N-CSR 1 fi_ncsr.htm N-CSR fi_ncsr.htm
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549



FORM N-CSR
Certified Shareholder Report of
Registered Management Investment Companies

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-00032



American Funds Fundamental Investors
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

P.O. Box 7650, One Market, Steuart Tower
San Francisco, California 94120
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 421-9360

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2010





Patrick F. Quan
Capital Research and Management Company
P.O. Box 7650, One Market, Steuart Tower
San Francisco, California 94120
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)


Copies to:
Mark D. Perlow
K&L Gates LLP
Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 1200
San Francisco, California  94111
(Counsel for the Registrant)


 
 

 

ITEM 1 – Reports to Stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fundamental InvestorsSM
 
[photo of machine gears]
Special feature
 
Ideas at work in your portfolio

See page 6

Annual report for the year ended December 31, 2010
 
 
Fundamental Investors seeks long-term growth of capital and income.
 
This fund is one of the 33 American Funds. American Funds is one of the nation’s largest mutual fund families. For nearly 80 years, Capital Research and Management Company,SM the American Funds adviser, has invested with a long-term focus based on thorough research and attention to risk.

Fund results shown in this report, unless otherwise indicated, are for Class A shares at net asset value. If a sales charge (maximum 5.75%) had been deducted, the results would have been lower. Results are for past periods and are not predictive of results for future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.

See page 4 for Class A share results with relevant sales charges deducted. Results for other share classes can be found on page 34.

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its management fees from September 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008. Applicable fund results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. See the Financial Highlights table on pages 27 and 28 for details.

The fund’s 30-day yield for Class A shares as of January 31, 2011, calculated in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission formula, was 1.32%. The fund’s distribution rate for Class A shares as of that date was 1.43%. Both reflect the 5.75% maximum sales charge. The SEC yield reflects the rate at which the fund is earning income on its current portfolio of securities while the distribution rate reflects the fund’s past dividends paid to shareholders. Accordingly, the fund’s SEC yield and distribution rate may differ.

Investing outside the United States may be subject to risks such as currency fluctuations, periods of illiquidity and price volatility. These risks may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries. See the prospectus and the Risk Factors section of this report for more information on these and other risks associated with investing in the fund.
 

 
Fellow shareholders:

Despite a challenging global economic environment and a year filled with considerable market volatility, Fundamental Investors posted a solid increase for fiscal 2010. For the 12 months ended December 31, 2010, the fund gained 14.0% for shareholders who invested quarterly dividends totaling 57 cents a share.

During the same time period, the unmanaged Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index — a broad measure of the U.S. stock market and the fund’s primary benchmark — climbed 15.1%. The Lipper Growth and Income Funds Index, a gauge of Fundamental Investors’ growth-and-income peers, rose 14.2%.

The fund is able to invest up to 35% of assets in companies domiciled outside the United States. Consequently, it’s useful to look at its results against the backdrop of global equity markets as measured by the MSCI World Index, a proxy for stocks in more than 20 developed countries, which was up 12.3%.

Extending the time period beyond 12 months, Fundamental Investors continues to maintain a meaningful advantage over these benchmarks for all of the longer time periods shown in the table below.

[Begin Sidebar]
Results at a glance
                       
For periods ended December 31, 2010, with all distributions reinvested
                       
                         
   
Total returns
   
Average annual total returns
 
   
1 year
   
5 years
   
10 years
   
Lifetime1
 
Fundamental Investors
                       
(Class A shares)
    14.0 %     4.4 %     4.5 %     12.5 %
                                 
Standard & Poor’s
                               
500 Composite Index2
    15.1       2.3       1.4       11.3  
                                 
Lipper Growth and
                               
Income Funds Index3
    14.2       2.1       2.5       10.7  
                                 
MSCI World Index2
    12.3       3.0       2.8       10.4  
                                 
1 Since Capital Research and Management Company began managing the fund on August 1, 1978.
                 
2 The indexes are unmanaged, and their results do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or taxes.
3 The Lipper index does not reflect the effect of sales charges, account fees or taxes.
[End Sidebar]
 
[photo of machine gears]
 
[Begin Sidebar]
In this report
 
   
Special feature
 
   
6
Ideas at work in your portfolio
   
 
A look at some key investment themes currently contributing to Fundamental Investors’
 
growth-and-income objectives.
   
 
Contents
   
1
Letter to shareholders
   
4
Results of a $10,000 investment in Fundamental Investors
   
12
Summary investment portfolio
   
16
Financial statements
   
35
Board of trustees and
 
other officers
[End Sidebar]

The end of fiscal 2010 brings to a close a tumultuous investing decade. Notable for its two significant market downturns, this 10-year stretch is considered by some a “lost decade” as the S&P 500 posted a cumulative total return of only 15.1% for the entire period. The Lipper Growth and Income and MSCI World indexes fared better, gaining 28.2% and 32.0%, respectively, over that time frame. However, thanks to its research-driven, company-by-company approach to investing, Fundamental Investors significantly outpaced them all, logging a 55.9% cumulative increase for the decade.

Up, then down, then steadily up

The first quarter of the fund’s fiscal year found markets moving upward. Strong corporate results for U.S. companies belied continuing weakness in the economy and helped stocks move higher. Unfortunately the spring saw sovereign debt crises in a number of European nations trigger considerable volatility within global equity markets.

The European Union implemented measures to shore up troubled countries, but worries persisted well into the summer.

Yet as economies continued to stabilize and fears of a double-dip recession grew less pronounced, markets rose steadily into the fall and through the end of the period.

Economic sensitivity is a key

For the economy and the fund, the improving environment helped fuel an upturn in stocks of economically sensitive companies, which typically fare well during periods of strengthening. Conversely, relative weakness existed among less economically sensitive sectors that typically turn in more pedestrian results as conditions improve.

Many energy, materials, capital goods, technology and consumer discretionary holdings posted strong returns, while those in the less cyclical health care and consumer staples areas didn’t fare as well.

Interestingly, however, results for the fund’s largest investments held for the full period didn’t necessarily reflect these trends. For example, while tech stalwart Apple (53.0%) rose strongly, Microsoft (–8.4%) and Google (–4.2%) both fell. And though energy and materials firms generally surged, Canadian oil sands producer Suncor (8.3%) and seed and crop chemicals manufacturer Syngenta (4.5%) registered fairly modest gains.

The fund’s solid results despite relatively low returns for some larger holdings underscores the value of the fund’s diversified, broad-based portfolio. Because Fundamental Investors is invested in over 200 companies, success doesn’t depend on the results of a handful of holdings.

Elsewhere among top holdings, McDonald’s (22.9%) and Home Depot (21.2%) notched excellent returns, Verizon Communications (8.0%) and JPMorgan Chase (1.8%) finished in positive territory, and Merck (–1.4%) lost value.

Europe’s difficulties proved a drag on results. As a group, returns for companies domiciled outside the United States lagged their U.S. counterparts. In addition, currency translation cut into returns for many European and British companies as the U.S. dollar strengthened against the euro and pound sterling. However, not all currencies weakened relative to the greenback; the Japanese yen, Swiss franc, and Canadian and Australian dollars all appreciated.

Currently, 19.2% of the fund’s portfolio is invested in companies headquartered abroad, down from 23.0% at this time last year.

Better news for dividends

The challenging conditions of the past few years led many companies — particularly within the financials sector — to reduce or eliminate dividends. Yet in spite of this difficult income climate, the fund never cut its quarterly payout. Currently we find ourselves in an improving dividend environment. In recent months, corporate profit growth and increasing economic stability have enabled companies from a range of sectors, including industrials, technology and energy, to reinstate or step up their dividends.

The fund’s special dividend of nine cents per share, paid in December 2010, is testament to the broadly improving environment. Yet the biggest contributor to this special dividend was a single company, Weyerhaeuser, which in September made a payment to shareholders of more than $26 per share in connection with its conversion to a real estate investment trust (REIT).

Positioning for the future

During the 12 months, we added to our holdings within the financials sector. Ongoing economic improvement will depend on continued strengthening within this area, and we believe these investments represent appealing long-term opportunities.

[Begin Sidebar]
Fundamental Investors’ total return year by year (ending December 31)
                 
   
Capital return
   
Income return
   
Total return
 
                   
2001
    –10.9 %     1.3 %     –9.6 %
2002
    –19.1       1.8       –17.3  
2003
    30.2       1.8       32.0  
2004
    11.9       2.0       13.9  
2005
    9.9       1.8       11.7  
2006
    17.6       1.6       19.2  
2007
    11.2       2.4       13.6  
2008
    –41.1       1.4       –39.7  
2009
    31.5       1.9       33.4  
2010
    12.2       1.8       14.0  
                         
10-year average annual total return
                    4.5 %
10-year cumulative total return
                    55.9  
Lifetime cumulative total return (since 8/1/78)
                    4,487.5  
                         
Total return measures both capital results (changes in net asset value) and income return (from dividends).
                 
                         
All returns assume reinvestment of all dividends and capital gain distributions.
                       
[End Sidebar]

We likewise made select investments in a number of pharmaceutical companies with attractive valuations and dividend yields. We believe that a number of these firms are making strides in some key drug therapies.

Among the positions we selectively trimmed were certain energy, materials and technology companies that had fared well in the recent run-up.

The outlook

Looking ahead, we are fairly optimistic about economic prospects in the United States, though we don’t necessarily foresee a continuation of the dramatic earnings increases that have been reported in recent quarters. The view beyond our shores is mixed. Europe continues to be an area of concern, and we are attentive to the impact that inflationary pressures in China and other developing countries could have on the global economy.

To learn more about how we seek to balance our awareness of global trends with our dedication to a company-by-company investment approach, please turn to the feature article on page 6.

We thank you for your commitment to long-term investing.

Sincerely,

/s/ James F. Rothenberg

James F. Rothenberg
Vice Chairman


/s/ Dina N. Perry

Dina N. Perry
President

February 8, 2011

For current information about the fund, visit americanfunds.com.

 
 
Results of a $10,000 investment in Fundamental Investors

How a $10,000 investment has grown

The chart and the table below it illustrate how a $10,000 investment in the fund grew between August 1, 1978 — when Capital Research and Management Company became Fundamental Investors’ investment adviser — and December 31, 2010. The chart also shows how Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index and the Lipper Growth and Income Funds Index fared over this same period, and what happened to inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index).

Average annual total returns based on a $1,000 investment (for periods ended December 31, 2010)*
             
                   
   
1 year
   
5 years
   
10 years
 
                   
Class A shares
    7.49 %     3.20 %     3.92 %
                         
*Assumes reinvestment of all distributions and payment of the maximum 5.75% sales charge.
                       

The total annual fund operating expense ratio was 0.64% for Class A shares as of the most recent fiscal year-end.

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its management fees from September 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008. Applicable fund results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. See the Financial Highlights table on pages 27 and 28 for details.

Fund results shown are for Class A shares and reflect deduction of the maximum sales charge of 5.75% on the $10,000 investment.1 Thus, the net amount invested was $9,425.2 Results are for past periods and are not predictive of results for future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.
 
[begin mountain chart]
       
Fundamental Investors with dividends reinvested1,3
 
Fundamental Investors not including
 dividends1,6
       
S&P 500 with dividends
 reinvested4
       
Lipper Growth and Income Funds Index with dividends reinvested5
   
Consumer
Price
Index (inflation)7
 
 
Initial Investment
7/31/1978
  $ 9,425   $ 9,425         $ 10,000         $ 10,000         $ 10,000  
19784
High
11-Sep-78
    10,000     9,919  
High
12-Sep-78
    10,670  
High
31-Aug-78
    10,369  
High
29-Dec-78
    10,304  
 
Low
14-Nov-78
    8,667     8,596  
Low
14-Nov-78
    9,306  
Low
31-Oct-78
    9,237  
Low
31-Jul-78
    10,000  
 
Close
29-Dec-78
    9,155     8,947  
Close
29-Dec-78
    9,762  
Close
29-Dec-78
    9,684  
Close
29-Dec-78
    10,304  
1979
High
5-Oct-79
    10,823     10,310  
High
5-Oct-79
    11,769  
High
31-Dec-79
    11,995  
High
31-Dec-79
    11,674  
 
Low
27-Feb-79
    9,086     8,880  
Low
27-Feb-79
    9,807  
Low
28-Feb-79
    9,822  
Low
31-Jan-79
    10,396  
 
Close
31-Dec-79
    10,556     9,892  
Close
31-Dec-79
    11,579  
Close
31-Dec-79
    11,995  
Close
31-Dec-79
    11,674  
1980
High
20-Nov-80
    13,131     11,876  
High
28-Nov-80
    15,813  
High
30-Nov-80
    15,695  
High
31-Dec-80
    13,135  
 
Low
21-Apr-80
    9,625     8,907  
Low
27-Mar-80
    10,627  
Low
31-Mar-80
    11,317  
Low
31-Jan-80
    11,842  
 
Close
31-Dec-80
    12,807     11,390  
Close
31-Dec-80
    15,336  
Close
31-Dec-80
    15,386  
Close
31-Dec-80
    13,135  
1981
High
27-Apr-81
    13,986     12,308  
High
6-Jan-81
    15,603  
High
31-May-81
    15,965  
High
31-Dec-81
    14,307  
 
Low
25-Sep-81
    11,906     10,243  
Low
25-Sep-81
    13,172  
Low
30-Sep-81
    14,172  
Low
31-Jan-81
    13,242  
 
Close
31-Dec-81
    12,654     10,688  
Close
31-Dec-81
    14,581  
Close
31-Dec-81
    15,172  
Close
31-Dec-81
    14,307  
1982
High
7-Dec-82
    17,346     13,833  
High
9-Nov-82
    17,877  
High
31-Dec-82
    18,839  
High
31-Oct-82
    14,947  
 
Low
22-Jan-82
    10,593     8,947  
Low
12-Aug-82
    12,625  
Low
31-Jul-82
    14,274  
Low
31-Jan-82
    14,353  
 
Close
31-Dec-82
    16,957     13,522  
Close
31-Dec-82
    17,723  
Close
31-Dec-82
    18,839  
Close
31-Dec-82
    14,855  
1983
High
10-Oct-83
    21,599     16,721  
High
10-Oct-83
    22,491  
High
30-Nov-83
    23,277  
High
30-Dec-83
    15,419  
 
Low
3-Jan-83
    16,636     13,266  
Low
3-Jan-83
    17,433  
Low
31-Jan-83
    19,378  
Low
31-Jan-83
    14,886  
 
Close
30-Dec-83
    21,389     16,424  
Close
30-Dec-83
    21,721  
Close
30-Dec-83
    23,127  
Close
30-Dec-83
    15,419  
1984
High
9-Jan-84
    22,004     16,896  
High
6-Nov-84
    23,337  
High
31-Dec-84
    24,119  
High
31-Oct-84
    16,027  
 
Low
24-Jul-84
    18,549     13,980  
Low
24-Jul-84
    19,933  
Low
31-May-84
    21,038  
Low
31-Jan-84
    15,510  
 
Close
31-Dec-84
    22,621     16,759  
Close
31-Dec-84
    23,083  
Close
31-Dec-84
    24,119  
Close
31-Dec-84
    16,027  
1985
High
16-Dec-85
    29,736     21,355  
High
16-Dec-85
    30,417  
High
31-Dec-85
    31,006  
High
31-Dec-85
    16,636  
 
Low
1-May-85
    22,882     16,819  
Low
4-Jan-85
    22,592  
Low
31-Jan-85
    25,851  
Low
31-Jan-85
    16,058  
 
Close
31-Dec-85
    29,448     21,148  
Close
31-Dec-85
    30,407  
Close
31-Dec-85
    31,006  
Close
31-Dec-85
    16,636  
1986
High
4-Sep-86
    36,571     25,757  
High
2-Dec-86
    37,737  
High
31-Aug-86
    37,352  
High
31-Dec-86
    16,819  
 
Low
14-Feb-86
    31,766     22,665  
Low
22-Jan-86
    29,286  
Low
31-Jan-86
    31,537  
Low
30-Apr-86
    16,530  
 
Close
31-Dec-86
    35,941     25,151  
Close
31-Dec-86
    36,082  
Close
31-Dec-86
    36,472  
Close
31-Dec-86
    16,819  
1987
High
25-Aug-87
    50,132     34,478  
High
25-Aug-87
    51,060  
High
31-Aug-87
    47,533  
High
30-Nov-87
    17,565  
 
Low
4-Dec-87
    33,691     23,002  
Low
4-Dec-87
    34,314  
Low
30-Nov-87
    35,112  
Low
31-Jan-87
    16,925  
 
Close
31-Dec-87
    37,295     25,463  
Close
31-Dec-87
    37,977  
Close
31-Dec-87
    37,434  
Close
31-Dec-87
    17,565  
1988
High
5-Jul-88
    43,076     28,988  
High
21-Oct-88
    44,800  
High
30-Dec-88
    44,304  
High
30-Dec-88
    18,341  
 
