SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-1A | |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (NO. 2-56846) UNDER | |
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | [X] |
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. | [ ] |
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 145 | [X] |
and |
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (NO. 811-02652) UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT
OF 1940
AMENDMENT NO. 146
[X]
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS |
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust) |
P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482 |
(Address of Principal Executive Office) |
Registrants Telephone Number (610) 669-1000 |
Heidi Stam, Esquire |
P.O. Box 876 |
Valley Forge, PA 19482 |
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: | |
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box) | |
[ ] | immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
[X] | on March 29, 2016, pursuant to paragraph (b) |
[ ] | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
[ ] | on (date), pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
[ ] | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
[ ] | on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box: | |
[ ] | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a |
previously filed post-effective amendment. |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund |
Prospectus |
March 29, 2016 |
Institutional Select Shares |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VFFSX) |
This prospectus contains financial data for the Fund through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 . |
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or |
passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. |
Contents | |||
Fund Summary | 1 | Investing With Vanguard | 20 |
Investing in Index Funds | 6 | Purchasing Shares | 21 |
More on the Fund | 7 | Converting Shares | 23 |
The Fund and Vanguard | 12 | Redeeming Shares | 25 |
Investment Advisor | 13 | Plan Participant Transactions | 27 |
Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes | 14 | Exchanging Shares | 28 |
Share Price | 16 | Frequent-Trading Limitations | 29 |
Financial Highlights | 18 | Other Rules You Should Know | 32 |
Fund and Account Updates | 35 | ||
Contacting Vanguard | 37 | ||
Additional Information | 38 | ||
Glossary of Investment Terms | 40 |
Fund Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of large-capitalization stocks.
Fees and Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Select Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees | |
(Fees paid directly from your investment) | |
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases | None |
Purchase Fee | None |
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends | None |
Redemption Fee | None |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | |
Management Fees | 0.00% |
12b-1 Distribution Fee | None |
Other Expenses | 0.01% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.01% |
1 The expense information shown in the table reflects estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
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Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds Institutional Select Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you invested $10,000 in the Funds shares. This example assumes that the Shares provide a return of 5% each year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. You would incur these hypothetical expenses whether or not you redeem your investment at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years |
$1 | $3 |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense example, reduce the Funds performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 3 % of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index, a widely recognized benchmark of U.S. stock market performance that is dominated by the stocks of large U.S. companies. The Fund attempts to replicate the target index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the stocks that make up the Index, holding each stock in approximately the same proportion as its weighting in the Index.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or even long periods. You should expect the Funds share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide rang e. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Funds performance:
Stock market risk , which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. The Funds target index tracks a subset of the U.S. stock market, which could cause the Fund to perform differently from the overall stock market. In addition, the Funds target index may, at times, become focused in stocks of a particular market
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sector, which would subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of that sector.
Investment style risk , which is the chance that returns from large-capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Large-cap stocks tend to go through cycles of doing betteror worsethan other segments of the stock market or the stock market in general. These periods have, in the past, lasted for as long as several years.
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Annual Total Returns
The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Because the Funds Institutional Select Shares have not yet begun operations, the information presented in the bar chart and table reflects the performance of the Admiral Shares of the Vanguard 500 Index Fund. (Admiral Shares are offered through a separate prospectus.) Performance of the Funds Institutional Select Shares would be substantially similar to that of the Admiral Shares because both share classes constitute an investment in the same portfolio of securities; their returns generally should differ only to the extent that the expenses of the two share classes differ. T he bar chart shows how the performance of the Funds Admiral Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Admiral Shares compare with those of the Funds target index, which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund . Keep in mind that the Funds past performance does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on our website at vanguard.com/performance or by calling Vanguard toll-free at 800-662-7447.
Annual Total Returns Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 15.99% (quarter ended June 30, 2009), and the lowest return for a quarter was 21.92% (quarter ended December 31, 2008).
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Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown in the preceding table. When after-tax returns are calculated, it is assumed that the shareholder was in the highest individual federal marginal income tax bracket at the time of each distribution of income or capital gains or upon redemption. State and local income taxes are not reflected in the calculations. After-tax returns are not relevant for a shareholder who holds fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan. Also, figures captioned Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other figures for the same period if a capital loss occurs upon redemption and results in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder.
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard)
Portfolio Manager
Michael H. Buek, CFA, Principal of Vanguard. He has managed the Fund since 1991.
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Institutional clients (such as defined contribution or benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and 529 plans) may purchase or redeem shares online (if you are registered for online access); through a trading platform; by mail (Vanguard, P.O. Box 1101, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1101); or by telephone (800-523-1036). The minimum investment amount required to open and maintain a Fund account for Institutional Select Shares is generally $5 billion. The minimum investment amount required to add to an existing Fund account is generally $1.
Tax Information
The Funds distributions may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gain. If you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, special tax rules apply.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Fund and its investment advisor do not pay financial intermediaries for sales of Fund shares.
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Investing in Index Funds
What Is Indexing?
Indexing is an investment strategy for tracking the performance of a specified market benchmark, or index. An index is a group of securities whose overall performance is used as a standard to measure the investment performance of a particular market. There are many types of indexes. Some represent entire marketssuch as the U.S. stock market or the U.S. bond market. Other indexes cover market segmentssuch as small-capitalization stocks or short-term bonds. The index sponsor determines the securities to include in the index, the weighting of each security in the index, and the appropriate time to make changes to the composition of the index. One cannot invest directly in an index.
An index fund holds all, or a representative sample, of the securities that make up its target index. Index funds attempt to mirror the performance of the target index, for better or worse. However, an index fund generally does not perform exactly like its target index. For example, like all mutual funds, index funds have operating expenses and transaction costs. Market indexes do not, and therefore they will usually have a slight performance advantage over funds that track them.
Index funds typically have the following characteristics:
Variety of investments. Most Vanguard index funds generally invest in the securities of a variety of companies and industries.
Relative performance consistency . Because they seek to track market benchmarks, index funds usually do not perform dramatically better or worse than their benchmarks.
Low cost . Index funds are inexpensive to run compared with actively managed funds.
They have low or no research costs and typically keep trading activityand thus brokerage commissions and other transaction coststo a minimum compared with actively managed funds.
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More on the Fund
This prospectus describes the principal risks you would face as a Fund shareholder. It is important to keep in mind one of the main axioms of investing: generally, the higher the risk of losing money, the higher the potential reward. The reverse, also, is generally true: the lower the risk, the lower the potential reward. As you consider an investment in any mutual fund, you should take into account your personal tolerance for fluctuations in the securities markets. Look for this symbol throughout the prospectus. It is used to mark detailed information about the more significant risks that you would confront as a Fund shareholder. To highlight terms and concepts important to mutual fund investors, we have provided Plain Talk ® explanations along the way. Reading the prospectus will help you decide whether the Fund is the right investment for you. We suggest that you keep this prospectus for future reference.
Share Class Overview
This prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Select Shares, which are generally for investors who invest a minimum of $5 billion. A separate prospectus offers the Funds Investor Shares, which generally have an investment minimum of $3,000, and Admiral Shares, which generally have an investment minimum of $10,000. In addition, the Fund issues an exchange-traded class of shares (ETF Shares), which are also offered through a separate prospectus.
All share classes offered by the Fund have the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. However, different share classes have different expenses; as a result, their investment performances will differ.
Plain Talk About Fund Expenses |
All mutual funds have operating expenses. These expenses, which are deducted |
from a funds gross income, are expressed as a percentage of the net assets of |
the fund. Assuming that operating expenses remain as stated in the Fees and |
Expenses section, Vanguard 500 Index Fund Institutional Select Shares expense |
ratio would be 0.01% , or $0.10 per $1,000 of average net assets. The average |
expense ratio for large-cap core funds in 2015 was 1.11% , or $11.10 per $1,000 of |
average net assets (derived from data provided by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters |
Company, which reports on the mutual fund industry). |
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Plain Talk About Costs of Investing |
Costs are an important consideration in choosing a mutual fund. That is because |
you, as a shareholder, pay a proportionate share of the costs of operating a fund, |
plus any transaction costs incurred when the fund buys or sells securities. These |
costs can erode a substantial portion of the gross income or the capital |
appreciation a fund achieves. Even seemingly small differences in expenses can, |
over time, have a dramatic effect on a funds performance. |
The following sections explain the principal investment strategies and policies that the Fund uses in pursuit of its objective. The Funds board of trustees, which oversees the Funds management, may change investment strategies or policies in the interest of shareholders without a shareholder vote, unless those strategies or policies are designated as fundamental. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the stocks that make up its target index. The Fund may change its 80% policy only upon 60 days notice to shareholders.
Market Exposure
The Fund is subject to stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. The Funds target index tracks a subset of the U.S. stock market, which could cause the Fund to perform differently from the overall stock market. In addition, the Funds target index may, at times, become focused in stocks of a particular market sector, which would subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of that sector.
To illustrate the volatility of stock prices, the following table shows the best, worst, and average annual total returns for the U.S. stock market over various periods as measured by the S&P 500 Index, a widely used barometer of U.S. stock market activity. Total returns consist of dividend income plus change in market price. Note that the returns shown do not include the costs of buying and selling stocks or other expenses that a real-world investment portfolio would incur.
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U .S. Stock Market Returns | ||||
(19262015) | ||||
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | 20 Years | |
Best | 54.2% | 28.6% | 19.9% | 17.8% |
Worst | 43.1 | 12.4 | 1.4 | 3.1 |
Average | 11.9 | 10.0 | 10.4 | 11.1 |
The table covers all of the rolling 1-, 5-, 10-, and 20-year periods from 1926 through 2015 . You can see, for example, that although the average annual return on common stocks for all of the 5-year periods was 10%, average annual returns for individual 5-year periods ranged from 12.4% (from 1928 through 1932) to 28.6% (from 1995 through 1999). These average annual returns reflect past performance of common stocks; you should not regard them as an indication of future performance of either the stock market as a whole or the Fund in particular.
Stocks of publicly traded companies and funds that invest in stocks are often classified according to market value, or market capitalization. These classifications typically include small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap. It is important to understand that, for both companies and stock funds, market-capitalization ranges change over time. Also, interpretations of size vary, and there are no official definitions of small-, mid-, and large-cap, even among Vanguard fund advisors. The asset-weighted median market capitalization of the Funds stock holdings as of December 31, 2015 , was $81 billion.
The Fund is subject to investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from large-capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Large-cap stocks tend to go through cycles of doing betteror worsethan other segments of the stock market or the stock market in general. These periods have, in the past, lasted for as long as several years.
Security Selection
The Fund attempts to track the investment performance of a benchmark index that measures the return of predominantly large-cap stocks. The Fund uses the replication method of indexing, meaning that it generally holds the same stocks as its target index and in approximately the same proportions.
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Other Investment Policies and Risks
The Fund reserves the right to substitute a different index for the index it currently tracks if the current index is discontinued, if the Funds agreement with the sponsor of its target index is terminated, or for any other reason determined in good faith by the Funds board of trustees. In any such instance, the substitute index would represent the same market segment as the current index.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities to the extent necessary to carry out its investment strategy of holding all, or substantially all, of the stocks that make up the index it tracks. It is not expected that the Fund will invest more than 5% of its assets in foreign securities.
To track its target index as closely as possible, the Fund attempts to remain fully invested in stocks. To help stay fully invested and to reduce transaction costs, the Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in derivatives, including stock futures. The Fund may also use derivatives such as total return swaps to obtain exposure to a stock, a basket of stocks, or an index. Generally speaking, a derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a financial asset (such as a stock, a bond, or a currency), a physical asset (such as gold, oil, or wheat), a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index), or a reference rate (such as LIBOR). Investments in derivatives may subject the Fund to risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of investments directly in the underlying securities or assets. The Fund will not use derivatives for speculation or for the purpose of leveraging (magnifying) investment returns.
Cash Management
The Funds daily cash balance may be invested in one or more Vanguard CMT Funds, which are very low-cost money market funds. When investing in a Vanguard CMT Fund, the Fund bears its proportionate share of the at-cost expenses of the CMT Fund in which it invests. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in a Vanguard CMT Fund.
Temporary Investment Measures
The Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies when the advisor believes that doing so is in the Funds best interest, so long as the alternative is consistent with the Funds investment objective. For instance, the Fund may invest beyond its normal limits in derivatives or exchange-traded funds that are consistent with the Funds objective when those instruments are more favorably priced or provide needed liquidity, as might be the case when the Fund receives large cash flows that it cannot prudently invest immediately.
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Frequent Trading or Market-Timing
Background. Some investors try to profit from strategies involving frequent trading of mutual fund shares, such as market-timing. For funds holding foreign securities, investors may try to take advantage of an anticipated difference between the price of the funds shares and price movements in overseas markets, a practice also known as time-zone arbitrage. Investors also may try to engage in frequent trading of funds holding investments such as small-cap stocks and high-yield bonds. As money is shifted into and out of a fund by a shareholder engaging in frequent trading, the fund incurs costs for buying and selling securities, resulting in increased brokerage and administrative costs. These costs are borne by all fund shareholders, including the long-term investors who do not generate the costs. In addition, frequent trading may interfere with an advisors ability to efficiently manage the fund.
Policies to address frequent trading. The Vanguard funds (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) do not knowingly accommodate frequent trading. The board of trustees of each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and discourage frequent trading and, in some cases, to compensate the fund for the costs associated with it. These policies and procedures do not apply to Vanguard ETF ® Shares because frequent trading in ETF Shares generally does not disrupt portfolio management or otherwise harm fund shareholders. Although there is no assurance that Vanguard will be able to detect or prevent frequent trading or market-timing in all circumstances, the following policies have been adopted to address these issues:
Each Vanguard fund reserves the right to reject any purchase requestincluding exchanges from other Vanguard fundswithout notice and regardless of size. For example, a purchase request could be rejected because the investor has a history of frequent trading or if Vanguard determines that such purchase may negatively affect a funds operation or performance.
Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) generally prohibits, except as otherwise noted in the Investing With Vanguard section, a participant from exchanging into a fund account for 30 calendar days (60 calendar days for participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) after the participant has exchanged out of that fund account.
Certain Vanguard funds charge shareholders purchase and/or redemption fees on transactions.
See the Investing With Vanguard section of this prospectus for further details on Vanguards transaction policies.
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Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds), in determining its net asset value, will use fair-value pricing when appropriate, as described in the Share Price section. Fair-value pricing may reduce or eliminate the profitability of certain frequent-trading strategies.
Do not invest with Vanguard if you are a market-timer.
Turnover Rate
Although the Fund generally seeks to invest for the long term, it may sell securities regardless of how long they have been held. Generally, an index fund sells securities in response to redemption requests from shareholders of conventional (not exchange-traded) shares or to changes in the composition of its target index. Turnover rates for large-cap stock index funds tend to be low because large-cap indexessuch as the S&P 500 Indextypically do not change significantly from year to year. The Financial Highlights section of this prospectus shows historical turnover rates for the Fund. A turnover rate of 100%, for example, would mean that the Fund had sold and replaced securities valued at 100% of its net assets within a one-year period. The average turnover rate for domestic stock funds was approximately 65 %, as reported by Morningstar, Inc., on December 31, 2015 .
Plain Talk About Turnover Rate |
Before investing in a mutual fund, you should review its turnover rate. This gives |
an indication of how transaction costs, which are not included in the funds |
expense ratio, could affect the funds future returns. In general, the greater the |
volume of buying and selling by the fund, the greater the impact that brokerage |
commissions and other transaction costs will have on its return. Also, funds with |
high turnover rates may be more likely to generate capital gains, including short- |
term capital gains, that must be distributed to shareholders. |
The Fund and Vanguard
The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group, a family of more than 190 mutual funds holding assets of approximately $3 trillion. All of the funds that are members of The Vanguard Group (other than funds of funds) share in the expenses associated with administrative services and business operations, such as personnel, office space, and equipment.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation provides marketing services to the funds. Although shareholders do not pay sales commissions or 12b-1 distribution fees, each fund (other than a fund of funds) or each share class of a fund (in the case of a fund with multiple share classes) pays its allocated share of the Vanguard funds marketing costs.
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Plain Talk About Vanguards Unique Corporate Structure |
The Vanguard Group is truly a mutual mutual fund company. It is owned jointly by |
the funds it oversees and thus indirectly by the shareholders in those funds. |
Most other mutual funds are operated by management companies that may be |
owned by one person, by a private group of individuals, or by public investors |
who own the management companys stock. The management fees charged by |
these companies include a profit component over and above the companies cost |
of providing services. By contrast, Vanguard provides services to its member |
funds on an at-cost basis, with no profit component, which helps to keep the |
funds expenses low. |
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482, which began operations in 1975, serves as advisor to the Fund through its Equity Index Group. As of December 31, 2015 , Vanguard served as advisor for approximately $2.6 trillion in assets. Vanguard provides investment advisory services to the Fund on an at-cost basis, subject to the supervision and oversight of the trustees and officers of the Fund.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 , the advisory expenses represented an effective annual rate of 0.01% of the Funds average net assets.
For a discussion of why the board of trustees approved the Funds investment advisory arrangement, see the most recent semiannual report to shareholders covering the fiscal period ended June 30.
The manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund is:
Michael H. Buek , CFA, Principal of Vanguard. He has been with Vanguard since 1987, and has managed investment portfolios, including the Fund, since 1991. Education: B.S., University of Vermont; M.B.A., Villanova University.
The Statement of Additional Information provides information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts under management, and ownership of shares of the Fund.
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Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes
Fund Distributions
The Fund distributes to shareholders virtually all of its net income (interest and dividends, less expenses) as well as any net short-term or long-term capital gains realized from the sale of its holdings. Income dividends generally are distributed quarterly in March, June, September, and December; capital gains distributions, if any, generally occur annually in December. In addition, the Fund may occasionally make a supplemental distribution at some other time during the year. You can receive distributions of income or capital gains in cash, or you can have them automatically reinvested in more shares of the Fund.
Plain Talk About Distributions |
As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a funds income from interest |
and dividends as well as capital gains from the funds sale of investments. |
Income consists of both the dividends that the fund earns from any stock |
holdings and the interest it receives from any money market and bond |
investments. Capital gains are realized whenever the fund sells securities for |
higher prices than it paid for them. These capital gains are either short-term or |
long-term, depending on whether the fund held the securities for one year or less |
or for more than one year. |
Basic Tax Points
Vanguard will send you a statement each year showing the tax status of all of your distributions. In addition, investors in taxable accounts should be aware of the following basic federal income tax points:
Distributions are taxable to you whether or not you reinvest these amounts in additional Fund shares.
Distributions declared in Decemberif paid to you by the end of Januaryare taxable as if received in December.
Any dividend distribution or short-term capital gains distribution that you receive is taxable to you as ordinary income. If you are an individual and meet certain holding-period requirements with respect to your Fund shares, you may be eligible for reduced tax rates on qualified dividend income, if any, distributed by the Fund.
Any distribution of net long-term capital gains is taxable to you as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned shares in the Fund.
Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of the Funds normal investment activities and cash flows.
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A sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable event. This means that you may have
a capital gain to report as income, or a capital loss to report as a deduction, when you
complete your tax return.
Any conversion between classes of shares of the same fund is a nontaxable event. By contrast, an exchange between classes of shares of different funds is a taxable event.
Individuals, trusts, and estates whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. Net investment income takes into account distributions paid by the Fund and capital gains from any sale or exchange of Fund shares.
Dividend distributions and capital gains distributions that you receive, as well as your gains or losses from any sale or exchange of Fund shares, may be subject to state and local income taxes.
This prospectus provides general tax information only. If you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, special tax rules apply. Please consult your tax advisor for detailed information about any tax consequences for you.
Plain Talk About Buying a Dividend |
Unless you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account (such as an |
IRA), you should consider avoiding a purchase of fund shares shortly before the |
fund makes a distribution, because doing so can cost you money in taxes. This is |
known as buying a dividend. For example: On December 15, you invest $5,000, |
buying 250 shares for $20 each. If the fund pays a distribution of $1 per share on |
December 16, its share price will drop to $19 (not counting market change). You |
still have only $5,000 (250 shares x $19 = $4,750 in share value, plus 250 shares |
x $1 = $250 in distributions), but you owe tax on the $250 distribution you |
receivedeven if you reinvest it in more shares. To avoid buying a dividend, check |
a funds distribution schedule before you invest. |
General Information
Backup withholding. By law, Vanguard must withhold 28% of any taxable distributions or redemptions from your account if you do not:
Provide us with your correct taxpayer identification number.
Certify that the taxpayer identification number is correct.
Confirm that you are not subject to backup withholding.
Similarly, Vanguard must withhold taxes from your account if the IRS instructs us to do so.
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Foreign investors. Vanguard funds offered for sale in the United States (Vanguard U.S. funds), including the Fund offered in this prospectus, are not widely available outside the United States . Non-U.S. investors should be aware that U.S. withholding and estate taxes and certain U.S. tax reporting requirements may apply to any investments in Vanguard U.S. funds. Foreign investors should visit the Non-U.S. Investors page on our website at vanguard.com for information on Vanguards non-U.S. products.
Invalid addresses. If a dividend distribution or capital gains distribution check mailed to your address of record is returned as undeliverable, Vanguard will automatically reinvest the distribution and all future distributions until you provide us with a valid mailing address. Reinvestments will receive the net asset value calculated on the date of the reinvestment.
Share Price
Share price, also known as net asset value (NAV), is calculated each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. Each share class has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to the share class by the number of Fund shares outstanding for that class. On U.S. holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated, and the Fund does not sell or redeem shares. However, on those days the value of the Funds assets may be affected to the extent that the Fund holds securities that change in value on those days (such as foreign securities that trade on foreign markets that are open).
Stocks held by a Vanguard fund are valued at their market value when reliable market quotations are readily available from the principal exchange or market on which they are traded. Such securities are generally valued at their official closing price, the last reported sales price, or if there were no sales that day, the mean between the closing bid and asking prices. Certain short-term debt instruments used to manage a funds cash may be valued at amortized cost when it approximates fair value . The values of any foreign securities held by a fund are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate obtained from an independent third party as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. The values of any mutual fund shares held by a fund are based on the NAVs of the shares. The values of any ETF or closed-end fund shares held by a fund are based on the market value of the shares.
When a fund determines that market quotations either are not readily available or do not accurately reflect the value of a security, the security is priced at its fair value (the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security). A fund also will use fair-value pricing if the value of a security it holds has been materially affected by events occurring before the funds pricing time but after the close of the principal exchange or market on which the security is traded. This
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most commonly occurs with foreign securities, which may trade on foreign exchanges that close many hours before the funds pricing time. Intervening events might be company-specific (e.g., earnings report, merger announcement) or country-specific or regional/global (e.g., natural disaster, economic or political news, act of terrorism, interest rate change). Intervening events include price movements in U.S. markets that exceed a specified threshold or that are otherwise deemed to affect the value of foreign securities. Fair-value pricing may be used for domestic securitiesfor example, if (1) trading in a security is halted and does not resume before the funds pricing time or a security does not trade in the course of a day and (2) the fund holds enough of the security that its price could affect the NAV.
Fair-value prices are determined by Vanguard according to procedures adopted by the board of trustees. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a fund to calculate the NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.
Vanguard fund share prices are published daily on our website at vanguard.com/prices.
17
Financial Highlights
The following financial highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Admiral Shares financial performance for the periods shown, and certain information reflects financial results for a single Admiral share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost each period on an investment in the Admiral Shares (assuming reinvestment of all distributions). This information has been obtained from the financial statements audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose reportalong with the Funds financial statementsis included in the Funds most recent annual report to shareholders. You may obtain a free copy of the latest annual or semiannual report by visiting vanguard.com or by contacting Vanguard by telephone or mail.
Note: This prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Select Shares. Information for the Funds Admiral Shares is shown here because the Funds Institutional Select Shares have not begun operations and therefore have no financial highlights information for the periods shown. However, both share classes invest in the same portfolio of securities and will have the same financial performance, except to the extent that their operating expenses differ.
Plain Talk About How to Read the Financial Highlights Table |
The Admiral Shares began fiscal year 2015 with a net asset value (share price) of |
$189.89 per share. During the year, each Admiral Share earned $3.990 from |
investment income (interest and dividends) There was a decline of $1.439 per |
share in the value of investments held or sold by the Fund, resulting in a net gain |
of $2.551 per share from investment operations |
Shareholders received $3.961 per share in the form of dividend distributions. A |
portion of each years distributions may come from the prior years income or |
capital gains. |
The share price at the end of the year was $188.48, reflecting earnings of $2.551 |
per share and distributions of $3.961 per share. This was a decrease of $1.41 per |
share (from $189.89 at the beginning of the year to $188.48 at the end of the |
year). For a shareholder who reinvested the distributions in the purchase of more |
shares, the total return was 1.36% for the year. |
As of December 31, 2015, the Admiral Shares had approximately $152.7 billion in |
net assets. For the year, the expense ratio was 0.05% ($0.50 per $1,000 of net |
assets), and the net investment income amounted to 2.11% of average net |
assets. The Fund sold and replaced securities valued at 3% of its net assets. |
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500 Index Fund Admiral Shares | |||||
Year Ended December 31, | |||||
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $189.89 | $170.36 | $131.37 | $115.80 | $115.83 |
Investment Operations | |||||
Net Investment Income | 3.990 | 3.544 | 3.142 | 2.866 | 2.391 |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | |||||
on Investments | (1.439) | 19.503 | 38.980 | 15.560 | (.031) |
Total from Investment Operations | 2.551 | 23.047 | 42.122 | 18.426 | 2.360 |
Distributions | |||||
Dividends from Net Investment Income | (3.961) | (3.517) | (3.132) | (2.856) | (2.390) |
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains | | | | | |
Total Distributions | (3.961) | (3.517) | (3.132) | (2.856) | (2.390) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $188.48 | $189.89 | $170.36 | $131.37 | $115.80 |
Total Return 1 | 1.36% | 13.64% | 32.33% | 15.96% | 2.08% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||||
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $152,740 $143,043 | $82,357 | $59,749 | $51,925 | |
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% |
Ratio of Net Investment Income to | |||||
Average Net Assets | 2.11% | 2.00% | 2.07% | 2.25% | 2.04% |
Portfolio Turnover Rate 2 | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% |
1 Total returns do not include account service fees that may have applied in the periods shown.
2 Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the Funds capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.
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Investing With Vanguard
This section of the prospectus explains the basics of doing business with Vanguard. Vanguard fund shares can be held directly with Vanguard or indirectly through an intermediary, such as a bank, a broker, or an investment advisor. If you hold Vanguard fund shares directly with Vanguard, you should carefully read each topic within this section that pertains to your relationship with Vanguard. If you hold Vanguard fund shares indirectly through an intermediary (including shares held through a Vanguard brokerage account), please see Investing With Vanguard Through Other Firms , and also refer to your account agreement with the intermediary for information about transacting in that account. Vanguard reserves the right to change the following policies without notice. Please call or check online for current information. See
Contacting Vanguard.
For Vanguard fund shares held directly with Vanguard, each fund you hold in an account is a separate fund account. For example, if you hold three funds in a corporate account and offer six funds in a defined contribution plan account, you have two fund accounts and this is true even if you hold the same fund in multiple accounts. Note that each reference to you in this prospectus applies to any one or more registered account owners or persons authorized to transact on your account.
For Plan Participants
If Institutional Select Shares of the Fund are an investment option in your retirement or savings pla n, y our plan administrator or your employee benefits office can provide you with detailed information on how to participate in your plan and how to elect the Fund as an investment option. If you have any questions about the Fund or Vanguard, including those about the Funds investment objective, strategies, or risks, contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188.
If you have questions about your account, contact your plan administrator or the organization that provides recordkeeping services for your plan.
Be sure to carefully read each topic that pertains to plan participant transactions with Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right to change its policies without notice to shareholders.
Investment Options and Allocations
Your plans specific provisions may allow you to change your investment selections, the amount of your contributions, or the allocation of your contributions among the investment choices available to you. Contact your plan administrator or employee benefits office for more details.
See Plan Participant Transactions.
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Purchasing Shares
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to increase or decrease the minimum amount required to open, convert shares to, or maintain a fund account or to add to an existing fund account.
Investment minimums may differ for certain categories of investors.
Account Minimums for Institutional Select Shares
To open and maintain an account. Generally $5 billion. Available only to institutional clients (such as defined contribution or benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and 529 plans).
Investment minimums may differ for a Vanguard collective investment trust with a similar mandate.
How to Initiate a Purchase Request
Be sure to check Exchanging Shares, Frequent-Trading Limitations, and Other Rules You Should Know before placing your purchase request.
New clients interested in purchasing Institutional Select Shares in a fund account should contact their Vanguard Sales Executive or call 800-523-1036.
Existing clients interested in purchasing additional shares or exchanging shares may make a request by contacting their Vanguard Relationship Manager , s ubmitting a request through a trading platform, or making a request by mail (Vanguard, P.O. Box 1101, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1101).
Certain Vanguard institutional clients may meet the minimum investment amount by aggregating separate accounts within the same Fund. This aggregation policy does not apply to financial intermediaries.
Vanguard may charge additional recordkeeping fees for institutional clients whose accounts are recordkept by Vanguard. Please contact your Vanguard representative to determine whether additional recordkeeping fees apply to your account.
To add to an existing account . Generally $1.
How to Pay for a Purchase
By electronic bank transfer or wire. You may purchase Institutional Select Shares by an electronic bank transfer or by wire. Wiring instructions vary for different types of purchases. Please contact your Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Sales Executive for instructions and policies on purchasing shares by wire. See
Contacting Vanguard.
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By exchange. You may purchase shares of a Vanguard fund using the proceeds from the simultaneous redemption of shares of another Vanguard fund. You may initiate an exchange online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See
Exchanging Shares.
Your purchase or exchange request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. All new and existing clients are encouraged to contact their Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Sales Executive to discuss options for purchasing or exchanging shares.
Trade Date
The trade date for any purchase request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request, the manner in which you are paying, and the type of fund you are purchasing. Your purchase will be executed using the net asset value (NAV) as calculated on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for trading (a business day).
For purchases by check into all funds other than money market funds and for purchases by exchange , wire , or electronic bank transfer (not using an Automatic Investment Plan) into all funds: If the purchase request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date for the purchase will be the same day. If the purchase request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date for the purchase will be the next business day.
For purchases by check into money market funds: If the purchase request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date for the purchase will be the next business day. If the purchase request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date for the purchase will be the second business day following the day Vanguard receives the purchase request. Because money market instruments must be purchased with federal funds and it takes a money market mutual fund one business day to convert check proceeds into federal funds, the trade date for the purchase will be one business day later than for other funds.
If your purchase request is not accurate and complete, it may be rejected. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order .
For further information about purchase transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
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Other Purchase Rules You Should Know
New accounts. We are required by law to obtain from you certain personal information that we will use to verify your identity. If you do not provide the information, we may not be able to open your account. If we are unable to verify your identity, Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to close your account or take such other steps as we deem reasonable. Certain types of accounts may require additional documentation.
Refused or rejected purchase requests. Vanguard reserves the right to stop selling fund shares or to reject any purchase request at any time and without notice, including, but not limited to, purchases requested by exchange from another Vanguard fund. This also includes the right to reject any purchase request because the investor has a history of frequent trading or because the purchase may negatively affect a funds operation or performance.
Large purchases. Call Vanguard before attempting to invest a large dollar amount.
No cancellations. Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any purchase request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a purchase request.
Converting Shares
When a conversion occurs, you receive shares of one class in place of shares of another class of the same fund. At the time of conversion, the dollar value of the new shares you receive equals the dollar value of the old shares that were converted. In other words, the conversion has no effect on the value of your investment in the fund at the time of the conversion. However, the number of shares you own after the conversion may be greater than or less than the number of shares you owned before the conversion, depending on the NAV s of the two share classes.
Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any self-directed conversion request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a conversion request.
A conversion between share classes of the same fund is a nontaxable event.
Trade Date
The trade date for any conversion request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request. Your conversion will be executed using the NAVs of the different share classes on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the NYSE is open for trading (a business day).
For a conversion request (other than a request to convert to ETF Shares) received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date will be the same day. For a conversion request received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a
23
nonbusiness day, the trade date will be the next business day. See Other Rules You Should Know .
Conversions to Institutional Select Shares
You are eligible for a self-directed conversion from another share class to Institutional Select Shares of the same Fund (if available), provided that your account meets all eligibility requirements. You may request a conversion through our website (if you are registered for online access), through a trading platform, by mail, or by telephone. Accounts that qualify for Institutional Select Shares will not be automatically converted.
Conversions to ETF Shares
Owners of conventional shares (i.e., not exchange-traded shares) issued by the Fund may convert those shares to ETF Shares of equivalent value of the same fund. Please note that investors who own conventional shares through a 401(k) plan or other employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plan generally may not convert those shares to ETF Shares and should check with their plan sponsor or recordkeeper. ETF Shares, whether acquired through a conversion or purchased on the secondary market, cannot be converted to conventional shares. Also, ETF Shares of one fund cannot be exchanged for ETF Shares of another fund.
ETF Shares must be held in a brokerage account. Thus, before converting conventional shares to ETF Shares, you must have an existing, or open a new, brokerage account. This account may be with Vanguard Brokerage Services ® (Vanguard Brokerage) or with any other brokerage firm.
Vanguard Brokerage does not impose a fee on conversions from conventional shares to Vanguard ETF Shares. However, other brokerage firms may charge a fee to process a conversion. Vanguard reserves the right, in the future, to impose a transaction fee on conversions or to limit or terminate the conversion privilege. For additional information on converting conventional shares to ETF Shares, please contact Vanguard to obtain a prospectus for ETF Shares. See Contacting Vanguard .
Mandatory Conversions to Another Share Class
If an account no longer meets the balance requirements for a share class, Vanguard may automatically convert the shares in the account to another share class, as appropriate. A decline in the account balance because of market movement may result in such a conversion. Vanguard will notify the investor in writing before any mandatory conversion occurs. Please note that mandatory conversions do not apply to ETF Shares.
24
Redeeming Shares
How to Initiate a Redemption Request
Be sure to check Exchanging Shares, Frequent-Trading Limitations , and Other Rules You Should Know before placing your redemption request.
Online. You may request a redemption of shares or request an exchange through our website i f you are registered for online access. In addition, clients may also process redemption requests through a trading platform.
By telephone. You may cal l your Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Client Account Manage r to request a redemption of shares or an exchange. See
Contacting Vanguard .
By mail. You may send a written request to Vanguard to redeem from a fund account or to make an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard .
How to Receive Redemption Proceeds
By electronic bank transfer. You may have the proceeds of a fund redemption sent directly to a designated bank account. Your redemption request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail.
By wire. To receive your proceeds by wire, you may instruct Vanguard to wire your redemption proceed s to a d esignated bank accoun t.
By exchange. You may have the proceeds of a Vanguard fund redemption invested directly in shares of another Vanguard fund. You may initiate an exchange online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See Exchanging Share s .
Trade Date
The trade date for any redemption request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request and the manner in which you are redeeming. Your redemption will be executed using the NAV as calculated on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the NYSE is open for trading (a business day).
For redemptions by check , exchange , or wire : If the redemption request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date will be the same day. If the redemption request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date will be the next business day.
Note on timing of wire redemptions from money market funds: For telephone requests received by Vanguard on a business day before 10:45 a.m., Eastern time (2 p.m., Eastern time, for Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund), the redemption
25
proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business the same day. For telephone requests received by Vanguard on a business day after those cut-off times, or on a nonbusiness day, and for all requests other than by telephone, the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the next business day.
Note on timing of wire redemptions from all other funds: For requests received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the next business day. For requests received by Vanguard on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the second business day after Vanguard receives the request.
If your redemption request is not accurate and complete, it may be rejected. If we are unable to send your redemption proceeds by wire or electronic bank transfer because the receiving institution rejects the transfer, Vanguard will make additional efforts to complete your transaction. If Vanguard is still unable to complete the transaction, we may send the proceeds of the redemption to you by check, generally payable to all registered account owners, or use your proceeds to purchase new shares of the fund from which you sold shares for the purpose of the wire or electronic bank transfer transaction. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order .
For further information about redemption transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
Other Redemption Rules You Should Know
Documentation for certain accounts. Special documentation may be required to redeem from certain types of accounts, such as trust, corporate, nonprofit, or retirement accounts. Please call us before attempting to redeem from these types of accounts.
Potentially disruptive redemptions. Vanguard reserves the right to pay all or part of a redemption in kindthat is, in the form of securitiesif we reasonably believe that a cash redemption would negatively affect the funds operation or performance or that the shareholder may be engaged in market-timing or frequent trading. Under these circumstances, Vanguard also reserves the right to delay payment of the redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days. By calling us before you attempt to redeem a large dollar amount, you may avoid in-kind or delayed payment of your redemption. Please see Frequent-Trading Limitations for information about Vanguards policies to limit frequent trading.
26
Recently purchased shares. Although you can redeem shares at any time, proceeds may not be made available to you until the fund collects payment for your purchase. This may take up to seven calendar days for shares purchased by check or by electronic bank transfer. If you have written a check on a fund with checkwriting privileges, that check may be rejected if your fund account does not have a sufficient available balance.
Share certificates. Share certificates are no longer issued for Vanguard funds. Shares currently held in certificates cannot be redeemed, exchanged, converted, or transferred (reregistered) until you return the certificates (unsigned) to Vanguard by registered mail. For the correct address, see Contacting Vanguard .
Address change. If you change your address online or by telephone, there may be up to a 14-day restriction on your ability to request check redemptions online and by telephone. You can request a redemption in writing at any time. Confirmations of address changes are sent to both the old and new addresses.
Payment to a different person or address. At your request, we can make your redemption check payable, or wire your redemption proceeds, to a different person or send it to a different address. However, this generally requires the written consent of all registered account owners and may require additional documentation, such as a signature guarantee or a notarized signature. You may obtain a signature guarantee from some commercial or savings banks, credit unions, trust companies, or member firms of a U.S. stock exchange.
No cancellations. Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any redemption request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a redemption request.
Emergency circumstances. Vanguard funds can postpone payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days. In addition, Vanguard funds can suspend redemptions and/or postpone payments of redemption proceeds beyond seven calendar days at times when the NYSE is closed or during emergency circumstances, as determined by the SEC.
Plan Participant Transactions
Plan participant transaction requests (e.g., a contribution, an exchange, or a redemption) must be in good order. Good order means that Vanguard has determined that (1) your transaction request includes complete information and (2) appropriate assets are already in your account or new assets have been received or, if funded via ACH, credited to your account.
Processing times for your transaction requests may differ among recordkeepers or among transaction and funding types. Your plans recordkeeper (which may also be Vanguard) will determine the necessary processing time frames for your transaction
27
requests prior to submission to the Fund. Consult your recordkeeper or plan administrator for more information.
Your transaction will then be based on the next-determined NAV of the Funds Institutional Select Shares. If your transaction request is received in good order before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), you will receive that days NAV and trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days the NYSE is open for trading.
If Vanguard is serving as your plan recordkeeper and if your transaction involves one or more investments with an early cut-off time for processing or another trading restriction, your entire transaction will be subject to the restriction when the trade date for your transaction is determined.
Exchanging Shares
An exchange occurs when you use the proceeds from the redemption of shares of one Vanguard fund to simultaneously purchase shares of a different Vanguard fund. You can make exchange requests online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See Purchasing Shares and Redeeming Shares .
If the NYSE is open for regular trading (generally until 4 p.m., Eastern time, on a business day) at the time an exchange request is received in good order, the trade date generally will be the same day. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order for additional information on all transaction requests.
Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any exchange request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing an exchange request.
Please note that Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount of any exchange, or reject an exchange, at any time, for any reason. See Frequent-Trading Limitations for additional restrictions on exchanges.
Plan participants should consider the following before making an exchange to or from another fund available in your plan:
Certain investment options, particularly funds made up of company stock or investment contracts, may be subject to unique restrictions.
Vanguard can accept exchanges only as permitted by your plan. Contact your plan administrator for details on other exchange policies that apply to your plan.
Before making an exchange into another fund, it is important to read that funds prospectus. To obtain a copy, please contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188.
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Frequent-Trading Limitations
Because excessive transactions can disrupt management of a fund and increase the funds costs for all shareholders, the board of trustees of each Vanguard fund places certain limits on frequent trading in the funds. Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) limits an investors purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days (60 calendar days for participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) after the investor has redeemed or exchanged out of that fund account. ETF Shares are not subject to these frequent-trading limits.
For Vanguard Retirement Investment Program pooled plans, the limitations apply to exchanges made online or by telephone.
These frequent-trading limitations do not apply to the following:
Purchases of shares with reinvested dividend or capital gains distributions.
Transactions through Vanguards Automatic Investment Plan, Automatic Exchange
Service, Direct Deposit Service, Automatic Withdrawal Plan, Required Minimum Distribution Service, and Vanguard Small Business Online ® .
Discretionary transactions through Vanguard Asset Management Services , Vanguard Personal Advisor Services ® , and Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services ® .
Redemptions of shares to pay fund or account fees.
Redemptions of shares to remove excess shareholder contributions to certain
types of retirement accounts (including, but not limited to, IRAs, certain Individual 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans).
Transaction requests submitted by mail to Vanguard from shareholders who hold their accounts directly with Vanguard or through a Vanguard brokerage account. (Transaction requests submitted by fax, if otherwise permitted, are subject to the limitations.)
Transfers and reregistrations of shares within the same fund.
Purchases of shares by asset transfer or direct rollover.
Conversions of shares from one share class to another in the same fund.
Checkwriting redemptions.
Section 529 college savings plans.
Certain approved institutional portfolios and asset allocation programs, as well as
trades made by funds or trusts managed by Vanguard or its affiliates that invest in other Vanguard funds. (Please note that shareholders of Vanguards funds of funds are subject to the limitations.)
29
For participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans,* the frequent-trading limitations do not apply to:
Purchases of shares with participant payroll or employer contributions or loan repayments.
Purchases of shares with reinvested dividend or capital gains distributions.
Distributions, loans, and in-service withdrawals from a plan.
Redemptions of shares as part of a plan termination or at the direction of the plan.
Transactions executed through the Vanguard Managed Account Program.
Redemptions of shares to pay fund or account fees.
Share or asset transfers or rollovers.
Reregistrations of shares.
Conversions of shares from one share class to another in the same fund.
Exchange requests submitted by written request to Vanguard. (Exchange requests
submitted by fax, if otherwise permitted, are subject to the limitations.)
The exchange privilege (your ability to purchase shares of a fund using the proceeds from the simultaneous redemption of shares of another fund) may be available to you through your plan. Although we make every effort to maintain the exchange privilege, Vanguard reserves the right to revise or terminate this privilege, limit the amount of an exchange, or reject any exchange, at any time, without notice. Because excessive exchanges can disrupt the management of the Vanguard funds and increase their transaction costs, Vanguard places certain limits on the exchange privilege.
If you are exchanging out of any Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund), you must wait 60 calendar days (30 calendar days for investors other than participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) before exchanging back into the fund. This policy applies regardless of the dollar amount . Please note that the 60-day clock restarts after every exchange out of the fund.
* The following Vanguard fund accounts are subject to the frequent-trading limitations: SEP-IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, certain Individual 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.
Plans for which Vanguard does not serve as recordkeeper . If Vanguard does not serve as recordkeeper for your plan, your plans recordkeeper will establish accounts in Vanguard funds for the benefit of its clients. In such accounts, we cannot always monitor the trading activity of individual clients. However, we review trading activity at the intermediary (omnibus) level, and if we detect suspicious activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action. If necessary, Vanguard may prohibit additional
30
purchases of fund shares by an intermediary, including for the benefit of certain of the intermediarys clients. Intermediaries also may monitor participants trading activity with respect to Vanguard funds.
For those Vanguard funds that charge purchase and/or redemption fees, intermediaries that establish accounts in the Vanguard funds will be asked to assess these fees on participant accounts and remit these fees to the funds. The application of purchase and redemption fees and frequent-trading limitations may vary among intermediaries. There are no assurances that Vanguard will successfully identify all intermediaries or that intermediaries will properly assess purchase and redemption fees or administer frequent-trading limitations. If a firm other than Vanguard serves as recordkeeper for your plan, please read that firms materials carefully to learn of any other rules or fees that may apply.
Accounts Held by Institutions (Other Than Defined Contribution Plans)
Vanguard will systematically monitor for frequent trading in institutional clients accounts. If we detect suspicious trading activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include applying to a clients accounts the 30 -day policy previously described, prohibiting a clients purchases of fund shares, and/or revoking the clients exchange privilege.
Accounts Held by Intermediaries
When intermediaries establish accounts in Vanguard funds for the benefit of their clients, we cannot always monitor the trading activity of the individual clients. However, we review trading activity at the intermediary (omnibus) level, and if we detect suspicious activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action. If necessary, Vanguard may prohibit additional purchases of fund shares by an intermediary, including for the benefit of certain of the intermediarys clients. Intermediaries also may monitor their clients trading activities with respect to Vanguard funds.
For those Vanguard funds that charge purchase and/or redemption fees, intermediaries will be asked to assess these fees on client accounts and remit these fees to the funds. The application of purchase and redemption fees and frequent-trading limitations may vary among intermediaries. There are no assurances that Vanguard will successfully identify all intermediaries or that intermediaries will properly assess purchase and redemption fees or administer frequent-trading limitations. If you invest with Vanguard through an intermediary, please read that firms materials carefully to learn of any other rules or fees that may apply.
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Other Rules You Should Know
Prospectus and Shareholder Report Mailings
When two or more shareholders have the same last name and address, just one summary prospectus (or prospectus) and/or shareholder report may be sent in an attempt to eliminate the unnecessary expense of duplicate mailings. You may request individual prospectuses and reports by contacting our Client Services Department in writing, by telephone, or online. See Contacting Vanguard .
Vanguard.com
Registration. If you are a registered user of vanguard.com, you can review your account holdings; buy, sell, or exchange shares of most Vanguard funds; and perform most other transactions through our website. You must register for this service online.
Electronic delivery. Vanguard can deliver your account statements, transaction confirmations, prospectuses, tax forms, and shareholder reports electronically. If you are a registered user of vanguard.com , you can consent to the electronic delivery of these documents by logging on and changing your mailing preferences under Account Maintenance. You can revoke your electronic consent at any time through our website, and we will begin to send paper copies of these documents within 30 days of receiving your revocation.
Telephone Transactions
Automatic. When we set up your account, we will automatically enable you to do business with us by telephone, unless you instruct us otherwise in writing.
Tele-Account ® . To obtain fund and account information through Vanguards automated telephone service, you must first establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by calling Tele-Account at 800-662-6273.
Proof of a callers authority. We reserve the right to refuse a telephone request if the caller is unable to provide the requested information or if we reasonably believe that the caller is not an individual authorized to act on the account. Before we allow a caller to act on an account, we may request the following information:
Authorization to act on the account (as the account owner or by legal documentation or other means).
Account registration and address.
Fund name and account number, if applicable.
Other information relating to the caller, the account owner, or the account.
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Good Order
We reserve the right to reject any transaction instructions that are not in good order. Good order generally means that your instructions:
Are provided by the person(s) authorized in accordance with Vanguards policies and procedures to access the account and request transactions.
Include the fund name and account number.
Include the amount of the transaction (stated in dollars, shares, or percentage).
Written instructions also must generally include:
An original signature and date from the authorized person(s).
Signature guarantees or notarized signatures, if required for the type of transaction.
(Call Vanguard for specific requirements.)
Any supporting documentation that may be required.
Written instructions are acceptable when a Vanguard form is not applicable. The requirements vary among types of accounts and transactions. For more information, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to revise the requirements for good order.
Future Trade-Date Requests
Vanguard does not accept requests to hold a purchase, conversion, redemption, or exchange transaction for a future date. All such requests will receive trade dates as previously described in Purchasing Shares , Converting Shares , Redeeming Shares, and
Exchanging Shares . Vanguard reserves the right to return future-dated purchase checks.
Accounts With More Than One Owner
If an account has more than one owner or authorized person, Vanguard generally will accept instructions from any one owner or authorized person.
Responsibility for Fraud
Vanguard will not be responsible for any account losses because of fraud if we reasonably believe that the person transacting business on an account is authorized to do so. Please take precautions to protect yourself from fraud. Keep your account information private, and immediately review any account statements or other information that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately about any transactions or changes to your account that you believe to be unauthorized.
33
Uncashed Checks
Please cash your distribution or redemption checks promptly. Vanguard will not pay interest on uncashed checks. Vanguard may be required to transfer assets related to uncashed checks to a state under the states abandoned property law.
Dormant Accounts
If your account has no activity in it for a period of time, Vanguard may be required to transfer it to a state under the states abandoned property law.
Unusual Circumstances
If you experience difficulty contacting Vanguard online or by telephone, you can send us your transaction request by regular or express mail. See Contacting Vanguard for addresses.
Investing With Vanguard Through Other Firms
You may purchase or sell shares of most Vanguard funds through a financial intermediary, such as a bank, a broker, or an investment advisor. Please consult your financial intermediary to determine which, if any, shares are available through that firm and to learn about other rules that may apply. Your financial intermediary can provide you with account information and any required tax forms.
Please see Frequent - Trading Limitations Accounts Held by Intermediaries for information about the assessment of any purchase or redemption fees and the monitoring of frequent trading for accounts held by intermediaries.
Low-Balance Accounts
The Fund reserves the right to convert an investors Institutional Select Shares to another share class, as appropriate, if the fund account balance falls below the account minimu m f or any reason, including market fluctuation. Any such conversion will be preceded by written notice to the investor.
Right to Change Policies
In addition to the rights expressly stated elsewhere in this prospectus, Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to (1) alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, conversion, service, or privilege at any time; (2) accept initial purchases by telephone; (3) freeze any account and/or suspend account services if Vanguard has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if Vanguard reasonably believes a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; (4) temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to Vanguard of the death of the shareholder until Vanguard receives required documentation in good order; (5) alter,
34
impose, discontinue, or waive any purchase fee, redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and (6) redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owners permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity Vanguard believes to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. Changes may affect any or all investors. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Vanguard management, Vanguard reasonably believes they are deemed to be in the best interest of a fund.
Share Classes
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to change the eligibility requirements of its share classes, including the types of clients who are eligible to purchase each share class.
