Form 485BPOS VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS
January 31, 2020 6:08 AM EST
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (NO. 33-19446) |
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UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
[X] |
Pre-Effective Amendment No. |
[ ] |
Post-Effective Amendment No. 72 |
[X] |
and |
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REGISTRATION STATEMENT (811-05445) UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No. 74 |
[X] |
VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Declaration of Trust)
P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Registrant's Telephone Number (610) 669-1000
Anne E. Robinson, 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 January 31, 2020, 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 Equity Income Fund
Prospectus
January 31, 2020
Investor Shares & Admiral™ Shares
Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares (VEIPX)
Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares (VEIRX)
See the inside front cover for important information about access to your fund's annual and semiannual shareholder reports.
This prospectus contains financial data for the Fund through the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
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.
Important information about access to shareholder reports
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of your fund's annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent to you by mail, unless you specifically request them. Instead, you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted on the website and will be provided with a link to access the report.
If you have already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the fund electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you invest directly with the fund, by calling Vanguard at one of the phone numbers on the back cover of this prospectus or by logging on to vanguard.com.
You may elect to receive paper copies of all future shareholder reports free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact the intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies. If you invest directly with the fund, you can call Vanguard at one of the phone numbers on the back cover of this prospectus or log on to vanguard.com. Your election to receive paper copies will apply to all the funds you hold through an intermediary or directly with Vanguard.
Contents
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Fund Summary |
1 |
Investing With Vanguard |
23 |
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More on the Fund |
7 |
Purchasing Shares |
23 |
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The Fund and Vanguard |
14 |
Converting Shares |
26 |
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Investment Advisors |
14 |
Redeeming Shares |
27 |
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Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes |
16 |
Exchanging Shares |
31 |
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Share Price |
19 |
Frequent-Trading Limitations |
31 |
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Financial Highlights |
21 |
Other Rules You Should Know |
33 |
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Fund and Account Updates |
38 |
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Employer-Sponsored Plans |
39 |
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Contacting Vanguard |
40 |
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Additional Information |
40 |
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Glossary of Investment Terms |
42 |
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Fund Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide an above-average level of current income and reasonable long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold Investor Shares or Admiral Shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(Fees paid directly from your investment)
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Investor Shares |
Admiral Shares |
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Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
None |
None |
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Purchase Fee |
None |
None |
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Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends |
None |
None |
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Redemption Fee |
None |
None |
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Account Service Fee (for certain fund account balances below |
$20/year |
$20/year |
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$10,000) |
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
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Investor Shares |
Admiral Shares |
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Management Fees |
0.26% |
0.17% |
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12b-1 Distribution Fee |
None |
None |
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Other Expenses |
0.01% |
0.01% |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
0.27% |
0.18% |
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1
Examples
The following examples are intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund's Investor Shares or Admiral Shares with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. They illustrate the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you were to invest $10,000 in the Fund's shares. These examples assume 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 were to 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:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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Investor Shares |
$28 |
$87 |
$152 |
$343 |
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Admiral Shares |
$18 |
$58 |
$101 |
$230 |
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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 examples, reduce the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 32% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests mainly in common stocks of mid-size and large companies whose stocks typically pay above-average levels of dividend income and are, in the opinion of the purchasing advisor, undervalued relative to similar stocks. In addition, the advisors generally look for companies that they believe are committed to paying dividends consistently. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in equity securities. The Fund uses multiple investment advisors. Each advisor independently selects and maintains a portfolio of common stocks for the Fund.
2
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time. You should expect the Fund's share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide range. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Fund's 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.
•Investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from mid- and large- capitalization dividend-paying value stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Mid- and large-cap stocks each tend to go through cycles of doing better—or worse—than 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. Historically, mid- cap stocks have been more volatile in price than large-cap stocks. The stock prices of mid-size companies tend to experience greater volatility because, among other things, these companies tend to be more sensitive to changing economic conditions.
•Manager risk, which is the chance that poor security selection will cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.
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. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Fund's Investor Shares has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the share classes presented compare with those of relevant market indexes, which have investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. Keep in mind that the Fund's 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.
3
Annual Total Returns — Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares
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2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
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60% |
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40% |
14.88 |
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30.07 |
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18.38 |
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25.22 |
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20% |
10.60 |
13.49 |
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11.29 |
0.77 |
14.70 |
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0% |
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-20% |
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-5.72 |
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-40% |
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-60% |
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During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 13.76% (quarter ended December 31, 2011), and the lowest return for a quarter was –10.66% (quarter ended September 30, 2011).
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2019
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1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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Vanguard Equity Income Fund Investor Shares |
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Return Before Taxes |
25.22% |
10.07% |
12.93% |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions |
23.90 |
8.57 |
11.70 |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
15.79 |
7.69 |
10.53 |
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Vanguard Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares |
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Return Before Taxes |
25.35% |
10.17% |
13.02% |
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Comparative Benchmarks |
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(reflect no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) |
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FTSE High Dividend Yield Index |
24.24% |
9.86% |
12.95% |
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Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Float Adjusted Index |
30.90 |
11.18 |
13.43 |
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4
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 shown only for the Investor Shares and may differ for each share class. 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 Advisors
Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington Management)
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard)
Portfolio Managers
W. Michael Reckmeyer, III, CFA, Senior Managing Director and Equity Portfolio Manager of Wellington Management. He has managed a portion of the Fund since 2007.
James P. Stetler, Senior Portfolio Manager at Vanguard. He has managed a portion of the Fund since 2003 (co-managed since 2012).
Binbin Guo, Ph.D., Principal of Vanguard and head of the Alpha Equity Investment team within Vanguard's Quantitative Equity Group. He has co-managed a portion of the Fund since 2016.
5
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase or redeem shares online through our website (vanguard.com), by mail (The Vanguard Group, P.O. Box 1110, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1110), or by telephone (800-662-2739). The minimum investment amount required to open and maintain a Fund account for Investor Shares or Admiral Shares is $3,000 or $50,000, respectively. The minimum investment amount required to add to an existing Fund account is generally $1. Financial intermediaries, institutional clients, and Vanguard-advised clients should contact Vanguard for information on special eligibility rules that may apply to them regarding Admiral Shares. If you are investing through an intermediary, please contact that firm directly for more information regarding your eligibility. If you are investing through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, your plan administrator or your benefits office can provide you with detailed information on how you can invest through your plan.
Tax Information
The Fund's distributions may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gain. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as an IRA or an employer- sponsored retirement or savings plan, special tax rules apply.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
The Fund and its investment advisors do not pay financial intermediaries for sales of Fund shares.
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 principles 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
The Fund offers two separate classes of shares: Investor Shares and Admiral Shares.
Both 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 returns will differ.
Plain Talk About Fund Expenses
All mutual funds have operating expenses. These expenses, which are deducted from a fund's 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 Equity Income Fund's expense ratios would be as follows: for Investor Shares, 0.27%, or $2.70 per $1,000 of average net assets; for Admiral Shares, 0.18%, or $1.80 per $1,000 of average net assets. The average expense ratio for equity income funds in 2018 was 1.12%, or $11.20 per $1,000 of average net assets (derived from data provided by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company, which reports on the mutual fund industry).
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 and 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 fund's performance.
7
The following sections explain the principal investment strategies and policies that the Fund uses in pursuit of its objective. The Fund's board of trustees, which oversees the Fund's 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 equity securities. The Fund may change its 80% policy only upon 60 days' notice to shareholders.
Market Exposure
The Fund invests mainly in common stocks of mid-size and large companies whose stocks typically pay above-average dividends and are, in the opinion of the purchasing advisor, undervalued relative to similar stocks.
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.
Plain Talk About Growth Funds and Value Funds
Growth investing and value investing are two styles employed by stock-fund managers. Growth funds generally invest in stocks of companies believed to have above-average potential for growth in revenue, earnings, cash flow, or other similar criteria. These stocks typically have low dividend yields, if any, and above- average prices in relation to measures such as earnings and book value. Value funds typically invest in stocks whose prices are below average in relation to those measures; these stocks often have above-average dividend yields. Value stocks also may remain undervalued by the market for long periods of time. Growth and value stocks have historically produced similar long-term returns, though each category has periods when it outperforms the other.
The Fund is subject to investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from mid- and large-capitalization dividend-paying value stocks will trail returns from the overall stock market. Mid- and large-cap stocks each tend to go through cycles of doing better—or worse—than 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. Historically, mid-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than large-cap stocks. The stock prices of mid-size companies tend to experience greater volatility because, among other things, these companies tend to be more sensitive to changing economic conditions.
8
Stocks of publicly traded companies are often classified according to market capitalization, which is the market value of a company's outstanding shares. These classifications typically include small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap. It is important to understand that there are no "official" definitions of small-, mid-, and large-cap, even among Vanguard fund advisors, and that market capitalization ranges can change over time. The asset-weighted median market capitalization of the Fund's stock holdings as of September 30, 2019, was $110.2 billion.
Security Selection
The Fund uses multiple investment advisors. Each advisor independently selects and maintains a portfolio of common stocks for the Fund.
Each advisor employs active investment management methods, which means that securities are bought and sold according to the advisor's evaluations of companies and their financial prospects, the prices of the securities, and the stock market and the economy in general. Each advisor will sell a security when, in the view of the advisor, it is no longer as attractive as an alternative investment or if the advisor deems it to be in the best interest of the Fund. Different advisors may reach different conclusions on the same security.
Each advisor uses a different process to select securities for its portion of the Fund's assets; however, each is committed to buying stocks that it believes will produce above-average income and that, in the advisor's opinion, have the potential for long- term capital appreciation.
Wellington Management employs a fundamental security analysis approach to identify desirable individual stocks, seeking those that typically offer above-average dividend yields, below-average valuations, and the potential for dividend increases in the future.
Vanguard constructs a diversified portfolio of dividend-paying stocks based on its assessment of the relative return potential of the securities. The advisor selects securities that it believes offer an appropriate balance between strong growth prospects and reasonable valuations relative to their industry peers. Vanguard manages the portfolio through the use of a quantitative process to evaluate all of the securities in a relevant market index, the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index, while seeking to maintain a risk profile similar to that of this Index. This process was developed and managed by Vanguard's Alpha Equity Investment team and is continually evolving. All potential enhancements to the process go through rigorous peer vetting and validation before being implemented.
The Fund is subject to manager risk, which is the chance that poor security selection will cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective.
9
Other Investment Policies and Risks
In addition to investing in dividend-paying stocks, the Fund may make other kinds of investments to achieve its objective.
Although the Fund typically does not make significant investments in foreign securities, it reserves the right to invest up to 25% of its assets in foreign securities, which may include depositary receipts. Foreign securities may be traded on U.S. or foreign markets. To the extent that it owns foreign securities, the Fund is subject to country risk and currency risk. Country risk is the chance that world events—such as political upheaval, financial troubles, or natural disasters—will adversely affect the value of securities issued by companies in foreign countries. In addition, the prices of foreign stocks and the prices of U.S. stocks have, at times, moved in opposite directions. Currency risk is the chance that the value of a foreign investment, measured in U.S. dollars, will decrease because of unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates.
The Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in derivatives. 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, or a reference rate. 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.
The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange forward contracts, which are a type of derivative. A foreign currency exchange forward contract is an agreement to buy or sell a currency at a specific price on a specific date, usually 30, 60, or 90 days in the future. In other words, the contract guarantees an exchange rate on a given date. Advisors of funds that invest in foreign securities can use these contracts to guard against unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates. These contracts, however, would not prevent the Fund's securities from falling in value as a result of risks other than unfavorable currency exchange movements.
Plain Talk About Derivatives
Derivatives can take many forms. Some forms of derivatives—such as exchange- traded futures and options on securities, commodities, or indexes—have been trading on regulated exchanges for decades. These types of derivatives are standardized contracts that can easily be bought and sold and whose market values are determined and published daily. On the other hand, non-exchange- traded derivatives—such as certain swap agreements and foreign currency exchange forward contracts—tend to be more specialized or complex and may be more difficult to accurately value.
10
The Fund may invest a small portion of its assets in equity futures, which are a type of derivative, and/or shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), including ETF Shares issued by Vanguard stock funds. These equity futures and ETFs typically provide returns similar to those of common stocks. The Fund may purchase futures or ETFs when doing so will reduce the Fund's transaction costs or have the potential to add value because the instruments are favorably priced. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in ETF Shares of other Vanguard funds. Fund assets invested in ETF Shares are excluded when allocating to the Fund its share of the costs of Vanguard operations.
Cash Management
The Fund's daily cash balance may be invested in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund and/or Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund (each, a CMT Fund), which are low-cost money market funds. When investing in a CMT Fund, the Fund bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the CMT Fund in which it invests. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in a CMT Fund.
Methods Used to Meet Redemption Requests
Under normal circumstances, the Fund typically expects to meet redemptions with positive cash flows. When this is not an option, the Fund seeks to first meet redemptions from a cash or cash equivalent reserve. Alternatively, Vanguard may instruct the advisors to sell a cross section of the Fund's holdings to meet redemptions, while also factoring in transaction costs. Additionally, the Fund may work with larger clients to implement their redemptions in a manner that is least disruptive to the portfolio; see "Potentially disruptive redemptions" under Redeeming Shares in the Investing With Vanguard section.
Under certain circumstances, including under stressed market conditions, there are additional tools that the Fund may use in order to meet redemptions, including advancing the settlement of market trades with counterparties to match investor redemption payments or delaying settlement of an investor's transaction to match trade settlement within regulatory requirements. The Fund may also suspend payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days; see "Emergency circumstances" under Redeeming Shares in the Investing With Vanguard section. Additionally under these unusual circumstances, the Fund may borrow money (subject to certain regulatory conditions and if available under board-approved procedures) through an interfund lending facility or through a bank line-of-credit, including a joint committed credit facility, in order to meet redemption requests.
11
Temporary Investment Measures
The Fund may temporarily depart from its normal investment policies and strategies when an advisor believes that doing so is in the Fund's best interest, so long as the strategy or policy employed is consistent with the Fund's investment objective. For instance, the Fund may invest beyond its normal limits in derivatives or exchange- traded funds that are consistent with the Fund's investment objective when those instruments are more favorably priced or provide needed liquidity, as might be the case if the Fund is transitioning assets from one advisor to another or receives large cash flows that it cannot prudently invest immediately.
In addition, the Fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its normal investment policies and strategies—for instance, by allocating substantial assets to cash equivalent investments or other less volatile instruments— in response to adverse or unusual market, economic, political, or other conditions. In doing so, the Fund may succeed in avoiding losses but may otherwise fail to achieve its investment objective.
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 fund's 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 advisor's 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 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
12
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 request—including exchanges from other Vanguard funds—without 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 fund's 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 investor's purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days 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 Vanguard's transaction policies.
Each Vanguard fund (other than retail and government 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. 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. In general, the greater the turnover rate, the greater the impact transaction costs will have on a fund's 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 and will be taxable to shareholders investing through a taxable account.
13
The Fund and Vanguard
The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group, a family of over 200 funds. 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 fund 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 Vanguard's Unique Corporate Structure
The Vanguard Group 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 are owned by third parties—either public or private stockholders—and not by the funds they serve.
Investment Advisors
The Fund uses a multimanager approach. Each advisor independently manages its assigned portion of the Fund's assets, subject to the supervision and oversight of Vanguard and the Fund's board of trustees. The board of trustees designates the proportion of Fund assets to be managed by each advisor and may change these proportions at any time.
•Wellington Management Company LLP, 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210, a Delaware limited liability partnership, is an investment counseling firm that provides investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and other institutions. Wellington Management and its predecessor organizations have provided investment advisory services for over 80 years. Wellington Management is owned by the partners of Wellington Management Group LLP, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership. As of September 30, 2019, Wellington Management and its investment advisory affiliates had investment management authority with respect to approximately $1.1 trillion in assets.
•The Vanguard Group, Inc., P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482, which began operations in 1975, serves as advisor to the Fund through its Quantitative Equity Group. As of September 30, 2019, Vanguard served as advisor for approximately $4.6 trillion in assets.
14
The Fund pays Wellington Management a base fee plus or minus a performance adjustment. The base fee, which is paid quarterly, is a percentage of average daily net assets managed by the advisor during the most recent fiscal quarter. The base fee has breakpoints, which means that the percentage declines as assets go up. The performance adjustment, also paid quarterly, is based on the cumulative total return of the advisor's portion of the Fund relative to that of the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index over the preceding 36-month period. When the performance adjustment is positive, the Fund's expenses increase; when it is negative, expenses decrease. Vanguard provides investment advisory services to the Fund pursuant to the Funds' Service Agreement and subject to the supervision and oversight of the trustees and officers of the Fund.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the aggregate advisory fees and expenses represented an effective annual rate of 0.08% of the Fund's average net assets before a performance-based increase of 0.01%.
Under the terms of an SEC exemption, the Fund's board of trustees may, without prior approval from shareholders, change the terms of an advisory agreement with a third- party investment advisor or hire a new third-party investment advisor—either as a replacement for an existing advisor or as an additional advisor. Any significant change in the Fund's advisory arrangements will be communicated to shareholders in writing. As the Fund's sponsor and overall manager, Vanguard may provide investment advisory services to the Fund at any time. Vanguard may also recommend to the board of trustees that an advisor be hired, terminated, or replaced or that the terms of an existing advisory agreement be revised. The Fund has filed an application seeking a similar SEC exemption with respect to investment advisors that are wholly owned subsidiaries of Vanguard. If the exemption is granted, the Fund may rely on the new SEC relief.
For a discussion of why the board of trustees approved the Fund's investment advisory arrangements, see the most recent semiannual report to shareholders covering the fiscal period ended March 31.
The managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are:
W. Michael Reckmeyer, III, CFA, Senior Managing Director and Equity Portfolio Manager of Wellington Management. He has worked in investment management with Wellington Management since 1994 and has managed a portion of the Fund since 2007. Education: B.S. and M.B.A., University of Wisconsin.
James P. Stetler, Senior Portfolio Manager at Vanguard. He has been with Vanguard since 1982; has worked in investment management since 1996; and has managed investment portfolios, including a portion of the Fund, since 2003 (co-managed since 2012). Education: B.S., Susquehanna University; M.B.A., Saint Joseph's University.
15
Binbin Guo, Ph.D., Principal of Vanguard and head of the Alpha Equity Investment team within Vanguard's Quantitative Equity Group. He oversees the active quantitative equity funds and separately managed equity accounts. He has been with Vanguard since 2007 and has co-managed a portion of the Fund since 2016. Education: B.S. and M.S., Tsinghua University, China; Ph.D. and M.Phil., Yale University.
The Fund's Statement of Additional Information provides information about each portfolio manager's 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. However, if you are investing through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, your distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares.
Plain Talk About Distributions
As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's income from interest and dividends as well as capital gains from the fund's 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.
16
Basic Tax Points
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 December—if paid to you by the end of January—are 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 Fund's normal investment activities and cash flows.
•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.
•Vanguard (or your intermediary) will send you a statement each year showing the tax status of all of your distributions.
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-advantaged account, such as an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, special tax rules apply. Please consult your tax advisor for detailed information about any tax consequences for you.
17
Plain Talk About Buying a Dividend
Unless you are a tax-exempt investor or investing through a tax-advantaged account (such as an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan), 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 received—even if you reinvest it in more shares. To avoid buying a dividend, check a fund's distribution schedule before you invest.
General Information
Backup withholding. By law, Vanguard must withhold 24% of any taxable distributions or redemptions from your account if you do not:
•Provide your correct taxpayer identification number.
•Certify that the taxpayer identification number is correct.
•Confirm that you are not subject to backup withholding.
Similarly, Vanguard (or your intermediary) 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 Vanguard's 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.
18
Share Price
Share price, also known as net asset value (NAV), is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time, on each day that the NYSE is open for business (a business day). In the rare event the NYSE experiences unanticipated disruptions and is unavailable at the close of the trading day, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and calculate NAVs as of the close of regular trading on the Nasdaq (or another alternate exchange if the Nasdaq is unavailable, as determined at Vanguard's discretion), 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 Fund's 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. 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).
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, including institutional money market fund shares, held by a fund are based on the NAVs of the shares. The values of any ETF shares or closed-end fund shares held by a fund are based on the market value of the shares.
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 fund's 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 fund's 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.
19
Fair-value pricing may be used for domestic securities—for example, if (1) trading in a security is halted and does not resume before the fund's 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.
20
Financial Highlights
Financial highlights information is intended to help you understand a fund's performance for the past five years (or, if shorter, its period of operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Total return represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost each period on an investment in a fund or share class (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 report, along with fund financial statements, is included in a fund's most recent annual report to shareholders. You may obtain a free copy of a fund's latest annual or semiannual report, which is available upon request.
Equity Income Fund Investor Shares
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended September 30, |
||
|
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period |
2019 |
|
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
$37.98 |
|
$35.64 |
$31.69 |
$28.78 |
$31.23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income |
1.002 |
1 |
.9651 |
.9081 |
.909 |
.847 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
on Investments |
.972 |
|
2.764 |
4.292 |
3.912 |
(1.431) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from Investment Operations |
1.974 |
|
3.729 |
5.200 |
4.821 |
(.584) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income |
(.997) |
(.943) |
(.912) |
(.895) |
(.852) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains |
(2.447) |
(.446) |
(.338) |
(1.016) |
(1.014) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Distributions |
(3.444) |
(1.389) |
(1.250) |
(1.911) |
(1.866) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
$36.51 |
|
$37.98 |
$35.64 |
$31.69 |
$28.78 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return2 |
6.43% |
|
10.58% |
16.68% |
17.21% |
–2.11% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) |
$5,478 |
|
$5,751 |
$6,002 |
$5,487 |
$4,812 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets3 |
0.27% |
|
0.27% |
0.26% |
0.26% |
0.26% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets |
2.84% |
|
2.60% |
2.70% |
3.00% |
2.72% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate |
32% |
|
37% |
28% |
26% |
32% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Calculated based on average shares outstanding.
2 Total returns do not include account service fees that may have applied in the periods shown.
3 Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of 0.01%, (0.00%), (0.01%), (0.01%), and (0.01%).
21
Equity Income Fund Admiral Shares
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended September 30, |
||
|
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period |
2019 |
|
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
$79.61 |
|
$74.69 |
$66.43 |
$60.31 |
$65.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income |
2.167 |
1 |
2.0991 |
1.9681 |
1.963 |
1.834 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
on Investments |
2.028 |
|
5.806 |
8.977 |
8.219 |
(3.003) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from Investment Operations |
4.195 |
|
7.905 |
10.945 |
10.182 |
(1.169) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income |
(2.156) |
(2.048) |
(1.977) |
(1.932) |
(1.846) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains |
(5.129) |
(.937) |
(.708) |
(2.130) |
(2.125) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Distributions |
(7.285) |
(2.985) |
(2.685) |
(4.062) |
(3.971) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
$76.52 |
|
$79.61 |
$74.69 |
$66.43 |
$60.31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return2 |
6.51% |
|
10.70% |
16.75% |
17.35% |
–2.03% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) |
$30,972 |
|
$27,625 |
$23,373 |
$18,115 |
$12,962 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets3 |
0.18% |
|
0.18% |
0.17% |
0.17% |
0.17% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets |
2.93% |
|
2.69% |
2.79% |
3.09% |
2.81% |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate |
32% |
|
37% |
28% |
26% |
32% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Calculated based on average shares outstanding.
