoft Corp. (1) 2,000,000 277.375 .57
Oracle Corp. (1) 15,503,750 668.599 1.38
3Com Corp. (1) 2,600,000 116.512 .24
Xerox Corp. 1,350,000 159.300 .32
Electrical & Electronic-1.35%
Lucent Technologies Inc. 1,200,000 132.000 .27
Northern Telecom Ltd. 3,649,140 182.913 .38
Siemens AG 3,200,000 206.235 .43
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Class B (ADR) 5,500,000 131.656 .27
Electronic Components-3.42%
AMP Inc. 523,350 27.247 .06
Corning Inc. 5,216,000 234.720 .48
Intel Corp. 2,250,000 266.766 .55
Micron Technology, Inc. (1) 7,250,000 366.578 .75
Motorola, Inc. 4,277,000 261.164 .54
Texas Instruments Inc. 5,890,000 503.963 1.04
Electronic Instruments-0.31%
Perkin-Elmer Corp. 1,555,950 151.802 .31
Energy Equipment-0.72%
Schlumberger Ltd. 7,550,000 348.244 .72
Industrial Components-0.40%
Dana Corp. 1,821,500 74.454 .15
Genuine Parts Co. 750,000 25.078 .05
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. 650,000 32.784 .07
Illinois Tool Works Inc. 1,000,000 63.125 .13
Machinery & Engineering-1.34%
Caterpillar Inc. 3,000,000 138.000 .28
Cummins Engine Co., Inc. 2,000,000 71.000 .15
Deere & Co. 6,500,000 215.313 .44
Ingersoll-Rand Co. 2,100,000 98.569 .20
Parker Hannifin Corp. 1,710,000 56.003 .12
Thermo Electron Corp. (1) 4,000,000 67.750 .15
------- -------
7,322.938 15.10
------- -------
- ------------------------------------------
Consumer Goods
- ------------------------------------------
Appliances & Household Durables-0.18%
Newell Co. 2,106,600 86.897 .18
Automobiles-1.29%
DaimlerChrysler AG (New York Registered Shares) (1) 2,119,900 203.643 .42
Ford Motor Co. 2,600,000 152.588 .32
General Motors Corp. 3,750,000 268.359 .55
Beverages & Tobacco-5.40%
PepsiCo, Inc. 8,950,000 366.391 .76
Philip Morris Companies Inc. 33,400,000 1,786.900 3.68
RJR Nabisco Holdings Corp. 11,635,000 345.414 .71
Seagram Co. Ltd. 3,200,000 121.600 .25
Food & Household Products-1.25%
Archer Daniels Midland Co. 3,307,500 56.848 .12
Bestfoods 1,200,000 63.900 .13
General Mills, Inc. 3,484,800 270.943 .56
Nestle SA 30,000 65.308 .14
Procter & Gamble Co. 600,000 54.787 .11
Sara Lee Corp. 1,200,000 33.825 .07
Unilever NV (New York Registered Shares) 700,000 58.056 .12
Health & Personal Care-7.19%
Abbott Laboratories 3,000,000 147.000 .30
Avon Products, Inc. 3,453,000 152.795 .32
Baxter International Inc. 2,200,000 141.487 .29
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. 1,600,000 214.100 .44
Eli Lilly and Co. 3,650,000 324.394 .67
Kimberly-Clark Corp. 1,000,000 54.500 .11
Merck & Co., Inc. 3,000,000 443.062 .91
Pfizer Inc 6,600,000 827.888 1.71
Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc. 2,947,500 166.902 .35
Schering-Plough Corp. 5,800,000 320.450 .66
Warner-Lambert Co. 6,600,000 496.238 1.02