Low
20-Jan-88
    36,464     24,895  
Low
20-Jan-88
    37,293  
Low
31-Jan-88
    39,236  
Low
31-Jan-88
    17,610  
 
Close
30-Dec-88
    43,246     28,561  
Close
30-Dec-88
    44,267  
Close
30-Dec-88
    44,304  
Close
30-Dec-88
    18,341  
1989
High
9-Oct-89
    58,786     38,138  
High
9-Oct-89
    58,837  
High
31-Aug-89
    55,358  
High
29-Dec-89
    19,193  
 
Low
3-Jan-89
    43,068     28,443  
Low
3-Jan-89
    43,883  
Low
28-Feb-89
    46,392  
Low
31-Jan-89
    18,432  
 
Close
29-Dec-89
    55,597     35,438  
Close
29-Dec-89
    58,269  
Close
29-Dec-89
    54,819  
Close
29-Dec-89
    19,193  
1990
High
4-Jun-90
    60,265     37,947  
High
16-Jul-90
    61,897  
High
31-May-90
    55,785  
High
30-Nov-90
    20,365  
 
Low
11-Oct-90
    46,988     29,390  
Low
11-Oct-90
    50,026  
Low
31-Oct-90
    47,212  
Low
31-Jan-90
    19,391  
 
Close
31-Dec-90
    52,130     32,180  
Close
31-Dec-90
    56,457  
Close
31-Dec-90
    51,534  
Close
31-Dec-90
    20,365  
1991
High
31-Dec-91
    67,947     40,940  
High
31-Dec-91
    73,620  
High
31-Dec-91
    65,836  
High
31-Dec-91
    20,989  
 
Low
9-Jan-91
    50,201     30,989  
Low
9-Jan-91
    53,255  
Low
31-Jan-91
    54,196  
Low
31-Jan-91
    20,487  
 
Close
31-Dec-91
    67,947     40,940  
Close
31-Dec-91
    73,620  
Close
31-Dec-91
    65,836  
Close
31-Dec-91
    20,989  
1992
High
12-Nov-92
    72,487     42,938  
High
18-Dec-92
    80,063  
High
31-Dec-92
    72,177  
High
30-Nov-92
    21,613  
 
Low
8-Apr-92
    66,472     39,828  
Low
8-Apr-92
    70,130  
Low
31-Jan-92
    65,763  
Low
31-Jan-92
    21,020  
 
Close
31-Dec-92
    74,871     44,059  
Close
31-Dec-92
    79,222  
Close
31-Dec-92
    72,177  
Close
31-Dec-92
    21,598  
1993
High
2-Nov-93
    88,379     51,169  
High
28-Dec-93
    87,854  
High
31-Dec-93
    82,730  
High
30-Nov-93
    22,192  
 
Low
8-Jan-93
    74,615     43,908  
Low
8-Jan-93
    78,011  
Low
31-Jan-93
    73,298  
Low
31-Jan-93
    21,705  
 
Close
31-Dec-93
    88,466     50,884  
Close
31-Dec-93
    87,189  
Close
31-Dec-93
    82,730  
Close
31-Dec-93
    22,192  
1994
High
2-Feb-94
    91,634     52,706  
High
2-Feb-94
    90,223  
High
31-Aug-94
    85,813  
High
30-Nov-94
    22,785  
 
Low
8-Dec-94
    86,773     48,708  
Low
4-Apr-94
    82,600  
Low
20-Apr-94
    79,545  
Low
31-Jan-94
    22,253  
 
Close
30-Dec-94
    89,641     50,319  
Close
30-Dec-94
    88,336  
Close
30-Dec-94
    82,387  
Close
30-Dec-94
    22,785  
1995
High
29-Nov-95
    119,498     66,056  
High
13-Dec-95
    122,408  
High
6-Dec-95
    108,087  
High
31-Oct-95
    23,394  
 
Low
3-Jan-95
    89,539     50,261  
Low
3-Jan-95
    88,305  
Low
3-Jan-95
    82,387  
Low
31-Jan-95
    22,877  
 
Close
29-Dec-95
    120,306     66,210  
Close
29-Dec-95
    121,491  
Close
29-Dec-95
    108,042  
Close
29-Dec-95
    23,364  
1996
High
26-Nov-96
    145,602     79,119  
High
25-Nov-96
    152,084  
High
27-Dec-96
    131,831  
High
30-Nov-96
    24,140  
 
Low
10-Jan-96
    117,715     64,784  
Low
10-Jan-96
    118,049  
Low
10-Jan-96
    105,553  
Low
31-Jan-96
    23,501  
 
Close
31-Dec-96
    144,352     78,143  
Close
31-Dec-96
    149,367  
Close
31-Dec-96
    130,379  
Close
31-Dec-96
    24,140  
1997
High
7-Oct-97
    189,427     101,423  
High
5-Dec-97
    201,641  
High
8-Oct-97
    167,437  
High
31-Oct-97
    24,597  
 
Low
11-Apr-97
    144,443     77,891  
Low
2-Jan-97
    148,615  
Low
2-Jan-97
    129,511  
Low
31-Jan-97
    24,216  
 
Close
31-Dec-97
    182,855     97,513  
Close
31-Dec-97
    199,183  
Close
31-Dec-97
    165,420  
Close
31-Dec-97
    24,551  
1998
High
17-Jul-98
    212,584     112,606  
High
29-Dec-98
    258,425  
High
17-Jul-98
    190,194  
High
31-Oct-98
    24,962  
 
Low
8-Oct-98
    173,534     91,600  
Low
9-Jan-98
    190,410  
Low
8-Oct-98
    152,689  
Low
31-Jan-98
    24,597  
 
Close
31-Dec-98
    213,421     112,292  
Close
31-Dec-98
    256,100  
Close
31-Dec-98
    187,884  
Close
31-Dec-98
    24,947  
1999
High
10-Dec-99
    258,554     134,742  
High
31-Dec-99
    309,980  
High
16-Jul-99
    214,455  
High
30-Nov-99
    25,616  
 
Low
14-Jan-99
    211,060     111,050  
Low
14-Jan-99
    252,550  
Low
17-Feb-99
    183,318  
Low
31-Jan-99
    25,008  
 
Close
31-Dec-99
    265,882     138,151  
Close
31-Dec-99
    309,980  
Close
31-Dec-99
    210,168  
Close
31-Dec-99
    25,616  
2000
High
1-Sep-00
    293,957     151,363  
High
24-Mar-00
    322,882  
High
1-Sep-00
    221,351  
High
30-Nov-00
    26,499  
 
Low
21-Dec-00
    266,380     136,743  
Low
20-Dec-00
    269,684  
Low
25-Feb-00
    191,317  
Low
31-Jan-00
    25,693  
 
Close
29-Dec-00
    277,235     142,315  
Close
29-Dec-00
    281,766  
Close
29-Dec-00
    210,997  
Close
29-Dec-00
    26,484  
2001
High
1-Feb-01
    287,822     147,750  
High
30-Jan-01
    293,173  
High
21-May-01
    216,930  
High
30-Sep-01
    27,139  
 
Low
21-Sep-01
    211,970     107,718  
Low
21-Sep-01
    207,919  
Low
21-Sep-01
    166,373  
Low
31-Jan-01
    26,651  
 
Close
31-Dec-01
    250,761     126,959  
Close
31-Dec-01
    248,303  
Close
31-Dec-01
    195,336  
Close
31-Dec-01
    26,895  
2002
High
19-Mar-02
    260,698     131,491  
High
4-Jan-02
    253,587  
High
19-Mar-02
    201,690  
High
31-Oct-02
    27,595  
 
Low
9-Oct-02
    182,355     91,253  
Low
9-Oct-02
    169,983  
Low
9-Oct-02
    140,313  
Low
31-Jan-02
    26,956  
 
Close
31-Dec-02
    207,271     102,816  
Close
31-Dec-02
    193,447  
Close
31-Dec-02
    160,381  
Close
31-Dec-02
    27,534  
2003
High
31-Dec-03
    273,523     133,434  
High
31-Dec-03
    248,903  
High
31-Dec-03
    204,175  
High
30-Sep-03
    28,189  
 
Low
12-Mar-03
    186,058     91,854  
Low
11-Mar-03
    176,642  
Low
11-Mar-03
    145,989  
Low
31-Jan-03
    27,656  
 
Close
31-Dec-03
    273,523     133,434  
Close
31-Dec-03
    248,903  
Close
31-Dec-03
    204,175  
Close
31-Dec-03
    28,052  
2004
High
30-Dec-04
    311,756     149,252  
High
30-Dec-04
    275,924  
High
30-Dec-04
    228,446  
High
30-Nov-04
    29,072  
 
Low
17-May-04
    264,555     128,624  
Low
12-Aug-04
    240,252  
Low
12-Aug-04
    199,152  
Low
31-Jan-04
    28,189  
 
Close
31-Dec-04
    311,563     149,159  
Close
31-Dec-04
    275,970  
Close
31-Dec-04
    228,113  
Close
31-Dec-04
    28,965  
2005
High
14-Dec-05
    352,458     167,197  
High
14-Dec-05
    294,796  
High
14-Dec-05
    246,907  
High
31-Oct-05
    30,320  
 
Low
28-Apr-05
    297,315     141,898  
Low
20-Apr-05
    260,187  
Low
20-Apr-05
    218,372  
Low
31-Jan-05
    29,026  
 
Close
30-Dec-05
    347,960     163,728  
Close
30-Dec-05
    289,511  
Close
30-Dec-05
    243,681  
Close
30-Dec-05
    29,954  
2006
High
14-Dec-06
    416,828     194,392  
High
15-Dec-06
    336,807  
High
15-Dec-06
    283,196  
High
31-Aug-06
    31,035  
 
Low
13-Jun-06
    354,244     165,717  
Low
13-Jun-06
    286,100  
Low
13-Jun-06
    242,646  
Low
31-Jan-06
    30,183  
 
Close
29-Dec-06
    414,904     192,480  
Close
29-Dec-06
    335,199  
Close
29-Dec-06
    281,615  
Close
29-Dec-06
    30,715  
2007
High
31-Oct-07
    490,222     225,499  
High
9-Oct-07
    374,990  
High
13-Jul-07
    312,492  
High
30-Nov-07
    31,990  
 
Low
5-Mar-07
    406,016     187,812  
Low
5-Mar-07
    325,873  
Low
5-Mar-07
    275,075  
Low
31-Jan-07
    30,809  
 
Close
31-Dec-07
    471,134     213,905  
Close
31-Dec-07
    353,601  
Close
31-Dec-07
    293,656  
Close
31-Dec-07
    31,969  
 
High
19-May-08
    477,753     216,251  
High
2-Jan-08
    348,496  
High
3-Jan-08
    289,857  
High
31-Jul-08
    33,480  
2008
Low
20-Nov-08
    236,224     106,274  
Low
20-Nov-08
    184,490  
Low
20-Nov-08
    151,582  
Low
31-Dec-08
    31,998  
 
Close
31-Dec-08
    284,112     126,717  
Close
31-Dec-08
    222,801  
Close
31-Dec-08
    183,429  
Close
31-Dec-08
    31,998  
2009
High
28-Dec-09
    382,823     167,756  
High
28-Dec-09
    284,556  
High
28-Dec-09
    238,932  
High
30-Nov-09
    32,927  
 
Low
9-Mar-09
    228,825     101,506  
Low
9-Mar-09
    167,859  
Low
9-Mar-09
    139,956  
Low
31-Jan-09
    32,137  
 
Close
31-Dec-09
    378,888     166,031  
Close
31-Dec-09
    281,781  
Close
31-Dec-09
    236,804  
Close
31-Dec-09
    32,869  
2010
High
29-Dec-10
    432,713     186,423  
High
29-Dec-10
    324,377  
High
29-Dec-10
    270,610  
High
31-Dec-10
    33,361  
 
Low
2-Jul-10
    348,630     151,624  
Low
2-Jul-10
    260,998  
Low
2-Jul-10
    219,504  
Low
31-Jan-10
    32,981  
 
Close
31-Dec-10
    432,124     186,170  
Close
31-Dec-10
    324,287  
Close
31-Dec-10
    270,484  
Close
31-Dec-10
    33,361  
[end mountain chart]
 
Year ended
                                               
December 31
    1978 8     1979       1980       1981       1982       1983       1984       1985  
Capital value
                                                               
Dividends in cash
  $ 216       405       553       580       634       594       556       582  
Value at year-end1
  $ 8,947       9,892       11,390       10,688       13,522       16,424       16,759       21,148  
Total value
                                                               
Dividends reinvested
  $ 217       421       603       665       768       755       734       795  
Value at year-end1
  $ 9,155       10,556       12,807       12,654       16,957       21,389       22,621       29,448  
Total return
    (8.4 )%     15.3       21.3       (1.2 )     34.0       26.1       5.8       30.2  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Year ended
                                                               
December 31
    1986       1987       1988       1989       1990       1991       1992       1993  
Capital value
                                                               
Dividends in cash
    636       717       895       1,225       1,058       904       988       1,084  
Value at year-end1
    25,151       25,463       28,561       35,438       32,180       40,940       44,059       50,884  
Total value
                                                               
Dividends reinvested
    894       1,034       1,328       1,877       1,679       1,478       1,655       1,858  
Value at year-end1
    35,941       37,295       43,246       55,597       52,130       67,947       74,871       88,466  
Total return
    22.0       3.8       16.0       28.6       (6.2 )     30.3       10.2       18.2  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Year ended
                                                               
December 31
    1994       1995       1996       1997       1998       1999       2000       2001  
Capital value
                                                               
Dividends in cash
    1,238       1,160       1,196       1,351       1,428       1,578       1,716       1,844  
Value at year-end1
    50,319       66,210       78,143       97,513       112,292       138,151       142,315       126,959  
Total value
                                                               
Dividends reinvested
    2,171       2,082       2,187       2,511       2,691       3,013       3,319       3,611  
Value at year-end1
    89,641       120,306       144,352       182,855       213,421       265,882       277,235       250,761  
Total return
    1.3       34.2       20.0       26.7       16.7       24.6       4.3       (9.6 )
                                                                 
                                                                 
Year ended
                                                               
December 31
    2002       2003       2004       2005       2006       2007       2008       2009  
Capital value
                                                               
Dividends in cash
    2,289       1,850       2,590       2,729       2,590       4,572       2,938       2,435  
Value at year-end1
    102,816       133,434       149,159       163,728       192,480       213,905       126,717       166,031  
Total value
                                                               
Dividends reinvested
    4,553       3,755       5,345       5,735       5,534       9,917       6,506       5,500  
Value at year-end1
    207,271       273,523       311,563       347,960       414,904       471,134       284,112       378,888  
Total return
    (17.3 )     32.0       13.9       11.7       19.2       13.6       (39.7 )     33.4  
                                                                 
                                                                 
Year ended
                                                               
December 31
    2010                                                          
Capital value
                                                               
Dividends in cash
    2,891                                                          
Value at year-end1
    186,170 6                                                        
Total value
                                                               
Dividends reinvested
    6,641                                                          
Value at year-end1
    432,124 3                                                        
Total return
    14.0                                                          

Average annual total return 12.3%1

 
1As outlined in the prospectus, the sales charge is reduced for accounts of $25,000 or more and is eliminated for purchases of $1 million or more. There is no sales charge on dividends or capital gain distributions that are reinvested in additional shares.
 
2The maximum initial sales charge was 8.50% prior to July 1, 1988.
 
3Includes reinvested dividends of $91,833 and reinvested capital gain distributions of $170,881.
 
4Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or taxes.
 
5Results of the Lipper Growth and Income Funds Index reflect fund expenses but do not reflect the effect of any applicable account fees, taxes or front-end sales charges. If any applicable front-end sales charges were included, results of the index would be lower.
 
6Includes reinvested capital gain distributions of $91,556 but does not reflect income dividends of $48,024 taken in cash.
 
7Computed from data supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
 
8For the period August 1, 1978 (when Capital Research and Management Company became investment adviser) through December 31, 1978.

The results shown are before taxes on fund distributions and sale of fund shares.
 
 
[photo of machine gears]

 
Ideas at work in your portfolio

The investment professionals of Fundamental Investors build the fund’s portfolio one company at a time. In doing so, they seek solid, well-positioned businesses that are attractively valued and well managed. They also pay close attention to a number of other factors, including industry trends, the global economic backdrop and the geopolitical climate. When one of these factors, or a combination thereof, influences multiple investment decisions, it could be considered a theme. At any given time the fund’s portfolio is home to many such themes, and in the following pages we take a look at some of them.

Companies first

“When discussing investing themes within the portfolio, it’s important to emphasize that the themes themselves are not the fundamental drivers behind our investment decisions. First and foremost we focus on companies,” emphasizes Dina Perry, the fund’s president and one of its portfolio counselors. “This is an important distinction as it reinforces the fact that we don’t make across-the-board investments in industries or sectors simply because we believe they enjoy a tailwind. That said, we work hard to identify broadly favorable trends and take them into consideration when we evaluate a company’s prospects.”

