NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1 ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
ORGANIZATION - The Investment Company of America (the "fund") is registered under the Investment
Company Act of 1940 as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks long-term
growth of capital and income, placing greater emphasis on future dividends than on current income.
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES - The following is a summary of the significant accounting policies
consistently followed by the fund in the preparation of its financial statements:
SECURITY VALUATION - Equity securities, including depositary receipts, are valued at the last reported sale
price on the exchange or market on which such securities are traded, as of the close of business on the day the
securities are being valued or, lacking any sales, at the last available bid price. In cases where equity securities are
traded on more than one exchange, the securities are valued on the exchange or market determined by the
investment adviser to be the broadest and most representative market, which may be either a securities exchange
or the over-the-counter market. Fixed-income securities are valued at prices obtained from a pricing service,
when such prices are available; however, in circumstances where the investment adviser deems it appropriate to
do so, such securities will be valued at the mean quoted bid and asked prices or at prices for securities of
comparable maturity, quality and type. Securities with original maturities of one year or less having 60 days or
less to maturity are amortized to maturity based on their cost if acquired within 60 days of maturity or, if already
held on the 60th day, based on the value determined on the 61st day. Securities and assets for which
representative market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by a
committee appointed by the Board of Directors.
NON-U.S CURRENCY TRANSLATION - Assets or liabilities initially expressed in te