CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER INC
497, 1996-03-05
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March 1, 1996
 
                         CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER, INC.
 
                             333 South Hope Street
                             Los Angeles, CA 90071
 
The fund strives 1) to provide to shareholders a level of current income which
exceeds the average yield on U.S. stocks generally and 2) to provide to
shareholders a growing stream of income over the years. Secondarily, the fund
will seek growth of capital. The fund will invest in a diversified portfolio
of securities that include common stocks and fixed-income securities. Up to
40% of the fund's assets may be invested in non-U.S. securities.
 
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 March 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.
 
12-010-0396
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
            SUMMARY OF
              EXPENSES
 
        Average annual
  expenses paid over a 
  10-year period would
      be approximately
         $14 per year,
     assuming a $1,000
   investment and a 5% 
annual return with the
  maximum sales charge.
 
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
Maximum sales charge on purchases
 (as a percentage of offering price)..................................  5.75%/1/
The fund has no sales charge on reinvested dividends, deferred sales
charge,/2/ redemption fees or exchange fees.
 
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
(as a percentage of average net assets)
 
Management fees.......................................................  0.37%
12b-1 expenses........................................................  0.22%/3/
Other expenses (including audit, legal, shareholder services, transfer
 agent and custodian expenses)........................................  0.13%
Total fund operating expenses.........................................  0.72%
 
EXAMPLE                                      1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS  10 YEARS
- -------                                      ------  -------  -------  --------
You would pay the following 
cumulative expenses on a $1,000
investment, assuming a 5% annual
return./4/                                     $64     $79      $95      $142
 
/1/ Sales charges are reduced for certain large purchases. (See "The American
    Funds Shareholder Guide: Purchasing Shares--Sales Charges.")
 
/2/ 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% applies on certain redemptions made within 12 months following
    such purchases. (See "The American Funds Shareholder Guide: Redeeming 
    Shares--Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.")
    
/3/ These expenses may not exceed 0.30% 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.
 
/4/ 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.
 
      TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
Summary of Expenses.........      2
Financial Highlights........      3
Investment Objectives
  and Policies..............      3
Investing Around the World..      4
Investment Results..........      7
Dividends, Distributions
  and Taxes.................      8
Fund Organization
  and Management............      9
The American Funds
  Shareholder Guide.......... 12-20
Purchasing Shares............    12
Reducing Your Sales Charge...    15
Shareholder Services...........  16
Redeeming Shares...............  18
Retirement Plans...............  20
 
      IMPORTANT PHONE
         NUMBERS
 
   Shareholder Services: 
    800/421-0180 ext. 1
 
      Dealer Services:
    800/421-9900 ext. 11
 
   American FundsLine(R):
      800/325-3590
  (24-hour information)
 
2
 
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          FINANCIAL   The following information has been audited by Price
         HIGHLIGHTS   Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, whose
       (For a share   unqualified report covering each of the most recent five
        outstanding   years is included in the statement of additional
     throughout the   information. This information should be read in
       fiscal year)   conjunction with the financial statements and
                      accompanying notes which appear in the statement of
                      additional information. 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              1995    1994    1993    1992    1991    1990     1989    1988   1987/1/
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  -------      
  <S>                        <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>          
  Net Asset Value, Begin-
   ning of Year...........   $32.68  $34.42  $30.77  $28.67  $23.37  $25.05   $22.63  $21.22  $22.62
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
   INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
    OPERATIONS:
    Net investment income.     1.69    1.73    1.53    1.44    1.37    1.39     1.30    1.15     .36
    Net realized and
     unrealized gain (loss)
     on investments.......     3.69   (1.62)   3.76    2.33    5.39   (1.76)    2.41    1.41   (1.40)
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
     Total income (loss)
     from investment
     operations...........     5.38     .11    5.29    3.77    6.76    (.37)    3.71    2.56   (1.04)
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
   LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
    Dividends from net in-
     vestment income......    (1.69)  (1.73)  (1.53)  (1.44)  (1.46)  (1.31)   (1.29)  (1.15)   (.36)
    Distributions from net
     realized gains........    (.10)   (.12)   (.11)   (.23)    --      --       --      --      --
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
     Total distributions...  ( 1.79) ( 1.85) ( 1.64)  (1.67)  (1.46)  (1.31)   (1.29)  (1.15)   (.36)
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
  Net Asset Value, End of
   Year...................   $36.27  $32.68  $34.42  $30.77  $28.67  $23.37   $25.05  $22.63  $21.22
                             ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======   ======  ======  ======
  Total Return/2/.........    16.98%    .47%  17.58%  13.46%  29.27%  (1.62)%  16.74%  12.27%  (4.62)%/3/
  RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
   DATA:
   Net assets, end of year
    (in millions).........   $4,533  $3,629  $2,826  $1,203  $  563  $  206   $  195  $  126  $   53
   Ratio of expenses to
    average net assets....       72%    .73%    .72%    .81%    .98%   1.01%    1.11%   1.16%    .36%/3/
   Ratio of net income to
    average net assets....     4.96%   5.29%   4.69%   4.71%   5.09%   5.70%    5.44%   5.24%   1.17%/3/
   Portfolio turnover
    rate..................    18.06%  36.19%  11.22%  16.57%  13.99%  24.68%   16.30%  35.88%      0%/3/
</TABLE>
 --------
 /1/ The period ended October 31, 1987 represents the initial period of
     operations which began July 30, 1987.
 /2/ This was calculated without deducting a sales charge. The maximum sales
     charge is 5.75% of the fund's offering price.
 /3/ These figures are based on operations for the period shown and,
     accordingly, are not representative of a full year's operations.
 
 
 
         INVESTMENT   The fund is an equity income mutual fund that strives
         OBJECTIVES   for the accomplishment of two primary investment objec-
       AND POLICIES   tives--1) to provide to shareholders a level of current
                      income which exceeds the average yield on stocks gener-
                      ally, using as a measure the yield on the Standard &
                      Poor's 500 Stock Composite Index and 2) to provide to
                      shareholders a growing stream of income over the years.
                      Secondarily, the fund will seek growth of capital, in
                      the sense that achieving the objective of growing income
                      implies that the fund will also, over time, achieve sig-
                      nificant capital growth.
 
         The fund's   The fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of       
 primary goal is to   securities that includes common stocks and fixed-income  
 provide you with a   securities including preferred stocks and securities     
      current yield   convertible into common stocks. Normally at least 50% of 
      which exceeds   its total assets will be invested in common stocks.      
  that paid by U.S.                                                            
   stocks generally   Under normal market conditions, at least 90% of the      
    together with a   fund's portfolio will be invested in income-producing    
  growing dividend.   securities.                                               
    It also aims to
  make your capital
              grow.
 
                                                                               3
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       Up to 40% of the fund's assets may be invested in secu-
                       rities of issuers that are not included in the Standard
                       & Poor's 500 Composite Index (a broad measure of the
                       U.S. stock market) and that are domiciled outside the
                       U.S. (which are generally denominated in currencies
                       other than the U.S. dollar), although there is no re-
                       quirement that the fund maintain investments in these
                       securities.
 
                       The fund's investment restrictions (which are described
                       in the statement of additional information) and
                       objectives cannot be changed without shareholder
                       approval. All other investment practices may be changed
                       by the board of directors.
 
                       ACHIEVEMENT OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES CANNOT,
                       OF COURSE, BE ASSURED DUE TO THE RISK OF CAPITAL LOSS
                       FROM FLUCTUATING PRICES INHERENT IN ANY INVESTMENT IN
                       SECURITIES AND THE SPECIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IN-
                       VESTING OUTSIDE THE U.S. DESCRIBED HEREIN.
         
          INVESTING    OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS AND COSTS The fund's assets may be 
         AROUND THE    invested in securities of issuers domiciled outside the 
              WORLD    U.S. which, in the opinion of the fund's investment     
                       adviser, Capital Research and Management Company,       
  Investing outside    enhances the fund's ability to meet its primary         
  the U.S. involves    objectives of providing shareholders a level of current 
           expanded    income which exceeds the average yield on U.S. stocks   
     opportunities,    generally and a growing stream of income over the years 
  special risks and    and its secondary objective of growth of capital.        
   increased costs.  
                       Of course, investing outside the U.S. involves special
                       risks, particularly in certain developing countries,
                       caused by, among other things: fluctuating currency
                       values; different accounting, auditing, and financial
                       reporting regulations and practices in some countries;
                       changing local and regional economic, political, and
                       social conditions; differing securities market
                       structures; and various administrative difficulties
                       such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio
                       transactions or in receiving payment of dividends.
                       However, in the opinion of Capital Research and
                       Management Company, global investing also can reduce
                       certain portfolio risks due to greater diversification
                       opportunities.
 
                       Additional costs could be incurred in connection with
                       the fund's investment activities outside the U.S.
                       Brokerage commissions are generally higher outside the
                       U.S., and the fund will bear certain expenses in
                       connection with its currency transactions. Furthermore,
                       increased custodian costs may be associated with the
                       maintenance of assets in certain jurisdictions.
 
                       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. While entering into forward transactions could
                       minimize the risk of loss due to a decline in the value
                       of the hedged currency, it
 
4
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       could also limit any potential gain which might result
                       from an increase in the value of the currency. (See
                       "Currency Transactions," in the statement of additional
                       information.)
 
                       FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES The fund's fixed-income
                       investments will consist principally of bonds that are
                       rated BBB or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation or
                       Baa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or
                       that are unrated by these companies but determined by
                       Capital Research and Management Company to be of
                       equivalent credit quality. Securities rated BBB or Baa
                       have speculative characteristics. The fund will not
                       invest more than 5% of its assets in fixed-income
                       securities rated BB and Ba or below at the time of
                       purchase, including securities rated as low as CC by
                       Standard & Poor's Corporation or Ca by Moody's
                       Investors Service, Inc. (or unrated but determined to
                       be of equivalent quality). (See the statement of
                       additional information for a description of the ratings
                       and for more information about the risks of lower rated
                       bonds.) The market values of fixed-income securities
                       tend to vary inversely with the level of interest
                       rates--when interest rates rise, their values generally
                       will decline; when interest rates decline, their values
                       generally will rise. The fund's investments in fixed-
                       income securities outside the U.S. will principally be
                       in securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and
                       interest by governments or their agencies or
                       instrumentalities or by multinational agencies.
 
                       MATURITY The maturity composition of the fund's
                       portfolio of fixed-income securities will be adjusted
                       in response to market conditions and expectations.
                       There are no restrictions on the maturity composition
                       of the portfolio. Under normal market conditions,
                       longer term securities yield more than shorter term
                       securities, but are subject to greater price
                       fluctuations.
 
                       WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FIRM COMMITMENT AGREE-
                       MENTS The fund may purchase securities on a delayed de-
                       livery or "when-issued" basis and enter into firm com-
                       mitment agreements (transactions whereby the payment
                       obligation and interest rate are fixed at the time of
                       the transaction but the settlement is delayed). These
                       transactions may involve either corporate or government
                       securities. 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 aggre-
                       gate commitments under these transactions increase, the
                       opportunity for leverage similarly may increase, howev-
                       er, it is not the intent of the fund to engage in these
                       transactions for leveraging purposes.
 