Such trends and tailwinds take many forms. Some are industry-specific — the technological leap forward that creates opportunities for companies that manufacture and support handheld computing devices, or a shifting regulatory environment that creates beneficial conditions for pharmaceutical or financial firms. Others arise out of broader economic or demographic trends and can create favorable conditions for a range of industries.

Chemical reaction

Understanding how these factors combine to affect a company’s operating environment is central to the research process. The importance of getting a complete picture helps explain why Peter Eliot, whose focus is chemicals companies, pays considerable attention to the dietary habits of those climbing the economic ladder in Shanghai or Mumbai. He explains, “Living standards in the developing world are rising, and people are upgrading their diets. This generally includes eating more animal protein. It takes many units of grain to produce a unit of chicken or meat, so demand for grain is growing fast while arable land worldwide is declining.”

[photo of machine gears]

[Begin Pull Quote]
“We work hard to identify broadly favorable
trends and take them into consideration
when we evaluate a company’s prospects.”
— Dina Perry, portfolio counselor and
Fundamental Investors’ president
[End Pull Quote]
 
[photo of machine gears]

The only way that less land can accommodate increased demand is through a rise in yield per acre, and there are limited ways to increase yields: better seeds, increased use of chemicals (i.e., pesticides or herbicides), and more fertilizer. Many of the companies Peter covers and in which the fund is invested produce some combination of these products.

“Anyone in the business of helping farmers get more from their land has the potential to benefit from global agricultural trends, but it’s important to point out that we don’t simply identify a trend then proceed to invest in all the affected companies and sectors,” notes Peter. “Even in a climate that is generally favorable for a particular sector, there are firms that excel and those that aren’t doing as well.”

For example, the seed business is highly competitive so regardless of how beneficial the operating environment may be, manufacturers must still effectively execute and manage things like research, marketing and pricing in order not to fall behind. Peter and his fellow analysts do extensive “tire kicking” to determine which companies are best positioned to prosper over the long term. Consider his background covering producers of potash, a key fertilizer.

“Potash reserves are concentrated in a handful of geographies and among a fairly limited number of producers,” Peter offers. “Over the years I’ve met with key managers from big Canadian, Israeli, German and Russian firms. Moreover, I lived in Russia for many years and speak the language, so I was able to conduct meetings with the Russian executives in their native tongue. That went a long way toward making determinations about their capability and formulating my view on global markets.”

[Begin Sidebar]
Portfolios within the portfolio

Faced with the countless variables at work within companies, sectors and the global economy, no two investment professionals draw precisely the same set of conclusions. Where one might see a particular demographic trend creating opportunity for certain firms, another, faced with the same data, may have a differing, perhaps less optimistic view. Within an investment system dependent on managerial consensus, such divergence of opinion could leave the fund with a conundrum: To invest or not to invest?

Fundamental Investors avoids this problem thanks to the innovative investment method it has relied on for over 30 years. Known as the multiple portfolio counselor system, it divides the fund’s assets into segments, each of which is independently managed — according to fund objectives — by one of the fund’s six portfolio counselors. A seventh segment is managed by the investment analysts assigned to the fund, each of whom can invest in companies within their areas of focus.

Analysts and counselors benefit from the interplay of ideas, opinions and perspectives among colleagues, but investment decisions are left to the individuals. Enabling counselors to focus on their highest conviction ideas typically means that each constructs a fairly concentrated portfolio —generally fewer than 50 holdings. Yet taken together, their portfolios allow the fund to achieve considerable diversification.
 
[graphic of a seven-segment pie chart - six segments represent Portfolio counselors - the seventh segment represents the Researh portfolio - Investment analysts]
[End Sidebar]

Interestingly, other investment professionals have found ways to extend the agricultural theme beyond the chemicals area. For example, the fund has investments in railroads that transport grain to shipping ports as well as in companies that manufacture the equipment used in harvesting.

The world powers up

When China recently overtook the U.S. as the world’s largest automotive market, it was just the latest example of a trend the fund has been focused on for quite some time: rising global energy consumption.

As with agriculture, increased energy use has its origins in rising living standards in the developing world, but it goes beyond added demand from a burgeoning middle class pumping gas into more private cars. Growth in energy use associated with urbanization, as well as added consumption brought on by industrial expansion, have also played parts. Together, they’ve strained the energy industry’s ability to meet the world’s needs.

“Greater demand coupled with years of underinvestment in new projects has kept supply tight. And because the share price of energy providers is closely linked to the prices of the commodities they bring to market, stocks of many oil companies have posted excellent returns,” explains energy analyst Frank Hu. “We believe energy use will continue to grow, and we maintain significant investments in a number of energy firms.”

Those with deepwater operations are heavily represented, as are several oil services companies that provide the equipment and technology they use. Fundamental Investors also has holdings in companies focused on what one might call “unconventional” sources. These include some Canadian oil sands producers that extract crude by means of a process more akin to mining than drilling. Obtaining oil from sands currently carries a higher per-barrel cost, which means it’s only economical above a certain price threshold.
 
[photo of machine gears]
 
[Begin Pull Quote]
“We believe energy use will continue to grow, and we maintain significant investments in a number of energy firms.”
— Frank Hu, energy analyst
[End Pull Quote]
 
[photo of machine gears]
Continues Frank, “We made some of our oil sands investments prior to the spike in prices that occurred over the last few years. We performed comprehensive research that helped us to see that technology was improving and extraction costs would go down. This knowledge, together with our belief that global demand for energy would rise, made these companies appealing, and they have been excellent contributors to the fund.”

Adding to the appeal of many energy companies are their above-market dividend yields, which are significant contributors to the fund’s income objective.

Convergence

The pharmaceutical industry provides a good example of a sector that has benefited from a mix of factors combining to form an improving investment environment.

“There was a period following the passage of laws relating to patent exclusivity where the pharmaceutical industry found it more profitable to re-engineer existing compounds than to create new drugs,” observes pharmaceuticals analyst Jay Markowitz, a former transplant surgeon with experience covering biotechnology. “This left many companies without robust pipelines — hampering their growth and troubling investors. Stock prices suffered as a result. But the completion of human genome sequencing in 2000 expanded our understanding of the number of potential targets for drug therapies and catalyzed a new wave of innovation. As it typically takes 10–15 years to develop new drugs, we may finally see those efforts bear fruit.”

In particular, Jay sees promising progress in areas such as anti-coagulant drugs, treatments for hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis, and a new generation of cardiovascular drugs that are different from, and complementary to, the widely used cholesterol-lowering agents currently on the market.

What’s more, the improvements in global living standards that are currently driving growth in other industries will also affect the pharmaceutical industry. “Regrettably, the diet and lifestyle changes that accompany these improvements generally increase the incidence of certain diseases and conditions that are already common in developed nations,” adds Jay. “A growing middle class in developing countries means an expanded market for products aimed at treating the rise in health problems like diabetes and obesity that will follow.”

Despite these developments, stocks of many pharmaceutical companies that had valuations well above the broader market in the 1990s have been available at a discount to it. This has made them appealing from a long-term capital appreciation standpoint. Yet the fund’s pharmaceutical investments aren’t simply about playing the waiting game. High current yields also make many of them attractive right now.

Jay allows that the impact of these trends will vary among companies and that volatility remains a possibility. Research is the key to determining which firms present the best risk/reward combination for fund shareholders.

Technology won’t be kept waiting

Paul Benjamin covers companies within what is arguably America’s most globally competitive industry: information technology. From software to search engines, handheld devices to microchips, U.S. businesses lead the way in many key categories. And several of the firms that sit atop these categories are part of the fund’s portfolio.

As with chemicals and energy, one factor that makes these firms compelling to Paul and his colleagues is the increase in technology use that’s set to occur in the developing world.

“Globally there are about 4.5 billion people with phone handsets but only around 1.3 billion with computers,” says Paul. “In the coming years, we expect the number of computers in use worldwide to climb to around 4 billion. That unit growth will help the whole supply chain and, potentially, a number of fund investments.”

However, greater demand from the developing world isn’t the whole story. The innovative thinking that transformed the way we learn, transact and communicate continues to uncover new areas of opportunity in developed economies, too. One example is the emergence of cloud computing.

“Cloud computing has several meanings. To most consumers, it stands for widely used Internet-based services and applications like gmail,” explains Paul. “For many large businesses, however, cloud computing means renting computer resources by the hour — over the Internet from specialized providers — rather than building out multimillion dollar data centers for themselves. This allows companies to purchase computer power in much the same way they purchase electrical power.”  

The first large-scale provider of modern cloud computing was a major online retailer that got into the business because it had to build huge data centers to support traffic spikes during the holiday season. The rest of the year, however, the firm had so much excess capacity that it decided to rent it out by the hour. The concept proved so popular with information technology (IT) buyers, that a nascent industry has been born.

Adds Paul, “It’s one of the most exciting developments to take place during my time as an analyst, and it’s going to have a dramatic effect on the IT landscape. We believe there are a number of investments in the area that could benefit shareholders over the long term.”

A snapshot in time

The dynamic nature of today’s global economy all but guarantees that tomorrow’s environment will differ from today’s. Likewise, the investing themes at work in the fund’s portfolio will shift. However, future investments will have something important in common with the fund’s present holdings: each will have been thoroughly researched and judged attractive on its own merits, not merely because it’s part of an industry or sector with a tailwind. As Dina Perry puts it, “Themes are important, but we will continue to take a company-by-company approach to investing as we work to help shareholders pursue their long-term financial goals.”
 
[photo of machine gears]
 
[Begin Pull Quote]
“We expect the number of computers in use worldwide to climb to around 4 billion. That unit growth will help the whole supply chain and, potentially, a number of fund investments.”
— Paul Benjamin, information technology analyst
[End Pull Quote]
 
[photo of machine gears]
 
 
Summary investment portfolio, December 31, 2010
 
 
The following summary investment portfolio is designed to streamline the report and help investors better focus on a fund’s principal holdings. See the inside back cover for details on how to obtain a complete schedule of portfolio holdings.
 
[begin pie chart]
Industry sector diversification
 
(percent of net assets)
 
       
Information technology
    13.73 %
Energy
    12.16  
Financials
    11.86  
Industrials
    11.76  
Health care
    11.42  
Other industries
    32.93  
Convertible securities and bonds & notes
    0.05  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities
    6.09  
[end pie chart]
 
 
Country diversification
 
(percent of net assets)
 
United States
    74.7 %
Euro zone *
    5.7  
Canada
    4.8  
United Kingdom
    3.1  
Switzerland
    2.8  
Other countries
    2.8  
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities
    6.1  
         
*Countries using the euro as a common currency; those represented in the fund's portfolio are Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.
 
 
               
Percent
 
         
Value
   
of net
 
Common stocks  - 93.86%
  Shares       (000 )  
assets
 
                     
Information technology  - 13.73%
                   
Microsoft Corp.
    33,150,000     $ 925,548       1.86 %
Apple Inc. (1)
    1,925,000       620,928       1.24  
Google Inc., Class A (1)
    1,015,000       602,880       1.21  
Texas Instruments Inc.
    18,380,000       597,350       1.20  
EMC Corp. (1)
    20,725,000       474,602       .95  
Oracle Corp.
    14,967,285       468,476       .94  
Corning Inc.
    23,995,000       463,583       .93  
Intuit Inc. (1)
    7,090,000       349,537       .70  
Yahoo! Inc. (1)
    19,657,483       326,904       .66  
Other securities
            2,011,714       4.04  
              6,841,522       13.73  
                         
Energy  - 12.16%
                       
Suncor Energy Inc.
    28,702,829       1,105,043       2.22  
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
    5,004,244       490,916       .99  
ConocoPhillips
    6,000,000       408,600       .82  
Chevron Corp.
    3,997,763       364,796       .73  
FMC Technologies, Inc. (1)
    4,000,000       355,640       .71  
Baker Hughes Inc.
    6,000,000       343,020       .69  
Tenaris SA (ADR)
    6,640,000       325,227       .65  
Other securities
            2,666,001       5.35  
              6,059,243       12.16  
                         
Financials  - 11.86%
                       
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    14,515,000       615,726       1.24  
Wells Fargo & Co.
    18,046,200       559,252       1.12  
U.S. Bancorp
    19,847,000       535,273       1.07  
Citigroup Inc. (1)
    92,600,000       437,998       .88  
ACE Ltd.
    5,700,000       354,825       .71  
Bank of America Corp.
    24,500,000       326,830       .66  
Other securities
            3,080,928       6.18  
              5,910,832       11.86  
                         
Industrials  - 11.76%
                       
Union Pacific Corp.
    6,350,000       588,391       1.18  
Schneider Electric SA
    3,242,272       485,257       .97  
Deere & Co.
    5,000,000       415,250       .83  
Lockheed Martin Corp.
    5,598,200       391,370       .79  
Parker Hannifin Corp.
    4,500,000       388,350       .78  
General Electric Co.
    19,650,000       359,398       .72  
Other securities
            3,232,963       6.49  
              5,860,979       11.76  
                         
Health care  - 11.42%
                       
Merck & Co., Inc.
    43,700,000       1,574,948       3.16  
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    24,600,000       651,408       1.31  
Roche Holding AG
    3,600,000       527,487       1.06  
Eli Lilly and Co.
    13,535,000       474,266       .95  
Baxter International Inc.
    7,575,000       383,447       .77  
Pfizer Inc
    19,620,000       343,546       .69  
Other securities
            1,731,935       3.48  
              5,687,037       11.42  
                         
Consumer discretionary  - 11.32%
                       
Home Depot, Inc.
    33,178,000       1,163,221       2.33  
McDonald's Corp.
    8,367,600       642,297       1.29  
Walt Disney Co.
    10,500,000       393,855       .79  
Amazon.com, Inc. (1)
    2,037,000       366,660       .74  
Virgin Media Inc.
    13,385,000       364,607       .73  
Comcast Corp., Class A
    15,315,000       336,471       .68  
Starbucks Corp.
    10,000,000       321,300       .64  
Other securities
            2,053,271       4.12  
              5,641,682       11.32  
                         
Materials  - 7.64%
                       
Syngenta AG
    2,102,000       614,863       1.24  
Dow Chemical Co.
    15,514,500       529,665       1.06  
Other securities
            2,660,093       5.34  
              3,804,621       7.64  
                         
Consumer staples  - 5.55%
                       
Philip Morris International Inc.
    7,835,000       458,583       .92  
Altria Group, Inc.
    14,175,100       348,991       .70  
Other securities
            1,957,353       3.93  
              2,764,927       5.55  
                         
Utilities - 3.19%
                       
Other securities
            1,588,673       3.19  
                         
                         
Telecommunication services  - 2.57%
                       
Verizon Communications Inc.
    19,025,000       680,714       1.37  
Other securities
            600,249       1.20  
              1,280,963       2.57  
                         
Miscellaneous  -  2.66%
                       
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition
            1,322,590       2.66  
                         
                         
Total common stocks (cost: $36,783,821,000)
            46,763,069       93.86  
                         
                         
                         
                   
Percent
 
           
Value
   
of net
 
Convertible securities  - 0.04%
            (000 )  
assets
 
                         
Industrials - 0.04%
                       
Other securities
            18,029       .04  
                         
                         
Total convertible securities (cost: $12,275,000)
            18,029       .04  
                         
                         
                         
                   
Percent
 
           
Value
   
of net
 
Bonds & notes  - 0.01%
            (000 )  
assets
 
                         
Mortgage-backed obligations - 0.01%
                       
Other securities
            6,225       .01  
                         
                         
Total bonds & notes (cost: $6,113,000)
            6,225       .01  
                         
                         
                         
   
Principal
           
Percent
 
   
amount
   
Value
   
of net
 
Short-term securities  - 6.17%
    (000 )     (000 )  
assets
 
                         
                         
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.133%-0.172% due 2/10-6/9/2011
  $ 687,500       687,210       1.38  
Coca-Cola Co. 0.20%-0.25% due 1/5-4/4/2011 (2)
    434,600       434,473       .87  
Fannie Mae 0.18%-0.31% due 2/1-4/25/2011
    388,500       388,372       .78  
Jupiter Securitization Co., LLC 0.20%-0.27% due 1/19-3/15/2011 (2)
    221,200       221,121          
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 0.22% due 2/22/2011
    150,000       149,932       .75  
Bank of America Corp. 0.26%-0.28% due 1/6-1/24/2011
    214,500       214,478       .43  
Google, Inc. 0.18%-0.20% due 2/3-3/23/2011 (2)
    171,600       171,528       .34  
Variable Funding Capital Company LLC 0.27% due 1/14/2011 (2)
    11,000       10,999       .02  
Other securities
            794,342       1.60  
                         
Total short-term securities (cost: $3,072,391,000)
            3,072,455       6.17  
                         
                         
Total investment securities (cost: $39,874,600,000)
            49,859,778       100.08  
Other assets less liabilities
            (39,220 )     (.08 )
                         
Net assets
          $ 49,820,558       100.00 %
 
"Miscellaneous" securities include holdings in their initial period of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.
"Other securities" includes all issues that are not disclosed separately in the summary investment portfolio.
 
