N-CSRS 1 nef_ncsrs.htm N-CSRS

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: 811-03735

 

The New Economy Fund

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

333 South Hope Street, 55th Floor

Los Angeles, California 90071

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (949) 975-5000

 

Date of fiscal year end: November 30

 

Date of reporting period: May 31, 2023

 

Gregory F. Niland

The New Economy Fund

5300 Robin Hood Road

Norfolk, Virginia 23513

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 
 

 

ITEM 1 – Reports to Stockholders

 

 

The New Economy Fund®

 

Semi-annual report
for the six months ended

May 31, 2023

 

We believe in investing
in global companies
that will help shape
our future

 

The New Economy Fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

 

This fund is one of more than 40 offered by Capital Group, home of American Funds, one of the nation’s largest mutual fund families. For over 90 years, Capital Group 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 F-2 shares. Class A share results are shown at net asset value unless otherwise indicated. If a sales charge (maximum 5.75%) had been deducted from Class A shares, 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. Prices and returns will vary, so investors may lose money. Investing for short periods makes losses more likely. For current information and month-end results, refer to capitalgroup.com.

 

Here are the average annual total returns on a $1,000 investment for periods ended June 30, 2023 (the most recent calendar quarter-end):

 

   1 year  5 years  10 years
                
Class F-2 shares   20.12%   6.87%   11.08%
Class A shares (reflecting 5.75% maximum sales charge)   12.93    5.37    10.17 

 

For other share class results, refer to capitalgroup.com and americanfundsretirement.com.

 

The total annual fund operating expense ratios were 0.52% for Class F-2 shares and 0.76% for Class A shares as of the prospectus dated February 1, 2023.

 

Investment results assume all distributions are reinvested and reflect applicable fees and expenses. When applicable, results reflect fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements, without which they would have been lower. Refer to capitalgroup.com for more information.

 

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

 

Investments are not FDIC-insured, nor are they deposits of or guaranteed by a bank or any other entity, so they may lose value.

 

Fellow investors:

 

Results for The New Economy Fund for the periods ended May 31, 2023, are shown in the table below, as well as results of the fund’s benchmark.

 

For additional information about the fund, its investment results, holdings and portfolio managers, refer to capitalgroup.com/individual/investments/fund/NEFFX. You can also access information about Capital Group’s American Funds and read our insights about the markets, retirement, saving for college, investing fundamentals and more at capitalgroup.com.

 

Contents
 
1 Results at a glance
   
2 Investment portfolio
   
8 Financial statements
   
12 Notes to financial statements
   
23 Financial highlights

 

Results at a glance

 

For periods ended May 31, 2023, with all distributions reinvested

 

   Cumulative total returns  Average annual total returns
   6 months  1 year  5 years  10 years  Lifetime1
                
The New Economy Fund (Class F-2 shares)2   7.63%   6.07%   5.78      10.35%   11.09%
The New Economy Fund (Class A shares)   7.51    5.83    5.53    10.10    10.84 
MSCI ACWI (All Country World Index)3,4   3.44    0.85    6.77    7.82    9.16 

 

Past results are not predictive of results in future periods.

 

1 Lifetime returns are as of December 1, 1983, the inception date of Class A shares.
2 Class F-2 shares were first offered on August 1, 2008. Class F-2 share results prior to the date of first sale are hypothetical based on the results of the original share class of the fund without a sales charge, adjusted for typical estimated expenses. Refer to capitalgroup.com for more information on specific expense adjustments and the actual dates of first sale.
3 From December 1, 1983, through December 31, 1987, the MSCI World Index was used because the MSCI ACWI did not exist. MSCI World Index results reflect dividends net of withholding taxes, and MSCI ACWI results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes through December 31, 2000. Source: MSCI. MSCI All Country World Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that is designed to measure equity market results in the global developed and emerging markets, consisting of more than 40 developed and emerging market country indexes. Results reflect dividends gross of withholding taxes through December 31, 2000, and dividends net of withholding taxes thereafter. This index is unmanaged, and its results include reinvested dividends and/or distributions but do not reflect the effect of sales charges, commissions, account fees, expenses or U.S. federal income taxes.
4 Market indexes are unmanaged and, therefore, have no expenses. Investors cannot invest directly in an index.

 

The New Economy Fund 1
 
Investment portfolio May 31, 2023 unaudited

 

Sector diversification Percent of net assets

 

 

Country diversification by domicile  Percent of
net assets
United States   74.88%
Eurozone*   6.48 
India   2.23 
Taiwan   2.07 
Japan   1.04 
South Korea   .89 
China   .88 
United Kingdom   .86 
Hong Kong   .78 
Other countries   3.33 
Short-term securities & other assets less liabilities   6.56 
* Countries using the euro as a common currency; those represented in the fund’s portfolio are Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Spain.

 

Common stocks 93.15%  Shares   Value
(000)
 
Information technology 29.77%          
Microsoft Corp.   3,940,229   $1,293,932 
Broadcom, Inc.   1,576,199    1,273,506 
Micron Technology, Inc.   7,432,213    506,877 
Salesforce, Inc.1   1,618,996    361,651 
Applied Materials, Inc.   2,691,700    358,804 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. (ADR)   2,688,734    265,082 
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.   4,682,000    85,024 
ASML Holding NV   409,954    294,251 
SK hynix, Inc.   2,961,900    242,352 
Apple, Inc.   1,332,985    236,272 
NVIDIA Corp.   614,474    232,480 
Motorola Solutions, Inc.   700,915    197,602 
Arista Networks, Inc.1   1,114,200    185,336 
Adobe, Inc.1   413,040    172,564 
Marvell Technology, Inc.   2,799,000    163,714 
Insight Enterprises, Inc.1   1,098,000    148,472 
Wolfspeed, Inc.1   3,014,269    144,805 
Snowflake, Inc., Class A1   847,095    140,076 
eMemory Technology, Inc.   2,329,000    139,463 
ServiceNow, Inc.1   250,847    136,656 
Shopify, Inc., Class A, subordinate voting shares1   2,339,493    133,796 
TE Connectivity, Ltd.   1,092,000    133,748 
Smartsheet, Inc., Class A1   2,305,421    114,303 
Accenture PLC, Class A   327,815    100,285 
EPAM Systems, Inc.1   377,666    96,917 
Palo Alto Networks, Inc.1   453,740    96,824 
SAP SE   626,081    81,765 
MongoDB, Inc., Class A1   273,005    80,206 
MediaTek, Inc.   3,037,400    75,027 
Globant SA1   399,500    73,432 
Synopsys, Inc.1   130,000    59,145 
RingCentral, Inc., Class A1   1,641,614    56,964 
DoubleVerify Holdings, Inc.1   1,417,597    49,432 
Monday.com, Ltd.1,2   267,000    48,113 
Keyence Corp.   93,500    45,500 
Cloudflare, Inc., Class A1   603,000    41,703 
Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.1   336,000    39,719 
Renesas Electronics Corp.1   1,992,500    32,749 
HubSpot, Inc.1   60,743    31,464 
Datadog, Inc., Class A1   331,407    31,454 
Atlassian Corp., Class A1   142,539    25,770 
Qorvo, Inc.1   232,001    22,564 
Autodesk, Inc.1   106,661    21,267 
CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., Class A1   126,000    20,176 

 

2 The New Economy Fund
 
Common stocks (continued)  Shares   Value
(000)
 
Information technology (continued)          
OBIC Co., Ltd.   98,800   $16,019 
GitLab, Inc., Class A1   277,830    10,269 
Zscaler, Inc.1   51,300    6,950 
Stripe, Inc., Class B1,3,4   52,548    1,058 
         8,125,538 
           
Health care 20.52%          
UnitedHealth Group, Inc.   1,413,812    688,866 
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.   1,003,195    510,085 
Eli Lilly and Company   983,878    422,536 
agilon health, Inc.1   17,246,853    342,867 
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1   1,426,837    263,979 
Abbott Laboratories   2,163,068    220,633 
Centene Corp.1   3,498,055    218,314 
Stryker Corp.   697,295    192,161 
Seagen, Inc.1   899,016    175,937 
Align Technology, Inc.1   604,400    170,840 
Novo Nordisk AS, Class B   994,912    159,405 
Molina Healthcare, Inc.1   533,181    146,038 
Exact Sciences Corp.1   1,641,955    133,951 
Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1   381,689    123,503 
Insulet Corp.1   422,934    115,990 
GE HealthCare Technologies, Inc.   1,230,421    97,831 
Revance Therapeutics, Inc.1   3,084,171    94,252 
Humana, Inc.   183,578    92,132 
WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., Class H   10,619,652    87,475 
AbbVie, Inc.   632,900    87,315 
Rede D’Or Sao Luiz SA   14,163,192    80,960 
Revvity, Inc.   670,805    77,357 
Gilead Sciences, Inc.   1,000,810    77,002 
WuXi Biologics (Cayman), Inc.1   14,794,000    75,666 
Zoetis, Inc., Class A   440,515    71,808 
AstraZeneca PLC   489,994    71,071 
NovoCure, Ltd.1   976,910    70,152 
ICON PLC1   316,335    67,389 
Bachem Holding AG2   637,925    66,962 
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.1   90,126    66,293 
Catalent, Inc.1   1,660,190    61,809 
iRhythm Technologies, Inc.1   516,180    58,984 
BioMarin Pharmaceutical, Inc.1   634,884    55,197 
EssilorLuxottica SA   300,092    54,030 
Argenx SE (ADR)1   135,000    52,474 
Daiichi Sankyo Company, Ltd.   1,350,645    44,012 
DexCom, Inc.1   276,469    32,419 
IQVIA Holdings, Inc.1   156,600    30,836 
Pfizer, Inc.   770,500    29,294 
Idorsia, Ltd.1,2   2,972,020    24,328 
Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd., Class A   548,656    23,213 
Penumbra, Inc.1   64,263    19,751 
HOYA Corp.   128,800    16,238 
Siemens Healthineers AG   244,035    13,799 
Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.1   90,702    11,211 
Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, non-registered shares   32,687    3,663 
         5,600,028 
           
Financials 11.52%          
Mastercard, Inc., Class A   1,138,179    415,458 
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.   10,082,069    245,477 
Visa, Inc., Class A   1,017,708    224,944 
AIA Group, Ltd.   22,102,400    211,979 
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B1   576,440    185,083 
Fiserv, Inc.1   1,633,500    183,262 
RenaissanceRe Holdings, Ltd.   820,200    154,501 
KKR & Co., Inc.   2,767,818    142,515 
HDFC Bank, Ltd. (ADR)   1,237,000    79,663 
HDFC Bank, Ltd.   2,519,622    49,059 
Nu Holdings, Ltd., Class A1   16,755,684    112,933 
ICICI Bank, Ltd.   9,342,862    107,187 