Zeneca Group PLC 4,450,900 193.586
Zeneca Group PLC (ADR) 99,000 4.443 .41
Recreation & Other Consumer Products-0.16%
Eastman Kodak Co. 1,100,000 79.200 .16
------- -------
7,501.504 15.47
------- -------
- ------------------------------------------
Services
- ------------------------------------------
Broadcasting & Publishing-6.82%
Comcast Corp., Class A, special stock 840,000 49.297 .10
Dow Jones & Co., Inc. 2,000,000 96.250 .20
Houston Industries Inc. 7.00% ACES convertible preferred 2000 500,000 53.188 .11
Tele-Communications, Inc., Series A, Liberty Media Group (1) 11,130,987 512.721 1.06
Tele-Communications, Inc., Series A, TCI Group (1) 3,000,000 165.938 .34
Time Warner Inc. 22,900,000 1,421.231 2.93
Viacom Inc., Class A (1) 1,196,400 88.010
Viacom Inc., Class B (1) 12,450,000 921.300 2.08
Business & Public Services-3.45%
Browning-Ferris Industries, Inc. 1,500,000 42.656 .09
Cendant Corp. (1) 38,300,000 730.094 1.51
Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp. 5,800,000 143.550 .30
Electronic Data Systems Corp. 1,900,000 95.475 .20
FDX Corp. (1) 1,435,000 127.715 .26
Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc. 2,769,150 220.840 .46
United HealthCare Corp. 1,000,000 43.063 .09
Waste Management, Inc. 5,780,000 269.493 .54
Leisure & Tourism-0.90%
McDonald's Corp. 1,400,000 107.275 .23
Walt Disney Co. 10,900,000 327.000 .67
Merchandising-3.57%
American Stores Co. 6,800,000 251.175 .52
AutoZone, Inc. (1) 2,640,000 86.955 .18
Cardinal Health, Inc., Class A 502,650 38.139 .08
Dillard's Inc. 2,100,000 59.587 .12
J.C. Penney Co., Inc. 3,500,000 164.062 .34
Limited Inc. 7,164,700 208.672 .43
Lowe's Companies, Inc. 5,425,000 277.692 .57
May Department Stores Co. 1,812,300 109.418 .23
Venator Group, Inc. (1) 5,800,000 37.337 .08
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. 6,100,000 496.769 1.02
Telecommunications-8.70%
AirTouch Communications (1) 6,691,700 482.639 1.00
Ameritech Corp. 7,000,000 443.625 .91
AT&T Corp. 11,000,000 827.750 1.71
Deutsche Telekom AG 11,230,400 368.960 .76
MCI WorldCom, Inc. (1) 6,053,650 434.349 .90
SBC Communications Inc. 1,800,000 96.525 .20
Sprint FON Group (formerly Sprint Corp.) 8,185,700 688.622 1.42
Tele-Communications, Inc., Series A, TCI Ventures Group (1) 9,427,100 222.126 .46
Telefonica, SA (ADR) 1,428,000 193.316 .40
Telefonos de Mexico, SA de CV, Class L (ADR) 3,057,400 148.857 .31
U S WEST, Inc. 2,100,000 135.713 .28
Vodafone Group PLC (ADR) 1,098,000 176.915 .35
Transportation: Airlines-0.62%
AMR Corp. (1) 4,350,000 258.281 .53
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 942,100 48.989 .09
------- -------
11,671.569 24.06
------- -------
- ------------------------------------------
Finance
- ------------------------------------------
Banking-7.96%