 
 
Investments in affiliates
           
A company is considered to be an affiliate of the fund under the Investment Company Act of 1940 if the fund's holdings in that company represent 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares. The value of the fund's holdings in affiliated companies is included in "Other securities" under the respective industry sectors in the summary investment portfolio. Further details on these holdings and related transactions during the year ended December 31, 2010, appear below.
 
   
Beginning shares
   
Additions
   
Reductions
   
Ending shares
   
Dividend income (000)
   
Value of affiliates at 12/31/2010 (000)
 
Strayer Education, Inc.
    743,100       16,900       -       760,000     $ 2,470     $ 115,687  
Grafton Group PLC, units
    14,962,000       75,000       -       15,037,000       986       69,324  
Corporate Executive Board Co.(3)
    2,304,200       -       2,304,200       -       588       -  
                                    $ 4,044     $ 185,011  
 
The following footnotes apply to either the individual securities noted or one or more of the securities aggregated and listed as a single line item.
       
(1) Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
     
(2) Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities, including those in "Other securities," was $1,204,771,000, which represented 2.42% of the net assets of the fund.
(3) Unaffiliated issuer at 12/31/2010.
     
       
Key to abbreviation
     
ADR = American Depositary Receipts
     
       
See Notes to Financial Statements
     
 
 
 
Financial statements
 
Statement of assets and liabilities
           
at December 31, 2010
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
Assets:
           
 Investment securities, at value:
           
  Unaffiliated issuers (cost: $39,562,014)
  $ 49,674,767        
  Affiliated issuers (cost: $312,586)
    185,011     $ 49,859,778  
 Cash
            61  
 Receivables for:
               
  Sales of investments
    8,968          
  Sales of fund's shares
    81,450          
  Dividends and interest
    83,463       173,881  
              50,033,720  
Liabilities:
               
 Payables for:
               
  Purchases of investments
    9,205          
  Repurchases of fund's shares
    171,185          
  Investment advisory services
    10,530          
  Services provided by related parties
    18,801          
  Trustees' deferred compensation
    2,841          
  Non-U.S. taxes
    198          
  Other
    402       213,162  
Net assets at December 31, 2010
          $ 49,820,558  
                 
Net assets consist of:
               
 Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest
          $ 44,313,617  
 Undistributed net investment income
            183,983  
 Accumulated net realized loss
            (4,663,190 )
 Net unrealized appreciation
            9,986,148  
Net assets at December 31, 2010
          $ 49,820,558  
 
 
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)
 
                   
Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value) -
unlimited shares authorized (1,358,178 total shares outstanding)
 
   
Net assets
   
Shares outstanding
   
Net asset value per share
 
Class A
  $ 33,088,914       901,633     $ 36.70  
Class B
    745,521       20,368       36.60  
Class C
    2,081,474       56,926       36.56  
Class F-1
    4,329,599       118,038       36.68  
Class F-2
    888,177       24,203       36.70  
Class 529-A
    916,273       24,988       36.67  
Class 529-B
    63,426       1,730       36.66  
Class 529-C
    265,098       7,234       36.64  
Class 529-E
    40,755       1,112       36.65  
Class 529-F-1
    36,852       1,006       36.65  
Class R-1
    138,190       3,779       36.56  
Class R-2
    631,007       17,260       36.56  
Class R-3
    2,176,914       59,433       36.63  
Class R-4
    2,049,935       55,948       36.64  
Class R-5
    1,418,531       38,639       36.71  
Class R-6
    949,892       25,881       36.70  
                         
                         
See Notes to Financial Statements
                       
 
 
Statement of operations
           
for the year ended December 31, 2010
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
Investment income:
           
 Income:
           
  Dividends (net of non-U.S. taxes of $29,907;
           
   also includes $4,044 from affiliates)
  $ 1,099,910        
  Interest
    6,501     $ 1,106,411  
                 
 Fees and expenses*:
               
  Investment advisory services
    115,806          
  Distribution services
    132,279          
  Transfer agent services
    42,449          
  Administrative services
    22,989          
  Reports to shareholders
    2,646          
  Registration statement and prospectus
    890          
  Trustees' compensation
    699          
  Auditing and legal
    169          
  Custodian
    1,175          
  State and local taxes
    1          
  Other
    1,987       321,090  
 Net investment income
            785,321  
                 
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation
               
 on investments and currency:
               
 Net realized gain on:
               
  Investments (including $90,656 net loss from affiliates)
    367,095          
  Currency transactions
    806       367,901  
 Net unrealized appreciation on:
               
  Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $198)
    4,934,233          
  Currency translations
    404       4,934,637  
   Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation
               
    on investments and currency
            5,302,538  
Net increase in net assets resulting
               
 from operations
          $ 6,087,859  
                 
(*) Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                 
See Notes to Financial Statements
               
                 
                 
                 
Statements of changes in net assets
               
        (dollars in thousands)  
   
Year ended December 31
 
      2010       2009  
Operations:
               
 Net investment income
  $ 785,321     $ 578,877  
 Net realized gain (loss) on investments and currency transactions
    367,901       (1,994,254 )
 Net unrealized appreciation on investments and currency translations
    4,934,637       12,487,975  
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
    6,087,859       11,072,598  
                 
Dividends paid  to shareholders from net investment income
    (750,387 )     (631,972 )
                 
Net capital share transactions
    (634,803 )     587,441  
                 
Total increase in net assets
    4,702,669       11,028,067  
                 
Net assets:
               
 Beginning of year
    45,117,889       34,089,822  
 End of year (including undistributed
               
  net investment income: $183,983 and $148,902, respectively)
  $ 49,820,558     $ 45,117,889  
                 
                 
See Notes to Financial Statements
               
 
 
 
Notes to financial statements


1.  
Organization

American Funds Fundamental Investors (the "trust") is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company and has initially issued one series of shares, Fundamental Investors (the "fund"). The fund seeks long-term growth of capital and income. Effective September 1, 2010, the fund reorganized from a Maryland corporation to a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with a proposal approved by shareholders on November 24, 2009.

The fund has 16 share classes consisting of five retail share classes, five 529 college savings plan share classes and six retirement plan share classes. The 529 college savings plan share classes (529-A, 529-B, 529-C, 529-E and 529-F-1) can be used to save for college education. The six retirement plan share classes (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6) are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described below:
 
 
Share class
Initial sales charge
Contingent deferred sales charge upon redemption
Conversion feature
Classes A and 529-A
Up to 5.75%
None (except 1% for certain redemptions within one year of purchase without an initial sales charge)
None
Classes B and 529-B*
None
Declines from 5% to 0% for redemptions within six years of purchase
Classes B and 529-B convert to Classes A and 529-A, respectively, after eight years
Class C
None
1% for redemptions within one year of purchase
Class C converts to Class F-1 after 10 years
Class 529-C
None
1% for redemptions within one year of purchase
None
Class 529-E
None
None
None
Classes F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1
None
None
None
Classes R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and R-6
None
None
None
 
*Class B and 529-B shares of the fund are not available for purchase.

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

2.  
Significant accounting policies

The financial statements have been prepared to comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These principles require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described on the following page, as well as the valuation policies described in the next section on valuation.

Security transactions and related investment income – Security transactions are recorded by the fund as of the date the trades are executed with brokers. Realized gains and losses from security transactions are determined based on the specific identified cost of the securities. Dividend income is recognized on the ex-dividend date and interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Market discounts, premiums and original issue discounts on fixed-income securities are amortized daily over the expected life of the security.

Class allocations – Income, fees and expenses (other than class-specific fees and expenses) and realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, administrative and shareholder services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

Dividends and distributions to shareholders Dividends and distributions paid to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Currency translation – Assets and liabilities, including investment securities, denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the valuation date. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the dates of such transactions. On the accompanying financial statements, the effects of changes in exchange rates on investment securities are included with the net realized gain or loss and net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments. The realized gain or loss and unrealized appreciation or depreciation resulting from all other transactions denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars are disclosed separately.

3.  
Valuation

The fund’s investments are reported at fair value as defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The fund generally determines its net asset value as of approximately 4:00 p.m. New York time each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.

Methods and inputs – The fund uses the following methods and inputs to establish the fair value of its assets and liabilities. Use of particular methods and inputs may vary over time based on availability and relevance as market and economic conditions evolve.

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

Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities purchased with more than 60 days left to maturity, are generally valued at prices obtained as of approximately 3:00 p.m. New York time from one or more pricing vendors. Vendors value such securities based on one or more of the inputs described in the following table. The table provides examples of inputs that are commonly relevant for valuing particular classes of fixed-income securities in which the fund is authorized to invest. However, these classifications are not exclusive, and any of the inputs may be used to value any other class of fixed-income security.

Fixed-income class
Examples of standard inputs
All
Benchmark yields, transactions, bids, offers, quotations from dealers and trading systems, new issues, spreads and other relationships observed in the markets among comparable securities; and proprietary pricing models such as yield measures calculated using factors such as cash flows, financial or collateral performance and other reference data (collectively referred to as “standard inputs”)
Corporate bonds & notes; convertible securities
Standard inputs and underlying equity of the issuer
Bonds & notes of governments & government agencies
Standard inputs and interest rate volatilities
Mortgage-backed; asset-backed obligations
Standard inputs and cash flows, prepayment information, default rates, delinquency and loss assumptions, collateral characteristics, credit enhancements and specific deal information

Where the investment adviser deems it appropriate to do so (such as when vendor prices are unavailable or not deemed to be representative), fixed-income securities will be valued in good faith at the mean quoted bid and asked prices that are reasonably and timely available (or bid prices, if asked prices are not available) or at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality and type.

Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics, or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described above for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the investment adviser. Short-term securities purchased within 60 days to maturity are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The value of short-term securities originally purchased with maturities greater than 60 days is determined based on an amortized value to par when they reach 60 days.

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under guidelines adopted by authority of the fund's board of trustees. Market quotations may be considered unreliable if events occur that materially affect the value of securities (particularly equity securities trading outside the U.S.) between the close of trading in those securities and the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Various inputs may be reviewed in order to make a good faith determination of a security’s fair value. These inputs include, but are not limited to, the type and cost of the security; contractual or legal restrictions on resale of the security; relevant financial or business developments of the issuer; actively traded similar or related securities; conversion or exchange rights on the security; related corporate actions; significant events occurring after the close of trading in the security; and changes in overall market conditions. Fair valuations and valuations of investments that are not actively trading involve judgment and may differ materially from valuations that would have been used had greater market activity occurred.

Classifications - The fund classifies its assets and liabilities into three levels based on the inputs used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 values are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical securities. Level 2 values are based on significant observable market inputs, such as quoted prices for similar securities and quoted prices in inactive markets. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the fund’s determination of assumptions that market participants might reasonably use in valuing the securities. The valuation levels are not necessarily an indication of the risk or liquidity associated with the underlying investment. For example, U.S. government securities are reflected as Level 2 because the inputs used to determine fair value may not always be quoted prices in an active market. The following table presents the fund’s valuation levels as of December 31, 2010 (dollars in thousands):
 
Investment securities:
 
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
Common stocks:
                       
 Information technology
  $ 6,841,522     $ -     $ -     $ 6,841,522  
 Energy
    6,059,243       -       -       6,059,243  
 Financials
    5,910,832       -       -       5,910,832  
 Industrials
    5,860,979       -       -       5,860,979  
 Health care
    5,687,037       -       -       5,687,037  
 Consumer discretionary
    5,641,682       -       -       5,641,682  
 Materials
    3,804,621       -       -       3,804,621  
 Consumer staples
    2,764,927       -       -       2,764,927  
 Utilities
    1,588,673       -       -       1,588,673  
 Telecommunication services
    1,280,963       -       -       1,280,963  
 Miscellaneous
    1,322,590       -       -       1,322,590  
Convertible securities
    -       18,029       -       18,029  
Bonds & notes
    -       6,225       -       6,225  
Short-term securities
    -       3,072,455       -       3,072,455  
Total
  $ 46,763,069     $ 3,096,709     $ -     $ 49,859,778  
 
4.  
Risk factors

Investing in the fund may involve certain risks including, but not limited to, those described below.

Market conditions — The prices of, and the income generated by, the common stocks and other securities held by the fund may decline due to market conditions and other factors, including those directly involving the issuers of securities held by the fund.

Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented stocks may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments.

Investing in income-oriented stocks — Income provided by the fund may be reduced by changes in the dividend policies of, and the capital resources available at, the companies in which the fund invests.

Investing outside the U.S. — Securities of issuers domiciled outside the U.S., or with significant operations outside the U.S., may lose value because of political, social or economic developments in the country or region in which the issuer operates. These securities may also lose value due to changes in the exchange rate of the country’s currency against the U.S. dollar. Securities markets in certain countries may be more volatile and/or less liquid than those in the U.S. Investments outside the U.S. may also be subject to different settlement and accounting practices and different regulatory, legal and reporting standards than those in the U.S. The risks of investing outside the U.S. may be heightened in connection with investments in developing countries.

Management — The investment adviser to the fund actively manages the fund’s investments. Consequently, the fund is subject to the risk that the methods and analyses employed by the investment adviser in this process may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.
 
5.  
Taxation and distributions
  
Federal income taxation – The fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to mutual funds and intends to distribute substantially all of its net taxable income and net capital gains each year. The fund is not subject to income taxes to the extent such distributions are made. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

As of and during the period ended December 31, 2010, the fund did not have a liability for any unrecognized tax benefits. The fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the statement of operations. During the period, the fund did not incur any interest or penalties.

The fund is not subject to examination by U.S. federal tax authorities for tax years before 2007, by state tax authorities for tax years before 2006 and by tax authorities outside the U.S. for tax years before 2005.

Non-U.S. taxation – Dividend income is recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. Gains realized by the fund on the sale of securities in certain countries are subject to non-U.S. taxes. The fund records a liability based on unrealized gains to provide for potential non-U.S. taxes payable upon the sale of these securities.

Distributions – Distributions paid to shareholders are based on net investment income and net realized gains determined on a tax basis, which may differ from net investment income and net realized gains for financial reporting purposes. These differences are due primarily to different treatment for items such as currency gains and losses; short-term capital gains and losses; capital losses related to sales of certain securities within 30 days of purchase; deferred expenses; and net capital losses. The fiscal year in which amounts are distributed may differ from the year in which the net investment income and net realized gains are recorded by the fund for financial reporting purposes.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, the fund reclassified $312,000 from accumulated net realized loss to undistributed net investment income and $165,000 from undistributed net investment income to capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest to align financial reporting with tax reporting.

As of December 31, 2010, the tax basis components of distributable earnings, unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investment securities were as follows:

    (dollars in thousands)  
Undistributed ordinary income
        $ 232,529  
Capital loss carryforwards*:
             
     Expiring 2016
  $ (1,512,929 )        
     Expiring 2017
    (3,190,744 )     (4,703,673 )
Gross unrealized appreciation on investment securities
            11,389,621  
Gross unrealized depreciation on investment securities
            (1,409,665 )
Net unrealized appreciation on investment securities
            9,979,956  
Cost of investment securities
            39,879,822  
*Reflects the utilization of capital loss carryforwards of $372,746,000. The capital loss carryforwards will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the fund in future years through the expiration dates. The fund will not make distributions from capital gains while capital loss carryforwards remain.

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010 (the “Act”), net capital losses recognized after December 31, 2010, may be carried forward indefinitely, and their character is retained as short-term and/or long-term losses. Under the law in effect prior to the Act, pre-enactment net capital losses were carried forward for eight years and treated as short-term losses. As a transition rule, the Act requires that post-enactment net capital losses be used before pre-enactment net capital losses.

Tax-basis distributions paid to shareholders from ordinary income were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
    Share class
 
2010
   
2009
 
    Class A
  $ 522,129     $ 458,892  
    Class B
    6,978       8,510  
    Class C
    17,623       15,323  
    Class F-1
    66,841       55,986  
    Class F-2
    14,478       6,438  
    Class 529-A
    13,222       9,809  
    Class 529-B
    531       527  
    Class 529-C
    2,047       1,504  
    Class 529-E
    485       353  
    Class 529-F-1
    595       442  
    Class R-1
    1,147       765  
    Class R-2
    5,371       3,950  
    Class R-3
    26,995       19,065  
    Class R-4
    29,941       21,195  
    Class R-5
    26,478       23,009  
    Class R-6(*)
    15,526       6,204  
    Total
  $ 750,387     $ 631,972  
                 
                 
*Class R-6 was offered beginning May 1, 2009.
 
 
6.  
Fees and transactions with related parties
  
Capital Research and Management Company ("CRMC"), the fund’s investment adviser, is the parent company of American Funds Distributors,® Inc. ("AFD"), the principal underwriter of the fund’s shares, and American Funds Service Company® ("AFS"), the fund’s transfer agent.

Investment advisory services - The Investment Advisory and Service Agreement with CRMC provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.390% on the first $1 billion of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.232% on such assets in excess of $55 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the investment advisory services fee was $115,806,000, which was equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.254% of average daily net assets.