Fund and Account Updates
Confirmation Statements
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) a confirmation of your trade date and the amount of your transaction when you buy, sell, exchange, or convert shares. However, we will not send confirmations reflecting only checkwriting redemptions or the reinvestment of dividend or capital gains distributions. For any month in which you had a checkwriting redemption, a Checkwriting Activity Statement will be sent to you itemizing the checkwriting redemptions for that month. Promptly review each confirmation statement that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately with any questions you may have about any transaction reflected on a confirmation statement, or Vanguard will consider the transaction properly processed.
Portfolio Summaries
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) quarterly portfolio summaries to help you keep track of your accounts throughout the year. If you prefer, you may request to receive monthly portfolio summaries. Each summary shows the market value of your account at the close of the statement period, as well as all distributions, purchases, redemptions, exchanges, transfers, and conversions for the current calendar quarter (or month). Promptly review each summary that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately with any questions you may have about any transaction reflected on the summary, or Vanguard will consider the transaction properly processed.
35
Tax Information Statements
For many accounts, we are required to provide annual tax forms to assist you in preparing your income tax returns. We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) tax forms for each calendar year early in the following year. For taxable accounts, these forms will generally report the previous years dividends, capital gains distributions, and proceeds from the sale of shares. For 401(k) plans and other retirement plans and accounts, these forms will generally report distributions from those accounts during the previous year. Registered users of vanguard.com can also view these forms through our website. Vanguard may also provide you with additional tax-related documentation. For more information, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
Annual and Semiannual Reports
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) reports about Vanguard 500 Index Fund twice a year, in February and August. These reports include overviews of the financial markets and provide the following specific Fund information:
Performance assessments and comparisons with industry benchmarks.
Financial statements with listings of Fund holdings.
Portfolio Holdings
P lease consult the Funds Statement of Additional Information or our website for a description of the policies and procedures that govern disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings.
36
Contacting Vanguard | |
Web | |
Vanguard.com | For the most complete source of Vanguard news |
For fund, account, and service information | |
For most account transactions | |
For literature requests | |
24 hours a day, 7 days a week | |
Phone | |
Vanguard Tele-Account ® 800-662-6273 | For automated fund and account information |
Toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week | |
Client Services 800-662-2739 | For account information |
(Text telephone for people with hearing | For most account transactions |
impairment at 800-749-7273) | |
Institutional Division | For information and services for large institutional investo rs |
888-809-8102 | |
Financial Advisor and Intermediary | For information and services for financial intermediaries |
Sales Support 800-997-2798 | including financial advisors, broker-dealers, trust institutions, |
and insurance compani es | |
Financial Advisory and Intermediary | For account information and trading support for financial |
Trading Support 800-669-0498 | intermediaries including financial advisors, broker-dealers, |
trust institutions, and insurance compani es |
37
Vanguard Addresses
Please be sure to use the correct address. Use of an incorrect address could delay the processing of your transaction.
38
CFA ® is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute.
Morningstar data © 2016 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The S&P 500 Index (the Index) is a product of S&P Dow Jone Indices LLC (SPDJI) , a nd has been licensed for use by Vanguard. Standard & Poors ® and S&P ® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC (S&P); Dow Jones ® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones); S&P ® and S&P 500 ® are trademarks of S&P; and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed for certain purposes by Vanguard . Vanguard 500 Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, or any of their respective affiliates (collectively, S&P Dow Jones Indices). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Vanguard 500 Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in Vanguard 500 Index Fund particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices only relationship to Vanguard with respect to the S&P 500 Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its licensors. The S&P 500 Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to Vanguard or the Vanguard 500 Index Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of Vanguard or the owners of Vanguard 500 Index Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500 Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of Vanguard 500 Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of Vanguard 500 Index Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which Vanguard 500 Index Fund is to be converted into cash, surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be . S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of Vanguard 500 Index Fund. There is no assurance that investment products based on the S&P 500 Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE S&P 500 INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY VANGUARD, OWNERS OF THE VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND VANGUARD, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
39
Glossary of Investment Terms
Active Management. An investment approach that seeks to exceed the average returns of a particular financial market or market segment. In selecting securities to buy and sell, active managers may rely on, among other things, research, market forecasts, quantitative models, and their own judgment and experience.
Capital Gains Distribution. Payment to mutual fund shareholders of gains realized on securities that a fund has sold at a profit, minus any realized losses.
Common Stock. A security representing ownership rights in a corporation.
Dividend Distribution. Payment to mutual fund shareholders of income from interest or dividends generated by a funds investments.
Expense Ratio. A funds total annual operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the funds average net assets. The expense ratio includes management and administrative expenses, but it does not include the transaction costs of buying and selling portfolio securities.
Inception Date. The date on which the assets of a fund (or one of its share classes) are first invested in accordance with the funds investment objective. For funds with a subscription period, the inception date is the day after that period ends. Investment performance is generally measured from the inception date.
Indexing. A low-cost investment strategy in which a mutual fund attempts to trackrather than outperforma specified market benchmark, or index.
Median Market Capitalization. An indicator of the size of companies in which a fund invests; the midpoint of market capitalization (market price x shares outstanding) of a funds stocks, weighted by the proportion of the funds assets invested in each stock. Stocks representing half of the funds assets have market capitalizations above the median, and the rest are below it.
Mutual Fund. An investment company that pools the money of many people and invests it in a variety of securities in an effort to achieve a specific objective over time.
Securities. Stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other investments.
Total Return. A percentage change, over a specified time period, in a mutual funds net asset value, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions of dividends and capital gains.
Volatility. The fluctuations in value of a mutual fund or other security. The greater a funds volatility, the wider the fluctuations in its returns.
Yield. Income (interest or dividends) earned by an investment, expressed as a percentage of the investments price.
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Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund |
Prospectus |
March 29, 2016 |
Institutional Select Shares |
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSEMX) |
This prospectus contains financial data for the Fund through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 . |
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or |
passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. |
Contents | |||
Fund Summary | 1 | Investing With Vanguard | 20 |
Investing in Index Funds | 6 | Purchasing Shares | 21 |
More on the Fund | 7 | Converting Shares | 23 |
The Fund and Vanguard | 12 | Redeeming Shares | 25 |
Investment Advisor | 13 | Plan Participant Transactions | 27 |
Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes | 14 | Exchanging Shares | 28 |
Share Price | 16 | Frequent-Trading Limitations | 29 |
Financial Highlights | 18 | Other Rules You Should Know | 32 |
Fund and Account Updates | 35 | ||
Contacting Vanguard | 37 | ||
Additional Information | 38 | ||
Glossary of Investment Terms | 40 |
Fund Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of small- and mid-capitalization stocks.
Fees and Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Select Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees | |
(Fees paid directly from your investment) | |
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases | None |
Purchase Fee | None |
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends | None |
Redemption Fee | None |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | |
Management Fees | 0.00% |
12b-1 Distribution Fee | None |
Other Expenses | 0.02% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.02% |
1 The expense information shown in the table reflects estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. |
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds Institutional Select Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you invested $10,000 in the Funds shares. This example assumes that the Shares provide a return of 5% each year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. You would incur these hypothetical expenses whether or not you redeem your investment at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years |
$2 | $6 |
1
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense example, reduce the Funds performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 6 % of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the Standard & Poors Completion Index, a broadly diversified index of stocks of small and mid-size U.S. companies. The S&P Completion Index contains all of the U.S. common stocks regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq over-the-counter market, except those stocks included in the S&P 500 Index. The Fund invests by sampling the Index, meaning that it holds a broadly diversified collection of securities that, in the aggregate, approximates the full Index in terms of key characteristics. These characteristics include industry weightings and market capitalization, as well as certain financial measures, such as price/earnings ratio and dividend yield.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or even long periods. You should expect the Funds share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide rang e. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Funds performance:
Stock market risk , which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. The Funds target index tracks a subset of the U.S. stock market, which could cause the Fund to perform differently from the overall stock market. In addition, the Funds target index may, at times, become focused in stocks of a particular market sector, which would subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of that sector.
Investment style risk , which is the chance that returns from small- and mid-capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, small-and mid-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-cap stocks that dominate the overall market, and they often perform quite differently. Small and mid-size companies tend to have greater stock volatility because, among other things, these companies are more sensitive to changing economic conditions.
2
Index sampling risk, which is the chance that the securities selected for the Fund, in the aggregate, will not provide investment performance matching that of the Funds target index. Index sampling risk for the Fund should be low.
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
Annual Total Returns
The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Because the Funds Institutional Select Shares have not yet begun operations, the information presented in the bar chart and table reflects the performance of the Institutional Shares of Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund. (Institutional Shares are offered through a separate prospectus.) Performance of the Funds Institutional Select Shares would be substantially similar to that of the Institutional Shares because both share classes constitute an investment in the same portfolio of securities; their returns generally should differ only to the extent that the expenses of the two share classes differ. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Funds Institutional Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Institutional Shares compare with those of the Funds target index and a comparative index, which have investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Spliced Dow Jones U.S. Completion Total Stock Market Index reflects performance of the Dow Jones Wilshire 4500 Index through June 30, 2008, and the Dow Jones U.S. Completion Total Stock Market Index thereafter. K eep in mind that the Funds past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on our website at vanguard.com/performance or by calling Vanguard toll-free at 800-662-7447.
Annual Total Returns Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund Institutional Shares
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 21.78% (quarter ended June 30, 2009), and the lowest return for a quarter was 26.55% (quarter ended December 31, 2008).
3
Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown in the preceding table. When after-tax returns are calculated, it is assumed that the shareholder was in the highest individual federal marginal income tax bracket at the time of each distribution of income or capital gains or upon redemption. State and local income taxes are not reflected in the calculations. Please note that after-tax returns are not relevant for a shareholder who holds fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan. Also, figures captioned Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other figures for the same period if a capital loss occurs upon redemption and results in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder.
4
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard)
Portfolio Manager
Donald M. Butler, CFA, Principal of Vanguard. He has managed the Fund since 1997.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Institutional clients (such as defined contribution or benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and 529 plans) may purchase or redeem shares online (if you are registered for online access); through a trading platform; by mail (Vanguard, P.O. Box 1101, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1101); or by telephone (800-523-1036). The minimum investment amount required to open and maintain a Fund account for Institutional Select Shares is generally $3 billion. The minimum investment amount required to add to an existing Fund account is generally $1.
Tax Information
The Funds distributions may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gain. If you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, special tax rules apply.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Fund and its investment advisor do not pay financial intermediaries for sales of Fund shares.
5
Investing in Index Funds
What Is Indexing?
Indexing is an investment strategy for tracking the performance of a specified market benchmark, or index. An index is a group of securities whose overall performance is used as a standard to measure the investment performance of a particular market. There are many types of indexes. Some represent entire marketssuch as the U.S. stock market or the U.S. bond market. Other indexes cover market segmentssuch as small-capitalization stocks or short-term bonds. The index sponsor determines the securities to include in the index, the weighting of each security in the index, and the appropriate time to make changes to the composition of the index. One cannot invest directly in an index.
An index fund holds all, or a representative sample, of the securities that make up its target index. Index funds attempt to mirror the performance of the target index, for better or worse. However, an index fund generally does not perform exactly like its target index. For example, like all mutual funds, index funds have operating expenses and transaction costs. Market indexes do not, and therefore they will usually have a slight performance advantage over funds that track them.
Index funds typically have the following characteristics:
Variety of investments. Most Vanguard index funds generally invest in the securities of a variety of companies and industries.
Relative performance consistency . Because they seek to track market benchmarks, index funds usually do not perform dramatically better or worse than their benchmarks.
Low cost . Index funds are inexpensive to run compared with actively managed funds.
They have low or no research costs and typically keep trading activityand thus brokerage commissions and other transaction coststo a minimum compared with actively managed funds.
6
More on the Fund
This prospectus describes the principal risks you would face as a Fund shareholder. It is important to keep in mind one of the main axioms of investing: generally, the higher the risk of losing money, the higher the potential reward. The reverse, also, is generally true: the lower the risk, the lower the potential reward. As you consider an investment in any mutual fund, you should take into account your personal tolerance for fluctuations in the securities markets. Look for this symbol throughout the prospectus. It is used to mark detailed information about the more significant risks that you would confront as a Fund shareholder. To highlight terms and concepts important to mutual fund investors, we have provided Plain Talk ® explanations along the way. Reading the prospectus will help you decide whether the Fund is the right investment for you. We suggest that you keep this prospectus for future reference.
Share Class Overview
This prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Select Shares, which are generally for investors who invest a minimum of $3 billion. A separate prospectus offers the Funds Investor Shares and Admiral Shares, which generally have investment minimums of $3,000 and $10,000, respectively. Another prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Shares and Institutional Plus Shares, which are generally for investors who invest a minimum of $5 million or $100 million, respectively. In addition, the Fund issues an exchange-traded class of shares (ETF Shares), which are also offered through a separate prospectus.
All share classes offered by the Fund have the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. However, different share classes have different expenses; as a result, their investment performances will differ.
Plain Talk About Costs of Investing |
Costs are an important consideration in choosing a mutual fund. That is because |
you, as a shareholder, pay a proportionate share of the costs of operating a fund, |
plus any transaction costs incurred when the fund buys or sells securities. These |
costs can erode a substantial portion of the gross income or the capital |
appreciation a fund achieves. Even seemingly small differences in expenses can, |
over time, have a dramatic effect on a funds performance. |
7
The following sections explain the principal investment strategies and policies that the Fund uses in pursuit of its objective. The Funds board of trustees, which oversees the Funds management, may change investment strategies or policies in the interest of shareholders without a shareholder vote, unless those strategies or policies are designated as fundamental. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in the stocks that make up its target index. The Fund may change its 80% policy only upon 60 days notice to shareholders.
Market Exposure
The Fund is subject to stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. The Funds target index tracks a subset of the U.S. stock market, which could cause the Fund to perform differently from the overall stock market. In addition, the Funds target index may, at times, become focused in stocks of a particular market sector, which would subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of that sector.
To illustrate the volatility of stock prices, the following table shows the best, worst, and average annual total returns for the U.S. stock market over various periods as measured by the S&P 500 Index, a widely used barometer of U.S. stock market activity. Total returns consist of dividend income plus change in market price. Note that the returns shown do not include the costs of buying and selling stocks or other expenses that a real-world investment portfolio would incur.
U .S. Stock Market Returns | ||||
(19262015) | ||||
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | 20 Years | |
Best | 54.2% | 28.6% | 19.9% | 17.8% |
Worst | 43.1 | 12.4 | 1.4 | 3.1 |
Average | 11.9 | 10.0 | 10.4 | 11.1 |
The table covers all of the rolling 1-, 5-, 10-, and 20-year periods from 1926 through 2015 . You can see, for example, that although the average annual return on common stocks for all of the 5-year periods was 10%, average annual returns for individual 5-year periods ranged from 12.4% (from 1928 through 1932) to 28.6% (from 1995 through 1999). These average annual returns reflect past performance of common stocks; you should not regard them as an indication of future performance of either the stock market as a whole or the Fund in particular.
8
Keep in mind that the S&P 500 Index tracks mainly large-cap stocks. Historically, small- and mid-cap stocks (such as those held by the Fund) have been more volatile thanand at times have performed quite differently fromthe large-cap stocks of the S&P 500 Index.
Stocks of publicly traded companies and funds that invest in stocks are often classified according to market value, or market capitalization. These classifications typically include small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap. It is important to understand that, for both companies and stock funds, market-capitalization ranges change over time. Also, interpretations of size vary, and there are no official definitions of small-, mid-, and large-cap, even among Vanguard fund advisors. The asset-weighted median market capitalization of the Funds stock holdings as of December 31, 2015 , was $3.7 billion .
The Fund is subject to investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from small- and mid-capitalization stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Historically, small- and mid-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than the large-cap stocks that dominate the overall market, and they often perform quite differently. Small and mid-size companies tend to have greater stock volatility because, among other things, these companies are more sensitive to changing economic conditions.
Security Selection
The Fund attempts to track the investment performance of a benchmark index that measures the return of a particular market segment. The Fund uses a sampling method of indexing, meaning that the Funds advisor, using computer programs, generally selects from the target index a representative sample of securities that will resemble the target index in terms of key risk factors and other characteristics. These include industry weightings, market capitalization, and other financial characteristics of stocks.
The Fund is subject to index sampling risk, which is the chance that the securities selected for the Fund, in the aggregate, will not provide investment performance matching that of the Funds target index. Index sampling risk for the Fund should be low.
9
Other Investment Policies and Risks
The Fund reserves the right to substitute a different index for the index it currently tracks if the current index is discontinued, if the Funds agreement with the sponsor of its target index is terminated, or for any other reason determined in good faith by the Funds board of trustees. In any such instance, the substitute index would represent the same market segment as the current index.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities to the extent necessary to carry out its investment strategy of holding a representative sample of the stocks that make up the index it tracks. It is not expected that the Fund will invest more than 5% of its assets in foreign securities.
To track its target index as closely as possible, the Fund attempts to remain fully invested in stocks. To help stay fully invested and to reduce transaction costs, the Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in derivatives, including stock futures. The Fund may also use derivatives such as total return swaps to obtain exposure to a stock, a basket of stocks, or an index. Generally speaking, a derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a financial asset (such as a stock, a bond, or a currency), a physical asset (such as gold, oil, or wheat), a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index), or a reference rate (such as LIBOR). Investments in derivatives may subject the Fund to risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of investments directly in the underlying securities or assets. The Fund will not use derivatives for speculation or for the purpose of leveraging (magnifying) investment returns.
Cash Management
The Funds daily cash balance may be invested in one or more Vanguard CMT Funds, which are very low-cost money market funds. When investing in a Vanguard CMT Fund, the Fund bears its proportionate share of the at-cost expenses of the CMT Fund in which it invests. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in a Vanguard CMT Fund.
Temporary Investment Measures
The Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies when the advisor believes that doing so is in the Funds best interest, so long as the alternative is consistent with the Funds investment objective. For instance, the Fund may invest beyond its normal limits in derivatives or exchange-traded funds that are consistent with the Funds objective when those instruments are more favorably priced or provide needed liquidity, as might be the case when the Fund receives large cash flows that it cannot prudently invest immediately.
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Frequent Trading or Market-Timing
Background. Some investors try to profit from strategies involving frequent trading of mutual fund shares, such as market-timing. For funds holding foreign securities, investors may try to take advantage of an anticipated difference between the price of the funds shares and price movements in overseas markets, a practice also known as time-zone arbitrage. Investors also may try to engage in frequent trading of funds holding investments such as small-cap stocks and high-yield bonds. As money is shifted into and out of a fund by a shareholder engaging in frequent trading, the fund incurs costs for buying and selling securities, resulting in increased brokerage and administrative costs. These costs are borne by all fund shareholders, including the long-term investors who do not generate the costs. In addition, frequent trading may interfere with an advisors ability to efficiently manage the fund.
Policies to address frequent trading. The Vanguard funds (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) do not knowingly accommodate frequent trading. The board of trustees of each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and discourage frequent trading and, in some cases, to compensate the fund for the costs associated with it. These policies and procedures do not apply to Vanguard ETF ® Shares because frequent trading in ETF Shares generally does not disrupt portfolio management or otherwise harm fund shareholders. Although there is no assurance that Vanguard will be able to detect or prevent frequent trading or market-timing in all circumstances, the following policies have been adopted to address these issues:
Each Vanguard fund reserves the right to reject any purchase requestincluding exchanges from other Vanguard fundswithout notice and regardless of size. For example, a purchase request could be rejected because the investor has a history of frequent trading or if Vanguard determines that such purchase may negatively affect a funds operation or performance.
Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) generally prohibits, except as otherwise noted in the Investing With Vanguard section, an investors purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days (60 calendar days for participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) after the investor has redeemed or exchanged out of that fund account.
Certain Vanguard funds charge shareholders purchase and/or redemption fees on transactions.
See the Investing With Vanguard section of this prospectus for further details on Vanguards transaction policies.
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Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds), in determining its net asset value, will use fair-value pricing when appropriate, as described in the Share Price section. Fair-value pricing may reduce or eliminate the profitability of certain frequent-trading strategies.
Do not invest with Vanguard if you are a market-timer.
Turnover Rate
Although the Fund generally seeks to invest for the long term, it may sell securities regardless of how long they have been held. Generally, an index fund sells securities in response to redemption requests from shareholders of conventional (not exchange-traded) shares or to changes in the composition of its target index. Turnover rates for mid-cap and small-cap stock index funds tend to be higher than for large-cap stock index funds (although still relatively low, compared with actively managed stock funds) because the indexes they track are more likely to change as a result of companies merging, growing, or failing. The Financial Highlights section of this prospectus shows historical turnover rates for the Fund. A turnover rate of 100%, for example, would mean that the Fund had sold and replaced securities valued at 100% of its net assets within a one-year period. The average turnover rate for domestic stock funds was approximately 65% as reported by Morningstar, Inc., on December 31, 2015 .
Plain Talk About Turnover Rate |
Before investing in a mutual fund, you should review its turnover rate. This gives |
an indication of how transaction costs, which are not included in the funds |
expense ratio, could affect the funds future returns. In general, the greater the |
volume of buying and selling by the fund, the greater the impact that brokerage |
commissions and other transaction costs will have on its return. Also, funds with |
high turnover rates may be more likely to generate capital gains, including short- |
term capital gains, that must be distributed to shareholders as taxable income. |
The Fund and Vanguard
The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group, a family of more than 190 mutual funds holding assets of approximately $3 trillion. All of the funds that are members of The Vanguard Group (other than funds of funds) share in the expenses associated with administrative services and business operations, such as personnel, office space, and equipment.
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Vanguard Marketing Corporation provides marketing services to the funds. Although shareholders do not pay sales commissions or 12b-1 distribution fees, each fund (other than a fund of funds) or each share class of a fund (in the case of a fund with multiple share classes) pays its allocated share of the Vanguard funds marketing costs.
Plain Talk About Vanguards Unique Corporate Structure |
The Vanguard Group is truly a mutual mutual fund company. It is owned jointly by |
the funds it oversees and thus indirectly by the shareholders in those funds. |
Most other mutual funds are operated by management companies that may be |
owned by one person, by a private group of individuals, or by public investors |
who own the management companys stock. The management fees charged by |
these companies include a profit component over and above the companies cost |
of providing services. By contrast, Vanguard provides services to its member |
funds on an at-cost basis, with no profit component, which helps to keep the |
funds expenses low. |
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482, which began operations in 1975, serves as advisor to the Fund through its Equity Index Group. As of December 31, 2015 , Vanguard served as advisor for approximately $2.6 trillion in assets. Vanguard provides investment advisory services to the Fund on an at-cost basis, subject to the supervision and oversight of the trustees and officers of the Fund.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 , the advisory expenses represented an effective annual rate of 0.01% of the Funds average net assets.
For a discussion of why the board of trustees approved the Funds investment advisory arrangement, see the most recent semiannual report to shareholders covering the fiscal period ended June 30.
The manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund is:
Donald M. Butler , CFA, Principal of Vanguard. He has been with Vanguard since 1992 and has managed investment portfolios, including the Fund, since 1997. Education: B.S.B.A., Shippensburg University.
The Statement of Additional Information provides information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts under management, and ownership of shares of the Fund.
13
Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes
Fund Distributions
The Fund distributes to shareholders virtually all of its net income (interest and dividends, less expenses) as well as any net short-term or long-term capital gains realized from the sale of its holdings. Income dividends generally are distributed quarterly in March, June, September, and December; capital gains distributions, if any, generally occur annually in December. In addition, the Fund may occasionally make a supplemental distribution at some other time during the year. You can receive distributions of income or capital gains in cash, or you can have them automatically reinvested in more shares of the Fund.
Plain Talk About Distributions |
As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a funds income from interest |
and dividends as well as capital gains from the funds sale of investments. |
Income consists of both the dividends that the fund earns from any stock |
holdings and the interest it receives from any money market and bond |
investments. Capital gains are realized whenever the fund sells securities for |
higher prices than it paid for them. These capital gains are either short-term or |
long-term, depending on whether the fund held the securities for one year or less |
or for more than one year. |
Basic Tax Points
Vanguard will send you a statement each year showing the tax status of all of your distributions. In addition, investors in taxable accounts should be aware of the following basic federal income tax points:
Distributions are taxable to you whether or not you reinvest these amounts in additional Fund shares.
Distributions declared in Decemberif paid to you by the end of Januaryare taxable as if received in December.
Any dividend distribution or short-term capital gains distribution that you receive is taxable to you as ordinary income. If you are an individual and meet certain holding-period requirements with respect to your Fund shares, you may be eligible for reduced tax rates on qualified dividend income, if any, distributed by the Fund.
Any distribution of net long-term capital gains is taxable to you as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned shares in the Fund.
Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of the Funds normal investment activities and cash flows.
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A sale or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable event. This means that you may have a capital gain to report as income, or a capital loss to report as a deduction, when you complete your tax return.
Any conversion between classes of shares of the same fund is a nontaxable event. By contrast, an exchange between classes of shares of different funds is a taxable event.
Individuals, trusts, and estates whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. Net investment income takes into account distributions paid by the Fund and capital gains from any sale or exchange of Fund shares.
Dividend distributions and capital gains distributions that you receive, as well as your gains or losses from any sale or exchange of Fund shares, may be subject to state and local income taxes.
This prospectus provides general tax information only. If you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, special tax rules apply. Please consult your tax advisor for detailed information about any tax consequences for you.
Plain Talk About Buying a Dividend |
Unless you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account (such as an |
IRA), you should consider avoiding a purchase of fund shares shortly before the |
fund makes a distribution, because doing so can cost you money in taxes. This is |
known as buying a dividend. For example: On December 15, you invest $5,000, |
buying 250 shares for $20 each. If the fund pays a distribution of $1 per share on |
December 16, its share price will drop to $19 (not counting market change). You |
still have only $5,000 (250 shares x $19 = $4,750 in share value, plus 250 shares |
x $1 = $250 in distributions), but you owe tax on the $250 distribution you |
receivedeven if you reinvest it in more shares. To avoid buying a dividend, check |
a funds distribution schedule before you invest. |
General Information
Backup withholding. By law, Vanguard must withhold 28% of any taxable distributions or redemptions from your account if you do not:
Provide us with your correct taxpayer identification number.
Certify that the taxpayer identification number is correct.
Confirm that you are not subject to backup withholding.
Similarly, Vanguard must withhold taxes from your account if the IRS instructs us to do so.
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Foreign investors. Vanguard funds offered for sale in the United States (Vanguard U.S. funds), including the Fund offered in this prospectus, are not widely available outside the United States . Non-U.S. investors should be aware that U.S. withholding and estate taxes and certain U.S. tax reporting requirements may apply to any investments in Vanguard U.S. funds. Foreign investors should visit the Non-U.S. Investors page on our website at vanguard.com for information on Vanguards non-U.S. products.
Invalid addresses. If a dividend distribution or capital gains distribution check mailed to your address of record is returned as undeliverable, Vanguard will automatically reinvest the distribution and all future distributions until you provide us with a valid mailing address. Reinvestments will receive the net asset value calculated on the date of the reinvestment.
Share Price
Share price, also known as net asset value (NAV), is calculated each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. Each share class has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to the share class by the number of Fund shares outstanding for that class. On U.S. holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated, and the Fund does not sell or redeem shares. However, on those days the value of the Funds assets may be affected to the extent that the Fund holds securities that change in value on those days (such as foreign securities that trade on foreign markets that are open).
Stocks held by a Vanguard fund are valued at their market value when reliable market quotations are readily available from the principal exchange or market on which they are traded. Such securities are generally valued at their official closing price, the last reported sales price, or if there were no sales that day, the mean between the closing bid and asking prices. Certain short-term debt instruments used to manage a funds cash may be valued at amortized cost when it approximates fair value . The values of any foreign securities held by a fund are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate obtained from an independent third party as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. The values of any mutual fund shares held by a fund are based on the NAVs of the shares. The values of any ETF or closed-end fund shares held by a fund are based on the market value of the shares.
When a fund determines that market quotations either are not readily available or do not accurately reflect the value of a security, the security is priced at its fair value (the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security). A fund also will use fair-value pricing if the value of a security it holds has been materially affected by events occurring before the funds pricing time but after the close of the principal exchange or market on which the security is traded. This
16
most commonly occurs with foreign securities, which may trade on foreign exchanges that close many hours before the funds pricing time. Intervening events might be company-specific (e.g., earnings report, merger announcement) or country-specific or regional/global (e.g., natural disaster, economic or political news, act of terrorism, interest rate change). Intervening events include price movements in U.S. markets that exceed a specified threshold or that are otherwise deemed to affect the value of foreign securities. Fair-value pricing may be used for domestic securitiesfor example, if (1) trading in a security is halted and does not resume before the funds pricing time or a security does not trade in the course of a day and (2) the fund holds enough of the security that its price could affect the NAV.
Fair-value prices are determined by Vanguard according to procedures adopted by the board of trustees. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a fund to calculate the NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.
Vanguard fund share prices are published daily on our website at vanguard.com/prices.
17
Financial Highlights
The following financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Institutional Shares financial performance for the periods shown, and certain information reflects financial results for a single Institutional Share . The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost each period on an investment in the Institutional Shares (assuming reinvestment of all distributions). This information has been obtained from the financial statements audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose reportalong with the Funds financial statementsis included in the Funds most recent annual report to shareholders. You may obtain a free copy of the latest annual or semiannual report by visiting vanguard.com or by contacting Vanguard by telephone or mail.
Note: This prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Select Shares. Information for the Funds Institutional Shares is shown here because the Funds Institutional Select Shares have not begun operations and therefore have no financial highlights information for the periods shown. However, both share classes invest in the same portfolio of securities and will have the same financial performace, except to the extent that their operating expenses differ.
Plain Talk About How to Read the Financial Highlights Table |
The Institutional Shares began fiscal year 2015 with a net asset value (share price) |
of $ 66.60 per share. During the year, each Institutional Share earned $0.899 from |
investment income (interest and dividends). There was a decline of $3.05 per |
share in the value of investments held or sold by the Fund, resulting in a net |
decline of $2.151 per share from investment operations. |
Shareholders received $0.869 per share in the form of dividend distributions. A |
portion of each years distributions may come from the prior years income or |
capital gains. |
The share price at the end of the year was $63.58, reflecting losses of $2.151 and |
distributions of $0.869 per share. This was a decrease of $3.02 per share (from |
$66.60 at the beginning of the year to $63.58 at the end of the year). For a |
shareholder who reinvested the distributions in the purchase of more shares, the |
total return was 3.24% for the year. |
As of December 31, 2015 , the Institutional Shares had approximately $8.6 billion |
in net assets. For the year, the expense ratio was 0.07% ($0.70 per $1,000 of net |
assets), and the net investment income amounted to 1.35% of average net |
assets. The Fund sold and replaced securities valued at 6% of its net assets. |
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Extended Market Index Fund Ins titutional Shares | |||||
Year Ended December 31, | |||||
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $66.60 | $62.75 | $45.86 | $39.34 | $41.27 |
Investment Operations | |||||
Net Investment Income | .899 | .908 | .715 | .764 | .460 |
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) | |||||
on Investments | (3.050) | 3.833 | 16.895 | 6.514 | (1.933) |
Total from Investment Operations | (2.151) | 4.741 | 17.610 | 7.278 | (1.473) |
Distributions | |||||
Dividends from Net Investment Income | (.869) | (.891) | (.720) | (.758) | (.457) |
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains | | | | | |
Total Distributions | (.869) | (.891) | (.720) | (.758) | (.457) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $63.58 | $66.60 | $62.75 | $45.86 | $39.34 |
Total Return | 3.24% | 7.56% | 38.42% | 18.50% | 3.57% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data | |||||
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $8,621 | $8,567 | $7,812 | $5,496 | $5,810 |
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets | 0.07% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average | |||||
Net Assets | 1.35% | 1.42% | 1.35% | 1.78% | 1.09% |
Portfolio Turnover Rate 1 | 6% | 9% | 11% | 12% | 14% |
1 Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the Funds capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.
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Investing With Vanguard
This section of the prospectus explains the basics of doing business with Vanguard. Vanguard fund shares can be held directly with Vanguard or indirectly through an intermediary, such as a bank, a broker, or an investment advisor. If you hold Vanguard fund shares directly with Vanguard, you should carefully read each topic within this section that pertains to your relationship with Vanguard. If you hold Vanguard fund shares indirectly through an intermediary (including shares held through a Vanguard brokerage account), please see Investing With Vanguard Through Other Firms , and also refer to your account agreement with the intermediary for information about transacting in that account. Vanguard reserves the right to change the following policies without notice. Please call or check online for current information. See
Contacting Vanguard.
For Vanguard fund shares held directly with Vanguard, each fund you hold in an account is a separate fund account. For example, if you hold three funds in a corporate account and offer six funds in a defined contribution plan account, you have two fund accounts and this is true even if you hold the same fund in multiple accounts. Note that each reference to you in this prospectus applies to any one or more registered account owners or persons authorized to transact on your account.
For Plan Participants
If Institutional Select Shares of the Fund are an investment option in your retirement or savings pla n, y our plan administrator or your employee benefits office can provide you with detailed information on how to participate in your plan and how to elect the Fund as an investment option. If you have any questions about the Fund or Vanguard, including those about the Funds investment objective, strategies, or risks, contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188.
If you have questions about your account, contact your plan administrator or the organization that provides recordkeeping services for your plan.
Be sure to carefully read each topic that pertains to plan participant transactions with Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right to change its policies without notice to shareholders.
Investment Options and Allocations
Your plans specific provisions may allow you to change your investment selections, the amount of your contributions, or the allocation of your contributions among the investment choices available to you. Contact your plan administrator or employee benefits office for more details.
See Plan Participant Transactions.
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Purchasing Shares
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to increase or decrease the minimum amount required to open, convert shares to, or maintain a fund account or to add to an existing fund account.
Investment minimums may differ for certain categories of investors.
Account Minimums for Institutional Select Shares
To open and maintain an account. Generally $3 billion. Available only to institutional clients (such as defined contribution or benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and 529 plans).
Investment minimums may differ for a Vanguard collective investment trust with a similar mandate.
How to Initiate a Purchase Request
Be sure to check Exchanging Shares, Frequent-Trading Limitations, and Other Rules You Should Know before placing your purchase request.
New clients interested in purchasing Institutional Select Shares in a fund account should contact their Vanguard Sales Executive or call 800-523-1036.
Existing clients interested in purchasing additional shares or exchanging shares may make a request by contacting their Vanguard Relationship Manager, submitting a request through a trading platform, or making a request by mail (Vanguard, P.O. Box 1101, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1101).
Certain Vanguard institutional clients may meet the minimum investment amount by aggregating separate accounts within the same Fund. This aggregation policy does not apply to financial intermediaries.
Vanguard may charge additional recordkeeping fees for institutional clients whose accounts are recordkept by Vanguard. Please contact your Vanguard representative to determine whether additional recordkeeping fees apply to your account.
To add to an existing account . Generally $1.
How to Pay for a Purchase
By electronic bank transfer or wire. You may purchase Institutional Select Shares by an electronic bank transfer or by wire. Wiring instructions vary for different types of purchases. Please contact your Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Sales Executive for instructions and policies on purchasing shares by wire. See
Contacting Vanguard.
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By exchange. You may purchase shares of a Vanguard fund using the proceeds from the simultaneous redemption of shares of another Vanguard fund. You may initiate an exchange online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See
Exchanging Shares.
Your purchase or exchange request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. All new and existing clients are encouraged to contact their Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Sales Executive to discuss options for purchasing or exchanging shares.
Trade Date
The trade date for any purchase request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request, the manner in which you are paying, and the type of fund you are purchasing. Your purchase will be executed using the net asset value (NAV) as calculated on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for trading (a business day).
For purchases by check into all funds other than money market funds and for purchases by exchange , wire , or electronic bank transfer (not using an Automatic Investment Plan) into all funds: If the purchase request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date for the purchase will be the same day. If the purchase request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date for the purchase will be the next business day.
For purchases by check into money market funds: If the purchase request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date for the purchase will be the next business day. If the purchase request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date for the purchase will be the second business day following the day Vanguard receives the purchase request. Because money market instruments must be purchased with federal funds and it takes a money market mutual fund one business day to convert check proceeds into federal funds, the trade date for the purchase will be one business day later than for other funds.
If your purchase request is not accurate and complete, it may be rejected. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order .
For further information about purchase transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
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Other Purchase Rules You Should Know
New accounts. We are required by law to obtain from you certain personal information that we will use to verify your identity. If you do not provide the information, we may not be able to open your account. If we are unable to verify your identity, Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to close your account or take such other steps as we deem reasonable. Certain types of accounts may require additional documentation.
Refused or rejected purchase requests. Vanguard reserves the right to stop selling fund shares or to reject any purchase request at any time and without notice, including, but not limited to, purchases requested by exchange from another Vanguard fund. This also includes the right to reject any purchase request because the investor has a history of frequent trading or because the purchase may negatively affect a funds operation or performance.
Large purchases. Call Vanguard before attempting to invest a large dollar amount.
No cancellations. Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any purchase request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a purchase request.
Converting Shares
When a conversion occurs, you receive shares of one class in place of shares of another class of the same fund. At the time of conversion, the dollar value of the new shares you receive equals the dollar value of the old shares that were converted. In other words, the conversion has no effect on the value of your investment in the fund at the time of the conversion. However, the number of shares you own after the conversion may be greater than or less than the number of shares you owned before the conversion, depending on the NAV s of the two share classes.
Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any self-directed conversion request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a conversion request.
A conversion between share classes of the same fund is a nontaxable event.
Trade Date
The trade date for any conversion request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request. Your conversion will be executed using the NAVs of the different share classes on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the NYSE is open for trading (a business day).
For a conversion request (other than a request to convert to ETF Shares) received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date will be the same day. For a conversion request received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a
23
nonbusiness day, the trade date will be the next business day. See Other Rules You Should Know .
Conversions to Institutional Select Shares
You are eligible for a self-directed conversion from another share class to Institutional Select Shares of the same Fund (if available), provided that your account meets all eligibility requirements. You may request a conversion through our website (if you are registered for online access), through a trading platform, by mail, or by telephone. Accounts that qualify for Institutional Select Shares will not be automatically converted.
Conversions to ETF Shares
Owners of conventional shares (i.e., not exchange-traded shares) issued by the Fund may convert those shares to ETF Shares of equivalent value of the same fund. Please note that investors who own conventional shares through a 401(k) plan or other employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plan generally may not convert those shares to ETF Shares and should check with their plan sponsor or recordkeeper. ETF Shares, whether acquired through a conversion or purchased on the secondary market, cannot be converted to conventional shares. Also, ETF Shares of one fund cannot be exchanged for ETF Shares of another fund.
ETF Shares must be held in a brokerage account. Thus, before converting conventional shares to ETF Shares, you must have an existing, or open a new, brokerage account. This account may be with Vanguard Brokerage Services ® (Vanguard Brokerage) or with any other brokerage firm.
Vanguard Brokerage does not impose a fee on conversions from conventional shares to Vanguard ETF Shares. However, other brokerage firms may charge a fee to process a conversion. Vanguard reserves the right, in the future, to impose a transaction fee on conversions or to limit or terminate the conversion privilege. For additional information on converting conventional shares to ETF Shares, please contact Vanguard to obtain a prospectus for ETF Shares. See Contacting Vanguard .
Mandatory Conversions to Another Share Class
If an account no longer meets the balance requirements for a share class, Vanguard may automatically convert the shares in the account to another share class, as appropriate. A decline in the account balance because of market movement may result in such a conversion. Vanguard will notify the investor in writing before any mandatory conversion occurs. Please note that mandatory conversions do not apply to ETF Shares.
24
Redeeming Shares
How to Initiate a Redemption Request
Be sure to check Exchanging Shares, Frequent-Trading Limitations , and Other Rules You Should Know before placing your redemption request.
Online. You may request a redemption of shares or request an exchange through our website i f you are registered for online access. In addition, clients may also process redemption requests through a trading platform.
By telephone. You may cal l your Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Client Account Manage r to request a redemption of shares or an exchange. See
Contacting Vanguard .
By mail. You may send a written request to Vanguard to redeem from a fund account or to make an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard .
How to Receive Redemption Proceeds
By electronic bank transfer. You may have the proceeds of a fund redemption sent directly to a designated bank account. Your redemption request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail.
By wire. To receive your proceeds by wire, you may instruct Vanguard to wire your redemption proceed s to a d esignated bank accoun t.
By exchange. You may have the proceeds of a Vanguard fund redemption invested directly in shares of another Vanguard fund. You may initiate an exchange online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See Exchanging Share s .
Trade Date
The trade date for any redemption request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request and the manner in which you are redeeming. Your redemption will be executed using the NAV as calculated on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the NYSE is open for trading (a business day).
For redemptions by check, exchange, or wire: If the redemption request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date will be the same day. If the redemption request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date will be the next business day.
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Note on timing of wire redemptions from money market funds: For telephone requests received by Vanguard on a business day before 10:45 a.m., Eastern time (2 p.m., Eastern time, for Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund), the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business the same day. For telephone requests received by Vanguard on a business day after those cut-off times, or on a nonbusiness day, and for all requests other than by telephone, the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the next business day.
Note on timing of wire redemptions from all other funds: For requests received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the next business day. For requests received by Vanguard on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the second business day after Vanguard receives the request.
If your redemption request is not accurate and complete, it may be rejected. If we are unable to send your redemption proceeds by wire or electronic bank transfer because the receiving institution rejects the transfer, Vanguard will make additional efforts to complete your transaction. If Vanguard is still unable to complete the transaction, we may send the proceeds of the redemption to you by check, generally payable to all registered account owners, or use your proceeds to purchase new shares of the fund from which you sold shares for the purpose of the wire or electronic bank transfer transaction. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order.
For further information about redemption transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
Other Redemption Rules You Should Know
Documentation for certain accounts. Special documentation may be required to redeem from certain types of accounts, such as trust, corporate, nonprofit, or retirement accounts. Please call us before attempting to redeem from these types of accounts.
Potentially disruptive redemptions. Vanguard reserves the right to pay all or part of a redemption in kindthat is, in the form of securitiesif we reasonably believe that a cash redemption would negatively affect the funds operation or performance or that the shareholder may be engaged in market-timing or frequent trading. Under these circumstances, Vanguard also reserves the right to delay payment of the redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days. By calling us before you attempt to redeem a large dollar amount, you may avoid in-kind or delayed payment of your redemption. Please see Frequent-Trading Limitations for information about Vanguards policies to limit frequent trading.
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Recently purchased shares. Although you can redeem shares at any time, proceeds may not be made available to you until the fund collects payment for your purchase. This may take up to seven calendar days for shares purchased by check or by electronic bank transfer. If you have written a check on a fund with checkwriting privileges, that check may be rejected if your fund account does not have a sufficient available balance.
Share certificates. Share certificates are no longer issued for Vanguard funds. Shares currently held in certificates cannot be redeemed, exchanged, converted, or transferred (reregistered) until you return the certificates (unsigned) to Vanguard by registered mail. For the correct address, see Contacting Vanguard .
Address change. If you change your address online or by telephone, there may be up to a 14-day restriction on your ability to request check redemptions online and by telephone. You can request a redemption in writing at any time. Confirmations of address changes are sent to both the old and new addresses.
Payment to a different person or address. At your request, we can make your redemption check payable, or wire your redemption proceeds, to a different person or send it to a different address. However, this generally requires the written consent of all registered account owners and may require additional documentation, such as a signature guarantee or a notarized signature. You may obtain a signature guarantee from some commercial or savings banks, credit unions, trust companies, or member firms of a U.S. stock exchange.
No cancellations. Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any redemption request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a redemption request.
Emergency circumstances. Vanguard funds can postpone payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days. In addition, Vanguard funds can suspend redemptions and/or postpone payments of redemption proceeds beyond seven calendar days at times when the NYSE is closed or during emergency circumstances, as determined by the SEC.
Plan Participant Transactions
Plan participant transaction requests (e.g., a contribution, an exchange, or a redemption) must be in good order. Good order means that Vanguard has determined that (1) your transaction request includes complete information and (2) appropriate assets are already in your account or new assets have been received or, if funded via ACH, credited to your account.
Processing times for your transaction requests may differ among recordkeepers or among transaction and funding types. Your plans recordkeeper (which may also be Vanguard) will determine the necessary processing time frames for your transaction
27
requests prior to submission to the Fund. Consult your recordkeeper or plan administrator for more information.
Your transaction will then be based on the next-determined NAV of the Funds Institutional Select Shares. If your transaction request is received in good order before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), you will receive that days NAV and trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days the NYSE is open for trading.
If Vanguard is serving as your plan recordkeeper and if your transaction involves one or more investments with an early cut-off time for processing or another trading restriction, your entire transaction will be subject to the restriction when the trade date for your transaction is determined.
Exchanging Shares
An exchange occurs when you use the proceeds from the redemption of shares of one Vanguard fund to simultaneously purchase shares of a different Vanguard fund. You can make exchange requests online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See Purchasing Shares and Redeeming Shares .
If the NYSE is open for regular trading (generally until 4 p.m., Eastern time, on a business day) at the time an exchange request is received in good order, the trade date generally will be the same day. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order for additional information on all transaction requests.
Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any exchange request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing an exchange request.
Please note that Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount of any exchange, or reject an exchange, at any time, for any reason. See Frequent-Trading Limitations for additional restrictions on exchanges.
Plan participants should consider the following before making an exchange to or from another fund available in your plan:
Certain investment options, particularly funds made up of company stock or investment contracts, may be subject to unique restrictions.
Vanguard can accept exchanges only as permitted by your plan. Contact your plan administrator for details on other exchange policies that apply to your plan.
Before making an exchange into another fund, it is important to read that funds prospectus. To obtain a copy, please contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188.
28
Frequent-Trading Limitations
Because excessive transactions can disrupt management of a fund and increase the funds costs for all shareholders, the board of trustees of each Vanguard fund places certain limits on frequent trading in the funds. Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) limits an investors purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days (60 calendar days for participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) after the investor has redeemed or exchanged out of that fund account. ETF Shares are not subject to these frequent-trading limits.
For Vanguard Retirement Investment Program pooled plans, the limitations apply to exchanges made online or by telephone.
These frequent-trading limitations do not apply to the following:
Service, Direct Deposit Service, Automatic Withdrawal Plan, Required Minimum Distribution Service, and Vanguard Small Business Online ® .
Discretionary transactions through Vanguard Asset Management Services , Vanguard Personal Advisor Services ® , and Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services ® .
types of retirement accounts (including, but not limited to, IRAs, certain Individual 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans).
Transaction requests submitted by mail to Vanguard from shareholders who hold their accounts directly with Vanguard or through a Vanguard brokerage account. (Transaction requests submitted by fax, if otherwise permitted, are subject to the limitations.)
trades made by funds or trusts managed by Vanguard or its affiliates that invest in other Vanguard funds. (Please note that shareholders of Vanguards funds of funds are subject to the limitations.)
29
For participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans,* the frequent-trading limitations do not apply to:
Purchases of shares with participant payroll or employer contributions or loan repayments.
submitted by fax, if otherwise permitted, are subject to the limitations.)
The exchange privilege (your ability to purchase shares of a fund using the proceeds from the simultaneous redemption of shares of another fund) may be available to you through your plan. Although we make every effort to maintain the exchange privilege, Vanguard reserves the right to revise or terminate this privilege, limit the amount of an exchange, or reject any exchange, at any time, without notice. Because excessive exchanges can disrupt the management of the Vanguard funds and increase their transaction costs, Vanguard places certain limits on the exchange privilege.
If you are exchanging out of any Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund), you must wait 60 calendar days (30 calendar days for investors other than participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) before exchanging back into the fund. This policy applies regardless of the dollar amount . Please note that the 60-day clock restarts after every exchange out of the fund.
* The following Vanguard fund accounts are subject to the frequent-trading limitations: SEP-IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, certain Individual 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.
Plans for which Vanguard does not serve as recordkeeper . If Vanguard does not serve as recordkeeper for your plan, your plans recordkeeper will establish accounts in Vanguard funds for the benefit of its clients. In such accounts, we cannot always monitor the trading activity of individual clients. However, we review trading activity at the intermediary (omnibus) level, and if we detect suspicious activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action. If necessary, Vanguard may prohibit additional
30
purchases of fund shares by an intermediary, including for the benefit of certain of the intermediarys clients. Intermediaries also may monitor participants trading activity with respect to Vanguard funds.
For those Vanguard funds that charge purchase and/or redemption fees, intermediaries that establish accounts in the Vanguard funds will be asked to assess these fees on participant accounts and remit these fees to the funds. The application of purchase and redemption fees and frequent-trading limitations may vary among intermediaries. There are no assurances that Vanguard will successfully identify all intermediaries or that intermediaries will properly assess purchase and redemption fees or administer frequent-trading limitations. If a firm other than Vanguard serves as recordkeeper for your plan, please read that firms materials carefully to learn of any other rules or fees that may apply.
Accounts Held by Institutions (Other Than Defined Contribution Plans)
Vanguard will systematically monitor for frequent trading in institutional clients accounts. If we detect suspicious trading activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include applying to a clients accounts the 30 -day policy previously described, prohibiting a clients purchases of fund shares, and/or revoking the clients exchange privilege.
Accounts Held by Intermediaries
When intermediaries establish accounts in Vanguard funds for the benefit of their clients, we cannot always monitor the trading activity of the individual clients. However, we review trading activity at the intermediary (omnibus) level, and if we detect suspicious activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action. If necessary, Vanguard may prohibit additional purchases of fund shares by an intermediary, including for the benefit of certain of the intermediarys clients. Intermediaries also may monitor their clients trading activities with respect to Vanguard funds.
For those Vanguard funds that charge purchase and/or redemption fees, intermediaries will be asked to assess these fees on client accounts and remit these fees to the funds. The application of purchase and redemption fees and frequent-trading limitations may vary among intermediaries. There are no assurances that Vanguard will successfully identify all intermediaries or that intermediaries will properly assess purchase and redemption fees or administer frequent-trading limitations. If you invest with Vanguard through an intermediary, please read that firms materials carefully to learn of any other rules or fees that may apply.
31
Other Rules You Should Know
Prospectus and Shareholder Report Mailings
When two or more shareholders have the same last name and address, just one summary prospectus (or prospectus) and/or shareholder report may be sent in an attempt to eliminate the unnecessary expense of duplicate mailings. You may request individual prospectuses and reports by contacting our Client Services Department in writing, by telephone, or online. See Contacting Vanguard .