                       VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS The fund may
                       invest in variable and floating rate obligations which
                       have interest rates that are adjusted at designated
                       intervals, or whenever there are changes in the
 
                                                                              5
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       market rates of interest on which the interest rates
                       are based. The rate adjustment feature tends to limit
                       the extent to which the market value of the obligation
                       will fluctuate.
 
                       REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The fund may enter into
                       repurchase agreements, under which it buys a security
                       and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller
                       to repurchase the security at a specified time and
                       price. The seller must maintain with the fund's
                       custodian collateral equal to at least 100% of the
                       repurchase price including accrued interest, as
                       monitored daily by Capital Research and Management
                       Company. If the seller under the repurchase agreement
                       defaults, the fund may incur a loss if the value of the
                       collateral securing the repurchase agreement has
                       declined and may incur disposition costs in connection
                       with liquidating the collateral. If bankruptcy
                       proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller,
                       liquidation of the collateral by the fund may be
                       delayed or limited.
 
                       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
                       objectives 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
                                                                                   INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL
                                                                                        (APPROXIMATE)
                                                                                   WITH CAPITAL
                                                                                   RESEARCH AND
   PORTFOLIO                                                                       MANAGEMENT
 COUNSELORS FOR                                         YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS     COMPANY OR
 CAPITAL INCOME                                         PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR FOR       ITS         TOTAL
    BUILDER                 PRIMARY TITLE(S)            CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER     AFFILIATES     YEARS
 <S>              <C>                                   <C>                       <C>           <C>
 Jon B.           Chairman of the Board of the           Since the fund began       44 years    44 years
  Lovelace        fund; Vice Chairman of the Board       operations
                  and Chairman of the Executive
                  Committee, Capital Research and
                  Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James B.         Executive Vice President of the fund;  8 years                    14 years    14 years
  Lovelace        Vice President, Capital Research
                  and Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janet A.         Senior Vice President of the fund;     Since the fund began       14 years    20 years
  McKinley        Senior Vice President, Capital         operations
                  Research Company*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 William R.       Senior Vice President and              Since the fund began       26 years    33 years
  Grimsley        Director, Capital Research and         operations
                  Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Thierry Vande-   Chairman of the Board and Chief        Since the fund began       33 years    33 years
  venter          Executive Officer, Capital             operations
                  Research Company*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 The fund began operations on July 30, 1987.
*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 following    advertisements. The results may be calculated on a to-
   charts show that    tal return, yield and/or distribution rate basis for
         the fund's    various periods, with or without sales charges. Results
     dividends have    calculated without a sales charge will be higher. Total
 increased in every    returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and
    complete fiscal    capital gain distributions.
 quarter--also that  
       the fund has    As of December 31, 1995, the fund's total return over   
       demonstrated    the past 12 months and average annual total returns     
 unusual stability,    over the past five-year and lifetime periods (opera-    
 and that the value    tions commenced on July 30, 1987) were 17.84%, 12.93%   
      of its shares    and 11.28%, respectively. These results were calculated 
 compares favorably    in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission   
     with the broad    rules which require that the maximum sales charge be    
   market averages.    deducted. The fund's distribution rate is calculated by 
                       annualizing the most recent quarterly dividend and      
                       dividing by the average price per share over the last 3 
                       months. For the 30-day period ended December 31, 1995,  
                       the fund's yield was 4.10% and the distribution rate    
                       was 4.57% at maximum offering price. The yield reflects 
                       income earned by the fund, while the distribution rate  
                       reflects dividends paid by the fund. Of course, past    
                       results are not an indication of future results. Fur-   
                       ther 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 Secre- 
                       tary of the fund at the address indicated on the cover  
                       of this prospectus.                                      
                      
                                                                              7
 
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         DIVIDENDS,   DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The fund declares dividends
  DISTRIBUTIONS AND   from its net investment income daily and usually
              TAXES   distributes such accrued dividends to shareholders in
                      March, June, September and December. Capital gains, if
             Income   any, are usually distributed in December. When a capital
  distributions are   gain is distributed, the net asset value per share is
    usually made in   reduced by the amount of the payment.
       March, June, 
      September and   FEDERAL TAXES The fund intends to operate as a           
          December.   "regulated 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 
                      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 ex-   
                      empt from taxation or entitled to tax deferral. Early    
                      each year, you will be notified as to the amount and     
                      federal tax status of all dividends and capital gains    
                      paid during the prior year. Such dividends and capital   
                      gains may also be subject to state or local taxes.       
                                                                               
                      IF YOU HAVE NOT FURNISHED A CERTIFIED CORRECT TAXPAYER   
                      IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (GENERALLY YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY    
                      NUMBER) AND HAVE NOT CERTIFIED THAT WITHHOLDING DOES NOT 
                      APPLY, OR IF THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE HAS NOTIFIED   
                      THE FUND THAT THE TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER LISTED  
                      ON YOUR ACCOUNT IS INCORRECT ACCORDING TO THEIR RECORDS  
                      OR THAT YOU ARE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING, FEDERAL   
                      LAW GENERALLY REQUIRES THE FUND TO WITHHOLD 31% FROM ANY 
                      DIVIDENDS AND/OR REDEMPTIONS (INCLUDING EXCHANGE         
                      REDEMPTIONS). Amounts withheld are applied to your       
                      federal tax liability; a refund may be obtained from the 
                      Service if withholding results in overpayment of taxes.  
                      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.                   
                                                                               
                      The fund may be required to pay withholding and other    
                      taxes imposed by various countries in connection with    
                      its investments outside the U.S. generally at rates from 
                      10% to 40%, which would reduce the fund's investment     
                      income.                                                  
                                                                               
                      This is a brief summary of some of the tax laws that     
                      affect your investment in the fund. Please see the       
                      statement of additional information and your tax adviser 
                      for further information.                                  
                      
8
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
               FUND    FUND ORGANIZATION AND VOTING RIGHTS The fund, an open-
       ORGANIZATION    end, diversified management investment company, was
                AND    organized as a Maryland corporation in 1987. The fund's
         MANAGEMENT    board supervises fund operations and performs duties
                       required by applicable state and federal law. Members
      The fund is a    of the board who are not employed by Capital Research   
      member of The    and Management Company or its affiliates are paid       
     American Funds    certain fees for services rendered to the fund as       
    Group, which is    described in the statement of additional information.   
  managed by one of    They may elect to defer all or a portion of these fees  
    the largest and    through a deferred compensation plan in effect for the  
   most experienced    fund. Shareholders have one vote per share owned and,   
         investment    at the request of the holders of at least 10% of the    
          advisers.    shares, the fund will hold a meeting at which any       
                       member 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   
                       directors is required to be acted upon by shareholders  
                       under 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        
                       Angeles, CA 90071 and at 135 South State College        
                       Boulevard, Brea, CA 92621. (See "The American Funds     
                       Shareholder Guide: Purchasing Shares-- Investment       
                       Minimums and Fund Numbers" for a listing of funds in    
                       The American Funds Group.) Capital Research and         
                       Management Company manages the investment portfolio and 
                       business affairs of the fund and receives a fee 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; and  
                       0.15% of such assets in excess of $8 billion; plus 3.0% 
                       of the fund's gross investment income. Assuming net     
                       assets of $4.5 billion and gross investment income      
                       levels of 4%, 5%, 6%, 7% and 8%, management fees would  
                       be 0.31%, 0.34%, 0.37%, 0.40% and 0.43%, 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.                                               
                       
                                                                              9
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       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 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.
 
                       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
                       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 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 is located
                       at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071, 135
                       South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92621, 8000 IH-
                       10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230, 8332 Woodfield Crossing
                       Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240, and 5300 Robin Hood
                       Road, Norfolk, VA 23513. Telephone conversations with
                       American Funds Distributors may be recorded or
                       monitored for verification, recordkeeping and quality
                       assurance purposes.
 
                       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 last 12 months and accrued while
                       the plan is in effect. Expenditures by the fund under
                       the plan may not exceed 0.30% of its average net assets
                       annually (0.25% of which may be for service fees). See
                       "The American Funds Shareholder Guide: Purchasing
                       Shares--Sales Charges" below.
 
10
 
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       TRANSFER AGENT American Funds Service Company, a wholly
                       owned subsidiary of Capital Research and Management
                       Company, is the transfer agent and performs shareholder
                       service functions. It was paid a fee of $2,942,000 for
                       the fiscal year ended October 31, 1995. Telephone con-
                       versations with American Funds Service Company may be
                       recorded or monitored for verification, recordkeeping
                       and quality assurance purposes.
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                 AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY SERVICE AREAS
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                     ADDRESS                        AREAS SERVED
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                       <C>       <S>                            <C>
                       WEST      P.O. Box 2205                  AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID,
                                 Brea, CA 92622-2205            MT, NV, OR, UT, WA and
                                 Fax: 714/671-7080              outside the U.S.
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                       CENTRAL-  P.O. Box 659522                AR, CO, IA, KS, LA,  
                       WEST      San Antonio, TX 78265-9522     MN, MO, ND, NE, NM,  
                                 Fax: 210/530-4050              OK, SD, TX, and WY    
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                       CENTRAL-  P.O. Box 6007                  AL, IL, IN, KY, MI,
                       EAST      Indianapolis, IN 46206-6007    MS, OH, TN and WI   
                                 Fax: 317/735-6620            
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                       EAST      P.O. Box 2280                  CT, DE, FL, GA, MA,    
                                 Norfolk, VA 23501-2280         MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ,    
                                 Fax: 804/670-4773              NY, PA, RI, SC, VA,    
                                                                VT, WV and Washington, 
                                                                D.C.                    
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                        ALL SHAREHOLDERS MAY CALL AMERICAN FUNDS SERVICE COMPANY AT
                        800/421-0180 FOR SERVICE.
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                 LOGO
                       -----------------------------------------------------------------
                       West (light grey); Central-West (white); Central-East (dark grey),
                       East (gold)
</TABLE> 
 
                                                                              11
 
<PAGE>
 
                     THE AMERICAN FUNDS SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
 
                       --------------------------------------------------------
         PURCHASING    METHOD      INITIAL INVESTMENT   ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
             SHARES    --------------------------------------------------------
                                   See "Investment      $50 minimum (except    
    Your investment                Minimums and Fund    where a lower          
    dealer can help                Numbers" for         minimum is noted       
 you establish your                initial              under "Investment      
  account--and help                investment           Minimums and Fund      
      you add to it                minimums.            Numbers").             
 whenever you like.    --------------------------------------------------------
                       By          Visit any            Mail directly to       
                       contacting  investment dealer    your investment        
                       your        who is registered    dealer's address       
                       investment  in the state         printed on your        
                       dealer      where the            account statement.     
                                   purchase is made                            
                                   and who has a                               
                                   sales agreement                             
                                   with American                               
                                   Funds                                       
                                   Distributors.                               
                      --------------------------------------------------------- 
                      By mail      Make your check      Fill out the account   
                                   payable to the       additions form at the  
                                   fund and mail to     bottom of a recent     
                                   the address          account statement,     
                                   indicated on the     make your check        
                                   account              payable to the fund,   
                                   application.         write your account     
                                   Please indicate      number on your check,  
                                   an investment        and mail the check     
                                   dealer on the        and form in the        
                                   account              envelope provided      
                                   application.         with your account      
                                                        statement.             
                       --------------------------------------------------------
                       By wire     Call 800/421-0180                           
                                   to obtain your       Your bank should wire  
                                   account              your additional        
                                   number(s), if        investments in the     
                                   necessary. Please    same manner as         
                                   indicate an          described under        
                                   investment dealer    "Initial Investment."  
                                   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. 
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                       
                      SHARE PRICE Shares are purchased at the offering price
                      next determined 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. This
                      price is the net asset value plus a sales charge, if
                      applicable. Dealers are responsible for promptly
                      transmitting orders. (See the statement of additional
                      information under "Purchase of Shares--Price of
                      Shares.")
 