Class-specific fees and expenses – Expenses that are specific to individual share classes are accrued directly to the respective share class. The principal class-specific fees and expenses are described below:

Distribution services – The fund has adopted plans of distribution for all share classes, except Classes F-2, R-5 and R-6. Under the plans, the board of trustees approves certain categories of expenses that are used to finance activities primarily intended to sell fund shares and service existing accounts. The plans provide for payments, based on an annualized percentage of average daily net assets, ranging from 0.25% to 1.00% as noted below. In some cases, the board of trustees has limited the amounts that may be paid to less than the maximum allowed by the plans. All share classes with a plan may use up to 0.25% of average daily net assets to pay service fees, or to compensate AFD for paying service fees, to firms that have entered into agreements with AFD to provide certain shareholder services. The remaining amounts available to be paid under each plan are paid to dealers to compensate them for their sales activities.

For Classes A and 529-A, the board of trustees has also approved the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limit of 0.25% is not exceeded. As of December 31, 2010, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Classes A or 529-A.

Share class
Currently approved limits
Plan limits
Class A
0.25%
0.25%
Class 529-A
0.25
0.50
Classes B and 529-B
1.00
1.00
Classes C, 529-C and R-1
1.00
1.00
Class R-2
0.75
1.00
Classes 529-E and R-3
0.50
0.75
Classes F-1, 529-F-1 and R-4
0.25
0.50

Transfer agent services The fund has a transfer agent agreement with AFS for Classes A and B. Under this agreement, these share classes compensate AFS for transfer agent services including shareholder recordkeeping, communications and transaction processing. AFS is also compensated for certain transfer agent services provided to all other share classes from the administrative services fees paid to CRMC as described below.

Administrative services – The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC for all share classes, except Classes A and B, to provide certain services, including transfer agent and recordkeeping services; coordinating, monitoring, assisting and overseeing third-party service providers; and educating advisers and shareholders about the impact of market-related events, tax laws affecting investments, retirement plan restrictions, exchange limitations and other related matters. Each relevant share class pays CRMC annual fees up to 0.15% (0.10% for Class R-5 and 0.05% for Class R-6) based on its respective average daily net assets. Each relevant share class also pays AFS additional amounts for certain transfer agent services. CRMC and AFS may use these fees to compensate third parties for performing these services.

Each 529 share class is subject to an additional administrative services fee payable to the Commonwealth of Virginia for the maintenance of the 529 college savings plan. The quarterly fee is based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.10% on the first $30 billion of the net assets invested in Class 529 shares of the American Funds and decreasing to 0.06% on such assets between $120 billion and $150 billion. The fee for any given calendar quarter is accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. Although these amounts are included with administrative services fees on the accompanying financial statements, the Commonwealth of Virginia is not considered a related party.

Expenses under the agreements described above for the year ended December 31, 2010, were as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
               
Administrative services
 
 
Share class
 
Distribution services
   
Transfer agent services
   
CRMC administrative services
   
Transfer agent services
   
Commonwealth of Virginia administrative services
 
Class A
  $ 71,530     $ 41,395    
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
 
Class B
    7,751       1,054    
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
   
Not applicable
 
Class C
    19,277    
Included
in
administrative services
 
    $ 2,894     $ 437    
Not applicable
 
Class F-1
    9,757               5,457       276    
Not applicable
 
Class F-2
  Not applicable               970       30    
Not applicable
 
Class 529-A
    1,602               760       123     $ 783  
Class 529-B
    646               63       22       65  
Class 529-C
    2,292               223       62       230  
Class 529-E
    173               34       5       34  
Class 529-F-1
    -               30       5       31  
Class R-1
    1,169               158       36    
Not applicable
 
Class R-2
    4,278               847       1,487    
Not applicable
 
Class R-3
    9,468               2,778       904    
Not applicable
 
Class R-4
    4,336               2,528       53    
Not applicable
 
Class R-5
  Not applicable               1,270       21    
Not applicable
 
Class R-6
  Not applicable               369       4    
Not applicable
 
Total
  $ 132,279     $ 42,449     $ 18,381     $ 3,465     $ 1,143  

Trustees’ deferred compensation – Trustees who are unaffiliated with CRMC may elect to defer the cash payment of part or all of their compensation. These deferred amounts, which remain as liabilities of the fund, are treated as if invested in shares of the fund or other American Funds. These amounts represent general, unsecured liabilities of the fund and vary according to the total returns of the selected funds. Trustees’ compensation of $699,000, shown on the accompanying financial statements, includes $478,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $221,000 in the value of the deferred amounts.

Affiliated officers and trustees – Officers and certain trustees of the fund are or may be considered to be affiliated with CRMC, AFS and AFD. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.
 
7.  
Capital share transactions
 
Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):

Share class
 
Sales(*)
   
Reinvestments of dividends and distributions
   
Repurchases(*)
   
Net (decrease) increase
 
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Shares
 
Year ended December 31, 2010
                                     
Class A
  $ 3,363,931       100,692     $ 502,448       15,020     $ (5,287,374 )     (159,761 )   $ (1,420,995 )     (44,049 )
Class B
    33,827       1,016       6,834       203       (276,082 )     (8,334 )     (235,421 )     (7,115 )
Class C
    298,138       8,974       16,968       504       (381,354 )     (11,579 )     (66,248 )     (2,101 )
Class F-1
    1,239,671       37,371       63,906       1,912       (1,301,972 )     (39,467 )     1,605       (184 )
Class F-2
    366,241       10,977       11,752       351       (222,407 )     (6,699 )     155,586       4,629  
Class 529-A
    157,006       4,699       13,220       395       (73,466 )     (2,219 )     96,760       2,875  
Class 529-B
    2,618       78       530       16       (17,463 )     (523 )     (14,315 )     (429 )
Class 529-C
    45,797       1,371       2,047       61       (25,887 )     (781 )     21,957       651  
Class 529-E
    7,077       211       485       14       (3,288 )     (99 )     4,274       126  
Class 529-F-1
    9,722       292       595       18       (4,787 )     (142 )     5,530       168  
Class R-1
    50,584       1,528       1,142       34       (25,889 )     (784 )     25,837       778  
Class R-2
    176,158       5,322       5,364       159       (168,070 )     (5,082 )     13,452       399  
Class R-3
    708,464       21,359       26,982       804       (495,947 )     (14,982 )     239,499       7,181  
Class R-4
    683,852       20,549       29,929       894       (418,514 )     (12,755 )     295,267       8,688  
Class R-5
    365,246       11,013       26,411       789       (400,796 )     (11,927 )     (9,139 )     (125 )
Class R-6
    330,441       10,094       15,526       464       (94,419 )     (2,889 )     251,548       7,669  
Total net increase
                                                         
   (decrease)
  $ 7,838,773       235,546     $ 724,139       21,638     $ (9,197,715 )     (278,023 )   $ (634,803 )     (20,839 )
                                                                 
Year ended December 31, 2009
                                                 
Class A
  $ 4,133,420       152,140     $ 437,083       16,132     $ (5,318,512 )     (200,947 )   $ (748,009 )     (32,675 )
Class B
    76,831       2,969       8,202       311       (341,345 )     (12,885 )     (256,312 )     (9,605 )
Class C
    336,939       12,332       14,652       550       (336,935 )     (12,840 )     14,656       42  
Class F-1
    1,304,172       47,008       49,006       1,806       (1,278,430 )     (47,975 )     74,748       839  
Class F-2
    541,618       19,496       5,112       175       (107,195 )     (3,766 )     439,535       15,905  
Class 529-A
    125,979       4,562       9,805       361       (60,203 )     (2,232 )     75,581       2,691  
Class 529-B
    5,218       203       527       20       (6,215 )     (230 )     (470 )     (7 )
Class 529-C
    41,294       1,498       1,503       56       (23,111 )     (855 )     19,686       699  
Class 529-E
    6,233       226       352       13       (2,902 )     (106 )     3,683       133  
Class 529-F-1
    8,008       288       442       16       (7,887 )     (265 )     563       39  
Class R-1
    43,940       1,610       761       28       (31,016 )     (1,070 )     13,685       568  
Class R-2
    170,514       6,366       3,946       146       (117,622 )     (4,361 )     56,838       2,151  
Class R-3
    594,024       21,683       19,055       701       (345,362 )     (12,572 )     267,717       9,812  
Class R-4
    564,135       20,763       21,187       777       (337,037 )     (12,025 )     248,285       9,515  
Class R-5
    617,507       22,851       22,633       842       (755,761 )     (28,025 )     (115,621 )     (4,332 )
Class R-6†
    519,256       19,015       6,203       208       (32,583 )     (1,011 )     492,876       18,212  
Total net increase
                                                         
   (decrease)
  $ 9,089,088       333,010     $ 600,469       22,142     $ (9,102,116 )     (341,165 )   $ 587,441       13,987  
                                                                 
*Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
                                 
†Class R-6 was offered beginning May 1, 2009.
                                         
 
8.  
Investment transactions

The fund made purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $13,703,633,000 and $15,252,776,000, respectively, during the year ended December 31, 2010.
 
 
Financial highlights(1)
 
         
Income (loss) from investment operations(2)
   
Dividends and distributions
                                     
   
Net asset value, beginning of period
   
Net investment income(3)(4)
   
Net gains (losses) on securities (both realized and unrealized)
   
Total from investment operations
   
Dividends (from net investment income)
   
Distributions (from capital gains)
   
Total dividends and distributions
   
Net asset value, end of period
   
Total
return(5) (6)
   
Net assets, end of period (in millions)
   
Ratio of expenses to average net assets before reimbursements/
waivers
   
Ratio of expenses to average net assets after reimbursements/
waivers(6)
   
Ratio of net income to average net assets(3) (4) (6)
 
Class A:
                                                                             
Year ended 12/31/2010
  $ 32.73     $ .59     $ 3.95     $ 4.54     $ (.57 )   $ -     $ (.57 )   $ 36.70       14.05 %   $ 33,089       .64 %     .64 %     1.78 %
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.98       .44       7.79       8.23       (.48 )     -       (.48 )     32.73       33.36       30,954       .69       .69       1.60  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.45       .60       (17.23 )     (16.63 )     (.58 )     (.26 )     (.84 )     24.98       (39.70 )     24,443       .63       .61       1.70  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.05       1.03       4.39       5.42       (.95 )     (2.07 )     (3.02 )     42.45       13.55       38,877       .60       .57       2.40  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.40       .62       6.16       6.78       (.56 )     (1.57 )     (2.13 )     40.05       19.24       32,187       .61       .58       1.60  
Class B:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.64       .33       3.94       4.27       (.31 )     -       (.31 )     36.60       13.18       746       1.41       1.41       1.01  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.92       .23       7.76       7.99       (.27 )     -       (.27 )     32.64       32.30       897       1.46       1.46       .85  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.35       .34       (17.20 )     (16.86 )     (.31 )     (.26 )     (.57 )     24.92       (40.14 )     924       1.39       1.37       .94  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    39.96       .70       4.38       5.08       (.62 )     (2.07 )     (2.69 )     42.35       12.70       1,667       1.36       1.33       1.63  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.33       .32       6.14       6.46       (.26 )     (1.57 )     (1.83 )     39.96       18.33       1,417       1.38       1.35       .83  
Class C:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.61       .32       3.94       4.26       (.31 )     -       (.31 )     36.56       13.13       2,081       1.44       1.44       .98  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.90       .22       7.75       7.97       (.26 )     -       (.26 )     32.61       32.26       1,925       1.48       1.48       .81  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.31       .32       (17.17 )     (16.85 )     (.30 )     (.26 )     (.56 )     24.90       (40.16 )     1,468       1.43       1.41       .90  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    39.92       .70       4.36       5.06       (.60 )     (2.07 )     (2.67 )     42.31       12.65       2,053       1.41       1.38       1.62  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.30       .30       6.13       6.43       (.24 )     (1.57 )     (1.81 )     39.92       18.23       1,380       1.43       1.41       .77  
Class F-1:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.72       .59       3.93       4.52       (.56 )     -       (.56 )     36.68       14.01       4,330       .66       .66       1.77  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.97       .45       7.79       8.24       (.49 )     -       (.49 )     32.72       33.40       3,868       .67       .67       1.61  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.43       .60       (17.22 )     (16.62 )     (.58 )     (.26 )     (.84 )     24.97       (39.69 )     2,932       .62       .60       1.72  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.03       1.06       4.36       5.42       (.95 )     (2.07 )     (3.02 )     42.43       13.55       3,235       .61       .58       2.45  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.39       .62       6.15       6.77       (.56 )     (1.57 )     (2.13 )     40.03       19.21       1,815       .61       .58       1.58  
Class F-2:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.73       .67       3.95       4.62       (.65 )     -       (.65 )     36.70       14.32       888       .40       .40       2.03  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.98       .49       7.81       8.30       (.55 )     -       (.55 )     32.73       33.72       641       .43       .43       1.69  
Period from 8/1/2008 to 12/31/2008
    37.09       .23       (11.97 )     (11.74 )     (.37 )     -       (.37 )     24.98       (31.78 )     92       .17       .16       .88  
Class 529-A:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.71       .58       3.93       4.51       (.55 )     -       (.55 )     36.67       13.98       916       .69       .69       1.74  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.97       .43       7.78       8.21       (.47 )     -       (.47 )     32.71       33.30       723       .73       .73       1.55  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.42       .58       (17.21 )     (16.63 )     (.56 )     (.26 )     (.82 )     24.97       (39.71 )     485       .68       .65       1.66  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.02       1.03       4.36       5.39       (.92 )     (2.07 )     (2.99 )     42.42       13.49       643       .66       .64       2.37  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.38       .60       6.15       6.75       (.54 )     (1.57 )     (2.11 )     40.02       19.16       414       .66       .63       1.55  
Class 529-B:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.69       .30       3.95       4.25       (.28 )     -       (.28 )     36.66       13.09       63       1.50       1.50       .92  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.96       .20       7.77       7.97       (.24 )     -       (.24 )     32.69       32.16       71       1.55       1.55       .74  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.41       .30       (17.22 )     (16.92 )     (.27 )     (.26 )     (.53 )     24.96       (40.20 )     54       1.50       1.47       .84  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.01       .66       4.38       5.04       (.57 )     (2.07 )     (2.64 )     42.41       12.57       80       1.48       1.46       1.53  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.37       .27       6.16       6.43       (.22 )     (1.57 )     (1.79 )     40.01       18.18       60       1.50       1.47       .71  
Class 529-C:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.69       .31       3.93       4.24       (.29 )     -       (.29 )     36.64       13.05       265       1.49       1.49       .94  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.95       .20       7.78       7.98       (.24 )     -       (.24 )     32.69       32.22       215       1.55       1.55       .74  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.40       .30       (17.22 )     (16.92 )     (.27 )     (.26 )     (.53 )     24.95       (40.21 )     147       1.49       1.47       .85  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.00       .67       4.37       5.04       (.57 )     (2.07 )     (2.64 )     42.40       12.58       195       1.48       1.45       1.56  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.37       .28       6.14       6.42       (.22 )     (1.57 )     (1.79 )     40.00       18.16       126       1.49       1.47       .71  
Class 529-E:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.69       .48       3.94       4.42       (.46 )     -       (.46 )     36.65       13.66       41       .98       .98       1.45  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.95       .34       7.78       8.12       (.38 )     -       (.38 )     32.69       32.89       32       1.04       1.04       1.24  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.40       .48       (17.21 )     (16.73 )     (.46 )     (.26 )     (.72 )     24.95       (39.90 )     21       .98       .96       1.36  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.00       .88       4.38       5.26       (.79 )     (2.07 )     (2.86 )     42.40       13.14       29       .97       .95       2.05  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.36       .48       6.15       6.63       (.42 )     (1.57 )     (1.99 )     40.00       18.80       20       .97       .95       1.23  
                                                                                                         