BANK ONE CORP. 4,816,000 245.917 .51
BankAmerica Corp. (new) 12,227,100 735.154 1.52
Bankers Trust Corp. 1,427,400 121.953 .25
Chase Manhattan Corp. 4,989,000 339.564 .70
Comerica Inc. 750,000 51.141 .11
First Union Corp. 9,255,000 562.820 1.16
KeyCorp 5,500,000 176.000 .36
National City Corp. 1,000,000 72.000 .15
SunTrust Banks, Inc. 2,368,200 181.167 .37
U.S. Bancorp 2,831,250 100.509 .21
Wachovia Corp. 900,000 78.694 .16
Washington Mutual, Inc. 17,500,000 668.281 1.38
Wells Fargo & Co. (new) 13,250,000 529.172 1.08
Financial Services-5.58%
Associates First Capital Corp., Class A 2,000,000 84.750 .17
Fannie Mae 19,396,800 1,435.363 2.96
Freddie Mac 5,300,000 341.519 .70
Household International, Inc. 12,400,000 491.350 1.01
SLM Holding Corp. 7,357,000 353.136 .74
Insurance-2.52%
Aetna Inc. 1,620,000 127.372 .26
Allstate Corp. 3,700,000 142.913 .29
American General Corp. 1,810,000 141.180 .29
American International Group, Inc. 2,700,000 260.888 .54
Aon Corp. 1,600,000 88.600 .18
Jefferson-Pilot Corp. 2,000,000 150.000 .31
Lincoln National Corp. 1,050,000 85.903 .18
SAFECO Corp. 1,600,000 68.700 .14
St. Paul Companies, Inc. 4,480,000 155.680 .33
--------- ---------
7,789.726 16.06
--------- ---------
- ------------------------------------------
Other
- ------------------------------------------
Multi-Industry-0.60%
AlliedSignal Inc. 2,700,000 119.644 .25
Canadian Pacific Ltd. 2,300,000 43.412 .09
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. 120,000 8.760 .02
Textron Inc. 1,585,000 120.361 .24
Gold Mines -0.55%
Barrick Gold Corp. 4,750,000 92.625 .19
Newmont Mining Corp. 4,750,000 85.797 .18
Placer Dome Inc. 7,750,000 89.125 .18
Miscellaneous-1.18%
Equity securities in initial period of
acquisition 569.207 1.18
------- -------
1,128.931 2.33
------- -------
Total Equity Securities (cost: $22,082.637
million) 41,306.827 85.17
------- -------
Principal
- ------------------------------------------ Amount
Bonds & Notes (millions)
- ------------------------------------------ ---------
--------- ---------
Total Bonds & Notes (cost: $1,224.939 million)
--------- ---------
Total Investment Securities (cost: $23,307.576
million) 41,306.827 85.17
Principal
- ------------------------------------------ Amount
Short-Term Securities (millions)
- ------------------------------------------ ---------
U.S. Treasuries and Other Federal Agencies-9.82%
Treasury Notes 5.625%-6.00% due 7/31-11/15/99 1,000.000 1,008.163 2.08
Fannie Mae 4.72%-5.18% due 1/8-6/24/99 768.050 761.659 1.57
Federal Farm Credit Bank 4.68%-5.05% due 1/19-6/30/99 166.762 163.971 .34
Federal Farm Credit Bank Notes 4.75%-5.32% due 1/4-7/1/99 225.000 224.976 .46
Federal Home Loan Banks 4.65%-5.05% due 1/4-6/30/99 936.994 925.634 1.91
Freddie Mac 4.875%-5.18% due 1/7-4/9/99 1,460.937 1,450.499 2.99