                      The 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. 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.
 
12
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SHARE CERTIFICATES Shares are credited to your account
                       and certificates are not issued unless specifically
                       requested. This eliminates the costly problem of lost
                       or destroyed certificates.
 
                       If you would like certificates issued, please request
                       them by writing to American Funds Service Company.
                       There is usually no charge for issuing certificates in
                       reasonable denominations. CERTIFICATES ARE NOT AVAIL-
                       ABLE FOR THE MONEY MARKET FUNDS.
 
                       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
                       FundsLine(R) (see description below):
 
                      
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               MINIMUM                                         MINIMUM          
                               INITIAL    FUND                                 INITIAL    FUND  
  FUND                        INVESTMENT NUMBER    FUND                       INVESTMENT NUMBER 
  ----                        ---------- ------    ----                       ---------- ------ 
  <S>                         <C>        <C>       <S>                        <C>        <C>    
  STOCK AND STOCK/BOND FUNDS                       BOND FUNDS                                   
  AMCAP Fund(R).........        $1,000     02      American High-Income Mu-                     
  American Balanced                                 nicipal Bond Fund(SM)....    $1,000     40   
   Fund(R)..............           500     11      American High-Income                         
  American Mutual                                   Trust(R).................     1,000     21   
   Fund(R)..............           250     03      The Bond Fund of                            
  Capital Income                                    America(SM)..............     1,000     08   
   Builder(R)...........         1,000     12      Capital World Bond                           
  Capital World Growth                              Fund(R)..................     1,000     31   
   and Income Fund(SM)..         1,000     33      Intermediate Bond Fund                       
  EuroPacific Growth                                of America(R)............     1,000     23   
   Fund(R)..............           250     16      Limited Term Tax-Exempt                      
  Fundamental                                       Bond Fund of America(SM).     1,000     43   
   Investors(SM)........           250     10      The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund                     
  The Growth Fund of                                of America(SM)...........     1,000     19   
   America(R)...........         1,000     05      The Tax-Exempt Fund of                       
  The Income Fund of                                California(R)*...........     1,000     20   
   America(R)...........         1,000     06      The Tax-Exempt Fund of                       
  The Investment Company                            Maryland(R)*.............     1,000     24   
   of America(R)........           250     04      The Tax-Exempt Fund of                       
  The New Economy                                   Virginia(R)*.............     1,000     25   
   Fund(R)..............         1,000     14      U.S. Government Securi-                      
  New Perspective                                   ties Fund(SM)............     1,000     22   
   Fund(R)..............           250     07      MONEY MARKET FUNDS                           
  SMALLCAP World Fund(SM)        1,000     35      The Cash Management                          
  Washington Mutual In-                            Trust of America(R)........    2,500     09   
   vestors Fund(SM).....          250      01      The Tax-Exempt Money                         
                                                    Fund of America(SM).......    2,500     39   
                                                   The U.S. Treasury Money                      
                                                   Fund of America(SM)........    2,500     49    
</TABLE> 
 --------                          
*Available only in certain states. 
 
                       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). Mini-
                       mums are reduced to $50 for purchases through "Auto-
                       matic 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 in-
                       vestments (except as noted above).
 
                       SALES CHARGES 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.)
 
                                                                             13
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          DEALER
                                                     SALES CHARGE AS    CONCESSION
                                                   PERCENTAGE OF THE:  AS PERCENTAGE
                                                   ------------------     OF THE
               AMOUNT OF PURCHASE                  NET AMOUNT OFFERING   OFFERING
               AT THE OFFERING PRICE                INVESTED   PRICE       PRICE
               ---------------------               ---------- -------- -------------
               <S>                                 <C>        <C>      <C>
               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 defined contribution plan
                       qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
                       Code including a "401(k)" plan with 200 or more
                       eligible employees (paid pursuant to the fund's plan of
                       distribution), and for purchases made at net asset
                       value by certain retirement plans of organizations with
                       collective retirement plan assets of $100 million or
                       more as set forth in the statement of additional
                       information (paid by American Funds Distributors).
 
                       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
 
14
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       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.
 
                       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.
 
           REDUCING    AGGREGATION Sales charge discounts are available for
         YOUR SALES    certain aggregated investments. Qualifying investments
             CHARGE    include those by you, your spouse and your children
                       under the age of 21, if all parties are purchasing
       You and your    shares for their own account(s), which may include
   immediate family    purchases through employee benefit plan(s) such as an
        may combine    IRA, individual-type 403(b) plan or single-participant
     investments to    Keogh-type plan or by a business solely controlled by
 reduce your costs.    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
 
                                                                             15
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       other accounts and may not be aggregated with other
                       nominee or street name accounts unless otherwise
                       qualified as described above.
 
                       CONCURRENT PURCHASES To qualify for a reduced sales
                       charge, 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.) For example, if you
                       concurrently invest $25,000 in one fund and $25,000 in
                       another, the sales charge would be reduced to reflect a
                       $50,000 purchase.
 
                       RIGHT OF ACCUMULATION The sales charge for your invest-
                       ment may also be reduced by taking into account the
                       current value of your existing holdings in The American
                       Funds Group. Direct purchases of the money market funds
                       are excluded. (See account application.)
 
                       STATEMENT OF INTENTION You may reduce sales charges on
                       all investments by meeting the terms of a statement of
                       intention, a non-binding commitment to invest a certain
                       amount in fund shares subject to a commission within a
                       13-month period. Five percent of the statement amount
                       will 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. (See account application and
                       the statement of additional information under "Purchase
                       of Shares--Statement of Intention.")
 
                       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 ABOVE.
 
        SHAREHOLDER    AUTOMATIC INVESTMENT PLAN You may make regular monthly
           SERVICES    or quarterly investments through automatic charges to
                       your bank account. Once a plan is established, your ac-
    The fund offers    count will normally be charged by the 10th day of the
     you a valuable    month during which an investment is made (or by the
  array of services    15th day of the month in the case of any retirement
        designed to    plan for which Capital Guardian Trust Company--another
       increase the    affiliate of The Capital Group Companies, Inc.--acts as
    convenience and    trustee or custodian).
     flexibility of    
  your investment--    AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT Dividends and capital gain dis-  
   services you can    tributions are reinvested in additional shares at no    
  use to alter your    sales charge unless you indicate otherwise on the       
 investment program    account application. You also may elect to have divi-   
  as your needs and    dends and/or capital gain distributions paid in cash by 
      circumstances    informing the fund, American Funds Service Company or   
            change.    your investment dealer.                                 
                                                                               
                       CROSS-REINVESTMENT You may cross-reinvest dividends or  
                       dividends and capital gain distributions paid by one    
                       fund into another fund in The American Funds Group,     
                       subject to conditions outlined in the statement of ad-  
                       ditional information. Generally, to use this service    
                       the value of your account in the paying fund must equal 
                       at least $5,000.                                         
                       
16
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       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 FundsLine(R)
                       (see "Shareholder Services--American FundsLine(R)" be-
                       low), or by telephoning 800/421-0180 toll-free, faxing
                       (see "Transfer Agent" above for the appropriate fax
                       numbers) or telegraphing American Funds Service Compa-
                       ny. (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 simul-
                       taneously at the share prices next determined after the
                       exchange order is received. (See "Purchasing Shares--
                       Share Price.") 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 pre-
                       ceding 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 re-
                       ceiving 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 You may make automatic
                       withdrawals of $50 or more as follows: five or more
                       times per year if you have an account of $10,000 or
                       more, or four or fewer times per year if you have an
                       account of $5,000 or more. Withdrawals are made on or
                       about the 15th day of each month you designate, and
                       checks will be sent within seven days. (See "Other
                       Important Things to Remember.") Additional investments
                       in a withdrawal account must not be less than one
                       year's scheduled withdrawals or $1,200, whichever is
                       greater. However, additional investments in a
                       withdrawal account may be inadvisable due to sales
                       charges and tax liabilities.
 
                       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.
 
                       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.
 
                                                                             17
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       AMERICAN FUNDSLINE(R) 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 FundsLine(R). To use this service, call
                       800/325-3590 from a TouchTone(TM) telephone.
                       Redemptions and exchanges through American FundsLine(R)
                       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 "Purchasing
                       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.
 
          REDEEMING     By writing to  Send a letter of instruction
             SHARES     American       specifying the name of the fund, the
                        Funds Service  number of shares or dollar amount to
 You may take money     Company (at    be sold, your name and account
        out of your     the            number. You should also enclose any
   account whenever     appropriate    share certificates you wish to
        you please.     address        redeem. For redemptions over $50,000
                        indicated      and for certain redemptions of
                        under "Fund    $50,000 or less (see below), your
                        Organization   signature must be guaranteed by a
                        and            bank, savings association, credit
                        Management--   union, or member firm of a domestic
                        Transfer       stock exchange or the National
                        Agent")        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  If you redeem shares through your
                        your           investment dealer, you may be charged
                        investment     for this service. SHARES HELD FOR YOU
                        dealer         IN YOUR INVESTMENT DEALER'S STREET
                                       NAME MUST BE REDEEMED THROUGH THE
                                       DEALER.
                       --------------------------------------------------------
                        You may have   You may use this option, provided the
                        a redemption   account is registered in the name of
                        check sent to  an individual(s), a UGMA/UTMA
                        you by using   custodian, or a non-retirement plan
                        American       trust. These redemptions may not
                        FundsLine(R)   exceed $10,000 per day, per fund
                        or by          account and the check must be made
                        telephoning,   payable to the shareholder(s) of
                        faxing, or     record and be sent to the address of
                        telegraphing   record provided the address has been
                        American       used with the account for at least 10
                        Funds Service  days. See "Transfer Agent" and
                        Company        "Exchange Privilege" above for the
                        (subject to    appropriate telephone or fax number.
                        the           
                        conditions    
                        noted in this 
                        section and   
                        in "Telephone 
                        Redemptions   
                        and           
                        Exchanges"    
                        below)         
                       --------------------------------------------------------
                        In the case    Upon request (use the account
                        of the money   application for the money market
                        market funds,  funds) you may establish telephone
                        you may have   redemption privileges (which will
                        redemptions    enable you to have a redemption sent
                        wired to your  to your bank account) and/or check
                        bank by        writing privileges. If you request
                        telephoning    check writing privileges, you will be
                        American       provided with checks that you may use
                        Funds Service  to draw against your account. These
                        Company        checks may be made payable to anyone
                        ($1,000 or     you designate and must be signed by
                        more) or by    the authorized number of registered
                        writing a      shareholders exactly as indicated on
                        check ($250    your checking account signature card.
                        or more)      
                       --------------------------------------------------------
 
                       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.
 
