© 2008 American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-99998
Think you have
bad timing?
Meet
Louie
the Loser
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-30076

He cancelled his
dental insurance the
day before his root
canal flared up.

His vacation in the
desert was rained out.

He misses planes
but catches colds.
Why is he so happy?
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-30071
Louie the Loser

Starting in 1987, invested $10,000
a year in The Investment Company
of America

Chose the worst day — market high

Total investment: $200,000
Market high based on Dow Jones Industrial Average.
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-30072
Louie the Loser
As of 12/31/06
Figures are past results and are not predictive of results in future periods.
Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share
prices and returns will vary, so you may lose money. For current information
and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com. Fund results are for Class A
shares and reflect deduction of maximum sales charge (5.75%).
$10,000 a year, starting in 1987:
Worst-day investments (market highs)
Account value
Average annual total return
$637,185
10.7%
Best-day investments (market lows)
Account value
Average annual total return
$772,705
12.0%
Market highs and lows based on Dow Jones Industrial Average. Cumulative volume discount applied when appropriate.
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-30075
What we know for sure
It’s time in, not timing, the
market that counts
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-20069
American Funds investment results
Average annual total returns for periods ended 12/31/07
Figures are past results and are not predictive of results in future periods. Current and
future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will
vary, so you may lose money. For current information and month-end results, visit
americanfunds.com. Fund results are for Class A shares and reflect deduction of
maximum sales charge (5.75%).
The Investment Company
of America®
1 year
5 years
10 years
– 0.14%
11.40%
7.62%
Gross
expense ratio*
0.56%
*As of the fund’s most recent fiscal year-end at time of publication.
Results are based on an initial $1,000 investment at the beginning of the stated periods. The fund’s investment adviser is waiving a portion of its
management fees. Results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. The actual expense ratio for the fund is lower than
the amount shown. Please see the fund’s most recent shareholder report for details.
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-10163
Investors should carefully consider the
investment objectives, risks, charges and
expenses of the American Funds. This and
other important information is contained in
the prospectus(es), which can be obtained
from their financial professional and should
be read carefully before investing.
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-99980
Dow Jones Industrial Average is a price-weighted average
of 30 actively traded industrial and service-oriented blue
chip stocks.
Indexes are unmanaged. They include reinvested
distributions but do not reflect sales charges, commissions
or expenses.
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-44440
If used after March 31, 2008, this presentation must be
accompanied by a current American Funds quarterly
statistical update.
Equity investments are subject to market fluctuations.
Regular investing neither ensures a profit nor protects
against loss in a declining market.
© American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-44440
© 2008 American Funds Distributors, Inc.
AI-99997