 

The New Economy Fund 3
 
Common stocks (continued)  Shares   Value
(000)
 
Financials (continued)          
Discover Financial Services   765,716   $78,670 
Nasdaq, Inc.   1,359,882    75,270 
Block, Inc., Class A1   1,156,984    69,870 
Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.   378,669    65,578 
Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A   977,549    65,447 
Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.   611,816    64,822 
Adyen NV1   37,000    60,384 
Aon PLC, Class A   169,500    52,255 
Chubb, Ltd.   272,500    50,631 
CME Group, Inc., Class A   266,350    47,610 
Blackstone, Inc.   480,000    41,107 
Morgan Stanley   484,350    39,600 
Star Health & Allied Insurance Co., Ltd.1   5,796,777    37,731 
JPMorgan Chase & Co.   273,458    37,111 
MSCI, Inc.   72,700    34,208 
Arch Capital Group, Ltd.1   478,262    33,335 
Corebridge Financial, Inc.   2,000,000    33,240 
GMO Payment Gateway, Inc.   389,700    30,824 
LPL Financial Holdings, Inc.   144,600    28,165 
Janus Henderson Group PLC   1,050,000    27,594 
Affirm Holdings, Inc., Class A1,2   1,645,379    24,450 
China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd., Class A   4,900,973    22,282 
Bajaj Finserv, Ltd.   760,000    13,330 
         3,145,575 
           
Consumer discretionary 9.55%          
Amazon.com, Inc.1   4,551,237    548,788 
MercadoLibre, Inc.1   272,671    337,839 
Flutter Entertainment PLC1   1,110,869    216,880 
LVMH Moët Hennessy-Louis Vuitton SE   216,253    188,135 
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.1   80,600    167,365 
Evolution AB   1,267,700    166,538 
Home Depot, Inc.   558,148    158,207 
Airbnb, Inc., Class A1   1,280,435    140,553 
Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.   737,866    100,438 
Amadeus IT Group SA, Class A, non-registered shares   1,159,833    82,939 
Entain PLC   3,491,400    57,286 
Booking Holdings, Inc.1   21,000    52,684 
Starbucks Corp.   530,214    51,770 
Tractor Supply Co.   237,800    49,841 
O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.1   54,200    48,959 
Rivian Automotive, Inc., Class A1   3,309,825    48,754 
YUM! Brands, Inc.   329,050    42,346 
NIKE, Inc., Class B   394,661    41,542 
Tesla, Inc.1   139,500    28,448 
Aptiv PLC1   247,887    21,834 
Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc., Class A1   193,669    17,684 
Sony Group Corp.   165,300    15,614 
DoorDash, Inc., Class A1   210,850    13,766 
Etsy, Inc.1   114,000    9,240 
         2,607,450 
           
Industrials 8.16%          
Ceridian HCM Holding, Inc.1   5,097,121    315,257 
Airbus SE, non-registered shares   1,673,789    219,238 
General Electric Co.   2,040,341    207,156 
TransDigm Group, Inc.   249,119    192,731 
Safran SA   1,055,004    152,735 
L3Harris Technologies, Inc.   757,686    133,292 
Carrier Global Corp.   3,014,857    123,308 
Copart, Inc.1   1,325,866    116,133 
Quanta Services, Inc.   566,500    100,599 
Raytheon Technologies Corp.   937,100    86,344 
CSX Corp.   2,420,232    74,229 
Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.   292,000    58,803 
Siemens AG   339,200    55,597 
United Rentals, Inc.   165,836    55,354 
Rentokil Initial PLC   5,782,500    45,935 

 

4 The New Economy Fund
 
Common stocks (continued)  Shares   Value
(000)
 
Industrials (continued)          
Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.   1,378,900   $42,458 
Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Ltd.   532,000    40,538 
NIBE Industrier AB, Class B   4,130,181    39,411 
Boeing Company1   151,498    31,163 
The Weir Group PLC   1,466,387    30,910 
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.   93,973    29,173 
Stericycle, Inc.1   590,684    24,897 
Hefei Meyer Optoelectronic Technology, Inc., Class A   4,996,184    17,448 
Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd., Class A   1,853,527    15,416 
Melrose Industries PLC   2,438,570    14,306 
Grab Holdings, Ltd., Class A1   2,000,000    5,960 
         2,228,391 
           
Communication services 6.54%          
Alphabet, Inc., Class A1   3,402,362    418,048 
Alphabet, Inc., Class C1   2,186,645    269,766 
Netflix, Inc.1   742,549    293,478 
Meta Platforms, Inc., Class A1   1,059,324    280,424 
ZoomInfo Technologies, Inc.1   5,383,456    133,133 
T-Mobile US, Inc.1   453,259    62,210 
Epic Games, Inc.1,3,4   84,438    46,334 
Charter Communications, Inc., Class A1   130,000    42,399 
Comcast Corp., Class A   1,065,600    41,931 
New York Times Co., Class A   1,016,000    35,987 
Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.1   433,548    34,658 
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.1   243,680    33,562 
Sea, Ltd., Class A (ADR)1   560,200    32,161 
Warner Music Group Corp., Class A   1,083,000    26,479 
Activision Blizzard, Inc.1   258,524    20,734 
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Class A   136,351    13,815 
         1,785,119 
           
Energy 2.86%          
Halliburton Co.   4,030,000    115,459 
Viper Energy Partners, LP   3,215,000    82,883 
Noble Corp. PLC, Class A1   2,044,107    77,145 
Baker Hughes Co., Class A   2,818,264    76,798 
Gaztransport & Technigaz SA   752,288    75,225 
Neste OYJ   1,907,363    72,112 
TechnipFMC PLC1   5,370,000    70,562 
Transocean, Ltd.1   10,636,613    60,841 
Weatherford International1   950,625    53,653 
Schlumberger NV   1,240,000    53,109 
Reliance Industries, Ltd.   1,402,547    41,872 
         779,659 
           
Consumer staples 1.95%          
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.1   915,000    123,415 
Dollar General Corp.   479,951    96,513 
Performance Food Group Co.1   1,608,000    88,906 
Kroger Co.   1,405,500    63,711 
Monster Beverage Corp.1   720,000    42,207 
Costco Wholesale Corp.   82,400    42,153 
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.   958,100    40,195 
Target Corp.   142,657    18,678 
Ocado Group PLC1   3,260,701    14,967 
         530,745 
           
Materials 1.09%          
Linde PLC   253,700    89,724 
Corteva, Inc.   1,465,700    78,400 
Air Liquide SA, non-registered shares   467,433    78,263 
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.   188,300    50,679 
         297,066 

 

The New Economy Fund 5
 
Common stocks (continued)  Shares   Value
(000)
 
Utilities 0.73%          
PG&E Corp.1   10,524,158   $178,279 
NextEra Energy, Inc.   294,411    21,628 
         199,907 
           
Real estate 0.46%          
Extra Space Storage, Inc. REIT   469,600    67,749 
Embassy Office Parks REIT   8,910,338    33,171 
Zillow Group, Inc., Class C, nonvoting shares1   406,800    18,554 
Equinix, Inc. REIT   9,612    7,166 
         126,640 
           
Total common stocks (cost: $18,289,095,000)        25,426,118 
           
Preferred securities 0.14%          
Consumer discretionary 0.14%          
Maplebear, Inc., Series H, noncumulative preferred shares1,3,4   830,425    24,913 
Maplebear, Inc., Series I, noncumulative preferred shares1,3,4   398,330    11,950 
         36,863 
           
Information technology 0.00%          
Stripe, Inc., Series H, 6.00% noncumulative preferred shares1,3,4   22,617    455 
           
Total preferred securities (cost: $100,525,000)        37,318 
           
Convertible stocks 0.11%          
Information technology 0.11%          
Tarana Wireless, Inc., Series 6, noncumulative convertible preferred shares3,4   30,562,347    31,479 
           
Total convertible stocks (cost: $25,000,000)        31,479 
           
Convertible bonds & notes 0.04%  Principal amount
(000)
      
Consumer discretionary 0.04%          
Rivian Automotive, Inc., convertible notes, 4.625% 3/15/20295  USD10,000    10,115 
           
Total convertible bonds & notes (cost: $10,000,000)        10,115 
           
Short-term securities 6.98%   Shares      
Money market investments 6.86%          
Capital Group Central Cash Fund 5.11%6,7   18,712,369    1,871,050 
           
Money market investments purchased with collateral from securities on loan 0.12%          
Capital Group Central Cash Fund 5.11%6,7,8   212,574    21,255 
Invesco Short-Term Investments Trust – Government & Agency Portfolio, Institutional Class 5.04%6,8  5,920,713    5,921 
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Government Fund, Institutional Shares 5.01%6,8   5,889,199    5,889 
         33,065 
           
Total short-term securities (cost: $1,903,956,000)        1,904,115 
Total investment securities 100.42% (cost: $20,328,576,000)        27,409,145 
Other assets less liabilities (0.42)%        (114,166)
           
Net assets 100.00%       $27,294,979 

 

6 The New Economy Fund
 

Investments in affiliates7

 

   Value of
affiliates at
12/1/2022
(000)
   Additions
(000)
   Reductions
(000)
   Net
realized
gain
(000)
   Net
unrealized
depreciation
(000)
   Value of
affiliates at
5/31/2023
(000)
   Dividend
income
(000)
 
Short-term securities 6.94%                                   
Money market investments 6.86%                                   
Capital Group Central Cash Fund 5.11%6  $2,988,551   $2,208,641   $3,326,221   $85   $(6)  $1,871,050   $54,376 
Money market investments purchased with collateral from securities on loan 0.08%                                   
Capital Group Central Cash Fund 5.11%6,8   32,169         10,9149              21,255    10 
Total 6.94%                 $85   $(6)  $1,892,305   $54,376 

 

Restricted securities4

 

     Acquisition
date
    Cost
(000)
    Value
(000)
    Percent
of net
assets
 
Epic Games, Inc.1,3    3/29/2021    $74,728   $46,334    .17%
Maplebear, Inc., Series H, noncumulative preferred shares1,3    11/13/2020     49,826    24,913    .09 
Maplebear, Inc., Series I, noncumulative preferred shares1,3    2/26/2021     49,791    11,950    .04 
Tarana Wireless, Inc., Series 6, noncumulative convertible preferred shares3    2/18/2022     25,000    31,479    .12 
Stripe, Inc., Class B1,3    5/6/2021     2,109    1,058    .01 
Stripe, Inc., Series H, 6.00% noncumulative preferred shares1,3    3/15/2021     908    455    .0011 
Total         $202,362   $116,189    .43%

 

1 Security did not produce income during the last 12 months.
2 All or a portion of this security was on loan. The total value of all such securities was $38,806,000, which represented .14% of the net assets of the fund. Refer to Note 5 for more information on securities lending.
3 Value determined using significant unobservable inputs.
4 Restricted security, other than Rule 144A securities or commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. The total value of all such restricted securities was $116,189,000, which represented .43% of the net assets of the fund.
5 Acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under Rule 144A or, for commercial paper, Section 4(a)(2) of 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 $10,115,000, which represented .04% of the net assets of the fund.
6 Rate represents the seven-day yield at 5/31/2023.
7 Part of the same “group of investment companies” as the fund as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.
8 Security purchased with cash collateral from securities on loan. Refer to Note 5 for more information on securities lending.
9 Represents net activity. Refer to Note 5 for more information on securities lending.
10 Dividend income is included with securities lending income in the fund’s statement of operations and is not shown in this table.
11 Amount less than .01%.