18
 
<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.")
 
                       TELEPHONE REDEMPTIONS AND EXCHANGES By using the
                       telephone (including American FundsLine(R)), 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 reinstate them at any time also 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.
 
                       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 59 1/2; 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.
 
                       REINSTATEMENT PRIVILEGE You may reinvest proceeds from
                       a redemption or a dividend or capital gain distribution
                       without a sales charge (any contingent deferred sales
                       charge paid will be credited to your
 
                                                                             19
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       account) in any fund in The American Funds Group. Send
                       a written request and a check to American Funds Service
                       Company within 90 days after the date of the redemption
                       or distribution. Reinvestment will be at the next
                       calculated net asset value after receipt. The tax
                       status of a gain realized on a redemption will not be
                       affected by exercise of the reinstatement privilege,
                       but a loss may be nullified if you reinvest in the same
                       fund within 30 days. If you redeem your shares within
                       90 days after purchase and the sales charge on the
                       purchase of other shares is waived under the
                       reinstatement privilege, the sales charge you
                       previously paid for the shares may not be taken into
                       account when you calculate your gain or loss on that
                       redemption.
 
                       OTHER IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER The net asset value
                       for redemptions is determined as indicated under
                       "Purchasing Shares--Share Price." Because each stock,
                       stock/bond and bond fund's net asset value fluctuates,
                       reflecting the market value of the fund's portfolio,
                       the amount a shareholder receives 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.
 
                       A fund may, with 60 days' written notice, close your
                       account if, due to a redemption, the account has a
                       value of less than the minimum required initial
                       investment. (For example, a fund may close an account
                       if a redemption is made shortly after a minimum initial
                       investment is made.)
 
        RETIREMENT     You may invest in the funds through various retirement
             PLANS     plans including the following plans for which Capital
                       Guardian Trust Company acts as trustee or custodian:
                       IRAs, Simplified Employee Pension plans, 403(b) plans
                       and Keogh- and corporate-type business retirement
                       plans. For further information about any of the plans,
                       agreements, applications and annual fees, contact
                       American Funds Distributors or your investment dealer.
                       To determine which retirement plan is appropriate for
                       you, please consult your tax adviser. TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
                       SHOULD NOT SERVE AS INVESTMENTS FOR RETIREMENT PLANS.
 
                       FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE REFER TO THE ACCOUNT
                       APPLICATION OR THE STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
                       IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE SHAREHOLDER
                       SERVICES DESCRIBED HEREIN OR YOUR ACCOUNT, PLEASE
                       CONTACT YOUR INVESTMENT DEALER OR AMERICAN FUNDS
                       SERVICE COMPANY.
 
                        [RECYCLE LOGO] This prospectus has been printed on
                                       recycled paper that meets the
                                       guidelines of the United States
                                       Environmental Protection Agency
 
20
 
 
 
March 1, 1996
 
                         CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER, INC.
 
                             333 South Hope Street
                             Los Angeles, CA 90071
 
The fund strives 1) to provide to shareholders a level of current income which
exceeds the average yield on U.S. stocks generally and 2) to provide to
shareholders a growing stream of income over the years. Secondarily, the fund
will seek growth of capital. The fund will invest in a diversified portfolio
of securities that includes common stocks and fixed-income securities. Up to
40% of the fund's assets may be invested in non-U.S. securities.
 
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 March 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 12-010-0396
 
<PAGE>
 
 
           TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
  Summary of Expenses...............   3
  Financial Highlights..............   4
  Investment Objectives and
    Policies........................   4
  Investing Around the World........   5
  Investment Results................   8
  Dividends, Distributions and
    Taxes...........................   9
  Fund Organization and Management..  10
  Purchasing Shares.................  12
  Shareholder Services..............  13
  Redeeming Shares..................  13
 
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
            SUMMARY OF   This table is designed to help you understand the costs
              EXPENSES   investing in the fund. These are historical expenses;
                         your actual expenses may vary.
        Average annual
  expenses paid over a   SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
  10-year period would   Certain retirement plans may purchase shares of
      be approximately   the funds with no sales charge./1/ The fund also      
          $9 per year,   has no sales charge on reinvested dividends, deferred 
     assuming a $1,000   sales charge, redemption fees or exchange fees.        
   investment and a 5%
    annual return with   ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
       no sales charge.  (as a percentage of average net assets)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                     <C>
Management fees.......................................................  0.37%
12b-1 expenses........................................................  0.22%/2/
Other expenses (including audit, legal, shareholder services, transfer
 agent and custodian expenses)........................................  0.13%
Total fund operating expenses.........................................  0.72%
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
EXAMPLE                                        1 YEAR  3 YEARS  5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- -------                                        ------  -------  ------- --------
<S>                                             <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>
You would pay the following cumulative
expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5%
annual return./3/                                $7      $23     $40     $89
</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 employer-sponsored 403(b) plan or 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 made within 12
    months following such purchases. (See "Redeeming Shares--Contingent Deferred
    Sales Charge.")
 
/2/ These expenses may not exceed 0.30% 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.
 
                                                                              3
 
<PAGE>
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          FINANCIAL   The following information has been audited by Price
         HIGHLIGHTS   Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants, whose
       (For a share   unqualified report covering each of the most recent five
        outstanding   years is included in the statement of additional
     throughout the   information. This information should be read in
       fiscal year)   conjunction with the financial statements and
                      accompanying notes which appear in the statement of
                      additional information.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
                             ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              1995    1994    1993    1992    1991    1990     1989    1988   1987/1/
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  -------      
  <S>                        <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>     <C>     <C>          
Net Asset Value, Begin-
   ning of Year...........   $32.68  $34.42  $30.77  $28.67  $23.37  $25.05   $22.63  $21.22  $22.62
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
   INCOME FROM INVESTMENT
    OPERATIONS:
   Net investment income..     1.69    1.73    1.53    1.44    1.37    1.39     1.30    1.15     .36
   Net realized and
    unrealized gain (loss)
    on investments........     3.69   (1.62)   3.76    2.33    5.39   (1.76)    2.41    1.41   (1.40)
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
    Total income (loss)
     from investment
     operations...........     5.38     .11    5.29    3.77    6.76    (.37)    3.71    2.56   (1.04)
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
   LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:
   Dividends from net 
    investment
    income................    (1.69)  (1.73)  (1.53)  (1.44)  (1.46)  (1.31)   (1.29)  (1.15)   (.36)
   Distributions from net
    realized gains........     (.10)   (.12)   (.11)   (.23)    --      --       --      --      --
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
    Total distributions...    (1.79) ( 1.85) ( 1.64)  (1.67)  (1.46)  (1.31)   (1.29)  (1.15)   (.36)
                             ------  ------  ------  ------  ------  ------   ------  ------  ------
  Net Asset Value, End of
   Year...................   $36.27  $32.68  $34.42  $30.77  $28.67  $23.37   $25.05  $22.63  $21.22
                             ======  ======  ======  ======  ======  ======   ======  ======  ======
  Total Return/2/.........    16.98%    .47%  17.58%  13.46%  29.27%  (1.62)%  16.74%  12.27%  (4.62)%/3/
  RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL
   DATA:
   Net assets, end of year
    (in millions).........   $4,533  $3,629  $2,826  $1,203  $  563  $  206   $  195  $  126  $   53
   Ratio of expenses to
    average net
    assets................      .72%    .73%    .72%    .81%    .98%   1.01%    1.11%   1.16%    .36%/3/
   Ratio of net income to
    average net
    assets................     4.96%   5.29%   4.69%   4.71%   5.09%   5.70%    5.44%   5.24%   1.17%/3/
   Portfolio turnover
    rate..................    18.06%  36.19%  11.22%  16.57%  13.99%  24.68%   16.30%  35.88%      0%/3/
</TABLE>
 --------
 /1/ The period ended October 31, 1987 represents the initial period of
     operations which began July 30, 1987.
 /2/ Calculated with no sales charge.
 /3/ These figures are based on operations for the period shown and,
     accordingly, are not representative of a full year's operations.
 
 
         INVESTMENT   The fund is an equity income mutual fund that strives
         OBJECTIVES   for the accomplishment of two primary investment objec-
       AND POLICIES   tives--1) to provide to shareholders a level of current
                      income which exceeds the average yield on stocks gener-
         The fund's   ally, using as a measure the yield on the Standard &
 primary goal is to   Poor's 500 Stock Composite Index and 2) to provide to
 provide you with a   shareholders a growing stream of income over the years.
      current yield   Secondarily, the fund will seek growth of capital, in
      which exceeds   the sense that achieving the objective of growing income
  that paid by U.S.   implies that the fund will also, over time, achieve sig-
   stocks generally   nificant capital growth.
    together with a   
  growing dividend.   The fund will invest in a diversified portfolio of       
    It also aims to   securities that includes common stocks and fixed-income  
  make your capital   securities including preferred stocks and securities     
              grow.   convertible into common stocks. Normally at least 50% of 
                      its total assets will be invested in common stocks.      
                                                                               
                      Under normal market conditions, at least 90% of the      
                      fund's portfolio will be invested in income-producing    
                      securities.                                               
 
4
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       Up to 40% of the fund's assets may be invested in secu-
                       rities of issuers that are not included in the Standard
                       & Poor's 500 Composite Index (a broad measure of the
                       U.S. stock market) and that are domiciled outside the
                       U.S. (which are generally denominated in currencies
                       other than the U.S. dollar), although there is no re-
                       quirement that the fund maintain investments in these
                       securities.
 
                       The fund's investment restrictions (which are described
                       in the statement of additional information) and
                       objectives cannot be changed without shareholder
                       approval. All other investment practices may be changed
                       by the board of directors.
 
                       ACHIEVEMENT OF THE FUND'S INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES CANNOT,
                       OF COURSE, BE ASSURED DUE TO THE RISK OF CAPITAL LOSS
                       FROM FLUCTUATING PRICES INHERENT IN ANY INVESTMENT IN
                       SECURITIES AND THE SPECIAL RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH IN-
                       VESTING OUTSIDE THE U.S. DESCRIBED HEREIN.
 
   INVESTING AROUND    OPPORTUNITIES, RISKS AND COSTS The fund's assets may be
          THE WORLD    invested in securities of issuers domiciled outside the
                       U.S. which, in the opinion of the fund's investment
  Investing outside    adviser, Capital Research and Management Company,       
  the U.S. involves    enhances the fund's ability to meet its primary         
           expanded    objectives of providing shareholders a level of current 
     opportunities,    income which exceeds the average yield on U.S. stocks   
  special risks and    generally and a growing stream of income over the years 
   increased costs.    and its secondary objective of growth of capital.        
 
                       Of course, investing outside the U.S. involves special
                       risks, particularly in certain developing countries,
                       caused by, among other things: fluctuating currency
                       values; different accounting, auditing, and financial
                       reporting regulations and practices in some countries;
                       changing local and regional economic, political, and
                       social conditions; differing securities market
                       structures; and various administrative difficulties
                       such as delays in clearing and settling portfolio
                       transactions or in receiving payment of dividends.
                       However, in the opinion of Capital Research and
                       Management Company, global investing also can reduce
                       certain portfolio risks due to greater diversification
                       opportunities.
 