2 Total returns do not include account service fees that may have applied in the periods shown.
3 Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of 0.01%, (0.00%), (0.01%), (0.01%), and (0.01%).
22
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 in a brokerage account through Vanguard Brokerage Services®), 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. If you hold Vanguard fund shares through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, please see Employer-Sponsored Plans. 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 nonretirement account titled in your own name, two funds in a nonretirement account titled jointly with your spouse, and one fund in an individual retirement account, you have six 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.
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 Investor Shares
To open and maintain an account. $3,000.
To add to an existing account. Generally $1.
Account Minimums for Admiral Shares
To open and maintain an account. $50,000. If you request Admiral Shares when you open a new account but the investment amount does not meet the account minimum for Admiral Shares, your investment will be placed in Investor Shares of the Fund. Financial intermediaries, institutional clients, and Vanguard-advised clients should contact Vanguard for information on special eligibility rules that may apply to them regarding Admiral Shares. If you are investing through an intermediary, please contact that firm directly for more information regarding your eligibility.
23
To add to an existing account. Generally $1.
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.
Online. You may open certain types of accounts, request a purchase of shares, and request an exchange through our website or our mobile application if you are registered for online access.
By telephone. You may call Vanguard to begin the account registration process or request that the account-opening forms be sent to you. You may also call Vanguard to request a purchase of shares in your account or to request an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard.
By mail. You may send Vanguard your account registration form and check to open a new fund account. To add to an existing fund account, you may send your check with an Invest-by-Mail form (from a transaction confirmation or your account statement) or with a deposit slip (available online).
How to Pay for a Purchase
By electronic bank transfer. You may purchase shares of a Vanguard fund through an electronic transfer of money from a bank account. To establish the electronic bank transfer service on an account, you must designate the bank account online, complete a form, or fill out the appropriate section of your account registration form. After the service is set up on your account, you can purchase shares by electronic bank transfer on a regular schedule (Automatic Investment Plan) or upon request. Your purchase request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail.
By wire. Wiring instructions vary for different types of purchases. Please call Vanguard for instructions and policies on purchasing shares by wire. See Contacting Vanguard.
By check. You may make initial or additional purchases to your fund account by sending a check with a deposit slip or by utilizing our mobile application if you are registered for online access. Also see How to Initiate a Purchase Request. Make your check payable to Vanguard and include the appropriate fund number (e.g., Vanguard—xx). For a list of Fund numbers (for share classes in this prospectus), see Additional Information.
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 with an exchange form. See Exchanging Shares.
24
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 NAV as calculated on the trade date. See Share Price.
For purchases by check into all funds other than money market funds and for purchases by exchange, wire, or electronic bank transfer 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 Know—Good Order.
For further information about purchase transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
Other Purchase Rules You Should Know
Admiral Shares. Admiral Shares generally are not available for SIMPLE IRAs and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.
Check purchases. All purchase checks must be written in U.S. dollars, be drawn on a U.S. bank, and be accompanied by good order instructions. Vanguard does not accept cash, traveler's checks, starter checks, or money orders. In addition, Vanguard may refuse checks that are not made payable to Vanguard.
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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 fund's 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 NAVs 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. See Share Price.
For a conversion request 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 nonbusiness day, the trade date will be the next business day. See Other Rules You Should Know.
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Conversions From Investor Shares to Admiral Shares
Self-directed conversions. If your account balance in the Fund is at least $50,000, you may ask Vanguard to convert your Investor Shares to Admiral Shares. You may request a conversion through our website (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail. Financial intermediaries, institutional clients, and Vanguard- advised clients should contact Vanguard for information on special eligibility rules that may apply to them regarding Admiral Shares. See Contacting Vanguard. If you are investing through an intermediary, please contact that firm directly for more information regarding your eligibility.
Automatic conversions. Vanguard conducts periodic reviews of account balances and may, if your account balance in the Fund exceeds $50,000, automatically convert your Investor Shares to Admiral Shares. You will be notified before an automatic conversion occurs and will have an opportunity to instruct Vanguard not to effect the conversion.
Financial intermediaries, institutional clients, and Vanguard-advised clients should contact Vanguard for information on special eligibility rules that may apply to them regarding Admiral Shares. If you are investing through an intermediary, please contact that firm directly for more information regarding your eligibility.
Mandatory Conversions to Investor Shares
If an account no longer meets the balance requirements for Admiral Shares, Vanguard may automatically convert the shares in the account to Investor Shares. 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.
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 or our mobile application if you are registered for online access.
By telephone. You may call Vanguard to request a redemption of shares or an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard.
By mail. You may send a form (available online) to Vanguard to redeem from a fund account or to make an exchange.
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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. To establish the electronic bank transfer service on an account, you must designate a bank account online, complete a form, or fill out the appropriate section of your account registration form. After the service is set up on your account, you can redeem shares by electronic bank transfer on a regular schedule (Automatic Withdrawal Plan) or upon request. 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 proceeds ($100 minimum) to a previously designated bank account. To establish the wire redemption service, you generally must designate a bank account online, complete a form, or fill out the appropriate section of your account registration form.
Please note that Vanguard charges a $10 wire fee for outgoing wire redemptions. The fee is assessed in addition to, rather than being withheld from, redemption proceeds and is paid directly to the fund in which you invest. For example, if you redeem $100 via a wire, you will receive the full $100, and the $10 fee will be assessed to your fund account through an additional redemption of fund shares. If you redeem your entire fund account, your redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount of the fee. The wire fee does not apply to accounts held by Flagship and Flagship Select clients; accounts held through intermediaries, including Vanguard Brokerage Services; or accounts held by institutional clients.
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 Shares.
By check. If you have not chosen another redemption method, Vanguard will mail you a redemption check, generally payable to all registered account owners, normally within two business days of your trade date, and generally to the address of record.
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. See Share Price.
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; 12:30 p.m., Eastern time, for Vanguard Federal 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.
For redemptions by electronic bank transfer: 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.
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 Know—Good Order.
If your redemption request is received in good order, we typically expect that redemption proceeds will be paid by the Fund within one business day of the trade date; however, in certain circumstances, investors may experience a longer settlement period at the time of the transaction. For further information, see "Potentially disruptive redemptions" and "Emergency circumstances."
For further information about redemption transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
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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 kind—that is, in the form of securities—if we reasonably believe that a cash redemption would negatively affect the fund's 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 Vanguard's 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. 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.
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 (using a form available online) 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.
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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.
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 Know—Good 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.
Call Vanguard before attempting to exchange a large dollar amount. By calling us before you attempt to exchange a large dollar amount, you may avoid delayed or rejected transactions.
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.
Frequent-Trading Limitations
Because excessive transactions can disrupt management of a fund and increase the fund's 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 investor's purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days 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.
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These frequent-trading limitations do not apply to the following:
•Purchases of shares with reinvested dividend or capital gains distributions.
•Transactions through Vanguard's 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 Personal Advisor Services®, Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services®, and Vanguard Digital AdvisorTM.
•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 and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans).
•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 Vanguard's 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.
•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.)
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*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.
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 client's accounts the 30-day policy previously described, prohibiting a client's purchases of fund shares, and/or revoking the client's 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 intermediary's 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 firm's 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 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, certain 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 Vanguard's automated telephone service, you must first establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by calling Tele-Account at 800-662-6273.
Proof of a caller's 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.
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 Vanguard's 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).
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Written instructions also must generally be provided on a Vanguard form and include:
•Signature(s) 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.
Good order requirements may 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
You should take precautions to protect yourself from fraud. Keep your account-related information private, and review any account confirmations, statements, or other information that we provide to you as soon as you receive them. Let us know immediately if you discover unauthorized activity or see something on your account that you do not understand or that looks unusual.
Vanguard will not be responsible for losses that result from transactions by a person who we reasonably believe is authorized to act on your account.
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 state's 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 state's abandoned property law, subject to potential federal or state withholding taxes.
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Unusual Circumstances
If you experience difficulty contacting Vanguard online or by telephone, you can send us your transaction request on a Vanguard form by regular or express mail.
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. You may be required to pay a commission on purchases of mutual fund shares made through a financial intermediary.
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.
Account Service Fee
Vanguard may charge a $20 account service fee on fund accounts that have a balance below $10,000 for any reason, including market fluctuation. The account service fee applies to both retirement and nonretirement fund accounts and may be assessed on fund accounts in all Vanguard funds, regardless of the account minimum. The fee, which will be collected by redeeming fund shares in the amount of $20, will be deducted from fund accounts subject to the fee once per calendar year.
If you elect to receive your statements and other materials electronically (i.e., by e-delivery), the account service fee will not be charged, so long as your election remains in effect. You can make your e-delivery election on vanguard.com.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, you may elect to receive paper copies of shareholder reports free of charge as noted on the cover of this prospectus.
Certain account types have alternative fee structures, including SIMPLE IRAs, Vanguard Retirement Investment Program pooled plans, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.
Low-Balance Accounts
The Fund reserves the right to liquidate a fund account whose balance falls below the account minimum for any reason, including market fluctuation. This liquidation policy applies to nonretirement fund accounts and accounts that are held through intermediaries. Any such liquidation will be preceded by written notice to the investor.
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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 and (2) alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any purchase fee, redemption fee, account service fee, or other fee charged to a shareholder or a group of shareholders. Changes may affect any or all investors. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Vanguard management, Vanguard believes they are in the best interest of a fund.
Account Restrictions
Vanguard reserves the right to: (1) redeem all or a portion of a fund/account to meet a legal obligation, including tax withholding, tax lien, garnishment order, or other obligation imposed on your account by a court or government agency; (2) redeem shares, close an account, or suspend account privileges, features, or options in the case of threatening conduct or activity; (3) redeem shares, close an account, or suspend account privileges, features, or options if Vanguard believes or suspects that not doing so could result in a suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal transaction; (4) place restrictions on the ability to redeem any or all shares in an account if it is required to do so by a court or government agency; (5) place restrictions on the ability to redeem any or all shares in an account if Vanguard believes that doing so will prevent fraud, financial exploitation or abuse, or to protect vulnerable investors; (6) 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; and (7) freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to Vanguard of the death of an account owner.
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. 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 most accounts, Vanguard (or your intermediary) is required to provide annual tax forms to assist you in preparing your income tax returns. These forms are generally available for each calendar year early in the following year. Registered users of vanguard.com can also view certain forms through our website. Vanguard (or your intermediary) 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 Equity Income Fund twice a year, in May and November. These reports include overviews of the financial markets and provide the following specific Fund information:
•Performance assessments and comparisons with industry benchmarks.
•Reports from the advisors.
•Financial statements with listings of Fund holdings.
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Portfolio Holdings
Please consult the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or our website for a description of the policies and procedures that govern disclosure of the Fund's portfolio holdings.
Employer-Sponsored Plans
Your 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 Fund's investment objective, strategies, or risks, contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188 or visit our website at vanguard.com.
•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 your transactions with Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right to change its policies without notice to shareholders.
Transactions
Processing times for your transaction requests may differ among recordkeepers or among transaction and funding types. Your plan's 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.
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.
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Contacting Vanguard
Web
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Vanguard.com |
For the most complete source of Vanguard news |
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Vanguard Tele-Account® 800-662-6273 |
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Investor Information 800-662-7447 (Text telephone for people with hearing impairment at 800-749-7273)
For fund and service information For literature requests
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Client Services 800-662-2739 |
For account information |
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For most account transactions |
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impairment at 800-749-7273) |
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Participant Services 800-523-1188 (Text telephone for people with hearing impairment at 800-749-7273)
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Institutional Division |
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Financial Advisor and Intermediary |
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Sales Support 800-997-2798 |
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Financial Advisory and Intermediary |
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Trading Support 800-669-0498 |
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Additional Information |
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Inception |
Newspaper |
Vanguard |
CUSIP |
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Date |
Abbreviation |
Fund Number |
Number |
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Equity Income Fund |
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Investor Shares |
3/21/1988 |
EqInc |
65 |
921921102 |
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Admiral Shares |
8/13/2001 |
EqIncAdml |
565 |
921921300 |
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CFA® is a registered trademark owned by CFA Institute.
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Glossary of Investment Terms
Capital Gains Distributions. Payments to mutual fund shareholders of gains realized on securities that a fund has sold at a profit, minus any realized losses.
Cash Equivalent Investments. Cash deposits, short-term bank deposits, and money market instruments that include U.S. Treasury bills and notes, bank certificates of deposit (CDs), repurchase agreements, commercial paper, and banker's acceptances.
Common Stock. A security representing ownership rights in a corporation.
Dividend Distributions. Payments to mutual fund shareholders of income from interest or dividends generated by a fund's investments.
Expense Ratio. A fund's total annual operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the fund's 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.
FTSE High Dividend Yield Index. An index that tracks common stocks of U.S. companies that have paid above-average dividends for the previous 12 months, excluding REITs.
Inception Date. The date on which the assets of a fund (or one of its share classes) are first invested in accordance with the fund's 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.
Joint Committed Credit Facility. The Fund participates, along with other funds managed by Vanguard, in a committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement that may be renewed annually; each Vanguard fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facility. The amount and terms of the committed credit facility are subject to approval by the Fund's board of trustees and renegotiation with the lender syndicate on an annual basis.
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 fund's stocks, weighted by the proportion of the fund's assets invested in each stock. Stocks representing half of the fund's 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.
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A stock exchange based in New York City that is open for regular trading on business days, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time.
42
Quantitative Process. An assessment of specific measurable factors, such as cost of capital; value of assets; and projections of sales, costs, earnings, and profits. The use of a quantitative process provides a systematic approach to investment decisions and portfolios.
Securities. Stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and other investments.
Total Return. A percentage change, over a specified time period, in a mutual fund's 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 fund's volatility, the wider the fluctuations in its returns.
Yield. Income (interest or dividends) earned by an investment, expressed as a percentage of the investment's price.
43
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P.O. Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600
Connect with Vanguard® > vanguard.com
For More Information
If you would like more information about Vanguard Equity Income Fund, the following documents are available free upon request:
Annual/Semiannual Reports to Shareholders Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI provides more detailed information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into (and thus legally a part of) this prospectus.
To receive a free copy of the latest annual or semiannual report or the SAI, or to request additional information about the Fund or other Vanguard funds, please visit vanguard.com or contact us as follows:
If you are an individual investor:
The Vanguard Group
Investor Information Department P.O. Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600
Telephone: 800-662-7447; Text telephone for people
with hearing impairment: 800-749-7273
If you are a participant in an employer-sponsored plan: The Vanguard Group
Participant Services P.O. Box 2900
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2900
Telephone: 800-523-1188; Text telephone for people
with hearing impairment: 800-749-7273
If you are a current Vanguard shareholder and would like information about your account, account transactions, and/or account statements, please call:
Client Services Department
Telephone: 800-662-2739; Text telephone for people
with hearing impairment: 800-749-7273
Information Provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Reports and other information about the Fund are available in the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or you can receive copies of this information, for a fee, by electronic request at the following email address: [email protected].
Fund's Investment Company Act file number: 811-05445
© 2020 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
P 065 012020
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund Prospectus
January 31, 2020
Investor Shares
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund Investor Shares (VPCCX)
See the inside front cover for important information about access to your fund's annual and semiannual shareholder reports.
This prospectus contains financial data for the Fund through the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
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.
Important information about access to shareholder reports
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the SEC, paper copies of your fund's annual and semiannual shareholder reports will no longer be sent to you by mail, unless you specifically request them. Instead, you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted on the website and will be provided with a link to access the report.
If you have already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and do not need to take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the fund electronically by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you invest directly with the fund, by calling Vanguard at one of the phone numbers on the back cover of this prospectus or by logging on to vanguard.com.
You may elect to receive paper copies of all future shareholder reports free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact the intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies. If you invest directly with the fund, you can call Vanguard at one of the phone numbers on the back cover of this prospectus or log on to vanguard.com. Your election to receive paper copies will apply to all the funds you hold through an intermediary or directly with Vanguard.
Contents
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Fund Summary |
1 |
Investing With Vanguard |
20 |
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More on the Fund |
6 |
Purchasing Shares |
20 |
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The Fund and Vanguard |
13 |
Redeeming Shares |
23 |
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Investment Advisor |
13 |
Exchanging Shares |
27 |
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Dividends, Capital Gains, and Taxes |
15 |
Frequent-Trading Limitations |
27 |
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Share Price |
17 |
Other Rules You Should Know |
29 |
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Financial Highlights |
19 |
Fund and Account Updates |
33 |
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Employer-Sponsored Plans |
35 |
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Contacting Vanguard |
36 |
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Additional Information |
36 |
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Glossary of Investment Terms |
37 |
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Fund Summary
Investment Objective
The Fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses
The following table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund.
Shareholder Fees
(Fees paid directly from your investment)
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Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases |
None |
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Purchase Fee |
None |
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Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Reinvested Dividends |
None |
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Redemption Fee |
None |
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Account Service Fee (for certain fund account balances below $10,000) |
$20/year |
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) |
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Management Fees |
0.45% |
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12b-1 Distribution Fee |
None |
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Other Expenses |
0.01% |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
0.46% |
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Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. It illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over various periods if you were to invest $10,000 in the Fund's shares. This example assumes that the Fund provides 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 were to 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:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$47 |
$148 |
$258 |
$579 |
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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 Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 7% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund invests in stocks that its advisor believes offer a good balance between reasonable valuations and attractive growth prospects relative to their peers. Stocks selected for the Fund typically have earnings growth potential that, in the advisor's view, is not reflected in their current market prices. The Fund can invest in stocks across all industry sectors and market capitalizations.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund could lose money over short or long periods of time. You should expect the Fund's share price and total return to fluctuate within a wide range. The Fund is subject to the following risks, which could affect the Fund's 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.
•Investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from the types of stocks in which the Fund invests will trail returns from the overall stock market. Small-, mid-, and large-cap stocks each tend to go through cycles of doing better—or worse—than 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. Historically, small- and mid-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than large-cap stocks. The stock prices of small and mid-size companies tend to experience greater volatility because, among other things, these companies tend to be more sensitive to changing economic conditions.
•Manager risk, which is the chance that poor security selection will cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. In addition, significant investments in the health care and information technology sectors subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of these sectors.
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.
2
Annual Total Returns
The following bar chart and table are intended to help you understand the risks of investing in the Fund. The bar chart shows how the performance of the Fund has varied from one calendar year to another over the periods shown. The table shows how the average annual total returns of the Fund compare with those of a relevant market index, which has investment characteristics similar to those of the Fund. Keep in mind that the Fund's 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 PRIMECAP Core Fund Investor Shares
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2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
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60% |
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36.14 |
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40% |
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26.23 |
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27.70 |
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19.29 |
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20% |
14.88 |
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14.57 |
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0.94 |
12.35 |
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0% |
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-20% |
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-0.86 |
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-4.90 |
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-40% |
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During the periods shown in the bar chart, the highest return for a calendar quarter was 13.19% (quarter ended March 31, 2013), and the lowest return for a quarter was –15.39% (quarter ended September 30, 2011).
Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2019
|
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1 Year |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund Investor Shares |
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Return Before Taxes |
27.70% |
11.69% |
13.93% |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions |
25.70 |
10.16 |
12.75 |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares |
17.81 |
9.07 |
11.47 |
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MSCI US Prime Market 750 Index |
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(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) |
31.65% |
11.61% |
13.59% |
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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.
Investment Advisor
PRIMECAP Management Company (PRIMECAP)
Portfolio Managers
Joel P. Fried, President of PRIMECAP. He has co-managed the Fund since its inception in 2004.
Theo A. Kolokotrones, Chairman of PRIMECAP. He has co-managed the Fund since its inception in 2004.
Alfred W. Mordecai, Vice Chairman of PRIMECAP. He has co-managed the Fund since its inception in 2004.
M. Mohsin Ansari, Executive Vice President of PRIMECAP. He has co-managed the Fund since 2007.
James Marchetti, Executive Vice President of PRIMECAP. He has co-managed the Fund since 2015.
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase or redeem shares online through our website (vanguard.com), by mail (The Vanguard Group, P.O. Box 1110, Valley Forge, PA 19482-1110), or by telephone (800-662-2739). The minimum investment amount required to open and maintain a Fund account for Investor Shares is $3,000. The minimum investment amount required to add to an existing Fund account is generally $1. Financial intermediaries, institutional clients, and Vanguard-advised clients should contact Vanguard for information on special eligibility rules that may apply to them regarding Investor Shares. If you are investing through an intermediary, please contact that firm directly for more information regarding your eligibility. If you are investing through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, your plan administrator or your benefits office can provide you with detailed information on how you can invest through your plan.
4
Tax Information
The Fund's distributions may be taxable as ordinary income or capital gain. If you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as an IRA or an employer- sponsored retirement or savings 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
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 principles 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.
Plain Talk About Fund Expenses
All mutual funds have operating expenses. These expenses, which are deducted from a fund's 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 PRIMECAP Core Fund's expense ratio would be 0.46%, or $4.60 per $1,000 of average net assets. The average expense ratio for multi-cap core funds in 2018 was 1.06%, or $10.60 per $1,000 of average net assets (derived from data provided by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company, which reports on the mutual fund industry).
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 and 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 fund's performance.
6
The following sections explain the principal investment strategies and policies that the Fund uses in pursuit of its objective. The Fund's board of trustees, which oversees the Fund's 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. Note that the Fund's investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed without a shareholder vote.
Market Exposure
The Fund invests mainly in common stocks of companies that the advisor believes have favorable prospects for capital appreciation and that are offered at attractive prices.
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.
Stocks of publicly traded companies are often classified according to market capitalization, which is the market value of a company's outstanding shares. These classifications typically include small-cap, mid-cap, and large-cap. It is important to understand that there are no "official" definitions of small-, mid-, and large-cap, even among Vanguard fund advisors, and that market capitalization ranges can change over time. The asset-weighted median market capitalization of the Fund's stock holdings as of September 30, 2019, was $73.7 billion.
Plain Talk About Growth Funds and Value Funds
Growth investing and value investing are two styles employed by stock-fund managers. Growth funds generally invest in stocks of companies believed to have above-average potential for growth in revenue, earnings, cash flow, or other similar criteria. These stocks typically have low dividend yields, if any, and above- average prices in relation to measures such as earnings and book value. Value funds typically invest in stocks whose prices are below average in relation to those measures; these stocks often have above-average dividend yields. Value stocks also may remain undervalued by the market for long periods of time. Growth and value stocks have historically produced similar long-term returns, though each category has periods when it outperforms the other.