 

Key to abbreviations

ADR = American Depositary Receipts

REIT = Real Estate Investment Trust

USD = U.S. dollars

 

Refer to the notes to financial statements.

 

The New Economy Fund 7
 

Financial statements

 

Statement of assets and liabilities unaudited
at May 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands)
   
Assets:          
Investment securities, at value (includes $38,806 of investment securities on loan):          
Unaffiliated issuers (cost: $18,436,430)  $25,516,840      
Affiliated issuers (cost: $1,892,146)   1,892,305   $27,409,145 
Cash        858 
Cash denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars (cost: $29,761)        29,801 
Cash collateral received for securities on loan        3,674 
Receivables for:          
Sales of investments   139,984      
Sales of fund’s shares   11,745      
Dividends and interest   31,111      
Securities lending income   7    182,847 
         27,626,325 
Liabilities:          
Collateral for securities on loan        36,739 
Payables for:          
Purchases of investments   253,289      
Repurchases of fund’s shares   19,846      
Investment advisory services   8,524      
Services provided by related parties   4,399      
Trustees’ deferred compensation   3,072      
Other   5,477    294,607 
Net assets at May 31, 2023       $27,294,979 
           
Net assets consist of:          
Capital paid in on shares of beneficial interest       $19,456,375 
Total distributable earnings        7,838,604 
Net assets at May 31, 2023       $27,294,979 

 

Refer to the notes to financial statements.

 

8 The New Economy Fund
 

Financial statements (continued)

 

Statement of assets and liabilities
at May 31, 2023 (continued)
unaudited
  (dollars and shares in thousands, except per-share amounts)

 

Shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding (no stated par value)
unlimited shares authorized (558,222 total shares outstanding)

 

   Net assets   Shares
outstanding
   Net asset value
per share
 
Class A  $13,454,328    274,747   $48.97 
Class C   296,451    7,200    41.18 
Class T   12    *   49.15 
Class F-1   216,821    4,414    49.12 
Class F-2   2,331,971    47,538    49.06 
Class F-3   1,074,219    21,804    49.27 
Class 529-A   829,810    17,192    48.27 
Class 529-C   27,724    663    41.83 
Class 529-E   30,398    647    46.97 
Class 529-T   18    *   49.10 
Class 529-F-1   10    *   48.31 
Class 529-F-2   91,881    1,872    49.07 
Class 529-F-3   11    *   49.05 
Class R-1   27,172    632    42.97 
Class R-2   171,676    3,965    43.30 
Class R-2E   11,742    249    47.10 
Class R-3   240,898    5,118    47.07 
Class R-4   235,014    4,856    48.40 
Class R-5E   69,251    1,420    48.76 
Class R-5   76,862    1,551    49.56 
Class R-6   8,108,710    164,354    49.34 

 

* Amount less than one thousand.

 

Refer to the notes to financial statements.

 

The New Economy Fund 9
 

Financial statements (continued)

 

Statement of operations unaudited
for the six months ended May 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands)
   
Investment income:          
Income:          
Dividends (net of non-U.S. taxes of $3,536; also includes $54,376 from affiliates)  $169,091      
Securities lending income (net of fees)   1,879      
Interest from unaffiliated issuers   284   $171,254 
Fees and expenses*:          
Investment advisory services   48,438      
Distribution services   19,481      
Transfer agent services   10,515      
Administrative services   3,896      
529 plan services   282      
Reports to shareholders   377      
Registration statement and prospectus   518      
Trustees’ compensation   318      
Auditing and legal   25      
Custodian   345      
Other   38    84,233 
Net investment income        87,021 
           
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation:          
Net realized gain on:          
Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $7,421):          
Unaffiliated issuers   947,337      
Affiliated issuers   85      
Currency transactions   8    947,430 
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:          
Investments (net of non-U.S. taxes of $4,701):          
Unaffiliated issuers   893,035      
Affiliated issuers   (6)     
Currency translations   30    893,059 
Net realized gain and unrealized appreciation        1,840,489 
           
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations       $1,927,510 

 

* Additional information related to class-specific fees and expenses is included in the notes to financial statements.

 

Refer to the notes to financial statements.

 

10 The New Economy Fund
 

Financial statements (continued)

 

Statements of changes in net assets  
  (dollars in thousands)

 

   Six months ended
May 31, 2023*
   Year ended
November 30, 2022
 
Operations:          
Net investment income  $87,021   $73,672 
Net realized gain (loss)   947,430    (257,253)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   893,059    (8,485,629)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   1,927,510    (8,669,210)
           
Distributions paid to shareholders   (29,919)   (2,477,948)
           
Net capital share transactions   (317,205)   2,258,933 
           
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   1,580,386    (8,888,225)
           
Net assets:          
Beginning of period   25,714,593    34,602,818 
End of period  $27,294,979   $25,714,593 

 

* Unaudited.

 

Refer to the notes to financial statements.

 

The New Economy Fund 11
 
Notes to financial statements unaudited

 

1. Organization

 

The New Economy Fund (the “fund”) is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end, diversified management investment company. The fund seeks long-term growth of capital.

 

The fund has 21 share classes consisting of six retail share classes (Classes A, C, T, F-1, F-2 and F-3), seven 529 college savings plan share classes (Classes 529-A, 529-C, 529-E, 529-T, 529-F-1, 529-F-2 and 529-F-3) and eight retirement plan share classes (Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6). The 529 college savings plan share classes can be used to save for college education. The retirement plan share classes are generally offered only through eligible employer-sponsored retirement plans. The fund’s share classes are described further in the following table:

 

Share class   Initial sales charge   Contingent deferred sales
charge upon redemption
  Conversion feature  
Classes A and 529-A   Up to 5.75% for Class A; up to 3.50% for Class 529-A   None (except 1.00% for certain redemptions within 18 months of purchase without an initial sales charge)   None  
Classes C and 529-C   None   1.00% for redemptions within one year of purchase   Class C converts to Class A after eight years and Class 529-C converts to Class 529-A after five years  
Class 529-E   None   None   None  
Classes T and 529-T*   Up to 2.50%   None   None  
Classes F-1, F-2, F-3, 529-F-1, 529-F-2 and 529-F-3   None   None   None  
Classes R-1, R-2, R-2E, R-3, R-4, R-5E, R-5 and R-6   None   None   None  
* Class T and 529-T shares are not available for purchase.

 

Holders of all share classes have equal pro rata rights to the assets, dividends and liquidation proceeds of the fund. 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, transfer agent and administrative 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 share class.

 

2. Significant accounting policies

 

The fund is an investment company that applies the accounting and reporting guidance issued in Topic 946 by the U.S. Financial Accounting Standards Board. The fund’s financial statements have been prepared to comply with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). These principles require the fund’s investment adviser to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Subsequent events, if any, have been evaluated through the date of issuance in the preparation of the financial statements. The fund follows the significant accounting policies described in this section, 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. In the event a security is purchased with a delayed payment date, the fund will segregate liquid assets sufficient to meet its payment obligations. 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), realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation are allocated daily among the various share classes based on their relative net assets. Class-specific fees and expenses, such as distribution, transfer agent and administrative services, are charged directly to the respective share class.

 

Distributions paid to shareholders — Income dividends and capital gain distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

12 The New Economy Fund
 

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 supplied by one or more pricing vendors 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. 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 in the fund’s statement of operations. 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

 

Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”), the fund’s investment adviser, values the fund’s investments at fair value as defined by U.S. GAAP. The net asset value per share is calculated once daily as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, normally 4 p.m. New York time, each day the New York Stock Exchange is open.

 

Methods and inputs — The fund’s investment adviser uses the following methods and inputs to establish the fair value of the fund’s 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, including depositary receipts, 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 on which the security trades.

 

Fixed-income securities, including short-term securities, are generally valued at evaluated prices obtained from third-party 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 & loans; 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

 

Securities with both fixed-income and equity characteristics, or equity securities traded principally among fixed-income dealers, are generally valued in the manner described for either equity or fixed-income securities, depending on which method is deemed most appropriate by the fund’s investment adviser. The Capital Group Central Cash Fund (“CCF”), a fund within the Capital Group Central Fund Series (“Central Funds”), is valued based upon a floating net asset value, which fluctuates with changes in the value of CCF’s portfolio securities. The underlying securities are valued based on the policies and procedures in CCF’s statement of additional information.

 

The New Economy Fund 13
 

Securities and other assets for which representative market quotations are not readily available or are considered unreliable by the fund’s investment adviser are fair valued as determined in good faith under fair valuation guidelines adopted by the fund’s investment adviser and approved by the board of trustees as further described. The investment adviser follows fair valuation guidelines, consistent with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules and guidance, to consider relevant principles and factors when making fair value determinations. The investment adviser considers relevant indications of value that are reasonably and timely available to it in determining the fair value to be assigned to a particular security, such as 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, dealer or broker quotes, 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. In addition, the closing prices of equity securities that trade in markets outside U.S. time zones may be adjusted to reflect significant events that occur after the close of local trading but before the net asset value of each share class of the fund is determined. Fair 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.

 

Processes and structure — The fund’s board of trustees has designated the fund’s investment adviser to make fair value determinations, subject to board oversight. The investment adviser has established a Joint Fair Valuation Committee (the “Committee”) to administer, implement and oversee the fair valuation process and to make fair value decisions. The Committee regularly reviews its own fair value decisions, as well as decisions made under its standing instructions to the investment adviser’s valuation team. The Committee reviews changes in fair value measurements from period to period, pricing vendor information and market data, and may, as deemed appropriate, update the fair valuation guidelines to better reflect the results of back testing and address new or evolving issues. Pricing decisions, processes and controls over security valuation are also subject to additional internal reviews facilitated by the investment adviser’s global risk management group. The Committee reports changes to the fair valuation guidelines to the board of trustees. The fund’s board and audit committee also regularly review reports that describe fair value determinations and methods.