Vanguard.com
Registration. If you are a registered user of vanguard.com, you can review your account holdings; buy, sell, or exchange shares of most Vanguard funds; and perform most other transactions through our website. You must register for this service online.
Electronic delivery. Vanguard can deliver your account statements, transaction confirmations, prospectuses, tax forms, and shareholder reports electronically. If you are a registered user of vanguard.com , you can consent to the electronic delivery of these documents by logging on and changing your mailing preferences under Account Maintenance. You can revoke your electronic consent at any time through our website, and we will begin to send paper copies of these documents within 30 days of receiving your revocation.
Telephone Transactions
Automatic. When we set up your account, we will automatically enable you to do business with us by telephone, unless you instruct us otherwise in writing.
Tele-Account ® . To obtain fund and account information through Vanguards automated telephone service, you must first establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by calling Tele-Account at 800-662-6273.
Proof of a callers authority. We reserve the right to refuse a telephone request if the caller is unable to provide the requested information or if we reasonably believe that the caller is not an individual authorized to act on the account. Before we allow a caller to act on an account, we may request the following information:
Authorization to act on the account (as the account owner or by legal documentation or other means).
Good Order
We reserve the right to reject any transaction instructions that are not in good order. Good order generally means that your instructions:
Are provided by the person(s) authorized in accordance with Vanguards policies and procedures to access the account and request transactions.
Written instructions also must generally include:
(Call Vanguard for specific requirements.)
Any supporting documentation that may be required.
Written instructions are acceptable when a Vanguard form is not applicable. The requirements vary among types of accounts and transactions. For more information, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to revise the requirements for good order.
Future Trade-Date Requests
Vanguard does not accept requests to hold a purchase, conversion, redemption, or exchange transaction for a future date. All such requests will receive trade dates as previously described in Purchasing Shares , Converting Shares , Redeeming Shares, and
Exchanging Shares . Vanguard reserves the right to return future-dated purchase checks.
Accounts With More Than One Owner
If an account has more than one owner or authorized person, Vanguard generally will accept instructions from any one owner or authorized person.
Responsibility for Fraud
Vanguard will not be responsible for any account losses because of fraud if we reasonably believe that the person transacting business on an account is authorized to do so. Please take precautions to protect yourself from fraud. Keep your account information private, and immediately review any account statements or other information that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately about any transactions or changes to your account that you believe to be unauthorized.
33
Uncashed Checks
Please cash your distribution or redemption checks promptly. Vanguard will not pay interest on uncashed checks. Vanguard may be required to transfer assets related to uncashed checks to a state under the states abandoned property law.
Dormant Accounts
If your account has no activity in it for a period of time, Vanguard may be required to transfer it to a state under the states abandoned property law.
Unusual Circumstances
If you experience difficulty contacting Vanguard online or by telephone, you can send us your transaction request by regular or express mail. See Contacting Vanguard for addresses.
Investing With Vanguard Through Other Firms
You may purchase or sell shares of most Vanguard funds through a financial intermediary, such as a bank, a broker, or an investment advisor. Please consult your financial intermediary to determine which, if any, shares are available through that firm and to learn about other rules that may apply. Your financial intermediary can provide you with account information and any required tax forms.
Please see Frequent - Trading Limitations Accounts Held by Intermediaries for information about the assessment of any purchase or redemption fees and the monitoring of frequent trading for accounts held by intermediaries.
Low-Balance Accounts
The Fund reserves the right to convert an investors Institutional Select Shares to another share class, as appropriate, if the fund account balance falls below the account minimu m f or any reason, including market fluctuation. Any such conversion will be preceded by written notice to the investor.
Right to Change Policies
In addition to the rights expressly stated elsewhere in this prospectus, Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to (1) alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, conversion, service, or privilege at any time; (2) accept initial purchases by telephone; (3) freeze any account and/or suspend account services if Vanguard has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if Vanguard reasonably believes a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; (4) temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to Vanguard of the death of the shareholder until Vanguard receives required documentation in good order; (5) alter,
34
impose, discontinue, or waive any purchase fee, redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and (6) redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owners permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity Vanguard believes to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. Changes may affect any or all investors. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Vanguard management, Vanguard reasonably believes they are deemed to be in the best interest of a fund.
Share Classes
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to change the eligibility requirements of its share classes, including the types of clients who are eligible to purchase each share class.
Fund and Account Updates
Confirmation Statements
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) a confirmation of your trade date and the amount of your transaction when you buy, sell, exchange, or convert shares. However, we will not send confirmations reflecting only checkwriting redemptions or the reinvestment of dividend or capital gains distributions. For any month in which you had a checkwriting redemption, a Checkwriting Activity Statement will be sent to you itemizing the checkwriting redemptions for that month. Promptly review each confirmation statement that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately with any questions you may have about any transaction reflected on a confirmation statement, or Vanguard will consider the transaction properly processed.
Portfolio Summaries
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) quarterly portfolio summaries to help you keep track of your accounts throughout the year. If you prefer, you may request to receive monthly portfolio summaries. Each summary shows the market value of your account at the close of the statement period, as well as all distributions, purchases, redemptions, exchanges, transfers, and conversions for the current calendar quarter (or month). Promptly review each summary that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately with any questions you may have about any transaction reflected on the summary, or Vanguard will consider the transaction properly processed.
35
Tax Information Statements
For many accounts, we are required to provide annual tax forms to assist you in preparing your income tax returns. We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) tax forms for each calendar year early in the following year. Registered users of vanguard.com can also view these forms through our website. For taxable accounts, these forms will generally report the previous years dividends, capital gains distributions, and proceeds from the sale of shares. For 401(k) plans and other retirement plans and accounts, these forms will generally report distributions from these accounts during the previous year. Vanguard may also provide you with additional tax-related documentation. For more information, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
Annual and Semiannual Reports
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) reports about Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund twice a year, in February and August. These reports include overviews of the financial markets and provide the following specific Fund information:
Portfolio Holdings
P lease consult the Funds Statement of Additional Information or our website for a description of the policies and procedures that govern disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings.
36
Contacting Vanguard | |
Web | |
Vanguard.com | For the most complete source of Vanguard news |
For fund, account, and service information | |
For most account transactions | |
For literature requests | |
24 hours a day, 7 days a week | |
Phone | |
Vanguard Tele-Account ® 800-662-6273 | For automated fund and account information |
Toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week | |
Client Services 800-662-2739 | For account information |
(Text telephone for people with hearing | For most account transactions |
impairment at 800-749-7273) | |
Institutional Division | For information and services for large institutional investors |
888-809-8102 | |
Financial Advisor and Intermediary | For information and services for financial intermediaries |
Sales Support 800-997-2798 | including financial advisors, broker-dealers, trust institutions, |
and insurance companies | |
Financial Advisory and Intermediary | For account information and trading support for financial |
Trading Support 800-669-0498 | intermediaries including financial advisors, broker-dealers, |
trust institutions, and insurance companies |
Vanguard Addresses
Please be sure to use the correct address. Use of an incorrect address could delay the processing of your transaction.
Regular Mail (Individuals) | The Vanguard Group |
P.O. Box 1110 | |
Valley Forge, PA 19482-1110 | |
Regular Mail (Institutions and Intermediaries) | The Vanguard Group |
P.O. Box 2900 | |
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2900 | |
Registered, Express, or Overnight Mail | The Vanguard Group |
455 Devon Park Drive | |
Wayne, PA 19087-1815 |
37
38
CFA ® is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute.
Morningstar data © 2016 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
The Standard & Poors Completion Index (the Index) i s a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (SP D JI), and has been licensed for use by Vanguard . Standard & Poors ® and S&P ® are registered trademarks of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC (S&P); Dow Jones ® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones); S&P ® and S&P 500 ® ar e trademarks of S&P; and these trademarks have been licensed for use by SPDJI and sublicensed f or certain purposes by Vanguard. Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by SPDJI, Dow Jones, S&P, any of their respective affiliates (collectively, S&P Dow Jones Indices). S&P Dow Jones Indices make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund particularly or the ability of the Standard & Poors Completion Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices only relationship to Vanguard with respect to the Standard & Poors Completion Index is the licensing of the Index and certain trademarks, service marks and/or trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices and/or its licensors. The Standard & Poors Completion Index is determined, composed and calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices without regard to Vanguard or the Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices have no obligation to take the needs of Vanguard or the owners of Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Standard & Poors Completion Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices, and amount of Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund is to be converted into cash , surrendered or redeemed, as the case may be . S&P Dow Jones Indices ha ve no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund. There is no assurance that investment products based on the Standard & Poors Completion Index will accurately track index performance or provide positive investment returns. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within an index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE I NDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR L IABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES , OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY VANGUARD, OWNERS OF THE VANGUARD EXTENDED MARKET INDEX FUND, O R ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREE ME NTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN S&P DOW JONES INDICES AND VANGUARD, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF S&P DOW JONES INDICES.
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Glossary of Investment Terms
Active Management. An investment approach that seeks to exceed the average returns of a particular financial market or market segment. In selecting securities to buy and sell, active managers may rely on, among other things, research, market forecasts, quantitative models, and their own judgment and experience.
Capital Gains Distribution. Payment to mutual fund shareholders of gains realized on securities that a fund has sold at a profit, minus any realized losses.
Common Stock. A security representing ownership rights in a corporation.
Dividend Distribution. Payment to mutual fund shareholders of income from interest or dividends generated by a funds investments.
Expense Ratio. A funds total annual operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the funds average net assets. The expense ratio includes management and administrative expenses, but it does not include the transaction costs of buying and selling portfolio securities.
Inception Date. The date on which the assets of a fund (or one of its share classes) are first invested in accordance with the funds investment objective. For funds with a subscription period, the inception date is the day after that period ends. Investment performance is generally measured from the inception date.
Indexing. A low-cost investment strategy in which a mutual fund attempts to trackrather than outperforma specified market benchmark, or index.
Median Market Capitalization. An indicator of the size of companies in which a fund invests; the midpoint of market capitalization (market price x shares outstanding) of a funds stocks, weighted by the proportion of the funds assets invested in each stock. Stocks representing half of the funds assets have market capitalizations above the median, and the rest are below it.
Mutual Fund. An investment company that pools the money of many people and invests it in a variety of securities in an effort to achieve a specific objective over time.
Price/Earnings (P/E) Ratio. The current share price of a stock, divided by its per-share earnings (profits). A stock selling for $20, with earnings of $2 per share, has a price/earnings ratio of 10.
Securities. Stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other investmen ts.
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To tal Return. A percentage change, over a specified time period, in a mutual funds net asset value, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions of dividends and capital gains.
Volatility. The fluctuations in value of a mutual fund or other security. The greater a funds volatility, the wider the fluctuations in its returns.
Yield. Income (interest or dividends) earned by an investment, expressed as a percentage of the investments price.
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund |
Prospectus |
March 29, 2016 |
Institutional Select Shares |
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Select Shares (VSTSX) |
This prospectus contains financial data for the Fund through the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. |
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has not approved or disapproved these securities or |
passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. |
Contents | |||
Fund Summary | 1 | Investing With Vanguard | 19 |
Investing in Index Funds | 6 | Purchasing Shares | 20 |
More on the Fund | 7 | Converting Shares | 22 |
The Fund and Vanguard | 12 | Redeeming Shares | 24 |
Investment Advisor | 12 | Plan Participant Transactions | 26 |
Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes | 13 | Exchanging Shares | 27 |
Share Price | 15 | Frequent-Trading Limitations | 27 |
Financial Highlights | 17 | Other Rules You Should Know | 30 |
Fund and Account Updates | 34 | ||
Contacting Vanguard | 35 | ||
Additional Information | 36 | ||
Glossary of Investment Terms | 37 |
Fund Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of the overall stock market.
Fees and Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Institutional Select Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees | |
(Fees paid directly from your investment) | |
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases | None |
Purchase Fee | None |
Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends | None |
Redemption Fee | None |
Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | |
Management Fees | 0.00% |
12b-1 Distribution Fee | None |
Other Expenses | 0.01% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.01% |
1 The expense information shown in the table reflects estimated amounts for the current fiscal year.
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Funds Institutional Select Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you invested $10,000 in the Funds shares. This example assumes that the Shares provide a return of 5% each year and that total annual fund operating expenses remain as stated in the preceding table. You would incur these hypothetical expenses whether or not you redeem your investment at the end of the given period. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
1 Year | 3 Years |
$1 | $3 |
1
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or turns over its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in more taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the previous expense example, reduce the Funds performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Funds portfolio turnover rate was 3% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund employs an indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the CRSP US Total Market Index, which represents approximately 100% of the investable U.S. stock market and includes large-, mid-, small-, and micro-cap stocks regularly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq. The Fund invests by sampling the Index, meaning that it holds a broadly diversified collection of securities that, in the aggregate, approximates the full Index in terms of key characteristics. These key characteristics include industry weightings and market capitalization, as well as certain financial measures, such as price/earnings ratio and dividend yield.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or even long periods. You should expect the Funds share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide range. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Funds performance:
Stock market risk , which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. In addition, the Funds target index may, at times, become focused in stocks of a particular market sector, which would subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of that sector.
Index sampling risk, which is the chance that the securities selected for the Fund, in the aggregate, will not provide investment performance matching that of the Funds target index. Index sampling risk for the Fund should be low.
An investment in the Fund is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency.
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Annual Total Returns
The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. Because the Funds Institutional Select Shares have not yet begun operations, the information presented in the bar chart and table reflects the performance of the Institutional Shares of the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund. (Institutional Shares are offered through a separate prospectus.) Performance of the Funds Institutional Select Shares would be substantially similar to that of the Institutional Shares because both share classes constitute an investment in the same portfolio of securities; their returns generally should differ only to the extent that the expenses of the two share classes differ. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Funds Institutional Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Institutional Shares compare with those of the Funds target index and other comparative indexes, which have investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. The Spliced Total Stock Market Index reflects performance of the MSCI US Broad Market Index through June 2, 2013, and the CRSP US Total Market Index thereafter. Keep in mind that the Funds past performance (before and after taxes) does not indicate how the Fund will perform in the future. Updated performance information is available on our website at vanguard.com/performance or by calling Vanguard toll-free at 800-662-7447.
Annual Total Returns Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund Institutional Shares
During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 16.98% (quarter ended June 30, 2009), and the lowest return for a quarter was 22.69% (quarter ended December 31, 2008).
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Actual after-tax returns depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown in the preceding table. When after-tax returns are calculated, it is assumed that the shareholder was in the highest individual federal marginal income tax bracket at the time of each distribution of income or capital gains or upon redemption. State and local income taxes are not reflected in the calculations. Please note that after-tax returns are not relevant for a shareholder who holds fund shares in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan. Also, figures captioned Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares may be higher than other figures for the same period if a capital loss occurs upon redemption and results in an assumed tax deduction for the shareholder.
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard)
Portfolio Manager
Gerard C. OReilly, Principal of Vanguard. He has managed the Fund since 1994.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
Institutional clients (such as defined contribution or benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and 529 plans) may purchase or redeem shares online (if you are registered for online access); through a trading platform; by mail (Vanguard, P.O. Box 1101, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1101); or by telephone (800-523-1036). The minimum investment amount required to open and maintain a Fund account for Institutional Select Shares is generally $5 billion. The minimum investment amount required to add to an existing Fund account is generally $1.
4
Tax Information
The Funds distributions may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gain. If you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, special tax rules apply.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Fund and its investment advisor do not pay financial intermediaries for sales of Fund shares.
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Investing in Index Funds
What Is Indexing?
Indexing is an investment strategy for tracking the performance of a specified market benchmark, or index. An index is a group of securities whose overall performance is used as a standard to measure the investment performance of a particular market. There are many types of indexes. Some represent entire marketssuch as the U.S. stock market or the U.S. bond market. Other indexes cover market segmentssuch as small-capitalization stocks or short-term bonds. The index sponsor determines the securities to include in the index, the weighting of each security in the index, and the appropriate time to make changes to the composition of the index. One cannot invest directly in an index.
An index fund holds all, or a representative sample, of the securities that make up its target index. Index funds attempt to mirror the performance of the target index, for better or worse. However, an index fund generally does not perform exactly like its target index. For example, like all mutual funds, index funds have operating expenses and transaction costs. Market indexes do not, and therefore they will usually have a slight performance advantage over funds that track them.
Index funds typically have the following characteristics:
Variety of investments. Most Vanguard index funds generally invest in the securities of a variety of companies and industries.
Relative performance consistency . Because they seek to track market benchmarks, index funds usually do not perform dramatically better or worse than their benchmarks.
Low cost . Index funds are inexpensive to run compared with actively managed funds.
They have low or no research costs and typically keep trading activityand thus brokerage commissions and other transaction coststo a minimum compared with actively managed funds.
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More on the Fund
This prospectus describes the principal risks you would face as a Fund shareholder. It is important to keep in mind one of the main axioms of investing: generally, the higher the risk of losing money, the higher the potential reward. The reverse, also, is generally true: the lower the risk, the lower the potential reward. As you consider an investment in any mutual fund, you should take into account your personal tolerance for fluctuations in the securities markets. Look for this symbol throughout the prospectus. It is used to mark detailed information about the more significant risks that you would confront as a Fund shareholder. To highlight terms and concepts important to mutual fund investors, we have provided Plain Talk ® explanations along the way. Reading the prospectus will help you decide whether the Fund is the right investment for you. We suggest that you keep this prospectus for future reference.
Share Class Overview
This prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Select Shares, which are generally for investors who invest a minimum of $5 billion. A separate prospectus offers the Funds Investor Shares and Admiral Shares, which generally have investment minimums of $3,000 and $10,000, respectively. Another prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Shares and Institutional Plus Shares, which are generally for investors who invest a minimum of $5 million or $100 million, respectively. In addition, the Fund issues an exchange-traded class of shares (ETF Shares), which are also offered through a separate prospectus.
All share classes offered by the Fund have the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. However, different share classes have different expenses; as a result, their investment performances will differ.
Plain Talk About Costs of Investing |
Costs are an important consideration in choosing a mutual fund. That is because |
you, as a shareholder, pay a proportionate share of the costs of operating a fund, |
plus any transaction costs incurred when the fund buys or sells securities. These |
costs can erode a substantial portion of the gross income or the capital |
appreciation a fund achieves. Even seemingly small differences in expenses can, |
over time, have a dramatic effect on a funds performance. |
The following sections explain the principal investment strategies and policies that the Fund uses in pursuit of its objective. The Funds board of trustees, which oversees the Funds management, may change investment strategies or policies in the interest of shareholders without a shareholder vote, unless those strategies or policies are designated as fundamental. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least
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80% of its assets in the stocks that make up its target index. The Fund may change its 80% policy only upon 60 days notice to shareholders.
Market Exposure
The Fund is subject to stock market risk, which is the chance that stock prices overall will decline. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. In addition, the Funds target index may, at times, become focused in stocks of a particular market sector, which would subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of that sector.
To illustrate the volatility of stock prices, the following table shows the best, worst, and average annual total returns for the U.S. stock market over various periods as measured by the S&P 500 Index, a widely used barometer of U.S. stock market activity. Total returns consist of dividend income plus change in market price. Note that the returns shown do not include the costs of buying and selling stocks or other expenses that a real-world investment portfolio would incur.
U .S. Stock Market Returns | ||||
(19262015) | ||||
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | 20 Years | |
Best | 54.2% | 28.6% | 19.9% | 17.8% |
Worst | 43.1 | 12.4 | 1.4 | 3.1 |
Average | 11.9 | 10.0 | 10.4 | 11.1 |
The table covers all of the rolling 1-, 5-, 10-, and 20-year periods from 1926 through 2015 . You can see, for example, that although the average annual return on common stocks for all of the 5-year periods was 10%, average annual returns for individual 5-year periods ranged from 12.4% (from 1928 through 1932) to 28.6% (from 1995 through 1999). These average annual returns reflect past performance of common stocks; you should not regard them as an indication of future performance of either the stock market as a whole or the Fund in particular.
Keep in mind that the S&P 500 Index tracks mainly large-cap stocks. Historically, small- and mid-cap stocks (such as those held by the Fund) have been more volatile thanand at times have performed quite differently fromthe large-cap stocks of the S&P 500 Index.
Stocks of publicly traded companies and funds that invest in stocks are often classified according to market value, or market capitalization. These classifications typically include small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap. It is important to understand that,
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for both companies and stock funds, market-capitalization ranges change over time. Also, interpretations of size vary, and there are no official definitions of small-, mid-, and large-cap, even among Vanguard fund advisors. The asset-weighted median market capitalization of the Funds stock holdings as of December 31, 2015, was $51.9 billion.
Security Selection
The Fund attempts to track the investment performance of a benchmark index that measures the return of the overall stock market. The Fund uses a sampling method of indexing, meaning that the Funds advisor, using computer programs, generally selects from the target index a representative sample of securities that will resemble the target index in terms of key ch aracteristics. These include industry weightings, market capitalization, and other financial characteristics of stocks.
The Fund is subject to index sampling risk, which is the chance that the securities selected for the Fund, in the aggregate, will not provide investment performance matching that of the Funds target index . Index sampling risk for the Fund should be low.
Other Investment Policies and Risks
The Fund reserves the right to substitute a different index for the index it currently tracks if the current index is discontinued, if the Funds agreement with the sponsor of its target index is terminated, or for any other reason determined in good faith by the Funds board of trustees. In any such instance, the substitute index would represent the same market segment as the current index.
The Fund may invest in foreign securities to the extent necessary to carry out its investment strategy of holding a representative sample of the stocks that make up the index it tracks. It is not expected that the Fund will invest more than 5% of its assets in foreign securities.
To track its target index as closely as possible, the Fund attempts to remain fully invested in stocks. To help stay fully invested and to reduce transaction costs, the Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in derivatives, including stock futures. The Fund may also use derivatives such as total return swaps to obtain exposure to a stock, a basket of stocks, or an index. Generally speaking, a derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a financial asset (such as a stock, a bond, or a currency), a physical asset (such as gold, oil, or wheat), a market index (such as the S&P 500 Index), or a reference rate (such as LIBOR). Investments in derivatives may subject the Fund to risks different from, and possibly greater than, those of investments directly in the underlying securities or assets. The Fund will not use derivatives for speculation or for the purpose of leveraging (magnifying) investment returns.
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Cash Management
The Funds daily cash balance may be invested in one or more Vanguard CMT Funds, which are very low-cost money market funds. When investing in a Vanguard CMT Fund, the Fund bears its proportionate share of the at-cost expenses of the CMT Fund in which it invests. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in a Vanguard CMT Fund.
Temporary Investment Measures
The Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies when the advisor believes that doing so is in the Funds best interest, so long as the alternative is consistent with the Funds investment objective. For instance, the Fund may invest beyond its normal limits in derivatives or exchange-traded funds that are consistent with the Funds objective when those instruments are more favorably priced or provide needed liquidity, as might be the case when the Fund receives large cash flows that it cannot prudently invest immediately.
Frequent Trading or Market-Timing
Background. Some investors try to profit from strategies involving frequent trading of mutual fund shares, such as market-timing. For funds holding foreign securities, investors may try to take advantage of an anticipated difference between the price of the funds shares and price movements in overseas markets, a practice also known as time-zone arbitrage. Investors also may try to engage in frequent trading of funds holding investments such as small-cap stocks and high-yield bonds. As money is shifted into and out of a fund by a shareholder engaging in frequent trading, the fund incurs costs for buying and selling securities, resulting in increased brokerage and administrative costs. These costs are borne by all fund shareholders, including the long-term investors who do not generate the costs. In addition, frequent trading may interfere with an advisors ability to efficiently manage the fund.
Policies to address frequent trading. The Vanguard funds (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) do not knowingly accommodate frequent trading. The board of trustees of each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and discourage frequent trading and, in some cases, to compensate the fund for the costs associated with it. These policies and procedures do not apply to Vanguard ETF ® Shares because frequent trading in ETF Shares generally does not disrupt portfolio management or otherwise harm fund shareholders. Although there is no assurance that Vanguard will be able to detect or prevent frequent trading or market-timing in all circumstances, the following policies have been adopted to address these issues:
Each Vanguard fund reserves the right to reject any purchase requestincluding exchanges from other Vanguard fundswithout notice and regardless of size. For
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example, a purchase request could be rejected because the investor has a history of frequent trading or if Vanguard determines that such purchase may negatively affect a funds operation or performance.
Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) generally prohibits, except as otherwise noted in the Investing With Vanguard section, an investors purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days (60 calendar days for participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) after the investor has redeemed or exchanged out of that fund account.
Certain Vanguard funds charge shareholders purchase and/or redemption fees on transactions.
See the Investing With Vanguard section of this prospectus for further details on Vanguards transaction policies.
Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds), in determining its net asset value, will use fair-value pricing when appropriate, as described in the Share Price section. Fair-value pricing may reduce or eliminate the profitability of certain frequent-trading strategies.
Do not invest with Vanguard if you are a market-timer.
Turnover Rate
Although the Fund generally seeks to invest for the long term, it may sell securities regardless of how long they have been held. Generally, an index fund sells securities in response to redemption requests from shareholders of conventional (not exchange-traded) shares or to changes in the composition of its target index. Turnover rates for large-cap stock index funds tend to be low because large-cap indexes typically do not change significantly from year to year. Turnover rates for mid-cap and small-cap stock index funds tend to be higher than for large-cap stock index funds (although still relatively low, compared with actively managed stock funds) because the indexes they track are more likely to change as a result of companies merging, growing, or failing. The Financial Highlights section of this prospectus shows historical turnover rates for the Fund. A turnover rate of 100%, for example, would mean that the Fund had sold and replaced securities valued at 100% of its net assets within a one-year period. The average turnover rate for domestic stock funds was approximately 65%, as reported by Morningstar, Inc., on December 31, 2015.
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Plain Talk About Turnover Rate |
Before investing in a mutual fund, you should review its turnover rate. This gives |
an indication of how transaction costs, which are not included in the funds |
expense ratio, could affect the funds future returns. In general, the greater the |
volume of buying and selling by the fund, the greater the impact that brokerage |
commissions and other transaction costs will have on its return. Also, funds with |
high turnover rates may be more likely to generate capital gains, including short- |
term capital gains, that must be distributed to shareholders as taxable income. |
The Fund and Vanguard
The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group, a family of more than 190 mutual funds holding assets of approximately $3 trillion. All of the funds that are members of The Vanguard Group (other than funds of funds) share in the expenses associated with administrative services and business operations, such as personnel, office space, and equipment.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation provides marketing services to the funds. Although shareholders do not pay sales commissions or 12b-1 distribution fees, each fund (other than a fund of funds) or each share class of a fund (in the case of a fund with multiple share classes) pays its allocated share of the Vanguard funds marketing costs.
Plain Talk About Vanguards Unique Corporate Structure |
The Vanguard Group is truly a mutual mutual fund company. It is owned jointly by |
the funds it oversees and thus indirectly by the shareholders in those funds. |
Most other mutual funds are operated by management companies that may be |
owned by one person, by a private group of individuals, or by public investors |
who own the management companys stock. The management fees charged by |
these companies include a profit component over and above the companies cost |
of providing services. By contrast, Vanguard provides services to its member |
funds on an at-cost basis, with no profit component, which helps to keep the |
funds expenses low. |
Investment Advisor
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482, which began operations in 1975, serves as advisor to the Fund through its Equity Index Group. As of December 31, 2015, Vanguard served as advisor for approximately $2.6 trillion in assets. Vanguard provides investment advisory services to the Fund on
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an at-cost basis, subject to the supervision and oversight of the trustees and officers of the Fund.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the advisory expenses represented an effective annual rate of 0.01% of the Funds average net assets.
For a discussion of why the board of trustees approved the Funds investment advisory arrangement, see the most recent semiannual report to shareholders covering the fiscal period ended June 30.
The manager primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund is:
Gerard C. OReilly , Principal of Vanguard. He has been with Vanguard since 1992 and has managed investment portfolios, including the Fund, since 1994. Education: B.S., Villanova University.
The Statement of Additional Information provides information about the portfolio managers compensation, other accounts under management, and ownership of shares of the Fund.
Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes
Fund Distributions
The Fund distributes to shareholders virtually all of its net income (interest and dividends, less expenses) as well as any net short-term or long-term capital gains realized from the sale of its holdings. Income dividends generally are distributed quarterly in March, June, September, and December; capital gains distributions, if any, generally occur annually in December. In addition, the Fund may occasionally make a supplemental distribution at some other time during the year. You can receive distributions of income or capital gains in cash, or you can have them automatically reinvested in more shares of the Fund.
Plain Talk About Distributions |
As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a funds income from interest |
and dividends as well as capital gains from the funds sale of investments. |
Income consists of both the dividends that the fund earns from any stock |
holdings and the interest it receives from any money market and bond |
investments. Capital gains are realized whenever the fund sells securities for |
higher prices than it paid for them. These capital gains are either short-term or |
long-term, depending on whether the fund held the securities for one year or less |
or for more than one year. |
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Basic Tax Points
Vanguard will send you a statement each year showing the tax status of all of your distributions. In addition, investors in taxable accounts should be aware of the following basic federal income tax points:
Distributions are taxable to you whether or not you reinvest these amounts in additional Fund shares.
Distributions declared in Decemberif paid to you by the end of Januaryare taxable as if received in December.
Any dividend distribution or short-term capital gains distribution that you receive is taxable to you as ordinary income. If you are an individual and meet certain holding-period requirements with respect to your shares, you may be eligible for reduced tax rates on qualified dividend income, if any, distributed by the Fund.
Any distribution of net long-term capital gains is taxable to you as long-term capital gains, no matter how long you have owned shares in the Fund.
Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of the Funds normal investment activities and cash flows.
complete your tax return.
Any conversion between classes of shares of the same fund is a nontaxable event. By contrast, an exchange between classes of shares of different funds is a taxable event.
Individuals, trusts, and estates whose income exceeds certain threshold amounts are subject to a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. Net investment income takes into account distributions paid by the Fund and capital gains from any sale or exchange of Fund shares.
Dividend distributions and capital gains distributions that you receive, as well as your gains or losses from any sale or exchange of Fund shares, may be subject to state and local income taxes.
This prospectus provides general tax information only. If you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account, such as a 401(k) plan, special tax rules apply. Please consult your tax advisor for detailed information about any tax consequences for you.
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Plain Talk About Buying a Dividend |
Unless you are investing through a tax-deferred retirement account (such as an |
IRA), you should consider avoiding a purchase of fund shares shortly before the |
fund makes a distribution, because doing so can cost you money in taxes. This is |
known as buying a dividend. For example: On December 15, you invest $5,000, |
buying 250 shares for $20 each. If the fund pays a distribution of $1 per share on |
December 16, its share price will drop to $19 (not counting market change). You |
still have only $5,000 (250 shares x $19 = $4,750 in share value, plus 250 shares |
x $1 = $250 in distributions), but you owe tax on the $250 distribution you |
receivedeven if you reinvest it in more shares. To avoid buying a dividend, check |
a funds distribution schedule before you invest. |
General Information
Backup withholding. By law, Vanguard must withhold 28% of any taxable distributions or redemptions from your account if you do not:
Similarly, Vanguard must withhold taxes from your account if the IRS instructs us to do so.
Foreign investors. Vanguard funds offered for sale in the United States (Vanguard U.S. funds), including the Fund offered in this prospectus, are not widely available outside the United States . Non-U.S. investors should be aware that U.S. withholding and estate taxes and certain U.S. tax reporting requirements may apply to any investments in Vanguard U.S. funds. Foreign investors should visit the Non-U.S. Investors page on our website at vanguard.com for information on Vanguards non-U.S. products.
Invalid addresses. If a dividend distribution or capital gains distribution check mailed to your address of record is returned as undeliverable, Vanguard will automatically reinvest the distribution and all future distributions until you provide us with a valid mailing address. Reinvestments will receive the net asset value calculated on the date of the reinvestment.
Share Price
Share price, also known as net asset value (NAV), is calculated each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. Each share class has its own NAV, which is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to the share class by the number of Fund
15
shares outstanding for that class. On U.S. holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated, and the Fund does not sell or redeem shares. However, on those days the value of the Funds assets may be affected to the extent that the Fund holds securities that change in value on those days (such as foreign securities that trade on foreign markets that are open).
Stocks held by a Vanguard fund are valued at their market value when reliable market quotations are readily available from the principal exchange or market on which they are traded. Such securities are generally valued at their official closing price, the last reported sales price, or if there were no sales that day, the mean between the closing bid and asking prices. Certain short-term debt instruments used to manage a funds cash may be valued at amortized cost when it approximates fair value . The values of any foreign securities held by a fund are converted into U.S. dollars using an exchange rate obtained from an independent third party as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. The values of any mutual fund shares held by a fund are based on the NAVs of the shares. The values of any ETF or closed-end fund shares held by a fund are based on the market value of the shares.
When a fund determines that market quotations either are not readily available or do not accurately reflect the value of a security, the security is priced at its fair value (the amount that the owner might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security). A fund also will use fair-value pricing if the value of a security it holds has been materially affected by events occurring before the funds pricing time but after the close of the principal exchange or market on which the security is traded. This most commonly occurs with foreign securities, which may trade on foreign exchanges that close many hours before the funds pricing time. Intervening events might be company-specific (e.g., earnings report, merger announcement) or country-specific or regional/global (e.g., natural disaster, economic or political news, act of terrorism, interest rate change). Intervening events include price movements in U.S. markets that exceed a specified threshold or that are otherwise deemed to affect the value of foreign securities. Fair-value pricing may be used for domestic securitiesfor example, if (1) trading in a security is halted and does not resume before the funds pricing time or a security does not trade in the course of a day and (2) the fund holds enough of the security that its price could affect the NAV.
Fair-value prices are determined by Vanguard according to procedures adopted by the board of trustees. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a fund to calculate the NAV may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities.
Vanguard fund share prices are published daily on our website at vanguard.com/prices.
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Financial Highlights
The following financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Institutional Shares financial performance for the periods shown, and certain information reflects financial results for a single Institutional Share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost each period on an investment in the Institutional Shares (assuming reinvestment of all distributions). This information has been obtained from the financial statements audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose reportalong with the Funds financial statementsis included in the Funds most recent annual report to shareholders. You may obtain a free copy of the latest annual or semiannual report by visiting vanguard.com or by contacting Vanguard by telephone or mail.
Note: This prospectus offers the Funds Institutional Select Shares. Information for the Funds Institutional Shares is shown here because the Funds Institutional Select Shares have not begun operations and therefore have no financial highlights information for the periods shown. However, both share classes invest in the same portfolio of securities and will have the same financial performance, except to the extent that their operating expenses differ.
Plain Talk About How to Read the Financial Highlights Table |
The Institutional Shares began fiscal year 2015 with a net asset value (share price) |
of $ 51.60 per share. During the year, each Institutional Share earned $ 1.017 from |
investment income (interest and dividends). There was a decline of $ 0.808 per |
share in the value of investments held or sold by the Fund, resulting in a net gain |
of $ 0.209 per share from investment operations. |
Shareholders received $ 1.009 per share in the form of dividend distributions. A |
portion of each years distributions may come from the prior years income or |
capital gains. |
The share price at the end of the year was $ 50.80 , reflecting earnings of $ 0.209 |
per share and distributions of $ 1.009 per share. This was a decrease of $0.80 per |
share (from $ 51.60 at the beginning of the year to $ 50.80 at the end of the year). |
For a shareholder who reinvested the distributions in the purchase of more |
shares, the total return was 0.42 % for the year. |
As of December 31, 2015, the Institutional Shares had approximately $ 57.4 billion |
in net assets. For the year, the expense ratio was 0 .04 % ($0.40 per $1,000 of net |
assets), and the net investment income amounted to 1.97 % o f a verage net |
assets. The Fund sold and replaced securities valued at 3 % of its net assets. |
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1 Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the Funds capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.
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Investing With Vanguard
This section of the prospectus explains the basics of doing business with Vanguard. Vanguard fund shares can be held directly with Vanguard or indirectly through an intermediary, such as a bank, a broker, or an investment advisor. If you hold Vanguard fund shares directly with Vanguard, you should carefully read each topic within this section that pertains to your relationship with Vanguard. If you hold Vanguard fund shares indirectly through an intermediary (including shares held through a Vanguard brokerage account), please see Investing With Vanguard Through Other Firms , and also refer to your account agreement with the intermediary for information about transacting in that account. Vanguard reserves the right to change the following policies without notice. Please call or check online for current information. See
Contacting Vanguard.
For Vanguard fund shares held directly with Vanguard, each fund you hold in an account is a separate fund account. For example, if you hold three funds in a corporate account and offer six funds in a defined contribution plan account, you have two fund accounts and this is true even if you hold the same fund in multiple accounts. Note that each reference to you in this prospectus applies to any one or more registered account owners or persons authorized to transact on your account.
For Plan Participants
If Institutional Select Shares of the Fund are an investment option in your retirement or savings pla n, y our plan administrator or your employee benefits office can provide you with detailed information on how to participate in your plan and how to elect the Fund as an investment option. If you have any questions about the Fund or Vanguard, including those about the Funds investment objective, strategies, or risks, contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188.
If you have questions about your account, contact your plan administrator or the organization that provides recordkeeping services for your plan.
Be sure to carefully read each topic that pertains to plan participant transactions with Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right to change its policies without notice to shareholders.
Investment Options and Allocations
Your plans specific provisions may allow you to change your investment selections, the amount of your contributions, or the allocation of your contributions among the investment choices available to you. Contact your plan administrator or employee benefits office for more details.
See Plan Participant Transactions.
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Purchasing Shares
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to increase or decrease the minimum amount required to open, convert shares to, or maintain a fund account or to add to an existing fund account.
Investment minimums may differ for certain categories of investors.
Account Minimums for Institutional Select Shares
To open and maintain an account. Generally $5 billion. Available only to institutional clients (such as defined contribution or benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and 529 plans).
Investment minimums may differ for a Vanguard collective investment trus t with a similar mandate.
How to Initiate a Purchase Request
Be sure to check Exchanging Shares, Frequent-Trading Limitations, and Other Rules You Should Know before placing your purchase request.
New clients interested in purchasing Institutional Select Shares in a fund account should contact their Vanguard Sales Executive or call 800-523-1036.
Existing clients interested in purchasing additional shares or exchanging shares may make a request by contacting their Vanguard Relationship Manager , s ubmitting a request through a trading platform, or making a request by mai l (Vanguard, P.O. Box 1101, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1101).
Certain Vanguard institutional clients may meet the minimum investment amount by aggregating separate accounts within the same Fund. This aggregation policy does not apply to financial intermediaries.
Vanguard may charge additional recordkeeping fees for institutional clients whose accounts are recordkept by Vanguard. Please contact your Vanguard representative to determine whether additional recordkeeping fees apply to your account.
To add to an existing account . Generally $1.
How to Pay for a Purchase
By electronic bank transfer or wire. You may purchase Institutional Select Shares by an electronic bank transfer or by wire. Wiring instructions vary for different types of purchases. Please contact your Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Sales Executive for instructions and policies on purchasing shares by wire. See
Contacting Vanguard.
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By exchange. You may purchase shares of a Vanguard fund using the proceeds from the simultaneous redemption of shares of another Vanguard fund. You may initiate an exchange online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See
Exchanging Shares.
Your purchase or exchange request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. All new and existing clients are encouraged to contact their Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Sales Executive to discuss options for purchasing or exchanging shares.
Trade Date
The trade date for any purchase request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request, the manner in which you are paying, and the type of fund you are purchasing. Your purchase will be executed using the net asset value (NAV) as calculated on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open for trading (a business day).
For purchases by check into all funds other than money market funds and for purchases by exchange , wire , or electronic bank transfer (not using an Automatic Investment Plan) into all funds: If the purchase request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date for the purchase will be the same day. If the purchase request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date for the purchase will be the next business day.
For purchases by check into money market funds: If the purchase request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date for the purchase will be the next business day. If the purchase request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date for the purchase will be the second business day following the day Vanguard receives the purchase request. Because money market instruments must be purchased with federal funds and it takes a money market mutual fund one business day to convert check proceeds into federal funds, the trade date for the purchase will be one business day later than for other funds.
If your purchase request is not accurate and complete, it may be rejected. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order .
For further information about purchase transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
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Other Purchase Rules You Should Know
New accounts. We are required by law to obtain from you certain personal information that we will use to verify your identity. If you do not provide the information, we may not be able to open your account. If we are unable to verify your identity, Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to close your account or take such other steps as we deem reasonable. Certain types of accounts may require additional documentation.
Refused or rejected purchase requests. Vanguard reserves the right to stop selling fund shares or to reject any purchase request at any time and without notice, including, but not limited to, purchases requested by exchange from another Vanguard fund. This also includes the right to reject any purchase request because the investor has a history of frequent trading or because the purchase may negatively affect a funds operation or performance.
Large purchases. Call Vanguard before attempting to invest a large dollar amount.
No cancellations. Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any purchase request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a purchase request.
Converting Shares
When a conversion occurs, you receive shares of one class in place of shares of another class of the same fund. At the time of conversion, the dollar value of the new shares you receive equals the dollar value of the old shares that were converted. In other words, the conversion has no effect on the value of your investment in the fund at the time of the conversion. However, the number of shares you own after the conversion may be greater than or less than the number of shares you owned before the conversion, depending on the NAV s of the two share classes.
Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any self-directed conversion request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a conversion request.
A conversion between share classes of the same fund is a nontaxable event.
Trade Date
The trade date for any conversion request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request. Your conversion will be executed using the NAVs of the different share classes on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the NYSE is open for trading (a business day).
For a conversion request (other than a request to convert to ETF Shares) received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date will be the same day. For a conversion request received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a
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nonbusiness day, the trade date will be the next business day. See Other Rules You Should Know .
Conversions to Institutional Select Shares
You are eligible for a self-directed conversion from another share class to Institutional Select Shares of the same Fund (if available), provided that your account meets all eligibility requirements. You may request a conversion through our website (if you are registered for online access), through a trading platform, by mail, or by telephone. Accounts that qualify for Institutional Select Shares will not be automatically converted.
Conversions to ETF Shares
Owners of conventional shares (i.e., not exchange-traded shares) issued by the Fund may convert those shares to ETF Shares of equivalent value of the same fund. Please note that investors who own conventional shares through a 401(k) plan or other employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plan generally may not convert those shares to ETF Shares and should check with their plan sponsor or recordkeeper. ETF Shares, whether acquired through a conversion or purchased on the secondary market, cannot be converted to conventional shares. Also, ETF Shares of one fund cannot be exchanged for ETF Shares of another fund.
ETF Shares must be held in a brokerage account. Thus, before converting conventional shares to ETF Shares, you must have an existing, or open a new, brokerage account. This account may be with Vanguard Brokerage Services ® (Vanguard Brokerage) or with any other brokerage firm.
Vanguard Brokerage does not impose a fee on conversions from conventional shares to Vanguard ETF Shares. However, other brokerage firms may charge a fee to process a conversion. Vanguard reserves the right, in the future, to impose a transaction fee on conversions or to limit or terminate the conversion privilege. For additional information on converting conventional shares to ETF Shares, please contact Vanguard to obtain a prospectus for ETF Shares. See Contacting Vanguard .
Mandatory Conversions to Another Share Class
If an account no longer meets the balance requirements for a share class, Vanguard may automatically convert the shares in the account to another share class, as appropriate. A decline in the account balance because of market movement may result in such a conversion. Vanguard will notify the investor in writing before any mandatory conversion occurs. Please note that mandatory conversions do not apply to ETF Shares.
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Redeeming Shares
How to Initiate a Redemption Request
Be sure to check Exchanging Shares, Frequent-Trading Limitations , and Other Rules You Should Know before placing your redemption request.
Online. You may request a redemption of shares or request an exchange through our website i f you are registered for online access. In addition, clients may also process redemption requests through a trading platform.
By telephone. You may cal l your Vanguard Relationship Manager or Vanguard Client Account Manage r to request a redemption of shares or an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard .
By mail. You may send a written request to Vanguard to redeem from a fund account or to make an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard .
How to Receive Redemption Proceeds
By electronic bank transfer. You may have the proceeds of a fund redemption sent directly to a designated bank account. Your redemption request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail.
By wire. To receive your proceeds by wire, you may instruct Vanguard to wire your redemption proceed s to a d esignated bank accoun t.
By exchange. You may have the proceeds of a Vanguard fund redemption invested directly in shares of another Vanguard fund. You may initiate an exchange online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See Exchanging Share s .
Trade Date
The trade date for any redemption request received in good order will depend on the day and time Vanguard receives your request and the manner in which you are redeeming. Your redemption will be executed using the NAV as calculated on the trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days that the NYSE is open for trading (a business day).
For redemptions by check , exchange , or wire : If the redemption request is received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the trade date will be the same day. If the redemption request is received on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the trade date will be the next business day.
Note on timing of wire redemptions from money market funds: For telephone requests received by Vanguard on a business day before 10:45 a.m., Eastern time (2 p.m., Eastern time, for Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund), the redemption
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proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business the same day. For telephone requests received by Vanguard on a business day after those cut-off times, or on a nonbusiness day, and for all requests other than by telephone, the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the next business day.
Note on timing of wire redemptions from all other funds: For requests received by Vanguard on a business day before the close of regular trading on the NYSE (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the next business day. For requests received by Vanguard on a business day after the close of regular trading on the NYSE, or on a nonbusiness day, the redemption proceeds generally will leave Vanguard by the close of business on the second business day after Vanguard receives the request.
If your redemption request is not accurate and complete, it may be rejected. If we are unable to send your redemption proceeds by wire or electronic bank transfer because the receiving institution rejects the transfer, Vanguard will make additional efforts to complete your transaction. If Vanguard is still unable to complete the transaction, we may send the proceeds of the redemption to you by check, generally payable to all registered account owners, or use your proceeds to purchase new shares of the fund from which you sold shares for the purpose of the wire or electronic bank transfer transaction. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order .
For further information about redemption transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
Other Redemption Rules You Should Know
Documentation for certain accounts. Special documentation may be required to redeem from certain types of accounts, such as trust, corporate, nonprofit, or retirement accounts. Please call us before attempting to redeem from these types of accounts.
Potentially disruptive redemptions. Vanguard reserves the right to pay all or part of a redemption in kindthat is, in the form of securitiesif we reasonably believe that a cash redemption would negatively affect the funds operation or performance or that the shareholder may be engaged in market-timing or frequent trading. Under these circumstances, Vanguard also reserves the right to delay payment of the redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days. By calling us before you attempt to redeem a large dollar amount, you may avoid in-kind or delayed payment of your redemption. Please see Frequent-Trading Limitations for information about Vanguards policies to limit frequent trading.
Recently purchased shares. Although you can redeem shares at any time, proceeds may not be made available to you until the fund collects payment for your purchase.
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This may take up to seven calendar days for shares purchased by check or by electronic bank transfer. If you have written a check on a fund with checkwriting privileges, that check may be rejected if your fund account does not have a sufficient available balance.
Address change. If you change your address online or by telephone, there may be up to a 14-day restriction on your ability to request check redemptions online and by telephone. You can request a redemption in writing at any time. Confirmations of address changes are sent to both the old and new addresses.
Payment to a different person or address. At your request, we can make your redemption check payable, or wire your redemption proceeds, to a different person or send it to a different address. However, this generally requires the written consent of all registered account owners and may require additional documentation, such as a signature guarantee or a notarized signature. You may obtain a signature guarantee from some commercial or savings banks, credit unions, trust companies, or member firms of a U.S. stock exchange.
No cancellations. Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any redemption request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing a redemption request.
Emergency circumstances. Vanguard funds can postpone payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days. In addition, Vanguard funds can suspend redemptions and/or postpone payments of redemption proceeds beyond seven calendar days at times when the NYSE is closed or during emergency circumstances, as determined by the SEC.
Plan Participant Transactions
Plan participant transaction requests (e.g., a contribution, an exchange, or a redemption) must be in good order. Good order means that Vanguard has determined that (1) your transaction request includes complete information and (2) appropriate assets are already in your account or new assets have been received or, if funded via ACH, credited to your account.
Processing times for your transaction requests may differ among recordkeepers or among transaction and funding types. Your plans recordkeeper (which may also be Vanguard) will determine the necessary processing time frames for your transaction requests prior to submission to the Fund. Consult your recordkeeper or plan administrator for more information.
Your transaction will then be based on the next-determined NAV of the Funds Institutional Select Shares. If your transaction request is received in good order before the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time), you will receive that days NAV and trade date. NAVs are calculated only on days the NYSE is open for trading.
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If Vanguard is serving as your plan recordkeeper and if your transaction involves one or more investments with an early cut-off time for processing or another trading restriction, your entire transaction will be subject to the restriction when the trade date for your transaction is determined.
Exchanging Shares
An exchange occurs when you use the proceeds from the redemption of shares of one Vanguard fund to simultaneously purchase shares of a different Vanguard fund. You can make exchange requests online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. See Purchasing Shares and Redeeming Shares .
If the NYSE is open for regular trading (generally until 4 p.m., Eastern time, on a business day) at the time an exchange request is received in good order, the trade date generally will be the same day. See Other Rules You Should KnowGood Order for additional information on all transaction requests.
Vanguard will not accept your request to cancel any exchange request once processing has begun. Please be careful when placing an exchange request.
Please note that Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to revise or terminate the exchange privilege, limit the amount of any exchange, or reject an exchange, at any time, for any reason. See Frequent-Trading Limitations for additional restrictions on exchanges.
Plan participants should consider the following before making an exchange to or from another fund available in your plan:
Certain investment options, particularly funds made up of company stock or investment contracts, may be subject to unique restrictions.
Vanguard can accept exchanges only as permitted by your plan. Contact your plan administrator for details on other exchange policies that apply to your plan.
Before making an exchange into another fund, it is important to read that funds prospectus. To obtain a copy, please contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188.
Frequent-Trading Limitations
Because excessive transactions can disrupt management of a fund and increase the funds costs for all shareholders, the board of trustees of each Vanguard fund places certain limits on frequent trading in the funds. Each Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund) limits an investors purchases or exchanges into a
27
fund account for 30 calendar days (60 calendar days for participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) after the investor has redeemed or exchanged out of that fund account. ETF Shares are not subject to these frequent-trading limits.
For Vanguard Retirement Investment Program pooled plans, the limitations apply to exchanges made online or by telephone.
These frequent-trading limitations do not apply to the following:
Service, Direct Deposit Service, Automatic Withdrawal Plan, Required Minimum Distribution Service, and Vanguard Small Business Online ® .