7
The Fund is subject to investment style risk, which is the chance that returns from the types of stocks in which the Fund invests will trail returns from the overall stock market. Small-, mid-, and large-cap stocks each tend to go through cycles of doing better—or worse—than 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. Historically, small- and mid-cap stocks have been more volatile in price than large-cap stocks. The stock prices of small and mid- size companies tend to experience greater volatility because, among other things, these companies tend to be more sensitive to changing economic conditions.
The Fund does not focus on companies of any particular size and can invest in stocks across the capitalization spectrum. However, small- and mid-cap stocks could represent a larger percentage of the assets in the Fund than they do in the overall stock market.
Security Selection
PRIMECAP, advisor to the Fund, selects common stocks that it believes offer a good balance between reasonable valuations and attractive growth prospects relative to their peers. Stocks selected for the Fund typically have earnings growth potential that, in the advisor's view, is not reflected in the current market price.
Using careful analysis, the advisor attempts to quantify a company's "fundamental value," which is the advisor's estimate of the financial value of the company. The advisor compares the fundamental value with the market price of the company's stock. The advisor then decides whether to purchase the stock mainly on the basis of how attractive its market price is in relation to its fundamental value compared with that of other potential investments. Although the Fund invests with a long-term horizon of three to five years, the advisor may sell a stock if its market price appears to have risen above its fundamental value, if other securities appear to be more favorably priced, or if the reasons for which the stock was purchased no longer hold true.
PRIMECAP does not try to make investment decisions based on short-term trends in the stock market. If attractively priced stocks cannot be found, the Fund's cash levels will increase.
Because PRIMECAP's selections are determined by an analysis of each individual stock, the Fund's makeup may differ substantially from the overall market's characteristics. For example, the proportion of the Fund's assets invested in a particular market sector or industry may be significantly larger or smaller than that sector or industry's proportion in the overall stock market.
8
The Fund is subject to manager risk, which is the chance that poor security selection will cause the Fund to underperform relevant benchmarks or other funds with a similar investment objective. In addition, significant investments in the health care and information technology sectors subject the Fund to proportionately higher exposure to the risks of these sectors.
The health care sector could be adversely affected by patent protection, government regulation, research and development costs, litigation, and competitive forces. The information technology sector could be adversely affected by overall economic conditions, short product cycles, rapid obsolescence of products, competition, and government regulation. These sectors could also be affected by other economic and non-economic factors, including those affecting the economy as a whole or the countries or regions where the companies in which the Fund invests operate.
Other Investment Policies and Risks
In addition to investing in stocks considered by the advisor to have earnings growth potential and reasonable valuations, the Fund may make other kinds of investments to achieve its objective.
The Fund may invest a limited portion, up to 25%, of its assets in foreign securities, which may include depositary receipts. Foreign securities may be traded on U.S. or foreign markets. To the extent that it owns foreign securities, the Fund is subject to country risk and currency risk. Country risk is the chance that world events—such as political upheaval, financial troubles, or natural disasters—will adversely affect the value of securities issued by companies in foreign countries. In addition, the prices of foreign stocks and the prices of U.S. stocks have, at times, moved in opposite directions. Currency risk is the chance that the value of a foreign investment, measured in U.S. dollars, will decrease because of unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates.
The Fund may invest, to a limited extent, in derivatives. 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, or a reference rate. 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.
9
The Fund may enter into foreign currency exchange forward contracts, which are a type of derivative. A foreign currency exchange forward contract is an agreement to buy or sell a currency at a specific price on a specific date, usually 30, 60, or 90 days in the future. In other words, the contract guarantees an exchange rate on a given date. Advisors of funds that invest in foreign securities can use these contracts to guard against unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates. These contracts, however, would not prevent the Fund's securities from falling in value as a result of risks other than unfavorable currency exchange movements.
Cash Management
The Fund's daily cash balance may be invested in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund and/or Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund (each, a CMT Fund), which are low-cost money market funds. When investing in a CMT Fund, the Fund bears its proportionate share of the expenses of the CMT Fund in which it invests. Vanguard receives no additional revenue from Fund assets invested in a CMT Fund.
Methods Used to Meet Redemption Requests
Under normal circumstances, the Fund typically expects to meet redemptions with positive cash flows. When this is not an option, the Fund seeks to maintain its risk exposure by selling a cross section of the Fund's holdings to meet redemptions, while also factoring in transaction costs. Additionally, the Fund may work with larger clients to implement their redemptions in a manner that is least disruptive to the portfolio; see "Potentially disruptive redemptions" under Redeeming Shares in the Investing With Vanguard section.
Under certain circumstances, including under stressed market conditions, there are additional tools that the Fund may use in order to meet redemptions, including advancing the settlement of market trades with counterparties to match investor redemption payments or delaying settlement of an investor's transaction to match trade settlement within regulatory requirements. The Fund may also suspend payment of redemption proceeds for up to seven days; see "Emergency circumstances" under Redeeming Shares in the Investing With Vanguard section. Additionally under these unusual circumstances, the Fund may borrow money (subject to certain regulatory conditions and if available under board-approved procedures) through an interfund lending facility or through a bank line-of-credit, including a joint committed credit facility, in order to meet redemption requests.
10
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 Fund's best interest, so long as the strategy or policy employed is consistent with the Fund's investment objective. For instance, the Fund may invest beyond its normal limits in derivatives or exchange- traded funds that are consistent with the Fund's investment objective when those instruments are more favorably priced or provide needed liquidity, as might be the case if the Fund is transitioning assets from one advisor to another or receives large cash flows that it cannot prudently invest immediately.
In addition, the Fund may take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its normal investment policies and strategies—for instance, by allocating substantial assets to cash equivalent investments or other less volatile instruments— in response to adverse or unusual market, economic, political, or other conditions. In doing so, the Fund may succeed in avoiding losses but may otherwise fail to achieve its investment objective.
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 fund's 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 advisor's 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 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
11
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 request—including exchanges from other Vanguard funds—without 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 fund's 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 investor's purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days 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 Vanguard's transaction policies.
Each Vanguard fund (other than retail and government 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. 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. In general, the greater the turnover rate, the greater the impact transaction costs will have on a fund's 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 and will be taxable to shareholders investing through a taxable account.
12
The Fund and Vanguard
The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group, a family of over 200 funds. 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 fund 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 Vanguard's Unique Corporate Structure
The Vanguard Group 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 are owned by third parties—either public or private stockholders—and not by the funds they serve.
Investment Advisor
PRIMECAP Management Company, 177 East Colorado Blvd., 11th Floor, Pasadena, CA 91105, advisor to the Fund, is an investment advisory firm founded in 1983. PRIMECAP also provides investment advisory services to endowment funds, employee benefit plans, mutual funds, foundations, and other institutional clients unrelated to Vanguard. As of September 30, 2019, PRIMECAP managed approximately $136 billion in assets. The firm manages the Fund subject to the supervision and oversight of the trustees and officers of the Fund.
The Fund pays the advisor a fee, which is paid quarterly and is a percentage of average daily net assets under management during the most recent fiscal quarter. The fee has breakpoints, which means that the percentage declines as assets go up.
For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, the advisory fee represented an effective annual rate of 0.31% of the Fund's average net assets.
Under the terms of an SEC exemption, the Fund's board of trustees may, without prior approval from shareholders, change the terms of an advisory agreement with a third- party investment advisor or hire a new third-party investment advisor—either as a replacement for an existing advisor or as an additional advisor. Any significant change in the Fund's advisory arrangements will be communicated to shareholders in writing. As the Fund's sponsor and overall manager, The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), may provide investment advisory services to the Fund at any time. Vanguard may also
13
recommend to the board of trustees that an advisor be hired, terminated, or replaced or that the terms of an existing advisory agreement be revised. The Fund has filed an application seeking a similar SEC exemption with respect to investment advisors that are wholly owned subsidiaries of Vanguard. If the exemption is granted, the Fund may rely on the new SEC relief.
For a discussion of why the board of trustees approved the Fund's investment advisory agreement, see the most recent semiannual report to shareholders covering the fiscal period ended March 31.
The managers primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are:
Joel P. Fried, President of PRIMECAP. He has worked in investment management since 1985, has been with PRIMECAP since 1986, has managed assets since 1987, and has co-managed the Fund since its inception in 2004. Education: B.S., University of California, Los Angeles; M.B.A., Anderson Graduate School of Business, University of California, Los Angeles.
Theo A. Kolokotrones, Chairman of PRIMECAP. He has worked in investment management since 1970, has managed assets since 1979, has been with PRIMECAP since 1983, and has co-managed the Fund since its inception in 2004. Education: B.A., University of Chicago; M.B.A., Harvard Business School.
Alfred W. Mordecai, Vice Chairman of PRIMECAP. He has worked in investment management and has been with PRIMECAP since 1997, has managed assets since 1999, and has co-managed the Fund since its inception in 2004. Education: B.S.E., Duke University; M.E.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; M.B.A., Harvard Business School.
M. Mohsin Ansari, Executive Vice President of PRIMECAP. He has worked in investment management and has been with PRIMECAP since 2000, has managed assets since 2007, and has co-managed the Fund since 2007. Education: B.A., Colgate University; B.S., Washington University; M.B.A., Harvard Business School.
James Marchetti, Executive Vice President of PRIMECAP. He has worked in investment management and has been with PRIMECAP since 2005, has managed assets since 2014, and has co-managed the Fund since 2015. Education: B.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology; M.B.A., MIT Sloan School of Management.
Each of these five individuals manages a portion of the Fund autonomously; there is no decision-making by committee. A small portion of the Fund's assets is managed by individuals in PRIMECAP's research department.
The Fund's Statement of Additional Information provides information about each portfolio manager's compensation, other accounts under management, and ownership of shares of the Fund.
14
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 and 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. However, if you are investing through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, your distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares.
Plain Talk About Distributions
As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's income from interest and dividends as well as capital gains from the fund's 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
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 December—if paid to you by the end of January—are 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 Fund's normal investment activities and cash flows.
15
•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.
•Vanguard (or your intermediary) will send you a statement each year showing the tax status of all of your distributions.
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-advantaged account, such as an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement or savings 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 a tax-exempt investor or investing through a tax-advantaged account (such as an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan), 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 received—even if you reinvest it in more shares. To avoid buying a dividend, check a fund's distribution schedule before you invest.
16
General Information
Backup withholding. By law, Vanguard must withhold 24% of any taxable distributions or redemptions from your account if you do not:
•Provide your correct taxpayer identification number.
•Certify that the taxpayer identification number is correct.
•Confirm that you are not subject to backup withholding.
Similarly, Vanguard (or your intermediary) 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 Vanguard's 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 as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time, on each day that the NYSE is open for business (a business day). In the rare event the NYSE experiences unanticipated disruptions and is unavailable at the close of the trading day, the Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and calculate NAVs as of the close of regular trading on the Nasdaq (or another alternate exchange if the Nasdaq is unavailable, as determined at Vanguard's discretion), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. The NAV per share is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, of the Fund by the number of Fund shares outstanding. 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 Fund's 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
17
bid and asking prices. 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).
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, including institutional money market fund shares, held by a fund are based on the NAVs of the shares. The values of any ETF shares or closed-end fund shares held by a fund are based on the market value of the shares.
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 fund's 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 fund's 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 securities—for example, if (1) trading in a security is halted and does not resume before the fund's 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
Financial highlights information is intended to help you understand a fund's performance for the past five years (or, if shorter, its period of operations). Certain information reflects financial results for a single fund share. Total return represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost each period on an investment in a fund or share class (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 report, along with fund financial statements, is included in a fund's most recent annual report to shareholders. You may obtain a free copy of a fund's latest annual or semiannual report, which is available upon request.
PRIMECAP Core Fund
Year Ended September 30,
|
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
|
2016 |
2015 |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
$29.92 |
$26.33 |
$22.55 |
|
$20.26 |
$21.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment Operations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Investment Income |
.3911 |
.3141 |
.304 |
1 |
.275 |
.285 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
on Investments |
(1.020) |
4.379 |
4.701 |
|
3.047 |
(.328 ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total from Investment Operations |
(.629) |
4.693 |
5.005 |
|
3.322 |
(.043 ) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income |
(.322) |
(.287) |
(.278) |
|
(.243) |
(.270) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains |
(1.889) |
(.816) |
(.947) |
|
(.789) |
(1.297) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Distributions |
(2.211) |
(1.103) |
(1.225) |
|
(1.032) |
(1.567) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
$27.08 |
$29.92 |
$26.33 |
|
$22.55 |
$20.26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return2 |
–1.06% |
18.27% |
23.13% |
|
16.78% |
–0.73% |
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) |
$10,655 |
$11,654 |
$10,224 |
|
$8,420 |
$6,917 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets |
0.46% |
0.46% |
0.46% |
|
0.46% |
0.47% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Assets |
1.48% |
1.13% |
1.27% |
|
1.31% |
1.29% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate |
7% |
9% |
9% |
|
11% |
10% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Calculated based on average shares outstanding.
2 Total returns do not include account service fees that may have applied in the periods shown.
19
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 in a brokerage account through Vanguard Brokerage Services®), 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. If you hold Vanguard fund shares through an employer-sponsored retirement or savings plan, please see Employer-Sponsored Plans. 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 nonretirement account titled in your own name, two funds in a nonretirement account titled jointly with your spouse, and one fund in an individual retirement account, you have six 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.
Purchasing Shares
Vanguard reserves the right, without notice, to increase or decrease the minimum amount required to open or maintain a fund account or to add to an existing fund account.
Investment minimums may differ for certain categories of investors.
Account Minimums
To open and maintain an account. $3,000. Financial intermediaries, institutional clients, and Vanguard-advised clients should contact Vanguard for information on special eligibility rules that may apply to them regarding Investor Shares. If you are investing through an intermediary, please contact that firm directly for more information regarding your eligibility.
To add to an existing account. Generally $1.
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.
20
Online. You may open certain types of accounts, request a purchase of shares, and request an exchange through our website or our mobile application if you are registered for online access.
By telephone. You may call Vanguard to begin the account registration process or request that the account-opening forms be sent to you. You may also call Vanguard to request a purchase of shares in your account or to request an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard.
By mail. You may send Vanguard your account registration form and check to open a new fund account. To add to an existing fund account, you may send your check with an Invest-by-Mail form (from a transaction confirmation or your account statement) or with a deposit slip (available online).
How to Pay for a Purchase
By electronic bank transfer. You may purchase shares of a Vanguard fund through an electronic transfer of money from a bank account. To establish the electronic bank transfer service on an account, you must designate the bank account online, complete a form, or fill out the appropriate section of your account registration form. After the service is set up on your account, you can purchase shares by electronic bank transfer on a regular schedule (Automatic Investment Plan) or upon request. Your purchase request can be initiated online (if you are registered for online access), by telephone, or by mail.
By wire. Wiring instructions vary for different types of purchases. Please call Vanguard for instructions and policies on purchasing shares by wire. See Contacting Vanguard.
By check. You may make initial or additional purchases to your fund account by sending a check with a deposit slip or by utilizing our mobile application if you are registered for online access. Also see How to Initiate a Purchase Request. Make your check payable to Vanguard and include the appropriate fund number (Vanguard— 1220).
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 with an exchange form. See Exchanging Shares.
21
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 NAV as calculated on the trade date. See Share Price.
For purchases by check into all funds other than money market funds and for purchases by exchange, wire, or electronic bank transfer 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 Know—Good Order.
For further information about purchase transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
22
Other Purchase Rules You Should Know
Check purchases. All purchase checks must be written in U.S. dollars, be drawn on a U.S. bank, and be accompanied by good order instructions. Vanguard does not accept cash, traveler's checks, starter checks, or money orders. In addition, Vanguard may refuse checks that are not made payable to Vanguard.
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 fund's 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.
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 or our mobile application if you are registered for online access.
By telephone. You may call Vanguard to request a redemption of shares or an exchange. See Contacting Vanguard.
By mail. You may send a form (available online) to Vanguard to redeem from a fund account or to make an exchange.
23
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. To establish the electronic bank transfer service on an account, you must designate a bank account online, complete a form, or fill out the appropriate section of your account registration form. After the service is set up on your account, you can redeem shares by electronic bank transfer on a regular schedule (Automatic Withdrawal Plan) or upon request. 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 proceeds ($100 minimum) to a previously designated bank account. To establish the wire redemption service, you generally must designate a bank account online, complete a form, or fill out the appropriate section of your account registration form.
Please note that Vanguard charges a $10 wire fee for outgoing wire redemptions. The fee is assessed in addition to, rather than being withheld from, redemption proceeds and is paid directly to the fund in which you invest. For example, if you redeem $100 via a wire, you will receive the full $100, and the $10 fee will be assessed to your fund account through an additional redemption of fund shares. If you redeem your entire fund account, your redemption proceeds will be reduced by the amount of the fee. The wire fee does not apply to accounts held by Flagship and Flagship Select clients; accounts held through intermediaries, including Vanguard Brokerage Services; or accounts held by institutional clients.
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 Shares.
By check. If you have not chosen another redemption method, Vanguard will mail you a redemption check, generally payable to all registered account owners, normally within two business days of your trade date, and generally to the address of record.
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. See Share Price.
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.
24
•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; 12:30 p.m., Eastern time, for Vanguard Federal 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.
For redemptions by electronic bank transfer: 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.
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 Know—Good Order.
If your redemption request is received in good order, we typically expect that redemption proceeds will be paid by the Fund within one business day of the trade date; however, in certain circumstances, investors may experience a longer settlement period at the time of the transaction. For further information, see "Potentially disruptive redemptions" and "Emergency circumstances."
For further information about redemption transactions, consult our website at vanguard.com or see Contacting Vanguard.
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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 kind—that is, in the form of securities—if we reasonably believe that a cash redemption would negatively affect the fund's 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 Vanguard's 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. 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 (using a form available online) 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.
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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 Know—Good 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.
Call Vanguard before attempting to exchange a large dollar amount. By calling us before you attempt to exchange a large dollar amount, you may avoid delayed or rejected transactions.
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.
Frequent-Trading Limitations
Because excessive transactions can disrupt management of a fund and increase the fund's 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 investor's purchases or exchanges into a fund account for 30 calendar days 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 Vanguard's 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 Personal Advisor Services®, Vanguard Institutional Advisory Services®, and Vanguard Digital AdvisorTM.
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•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 and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans).
•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 Vanguard's 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.
•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 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.
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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 client's accounts the 30-day policy previously described, prohibiting a client's purchases of fund shares, and/or revoking the client's 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 intermediary's 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 firm's 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 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, certain tax forms, and shareholder reports electronically.
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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 Vanguard's automated telephone service, you must first establish a Personal Identification Number (PIN) by calling Tele-Account at 800-662-6273.
Proof of a caller's 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.
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 Vanguard's 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 be provided on a Vanguard form and include:
•Signature(s) 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.
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Good order requirements may 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, redemption, or exchange transaction for a future date. All such requests will receive trade dates as previously described in Purchasing 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
You should take precautions to protect yourself from fraud. Keep your account-related information private, and review any account confirmations, statements, or other information that we provide to you as soon as you receive them. Let us know immediately if you discover unauthorized activity or see something on your account that you do not understand or that looks unusual.
Vanguard will not be responsible for losses that result from transactions by a person who we reasonably believe is authorized to act on your account.
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 state's 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 state's abandoned property law, subject to potential federal or state withholding taxes.
Unusual Circumstances
If you experience difficulty contacting Vanguard online or by telephone, you can send us your transaction request on a Vanguard form by regular or express mail.
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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. You may be required to pay a commission on purchases of mutual fund shares made through a financial intermediary.
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.
Account Service Fee
Vanguard may charge a $20 account service fee on fund accounts that have a balance below $10,000 for any reason, including market fluctuation. The account service fee applies to both retirement and nonretirement fund accounts and may be assessed on fund accounts in all Vanguard funds, regardless of the account minimum. The fee, which will be collected by redeeming fund shares in the amount of $20, will be deducted from fund accounts subject to the fee once per calendar year.
If you elect to receive your statements and other materials electronically (i.e., by e-delivery), the account service fee will not be charged, so long as your election remains in effect. You can make your e-delivery election on vanguard.com.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, you may elect to receive paper copies of shareholder reports free of charge as noted on the cover of this prospectus.
Certain account types have alternative fee structures, including SIMPLE IRAs, Vanguard Retirement Investment Program pooled plans, and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.
Low-Balance Accounts
The Fund reserves the right to liquidate a fund account whose balance falls below the account minimum for any reason, including market fluctuation. This liquidation policy applies to nonretirement fund accounts and accounts that are held through intermediaries. Any such liquidation will be preceded by written notice to the investor.
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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, service, or privilege at any time and (2) alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any purchase fee, redemption fee, account service fee, or other fee charged to a shareholder or a group of shareholders. Changes may affect any or all investors. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Vanguard management, Vanguard believes they are in the best interest of a fund.
Account Restrictions
Vanguard reserves the right to: (1) redeem all or a portion of a fund/account to meet a legal obligation, including tax withholding, tax lien, garnishment order, or other obligation imposed on your account by a court or government agency; (2) redeem shares, close an account, or suspend account privileges, features, or options in the case of threatening conduct or activity; (3) redeem shares, close an account, or suspend account privileges, features, or options if Vanguard believes or suspects that not doing so could result in a suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal transaction; (4) place restrictions on the ability to redeem any or all shares in an account if it is required to do so by a court or government agency; (5) place restrictions on the ability to redeem any or all shares in an account if Vanguard believes that doing so will prevent fraud, financial exploitation or abuse, or to protect vulnerable investors; (6) 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; and (7) freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to Vanguard of the death of an account owner.
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, or exchange 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.
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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. Each summary shows the market value of your account at the close of the statement period, as well as all distributions, purchases, redemptions, exchanges, and transfers 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 most accounts, Vanguard (or your intermediary) is required to provide annual tax forms to assist you in preparing your income tax returns. These forms are generally available for each calendar year early in the following year. Registered users of vanguard.com can also view certain forms through our website. Vanguard (or your intermediary) 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 PRIMECAP Core Fund twice a year, in May and November. These reports include overviews of the financial markets and provide the following specific Fund information:
•Performance assessments and comparisons with industry benchmarks.
•Reports from the advisor.
•Financial statements with listings of Fund holdings.
Portfolio Holdings
Please consult the Fund's Statement of Additional Information or our website for a description of the policies and procedures that govern disclosure of the Fund's portfolio holdings.
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Employer-Sponsored Plans
Your 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 Fund's investment objective, strategies, or risks, contact Vanguard Participant Services toll-free at 800-523-1188 or visit our website at vanguard.com.
•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 your transactions with Vanguard.
Vanguard reserves the right to change its policies without notice to shareholders.
Transactions
Processing times for your transaction requests may differ among recordkeepers or among transaction and funding types. Your plan's 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.
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.