                       Additional costs could be incurred in connection with
                       the fund's investment activities outside the U.S.
                       Brokerage commissions are generally higher outside the
                       U.S., and the fund will bear certain expenses in
                       connection with its currency transactions. Furthermore,
                       increased custodian costs may be associated with the
                       maintenance of assets in certain jurisdictions.
 
                       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. 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. (See "Currency
                       Transactions," in the statement of additional
                       information.)
 
                                                                              5
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES The fund's fixed-income
                       investments will consist principally of bonds that are
                       rated BBB or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation or
                       Baa or better by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., or
                       that are unrated by these companies but determined by
                       Capital Research and Management Company to be of
                       equivalent credit quality. Securities rated BBB or Baa
                       have speculative characteristics. The fund will not
                       invest more than 5% of its assets in fixed-income
                       securities rated BB and Ba or below at the time of
                       purchase, including securities rated as low as CC by
                       Standard & Poor's Corporation or Ca by Moody's
                       Investors Service, Inc. (or unrated but determined to
                       be of equivalent quality). (See the statement of
                       additional information for a description of the ratings
                       and for more information about the risks of lower rated
                       bonds.) The market values of fixed-income securities
                       tend to vary inversely with the level of interest
                       rates--when interest rates rise, their values generally
                       will decline; when interest rates decline, their values
                       generally will rise. The fund's investments in fixed-
                       income securities outside the U.S. will principally be
                       in securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and
                       interest by governments or their agencies or
                       instrumentalities or by multinational agencies.
 
                       MATURITY The maturity composition of the fund's
                       portfolio of fixed-income securities will be adjusted
                       in response to market conditions and expectations.
                       There are no restrictions on the maturity composition
                       of the portfolio. Under normal market conditions,
                       longer term securities yield more than shorter term
                       securities, but are subject to greater price
                       fluctuations.
 
                       WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES AND FIRM COMMITMENT
                       AGREEMENTS 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).
                       These transactions may involve either corporate or
                       government securities. 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 may increase, however, it is not the intent
                       of the fund to engage in these transactions for
                       leveraging purposes.
 
                       VARIABLE AND FLOATING RATE OBLIGATIONS The fund may
                       invest in variable and floating rate obligations which
                       have interest rates that are adjusted at designated
                       intervals, or whenever there are changes in the market
                       rates of interest on which the interest rates are
                       based. The rate adjustment feature tends to limit the
                       extent to which the market value of the obligation will
                       fluctuate.
 
                       REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS The fund may enter into
                       repurchase agreements, under which it buys a security
                       and obtains a simultaneous commitment from the seller
                       to repurchase the security at a specified time and
                       price. The seller must maintain with the fund's
                       custodian collateral equal to at least 100% of the
                       repurchase price including accrued interest, as
                       monitored daily by Capital Research and Management
                       Company.
 
6
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       If the seller under the repurchase agreement defaults,
                       the fund may incur a loss if the value of the
                       collateral securing the repurchase agreement has
                       declined and may incur disposition costs in connection
                       with liquidating the collateral. If bankruptcy
                       proceedings are commenced with respect to the seller,
                       liquidation of the collateral by the fund may be
                       delayed or limited.
 
                       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
                       objectives 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
                                                                                  INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL
                                                                                       (APPROXIMATE)
                                                                                   WITH CAPITAL
   PORTFOLIO                                                                       RESEARCH AND
 COUNSELORS FOR                                         YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS      MANAGEMENT
 CAPITAL INCOME                                         PORTFOLIO COUNSELOR FOR     COMPANY OR     TOTAL
    BUILDER                 PRIMARY TITLE(S)            CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER    ITS AFFILIATES   YEARS
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 <S>              <C>                                   <C>                       <C>            <C>
 Jon B.           Chairman of the Board of the           Since the fund began        44 years     44 years
  Lovelace        fund; Vice Chairman of the Board       operations
                  and Chairman of the Executive
                  Committee, Capital Research and
                  Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 James B.         Executive Vice President of the fund;  8 years                     14 years     14 years
  Lovelace        Vice President, Capital Research
                  and Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Janet A.         Senior Vice President of the fund;     Since the fund began        14 years     20 years
  McKinley        Senior Vice President, Capital         operations
                  Research Company*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 William R.       Senior Vice President and              Since the fund began        26 years     33 years
  Grimsley        Director, Capital Research and         operations
                  Management Company
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Thierry Vande-   Chairman of the Board and Chief        Since the fund began        33 years     33 years
  venter          Executive Officer,                     operations
                  Capital Research Company*
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  The fund began operations on July 30, 1987.
  *Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
 
                                                                              7
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 INVESTMENT RESULTS    The fund may from time to time compare its investment
                       results to various unmanaged indices or other mutual
      The following    funds in reports to shareholders, sales literature and
   charts show that    advertisements. The results may be calculated on a
         the fund's    total return, yield and/or distribution rate basis for
     dividends have    various periods, with or without sales charges. Results
 increased in every    calculated without a sales charge will be higher. Total
    complete fiscal    returns assume the reinvestment of all dividends and
 quarter--also that    capital gain distributions.
       the fund has 
       demonstrated    As of December 31, 1995, the fund's total return over   
 unusual stability,    the past 12 months and average annual total returns     
 and that the value    over the past five-year and lifetime periods (opera-    
      of its shares    tions commenced on July 30, 1987) were 25.05%, 14.27%   
 compares favorably    and 12.07%, respectively. These results were calculated 
     with the broad    in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission   
   market averages.    requirements with no sales charge. The fund's distribu- 
                       tion rate is calculated by annualizing the most recent  
                       quarterly dividend and dividing by the average price    
                       per share over the last 3 months. For the 30-day period 
                       ended December 31, 1995, the fund's yield was 4.35% and 
                       the distribution rate was 4.84% at no sale charge. The  
                       yield reflects income earned by the fund, while the     
                       distribution rate reflects dividends paid by the fund.  
                       Of course, past results are not an indication of future 
                       results. Further information regarding the fund's in-   
                       vestment results is contained in the fund's annual re-  
                       port which may be obtained without charge by writing to 
                       the Secretary of the fund at the address indicated on   
                       the cover of this prospectus.                            
                         
8
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
         DIVIDENDS,    DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS The fund declares dividends
  DISTRIBUTIONS AND    from its net investment income daily and distributes
              TAXES    such accrued dividends to shareholders in March, June,
                       September and December. Dividends begin accruing one
             Income    day after shares are purchased and paid for. Capital    
  distributions are    gains, if any, are usually distributed in December.     
     made in March,    When a capital gain is distributed, the net asset value 
    June, September    per share is reduced by the amount of the payment.       
      and December.
                       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.
 
               FUND    FUND ORGANIZATION AND VOTING RIGHTS The fund, an open-
       ORGANIZATION    end, diversified management investment company, was
     AND MANAGEMENT    organized as a Maryland corporation in 1987. 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
    Group, which is    certain fees for services rendered to the fund as
  managed by one of    described 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
                       member 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 directors is required to be acted upon by
                       shareholders under 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
                       Angeles, CA 90071 and at 135 South State College
                       Boulevard, Brea, CA 92621. Capital Research and
                       Management Company manages the investment portfolio and
                       business affairs of the fund and receives a fee 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; and
                       0.15% of such assets in excess of $8 billion; plus 3.0%
                       of
 
                                                                              9
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       the fund's gross investment income. Assuming net assets
                       of $4.5 billion and gross investment income levels of
                       4%, 5%, 6%, 7% and 8%, management fees would be 0.31%,
                       0.34%, 0.37%, 0.40% and 0.43%, 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 affili-
                       ated companies have adopted a personal investing policy
                       that is consistent with the recommendations contained
                       in the report dated May 9, 1994 issued by the Invest-
                       ment Company Institute's Advisory Group on Personal In-
                       vesting. (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.
 
                       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
                       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 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 is located
                       at 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071, 135
                       South State College Boulevard, Brea, CA 92621, 8000 IH-
                       10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230, 8332 Woodfield Crossing
                       Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN 46240 and 5300 Robin Hood
                       Road, Norfolk, VA 23513. Telephone conversations with
                       American Funds Distributors may be recorded or
                       monitored for verification, recordkeeping and quality
                       assurance purposes.
 
10
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       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 last 12 months and accrued while
                       the plan is in effect. Expenditures by the fund under
                       the plan may not exceed 0.30% of its average net assets
                       annually (0.25% 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
                       Angeles, CA 90071, 135 South State College Boulevard,
                       Brea, CA 92621, 8000 IH-10 West, San Antonio, TX 78230,
                       8332 Woodfield Crossing Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN
                       46240, and 5300 Robin Hood Road, Norfolk, VA 23513. It
                       was paid a fee of $2,942,000 for the fiscal year ended
                       October 31, 1995. Telephone conversations with American
                       Funds Service Company may be recorded or monitored for
                       verification, recordkeeping and quality assurance
                       purposes.
 
         PURCHASING    ALL ORDERS TO PURCHASE SHARES MUST BE MADE THROUGH YOUR
             SHARES    RETIREMENT PLAN. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO
                       PURCHASE SHARES OF THE COMPANY THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYER'S
                       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 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 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 made within twelve
                       months of such purchase. (See "Redeeming Shares--
                       Contingent Deferred Sales Charge.") Plans may also
                       qualify to purchase $1 million in fund shares subject
                       to a 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
 
                                                                             11
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       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, 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.
 
                       Qualified dealers currently are paid a continuing
                       service fee not to ex- ceed 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. (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.
 
                       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 next determined 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 any restrictions in 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.
 
12
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
          REDEEMING    Subject to any restrictions imposed by your employer's
             SHARES    plan, you can sell your shares through the plan to the
                       fund 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.
    
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION>                  
                       ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                        <C>                        <S> 
                        By contacting              Your plan administrator/trustee must send a letter of instruction   
                        your plan                  specifying the name of the fund, the number of shares or dollar amount to be
                        administrator/trustee      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 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 contacting              Shares may also be redeemed through an investment dealer; however you or 
                        your investment dealer     your plan may be charged for this service. SHARES HELD FOR YOU IN AN
                                                   INVESTMENT DEALER'S STREET NAME MUST BE REDEEMED THROUGH THE DEALER.
</TABLE> 
  
                       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 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; 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 fund's portfolio, the amount you receive for
                       shares redeemed may be more or less than the amount
                       paid for them.
 
                                                                             13
 
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       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.
 
                       [RECYCLE LOGO]  This prospectus has been printed on
                                       recycled paper that meets the
                                       guidelines of the United States
                                       Environmental Protection Agency.
 
14
 
<PAGE>
 
 
              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.
 
<PAGE>
 
Capital
Income
Builder (R)
March 1, 1996
CAPITAL INCOME BUILDERR
 
                                    Profile
 333 South Hope Street              March 1, 1996
 Los Angeles, CA  90071
 
1. Goal
The fund strives for the accomplishment of two primary objectives - 1) current
income exceeding the average yield on U.S. stocks generally and 2) a growing
stream of income. Long-term growth is a secondary goal.  The fund invests in a
broadly diversified portfolio of securities including stocks and bonds.
 