Discretionary transactions through Vanguard Asset Management Services , Vanguard Personal Advisor Services ® , and Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services ® .
types of retirement accounts (including, but not limited to, IRAs, certain Individual 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans).
Transaction requests submitted by mail to Vanguard from shareholders who hold their accounts directly with Vanguard or through a Vanguard brokerage account. (Transaction requests submitted by fax, if otherwise permitted, are subject to the limitations.)
trades made by funds or trusts managed by Vanguard or its affiliates that invest in other Vanguard funds. (Please note that shareholders of Vanguards funds of funds are subject to the limitations.)
For participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans,* the frequent-trading limitations do not apply to:
Purchases of shares with participant payroll or employer contributions or loan repayments.
submitted by fax, if otherwise permitted, are subject to the limitations.)
The exchange privilege (your ability to purchase shares of a fund using the proceeds from the simultaneous redemption of shares of another fund) may be available to you through your plan. Although we make every effort to maintain the exchange privilege, Vanguard reserves the right to revise or terminate this privilege, limit the amount of an exchange, or reject any exchange, at any time, without notice. Because excessive exchanges can disrupt the management of the Vanguard funds and increase their transaction costs, Vanguard places certain limits on the exchange privilege.
If you are exchanging out of any Vanguard fund (other than money market funds and short-term bond funds, but including Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund), you must wait 60 calendar days (30 calendar days for investors other than participants in employer-sponsored defined contribution plans recordkept directly by Vanguard) before exchanging back into the fund. This policy applies regardless of the dollar amount . Please note that the 60-day clock restarts after every exchange out of the fund.
* The following Vanguard fund accounts are subject to the frequent-trading limitations: SEP-IRAs, SIMPLE IRAs, certain Individual 403(b)(7) Custodial Accounts, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.
Plans for which Vanguard does not serve as recordkeeper . If Vanguard does not serve as recordkeeper for your plan, your plans recordkeeper will establish accounts in Vanguard funds for the benefit of its clients. In such accounts, we cannot always monitor the trading activity of individual clients. However, we review trading activity at the intermediary (omnibus) level, and if we detect suspicious activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action. If necessary, Vanguard may prohibit additional purchases of fund shares by an intermediary, including for the benefit of certain of the intermediarys clients. Intermediaries also may monitor participants trading activity with respect to Vanguard funds.
For those Vanguard funds that charge purchase and/or redemption fees, intermediaries that establish accounts in the Vanguard funds will be asked to assess these fees on participant accounts and remit these fees to the funds. The application of purchase and redemption fees and frequent-trading limitations may vary among
29
intermediaries. There are no assurances that Vanguard will successfully identify all intermediaries or that intermediaries will properly assess purchase and redemption fees or administer frequent-trading limitations. If a firm other than Vanguard serves as recordkeeper for your plan, please read that firms materials carefully to learn of any other rules or fees that may apply.
Accounts Held by Institutions (Other Than Defined Contribution Plans)
Vanguard will systematically monitor for frequent trading in institutional clients accounts. If we detect suspicious trading activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action, which may include applying to a clients accounts the 30 -day policy previously described, prohibiting a clients purchases of fund shares, and/or revoking the clients exchange privilege.
Accounts Held by Intermediaries
When intermediaries establish accounts in Vanguard funds for the benefit of their clients, we cannot always monitor the trading activity of the individual clients. However, we review trading activity at the intermediary (omnibus) level, and if we detect suspicious activity, we will investigate and take appropriate action. If necessary, Vanguard may prohibit additional purchases of fund shares by an intermediary, including for the benefit of certain of the intermediarys clients. Intermediaries also may monitor their clients trading activities with respect to Vanguard funds.
For those Vanguard funds that charge purchase and/or redemption fees, intermediaries will be asked to assess these fees on client accounts and remit these fees to the funds. The application of purchase and redemption fees and frequent-trading limitations may vary among intermediaries. There are no assurances that Vanguard will successfully identify all intermediaries or that intermediaries will properly assess purchase and redemption fees or administer frequent-trading limitations. If you invest with Vanguard through an intermediary, please read that firms materials carefully to learn of any other rules or fees that may apply.
Other Rules You Should Know
Prospectus and Shareholder Report Mailings
When two or more shareholders have the same last name and address, just one summary prospectus (or prospectus) and/or shareholder report may be sent in an attempt to eliminate the unnecessary expense of duplicate mailings. You may request individual prospectuses and reports by contacting our Client Services Department in writing, by telephone, or online. See Contacting Vanguard .
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Vanguard.com
Registration. If you are a registered user of vanguard.com, you can review your account holdings; buy, sell, or exchange shares of most Vanguard funds; and perform most other transactions through our website. You must register for this service online.
Electronic delivery. Vanguard can deliver your account statements, transaction confirmations, prospectuses, tax forms, and shareholder reports electronically. If you are a registered user of vanguard.com , you can consent to the electronic delivery of these documents by logging on and changing your mailing preferences under Account Maintenance. You can revoke your electronic consent at any time through our website, and we will begin to send paper copies of these documents within 30 days of receiving your revocation.
Telephone Transactions
Automatic. When we set up your account, we will automatically enable you to do business with us by telephone, unless you instruct us otherwise in writing.
Tele-Account ® . To obtain fund and account information through Vanguards automated telephone service, you must first establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by calling Tele-Account at 800-662-6273.
Proof of a callers authority. We reserve the right to refuse a telephone request if the caller is unable to provide the requested information or if we reasonably believe that the caller is not an individual authorized to act on the account. Before we allow a caller to act on an account, we may request the following information:
Authorization to act on the account (as the account owner or by legal documentation or other means).
Good Order
We reserve the right to reject any transaction instructions that are not in good order. Good order generally means that your instructions:
Are provided by the person(s) authorized in accordance with Vanguards policies and procedures to access the account and request transactions.
Written instructions also must generally include:
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Signature guarantees or notarized signatures, if required for the type of transaction.
(Call Vanguard for specific requirements.)
Any supporting documentation that may be required.
Written instructions are acceptable when a Vanguard form is not applicable. The requirements vary among types of accounts and transactions. For more information, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to revise the requirements for good order.
Future Trade-Date Requests
Vanguard does not accept requests to hold a purchase, conversion, redemption, or exchange transaction for a future date. All such requests will receive trade dates as previously described in Purchasing Shares , Converting Shares , Redeeming Shares, and
Exchanging Shares . Vanguard reserves the right to return future-dated purchase checks.
Accounts With More Than One Owner
If an account has more than one owner or authorized person, Vanguard generally will accept instructions from any one owner or authorized person.
Responsibility for Fraud
Vanguard will not be responsible for any account losses because of fraud if we reasonably believe that the person transacting business on an account is authorized to do so. Please take precautions to protect yourself from fraud. Keep your account information private, and immediately review any account statements or other information that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately about any transactions or changes to your account that you believe to be unauthorized.
Uncashed Checks
Please cash your distribution or redemption checks promptly. Vanguard will not pay interest on uncashed checks. Vanguard may be required to transfer assets related to uncashed checks to a state under the states abandoned property law.
Dormant Accounts
If your account has no activity in it for a period of time, Vanguard may be required to transfer it to a state under the states abandoned property law.
Unusual Circumstances
If you experience difficulty contacting Vanguard online or by telephone, you can send us your transaction request by regular or express mail. See Contacting Vanguard for addresses.
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Investing With Vanguard Through Other Firms
You may purchase or sell shares of most Vanguard funds through a financial intermediary, such as a bank, a broker, or an investment advisor. Please consult your financial intermediary to determine which, if any, shares are available through that firm and to learn about other rules that may apply. Your financial intermediary can provide you with account information and any required tax forms.
Please see Frequent - Trading Limitations Accounts Held by Intermediaries for information about the assessment of any purchase or redemption fees and the monitoring of frequent trading for accounts held by intermediaries.
Low-Balance Accounts
The Fund reserves the right to convert an investors Institutional Select Shares to another share class, as appropriate, if the fund account balance falls below the account minimu m f or any reason, including market fluctuation. Any such conversion will be preceded by written notice to the investor.
Right to Change Policies
In addition to the rights expressly stated elsewhere in this prospectus, Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to (1) alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, conversion, service, or privilege at any time; (2) accept initial purchases by telephone; (3) freeze any account and/or suspend account services if Vanguard has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if Vanguard reasonably believes a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; (4) temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to Vanguard of the death of the shareholder until Vanguard receives required documentation in good order; (5) alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any purchase fee, redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and (6) redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owners permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity Vanguard believes to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. Changes may affect any or all investors. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Vanguard management, Vanguard reasonably believes they are deemed to be in the best interest of a fund.
Share Classes
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to change the eligibility requirements of its share classes, including the types of clients who are eligible to purchase each share class.
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Fund and Account Updates
Confirmation Statements
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) a confirmation of your trade date and the amount of your transaction when you buy, sell, exchange, or convert shares. However, we will not send confirmations reflecting only checkwriting redemptions or the reinvestment of dividend or capital gains distributions. For any month in which you had a checkwriting redemption, a Checkwriting Activity Statement will be sent to you itemizing the checkwriting redemptions for that month. Promptly review each confirmation statement that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately with any questions you may have about any transaction reflected on a confirmation statement, or Vanguard will consider the transaction properly processed.
Portfolio Summaries
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) quarterly portfolio summaries to help you keep track of your accounts throughout the year. If you prefer, you may request to receive monthly portfolio summaries. Each summary shows the market value of your account at the close of the statement period, as well as all distributions, purchases, redemptions, exchanges, transfers, and conversions for the current calendar quarter (or month). Promptly review each summary that we provide to you. It is important that you contact Vanguard immediately with any questions you may have about any transaction reflected on the summary, or Vanguard will consider the transaction properly processed.
Tax Information Statements
For many accounts, we are required to provide annual tax forms to assist you in preparing your income tax returns. We will s end (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) t ax forms for e ach calendar year early in the following year. For taxable accounts, these forms will generally report the previous years dividends, capital gains distributions, and proceeds from the sale of shares. For 401(k) plans and other retirement plans and accounts, these forms will generally report distributions from those accounts during the previous year. Registered users of vanguard.com can also view these forms through our website. Vanguard may also provide you with additional tax-related documentation. For more information, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard .
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Annual and Semiannual Reports
We will send (or provide through our website, whichever you prefer) reports about Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund twice a year, in February and August. These reports include overviews of the financial markets and provide the following specific Fund information:
Portfolio Holdings
Please consult the Funds Statement of Additional Information or our website for a description of the policies and procedures that govern disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings.
Contacting Vanguard | |
Web | |
Vanguard.com | For the most complete source of Vanguard news |
For fund, account, and service information | |
For most account transactions | |
For literature requests | |
24 hours a day, 7 days a week | |
Phone | |
Vanguard Tele-Account ® 800-662-6273 | For automated fund and account information |
Toll-free, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week | |
Client Services 800-662-2739 | For account information |
(Text telephone for people with hearing | For most account transactio ns |
impairment at 800-749-7273) | |
Institutional Division | For information and services for large institutional investo rs |
888-809-8102 | |
Financial Advisor and Intermediary | For information and services for financial intermediaries |
Sales Support 800-997-2798 | including financial advisors, broker-dealers, trust institutions, |
and insurance compani es | |
Financial Advisory and Intermediary | For account information and trading support for financial |
Trading Support 800-669-0498 | intermediaries including financial advisors, broker-dealers, |
trust institutions, and insurance compani es |
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Vanguard | ||||
Inception | Newspaper | Fund | CUSIP | |
Date | Abbreviation | Number | Number | |
Total Stock Market Index Fund | ||||
Institutional Select Shares | | VanTStMIxInsSel | 1785 | 922908330 |
(Institutional | ||||
Shares | ||||
7/7/1997) | ||||
|
Vanguard funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by the University of Chicago or its Center for Research in Security Prices, and neither the University of Chicago nor its Center for Research in Security Prices makes any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the funds.
Morningstar data © 2016 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. The information contained herein: (1) is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers; (2) may not be copied or distributed; and (3) is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
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Glossary of Investment Terms
Active Management. An investment approach that seeks to exceed the average returns of a particular financial market or market segment. In selecting securities to buy and sell, active managers may rely on, among other things, research, market forecasts, quantitative models, and their own judgment and experience.
Capital Gains Distribution. Payment to mutual fund shareholders of gains realized on securities that a fund has sold at a profit, minus any realized losses.
Common Stock. A security representing ownership rights in a corporation.
Dividend Distribution. Payment to mutual fund shareholders of income from interest or dividends generated by a funds investments.
Expense Ratio. A funds total annual operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the funds average net assets. The expense ratio includes management and administrative expenses, but it does not include the transaction costs of buying and selling portfolio securities.
Inception Date. The date on which the assets of a fund (or one of its share classes) are first invested in accordance with the funds investment objective. For funds with a subscription period, the inception date is the day after that period ends. Investment performance is generally measured from the inception date.
Indexing. A low-cost investment strategy in which a mutual fund attempts to trackrather than outperforma specified market benchmark, or index.
Median Market Capitalization. An indicator of the size of companies in which a fund invests; the midpoint of market capitalization (market price x shares outstanding) of a funds stocks, weighted by the proportion of the funds assets invested in each stock. Stocks representing half of the funds assets have market capitalizations above the median, and the rest are below it.
MSCI US Broad Market Index. An index that tracks virtually all stocks that trade in the U.S. stock market.
Mutual Fund. An investment company that pools the money of many people and invests it in a variety of securities in an effort to achieve a specific objective over time.
Price/Earnings (P/E) Ratio. The current share price of a stock, divided by its per-share earnings (profits). A stock selling for $20, with earnings of $2 per share, has a price/earnings ratio of 10.
Securities. Stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other investments.
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Total Return. A percentage change, over a specified time period, in a mutual funds net asset value, assuming the reinvestment of all distributions of dividends and capital gains.
Volatility. The fluctuations in value of a mutual fund or other security. The greater a funds volatility, the wider the fluctuations in its returns.
Yield. Income (interest or dividends) earned by an investment, expressed as a percentage of the investments price.
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PART B
VANGUARD ® INDEX FUNDS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April 28, 2015 (revised March 29, 2016)
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with a Funds current prospectus (dated March 29, 2016, for Institutional Select Shares of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Vanguard 500 Index Fund, and Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund; dated April 28, 2015, for all others). To obtain, without charge, a prospectus or the most recent Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains the Funds financial statements as hereby incorporated by reference, please contact The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard).
Phone: Investor Information Department at 800-662-7447 Online: vanguard.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS | |
Description of the Trust | B-1 |
Fundamental Policies | B-3 |
Investment Strategies, Risks, and Nonfundamental Policies | B-4 |
Share Price | B-20 |
Purchase and Redemption of Shares | B-20 |
Management of the Funds | B-22 |
Investment Advisory Services | B-40 |
Portfolio Transactions | B-42 |
Proxy Voting Guidelines | B-44 |
Information About the ETF Share Class | B-49 |
Financial Statements | B-58 |
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
Vanguard Index Funds (the Trust) currently offers the following funds and share classes (identified by ticker symbol):
Share Classes 1 | ||||||
Institutional | Ins titutional | |||||
Fund 2 | Investor | Admiral | Institutional | Plus | Select | ETF |
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund | VTSMX | VTSAX | VITSX | VSMPX | VSTSX | VTI |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund | VFINX | VFIAX | | | VFFSX | VOO |
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund | VEXMX | VEXAX | VIEIX | VEMPX | VSEMX | VXF |
Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund | VLACX | VLCAX | VLISX | | VV | |
Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund | VIMSX | VIMAX | VMCIX | VMCPX | VO | |
Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund | NAESX | VSMAX | VSCIX | VSCPX | VB | |
Vanguard Value Index Fund | VIVAX | VVIAX | VIVIX | | VTV | |
Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund | VMVIX | VMVAX | | | VOE | |
Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund | VISVX | VSIAX | VSIIX | | VBR | |
Vanguard Growth Index Fund | VIGRX | VIGAX | VIGIX | | VUG | |
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund | VMGIX | VMGMX | | | VOT | |
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund | VISGX | VSGAX | VSGIX | | VBK | |
1 Individually, a class; collectively, the classes. | ||||||
2 Individually, a Fund; collectively, the Funds. |
The Trust has the ability to offer additional funds or classes of shares. There is no limit on the number of full and fractional shares that may be issued for a single fund or class of shares.
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Organization
The Trust was organized as a Pennsylvania business trust in 1975 and was reorganized as a Delaware statutory trust in 1998. The Trust is registered with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act) as an open-end management investment company. All Funds within the Trust are classified as diversified within the meaning of the 1940 Act.
Service Providers
Custodians. JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070 (for the Growth Index, Mid-Cap Growth Index, Mid-Cap Value Index, Small-Cap Index, and Total Stock Market Index Funds), and Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110-1548 (for the 500 Index, Extended Market Index, Large-Cap Index, Mid-Cap Index, Small-Cap Growth Index, Small-Cap Value Index, and Value Index Funds). The custodians are responsible for maintaining the Funds assets, keeping all necessary accounts and records of the Funds assets, and appointing any foreign sub-custodians or foreign securities depositories.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042, serves as the Funds independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm audits the Funds annual financial statements and provides other related services.
Transfer and Dividend-Paying Agent. The Funds transfer agent and dividend-paying agent is Vanguard, P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
Characteristics of the Funds Shares
Restrictions on Holding or Disposing of Shares. There are no restrictions on the right of shareholders to retain or dispose of a Funds shares, other than those described in the Funds current prospectus and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information. Each Fund or class may be terminated by reorganization into another mutual fund or class or by liquidation and distribution of the assets of the Fund or class. Unless terminated by reorganization or liquidation, each Fund and share class will continue indefinitely.
Shareholder Liability. The Trust is organized under Delaware law, which provides that shareholders of a statutory trust are entitled to the same limitations of personal liability as shareholders of a corporation organized under Delaware law. This means that a shareholder of a Fund generally will not be personally liable for payment of the Funds debts. Some state courts, however, may not apply Delaware law on this point. We believe that the possibility of such a situation arising is remote.
Dividend Rights. The shareholders of each class of a Fund are entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions declared by the Fund for each such class. No shares of a Fund have priority or preference over any other shares of the Fund with respect to distributions. Distributions will be made from the assets of the Fund and will be paid ratably to all shareholders of a particular class according to the number of shares of the class held by shareholders on the record date. The amount of dividends per share may vary between separate share classes of the Fund based upon differences in the net asset values of the different classes and differences in the way that expenses are allocated between share classes pursuant to a multiple class plan approved by the Funds board of trustees.
Voting Rights. Shareholders are entitled to vote on a matter if (1) the matter concerns an amendment to the Declaration of Trust that would adversely affect to a material degree the rights and preferences of the shares of a Fund or any class; (2) the trustees determine that it is necessary or desirable to obtain a shareholder vote; (3) a merger or consolidation, share conversion, share exchange, or sale of assets is proposed and a shareholder vote is required by the 1940 Act to approve the transaction; or (4) a shareholder vote is required under the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires a shareholder vote under various circumstances, including to elect or remove trustees upon the written request of shareholders representing 10% or more of a Funds net assets, to change any fundamental policy of a Fund (please see Fundamental Policies ), and to enter into certain merger transactions. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, shareholders of a Fund receive one vote for each dollar of net asset value owned on the record date and a fractional vote for each fractional dollar of net asset value owned on the record date. However, only the shares of the Fund or class affected by a particular matter are entitled to vote on that matter. In addition, each class has exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to that class, and each class has separate voting rights on any matter submitted to
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shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of another. Voting rights are noncumulative and cannot be modified without a majority vote by the shareholders.
Liquidation Rights. In the event that a Fund is liquidated, shareholders will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of the Funds net assets. In the event that a class of shares is liquidated, shareholders of that class will be entitled to receive a pro rata share of the Funds net assets that are allocated to that class. Shareholders may receive cash, securities, or a combination of the two.
Preemptive Rights. There are no preemptive rights associated with the Funds shares.
Conversion Rights. Fund shareholders may convert their shares to another class of shares of the same Fund upon the satisfaction of any then-applicable eligibility requirements, as described in the Funds current prospectus. ETF Shares cannot be converted into conventional shares of a fund. For additional information about the conversion rights applicable to ETF Shares, please see Information About the ETF Share Class .
Redemption Provisions. Each Funds redemption provisions are described in its current prospectus and elsewhere in this Statement of Additional Information.
Sinking Fund Provisions. The Funds have no sinking fund provisions.
Calls or Assessment. Each Funds shares, when issued, are fully paid and non-assessable.
Tax Status of the Funds
Each Fund expects to qualify each year for treatment as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the IRC). This special tax status means that the Fund will not be liable for federal tax on income and capital gains distributed to shareholders. In order to preserve its tax status, each Fund must comply with certain requirements. If a Fund fails to meet these requirements in any taxable year, the Fund will, in some cases, be able to cure such failure, including by paying a fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions, or disposing of certain assets. If the Fund is ineligible to or otherwise does not cure such failure for any year, it will be subject to tax on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net long-term capital gains, will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. In addition, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest, and make substantial distributions before regaining its tax status as a regulated investment company.
Dividends received and distributed by each Fund on shares of stock of domestic corporations and certain foreign corporations generally may be eligible to be reported by the Fund, and treated by individual shareholders, as qualified dividend income taxed at long-term capital gain rates instead of at higher ordinary income tax rates. Individuals must satisfy holding period and other requirements in order to be eligible for such treatment. Capital gains distributed by the Funds are not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income.
Dividends received and distributed by each Fund on shares of stock of domestic corporations may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction applicable to corporate shareholders. Corporations must satisfy certain requirements in order to claim the deduction. Capital gains distributed by the Funds are not eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Each Fund may declare a capital gain dividend consisting of the excess (if any) of net realized long-term capital gains over net realized short-term capital losses. Net capital gains for a fiscal year are computed by taking into account any capital loss carryforwards of the Fund. For Fund fiscal years beginning on or after December 22, 2010, capital losses may be carried forward indefinitely and retain their character as either short-term or long-term. Under prior law, net capital losses could be carried forward for eight tax years and were treated as short-term capital losses. A Fund is required to use capital losses arising in fiscal years beginning on or after December 22, 2010, before using capital losses arising in fiscal years beginning prior to December 22, 2010.
FUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
Each Fund is subject to the following fundamental investment policies, which cannot be changed in any material way without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Funds shares. For these purposes, a majority of shares means shares representing the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the Funds net assets voted, so long as shares representing more than 50% of the Funds net assets are present or represented by proxy or (2) more than 50% of the Funds net assets.
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Borrowing . Each Fund may borrow money only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Commodities . Each Fund may invest in commodities only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Diversification . With respect to 75% of its total assets, each Fund may not (1) purchase more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or (2) purchase securities of any issuer if, as a result, more than 5% of the Funds total assets would be invested in that issuers securities. This limitation does not apply to obligations of the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities.
Industry Concentration . Each Fund will not concentrate its investments in the securities of issuers whose principal business activities are in the same industry, except as may be necessary to approximate the composition of its target index.
Investment Objective . The investment objective of each Fund may not be materially changed without a shareholder vote.
Loans . Each Fund may make loans to another person only as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Real Estate . Each Fund may not invest directly in real estate unless it is acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments. This restriction shall not prevent the Fund from investing in securities or other instruments (1) issued by companies that invest, deal, or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or (2) backed or secured by real estate or interests in real estate.
Senior Securities . Each Fund may not issue senior securities except as permitted by the 1940 Act or other governing statute, by the Rules thereunder, or by the SEC or other regulatory agency with authority over the Fund.
Underwriting . Each Fund may not act as an underwriter of another issuers securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act), in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
Compliance with the fundamental policies previously described is generally measured at the time the securities are purchased. Unless otherwise required by the 1940 Act (as is the case with borrowing), if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time the investment is made, a later change in percentage resulting from a change in the market value of assets will not constitute a violation of such restriction. All fundamental policies must comply with applicable regulatory requirements. For more details, see Investment Strategies, Risks, and Nonfundamental Policies .
None of these policies prevents the Funds from having an ownership interest in Vanguard. As a part owner of Vanguard, each Fund may own securities issued by Vanguard, make loans to Vanguard, and contribute to Vanguards costs or other financial requirements. See Management of the Funds for more information.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES, RISKS, AND NONFUNDAMENTAL POLICIES
Some of the investment strategies and policies described on the following pages and in each Funds prospectus set forth percentage limitations on a Funds investment in, or holdings of, certain securities or other assets. Unless otherwise required by law, compliance with these strategies and policies will be determined immediately after the acquisition of such securities or assets by the Fund. Subsequent changes in values, net assets, or other circumstances will not be considered when determining whether the investment complies with the Funds investment strategies and policies.
The following investment strategies, risks, and policies supplement each Funds investment strategies, risks, and policies set forth in the prospectus. With respect to the different investments discussed as follows, a Fund may acquire such investments to the extent consistent with its investment strategies and policies.
Borrowing . A funds ability to borrow money is limited by its investment policies and limitations; by the 1940 Act; and by applicable exemptions, no-action letters, interpretations, and other pronouncements issued from time to time by the SEC and its staff or any other regulatory authority with jurisdiction. Under the 1940 Act, a fund is required to maintain continuous asset coverage (that is, total assets including borrowings, less liabilities exclusive of borrowings) of 300% of the amount borrowed, with an exception for borrowings not in excess of 5% of the funds total assets made for temporary or emergency purposes. Any borrowings for temporary purposes in excess of 5% of the funds total assets must maintain continuous asset coverage. If the 300% asset coverage should decline as a result of market fluctuations or for other reasons, a fund may be required to sell some of its portfolio holdings within three days (excluding Sundays
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and holidays) to reduce the debt and restore the 300% asset coverage, even though it may be disadvantageous from an investment standpoint to sell securities at that time.
Borrowing will tend to exaggerate the effect on net asset value of any increase or decrease in the market value of a funds portfolio. Money borrowed will be subject to interest costs that may or may not be recovered by earnings on the securities purchased with the proceeds of such borrowing. A fund also may be required to maintain minimum average balances in connection with a borrowing or to pay a commitment or other fee to maintain a line of credit; either of these requirements would increase the cost of borrowing over the stated interest rate.
The SEC takes the position that transactions that have a leveraging effect on the capital structure of a fund or are economically equivalent to borrowing can be viewed as constituting a form of borrowing by the fund for purposes of the 1940 Act. These transactions can include entering into reverse repurchase agreements; engaging in mortgage-dollar-roll transactions; selling securities short (other than short sales against-the-box); buying and selling certain derivatives (such as futures contracts); selling (or writing) put and call options; engaging in sale-buybacks; entering into firm-commitment and standby-commitment agreements; engaging in when-issued, delayed-delivery, or forward-commitment transactions; and participating in other similar trading practices. (Additional discussion about a number of these transactions can be found on the following pages.) A borrowing transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund maintains an offsetting financial position; segregates liquid assets (with such liquidity determined by the advisor in accordance with procedures established by the board of trustees) equal (as determined on a daily mark-to-market basis) in value to the funds potential economic exposure under the borrowing transaction; or otherwise covers the transaction in accordance with applicable SEC guidance (collectively, covers the transaction). A fund may have to buy or sell a security at a disadvantageous time or price in order to cover a borrowing transaction. In addition, segregated assets may not be available to satisfy redemptions or to fulfill other obligations.
Common Stock . Common stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. Common stock typically entitles the owner to vote on the election of directors and other important matters, as well as to receive dividends on such stock. In the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds, other debt holders, and owners of preferred stock take precedence over the claims of those who own common stock.
Convertible Securities . Convertible securities are hybrid securities that combine the investment characteristics of bonds and common stocks. Convertible securities typically consist of debt securities or preferred stock that may be converted (on a voluntary or mandatory basis) within a specified period of time (normally for the entire life of the security) into a certain amount of common stock or other equity security of the same or a different issuer at a predetermined price. Convertible securities also include debt securities with warrants or common stock attached and derivatives combining the features of debt securities and equity securities. Other convertible securities with features and risks not specifically referred to herein may become available in the future. Convertible securities involve risks similar to those of both fixed income and equity securities. In a corporations capital structure, convertible securities are senior to common stock but are usually subordinated to senior debt obligations of the issuer.
The market value of a convertible security is a function of its investment value and its conversion value. A securitys investment value represents the value of the security without its conversion feature (i.e., a nonconvertible debt security). The investment value may be determined by reference to its credit quality and the current value of its yield to maturity or probable call date. At any given time, investment value is dependent upon such factors as the general level of interest rates, the yield of similar nonconvertible securities, the financial strength of the issuer, and the seniority of the security in the issuers capital structure. A securitys conversion value is determined by multiplying the number of shares the holder is entitled to receive upon conversion or exchange by the current price of the underlying security. If the conversion value of a convertible security is significantly below its investment value, the convertible security will trade like nonconvertible debt or preferred stock and its market value will not be influenced greatly by fluctuations in the market price of the underlying security. In that circumstance, the convertible security takes on the characteristics of a bond, and its price moves in the opposite direction from interest rates. Conversely, if the conversion value of a convertible security is near or above its investment value, the market value of the convertible security will be more heavily influenced by fluctuations in the market price of the underlying security. In that case, the convertible securitys price may be as volatile as that of common stock. Because both interest rates and market movements can influence its value, a convertible security generally is not as sensitive to interest rates as a similar debt security, nor is it as sensitive
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to changes in share price as its underlying equity security. Convertible securities are often rated below investment grade or are not rated, and they are generally subject to a high degree of credit risk.
Although all markets are prone to change over time, the generally high rate at which convertible securities are retired (through mandatory or scheduled conversions by issuers or through voluntary redemptions by holders) and replaced with newly issued convertible securities may cause the convertible securities market to change more rapidly than other markets. For example, a concentration of available convertible securities in a few economic sectors could elevate the sensitivity of the convertible securities market to the volatility of the equity markets and to the specific risks of those sectors. Moreover, convertible securities with innovative structures, such as mandatory-conversion securities and equity-linked securities, have increased the sensitivity of the convertible securities market to the volatility of the equity markets and to the special risks of those innovations, which may include risks different from, and possibly greater than, those associated with traditional convertible securities. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price set in the governing instrument of the convertible security. If a convertible security held by a fund is subject to such redemption option and is called for redemption, the fund must allow the issuer to redeem the security, convert it into the underlying common stock, or sell the security to a third party.
Depositary Receipts . Depositary receipts (also sold as participatory notes) are securities that evidence ownership interests in a security or a pool of securities that have been deposited with a depository. Depositary receipts may be sponsored or unsponsored and include American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs), and Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs). For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution, and the underlying securities are issued by a foreign issuer. For other depositary receipts, the depository may be a foreign or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a foreign or a U.S. issuer. Depositary receipts will not necessarily be denominated in the same currency as their underlying securities. Generally, ADRs are issued in registered form, denominated in U.S. dollars, and designed for use in the U.S. securities markets. Other depositary receipts, such as GDRs and EDRs, may be issued in bearer form and denominated in other currencies, and they are generally designed for use in securities markets outside the United States. Although the two types of depositary receipt facilities (sponsored and unsponsored) are similar, there are differences regarding a holders rights and obligations and the practices of market participants.
A depository may establish an unsponsored facility without participation by (or acquiescence of) the underlying issuer; typically, however, the depository requests a letter of nonobjection from the underlying issuer prior to establishing the facility. Holders of unsponsored depositary receipts generally bear all the costs of the facility. The depository usually charges fees upon the deposit and withdrawal of the underlying securities, the conversion of dividends into U.S. dollars or other currency, the disposition of noncash distributions, and the performance of other services. The depository of an unsponsored facility frequently is under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications received from the underlying issuer or to pass through voting rights to depositary receipt holders with respect to the underlying securities.
Sponsored depositary receipt facilities are created in generally the same manner as unsponsored facilities, except that sponsored depositary receipts are established jointly by a depository and the underlying issuer through a deposit agreement. The deposit agreement sets out the rights and responsibilities of the underlying issuer, the depository, and the depositary receipt holders. With sponsored facilities, the underlying issuer typically bears some of the costs of the depositary receipts (such as dividend payment fees of the depository), although most sponsored depositary receipt holders may bear costs such as deposit and withdrawal fees. Depositories of most sponsored depositary receipts agree to distribute notices of shareholder meetings, voting instructions, and other shareholder communications and information to the depositary receipt holders at the underlying issuers request.
For purposes of a funds investment policies, investments in depositary receipts will be deemed to be investments in the underlying securities. Thus, a depositary receipt representing ownership of common stock will be treated as common stock. Depositary receipts do not eliminate all of the risks associated with directly investing in the securities of foreign issuers.
Derivatives . A derivative is a financial instrument that has a value based onor derived fromthe values of other assets, reference rates, or indexes. Derivatives may relate to a wide variety of underlying references, such as commodities, stocks, bonds, interest rates, currency exchange rates, and related indexes. Derivatives include futures contracts and options on futures contracts, certain forward-commitment transactions, options on securities, caps, floors, collars, swap agreements, and certain other financial instruments. Some derivatives, such as futures contracts and certain options, are traded on U.S. commodity and securities exchanges, while other derivatives, such as swap
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agreements, may be privately negotiated and entered into in the over-the-counte r market (OTC Derivatives) or may be cleared through a clearinghouse (Cleared Derivatives) and traded on an exchange or swap execution facility. As a result of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act), certain swap agreements, such as certain standardized credit default and interest rate swap agreements, must be cleared through a clearinghouse and traded on an exchange or swap execution facility. This could result in an increase in the overall costs of such transactions. While the intent of derivatives regulatory reform is to mitigate risks associated with derivatives markets, the new regulations could, among other things, increase liquidity and decrease pricing for more standardized products while decreasing liquidity and increasing pricing for less standardized products. The risks associated with the use of derivatives are different from, and possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the securities or assets on which the derivatives are based.
Derivatives are used by some investors for speculative purposes. Derivatives also may be used for a variety of purposes that do not constitute speculation, such as hedging, managing risk, seeking to stay fully invested, seeking to reduce transaction costs, seeking to simulate an investment in equity or debt securities or other investments, and seeking to add value by using derivatives to more efficiently implement portfolio positions when derivatives are favorably priced relative to equity or debt securities or other investment s. There is no assurance that any derivatives strategy used by a funds advisor will succeed. The other parties to the funds OTC Derivatives contracts (usually referred to as counterparties) will not be considered the issuers thereof for purposes of certain provisions of the 1940 Act and the IRC, although such OTC D erivatives may qualify as securities or investments under such laws. The funds advisors, however, will monitor and adjust, as appropriate, the funds credit risk exposure to OTC D erivative counterparties.
Derivative products are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques and risk analyses different from those associated with stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments. The use of a derivative requires an understanding not only of the underlying instrument but also of the derivative itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the derivative under all possible market conditions.
When the fund enters into a Cleared Derivative, an initial margin deposit with a Futures Commission Merchant (FCM) is required. Initial margin deposits are typically calculated as an amount equal to the volatility in market value of a Cleared Derivative over a fixed period. If the value of the funds Cleared Derivatives declines, the fund will be required to make additional variation margin payments to the FCM to settle the change in value. If the value of the funds Cleared Derivatives increases, the FCM will be required to make additional variation margin payments to the fund to settle the change in value. This process is known as marking-to-market and is calculated on a daily basis.
For OTC Derivatives, the fund is subject to the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of th e c ounterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the contract. Additionally, the use of credit derivatives can result in losses if a funds advisor does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer on which the credit derivative is based.
Derivatives may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular derivative is difficult to purchase or sell. If a derivative transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with certain OTC Derivatives), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price.
Derivatives may be subject to pricing or basis risk, which exists when a particular derivative becomes extraordinarily expensive relative to historical prices or the prices of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market conditions, it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to avoid a loss or take advantage of an opportunity.
Because certain derivatives have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the derivative itself. Certain derivatives have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. A derivative transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing .
Like most other investments, derivative instruments are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a funds interest. A fund bears the risk that its advisor will incorrectly forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other financial or economic factors in establishing derivative positions for the fund. If the advisor attempts to use a derivative as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a
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portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the derivative will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving derivative instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Many derivatives (in particular, OTC Derivatives) are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.
Exchange-Traded Funds . A fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including ETF Shares issued by other Vanguard funds. Typically, a fund would purchase ETF shares for the same reason it would purchase (and as an alternative to purchasing) futures contracts: to obtain exposure to all or a portion of the stock or bond market. ETF shares enjoy several advantages over futures. Depending on the market, the holding period, and other factors, ETF shares can be less costly and more tax-efficient than futures. In addition, ETF shares can be purchased for smaller sums, offer exposure to market sectors and styles for which there is no suitable or liquid futures contract, and do not involve leverage.
An investment in an ETF generally presents the same principal risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is not exchange-traded) that has the same investment objective, strategies, and policies. The price of an ETF can fluctuate within a wide range, and a fund could lose money investing in an ETF if the prices of the securities owned by the ETF go down. In addition, ETFs are subject to the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETFs shares may trade at a discount or a premium to their net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an ETFs shares may not develop or be maintained; and (3) trading of an ETFs shares may be halted by the activation of individual or marketwide trading halts (which halt trading for a specific period of time when the price of a particular security or overall market prices decline by a specified percentage). Trading of an ETFs shares may also be halted if the shares are delisted from the exchange without first being listed on another exchange or if the listing exchanges officials determine that such action is appropriate in the interest of a fair and orderly market or for the protection of investors.
Most ETFs are investment companies. Therefore, a funds purchases of ETF shares generally are subject to the limitations on, and the risks of, a funds investments in other investment companies, which are described under the heading Other Investment Companies .
Vanguard ETF ® * Shares are exchange-traded shares that represent an interest in an investment portfolio held by Vanguard funds. A funds investments in Vanguard ETF Shares are also generally subject to the descriptions, limitations, and risks described under the heading Other Investment Companies , except as provided by an exemption granted by the SEC that permits registered investment companies to invest in a Vanguard fund that issues ETF Shares beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, subject to certain terms and conditions.
* U.S. Patent Nos. 6,879,964; 7,337,138; 7,720,749; 7,925,573; 8,090,646; and 8,417,623.
Foreign Securities. Typically, foreign securities are considered to be equity or debt securities issued by entities organized, domiciled, or with a principal executive office outside the United States, such as foreign corporations and governments. Securities issued by certain companies organized outside the United States may not be deemed to be foreign securities if the companys principal operations are conducted from the United States or when the companys equity securities trade principally on a U.S. stock exchange. Foreign securities may trade in U.S. or foreign securities markets. A fund may make foreign investments either directly by purchasing foreign securities or indirectly by purchasing depositary receipts or depositary shares of similar instruments (depositary receipts) for foreign securities. Direct investments in foreign securities may be made either on foreign securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets. Investing in foreign securities involves certain special risk considerations that are not typically associated with investing in securities of U.S. companies or governments.
Because foreign issuers are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards and practices comparable to those applicable to U.S. issuers, there may be less publicly available information about certain foreign issuers than about U.S. issuers. Evidence of securities ownership may be uncertain in many foreign countries. As a result, there are multiple risks that could result in a loss to the fund, including, but not limited to, the risk that a funds trade details could be incorrectly or fraudulently entered at the time of the transaction. Securities of foreign issuers are generally more volatile and less liquid than securities of comparable U.S. issuers, and foreign investments may be effected through structures that may be complex or confusing. In certain countries, there is less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the United States. The risk that securities traded on foreign exchanges may be suspended, either by the issuers themselves, by an exchange, or by government authorities, is also heightened. In addition, with respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of
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expropriation or confiscatory taxation, political or social instability, war, terrorism, nationalization, limitations on the removal of funds or other assets, or diplomatic developments that could affect U.S. investments in those countries. Additionally, economic or other sanctions imposed on the United States by a foreign country, or imposed on a foreign country or issuer by the United States, could impair a funds ability to buy, sell, hold, receive, deliver, or otherwise transact in certain investment securities. Sanctions could also affect the value and/or liquidity of a foreign security.
Although an advisor will endeavor to achieve the most favorable execution costs for a funds portfolio transactions in foreign securities under the circumstances, commissions and other transaction costs are generally higher than those on U.S. securities. In addition, it is expected that the custodian arrangement expenses for a fund that invests primarily in foreign securities will be somewhat greater than the expenses for a fund that invests primarily in domestic securities. Additionally, bankruptcy laws vary by jurisdiction and cash deposits may be subject to a custodians creditors. Certain foreign governments levy withholding or other taxes against dividend and interest income from, capital gains on the sale of, or transactions in foreign securities. Although in some countries a portion of these taxes is recoverable by the fund, the nonrecovered portion of foreign withholding taxes will reduce the income received from such securities.
The value of the foreign securities held by a fund that are not U.S. dollar-denominated may be significantly affected by changes in currency exchange rates. The U.S. dollar value of a foreign security generally decreases when the value of the U.S. dollar rises against the foreign currency in which the security is denominated, and it tends to increase when the value of the U.S. dollar falls against such currency (as discussed under the heading Foreign SecuritiesForeign Currency Transactions , a fund may attempt to hedge its currency risks). In addition, the value of fund assets may be affected by losses and other expenses incurred in converting between various currencies in order to purchase and sell foreign securities, as well as by currency restrictions, exchange control regulation, currency devaluations, and political and economic developments.
Foreign SecuritiesForeign Currency Transactions. The value in U.S. dollars of a funds non-dollar-denominated foreign securities may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations, and the fund may incur costs in connection with conversions between various currencies. To seek to minimize the impact of such factors on net asset values, a fund may engage in foreign currency transactions in connection with its investments in foreign securities. A fund will enter into foreign currency transactions only to attempt to hedge the currency risk associated with investing in foreign securities. Although such transactions tend to minimize the risk of loss that would result from a decline in the value of the hedged currency, they also may limit any potential gain that might result should the value of such currency increase.
Currency exchange transactions may be conducted either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the rate prevailing in the currency exchange market or through forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A forward currency contract involves an obligation to purchase or sell a specific currency at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price set at the time of the contract. These contracts are entered into with large commercial banks or other currency traders who are participants in the interbank market. Currency exchange transactions also may be effected through the use of swap agreements or other derivatives.
Currency exchange transactions may be considered borrowings. A currency exchange transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing .
By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale of foreign currency involved in underlying security transactions, a fund may be able to protect itself against part or all of the possible loss between trade and settlement dates for that purchase or sale resulting from an adverse change in the relationship between the U.S. dollar and such foreign currency. This practice is sometimes referred to as transaction hedging. In addition, when the advisor reasonably believes that a particular foreign currency may suffer a substantial decline against the U.S. dollar, a fund may enter into a forward contract to sell an amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of its portfolio securities denominated in such foreign currency. This practice is sometimes referred to as portfolio hedging. Similarly, when the advisor reasonably believes that the U.S. dollar may suffer a substantial decline against a foreign currency, a fund may enter into a forward contract to buy that foreign currency for a fixed dollar amount.
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A fund may also attempt to hedge its foreign currency exchange rate risk by engaging in currency futures, options, and cross-hedge transactions. In cross-hedge transactions, a fund holding securities denominated in one foreign currency will enter into a forward currency contract to buy or sell a different foreign currency (one that the advisor reasonably believes generally tracks the currency being hedged with regard to price movements). The advisor may select the tracking (or substitute) currency rather than the currency in which the security is denominated for various reasons, including in order to take advantage of pricing or other opportunities presented by the tracking currency or to take advantage of a more liquid or more efficient market for the tracking currency. Such cross-hedges are expected to help protect a fund against an increase or decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar against certain foreign currencies.
A fund may hold a portion of its assets in bank deposits denominated in foreign currencies, so as to facilitate investment in foreign securities as well as protect against currency fluctuations and the need to convert such assets into U.S. dollars (thereby also reducing transaction costs). To the extent these assets are converted back into U.S. dollars, the value of the assets so maintained will be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange control regulations.
The forecasting of currency market movement is extremely difficult, and whether any hedging strategy will be successful is highly uncertain. Moreover, it is impossible to forecast with precision the market value of portfolio securities at the expiration of a forward currency contract. Accordingly, a fund may be required to buy or sell additional currency on the spot market (and bear the expense of such transaction) if its advisors predictions regarding the movement of foreign currency or securities markets prove inaccurate. In addition, the use of cross-hedging transactions may involve special risks and may leave a fund in a less advantageous position than if such a hedge had not been established. Because forward currency contracts are privately negotiated transactions, there can be no assurance that a fund will have flexibility to roll over a forward currency contract upon its expiration if it desires to do so. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the other party to the contract will perform its services thereunder.
Foreign SecuritiesForeign Investment Companies. Some of the countries in which a fund may invest may not permit, or may place economic restrictions on, direct investment by outside investors. Fund investments in such countries may be permitted only through foreign government-approved or authorized investment vehicles, which may include other investment companies. Such investments may be made through registered or unregistered closed-end investment companies that invest in foreign securities. Investing through such vehicles may involve layered fees or expenses and may also be subject to the limitations on, and the risks of, a funds investments in other investment companies, which are described under the heading Other Investment Companies.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. Futures contracts and options on futures contracts are derivatives. A futures contract is a standardized agreement between two parties to buy or sell at a specific time in the future a specific quantity of a commodity at a specific price. The commodity may consist of an asset, a reference rate, or an index. A security futures contract relates to the sale of a specific quantity of shares of a single equity security or a narrow-based securities index. The value of a futures contract tends to increase and decrease in tandem with the value of the underlying commodity. The buyer of a futures contract enters into an agreement to purchase the underlying commodity on the settlement date and is said to be long the contract. The seller of a futures contract enters into an agreement to sell the underlying commodity on the settlement date and is said to be short the contract. The price at which a futures contract is entered into is established either in the electronic marketplace or by open outcry on the floor of an exchange between exchange members acting as traders or brokers. Open futures contracts can be liquidated or closed out by physical delivery of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount on the settlement date, depending on the terms of the particular contract. Some financial futures contracts (such as security futures) provide for physical settlement at maturity. Other financial futures contracts (such as those relating to interest rates, foreign currencies, and broad-based securities indexes) generally provide for cash settlement at maturity. In the case of cash-settled futures contracts, the cash settlement amount is equal to the difference between the final settlement or market price for the relevant commodity on the last trading day of the contract and the price for the relevant commodity agreed upon at the outset of the contract. Most futures contracts, however, are not held until maturity but instead are offset before the settlement date through the establishment of an opposite and equal futures position.
The purchaser or seller of a futures contract is not required to deliver or pay for the underlying commodity unless the contract is held until the settlement date. However, both the purchaser and seller are required to deposit initial margin with a futures commission merchant (FCM) when the futures contract is entered into. Initial margin deposits are typically calculated as an amount equal to the volatility in market value of a contract over a fixed period. If the value of the funds
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position declines, the fund will be required to make additional variation margin payments to the FCM to settle the change in value. If the value of the funds position increases, the FCM will be required to make additional variation margin payments to the fund to settle the change in value. This process is known as marking-to-market and is calculated on a daily basis. A futures transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing .
An option on a futures contract (or futures option) conveys the right, but not the obligation, to purchase (in the case of a call option) or sell (in the case of a put option) a specific futures contract at a specific price (called the exercise or strike price) any time before the option expires. The seller of an option is called an option writer. The purchase price of an option is called the premium. The potential loss to an option buyer is limited to the amount of the premium plus transaction costs. This will be the case, for example, if the option is held and not exercised prior to its expiration date. Generally, an option writer sells options with the goal of obtaining the premium paid by the option buyer. If an option sold by an option writer expires without being exercised, the writer retains the full amount of the premium. The option writer, however, has unlimited economic risk because its potential loss, except to the extent offset by the premium received when the option was written, is equal to the amount the option is in-the-money at the expiration date. A call option is in-the-money if the value of the underlying futures contract exceeds the exercise price of the option. A put option is in-the-money if the exercise price of the option exceeds the value of the underlying futures contract. Generally, any profit realized by an option buyer represents a loss for the option writer.
A fund that takes the position of a writer of a futures option is required to deposit and maintain initial and variation margin with respect to the option, as previously described in the case of futures contracts. A futures option transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing .
Each Fund intends to comply with Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), under which a mutual fund may be excluded from the definition of the term Commodity Pool Operator (CPO) if the fund meets certain conditions such as limiting its investments in certain CEA-regulated instruments (e.g., futures, options, or swaps) and complying with certain marketing restrictions. Accordingly, Vanguard is not subject to registration or regulation as a CPO with respect to the Fund under the CEA. A Fund will only enter into futures contracts and futures options that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity or that are quoted on an automated quotation system.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures ContractsRisks. The risk of loss in trading futures contracts and in writing futures options can be substantial because of the low margin deposits required, the extremely high degree of leverage involved in futures and options pricing, and the potential high volatility of the futures markets. As a result, a relatively small price movement in a futures position may result in immediate and substantial loss (or gain) for the investor. For example, if at the time of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit if the contract were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract, and the writing of a futures option, may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the position. In the event of adverse price movements, a fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if the fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements (and segregation requirements, if applicable) at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, on the settlement date, a fund may be required to make delivery of the instruments underlying the futures positions it holds.
A fund could suffer losses if it is unable to close out a futures contract or a futures option because of an illiquid secondary market. Futures contracts and futures options may be closed out only on an exchange that provides a secondary market for such products. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures product at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures or option position. Moreover, most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous days settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a
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particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. Futures contract prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of future positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses. The inability to close futures and options positions also could have an adverse impact on the ability to hedge a portfolio investment or to establish a substitute for a portfolio investment.
U.S. | Treasury futures are generally not subject to such daily limits. |
A | fund bears the risk that its advisor will incorrectly predict future market trends. If the advisor attempts to use a futures |
contract or a futures option as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the futures position will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving futures products can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments.
A fund could lose margin payments it has deposited with its FCM if, for example, the FCM breaches its agreement with the fund or becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy. In that event, the fund may be entitled to return of margin owed to it only in proportion to the amount received by the FCMs other customers, potentially resulting in losses to the fund.
Interfund Borrowing and Lending. The SEC has granted an exemption permitting registered open-end Vanguard funds to participate in Vanguards interfund lending program. This program allows the Vanguard funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, the requirements that (1) no fund may borrow or lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than is typically available from a bank for a comparable transaction, (2) no fund may lend money if the loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the program to exceed 15% of its net assets at the time of the loan, and (3) a funds interfund loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending funds net assets. In addition, a Vanguard fund may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with the funds investment objective and investment policies. The boards of trustees of the Vanguard funds are responsible for overseeing the interfund lending program. Any delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost investment opportunity or additional borrowing costs.