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development 228.200 226.959 .47
4.88%-5.06% due 1/14-3/22/99
Corporate Short-Term Notes-5.11%
A.I. Credit Corp. 5.08%-5.09% due 2/22-2/23/99 67.000 66.486 .14
American Express Credit Corp. 5.13% due 1/5-1/13/99 90.000 89.889 .19
American General Finance Corp. 5.15%-5.28% due 1/21-1/29/99 60.000 59.792 .12
Ameritech Corp. 5.00%-5.08% due 1/12-2/4/99 75.000 74.793 .15
Archer Daniels Midland Co. 5.00%-5.02% due 4/1-4/6/99 80.000 78.982 .16
Associates First Capital Corp. 5.10%-5.33% due 1/13-3/1/99 98.000 97.530 .20
Atlantic Richfield Co. 4.81%-5.02% due 2/16-3/16/99 (2) 90.000 89.252 .18
Bell Atlantic Network Funding Corp. 5.23% due 1/6/99 37.100 37.068 .08
BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. 5.08%-5.15% due 1/20-2/24/99 81.600 81.114 .17
Coca-Cola Co. 5.00%-5.27% due 1/21-3/5/99 127.400 126.629 .26
Consolidated Natural Gas Co. 5.05% due 1/21/99 40.000 39.882 .08
Deere & Co. 5.00%-6.04% due 1/7-1/15/99 49.800 49.709 .10
Walt Disney Co. 4.91%-5.25% due 1/14-2/5/99 97.000 96.707 .20
E.I.du Pont de Nemours and Co. 4.98%-5.11% due 1/6-3/9/99 98.000 97.649 .20
Eastman Kodak Co. 5.08%-5.49% due 1/15-2/11/99 67.300 66.969 .14
Emerson Electric Co. 5.07%-5.45% due 1/21-2/10/99 73.850 73.476 .15
Ford Motor Credit Co. 5.03%-5.04% due 1/6-3/25/99 108.700 108.090 .22
Gannett Co., Inc. 4.98%-5.03% due 1/11-1/15/99 (2) 57.400 57.300 .12
General Electric Capital Corp. 5.11%-5.50% due 1/4-3/19/99 134.000 133.175 .27
H.J. Heinz Co. 4.85%-5.20% due 2/11-2/26/99 86.900 86.310 .18
IBM Credit Corp. 5.25%-5.30% due 1/5-1/8/99 83.500 83.409 .17
Johnson & Johnson 5.03%-5.17% due 1/29-2/18/99 (2) 76.800 76.395 .16
Lucent Technologies Inc. 4.90%-5.25% due 1/5-1/12/99 68.500 68.401 .14
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. 4.95%-5.10% due 1/19-1/2 77.400 77.178 .16
Motorola, Inc. 5.03% due 2/25-3/23/99 75.900 75.196 .16
PepsiCo, Inc. 5.03%-5.25% due 1/13-1/26/99 83.525 83.281 .17
Pfizer Inc 5.13%-5.22% due 1/13-2/12/99 (2) 107.900 107.483 .22
Procter & Gamble Co. 4.90%-5.30% due 1/19-2/26/99 106.000 105.481 .22
Shell Oil Co. 5.03% due 1/15/99 75.300 75.140 .16
Texaco Inc. 5.00%-5.02% due 2/11-2/17/99 73.000 72.532 .15
Xerox Corp. 4.95%-4.99 due 1/11-1/22/99 41.300 41.182 .09
Total Short-Term Securities
(cost: $7,229.933 million) 7,238.341 14.93
Excess of payables over cash and receivables 47.585 .10
------- -------
Total Short-Term Securities, Cash and Receivables,
Net of Payables 7,190.756 14.83
------- -------
Net Assets 48,497.583 100.00
======= =======
(1) Non-income-producing securities.
(2) Purchased in a private placement transaction;
resale to the public may require registration or
sale only to qualified institutional buyers.