 

Classifications — The fund’s investment adviser classifies the fund’s 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. Certain securities trading outside the U.S. may transfer between Level 1 and Level 2 due to valuation adjustments resulting from significant market movements following the close of local trading. Level 3 values are based on significant unobservable inputs that reflect the investment adviser’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 May 31, 2023 (dollars in thousands):

 

   Investment securities 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Assets:                    
Common stocks:                    
Information technology  $8,124,480   $   $1,058   $8,125,538 
Health care   5,600,028            5,600,028 
Financials   3,145,575            3,145,575 
Consumer discretionary   2,607,450            2,607,450 
Industrials   2,228,391            2,228,391 
Communication services   1,738,785        46,334    1,785,119 
Energy   779,659            779,659 
Consumer staples   530,745            530,745 
Materials   297,066            297,066 
Utilities   199,907            199,907 
Real estate   126,640            126,640 
Preferred securities           37,318    37,318 
Convertible stocks           31,479    31,479 
Convertible bonds & notes       10,115        10,115 
Short-term securities   1,904,115            1,904,115 
Total  $27,282,841   $10,115   $116,189   $27,409,145 

 

14 The New Economy Fund
 

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 —sometimes rapidly or unpredictably — due to various factors, including events or conditions affecting the general economy or particular industries or companies; overall market changes; local, regional or global political, social or economic instability; governmental, governmental agency or central bank responses to economic conditions; and currency exchange rate, interest rate and commodity price fluctuations.

 

Economies and financial markets throughout the world are highly interconnected. Economic, financial or political events, trading and tariff arrangements, wars, terrorism, cybersecurity events, natural disasters, public health emergencies (such as the spread of infectious disease) and other circumstances in one country or region, including actions taken by governmental or quasi-governmental authorities in response to any of the foregoing, could have impacts on global economies or markets. As a result, whether or not the fund invests in securities of issuers located in or with significant exposure to the countries affected, the value and liquidity of the fund’s investments may be negatively affected by developments in other countries and regions.

 

Issuer risks — The prices of, and the income generated by, securities held by the fund may decline in response to various factors directly related to the issuers of such securities, including reduced demand for an issuer’s goods or services, poor management performance, major litigation, investigations or other controversies related to the issuer, changes in financial condition or credit rating, changes in government regulations affecting the issuer or its competitive environment and strategic initiatives such as mergers, acquisitions or dispositions and the market response to any such initiatives.

 

Investing in growth-oriented stocks — Growth-oriented common stocks and other equity-type securities (such as preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and convertible bonds) may involve larger price swings and greater potential for loss than other types of investments. These risks may be even greater in the case of smaller capitalization stocks.

 

Investing in income-oriented stocks — The value of the fund’s securities and income provided by the fund may also be reduced by changes in the dividend policies of, and the capital resources available for dividend payments 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 or revenues outside the U.S., may lose value because of adverse political, social, economic or market developments (including social instability, regional conflicts, terrorism and war) in the countries or regions in which the issuers operate or generate revenue. These securities may also lose value due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar and/or currencies of other countries. Issuers of these securities may be more susceptible to actions of foreign governments, such as nationalization, currency blockage or the imposition of price controls, sanctions, or punitive taxes, each of which could adversely impact the value of these securities. 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 regulatory, legal, accounting, auditing, financial reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and may be more difficult to value, than those in the U.S. In addition, the value of investments outside the U.S. may be reduced by foreign taxes, including foreign withholding taxes on interest and dividends. Further, there may be increased risks of delayed settlement of securities purchased or sold by the fund, which could impact the liquidity of the fund’s portfolio. The risks of investing outside the U.S. may be heightened in connection with investments in emerging markets.

 

The New Economy Fund 15
 

Investing in emerging markets — Investing in emerging markets may involve risks in addition to and greater than those generally associated with investing in the securities markets of developed countries. For instance, emerging market countries tend to have less developed political, economic and legal systems than those in developed countries. Accordingly, the governments of these countries may be less stable and more likely to intervene in the market economy, for example, by imposing capital controls, nationalizing a company or industry, placing restrictions on foreign ownership and on withdrawing sale proceeds of securities from the country, and/or imposing punitive taxes that could adversely affect the prices of securities. Information regarding issuers in emerging markets may be limited, incomplete or inaccurate, and such issuers may not be subject to regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards comparable to those to which issuers in more developed markets are subject. The fund’s rights with respect to its investments in emerging markets, if any, will generally be governed by local law, which may make it difficult or impossible for the fund to pursue legal remedies or to obtain and enforce judgments in local courts. In addition, the economies of these countries may be dependent on relatively few industries, may have limited access to capital and may be more susceptible to changes in local and global trade conditions and downturns in the world economy. Securities markets in these countries can also be relatively small and have substantially lower trading volumes. As a result, securities issued in these countries may be more volatile and less liquid, and may be more difficult to value, than securities issued in countries with more developed economies and/or markets. Less certainty with respect to security valuations may lead to additional challenges and risks in calculating the fund’s net asset value. Additionally, emerging markets are more likely to experience problems with the clearing and settling of trades and the holding of securities by banks, agents and depositories that are less established than those in developed countries.

 

Investing in small companies — Investing in smaller companies may pose additional risks. For example, it is often more difficult to value or dispose of small company stocks and more difficult to obtain information about smaller companies than about larger companies. Furthermore, smaller companies often have limited product lines, operating histories, markets and/or financial resources, may be dependent on one or a few key persons for management, and can be more susceptible to losses. Moreover, the prices of their stocks may be more volatile than stocks of larger, more established companies, particularly during times of market turmoil.

 

Exposure to country, region, industry or sector — Subject to the fund’s investment limitations, the fund may have significant exposure to a particular country, region, industry or sector. Such exposure may cause the fund to be more impacted by risks relating to and developments affecting the country, region, industry or sector, and thus its net asset value may be more volatile, than a fund without such levels of exposure. For example, if the fund has significant exposure in a particular country, then social, economic, regulatory or other issues that negatively affect that country may have a greater impact on the fund than on a fund that is more geographically diversified.

 

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, including models, tools and data, employed by the investment adviser in this process may be flawed or incorrect and may not produce the desired results. This could cause the fund to lose value or its investment results to lag relevant benchmarks or other funds with similar objectives.

 

5. Certain investment techniques

 

Securities lending — The fund has entered into securities lending transactions in which the fund earns income by lending investment securities to brokers, dealers or other institutions. Each transaction involves three parties: the fund, acting as the lender of the securities, a borrower, and a lending agent that acts as an intermediary.

 

Securities lending transactions are entered into by the fund under a securities lending agent agreement with the lending agent. The lending agent facilitates the exchange of securities between the fund and approved borrowers, ensures that securities loans are properly coordinated and documented, marks-to-market the value of collateral daily, secures additional collateral from a borrower if it falls below preset terms, and may reinvest cash collateral on behalf of the fund according to agreed parameters. The lending agent provides indemnification to the fund against losses resulting from a borrower default. Although risk is mitigated by the collateral and indemnification, the fund could experience a delay in recovering its securities and a potential loss of income or value if a borrower fails to return securities, collateral investments decline in value or the lending agent fails to perform.

 

The borrower is required to post highly liquid assets, such as cash or U.S. government securities, as collateral for the loan in an amount at least equal to the value of the securities loaned. Investments made with cash collateral are recognized as assets in the fund’s investment portfolio. The same amount is recorded as a liability in the fund’s statement of assets and liabilities. While securities are on loan, the fund will continue to receive the equivalent of the interest, dividends or other distributions paid by the issuer, as well as a portion of the interest on the investment of the collateral. Additionally, although the fund does not have the right to vote on securities while they are on loan, the fund has a right to consent on corporate actions and a right to recall loaned securities to vote. A borrower is obligated to return loaned securities at the conclusion of a loan or, during the pendency of a loan, on demand from the fund.

 

16 The New Economy Fund
 

As of May 31, 2023, the total value of securities on loan was $38,806,000, and the total value of collateral received was $40,684,000. Collateral received includes cash of $36,739,000 and U.S. government securities of $3,945,000. Investment securities purchased from cash collateral are disclosed in the fund’s investment portfolio as short-term securities. Securities received as collateral are not recognized as fund assets. The contractual maturity of cash collateral received under the securities lending agreement is classified as overnight and continuous.

 

6. Taxation and distributions

 

Federal income taxation — The fund complies with the requirements under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies 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 May 31, 2023, 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 significant interest or penalties.

 

The fund’s tax returns are generally not subject to examination by federal, state and, if applicable, non-U.S. tax authorities after the expiration of each jurisdiction’s statute of limitations, which is typically three years after the date of filing but can be extended in certain jurisdictions.

 

Non-U.S. taxation — Dividend and interest income are recorded net of non-U.S. taxes paid. The fund may file withholding tax reclaims in certain jurisdictions to recover a portion of amounts previously withheld. As a result of rulings from European courts, the fund filed for additional reclaims related to prior years. These reclaims are recorded when the amount is known and there are no significant uncertainties on collectability. During the six months ended May 31, 2023, the fund recognized $237,000 in reclaims (net of $5,000 in fees and the effect of realized gain or loss from currency translations) related to European court rulings, which is included in dividend income in the fund’s statement of operations. Gains realized by the fund on the sale of securities in certain countries, if any, may be subject to non-U.S. taxes. The fund generally records an estimated deferred tax liability based on unrealized gains to provide for potential non-U.S. taxes payable upon the sale of these securities.

 

Distributions — Distributions determined on a tax basis 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; net capital losses and non-U.S. taxes on capital gains. 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.

 

The components of distributable earnings on a tax basis are reported as of the fund’s most recent year-end. As of November 30, 2022, the components of distributable earnings on a tax basis were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Undistributed ordinary income  $29,851 
Capital loss carryforward*   (224,512)
   
* The capital loss carryforward will be used to offset any capital gains realized by the fund in the current year or in subsequent years. The fund will not make distributions from capital gains while a capital loss carryforward remains.