Investing for Control. The Vanguard funds invest in securities and other instruments for the sole purpose of achieving a specific investment objective. As such, they do not seek to acquire, individually or collectively, enough of a companys outstanding voting stock to have control over management decisions. The Vanguard funds do not invest for the purpose of controlling a companys management.
Options. An option is a derivative. An option on a security (or index) is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for the payment of a premium, the right, but not the obligation, to buy from (in the case of a call option) or sell to (in the case of a put option) the writer of the option the security underlying the option (or the cash value of the index) at a specified exercise price prior to the expiration date of the option. The writer of an option on a security has the obligation upon exercise of the option to deliver the underlying security upon payment of the exercise price (in the case of a call option) or to pay the exercise price upon delivery of the underlying security (in the case of a put option). The writer of an option on an index has the obligation upon exercise of the option to pay an amount equal to the cash value of the index minus the exercise price, multiplied by the specified multiplier for the index option. The multiplier for an index option determines the size of the investment position the option represents. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of over-the-counter (OTC) options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. Although this type of arrangement allows the purchaser or writer greater flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
The buyer (or holder) of an option is said to be long the option, while the seller (or writer) of an option is said to be short the option. A call option grants to the holder the right to buy (and obligates the writer to sell) the underlying security at the strike price, which is the predetermined price at which the option may be exercised. A put option grants to the holder the right to sell (and obligates the writer to buy) the underlying security at the strike price. The purchase price of an option is called the premium. The potential loss to an option buyer is limited to the amount of the premium
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plus transaction costs. This will be the case if the option is held and not exercised prior to its expiration date. Generally, an option writer sells options with the goal of obtaining the premium paid by the option buyer, but that person could also seek to profit from an anticipated rise or decline in option prices. If an option sold by an option writer expires without being exercised, the writer retains the full amount of the premium. The option writer, however, has unlimited economic risk because its potential loss, except to the extent offset by the premium received when the option was written, is equal to the amount the option is in-the-money at the expiration date. A call option is in-the-money if the value of the underlying position exceeds the exercise price of the option. A put option is in-the-money if the exercise price of the option exceeds the value of the underlying position. Generally, any profit realized by an option buyer represents a loss for the option writer. The writing of an option will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing .
If a trading market, in particular options, were to become unavailable, investors in those options (such as the funds) would be unable to close out their positions until trading resumes, and they may be faced with substantial losses if the value of the underlying instrument moves adversely during that time. Even if the market were to remain available, there may be times when options prices will not maintain their customary or anticipated relationships to the prices of the underlying instruments and related instruments. Lack of investor interest, changes in volatility, or other factors or conditions might adversely affect the liquidity, efficiency, continuity, or even the orderliness of the market for particular options.
A fund bears the risk that its advisor will not accurately predict future market trends. If the advisor attempts to use an option as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the option will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment, which could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving options can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Many options, in particular OTC options, are complex and often valued based on subjective factors. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.
OTC Swap Agreements. An over-the-counter (OTC) swap agreement, which is a type of derivative, is an agreement between two parties (counterparties) to exchange payments at specified dates (periodic payment dates) on the basis of a specified amount (notional amount) with the payments calculated with reference to a specified asset, reference rate, or index.
Examples of OTC swap agreements include, but are not limited to, interest rate swaps, credit default swaps, equity swaps, commodity swaps, foreign currency swaps, index swaps, excess return swaps, and total return swaps. Most OTC swap agreements provide that when the periodic payment dates for both parties are the same, payments are netted, and only the net amount is paid to the counterparty entitled to receive the net payment. Consequently, a funds current obligations (or rights) under an OTC swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement, based on the relative values of the positions held by each counterparty. OTC swap agreements allow for a wide variety of transactions. For example, fixed rate payments may be exchanged for floating rate payments; U.S. dollar-denominated payments may be exchanged for payments denominated in a different currency; and payments tied to the price of one asset, reference rate, or index may be exchanged for payments tied to the price of another asset, reference rate, or index.
An OTC option on an OTC swap agreement, also called a swaption, is an option that gives the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap on a future date in exchange for paying a market-based premium. A receiver swaption gives the owner the right to receive the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. A payer swaption gives the owner the right to pay the total return of a specified asset, reference rate, or index. Swaptions also include options that allow an existing swap to be terminated or extended by one of the counterparties.
The use of OTC swap agreements by a fund entails certain risks, which may be different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in the securities and other investments that are the referenced asset for the swap agreement. OTC swaps are highly specialized instruments that require investment techniques, risk analyses, and tax planning different from those associated with stocks, bonds, and other traditional investments. The use of an OTC swap requires an understanding not only of the referenced asset, reference rate, or index but also of the swap itself, without the benefit of observing the performance of the swap under all possible market conditions.
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OTC swap agreements may be subject to liquidity risk, which exists when a particular swap is difficult to purchase or sell. If an OTC swap transaction is particularly large or if the relevant market is illiquid (as is the case with many OTC swaps), it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses. In addition, OTC swap transactions may be subject to a funds limitation on investments in illiquid securities.
OTC swap agreements may be subject to pricing risk, which exists when a particular swap becomes extraordinarily expensive or inexpensive relative to historical prices or the prices of corresponding cash market instruments. Under certain market conditions, it may not be economically feasible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position in time to avoid a loss or take advantage of an opportunity or to realize the intrinsic value of the OTC swap agreement.
Because certain OTC swap agreements have a leverage component, adverse changes in the value or level of the underlying asset, reference rate, or index can result in a loss substantially greater than the amount invested in the swap itself. Certain OTC swaps have the potential for unlimited loss, regardless of the size of the initial investment. A leveraged OTC swap transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing.
Like most other investments, OTC swap agreements are subject to the risk that the market value of the instrument will change in a way detrimental to a funds interest. A fund bears the risk that its advisor will not accurately forecast future market trends or the values of assets, reference rates, indexes, or other economic factors in establishing OTC swap positions for the fund. If the advisor attempts to use an OTC swap as a hedge against, or as a substitute for, a portfolio investment, the fund will be exposed to the risk that the OTC swap will have or will develop imperfect or no correlation with the portfolio investment. This could cause substantial losses for the fund. Although hedging strategies involving OTC swap instruments can reduce the risk of loss, they can also reduce the opportunity for gain or even result in losses by offsetting favorable price movements in other fund investments. Many OTC swaps are complex and often valued subjectively. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value to a fund.
The use of an OTC swap agreement also involves the risk that a loss may be sustained as a result of the insolvency or bankruptcy of the counterparty or the failure of the counterparty to make required payments or otherwise comply with the terms of the agreement. Additionally, the use of credit default swaps can result in losses if a funds advisor does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer on which the credit swap is based.
The market for OTC swaps and swaptions is a relatively new market. It is possible that developments in the market could adversely affect a fund, including its ability to terminate existing OTC swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements. As previously noted under the heading Derivatives, under the Dodd-Frank Act, certain swaps that may be used by a fund may be cleared through a clearinghouse and traded on an exchange or swap execution facility.
Other Investment Companies . A fund may invest in other investment companies to the extent permitted by applicable law or SEC exemption. Under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, a fund generally may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of investment companies and up to 5% of its assets in any one investment company, as long as no investment represents more than 3% of the voting stock of an acquired investment company. In addition, no funds for which Vanguard acts as an advisor may, in the aggregate, own more than 10% of the voting stock of a closed-end investment company. The 1940 Act and related rules provide certain exemptions from these restrictions, for example, funds that invest in other funds within the same group of investment companies. If a fund invests in other investment companies, shareholders will bear not only their proportionate share of the funds expenses (including operating expenses and the fees of the advisor), but they also may indirectly bear the similar expenses of the underlying investment companies. Certain investment companies, such as business development companies (BDCs), are more akin to operating companies and, as such, their expenses are not direct expenses paid by fund shareholders and are not used to calculate the funds net asset value. SEC rules nevertheless require that any expenses incurred by a BDC be included in a funds expense ratio as Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. The expense ratio of a fund that holds a BDC will thus overstate what the fund actually spends on portfolio management, administrative services, and other shareholder services by an amount equal to these Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. The Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are not included in a funds financial statements, which provide a clearer picture of a funds actual operating expenses. Shareholders would
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also be exposed to the risks associated not only with the investments of the fund but also with the portfolio investments of the underlying investment companies. Certain types of investment companies, such as closed-end investment companies, issue a fixed number of shares that typically trade on a stock exchange or over-the-counter at a premium or discount to their net asset value. Others are continuously offered at net asset value but also may be traded on the secondary market.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock represents an equity or ownership interest in an issuer. Preferred stock normally pays dividends at a specified rate and has precedence over common stock in the event the issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy. However, in the event an issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. Preferred stock, unlike common stock, often has a stated dividend rate payable from the corporations earnings. Preferred stock dividends may be cumulative or noncumulative, participating, or auction rate. Cumulative dividend provisions require all or a portion of prior unpaid dividends to be paid before dividends can be paid to the issuers common stock. Participating preferred stock may be entitled to a dividend exceeding the stated dividend in certain cases. If interest rates rise, the fixed dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of such stocks to decline. Preferred stock may have mandatory sinking fund provisions, as well as provisions allowing the stock to be called or redeemed, which can limit the benefit of a decline in interest rates. Preferred stock is subject to many of the risks to which common stock and debt securities are subject. In addition, preferred stock may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than common stock or debt securities because preferred stock may trade with less frequency and in more limited volume.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) . An equity REIT owns real estate properties directly and generates income from rental and lease payments. Equity REITs also have the potential to generate capital gains as properties are sold at a profit. A mortgage REIT makes construction, development, and long-term mortgage loans to commercial real estate developers and earns interest income on these loans. A hybrid REIT holds both properties and mortgages. To avoid taxation at the corporate level, REITs must distribute most of their earnings to shareholders.
Investments in REITs are subject to many of the same risks as direct investments in real estate. In general, real estate values can be affected by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, supply and demand for properties, general or local economic conditions, and the strength of specific industries that rent properties. Ultimately, a REITs performance depends on the types and locations of the properties it owns and on how well the REIT manages its properties. For example, rental income could decline because of extended vacancies, increased competition from nearby properties, tenants failure to pay rent, regulatory limitations on rents, fluctuations in rental income, variations in market rental rates, or incompetent management. Property values could decrease because of overbuilding in the area, environmental liabilities, uninsured damages caused by natural disasters, a general decline in the neighborhood, losses because of casualty or condemnation, increases in property taxes, or changes in zoning laws.
The value of a REIT may also be affected by changes in interest rates. Rising interest rates generally increase the cost of financing for real estate projects, which could cause the value of an equity REIT to decline. During periods of declining interest rates, mortgagors may elect to prepay mortgages held by mortgage REITs, which could lower or diminish the yield on the REIT. REITs are also subject to heavy cash-flow dependency, default by borrowers, and changes in tax and regulatory requirements. In addition, a REIT may fail to qualify for tax-exempt status under the IRC and/or fail to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.
Repurchase Agreements. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a fund acquires a debt security (generally a security issued by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a bankers acceptance, or a certificate of deposit) from a bank, a broker, or a dealer and simultaneously agrees to resell such security to the seller at an agreed-upon price and date (normally, the next business day). Because the security purchased constitutes collateral for the repurchase obligation, a repurchase agreement may be considered a loan that is collateralized by the security purchased. The resale price reflects an agreed-upon interest rate effective for the period the instrument is held by a fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument. In these transactions, the securities acquired by a fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value of the repurchase agreement and be held by a custodian bank until repurchased. In addition, the investment advisor will monitor a funds repurchase agreement transactions generally and will evaluate the creditworthiness of any bank, broker, or dealer party to a repurchase agreement relating to a fund. The aggregate amount of any such agreements is not limited, except to the extent required by law.
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The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. One risk is the sellers ability to pay the agreed-upon repurchase price on the repurchase date. If the seller defaults, the fund may incur costs in disposing of the collateral, which would reduce the amount realized thereon. If the seller seeks relief under the bankruptcy laws, the disposition of the collateral may be delayed or limited. For example, if the other party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the bankruptcy or other laws, a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by the fund not within its control, and therefore the realization by the fund on such collateral may be automatically stayed. Finally, it is possible that the fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor of the other party to the agreement.
Restricted and Illiquid Securities. Illiquid securities are securities that cannot be sold or disposed of within seven days in the ordinary course of business at approximately the price at which they are valued. The SEC generally limits aggregate holdings of illiquid securities by a mutual fund to 15% of its net assets (5% for money market funds). A fund may experience difficulty valuing and selling illiquid securities and, in some cases, may be unable to value or sell certain illiquid securities for an indefinite period of time. Illiquid securities may include a wide variety of investments, such as (1) repurchase agreements maturing in more than seven days (unless the agreements have demand/redemption features), (2) OTC options contracts and certain other derivatives (including certain swap agreements), (3) fixed time deposits that are not subject to prepayment or do not provide for withdrawal penalties upon prepayment (other than overnight deposits), (4) certain loan interests and other direct debt instruments, (5) certain municipal lease obligations, (6) private equity investments, (7) commercial paper issued pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the 1933 Act, and ( 8 ) securities whose disposition is restricted under the federal securities laws. Illiquid securities include restricted, privately placed securities that, under the federal securities laws, generally may be resold only to qualified institutional buyers. If a substantial market develops for a restricted security held by a fund, it may be treated as a liquid security, in accordance with procedures and guidelines approved by the board of trustees. This generally includes securities that are unregistered, that can be sold to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, or that are exempt from registration under the 1933 Act, such as commercial paper. Although a funds advisor monitors the liquidity of restricted securities, the board of trustees oversees and retains ultimate responsibility for the advisors liquidity determinations. Several factors that the trustees consider in monitoring these decisions include the valuation of a security; the availability of qualified institutional buyers, brokers, and dealers that trade in the security; and the availability of information about the securitys issuer.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a fund sells a security to another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase that security at an agreed-upon price and time. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, the fund continues to receive any principal and interest payments on the underlying security during the term of the agreement. Reverse repurchase agreements involve the risk that the market value of securities retained by the fund may decline below the repurchase price of the securities sold by the fund that it is obligated to repurchase. In addition to the risk of such a loss, fees charged to the fund may exceed the return the fund earns from investing the proceeds received from the reverse repurchase agreement transaction. A reverse repurchase agreement may be considered a borrowing transaction for purposes of the 1940 Act. A reverse repurchase agreement transaction will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by a fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing. A fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only with parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the advisor. If the buyer in a reverse repurchase agreement becomes insolvent or files for bankruptcy, a funds use of proceeds from the sale may be restricted while the other party or its trustee or receiver determines if it will honor the funds right to repurchase the securities. If the fund is unable to recover the securities it sold in a reverse repurchase agreement, it would realize a loss equal to the difference between the value of the securities and the payment it received for them.
Securities Lending. A fund may lend its investment securities to qualified institutional investors (typically brokers, dealers, banks, or other financial institutions) who may need to borrow securities in order to complete certain transactions, such as covering short sales, avoiding failures to deliver securities, or completing arbitrage operations. By lending its investment securities, a fund attempts to increase its net investment income through the receipt of interest on the securities lent. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities lent that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the fund. If the borrower defaults on its obligation to return the securities lent because of insolvency or other reasons, a fund could experience delays and costs in recovering the securities lent or in gaining
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access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for foreign securities. If a fund is not able to recover the securities lent, the fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement investment in the market. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment is purchased. Cash received as collateral through loan transactions may be invested in other eligible securities. Investing this cash subjects that investment to market appreciation or depreciation. Currently, Vanguard funds that lend securities invest the cash collateral received in one or more Vanguard CMT Funds, which are very low-cost money market funds.
The terms and the structure of the loan arrangements, as well as the aggregate amount of securities loans, must be consistent with the 1940 Act and the rules or interpretations of the SEC thereunder. These provisions limit the amount of securities a fund may lend to 33 1/3% of the funds total assets and require that (1) the borrower pledge and maintain with the fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government having at all times not less than 100% of the value of the securities lent; (2) the borrower add to such collateral whenever the price of the securities lent rises (i.e., the borrower marks to market on a daily basis); (3) the loan be made subject to termination by the fund at any time; and (4) the fund receives reasonable interest on the loan (which may include the funds investing any cash collateral in interest-bearing short-term investments), any distribution on the lent securities, and any increase in their market value. Loan arrangements made by each fund will comply with all other applicable regulatory requirements, including the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, which presently require the borrower, after notice, to redeliver the securities within the normal settlement time of three business days. The advisor will consider the creditworthiness of the borrower, among other things, in making decisions with respect to the lending of securities, subject to oversight by the board of trustees. At the present time, the SEC does not object if an investment company pays reasonable negotiated fees in connection with lent securities, so long as such fees are set forth in a written contract and approved by the investment companys trustees. In addition, voting rights pass with the lent securities, but if a fund has knowledge that a material event will occur affecting securities on loan, and in respect to which the holder of the securities will be entitled to vote or consent, the lender must be entitled to call the loaned securities in time to vote or consent. A fund bears the risk that there may be a delay in the return of the securities, which may impair the funds ability to vote on such a matter.
Pursuant to Vanguards securities lending policy, Vanguards fixed income and money market funds are not permitted to, and do not, lend their investment securities.
Tax MattersFederal Tax Discussion. Discussion herein of U.S. federal income tax matters summarizes some of the important, generally applicable U.S. federal tax considerations relevant to investment in a fund based on the IRC, U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority. These authorities are subject to change by legislative, administrative, or judicial action, possibly with retroactive effect. A shareholder should consult his or her tax professional for information regarding the particular situation and the possible application of U.S. federal, state, local, foreign, and other taxes.
Tax MattersFederal Tax Treatment of Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions. A funds transactions in derivative instruments (including, but not limited to, options, futures, forward contracts, and swap agreements), as well as any of the funds hedging, short sale, securities loan, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules that accelerate income to the fund, defer losses to the fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the funds securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains, or convert short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing, and character of distributions to shareholders.
Because these and other tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a fund-level tax.
Tax MattersFederal Tax Treatment of Futures Contracts. For federal income tax purposes, a fund generally must recognize, as of the end of each taxable year, any net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts, as well as any gains and losses actually realized during the year. In these cases, any gain or loss recognized with respect to a futures contract is considered to be 60% long-term capital gain or loss and 40% short-term capital gain or loss, without regard to the holding period of the contract. Gains and losses on certain other futures contracts (primarily non-U.S. futures contracts) are not recognized until the contracts are closed and are treated as long-term or short-term, depending on the holding period of the contract. Sales of futures contracts that are intended to hedge against a change in the value of securities held by a fund may affect the holding period of such securities and, consequently, the nature of the gain or loss
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on such securities upon disposition. A fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on one position, such as futures contracts, to the extent of any unrecognized gains on a related offsetting position held by the fund.
A fund will distribute to shareholders annually any net capital gains that have been recognized for federal income tax purposes on futures transactions. Such distributions will be combined with distributions of capital gains realized on the funds other investments, and shareholders will be advised on the nature of the distributions.
Tax MattersFederal Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Currency Transactions. Special rules generally govern the federal income tax treatment of a funds transactions in the following: non-U.S. currencies; non-U.S. currency-denominated debt obligations; and certain non-U.S. currency options, futures contracts, forward contracts, and similar instruments. Accordingly, if a fund engages in these types of transactions, it may have ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the non-U.S. currency concerned. Such ordinary income could accelerate fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any ordinary loss so created will generally reduce ordinary income distributions and, in some cases, could require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Net ordinary losses cannot be carried forward by the fund to offset income or gains realized in subsequent taxable years.
Any gain or loss attributable to the non-U.S. currency component of a transaction engaged in by a fund that is not subject to these special currency rules (such as foreign equity investments other than certain preferred stocks) will generally be treated as a capital gain or loss and will not be segregated from the gain or loss on the underlying transaction.
To the extent a fund engages in non-U.S. currency hedging, the fund may elect or be required to apply other rules that could affect the character, timing, or amount of the funds gains and losses. For more information, see Tax MattersFederal Tax Treatment of Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions.
Tax MattersForeign Tax Credit. Foreign governments may withhold taxes on dividends and interest paid with respect to foreign securities held by a fund. Foreign governments may also impose taxes on other payments or gains with respect to foreign securities. If, at the close of its fiscal year, more than 50% of a funds total assets are invested in securities of foreign issuers, the fund may elect to pass through to shareholders the ability to deduct or, if they meet certain holding period requirements, take a credit for foreign taxes paid by the fund. Similarly, if at the close of each quarter of a funds taxable year, at least 50% of its total assets consist of interests in other regulated investment companies, the fund is permitted to elect to pass through to its shareholders the foreign income taxes paid by the fund in connection with foreign securities held directly by the fund or held by a regulated investment company in which the fund invests that has elected to pass through such taxes to shareholders.
Tax MattersPassive Foreign Investment Companies. Each Fund may invest in passive foreign investment companies (PFICs). A foreign company is generally a PFIC if 75% or more of its gross income is passive or if 50% or more of its assets produce passive income. Capital gains on the sale of an interest in a PFIC will be deemed ordinary income regardless of how long the Fund held it. Also, the Fund may be subject to corporate income tax and an interest charge on certain dividends and capital gains earned in respect to PFIC interests, whether or not such amounts are distributed to shareholders. To avoid such tax and interest, a Fund may elect to mark to market its PFIC interests, that is, to treat such interests as sold on the last day of the Funds fiscal year, and to recognize any unrealized gains (or losses, to the extent of previously recognized gains) as ordinary income each year. Distributions from the Fund that are attributable to income or gains earned in respect to PFIC interests are characterized as ordinary income.
Tax MattersReal Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits. If a fund invests directly or indirectly, including through a REIT or other pass-through entity, in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs), a portion of the funds income that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (such portion referred to in the IRC as an excess inclusion) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events including potentially at the fund level under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and U.S. Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a registered investment company will be allocated to shareholders of the registered investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (1) cannot be offset by net operation losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions); (2) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan, or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity, which otherwise might not be required, to file a tax return and pay tax
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on such income; and (3) in the case of a non-U.S. investor, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the IRC. As a result, a fund investing in such interests may not be suitable for charitable remainder trusts. See Tax MattersTax-Exempt Investors.
Tax MattersTax Considerations for Non-U.S. Investors . U.S. withholding and estate taxes and certain U.S. tax reporting requirements may apply to any investments made by non-U.S. investors in Vanguard funds. Temporary tax legislation provided relief from certain U.S. withholding taxes for certain properly reported distributions of qualifying interest income or short-term capital gain made by a fund to its non-U.S. investors, provided the investors furnished valid tax documentation (i.e., Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form W-8) certifying as to their non-U.S. status. This temporary exemption expired for taxable years of a fund beginning after 2014. In December 2015, Congress voted to reinstate retroactively the exemption for taxable years of a fund beginning after 2014 and made the exemption permanent for all future years. Because the relief was reinstated retroactively, investors may be able to reclaim the
U.S. | tax withheld on properly reported qualifying distributions in 2015 directly from the IRS. |
A | fund is permitted, but is not required, to report any of its distributions as eligible for such relief, and some |
distributions (e.g., distributions of interest a fund receives from non-U.S. issuers) are not eligible for this relief. For some funds, Vanguard has chosen to report qualifying distributions and apply the withholding exemption to those distributions when made to non-U.S. shareholders who invest directly with Vanguard. For other funds, Vanguard may choose not to apply the withholding exemption to qualifying fund distributions made to direct shareholders, but may provide the reporting to such shareholders. In these cases, a shareholder may be able to reclaim such withholding tax directly from the IRS.
If shareholders hold fund shares (including ETF shares) through a broker or intermediary, their broker or intermediary may apply this relief to properly reported qualifying distributions made to shareholders with respect to those shares. If a shareholders broker or intermediary instead collects withholding tax where the fund has provided the proper reporting, the shareholder may be able to reclaim such withholding tax from the IRS. Please consult your broker or intermediary regarding the application of these rules.
This relief does not apply to any withholding required under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which generally requires a fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders. If a shareholder fails to provide this information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA, a fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on fund distributions and on the proceeds of the sale, the redemption, or the exchange of fund shares. Please consult your tax advisor for more information about these rules.
Please be aware that the U.S. tax information contained in this Statement of Additional Information is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. tax penalties.
Tax MattersTax-Exempt Investors. Income of a fund that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the fund. Notwithstanding this blocking effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a fund if shares in the fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of IRC Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. See Tax MattersReal Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits.
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts that invest in a fund that invests directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Charitable remainder trusts and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a fund.
Warrants. Warrants are instruments that give the holder the right, but not the obligation, to buy an equity security at a specific price for a specific period of time. Changes in the value of a warrant do not necessarily correspond to changes in the value of its underlying security. The price of a warrant may be more volatile than the price of its underlying security, and a warrant may offer greater potential for capital appreciation as well as capital loss. Warrants do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the underlying security and do not represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. A warrant ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to its expiration date. These factors can make warrants more speculative than other types of investments.
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When-Issued, Delayed-Delivery, and Forward-Commitment Transactions. When-issued, delayed-delivery, and forward-commitment transactions involve a commitment to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined price or yield in which payment and delivery take place after the customary settlement period for that type of security. Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. When purchasing securities pursuant to one of these transactions, payment for the securities is not required until the delivery date. However, the purchaser assumes the rights and risks of ownership, including the risks of price and yield fluctuations and the risk that the security will not be issued as anticipated. When a fund has sold a security pursuant to one of these transactions, the fund does not participate in further gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, the fund could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity or suffer a loss. A fund may renegotiate a when-issued or forward-commitment transaction and may sell the underlying securities before delivery, which may result in capital gains or losses for the fund. When-issued, delayed-delivery, and forward-commitment transactions will not be considered to constitute the issuance, by a fund, of a senior security, as that term is defined in Section 18(g) of the 1940 Act, and therefore such transaction will not be subject to the 300% asset coverage requirement otherwise applicable to borrowings by the fund, if the fund covers the transaction in accordance with the requirements described under the heading Borrowing.
Sale of Investor Shares of Vanguard Small-Cap Index and Total Stock Market Index Funds in Japan. In connection with the offering of the Investor Shares of the Small-Cap Index and Total Stock Market Index Funds in Japan, the Funds have undertaken to the Japanese Securities Dealers Association that each Fund may not (1) borrow money, except for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount not exceeding 10% of the Funds net assets; (2) together with other mutual funds managed by Vanguard, acquire more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of any issuer; (3) invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities (which include securities restricted as to resale unless they are determined to be readily marketable in accordance with procedures established by the board of trustees); and (4) sell securities short at any time in excess of its net asset value.
If the undertaking is violated, the Fund will, promptly after discovery, take such action as may be necessary to cause the violation to cease, which shall be the only obligation of the Fund and the only remedy in respect to the violation. This undertaking will remain in effect as long as (1) shares of the Fund are qualified for offer or sale in Japan and (2) the undertaking is required by Standards of Selection of Foreign Investment Fund Securities established under the Rules of Foreign Securities Transactions by the Japanese Securities Dealers Association.
SHARE PRICE
Multiple-class funds do not have a single share price. Rather, each class has a share price, called its net asset value, or NAV, that is calculated each business day as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the Exchange), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. NAV per share is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to the share class by the number of Fund shares outstanding for that class. On U.S. holidays or other days when the Exchange is closed, the NAV is not calculated, and the Funds do not sell or redeem shares. However, on those days the value of a Funds assets may be affected to the extent that the Fund holds securities that change in value on those days (such as foreign securities that trade on foreign markets that are open).
The Exchange typically observes the following holidays: New Years Day; Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Presidents Day (Washingtons Birthday); Good Friday; Memorial Day; Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day. Although each Fund expects the same holidays to be observed in the future, the Exchange may modify its holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Purchase of Shares (Other than ETF Shares)
The purchase price of shares of each Fund is the NAV per share next determined after the purchase request is received in good order, as defined in the Funds prospectus.
Exchange of Securities for Shares of a Fund. Shares of a Fund may be purchased in kind (i.e., in exchange for securities, rather than for cash) at the discretion of the Funds portfolio manager. Such securities must not be restricted as to transfer and must have a value that is readily ascertainable. Securities accepted by the Fund will be valued, as set
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forth in the Funds prospectus, as of the time of the next determination of NAV after such acceptance. All dividend, subscription, or other rights that are reflected in the market price of accepted securities at the time of valuation become the property of the Fund and must be delivered to the Fund by the investor upon receipt from the issuer. A gain or loss for federal income tax purposes, depending upon the cost of the securities tendered, would be realized by the investor upon the exchange. Investors interested in purchasing fund shares in kind should contact Vanguard.
Redemption of Shares (Other than ETF Shares)
The redemption price of shares of each Fund is the NAV per share next determined after the redemption request is received in good order, as defined in the Funds prospectus.
Each Fund can postpone payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven calendar days. In addition, each Fund can suspend redemptions and/or postpone payments of redemption proceeds beyond seven calendar days (1) during any period that the Exchange is closed or trading on the Exchange is restricted as determined by the SEC; (2) during any period when an emergency exists, as defined by the SEC, as a result of which it is not reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities it owns or to fairly determine the value of its assets; or (3) for such other periods as the SEC may permit.
The Trust has filed a notice of election with the SEC to pay in cash all redemptions requested by any shareholder of record limited in amount during any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or 1% of the net assets of a Fund at the beginning of such period.
If Vanguard determines that it would be detrimental to the best interests of the remaining shareholders of a Fund to make payment wholly or partly in cash, the Fund may pay the redemption price in whole or in part by a distribution in kind of readily marketable securities held by the Fund in lieu of cash in conformity with applicable rules of the SEC. Investors may incur brokerage charges on the sale of such securities received in payment of redemptions.
The Funds do not charge redemption fees. Shares redeemed may be worth more or less than what was paid for them, depending on the market value of the securities held by the Fund.
Right to Change Policies
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to (1) alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, conversion, service, or privilege at any time; (2) accept initial purchases by telephone; (3) freeze any account and/or suspend account services if Vanguard has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if Vanguard reasonably believes a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; (4) temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to Vanguard of the death of the shareholder until Vanguard receives required documentation in good order; (5) alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any purchase fee, redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and (6) redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owners permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity Vanguard believes to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. Changes may affect any or all investors. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Vanguard management, Vanguard reasonably believes they are deemed to be in the best interest of a fund.
Investing With Vanguard Through Other Firms
Each Fund has authorized certain agents to accept on its behalf purchase and redemption orders, and those agents are authorized to designate other intermediaries to accept purchase and redemption orders on the Funds behalf (collectively, Authorized Agents). The Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an Authorized Agent accepts the order in accordance with the Funds instructions. In most instances, a customer order that is properly transmitted to an Authorized Agent will be priced at the NAV per share next determined after the order is received by the Authorized Agent.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
Vanguard
Each Fund is part of the Vanguard group of investment companies, which consists of more than 190 funds. Each fund is a series of a Delaware statutory trust, and through the trusts jointly owned subsidiary, Vanguard, the funds obtain at cost virtually all of their corporate management, administrative, and distribution services. Vanguard also provides investment advisory services on an at-cost basis to several of the Vanguard funds.
Vanguard employs a supporting staff of management and administrative personnel needed to provide the requisite services to the funds and also furnishes the funds with necessary office space, furnishings, and equipment. Each fund pays its share of Vanguards total expenses, which are allocated among the funds under methods approved by the board of trustees of each fund. In addition, each fund bears its own direct expenses, such as legal, auditing, and custodial fees.
The funds officers are also employees of Vanguard.
Vanguard, Vanguard Marketing Corporation (VMC), the funds, and the funds advisors have adopted codes of ethics designed to prevent employees who may have access to nonpublic information about the trading activities of the funds (access persons) from profiting from that information. The codes of ethics permit access persons to invest in securities for their own accounts, including securities that may be held by a fund, but place substantive and procedural restrictions on the trading activities of access persons. For example, the codes of ethics require that access persons receive advance approval for most securities trades to ensure that there is no conflict with the trading activities of the funds.
Vanguard was established and operates under an Amended and Restated Funds Service Agreement. The Amended and Restated Funds Service Agreement provides that each Vanguard fund may be called upon to invest up to 0.40% of its net assets in Vanguard. The amounts that each fund has invested are adjusted from time to time in order to maintain the proportionate relationship between each funds relative net assets and its contribution to Vanguards capital.
As of December 31, 2015 , each Fund had contributed capital to Vanguard as follows:
Capital | Percentage of | Percent of | |
Contribution | Funds Average | Vanguards | |
Vanguard Fund | to Vanguard | Net Assets | Capitalization |
Total Stock Market Index Fund | $35,094,000 | 0.01% | 14.04% |
500 Index Fund | 19,191,000 | 0.01 | 7.68 |
Extended Market Index Fund | 3,849,000 | 0.01 | 1.54 |
Large-Cap Index Fund | 977,000 | 0.01 | 0.39 |
Mid-Cap Index Fund | 5,819,000 | 0.01 | 2.33 |
Small-Cap Index Fund | 4,862,000 | 0.01 | 1.94 |
Value Index Fund | 3,287,000 | 0.01 | 1.31 |
Mid-Cap Value Index Fund | 772,000 | 0.01 | 0.31 |
Small-Cap Value Index Fund | 1,493,000 | 0.01 | 0.60 |
Growth Index Fund | 4,421,000 | 0.01 | 1.77 |
Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund | 630,000 | 0.01 | 0.25 |
Small-Cap Growth Index Fund | 1,358,000 | 0.01 | 0.54 |
Management . Corporate management and administrative services include (1) executive staff, (2) accounting and financial, (3) legal and regulatory, (4) shareholder account maintenance, (5) monitoring and control of custodian relationships, (6) shareholder reporting, and (7) review and evaluation of advisory and other services provided to the funds by third parties.
Distribution . Vanguard Marketing Corporation, 400 Devon Park Drive A39, Wayne, PA 19087, a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard, is the principal underwriter for the funds and in that capacity performs and finances marketing, promotional, and distribution activities (collectively, marketing and distribution activities) that are primarily intended to result in the sale of the funds shares. VMC offers shares of each fund for sale on a continuous basis and will use all reasonable efforts in connection with the distribution of shares of the funds. VMC performs marketing and distribution activities at cost in accordance with the conditions of a 1981 SEC exemptive order that permits the Vanguard funds to internalize and jointly finance the marketing, promotion, and distribution of their shares. The funds trustees review and
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approve the marketing and distribution expenses incurred by the funds, including the nature and cost of the activities and the desirability of each funds continued participation in the joint arrangement.
To ensure that each funds participation in the joint arrangement falls within a reasonable range of fairness, each fund contributes to VMCs marketing and distribution expenses in accordance with an SEC-approved formula. Under that formula, one half of the marketing and distribution expenses are allocated among the funds based upon their relative net assets. The remaining half of those expenses are allocated among the funds based upon each funds sales for the preceding 24 months relative to the total sales of the funds as a group, provided, however, that no funds aggregate quarterly rate of contribution for marketing and distribution expenses shall exceed 125% of the average marketing and distribution expense rate for Vanguard and that no fund shall incur annual marketing and distribution expenses in excess of 0.20% of its average month-end net assets. Each funds contribution to these marketing and distribution expenses helps to maintain and enhance the attractiveness and viability of the Vanguard complex as a whole, which benefits all of the funds and their shareholders.
VMCs principal marketing and distribution expenses are for advertising, promotional materials, and marketing personnel. Other marketing and distribution activities of an administrative nature that VMC undertakes on behalf of the funds may include, but are not limited to:
VMC performs most marketing and distribution activities itself. Some activities may be conducted by third parties pursuant to shared marketing arrangements under which VMC agrees to share the costs and performance of marketing and distribution activities in concert with a financial service provider. Financial service providers include, but are not limited to, investment advisors, broker-dealers, financial planners, financial consultants, banks, and insurance companies. Under these cost- and performance-sharing arrangements, VMC may pay or reimburse a financial service provider (or a third party it retains) for marketing and distribution activities that VMC would otherwise perform. VMCs cost- and performance-sharing arrangements may be established in connection with Vanguard investment products or services offered or provided to or through the financial service providers. VMCs arrangements for shared marketing and distribution activities may vary among financial service providers, and its payments or reimbursements to financial service providers in connection with shared marketing and distribution activities may be significant. VMC participates in an offshore arrangement established with a third party to provide marketing, promotional, and other services to qualifying Vanguard funds that are distributed in certain foreign countries on a private-placement basis to government-sponsored and other institutional investors. In exchange for such services, the third party receives an annual base (fixed) fee and may also receive discretionary fees or performance adjustments.
In connection with its marketing and distribution activities, VMC may give financial service providers (or their representatives) (1) promotional items of nominal value that display Vanguards logo, such as golf balls, shirts, towels, pens, and mouse pads; (2) gifts that do not exceed $100 per person annually and are not preconditioned on achievement of a sales target; (3) an occasional meal, a ticket to a sporting event or the theater, or comparable entertainment that is neither so frequent nor so extensive as to raise any question of propriety and is not preconditioned on achievement of a
B-23
sales target; and (4) reasonable travel and lodging accommodations to facilitate participation in marketing and distribution activities.
VMC, as a matter of policy, does not pay asset-based fees, sales-based fees, or account-based fees to financial service providers in connection with its marketing and distribution activities for the Vanguard funds. VMC policy also prohibits marketing and distribution activities that are intended, designed, or likely to compromise suitability determinations by, or the fulfillment of any fiduciary duties or other obligations that apply to, financial service providers. Nonetheless, VMCs marketing and distribution activities are primarily intended to result in the sale of the funds shares, and as such, its activities, including shared marketing and distribution activities, may influence participating financial service providers (or their representatives) to recommend, promote, include, or invest in a Vanguard fund or share class. In addition, Vanguard or any of its subsidiaries may retain a financial service provider to provide consulting or other services, and that financial service provider also may provide services to investors. Investors should consider the possibility that any of these activities or relationships may influence a financial service providers (or its representatives) decision to recommend, promote, include, or invest in a Vanguard fund or share class. Each financial service provider should consider its suitability determinations, fiduciary duties, and other legal obligations (or those of its representatives) in connection with any decision to consider, recommend, promote, include, or invest in a Vanguard fund or share class.
The following table describes the expenses of Vanguard and VMC that are incurred by the Funds on an at-cost basis. Amounts captioned Management and Administrative Expenses include a Funds allocated share of expenses associated with the management, administrative, and transfer agency services Vanguard provides to the funds. Amounts captioned Marketing and Distribution Expenses include a Funds allocated share of expenses associated with the marketing and distribution activities that VMC conducts on behalf of the Vanguard funds.
As is the case with all mutual funds, transaction costs incurred by Funds for buying and selling securities are not reflected in the table. Annual Shared Fund Operating Expenses are based on expenses incurred in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2014 , and 2015 , and are presented as a percentage of each Funds average month-end net assets.
Annual Shared Fund Operating Expenses | |||
(Shared Expenses Deducted from Fund Assets) | |||
Vanguard Fund | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Total Stock Market Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.06% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
500 Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.05% | 0.04% | 0.05% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Extended Market Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.06% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Large-Cap Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.07% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Mid-Cap Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.08% | 0.07% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Small-Cap Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Value Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Mid-Cap Value Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Small-Cap Value Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.10% | 0.09% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
B-24
Annual Shared Fund Operating Expenses | |||
(Shared Expenses Deducted from Fund Assets) | |||
Vanguard Fund | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Growth Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.09% | 0.08% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Small-Cap Growth Index Fund | |||
Management and Administrative Expenses | 0.10% | 0.09% | 0.07% |
Marketing and Distribution Expenses | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.01 |
Officers and Trustees
Each Vanguard fund is governed by the board of trustees of its trust and a single set of officers. Consistent with the boards corporate governance principles, the trustees believe that their primary responsibility is oversight of the management of each fund for the benefit of its shareholders, not day-to-day management. The trustees set broad policies for the funds; select investment advisors; monitor fund operations, regulatory compliance, performance, and costs; nominate and select new trustees; and elect fund officers. Vanguard manages the day-to-day operations of the funds under the direction of the board of trustees.
The trustees play an active role, as a full board and at the committee level, in overseeing risk management for the funds. The trustees delegate the day-to-day risk management of the funds to various groups, including portfolio review, investment management, risk management, compliance, legal, fund accounting, and fund financial services. These groups provide the trustees with regular reports regarding investment, valuation, liquidity, and compliance, as well as the risks associated with each. The trustees also oversee risk management for the funds through regular interactions with the funds internal and external auditors.
The full board participates in the funds risk oversight, in part, through the Vanguard funds compliance program, which covers the following broad areas of compliance: investment and other operations; recordkeeping; valuation and pricing; communications and disclosure; reporting and accounting; oversight of service providers; fund governance; and codes of ethics, insider trading controls, and protection of nonpublic information. The program seeks to identify and assess risk through various methods, including through regular interdisciplinary communications between compliance professionals and business personnel who participate on a daily basis in risk management on behalf of the funds. The funds chief compliance officer regularly provides reports to the board in writing and in person.
The audit committee of the board, which is composed of all independent trustees, oversees management of financial risks and controls. The audit committee serves as the channel of communication between the independent auditors of the funds and the board with respect to financial statements and financial-reporting processes, systems of internal control, and the audit process. Vanguards head of internal audit reports directly to the audit committee and provides reports to the committee in writing and in person on a regular basis. Although the audit committee is responsible for overseeing the management of financial risks, the entire board is regularly informed of these risks through committee reports.
All of the trustees bring to each funds board a wealth of executive leadership experience derived from their service as executives (in many cases chief executive officers), board members, and leaders of diverse public operating companies, academic institutions, and other organizations. In determining whether an individual is qualified to serve as a trustee of the funds, the board considers a wide variety of information about the trustee, and multiple factors contribute to the boards decision. Each trustee is determined to have the experience, skills, and attributes necessary to serve the funds and their shareholders because each trustee demonstrates an exceptional ability to consider complex business and financial matters, evaluate the relative importance and priority of issues, make decisions, and contribute effectively to the deliberations of the board. The board also considers the individual experience of each trustee and determines that the trustees professional experience, education, and background contribute to the diversity of perspectives on the board. The business acumen, experience, and objective thinking of the trustees are considered invaluable assets for Vanguard management and, ultimately, the Vanguard funds shareholders. The specific roles and experience of each board member that factor into this determination are presented on the following pages. The mailing address of the trustees and officers is P.O. Box 876, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
B-25
Principal Occupation(s) | Number of | |||
Vanguard | and Outside Directorships | Vanguard Funds | ||
Position(s) | Funds Trustee/ | During the Past Five Years | Overseen by | |
Name, Year of Birth | Held With Funds | Officer Since | and Other Experience | Trustee/Officer |
Interested Trustee 1 | ||||
F. William McNabb III | Chairman of the | July 2009 | Mr. McNabb has served as Chairman of the Board of | 198 |
(1957) | Board, Chief | Vanguard and of each of the investment companies | ||
Executive Officer, | served by Vanguard, since January 2010; Trustee of | |||
and President | each of the investment companies served by | |||
Vanguard, since 2009; Director of Vanguard since | ||||
2008; and Chief Executive Officer and President of | ||||
Vanguard and of each of the investment companies | ||||
served by Vanguard, since 2008. Mr. McNabb also | ||||
serves as a Director of Vanguard Marketing | ||||
Corporation. Mr. McNabb served as a Managing | ||||
Director of Vanguard from 1995 to 2008. |
1 Mr. McNabb is considered an interested person, as defined in the 1940 Act, because he is an officer of the Trust.
Independent Trustees | ||||
Emerson U. Fullwood | Trustee | January 2008 | Mr. Fullwood is the former Executive Chief Staff and | 198 |
(1948) | Marketing Officer for North America and Corporate | |||
Vice President (retired 2008) of Xerox Corporation | ||||
(document management products and services). | ||||
Previous positions held at Xerox by Mr. Fullwood include | ||||
President of the Worldwide Channels Group, President | ||||
of Latin America, Executive Chief Staff Officer of | ||||
Developing Markets, and President of Worldwide | ||||
Customer Services. Mr. Fullwood is the Executive in | ||||
Residence and 20092010 Distinguished Minett | ||||
Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. | ||||
Mr. Fullwood serves as Lead Director of SPX FLOW, Inc. | ||||
(multi-industry manufacturing) and also serves as a | ||||
Director of the University of Rochester Medical Center, | ||||
Monroe Community College Foundation, the United | ||||
Way of Rochester, North Carolina A&T University , and | ||||
Roberts Wesleyan College. | ||||
Rajiv L. Gupta | Trustee | December 2001 | Mr. Gupta is the former Chairman and Chief Executive | 198 |
(1945) | Officer (retired 2009) and President (20062008) of | |||
Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals). Mr. Gupta serves as a | ||||
Director of Tyco International PLC (diversified | ||||
manufacturing and services), HP Inc. ( printer and | ||||
personal computer manufacturing), and Delphi | ||||
Automotive PLC (automotive components) and as | ||||
Senior Advisor at New Mountain Capital. | ||||
Amy Gutmann | Trustee | June 2006 | Dr. Gutmann has served as the President of the | 198 |
(1949) | University of Pennsylvania since 2004. She is the | |||
Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of | ||||
Political Science, School of Arts and Sciences, and | ||||
Professor of Communication, Annenberg School for | ||||
Communication, with secondary faculty appointments | ||||
in the Department of Philosophy, School of Arts and | ||||
Sciences, and at the Graduate School of Education, | ||||
University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gutmann also serves | ||||
as a Trustee of the National Constitution Center. | ||||
Dr. Gutmann is Chair of the Presidential Commission | ||||
for the Study of Bioethical Issues. |
B-26
Principal Occupation(s) | Number of | |||
Vanguard | and Outside Directorships | Vanguard Funds | ||
Position(s) | Funds Trustee/ | During the Past Five Years | Overseen by | |
Name, Year of Birth | Held With Funds | Officer Since | and Other Experience | Trustee/Officer |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | Trustee | July 1998 | Ms. Heisen is the former Corporate Vice President | 198 |
(1950) | and Chief Global Diversity Officer (retired 2008) | |||
and a former member of the Executive Committee | ||||
(19972008) of Johnson & Johnson (pharmaceuticals/ | ||||
medical devices/consumer products). Ms. Heisen | ||||
served as Vice President and Chief Information Officer | ||||
of Johnson & Johnson from 1997 to 2005. Ms. Heisen | ||||
serves as a Director of Skytop Lodge Corporation | ||||
(hotels) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and | ||||
as a member of the Advisory Board of the Institute for | ||||
Womens Leadership at Rutgers University. | ||||
F. Joseph Loughrey | Trustee | October 2009 | Mr. Loughrey is the former President and Chief | 198 |
(1949) | Operating Officer (retired 2009) and Vice Chairman of | |||
the Board (20082009) of Cummins Inc. (industrial | ||||
machinery). Mr. Loughrey serves as Chairman of the | ||||
Board of Hillenbrand, Inc. (specialized consumer | ||||
services) and of Oxfam America; as a Director of | ||||
SKF AB (industrial machinery), Hyster-Yale Materials | ||||
Handling, Inc. (forklift trucks), the Lumina Foundation | ||||
for Education, and the V Foundation for Cancer | ||||
Research; and as a member of the Advisory Council for | ||||
the College of Arts and Letters and of the Advisory | ||||
Board to the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, | ||||
both at the University of Notre Dame. | ||||
Mark Loughridge | Lead Independent | March 2012 | Mr. Loughridge is the former Senior Vice President and | 198 |
(1953) | Trustee | Chief Financial Officer (retired 2013) at IBM | ||
(information technology services). Mr. Loughridge also | ||||
served as a fiduciary member of IBMs Retirement Plan | ||||
Committee (20042013). Previous positions held by Mr. | ||||
Loughridge at IBM include Senior Vice President and | ||||
General Manager of Global Financing (20022004), | ||||
Vice President and Controller (19982002), and a | ||||
variety of management roles. Mr. Loughridge serves as | ||||
a Director of The Dow Chemical Company and as a | ||||
member of the Council on Chicago Booth. | ||||
Scott C. Malpass | Trustee | March 2012 | Mr. Malpass has served as Chief Investment Officer | 198 |
(1962) | since 1989 and Vice President since 1996 at the | |||
University of Notre Dame. Mr. Malpass serves as an | ||||
Assistant Professor of Finance at the Mendoza College | ||||
of Business at the University of Notre Dame and is a | ||||
member of the Notre Dame 403(b) Investment | ||||
Committee. Mr. Malpass also serves on the boards of | ||||
TIFF Advisory Services, Inc., and Catholic Investment | ||||
Services, Inc. (investment advisors) ; as a member of | ||||
the board of advisors for Spruceview Capital Partners; | ||||
a nd as a member of the investment advisory | ||||
committee of Major League Baseball. | ||||
André F. Perold | Trustee | December 2004 | Dr. Perold is the George Gund Professor of Finance | 198 |
(1952) | and Banking, Emeritus at the Harvard Business School | |||
(retired 2011). Dr. Perold serves as Chief Investment | ||||
Officer and Managing Partner of HighVista Strategies | ||||
LLC (private investment firm). Dr. Perold also serves as | ||||
a Director of Rand Merchant Bank and as an Overseer | ||||
of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. |
B-27
Principal Occupation(s) | Number of | |||
Vanguard | and Outside Directorships | Vanguard Funds | ||
Position(s) | Funds Trustee/ | During the Past Five Years | Overseen by | |
Name, Year of Birth | Held With Funds | Officer Since | and Other Experience | Trustee/Officer |
Peter F. Volanakis | Trustee | July 2009 | Mr. Volanakis is the retired President and Chief | 198 |
(1955) | Operating Officer (retired 2010) of Corning | |||
Incorporated (communications equipment) and a | ||||
former Director of Corning Incorporated (20002010) | ||||
and of Dow Corning (20012010). Mr. Volanakis served | ||||
as a Director of SPX Corporation (multi-industry | ||||
manufacturing) in 2012 and as an Overseer of the | ||||
Amos Tuck School of Business Administration at | ||||
Dartmouth College from 2001 to 2013. Mr. Volanakis | ||||
serves as a Trustee of Colby-Sawyer College and | ||||
Chairman of Colby-Sawyers Finance and Enrollment | ||||
Committee, and also serves as a member of the | ||||
Advisory Board of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center . | ||||
Executive Officers | ||||
Glenn Booraem | Treasurer | July 2010 | Mr. Booraem, a Principal of Vanguard, has served as | 198 |
(1967) | Treasurer of each of the investment companies served | |||
by Vanguard, since May 2015. Mr. Booraem served as | ||||
Controller of each of the investment companies served | ||||
by Vanguard, from 2010 to 2015, and as Assistant | ||||
Controller of each of the investment companies served | ||||
by Vanguard, from 2001 to 2010. | ||||
Thomas J. Higgins | Chief Financial | September 2008 | Mr. Higgins, a Principal of Vanguard, has served as Chief | 198 |
(1957) | Officer | Financial Officer of each of the investment companies | ||
served by Vanguard, since 2008. Mr. Higgins served as | ||||
Treasurer of each of the investment companies served | ||||
by Vanguard, from 1998 to 2008. | ||||
Peter Mahoney | Controller | May 2015 | Mr. Mahoney, head of Global Fund Accounting at | 198 |
(1974) | Vanguard, has served as Controller of each of the | |||
investment companies served by Vanguard, since | ||||
May 2015. Mr. Mahoney served as head of International | ||||
Fund Services at Vanguard from 2008 to 2014. | ||||
Heidi Stam | Secretary | July 2005 | Ms. Stam has served as a Managing Director of | 198 |
(1956) | Vanguard since 2006; General Counsel of Vanguard | |||
since 2005; Secretary of Vanguard and of each of the | ||||
investment companies served by Vanguard, since | ||||
2005; and Director and Senior Vice President of | ||||
Vanguard Marketing Corporation since 2005. Ms. Stam | ||||
served as a Principal of Vanguard from 1997 to 2006. |
All but one of the trustees are independent. The independent trustees designate a lead independent trustee. The lead independent trustee is a spokesperson and principal point of contact for the independent trustees and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the independent trustees, including calling regular executive sessions of the independent trustees; developing the agenda of each meeting together with the chairman; and chairing the meetings of the independent trustees, including the meetings of the audit, compensation, and nominating committees. The board also has two investment committees, which consist of independent trustees and the sole interested trustee.