2. Investment Strategies
The fund invests in a broadly diversified portfolio of securities, including
common stocks, preferred stocks, corporate bonds and U.S. Government
securities.  Assets may also be held in cash or cash equivalents.  Normally at
least 50% of its total assets will be invested in common stocks.
 
3. Risks
Stoack and bond prices rise and fall.  Stocks are also subject to market risks.
Bonds are subject to credit risk (the possibility that the bond issuer will
default on its obligation) and market risk (when interest rates rise, bond
prices fall and vice versa).  Lower rated bonds are subject to greater price
fluctuations and risk of loss than higher rated bonds.  
You can lose money by investing in the fund; your investment is not guaranteed. 
The likelihood of loss is greater if you intend to invest for a shorter period
of time.
 
4. Appropriateness
If you are not a long-term investor seeking current income, growing income or
long-term growth of capital, this fund may not be appropriate for you.  Please
consult your investment dealer.
 
5. Fees and Expenses
Shareholder transaction expenses are charges you pay when you buy or sell
shares of a fund.  Annual fund operating expenses are paid out of the fund's
assets.  The fund's expenses are factored into its share price and
distributions and are not charged directly to shareholder accounts.
 
Shareholder Transaction Expenses
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                      <C>      
Maximum sales charge              
on purchases                      
 
(as a percentage of offering price)    5.75%*   
 
                                  
 
</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 within 12 months following purchases without a sales
charge.
 
 Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(as a percentage of average net assets)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                      <C>      
Management fees          0.37%    
 
12b-1 expenses           0.22%    
 
Other expenses           0.13%    
 
Total fund operating expenses    0.72%    
 
                                  
 
</TABLE>
 
Example
You would pay the following cumulative expenses on a $1,000 investment,
assuming a 5% annual return.  This example should not be considered a
representation of past or future expenses.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>   
One year     $ 64   
 
Three years   79    
 
Five years   95    
 
Ten years    142   
 
                   
 
</TABLE>
 
 
6. Past Results
Here are the fund's annual total returns for each calendar year over the fund's
lifetime:
[CHART]
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>      <C>        
1987     -4.41%     
 
1988     12.45%     
 
1989     19.98%     
 
1990     3.89%      
 
1991     25.70%     
 
1992     10.00%     
 
1993     15.28%     
 
1994     -2.26%     
 
1995     25.05%     
 
</TABLE>
 
[END CHART]
Sales charges have not been deducted from results shown above.
The fund's average annual total return* is +11.28% over its lifetime (July 30,
1987 through December 31, 1995).  PAST RESULTS ARE NOT A GUARANTEE OF FUTURE
RESULTS.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>             <C>               
                                  
 
                Average Annual    
                Total Returns*    
 
 One year        + 17.84%         
 
 Five years      + 12.93%         
 
 Lifetime        + 11.28%         
 
                30-Day Yield*     
 
                 4.10%            
 
                                  
 
</TABLE>
 
* These results were calculated for periods ended December 31, 1995 in
accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules which require that the
maximum sales charge be deducted.
 
7. Investment Adviser
Capital Research and Management Company, one of the world's largest and most
experienced investment advisers, manages the fund, which is a member of The
American Funds Group.  Capital Research and Management Company manages this
diversified mutual fund using the multiple portfolio counselor system.  Under
this system, the fund's assets are divided into several portions.  Each portion
is independently managed by a portfolio counselor or a group of research
professionals, subject to oversight by the investment adviser's investment
committee.
 
8. Purchases
The fund's shares are sold through investment dealers.  Your investment dealer
can help you with your account, or you may call American Funds Service Company
at 800/421-0180 with questions about your account.  Generally, the minimum
initial investment is $1,000.
 
CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER (R)
9. Redemptions
You may redeem shares at no cost at any time through your investment dealer or
by calling American FundsLineR at 800/325-3590.  (You will need the fund's
number - 12 - if you use this service.)  Transactions will be processed as of
the next close of the New York Stock Exchange.
 
10. Distributions
Dividends and capital gain distributions are automatically reinvested unless
you notify American Funds Service Company that you would like to invest them in
another of the American Funds or receive payment in cash.  Income distributions
are usually made in March, June, September and December.  Capital gains, if
any, are usually distributed in December.
 
11. Other Services
You may exchange your shares for any of the other American Funds or obtain
information about your investment any time by calling American FundsLineR.  If
you purchase shares at net asset value through a retirement plan, some or all
of the services or features described may not be available.  Contact your
employer for details.
 
This Profile contains key information about the fund.  More details appear in
the fund's accompanying prospectus.
 
 This profile has been printed on recycled
 paper that meets the guidelines of the United
 States Environmental Protection Agency.
 
<PAGE>
CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER
Investment Portfolio October 31, 1995
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                PERCENT OF     
 
LARGEST INDIVIDUAL HOLDINGS                                                                     NET ASSETS     
 
- ---------------------------------                                                               ----------     
 
<S>                                                          <C>               <C>              <C>            
American Home Products                                                                          2.58%          
 
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand                                                                    2.23           
 
Southern Electric                                                                               1.66           
 
Entergy                                                                                         1.63           
 
Banc One                                                                                        1.56           
 
Ameritech                                                                                       1.55           
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb                                                                            1.54           
 
Phillip Morris                                                                                  1.32           
 
Chemical Banking                                                                                1.32           
 
Pacific Telesis Group                                                                           1.31           
 
                                                                                                               
 
EQUITY-TYPE                                                                                                    
 
SECURITIES                                                   Shares or         Market           Percent        
 
                                                             Principal         Value            of Net         
 
ENERGY                                                       Amount            (Millions)       Assets         
 
- ----------------------------------                           ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
ENERGY SOURCES - 1.52%                                                                                         
 
Amoco Corp.                                                  430,000           $27.466          .60%           
 
Burmah Castrol PLC                                           646,839           10.079           .22            
 
Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. (New York Registered                                                                 
 
 Shares)                                                     260,000           31.948           .70            
 
- ----------------------------------                           ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
UTILITIES: ELECTRIC & GAS - 10.50%                                                                             
 
Australian Gas Light Co.                                     363,069           1.258            .03            
 
British Gas PLC                                              900,000           3.431                           
 
British Gas PLC (American Depositary Receipts)               60,000            2.280            .13            
 
Brooklyn Union Gas Co.                                       200,000           5.025            .11            
 
Central and South West Corp.                                 1,400,000         37.450           .83            
 
China Light & Power Co., Ltd.                                2,184,500         11.642           .26            
 
Detroit Edison Co.                                           450,000           15.188           .34            
 
East Midlands Electricity PLC                                1,450,000         19.923           .44            
 
Entergy Corp.                                                2,600,000         74.100           1.63           
 
General Public Utilities Corp.                               950,000           29.688           .65            
 
Hongkong Electric Holdings Ltd.                              4,231,500         14.395           .32            
 
Houston Industries Inc.                                      100,000           4.638            .10            
 
Long Island Lighting Co.                                     2,125,000         36.125           .80            
 
National Power PLC                                           3,410,000         26.595           .59            
 
NORWEB PLC                                                   1,190,000         21.650           .48            
 
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.                                 1,000,000         29.375           .65            
 
PECO Energy Co.                                              100,000           2.925            .06            
 
SEEBOARD PLC                                                 4,000,000         32.811           .72            
 
South Wales Electricity PLC                                  2,210,000         31.807           .70            
 
Southern Electric PLC                                        4,995,000         75.267           1.66           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               545.066          12.02          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
MATERIALS                                                                                                      
 
- ----------------------------------                           ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
CHEMICALS - 0.14%                                                                                              
 
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.                              100,000           6.238            .14            
 
- ----------------------------------                           ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
FOREST PRODUCTS & PAPER - 0.38%                                                                                
 
Federal Paper Board Co., Inc.                                175,000           7.350            .16            
 
James River Corp. of Virginia, DECS convertible                                                                
 
 preferred shares                                            225,000           6.862            .15            
 
Potlatch Corp.                                               76,800            3.235            .07            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               23.685           .52            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT                                                                                              
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
DATA PROCESSING & REPRODUCTION - 0.33%                                                                         
 
MacNeal-Schwendler Corp.                                     615,000           9.379            .21            
 
Unisys Corp., convertible preferred shares,                                                                    
 
 Series A                                                    200,000           5.500            .12            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               14.879           .33            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
CONSUMER GOODS                                                                                                 
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
AUTOMOBILES - 1.24%                                                                                            
 
Ford Motor Co., Class A                                      1,950,000         56.062           1.24           
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
BEVERAGES & TOBACCO - 2.76%                                                                                    
 
American Brands, Inc.                                        650,000           27.869           .61            
 
Philip Morris Companies Inc.                                 710,000           59.995           1.32           
 
UST Inc.                                                     1,250,000         37.500           .83            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
HEALTH & PERSONAL CARE - 4.89%                                                                                 
 
American Home Products Corp.                                 1,320,000         116.985          2.58           
 
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.                                     915,000           69.769           1.54           
 
Merck & Co., Inc.                                            250,000           14.375           .32            
 
Schering-Plough Corp.                                        130,000           6.971            .15            
 
Upjohn Co.                                                   100,000           5.075            .11            
 
Warner-Lambert Co.                                           100,000           8.513            .19            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               403.114          8.89           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
SERVICES                                                                                                       
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
BROADCASTING & PUBLISHING - 0.05%                                                                              
 
South China Morning Post (Holdings) Ltd.                     3,600,000         2.096            .05            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
BUSINESS & PUBLIC SERVICES - 5.49%                                                                             
 
American Water Works Co., Inc.                               480,600           15.319           .34            
 
Autopistas, Concesionaria Espanola, SA                       1,780,800         16.635           .37            
 
Consumers Water Co.                                          229,000           4.065            .09            
 
Dun & Bradstreet Corp.                                       310,000           18.523           .41            
 
Hutchison Delta Finance Ltd., 7.00% convertible                                                                
 
 debentures 2001 /1/                                         $11,000,000       11.990           .26            
 
North West Water Group PLC                                   4,420,000         41.570           1.00           
 
North West Water Group PLC Units                             1,262,857         3.596                           
 
Southern Water PLC                                           4,085,533         43.983           .97            
 
Thames Water PLC                                             6,000,000         49.975           1.10           
 
Welsh Water PLC                                              3,630,833         43.223           .95            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS - 7.83%                                                                                     
 
ALLTEL Corp.                                                 350,000           10.719           .23            
 
Ameritech Corp.                                              1,300,000         70.200           1.55           
 
GTE Corp.                                                    1,300,000         53.625           1.18           
 
Hong Kong Telecommunications Ltd. (American                                                                    
 
 Depositary Receipts)                                        720,000           12.510           .27            
 
Koninklijke PTT Nederland NV                                 809,700           28.478           .63            
 
Pacific Telesis Group                                        1,950,000         59.231           1.31           
 
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd.                            15,784,160        65.546                          
 
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. /1/                        8,380,000         34.799           2.23           
 
Telecom Corp. of New Zealand Ltd. (American                                                                    
 
 Depositary Receipts)                                        12,500            .830                            
 
U S WEST, Inc.                                               404,707           19.274           .43            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
TRANSPORTATION: AIRLINES - 0.54%                                                                               
 
British Airways PLC (American Depositary Receipts)           340,000           24.310           .54            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
TRANSPORTATION: SHIPPING - 0.16%                                                                               
 