ADR = American Depositary Receipts
See Notes to Financial Statements
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
The Investment Company of America
- ----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Statement of Assets and Liabilities (dollars in
at December 31, 1998 millions)
- ---------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets:
Investment securities at market
(cost: $22,082.637) $41,306.827
Short-term securities at market
(cost: $7,229.933) 7,238.341
Cash .319
Receivables for-
Sales of investments $58.535
Sales of fund's shares 61.329
Dividends and accrued interest 71.887 191.751
------------- -------------
48,737.238
Liabilities:
Payables for-
Purchases of investments 132.239
Repurchases of fund's shares 87.270
Management services 9.930
Accrued expenses 10.216 239.655
------------- -------------
Net Assets at December 31, 1998-
Equivalent to $31.07 per share on
1,561,093,865 shares of $1 par value
capital stock outstanding (authorized
capital stock--2,000,000,000 shares) $48,497.583
=============
Statement of Operations (dollars in
for the year ended December 31, 1998 millions)
- ----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Investment Income:
Income:
Dividends $604.737
Interest 351.079 $ 955.816
-------------
Expenses:
Management services fee 108.430
Distribution expenses 96.401
Transfer agent fee 22.846
Reports to shareholders 2.274
Registration statement and
prospectus 1.965
Postage, stationery and supplies 5.136
Directors' fees .505
Auditing and legal fees .108
Custodian fee .667
Taxes other than federal income tax .404
Other expenses .281 239.017
------------- -------------
Net investment income 716.799
-------------
Realized Gain and Unrealized
Appreciation on Investments:
Net realized gain 4,437.555
Net increase in unrealized
appreciation on investments 3,902.006
-------------
Net realized gain and increase in
unrealized appreciation on investments 8,339.561
-------------
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting
from Operations $ 9,056.360
=============
- ---------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
(dollars in
millions)
Year ended
36,525.000
Statement of Changes in Net Assets 1998 1997
- ----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Operations:
Net investment income $ 716.799 $ 678.160
Net realized gain on investments 4,437.555 3,800.223
Net increase in unrealized
appreciation on investments 3,902.006 4,685.662
------------- -------------
Net increase in net assets
resulting from operations 9,056.360 9,164.045
------------- -------------
Dividends and Distributions Paid
to Shareholders:
Dividends from net investment income (729.026) (639.699)
Distributions from net realized
gain on investments (4,219.066) (3,345.342)
------------- -------------
Total dividends and distributions (4,948.092) (3,985.041)
------------- -------------
Capital Share Transactions:
Proceeds from shares sold: 175,861,192
and 142,732,538 shares, respectively 5,363.712 3,966.602
Proceeds from shares issued in reinvestment
of net investment income dividends and
distributions of net realized gain on
investments: 152,955,982 and 132,253,234
shares, respectively 4,569.218 3,660.294
Cost of shares repurchased: 173,627,274
and 143,511,101 shares, respectively (5,261.288) (3,963.699)
------------- -------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from
capital share transactions 4,671.642 3,663.197
------------- -------------
Total Increase in Net Assets 8,779.910 8,842.201
Net Assets:
Beginning of year 39,717.673 30,875.472
------------- -------------
End of year (including undistributed
net investment income: $307.707
and $320.290, respectively) $48,497.583 $39,717.673
============= =============
See Notes to Financial Statements
</TABLE>
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION - The Investment Company of America (the "fund") is registered
under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management
investment company. The fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income,
placing greater emphasis on future dividends than on current income.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - The following is a summary of the significant
accounting policies consistently followed by the fund in the preparation of its
financial statements:
SECURITY VALUATION - Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are
valued at the last reported sale price on the exchange or market on which such
securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the securities
are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. In
cases where equity securities are traded on more than one exchange, the
securities are valued on the exchange or market determined by the investment
adviser to be the broadest and most representative market, which may be either
a securities exchange or the over-the-counter market. Fixed-income securities
are valued at prices obtained from a pricing service, 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 quoted bid and
asked prices or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and
type. Securities with original maturities of one year or less having 60 days or
less to maturity are amortized to maturity based on their cost if acquired
within 60 days of maturity or, if already held on the 60th day, based on the
value determined on the 61st day. Securities and assets for which
representative market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair
value as determined in good faith by a committee appointed by the Board of
Directors.
NON-U.S CURRENCY TRANSLATION - Assets or liabilities initially expressed in
terms of non-U.S. currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the prevailing
market rates at the end of the reporting period. Purchases and sales of
securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the
prevailing market rates on the dates of such transactions. The effects of
changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates on investment securities are
included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss on investment
securities.