Class 529-F-1:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
  $ 32.69     $ .65     $ 3.93     $ 4.58     $ (.62 )   $ -     $ (.62 )   $ 36.65       14.22 %   $ 37       .48 %     .48 %     1.95 %
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.95       .48       7.78       8.26       (.52 )     -       (.52 )     32.69       33.56       27       .54       .54       1.74  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.39       .64       (17.19 )     (16.55 )     (.63 )     (.26 )     (.89 )     24.95       (39.59 )     20       .48       .46       1.84  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.00       1.13       4.33       5.46       (1.00 )     (2.07 )     (3.07 )     42.39       13.69       20       .47       .45       2.62  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.36       .67       6.15       6.82       (.61 )     (1.57 )     (2.18 )     40.00       19.40       11       .47       .45       1.73  
Class R-1:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.62       .33       3.93       4.26       (.32 )     -       (.32 )     36.56       13.13       138       1.43       1.43       1.01  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.90       .22       7.76       7.98       (.26 )     -       (.26 )     32.62       32.30       98       1.47       1.47       .80  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.31       .32       (17.18 )     (16.86 )     (.29 )     (.26 )     (.55 )     24.90       (40.16 )     61       1.43       1.41       .91  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    39.93       .72       4.33       5.05       (.60 )     (2.07 )     (2.67 )     42.31       12.62       57       1.44       1.42       1.67  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.31       .29       6.13       6.42       (.23 )     (1.57 )     (1.80 )     39.93       18.19       23       1.47       1.43       .74  
Class R-2:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.61       .33       3.93       4.26       (.31 )     -       (.31 )     36.56       13.15       631       1.42       1.42       1.00  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.89       .21       7.76       7.97       (.25 )     -       (.25 )     32.61       32.22       550       1.52       1.52       .77  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.30       .30       (17.17 )     (16.87 )     (.28 )     (.26 )     (.54 )     24.89       (40.19 )     366       1.49       1.47       .85  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    39.92       .70       4.34       5.04       (.59 )     (2.07 )     (2.66 )     42.30       12.61       471       1.46       1.40       1.62  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.29       .30       6.14       6.44       (.24 )     (1.57 )     (1.81 )     39.92       18.26       291       1.54       1.41       .77  
Class R-3:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.67       .49       3.94       4.43       (.47 )     -       (.47 )     36.63       13.69       2,177       .96       .96       1.47  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.94       .36       7.77       8.13       (.40 )     -       (.40 )     32.67       32.93       1,707       .99       .99       1.29  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.38       .48       (17.20 )     (16.72 )     (.46 )     (.26 )     (.72 )     24.94       (39.89 )     1,058       .98       .95       1.37  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    39.98       .92       4.34       5.26       (.79 )     (2.07 )     (2.86 )     42.38       13.17       1,157       .97       .94       2.12  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.35       .47       6.14       6.61       (.41 )     (1.57 )     (1.98 )     39.98       18.75       525       .99       .96       1.21  
Class R-4:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.68       .59       3.93       4.52       (.56 )     -       (.56 )     36.64       14.02       2,050       .66       .66       1.77  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.95       .44       7.77       8.21       (.48 )     -       (.48 )     32.68       33.31       1,545       .69       .69       1.58  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.39       .58       (17.19 )     (16.61 )     (.57 )     (.26 )     (.83 )     24.95       (39.70 )     942       .67       .65       1.68  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    39.99       1.05       4.34       5.39       (.92 )     (2.07 )     (2.99 )     42.39       13.51       879       .66       .64       2.42  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.36       .59       6.14       6.73       (.53 )     (1.57 )     (2.10 )     39.99       19.12       438       .67       .65       1.52  
Class R-5:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.74       .69       3.94       4.63       (.66 )     -       (.66 )     36.71       14.37       1,419       .36       .36       2.06  
Year ended 12/31/2009
    24.99       .52       7.79       8.31       (.56 )     -       (.56 )     32.74       33.75       1,269       .39       .39       1.92  
Year ended 12/31/2008
    42.46       .69       (17.23 )     (16.54 )     (.67 )     (.26 )     (.93 )     24.99       (39.53 )     1,077       .37       .35       1.98  
Year ended 12/31/2007
    40.06       1.18       4.34       5.52       (1.05 )     (2.07 )     (3.12 )     42.46       13.81       1,014       .37       .34       2.73  
Year ended 12/31/2006
    35.41       .71       6.16       6.87       (.65 )     (1.57 )     (2.22 )     40.06       19.50       481       .38       .35       1.83  
Class R-6:
                                                                                                       
Year ended 12/31/2010
    32.74       .71       3.93       4.64       (.68 )     -       (.68 )     36.70       14.39       950       .32       .32       2.13  
Period from 5/1/2009 to 12/31/2009
    25.63       .37       7.17       7.54       (.43 )     -       (.43 )     32.74       29.60       596       .35 (7)     .35 (7)     1.87 (7)
 
 
   
Year ended December 31
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes
    32 %     30 %     29 %     27 %     21 %
 
(1)Based on operations for the periods shown (unless otherwise noted) and, accordingly, may not be representative of a full year.
         
(2)Based on average shares outstanding.
                     
(3)For the year ended December 31, 2007, this column reflects the impact of corporate action events that resulted in a one-time increase to net investment income. If the corporate action events had not occurred, the Class A net investment income per share and ratio of net income to average net assets would have been lower by $.39 and .90 percentage points, respectively. The impact to the other share classes would have been similar.
(4)For the year ended December 31, 2010, this column reflects the impact of a corporate action event that resulted in a one-time increase to net investment income. If the corporate action event had not occurred, the Class A net investment income per share and ratio of net income to average net assets would have been lower by $.07 and .21 percentage points, respectively. The impact to the other share classes would have been similar.
(5)Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
         
(6)This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain reimbursements/waivers from CRMC. During some of the periods shown, CRMC reduced fees for investment advisory services. In addition, during some of the periods shown, CRMC paid a portion of the fund's transfer agent fees for certain retirement plan share classes.
(7)Annualized.
                         
                           
See Notes to Financial Statements
                       
 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of American Funds Fundamental Investors – Fundamental Investors:

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the summary investment portfolio, of American Funds Fundamental Investors – Fundamental Investors (the “Fund”), as of December 31, 2010, and the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented. These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2010, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; where replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of American Funds Fundamental Investors – Fundamental Investors, as of December 31, 2010, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the periods presented, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


Deloitte & Touche LLP

Costa Mesa, California
February 8, 2011
 
 

 
Expense example                                                                                                                                 
                    unaudited
 
As a shareholder of the fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, such as initial sales charges on purchase payments and contingent deferred sales charges on redemptions (loads), and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, and other expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the fund so you can compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2010, through December 31, 2010).
 
Actual expenses:
The first line of each share class in the table on the next page provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first line under the heading entitled "Expenses paid during period" to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.
 
Hypothetical example for comparison purposes:
The second line of each share class in the table on the next page provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual expense ratio for the share class and an assumed rate of return of 5.00% per year before expenses, which is not the actual return of the share class. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5.00% hypothetical example with the 5.00% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.
 
Notes:
There are some account fees that are charged to certain types of accounts, such as individual retirement accounts and 529 college savings plan accounts (generally, a $10 fee is charged to set up the account and an additional $10 fee is charged to the account annually), that would increase the amount of expenses paid on your account. In addition, retirement plan participants may be subject to certain fees charged by the plan sponsor, and Class F-1, F-2 and 529-F-1 shareholders may be subject to fees charged by financial intermediaries, typically ranging from 0.75% to 1.50% of assets annually depending on services offered. You can estimate the impact of these fees by adding the amount of the fees to the total estimated expenses you paid on your account during the period as calculated above. In addition, your ending account value would be lower by the amount of these fees.
 
Note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads). Therefore, the second line of each share class in the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
 
   
Beginning account value 7/1/2010
   
Ending account value 12/31/2010
   
Expenses paid during period*
   
Annualized expense ratio
 
                         
Class A -- actual return
  $ 1,000.00     $ 1,234.96     $ 3.55       .63 %
Class A -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,022.03       3.21       .63  
Class B -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,229.72       7.87       1.40  
Class B -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,018.15       7.12       1.40  
Class C -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,229.55       8.09       1.44  
Class C -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.95       7.32       1.44  
Class F-1 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,234.50       3.72       .66  
Class F-1 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,021.88       3.36       .66  
Class F-2 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,236.35       2.31       .41  
Class F-2 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,023.14       2.09       .41  
Class 529-A -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,234.53       3.89       .69  
Class 529-A -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,021.73       3.52       .69  
Class 529-B -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,229.58       8.43       1.50  
Class 529-B -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.64       7.63       1.50  
Class 529-C -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,229.49       8.37       1.49  
Class 529-C -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,017.69       7.58       1.49  
Class 529-E -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,232.87       5.52       .98  
Class 529-E -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,020.27       4.99       .98  
Class 529-F-1 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,235.87       2.71       .48  
Class 529-F-1 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,022.79       2.45       .48  
Class R-1 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,229.73       8.04       1.43  
Class R-1 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,018.00       7.27       1.43  
Class R-2 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,230.06       7.87       1.40  
Class R-2 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,018.15       7.12       1.40  
Class R-3 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,232.78       5.35       .95  
Class R-3 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,020.42       4.84       .95  
Class R-4 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,234.47       3.72       .66  
Class R-4 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,021.88       3.36       .66  
Class R-5 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,236.54       2.03       .36  
Class R-5 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,023.39       1.84       .36  
Class R-6 -- actual return
    1,000.00       1,236.90       1.75       .31  
Class R-6 -- assumed 5% return
    1,000.00       1,023.64       1.58       .31  
                                 
*The “expenses paid during period” are equal to the “annualized expense ratio,” multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the period, and divided by 365 (to reflect the one-half year period).
 
 
 
Tax information                                                                                                                
               unaudited

We are required to advise you within 60 days of the fund’s fiscal year-end regarding the federal tax status of certain distributions received by shareholders during such fiscal year. The fund hereby designates the following amounts for the fund’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2010:

Qualified dividend income
    100 %
Corporate dividends received deduction
  $ 730,173,000  
U.S. government income that may be exempt from state taxation
  $ 327,000  

Individual shareholders should refer to their Form 1099 or other tax information, which was mailed in January 2011, to determine the calendar year amounts to be included on their 2010 tax returns. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers.
 
 
 
Approval of Investment Advisory and Service Agreement

The fund’s board has approved the fund’s Investment Advisory and Service Agreement (the “agreement”) with Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”) for an additional one-year term through November 30, 2011. The board approved the agreement following the recommendation of the fund’s Contracts Committee (the “committee”), which is composed of all of the fund’s independent board members. The board and the committee determined that the fund’s advisory fee structure was fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided and that approving the agreement was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

In reaching this decision, the board and the committee took into account information furnished to them throughout the year, as well as information prepared specifically in connection with their review of the agreement, and were advised by their independent counsel. They considered the factors discussed below, among others, but did not identify any single issue or particular piece of information that, in isolation, was the controlling factor.

1. Nature, extent and quality of services

The board and the committee considered the depth and quality of CRMC’s investment management process, including its global research capabilities; the experience, capability and integrity of its senior management and other personnel; the low turnover rates of its key personnel; the overall financial strength and stability of its organization; and the ongoing evolution of CRMC’s organizational structure designed to maintain and strengthen these qualities. The board and the committee considered, among other things, the impact of current market conditions on the fund and CRMC. The board and the committee also considered the nature, extent and quality of administrative, compliance and shareholder services provided by CRMC to the fund under the agreement and other agreements as well as the benefits to fund shareholders from investing in a fund that is part of a large family of funds. The board and the committee concluded that the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by CRMC have benefited and should continue to benefit the fund and its shareholders.

2. Investment results

The board and the committee considered the investment results of the fund in light of its objective of providing long-term growth of capital and income. They compared the fund’s total returns with those of other relevant funds (including the other funds that are the basis of the Lipper index for the category in which the fund is included) and market data such as relevant market indices, in each case as available at the time of the related board and committee meetings. This report, including the letter to shareholders and related disclosures, contains certain information about the fund’s investment results. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s long-term results have been satisfactory and that CRMC’s record in managing the fund indicated that its continued management should benefit the fund and its shareholders.

3. Advisory fees and total expenses

The board and the committee compared the advisory fees and total expense levels of the fund to those of other relevant funds. They observed that the fund’s advisory fees and expenses remain significantly below those of most other relevant funds. The board and the committee also noted the breakpoint discounts in the fund’s advisory fee structure that reduce the level of fees charged by CRMC to the fund as fund assets increase. In addition, they reviewed information regarding the advisory fees paid by clients of an affiliate of CRMC. They noted that, to the extent there were differences among the advisory fees paid by those clients and the advisory fees paid by the fund, the differences appropriately reflected the investment, operational and regulatory differences between advising the fund and the other clients. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s cost structure was fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided, and that the shareholders receive reasonable value in return for the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund.

4. Ancillary benefits

The board and the committee considered a variety of other benefits received by CRMC and its affiliates as a result of CRMC’s relationship with the fund and the other American Funds, including fees for administrative services provided to certain share classes; fees paid to CRMC’s affiliated transfer agent; sales charges and distribution fees received and retained by the fund’s principal underwriter, an affiliate of CRMC; and possible ancillary benefits to CRMC’s institutional management affiliates. The board and the committee reviewed CRMC’s portfolio trading practices, noting that while CRMC receives the benefit of research provided by broker-dealers executing portfolio transactions on behalf of the fund, it does not obtain third-party research or other services in return for allocating brokerage to such broker-dealers. The board and the committee took these ancillary benefits into account in evaluating the reasonableness of the advisory fees and other amounts paid to CRMC by the fund.

5. Adviser financial information

The board and the committee reviewed information regarding CRMC’s costs of providing services to the American Funds, including personnel, systems and resources of investment, compliance, trading, accounting and other administrative operations. They considered CRMC’s costs and willingness to invest in technology, infrastructure and staff to maintain and expand services and capabilities, respond to industry and regulatory developments, and attract and retain qualified personnel. They noted information regarding the compensation structure for CRMC’s investment professionals. The board and the committee also compared CRMC’s profitability to the reported results of several large, publicly held investment management companies. The board and the committee noted the competitiveness and cyclicality of both the mutual fund industry and the capital markets, and the importance in that environment of CRMC’s long-term profitability for maintaining its independence, company culture and management continuity. They further considered the breakpoint discounts in the fund’s advisory fee structure and the termination of CRMC’s 10% advisory fee waiver effective December 31, 2008. The board and the committee concluded that the fund’s advisory fee structure reflected a reasonable sharing of benefits between CRMC and the fund’s shareholders.


Other share class results
unaudited

Classes B, C, F and 529

Fund results shown are for past periods and are not predictive of results for future periods. Current and future results may be lower or higher than those shown. Share prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. For current information and month-end results, visit americanfunds.com.

Average annual total returns for periods ended December 31, 2010:
                 
                   
               
10 years1/
 
   
1 year
   
5 years
   
Life of class
 
Class B shares2
                 
Reflecting applicable contingent deferred sales charge
                 
(CDSC), maximum of 5%, payable only if shares are
                 
sold within six years of purchase
    8.18 %     3.28 %     3.90 %
Not reflecting CDSC
    13.18       3.63       3.90  
                         
Class C shares — first sold 3/15/01
                       
Reflecting CDSC, maximum of 1%, payable only
                       
if shares are sold within one year of purchase
    12.13       3.58       4.53  
Not reflecting CDSC
    13.13       3.58       4.53  
                         
Class F-1 shares3 — first sold 3/15/01
                       
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged
                       
by sponsoring firm
    14.01       4.42       5.37  
                         
Class F-2 shares3 — first sold 8/1/08
                       
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged
                       
by sponsoring firm
    14.32             1.75  
                         
Class 529-A shares4 — first sold 2/15/02
                       
Reflecting 5.75% maximum sales charge
    7.41       3.14       5.88  
Not reflecting maximum sales charge
    13.98       4.38       6.59  
                         
Class 529-B shares2,4 — first sold 2/19/02
                       
Reflecting applicable CDSC, maximum of 5%, payable
                       
only if shares are sold within six years of purchase
    8.09       3.17       5.98  
Not reflecting CDSC
    13.09       3.52       5.98  
                         
Class 529-C shares4 — first sold 2/15/02
                       
Reflecting CDSC, maximum of 1%, payable only
                       
if shares are sold within one year of purchase
    12.05       3.52       5.70  
Not reflecting CDSC
    13.05       3.52       5.70  
                         
Class 529-E shares3,4 — first sold 3/7/02
    13.66       4.06       5.62  
                         
Class 529-F-1 shares3,4 — first sold 9/23/02
                       
Not reflecting annual asset-based fee charged
                       
by sponsoring firm
    14.22       4.58       10.07  

 
1Applicable to Class B shares only. All other share classes reflect results for the life of the class.
 
2These shares are not available for purchase.
 
3These shares are sold without any initial or contingent deferred sales charge.
 
4Results shown do not reflect the $10 account setup fee and an annual $10 account maintenance fee.

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. The fund’s investment adviser waived a portion of its management fees from September 1, 2004, through December 31, 2008. Applicable fund results shown reflect the waiver, without which they would have been lower. See the Financial Highlights table on pages 27 and 28 for details that include expense ratios for all share classes.

For information regarding the differences among the various share classes, refer to the fund’s prospectus.