 

As of May 31, 2023, the tax basis unrealized appreciation (depreciation) and cost of investments were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Gross unrealized appreciation on investments  $7,990,193 
Gross unrealized depreciation on investments   (930,799)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments   7,059,394 
Cost of investments   20,349,751 

 

The New Economy Fund 17
 

Distributions paid were characterized for tax purposes as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

   Six months ended May 31, 2023   Year ended November 30, 2022 
Share class  Ordinary
income
   Long-term
capital gains
   Total
distributions
paid
   Ordinary
income
   Long-term
capital gains
   Total
distributions
paid
 
Class A  $   $   $   $   $1,325,779   $1,325,779 
Class C                   44,176    44,176 
Class T                   1    1 
Class F-1                   24,430    24,430 
Class F-2   4,009        4,009        216,587    216,587 
Class F-3   3,054        3,054        94,644    94,644 
Class 529-A                   80,254    80,254 
Class 529-C                   4,216    4,216 
Class 529-E                   3,139    3,139 
Class 529-T                   2    2 
Class 529-F-1                   1    1 
Class 529-F-2   157        157        7,663    7,663 
Class 529-F-3                   1    1 
Class R-1                   3,178    3,178 
Class R-2                   19,354    19,354 
Class R-2E                   1,090    1,090 
Class R-3                   24,844    24,844 
Class R-4                   24,674    24,674 
Class R-5E   88        88        6,106    6,106 
Class R-5   182        182        8,087    8,087 
Class R-6   22,429        22,429        589,722    589,722 
Total  $29,919   $   $29,919   $   $2,477,948   $2,477,948 

 

Amount less than one thousand.

 

7. Fees and transactions with related parties

 

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. CRMC, AFD and AFS are considered related parties to the fund.

 

Investment advisory services — The fund has an investment advisory and service agreement with CRMC that provides for monthly fees accrued daily. These fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.580% on the first $500 million of daily net assets and decreasing to 0.340% on such assets in excess of $34 billion. For the six months ended May 31, 2023, the investment advisory services fees were $48,438,000, which were equivalent to an annualized rate of 0.373% of average daily net assets.

 

18 The New Economy Fund
 

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 further described below:

 

Distribution services — The fund has plans of distribution for all share classes, except Class F-2, F-3, 529-F-2, 529-F-3, R-5E, R-5 and R-6 shares. 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 in this section. 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.

 

Share class  Currently approved limits  Plan limits
Class A   0.25%   0.25%
Class 529-A   0.25    0.50 
Classes C, 529-C and R-1   1.00    1.00 
Class R-2   0.75    1.00 
Class R-2E   0.60    0.85 
Classes 529-E and R-3   0.50    0.75 
Classes T, F-1, 529-T, 529-F-1 and R-4   0.25    0.50 

 

For Class A and 529-A shares, distribution-related expenses include the reimbursement of dealer and wholesaler commissions paid by AFD for certain shares sold without a sales charge. These share classes reimburse AFD for amounts billed within the prior 15 months but only to the extent that the overall annual expense limits are not exceeded. As of May 31, 2023, there were no unreimbursed expenses subject to reimbursement for Class A or 529-A shares.

 

Transfer agent services — The fund has a shareholder services agreement with AFS under which the fund compensates AFS for providing transfer agent services to each of the fund’s share classes. These services include recordkeeping, shareholder communications and transaction processing. In addition, the fund reimburses AFS for amounts paid to third parties for performing transfer agent services on behalf of fund shareholders.

 

Administrative services — The fund has an administrative services agreement with CRMC under which the fund compensates CRMC for providing administrative services to all share classes. Administrative services are provided by CRMC and its affiliates to help assist third parties providing non-distribution services to fund shareholders. These services include providing in-depth information on the fund and market developments that impact fund investments. Administrative services also include, but are not limited to, coordinating, monitoring and overseeing third parties that provide services to fund shareholders. The agreement provides the fund the ability to charge an administrative services fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class of the fund. Currently the fund pays CRMC an administrative services fee at the annual rate of 0.03% of the average daily net assets attributable to each share class of the fund for CRMC’s provision of administrative services.

 

529 plan services — Each 529 share class is subject to service fees to compensate the Virginia College Savings Plan (“Virginia529”) for its oversight and administration of the CollegeAmerica 529 college savings plan. The fees are based on the combined net assets invested in Class 529 and ABLE shares of the American Funds. Class ABLE shares are offered on other American Funds by Virginia529 through ABLEAmerica®, a tax-advantaged savings program for individuals with disabilities. Virginia529 is not considered a related party to the fund.

 

The quarterly fees are based on a series of decreasing annual rates beginning with 0.09% on the first $20 billion of the combined net assets invested in the American Funds and decreasing to 0.03% on such assets in excess of $75 billion. The fees for any given calendar quarter are accrued and calculated on the basis of the average net assets of Class 529 and ABLE shares of the American Funds for the last month of the prior calendar quarter. For the six months ended May 31, 2023, the 529 plan services fees were $282,000, which were equivalent to 0.060% of the average daily net assets of each 529 share class.

 

The New Economy Fund 19
 

For the six months ended May 31, 2023, class-specific expenses under the agreements were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

Share class  Distribution
services
   Transfer agent
services
   Administrative
services
   529 plan
services
 
Class A   $15,024    $7,870    $1,941    Not applicable 
Class C   1,470    182    45    Not applicable 
Class T       *   *   Not applicable 
Class F-1   256    155    31    Not applicable 
Class F-2   Not applicable    1,147    329    Not applicable 
Class F-3   Not applicable    3    153    Not applicable 
Class 529-A   871    444    119    $239 
Class 529-C   139    16    4    8 
Class 529-E   73    10    4    9 
Class 529-T       *   *   *
Class 529-F-1       *   *   *
Class 529-F-2   Not applicable    11    13    26 
Class 529-F-3   Not applicable        *   *
Class R-1   130    12    4    Not applicable 
Class R-2   617    280    25    Not applicable 
Class R-2E   33    11    2    Not applicable 
Class R-3   581    172    35    Not applicable 
Class R-4   287    114    34    Not applicable 
Class R-5E   Not applicable    49    10    Not applicable 
Class R-5   Not applicable    17    11    Not applicable 
Class R-6   Not applicable    22    1,136    Not applicable 
Total class-specific expenses   $19,481    $10,515    $3,896    $282 

 

* Amount less than one thousand.

 

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 $318,000 in the fund’s statement of operations reflects $88,000 in current fees (either paid in cash or deferred) and a net increase of $230,000 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, AFD and AFS. No affiliated officers or trustees received any compensation directly from the fund.

 

Investment in CCF — The fund holds shares of CCF, an institutional prime money market fund managed by CRMC. CCF invests in high-quality, short-term money market instruments. CCF is used as the primary investment vehicle for the fund’s short-term instruments. CCF shares are only available for purchase by CRMC, its affiliates, and other funds managed by CRMC or its affiliates, and are not available to the public. CRMC does not receive an investment advisory services fee from CCF.

 

Security transactions with related funds — The fund purchased investment securities from, and sold investment securities to, other funds managed by CRMC (or funds managed by certain affiliates of CRMC) under procedures adopted by the fund’s board of trustees. The funds involved in such transactions are considered related by virtue of having a common investment adviser (or affiliated investment advisers), common trustees and/or common officers. Each transaction was executed at the current market price of the security and no brokerage commissions or fees were paid in accordance with Rule 17a-7 of the 1940 Act. During the six months ended May 31, 2023, the fund engaged in such purchase and sale transactions with related funds in the amounts of $120,353,000 and $117,851,000, respectively, which generated $3,590,000 of net realized gains from such sales.

 

Interfund lending — Pursuant to an exemptive order issued by the SEC, the fund, along with other CRMC-managed funds (or funds managed by certain affiliates of CRMC), may participate in an interfund lending program. The program provides an alternate credit facility that permits the funds to lend or borrow cash for temporary purposes directly to or from one another, subject to the conditions of the exemptive order. The fund did not lend or borrow cash through the interfund lending program at any time during the six months ended May 31, 2023.

 

20 The New Economy Fund
 

8. Indemnifications

 

The fund’s organizational documents provide board members and officers with indemnification against certain liabilities or expenses in connection with the performance of their duties to the fund. In the normal course of business, the fund may also enter into contracts that provide general indemnifications. The fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown since it is dependent on future claims that may be made against the fund. The risk of material loss from such claims is considered remote. Insurance policies are also available to the fund’s board members and officers.

 

9. Capital share transactions

 

Capital share transactions in the fund were as follows (dollars and shares in thousands):

 

   Sales*   Reinvestments of
distributions
   Repurchases*   Net (decrease)
increase
 
Share class  Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares 
                           
Six months ended May 31, 2023                          
                           
Class A  $337,612    7,302   $       $(786,238)   (17,014)  $(448,626)   (9,712)
Class C   14,618    374            (50,118)   (1,285)   (35,500)   (911)
Class T                                
Class F-1   5,203    110            (18,300)   (393)   (13,097)   (283)
Class F-2   232,877    4,985    3,886    86    (248,800)   (5,367)   (12,037)   (296)
Class F-3   99,876    2,145    3,022    67    (109,880)   (2,356)   (6,982)   (144)
Class 529-A   34,230    750            (54,597)   (1,202)   (20,367)   (452)
Class 529-C   2,361    60            (6,287)   (160)   (3,926)   (100)
Class 529-E   820    19            (1,974)   (45)   (1,154)   (26)
Class 529-T                                
Class 529-F-1                                
Class 529-F-2   9,195    199    157    3    (6,311)   (136)   3,041    66 
Class 529-F-3                                
Class R-1   1,464    36            (2,784)   (69)   (1,320)   (33)
Class R-2   15,111    368            (19,850)   (486)   (4,739)   (118)
Class R-2E   1,222    28            (1,400)   (33)   (178)   (5)
Class R-3   18,658    419            (29,226)   (658)   (10,568)   (239)
Class R-4   11,827    258            (27,741)   (610)   (15,914)   (352)
Class R-5E   5,704    123    88    2    (5,560)   (120)   232    5 
Class R-5   4,144    88    182    4    (6,825)   (146)   (2,499)   (54)
Class R-6   330,001    7,158    22,225    489    (95,797)   (2,054)   256,429    5,593 
Total net increase (decrease)  $1,124,923    24,422   $29,560    651   $(1,471,688)   (32,134)  $(317,205)   (7,061)

 

Refer to the end of the table for footnotes.