SECURITY TRANSACTIONS AND RELATED INVESTMENT INCOME - As is customary in the
mutual fund industry, securities transactions are accounted for on the date the
securities are purchased or sold. In the event the fund purchases securities on
a delayed delivery or "when-issued" basis, it will segregate with its custodian
liquid assets in an amount sufficient to meet its payment obligations in these
transactions. 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. The fund
does not amortize premiums on securities purchased.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS - Dividends and distributions paid
to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
2. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
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 December 31, 1998, net unrealized appreciation on investments for
federal income tax purposes aggregated $19,241,920,000, of which
$19,965,459,000 related to appreciated securities and $723,539,000 related to
depreciated securities. During the year ended December 31,1998, the fund
realized, on a tax basis, a net capital gain of $4,437,593,000 on securities
transactions. Net losses related to non-U.S. currency transactions of $38,000
were treated as an adjustment to ordinary income for federal income tax
purposes. The cost of portfolio securities for federal income tax purposes was
$29,303,248,000 at December 31, 1998.
3. FEES AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES
INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEE - The fee of $108,430,000 for management services was
incurred 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 0.39% of the first $1 billion of net
assets; 0.336% of such assets in excess of $1 billion but not exceeding $2
billion; 0.30% of such assets in excess of $2 billion but not exceeding $3
billion; 0.276% of such assets in excess of $3 billion but not exceeding $5
billion; 0.258% of such assets in excess of $5 billion but not exceeding $8
billion; 0.246% of such assets in excess of $8 billion but not exceeding $13
billion; 0.24% of such assets in excess of $13 billion but not exceeding $21
billion; 0.235% of such assets in excess of $21 billion but not exceeding $34
billion; and 0.231% of such assets in excess of $34 billion.
DISTRIBUTION EXPENSES - 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 December 31,1998,
distribution expenses under the Plan were $96,401,000. As of December 31,1998,
accrued and unpaid distribution expenses were $9,197,000. American Funds
Distributors, Inc. (AFD), the principal underwriter of the fund's shares,
received $18,078,000 (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.
TRANSFER AGENT FEE - American Funds Service Company (AFS), the transfer agent
for the fund, was paid a fee of $22,846,000.
DEFERRED DIRECTORS' FEES - Directors and Advisory Board members 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 December 31, 1998, aggregate
amounts deferred and earnings thereon were $919,000.
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. WARRANTS - Option warrants are outstanding, which may be exercised at any
time for the purchase of 835,212 shares of the fund at approximately $5.242 per
share. If all warrants had been exercised on December 31, 1998, the net assets
of the fund would have been $48,501,961,000; the shares outstanding would have
been 1,561,929,000; and the net asset value would have been equivalent to
$31.05 per share. During the year ended December 31,1998, 125 warrants were
exercised for the purchase of 2,742 shares.
5. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND OTHER DISCLOSURES.
The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term securities, of $9,439,861,000 and $11,098,750,000, respectively,
during the year ended December 31, 1998.
As of December 31, 1998, accumulated undistributed net realized gain on
investments was $494,439,000 and additional paid-in capital was
$26,901,645,000. The fund reclassified $356,000 and $179,411,000 from
undistributed net investment income and undistributed net realized gains,
respectively, to additional paid-in capital for the year ended December
31,1998.
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 $667,000 includes $48,000 that was paid by these credits
rather than in cash.
Dividend and interest income is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. For the
year ended December 31,1998, such non-U.S. taxes were $9,434,000. Net realized
currency losses on dividends, interest and withholding taxes reclaimable, on a
book basis, were $38,000 for the year ended December 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
Per-Share Data and Ratios
Year ended December 31
1998 1997 1996 1995 1994
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year $28.25 $24.23 $21.61 $17.67 $18.72
------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------
Income From Investment Operations:
Net investment income .48 .51 .49 .52 .51
Net gains or losses on securities (both
realized and unrealized) 5.79 6.61 3.66 4.83 (.48)
------------ ------------ ---------- ---------- ---------
Total from investment operations 6.27 7.12 4.15 5.35 .03
----------- ----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Less Distributions:
Dividends (from net investment income) (.51) (.50) (.50) (.50) (.48)
Distributions (from capital gains) (2.94) (2.60) (1.03) (.91) (.60)
----------- ----------- --------- ----------- ---------
Total distributions (3.45) (3.10) (1.53) (1.41) (1.08)
----------- ----------- --------- ---------- ---------
Net Asset Value, End of Year $31.07 $28.25 $24.23 $21.61 $17.67
========== ========== ======== ======== =======
Total Return (1) 22.94% 29.81% 19.35% 30.63% .16%
Ratios/Supplemental Data:
Net assets, end of year (in millions) $48,498 $39,718 $30,875 $25,678 $19,280
Ratio of expenses to average net assets 0.55% 0.56% 0.59% 0.60% 0.60%
Ratio of net income to average net assets 1.65% 1.90% 2.17% 2.70% 2.83%
Portfolio turnover rate - common stocks 25.43% 24.08% 17.46% 20.91% 17.94%
Portfolio turnover rate - investment securities 24.28% 26.02% 19.56% 20.37% 31.08%
(1) Excludes maximum sales charge of 5.75%.