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Contacting Vanguard
Web
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Investor Information 800-662-7447 (Text telephone for people with hearing impairment at 800-749-7273)
For fund and service information For literature requests
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Participant Services 800-523-1188 (Text telephone for people with hearing impairment at 800-749-7273)
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PRIMECAP Core Fund |
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Glossary of Investment Terms
Capital Gains Distributions. Payments to mutual fund shareholders of gains realized on securities that a fund has sold at a profit, minus any realized losses.
Cash Equivalent Investments. Cash deposits, short-term bank deposits, and money market instruments that include U.S. Treasury bills and notes, bank certificates of deposit (CDs), repurchase agreements, commercial paper, and banker's acceptances.
Common Stock. A security representing ownership rights in a corporation.
Dividend Distributions. Payments to mutual fund shareholders of income from interest or dividends generated by a fund's investments.
Expense Ratio. A fund's total annual operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the fund's 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 are first invested in accordance with the fund's 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.
Joint Committed Credit Facility. The Fund participates, along with other funds managed by Vanguard, in a committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement that may be renewed annually; each Vanguard fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facility. The amount and terms of the committed credit facility are subject to approval by the Fund's board of trustees and renegotiation with the lender syndicate on an annual basis.
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 fund's stocks, weighted by the proportion of the fund's assets invested in each stock. Stocks representing half of the fund's assets have market capitalizations above the median, and the rest are below it.
MSCI US Prime Market 750 Index. An index that tracks the stocks of approximately 750 large- and mid-capitalization companies representing the vast majority of U.S. stock market capitalization.
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.
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). A stock exchange based in New York City that is open for regular trading on business days, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Eastern time.
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 fund's 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 fund's volatility, the wider the fluctuations in its returns.
Yield. Income (interest or dividends) earned by an investment, expressed as a percentage of the investment's price.
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P.O. Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600
Connect with Vanguard® > vanguard.com
For More Information
If you would like more information about Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund, the following documents are available free upon request:
Annual/Semiannual Reports to Shareholders Additional information about the Fund's investments is available in the Fund's annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund's performance during its last fiscal year.
Statement of Additional Information (SAI)
The SAI provides more detailed information about the Fund and is incorporated by reference into (and thus legally a part of) this prospectus.
To receive a free copy of the latest annual or semiannual report or the SAI, or to request additional information about the Fund or other Vanguard funds, please visit vanguard.com or contact us as follows:
If you are an individual investor:
The Vanguard Group
Investor Information Department P.O. Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600
Telephone: 800-662-7447; Text telephone for people
with hearing impairment: 800-749-7273
If you are a participant in an employer-sponsored plan: The Vanguard Group
Participant Services P.O. Box 2900
Valley Forge, PA 19482-2900
Telephone: 800-523-1188; Text telephone for people
with hearing impairment: 800-749-7273
If you are a current Vanguard shareholder and would like information about your account, account transactions, and/or account statements, please call:
Client Services Department
Telephone: 800-662-2739; Text telephone for people
with hearing impairment: 800-749-7273
Information Provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Reports and other information about the Fund are available in the EDGAR database on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or you can receive copies of this information, for a fee, by electronic request at the following email address: [email protected].
Fund's Investment Company Act file number: 811-05445
© 2020 The Vanguard Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
P 1220 012020
PART B
VANGUARD® FENWAY FUNDS
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
January 31, 2020
This Statement of Additional Information is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with a Fund's current prospectus (dated January 31, 2020). To obtain, without charge, a prospectus or the most recent Annual Report to Shareholders, which contains the Fund's 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
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Description of the Trust ................................................................................................................... |
B-1 |
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Fundamental Policies ....................................................................................................................... |
B-4 |
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Investment Strategies, Risks, and Nonfundamental Policies ........................................................... |
B-4 |
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Share Price ..................................................................................................................................... |
B-21 |
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Purchase and Redemption of Shares.............................................................................................. |
B-21 |
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Management of the Funds.............................................................................................................. |
B-22 |
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Investment Advisory and Other Services ....................................................................................... |
B-37 |
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Portfolio Transactions .................................................................................................................... |
B-44 |
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Proxy Voting ................................................................................................................................... |
B-46 |
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Financial Statements...................................................................................................................... |
B-46 |
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Appendix A..................................................................................................................................... |
B-47 |
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Appendix B...................................................................................................................................... |
B-50 |
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
Vanguard Fenway Funds (the Trust) currently offers the following funds and share classes (identified by ticker symbol):
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Investor |
Admiral |
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Vanguard Equity Income Fund |
VEIPX |
VEIRX |
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Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund |
VPCCX |
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Individually, a class; collectively, the classes. |
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Individually, a Fund; collectively, the Funds. |
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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.
Throughout this document, any references to "class" apply only to the extent a Fund issues multiple classes.
Organization
The Trust was organized as Vanguard Equity Income Fund, Inc., a Maryland corporation, in 1987. It was reorganized as Vanguard Equity Income Fund, a Delaware statutory trust, in 1998. On March 1, 2000, the Trust was renamed Vanguard Fenway Funds. 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.
B-1
Service Providers
Custodians. Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286, (for the Equity Income Fund) and State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111, (for the PRIMECAP Core Fund), serve as the Funds' custodians. The custodians are responsible for maintaining the Funds' assets, keeping all necessary accounts and records of the Funds' assets, and appointing any foreign subcustodians 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 Fund's shares, other than those described in the Fund's 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 Fund's 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 Fund's 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 Fund's 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 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 Fund's 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 Fund's 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.
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Conversion Rights. Vanguard Equity Income Fund shareholders may convert their shares into another class of shares of the same Fund upon the satisfaction of any then-applicable eligibility requirements. There are no conversion rights associated with Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund.
Redemption Provisions. Each Fund's 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 Fund's 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 relating to the source of its income and the diversification of its assets. 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, and/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 (excluding Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)) 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. Also, distributions attributable to income earned on a Fund's securities lending transactions, including substitute dividend payments received by a Fund with respect to a security out on loan, will not be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income.
Taxable ordinary dividends received and distributed by each Fund on its REIT holdings may be eligible to be reported by the Fund, and treated by individual shareholders, as "qualified REIT dividends" that are eligible for a 20% deduction on their federal income tax returns. Individuals must satisfy holding period and other requirements in order to be eligible for this deduction. A Fund's ability to pass-through this deduction to Fund shareholders is based on preliminary IRS guidance and is subject to change. Shareholders should consult their own tax professionals concerning their eligibility for this deduction.
Dividends received and distributed by each Fund on shares of stock of domestic corporations (excluding REITs) may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction applicable to corporate shareholders. Corporations must satisfy certain requirements in order to claim the deduction. Also, distributions attributable to income earned on a Fund's securities lending transactions, including substitute dividend payments received by a Fund with respect to a security out on loan, will not be 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.
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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 Fund's shares. For these purposes, a "majority" of shares means shares representing the lesser of (1) 67% or more of the Fund's net assets voted, so long as shares representing more than 50% of the Fund's net assets are present or represented by proxy or (2) more than 50% of the Fund's net assets.
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 Fund's total assets would be invested in that issuer's 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 or group of industries.
Investment Objective. The investment objective of the Equity Income 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 a 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 issuer's 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 Vanguard's 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 Fund's prospectus set forth percentage limitations on a Fund's 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 Fund's investment strategies and policies.
The following investment strategies, risks, and policies supplement each Fund's 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.
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Borrowing. A fund's 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 fund's total assets (at the time of borrowing) made for temporary or emergency purposes. Any borrowings for temporary purposes in excess of 5% of the fund's 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 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 fund's 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 fund's 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 corporation's 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 security's "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 issuer's capital structure. A security's "conversion value" is determined by multiplying the number of
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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 security's 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 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.
Cybersecurity Risks. The increased use of technology to conduct business could subject a fund and its third-party service providers (including, but not limited to, investment advisors, transfer agents, and custodians) to risks associated with cybersecurity. In general, a cybersecurity incident can occur as a result of a deliberate attack designed to gain unauthorized access to digital systems. If the attack is successful, an unauthorized person or persons could misappropriate assets or sensitive information, corrupt data, or cause operational disruption. A cybersecurity incident could also occur unintentionally if, for example, an authorized person inadvertently released proprietary or confidential information. Vanguard has developed robust technological safeguards and business continuity plans to prevent, or reduce the impact of, potential cybersecurity incidents. Additionally, Vanguard has a process for assessing the information security and/or cybersecurity programs implemented by a fund's third-party service providers, which helps minimize the risk of potential incidents that could impact a Vanguard fund or its shareholders. Despite these measures, a cybersecurity incident still has the potential to disrupt business operations, which could negatively impact a fund and/ or its shareholders. Some examples of negative impacts that could occur as a result of a cybersecurity incident include, but are not limited to, the following: a fund may be unable to calculate its net asset value (NAV), a fund's shareholders may be unable to transact business, a fund may be unable to process transactions, or a fund may be unable to safeguard its data or the personal information of its shareholders.
Debt Securities. A debt security, sometimes called a fixed income security, consists of a certificate or other evidence of a debt (secured or unsecured) upon which the issuer of the debt security promises to pay the holder a fixed, variable, or floating rate of interest for a specified length of time and to repay the debt on the specified maturity date. Some debt securities, such as zero-coupon bonds, do not make regular interest payments but are issued at a discount to their principal or maturity value. Debt securities include a variety of fixed income obligations, including, but not limited to, corporate bonds, government securities, municipal securities, convertible securities, mortgage-backed securities, and asset-backed securities. Debt securities include investment-grade securities, non-investment-grade securities, and unrated securities. Debt securities are subject to a variety of risks, such as interest rate risk, income risk, call risk, prepayment risk, extension risk, inflation risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, and (in the case of foreign securities) country risk and currency risk. The reorganization of an issuer under the federal bankruptcy laws or an out-of-court restructuring of an issuer's capital structure may result in the issuer's debt securities being cancelled without repayment, repaid only in part, or repaid in part or in whole through an exchange thereof for any combination of cash, debt securities, convertible securities, equity securities, or other instruments or rights in respect to the same issuer or a related entity.
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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 holder's 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 issuer's request.
For purposes of a fund's 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 on—or "derived from"—the 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 agreements, may be privately negotiated and entered into in the over-the-counter 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 may be used for a variety of purposes, including—but not limited to—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 investments. Some investors may use derivatives primarily for speculative purposes while other uses of derivatives may not constitute speculation. There is no
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assurance that any derivatives strategy used by a fund's advisor will succeed. The other parties to a fund's 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 Derivatives may qualify as securities or investments under such laws. A fund's advisors, however, will monitor and adjust, as appropriate, the fund's credit risk exposure to OTC Derivative 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 a 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 fund's 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 fund's 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, a fund is subject to 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 contract. Additionally, the use of credit derivatives can result in losses if a fund's 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 fund's 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 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.
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 each 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.
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Exchange-Traded Funds. A fund may purchase shares of exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 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 ETF's shares may trade at a discount or a premium to their net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an ETF's shares may not develop or be maintained; and (3) trading of an ETF's 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 ETF's shares may also be halted if the shares are delisted from the exchange without first being listed on another exchange or if the listing exchange's 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 fund's purchases of ETF shares generally are subject to the limitations on, and the risks of, a fund's investments in other investment companies, which are described under the heading "Other Investment Companies."
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 company's principal operations are conducted from the United States or when the company's 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 risks that could result in a loss to the fund, including, but not limited to, the risk that a fund's trade details could be incorrectly or fraudulently entered at the time of a 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 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 fund's 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 fund's 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 custodian's creditors. Certain foreign governments levy withholding or other taxes against dividend and interest income from, capital gains on the sale
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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 Securities—Foreign 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 from converting between various currencies in order to purchase and sell foreign securities, as well as by currency restrictions, exchange control regulations, currency devaluations, and political and economic developments.
Foreign Securities—Emerging Market Risk. Investing in emerging market countries involves certain risks not typically associated with investing in the United States, and it imposes risks greater than, or in addition to, risks of investing in more developed foreign countries. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following: nationalization or expropriation of assets or confiscatory taxation; currency devaluations and other currency exchange rate fluctuations; greater social, economic, and political uncertainty and instability (including amplified risk of war and terrorism); more substantial government involvement in the economy; less government supervision and regulation of the securities markets and participants in those markets and possible arbitrary and unpredictable enforcement of securities regulations and other laws; controls on foreign investment and limitations on repatriation of invested capital and on the fund's ability to exchange local currencies for U.S. dollars; unavailability of currency-hedging techniques in certain emerging market countries; generally smaller, less seasoned, or newly organized companies; differences in, or lack of, auditing and financial reporting standards, which may result in unavailability of material information about issuers; difficulty in obtaining and/or enforcing a judgment in a court outside the United States; and greater price volatility, substantially less liquidity, and significantly smaller market capitalization of securities markets. Also, any change in the leadership or politics of emerging market countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries, may halt the expansion of or reverse the liberalization of foreign investment policies now occurring and adversely affect existing investment opportunities. Furthermore, high rates of inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of certain emerging market countries. Custodial expenses and other investment-related costs are often more expensive in emerging market countries, which can reduce a fund's income from investments in securities or debt instruments of emerging market country issuers.
Foreign Securities—Foreign Currency Transactions. The value in U.S. dollars of a fund's 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
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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.
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.
Forecasting the movement of the currency market is extremely difficult. 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 advisor's 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 Securities—Foreign 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 fund's 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
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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 fund's 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 fund's 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."
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts—Risks. 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
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down from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a 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 FCM's 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 Vanguard's 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 fund's interfund loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending fund's 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 fund's 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. Each Vanguard fund invests in securities and other instruments for the sole purpose of achieving a specific investment objective. As such, a Vanguard fund does not seek to acquire, individually or collectively with any other Vanguard fund, enough of a company's outstanding voting stock to have control over management decisions. A Vanguard fund does not invest for the purpose of controlling a company's 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 credit risk to the counterparty, whereas for exchange-traded, centrally cleared options, credit risk is mutualized through the involvement of the applicable clearing house.
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
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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 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 fund's 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
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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.
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 fund's 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 fund's 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 fund's advisor does not correctly evaluate the creditworthiness of the issuer on which the credit swap is based.
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 may invest up to 10% of its assets in shares of investment companies generally 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, for 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 fund's expenses (including operating expenses and the fees of the advisor), but they also may indirectly bear 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 fund's net asset value. SEC rules nevertheless require that any expenses incurred by a BDC be included in a fund's 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 fund's financial statements, which provide a clearer picture of a fund's actual operating expenses. Shareholders would 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
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their net asset value. Others are continuously offered at net asset value but also may be traded on the secondary market.
A fund may be limited to purchasing a particular share class of other investment companies (underlying funds). In certain cases, an investor may be able to purchase lower-cost shares of such underlying funds separately, and therefore be able to construct, and maintain over time, a similar portfolio of investments while incurring lower overall expenses.
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 corporation's 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 issuer's 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.
Reliance on Service Providers, Data Providers, and Other Technology. Vanguard funds rely upon the performance of service providers to execute several key functions, which may include functions integral to a fund's operations. Failure by any service provider to carry out its obligations to a fund could disrupt the business of the fund and could have an adverse effect on the fund's performance. A fund's service providers' reliance on certain technology or information vendors (e.g., trading systems, investment analysis tools, benchmark analytics, and tax and accounting tools) could also adversely affect a fund and its shareholders. For example, a fund's investment advisor may use models and/or data to screen potential investments for the fund. When models or data prove to be incorrect or incomplete, any decisions made in reliance upon such models or data expose a fund to potential risks.
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 banker's 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 fund's 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.
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. One risk is the seller's 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 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 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 investments that a fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. 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
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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 may 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 fund's advisor monitors the liquidity of restricted securities, the board of trustees oversees and retains ultimate responsibility for the advisor's 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 security's 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 fund's use of proceeds from the sale may be restricted while the other party or its trustee or receiver determines if it will honor the fund's 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 securities to financial institutions (typically brokers, dealers, and banks) to generate income for the fund. There are certain risks associated with lending securities, including counterparty, credit, market, regulatory, and operational risks. The advisor considers the creditworthiness of the borrower, among other factors, in making decisions with respect to the lending of securities, subject to oversight by the board of trustees. 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 access to the collateral. These delays and costs could be greater for certain types of foreign securities, as well as certain types of borrowers that are subject to global regulatory regimes. If a fund is not able to recover the securities lent, the fund may sell the collateral and purchase a replacement security in the market. Collateral investments are subject to market appreciation or depreciation. The value of the collateral could decrease below the value of the replacement investment by the time the replacement investment is purchased. Currently, a fund invests cash collateral into Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, an affiliated money market fund that invests in high-quality, short-term money market instruments.
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 fund's 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 fund investing any cash collateral in interest-bearing short-term investments), any distribution on
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the lent securities, and any increase in their market value. Loan arrangements made by a fund will comply with any other applicable regulatory requirements. 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 company's 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 fund's ability to vote on such a matter. See Tax Status of the Funds for information about certain tax consequences related to a fund's securities lending activities.
Pursuant to Vanguard's securities lending policy, Vanguard's fixed income and money market funds are not permitted to, and do not, lend their investment securities.
Tax Matters—Federal 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 authorities. These authorities are subject to change by legislative, administrative, or judicial action, possibly with retroactive effect. Each Fund has not requested and will not request an advance ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters discussed in this Statement of Additional Information. In some cases, a fund's tax position may be uncertain under current tax law and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to such a position could adversely affect the fund and its shareholders, including the fund's ability to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company or to continue to pursue its current investment strategy. 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 Matters—Federal Tax Treatment of Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions. A fund's transactions in derivative instruments (including, but not limited to, options, futures, forward contracts, and swap agreements), as well as any of the fund's 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 fund's 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 Matters—Federal 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 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 fund's other investments, and shareholders will be advised on the nature of the distributions.
Tax Matters—Federal Tax Treatment of Non-U.S. Currency Transactions. Special rules generally govern the federal income tax treatment of a fund's 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 that 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.
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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 fund's gains and losses. For more information, see "Tax Matters— Federal Tax Treatment of Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions."
Tax Matters—Foreign 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 fund's 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 fund's 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 Matters—Passive 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 Fund's fiscal year, and to recognize any unrealized gains (or losses, to the extent of previously recognized gains) as ordinary income each year. Distributions from a Fund that are attributable to income or gains earned in respect to PFIC interests are characterized as ordinary income.
Tax Matters—Real 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 fund's 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 operating 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 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 Matters—Tax-Exempt Investors."
Tax Matters—Tax 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. Certain properly reported distributions of qualifying interest income or short-term capital gain made by a fund to its non-U.S. investors are exempt from U.S. withholding taxes, provided the investors furnish valid tax documentation (i.e., IRS Form W-8) certifying as to their non-U.S. status.
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
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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 shareholder's 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. Please consult your tax advisor for more information about these rules.
Tax Matters—Tax-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 Matters—Real 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.
Time Deposits. Time deposits are subject to the same risks that pertain to domestic issuers of money market instruments, most notably credit risk (and, to a lesser extent, income risk, market risk, and liquidity risk). Additionally, time deposits of foreign branches of U.S. banks and foreign branches of foreign banks may be subject to certain sovereign risks. One such risk is the possibility that a sovereign country might prevent capital, in the form of U.S. dollars, from flowing across its borders. Other risks include adverse political and economic developments, the extent and quality of government regulation of financial markets and institutions, the imposition of foreign withholding taxes, and expropriation or nationalization of foreign issuers. However, time deposits of such issuers will undergo the same type of credit analysis as domestic issuers in which a Vanguard fund invests and will have at least the same financial strength as the domestic issuers approved for the 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.
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
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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."
SHARE PRICE
Multiple-class funds do not have a single share class price. Rather, each class has a share price, called its net asset value, or NAV, that is calculated as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (the NYSE), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time, on each day that the NYSE is open for business (a business day). In the rare event the NYSE experiences unanticipated disruptions and is unavailable at the close of the trading day, each Fund reserves the right to treat such day as a business day and calculate NAVs as of the close of regular trading on the Nasdaq (or another alternate exchange if the Nasdaq is unavailable, as determined at Vanguard's discretion), generally 4 p.m., Eastern time. NAV per share for the Equity Income Fund is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, allocated to the share class by the number of Fund shares outstanding for that class. NAV per share for the PRIMECAP Core Fund is computed by dividing the total assets, minus liabilities, of the Fund by the number of Fund shares outstanding. On U.S. holidays or other days when the NYSE is closed, the NAV is not calculated, and the Funds do not sell or redeem shares. However, on those days the value of a Fund's 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 NYSE typically observes the following holidays: New Year's Day; Martin Luther King, Jr., Day; Presidents' Day (Washington's 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 NYSE may modify its holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES
Purchase of 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 Fund's 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 Fund's 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 forth in the Fund's 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
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 Fund's 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 NYSE is closed or trading on the NYSE 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.
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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 and in accordance with procedures adopted by the Fund's board of trustees. 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.
Vanguard processes purchase and redemption requests through a pooled account. Pending investment direction or distribution of redemption proceeds, the assets in the pooled account are invested and any earnings (the "float") are allocated proportionately among the Vanguard funds in order to offset fund expenses. Other than the float, Vanguard treats assets held in the pooled account as the assets of each shareholder making such purchase or redemption request.
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 and (2) alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any purchase fee, redemption fee, account service fee, or other fee charged to a shareholder or a group of shareholders. Changes may affect any or all investors. These actions will be taken when, at the sole discretion of Vanguard management, Vanguard believes they are in the best interest of a fund.
Account Restrictions
Vanguard reserves the right to: (1) redeem all or a portion of a fund/account to meet a legal obligation, including tax withholding, tax lien, garnishment order, or other obligation imposed on your account by a court or government agency;
(2)redeem shares, close an account, or suspend account privileges, features, or options in the case of threatening conduct or activity; (3) redeem shares, close an account, or suspend account privileges, features, or options if Vanguard believes or suspects that not doing so could result in a suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal transaction; (4) place restrictions on the ability to redeem any or all shares in an account if it is required to do so by a court or government agency; (5) place restrictions on the ability to redeem any or all shares in an account if Vanguard believes that doing so will prevent fraud, financial exploitation or abuse, or to protect vulnerable investors; (6) 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; and (7) freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to Vanguard of the death of an account owner.
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 Fund's 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 Fund's 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.
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUNDS
Each Fund is part of the Vanguard group of investment companies, which consists of over 200 funds. Each fund is a series of a Delaware statutory trust. The funds obtain virtually all of their corporate management, administrative, and distribution services through the trusts' jointly owned subsidiary, Vanguard. Vanguard may contract with certain third- party service providers to assist Vanguard in providing certain administrative and/or accounting services with respect to the funds, subject to Vanguard's oversight. Vanguard also provides investment advisory services to certain Vanguard funds. All of these services are provided at Vanguard's total cost of operations pursuant to the Fifth Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement (the Agreement).
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
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(other than a fund of funds) pays its share of Vanguard's 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 the Agreement. The 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 fund's relative net assets and its contribution to Vanguard's capital.