 

The New Economy Fund 21
 
   Sales*   Reinvestments of
distributions
   Repurchases*   Net increase
(decrease)
 
Share class  Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares   Amount   Shares 
                           
Year ended November 30, 2022                          
                           
Class A  $954,283    19,259   $1,301,048    21,406   $(1,983,512)   (40,441)  $271,819    224 
Class C   38,271    911    44,071    853    (135,903)   (3,229)   (53,561)   (1,465)
Class T                                
Class F-1   14,399    285    24,118    396    (62,159)   (1,238)   (23,642)   (557)
Class F-2   573,556    11,617    209,163    3,441    (658,905)   (13,455)   123,814    1,603 
Class F-3   267,533    5,370    94,146    1,542    (258,556)   (5,254)   103,123    1,658 
Class 529-A   82,696    1,666    80,222    1,338    (124,906)   (2,534)   38,012    470 
Class 529-C   5,891    135    4,214    80    (16,416)   (377)   (6,311)   (162)
Class 529-E   2,297    48    3,138    54    (5,105)   (104)   330    (2)
Class 529-T           2                2     
Class 529-F-1           1                1     
Class 529-F-2   16,268    327    7,663    126    (13,905)   (281)   10,026    172 
Class 529-F-3           1                1     
Class R-1   4,330    100    3,164    59    (7,869)   (179)   (375)   (20)
Class R-2   33,182    758    19,349    356    (51,602)   (1,176)   929    (62)
Class R-2E   3,944    85    1,090    19    (3,724)   (80)   1,310    24 
Class R-3   47,870    1,001    24,813    423    (67,848)   (1,416)   4,835    8 
Class R-4   36,678    751    24,668    411    (62,950)   (1,269)   (1,604)   (107)
Class R-5E   12,023    244    6,106    101    (11,539)   (235)   6,590    110 
Class R-5   9,741    195    8,084    131    (23,149)   (462)   (5,324)   (136)
Class R-6   1,477,001    29,180    584,760    9,567    (272,803)   (5,785)   1,788,958    32,962 
Total net increase (decrease)  $3,579,963    71,932   $2,439,821    40,303   $(3,760,851)   (77,515)  $2,258,933    34,720 

 

* Includes exchanges between share classes of the fund.
  Amount less than one thousand.

 

10. Investment transactions

 

The fund engaged in purchases and sales of investment securities, excluding short-term securities and U.S. government obligations, if any, of $6,393,033,000 and $5,424,035,000, respectively, during the six months ended May 31, 2023.

 

22 The New Economy Fund
 

Financial highlights

 

       Income (loss) from
investment operations1 
   Dividends and distributions                         
Year ended  Net asset
value,
beginning
of year
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   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 year
   Total return2,3    Net assets,
end of
year
(in millions)
   Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
waivers/
reimburse-
ments4 
   Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
waivers/
reimburse-
ments3,4 
   Ratio of
net income
(loss)
to average
net assets3 
 
Class A:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6   $45.55   $.13   $3.29   $3.42   $   $   $   $48.97    7.51%7    $13,454    .77%8    .77%8    .55%8 
11/30/2022   65.43    .08    (15.29)   (15.21)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.55    (25.03)   12,957    .75    .75    .16 
11/30/2021   57.74    (.12)   9.28    9.16    (.01)   (1.46)   (1.47)   65.43    16.18    18,597    .74    .74    (.20)
11/30/2020   47.60    .10    13.40    13.50    (.15)   (3.21)   (3.36)   57.74    30.27    16,314    .77    .77    .21 
11/30/2019   45.74    .23    5.52    5.75    (.24)   (3.65)   (3.89)   47.60    14.56    13,160    .78    .78    .51 
11/30/2018   48.26    .24    .94    1.18    (.08)   (3.62)   (3.70)   45.74    2.59    12,165    .76    .76    .49 
Class C:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    38.45    (.04)   2.77    2.73                41.18    7.107    296    1.538    1.538    (.21)8 
11/30/2022   56.34    (.25)   (12.97)   (13.22)       (4.67)   (4.67)   38.45    (25.58)   312    1.51    1.51    (.61)
11/30/2021   50.27    (.51)   8.04    7.53        (1.46)   (1.46)   56.34    15.30    539    1.49    1.49    (.94)
11/30/2020   42.01    (.21)   11.68    11.47        (3.21)   (3.21)   50.27    29.30    544    1.51    1.51    (.50)
11/30/2019   40.90    (.10)   4.86    4.76        (3.65)   (3.65)   42.01    13.69    531    1.55    1.55    (.25)
11/30/2018   43.77    (.13)   .88    .75        (3.62)   (3.62)   40.90    1.81    544    1.55    1.55    (.30)
Class T:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.75    .19    3.31    3.50    (.10)       (.10)   49.15    7.667,9    10    .498,9    .498,9    .828,9 
11/30/2022   65.54    .20    (15.32)   (15.12)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.75    (24.84)9    10    .509    .509    .419 
11/30/2021   57.82    .02    9.29    9.31    (.13)   (1.46)   (1.59)   65.54    16.449    10    .519    .519    .039 
11/30/2020   47.66    .21    13.41    13.62    (.25)   (3.21)   (3.46)   57.82    30.579    10    .539    .539    .449 
11/30/2019   45.80    .33    5.51    5.84    (.33)   (3.65)   (3.98)   47.66    14.839    10    .549    .549    .759 
11/30/2018   48.32    .33    .94    1.27    (.17)   (3.62)   (3.79)   45.80    2.809    10    .569    .569    .699 
Class F-1:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.70    .12    3.30    3.42                49.12    7.487    217    .808    .808    .518 
11/30/2022   65.65    .05    (15.33)   (15.28)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.70    (25.06)   215    .80    .80    .11 
11/30/2021   57.95    (.15)   9.31    9.16        (1.46)   (1.46)   65.65    16.12    345    .79    .79    (.24)
11/30/2020   47.76    .09    13.44    13.53    (.13)   (3.21)   (3.34)   57.95    30.21    363    .80    .80    .19 
11/30/2019   45.85    .21    5.54    5.75    (.19)   (3.65)   (3.84)   47.76    14.50    329    .83    .83    .47 
11/30/2018   48.36    .21    .95    1.16    (.05)   (3.62)   (3.67)   45.85    2.54    315    .83    .83    .43 
Class F-2:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.66    .19    3.29    3.48    (.08)       (.08)   49.06    7.637    2,332    .528    .528    .808 
11/30/2022   65.43    .19    (15.29)   (15.10)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.66    (24.84)   2,184    .52    .52    .40 
11/30/2021   57.73    .02    9.28    9.30    (.14)   (1.46)   (1.60)   65.43    16.43    3,025    .51    .51    .03 
11/30/2020   47.58    .20    13.41    13.61    (.25)   (3.21)   (3.46)   57.73    30.58    2,439    .52    .52    .41 
11/30/2019   45.75    .33    5.50    5.83    (.35)   (3.65)   (4.00)   47.58    14.81    1,586    .55    .55    .75 
11/30/2018   48.26    .34    .94    1.28    (.17)   (3.62)   (3.79)   45.75    2.82    1,406    .55    .55    .71 
Class F-3:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.89    .21    3.31    3.52    (.14)       (.14)   49.27    7.697    1,074    .428    .428    .908 
11/30/2022   65.66    .25    (15.35)   (15.10)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.89    (24.76)   1,007    .41    .41    .51 
11/30/2021   57.91    .08    9.30    9.38    (.17)   (1.46)   (1.63)   65.66    16.55    1,332    .41    .41    .13 
11/30/2020   47.72    .25    13.44    13.69    (.29)   (3.21)   (3.50)   57.91    30.73    1,004    .44    .43    .52 
11/30/2019   45.87    .37    5.52    5.89    (.39)   (3.65)   (4.04)   47.72    14.93    705    .45    .45    .84 
11/30/2018   48.38    .39    .93    1.32    (.21)   (3.62)   (3.83)   45.87    2.91    541    .46    .46    .81 
Class 529-A:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    44.91    .12    3.24    3.36                48.27    7.487    830    .818    .818    .518 
11/30/2022   64.58    .06    (15.06)   (15.00)       (4.67)   (4.67)   44.91    (25.04)   792    .78    .78    .13 
11/30/2021   57.02    (.14)   9.17    9.03    (.01)   (1.46)   (1.47)   64.58    16.13    1,109    .77    .77    (.22)
11/30/2020   47.05    .08    13.23    13.31    (.13)   (3.21)   (3.34)   57.02    30.23    956    .80    .80    .16 
11/30/2019   45.25    .20    5.46    5.66    (.21)   (3.65)   (3.86)   47.05    14.51    694    .83    .83    .46 
11/30/2018   47.80    .20    .94    1.14    (.07)   (3.62)   (3.69)   45.25    2.53    629    .83    .83    .43 

 

Refer to the end of the table for footnotes.

 

The New Economy Fund 23
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

       Income (loss) from
investment operations1 
   Dividends and distributions                         
Year ended  Net asset
value,
beginning
of year
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   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 year
   Total return2,3    Net assets,
end of
year
(in millions)
   Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
waivers/
reimburse-
ments4 
   Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
waivers/
reimburse-
ments3,4 
   Ratio of
net income
(loss)
to average
net assets3 
 