</TABLE>
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of The Investment Company of America
In our opinion, the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including
the investment portfolio, and the related statements of operations and of
changes in net assets and the per-share data and ratios present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of The Investment Company of America
(the "Fund") at December 31, 1998, the results of its operations, the changes
in its net assets and the per-share data and ratios for the years indicated, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial
statements and per-share data and ratios (hereafter referred to as "financial
statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of
securities at December 31, 1998 by correspondence with the custodian, provide a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
Los Angeles, California
January 29, 1999
1998 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:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Dividends and Distributions Per Share
To Shareholders of Payment Date From Net From Net From Net
Record Investment Realized Short- Realized Long-
Income Term Gains Term Gains
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
March 6, 1998 March 9, 1998 $0.12 - $0.33
June 5, 1998 June 8, 1998 0.12 - -
September 4, 1998 September 8, 1998 0.12 - -
December 17, 1998 December 18, 1998 0.15 - 2.61
</TABLE>
The fund also designates as a capital gain distribution a portion of earnings
and profits paid to shareholders in redemption of their shares.
Corporate shareholders may exclude up to 70% of qualifying dividends received
during the year. For purposes of computing this exclusion, 74% of the dividends
paid by the fund from net investment income represent qualifying dividends.
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, 12% of the dividends
paid by the fund from net investment income were derived from interest on
direct U.S. Treasury obligations.
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.
SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISERS.
For information about your account or any of the fund's services, please
contact your financial adviser. You may also call American Funds Service
Company, toll-free, at 800/421-0180, or visit www.americanfunds.com on the
World Wide Web.
This report is for the information of shareholders of The Investment Company of
America, but it may also be used as sales literature when preceded or
accompanied by the current prospectus, which gives details about charges,
expenses, investment objectives and operating policies of the fund. If used as
sales material after March 31, 1999, this report must be accompanied by an
American Funds Group Statistical Update for the most recently completed
calendar quarter.
Litho in USA BDA/AL/3921
Lit. No. ICA-011-0299
Printed on recycled paper
[THE AMERICAN FUNDS GROUP(R)]
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHARLES H. BLACK
Pacific Palisades, California
Private investor and consultant; former
Executive Vice President and Director,
KaiserSteel Corporation
ANN S. BOWERS
Palo Alto, California
Senior Trustee, The Noyce Foundation
LOUISE H. BRYSON*
Los Angeles, California
Director and former Chairman of
the Board, KCET Public Television
MALCOLM R. CURRIE, PH.D.
Agoura, California
Chairman Emeritus,
Hughes Aircraft Company
WILLIAM R. GRIMSLEY**
San Francisco, California
Senior Vice President of the fund
Senior Vice President and Director,
Capital Research and Management
Company
JON B. LOVELACE, JR.
Los Angeles, California
Chairman of the Board of the fund
Chairman Emeritus, Capital Research
and Management Company
JOHN G. MCDONALD
Stanford, California
The IBJ Professor of Finance, Graduate
School of Business, Stanford University
BAILEY MORRIS-ECK
Washington, D.C.