As of September 30, 2019, the Funds had contributed capital to Vanguard as follows:
|
|
Capital |
Percentage of |
Percent of |
|
Vanguard Fund |
Contribution |
Fund's Average |
Vanguard Funds' |
|
to Vanguard |
Net Assets |
Contribution |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Income Fund |
$1,680,000 |
less than 0.01% |
0.67% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRIMECAP Core Fund |
500,000 |
less than 0.01 |
0.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
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, 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355, 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 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 approve the marketing and distribution expenses incurred by the funds, including the nature and cost of the activities and the desirability of each fund's continued participation in the joint arrangement.
To ensure that each fund's participation in the joint arrangement falls within a reasonable range of fairness, each fund contributes to VMC's 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 fund's sales for the preceding 24 months relative to the total sales of the funds as a group, provided, however, that no fund's 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 fund's 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.
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VMC's 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:
⬛Conducting or publishing Vanguard-generated research and analysis concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy.
⬛Providing views, opinions, advice, or commentary concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy.
⬛Providing analytical, statistical, performance, or other information concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy.
⬛Providing administrative services in connection with investments in the funds or other investments, including, but not limited to, shareholder services, recordkeeping services, and educational services.
⬛Providing products or services that assist investors or financial service providers (as defined below) in the investment decision-making process.
⬛Providing promotional discounts, commission-free trading, fee waivers, and other benefits to clients of Vanguard Brokerage Services® who maintain qualifying investments in the funds.
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. VMC's 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. VMC's 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, 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 does make fixed dollar payments to financial service providers when sponsoring, jointly sponsoring, financially supporting, or participating in conferences, programs, seminars, presentations, meetings, or other events involving fund shareholders, financial service providers, or others concerning the funds, other investments, the financial markets, or the economy, such as industry conferences, prospecting trips, due diligence visits, training or education meetings, and sales presentations. VMC also makes fixed dollar payments to financial service providers for data regarding funds, such as statistical information regarding sales of fund shares. In addition, VMC makes one-time fixed dollar payments for setup expenses associated with financial service providers' use of Vanguard's model portfolios comprised of funds.
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 Vanguard's 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 sales target; and (4) reasonable travel and lodging accommodations to facilitate participation in marketing and distribution activities.
VMC policy 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, VMC's 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 and fixed dollar payments as described above, may influence applicable 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, relationships, or payments may influence a financial service provider's (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
B-24
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. Amounts captioned "Management and Administrative Expenses" include a Fund's allocated share of expenses associated with the management, administrative, and transfer agency services Vanguard provides to the Vanguard funds. Amounts captioned "Marketing and Distribution Expenses" include a Fund's 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 the 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 September 30, 2017, 2018, and 2019, and are presented as a percentage of each Fund's average month-end net assets.
Annual Shared Fund Operating Expenses
(Shared Expenses Deducted From Fund Assets)
|
Vanguard Fund |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Equity Income Fund |
|
|
|
|
Management and Administrative Expenses |
0.10% |
0.10% |
0.10% |
|
Marketing and Distribution Expenses |
0.01 |
0.01 |
0.01 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRIMECAP Core Fund |
|
|
|
|
Management and Administrative Expenses |
0.13% |
0.13% |
0.14% |
|
Marketing and Distribution Expenses |
0.01 |
0.01 |
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 board's 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 F. Joseph Loughrey, Mark Loughridge, Sarah Bloom Raskin, and Peter F. Volanakis, each of whom is an independent trustee, 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. Vanguard's 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 fund's 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
B-25
the funds, the board considers a wide variety of information about the trustee, and multiple factors contribute to the board's 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 trustee's 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.
|
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of |
|
|
|
Vanguard |
During the Past Five Years, |
Vanguard Funds |
|
|
Position(s) |
Funds' Trustee/ |
Outside Directorships, |
Overseen by |
|
Name, Year of Birth |
Held With Funds |
Officer Since |
and Other Experience |
Trustee/Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustee1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Mortimer J. Buckley |
Chairman of the |
January 2018 |
Chairman of the board (2019–present) of Vanguard and |
213 |
|
(1969) |
Board, Chief |
|
of each of the investment companies served by |
|
|
|
Executive Officer, |
|
Vanguard; chief executive officer (2018–present) of |
|
|
|
and President |
|
Vanguard; chief executive officer, president, and |
|
|
|
|
|
trustee (2018–present) of each of the investment |
|
|
|
|
|
companies served by Vanguard; president and director |
|
|
|
|
|
(2017–present) of Vanguard; and president (2018– |
|
|
|
|
|
present) of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Chief |
|
|
|
|
|
investment officer (2013–2017), managing director |
|
|
|
|
|
(2002–2017), head of the Retail Investor Group (2006– |
|
|
|
|
|
2012), and chief information officer (2001–2006) of |
|
|
|
|
|
Vanguard. Chairman of the board (2011–2017) and |
|
|
|
|
|
trustee (2009–2017) of the Children's Hospital of |
|
|
|
|
|
Philadelphia; and trustee (2018–present) and vice chair |
|
|
|
|
|
(2019–present) of The Shipley School. |
|
1 Mr. Buckley 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 |
Executive chief staff and marketing officer for North |
213 |
|
(1948) |
|
|
America and corporate vice president (retired 2008) of |
|
Xerox Corporation (document management products and services). Former president of the Worldwide Channels Group, Latin America, and Worldwide Customer Service and executive chief staff officer of Developing Markets of Xerox. Executive in residence and 2009–2010 Distinguished Minett Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Director of SPX FLOW, Inc. (multi-industry manufacturing). Director of the University of Rochester Medical Center, the Monroe Community College Foundation, the United Way of Rochester, North Carolina A&T University, and Roberts Wesleyan College. Trustee of the University of Rochester.
B-26
|
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of |
|
|
|
Vanguard |
During the Past Five Years, |
Vanguard Funds |
|
|
Position(s) |
Funds' Trustee/ |
Outside Directorships, |
Overseen by |
|
Name, Year of Birth |
Held With Funds |
Officer Since |
and Other Experience |
Trustee/Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amy Gutmann |
Trustee |
June 2006 |
President (2004–present) of the University of |
213 |
|
(1949) |
|
|
Pennsylvania. 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. |
|
F. Joseph Loughrey (1949)
Mark Loughridge (1953)
Scott C. Malpass (1962)
Deanna Mulligan (1963)
|
Trustee |
October 2009 |
Lead Independent March 2012 Trustee
|
Trustee |
March 2012 |
|
Trustee |
January 2018 |
President and chief operating officer (retired 2009) and vice chairman of the board (2008–2009) of Cummins Inc. (industrial machinery). Chairman of the board of Hillenbrand, Inc. (specialized consumer services) and the Lumina Foundation. Director of the V Foundation. Member of the advisory council for the College of Arts and Letters and chair of the advisory board to the Kellogg Institute for International Studies, both at the University of Notre Dame.
Senior vice president and chief financial officer (retired 2013) of IBM (information technology services). Fiduciary member of IBM's Retirement Plan Committee (2004–2013), senior vice president and general manager (2002–2004) of IBM Global Financing, vice president and controller (1998–2002) of IBM, and a variety of other prior management roles at IBM. Member of the Council on Chicago Booth.
Chief investment officer (1989–present) and vice president (1996–present) of the University of Notre Dame. Assistant professor of finance at the Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame, and member of the Notre Dame 403(b) Investment Committee. Member of the board of TIFF Advisory Services, Inc. Member of the board of Catholic Investment Services, Inc. (investment advisors) and the board of superintendence of the Institute for the Works of Religion.
Chief executive officer (2011–present) of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. President (2010– 2019), chief operating officer (2010–2011) and executive vice president (2008–2010) of Individual Life and Disability of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Member of the board of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, the American Council of Life Insurers, and the Economic Club of New York. Trustee of the Partnership for New York City (business leadership), the Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Catalyst, and the Bruce Museum (arts and science). Member of the Advisory Council for the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
213
213
213
213
B-27
|
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of |
|
|
|
Vanguard |
During the Past Five Years, |
Vanguard Funds |
|
|
Position(s) |
Funds' Trustee/ |
Outside Directorships, |
Overseen by |
|
Name, Year of Birth |
Held With Funds |
Officer Since |
and Other Experience |
Trustee/Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
André F. Perold |
Trustee |
December 2004 |
George Gund Professor of Finance and Banking, |
213 |
|
(1952) |
|
|
Emeritus at the Harvard Business School (retired |
|
|
|
|
|
2011). Chief investment officer and co-managing |
|
|
|
|
|
partner of HighVista Strategies LLC (private |
|
|
|
|
|
investment firm). Board of Advisors and investment |
|
|
|
|
|
committee member of the Museum of Fine Arts |
|
|
|
|
|
Boston. Board member (2018–present) of RIT Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
Partners (investment firm); investment committee |
|
|
|
|
|
member of Partners Health Care System. |
|
|
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
Trustee |
January 2018 |
Deputy secretary (2014–2017) of the United States |
213 |
|
(1961) |
|
|
Department of the Treasury. Governor (2010–2014) of |
|
|
|
|
|
the Federal Reserve Board. Commissioner (2007– |
|
|
|
|
|
2010) of financial regulation for the State of Maryland. |
|
|
|
|
|
Member of the board of directors (2012–2014) of |
|
|
|
|
|
Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. Director |
|
|
|
|
|
(2017–present) of i(x) Investments, LLC; director |
|
|
|
|
|
(2017–present) of Reserve Trust. Rubenstein Fellow |
|
|
|
|
|
(2017–present) of Duke University; trustee (2017– |
|
|
|
|
|
present) of Amherst College; and trustee (2019– |
|
|
|
|
|
present) of Folger Shakespeare Library. |
|
|
Peter F. Volanakis |
Trustee |
July 2009 |
President and chief operating officer (retired 2010) of |
213 |
|
(1955) |
|
|
Corning Incorporated (communications equipment) |
|
|
|
|
|
and director of Corning Incorporated (2000–2010) and |
|
|
|
|
|
Dow Corning (2001–2010). Director (2012) of SPX |
|
|
|
|
|
Corporation (multi-industry manufacturing). Overseer |
|
|
|
|
|
of the Amos Tuck School of Business Administration, |
|
|
|
|
|
Dartmouth College (2001–2013). Chairman of the |
|
|
|
|
|
board of trustees of Colby-Sawyer College. Member of |
|
|
|
|
|
the board of Hypertherm Inc. (industrial cutting |
|
|
|
|
|
systems, software, and consumables). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Executive Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
John Bendl |
Chief Financial |
October 2019 |
Principal of Vanguard. Chief financial officer (2019– |
213 |
|
(1970) |
Officer |
|
present) of each of the investment companies served |
|
|
|
|
|
by Vanguard. Chief accounting officer, treasurer, and |
|
|
|
|
|
controller of Vanguard (2017–present). Partner (2003– |
|
|
|
|
|
2016) at KPMG (audit, tax, and advisory services). |
|
|
Glenn Booraem |
Investment |
February 2001 |
Principal of Vanguard. Investment stewardship officer |
213 |
|
(1967) |
Stewardship |
|
(2017–present), treasurer (2015–2017), controller |
|
|
|
Officer |
|
(2010–2015), and assistant controller (2001–2010) of |
|
|
|
|
|
each of the investment companies served by |
|
|
|
|
|
Vanguard. |
|
|
Christine M. Buchanan |
Treasurer |
November 2017 |
Principal of Vanguard. Treasurer (2017–present) of each |
213 |
|
(1970) |
|
|
of the investment companies served by Vanguard. |
|
|
|
|
|
Partner (2005–2017) at KPMG (audit, tax, and advisory |
|
|
|
|
|
services). |
|
|
David Cermak |
Finance Director |
October 2019 |
Principal of Vanguard. Finance director (2019–present) |
213 |
|
(1960) |
|
|
of each of the investment companies served by |
|
|
|
|
|
Vanguard. Managing director and head (2017–present) |
|
|
|
|
|
of Vanguard Investments Singapore. Managing |
|
|
|
|
|
director and head (2017–2019) of Vanguard |
|
Investments Hong Kong. Representative director and head (2014–2017) of Vanguard Investments Japan.
B-28
|
|
|
|
Principal Occupation(s) |
Number of |
|
|
|
Vanguard |
During the Past Five Years, |
Vanguard Funds |
|
|
Position(s) |
Funds' Trustee/ |
Outside Directorships, |
Overseen by |
|
Name, Year of Birth |
Held With Funds |
Officer Since |
and Other Experience |
Trustee/Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas J. Higgins |
Finance Director |
July 1998 |
Principal of Vanguard. Finance director (2019–present), |
213 |
|
(1957) |
|
|
chief financial officer (2008–2019), and treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
(1998–2008) of each of the investment companies |
|
|
|
|
|
served by Vanguard. |
|
|
Peter Mahoney |
Controller |
May 2015 |
|
(1974) |
|
|
|
Anne E. Robinson |
Secretary |
September 2016 |
|
(1970) |
|
|
Principal of Vanguard. Controller (2015–present) of each of the investment companies served by Vanguard. Head of International Fund Services (2008– 2014) at Vanguard.
General counsel (2016–present) of Vanguard. Secretary (2016–present) of Vanguard and of each of the investment companies served by Vanguard. Managing director (2016–present) of Vanguard. Managing director and general counsel of Global Cards and Consumer Services (2014–2016) at Citigroup. Counsel (2003–2014) at American Express.
213
213
|
Michael Rollings |
Finance Director |
February 2017 |
Finance director (2017–present) and treasurer (2017) of |
213 |
|
(1963) |
|
|
each of the investment companies served by |
|
|
|
|
|
Vanguard. Managing director (2016–present) of |
|
|
|
|
|
Vanguard. Chief financial officer (2016–present) of |
|
|
|
|
|
Vanguard. Director (2016–present) of Vanguard |
|
|
|
|
|
Marketing Corporation. Executive vice president and |
|
|
|
|
|
chief financial officer (2006–2016) of MassMutual |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Group. |
|
|
John E. Schadl |
Chief Compliance |
March 2019 |
Principal of Vanguard. Chief compliance officer (2019– |
213 |
|
(1972) |
Officer |
|
present) of Vanguard and of each of the investment |
|
|
|
|
|
companies served by Vanguard. Assistant vice |
|
|
|
|
|
president (2019–present) of Vanguard Marketing |
|
|
|
|
|
Corporation. |
|
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. The lead independent trustee also chairs 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-29
Board Committees: The Trust's board has the following committees:
⬛Audit Committee: This committee oversees the accounting and financial reporting policies, the systems of internal controls, and the independent audits of each fund. The following independent trustees serve as members of the committee: Mr. Loughrey, Mr. Loughridge, Ms. Raskin, and Mr. Volanakis. The committee held six meetings during the Trust's fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
⬛Compensation Committee: This committee oversees the compensation programs established by each fund for the benefit of its trustees. All independent trustees serve as members of the committee. The committee did not hold any meetings during the Trust's fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
⬛Investment Committees: These committees assist the board in its oversight of investment advisors to the funds and in the review and evaluation of materials relating to the board's consideration of investment advisory agreements with the funds. Each trustee serves on one of two investment committees. Each investment committee held four meetings during the Trust's fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
⬛Nominating Committee: This committee nominates candidates for election to the board of trustees of each fund. The committee also has the authority to recommend the removal of any trustee. All independent trustees serve as members of the committee. The committee held two meetings during the Trust's fiscal year ended
September 30, 2019.
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. Vanguard 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:
⬛The independent trustees receive an annual fee for their service to the funds, which is subject to reduction based on absences from scheduled board meetings.
⬛The independent trustees are reimbursed for the travel and other expenses that they incur in attending board meetings.
⬛Upon retirement (after attaining age 65 and completing five years of service), the independent trustees who began their service prior to January 1, 2001, receive a retirement benefit under a separate account arrangement. As of January 1, 2001, the opening balance of each eligible trustee's separate account was generally equal to the net present value of the benefits he or she had accrued under the trustees' former retirement plan. Each eligible trustee's separate account will be credited annually with interest at a rate of 7.5% until the trustee receives his or her final distribution. Those independent trustees who began their service on or after January 1, 2001, are not eligible to participate in the plan.
"Interested" Trustee. Mr. Buckley serves as trustee, but is not paid in this capacity. He is, however, paid in his role as an officer of Vanguard.
B-30
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.
VANGUARD FENWAY 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 Funds1 |
Funds' Expenses1 |
January 1, 20202 |
to Trustees3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
F. William McNabb III4 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Mortimer J. Buckley |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Emerson U. Fullwood |
$4,026 |
— |
— |
$287,500 |
|
Amy Gutmann |
4,026 |
— |
— |
287,500 |
|
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen4 |
1,077 |
$102 |
$9,329 |
— |
|
F. Joseph Loughrey |
4,306 |
— |
— |
307,500 |
|
Mark Loughridge |
5,007 |
— |
— |
357,500 |
|
Scott C. Malpass |
4,026 |
— |
— |
287,500 |
|
Deanna Mulligan |
4,026 |
— |
— |
287,500 |
|
André F. Perold |
4,026 |
— |
— |
287,500 |
|
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
4,306 |
— |
— |
307,500 |
|
Peter F. Volanakis |
4,306 |
— |
— |
307,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1The amounts shown in this column are based on the Trust's fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. Each Fund within the Trust is responsible for a proportionate share of these amounts.
2Each 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 trustee's 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.
3The amounts reported in this column reflect the total compensation paid to each trustee for his or her service as trustee of 213 Vanguard funds for the 2019 calendar year.
4Mr. McNabb and Ms.Heisen retired from service effective December 31, 2018.
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Ownership of Fund Shares
All current trustees allocate their investments among the various Vanguard funds based on their own investment needs. The following table shows each trustee's ownership of shares of each Fund and of all Vanguard funds served by the trustee as of December 31, 2019.
|
|
|
Dollar Range |
Aggregate Dollar Range of |
|
|
|
of Fund Shares |
Vanguard Fund Shares |
|
Vanguard Fund |
Trustee |
Owned by Trustee |
Owned by Trustee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity Income Fund |
Mortimer J. Buckley |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Emerson U. Fullwood |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Amy Gutmann |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
F. Joseph Loughrey |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Mark Loughridge |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Scott C. Malpass |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Deanna Mulligan |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
André F. Perold |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Peter F. Volanakis |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
|
PRIMECAP Core Fund |
Mortimer J. Buckley |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Emerson U. Fullwood |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Amy Gutmann |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
F. Joseph Loughrey |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Mark Loughridge |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Scott C. Malpass |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Deanna Mulligan |
Over $100,000 |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
André F. Perold |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
— |
Over $100,000 |
|
|
Peter F. Volanakis |
— |
Over $100,000 |
As of December 31, 2019, the trustees and officers of the funds owned, in the aggregate, less than 1% of each class of each fund's outstanding shares.
As of December 31, 2019, the following owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class:
Vanguard Equity Income Fund—Investor Shares: Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., San Francisco, CA (16.13%), National
Financial Services Corp., Jersey City, NJ (15.66%); Vanguard Equity Income Fund—Admiral Shares: Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., San Francisco, CA (9.04%), National Financial Services Corp., Jersey City, NJ (9.03%), Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Co. Inc. (FIIOC), Covington, KY (6.60%); Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund—Investor Shares: Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Co. Inc. (FIIOC), Covington, KY (9.05%), Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., San Francisco, CA (6.04%), Fidelity Investments Institutional Operations Co. Inc., FBO Astrazeneca Savings & Security Plan, Covington, KY (5.38%).
B-32
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 fund's 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. 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 fund's ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the percentage of the fund's 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 fund's Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. Each Vanguard index fund generally will seek to disclose the fund's ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the percentage of the fund's 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 fund's Portfolio & Management page, 15 calendar days after the end of the month. In addition, Vanguard funds generally will seek to disclose the fund's ten largest stock portfolio holdings and the aggregate percentage of the fund's total assets (and, for balanced funds, the aggregate percentage of the fund's 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 fund's 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 fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the fund's 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 fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the last business day of the prior month online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the fund's 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
B-33
Neutral Fund and Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund generally will seek to disclose the Fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent calendar quarter online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the Fund's Portfolio & Management page, 60 calendar days after the end of the calendar quarter. Each Vanguard index fund generally will seek to disclose the fund's complete portfolio holdings as of the end of the most recent month online at vanguard.com, in the "Portfolio" section of the fund's 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. Vanguard 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 fund's complete portfolio holdings from disclosure when deemed to be in the best interests of the fund after consultation with a Vanguard fund's 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.
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 Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department or Legal and Compliance Division. 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 discloses complete portfolio holdings 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; Charles River Systems, Inc.; 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; and Trade Informatics LLC.
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 fund's 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.
B-34
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 discloses complete portfolio holdings 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 fund's Statement of Additional Information.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings to Broker-Dealers in the Normal Course of Managing a Fund's 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-dealer's legal obligation not to use or disclose material nonpublic information concerning the fund's 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, VMC, 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 fund's 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 fund's 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 Vanguard's Portfolio Review
B-35
Department to disclose recent portfolio changes and/or commentary and analysis in accordance with the Policies and Procedures.
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 Vanguard's 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 Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department or Legal and Compliance Division.
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, VMC, 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 email, 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, Vanguard's 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 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.
B-36
INVESTMENT ADVISORY AND OTHER SERVICES
The Trust currently uses three investment advisors:
⬛PRIMECAP Management Company (PRIMECAP) provides investment advisory services to Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund.
⬛Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington Management) provides investment advisory services for a portion of Vanguard Equity Income Fund.
⬛Vanguard provides investment advisory services for a portion of Vanguard Equity Income Fund.
For funds that are advised by independent third-party advisory firms unaffiliated with Vanguard, the board of trustees of each fund hires investment advisory firms, not individual portfolio managers, to provide investment advisory services to such funds. Vanguard negotiates each advisory agreement, which contains advisory fee arrangements, on an arm's length basis with the advisory firm. Each advisory agreement is reviewed annually by each fund's board of trustees, taking into account numerous factors, which include, without limitation, the nature, extent, and quality of the services provided; investment performance; and the fair market value of the services provided. Each advisory agreement is between the Trust and the advisory firm, not between the Trust and the portfolio manager. The structure of the advisory fee paid to each unaffiliated investment advisory firm is described in the following sections. In addition, each firm has established policies and procedures designed to address the potential for conflicts of interest. Each firm's compensation structure and management of potential conflicts of interest are summarized by the advisory firm in the following sections for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
A fund is a party to an investment advisory agreement with each of its independent third-party advisors whereby the advisor manages the investment and reinvestment of the portion of the fund's assets that the fund's board of trustees determines to assign to the advisor. In this capacity, each advisor continuously reviews, supervises, and administers the investment program for its portion of the fund's assets. Hereafter, each portion will be referred to as the advisor's Portfolio. Each advisor discharges its responsibilities subject to the supervision and oversight of Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department and the officers and trustees of the fund. Vanguard's Portfolio Review Department is responsible for recommending changes in a fund's advisory arrangements to the fund's board of trustees, including changes in the amount of assets allocated to each advisor and recommendations to hire, terminate, or replace an advisor.