Shun Tak Holdings Ltd.                                       9,078,184         7.163            .16            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               637.660          14.07          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
FINANCE                                                                                                        
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
BANKING - 15.34%                                                                                               
 
AmSouth Bancorporation                                       800,000           31.900           .70            
 
Banc One Corp.                                               2,100,000         70.875           1.56           
 
BankAmerica Corp.                                            404,000           23.230           .51            
 
Central Fidelity Banks, Inc.                                 1,025,000         32.287           .71            
 
Chemical Banking Corp.                                       1,050,000         59.719           1.32           
 
Comerica Inc.                                                1,510,000         50.774           1.12           
 
CoreStates Financial Corp.                                   1,300,000         47.287           1.04           
 
First Chicago Corp.                                          555,000           37.671           .83            
 
First Fidelity Bancorporation                                50,000            3.269            .07            
 
First Hawaiian Bank                                          510,000           14.790           .33            
 
First Interstate Bancorp                                     135,000           17.415           .39            
 
First Security Corp. (Utah)                                  925,000           30.294           .67            
 
First Union Corp.                                            900,000           44.662           .99            
 
Huntington Bancshares Inc.                                   2,047,500         48.884           1.08           
 
J.P Morgan & Co. Inc.                                        180,000           13.882           .31            
 
National Australia Bank Ltd.                                 2,407,694         20.616           .46            
 
National City Corp.                                          900,000           27.787           .61            
 
Old Kent Financial Corp.                                     525,000           20.081           .44            
 
PNC Bank Corp.                                               800,000           21.000           .46            
 
Wachovia Corp.                                               660,000           29.122           .64            
 
Washington Federal Savings and Loan Assn.                    500,000           11.437           .25            
 
Westpac Banking Corp.                                        3,250,000         13.345           .30            
 
Wilmington Trust Corp.                                       850,000           25.079           .55            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
FINANCIAL SERVICES - 0.55%                                                                                     
 
Beneficial Corp.                                             340,000           16.660           .37            
 
Manhattan Card Co. Ltd.                                      18,800,000        8.025            .18            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
INSURANCE - 2.45%                                                                                              
 
American General Corp.                                       160,000           5.260            .12            
 
Lincoln National Corp.                                       1,230,000         54.889           1.21           
 
Ohio Casualty Corp.                                          717,500           25.471           .56            
 
Prudential Corp. PLC                                         3,557,546         22.259           .49            
 
SAFECO Corp.                                                 50,000            3.209            .07            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
REAL ESTATE - 3.63%                                                                                            
 
Camden Property Trust                                        400,000           8.300            .18            
 
Hysan Development Co. Ltd.                                   950,000           2.421            .05            
 
Kimco Realty Corp.                                           520,300           19.186           .42            
 
Security Capital Industrial Trust                            702,328           11.501           .25            
 
Security Capital Pacific Trust                               1,900,000         33.962                          
 
Security Capital Pacific Trust, convertible                                                     .91            
 
 preferred shares, Series A                                  300,000           7.125                           
 
Security Capital Realty Inc. /1/ /2/                         24,900            23.887                          
 
Security Capital Realty Inc. 12.00%                                                             .91            
 
 convertible debentures 2014 /1/ /2/                         $18,862,000       17.298                          
 
Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd.                                 1,486,000         11.869           .26            
 
Tucker Properties Corp.                                      532,800           4.928            .11            
 
Washington Real Estate Investment Trust                      145,500           2.164            .05            
 
Weingarten Realty Investors                                  504,000           17.388           .39            
 
Western Investment Real Estate Trust                         412,500           4.589            .10            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               995.797          21.97          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
MULTI-INDUSTRY & MISCELLANEOUS                                                                                 
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
MULTI-INDUSTRY - 2.91%                                                                                         
 
B A T Industries PLC                                         6,495,597         53.332                          
 
B A T Industries PLC (American Depositary Receipts)          150,000           2.494            1.23           
 
Hanson PLC (American Depositary Receipts)                    3,500,000         54.250           1.20           
 
Hutchison Whampoa Ltd.                                       2,960,000         16.311           .36            
 
Lend Lease Corp. Ltd.                                        402,208           5.595            .12            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
MISCELLANEOUS - 0.75%                                                                                          
 
Equity-type securities in initial period of                                                                    
 
 acquisition                                                                   33.737           .75            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               165.719          3.66           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
TOTAL EQUITY-TYPE SECURITIES (cost:                                                                            
 
 $2,215.585 million)                                                           2,785.920        61.46          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
                                                                                                               
 
                                                             Principal                                         
 
BONDS AND NOTES                                              Amount                                            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
CORPORATE                                                                                                      
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
ADT Operations 9.25% 2003                                    $2,000,000        2.115            .05            
 
Ann Taylor, Inc. 8.75% 2000                                  4,802,000         3.890            .09            
 
California Energy Co., Inc. 0%/10.25% 2004 /3/               4,300,000         3.827            .08            
 
Century Communications Corp. 9.75% 2002                      1,000,000         1.020            .02            
 
Consumers Power Co. 6.375% 2003                              5,000,000         4.794            .10            
 
Container Corp. of America 9.75% 2003                        3,500,000         3.526            .08            
 
Continental Cablevision, Inc. 9.50% 2013                     1,000,000         1.047                           
 
Continental Cablevision, Inc. 9.00% 2008                     1,000,000         1.035            .09            
 
Continental Cablevision, Inc. 8.875% 2005                    2,000,000         2.090                           
 
Delta Air Lines, Inc. 10.00% 2014 /1/                        2,000,000         2.318                           
 
Delta Air Lines, Inc., pass-through certificates,                                                              
 
 Series 1993-B2, 10.06% 2016 /4/                             3,000,000         3.477            .13            
 
Fort Howard Paper Co. 10.00% 2003                            1,000,000         1.002                           
 
Fort Howard Paper Co. 8.25% 2002                             3,000,000         2.880            .08            
 
Harrah's Operating Co. Inc. 10.875% 2002                     3,000,000         3.277            .07            
 
Infinity Broadcasting Corp. 10.375% 2002                     4,500,000         4.837            .11            
 
Jet Equipment Trust, Series 1995-B, Class C 9.71%                                                              
 
 2015 /1/ /4/                                                5,000,000         5.225            .11            
 
Long Island Lighting Co. 8.90% 2019                          10,000,000        9.850                           
 
Long Island Lighting Co. 7.30% 1999                          12,500,000        12.433           .49            
 
McDermott Inc. 9.375% 2002                                   4,000,000         4.440            .10            
 
Midland Cogeneration Venture LP, secured lease                                                                 
 
 obligation bonds, 10.33% 2002                               7,638,865         7.983                           
 
Midland Cogeneration Venture LP 10.33% 2002                  2,164,579         2.262            .23            
 
News America Holdings Inc. 9.25% 2013                        2,000,000         2.279                           
 
News America Holdings Inc. 9.125% 1999                       5,000,000         5.467            .17            
 
NorAm Energy Corp. 7.50% 2000                                6,000,000         6.067            .13            
 
Occidental Petroleum Corp. 8.50% 2004                        8,000,000         8.622            .19            
 
Riggs National Corp. 8.50% 2006                              2,600,000         2.704            .06            
 
Rogers Cantel Mobile Communications Inc.                                                                       
 
 10.75% 2001                                                 2,000,000         2.090            .05            
 
Rykoff-Sexton, Inc. 8.875% 2003                              4,500,000         4.500            .10            
 
Smith's Food & Drug Centers, Inc.,                                                                             
 
 pass-through certificates, Series 1994-A2,                                                                    
 
 8.64% 2012 /4/                                              6,000,000         6.203            .14            
 
Time Warner Inc. 10.15% 2012                                 5,000,000         5.962                           
 
Time Warner Inc. 7.45% 1998                                  4,000,000         4.082            .22            
 
TKR Cable I, Inc. 10.50% 2007                                7,000,000         8.133            .18            
 
TransTexas Gas Corp. 11.50% 2002                             8,500,000         8.883            .20            
 
Vons Companies, Inc. 9.625% 2002                             5,000,000         5.300            .12            
 
WestPoint Stevens Inc. 8.75% 2001                            2,000,000         2.020            .04            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               155.640          3.43           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
GOVERNMENTS AND GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITIES                                                                       
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
Canada 10.75% March 1998                                                       8.124            .18            
                                                             C$10,000,000                                      
 
New Zealand 8.00% July 1998                                  NZ$50,000,00      33.594           .74            
                                                             0                                                 
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               41.718           .92            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
U.S. TREASURY NOTES                                                                                            
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
6.00% November 1997                                           $60,000,000      60.441           1.33           
 
6.375% June 1997                                             50,000,000        50.617           1.12           
 
8.50% May 1997                                               90,000,000        93.768           2.07           
 
6.875% April 1997                                            50,000,000        50.906           1.12           
 
6.75% February 1997                                          80,000,000        81.162           1.79           
 
8.00% January 1997                                           90,000,000        92.475           2.04           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               429.369          9.47           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
TOTAL BONDS AND NOTES (cost: $622.760 million)                                 626.727          13.82          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
TOTAL INVESTMENT SECURITIES (cost: $2,838.345                                                                  
 
 million)                                                                      3,412.647        75.28          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
                                                                                                               
 
SHORT-TERM SECURITIES                                                                                          
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
CORPORATE SHORT-TERM NOTES                                                                                     
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
American Express Credit Corp. 5.67%-5.70% due                                                                  
 
 12/7/95-1/9/96                                              67,100,000        66.611           1.46           
 
American Telephone and Telegraph Co. 5.65%-5.72%                                                               
 
 due 11/16-12/19/95                                          73,150,000        72.889           1.61           
 
Beneficial Corp. 5.68%-5.73% due 11/29-12/14/95              44,500,000        44.240           .98            
 
Central and South West Corp. 5.68%-5.70%  due                                                                  
 
 11/2-11/21/95                                               56,500,000        56.372           1.24           
 
Commercial Credit Co. 5.72%-5.73% due                                                                          
 
 11/15-11/17/95                                              36,400,000        36.310           .80            
 
Emerson Electric Co. 5.70% due 11/16/95                      20,000,000        19.949           .44            
 
Ford Motor Credit Co. 5.64%-5.70% due                                                                          
 
 11/27-12/15/95                                              75,000,000        74.620           1.65           
 
General Electric Capital Corp. 5.70%-5.88% due                                                                 
 
 11/1-12/11/95                                               77,950,000        77.769           1.72           
 
Hewlett-Packard Co. 5.58%-5.66% due                                                                            
 
 12/13/95-1/23/96                                            70,000,000        69.393           1.53           
 
J.C. Penney Funding Corp. 5.70%-5.74% due                                                                      
 
 11/14-12/8/95                                               85,600,000        85.273           1.88           
 
PepsiCo, Inc. 5.68%-5.72% due 11/3/95-1/11/96                81,470,000        81.065           1.79           
 
Procter & Gamble Co. 5.65%-5.70% due 11/9-12/21/95           71,200,000        70.844           1.56           
 
U S WEST Communications, Inc. 5.70%-5.72% due                                                                  
 
 11/3-11/15/95                                               54,900,000        54.804           1.21           
 