The independent trustees appoint the chairman of the board. The roles of chairman of the board and chief executive officer currently are held by the same person; as a result, the chairman of the board is an interested trustee. The independent trustees generally believe that the Vanguard funds chief executive officer is best qualified to serve as chairman and that fund shareholders benefit from this leadership structure through accountability and strong day-to-day leadership.
B-28
Board Committees: The Trust's board has the following committees:
The Nominating Committee will consider shareholder recommendations for trustee nominees. Shareholders may send recommendations to Mr. Loughridge, chairman of the committee.
Trustee Compensation
The same individuals serve as trustees of all Vanguard funds and each fund pays a proportionate share of the trustees compensation. The funds also employ their officers on a shared basis; however, officers are compensated by Vanguard, not the funds.
Independent Trustees. The funds compensate their independent trustees (i.e., the ones who are not also officers of the funds) in three ways:
Interested Trustee. Mr. McNabb serves as trustee but is not paid in this capacity. He is, however, paid in his role as an officer of Vanguard.
Compensation Table. The following table provides compensation details for each of the trustees. We list the amounts paid as compensation and accrued as retirement benefits by the Funds for each trustee. In addition, the table shows the total amount of benefits that we expect each trustee to receive from all Vanguard funds upon retirement and the total amount of compensation paid to each trustee by all Vanguard funds.
B-29
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS | ||||
TRUSTEES COMPENSATION TABLE | ||||
Pension or Retirement | Accrued Annual | Total Compensation | ||
Aggregate | Benefits Accrued | Retirement | From All Vanguard | |
Compensation | as Part of the | Benefit at | Funds Paid | |
Trustee | From the Funds 1 | Funds Expenses 1 | January 1, 2016 2 | to Trustees 3 |
F. William McNabb III | | | | |
Emerson U. Fullwood | $58,932 | | | $230,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | 58,932 | | | 223,500 |
Amy Gutmann | 58,932 | | | 230,000 |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | 58,932 | $1,102 | $6,985 | 230,000 |
F. Joseph Loughrey | 58,932 | | | 230,000 |
Mark Loughridge | 65,868 | | | 260,000 |
Scott C. Malpass | 58,932 | | | 223,500 |
André F. Perold | 58,932 | | | 230,000 |
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr. 4 | 5,445 | 167 | | |
Peter F. Volanakis | 58,932 | | | 230,000 |
1 | The amounts shown in this column are based on the Trusts fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 . Each Fund within the Trust is responsible for a proportionate share of these amounts. |
2 | Each trustee is eligible to receive retirement benefits only after completing at least 5 years (60 consecutive months) of service as a trustee for the Vanguard funds. The annual retirement benefit will be paid in monthly installments, beginning with the month following the trustees retirement from service, and will cease after 10 years of payments (120 monthly installments). Trustees who began their service on or after January 1, 2001, are not eligible to participate in the retirement benefit plan. |
3 | The amounts reported in this column reflect the total compensation paid to each trustee for his or her service as trustee of 194 Vanguard funds for the 2015 calendar year. |
4 | Mr. Rank in retired from the Funds board of trustees effective December 31, 2014 . |
Ownership of Fund Shares
All trustees allocate their investments among the various Vanguard funds based on their own investment needs. The following table shows each trustees ownership of shares of each Fund and of all Vanguard funds served by the trustee as of December 31, 2015 .
Dollar Range | Aggregate Dollar Range of | ||
of Fund Shares | Vanguard Fund Shares | ||
Va nguard Fund | Trustee | Owned by Trustee | Owned by Trustee |
Total Stock Market Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughre y | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
B-30
Dollar Range | Aggregate Dollar Range of | ||
of Fund Shares | Vanguard Fund Shares | ||
Va nguard Fund | Trustee | Owned by Trustee | Owned by Trustee |
500 Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | $10,001$50,000 | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Pete r F. Volanakis | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Extended Market Index Fund | Emerso n U. Fullwood | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpa ss | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | | Over $100,000 | |
Large-Cap Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. V olanakis | $50,001$100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Mid-Cap Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Pe ter F. Vola nakis | $1$10,000 | Over $100,000 |
B-31
Dollar Range | Aggregate Dollar Range of | ||
of Fund Shares | Vanguard Fund Shares | ||
Va nguard Fund | Trustee | Owned by Trustee | Owned by Trustee |
Small-Cap Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutm ann | $10,001$50,000 | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
S cott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | | Over $100,000 | |
Value Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | | Over $100,000 | |
Mid-Cap Value Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | | Over $100,000 | |
Small-Cap Value Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | | Over $100,000 |
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Dollar Range | Aggregate Dollar Range of | ||
of Fund Shares | Vanguard Fund Shares | ||
Va nguard Fund | Trustee | Owned by Trustee | Owned by Trustee |
Growth Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | | Over $100,000 | |
Small-Cap Growth Index Fund | Emerson U. Fullwood | $10,001$50,000 | Over $100,000 |
Rajiv L. Gupta | | Over $100,000 | |
Amy Gutmann | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 | |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | | Over $100,000 | |
F. Joseph Loughrey | | Over $100,000 | |
Mark Loughridge | | Over $100,000 | |
Scott C. Malpass | | Over $100,000 | |
F. William McNabb III | | Over $100,000 | |
André F. Perold | | Over $100,000 | |
Peter F. Volanakis | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
As of February 29, 2016, the trustees and officers of the funds owned, in the aggregate, less than 1% of each class of each funds outstanding shares.
As of February 29, 2016 , the following owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class:
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index FundInvestor Shares: Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund, Valley Forge, PA (12.52%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund, Valley Forge, PA (11.48%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Fund, Valley Forge, PA (10.54%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2020 Fund, Valley Forge, PA (9.58%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Fund, Valley Forge, PA (8.57%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2045 Fund, Valley Forge, PA (7.99%), Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund, Valley Forge, PA (5.60%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2015 Fund, Valley Forge, PA (5.42%); Vanguard Total Stock Market Index FundInstitutional Shares: Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Trust, Valley Forge, PA (6.28%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Trust, Valley Forge, PA (5.93%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2030 Trust, Valley Forge, PA (5.89%), Vanguard Target Retirement 2040 Trust, Valley Forge, PA (5.21%), National Financial Services Corp, Jersey City, NJ (5.16%); Vanguard 500 Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (15.71%), National Financial Services LLC, New York, NY (10.43%); Vanguard 500 Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (5.65%); Vanguard Extended Market Index FundInvestor Shares: Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., Custodian for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Portfolio, Jersey City, NJ (15.49%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (7.57%), National Financial Services LLC, New York, NY
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(6.19%); Vanguard Extended Market Index FundInstitutional Shares: Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (23.43%), TIAA-CREF Trust Company FSB, Saint Louis, MO (8.37%); Vanguard Extended Market Index FundInstitutional Plus Shares: Bank of America, N.A., FBO Bank of America 401(k) Plan, Houston, TX (12.84%), Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (10.54%), Chevron Employee Savings Investment Plan, San Ramon, CA (6.08%); Vanguard Large-Cap Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (13.92%), Teachers Defined Contribution Retirement Plan, FBO West Virginia Teachers c/o Fascore LLC, Greenwood Village, CO (10.38%), National Financial Services LLC, New York, NY (10.06%); Vanguard Large-Cap Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (11.94%), National Financial Services, Jersey City, NJ (6.88%); Vanguard Large-Cap Index FundInstitutional Shares: Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Jacksonville, FL (20.32%), MAC & CO A/C PMSF8573132, Pittsburgh, PA (9.35%), Matrix Trust as Custodian FBO City National Corporation, Phoenix, AZ (9.01%), Counsel Trust DBA MATC FBO Plumbers Local Union No. 1 Employee 401(K) Savings, Pittsburgh, PA (8.35%), MAC & CO A/C UPMF5043022, Pittsburgh, PA (6.65%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (12.97%), National Financial Services Corp, New York, NY (10.47%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (7.65%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Index FundInstitutional Shares: Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (15.20%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (5.14%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Index FundInstitutional Plus Shares: Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (20.30%), NY College Savings Program Mid-Cap Stock Index Portfolio, Newton, MA (8.18%), Northern Trust Co FBO Accenture-DV, Chicago, IL (5.51%), State Street Bank & Trust, FBO Schwab, Boston, MA (5.18%); Vanguard Small-Cap Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (15.73%), National Financial Services, Jersey City, NJ (10.00%); Vanguard Small-Cap Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (7.04%); Vanguard Small-Cap Index FundInstitutional Shares: Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (20.59%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (5.47%), National Financial Services, Jersey City, NJ (5.21%); Vanguard Small-Cap Index FundInstitutional Plus Shares: Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (19.44%), New York College Savings Program, Newton, MA (9.93%), National Financial Services LLC, Jersey City, NJ (7.55%), College Savings Plan of Nevada Vanguard Small-Cap Index Portfolio, Boston, MA (5.50%), State Street Bank, FBO Transamerica Retirement Solutions Corporation, Harrison, NY (5.34%); Vanguard Value Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (14.85%), National Financial Services LLC, Jersey City, NJ (11.57%); Vanguard Value Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (7.21%); Vanguard Value Index FundInstitutional Shares: New York College Savings Program Value Stock Index Portfolio, Newton, MA (11.51%), Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (8.61%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (8.15%), Cox Enterprises, Inc. Savings and Investment Plan, Atlanta, GA (5.85%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (11.44%), National Financial Services LLC, Jersey City, NJ (10.47%), Ascensus Trust Company FBO Vanguard House Account, Fargo, ND (5.27%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (13.28%), National Financial Services LLC, Jersey City, NJ (5.07%); Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (11.69%), National Financial Services Corp, Jersey City, NJ (11.24%); Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (6.12%); Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index FundInstitutional Shares: National Financial Services Corp, Jersey City, NJ (13.65%), Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (12.43%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (12.20%); Vanguard Growth Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (13.20%), National Financial Services, Jersey City, NJ (11.22%); Vanguard Growth Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (7.48%); Vanguard Growth Index FundInstitutional Shares: Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (9.56%), New York College Savings Program Growth Stock Index Portfolio, Newton, MA (8.98%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (7.19%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (8.22%), National Financial Services, Jersey City, NJ (7.69%), Nationwide Trust Company FSB C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting, Columbus, OH (7.32%), Ascensus Trust Company FBO Vanguard House Account, Fargo, ND (6.38%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (9.42%); Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index FundInvestor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (13.96%), National Financial Services Corp, Jersey City, NJ (13.35%); Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index FundAdmiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., San Francisco, CA (9.07%), John Hancock Life Insurance Co., Boston, MA (6.65%), National Financial Services, Jersey City, NJ (5.15%); Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index FundInstitutional Shares: Fidelity Investments, Covington, KY (19.28%), Northern Trust Co, FBO Michigan Catastophic Claims Association, Chicago, IL (5.57%).
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Although the Funds do not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the names of Depository Trust Company (DTC) participants, as of February 29, 2016 , the name and percentage ownership of each DTC participant that owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding ETF Shares of a Fund were as follows:
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (18%), National Financial Services LLC (15%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (13%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (7%); Vanguard 500 Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (8%), National Financial Services LLC (8%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (8%), State Street Bank and Trust Company (7%), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (6%), Citibank, N.A. (6%); Vanguard Extended Market Index FundETF Shares: National Financial Services LLC (14%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (13%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (11%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (7%), UBS Financial Servies LLC (7%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (6%); Vanguard Large-Cap Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (18%), National Financial Services LLC (15%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (11%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (7%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (6%), PNC Bank, National Association (5%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (11%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (11%), National Financial Services LLC (9%), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (6%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (6%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (6%), The Bank of New York Mellon (6%), UBS Financial Services LLC (5%); Vanguard Small-Cap Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (17%), National Financial Services LLC (11%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (8%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (7%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (6%); Vanguard Value Index FundETF Shares: Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (20%), National Financial Services LLC (12%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (9%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (7%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (7%), Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (7%), Edward D. Jones & Co. (6%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (17%), National Financial Services LLC (16%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (12%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (8%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (5%); Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (20%), National Financial Services LLC (16%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (11%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (8%), Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith (7%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (5%); Vanguard Growth Index FundETF Shares: Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith (21%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (13%), National Financial Services LLC (12%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (11%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (8%); Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index FundETF Shares: National Financial Services LLC (20%), Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (11%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (10%), UBS Financial Services LLC (7%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (7%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (6%), Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith (5%); Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index FundETF Shares: Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (20%), National Financial Services LLC (13%), Merrill Lynch, Pierce Fenner & Smith (11%), Vanguard Marketing Corporation (8%), TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. (7%), Morgan Stanley DW Inc. (7%).
Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures
Introduction
Vanguard and the boards of trustees of the Vanguard funds (Boards) have adopted Portfolio Holdings Disclosure Policies and Procedures (Policies and Procedures) to govern the disclosure of the portfolio holdings of each Vanguard fund. Vanguard and the Boards considered each of the circumstances under which Vanguard fund portfolio holdings may be disclosed to different categories of persons under the Policies and Procedures. Vanguard and the Boards also considered actual and potential material conflicts that could arise in such circumstances between the interests of Vanguard fund shareholders, on the one hand, and those of the funds investment advisor, distributor, or any affiliated person of the fund, its investment advisor, or its distributor, on the other. After giving due consideration to such matters and after the exercise of their fiduciary duties and reasonable business judgment, Vanguard and the Boards determined that the Vanguard funds have a legitimate business purpose for disclosing portfolio holdings to the persons described in each of the circumstances set forth in the Policies and Procedures and that the Policies and Procedures are reasonably designed to ensure that disclosure of portfolio holdings and information about portfolio holdings is in the best interests of fund shareholders and appropriately addresses the potential for material conflicts of interest.
The Boards exercise continuing oversight of the disclosure of Vanguard fund portfolio holdings by (1) overseeing the implementation and enforcement of the Policies and Procedures, the Code of Ethics, and the Policies and Procedures Designed to Prevent the Misuse of Inside Information (collectively, the portfolio holdings governing policies) by the chief compliance officer of Vanguard and the Vanguard funds; (2) considering reports and recommendations by the chief compliance officer concerning any material compliance matters (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act and Rule 206(4)-7 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940) that may arise in connection with any portfolio holdings governing policies; and (3) considering whether to approve or ratify any amendment to any portfolio holdings governing policies.
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Vanguard and the Boards reserve the right to amend the Policies and Procedures at any time and from time to time without prior notice at their sole discretion. For purposes of the Policies and Procedures, the term portfolio holdings means the equity and debt securities (e.g., stocks and bonds) held by a Vanguard fund and does not mean the cash investments, derivatives, and other investment positions (collectively, other investment positions) held by the fund.
Online Disclosure of Ten Largest Stock Holdings
Each actively managed Vanguard fund generally will seek to disclose the funds ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the percentage of the funds total assets that each of these holdings represents as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter (quarter-end ten largest stock holdings with weightings) online at vanguard.com, in the Portfolio section of the funds Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. Each Vanguard index fund generally will seek to disclose the funds ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the percentage of the funds total assets that each of these holdings represents as of the end of the most recent month (month-end ten largest stock holdings with weightings) online at vanguard.com , in the Portfolio section of the funds Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the month. In addition, Vanguard funds generally will seek to disclose the funds ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the aggregate percentage of the funds total assets (and, for balanced funds, the aggregate percentage of the funds equity securities) that these holdings represent as of the end of the most recent month (month-end ten largest stock holdings) online at vanguard.com, in the Portfolio section of the funds Portfolio & Management page, 10 business days after the end of the month. Together, the quarter-end and month-end ten largest stock holdings are referred to as the ten largest stock holdings. Online disclosure of the ten largest stock holdings is made to all categories of persons, including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries, third-party service providers, rating and ranking organizations, affiliated persons of a Vanguard fund, and all other persons.
Online Disclosure of Complete Portfolio Holdings
Each actively managed Vanguard fund, unless otherwise stated, generally will seek to disclose the funds complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter online at vanguard.com, in the Portfolio section of the funds Portfolio & Management page, 30 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. In accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act, each of the Vanguard money market funds will disclose the funds complete portfolio holdings as of the last business day of the prior month online at vanguard.com, in the Portfolio section of the funds Portfolio & Management page, no later than the fifth business day of the current month. The complete portfolio holdings information for money market funds will remain available online for at least six months after the initial posting. Vanguard Market Neutral Fund and Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund generally will seek to disclose the Funds complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter online at vanguard.com, in the Portfolio section of the Funds Portfolio & Management page, 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. Each Vanguard index fund generally will seek to disclose the funds complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent month online at vanguard.com , in the Portfolio section of the funds Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the month. Online disclosure of complete portfolio holdings is made to all categories of persons, including individual investors, institutional investors, intermediaries, third-party service providers, rating and ranking organizations, affiliated persons of a Vanguard fund, and all other persons. Vanguards Portfolio Review Department will review complete portfolio holdings before disclosure is made and, except with respect to the complete portfolio holdings of the Vanguard money market funds, may withhold any portion of the funds complete portfolio holdings from disclosure when deemed to be in the best interests of the fund after consultation with a Vanguard funds investment advisor.
Disclosure of Complete Portfolio Holdings to Service Providers Subject to Confidentiality and Trading Restrictions
Vanguard, for legitimate business purposes, may disclose Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings at times it deems necessary and appropriate to rating and ranking organizations; financial printers; proxy voting service providers; pricing information vendors; issuers of guaranteed investment contracts for stable value portfolios; third parties that deliver analytical, statistical, or consulting services; and other third parties that provide services (collectively, Service Providers) to Vanguard, Vanguard subsidiaries, and/or the Vanguard funds. Disclosure of complete portfolio holdings to a Service Provider is conditioned on the Service Provider being subject to a written agreement imposing a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the basis of any material nonpublic information.
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The frequency with which complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed to a Service Provider, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed to the Service Provider, is determined based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure to a Service Provider varies and may be as frequent as daily, with no lag. Disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings by Vanguard to a Service Provider must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal in Vanguards Portfolio Review or Legal Department. Any disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings to a Service Provider as previously described may also include a list of the other investment positions that make up the fund, such as cash investments and derivatives.
Currently, Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings are disclosed to the following Service Providers as part of ongoing arrangements that serve legitimate business purposes: Abel/Noser Corporation; Advisor Software, Inc.; Alcom Printing Group Inc.; Apple Press, L.C.; Bloomberg L.P.; Brilliant Graphics, Inc.; Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc.; Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.; Canon Business Process Services; FactSet Research Systems Inc.; Innovation Printing & Communications; Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.; Intelligencer Printing Company; Investment Technology Group, Inc.; Lipper, Inc.; Markit WSO Corporation; McMunn Associates Inc.; Reuters America Inc.; R.R. Donnelley, Inc.; State Street Bank and Trust Company; Trade Informatics LLC; Triune Color Corporation; and Tursack Printing Inc.
Disclosure of Complete Portfolio Holdings to Vanguard Affiliates and Certain Fiduciaries Subject to Confidentiality and Trading Restrictions
Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed between and among the following persons (collectively, Affiliates and Fiduciaries) for legitimate business purposes within the scope of their official duties and responsibilities, subject to such persons continuing legal duty of confidentiality and legal duty not to trade on the basis of any material nonpublic information, as such duties are imposed under the Code of Ethics, the Policies and Procedures Designed to Prevent the Misuse of Inside Information, by agreement, or under applicable laws, rules, and regulations: (1) persons who are subject to the Code of Ethics or the Policies and Procedures Designed to Prevent the Misuse of Inside Information; (2) an investment advisor, distributor, administrator, transfer agent, or custodian to a Vanguard fund; (3) an accounting firm, an auditing firm, or outside legal counsel retained by Vanguard, a Vanguard subsidiary, or a Vanguard fund; (4) an investment advisor to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed for due diligence purposes when the advisor is in merger or acquisition talks with a Vanguard funds current advisor; and (5) a newly hired investment advisor or sub-advisor to whom complete portfolio holdings are disclosed prior to the time it commences its duties.
The frequency with which complete portfolio holdings may be disclosed between and among Affiliates and Fiduciaries, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed between and among the Affiliates and Fiduciaries, is determined by such Affiliates and Fiduciaries based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure between and among Affiliates and Fiduciaries varies and may be as frequent as daily, with no lag. Any disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings to any Affiliates and Fiduciaries as previously described may also include a list of the other investment positions that make up the fund, such as cash investments and derivatives. Disclosure of Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings or other investment positions by Vanguard, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, or a Vanguard fund to Affiliates and Fiduciaries must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
Currently, Vanguard fund complete portfolio holdings are disclosed to the following Affiliates and Fiduciaries as part of ongoing arrangements that serve legitimate business purposes: Vanguard and each investment advisor, custodian, and independent registered public accounting firm identified in each funds Statement of Additional Information.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings to Broker-Dealers in the Normal Course of Managing a Funds Assets
An investment advisor, administrator, or custodian for a Vanguard fund may, for legitimate business purposes within the scope of its official duties and responsibilities, disclose portfolio holdings (whether partial portfolio holdings or complete portfolio holdings) and other investment positions that make up the fund to one or more broker-dealers during the course of, or in connection with, normal day-to-day securities and derivatives transactions with or through such broker-dealers subject to the broker-dealers legal obligation not to use or disclose material nonpublic information concerning the funds
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portfolio holdings, other investment positions, securities transactions, or derivatives transactions without the consent of the fund or its agents. The Vanguard funds have not given their consent to any such use or disclosure and no person or agent of Vanguard is authorized to give such consent except as approved in writing by the Boards of the Vanguard funds. Disclosure of portfolio holdings or other investment positions by Vanguard to broker-dealers must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
Disclosure of Nonmaterial Information
The Policies and Procedures permit Vanguard fund officers, Vanguard fund portfolio managers, and other Vanguard representatives (collectively, Approved Vanguard Representatives) to disclose any views, opinions, judgments, advice, or commentary, or any analytical, statistical, performance, or other information, in connection with or relating to a Vanguard fund or its portfolio holdings and/or other investment positions (collectively, commentary and analysis) or any changes in the portfolio holdings of a Vanguard fund that occurred after the end of the most recent calendar quarter (recent portfolio changes) to any person if (1) such disclosure serves a legitimate business purpose, (2) such disclosure does not effectively result in the disclosure of the complete portfolio holdings of any Vanguard fund (which can be disclosed only in accordance with the Policies and Procedures), and (3) such information does not constitute material nonpublic information. Disclosure of commentary and analysis or recent portfolio changes by Vanguard, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, or a Vanguard fund must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
An Approved Vanguard Representative must make a good faith determination whether the information constitutes material nonpublic information, which involves an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. Vanguard believes that in most cases recent portfolio changes that involve a few or even several securities in a diversified portfolio or commentary and analysis would be immaterial and would not convey any advantage to a recipient in making an investment decision concerning a Vanguard fund. Nonexclusive examples of commentary and analysis about a Vanguard fund include (1) the allocation of the funds portfolio holdings and other investment positions among various asset classes, sectors, industries, and countries; (2) the characteristics of the stock and bond components of the funds portfolio holdings and other investment positions; (3) the attribution of fund returns by asset class, sector, industry, and country; and (4) the volatility characteristics of the fund. Approved Vanguard Representatives may, at their sole discretion, deny any request for information made by any person, and may do so for any reason or for no reason. Approved Vanguard Representatives include, for purposes of the Policies and Procedures, persons employed by or associated with Vanguard or a subsidiary of Vanguard who have been authorized by Vanguards Portfolio Review Department to disclose recent portfolio changes and/or commentary and analysis in accordance with the Policies and Procedures.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings in Accordance with SEC Exemptive Orders
Vanguards Fund Financial Services unit may disclose to the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC), Authorized Participants, and other market makers the daily portfolio composition files (PCFs) that identify a basket of specified securities that may overlap with the actual or expected portfolio holdings of the Vanguard funds that offer a class of shares known as Vanguard ETF Shares (ETF Funds), in accordance with the terms and conditions of related exemptive orders (Vanguard ETF Exemptive Orders) issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, as described in this section.
Unlike the conventional classes of shares issued by ETF Funds, the ETF Shares are listed for trading on a national securities exchange. Each ETF Fund issues and redeems ETF Shares in large blocks, known as Creation Units. To purchase or redeem a Creation Unit, an investor must be an Authorized Participant or the investor must purchase or redeem through a broker-dealer that is an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant is a participant in the Depository Trust Company (DTC) that has executed a Participant Agreement with Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Each ETF Fund issues Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio deposit consisting of a basket of specified securities (Deposit Securities) and a cash payment (Balancing Amount). Each ETF Fund also redeems Creation Units in kind; an investor who tenders a Creation Unit will receive, as redemption proceeds, a basket of specified securities together with a Balancing Amount.
In connection with the creation and redemption process, and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Vanguard ETF Exemptive Orders, Vanguard makes available to the NSCC (a clearing agency registered with the SEC and affiliated with the DTC), for dissemination to NSCC participants on each business day prior to the opening of trading on the listing exchange, a PCF containing a list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security for each ETF Fund. In addition, the listing exchange disseminates (1) continuously throughout the trading day, through the
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facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, the market value of an ETF Share; and (2) every 15 seconds throughout the trading day, a calculation of the estimated NAV of an ETF Share (expected to be accurate to within a few basis points). Comparing these two figures allows an investor to determine whether, and to what extent, ETF Shares are selling at a premium or at a discount to NAV. ETF Shares are listed on the exchange and traded on the secondary market in the same manner as other equity securities. The price of ETF Shares trading on the secondary market is based on a current bid/offer market.
In addition to making PCFs available to the NSCC, as previously described, Vanguards Fund Financial Services unit may disclose the PCF for any ETF Fund to any person, or online at vanguard.com to all categories of persons, if (1) such disclosure serves a legitimate business purpose and (2) such disclosure does not constitute material nonpublic information. Vanguards Fund Financial Services unit must make a good faith determination whether the PCF for any ETF Fund constitutes material nonpublic information, which involves an assessment of the particular facts and circumstances. Vanguard believes that in most cases the PCF for any ETF Fund would be immaterial and would not convey any advantage to the recipient in making an investment decision concerning the ETF Fund, if sufficient time has passed between the date of the PCF and the date on which the PCF is disclosed. Vanguards Fund Financial Services unit may, at its sole discretion, determine whether to deny any request for the PCF for any ETF Fund made by any person, and may do so for any reason or for no reason. Disclosure of a PCF must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal in Vanguards Fund Financial Services unit.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Related Information to the Issuer of a Security for Legitimate Business Purposes
Vanguard, at its sole discretion, may disclose portfolio holdings information concerning a security held by one or more Vanguard funds to the issuer of such security if the issuer presents, to the satisfaction of Vanguards Fund Financial Services unit, convincing evidence that the issuer has a legitimate business purpose for such information. Disclosure of this information to an issuer is conditioned on the issuer being subject to a written agreement imposing a duty of confidentiality, including a duty not to trade on the basis of any material nonpublic information. The frequency with which portfolio holdings information concerning a security may be disclosed to the issuer of such security, and the length of the lag, if any, between the date of the information and the date on which the information is disclosed to the issuer, is determined based on the facts and circumstances, including, without limitation, the nature of the portfolio holdings information to be disclosed, the risk of harm to the funds and their shareholders, and the legitimate business purposes served by such disclosure. The frequency of disclosure to an issuer cannot be determined in advance of a specific request and will vary based upon the particular facts and circumstances and the legitimate business purposes, but in unusual situations could be as frequent as daily, with no lag. Disclosure of portfolio holdings information concerning a security held by one or more Vanguard funds to the issuer of such security must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal in Vanguards Portfolio Review or Legal Department.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings as Required by Applicable Law
Vanguard fund portfolio holdings (whether partial portfolio holdings or complete portfolio holdings) and other investment positions that make up a fund shall be disclosed to any person as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations. Examples of such required disclosure include, but are not limited to, disclosure of Vanguard fund portfolio holdings (1) in a filing or submission with the SEC or another regulatory body, (2) in connection with seeking recovery on defaulted bonds in a federal bankruptcy case, (3) in connection with a lawsuit, or (4) as required by court order. Disclosure of portfolio holdings or other investment positions by Vanguard, Vanguard Marketing Corporation, or a Vanguard fund as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations must be authorized by a Vanguard fund officer or a Principal of Vanguard.
Prohibitions on Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
No person is authorized to disclose Vanguard fund portfolio holdings or other investment positions (whether online at vanguard.com , in writing, by fax, by e-mail, orally, or by other means) except in accordance with the Policies and Procedures. In addition, no person is authorized to make disclosure pursuant to the Policies and Procedures if such disclosure is otherwise unlawful under the antifraud provisions of the federal securities laws (as defined in Rule 38a-1 under the 1940 Act). Furthermore, Vanguards management, at its sole discretion, may determine not to disclose portfolio holdings or other investment positions that make up a Vanguard fund to any person who would otherwise be
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eligible to receive such information under the Policies and Procedures, or may determine to make such disclosures publicly as provided by the Policies and Procedures.
Prohibitions on Receipt of Compensation or Other Consideration
The Policies and Procedures prohibit a Vanguard fund, its investment advisor, and any other person or entity from paying or receiving any compensation or other consideration of any type for the purpose of obtaining disclosure of Vanguard fund portfolio holdings or other investment positions. Consideration includes any agreement to maintain assets in the fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the investment advisor or by any affiliated person of the investment advisor.
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
The Funds receive all investment advisory services from Vanguard, through its Equity Index Group. These services are provided on an at-cost basis by an experienced advisory staff employed directly by Vanguard. The compensation and other expenses of the advisory staff are allocated among the funds utilizing these services.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 , 2014 , and 2015 , the Funds incurred the following approximate advisory expenses:
Michael H. Buek manages Vanguard 500 Index Fund, Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund, and Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund; as of December 31, 2015, the Funds collectively held assets of $305 billion. As of December 31, 2015, Mr. Buek also managed 3 other registered investment companies with total assets of $12.8 billion, 1 other pooled investment vehicle with total assets of $356.7 million, and 1 other account with total assets of $2.6 billion, and co-managed 34 other registered investment companies with total assets of $283 billion (none of which had advisory fees based on account performance).
Donald M. Butler manages Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund, Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund, Vanguard Mid--Cap Value Index Fund, and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund; as of December 31, 2015, the Funds collectively held assets of $110 billion. As of December 31, 2015, Mr. Butler also managed 2 other registered investment companies with total assets of $196 billion and 2 other pooled investment vehicles with total assets of $15.9 billion (none of which had advisory fees based on account performance).
Ryan E. Ludt manages Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund; as of December 31, 2015 , the Fund held assets of $11.2 billion. As of December 31, 2015, Mr. Ludt also managed 6 other registered investment companies with total assets of $53 billion (none of which had advisory fees based on account performance).
Gerard C. OReilly manages Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Vanguard Value Index Fund, Vanguard Growth Index Fund, and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund; as of December 31, 2015, the Funds collectively held assets of $488 billion. As of December 31, 2015, Mr. OReilly also managed 5 other registered investment companies with total assets of $63 billion and 1 other pooled investment vehicle with total assets of $487.2 million (none of which had advisory fees based on account performance).
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2. Material Conflicts of Interest
At Vanguard, individual portfolio managers may manage multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition to mutual funds, these accounts may include separate accounts, collective trusts, and offshore funds. Managing multiple funds or accounts may give rise to potential conflicts of interest, including, for example, conflicts among investment strategies and conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities. Vanguard manages potential conflicts between funds or accounts through allocation policies and procedures, internal review processes, and oversight by trustees and independent third parties. Vanguard has developed trade allocation procedures and controls to ensure that no one client, regardless of type, is intentionally favored at the expense of another. Allocation policies are designed to address potential conflicts in situations where two or more funds or accounts participate in investment decisions involving the same securities.
3. Description of Compensation
All Vanguard portfolio managers are Vanguard employees. This section describes the compensation of the Vanguard employees who manage Vanguard mutual funds. As of December 31, 2015, a Vanguard portfolio managers compensation generally consists of base salary, bonus, and payments under Vanguards long-term incentive compensation program. In addition, portfolio managers are eligible for the standard retirement benefits and health and welfare benefits available to all Vanguard employees. Also, certain portfolio managers may be eligible for additional retirement benefits under several supplemental retirement plans that Vanguard adopted in the 1980s to restore dollar-for-dollar the benefits of management employees that had been cut back solely as a result of tax law changes. These plans are structured to provide the same retirement benefits as the standard retirement plans.
In the case of portfolio managers responsible for managing multiple Vanguard funds or accounts, the method used to determine their compensation is the same for all funds and investment accounts. A portfolio managers base salary is determined by the managers experience and performance in the role, taking into account the ongoing compensation benchmark analyses performed by Vanguards Human Resources Department. A portfolio managers base salary is generally a fixed amount that may change as a result of an annual review, upon assumption of new duties, upon assumption of new duties, or when a market adjustment of the position occurs.
A portfolio managers bonus is determined by a number of factors. One factor is gross, pre-tax performance of a fund relative to expectations for how the fund should have performed, given the funds investment objective, policies, strategies, and limitations, and the market environment during the measurement period. This performance factor is not based on the amount of assets held in the funds portfolio. For each Fund, the performance factor depends on how closely the portfolio manager tracks the Funds benchmark index over a one-year period. Additional factors include the portfolio managers contributions to the investment management functions within the sub-asset class, contributions to the development of other investment professionals and supporting staff, and overall contributions to strategic planning and decisions for the investment group. The target bonus is expressed as a percentage of base salary. The actual bonus paid may be more or less than the target bonus, based on how well the manager satisfies the objectives previously described. The bonus is paid on an annual basis.
Under the long-term incentive compensation program, all full-time employees receive a payment from Vanguards long-term incentive compensation plan based on their years of service, job level, and, if applicable, management responsibilities. Each year, Vanguards independent directors determine the amount of the long-term incentive compensation award for that year based on the investment performance of the Vanguard funds relative to competitors and Vanguards operating efficiencies in providing services to the Vanguard funds.
4. Ownership of Securities
Vanguard employees, including portfolio managers, allocate their investments among the various Vanguard funds based on their own individual investment needs and goals. Vanguard employees, as a group, invest a sizeable portion of their personal assets in Vanguard funds. As of December 31, 2015 , Vanguard employees collectively invested more than $4.8 billion in Vanguard funds. F. William McNabb III, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Vanguard and the Vanguard funds invests substantially all of his personal financial assets in Vanguard funds.
As of December 31, 2015 , Mr. OReilly owned shares of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund in the $10,001$50,000 range and Mr. Buek owned shares of Vanguard 500 Index Fund in the $100,001$500,000 range . None of the other named portfolio managers owned any shares of the Funds they managed.
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Duration and Termination of Investment Advisory Agreement
Vanguard provides at-cost investment advisory services to the Funds pursuant to the terms of the Fifth Amended and Restated Funds Service Agreement. This agreement will continue in full force and effect until terminated or amended by mutual agreement of the Vanguard funds and Vanguard.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
The advisor decides which securities to buy and sell on behalf of a Fund and then selects the brokers or dealers that will execute the trades on an agency basis or the dealers with whom the trades will be effected on a principal basis. For each trade, the advisor must select a broker-dealer that it believes will provide best execution. Best execution does not necessarily mean paying the lowest spread or commission rate available. In seeking best execution, the SEC has said that an advisor should consider the full range of a broker-dealers services. The factors considered by the advisor in seeking best execution include, but are not limited to, the broker-dealers execution capability, clearance and settlement services, commission rate, trading expertise, willingness and ability to commit capital, ability to provide anonymity, financial responsibility, reputation and integrity, responsiveness, access to underwritten offerings and secondary markets, and access to company management, as well as the value of any research provided by the broker-dealer. In assessing which broker-dealer can provide best execution for a particular trade, the advisor also may consider the timing and size of the order and available liquidity and current market conditions. Subject to applicable legal requirements, the advisor may select a broker based partly on brokerage or research services provided to the advisor and its clients, including the Funds. The advisor may cause a Fund to pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if the advisor determines in good faith that the amount of the commission is reasonable in relation to the value of services provided. The advisor also may receive brokerage or research services from broker-dealers that are provided at no charge in recognition of the volume of trades directed to the broker. To the extent research services or products may be a factor in selecting brokers, services and products may include written research reports analyzing performance or securities, discussions with research analysts, meetings with corporate executives to obtain oral reports on company performance, market data, and other products and services that will assist the advisor in its investment decision-making process. The research services provided by brokers through which a Fund effects securities transactions may be used by the advisor in servicing all of its accounts, and some of the services may not be used by the advisor in connection with the Fund.
During the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013 , 2014 , and 2015 , the Funds paid the following approximate amounts in brokerage commissions:
Vangu ard Fund | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
Total Stock Market Index Fund | $5,089,000 | $5,671,000 | $5,634,000 |
500 Index Fund | 1,008,000 | 742,000 | 1,122,000 |
Extended Market Index Fund | 1,303,000 | 1,152,000 | 1,126,000 |
Large-Cap Index Fund | 58,000 | 39,000 | 54,000 |
Mid-Cap Index Fund 1 | 2,370,000 | 840,000 | 1,465,000 |
Small-Cap Index Fund 1 | 4,451,000 | 1,538,000 | 1,959,000 |
Value Index Fund 1 | 391,000 | 169,000 | 294,000 |
Mid-Cap Value Index Fund 1 | 233,000 | 138,000 | 272,000 |
Small-Cap Value Index Fund 1 | 1,349,000 | 410,000 | 673,000 |
Growth Index Fund 1 | 830,000 | 265,000 | 352,000 |
Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund 1 | 207,000 | 68,000 | 149,000 |
Small-Cap Growth Index Fund 1 | 1,816,000 | 805,000 | 781,000 |
1 Portfolio rebalancing in response to a benchmark index change for the Fund resulted in higher broke rage commissions for the Fund during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.
Some securities that are considered for investment by a Fund may also be appropriate for other Vanguard funds or for other clients served by the advisor. If such securities are compatible with the investment policies of a Fund and one or more of the advisors other clients and are considered for purchase or sale at or about the same time, then transactions in such securities may be aggregated by the advisor, and the purchased securities or sale proceeds may be allocated among the participating Vanguard funds and the other participating clients of the advisor in a manner deemed equitable
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by the advisor. Although there may be no specified formula for allocating such transactions, the allocation methods used, and the results of such allocations, will be subject to periodic review by the Funds board of trustees.
The ability of Vanguard and external advisors to purchase or dispose of investments in regulated industries, certain derivatives markets, certain international markets, and certain issuers that limit ownership by a single shareholder or group of related shareholders, or to exercise rights on behalf of a Fund, may be restricted or impaired because of limitations on the aggregate level of investment unless regulatory or corporate consents or ownership waivers are obtained. As a result, Vanguard and external advisors on behalf of a Fund may be required to limit purchases, sell existing investments, or otherwise restrict or limit the exercise of shareholder rights by the Fund, including voting rights. If a Fund is required to limit its investment in a particular issuer, the Fund may seek to obtain economic exposure to that issuer through alternative means, such as through a derivative, which may be more costly than owning securities of the issuer directly.
As of December 31, 2015, each Fund held securities of its regular brokers or dealers, as that term is defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act, as follows:
Vangu ard Fund | Regular Broker or Dealer (or Parent) | Aggregate Holdings |
Total Stock Market Index Fund | Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | $2,686,669,000 |
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | 1,268,611,000 | |
ITG, Inc. | 9,899,000 | |
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. | 4,461,167,000 | |
Morgan Stanley | 846,930,000 | |
500 Index Fund | Banc of America Securities LLC | 2,139,635,000 |
Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | 1,882,260 | |
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | 872,883,000 | |
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. | 2,967,730,000 | |
Morgan Stanley | 586,545,000 | |
Extended Market Index Fund | ITG, Inc. | 6,307,000 |
Large-Cap Index Fund | Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | 87,105,000 |
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | 41,139,000 | |
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. | 144,562,000 | |
Morgan Stanley | 27,466,000 | |
Mid-Cap Index Fund | | |
Small-Cap Index Fund | ITG, Inc. | 11,023,000 |
Value Index Fund | Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | 556,549,000 |
Goldman, Sachs & Co. | 262,914,000 | |
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. | 923,688,000 | |
Morgan Stanley | 175,540,000 | |
Mid-Cap Value Index Fund | . | |
Small-Cap Value Index Fund | ITG, Inc. | 6,130,000 |
Growth Index Fund | | |
Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund | | |
Small-Cap Growth Index Fund | | |
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PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
The Board of Trustees (the Board) of each Vanguard fund has adopted proxy voting procedures and guidelines to govern proxy voting by the fund. The Board has delegated responsibility for monitoring proxy voting activities to the Proxy Oversight Committee (the Committee), made up of senior officers of Vanguard and subject to the operating procedures and guidelines described below. The Committee reports directly to the Board. Vanguard is subject to these procedures and guidelines to the extent that they call for Vanguard to administer the voting process and implement the resulting voting decisions, and for these purposes the guidelines have also been approved by the Board of Directors of Vanguard.
The overarching objective in voting is simple: to support proposals and director nominees that maximize the value of a funds investmentsand those of fund shareholdersover the long term. Although the goal is simple, the proposals the funds receive are varied and frequently complex. As such, the guidelines adopted by the Board provide a rigorous framework for assessing each proposal. Under the guidelines, each proposal must be evaluated on its merits, based on the particular facts and circumstances as presented.
For ease of reference, the procedures and guidelines often refer to all funds. However, our processes and practices seek to ensure that proxy voting decisions are suitable for individual funds. For most proxy proposals, particularly those involving corporate governance, the evaluation will result in the same position being taken across all of the funds and the funds voting as a block. In some cases, however, a fund may vote differently, depending upon the nature and objective of the fund, the composition of its portfolio, and other factors.
The guidelines do not permit the Board to delegate voting responsibility to a third party that does not serve as a fiduciary for the funds. Because many factors bear on each decision, the guidelines incorporate factors the Committee should consider in each voting decision. A fund may refrain from voting some or all of its shares or vote in a particular way if doing so would be in the funds and its shareholders best interests. These circumstances may arise, for example, if the expected cost of voting exceeds the expected benefits of voting, if exercising the vote would result in the imposition of trading or other restrictions, or if a fund (or all Vanguard funds in the aggregate) were to own more than the permissible maximum percentage of a companys stock (as determined by the companys governing documents or by applicable law, regulation, or regulatory agreement).
In evaluating proxy proposals, we consider information from many sources, including, but not limited to, the investment advisor for the fund, the management or shareholders of a company presenting a proposal, and independent proxy research services. We will give substantial weight to the recommendations of the companys board, absent guidelines or other specific facts that would support a vote against management. In all cases, however, the ultimate decision rests with the members of the Committee, who are accountable to the funds Board.
While serving as a framework, the following guidelines cannot contemplate all possible proposals with which a fund may be presented. In the absence of a specific guideline for a particular proposal (e.g., in the case of a transactional issue or contested proxy), the Committee will evaluate the issue and cast the funds vote in a manner that, in the Committees view, will maximize the value of the funds investment, subject to the individual circumstances of the fund.
I. | The Board of Directors |
A. | Election of directors |
Good governance starts with a majority-independent board, whose key committees are made up entirely of independent directors. As such, companies should attest to the independence of directors who serve on the Compensation, Nominating, and Audit committees. In any instance in which a director is not categorically independent, the basis for the independence determination should be clearly explained in the proxy statement.
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Although the funds will generally support the boards nominees, the following factors will be taken into account in determining each funds vote:
Factors For Approval | Factors Against Approval |
Nominated slate results in board made up of a majority of | Nominated slate results in board made up of a majority of |
independent directors. | non-independent directors. |
All members of Audit, Nominating, and Compensation | Audit, Nominating, and/or Compensation committees include |
committees are independent of management. | non-independent members. |
Incumbent board member failed to attend at least 75% of meetings | |
in the previous year. | |
Actions of committee(s) on which nominee serves are inconsistent with | |
other guidelines (e.g., excessive equity grants, substantial non-audit fees, | |
lack of board independence). | |
Actions of committee(s) on which nominee serves demonstrate serious | |
failures of governance (e.g., unilaterally acting to significantly reduce | |
shareholder rights, failure to respond to previous vote results for directors | |
and shareholder proposals). |
B. Contested director elections
In the case of contested board elections, we will evaluate the nominees qualifications, the performance of the incumbent board, and the rationale behind the dissidents campaign, to determine the outcome that we believe will maximize shareholder value.
C. Classified boards
The funds will generally support proposals to declassify existing boards (whether proposed by management or shareholders), and will block efforts by companies to adopt classified board structures in which only part of the board is elected each year.
D. Proxy access
We believe that long-term investors may benefit from having proxy access, or the opportunity to place director nominees on a companys proxy ballot. In our view, this improves shareholders ability to participate in director elections while potentially enhancing boards accountability and responsiveness to shareholders.
That said, we also believe that proxy access provisions should be appropriately limited to avoid abuse by investors who lack a meaningful long-term interest in the company. As such, we generally believe that a shareholder or group of shareholders representing 3% of a companys outstanding shares held for at least three years should be able to nominate directors for up to 20% of the seats on the board.
We will review proposals regarding proxy access case by case. The funds will be most likely to support access provisions with the terms described above, but they may support different thresholds based on a companys other governance provisions, as well as other relevant factors.
II. Approval of Independent Auditors
The relationship between the company and its auditors should be limited primarily to the audit, although it may include certain closely related activities that do not, in the aggregate, raise any appearance of impaired independence. The funds will generally support managements recommendation for the ratification of the auditor, except in instances in which audit and audit-related fees make up less than 50% of the total fees paid by the company to the audit firm. We will evaluate on a case-by-case basis instances in which the audit firm has a substantial non-audit relationship with the company (regardless of its size relative to the audit fee) to determine whether independence has been compromised.
III. Compensation Issues
A. Stock-based compensation plans
Appropriately designed stock-based compensation plans, administered by an independent committee of the board and approved by shareholders, can be an effective way to align the interests of long-term shareholders with the interests of
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management, employees, and directors. The funds oppose plans that substantially dilute their ownership interest in the company, provide participants with excessive awards, or have inherently objectionable structural features.
An independent compensation committee should have significant latitude to deliver varied compensation to motivate the companys employees. However, we will evaluate compensation proposals in the context of several factors (a companys industry, market capitalization, competitors for talent, etc.) to determine whether a particular plan or proposal balances the perspectives of employees and the companys other shareholders. We will evaluate each proposal on a case-by-case basis, taking all material facts and circumstances into account.
The following factors will be among those considered in evaluating these proposals:
B. Bonus plans
Bonus plans, which must be periodically submitted for shareholder approval to qualify for deductibility under Section 162(m) of the IRC, should have clearly defined performance criteria and maximum awards expressed in dollars. Bonus plans with awards that are excessive, in both absolute terms and relative to a comparative group, generally will not be supported.
C. Employee stock purchase plans
The funds will generally support the use of employee stock purchase plans to increase company stock ownership by employees, provided that shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value and that shares reserved under the plan amount to less than 5% of the outstanding shares.
D. Advisory votes on executive compensation (Say on Pay)
In addition to proposals on specific equity or bonus plans, the funds are required to cast advisory votes approving many companies overall executive compensation plans (so-called Say on Pay votes). In evaluating these proposals, we consider a number of factors, including the amount of compensation that is at risk, the amount of equity-based compensation that is linked to the companys performance, and the level of compensation as compared to industry peers. The funds will generally support pay programs that demonstrate effective linkage between pay and performance over time and that provide compensation opportunities that are competitive relative to industry peers. On the other hand, pay programs in which significant compensation is guaranteed or insufficiently linked to performance will be less likely to earn our support.
E. Executive severance agreements (golden parachutes)
Although executives incentives for continued employment should be more significant than severance benefits, there are instancesparticularly in the event of a change in controlin which severance arrangements may be appropriate. Severance benefits payable upon a change of control AND an executives termination (so-called double trigger plans) are generally acceptable to the extent that benefits paid do not exceed three times salary and bonus. Arrangements in which the benefits exceed three times salary and bonus should be justified and submitted for shareholder approval. We do not generally support guaranteed severance absent a change in control or arrangements that do not require the termination of the executive (so-called single trigger plans).
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IV. Corporate Structure and Shareholder Rights
The exercise of shareholder rights, in proportion to economic ownership, is a fundamental privilege of stock ownership that should not be unnecessarily limited. Such limits may be placed on shareholders ability to act by corporate charter or by-law provisions, or by the adoption of certain takeover provisions. In general, the market for corporate control should be allowed to function without undue interference from these artificial barriers.
The funds positions on a number of the most commonly presented issues in this area are as follows:
A. | Shareholder rights plans (poison pills) |
A | companys adoption of a so-called poison pill effectively limits a potential acquirers ability to buy a controlling interest |
without the approval of the targets board of directors. Such a plan, in conjunction with other takeover defenses, may serve to entrench incumbent management and directors. However, in other cases, a poison pill may force a suitor to negotiate with the board and result in the payment of a higher acquisition premium.