I. Vanguard Equity Income Fund
The Fund pays Wellington Management a base fee plus or minus a performance adjustment. The base fee, which is paid quarterly, is a percentage of average daily net assets managed by the advisor during the most recent fiscal quarter. The base fee has breakpoints, which means that the percentage declines as assets go up. The performance adjustment, also paid quarterly, is based on the cumulative total return of the advisor's portion of the Fund relative to that of the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index over the preceding 36-month period.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2018, and 2019, Vanguard Equity Income Fund incurred aggregate investment advisory fees and expenses of approximately $22,632,000 (before a performance-based decrease of $1,390,000), $25,517,000 (before a performance-based decrease of $37,000), and $27,540,000 (before a performance- based increase of $2,048,000), respectively.
Of the aggregate fees and expenses previously described, the investment advisory expenses paid to Vanguard for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, were $2,092,000 (representing an effective annual rate of 0.01%). The investment advisory fees paid to Wellington Management Company LLP for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, were $27,496,000 (representing an effective annual rate of 0.08%).
A. Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington Management)
Wellington Management is a Delaware limited liability partnership with principal offices at 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210. As of September 30, 2019, the firm is owned by 165 partners, all fully active in the firm. Wellington Management is a professional investment counseling firm that provides investment services to investment companies, employee benefit plans, endowments, foundations, and other institutions. Wellington Management and its predecessor organizations have provided investment advisory services for over 80 years. Wellington Management is owned by the partners of Wellington Management Group LLP, a Massachusetts limited liability partnership.
B-37
1. Other Accounts Managed
The following table provides information relating to the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager of the Fund as of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 (unless otherwise noted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets in |
|
|
|
|
|
No. of accounts with |
accounts with |
|
|
|
No. of |
|
performance-based |
performance-based |
|
Portfolio Manager |
|
accounts |
Total assets |
fees |
fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Michael |
Registered investment |
7 |
$70B |
2 |
$22.3B |
|
Reckmeyer |
companies1 |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
Other pooled investment |
5 |
$157.4M |
1 |
$17.3M |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
8 |
$1.2B |
1 |
$298.6M |
1 Includes Vanguard Equity Income Fund which held assets of $36 billion as of September 30, 2019.
2. Material Conflicts of Interest
Individual investment professionals at Wellington Management manage multiple accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include mutual funds, separate accounts (assets managed on behalf of institutions, such as pension funds, insurance companies, foundations, or separately managed account programs sponsored by financial intermediaries), bank common trust accounts, and hedge funds. The Wellington Management Portfolio's manager listed in the prospectus who is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Wellington Management Portfolio ("Portfolio Manager") generally manages accounts in several different investment styles. These accounts may have investment objectives, strategies, time horizons, tax considerations, and risk profiles that differ from those of the Wellington Management Portfolio. The Portfolio Manager makes investment decisions for each account, including the Wellington Management Portfolio, based on the investment objectives, policies, practices, benchmarks, cash flows, tax, and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that account. Consequently, the Portfolio Manager may purchase or sell securities, including initial public offerings (IPOs), for one account and not another account, and the performance of securities purchased for one account may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other accounts. Alternatively, these accounts may be managed in a similar fashion to the Wellington Management Portfolio, and thus the accounts may have similar—and in some cases nearly identical—objectives, strategies, and/or holdings to those of the Wellington Management Portfolio.
The Portfolio Manager or other investment professionals at Wellington Management may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Wellington Management Portfolio or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Wellington Management Portfolio, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Wellington Management Portfolio depending on market conditions. For example, an investment professional may purchase a security in one account while appropriately selling that same security in another account. Similarly, the Portfolio Manager may purchase the same security for the Wellington Management Portfolio and one or more other accounts at or about the same time. In those instances the other accounts will have access to their respective holdings prior to the public disclosure of the Wellington Management Portfolio's holdings. In addition, some of these accounts have fee structures, including performance fees, which are or have the potential to be higher, in some cases significantly higher, than the fees Wellington Management receives for managing the Wellington Management Portfolio. Mr. Reckmeyer also manages accounts that pay performance allocations to Wellington Management or its affiliates. Because incentive payments paid by Wellington Management to the Portfolio Manager are tied to revenues earned by Wellington Management and, where noted, to the performance achieved by the manager in each account, the incentives associated with any given account may be significantly higher or lower than those associated with other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager. Finally, the Portfolio Manager may hold shares or investments in the other pooled investment vehicles and/or other accounts identified above.
Wellington Management's goal is to meet its fiduciary obligation to treat all clients fairly and provide high-quality investment services to all of its clients. Wellington Management has adopted and implemented policies and procedures, including brokerage and trade allocation policies and procedures, which it believes address the conflicts associated with managing multiple accounts for multiple clients. In addition, Wellington Management monitors a variety of areas, including compliance with primary account guidelines, the allocation of IPOs, and compliance with the firm's Code of
B-38
Ethics, and places additional investment restrictions on investment professionals who manage hedge funds and certain other accounts. Furthermore, senior investment and business personnel at Wellington Management periodically review the performance of Wellington Management's investment professionals. Although Wellington Management does not track the time an investment professional spends on a single account, Wellington Management does periodically assess whether an investment professional has adequate time and resources to effectively manage the investment professional's various client mandates.
3. Description of Compensation
Wellington Management receives a fee based on the assets under management in the Wellington Management Portfolio as set forth in the Investment Advisory Agreement between Wellington Management and the Fund. Wellington Management pays its investment professionals out of its total revenues, including the advisory fees earned with respect to the Wellington Management Portfolio. The following relates to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019.
Wellington Management's compensation structure is designed to attract and retain high-caliber investment professionals necessary to deliver high-quality investment management services to its clients. Wellington Management's compensation of the portfolio's manager listed in the prospectus, who is primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the portfolio (the "Portfolio Manager"), includes a base salary and incentive components. The base salary for each Portfolio Manager who is a partner (a "Partner") of Wellington Management Group LLP, the ultimate holding company of Wellington Management, is generally a fixed amount that is determined by the managing partners of Wellington Management Group LLP.
The Portfolio Manager is eligible to receive an incentive payment based on the revenues earned by Wellington Management from the Wellington Management Portfolio and generally each other account managed by such Portfolio Manager. The Portfolio Manager's incentive payment relating to the Wellington Management Portfolio is linked to the net pre-tax performance of the Wellington Management Portfolio compared to the FTSE High Dividend Yield Index over one-, three-, and five-year periods with an emphasis on five-year results. Wellington Management applies similar incentive compensation structures (although the benchmarks or peer groups, time periods, and rates may differ) to other accounts managed by the Portfolio Manager, including accounts with performance fees.
Portfolio-based incentives across all accounts managed by an investment professional can, and typically do, represent a significant portion of an investment professional's overall compensation; incentive compensation varies significantly by individual and can vary significantly from year to year. The Portfolio Manager may also be eligible for bonus payments based on his overall contribution to Wellington Management's business operations. Senior management at Wellington Management may reward individuals as it deems appropriate based on other factors. Each Partner is eligible to participate in a Partner-funded tax-qualified retirement plan, the contributions to which are made pursuant to an actuarial formula. Mr. Reckmeyer is a Partner.
4. Ownership of Securities
As of September 30, 2019, Mr. Reckmeyer owned shares of Vanguard Equity Income Fund in an amount exceeding $1 million.
B-39
B. Vanguard
Vanguard, through its Quantitative Equity Group, provides investment advisory services for a portion of Vanguard Equity Income Fund's assets. The compensation and other expenses of Vanguard's advisory staff are allocated among the funds utilizing Vanguard's advisory services.
1. Other Accounts Managed
The following table provides information relating to the other accounts managed by the portfolio managers of the Fund as of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 (unless otherwise noted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets in |
|
|
|
|
|
No. of accounts with |
accounts with |
|
|
|
No. of |
|
performance-based |
performance-based |
|
Portfolio Manager |
|
accounts |
Total assets |
fees |
fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James P. Stetler |
Registered investment |
13 |
$156B |
0 |
0 |
|
companies1 |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment |
2 |
$258.5M |
0 |
0 |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Binbin Guo |
Registered investment |
13 |
$156B |
0 |
0 |
|
companies1 |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment |
2 |
$258.5M |
0 |
0 |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
0 |
$0 |
0 |
0 |
1 Includes Vanguard Equity Income Fund which held assets of $36 billion as of September 30, 2019.
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 September 30, 2019, a Vanguard portfolio manager's compensation generally consists of base salary, bonus, and payments under Vanguard's 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.
B-40
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 manager's base salary is determined by the manager's experience and performance in the role, taking into account the ongoing compensation benchmark analyses performed by Vanguard's Human Resources Department. A portfolio manager's base salary is generally a fixed amount that may change as a result of an annual review, upon assumption of new duties, or in response to a market adjustment of the position.
A portfolio manager's 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 fund's 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 any individual fund's portfolio. For the portion of the Equity Income Fund managed by Vanguard, the performance factor depends on how successfully the portfolio manager outperforms these expectations and maintains the risk parameters of the Fund over a three-year period. Additional factors include the portfolio manager's 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 Vanguard's long- term incentive compensation plan based on their years of service, job level, and, if applicable, management responsibilities. Each year, Vanguard's 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 Vanguard's operating efficiencies in providing services to the Vanguard funds.
4. Ownership of Securities
As of September 30, 2019, the named portfolio managers did not own any shares of Vanguard Equity Income Fund.
II. Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
PRIMECAP Management Company (PRIMECAP), an investment advisory services firm founded in 1983, is a California corporation whose outstanding shares are owned by its directors and officers. The directors of the corporation and the offices they currently hold are Theo A. Kolokotrones, Chairman; Joel P. Fried, President; Alfred W. Mordecai, Vice Chairman; M. Mohsin Ansari, Executive Vice President; and James Marchetti, Executive Vice President. PRIMECAP provides investment advisory services to endowment funds, employee benefits plans, foundations, investment companies, and other institutions unrelated to Vanguard.
The Fund pays PRIMECAP a fee, which is paid quarterly and is a percentage of average daily net assets managed by the advisor during the most recent fiscal quarter. The fee has breakpoints, which means that the percentage declines as the assets go up.
During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2017, 2018, and 2019, Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund incurred investment advisory fees of approximately $28,299,000, $33,321,000, and $32,449,000, respectively.
B-41
1. Other Accounts Managed
The following table provides information relating to the other accounts managed by the portfolio managers of the Fund as of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 (unless otherwise noted):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets in |
|
|
|
|
|
No. of accounts with |
accounts with |
|
|
|
No. of |
|
performance-based |
performance-based |
|
Portfolio Manager |
|
accounts |
Total assets |
fees |
fees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Theo A. Kolotrones |
Registered investment |
7 |
$124B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
companies1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment |
1 |
$2.2B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
34 |
$9.8B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Joel P. Fried |
Registered investment |
7 |
$124B |
0 |
0 |
|
companies1 |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment |
1 |
$2.2B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
34 |
$9.8B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alfred W. Mordecai |
Registered investment |
7 |
$124B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
companies1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment |
1 |
$2.2B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
34 |
$9.8B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Mohsin Ansari |
Registered investment |
7 |
$124B |
0 |
0 |
|
companies1 |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment |
1 |
$2.2B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
34 |
$9.8B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
James Marchetti |
Registered investment |
7 |
$124B |
0 |
0 |
|
companies1 |
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other pooled investment |
1 |
$2.2B |
0 |
0 |
|
|
vehicles |
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other accounts |
34 |
$9.8B |
0 |
0 |
1 Includes Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund which held assets of $10.7 billion as of September 30, 2019.
2. Material Conflicts of Interest
PRIMECAP employs a multi-manager approach to managing its clients' portfolios. In addition to mutual funds, a manager may also manage separate accounts for institutional clients. Conflicts of interest may arise with aggregation or allocation of securities trades amongst the Fund and other accounts. The investment objective of the Fund and strategies used to manage the Fund may differ from other accounts, and the performance may be impacted as well. Portfolio managers who have day-to-day management responsibilities with respect to more than one fund or other account may be presented with several potential or actual conflicts of interest. For example, the management of multiple funds and/or other accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each fund and/or other accounts. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity which may be suitable for more than one fund or other accounts, a fund may not be able to take full advantage of the opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible funds and other accounts managed by the portfolio managers. PRIMECAP has adopted best execution and trade allocation policies and procedures to prevent
B-42
potential conflicts of interest that may arise between mutual funds and separate accounts whereby a client or clients may be disadvantaged by trades executed in other clients' portfolios in the same security. These policies and procedures are strictly monitored and are reviewed by PRIMECAP. Investment personnel of the firm or its affiliates may be permitted to be commercially or professionally involved with an issuer of securities. Any potential conflicts of interest from such involvement would be monitored for compliance with the firm's Code of Ethics.
3. Description of Compensation
Compensation is paid solely by PRIMECAP. Each portfolio manager receives a fixed salary that is in part based on industry experience as well as contribution to the firm. On an annual basis, each portfolio manager's compensation may be adjusted according to market conditions and/or to reflect his past performance. In addition, each portfolio manager may receive a bonus partially based on the Fund's pre-tax return and value of assets managed by that portfolio manager. Performance is measured on a relative basis, using the S&P 500 Index as the benchmark, and the bonuses are earned only when performance exceeds that of the S&P 500. The value of assets managed by PRIMECAP is not a factor in determination of a portfolio manager's bonus. Bonuses earned are accrued and paid ratably according to the following schedule over rolling three-year periods: 50% in year one, 33% in year two, and 17% in year three. Although the bonus is determined by pre-tax returns, each portfolio manager considers tax consequences in taxable accounts as part of his decision-making process.
The portfolio managers do not receive deferred compensation but participate in a profit-sharing plan available to all employees of PRIMECAP; amounts are determined as a percentage of the employee's eligible compensation for a calendar year based on IRS limitations.
Each portfolio manager is a principal of PRIMECAP and receives quarterly dividends based on his equity in the company.
4. Ownership of Securities
As of September 30, 2019, Mr. Kolokotrones, Mr. Fried, Mr. Mordecai, and Mr. Ansari each owned shares of Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund in an amount exceeding $1 million. As of September 30, 2019, Mr. Marchetti owned shares of Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund within the $500,001–$1,000,000 range.
Duration and Termination of Investment Advisory Agreements
The current investment advisory agreements with PRIMECAP and Wellington Management are renewable for successive one-year periods, only if (1) each renewal is specifically approved by a vote of the Fund's board of trustees, including the affirmative votes of a majority of trustees who are not parties to the contract or "interested persons" (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of considering such approval or (2) each renewal is specifically approved by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities. The agreement is automatically terminated if assigned and may be terminated without penalty at any time either (1) by vote of the board of trustees of the Fund upon thirty (30) days' written notice to the advisor, (2) by a vote of a majority of the Fund's outstanding voting securities upon 30 days' written notice to the advisor, or (3) by the advisor upon ninety (90) days' written notice to the Fund.
Vanguard provides investment advisory services to a portion of Vanguard Equity Income Fund 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.
B-43
Securities Lending
The following table describes the securities lending activities of each Fund during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2019:
|
Vanguard Fund |
Securities Lending Activities |
|
Equity Income Fund |
|
|
Gross income from securities lending activities |
$4,436,384 |
|
Fees paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split |
$0 |
|
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash |
|
|
collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split |
$3,039 |
|
Administrative fees not included in revenue split |
$37,196 |
|
Indemnification fee not included in revenue split |
$0 |
|
Rebate (paid to borrower) |
$892,086 |
|
Other fees not included in revenue split (specify) |
$0 |
|
Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities |
$932,321 |
|
Net income from securities lending activities |
$3,504,063 |
|
|
|
|
PRIMECAP Core Fund |
|
Gross income from securities lending activities
Fees paid to securities lending agent from a revenue split
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in the revenue split
Administrative fees not included in revenue split
Indemnification fee not included in revenue split
Rebate (paid to borrower)
Other fees not included in revenue split (specify)
Aggregate fees/compensation for securities lending activities
Net income from securities lending activities
$2,998,228 $0
$2,488 $19,296 $0 $873,946 $0 $895,730
$2,102,498
The services provided by Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. and Vanguard, each acting separately as securities lending agents for certain Vanguard funds, include coordinating the selection of securities to be loaned to approved borrowers; negotiating the terms of the loan; monitoring the value of the securities loaned and corresponding collateral, marking to market daily; coordinating the investment of cash collateral in the funds' approved cash collateral reinvestment vehicle; monitoring dividends and coordinating material proxy votes relating to loan securities; and transferring, recalling, and arranging the return of loan securities to the funds upon termination of the loan.
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-dealer's services. The factors considered by the advisor in seeking best execution include, but are not limited to, the broker-dealer's 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
B-44
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 September 30, 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Funds paid the following approximate amounts in brokerage commissions:
|
Vanguard Fund |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Equity Income Fund1 |
$2,899,000 |
$5,027,000 |
$4,290,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PRIMECAP Core Fund2 |
1,144,000 |
920,000 |
1,299,000 |
1 The increase in brokerage commissions from 2017 to 2018 was due to a higher turnover rate based on portfolio repositioning by the Fund's advisors.
2 The increase in brokerage commissions from 2018 to 2019 was due to a higher volume of shares traded, as well as higher commissions per share.
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 advisors. If such securities are compatible with the investment policies of a Fund and one or more of an advisor's 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 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 certain fund investments, or to exercise rights on behalf of a Fund, may be restricted or impaired because of limitations imposed by law, regulation, or by certain regulators or issuers. As a result, Vanguard and external advisors on behalf of a Fund may be required to limit purchases, sell existing investments, or otherwise limit the exercise of shareholder rights by the Fund, including voting rights. These ownership restrictions and limitations can impact a Fund's performance. For index funds, this impact generally takes the form of tracking error, which can arise when a fund is not able to acquire its desired amount of a security. For actively managed funds, this impact can result, for example, in missed investment opportunities otherwise desired by a fund's investment advisor. If a Fund is required to limit its investment in a particular issuer, then the Fund may seek to obtain regulatory or corporate consents or ownership waivers. Other options a Fund may pursue include seeking 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, or through investment in a wholly-owned subsidiary.
As of September 30, 2019, 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:
|
Vanguard Fund |
Regular Broker or Dealer (or Parent) |
Aggregate Holdings |
|
Equity Income Fund |
Goldman, Sachs & Co. |
$40,100,000 |
|
|
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. |
730,606,000 |
|
|
Morgan Stanley |
26,442,000 |
|
|
Nomura Securities International Inc. |
81,300,000 |
|
|
RBC Capital Markets |
— |
|
|
Societe Generale |
49,200,000 |
|
PRIMECAP Core Fund |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. |
74,893,000 |
B-45
PROXY VOTING
I. Proxy Voting Policies
Each Vanguard fund advised by Vanguard retains the authority to vote proxies received with respect to the shares of equity securities held in a portfolio advised by Vanguard. The Board of Trustees of the Vanguard-advised funds (the Board) has adopted proxy voting procedures and guidelines to govern proxy voting for each portfolio retaining proxy voting authority, which are summarized in Appendix A. The Board of each Vanguard fund advised by a manager not affiliated with Vanguard has delegated the authority to vote proxies related to the portfolio securities held by each fund to its respective advisor(s). Each advisor will vote such proxies in accordance with its own proxy voting policies and procedures, which are summarized in Appendix B.
Vanguard has entered into agreements with various state, federal, and non-U.S. regulators and with certain issuers that limit the amount of shares that the funds may vote at their discretion for particular securities. For these securities, the funds are able to vote a limited portion of the shares at their discretion. Any additional shares generally are voted in the same proportion as votes cast by the issuer's entire shareholder base (i.e., mirror voted), or the fund is not permitted to vote such shares. Further, the Board has adopted policies that will result in certain funds mirror voting a higher proportion of the shares they own in a regulated issuer in order to permit certain other funds (generally advised by managers not affiliated with Vanguard) to mirror vote none, or a lower proportion of, their shares in such regulated issuer.
II. Securities Lending
There may be occasions when Vanguard needs to restrict lending of and/or recall securities that are out on loan in order to vote the full position at a shareholder meeting. For the funds managed by Vanguard, Vanguard has processes to monitor securities on loan and to evaluate any circumstances that may require it to restrict and/or attempt to recall the security based on the criteria set forth in Appendix A. Additionally, Vanguard has processes in place for advisors unaffiliated with Vanguard who have been delegated authority to vote proxies on behalf of certain Vanguard funds to inform Vanguard of an upcoming vote the advisor deems to be material in accordance with such advisor's proxy voting policies and procedures in order for Vanguard to instruct the recall of the security.
To 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, log on to vanguard.com or visit the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Each Fund's Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, appearing in the Funds' 2019 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 Fund's performance, please see the Funds' Annual and Semiannual Reports to Shareholders, which may be obtained without charge.
B-46
APPENDIX A
Vanguard-Advised Funds Proxy Voting Policy
Each Vanguard fund advised by Vanguard retains authority to vote proxies received with respect to the shares of equity securities held in a portfolio advised by Vanguard. The Board of Trustees (the Board) for the Vanguard-advised funds has adopted proxy voting procedures and guidelines to govern proxy voting for each portfolio retaining proxy voting authority.
The Investment Stewardship Oversight Committee (the Committee), made up primarily of fund officers and subject to the procedures described below, oversees the Vanguard-advised funds' proxy voting. The Committee reports directly to the Board. Vanguard is subject to these procedures and the proxy voting 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 voting principles and guidelines adopted by the Board provide a framework for assessing each proposal and seek to ensure that each vote is cast in the best interests of each fund. Under the guidelines, each proposal is evaluated on its merits, based on the particular facts and circumstances as presented. For more information on the funds' proxy voting guidelines, please visit about.vanguard.com/investment-stewardship.
I. Investment Stewardship Team
The Investment Stewardship Team administers the day-to-day operation of the funds' proxy voting process, overseen by the Committee. The Investment Stewardship Team 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 Investment Stewardship Team also prepares periodic and special reports to the Board, and proposes amendments to the procedures and guidelines. In addition, at any time, the Board may elect to exercise its discretionary authority to vote proxies.
II. Investment Stewardship Oversight Committee
The Board, including a majority of the independent trustees, appoints the members of the Committee (which is comprised primarily of fund officers). The Committee works with the Investment Stewardship Team to provide reports and other guidance to the Board regarding proxy voting by the funds. The Committee has an obligation to exercise its decision-making authority in accordance with the Board's instructions as set forth in the funds' proxy voting procedures and guidelines and subject to the fiduciary standards of good faith, fairness, and Vanguard's Code of Ethics. The Committee may advise the Investment Stewardship Team on how to best apply the Board's instructions as set forth in the guidelines or refer the matter to the Board, which has ultimate decision-making authority for the funds. The Board reviews the procedures and guidelines annually and modifies them from time to time upon the recommendation of the Committee and in consultation with the Investment Stewardship Team.