Class 529-C:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6   $39.06   $(.05)  $2.82   $2.77   $   $   $   $41.83    7.06%7   $28    1.59%8    1.59%8    (.27)%8 
11/30/2022   57.20    (.28)   (13.19)   (13.47)       (4.67)   (4.67)   39.06    (25.62)   30    1.56    1.56    (.66)
11/30/2021   51.04    (.54)   8.16    7.62        (1.46)   (1.46)   57.20    15.26    53    1.52    1.52    (.98)
11/30/2020   42.62    (.18)   11.81    11.63        (3.21)   (3.21)   51.04    29.25    57    1.56    1.56    (.43)
11/30/2019   41.45    (.12)   4.94    4.82        (3.65)   (3.65)   42.62    13.62    106    1.59    1.59    (.30)
11/30/2018   44.33    (.15)   .89    .74        (3.62)   (3.62)   41.45    1.76    110    1.60    1.60    (.35)
Class 529-E:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    43.75    .06    3.16    3.22                46.97    7.367    30    1.048    1.048    .288 
11/30/2022   63.19    (.05)   (14.72)   (14.77)       (4.67)   (4.67)   43.75    (25.23)   30    1.02    1.02    (.11)
11/30/2021   55.95    (.28)   8.98    8.70        (1.46)   (1.46)   63.19    15.85    43    1.01    1.01    (.46)
11/30/2020   46.24    (.02)   12.97    12.95    (.03)   (3.21)   (3.24)   55.95    29.89    38    1.03    1.03    (.05)
11/30/2019   44.52    .10    5.37    5.47    (.10)   (3.65)   (3.75)   46.24    14.24    31    1.07    1.07    .23 
11/30/2018   47.11    .09    .94    1.03        (3.62)   (3.62)   44.52    2.31    29    1.07    1.07    .19 
Class 529-T:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.69    .18    3.30    3.48    (.07)       (.07)   49.10    7.637,9    10    .548,9    .548,9    .788,9 
11/30/2022   65.49    .18    (15.31)   (15.13)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.69    (24.88)9    10    .559    .559    .369 
11/30/2021   57.79    (.02)   9.28    9.26    (.10)   (1.46)   (1.56)   65.49    16.379    10    .579    .579    (.02)9 
11/30/2020   47.64    .19    13.40    13.59    (.23)   (3.21)   (3.44)   57.79    30.509    10    .589    .589    .399 
11/30/2019   45.78    .31    5.51    5.82    (.31)   (3.65)   (3.96)   47.64    14.789    10    .599    .599    .709 
11/30/2018   48.30    .31    .95    1.26    (.16)   (3.62)   (3.78)   45.78    2.779    10    .619    .619    .649 
Class 529-F-1:                                                              
5/31/20235,6    44.95    .16    3.24    3.40    (.04)       (.04)   48.31    7.587,9    10    .628,9    .628,9    .698,9 
11/30/2022   64.53    .15    (15.06)   (14.91)       (4.67)   (4.67)   44.95    (24.91)9    10    .619    .619    .309 
11/30/2021   57.05    (.03)   9.15    9.12    (.18)   (1.46)   (1.64)   64.53    16.349    10    .599    .599    (.05)9 
11/30/2020   47.04    .21    13.23    13.44    (.22)   (3.21)   (3.43)   57.05    30.589    10    .589    .589    .469 
11/30/2019   45.28    .30    5.44    5.74    (.33)   (3.65)   (3.98)   47.04    14.75    65    .61    .61    .68 
11/30/2018   47.80    .30    .94    1.24    (.14)   (3.62)   (3.76)   45.28    2.76    55    .61    .61    .64 
Class 529-F-2:                                                              
5/31/20235,6    45.67    .19    3.30    3.49    (.09)       (.09)   49.07    7.657    92    .508    .508    .828 
11/30/2022   65.45    .19    (15.30)   (15.11)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.67    (24.86)   83    .52    .52    .40 
11/30/2021   57.74    (.01)   9.29    9.28    (.11)   (1.46)   (1.57)   65.45    16.39    107    .55    .55    (.01)
11/30/20205,11    52.00    (.01)   5.75    5.74                57.74    11.067    84    .047    .047    (.01)7 
Class 529-F-3:                                                              
5/31/20235,6    45.67    .19    3.30    3.49    (.11)       (.11)   49.05    7.667    10    .498    .498    .838 
11/30/2022   65.41    .22    (15.29)   (15.07)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.67    (24.81)   10    .47    .47    .44 
11/30/2021   57.74    .05    9.27    9.32    (.19)   (1.46)   (1.65)   65.41    16.48    10    .50    .47    .07 
11/30/20205,11    52.00    12    5.74    5.74                57.74    11.067    10    .067    .047    (.01)7 
Class R-1:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    40.11    (.04)   2.90    2.86                42.97    7.107    27    1.498    1.498    (.17)8 
11/30/2022   58.57    (.25)   (13.54)   (13.79)       (4.67)   (4.67)   40.11    (25.58)   27    1.49    1.49    (.58)
11/30/2021   52.21    (.54)   8.36    7.82        (1.46)   (1.46)   58.57    15.28    40    1.50    1.50    (.95)
11/30/2020   43.52    (.23)   12.13    11.90        (3.21)   (3.21)   52.21    29.30    42    1.52    1.52    (.52)
11/30/2019   42.22    (.10)   5.05    4.95        (3.65)   (3.65)   43.52    13.68    39    1.55    1.55    (.25)
11/30/2018   45.07    (.13)   .90    .77        (3.62)   (3.62)   42.22    1.81    44    1.55    1.55    (.30)

 

Refer to the end of the table for footnotes.

 

24 The New Economy Fund
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

       Income (loss) from
investment operations1 
   Dividends and distributions                         
Year ended  Net asset
value,
beginning
of year
   Net
investment
income
(loss)
   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 year
   Total return2,3    Net assets,
end of
year
(in millions)
   Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets before
waivers/
reimburse-
ments4 
   Ratio of
expenses to
average net
assets after
waivers/
reimburse-
ments3,4 
   Ratio of
net income
(loss)
to average
net assets3 
 
Class R-2:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6   $40.42   $(.04)  $2.92   $2.88   $   $   $   $43.30    7.10%7   $172    1.51%8    1.51%8    (.19)%8 
11/30/2022   59.00    (.27)   (13.64)   (13.91)       (4.67)   (4.67)   40.42    (25.60)   165    1.53    1.53    (.62)
11/30/2021   52.59    (.55)   8.42    7.87        (1.46)   (1.46)   59.00    15.29    244    1.50    1.50    (.96)
11/30/2020   43.81    (.23)   12.22    11.99        (3.21)   (3.21)   52.59    29.29    236    1.51    1.51    (.52)
11/30/2019   42.47    (.10)   5.09    4.99        (3.65)   (3.65)   43.81    13.70    203    1.55    1.55    (.25)
11/30/2018   45.32    (.13)   .90    .77        (3.62)   (3.62)   42.47    1.79    195    1.55    1.55    (.30)
Class R-2E:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    43.91    .02    3.17    3.19                47.10    7.277    12    1.228    1.228    .108 
11/30/2022   63.51    (.15)   (14.78)   (14.93)       (4.67)   (4.67)   43.91    (25.37)   11    1.22    1.22    (.31)
11/30/2021   56.34    (.41)   9.04    8.63        (1.46)   (1.46)   63.51    15.61    15    1.21    1.21    (.67)
11/30/2020   46.59    (.11)   13.07    12.96        (3.21)   (3.21)   56.34    29.67    14    1.23    1.23    (.23)
11/30/2019   44.88    .02    5.41    5.43    (.07)   (3.65)   (3.72)   46.59    14.02    13    1.25    1.25    .04 
11/30/2018   47.55    12    .95    .95        (3.62)   (3.62)   44.88    2.11    10    1.26    1.26    (.01)
Class R-3:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    43.85    .06    3.16    3.22                47.07    7.347    241    1.068    1.068    .258 
11/30/2022   63.34    (.07)   (14.75)   (14.82)       (4.67)   (4.67)   43.85    (25.26)   235    1.07    1.07    (.15)
11/30/2021   56.10    (.31)   9.01    8.70        (1.46)   (1.46)   63.34    15.80    339    1.06    1.06    (.51)
11/30/2020   46.34    (.03)   13.01    12.98    (.01)   (3.21)   (3.22)   56.10    29.88    322    1.07    1.07    (.07)
11/30/2019   44.58    .09    5.38    5.47    (.06)   (3.65)   (3.71)   46.34    14.20    303    1.10    1.10    .20 
11/30/2018   47.20    .07    .93    1.00        (3.62)   (3.62)   44.58    2.24    318    1.10    1.10    .15 
Class R-4:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.01    .13    3.26    3.39                48.40    7.487    235    .768    .768    .558 
11/30/2022   64.72    .07    (15.11)   (15.04)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.01    (25.03)   234    .76    .76    .15 
11/30/2021   57.13    (.13)   9.18    9.05        (1.46)   (1.46)   64.72    16.16    344    .76    .76    (.21)
11/30/2020   47.11    .11    13.24    13.35    (.12)   (3.21)   (3.33)   57.13    30.26    344    .77    .77    .23 
11/30/2019   45.29    .22    5.46    5.68    (.21)   (3.65)   (3.86)   47.11    14.54    332    .80    .80    .51 
11/30/2018   47.82    .21    .95    1.16    (.07)   (3.62)   (3.69)   45.29    2.57    382    .80    .80    .45 
Class R-5E:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.37    .17    3.28    3.45    (.06)       (.06)   48.76    7.627    69    .578    .578    .758 
11/30/2022   65.07    .17    (15.20)   (15.03)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.37    (24.89)   64    .57    .57    .35 
11/30/2021   57.43    (.01)   9.22    9.21    (.11)   (1.46)   (1.57)   65.07    16.38    85    .56    .56    (.02)
11/30/2020   47.39    .19    13.33    13.52    (.27)   (3.21)   (3.48)   57.43    30.53    71    .56    .56    .41 
11/30/2019   45.59    .26    5.53    5.79    (.34)   (3.65)   (3.99)   47.39    14.79    55    .57    .57    .59 
11/30/2018   48.17    .35    .91    1.26    (.22)   (3.62)   (3.84)   45.59    2.78    9    .58    .58    .73 
Class R-5:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    46.14    .20    3.33    3.53    (.11)       (.11)   49.56    7.687    77    .468    .468    .868 
11/30/2022   66.03    .22    (15.44)   (15.22)       (4.67)   (4.67)   46.14    (24.80)   74    .45    .45    .45 
11/30/2021   58.23    .06    9.35    9.41    (.15)   (1.46)   (1.61)   66.03    16.51    115    .45    .45    .10 
11/30/2020   47.96    .27    13.48    13.75    (.27)   (3.21)   (3.48)   58.23    30.66    123    .47    .47    .56 
11/30/2019   46.07    .36    5.54    5.90    (.36)   (3.65)   (4.01)   47.96    14.88    126    .49    .49    .81 
11/30/2018   48.56    .36    .96    1.32    (.19)   (3.62)   (3.81)   46.07    2.88    133    .50    .50    .76 
Class R-6:                                                                 
5/31/20235,6    45.95    .21    3.32    3.53    (.14)       (.14)   49.34    7.717    8,109    .428    .428    .908 
11/30/2022   65.75    .25    (15.38)   (15.13)       (4.67)   (4.67)   45.95    (24.77)   7,295    .41    .41    .52 
11/30/2021   57.99    .08    9.32    9.40    (.18)   (1.46)   (1.64)   65.75    16.55    8,271    .41    .41    .13 
11/30/2020   47.78    .24    13.47    13.71    (.29)   (3.21)   (3.50)   57.99    30.74    6,336    .42    .42    .50 
11/30/2019   45.92    .38    5.52    5.90    (.39)   (3.65)   (4.04)   47.78    14.94    3,834    .44    .44    .85 
11/30/2018   48.42    .39    .94    1.33    (.21)   (3.62)   (3.83)   45.92    2.92    3,026    .45    .45    .81 

 

Refer to the end of the table for footnotes.