Xerox Corp. 5.68%-5.71% due 11/2-12/12/95                    73,650,000        73.388           1.62           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               883.527          19.49          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
FEDERAL AGENCY DISCOUNT NOTES                                                                                  
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. 5.62% due                                                                     
 
 11/10/95                                                    43,000,000        42.933           .95            
 
Federal National Mortgage Corp. 5.62% due 11/2/95            13,300,000        13.296           .29            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               56.229           1.24           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
U.S. TREASURY SHORT-TERM NOTES                                                                                 
 
- ----------------------------------------------               ----------        -----------      ----------     
 
6.875% due 10/31/96                                          80,000,000        80.962           1.78           
 
7.875% due 7/15/96                                           90,000,000        91.364           2.02           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                               172.326          3.80           
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
                                                                                                               
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM SECURITIES (cost: $1,115.604                                                                  
 
million)                                                                       1,112.082        24.53          
 
EXCESS OF CASH AND RECEIVABLES OVER PAYABLES                                   8.627            .19            
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
TOTAL SHORT-TERM SECURITIES, CASH AND                                                                          
 
 RECEIVABLES, NET OF PAYABLES                                                  1,120.709        24.72          
 
                                                                               -----------      ----------     
 
NET ASSETS                                                                     $4,533.356       100.00%        
 
                                                                               ===========      ==========     
 
</TABLE>
 
/1/ Purchased in a private placement transaction; resale to the public may
require registration or may extend only to qualified institutional buyers.
/2/ Valued under procedures established by the Board of Directors.
/3/ Represents a zero coupon bond which will convert to an interest-bearing
security at a  later date.
/4/ 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.
See Notes to Financial Statements
 
<PAGE>
CAPITAL INCOME BUILDER  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           
 
                                                                                                           
 
<S>                                                            <C>                   <C>                   
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES                                                                        
 
AT OCTOBER 31, 1995                                                                  (DOLLARS IN           
 
                                                                                     MILLIONS)             
 
ASSETS:                                                                                                    
 
Investment securities at market (cost:$2,838.345)                                    $3,412.647            
 
Short-term securities (cost:$1,115.604)                                              1,112.082             
 
Cash                                                                                 5.001                 
 
Receivables for-                                                                                           
 
 Sales of fund's shares                                        $ 6.624                                     
 
 Dividends and accrued interest                                24.852                31.476                
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
                                                                                     4,561.206             
 
LIABILITIES:                                                                                               
 
Payables for-                                                                                              
 
 Purchases of investments                                      .258                                        
 
 Repurchases of fund's shares                                  3.400                                       
 
 Management services                                           1.227                                       
 
 Dividends payable                                             21.216                                      
 
 Accrued expenses                                              1.749                 27.850                
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
NET ASSETS AT OCTOBER 31, 1995 - Equivalent to                                                             
 
 $36.27 per share on 124,993,949 shares of $0.01                                                           
 
 par value capital stock outstanding                                                                       
 
 (authorized capital stock - 200,000,000 shares)                                     $4,533.356            
 
                                                                                     ============          
 
                                                                                                           
 
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS                                                                                    
 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995                                                                        
 
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)                                                                                      
 
                                                                                                           
 
                                                                                                           
 
INVESTMENT INCOME:                                                                                         
 
Income:                                                                                                    
 
 Dividends                                                     $122.301                                    
 
 Interest                                                      104.181               $226.482              
 
                                                               ---------                                   
 
Expenses:                                                                                                  
 
 Management services fee                                       14.623                                      
 
 Distribution expenses                                         8.647                                       
 
 Transfer agent fee                                            2.942                                       
 
 Reports to shareholders                                       .549                                        
 
 Registration statement and prospectus                         .467                                        
 
 Postage, stationery and supplies                              .575                                        
 
 Directors' fees                                               .127                                        
 
 Auditing and legal fees                                       .047                                        
 
 Custodian fee                                                 .642                                        
 
 Taxes other than federal income tax                           .052                                        
 
 Other expenses                                                .047                  28.718                
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
 Net investment income                                                               197.764               
 
                                                                                     ------------          
 
REALIZED GAIN AND UNREALIZED APPRECIATION ON                                                               
 
 INVESTMENTS:                                                                                              
 
Net realized gain                                                                    64.236                
 
Net increase in unrealized appreciation on investments:                              387.255               
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
 Net realized gain and increase in unrealized                                                              
 
  appreciation on investments                                                        451.491               
 
                                                                                     ------------          
 
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS                                 $649.255              
 
                                                                                     ============          
 
                                                                                                           
 
See Notes to Financial Statements                                                                          
 
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS                                                                         
 
 (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)                                         Year                  ended                 
 
                                                               October               31                    
 
                                                               1995                  1994                  
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
OPERATIONS:                                                                                                
 
Net investment income                                          $197.764              $173.752              
 
Net realized gain on investments                               64.236                3.960                 
 
Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments           387.255               (152.225)             
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from                                                                 
 
  operations                                                   649.255               25.487                
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS PAID TO                                                                        
 
 SHAREHOLDERS:                                                                                             
 
Dividends from net investment income                           (199.581)             (172.829)             
 
Distributions from net realized gain on investments            (11.162)              (10.434)              
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
 Total dividends and distributions                             (210.743)             (183.263)             
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS:                                                                                
 
Proceeds from shares sold: 23,777,252 and                                                                  
 
 36,309,395 shares, respectively                               796.496               1,203.126             
 
Proceeds from shares issued in reinvestment of net                                                         
 
 investment income dividends and distributions of                                                          
 
 net realized gain on investments: 5,248,005 and                                                           
 
 4,271,454 shares, respectively                                174.909               139.279               
 
Cost of shares repurchased: 15,065,188 and 11,660,048                                                      
 
 shares, respectively                                          (505.097)             (382.190)             
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
 Net increase in net assets resulting from capital                                                         
 
  share transactions                                           466.308               960.215               
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS                                   904.820               802.439               
 
                                                                                                           
 
NET ASSETS:                                                                                                
 
Beginning of year                                              3,628.536             2,826.097             
 
                                                               ---------             ------------          
 
End of year (including undistributed net investment                                                        
 
 income: $1.403 and $1.405, respectively)                      $4,533.356            $3,628.536            
 
                                                               =========             ============          
 
</TABLE>
 
See Notes to Financial Statements
 
<PAGE>
Notes to Financial Statements
 
1. Capital Income Builder, Inc. ("the fund") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. 
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 the mean of such 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 to shareholders are declared daily from net investment income.
Distributions from capital gains paid tp shareholders are recoded 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
period.  Purchases and sales of investment securities, income, and expenses are
calculated using the prevailing exchange rate as accrued.  The fund does not
identify the portion of each amount shown in the fund's Statement of operations
under the caption "Realized Gain and Unrealized Appreciation on Investments"
that arises from changes in non-U.S. currency exchange rates.
 
  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 $642,000 includes $59,000 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 October 31, 1995, net unrealized appreciation on investments for book
and federal income tax purposes aggregated $570,780,000, of which $618,986,000
related to appreciated securities and $48,206,000 related to depreciated
securities.  During the year ended October 31, 1995, the fund realized, on a
tax basis, a net capital gain of $62,592,000 on securities transactions. Net
losses related to non-U.S. currency transactions of $170,000 and other tax
adjustments of $1,985,000 were treated as adjustments to ordinary income for
federal income purposes.  The cost of portfolio securities for book and federal
income tax purposes was $3,953,949,000 at October 31, 1995.
 
3. The fee of $14,623,000 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 $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; and 0.15% of such
assets in excess of $8 billion; plus 3.0% of the fund's gross investment
income. For purposes of the Investment Advisory and Service Agreement, gross
investment income means gross income, computed without taking account of gains
or losses from sales of capital assets.
 
 Pursuant to a Plan of Distribution, the fund may expend up to 0.30% 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 October 31, 1995,
distribution expenses under the plan were $8,647,000.  As of October 31, 1995,
accrued and unpaid distribution expenses were $1,553,000.
 
 American Funds Service Company (AFS), the transfer agent for the fund, was
paid a fee of $2,942,000. American Funds Distributors, Inc. (AFD), the
principal underwriter of the fund's shares, received $3,768,000 (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 of the fund 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 October 31, 1995, aggregate amounts deferred were $80,000.
 
 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 October 31, 1995, accumulated undistributed net realized gain on
investments was $53,822,000 and additional paid-in capital was $3,906,284,000.
 
 The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding
short-term securities, of $610,884,000 and $594,787,000, respectively, during
the year ended October 31, 1995.
 
 Dividend and interest income is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid.  For the
year ended October 31, 1995, such non-U.S. taxes were $6,385,000.  Net realized
currency gains on dividends, interest, withholding taxes reclaimable, and sales
of non-U.S. bonds and notes were $115,000 for the year ended October 31, 1995.
 
  The fund reclassified $1,815,000 to undistributed net investment income from
undistributed net realized gains for the year ended October 31,1995.
 
<PAGE>
PER-SHARE DATA AND RATIOS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Year                                                             
 
                                                     ended                                                            
 
                                                     October                                                          
 
                                                     31                                                               
 
                                                     1995         1994         1993        1992         1991          
 
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>          <C>           
                                                                                                                      
 
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year                   $32.68       $34.42       $30.77      $28.67       $23.37        
 
                                                     -------      ------       ------      -------      -------       
 
 INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:                                                                                   
 
  Net investment income                              1.69         1.73         1.53        1.44         1.37          
 
  Net realized and unrealized gain                                                                                    
 
   (loss) on investments                             3.69         (1.62)       3.76        2.33         5.39          
 
                                                     -------      ------       ------      -------      -------       
 
   Total income (loss) from investment               5.38         .11          5.29        3.77         6.76          
operations                                                                                                            
 
                                                     -------      ------       ------      -------      -------       
 
 LESS DISTRIBUTIONS:                                                                                                  
 
  Dividends from net investment income               (1.69)       (1.73)       (1.53)      (1.44)       (1.46)        
 
  Distributions from net realized gains              (.10)        (.12)        (.11)       (.23)        -             
 
                                                     -------      ------       ------      -------      -------       
 
   Total distributions                               (1.79)       (1.85)       (1.64)      (1.67)       (1.46)        
 
                                                     -------      ------       ------      -------      -------       
 
Net Asset Value, End of Year                         $36.27       $32.68       $34.42      $30.77       $28.67        
 
                                                     =======      ======       ======      =======      =======       
 
                                                                                                                      
 
Total Return *                                       16.98%       .47%         17.58%      13.46%       29.27%        
 
                                                                                                                      
 
                                                                                                                      
 
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:                                                                                             
 
 Net assets, end of year (in millions)               $4,533       $3,629       $2,826      $1,203       $563          
 
 Ratio of expenses to average net assets              .72%        .73%         .72%        .81%         .98%          
 
 Ratio of net income to average net assets           4.96%        5.29%        4.69%       4.71%        5.09%         
 
 Portfolio turnover rate                             18.06%       36.19%       11.22%      16.57%       13.99%        
 
                                                                                                                      
 
                                                                                                                      
 
                                                                                                                      
 
                                                                                                                      
 
</TABLE>
 
*  This was calculated without deducting a sales charge.  The maximum sales
charge is 5.75% of the fund's offering price.


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