III. Proxy Voting Principles
Vanguard's investment stewardship activities are grounded in four principles of good governance:
1)Board composition: We believe good governance begins with a great board of directors. Our primary interest is to ensure that the individuals who represent the interests of all shareholders are independent, committed, capable, and appropriately experienced.
2)Oversight of strategy and risk: We believe that boards are responsible for effective oversight of a company's long-term strategy and any relevant and material risks.
3)Executive compensation: We believe that performance-linked compensation (or remuneration) policies and practices are fundamental drivers of sustainable, long-term value.
4)Governance structures: We believe that companies should have in place governance structures to ensure that boards and management serve in the best interests of the shareholders they represent.
B-47
IV. Evaluation of Proxies
For ease of reference, the procedures and guidelines often refer to all funds. However, the 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 could result in the funds having a common interest in the matter and, accordingly, each fund casting votes in the same manner. In other cases, however, a fund may vote differently from other funds if doing so is in the best interest of the individual fund.
The guidelines do not permit the Board to delegate voting discretion 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 that should be considered 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 fund's 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 company's stock (as determined by the company's governing documents or by applicable law, regulation, or regulatory agreement).
In evaluating proxy proposals, we consider information from many sources, which could include, but is not limited to, an investment advisor unaffiliated with Vanguard that has investment and proxy voting authority with respect to Vanguard funds that hold shares in the applicable company, 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 company's board, absent guidelines or other specific facts that would support a vote against management. The Investment Stewardship Team does not vote in lockstep with recommendations from proxy advisors when voting on behalf of the Vanguard funds. Data from proxy advisors serve as one of many inputs into our research process.
While serving as a framework, the 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 Investment Stewardship Team, under the supervision of the Committee, will evaluate the matter and cast the fund's vote in a manner that is in the fund's best interest, subject to the individual circumstances of the fund.
V. Conflicts of Interest
Vanguard takes seriously its commitment to avoid potential conflicts of interest. Vanguard funds invest in thousands of publicly listed companies worldwide. Those companies may include clients, potential clients, vendors, or competitors. Some companies may employ Vanguard trustees, former Vanguard executives, or family members of Vanguard personnel who have direct involvement in Vanguard's Investment Stewardship program.
Vanguard's approach to mitigating conflicts of interest begins with the funds' proxy voting procedures. The procedures require that voting personnel act as fiduciaries, and must conduct their activities at all times in accordance with the following standards: (i) fund shareholders' interests come first; (ii) conflicts of interest must be avoided; (iii) and compromising situations must be avoided.
We maintain an important separation between Vanguard's Investment Stewardship Team and other groups within Vanguard that are responsible for sales, marketing, client service, and vendor/partner relationships. Proxy voting personnel are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest, and must recuse themselves from all voting decisions and engagement activities in such instances. In certain circumstances, Vanguard may refrain from voting shares of a company, or may engage an independent third-party fiduciary to vote proxies.
Each externally managed fund has adopted the proxy voting guidelines of its advisor(s) and votes in accordance with the external advisors' guidelines and procedures. Each advisor has its own procedures for managing conflicts of interest in the best interests of fund shareholders.
B-48
VI. Environmental and Social Proposals
Proposals in this category, initiated primarily by shareholders, typically request that a company enhance its disclosure or amend certain business practices. These resolutions are evaluated in the context of the general corporate governance principle that a company's board has ultimate responsibility for providing effective ongoing oversight of relevant sector- and company-specific risks, including those related to environmental and social matters. Each proposal is evaluated on its merits and supported when there is a logically demonstrable linkage between the specific proposal and long-term shareholder value of the company. Some of the factors considered when evaluating these proposals include the materiality of the issue, the quality of the current disclosures/business practices, and any progress by the company toward the adoption of best practices and/or industry norms.
VII. Voting in Markets Outside the United States
Corporate governance standards, disclosure requirements, and voting mechanics vary greatly among the markets outside the United States in which the funds may invest. Each fund's votes will be used, where applicable, to support improvements in governance and disclosure by each fund's portfolio companies. Matters presented by non-U.S. portfolio companies will be evaluated in the foregoing context, as well as in accordance with local market standards and best practices. Votes are cast for each fund in a manner philosophically consistent with the guidelines, taking into account differing practices by market.
In many other markets, voting proxies will result in a fund being prohibited from selling the shares for a period of time due to requirements known as "share-blocking" or reregistration. Generally, the value of voting is unlikely to outweigh the loss of liquidity imposed by these requirements on the funds. In such instances, the funds will generally abstain from voting.
The costs of voting (e.g., custodian fees, vote agency fees) in other 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.
VIII. Voting Shares of a Company Subject to an Ownership Limitation
Certain companies have provisions in their governing documents or other agreements 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 company's governing documents normally allow the company to grant a waiver of these ownership limits, which would allow a fund 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 company's 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 company's 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 issuer's voting securities above certain limits or may impose other restrictions on owners of more than a certain percentage of a regulated issuer's voting shares. The Board has authorized the funds to vote shares above these limits in the same proportion as votes cast by the issuer's entire shareholder base (i.e., mirror vote), or to refrain from voting excess shares. Further, the Board has adopted policies that will result in certain funds mirror voting a higher proportion of the shares they own in a regulated issuer in order to permit certain other funds (generally advised by managers not affiliated with Vanguard) to mirror vote none, or a lower proportion of, their shares in such regulated issuer.
IX. Voting on a Fund's 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.
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X. Securities Lending
There may be occasions when Vanguard needs to restrict lending of and/or recall securities that are out on loan in order to vote in a shareholder meeting. Vanguard has processes to monitor securities on loan and to evaluate any circumstances that may require us to restrict and/or recall the stock. In making this decision, we consider:
•The subject of the vote and whether, based on our knowledge and experience, we believe the topic is potentially material to the corporate governance and/or long-term performance of the company;
•The Vanguard funds' individual and/or aggregate equity investment in a company, and whether we estimate that voting Vanguard funds' shares would affect the shareholder meeting outcome; and
•The long-term impact to our fund shareholders, evaluating whether we believe the benefits of voting a company's shares would outweigh the benefits of stock lending revenues in a particular instance.
APPENDIX B
PRIMECAP Management Company Proxy Voting Guidelines
PRIMECAP Management Company ("PRIMECAP") acts as discretionary investment adviser for various clients, including investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and clients governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"). PRIMECAP's authority to vote proxies or act with respect to other shareholder actions is established through the delegation of discretionary authority under our investment advisory contracts. Therefore, unless a client (including a "named fiduciary" under ERISA) specifically reserves the right, in writing, to vote its own proxies or to take shareholder action with respect to other corporate actions requiring shareholder actions, PRIMECAP will vote all proxies and act on all other actions in a timely manner as part of its full discretionary authority over client assets in accordance with these guidelines.
Policy
PRIMECAP maintains a policy of voting proxies in a way which, in PRIMECAP's opinion, best serves the interest of its clients in their capacity as shareholders of a company. PRIMECAP believes that this is consistent with SEC and U.S. Department of Labor guidelines, which state that an investment manager's primary responsibility as a fiduciary is to vote in the best interest of its clients. As an investment manager, PRIMECAP is primarily concerned with maximizing the value of its clients' investment portfolios.
PRIMECAP believes the best interests of clients are served by voting proxies in a way that maximizes long-term shareholder value. Therefore, the investment professionals responsible for voting proxies have the discretion to make the best decision given the individual facts and circumstances of each issue. Proxy issues are evaluated on their merits and considered in the context of the analyst's knowledge of a company, its current management, management's past record, and PRIMECAP's general position on each issue.
PRIMECAP believes that management, subject to the oversight of the relevant Board of Directors, is often in the best position to make decisions that serve the interests of shareholders. However, PRIMECAP votes against management on proposals where it perceives a conflict may exist between management and client interests or where the facts and circumstances indicate the proposal is not in its clients' best interests.
Conflicts of Interest
From time to time conflicts of interest may exist in the proxy voting decision process where (a) portfolio companies are also clients of, or vendors to, PRIMECAP, (b) shareholder proposals are submitted by clients, or (c) proxies for which clients have publicly supported or actively solicited PRIMECAP to support a particular position. When a proxy proposal raises a potential material conflict of interest, possible conflict resolutions may include, but are not limited to: (a) vote in accordance with the guidelines to the extent that PRIMECAP has little or no discretion to deviate from the guidelines; (b) vote according to the recommendations of an independent proxy service firm retained by PRIMECAP; (c) vote in proportion to other shareholders; (d) disclose the conflict of interest to the client and obtain the client's consent before voting; or (e) vote in other ways that are consistent with PRIMECAP's obligation to vote in the clients' best interest. Conflict resolution is determined based on the facts and circumstances of the potential or actual conflict of interest.
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Procedures
Proxy Review Process
PRIMECAP's Director of Research is responsible for coordinating the voting of proxies in a timely manner, consistent with PRIMECAP's determination of the client's best interests. PRIMECAP utilizes the services of a third-party proxy voting firm to act as agent for the proxy process, to maintain records on proxy votes for its clients, and to provide independent research on corporate governance, proxy, and corporate responsibility issues.
The Director of Research reviews each proxy ballot for routine and non-routine items. Routine proxy items are typically voted with management unless the Director of Research or research analyst who follows the company determines additional review is necessary. Routine items currently include the uncontested election of directors, ratifying auditors, adopting reports and accounts, setting and payment of dividends, approval of financial statements, and certain other administrative items. All other items are voted in accordance with the decision of the Director of Research, research analysts, or portfolio managers, depending on merits of each proposal, taking into account its effects on the specific company in question and on the company within its industry.
Limitations
PRIMECAP seeks to vote all of its clients' proxies. In certain circumstances, in accordance with a client's investment advisory contract (or other written directive) or where PRIMECAP has determined that it is in the client's best interest, PRIMECAP will not vote proxies received. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to: when client's maintain proxy voting authority, when an account has been terminated, or when a client has a securities lending arrangement with its custodian and the securities are out on loan.
Proxy Voting Guidelines
PRIMECAP has developed proxy voting guidelines that reflect its general position and practice on various issues. To preserve the ability of decision makers to make the best decision in each case, these guidelines are intended only to provide context and are not intended to dictate how the issue must be voted. The guidelines are reviewed and updated as necessary by the Director of Research.
•Corporate Governance: PRIMECAP supports strong corporate governance practices and generally votes against proposals that serve as anti-takeover devices or diminish shareholder rights, and generally supports proposals that encourage responsiveness to shareholders. PRIMECAP evaluates board size, structure, and compensation on a case-by- case basis though generally believes the Directors and management of companies are in the best position to determine an efficient, functional structure for the Board of Directors. Mergers and acquisitions, reincorporations, and other corporate restructurings are considered on a case-by-case basis, based on the investment merits of each proposal.
•Compensation: PRIMECAP generally supports the concept of stock-related compensation plans as a way to align employee and shareholder interests. However, plans that include features which undermine the connection between employee and shareholder interests generally are not supported. When voting on proposals related to new plans or changes to existing plans, PRIMECAP considers, among other things: the size of the overall plan and/or the size of the increase, the historical dilution rate, whether the plan permits option repricing, the duration of the plan, and the needs of the company. PRIMECAP generally supports employee stock purchase plans and the establishment of 401(k) plans.
•Capital Structure: PRIMECAP generally supports increases to capital stock for legitimate financing needs but generally does not support changes in capital stock that can be used as an anti-takeover device, such as the creation of or increase in blank-check preferred stock or of a dual class capital structure with different voting rights. PRIMECAP generally supports share repurchases.
•Environmental and Social Issues: PRIMECAP votes on these issues based on their potential to improve the prospects for long-term success of a company and investment returns. PRIMECAP expects companies to comply with applicable laws and regulations with regards to environment and social standards.
Proxy Voting Records
Upon client request, PRIMECAP will provide reports of its proxy voting record as it relates to the securities held in the client's account(s) for which PRIMECAP has proxy voting authority. PRIMECAP utilizes the services of a third-party proxy voting firm to maintain records on proxy votes for its clients.
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Annual Assessment
PRIMECAP will conduct an annual assessment of this proxy voting policy and related procedures.
Wellington Management Global Proxy Policy and Procedures
Wellington Management has adopted and implemented policies and procedures that it believes are reasonably designed to ensure that proxies are voted in the best economic interests of clients for whom it exercises proxy-voting discretion.
Wellington Management's Proxy Voting Guidelines (the "Guidelines") set forth broad guidelines and positions on common proxy issues that Wellington Management uses in voting on proxies. In addition, Wellington Management also considers each proposal in the context of the issuer, industry and country or countries in which the issuer's business is conducted. The Guidelines are not rigid rules and the merits of a particular proposal may cause Wellington Management to enter a vote that differs from the Guidelines.
Statement of Policy
Wellington Management:
1)Votes client proxies for which clients have affirmatively delegated proxy-voting authority, in writing, unless it determines that it is in the best interest of one or more clients to refrain from voting a given proxy.
2)Votes all proxies in the best interests of the client for whom it is voting, i.e., to maximize economic value.
3)Identifies and resolves all material proxy-related conflicts of interest between the firm and its clients in the best interests of the client.
Responsibility and Oversight
The Investment Research Group ("Investment Research") monitors regulatory requirements with respect to proxy voting and works with the firm's Legal and Compliance Group and the Investment Stewardship Committee to develop practices that implement those requirements. Investment Research also acts as a resource for portfolio managers and research analysts on proxy matters as needed. Day-to-day administration of the proxy voting process is the responsibility of Investment Research. The Investment Stewardship Committee is responsible for oversight of the implementation of the Global Proxy Policy and Procedures, review and approval of the Guidelines and for providing advice and guidance on specific proxy votes for individual issuers.
Procedures
Use of Third-Party Voting Agent
Wellington Management uses the services of a third-party voting agent to manage the administrative aspects of proxy voting. The voting agent processes proxies for client accounts, casts votes based on the Guidelines and maintains records of proxies voted.
Receipt of Proxy
If a client requests that Wellington Management votes proxies on its behalf, the client must instruct its custodian bank to deliver all relevant voting material to Wellington Management or its voting agent.
Reconciliation
Each public security proxy received by electronic means is matched to the securities eligible to be voted and a reminder is sent to any custodian or trustee that has not forwarded the proxies as due. Although proxies received for private securities, as well as those received in non-electronic format, are voted as received, Wellington Management is not able to reconcile these proxies to holdings, nor does it notify custodians of non-receipt.
Research
In addition to proprietary investment research undertaken by Wellington Management investment professionals, Investment Research conducts proxy research internally, and uses the resources of a number of external sources to keep abreast of developments in corporate governance and of current practices of specific companies.
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Proxy Voting
Following the reconciliation process, each proxy is compared against the Guidelines, and handled as follows:
•Generally, issues for which explicit proxy voting guidance is provided in the Guidelines (i.e., "For", "Against", "Abstain") are reviewed by Investment Research and voted in accordance with the Guidelines.
•Issues identified as "case-by-case" in the Guidelines are further reviewed by Investment Research. In certain circumstances, further input is needed, so the issues are forwarded to the relevant research analyst and/or portfolio manager(s) for their input.
•Absent a material conflict of interest, the portfolio manager has the authority to decide the final vote. Different portfolio managers holding the same securities may arrive at different voting conclusions for their clients' proxies.
Wellington Management reviews regularly the voting record to ensure that proxies are voted in accordance with these Global Proxy Policy and Procedures and the Guidelines; and ensures that documentation and reports, for clients and for internal purposes, relating to the voting of proxies are promptly and properly prepared and disseminated.
Material Conflict of Interest Identification and Resolution Processes
Wellington Management's broadly diversified client base and functional lines of responsibility serve to minimize the number of, but not prevent, material conflicts of interest it faces in voting proxies. Annually, the Investment Stewardship Committee sets standards for identifying material conflicts based on client, vendor, and lender relationships, and publishes those standards to individuals involved in the proxy voting process. In addition, the Investment Stewardship Committee encourages all personnel to contact Investment Research about apparent conflicts of interest, even if the apparent conflict does not meet the published materiality criteria. Apparent conflicts are reviewed by designated members of the Investment Stewardship Committee to determine if there is a conflict and if so whether the conflict is material.
If a proxy is identified as presenting a material conflict of interest, the matter must be reviewed by designated members of the Investment Stewardship Committee, who will resolve the conflict and direct the vote. In certain circumstances, the designated members may determine that the full Investment Stewardship Committee should convene.
Other Considerations
In certain instances, Wellington Management may be unable to vote or may determine not to vote a proxy on behalf of one or more clients. While not exhaustive, the following are potential instances in which a proxy vote might not be entered.
Securities Lending
In general, Wellington Management does not know when securities have been lent out pursuant to a client's securities lending program and are therefore unavailable to be voted. Efforts to recall loaned securities are not always effective, but, in rare circumstances, Wellington Management may recommend that a client attempt to have its custodian recall the security to permit voting of related proxies.
Share Blocking and Re-registration
Certain countries impose trading restrictions or requirements regarding re-registration of securities held in omnibus accounts in order for shareholders to vote a proxy. The potential impact of such requirements is evaluated when determining whether to vote such proxies.
Lack of Adequate Information, Untimely Receipt of Proxy Materials, or Excessive Costs
Wellington Management may abstain from voting a proxy when the proxy statement or other available information is inadequate to allow for an informed vote, when the proxy materials are not delivered in a timely fashion or when, in Wellington Management's judgment, the costs exceed the expected benefits to clients (such as when powers of attorney or consularization are required).
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Additional Information
Wellington Management maintains records related to proxies pursuant to Rule 204-2 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act"), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), and other applicable laws.
Wellington Management provides clients with a copy of its Global Proxy Policy and Procedures, including the Guidelines, upon written request. In addition, Wellington Management will make specific client information relating to proxy voting available to a client upon reasonable written request.
SAI 065 012020
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PART C
VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 28. Exhibits
(a)Articles of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 dated January 25, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(b)By-Laws, Amended and Restated By-Laws, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 dated January 25, 2018, are hereby incorporated by reference.
(c)Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders, reference is made to Articles III and V of the Registrant's Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, refer to Exhibit (a) above.
(d)Investment Advisory Contracts, for PRIMECAP Management Company, filed with Post- Effective Amendment No. 51 on November 24, 2009, and for Wellington Management Company LLP, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 dated January 27, 2016, are hereby incorporated by reference. The Vanguard Group, Inc., provides investment advisory services to Vanguard Equity Income Fund pursuant to the Fifth Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement, refer to Exhibit (h) below.
(e)Underwriting Contracts, not applicable.
(f)Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts, reference is made to the section entitled "Management of the Funds" in Part B of this Registration Statement.
(g)Custodian Agreements, for The Bank of New York Mellon, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 dated January 25, 2019, is hereby incorporated by reference. For State Street Bank and Trust Company, is filed herewith.
(h)Other Material Contracts, Fifth Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 69 dated January 25, 2018, is hereby incorporated by reference.
(i)Legal Opinion, not applicable.
(j)Other Opinions, Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, is filed herewith.
(k)Omitted Financial Statements, not applicable.
(l)Initial Capital Agreements, not applicable.
(m)Rule 12b-1 Plan, not applicable.
(n)Rule 18f-3 Plan, is filed herewith.
(o)Reserved.
(p)Codes of Ethics, for PRIMECAP Management Company, filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 65 dated January 26, 2017, and for Wellington Management Company LLP, filed with Post- Effective Amendment No. 69 dated January 25, 2018, are hereby incorporated by reference.
For The Vanguard Group, Inc., is filed herewith.
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
None.
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Item 30. Indemnification
The Registrant's 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 Trustee's or officer's 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 Advisers
PRIMECAP Management Company (PRIMECAP) 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 PRIMECAP, 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 PRIMECAP pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-19765).
Wellington Management Company LLP (Wellington Management) is an investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act. The list required by this Item 31 of officers and partners of Wellington Management, together with any information as to any business, profession, vocation, or employment of substantial nature engaged in by such officers and partners during the past two years, is incorporated herein by reference from Form ADV filed by Wellington Management pursuant to the Advisers Act (SEC File No. 801-15908).
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), is an investment adviser registered under 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).
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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 over 200 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 |
Karin A.Risi |
Director, Chairman, Principal, and Chief Executive Officer |
None |
|
Designee |
|
Scott A. Conking |
Director and Principal |
None |
Christopher D. McIsaac |
Director and Principal |
None |
Thomas M. Rampulla |
Director and Principal |
None |
Michael Rollings |
Director and Principal |
Finance Director |
Caroline Cosby |
Director, Principal, General Counsel, and Assistant |
None |
|
Secretary |
|
Mortimer J. Buckley |
President |
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief |
|
|
Executive Officer, and President |
John E. Schadl |
Assistant Vice President |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Beth Morales Singh |
Secretary |
None |
Angela Gravinese |
Chief Compliance Officer |
None |
John T. Marcante |
Chief Information Officer |
None |
Alonzo Ellis |
Chief Information Security Officer |
None |
Salvatore L. Pantalone |
Financial and Operations Principal and Treasurer |
None |
Amy M. Laursen |
Financial and Operations Principal |
None |
Danielle Corey |
Annuity and Insurance Officer |
None |
Jeff Seglem |
Annuity and Insurance Officer |
None |
Matthew Benchener |
Principal |
None |
John Bendl |
Principal |
Chief Financial Officer |
Saundra K. Cusumano |
Principal |
None |
James M. Delaplane Jr. |
Principal |
None |
Andrew Kadjeski |
Principal |
None |
Martha G. King |
Principal |
None |
Michael V. Lucci |
Principal |
None |
Brian P. McCarthy |
Principal |
None |
James M. Norris |
Principal |
None |
Douglas R. Mento |
Principal |
None |
David Petty |
Principal |
None |
Tammy M. Virnig |
Principal |
None |
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(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 Registrant's Transfer Agent, The Vanguard Group, Inc., 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355; the Registrant's Custodians, The Bank of New York Mellon, 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286, and State Street Bank and Trust Company, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111; and the Registrant's investment advisors at their respective locations identified in 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.
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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 30th day of January, 2020.
VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS
BY:___________/s/ Mortimer J. Buckley*_________
Mortimer J. Buckley
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/ MORTIMER J. BUCKLEY* |
Chairman and Chief Executive |
January 30, 2020 |
|
Officer |
|
Mortimer J. Buckley |
| |
|
| |
/S/ EMERSON U. FULLWOOD* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
Emerson U. Fullwood |
|
|
/S/ AMY GUTMANN* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
Amy Gutmann |
|
|
/S/ F. JOSEPH LOUGHREY* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
F. Joseph Loughrey |
|
|
/S/ MARK LOUGHRIDGE* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
Mark Loughridge |
|
|
/S/ SCOTT C. MALPASS* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
Scott C. Malpass |
|
|
/S/ DEANNA MULLIGAN* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
Deanna Mulligan |
|
|
/S/ ANDR÷ F. PEROLD* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
André F. Perold |
|
|
/S/ SARAH BLOOM RASKIN* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
Sarah Bloom Raskin |
|
|
/S/ PETER F. VOLANAKIS* |
Trustee |
January 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
Peter F. Volanakis |
|
|
/S/ JOHN BENDL* |
Chief Financial Officer |
January 30, 2020 |
|
|
|
John Bendl |
|
|
*By: /s/ Anne E. Robinson
Anne E. Robinson, pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed on January 18, 2018 (see File Number 33-32216) and Power of Attorney filed on October 30, 2019 (see File Number 811-02554), Incorporated by Reference.