 

The New Economy Fund 25
 

Financial highlights (continued)

 

    Six months ended   Year ended November 30,
    May 31, 20235,6,7    2022   2021   2020   2019   2018
Portfolio turnover rate for all share classes13    23%   35%   28% 14  38%   39%   38%

 

1  Based on average shares outstanding.
2  Total returns exclude any applicable sales charges, including contingent deferred sales charges.
3  This column reflects the impact, if any, of certain waivers/reimbursements from AFS and/or CRMC. During one of the years shown, AFS waived a portion of transfer agent services fees for Class F-3 shares. In addition, during some of the years shown, CRMC reimbursed a portion of transfer agent services fees for Class 529-F-3 shares.
4  Ratios do not include expenses of any Central Funds. The fund indirectly bears its proportionate share of the expenses of any Central Funds.
5  Based on operations for a period that is less than a full year.
6  Unaudited.
7  Not annualized.
8  Annualized.
9  All or a significant portion of assets in this class consisted of seed capital invested by CRMC and/or its affiliates. Fees for distribution services are not charged or accrued on these seed capital assets. If such fees were paid by the fund on seed capital assets, fund expenses would have been higher and net income and total return would have been lower.
10  Amount less than $1 million.
11  Class 529-F-2 and 529-F-3 shares began investment operations on October 30, 2020.
12  Amount less than $.01.
13  Rates do not include the fund’s portfolio activity with respect to any Central Funds.
14  Includes the value of securities sold due to redemptions of shares in-kind. The rate would have been 27% for the year ended November 30, 2021, if the value of securities sold due to in-kind redemptions were included.

 

Refer to the notes to financial statements.

 

26 The New Economy Fund

 
Expense example unaudited

 

As a fund shareholder, 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 six-month period (December 1, 2022, through May 31, 2023).

 

Actual expenses:

The first line of each share class in the table on the following 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 titled “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 following 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:

Retirement plan participants may be subject to certain fees charged by the plan sponsor, and Class F-1, F-2, F-3, 529-F-1, 529-F-2 and 529-F-3 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 on the following page 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.

 

The New Economy Fund 27

 

Expense example (continued)

 

  Beginning
account value
12/1/2022
  Ending
account value
5/31/2023
  Expenses paid
during period*
  Annualized
expense ratio
Class A – actual return  $1,000.00   $1,075.09   $3.98    .77%
Class A – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,021.09    3.88    .77 
Class C – actual return   1,000.00    1,071.01    7.90    1.53 
Class C – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,017.30    7.70    1.53 
Class T – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.63    2.54    .49 
Class T – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.49    2.47    .49 
Class F-1 – actual return   1,000.00    1,074.84    4.14    .80 
Class F-1 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,020.94    4.03    .80 
Class F-2 – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.26    2.69    .52 
Class F-2 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.34    2.62    .52 
Class F-3 – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.94    2.17    .42 
Class F-3 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.84    2.12    .42 
Class 529-A – actual return   1,000.00    1,074.83    4.19    .81 
Class 529-A – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,020.89    4.08    .81 
Class 529-C – actual return   1,000.00    1,070.64    8.21    1.59 
Class 529-C – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,017.00    8.00    1.59 
Class 529-E – actual return   1,000.00    1,073.59    5.38    1.04 
Class 529-E – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,019.75    5.24    1.04 
Class 529-T – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.27    2.80    .54 
Class 529-T – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.24    2.72    .54 
Class 529-F-1 – actual return   1,000.00    1,075.82    3.21    .62 
Class 529-F-1 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,021.84    3.13    .62 
Class 529-F-2 – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.50    2.59    .50 
Class 529-F-2 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.44    2.52    .50 
Class 529-F-3 – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.60    2.54    .49 
Class 529-F-3 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.49    2.47    .49 
Class R-1 – actual return   1,000.00    1,071.04    7.69    1.49 
Class R-1 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,017.50    7.49    1.49 
Class R-2 – actual return   1,000.00    1,070.99    7.80    1.51 
Class R-2 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,017.40    7.59    1.51 
Class R-2E – actual return   1,000.00    1,072.66    6.30    1.22 
Class R-2E – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,018.85    6.14    1.22 
Class R-3 – actual return   1,000.00    1,073.43    5.48    1.06 
Class R-3 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,019.65    5.34    1.06 
Class R-4 – actual return   1,000.00    1,074.84    3.93    .76 
Class R-4 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,021.14    3.83    .76 
Class R-5E – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.23    2.95    .57 
Class R-5E – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.09    2.87    .57 
Class R-5 – actual return   1,000.00    1,076.79    2.38    .46 
Class R-5 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.64    2.32    .46 
Class R-6 – actual return   1,000.00    1,077.09    2.17    .42 
Class R-6 – assumed 5% return   1,000.00    1,022.84    2.12    .42 

 

* 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).

 

28 The New Economy Fund

 

Liquidity Risk Management Program unaudited

 

The fund has adopted a liquidity risk management program (the “program”). The fund’s board has designated Capital Research and Management Company (“CRMC”) as the administrator of the program. Personnel of CRMC or its affiliates conduct the day-to-day operation of the program pursuant to policies and procedures administered by the Capital Group Liquidity Risk Management Committee.

 

Under the program, CRMC manages the fund’s liquidity risk, which is the risk that the fund could not meet shareholder redemption requests without significant dilution of remaining shareholders’ interests in the fund. This risk is managed by monitoring the degree of liquidity of the fund’s investments, limiting the amount of the fund’s illiquid investments, and utilizing various risk management tools and facilities available to the fund for meeting shareholder redemptions, among other means. CRMC’s process of determining the degree of liquidity of the fund’s investments is supported by one or more third-party liquidity assessment vendors.

 

The fund’s board reviewed a report prepared by CRMC regarding the operation and effectiveness of the program for the period October 1, 2021, through September 30, 2022. No significant liquidity events impacting the fund were noted in the report. In addition, CRMC provided its assessment that the program had been effective in managing the fund’s liquidity risk.

 

The New Economy Fund 29

 

 

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30 The New Economy Fund

 

 

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The New Economy Fund 31

 

 

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32 The New Economy Fund

 

 

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The New Economy Fund 33

 

 

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34 The New Economy Fund

 

 

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The New Economy Fund 35

 

Office of the fund

333 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-1406

 

Investment adviser

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

 

Transfer agent for shareholder accounts

American Funds Service Company

(Write to the address nearest 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 02111-2900

 

Counsel

O’Melveny & Myers LLP

400 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2899

 

Independent registered public accounting firm

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
601 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017-3874

 

Principal underwriter

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

 

36 The New Economy Fund

 

Investors should carefully consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. This and other important information is contained in the fund 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) 421-4225 or refer to the Capital Group website at capitalgroup.com.

 

“American Funds Proxy Voting Procedures and Principles” — which describes how we vote proxies relating to portfolio securities — is available on our 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 our website.

 

The New Economy Fund files a complete list of its portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form NPORT-P. The list of portfolio holdings is available free of charge on the SEC website and on our website.

 

This report is for the information of shareholders of The New Economy Fund, 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 September 30, 2023, this report must be accompanied by an American Funds statistical update for the most recently completed calendar quarter.

 

MSCI has not approved, reviewed or produced this report, makes no express or implied warranties or representations and is not liable whatsoever for any data in the report. You may not redistribute the MSCI data or use it as a basis for other indices or investment products.

 

American Funds Distributors, Inc.

 

The Capital Advantage®

 

Since 1931, Capital Group, home of American Funds, has helped investors pursue long-term investment success. Our consistent approach — in combination with The Capital SystemTM — has resulted in superior outcomes.

 

  Aligned with investor success
  We base our decisions on a long-term perspective, which we believe aligns our goals with the interests of our clients. Our portfolio managers average 28 years of investment industry experience, including 22 years at our company, reflecting a career commitment to our long-term approach.1
   
  The Capital System
  The Capital System combines individual accountability with teamwork. Funds using The Capital System are divided into portions that are managed independently by investment professionals with diverse backgrounds, ages and investment approaches. An extensive global research effort is the backbone of our system.
   
  American Funds’ superior outcomes
  Equity-focused funds have beaten their Lipper peer indexes in 90% of 10-year periods and 99% of 20-year periods.2 Relative to their peers, our fixed income funds have helped investors achieve better diversification through attention to correlation between bonds and equities.3 Fund management fees have been among the lowest in the industry.4

 

  1 Investment industry experience as of December 31, 2022.
  2 Based on Class F-2 share results for rolling monthly 10- and 20-year periods starting with the first 10- or 20-year period after each mutual fund’s inception through December 31, 2022. Periods covered are the shorter of the fund’s lifetime or since the comparable Lipper index inception date (except Capital Income Builder and SMALLCAP World Fund, for which the Lipper average was used). Expenses differ for each share class, so results will vary. Past results are not predictive of results in future periods.
  3 Based on Class F-2 share results as of December 31, 2022. Sixteen of the 18 fixed income American Funds that have been in existence for the three-year period showed a three-year correlation lower than their respective Morningstar peer group averages. S&P 500 Index was used as an equity market proxy. Correlation based on monthly total returns. Correlation is a statistical measure of how two securities move in relation to each other. A correlation ranges from –1 to 1. A positive correlation close to 1 implies that as one security moves, either up or down, the other security will move in “lockstep,” in the same direction. A negative correlation close to –1 indicates that the securities have moved in the opposite direction.
  4 On average, our mutual fund management fees were in the lowest quintile 62% of the time, based on the 20-year period ended December 31, 2022, versus comparable Lipper categories, excluding funds of funds.

 

Class F-2 shares were first offered on August 1, 2008. Class F-2 share results prior to the date of first sale are hypothetical based on the results of the original share class of the fund without a sales charge, adjusted for typical estimated expenses. Results for certain funds with an inception date after August 1, 2008, also include hypothetical returns because those funds’ Class F-2 shares sold after the funds’ date of first offering. Refer to capitalgroup.com for more information on specific expense adjustments and the actual dates of first sale.

 

All Capital Group trademarks mentioned are owned by The Capital Group Companies, Inc., an affiliated company or fund. All other company and product names mentioned are the property of their respective companies.

 

 

 

ITEM 2 – Code of Ethics

 

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.

 

ITEM 3 – Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.

 

ITEM 4 – Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.

 

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

 

Not applicable, insofar as the schedule is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.

 

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 semi-annual 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) Not applicable for filing of semi-annual reports to shareholders.
   
(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.

 

  THE NEW ECONOMY FUND
   
  By __/s/ Donald H. Rolfe____________________
 

Donald H. Rolfe,

Principal Executive Officer

   
  Date: July 31, 2023

 

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/ Donald H. Rolfe_________________

Donald H. Rolfe,

Principal Executive Officer

 
Date: July 31, 2023

 

 

 

By ___/s/ Gregory F. Niland    __________

Gregory F. Niland, Treasurer and

Principal Financial Officer

 
Date: July 31, 2023