In general, shareholders should be afforded the opportunity to approve shareholder rights plans within a year of their adoption. This provides the board with the ability to put a poison pill in place for legitimate defensive purposes, subject to subsequent approval by shareholders. In evaluating the approval of proposed shareholder rights plans, we will consider the following factors:
Factors For Approval | Factors Against Approval |
Plan is relatively short-term (3-5 years). | Plan is long term (>5 years). |
Plan requires shareholder approval for renewal. | Renewal of plan is automatic or does not require shareholder approval. |
Plan incorporates review by a committee of independent | Board with limited independence. |
directors at least every three years (so-called TIDE provisions). | |
Ownership trigger is reasonable (15-20%). | Ownership trigger is less than 15%. |
Highly independent, non-classified board. | Classified board. |
Plan includes permitted-bid/qualified-offer feature (chewable | |
pill) that mandates a shareholder vote in certain situations. |
B. Increase in authorized shares
The funds are supportive of companies seeking to increase authorized share amounts that do not potentially expose shareholders to excessive dilution. We will generally approve increases of up to 50% of the current share authorization, but will also consider a companys specific circumstances and market practices.
C. Cumulative voting
The funds are generally opposed to cumulative voting under the premise that it allows shareholders a voice in director elections that is disproportionate to their economic investment in the corporation.
D. Supermajority vote requirements
The funds support shareholders ability to approve or reject matters presented for a vote based on a simple majority. Accordingly, the funds will support proposals to remove supermajority requirements and oppose proposals to impose them.
E. Right to call meetings and act by written consent
The funds support shareholders right to call special meetings of the board (for good cause and with ample representation) and to act by written consent. The funds will generally vote for proposals to grant these rights to shareholders and against proposals to abridge them.
F. Confidential voting
The integrity of the voting process is enhanced substantially when shareholders (both institutions and individuals) can vote without fear of coercion or retribution based on their votes. As such, the funds support proposals to provide confidential voting.
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G. Dual classes of stock
We are opposed to dual class capitalization structures that provide disparate voting rights to different groups of shareholders with similar economic investments. We will oppose the creation of separate classes with different voting rights and will support the dissolution of such classes.
V. Corporate and Social Policy Issues
Proposals in this category, initiated primarily by shareholders, typically request that the company disclose or amend certain business practices. The Board generally believes that these are ordinary business matters that are primarily the responsibility of management and should be evaluated and approved solely by the corporations board of directors. Often, proposals may address concerns with which the Board philosophically agrees, but absent a compelling economic impact on shareholder value (e.g., proposals to require expensing of stock options), the funds will typically abstain from voting on these proposals. This reflects the belief that regardless of our philosophical perspective on the issue, these decisions should be the province of company management unless they have a significant, tangible impact on the value of a funds investment and management is not responsive to the matter.
VI. Voting in Foreign Markets
Corporate governance standards, disclosure requirements, and voting mechanics vary greatly among the markets outside the United States in which the funds may invest. Each funds votes will be used, where applicable, to advocate for improvements in governance and disclosure by each funds portfolio companies. We will evaluate issues presented to shareholders for each funds foreign holdings in the context with the guidelines described above, as well as local market standards and best practices. The funds will cast their votes in a manner believed to be philosophically consistent with these guidelines, while taking into account differing practices by market. In addition, there may be instances in which the funds elect not to vote, as described below.
Many foreign markets require that securities be blocked or reregistered to vote at a companys meeting. Absent an issue of compelling economic importance, we will generally not subject the fund to the loss of liquidity imposed by these requirements.
The costs of voting (e.g., custodian fees, vote agency fees) in foreign markets may be substantially higher than for U.S. holdings. As such, the fund may limit its voting on foreign holdings in instances in which the issues presented are unlikely to have a material impact on shareholder value.
VII. Voting Shares of a Company that has an Ownership Limitation
Certain companies have provisions in their governing documents that restrict stock ownership in excess of a specified limit. Typically, these ownership restrictions are included in the governing documents of real estate investment trusts, but may be included in other companies governing documents.
A companys governing documents normally allow the company to grant a waiver of these ownership limits, which would allow a fund (or all Vanguard-advised funds) to exceed the stated ownership limit. Sometimes a company will grant a waiver without restriction. From time to time, a company may grant a waiver only if a fund (or funds) agrees to not vote the companys shares in excess of the normal specified limit. In such a circumstance, a fund may refrain from voting shares if owning the shares beyond the companys specified limit is in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
In addition, applicable law may require prior regulatory approval to permit ownership of certain regulated issuers voting securities above certain limits or may impose other restrictions on owners of more than a certain percentage of a regulated issuers voting shares. The Board has authorized the funds to vote shares above these limits in the same proportion as votes cast by the issuers entire shareholder base (i.e., mirror vote) or to refrain from voting excess shares if mirror voting is not practicable. For example, rules administered by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the FRB ) generally require that a person seeking to own more than 10% of a bank regulated by the FRB seek prior approval. Vanguard has obtained regulatory approval that allows Vanguard funds to own up to 15% of a class of a banks outstanding voting shares without seeking prior regulatory approval, provided the funds shares in excess of 10% are mirror voted or not voted at all.
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These ownership limits may be applied at the individual fund level, across all Vanguard-advised funds, or across all Vanguard funds, regardless of whether they are advised by Vanguard.
VIII. Voting on a Funds Holdings of Other Vanguard Funds
Certain Vanguard funds (owner funds) may, from time to time, own shares of other Vanguard funds (underlying funds). If an underlying fund submits a matter to a vote of its shareholders, votes for and against such matters on behalf of the owner funds will be cast in the same proportion as the votes of the other shareholders in the underlying fund.
IX. The Proxy Voting Group
The Board has delegated the day-to-day operations of the funds proxy voting process to the Proxy Voting Group, which the Committee oversees. Although most votes will be determined, subject to the individual circumstances of each fund, by reference to the guidelines as separately adopted by each of the funds, there may be circumstances when the Proxy Voting Group will refer proxy issues to the Committee for consideration. In addition, at any time, the Board has the authority to vote proxies, when, at the Boards or the Committees discretion, such action is warranted.
The Proxy Voting Group performs the following functions: (1) managing and conducting due diligence of proxy voting vendors; (2) reconciling share positions; (3) analyzing proxy proposals using factors described in the guidelines; (4) determining and addressing potential or actual conflicts of interest that may be presented by a particular proxy; and (5) voting proxies. The Proxy Voting Group also prepares periodic and special reports to the Board, and any proposed amendments to the procedures and guidelines.
X. The Proxy Oversight Committee
The Board, including a majority of the independent trustees, appoints the members of the Committee who are senior officers of Vanguard.
The Committee does not include anyone whose primary duties include external client relationship management or sales. This clear separation between the proxy voting and client relationship functions is intended to eliminate any potential conflict of interest in the proxy voting process. In the unlikely event that a member of the Committee believes he or she might have a conflict of interest regarding a proxy vote, that member must recuse himself or herself from the committee meeting at which the matter is addressed, and not participate in the voting decision.
The Committee works with the Proxy Voting Group to provide reports and other guidance to the Board regarding proxy voting by the funds. The Committee has an obligation to conduct its meetings and exercise its decision-making authority subject to the fiduciary standards of good faith, fairness, and Vanguards Code of Ethics. The Committee shall authorize proxy votes that the Committee determines, at its sole discretion, to be in the best interests of each funds shareholders. In determining how to apply the guidelines to a particular factual situation, the Committee may not take into account any interest that would conflict with the interest of fund shareholders in maximizing the value of their investments.
The Board may review these procedures and guidelines and modify them from time to time. A summary of the procedures and guidelines is available on Vanguards website at vanguard.com .
You may obtain a free copy of a report that details how the funds voted the proxies relating to the portfolio securities held by the funds for the prior 12-month period ended June 30 by logging on to Vanguards website at vanguard.com or the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ETF SHARE CLASS
Each Fund (collectively, the ETF Funds) offers and issues an exchange-traded class of shares called ETF Shares. Each Fund issues and redeems ETF Shares in large blocks, known as Creation Units. For Vanguard 500 Index, Vanguard Large-Cap Index, Vanguard Mid-Cap Index, Vanguard Small-Cap Index, Vanguard Value Index, Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index, Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index, Vanguard Growth Index, Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index, and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Funds, the number of ETF Shares in a Creation Unit is 25,000; for Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, the number of ETF Shares in a Creation Unit is 100,000; and for Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund, the number of ETF Shares in a Creation Unit is 200,000.
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To purchase or redeem a Creation Unit, you must be an Authorized Participant or you must transact through a broker that is an Authorized Participant. An Authorized Participant is a participant in the Depository Trust Company (DTC) that has executed a Participant Agreement with Vanguard Marketing Corporation, the Funds Distributor (the Distributor). For a current list of Authorized Participants, contact the Distributor.
Investors that are not Authorized Participants must hold ETF Shares in a brokerage account. As with any stock traded on an exchange through a broker, purchases and sales of ETF Shares will be subject to usual and customary brokerage commissions.
Each ETF Fund issues Creation Units in kind in exchange for a basket of securities that are part ofor soon to be part ofits target index (Deposit Securities). Each ETF Fund also redeems Creation Units in kind; an investor who tenders a Creation Unit will receive, as redemption proceeds, a basket of securities that are part of the Funds portfolio holdings (Redemption Securities). As part of any creation or redemption transaction, the investor will either pay or receive some cash in addition to the securities, as described more fully on the following pages. Each ETF Fund reserves the right to issue Creation Units for cash, rather than in kind.
Exchange Listing and Trading
The ETF Shares have been approved for listing on a national securities exchange and will trade on the exchange at market prices that may differ from net asset value (NAV). There can be no assurance that, in the future, ETF Shares will continue to meet all of the exchanges listing requirements. The exchange may, but is not required to, delist a Funds ETF Shares if (1) following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the ETF Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (2) the value of the target index tracked by the ETF Fund is no longer calculated or available; or (3) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the exchange, makes further dealings on the exchange inadvisable. The exchange will also delist a Funds ETF Shares upon termination of the ETF Share class.
The exchange disseminates, through the facilities of the Consolidated Tape Association, an updated indicative optimized portfolio value (IOPV) for each ETF Fund as calculated by an information provider. The ETF Funds are not involved with or responsible for the calculation or dissemination of the IOPVs, and they make no warranty as to the accuracy of the IOPVs. An IOPV for a Funds ETF Shares is disseminated every 15 seconds during regular exchange trading hours. An IOPV has a securities value component and a cash component. The securities values included in an IOPV are based on the real-time market prices of the Deposit Securities for a Funds ETF Shares. The IOPV is designed as an estimate of an ETF Funds NAV at a particular point in time, but it is only an estimate and should not be viewed as the actual NAV, which is calculated once each day.
Conversions and Exchanges
Owners of conventional shares (i.e., not exchange-traded shares) issued by an ETF Fund may convert those shares to ETF Shares of equivalent value of the same Fund. Please note that investors who own conventional shares through a 401(k) plan or other employer-sponsored retirement or benefit plan generally may not convert those shares to ETF Shares and should check with their plan sponsor or recordkeeper. ETF Shares, whether acquired through a conversion or purchased on the secondary market, cannot be converted to conventional shares. Also, ETF Shares of one fund cannot be exchanged for ETF Shares of another fund.
Note for investors in Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund: Owners of shares issued by Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund cannot convert their shares to ETF Shares of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund because the Funds are separate and distinct. Vanguard Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund, which is offered through a separate prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, does not issue ETF Shares.
Investors that are not Authorized Participants must hold ETF Shares in a brokerage account. Thus, before converting conventional shares to ETF Shares, an investor must have an existing, or open a new, brokerage account. This account may be with Vanguard Brokerage Services ® (Vanguard Brokerage) or with any other brokerage firm. To initiate a conversion of conventional shares to ETF Shares, an investor must contact his or her broker.
Vanguard Brokerage does not impose a fee on conversions from Vanguard conventional shares to Vanguard ETF Shares. However, other brokerage firms may charge a fee to process a conversion. Vanguard reserves the right, in the future, to impose a transaction fee on conversions or to limit or terminate the conversion privilege.
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Converting conventional shares to ETF Shares is generally accomplished as follows. First, after the broker notifies Vanguard of an investors request to convert, Vanguard will transfer conventional shares from the investors account with Vanguard to the brokers omnibus account with Vanguard (an account maintained by the broker on behalf of all its customers who hold conventional Vanguard fund shares through the broker). After the transfer, Vanguards records will reflect the broker, not the investor, as the owner of the shares. Next, the broker will instruct Vanguard to convert the appropriate number or dollar amount of conventional shares in its omnibus account to ETF Shares of equivalent value, based on the respective NAVs of the two share classes. The ETF Funds transfer agent will reflect ownership of all ETF Shares in the name of the DTC. The DTC will keep track of which ETF Shares belong to the broker, and the broker, in turn, will keep track of which ETF Shares belong to its customers.
Because the DTC is unable to handle fractional shares, only whole shares can be converted. For example, if the investor owned 300.250 conventional shares, and this was equivalent in value to 90.750 ETF Shares, the DTC account would receive 90 ETF Shares. Conventional shares with a value equal to 0.750 ETF Shares (in this example, that would be 2.481 conventional shares) would remain in the brokers omnibus account with Vanguard. The broker then could either (1) take certain internal actions necessary to credit the investors account with 0.750 ETF Shares or (2) redeem the 2.481 conventional shares for cash at NAV and deliver that cash to the investors account. If the broker chose to redeem the conventional shares, the investor would realize a gain or loss on the redemption that must be reported on his or her tax return (unless the shares are held in an IRA or other tax-deferred account). An investor should consult his or her broker for information on how the broker will handle the conversion process, including whether the broker will impose a fee to process a conversion.
The conversion process works differently for investors who opt to hold ETF Shares through an account at Vanguard Brokerage. Investors who convert their conventional shares to ETF Shares through Vanguard Brokerage will have all conventional shares for which they request conversion converted to the equivalent dollar value of ETF Shares. Because no fractional shares will have to be sold, the transaction will not be taxable.
Here are some important points to keep in mind when converting conventional shares of an ETF Fund to ETF Shares:
Book Entry Only System
ETF shares issued by the Funds are registered in the name of the DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., and are deposited with, or on behalf of, the DTC. The DTC is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold securities of its participants (DTC Participants) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of transactions among them through electronic book-entry changes in their accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations, and certain other organizations. The DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation (DTCC), which is owned by certain participants of the DTCCs subsidiaries, including the DTC. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers, and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (Indirect Participants).
Beneficial ownership of ETF Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants, and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in ETF Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as Beneficial Owners) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by the DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants
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(with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from, or through, the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase of ETF Shares. The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities. Such laws may impair the ability of certain investors to acquire beneficial interests in ETF Shares.
Each ETF Fund recognizes the DTC or its nominee as the record owner of all ETF Shares for all purposes. Beneficial Owners of ETF Shares are not entitled to have ETF Shares registered in their names and will not receive or be entitled to physical delivery of share certificates. Each Beneficial Owner must rely on the procedures of the DTC and any DTC Participant and/or Indirect Participant through which such Beneficial Owner holds its interests to exercise any rights of a holder of ETF Shares.
Conveyance of all notices, statements, and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. The DTC will make available to each ETF Fund, upon request and for a fee, a listing of the ETF Shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The ETF Fund shall obtain from each DTC Participant the number of Beneficial Owners holding ETF Shares, directly or indirectly, through the DTC Participant. The ETF Fund shall provide each DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement, or other communication, in form, in number, and at such place as the DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that these communications may be transmitted by the DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to the Beneficial Owners. In addition, the ETF Fund shall pay to each DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions shall be made to the DTC or its nominee as the registered holder of all ETF Shares. The DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit the DTC Participants accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in ETF Shares of the appropriate Fund as shown on the records of the DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of ETF Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a street name, and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The ETF Funds have no responsibility or liability for any aspects of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners; for payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such ETF Shares; for maintenance, supervision, or review of any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests; or for any other aspect of the relationship between the DTC and DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.
The DTC may determine to discontinue providing its service with respect to ETF Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the ETF Funds and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the ETF Funds shall take action either to find a replacement for the DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates representing ownership of ETF Shares, unless the ETF Funds make other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the exchange.
Purchase and Issuance of ETF Shares in Creation Units
Except for conversions to ETF Shares from conventional shares, the ETF Funds issue and sell ETF Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at their NAV next determined after receipt of an order in proper form on any business day. The ETF Funds do not issue fractional Creation Units.
A business day is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this Statement of Additional Information, the NYSE observes the following U.S. holidays: New Years Day; Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Presidents Day (Washingtons Birthday); Good Friday; Memorial Day (observed); Independence Day; Labor Day; Thanksgiving Day; and Christmas Day.
Fund Deposit. The consideration for purchase of a Creation Unit from an ETF Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities (Deposit Securities) and an amount of cash (Cash Component) consisting of a purchase balancing amount and a transaction fee (both described in the following paragraphs). Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the fund deposit.
The purchase balancing amount is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities (Deposit Amount). It ensures that the NAV of a fund deposit (not including the transaction
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fee) is identical to the NAV of the Creation Unit it is used to purchase. If the purchase balancing amount is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Deposit Securities), then that amount will be paid by the purchaser to the ETF Fund in cash. If the purchase balancing amount is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Securities), then that amount will be paid by an ETF Fund to the purchaser in cash (except as offset by the transaction fee).
Vanguard, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC), makes available after the close of each business day a list of the names and the number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the next business days fund deposit for each ETF Fund (subject to possible amendment or correction). Each ETF Fund reserves the right to accept a nonconforming fund deposit.
The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a fund deposit may change from one day to another to reflect rebalancing adjustments and corporate actions or to respond to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities of the relevant target index.
In addition, each ETF Fund reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cashreferred to as cash in lieuto be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. This might occur, for example, if a Deposit Security is not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, is not eligible for transfer through the applicable clearance and settlement system, or is not eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant or the investor for which an Authorized Participant is acting. Trading costs incurred by the ETF Fund in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities with cash-in-lieu amounts will be an expense of the ETF Fund. However, Vanguard may adjust the transaction fee to protect existing shareholders from this expense.
All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the appropriate ETF Fund, and the ETF Funds determination shall be final and binding.
Procedures for Purchasing Creation Units. An Authorized Participant may place an order to purchase Creation Units from an ETF Fund either (1) through the Continuous Net Settlement (CNS) clearing processes of the NSCC as such processes have been enhanced to effect purchases of Creation Units, such processes being referred to herein as the Clearing Process, or (2) outside the Clearing Process. To purchase through the Clearing Process, an Authorized Participant must be a member of the NSCC that is eligible to use the CNS system. Purchases of Creation Units cleared through the Clearing Process will be subject to a lower transaction fee than those cleared outside the Clearing Process.
To initiate a purchase order for a Creation Unit (either through the Clearing Process or outside the Clearing Process) an Authorized Participant must submit an order in proper form to the Distributor and such order must be received by the Distributor prior to the closing time of regular trading on the NYSE (Closing Time) (ordinarily 4 p.m., Eastern time) to receive that days NAV. The date on which an order to purchase (or redeem) Creation Units is placed is referred to as the transmittal date. Authorized Participants must transmit orders using a transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement.
Purchase orders effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the Authorized Participant earlier on the transmittal date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to the DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.
Neither the Trust, the ETF Funds, the Distributor, nor any affiliated party will be liable to an investor who is unable to submit a purchase order by Closing Time, even if the problem is the responsibility of one of those parties (e.g., the Distributors phone or email systems were not operating properly).
If you are not an Authorized Participant, you must place your purchase order in an acceptable form with an Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant may request that you make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order (e.g., to provide for payments of cash when required).
Placement of Purchase Orders Using the Clearing Process. For purchase orders placed through the Clearing Process, the Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through the transfer agent or index receipt agent to the NSCC, on behalf of an Authorized Participant, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Authorized Participants purchase order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to the NSCC, the Authorized Participant agrees to deliver
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the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component to the appropriate ETF Fund, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor.
An order to purchase Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received on the transmittal date if (1) such order is received by the ETF Funds designated agent before Closing Time on such transmittal date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of the ETF Fund next determined on that day. An order to purchase Creation Units through the Clearing Process made in proper form but received after Closing Time on the transmittal date will be deemed received on the next business day immediately following the transmittal date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on that day. The Deposit Securities and the Cash Component will be transferred by the third NSCC business day following the date on which the purchase request is deemed received.
Placement of Purchase Orders Outside the Clearing Process. An Authorized Participant that wishes to place an order to purchase Creation Units outside the Clearing Process must state that it is not using the Clearing Process and that the purchase instead will be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through the DTC. An order to purchase Creation Units outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the ETF Funds designated agent on the transmittal date if (1) such order is received by the Distributor before Closing Time on such transmittal date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
If a fund deposit is incomplete on the third business day after the trade date (the trade date, known as T, is the date on which the trade actually takes place; three business days after the trade date is known as T+3) because of the failed delivery of one or more of the Deposit Securities, an ETF Fund shall be entitled to cancel the purchase order. Alternatively, the ETF Fund may issue Creation Units in reliance on the Authorized Participants undertaking to deliver the missing Deposit Securities at a later date. Such undertaking shall be secured by the delivery and maintenance of cash collateral in an amount determined by the ETF Fund in accordance with the terms of the Participant Agreement.
Rejection of Purchase Orders. Each ETF Fund reserves the absolute right to reject a purchase order. By way of example, and not limitation, an ETF Fund will reject a purchase order if:
If the purchase order is rejected, the Distributor shall notify the Authorized Participant that submitted the order. The ETF Funds, the Trust, the transfer agent, the custodian, the Distributor, and Vanguard are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of a fund deposit, nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.
Transaction Fee on Purchases of Creation Units. Each ETF Fund may impose a transaction fee (payable to the Fund) to compensate the ETF Fund for costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The amount of the fee, which may be changed by Vanguard from time to time at its sole discretion, is made available daily to Authorized Participants, market makers, and other interested parties through Vanguards proprietary portal system. An additional charge may be imposed for purchases of Creation Units effected outside the Clearing Process. When an ETF Fund permits (or requires) a purchaser to substitute cash in lieu of depositing one or more Deposit Securities, the purchaser may be assessed an additional charge on the cash-in-lieu portion of the investment. The amount of this charge will be disclosed to investors before they place their orders. The amount will be determined by the ETF Fund at its sole discretion but will not be more than the Funds good faith estimate of the costs it will incur investing the cash in lieu, which may include, if applicable, market-impact costs. The maximum transaction fee on purchases of Creation Units, including any additional charges as described, shall be 2% of the value of the Creation Units.
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Redemption of ETF Shares in Creation Units
To be eligible to place a redemption order, you must be an Authorized Participant. Investors that are not Authorized Participants must make appropriate arrangements with an Authorized Participant in order to redeem a Creation Unit.
ETF Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of ETF Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit. Redemption requests received on a business day in good order will receive the NAV next determined after the request is made.
Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for an ETF Fund, an investor tendering a Creation Unit generally will receive redemption proceeds consisting of (1) a basket of Redemption Securities; plus (2) a redemption balancing amount in cash equal to the difference between (x) the NAV of the Creation Unit being redeemed, as next determined after receipt of a request in proper form, and (y) the value of the Redemption Securities; less (3) a transaction fee. If the Redemption Securities have a value greater than the NAV of a Creation Unit, the redeeming investor will pay the redemption balancing amount in cash to the ETF Fund rather than receive such amount from the Fund.
Vanguard, through the NSCC, makes available after the close of each business day a list of the names and the number of shares of each Redemption Security to be included in the next business days redemption basket for each ETF Fund (subject to possible amendment or correction). The basket of Redemption Securities provided to an investor redeeming a Creation Unit may not be identical to the basket of Deposit Securities required of an investor purchasing a Creation Unit. If an ETF Fund and a redeeming investor mutually agree, the Fund may provide the investor with a basket of Redemption Securities that differs from the composition of the redemption basket published through the NSCC.
Each ETF Fund reserves the right to deliver cash in lieu of any Redemption Security for the same reason it might accept cash in lieu of a Deposit Security, as previously discussed, or if the ETF Fund could not lawfully deliver the security or could not do so without first registering such security under federal or state law.
Neither the Trust, the ETF Funds, the Distributor, nor any affiliated party will be liable to an investor who is unable to submit a redemption order by Closing Time, even if the problem is the responsibility of one of those parties (e.g., the Distributors phone or email systems were not operating properly).
Transaction Fee on Redemptions of Creation Units. Each ETF Fund may impose a transaction fee (payable to the Fund) to compensate the ETF Fund for costs associated with the redemption of Creation Units. The amount of the fee, which may be changed by Vanguard from time to time at its sole discretion, is made available daily to Authorized Participants, market makers, and other interested parties through Vanguards proprietary portal system. An additional charge may be imposed for redemptions of Creation Units effected outside the Clearing Process. When an ETF Fund permits (or requires) a redeeming investor to receive cash in lieu of one or more Redemption Securities, the investor will be assessed an additional charge on the cash-in-lieu portion of the redemption. The amount of this charge will be disclosed to investors before they place their orders. The amount will vary as determined by the ETF Fund at its sole discretion but will not be more than the Funds good faith estimate of the costs it will incur by selling portfolio securities to raise the necessary cash, which may include, if applicable, market-impact costs. The maximum transaction fee on redemptions of Creation Units, including any additional charges as described, shall be 2% of the value of the Creation Units.
Placement of Redemption Orders Using the Clearing Process. An Authorized Participant may place an order to redeem Creation Units of an ETF Fund either (1) through the CNS clearing processes of the NSCC as such processes have been enhanced to effect redemptions of Creation Units, such processes being referred to herein as the Clearing Process, or (2) outside the Clearing Process. To redeem through the Clearing Process, an Authorized Participant must be a member of the NSCC that is eligible to use the CNS system. Redemptions of Creation Units cleared through the Clearing Process will be subject to a lower transaction fee than those cleared outside the Clearing Process.
An order to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process is deemed received on the transmittal date if (1) such order is received by the ETF Funds designated agent before Closing Time on such transmittal date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. Such order will be effected based on the NAV of an ETF Fund next determined on that day. An order to redeem Creation Units through the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by an ETF Fund after Closing Time on the transmittal date will be deemed received on the next business day immediately following the transmittal date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on that day.
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The Redemption Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the third NSCC business day following the date on which the redemption request is deemed received.
Placement of Redemption Orders Outside the Clearing Process. An Authorized Participant that wishes to place an order to redeem a Creation Unit outside the Clearing Process must state that it is not using the Clearing Process and that the redemption instead will be effected through a transfer of ETF Shares directly through the DTC. An order to redeem a Creation Unit of an ETF Fund outside the Clearing Process is deemed received on the transmittal date if (1) such order is received by the ETF Funds designated agent before Closing Time on such transmittal date and (2) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.
If a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the transfer agent by an Authorized Participant prior to Closing Time on the transmittal date, then the value of the Redemption Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be determined by the ETF Fund on such transmittal date.
After the transfer agent has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the transfer agent will initiate procedures to transfer the Redemption Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the third business day following the transmittal date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the transfer agent.
If on T+3 an Authorized Participant has failed to deliver all of the Vanguard ETF Shares it is seeking to redeem, the ETF Fund shall be entitled to cancel the redemption order. Alternatively, the ETF Fund may deliver to the Authorized Participant the full complement of Redemption Securities and cash in reliance on the Authorized Participants undertaking to deliver the missing ETF Shares at a later date. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participants delivery and maintenance of cash collateral in accordance with collateral procedures that are part of the Participant Agreement. In all cases the ETF Fund shall be entitled to charge the Authorized Participant for any costs (including investment losses, attorneys fees, and interest) incurred by the ETF Fund as a result of the late delivery or failure to deliver.
Each ETF Fund reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to require or permit a redeeming investor to receive the redemption proceeds in cash. In such cases, the investor would receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its ETF Shares based on the NAV of those shares next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a transaction fee, including a charge for cash redemptions, as previously discussed).
If an Authorized Participant, or a redeeming investor acting through an Authorized Participant, is subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular security included in the basket of Redemption Securities, such investor may be paid an equivalent amount of cash in lieu of the security. In addition, each ETF Fund reserves the right to redeem Creation Units partially for cash to the extent that the Fund could not lawfully deliver one or more Redemption Securities or could not do so without first registering such securities under federal or state law.
Suspension of Redemption Rights. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed with respect to an ETF Fund (1) for any period during which the NYSE or listing exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings), (2) for any period during which trading on the NYSE or listing exchange is suspended or restricted, (3) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Funds portfolio securities or determination of its NAV is not reasonably practicable, or (4) in such other circumstances as the SEC permits.
Precautionary Notes
A precautionary note to retail investors: The DTC or its nominee will be the registered owner of all outstanding ETF Shares. Your ownership of ETF Shares will be shown on the records of the DTC and the DTC Participant broker through which you hold the shares. Vanguard will not have any record of your ownership. Your account information will be maintained by your broker, which will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales of ETF Shares, and tax information. Your broker also will be responsible for distributing income and capital gains distributions and for ensuring that you receive shareholder reports and other communications from the fund whose ETF Shares you own. You will receive other services (e.g., dividend reinvestment and average cost information) only if your broker offers these services.
A precautionary note to purchasers of Creation Units: You should be aware of certain legal risks unique to investors purchasing Creation Units directly from the issuing fund.
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Because new ETF Shares may be issued on an ongoing basis, a distribution of ETF Shares could be occurring at any time. Certain activities that you perform as a dealer could, depending on the circumstances, result in your being deemed a participant in the distribution in a manner that could render you a statutory underwriter and subject you to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 (the 1933 Act). For example, you could be deemed a statutory underwriter if you purchase Creation Units from the issuing fund, break them down into the constituent ETF Shares, and sell those shares directly to customers or if you choose to couple the creation of a supply of new ETF Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for ETF Shares. Whether a person is an underwriter depends upon all of the facts and circumstances pertaining to that persons activities, and the examples mentioned here should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could cause you to be deemed an underwriter.
Dealers who are not underwriters but are participating in a distribution (as opposed to engaging in ordinary secondary-market transactions), and thus dealing with ETF Shares as part of an unsold allotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act.
A precautionary note to shareholders redeeming Creation Units: An Authorized Participant that is not a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A under the 1933 Act will not be able to receive, as part of the redemption basket, restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
A precautionary note to investment companies: Vanguard ETF Shares are issued by registered investment companies, and therefore the acquisition of such shares by other investment companies is subject to the restrictions of Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. Vanguard has obtained an SEC exemptive order that allows registered investment companies to invest in the issuing funds beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1), subject to certain terms and conditions, including the requirement to enter into a participation agreement with Vanguard.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Each Funds Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, appearing in the Funds 2015 Annual Reports to Shareholders, and the reports thereon of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, also appearing therein, are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information. For a more complete discussion of each Funds performance, please see the Funds Annual and Semiannual Reports to Shareholders, which may be obtained without charge.
SAI 040 032016
B-58
Item 30. Indemnification
The Registrants organizational documents contain provisions indemnifying Trustees and officers against liability incurred in their official capacities. Article VII, Section 2 of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust provides that the Registrant may indemnify and hold harmless each and every Trustee and officer from and against any and all claims, demands, costs, losses, expenses, and damages whatsoever arising out of or related to the performance of his or her duties as a Trustee or officer. Article VI of the By-Laws generally provides that the Registrant shall indemnify its Trustees and officers from any liability arising out of their past or present service in that capacity. Among other things, this provision excludes any liability arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or the reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the Trustees or officers office with the Registrant.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) may be permitted for directors, officers, or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act). The list required by this Item 31 of officers and directors of Vanguard, together with any information as to any business, profession, vocation, or employment of a substantial nature engaged in by such officers and directors during the past two years, is incorporated herein by reference from Form ADV filed by Vanguard pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-11953).
Item 32. Principal Underwriters
(a) | Vanguard Marketing Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the principal underwriter of each fund within the Vanguard group of investment companies, a family of more than 190 mutual funds. |
(b) | The principal business address of each named director and officer of Vanguard Marketing Corporation is 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355. |
Name | Positions and Office with Underwriter | Positions and Office with Funds |
F. William McNabb III | Director and Chairman | Chairman and Chief Executive Officer |
Glenn W. Reed | Director | None |
Mortimer J. Buckley | Director and Senior Vice President | None |
Martha G. King | Director and Senior Vice President | None |
Chris D. McIsaac | Director and Senior Vice President | None |
Heidi Stam | Director and Senior Vice President | Secretary |
Karin Risi | Director and Managing Director | None |
Thomas Rampulla | Director and Senior Vice President | None |
Natalie Bej | Chief Compliance Officer | Chief Compliance Officer |
Matthew Benchener | Principal | None |
Jack Brod | Principal | None |
John C. Heywood | Principal | None |
Timothy P. Holmes | Principal | None |
Sarah Houston | Principal | None |
Mike Lucci | Principal | None |
Alba E. Martinez | Principal | None |
Brian McCarthy | Principal | None | |
Christopher Sicillia | Principal | None | |
Tammy Virnig | Principal | None | |
Salvatore L. Pantalone | Financial and Operations Principal and Treasurer | None | |
Amy M. Laursen | Financial and Operations Principal | None | |
Frank Satterthwaite | Principal | None | |
Jack T. Wagner | Principal | None | |
Michael L. Kimmel | Assistant Secretary | None | |
Marc P. Lindsay | Assistant Secretary | None | |
Caroline Cosby | Secretary | None | |
(c) | Not applicable. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records
The books, accounts, and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the rules promulgated thereunder will be maintained at the offices of the Registrant, 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355; the Registrants Transfer Agent, The Vanguard Group, Inc., 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355; the Registrants Custodians, Brown Brothers Harriman & Co., 50 Post Office Square, Boston, MA 02110-1548, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, 270 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10017-2070; and the Registrants investment advisor at the location identified in Part B of this Registration Statement.
Item 34. Management Services
Other than as set forth in the section entitled Management of the Funds in Part B of this Registration Statement, the Registrant is not a party to any management-related service contract.
Item 35. Undertakings
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Valley Forge and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on the 29th day of March, 2016.
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS
BY:___________
/s/ F. William McNabb III*
_________
F. William McNabb III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature | Title | Date |
/ S / F. W ILLIAM M C N ABB III* | Chairman and Chief Executive | March 29, 2016 |
Officer | ||
F. William McNabb III | ||
/ S / E MERSON U. F ULLWOOD * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
Emerson U. Fullwood | ||
/ S / R AJIV L. G UPTA * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
R AJIV L. G UPTA | ||
/ S / A MY G UTMANN * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
Amy Gutmann | ||
/ S / J O A NN H EFFERNAN H EISEN * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen | ||
/ S / F. J OSEPH L OUGHREY * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
F. Joseph Loughrey | ||
/ S / MARK LOUGHRIDGE * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
Mark Loughridge | ||
/ S / SCOTT C . MALPASS * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
Scott C. Malpass | ||
/ S / A NDRÉ F. P EROLD * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
André F. Perold | ||
/ S / P ETER F. V OLANAKIS * | Trustee | March 29, 2016 |
Peter F. Volanakis | ||
/ S / T HOMAS J. H IGGINS * | Chief Financial Officer | March 29, 2016 |
Thomas J. Higgins | ||
*By: /s/ Heidi Stam |
Heidi Stam, pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed on April 22, 2014, see File Number 2-17620, Incorporated by Reference.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS | |
Articles of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust | Ex-99.A |
Other Opinions, Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | Ex-99.J |
Rule 18f-3 Plan. | Ex-99.N |
AMENDED AND RESTATED
AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST
OF
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS
WHEREAS, this AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT AND DECLARATION OF TRUST of Vanguard Index Funds (the Trust) is made and entered into as of the date set forth below by the Trustees named hereunder for the purpose of continuing the Trust as a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions hereinafter set forth;
WHEREAS, the Trust was formed upon the filing of a certificate of trust in the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on January 28, 1998 pursuant to a declaration of trust dated January 23, 1998 (the Original Declaration of Trust);
WHEREAS, the Original Declaration of Trust was amended on July 19, 2002 (as
so amended, the Amended Declaration of Trust); and
WHEREAS, the Trustees consider it appropriate to amend and restate the Amended Declaration of Trust in accordance with the terms of the Amended Declaration of Trust and the Delaware Act.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Amended Declaration of Trust is hereby amended and restated as follows and the Trustees do hereby declare that the Trustees will hold IN TRUST all cash, securities and other assets that the Trust now possesses or may hereafter acquire from time to time in any manner and manage and dispose of the same upon the following terms and conditions.
ARTICLE I.
Name and Definitions
Section 1
.
Name
. The name of the Trust is VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS and the Trustees shall conduct the business of the Trust under that name or any other name as they may from time to time determine. If the Trustees determine to change the name of the Trust, they may adopt such other name for the Trust as they deem proper. Any name change shall become effective upon approval by the Trustees of such change and the filing of a certificate of amendment under the Delaware Act. Any such action shall have the status of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust.
Section 2. | Definitions. | Whenever used herein, unless otherwise required by |
the context or specifically provided: |
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(a) Amended Declaration of Trust shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Declaration of Trust; (b) By-Laws shall mean the By-Laws of the Trust as amended from time to time; (c) Commission shall have the respective meanings given it in Section 2(a)(7) and Section (2)(a)(29) of the 1940 Act; (d) Declaration of Trust shall mean this Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as amended or restated from time to time; (e) Delaware Act refers to Delaware Statutory Trust Act, 12 Del. C. § 3801 et. seq. (as amended and in effect from time to time); (f) Interested Person shall have the meaning given it in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act; (g) Investment Adviser or Adviser means a party furnishing services to the Trust pursuant to any contract described in Article IV, Section 6(a) hereof;
(h) 1940 Act refers to the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the Rules and Regulations thereunder, all as amended from time to time. References herein to specific sections of the 1940 Act shall be deemed to include such Rules and Regulations as are applicable to such sections as determined by the Trustees or their designees;
(i) Original Declaration of Trust shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this Declaration of Trust; (j) Principal Underwriter shall have the respective meanings given it in Section 2(a)(7) and Section (2)(a)(29) of the 1940 Act;
(k) Prior Declaration of Trust refers to the original Declaration of Trust and the Amended Declaration of Trust, each as from time to time in effect prior to the date hereof;
(l) Person means and includes individuals, corporations, partnerships, trusts, foundations, plans, associations, joint ventures, estates and other entities, whether or not legal entities, and governments and agencies and political subdivisions thereof, whether domestic or foreign;
(m) Series refers to each Series of Shares referenced in, or
established under or in accordance with, the provisions of Article III.
(n) Shareholder means a record owner of outstanding Shares;
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(o) Shares means the shares of beneficial interest into which the beneficial interest in the Trust shall be divided from time to time and includes fractions of Shares as well as whole Shares;
(p) Trust shall have the meaning set forth in the recitals to this
Declaration of Trust;
(q) Trustees or Board of Trustees refers to the persons who have signed this Declaration of Trust and all other persons who were or may from time to time be duly elected or appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees in accordance with the provisions hereof or of the Prior Declaration of Trust, so long as they continue in office in accordance with the terms hereof and reference herein to a Trustee or the Trustees shall refer to such person or persons in their capacity as trustees hereunder; and
(r) Trust Property means any and all property, real or personal,
tangible or intangible, which is owned or held by or for the account of the Trust.
ARTICLE II.
Purpose of Trust
The purpose of the Trust is to conduct, operate and carry on the business of a management investment company registered under the 1940 Act through one or more Series investing primarily in securities.
ARTICLE III.
Shares
Section 1. Division of Beneficial Interest
. The beneficial interest in the Trust shall at all times be divided into an unlimited number of Shares, with a par value of $ .001 per Share unless the Trustees shall designate another par value in connection with the issuance of Shares or with respect to outstanding Shares as provided in Section 5 of this Article III. The Trustees may authorize the division of Shares into separate Series and the division of Series into separate classes of Shares. The different Series shall be established and designated, and the variations in the relative rights and preferences as between the different Series shall be fixed and determined, by the Trustees. If no Series shall be established or if only one Series shall be established, the Shares shall have the rights and preferences provided for herein and in Article III, Section 6 hereof to the extent relevant and not otherwise provided for herein.
Subject to the provisions of Section 6 of this Article III, each Share shall have voting rights as provided in Article V hereof, and holders of the Shares of any Series shall be entitled to receive dividends, when, if and as declared with respect thereto in the manner
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provided in Article VI, Section 1 hereof. No Share shall have any priority or preference over any other Share of the same Series with respect to dividends or distributions of the Trust or otherwise. All dividends and distributions shall be made ratably among all Shareholders of a Series (or class) from the assets held with respect to such Series according to the number of Shares of such Series (or class) held of record by such Shareholders on the record date for any dividend or distribution. Shareholders shall have no preemptive or other right to subscribe to any additional Shares or other securities issued by the Trust or any Series. The Trustees may from time to time divide or combine the Shares of a Series into a greater or lesser number of Shares of such Series without thereby materially changing the proportionate beneficial interest of such Shares in the assets held with respect to that Series or materially affecting the rights of Shares of any other Series.
All references to Shares in this Declaration of Trust shall be deemed to be Shares of the Trust and of any or all Series or classes thereof, as the context may require. All provisions herein relating to the Trust shall apply equally to each Series of the Trust and each class thereof, except as the context otherwise requires.
All Shares issued hereunder, including Shares issued in connection with a
dividend in Shares or a split or reverse split of Shares, shall be fully paid and non-assessable.
Section 2. Ownership of Shares
. The ownership of Shares shall be recorded on the books of the Trust or a transfer or similar agent for the Trust, which books shall be maintained separately for the Shares of each Series (and class). No certificates evidencing the ownership of Shares shall be issued except as the Board of Trustees may otherwise determine from time to time. The Trustees may make such rules as they consider appropriate for the transfer of Shares of each Series (and class) and similar matters. The record books of the Trust as kept by the Trust or any transfer or similar agent, as the case may be, shall be conclusive as to the identity of the Shareholders of each Series (and class) and as to the number of Shares of each Series (and class) held from time to time by each Shareholder.
Section 3. Investments in the Trust
. Investments may be accepted by the Trust from such Persons, at such times, on such terms, and for such consideration as the Trustees from time to time may authorize. Each investment shall be credited to the Shareholders account in the form of full and fractional Shares of the Trust, in such Series (or class) as the purchaser shall select, at the net asset value per Share next determined for such Series (or class) after receipt of the investment; provided, however, that the Trustees may, in their sole discretion, impose a sales charge or reimbursement fee upon investments in the Trust.
Section 4. Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal Liability
. Shares shall be deemed to be personal property giving only the rights provided in this Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Trust. Every Shareholder by virtue of having become a Shareholder shall be held to have expressly assented and agreed to the terms hereof. The death, incapacity, dissolution, termination or bankruptcy of a Shareholder during the existence of the Trust shall not operate to terminate the Trust, nor entitle the representative of any such Shareholder to an
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accounting or to take any action in court or elsewhere against the Trust or the Trustees, but shall entitle such representative only to the rights of such Shareholder under this Declaration of Trust. Ownership of Shares shall not entitle a Shareholder to any title in or to the whole or any part of the Trust Property or right to call for a partition or division of the same or for an accounting, nor shall the ownership of Shares constitute the Shareholders as partners or joint venturers. Neither the Trust nor the Trustees, nor any officer, employee nor agent of the Trust shall have any power to bind personally any Shareholder, or to call upon any Shareholder for the payment of any sum of money or assessment whatsoever other than such as the Shareholder may at any time agree to pay.
Section 5. Power of Board of Trustees to Change Provisions Relating to Shares
. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Declaration of Trust to the contrary, and without limiting the power of the Board of Trustees to amend the Declaration of Trust as provided elsewhere herein, the Board of Trustees shall have the power to amend this Declaration of Trust, at any time and from time to time, in such manner as the Board of Trustees may determine in their sole discretion, without the need for Shareholder action, so as to add to, delete, replace or otherwise modify any provisions relating to the Shares contained in this Declaration of Trust, provided that before adopting any such amendment without Shareholder approval the Board of Trustees shall determine that it is consistent with the fair and equitable treatment of all Shareholders and that Shareholder approval is not required by the 1940 Act or other applicable federal law. If Shares have been issued, Shareholder approval shall be required to adopt any amendments to this Declaration of Trust which would adversely affect to a material degree the rights and preferences of the Shares of any Series (or class) or to increase or decrease the par value of the Shares of any Series (or class).
Section 6. Establishment and Designation of Shares
. The Series and classes of Shares existing as of the date of this Declaration of Trust are those Series and classes that have been established under the Prior Declaration of Trust and not heretofore terminated which are indicated on Schedule A attached hereto and made a part hereof (Schedule A). The establishment of any additional Series (or class) of Shares shall be effective upon the adoption by the Trustees of a resolution that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Series (or class), whether directly in such resolution or by reference to, or approval of, another document that sets forth the designation of, or otherwise identifies, such Series (or class) including any registration statement of the Trust or such Series (or class), any amendment and/or restatement of this Declaration of Trust and/or Schedule A or as otherwise provided in such resolution. Upon the establishment of any additional Series (or class) of Shares or the termination of any existing Series (or class) of Shares, Schedule A shall be amended to reflect the addition or termination of such Series (or class) and any officer of the Trust is hereby authorized to make such amendment; provided that amendment of Schedule A shall not be a condition precedent to the establishment or termination of any Series (or class) in accordance with this Declaration of Trust. The relative rights and preferences of the Shares of the Trust and each Series and each class thereof shall be as set forth herein and as set forth in any registration statement relating thereto, unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such Series or class.
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Shares of each Series (or class) established pursuant to this Section 6, unless otherwise provided in the resolution establishing such Series (or class) or in any registration statement relating thereto, shall have the following relative rights and preferences:
(a)
Assets Held with Respect to a Particular Series
. All consideration received by the Trust for the issue or sale of Shares of a Series, including dividends and distributions paid by, and reinvested in, such Series, together with all assets in which such consideration is invested or reinvested, all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof from whatever source derived, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds in whatever form the same may be, shall irrevocably be held with respect to that Series for all purposes, and shall be so recorded upon the books of account of the Trust. Such consideration, assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, from whatever source derived, including any proceeds derived from the sale, exchange or liquidation of such assets, and any funds or payments derived from any reinvestment of such proceeds, in whatever form the same may be, are herein referred to as assets held with respect to that Series. In the event that there are any assets, income, earnings, profits and proceeds thereof, funds or payments that are not readily identifiable as assets held with respect to the Trust or any particular Series (collectively General Assets), the Trustees shall allocate such General Assets to, between or among the Trust and/or any one or more of the Series in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees, in their sole discretion, deem fair and equitable, and any General Asset so allocated to a particular Series shall be held with respect to that Series. Each such allocation by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes in absence of manifest error.
(b)
Liabilities Held with Respect to a Particular Series
. The assets of the Trust held with respect to each Series shall be charged with the liabilities of the Trust with respect to such Series and all expenses, costs, charges and reserves attributable to such Series, and any general liabilities of the Trust that are not readily identifiable as being held in respect of a Series shall be allocated and charged by the Trustees to and among the Trust and/or any one or more Series in such manner and on such basis as the Trustees in their sole discretion deem fair and equitable. The liabilities, expenses, costs, charges, and reserves so charged to a Series are herein referred to as liabilities held with respect to that Series. Each allocation of liabilities, expenses, costs, charges and reserves by the Trustees shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders of all Series for all purposes in absence of manifest error. All liabilities held with respect to a particular Series shall be enforceable against the assets held with respect to such Series only and not against the assets of the Trust generally or against the assets held with respect to any other Series and, except as otherwise provided in this Declaration of Trust, none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred, contracted for or otherwise existing with respect to the Trust generally or any other Series thereof shall be enforceable against the assets of such Series. As and to the extent provided in Section 3804(a) of the Delaware Act, separate and distinct records shall be maintained for each Series and the assets held with respect to each Series shall be held in such separate and distinct records (directly or indirectly, including through a nominee or otherwise) and accounted for in such separate and distinct records separately from
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the assets held with respect to all other Series and the General Assets of the Trust not allocated to such Series. Notice of this limitation on inter-Series liabilities shall be set forth in the certificate of trust of the Trust (whether originally or by amendment).
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(c)
Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions, and Repurchases
. No dividend or distribution including any distribution paid in connection with termination of the Trust or of any Series (or class) with respect to, or any redemption or repurchase of, the Shares of any Series (or class) shall be effected by the Trust other than from the assets held with respect to such Series, nor shall any Shareholder of any Series otherwise have any right or claim against the assets held with respect to any other Series except to the extent that such Shareholder has such a right or claim hereunder as a Shareholder of such other Series. The Trustees shall have full discretion to determine which items shall be treated as income and which items as capital; and each such determination and allocation shall be conclusive and binding upon the Shareholders in absence of manifest error.
(d)
Voting
. All Shares entitled to vote on a matter shall vote without differentiation between the separate Series on a one-vote-per-each dollar (and a fractional vote for each fractional dollar) of the net asset value of each Share (including fractional shares) basis; provided however, if a matter to be voted on affects only the interests of one or more but not all Series (or one or more but not all of a class of a Series), then only the Shareholders of such affected Series (or class) shall be entitled to vote on the matter.
(e)
Equality
. All the Shares of each Series shall represent an equal proportionate undivided interest in the assets held with respect to such Series (subject to the liabilities of such Series and such rights and preferences as may have been established and designated with respect to classes of Shares within such Series), and each Share of a Series shall be equal to each other Share of such Series.
(f)
Fractions
. Any fractional Share of a Series shall have proportionately all the rights and obligations of a whole share of such Series, including rights with respect to voting, receipt of dividends and distributions and redemption of Shares.
(g)
Exchange Privilege
. The Trustees shall have the authority to provide that the Shareholders of any Series shall have the right to exchange such Shares for Shares of one or more other Series in accordance with such requirements and procedures as may be established by the Trustees.
(h)
Combination of Series
. The Trustees shall have the authority, without the approval of the Shareholders of any Series unless otherwise required by applicable federal law, to combine the assets and liabilities held with respect to any two or more Series into assets and liabilities held with respect to a single Series.
(i)
Elimination of Series
. At any time that there are no Shares
outstanding of a Series (or class), the Trustees may abolish such Series (or class).
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ARTICLE IV.