Board of trustees and other officers
 
“Independent” trustees1
   
     
 
Year first
 
 
elected a
 
 
trustee of
 
Name and age
the fund2
Principal occupation(s) during past five years
     
Ronald P. Badie, 68
2008
Retired; former Vice Chairman, Deutsche Bank
   
Alex. Brown
     
Joseph C. Berenato, 64
2003
Chairman, Ducommun Incorporated (aerospace
Chairman of the Board
 
components manufacturer); former CEO,
(Independent and
 
Ducommun Incorporated
Non-Executive)
   
     
Louise H. Bryson, 66
2008
Chair Emerita of the Board of Trustees, J. Paul Getty
   
Trust; former President, Distribution, Lifetime
   
Entertainment Network; former Executive Vice
   
President and General Manager, Lifetime Movie
   
Network
     
Robert J. Denison, 69
2005
Chair, First Security Management (private investment)
     
Mary Anne Dolan, 63
2010
Founder and President, MAD Ink (communications
   
company)
     
Robert A. Fox, 73
1998
Managing General Partner, Fox Investments LP;
   
corporate director
     
John G. Freund, 57
2010
Founder and Managing Director, Skyline Ventures
   
(venture capital investor in health care companies)
     
Leonade D. Jones, 63
1998
Retired; former Treasurer, The Washington Post
   
Company
     
William H. Kling, 68
2010
President and CEO, American Public Media Group
     
John G. McDonald, 73
1998
Stanford Investors Professor, Graduate School of
   
Business, Stanford University
     
Christopher E. Stone, 54
2010
Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Professor of the
   
Practice of Criminal Justice, John F. Kennedy School
   
of Government, Harvard University
     
     
“Independent” trustees1
   
 
Number of
 
 
portfolios
 
 
in fund
 
 
complex3
 
 
overseen by
 
Name and age
trustee
Other directorships4 held by trustee
     
Ronald P. Badie, 68
4
Amphenol Corporation; Merisel, Inc.; Nautilus, Inc.;
   
Obagi Medical Products, Inc.
     
Joseph C. Berenato, 64
6
None
Chairman of the Board
   
(Independent and
   
Non-Executive)
   
     
Louise H. Bryson, 66
7
None
     
Robert J. Denison, 69
7
None
     
Mary Anne Dolan, 63
10
None
     
Robert A. Fox, 73
9
None
     
John G. Freund, 57
3
Mako Surgical Corporation;
   
MAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; XenoPort, Inc.
     
Leonade D. Jones, 63
9
None
     
William H. Kling, 68
10
None
     
John G. McDonald, 73
13
iStar Financial, Inc.; Plum Creek Timber Co.;
   
QuinStreet, Inc.; Scholastic Corporation
     
Christopher E. Stone, 54
6
None

Gail L. Neale and Henry E. Riggs retired from the board in December 2010. The trustees thank Mrs. Neale and Mr. Riggs for their dedication and long service to the fund.


“Interested” trustees5
   
     
 
Year first
 
 
elected a
 
 
trustee or
Principal occupation(s) during past five years and
Name, age and
officer of
positions held with affiliated entities or the
position with fund
the fund2
principal underwriter of the fund
     
James F. Rothenberg, 64
1998
Vice Chairman of the Board, Capital Research and
Vice Chairman
 
Management Company; Director and Non-Executive
of the Board
 
Chair, American Funds Distributors, Inc.;6 Director
   
and Non-Executive Chair, The Capital Group
   
Companies, Inc.6
     
Dina N. Perry, 65
1994
Senior Vice President — Capital World Investors,
President
 
Capital Research and Management Company;
   
Director, Capital Research and Management
   
Company
     
     
“Interested” trustees5
   
 
Number of
 
 
portfolios
 
 
in fund
 
 
complex3
 
Name, age and
overseen by
 
position with fund
trustee
Other directorships4 held by trustee
     
James F. Rothenberg, 64
2
None
Vice Chairman
   
of the Board
   
     
Dina N. Perry, 65
1
None
President
   

The fund’s statement of additional information includes further details about fund trustees and is available without charge upon request by calling American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180 or by visiting the American Funds website at americanfunds.com. The address for all trustees and officers of the fund is 333 South Hope Street, Los Angeles, CA 90071, Attention: Secretary.

See page 36 for footnotes.
 

 
Other officers7
   
     
 
Year first
 
 
elected
Principal occupation(s) during past five years
Name, age and
an officer
and positions held with affiliated entities or the
position with fund
of the fund2
principal underwriter of the fund
     
Paul G. Haaga, Jr., 62
1994
Chairman of the Board, Capital Research and
Executive Vice President
 
Management Company; Senior Vice President —
   
Fixed Income, Capital Research and Management
   
Company
     
Michael T. Kerr, 51
1995
Senior Vice President — Capital World Investors,
Senior Vice President
 
Capital Research and Management Company;
   
Director, Capital Research and Management
   
Company
     
Martin Romo, 43
1999
Senior Vice President — Capital World Investors,
Senior Vice President
 
Capital Research Company;6 Director and
   
Co-President, Capital Research Company;6
   
Director, The Capital Group Companies, Inc.6
     
Walter R. Burkley, 44
2010
Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel — Fund
Vice President
 
Business Management Group, Capital Research and
   
Management Company
     
Mark L. Casey,7 40
2008
Senior Vice President — Capital World Investors,
Vice President
 
Capital Research Company;6 Director, Capital
   
Research Company;6 Senior Vice President,
   
American Funds Distributors, Inc.6
     
Ronald B. Morrow, 65
2004
Senior Vice President — Capital World Investors,
Vice President
 
Capital Research and Management Company
     
Patrick F. Quan, 52
1989–1998
Vice President — Fund Business Management
Secretary
2000
Group, Capital Research and Management Company
     
Jeffrey P. Regal, 39
2006
Vice President — Fund Business Management
Treasurer
 
Group, Capital Research and Management Company
     
Julie E. Lawton, 37
2010
Associate, Capital Research and Management
Assistant Secretary
 
Company
     
Neal F. Wellons, 39
2010
Vice President — Fund Business Management
Assistant Treasurer
 
Group, Capital Research and Management Company

 
1The term “independent” trustee refers to a trustee who is not an “interested person” of the fund within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.
 
2Trustees and officers of the fund serve until their resignation, removal or retirement.
 
3Capital Research and Management Company manages the American Funds, consisting of 33 funds. Capital Research and Management Company also manages American Funds Insurance Series,® which is composed of 16 funds and serves as the underlying investment vehicle for certain variable insurance contracts; American Funds Target Date Retirement Series,® which is composed of 10 funds and is available through tax-deferred retirement plans and IRAs; and Endowments,SM which is available to certain nonprofit organizations.
 
4This includes all directorships (other than those in the American Funds or other funds managed by Capital Research and Management Company) that are held by each trustee as a director of a public company or a registered investment company.
 
5“Interested persons” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, on the basis of their affiliation with the fund’s investment adviser, Capital Research and Management Company, or affiliated entities (including the fund’s principal underwriter).
 
6Company affiliated with Capital Research and Management Company.
 
7All of the officers listed, except Mark L. Casey, are officers and/or directors/trustees of one or more of the other funds for which Capital Research and Management Company serves as investment adviser.


Office of the fund
One Market
Steuart Tower, Suite 2000
Mailing address: P.O. Box 7650
San Francisco, CA 94120-7650

Investment adviser
Capital Research and Management Company
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406

6455 Irvine Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618

Transfer agent for shareholder accounts
American Funds Service Company
(Write to the address near you.)

P.O. Box 6007
Indianapolis, IN 46206-6007

P.O. Box 2280
Norfolk, VA 23501-2280

Custodian of assets
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111

Counsel
K&L Gates LLP
Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 1200
San Francisco, CA 94111-5994

Independent registered public accounting firm
Deloitte & Touche LLP
695 Town Center Drive
Suite 1200
Costa Mesa, CA 92626-7188

Principal underwriter
American Funds Distributors, Inc.
333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the American Funds. This and other important information is contained in the fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at 800/421-0180 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.

“American Funds Proxy Voting Procedures and Principles” — which describes how we vote proxies relating to portfolio securities — is available on the American Funds website or upon request by calling AFS. The fund files its proxy voting record with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the 12 months ended June 30 by August 31. The proxy voting record is available free of charge on the SEC website at sec.gov and on the American Funds website.

A complete December 31, 2010, portfolio of Fundamental Investors’ investments is available free of charge by calling AFS or visiting the SEC website (where it is part of Form N-CSR).

Fundamental Investors files a complete list of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. This filing is available free of charge on the SEC website. You may also review or, for a fee, copy this filing at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Additional information regarding the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at 800/SEC-0330. Additionally, the list of portfolio holdings is available by calling AFS.

This report is for the information of shareholders of Fundamental Investors, but it also may be used as sales literature when preceded or accompanied by the current prospectus or summary prospectus, which gives details about charges, expenses, investment objectives and operating policies of the fund. If used as sales material after March 31, 2011, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.

 
 
 
 

What makes American Funds different?

For nearly 80 years, we have followed a consistent philosophy to benefit our investors. Our 33 carefully conceived, broadly diversified funds, in addition to the target date retirement series, offer opportunities that have attracted over 50 million shareholder accounts.

Our unique combination of strengths includes these five factors:

 
•A long-term, value-oriented approach
We seek to buy securities at reasonable prices relative to their prospects and hold them for the long term.

 
•An extensive global research effort
Our investment professionals travel the world to find the best investment opportunities and gain a comprehensive understanding of companies and markets.

 
•The multiple portfolio counselor system
Our unique approach to portfolio management, developed more than 50 years ago, blends teamwork with individual accountability and has provided American Funds with a sustainable method of achieving fund objectives.

 
•Experienced investment professionals
American Funds portfolio counselors have an average of 26 years of investment experience, providing a depth of knowledge and broad perspective that few organizations have.

 
•A commitment to low management fees
The American Funds provide exceptional value for shareholders, with management fees that are among the lowest in the mutual fund industry.
 
 
American Funds span a range of investment objectives

 
•Growth funds
 
Emphasis on long-term growth through stocks
 
AMCAP Fund®
 
EuroPacific Growth Fund®
 
The Growth Fund of America®
 
The New Economy Fund®
 
New Perspective Fund®
 
New World Fund®
 
SMALLCAP World Fund®

 
•Growth-and-income funds
 
Emphasis on long-term growth and dividends through stocks
 
American Mutual Fund®
 
Capital World Growth and Income FundSM
 
>Fundamental InvestorsSM
 
International Growth and Income FundSM
 
The Investment Company of America®
 
Washington Mutual Investors FundSM

 
•Equity-income funds
 
Emphasis on above-average income and growth through stocks and/or bonds
 
Capital Income Builder®
 
The Income Fund of America®

 
•Balanced funds
 
Emphasis on long-term growth and current income through stocks and bonds
 
American Balanced Fund®
 
American Funds Global Balanced FundSM

 
•Bond funds
 
Emphasis on current income through bonds
 
American Funds Mortgage FundSM
 
American High-Income TrustSM
 
The Bond Fund of AmericaSM
 
Capital World Bond Fund®
 
Intermediate Bond Fund of America®
 
Short-Term Bond Fund of AmericaSM
 
U.S. Government Securities FundSM

 
•Tax-exempt bond funds
 
Emphasis on tax-exempt current income through municipal bonds
 
American Funds Short-Term Tax-Exempt Bond FundSM
 
American High-Income Municipal Bond Fund®
 
Limited Term Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of AmericaSM
 
The Tax-Exempt Bond Fund of America®
 
State-specific tax-exempt funds
 
American Funds Tax-Exempt Fund of New YorkSM
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of California®
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Maryland®
 
The Tax-Exempt Fund of Virginia®

 
•Money market fund
 
American Funds Money Market Fund®

 
•American Funds Target Date Retirement Series®

 
The Capital Group Companies
 
American Funds   Capital Research and Management   Capital International   Capital Guardian   Capital Bank and Trust

 
 
 
Lit. No. MFGEAR-910-0211P
 
Litho in USA KBDA/RRD/8056-S26192
 
Printed on paper containing 10% post-consumer waste
 
Printed with inks containing soy and/or vegetable oil
 
 
ITEM 2 – Code of Ethics
 
The Registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.  The Registrant undertakes to provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of the Code of Ethics.  Such request can be made to American Funds Service Company at 800/421-0180 or to the Secretary of the Registrant, One Market, Steuart Tower, Suite 2000, San Francisco, California 94105.


ITEM 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert

The Registrant’s board has determined that Ronald P. Badie, a member of the Registrant’s audit committee, is an “audit committee financial expert” and "independent," as such terms are defined in this Item. This designation will not increase the designee’s duties, obligations or liability as compared to his or her duties, obligations and liability as a member of the audit committee and of the board, nor will it reduce the responsibility of the other audit committee members.  There may be other individuals who, through education or experience, would qualify as "audit committee financial experts" if the board had designated them as such.  Most importantly, the board believes each member of the audit committee contributes significantly to the effective oversight of the Registrant’s financial statements and condition.


ITEM 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 
Registrant:
   
a)  Audit Fees:
     
2009
$80,000
     
2010
$77,000
     
 
   
b)  Audit-Related Fees:
     
2009
$10,000
     
2010
$14,000
     
The audit-related fees consist of assurance and related services relating to the examination of the Registrant’s investment adviser conducted in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards Number 70 issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
       
   
c)  Tax Fees:
     
2009
$8,000
     
2010
$16,000
     
The tax fees consist of professional services relating to the preparation of the Registrant’s tax returns including returns relating to the Registrant’s investments in non-U.S. jurisdictions.
       
   
d)  All Other Fees:
     
2009
None
     
2010
None
       
 
Adviser and affiliates (includes only fees for non-audit services billed to the adviser and affiliates for engagements that relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant and were subject to the pre-approval policies described below):
   
a)  Audit Fees:
     
Not Applicable
       
   
b)  Audit-Related Fees:
     
2009
$1,029,000
     
2010
$1,092,000
     
The audit-related fees consist of assurance and related services relating to the examination of the Registrant’s transfer agent, principal underwriter and investment adviser conducted in accordance with Statement on Auditing Standards Number 70 issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
       
   
c)  Tax Fees:
     
2009
None
     
2010
$15,000
     
The tax fees consist of consulting services relating to the Registrant’s investments.
       
   
d)  All Other Fees:
     
2009
$2,000
     
2010
$2,000
     
The other fees consist of subscription services related to an accounting research tool.
       
All audit and permissible non-audit services that the Registrant’s audit committee considers compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm’s independence are required to be pre-approved by the committee.  The pre-approval requirement will extend to all non-audit services provided to the Registrant, the investment adviser, and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the Registrant, if the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the Registrant. The committee will not delegate its responsibility to pre-approve these services to the investment adviser. The committee may delegate to one or more committee members the authority to review and pre-approve audit and permissible non-audit services.  Actions taken under any such delegation will be reported to the full committee at its next meeting. The pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to non-audit services if certain conditions are met. The pre-approval requirement was not waived for any of the non-audit services listed above provided to the Registrant, adviser and affiliates.

Aggregate non-audit fees paid to the Registrant’s auditors, including fees for all services billed to the Registrant, adviser and affiliates that provide ongoing services to the Registrant, were $1,479,000 for fiscal year 2009 and $1,564,000 for fiscal year 2010. The non-audit services represented by these amounts were brought to the attention of the committee and considered to be compatible with maintaining the auditors’ independence.


ITEM 5 – Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a listed issuer as defined in Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.