Vice President, The Brookings
Institution; Senior Fellow, Institute for
International Economics; Consultant,
The Independent of London
RICHARD G. NEWMAN
Los Angeles, California
Chairman of the Board, President
and Chief Executive Officer,
AECOM Technology Corporation
(architectural engineering)
WILLIAM C. NEWTON
Los Angeles, California
Senior Partner, The Capital Group
Partners L.P.
JAMES W. RATZLAFF
San Francisco, California
Vice Chairman of the Board of the fund
Senior Partner, The Capital Group
Partners L.P.
OLIN C. ROBISON, PH.D.
Middlebury, Vermont
President of the Salzburg Seminar;
President Emeritus, Middlebury College
R. MICHAEL SHANAHAN**
Los Angeles, California
President of the fund
Chairman of the Board and Principal
Executive Officer, Capital Research
and Management Company
WILLIAM J. SPENCER, PH.D.
Austin, Texas
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer, SEMATECH
(research and development consortium)
*effective January 1, 1999
**effective April 28, 1998
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
THOMAS M. CROSBY, JR.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Partner, Faegre & Benson (law firm)
ELLEN H. GOLDBERG, PH.D.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
President, Santa Fe Institute
ALLAN E. GOTLIEB
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Former Canadian Ambassador
to the United States
WILLIAM H. KLING
St. Paul, Minnesota
President, Minnesota Public Radio;
President, Greenspring Company;
former President, American Public
Radio (now Public Radio International)
ROBERT J. O'NEILL, PH.D.
Oxford, United Kingdom
Chichele Professor of the History of War
and Fellow of All Souls College,
University of Oxford
NORMAN R. WELDON, PH.D.
Evergreen, Colorado
Managing Director, Partisan Management
Group Inc.; former Chairman of the
Board, Novoste Corporation
OTHER OFFICERS
GREGG E. IRELAND
Washington, D.C.
Senior Vice President of the fund
Senior Vice President, Capital Research
and Management Company
JAMES B. LOVELACE
Los Angeles, California
Senior Vice President of the fund
Senior Vice President, Capital Research
and Management Company
DONALD D. O'NEAL
San Francisco, California
Senior Vice President of the fund
Vice President, Capital Research
and Management Company
JOYCE E. GORDON
Los Angeles, California
Vice President of the fund
Senior Vice President and Director,
Capital Research Company
ANNE M. LLEWELLYN
Los Angeles, California
Vice President of the fund
Associate, Capital Research
and Management Company
PATRICIA L. PINNEY
Los Angeles, California
Vice President of the fund
Vice President, Capital
Research Company
VINCENT P. CORTI
Los Angeles, California
Secretary of the fund
Vice President - Fund Business
Management Group, Capital Research
and Management Company
THOMAS M. ROWLAND
Brea, California
Treasurer of the fund
Senior Vice President - Fund Business
Management Group, Capital Research
and Management Company
R. MARCIA GOULD
Brea, California
Assistant Treasurer of the fund
Vice President - Fund Business
Management Group, Capital Research
and Management Company
ANTHONY W. HYNES, JR.
Brea, California
Assistant Treasurer of the fund
Vice President - Fund Business
Management Group, Capital Research
and Management Company
OFFICES OF THE FUND AND OF THE
INVESTMENT ADVISER, CAPITAL RESEARCH
AND MANAGEMENT COMPANY
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071-1443
135 South State College Boulevard
Brea, California 92821-5823
TRANSFER AGENT FOR SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNTS
American Funds Service Company
(Please write to the address nearest you.)
P.O. Box 2205
Brea, California 92822-2205
P.O. Box 659522
San Antonio, Texas 78265-9522
P.O. Box 6007
Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6007
P.O. Box 2280
Norfolk, Virginia 23501-2280
CUSTODIAN OF ASSETS
The Chase Manhattan Bank
One Chase Manhattan Plaza
New York, New York 10081-0001
COUNSEL
O'Melveny & Myers LLP
400 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071-2899
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
400 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071-2889
PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITER
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California 90071-1462