The Board of Trustees
Section 1. Number, Election and Tenure
. The number of Trustees constituting the Board of Trustees shall be fixed from time to time by a written instrument signed, or by resolution approved at a duly constituted meeting, by a majority of the Board of Trustees, provided, however, that the number of Trustees shall at all times be at least one (1). Subject to the requirements of Section 16(a) of the 1940 Act, the Board of Trustees, by action of a majority of the then Trustees at a duly constituted meeting, may fill vacancies in the Board of Trustees and remove Trustees with or without cause. Each Trustee shall serve during the continued lifetime of the Trust until he or she dies, resigns, is declared bankrupt or incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction, or is removed. Any Trustee may resign at any time by written instrument signed by him and delivered to any officer of the Trust or to a meeting of the Trustees. Such resignation shall be effective upon receipt unless specified to be effective at some other time. Except to the extent expressly provided in a written agreement with the Trust, no Trustee resigning and no Trustee removed shall have any right to any compensation for any period following his or her resignation or removal, or any right to damages or other payment on account of such removal. Any Trustee may be removed at any meeting of Shareholders by a vote of two-thirds of the total combined net asset value of all Shares of the Trust issued and outstanding. A meeting of Shareholders for the purpose of electing or removing one or more Trustees may be called (i) by the Trustees upon their own vote, or (ii) upon the demand of Shareholders owning 10% or more of the Shares entitled to vote.
Section 2. Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. of a Trustee
. The death, declination, resignation, retirement, removal, or incapacity of one or more Trustees, or all of them, shall not operate to annul the Trust or to revoke any existing agency created pursuant to the terms of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever a vacancy in the Board of Trustees shall occur, until such vacancy is filled as provided in Article IV, Section 1, the Trustees in office, regardless of their number, shall have all the powers granted to the Trustees and shall discharge all the duties imposed upon the Trustees by this Declaration of Trust.
Section 3. Powers
. Subject to the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the business of the Trust shall be managed by the Board of Trustees, and such Board of Trustees shall have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out that responsibility including the power to engage in transactions of all kinds on behalf of the Trust. Trustees, in all instances, shall act as principals and are and shall be free from the control of the Shareholders. The Trustees shall have full power and authority to do any and all acts and to make and execute any and all contracts, documents and instruments that they may consider desirable, necessary or appropriate in connection with the administration of the Trust. Without limiting the foregoing, the Trustees may: adopt, amend and repeal By-Laws not inconsistent with this Declaration of Trust providing for the regulation and management of the affairs of the Trust; elect and remove such officers and appoint and terminate such agents as they consider appropriate; appoint from their own number and establish and terminate one or more committees consisting of one or more Trustees who may
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exercise the powers and authority of the Board of Trustees to the extent that the Trustees determine; employ one or more custodians of the assets of the Trust and may authorize such custodians to employ subcustodians and to deposit all or any part of such assets in a system or systems for the central handling of securities or with a Federal Reserve Bank, retain a transfer agent or a shareholder servicing agent, or both; provide for the issuance and distribution of Shares by the Trust directly or through one or more Principal Underwriters or otherwise; redeem, repurchase and transfer Shares pursuant to applicable federal law; set record dates for the determination of Shareholders with respect to various matters; declare and pay dividends and distributions to Shareholders of each Series from the assets of such Series; establish from time to time, in accordance with the provisions of Article III, Section 6 hereof, any Series of Shares, each such Series to operate as a separate and distinct investment medium and with separately defined investment objectives and policies and distinct investment purpose; and in general delegate such authority as they consider desirable to any officer of the Trust, to any committee of the Trustees and to any agent or employee of the Trust or to any such custodian, transfer or shareholder servicing agent, Investment Adviser or Principal Underwriter. Any determination as to what is in the interests of the Trust made by the Trustees in good faith shall be conclusive. In construing the provisions of this Declaration of Trust, the presumption shall be in favor of a grant of power to the Trustees.
Without limiting the foregoing, the Trust shall have power and authority:
(a) To invest and reinvest cash and cash items, to hold cash uninvested, and to subscribe for, invest in, reinvest in, purchase or otherwise acquire, own, hold, pledge, sell, assign, transfer, exchange, distribute, write options on, lend or otherwise deal in or dispose of contracts for the future acquisition or delivery of all types of securities, futures contracts and options thereon, and forward currency contracts of every nature and kind, including all types of bonds, debentures, stocks, preferred stocks, negotiable or non-negotiable instruments, obligations, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of deposit or indebtedness, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, bankers acceptances, and other securities of any kind, issued, created, guaranteed, or sponsored by any and all Persons, including states, territories, and possessions of the United States and the District of Columbia and any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, any foreign government or any political subdivision of the U.S. Government or any foreign government, or any international instrumentality or organization, or by any bank or savings institution, or by any corporation or organization organized under the laws of the United States or of any state, territory, or possession thereof, or by any corporation or organization organized under any foreign law, or in "when issued" contracts for any such securities, futures contracts and options thereon, and forward currency contracts, to change the investments of the assets of the Trust; and to exercise any and all rights, powers, and privileges of ownership or interest in respect of any and all such investments of every kind and description, including the right to consent and otherwise act with respect thereto, with power to designate one or more Persons, to exercise any of said rights, powers, and privileges in respect of any of said instruments;
(b) To sell, exchange, lend, pledge, mortgage, hypothecate, lease, or
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write options with respect to or otherwise deal in any property rights relating to any or all of the
assets of the Trust or any Series;
(c) To vote or give assent, or exercise any rights of ownership, with respect to stock or other securities or property; and to execute and deliver proxies or powers of attorney to such person or persons as the Trustees shall deem proper, granting to such person or persons such power and discretion with relation to securities or property as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(d) To exercise powers and right of subscription or otherwise which in
any manner arise out of ownership of securities;
(e) To hold any security or property in a form not indicating that it is trust property, whether in bearer, unregistered or other negotiable form, or in its own name or in the name of a custodian or subcustodian or a nominee or nominees or otherwise or to authorize the custodian or a subcustodian or a nominee or nominees to deposit the same in a securities depository, subject in each case to the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act;
(f) To consent to, or participate in, any plan for the reorganization, consolidation or merger of any corporation or issuer of any security which is held in the Trust; to consent to any contract, lease, mortgage, purchase or sale of property by such corporation or issuer; and to pay calls or subscriptions with respect to any security held in the Trust;
(g) To join with other security holders in acting through a committee, depository, voting trustee or otherwise, and in that connection to deposit any security with, or transfer any security to, any such committee, depository or trustee, and to delegate to them such power and authority with relation to any security (whether or not so deposited or transferred) as the Trustees shall deem proper, and to agree to pay, and to pay, such portion of the expenses and compensation of such committee, depository or trustee as the Trustees shall deem proper;
(h) To litigate, compromise, arbitrate, settle or otherwise adjust claims in favor of or against the Trust or a Series, or any matter in controversy, including but not limited to claims for taxes;
(i) To enter into joint ventures, general or limited partnerships and any other combinations or associations; (j) To borrow funds or other property in the name of the Trust or Series exclusively for Trust (or such Series) purposes;
(k) To endorse or guarantee the payment of any notes or other obligations of any Person; to make contracts of guaranty or suretyship, or otherwise assume liability for payment thereof;
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(l) To purchase and pay for entirely out of Trust Property such insurance as the Trustees may deem necessary, desirable or appropriate for the conduct of the business, including insurance policies insuring the assets of the Trust or payment of distributions and principal on its portfolio investments, and insurance policies insuring the Shareholders, Trustees, officers, employees, agents, Investment Adviser, principal underwriters, or independent contractors of the Trust, individually against all claims and liabilities of every nature arising by reason of holding Shares, holding, being or having held any such office or position, or by reason of any action alleged to have been taken or omitted by any such Person as Trustee, officer, employee, agent, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, or independent contractor, including any action taken or omitted that may be determined to constitute negligence, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify such Person against liability;
(m) To adopt, establish and carry out pension, profit-sharing, share bonus, share purchase, savings, thrift and other retirement, incentive and benefit plans, trusts and provisions, including the purchasing of life insurance and annuity contracts as a means of providing such retirement and other benefits, for any or all of the Trustees, officers, employees and agents of the Trust; and
(n) Subject to the 1940 Act, to engage in any other lawful act or
activity in which a statutory trust organized under the Delaware Act may engage.
The Trust shall not be limited to investing in obligations maturing before the possible termination of the Trust or one or more of its Series. The Trust shall not in any way be bound or limited by any present or future law or custom in regard to investment by fiduciaries. The Trust shall not be required to obtain any court order to deal with any assets of the Trust or take any other action hereunder.
Section 4. Payment of Expenses by the Trust
. Subject to the provisions of Article III, Section 6(b), the Trustees are authorized to pay or cause to be paid out of the principal or income of the Trust or Series, or partly out of the principal and partly out of income, and to charge or allocate the same to, between or among such one or more of the Series that may be established or designated pursuant to Article III, Section 6, all expenses, fees, charges, taxes and liabilities incurred or arising in connection with the Trust or Series, or in connection with the management thereof, including, but not limited to, the Trustees compensation and such expenses and charges for the services of the Trusts officers, employees, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, auditors, counsel, custodian, transfer agent, Shareholder servicing agent, and such other agents or independent contractors and such other expenses and charges as the Trustees may deem necessary or proper to incur.
Section 5. Ownership of Assets of the Trust
. Title to all of the assets of the Trust shall at all times be considered as vested in the Trust, except that the Trustees shall have power to cause legal title to any Trust Property to be held by or in the name of one or more of the Trustees, or in the name of the Trust, or in the name of any other Person as nominee, on such terms as the Trustees may determine. Upon the resignation, incompetency, bankruptcy, removal,
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or death of a Trustee he or she shall automatically cease to have any such title in any of the Trust Property, and the title of such Trustee in the Trust Property shall vest automatically in the remaining Trustees. Such vesting and cessation of title shall be effective whether or not conveyancing documents have been executed and delivered. The Trustees may determine that the Trust or the Trustees, acting for and on behalf of the Trust, shall be deemed to hold beneficial ownership of any income earned on the securities owned by the Trust, whether domestic or foreign.
Section 6.
Service Contracts
.
(a) The Trustees may, at any time and from time to time, contract for exclusive or nonexclusive advisory, management and/or administrative services for the Trust or for any Series with any Person; and any such contract may contain such other terms as the Trustees may determine, including authority for the Investment Adviser to determine from time to time without prior consultation with the Trustees what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Trust shall be held uninvested and to make changes in the Trusts investments, and such other responsibilities as may specifically be delegated to such Person.
(b) The Trustees may also, at any time and from time to time, contract with any Persons, appointing such Persons exclusive or nonexclusive distributor or Principal Underwriter for the Shares of one or more of the Series or other securities to be issued by the Trust. Every such contract may contain such other terms as the Trustees may determine.
(c) The Trustees are also empowered, at any time and from time to time, to contract with any Persons, appointing such Person(s) to serve as custodian(s), transfer agent and/or shareholder servicing agent for the Trust or one or more of its Series. Every such contract shall comply with such terms as may be required by the Trustees.
(d) The Trustees are further empowered, at any time and from time to time, to contract with any Persons to provide such other services to the Trust or one or more of the Series, as the Trustees determine to be in the best interests of the Trust and the applicable Series.
(e) The fact that:
(i) any of the Shareholders, Trustees, or officers of the Trust is a shareholder, director, officer, partner, trustee, employee, Investment Adviser, Principal Underwriter, distributor, or affiliate or agent of or for any Person with which an advisory, management or administration contract, or Principal Underwriters or distributors contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other type of service contract may be made, or that
(ii) any Person with which an advisory, management or
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administration contract or Principal Underwriters or distributors contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other type of service contract may be made also has an advisory, management or administration contract, or principal underwriters or distributors contract, or transfer, shareholder servicing or other service contract, or has other business or interests with any other Person,
shall not affect the validity of any such contract or disqualify any Shareholder, Trustee or officer of the Trust from voting upon or executing the same, or create any liability or accountability to the Trust or its Shareholders, provided approval of each such contract is made pursuant to the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act.
ARTICLE V.
Shareholders Voting Powers and Meetings
Subject to the provisions of Article III, Sections 5 and 6(d), the Shareholders shall have right to vote only (i) for the election or removal of Trustees as provided in Article IV, Section 1, and (ii) with respect to such additional matters relating to the Trust as may be required by the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act, including Section 16(a) thereof, and (iii) on such other matters as the Trustees may consider necessary or desirable. Provisions relating to meetings, quorum, required vote, record date and other matters relating to Shareholder voting rights are as provided in the By-Laws.
ARTICLE VI.
Net Asset Value, Distributions, and Redemptions
Section 1. Determination of Net Asset Value, Net Income, and Distributions
. Subject to Article III, Section 6 hereof, the Trustees, in their absolute discretion, may prescribe and shall set forth in the By-Laws or in a duly adopted resolution of the Trustees such bases and time for determining the per Share net asset value of the Shares of the Trust or any Series (or class) and the declaration and payment of dividends and distributions on the Shares of the Trust or any Series (or class), as they may deem necessary or desirable.
Section 2. Redemptions and Repurchases
. The Trust shall purchase such Shares as are offered by any Shareholder for redemption, upon receipt by the Trust or a Person designated by the Trust that the Trust redeem such Shares or in accordance with such procedures for redemption as the Trustees may from time to time authorize; and the Trust will pay therefor the net asset value thereof, in accordance with the By-Laws and the applicable provisions of the 1940 Act. Payment for said Shares shall be made by the Trust to the Shareholder within seven days after the date on which the request for redemption is received in proper form. The obligation set forth in this Section 2 is subject to the provision that in the event that any time the New York Stock Exchange (the Exchange) is closed for other than weekends or holidays, or if permitted by the Rules of the Commission during periods when trading on the Exchange is
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restricted or during any emergency which makes it impracticable for the Trust to dispose of the investments of the applicable Series or to determine fairly the value of the net assets held with respect to such Series or during any other period permitted by order of the Commission for the protection of investors, such obligations may be suspended or postponed by the Trustees.
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The redemption price may in any case or cases be paid in cash or wholly or partly in kind in accordance with Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act if the Trustees determine that such payment is advisable in the interest of the remaining Shareholders of the Series of which the Shares are being redeemed. Subject to the foregoing, the selection and quantity of securities or other property so paid or delivered as all or part of the redemption price shall be determined by or under authority of the Trustees. In no case shall the Trust be liable for any delay of any corporation or other Person in transferring securities selected for delivery as all or part of any payment in kind.
Section 3. Redemptions at the Option of the Trust
. The Trust shall have the right, at its option, upon 30 days notice to the affected Shareholder at any time to redeem Shares of any Shareholder at the net asset value thereof as described in Section 1 of this Article VI: (i) if at such time such Shareholder owns Shares of any Series having an aggregate net asset value of less than a minimum value determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (ii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares of a Series equal to or in excess of a maximum percentage of the outstanding Shares of such Series determined from time to time by the Trustees; or (iii) to the extent that such Shareholder owns Shares equal to or in excess of a maximum percentage, determined from time to time by the Trustees, of the outstanding Shares of the Trust.
Section 4. Transfer of Shares
. The Trust shall transfer shares held of record by any Person to any other Person upon receipt by the Trust or a Person designated by the Trust of a written request therefore in such form and pursuant to such procedures as may be approved by the Trustees.
ARTICLE VII.
Compensation and Limitation of Liability
Section 1. Compensation of Trustees
. Any Trustee, whether or not he is a salaried officer or employee of the Trust, may be compensated for his services as Trustee or as a member of a committee of Trustees, or as chairman of a committee by fixed periodic payments or by fees for attendance at meetings, by both or otherwise, and in addition may be reimbursed for transportation and other expenses, all in such manner and amounts as the Board of Trustees may from time to time determine. Nothing herein shall in any way prevent the employment of any Trustee to provide advisory, management, legal, accounting, investment banking or other services to the Trust and to be specially compensated for such services by the Trust.
Section 2. Limitation of Liability and Indemnification
. A Trustee, when acting in such capacity, shall not be personally liable to any Person, other than the Trust or a Shareholder to the extent provided in this Article VII, for any act, omission or obligation of the Trust, of such Trustee or of any other Trustee. The Trustees shall not be responsible or liable in any event for any neglect or wrong-doing of any officer, agent, employee, Investment Adviser or Principal Underwriter of the Trust, nor shall any Trustee be responsible for the act or omission of
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any other Trustee, and, subject to the provisions of the By-Laws, the Trust out of its assets may indemnify and hold harmless each and every Trustee and officer of the Trust from and against any and all claims, demands, costs, losses, expenses, and damages whatsoever arising out of or related to such Trustees or officers performance of his or her duties as a Trustee or officer of the Trust.
Every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking and every other act or thing whatsoever issued, executed or done by or on behalf of the Trust or the Trustees or any of them in connection with the Trust shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued, executed or done only in or with respect to their or his or her capacity as Trustees or Trustee, and such Trustees or Trustee shall not be personally liable thereon.
Section 3. Trustees Good Faith Action, Expert Advice, No Bond or Surety
. The exercise by the Trustees of their powers hereunder shall be binding upon everyone interested in or dealing with the Trust. A Trustee shall be liable to the Trust and to any Shareholder solely for his or her own willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of Trustee, and shall not be liable for errors of judgment or mistakes of fact or law. The Trustees may take advice of counsel or other experts with respect to the meaning and operation of this Declaration of Trust, and shall be under no liability for any act or omission in accordance with such advice nor for failing to follow such advice. The Trustees shall not be required to give any bond as such, nor any surety if a bond is required.
Section 4. Insurance
. The Trustees shall be entitled and empowered to the fullest extent permitted by law to purchase with Trust assets insurance for liability and for all expenses reasonably incurred or paid or expected to be paid by a Trustee or officer in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he or she becomes involved by virtue of his or her capacity or former capacity with the Trust, whether or not the Trust would have the power to indemnify him or her against such liability under the provisions of this Article.
ARTICLE VIII.
Miscellaneous
Section 1. Liability of Third Persons Dealing with Trustees
. No Person dealing with the Trustees shall be bound to make any inquiry concerning the validity of any transaction made or to be made by the Trustees or to see to the application of any payments made or property transferred to the Trust or upon its order.
Section 2. Termination of the Trust or Any Series
. Unless terminated as provided herein, the Trust shall continue without limitation of time. The Trust may be dissolved at any time by the Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to the Shareholders. Any Series of Shares may be dissolved at any time by the Trustees upon 60 days prior written notice to the Shareholders of such Series. Any action to dissolve the Trust shall be deemed to also be an
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action to dissolve each Series and each class thereof.
In accordance with Section 3808 of the Delaware Act, upon dissolution of the Trust or any Series, as the case may be, after paying or otherwise providing for all charges, taxes, expenses and liabilities held, severally, with respect to each Series or the applicable Series, as the case may be, whether due or accrued or anticipated as may be determined by the Trustees, the Trust shall, in accordance with such procedures as the Trustees consider appropriate, reduce the remaining assets held, severally, with respect to each Series or the applicable Series, as the case may be, to distributable form in cash or shares or other securities, and any combination thereof, and distribute the proceeds held with respect to each Series or the applicable Series, as the case may be, to the Shareholders of that Series, as a Series, ratably according to the number of Shares of that Series held by the several Shareholders on the date of termination.
Section 3.
Reorganization and Master/Feeder
.
(a) Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, (i) cause the Trust to convert or merge, reorganize or consolidate with or into one or more trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations or other business entities (or a series of any of the foregoing to the extent permitted by law) (including trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations or other business entities created by the Trustees to accomplish such conversion, merger, reorganization or consolidation) so long as the surviving or resulting entity is an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act, or is a series thereof, to the extent permitted by law, and that, in the case of any trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such conversion, merger, reorganization or consolidation, may succeed to or assume the Trusts registration under the 1940 Act and that, in any case, is formed, organized or existing under the laws of the United States or of a state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States, (ii) cause the Shares to be exchanged under or pursuant to any state or federal statute to the extent permitted by law, (iii) cause the Trust to incorporate under the laws of a state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States (iv) sell or convey all or substantially all of the assets of the Trust or any Series or Class to another Series or Class of the Trust or to another trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity (or a series of any of the foregoing to the extent permitted by law) (including a trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such sale and conveyance), organized under the laws of the United States or of any state, commonwealth, possession or colony of the United States so long as such trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity is an open-end management investment company under the 1940 Act and, in the case of any trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity created by the Trustees to accomplish such sale and conveyance, may succeed to or assume the Trusts registration under the 1940 Act, for adequate consideration as determined by the Trustees which may include the assumption of all outstanding obligations, taxes and other liabilities, accrued or contingent of the Trust or any affected Series or Class, and which may
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include Shares of such other Series or Class of the Trust or shares of beneficial interest, stock or other ownership interest of such trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, corporation or other business entity (or series thereof) or (v) at any time sell or convert into money all or any part of the assets of the Trust or any Series or Class thereof. Any agreement of merger, reorganization, consolidation or conversion or exchange or certificate of merger, certificate of conversion or other applicable certificate may be signed by a majority of the Trustees and facsimile signatures conveyed by electronic or telecommunication means shall be valid.
(b) Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 3815(f) of the Delaware Act, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Declaration of Trust, an agreement of merger or consolidation approved by the Trustees in accordance with this Section 3 may effect any amendment to this Declaration of Trust or effect the adoption of a new governing instrument of the Trust if the Trust is the surviving or resulting entity in the merger or consolidation.
(c) Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, invest all or a portion of the Trust Property of any Series, or dispose of all or a portion of the Trust Property of any Series, and invest the proceeds of such disposition in interests issued by one or more other investment companies registered under the 1940 Act. Any such other investment company may (but need not) be a trust (formed under the laws of the State of Delaware or any other state or jurisdiction) (or subtrust thereof) which is classified as a partnership for federal income tax purposes. Notwithstanding anything else herein, the Trustees may, without Shareholder approval unless such approval is required by the 1940 Act, cause a Series that is organized in the master/feeder fund structure to withdraw or redeem its Trust Property from the master fund and cause such Series to invest its Trust Property directly in securities and other financial instruments or in another master fund.
Section 4. Amendments
. Subject to the provisions of Section 5 of Article III relating to the requirement of Shareholder approval for certain amendments to this Declaration of Trust or requirements for certain determinations by the Board of Trustees for certain amendments hereto without Shareholder approval and any requirements under the 1940 Act requiring Shareholder approval of an amendment to this Declaration of Trust, the Trustees may, without any Shareholder vote or approval, amend this Declaration of Trust by making an amendment to this Declaration of Trust (including Schedule A), an agreement supplemental hereto, or an amended and restated trust instrument. Unless otherwise provided by the Trustees, any such amendment will be effective (i) upon the adoption by a majority of the Trustees then holding office of a resolution specifying the amendment, supplemental agreement or amendment and restatement or (ii) upon the execution in writing of an instrument signed by a majority of the Trustees then holding office specifying the amendment, supplemental agreement or amended and restated trust instrument. A certification signed by an officer of the Trust setting forth an amendment to this Declaration of Trust and reciting that it was duly adopted by the Trustees as aforesaid, or a copy of the instrument referenced above executed by the Trustees as aforesaid,
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shall be conclusive evidence of such amendment when lodged among the records of the Trust. The certificate of trust of the Trust may be restated and/or amended by any Trustee as necessary or desirable to reflect any change in the information set forth therein, and any such restatement and/or amendment shall be effective immediately upon filing with the Office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or upon such future date as may be stated therein.
Section 5. Filing of Copies, References, Headings
. The original or a copy of this Declaration of Trust shall be kept at the office of the Trust where it may be inspected by any Shareholder. Anyone dealing with the Trust may rely on a certificate by an officer of the Trust as to any matters in connection with the Trust hereunder; and, with the same effect as if it were the original, may rely on a copy certified by an officer of the Trust to be a copy of this Declaration of Trust. In this Declaration of Trust, references to this Declaration of Trust, and all expressions like herein, hereof and hereunder, shall be deemed to refer to this Declaration of Trust. Headings are placed herein for convenience of reference only and shall not be taken as a part hereof or control or affect the meaning, construction or effect of this Declaration of Trust. Whenever the singular number is used herein, the same shall include the plural; and the neuter, masculine and feminine genders shall include each other, as applicable. This Declaration of Trust may be executed in any number of counterparts each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. To the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, (i) any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws that is to be executed by one or more Trustees may be executed by means of original, facsimile or electronic signature and (ii) any document, consent, instrument or notice referenced in or contemplated by this Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws that is to be delivered by one or more Trustees may be delivered by facsimile or electronic means (including e-mail), unless, in the case of either clause (i) or (ii), otherwise expressly provided herein or in the By-Laws or determined by the Trustees. The terms include, includes and including and any comparable terms shall be deemed to mean including, without limitation.
Section 6. Applicable Law
. This Agreement and Declaration of Trust is created under and is to be governed by and construed and administered according to the laws of the State of Delaware and the Delaware Act. The Trust shall be a Delaware statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act, and without limiting the provisions hereof, the Trust may exercise all powers which are ordinarily exercised by such a statutory trust.
Section 7. Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations
.
(a) The provisions of the Declaration of Trust are severable, and if the Trustees shall determine, with the advice of counsel, that any of such provisions is in conflict with the 1940 Act, the regulated investment company provisions of the Internal Revenue Code or with other applicable federal laws and regulations, the conflicting provision shall be deemed never to have constituted a part of the Declaration of Trust; provided, however, that such determination shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of the Declaration of Trust or render invalid or improper any action taken or omitted prior to such determination.
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(b) If any provision of the Declaration of Trust shall be held invalid or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall attach only to such provision in such jurisdiction and shall not in any manner affect such provision in any other jurisdiction or any other provision of the Declaration of Trust in any jurisdiction.
Section 8. Statutory Trust Only
. It is the intention of the Trustees to create a statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act, and thereby to create only the relationship of trustee and beneficial owners within the meaning of such Act between the Trustees and each Shareholder. It is not the intention of the Trustees to create a general partnership, limited partnership, joint stock association, corporation, bailment, joint venture, or any form of legal relationship other than a statutory trust pursuant to the Delaware Act. Nothing in this Declaration of Trust shall be construed to make the Shareholders, either by themselves or with the Trustees, partners or members of a joint stock association.
Section 9. Use of the Name The Vanguard Group, Inc.
. The name The Vanguard Group, Inc. and any variants thereof and all rights to the use of the name The Vanguard Group, Inc. or any variants thereof shall be the sole and exclusive property of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (VGI). VGI has permitted the use by the Trust of the identifying word Vanguard and the use of the name Vanguard as part of the name of the Trust and the name of any Series of Shares. Upon the Trusts withdrawal from the Amended and Restated Funds Service Agreement among the Trust, the other investment companies within the Vanguard Group of Investment Companies and VGI, and upon the written request of VGI, the Trust and any Series of Shares thereof shall cease to use or in any way to refer to itself as related to The Vanguard Group, Inc. or any variant thereof.
Section 10. Derivative Actions
. In addition to the requirements set forth in Section 3816 of the Delaware Act, a Shareholder may bring a derivative action on behalf of the Trust only if the following conditions are met:
(a) The Shareholder or Shareholders must make a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees to bring the subject action unless an effort to cause the Trustees to bring such an action is not likely to succeed. For purposes of this Section 10(a), a demand on the Trustees shall only be deemed not likely to succeed and therefore excused if a majority of the Board of Trustees, or a majority of any committee established to consider the merits of such action, is composed of Trustees who are not independent trustees (as that term is defined in the Delaware Act).
(b) Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a) of this Section 10, Shareholders eligible to bring such derivative action under the Delaware Act who collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Trust, or who collectively hold at least 10% of the outstanding Shares of the Series or class to which such action relates, shall join in the request for the Trustees to commence such action; and
(c) Unless a demand is not required under paragraph (a) of this
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Section 10, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to consider such Shareholder request and to investigate the basis of such claim. The Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the Shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
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SCHEDULE A
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS
SERIES AND CLASSES OF THE TRUST
SERIES 500 Index Extended Market Index Fund |
CLASSES Investor, Admiral, Signal Investor, Admiral, ETF, Signal, Institutional |
Growth Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, ETF, Signal, Institutional |
Large-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, ETF, Signal, Institutional |
Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund Mid-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, ETF Investor, Admiral, ETF, Signal, Institutional |
Mid-Cap Value Index Fund Small-Cap Growth Index Fund Small-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, ETF Investor, ETF, Institutional Investor, Admiral, ETF, Signal, Institutional |
Small-Cap Value Index Fund Total Stock Market Index Fund |
Investor, ETF, Institutional Investor, Admiral, ETF, Signal, Institutional |
Value Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, ETF, Signal, Institutional |
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|
||
|
||
ARTICLE I. Name and Definitions | 1 | |
Section 1. | Name | 1 |
Section 2. | Definitions | 1 |
(a) | Amended Declaration of Trust | 2 |
(b) | By-Laws | 2 |
(c) | Commission | 2 |
(d) | Declaration of Trust | 2 |
(e) | Delaware Act | 2 |
(f) | Interested Person | 2 |
(g) | Investment Adviser or Adviser | 2 |
(h) | 1940 Act | 2 |
(i) | Original Declaration of Trust | 2 |
(j) | Principal Underwriter | 2 |
(k) | Prior Declaration of Trust | 2 |
(l) | Person | 2 |
(m) | Series | 2 |
(n) | Shareholder | 2 |
(o) | Shares | 3 |
(p) | Trust | 3 |
(q) | Trustees or Board of Trustees | 3 |
(r) | Trust Property | 3 |
ARTICLE II. Purpose of Trust | 3 | |
ARTICLE III. Shares | 3 | |
Section 1. | Division of Beneficial Interest | 3 |
Section 2. | Ownership of Shares | 4 |
Section 3. | Investments in the Trust | 4 |
Section 4. | Status of Shares and Limitation of Personal | |
Liability | 4 | |
Section 5. | Power of Board of Trustees to Change | |
Provisions Relating to Shares | 5 | |
Section 6. | Establishment and Designation of Shares | 5 |
(a) | Assets Held with Respect to a Particular Series | 6 |
(b) | Liabilities Held with Respect to a | |
Particular Series | 6 | |
(c) | Dividends, Distributions, Redemptions, and | |
Repurchases | 7 | |
(d) | Voting | 7 |
(e) | Equality | 7 |
(f) | Fractions | 7 |
(g) | Exchange Privilege | 7 |
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(h) | Combination of Series | 7 | |
(i) | Elimination of Series | 7 | |
ARTICLE IV. The Board of Trustees | 8 | ||
Section 1. | Number, Election and Tenure | 8 | |
Section 2. | Effect of Death, Resignation, etc. | ||
of a Trustee | 8 | ||
Section 3. | Powers | 8 | |
Section 4. | Payment of Expenses by the Trust | 11 | |
Section 5. | Ownership of Assets of the Trust | 11 | |
Section 6. | Service Contracts | 12 | |
ARTICLE V. Shareholders Voting Powers and Meetings | 13 | ||
ARTICLE VI. Net Asset Value, Distributions, and Redemptions | 13 | ||
Section 1. | Determination of Net Asset Value, Net | ||
Income, and Distributions | 13 | ||
Section 2. | Redemptions and Repurchases | 13 | |
Section 3. | Redemptions at the Option of the Trust | 14 | |
Section 4. | Transfer of Shares | 14 | |
ARTICLE VII. Compensation and Limitation of Liability | 14 | ||
Section 1. | Compensation of Trustees | 14 | |
Section 2. | Limitation of Liability and Indemnification | 14 | |
Section 3. | Trustees Good Faith Action, Expert | ||
Advice, No Bond or Surety | 15 | ||
Section 4. | Insurance | 15 | |
ARTICLE VIII. Miscellaneous | 15 | ||
Section 1. | Liability of Third Persons Dealing | ||
with Trustees | 15 | ||
Section 2. | Termination of the Trust or Any Series | 15 | |
Section 3. | Reorganization and Master/Feeder | 16 | |
Section 4. | Amendments | 17 | |
Section 5. | Filing of Copies, References, Headings | 18 | |
Section 6. | Applicable Law | 18 | |
Section 7. | Provisions in Conflict with Law or Regulations | 18 | |
Section 8. | Statutory Trust Only | 19 | |
Section 9. | Use of the Name The Vanguard Group, Inc. | 19 | |
Section 10. | Derivatives Actions | 19 |
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We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information constituting parts of this Post-Effective Amendment No.145 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the “Registration Statement”) of our reports dated February 11, 2016, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights appearing in the December 31, 2015 Annual Reports to Shareholders of Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund, Vanguard 500 Index Fund, Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund , Vanguard Large-Cap Index Fund, Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund, Vanguard Value Index Fund, Vanguard Mid-Cap Value Index Fund, Vanguard Growth Index Fund and Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund, and of our report dated February 16, 2016, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights appearing in the December 31, 2015 Annual Report to the Shareholders of Vanguard Small-Cap Index Fund, Vanguard Small-Cap Value Index Fund and Vanguard Small-Cap Growth Index Fund (comprising Vanguard Index Funds), which reports are also incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the heading “Financial Highlights” in the Prospectuses and under the headings “Financial Statements” and “Service Providers—Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, PA
March 28, 2016
VANGUARD FUNDS
MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
I. INTRODUCTION
This Multiple Class Plan (the Plan) describes seven separate classes of shares that may be offered by investment company members of The Vanguard Group (collectively the Funds, individually a Fund). The Plan explains the separate arrangements for each class, how expenses are allocated to each class, and the conversion features of each class. Each Fund may offer any one or more of the specified classes.
The Plan has been approved by the Board of Directors of The Vanguard Group (Vanguard). In addition, the Plan has been adopted by a majority of the Board of Trustees of each Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of each Fund. The classes of shares offered by each Fund are designated in Schedule A hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time.
II. SHARE CLASSES
A Fund may offer any one or more of the following share classes:
Investor Shares
Admiral Shares
Institutional Shares
Institutional Plus Shares
Institutional Select Shares
ETF Shares
Transition Shares
III. DISTRIBUTION, AVAILABILITY AND ELIGIBILITY
Distribution arrangements for all classes are described below. Distribution arrangements vary by Vanguard business line depending on the eligibility of the client segments to whom they market. Vanguard retains sole discretion in determining share class availability, and whether Fund shares shall be offered either directly or through certain financial intermediaries, or on certain financial intermediary platforms. Eligibility requirements for purchasing shares of each class will differ, as follows:
A. Investor Shares
Investor Shares generally will be available to investors who are not permitted to purchase other classes of shares, subject to the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended
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from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount for Investor Shares will be substantially lower than the amount required for any other class of shares. Investor Shares are typically distributed by all Vanguard business lines.
B. Admiral Shares
Admiral Shares generally will be available to individual, institutional, and other investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. These eligibility requirements may include, but are not limited to the following factors: (i) the total amount invested the Fund; or (ii) any other factors deemed appropriate by a Funds Board of Trustees. Admiral Shares are typically distributed by all Vanguard business lines.
C. Institutional Shares
Institutional Shares generally will be available to institutional and other investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount per account for Institutional Shares will be substantially higher than the amounts required for Investor Shares or Admiral Shares. Institutional Shares are typically distributed by Vanguards financial advisory services and institutional business lines.
D. Institutional Plus Shares
Institutional Plus Shares generally will be available to institutional and other investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount for Institutional Plus Shares will be substantially higher than the amount required for Institutional Shares. Institutional Plus Shares are typically distributed by Vanguards financial advisory services and institutional business lines.
E. Institutional Select Shares
Institutional Select Shares generally will be available to institutional investors who meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount for Institutional Select Shares will be the highest among all Vanguard share classes. Institutional Select Shares are typically distributed by Vanguards institutional business line.
F. | ETF Shares |
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A Fund will sell ETF Shares to investors that are (or who purchase through) Authorized Participants, and who pay for their ETF shares by depositing a prescribed basket of securities rather than paying cash. An Authorized Participant is an institution, usually a broker-dealer, that is a participant in the Depository Trust Company (DTC) and that has executed a Participant Agreement with the Funds distributor. Additional eligibility requirements may be specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. Investors who are not Authorized Participants may buy and sell ETF shares through various exchanges and market centers. ETF Shares are typically distributed by all Vanguard business lines.
G. Transition Shares
Transition Shares generally will be available solely to Vanguard funds-of-funds that meet the eligibility requirements specified in Schedule B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. Transition Shares are only internally distributed.
IV. SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS
All share classes will receive a range of services provided by Vanguard on a per account basis. These account-based services may include transaction processing and shareholder recordkeeping, as well as the mailing of updated prospectuses, shareholder reports, tax statements, confirmation statements, quarterly portfolio summaries, and other items. It is expected that the aggregate amount of account-based services provided to Investor Shares will materially exceed the amount of such services provided to any other class, due to the existence of many more accounts holding Investor Shares. In addition to this difference in the volume of services provided, arrangements will differ among the classes as follows:
A. Investor Shares
Investor Shares generally will receive the most basic level of service from Vanguard. Investor Shares generally will be serviced through a pool of Vanguard client service representatives.
B. Admiral Shares
Admiral Shares will receive a different level of service from Vanguard as compared to Investor Shares. Special client service representatives may be assigned to service Admiral Shares, and holders of such shares may from time to time receive special mailings and unique additional services.
C. Institutional Shares
Institutional Shares will receive from Vanguard a level of service that differs from the service provided to the holders of shares of other classes. Such
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services may include special client service representatives who will be assigned to service Institutional Shares. Most holders of Institutional Shares periodically will receive special investment updates from Vanguards investment staff. Holders of Institutional Shares also may receive unique additional services from Vanguard, and generally will be permitted to transact with Vanguard through the National Securities Clearing Corporations FundSERV system and other special servicing platforms for institutional investors.
D. Institutional Plus Shares
Institutional Plus Shares generally will receive a very high level of service from Vanguard as compared to any other share classes. Special client service representatives will be assigned to service Institutional Plus Shares, and most holders of such shares periodically, but more than the holders of all other shares, will receive special updates from Vanguards investment staff. Holders of Institutional Plus Shares may receive unique additional services from Vanguard, and generally will be permitted to transact with Vanguard through the National Securities Clearing Corporations FundSERV system and other special servicing platforms for institutional investors.
E. Institutional Select Shares
Institutional Select Shares generally will receive a customized level of service. Holders of Institutional Select Shares may receive unique additional services from Vanguard, and generally will be permitted to transact with Vanguard through the National Securities Clearing Corporations FundSERV system and other special servicing platforms for institutional investors.
F. ETF Shares
A Fund is expected to maintain only one shareholder of record for ETF
Shares ç DTC or its nominee. Special client service representatives will be assigned to the DTC account, and all transactions on this account will be handled electronically. Due to the nature and purpose of the DTC account, ETF Shares will not receive any special updates from Vanguards investment staff.
G. Transition Shares
The only investors eligible to own Transition Shares are Vanguard funds-of-funds, and it is expected that such funds, because of the nature of Transition Shares, will own the shares only for the brief periods necessary to complete the relevant portfolio transitions. The level of service provided will be commensurate with the needs of a fund-of-funds transitioning from one underlying fund to another.
V. CONVERSION FEATURES
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2. Automatic conversion into Institutional Shares, Institutional Plus Shares, or Institutional Select Shares. Vanguard may conduct automatic conversions of any share class into either Institutional Shares,Institutional Plus Shares, or Institutional Select Shares in accordance with then-current eligibility requirements.
C. | Involuntary Conversions and Cash Outs | |
1. | Cash Outs. If a shareholder in any class of shares no longer | |
meets the eligibility requirements for such shares, the Fund may cash out the shareholders remaining account balance. Any such cash out will be | ||
preceded | by written notice to the shareholder and will be subject to the | |
Funds normal redemption fees, if any. | ||
2. | Conversion of Admiral Shares, Institutional Shares, and | |
Institutional Plus Shares. If a shareholder no longer meets the eligibility requirements for the share class currently held, the Fund may convert the shareholders holdings into the share class for which such shareholder is eligible. Any such conversion will be preceded by written notice to the shareholder, and will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes without the imposition of any sales load, fee, or other charge. | ||
3. | Conversions of Transition Shares. When a Fund that issues | |
Transition | Shares has completed the relevant portfolio transition, the Fund | |
will convert the Transition Shares to another share class of the same Fund as appropriate, based on the eligibility requirements of such class as specified in | ||
Schedule | B hereto, as such Schedule may be amended from time to time. |
have been allocated to each Vanguard Fund of Funds are reallocated to the approve share class of the underlying funds in the Fund of Funds portfolio on a pro rata basis based on that Fund of Funds relative net assets invested in the underlying funds share class.
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B. | Class Specific Expenses | |
1. | Expenses for Account-Based Services. Expenses associated | |
with Vanguards provision of account-based services to the Funds will be | ||
allocated | among the share classes of each Fund on the basis of the amount | |
incurred by each such class as follows: |
(a) Account maintenance expenses. Expenses associated with the maintenance of investor accounts will be proportionately allocated among each Funds share classes based upon a monthly determination of the costs to service each class of shares. Factors considered in this determination are (i) the percentage of total shareholder accounts represented by each class; (ii) the percentage of total account transactions performed by Vanguard for each class; and (iii) the percentage of new accounts opened for each class.
(b) Expenses of special servicing arrangements.
Expenses relating to any special servicing arrangements for a specific class will be proportionally allocated among each eligible Funds share classes primarily based on their percentage of total shareholder accounts receiving the special servicing arrangements.
(c) Literature production and mailing expenses.
Expenses associated with shareholder reports, proxy materials and other literature will be allocated among each Funds share classes based upon the number of such items produced and mailed for each class.
2. Other Class Specific Expenses. Expenses for the primary benefit of a particular share class will be allocated to that share class. Such expenses would include any legal fees attributable to a particular class.
C. | Fund-Wide Expenses | |
1. | Marketing and Distribution Expenses. Each share class will | |
bear marketing and distribution expenses proportionate to the marketing and distribution expenses of the business lines that distribute that share class. Retail and institutional businesses expenses will be allocated based on the percentage of client accounts in each share class serviced by the respective business. Financial advisory service expenses will be apportioned based on the percentage of assets in each share class. | ||
Expenses | associated with each share class will be allocated only among | |
the Funds that have such share class according to the Vanguard Modified |
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Formula, with each share class or each Fund treated as if it were a separate Fund. The Vanguard Modified Formula is set forth in the Agreement and in certain of the SEC Exemptive Orders. This allocation has been deemed an appropriate allocation methodology by each Funds Board of Trustees under paragraph (c)(1)(v) of Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
2. Asset Management Expenses. Expenses associated with management of a Funds assets (including all advisory, tax preparation and custody fees) will be allocated among the Funds share classes on the basis of their relative net assets.
3. Other Fund Expenses. Any other Fund expenses not described above will be allocated among the share classes on the basis of their relative net assets.
VII. ALLOCATION OF INCOME, GAINS AND LOSSES
Income, gains and losses will be allocated among each Funds share classes on the basis of their relative net assets. As a result of differences in allocated expenses, it is expected that the net income of, and dividends payable to, each class of shares will vary. Dividends and distributions paid to each class of shares will be calculated in the same manner, on the same day and at the same time.
VIII. VOTING AND OTHER RIGHTS
Each share class will have: (i) exclusive voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders that relates solely to its service or distribution arrangements; and (ii) separate voting rights on any matter submitted to shareholders in which the interests of one class differ from the interests of the other class; and (iii) in all other respects the same rights, obligations and privileges as each other, except as described in the Plan.
IX. AMENDMENTS
All material amendments to the Plan must be approved by a majority of the Board of Trustees of each Fund, including a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Fund. In addition, any material amendment to the Plan must be approved by the Board of Directors of Vanguard.
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000
Last Approved by Board: December 18, 2015
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SCHEDULE A to
VANGUARD FUNDS MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
Note: Transition Shares, when offered by a Fund, are available for a limited period of time and are then converted into another share class. For this reason, Transition Shares are not shown on Schedule A.
Vanguard Fund | Share Classes Authorized | |
Vanguard Admiral Funds | ||
| Treasury Money Market Fund | Investor |
| S&P 500 Value Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| S&P 500 Growth Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| S&P MidCap 400 Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| S&P MidCap 400 Value Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| S&P MidCap 400 Growth Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| S&P SmallCap 600 Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| S&P SmallCap 600 Value Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
Vanguard Bond Index Funds | ||
| Short-Term Bond Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, |
Institutional Plus, ETF | ||
| Intermediate-Term Bond Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, Institutional |
Plus, ETF | ||
| Long-Term Bond Index Fund | Investor, Institutional, Institutional Plus, |
ETF | ||
| Total Bond Market Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, Institutional |
Plus, Institutional Select, ETF | ||
| Total Bond Market II Index Fund | Investor, Institutional |
| Inflation-Protected Securities Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional |
Vanguard California Tax-Free Funds | ||
| Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund | Investor |
| Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard Charlotte Funds | ||
| Total International Bond Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, |
Institutional Select, ETF |
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Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds
| Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Short-Term Treasury Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Short-Term Federal Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional |
| Intermediate-Term Treasury Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| GNMA Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Long-Term Treasury Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| High-Yield Corporate Fund | Investor, Admiral |
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Vanguard Fund | Share Classes Authorized | |
Vanguard Malvern Funds | ||
| Capital Value Fund | Investor |
| Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities | |
Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |
| U.S. Value Fund | Investor |
| Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund | Institutional Plus |
| Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund | Institutional Plus |
| Core Bond Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Emerging Markets Bond Fund | Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Funds | ||
| Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor |
Vanguard Money Market Funds | ||
| Prime Money Market Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Federal Money Market Fund | Investor |
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund | Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Montgomery Funds | ||
| Market Neutral Fund | Investor, Institutional |
Vanguard Municipal Bond Funds | ||
| Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund | Investor |
| Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, ETF |
Vanguard New Jersey Tax-Free Funds | ||
| Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund | Investor |
| Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard New York Tax-Free Funds | ||
| Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund | Investor |
| Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard Ohio Tax-Free Funds | ||
| Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund | Investor |
| Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor |
Vanguard Pennsylvania Tax-Free Funds | ||
| Tax-Exempt Money Market Fund | Investor |
| Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund | Investor, Admiral |
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Vanguard Fund | Share Classes Authorized | |
Vanguard Quantitative Funds | ||
| Growth and Income Fund | Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds | ||
| Short-Term Government Bond Index Fund | Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
| Intermediate-Term Government Bond Index Fund | Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
| Long-Term Government Bond Index Fund | Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
| Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund | Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
| Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund | Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
| Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund | Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
| Mortgage-Backed Securities Index Fund | Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
| Explorer Value Fund | Investor |
| Russell 1000 Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| Russell 1000 Value Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| Russell 1000 Growth Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| Russell 2000 Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| Russell 2000 Value Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| Russell 2000 Growth Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
| Russell 3000 Index Fund | Institutional, ETF |
Vanguard Specialized Funds | ||
| Energy Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Precious Metals Fund | Investor |
| Health Care Fund | Investor, Admiral |
| Dividend Growth Fund | Investor |
| REIT Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF |
| Dividend Appreciation Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, ETF |
Vanguard STAR Funds | ||
| LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund | Investor |
| LifeStrategy Growth Fund | Investor |
| LifeStrategy Income Fund | Investor |
| LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund | Investor |
| STAR Fund | Investor |
| Total International Stock Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, |
Institutional Plus, Institutional Select, | ||
ETF | ||
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds | ||
| Tax-Managed Balanced Fund | Admiral |
| Tax-Managed Capital Appreciation Fund | Admiral, Institutional |
| Developed Markets Index Fund | Investor, Admiral, Institutional, |
Institutional Plus | ||
FTSE Developed Markets ETF ETF | ||
| Tax-Managed Small-Cap Fund | Admiral, Institutional |
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Vanguard Fund
Share Classes Authorized
Vanguard World Fund
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000 Last Updated: March 10, 2016
Institutional, Institutional Plus, ETF Investor, Institutional Investor, Admiral Institutional, ETF Institutional, ETF Institutional, ETF
Investor, Admiral Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF Admiral, ETF
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SCHEDULE B to
VANGUARD FUNDS MULTIPLE CLASS PLAN
Vanguard has policies and procedures designed to ensure consistency and compliance with the offering of multiple classes of shares within this Multiple Class Plans eligibility requirements. 2 These policies are reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis in conjunction with Vanguards Compliance Department.
Investor Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Investor Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000. A Vanguard Fund may, from time to time, establish higher or lower minimum amounts for Investor Shares. Vanguard also reserves the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors.
Admiral Shares Eligibility Requirements
Admiral Shares generally are intended for clients who meet the required minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $10,000 for retail clients in index funds and $50,000 for retail clients in actively managed funds. Retail managed clients and financial intermediary and other institutional clients may hold Admiral Shares of both index and actively managed funds without restriction. Vanguard Funds may, from time to time, establish higher or lower minimum amounts for Admiral Shares and Vanguard reserves the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors. Admiral Share class eligibility also is subject to the following rule:
Institutional Shares Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $5,000,000. However, Vanguard also reserves the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors. Institutional Share class eligibility also is subject to the following special rules:
2 The eligibility of a Vanguard Fund of Funds to invest in a particular share class of an underlying Vanguard fund is determined by Vanguard and the Board in accordance with the allocation methodology referenced in Section VI.
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Institutional Plus Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Plus Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $100,000,000. However, Vanguard also reserves the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors. Institutional Plus Share class eligibility also is subject to the following special rules:
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Institutional Select Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Select Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000,000,000. However, Vanguard also reserves the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors. Institutional Select Share class eligibility also is subject to the following special rules:
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ETF Shares Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements for ETF Shares will be set forth in the Funds Registration Statement. To be eligible to purchase ETF Shares directly from a Fund, an investor must be (or must purchase through) an Authorized DTC Participant, as defined in Paragraph III.D of the Multiple Class Plan. Investors purchasing ETF Shares from a Fund must purchase a minimum number of shares, known as a Creation Unit. The number of ETF Shares in a Creation Unit may vary from Fund to Fund, and will be set forth in the
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relevant prospectus. The value of a Fund's Creation Unit will vary with the net asset value of the Funds ETF Shares, but is expected to be several million dollars. An eligible investor generally must purchase a Creation Unit by depositing a prescribed basket of securities with the Fund, rather than paying cash.
Transition Shares Eligibility Requirements
Transition Shares will be offered only to Vanguard funds-of-funds and only by an underlying fund of a Vanguard fund-of-funds (i) that is receiving assets in kind from one or more funds-of-funds and (ii) that will transition those in-kind assets by selling some or all of them and using the proceeds to purchase different assets. There is no minimum investment amount for Transition Shares.
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000
Last Approved by Board: January 29, 2016
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