ITEM 6 – Schedule of Investments
 
 
 
 
Fundamental InvestorsSM 
Investment portfolio
 
December 31, 2010
 
Common stocks — 93.86%
 
Shares
   
Value
(000)
 
             
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY — 13.73%
           
Microsoft Corp.
    33,150,000     $ 925,548  
Apple Inc.1
    1,925,000       620,928  
Google Inc., Class A1
    1,015,000       602,880  
Texas Instruments Inc.
    18,380,000       597,350  
EMC Corp.1
    20,725,000       474,602  
Oracle Corp.
    14,967,285       468,476  
Corning Inc.
    23,995,000       463,583  
Intuit Inc.1
    7,090,000       349,537  
Yahoo! Inc.1
    19,657,483       326,904  
Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    12,687,000       299,667  
First Solar, Inc.1
    2,110,000       274,595  
Microchip Technology Inc.
    5,700,000       194,997  
Avago Technologies Ltd.
    6,610,000       188,187  
FLIR Systems, Inc.1
    6,050,000       179,988  
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.
    5,583,600       152,935  
Xilinx, Inc.
    5,000,000       144,900  
Lender Processing Services, Inc.
    3,807,500       112,397  
Visa Inc., Class A
    1,520,269       106,997  
Tyco Electronics Ltd.
    2,915,000       103,191  
Linear Technology Corp.
    1,860,000       64,337  
Cisco Systems, Inc.1
    2,343,500       47,409  
ASML Holding NV
    1,219,568       47,099  
Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
    900,000       41,652  
KLA-Tencor Corp.
    839,500       32,438  
Intel Corp.
    995,000       20,925  
              6,841,522  
                 
ENERGY — 12.16%
               
Suncor Energy Inc.
    28,702,829       1,105,043  
Occidental Petroleum Corp.
    5,004,244       490,916  
ConocoPhillips
    6,000,000       408,600  
Chevron Corp.
    3,997,763       364,796  
FMC Technologies, Inc.1
    4,000,000       355,640  
Baker Hughes Inc.
    6,000,000       343,020  
Tenaris SA (ADR)
    6,640,000       325,227  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class A (ADR)
    3,500,000       233,730  
Royal Dutch Shell PLC, Class B (ADR)
    750,000       50,002  
Schlumberger Ltd.
    2,948,500       246,200  
Crescent Point Energy Corp.
    5,454,200       242,403  
Acergy SA
    9,520,000       233,307  
Hess Corp.
    3,000,000       229,620  
Denbury Resources Inc.1
    11,146,500       212,787  
Murphy Oil Corp.
    2,740,000       204,267  
CONSOL Energy Inc.
    3,700,000       180,338  
Concho Resources Inc.1
    1,865,000       163,505  
Imperial Oil Ltd.
    3,608,739       147,282  
Cenovus Energy Inc.
    4,000,000       133,883  
Petróleo Brasileiro SA – Petrobras, ordinary nominative (ADR)
    2,710,000       102,546  
TOTAL SA
    1,850,000       98,021  
Oceaneering International, Inc.1
    1,224,882       90,188  
Apache Corp.
    460,300       54,882  
Noble Energy, Inc.
    500,000       43,040  
              6,059,243  
                 
FINANCIALS — 11.86%
               
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
    14,515,000       615,726  
Wells Fargo & Co.
    18,046,200       559,252  
U.S. Bancorp
    19,847,000       535,273  
Citigroup Inc.1
    92,600,000       437,998  
ACE Ltd.
    5,700,000       354,825  
Bank of America Corp.
    24,500,000       326,830  
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.
    11,060,000       302,380  
Aon Corp.
    4,860,000       223,609  
American Express Co.
    5,100,000       218,892  
SunTrust Banks, Inc.
    7,198,238       212,420  
Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd., Class H
    274,720,050       204,640  
Moody’s Corp.
    7,460,000       197,988  
HCP, Inc.
    5,349,600       196,812  
Weyerhaeuser Co.
    8,754,731       165,727  
New York Community Bancorp, Inc.
    8,190,000       154,381  
AMP Ltd.
    26,255,567       142,059  
Jefferies Group, Inc.
    5,000,000       133,150  
XL Group PLC
    6,000,000       130,920  
HSBC Holdings PLC (ADR)
    2,000,000       102,080  
Cincinnati Financial Corp.
    3,000,000       95,070  
United Overseas Bank Ltd.
    6,703,043       95,060  
Travelers Companies, Inc.
    1,500,000       83,565  
Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
    485,000       81,558  
Agricultural Bank of China, Class H1
    138,210,000       69,347  
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
    2,048,400       61,862  
CapitalSource Inc.
    6,860,954       48,713  
Synovus Financial Corp.
    17,400,000       45,936  
Berkshire Hathaway Inc., Class A1
    295       35,533  
Singapore Exchange Ltd.
    4,293,000       28,166  
People’s United Financial, Inc.
    2,000,000       28,020  
Hospitality Properties Trust
    1,000,000       23,040  
              5,910,832  
                 
INDUSTRIALS — 11.76%
               
Union Pacific Corp.
    6,350,000       588,391  
Schneider Electric SA
    3,242,272       485,257  
Deere & Co.
    5,000,000       415,250  
Lockheed Martin Corp.
    5,598,200       391,370  
Parker Hannifin Corp.
    4,500,000       388,350  
General Electric Co.
    19,650,000       359,398  
Boeing Co.
    4,200,000       274,092  
Northrop Grumman Corp.
    3,966,243       256,933  
Waste Management, Inc.
    5,400,000       199,098  
Tyco International Ltd.
    4,740,000       196,426  
Joy Global Inc.
    2,238,638       194,202  
Vallourec SA
    1,847,740       194,074  
Ingersoll-Rand PLC
    4,067,592       191,543  
European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. EADS NV1
    8,000,000       186,441  
United Technologies Corp.
    2,305,000       181,450  
Fastenal Co.
    2,600,500       155,796  
Honeywell International Inc.
    2,800,000       148,848  
Precision Castparts Corp.
    1,000,000       139,210  
United Parcel Service, Inc., Class B
    1,500,000       108,870  
Rockwell Automation
    1,500,000       107,565  
MTU Aero Engines Holding AG
    1,475,220       99,769  
Caterpillar Inc.
    1,000,000       93,660  
CSX Corp.
    1,415,000       91,423  
General Dynamics Corp.
    1,145,800       81,306  
Stericycle, Inc.1
    1,000,000       80,920  
Grafton Group PLC, units2
    15,037,000       69,324  
DCC PLC
    2,000,000       63,073  
Ryanair Holdings PLC (ADR)
    2,000,000       61,520  
PACCAR Inc
    1,000,000       57,420  
              5,860,979  
                 
HEALTH CARE — 11.42%
               
Merck & Co., Inc.
    43,700,000       1,574,948  
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
    24,600,000       651,408  
Roche Holding AG
    3,600,000       527,487  
Eli Lilly and Co.
    13,535,000       474,266  
Baxter International Inc.
    7,575,000       383,447  
Pfizer Inc
    19,620,000       343,546  
Novartis AG
    4,575,025       268,875  
Medtronic, Inc.
    7,000,000       259,630  
Shire Ltd. (ADR)
    2,400,000       173,712  
Johnson & Johnson
    1,750,000       108,238  
Cardinal Health, Inc.
    2,725,000       104,395  
Stryker Corp.
    1,900,000       102,030  
Gilead Sciences, Inc.1
    2,600,000       94,224  
St. Jude Medical, Inc.1
    2,200,000       94,050  
Hospira, Inc.1
    1,644,143       91,562  
Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings1
    900,000       79,128  
Aetna Inc.
    2,310,000       70,478  
Novo Nordisk A/S, Class B
    601,500       67,827  
CSL Ltd.
    1,740,000       64,584  
Medco Health Solutions, Inc.1
    926,000       56,736  
AstraZeneca PLC (United Kingdom)
    1,200,000       54,668  
Boston Scientific Corp.1
    5,521,523       41,798  
              5,687,037  
                 
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY — 11.32%
               
Home Depot, Inc.
    33,178,000       1,163,221  
McDonald’s Corp.
    8,367,600       642,297  
Walt Disney Co.
    10,500,000       393,855  
Amazon.com, Inc.1
    2,037,000       366,660  
Virgin Media Inc.
    13,385,000       364,607  
Comcast Corp., Class A
    15,315,000       336,471  
Starbucks Corp.
    10,000,000       321,300  
Time Warner Inc.
    8,000,000       257,360  
Time Warner Cable Inc.
    3,000,000       198,090  
Intercontinental Hotels Group PLC
    9,110,000       176,548  
Industria de Diseño Textil, SA
    2,200,000       164,720  
Johnson Controls, Inc.
    4,300,000       164,260  
Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
    5,630,000       141,200  
Marriott International, Inc., Class A
    3,352,545       139,265  
Macy’s, Inc.
    5,500,000       139,150  
Shaw Communications Inc., Class B, nonvoting
    6,000,000       128,280  
Vivendi SA
    4,500,000       121,470  
Strayer Education, Inc.2
    760,000       115,687  
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
    2,650,000       96,487  
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.1
    379,832       80,775  
Penn National Gaming, Inc.1
    1,763,000       61,970  
Weight Watchers International, Inc.
    1,070,000       40,114  
CarMax, Inc.1
    875,000       27,895  
              5,641,682  
                 
MATERIALS — 7.64%
               
Syngenta AG
    2,102,000       614,863  
Dow Chemical Co.
    15,514,500       529,665  
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc.
    2,000,000       309,660  
Rio Tinto PLC
    4,000,000       279,796  
Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.
    3,200,000       249,632  
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.
    5,000,000       249,400  
Mosaic Co.
    3,230,281       246,664  
FMC Corp.
    2,699,000       215,623  
PPG Industries, Inc.
    2,166,649       182,150  
Newmont Mining Corp.
    2,500,000       153,575  
CRH PLC
    6,454,299       133,686  
Ecolab Inc.
    2,500,000       126,050  
Praxair, Inc.
    1,110,000       105,972  
Sigma-Aldrich Corp.
    1,430,000       95,181  
Alcoa Inc.
    6,000,000       92,340  
MeadWestvaco Corp.
    3,350,000       87,636  
Nucor Corp.
    1,500,000       65,730  
Steel Dynamics, Inc.
    2,900,000       53,070  
Monsanto Co.
    200,000       13,928  
              3,804,621  
                 
CONSUMER STAPLES — 5.55%
               
Philip Morris International Inc.
    7,835,000       458,583  
Altria Group, Inc.
    14,175,100       348,991  
Procter & Gamble Co.
    4,370,000       281,122  
CVS/Caremark Corp.
    7,705,000       267,903  
Costco Wholesale Corp.
    3,530,000       254,901  
PepsiCo, Inc.
    3,720,000       243,028  
Unilever NV, depository receipts
    4,290,000       133,572  
H.J. Heinz Co.
    2,500,000       123,650  
British American Tobacco PLC
    3,150,000       120,986  
Diageo PLC
    6,500,000       120,090  
Coca-Cola Amatil Ltd.
    9,803,397       108,892  
Colgate-Palmolive Co.
    1,300,000       104,481  
Tingyi (Cayman Islands) Holding Corp.
    27,045,000       69,241  
Avon Products, Inc.
    1,600,000       46,496  
Kraft Foods Inc., Class A
    1,350,000       42,538  
C&C Group PLC
    8,948,312       40,453  
              2,764,927  
                 
UTILITIES — 3.19%
               
PG&E Corp.
    4,550,000       217,672  
GDF SUEZ
    5,976,000       214,417  
Edison International
    5,250,000       202,650  
American Water Works Co., Inc.
    5,600,000       141,624  
Exelon Corp.
    3,370,200       140,335  
PPL Corp.
    4,241,601       111,639  
National Grid PLC
    11,650,000       100,444  
NV Energy, Inc.
    7,000,000       98,350  
Dominion Resources, Inc.
    2,000,000       85,440  
Electricité de France SA
    1,761,147       72,238  
Duke Energy Corp.
    3,500,000       62,335  
NextEra Energy, Inc.
    1,050,000       54,589  
SUEZ Environnement Co.
    2,500,000       51,615  
Xcel Energy Inc.
    1,500,000       35,325  
              1,588,673  
                 
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES — 2.57%
               
Verizon Communications Inc.
    19,025,000       680,714  
Portugal Telecom, SGPS, SA
    13,560,000       151,848  
Vodafone Group PLC
    44,500,000       115,032  
SOFTBANK CORP.
    3,045,800       105,453  
China Telecom Corp. Ltd., Class H
    185,180,000       96,964  
AT&T Inc.
    3,000,000       88,140  
Telekom Austria AG, non-registered shares
    2,214,711       31,134  
Frontier Communications Corp., Class B
    1,200,199       11,678  
              1,280,963  
                 
MISCELLANEOUS — 2.66%
               
Other common stocks in initial period of acquisition
            1,322,590  
                 
                 
Total common stocks (cost: $36,783,821,000)
            46,763,069  
                 
                 
                 
   
Principal amount
         
Convertible securities — 0.04%
    (000 )        
                 
INDUSTRIALS — 0.04%
               
United Continental Holdings, Inc. 4.50% convertible debentures 2015
  $ 12,275       18,029  
                 
                 
Total convertible securities (cost: $12,275,000)
            18,029  
                 
                 
                 
                 
Bonds & notes — 0.01%
               
                 
MORTGAGE-BACKED OBLIGATIONS3 — 0.01%
               
ChaseFlex Trust, Series 2007-2, Class A-1, 0.541% 20374
    8,972       6,225  
                 
                 
Total bonds & notes (cost: $6,113,000)
            6,225  
                 
                 
                 
   
Principal amount
   
Value
 
Short-term securities — 6.17%
    (000 )     (000 )
                 
U.S. Treasury Bills 0.133%–0.172% due 2/10–6/9/2011
  $ 687,500     $ 687,210  
Coca-Cola Co. 0.20%–0.25% due 1/5–4/4/20115
    434,600       434,473  
Fannie Mae 0.18%–0.31% due 2/1–4/25/2011
    388,500       388,372  
Jupiter Securitization Co., LLC 0.20%–0.27% due 1/19–3/15/20115
    221,200       221,121  
JPMorgan Chase & Co. 0.22% due 2/22/2011
    150,000       149,932  
Freddie Mac 0.17%–0.21% due 1/31–4/20/2011
    224,500       224,423  
Bank of America Corp. 0.26%–0.28% due 1/6–1/24/2011
    214,500       214,478  
Google, Inc. 0.18%–0.20% due 2/3–3/23/20115
    171,600       171,528  
General Electric Capital Services, Inc. 0.21% due 2/11/2011
    74,500       74,482  
General Electric Capital Corp. 0.15% due 1/3/2011
    58,300       58,299  
Procter & Gamble Co. 0.22%–0.23% due 2/8–2/16/20115
    96,935       96,912  
NetJets Inc. 0.18% due 2/2/20115
    80,000       79,987  
Federal Home Loan Bank 0.16%–0.165% due 2/1–2/4/2011
    70,500       70,488  
Walt Disney Co. 0.17% due 2/17/20115
    60,000       59,986  
Straight-A Funding LLC 0.25% due 3/1/20115
    50,000       49,978  
Private Export Funding Corp. 0.24% due 2/9/20115
    45,000       44,989  
Johnson & Johnson 0.23% due 4/5/20115
    34,816       34,798  
Variable Funding Capital Company LLC 0.27% due 1/14/20115
    11,000       10,999  
                 
                 
Total short-term securities (cost: $3,072,391,000)
            3,072,455  
                 
Total investment securities (cost: $39,874,600,000)
            49,859,778  
Other assets less liabilities
            (39,220 )
                 
Net assets
          $ 49,820,558  

“Miscellaneous” securities include holdings in their initial period of acquisition that have not previously been publicly disclosed.

1Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
2Represents an affiliated company as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
3Principal payments may be made periodically. Therefore, the effective maturity date may be earlier than the stated maturity date.
4Coupon rate may change periodically.
5Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933. May be resold in the U.S. in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. The total value of all such securities was $1,204,771,000, which represented 2.42% of the net assets of the fund.



Key to abbreviation

ADR = American Depositary Receipts




Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.
 
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the American Funds. This and other important information is contained in the fund’s prospectus and summary prospectus, which can be obtained from your financial professional and should be read carefully before investing. You may also call American Funds Service Company (AFS) at 800/421-0180 or visit the American Funds website at americanfunds.com.
 
 
 
 
 
MFGEFP-910-0211O-S25555
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INVESTMENT PORTFOLIO
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Trustees of
American Funds Fundamental Investors – Fundamental Investors:

We have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the financial statements of American Funds Fundamental Investors – Fundamental Investors (the “Fund”) as of December 31, 2010, and for the year then ended and have issued our report thereon dated February 8, 2011, which report and financial statements are included in Item 1 of this Certified Shareholder Report on Form N-CSR.  Our audit also included the Fund’s investment portfolio (the “Schedule”) as of December 31, 2010, appearing in Item 6 of this Form N-CSR.  This Schedule is the responsibility of the Fund’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audit.  In our opinion, the Schedule referred to above, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole of the Fund referred to above, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Costa Mesa, California
February 8, 2011
 
 
ITEM 7 – Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a closed-end management investment company.


ITEM 8 – Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a closed-end management investment company.


ITEM 9 – Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable to this Registrant, insofar as the Registrant is not a closed-end management investment company.


ITEM 10 – Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Registrant’s board of trustees since the Registrant last submitted a proxy statement to its shareholders.  The procedures are as follows.  The Registrant has a nominating and governance committee comprised solely of persons who are not considered ‘‘interested persons’’ of the Registrant within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The committee periodically reviews such issues as the board’s composition, responsibilities, committees, compensation and other relevant issues, and recommends any appropriate changes to the full board of trustees. While the committee normally is able to identify from its own resources an ample number of qualified candidates, it will consider shareholder suggestions of persons to be considered as nominees to fill future vacancies on the board. Such suggestions must be sent in writing to the nominating and governance committee of the Registrant, c/o the Registrant’s Secretary, and must be accompanied by complete biographical and occupational data on the prospective nominee, along with a written consent of the prospective nominee for consideration of his or her name by the nominating and governance committee.
 
 
ITEM 11 – Controls and Procedures

(a)
The Registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded, based on their evaluation of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 30a-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940), that such controls and procedures are adequate and reasonably designed to achieve the purposes described in paragraph (c) of such rule.
   
(b)
There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) that occurred during the Registrant’s second fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


ITEM 12 – Exhibits

(a)(1)
The Code of Ethics that is the subject of the disclosure required by Item 2 is attached as an exhibit hereto.
   
(a)(2)
The certifications required by Rule 30a-2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and Sections 302 and 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached as exhibits hereto.
 
 
 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
AMERICAN FUNDS FUNDAMENTAL INVESTORS
   
 
By /s/ Paul G. Haaga, Jr.
 
Paul G. Haaga, Jr., Executive Vice President and
Principal Executive Officer
   
 
Date: February 28, 2011



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


By /s/ Paul G. Haaga, Jr.
Paul G. Haaga, Jr., Executive Vice President and
Principal Executive Officer
 
Date: February 28, 2011



By /s/ Jeffrey P. Regal
Jeffrey P. Regal, Treasurer and
Principal Financial Officer
 
Date: February 28, 2011