C-5
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Custodian Agreements, State Street Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ex-99.G Other Opinions, Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ex-99.J Rule 18f-3 Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ex-99.N Code of Ethics, The Vanguard Group,Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ex-99.P
C-6
AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This Agreement is made as of September 15, 2017 by and among each management investment company identified on Appendix A hereto (each such management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.5 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Fund"), and STATE STREET BANK and TRUST COMPANY, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"). Each Fund and the Custodian agree that this Agreement merges, integrates and supersedes all prior agreements, side letters and understandings between the parties with respect to the matters contained herein; provided, however, that the continuation of any other agreements that may reference the Master Custodian Agreement between the Custodian and the Fund dated prior to the date hereof ("Prior Agreement") is not intended to be affected by the fact of this amendment and restatement of the Master Custodian Agreement, and reference in such other agreements to a Prior Agreement shall be considered to be a reference to this Agreement effective as of the date of this Agreement (provided that matters relating to the time period prior to the date of this Agreement are governed by the terms of the Prior Agreement).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, each Fund is authorized to issue shares of common stock or shares of beneficial interest in separate series ("Shares"), with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets;
WHEREAS, each Fund so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to each of its series set forth on Appendix A hereto (such series together with all other series subsequently established by the Fund and made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.6 below, shall hereinafter be referred to as the "Portfolio(s)").
WHEREAS, each Fund not so authorized intends that this Agreement be applicable to it and all references hereinafter to one or more "Portfolio(s)" shall be deemed to refer to such Fund(s); and
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:
SECTION 1. EMPLOYMENT OF CUSTODIAN AND PROPERTY TO BE HELD BY IT
Each Fund hereby employs the Custodian as a custodian of assets of the Portfolios, including securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, desires to be held in places within the United States ("domestic securities") and securities which the Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio desires to be held outside the United States ("foreign securities"). Each Fund, on behalf of its Portfolio(s), agrees to deliver to the Custodian all securities, other financial assets and cash of the Portfolios, and all payments of income, payments of principal or capital distributions received by it with respect to all securities or other financial assets owned by the Portfolio(s) from time to time, and the cash consideration received by it for such Shares as may be issued or sold from time to time. The Custodian shall not be responsible for any property of a Portfolio which is not received by it or which is delivered out in accordance with Proper Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof) including, without limitation, Portfolio property
(i)held by brokers, private bankers or other entities on behalf of the Portfolio (each a "Local Agent"), (ii) held by Special Sub-Custodians (as such term is defined in Section 6 hereof), (iii) held by entities which have advanced monies to or on behalf of the Portfolio and which have received Portfolio property as security for such advance(s) (each a "Pledgee"), or (iv) delivered or otherwise removed from the custody of the Custodian (a) in connection with any Free Trade (as such term is defined in Sections 2.2(14) and 2.6(7) hereof) or (b) pursuant to Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof). With
respect to uncertificated shares (the "Underlying Shares") of (i) registered "investment companies" (as defined in Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended from time to time (the "1940 Act")), whether in the same "group of investment companies" (as defined in Section 12(d)(1)(G)(ii) of the 1940 Act) or otherwise, including pursuant to Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act or (ii) investment companies or other pooled investment vehicles that are not registered pursuant to the 1940 Act (the entities listed in clauses (i) and (ii) being hereinafter sometimes referred to as the "Underlying Portfolios") the holding of confirmation statements that identify the shares as being recorded in the Custodian's name on behalf of the Portfolios will be deemed custody for purposes hereof.
Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall from time to time employ one or more sub- custodians located in the United States for a Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s. The Custodian may place and maintain each Fund's foreign securities with foreign banking institution sub-custodians employed by the Custodian and/or foreign securities depositories, all as designated in Schedules A and B hereto, but only in accordance with the applicable provisions of Sections 3 and 4 hereof.
SECTION 2. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS TO BE HELD IN THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 2.1 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall hold and physically segregate for the account of each Portfolio all non-cash property, to be held by it in the United States, including all domestic securities owned by such Portfolio other than (a) securities which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.8 in a clearing agency which acts as a securities depository or in a book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury (each, a "U.S. Securities System") and (b) Underlying Shares owned by each Fund which are maintained pursuant to Section 2.10 hereof in an account with State Street Bank and Trust Company or such other entity which may from time to time act as a transfer agent for the Underlying Portfolios and with respect to which the Custodian is provided with Proper Instructions (the "Underlying Transfer Agent"). Except as precluded by Section 8-501(d) of the Uniform Commercial Code ("UCC"), the Custodian shall hold all securities and other financial assets, other than cash, of a Portfolio that are delivered to it in a "securities account" with the Custodian for and in the name of such Portfolio and shall treat all such assets other than cash as "financial assets" as those terms are used in the UCC. The Custodian shall identify on its books and records as belonging to a Portfolio the securities and other financial assets, constituting Portfolio assets held by (a) the Custodian, its delegates and sub-custodians, (b) a U.S. Securities System, or (c) an Underlying Transfer Agent in accordance with Section 2.10. To the extent that the Custodian or any of its sub-custodians holds securities constituting the Portfolio's assets in an omnibus account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, the records of the Custodian shall identify which of such securities constitute a Portfolio's assets.
SECTION 2.2 DELIVERY OF SECURITIES. The Custodian shall release and deliver domestic securities and other financial assets owned by a Portfolio held by the Custodian, in a U.S. Securities System account of the Custodian or in an account at the Underlying Transfer Agent, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
1)Upon sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio in accordance with customary or established market practices and procedures, including, without limitation, delivery to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent of such purchaser or dealer) against expectation of receiving later payment;
2)Upon the receipt of payment in connection with any repurchase agreement related to such securities entered into by the Portfolio;
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3)In the case of a sale effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.8 hereof;
4)To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for securities of the Portfolio;
5)To the issuer thereof or its agent when such securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable; provided that, in any such case, the cash or other consideration is to be delivered to the Custodian;
6)To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Portfolio or into the name of any nominee or nominees of the Custodian or into the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or into the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1; or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units; provided that, in any such case, the new securities are to be delivered to the Custodian;
7)Upon the sale of such securities for the account of the Portfolio, to the broker or its clearing agent, against a receipt, for examination in accordance with "street delivery" custom; provided that in any such case, the Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such securities prior to receiving payment for such securities except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
8)For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
9)In the case of warrants, rights or similar securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities; provided that, in any such case, the new securities and cash, if any, are to be delivered to the Custodian;
10)For delivery in connection with any loans of securities made by the Portfolio (a) against receipt of collateral as agreed from time to time by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, except that in connection with any loans for which collateral is to be credited to the Custodian's account in the book-entry system authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the Custodian will not be held liable or responsible for the delivery of securities owned by the Portfolio prior to the receipt of such collateral or (b) to the lending agent, or the lending agent's custodian, in accordance with written Proper Instructions (which need not provide for the receipt by the Custodian of collateral therefor) agreed upon from time to time by the Custodian and the Fund;
11)For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;
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12)For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. ("FINRA"), relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;
13)For delivery in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian, and a futures commission merchant registered under the Commodity Exchange Act, relating to compliance with the rules of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC") and/or any contract market, or any similar organization or organizations, regarding account deposits in connection with transactions by the Fund on behalf of a Portfolio;
14)Upon the sale or other delivery of such investments (including, without limitation, to one or more (a) Special Sub-Custodians or (b) additional custodians appointed by the Fund, and communicated to the Custodian from time to time via a writing duly executed by an authorized officer of the Fund, for the purpose of engaging in repurchase agreement transactions(s), each a "Repo Custodian"), and prior to receipt of payment therefor, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such delivery in advance of payment, along with payment in advance of delivery made in accordance with Section 2.6(7), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a "Free Trade"), provided that such Proper Instructions shall set forth (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and (b) the person(s) to whom delivery of such securities shall be made;
15)Upon receipt of instructions from the Fund's transfer agent (the "Transfer Agent") for delivery to such Transfer Agent or to the holders of Shares in connection with distributions in kind, as may be described from time to time in the currently effective prospectus and statement of additional information of the Fund related to the Portfolio (the "Prospectus"), in satisfaction of requests by holders of Shares for repurchase or redemption;
16)In the case of a sale processed through the Underlying Transfer Agent of Underlying Shares, in accordance with Section 2.10 hereof;
17)For delivery as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; and
18)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the applicable Portfolio specifying (a) the securities of the Portfolio to be delivered and
(b) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
SECTION 2.3 REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES. Domestic securities or other financial assets held by the Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of any nominee of a Fund on behalf of the Portfolio or of any nominee of the Custodian which nominee shall be assigned exclusively to the Portfolio, unless the Fund has authorized in writing the appointment of a nominee to be used in common with other registered management investment companies having the same investment adviser as the Portfolio, or in the name or nominee name of any agent appointed pursuant to Section 2.7 or in the name or nominee name of any sub-custodian appointed pursuant to Section 1. All securities accepted by the Custodian on behalf of the Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement shall be
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in "street name" or other good delivery form. If, however, a Fund directs the Custodian to maintain securities in "street name", the Custodian shall utilize its best efforts to timely collect income due the Fund on such securities and shall utilize its best efforts to timely notify the Fund of relevant corporate actions including, without limitation, pendency of calls, maturities, tender or exchange offers.
SECTION 2.4 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall open and maintain a separate bank account or accounts in the United States in the name of each Portfolio of each Fund, subject only to draft or order by the Custodian acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and shall hold in such account or accounts, subject to the provisions hereof, all cash received by it from or for the account of the Portfolio, other than cash maintained by the Portfolio in a bank account established and used in accordance with Rule 17f-3 under the 1940 Act. Funds held by the Custodian for a Portfolio may be deposited by it to its credit as Custodian in the banking department of the Custodian or in such other banks or trust companies as it may in its discretion deem necessary or desirable; provided, however, that every such bank or trust company shall be qualified to act as a custodian under the 1940 Act and that each such bank or trust company and the funds to be deposited with each such bank or trust company shall on behalf of each applicable Portfolio be approved by vote of a majority of the Board of Trustees or the Board of Directors of the Fund (as appropriate, and in each case, the "Board"). Such funds shall be deposited by the Custodian in its capacity as Custodian and shall be withdrawable by the Custodian only in that capacity.
SECTION 2.5 COLLECTION OF INCOME. Except with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14) or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7), and subject to the provisions of Section 2.3, the Custodian shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to registered domestic securities and other financial assets held hereunder to which each Portfolio shall be entitled either by law or pursuant to custom in the securities business, and shall collect on a timely basis all income and other payments with respect to bearer domestic securities if, on the date of payment by the issuer, such securities are held by the Custodian or its agent. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Custodian shall detach and present for payment all coupons and other income items requiring presentation as and when they become due and shall collect interest when due on securities held hereunder. The Custodian shall credit income to the Portfolio as such income is received or in accordance with the Custodian's then current payable date income schedule. The Custodian may reverse any income credited by the Custodian to a Portfolio after the Custodian reasonably determines that actual payment of income will not occur in due course, and the Custodian may charge the Portfolio a rate agreed upon by the parties for the amount of unpaid income credited to the Portfolio. Income due each Portfolio on securities loaned pursuant to the provisions of Section 2.2 (10) shall be the responsibility of the applicable Fund. The Custodian will have no duty or responsibility in connection therewith, other than to provide the Fund with such information or data as may be necessary to assist the Fund in arranging for the timely delivery to the Custodian of the income to which the Portfolio is properly entitled.
The Custodian shall notify a Fund, at the frequency agreed upon by the parties, in writing by facsimile transmission, electronic communication, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing, if any amount payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets of the Portfolios of a Fund is not received by the Custodian when due. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and agree upon any compensation and expenses payable to the Custodian as a result of taking such measures. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets that are in default.
SECTION 2.6 PAYMENT OF FUND MONIES. The Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio as provided in Section 5 and otherwise upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of the applicable
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Portfolio, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
1)Upon the purchase of domestic securities, options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts for the account of the Portfolio but only (a) in accordance with customary or established market practices and procedures, including, without limitation, delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such securities or evidence of title to such options, futures contracts or options on futures contracts to the Custodian (or any bank, banking firm or trust company doing business in the United States or abroad which is qualified under the 1940 Act to act as a custodian and has been designated by the Custodian as its agent for this purpose) registered in the name of the Portfolio or in the name of a nominee of the Custodian referred to in Section 2.3 hereof or in proper form for transfer;
(b) in the case of a purchase effected through a U.S. Securities System, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.8 hereof; (c) in the case of a purchase of Underlying Shares, in accordance with the conditions set forth in Section 2.10 hereof; (d) in the case of repurchase agreements entered into between the applicable Fund on behalf of a Portfolio and the Custodian, or another bank, or a broker-dealer which is a member of FINRA, (i) against delivery of the securities either in certificate form or through an entry crediting the Custodian's account at the Federal Reserve Bank with such securities or (ii) against delivery of the receipt evidencing purchase by the Portfolio of securities owned by the Custodian along with written evidence of the agreement by the Custodian to repurchase such securities from the Portfolio; or (e) for transfer to a time deposit account of the Fund in any bank, whether domestic or foreign; such transfer may be effected prior to receipt of a confirmation from a broker and/or the applicable bank pursuant to Proper Instructions from the Fund as defined herein;
2)In connection with conversion, exchange or surrender of securities owned by the Portfolio as set forth in Section 2.2 hereof;
3)For the redemption or repurchase of Shares issued as set forth in Section 7 hereof;
4)For the payment of any expense or liability incurred by the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments for the account of the Portfolio: interest, taxes, management, accounting, transfer agent and legal fees, and operating expenses of the Fund whether or not such expenses are to be in whole or in part capitalized or treated as deferred expenses;
5)For the payment of any dividends on Shares declared pursuant to the Fund's articles of incorporation or organization and by-laws or agreement or declaration of trust, as applicable, and Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information (collectively, "Governing Documents");
6)For payment of the amount of dividends received in respect of securities sold short;
7)Upon the purchase of domestic investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), and prior to receipt of such investments, as set forth in written Proper Instructions (such payment in advance of delivery, along with delivery in advance of payment made in accordance with Section 2.2(14), as applicable, shall each be referred to herein as a "Free
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Trade"), provided that such Proper Instructions shall also set forth (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person(s) to whom such payment is made;
8)For payment as initial or variation margin in connection with futures or options on futures contracts entered into by the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio; and
9)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions from the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio specifying (a) the amount of such payment and (b) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
SECTION 2.7 APPOINTMENT OF AGENTS. The Custodian may at any time or times in its discretion appoint (and may at any time remove) agents to carry out such of the provisions of this Agreement as the Custodian may from time to time direct; provided, however, that the appointment of any agent shall not relieve the Custodian of any of its duties or obligations hereunder and the Custodian shall be fully responsible and liable for the actions and omissions of any agent (which shall not be deemed to be U.S. Securities Systems, Special Sub-Custodians, U.S. sub-custodians designated pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 1, or Foreign Sub-Custodians and sub-custodians and other agents of the Fund or Portfolio) appointed hereunder. The Underlying Transfer Agent shall not be deemed an agent or sub-custodian of the Custodian for purposes of this Section 2.7 or any other provision of this Agreement.
SECTION 2.8 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS IN U.S. SECURITIES SYSTEMS. The Custodian may deposit and/or maintain securities owned by a Portfolio in a U.S. Securities System in compliance with the conditions of Rule 17f-4 under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time.
SECTION 2.9 SEGREGATED ACCOUNT. The Custodian shall upon receipt of Proper Instructions on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, establish and maintain a segregated account or accounts for and on behalf of each such Portfolio, into which account or accounts may be transferred cash, in the case of a deposit account, or securities and other financial assets (other than cash), in the case of a securities account, of the Portfolio and collateral provided to the Portfolio by its counterparties, including securities maintained in an account by the Custodian pursuant to Section 2.8 hereof, (a) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and a broker-dealer registered under the Exchange Act and a member of the FINRA, relating to compliance with the rules of The Options Clearing Corporation and of any registered national securities exchange, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (b) in accordance with the provisions of any agreement among the Fund, on behalf of the Portfolio, the Custodian and any futures commission merchant (registered under the Commodity Exchange Act) relating to compliance with the rules of the CFTC or any registered contract market, or of any similar organization or organizations, regarding escrow or other arrangements in connection with transactions by the Portfolio, (c) for purposes of segregating cash or government securities in connection with options purchased, sold or written by the Portfolio or commodity futures contract options thereon purchased or sold by the Portfolio, (d) for the purposes of compliance by the Portfolio with the procedures required by Investment Company Act Release No. 10666, or any subsequent release of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), or no-action letter of the staff of the SEC, relating to the maintenance of segregated accounts by registered management investment companies, and (e) for any other purpose in accordance with Proper Instructions.
SECTION 2.10 DEPOSIT OF FUND ASSETS WITH THE UNDERLYING TRANSFER AGENT. Underlying Shares beneficially owned by the Fund, on behalf of a Portfolio, shall be deposited and/or maintained in an account or accounts maintained with an Underlying Transfer Agent and the Custodian's only responsibilities with respect thereto shall be limited to the following:
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1)Upon receipt of a confirmation or statement from an Underlying Transfer Agent that such Underlying Transfer Agent is holding or maintaining Underlying Shares in the name of the Custodian (or a nominee of the Custodian) for the benefit of a Portfolio, the Custodian shall identify by book-entry that such Underlying Shares are being held by it as custodian for the benefit of such Portfolio.
2)In respect of the purchase of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall pay out monies of such Portfolio as so directed, and record such payment from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian's books and records.
3)In respect of the sale or redemption of Underlying Shares for the account of a Portfolio, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall transfer such Underlying Shares as so directed, record such transfer from the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian's books and records and, upon the Custodian's receipt of the proceeds therefor, record such payment for the account of such Portfolio on the Custodian's books and records.
The Custodian shall not be liable to the Fund for any loss or damage to the Fund or any Portfolio resulting from the maintenance of Underlying Shares with an Underlying Transfer Agent except to the extent the loss or damage results directly from the fraud, negligence or willful misconduct of the Custodian or any of its agents or of any of its or their employees.
SECTION 2.11 OWNERSHIP CERTIFICATES FOR TAX PURPOSES. The Custodian shall execute ownership and other certificates and affidavits for all federal and state tax purposes in connection with receipt of income or other payments with respect to domestic securities of each Portfolio held by it and in connection with transfers of securities.
SECTION 2.12 PROXIES. The Custodian shall deliver to a Fund all forms of proxies, all proxy solicitation materials, all notices of meetings, and any other notices or announcements affecting or relating to securities owned by one or more of a Fund's Portfolios that are received by the Custodian, any sub- custodian, or any nominee of either of them (or with the exercise of reasonable care that the Custodian, any sub-custodian, or any nominee of either of them should have become aware), and, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall execute and deliver, or cause such sub-custodian or nominee to execute and deliver, such proxies or other authorizations as may be required. Except as directed pursuant to Proper Instructions, neither the Custodian nor any sub-custodian or nominee shall vote upon any such securities, or execute any proxy to vote thereon, or give any consent or take any other action with respect thereto. In the event that the Custodian is unable to vote upon any such securities in accordance with Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall promptly notify (subject to market practices and rules) a Fund. Each Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of the Fund to exercise shareholder rights.
SECTION 2.13 COMMUNICATIONS. Subject to the domestic securities or other financial assets held in the United States being registered as provided in Section 2.3, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to a Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets being held for the Portfolio, including among other things, maturities of domestic securities and notices of exercise of call and put options. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian from issuers of the securities and other financial assets whose tender or exchange is sought and from the party or its agent making the tender or exchange offer.
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The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the Fund for each Portfolio all written information received by the Custodian regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to Portfolio securities or other financial assets issued in the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class- action period during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the Custodian's services with respect to class actions do not extend beyond the timely forwarding of written information so received by the Custodian.
SECTION 2.14 EXERCISE OF RIGHTS; TENDER OFFERS. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, the Custodian shall: (a) deliver warrants, puts, calls, rights or similar securities to the issuer or trustee thereof, or to the agent of such issuer or trustee, for the purpose of exercise or sale, provided that the new securities, cash or other assets, if any, acquired as a result of such actions are to be delivered to the Custodian; and (b) deposit securities upon invitations for tenders thereof, provided that the consideration for such securities is to be paid or delivered to the Custodian, or the tendered securities are to be returned to the Custodian. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the Custodian shall take all necessary action, unless otherwise directed to the contrary in Proper Instructions, to comply with the terms of all mandatory or compulsory exchanges, calls, tenders, redemptions, or similar rights of security ownership ("Mandatory Corporate Actions"), and shall promptly notify a Fund of such Mandatory Corporate Action in writing by facsimile transmission, electronic communication, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian may agree in writing.
In the event that Custodian is provided notice (in industry standard form) of (a) a proposed merger, recapitalization, reorganization, conversion, consolidation, subdivision, tender offer, takeover offer or other electable or voluntary corporate action or (b) a proposed issuance of securities or rights to participate in the issuance of securities, in each case by or with respect to the issuer of securities held by it for the account of a Portfolio (each a "Voluntary Corporate Action"), the Custodian shall provide written notice to the Fund or its designee promptly upon being provided such notice of the Voluntary Corporate Action. The notice provided by the Custodian shall include (i) a copy, or if a copy is not available, a synopsis of the offering materials provided to the Custodian by the issuer or its agent in connection with the Voluntary Corporate Action and (ii) the date on which the Custodian is required to take action to exercise rights or powers with respect to the Voluntary Corporate Action. Provided that the Custodian shall have delivered timely notice of the Voluntary Corporate Action to the Fund, the Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any Voluntary Corporate Action or other right or power in connection with domestic securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian is in actual possession of such securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least two (2) business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. If the Fund provides the Custodian with such notification after such deadline, the Custodian shall use its reasonable best efforts to process such election.
SECTION 2.15 SECURITIES LENDING. To the extent that a Fund engages in a securities lending program other than with the Custodian, the Fund and the Custodian will agree to procedures that will apply to such securities lending program.
SECTION 3. PROVISIONS RELATING TO RULES 17F-5 AND 17F-7
SECTION 3.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"Country Risk" means all factors reasonably related to the systemic risk of holding Foreign Assets in a particular country including, but not limited to, such country's political environment, economic and
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financial infrastructure (including any Eligible Securities Depository operating in the country), nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, prevailing or developing custody and settlement practices, and laws and regulations applicable to the safekeeping and recovery of Foreign Assets held in custody in that country.
"Eligible Foreign Custodian" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(1) of Rule 17f-5, including a majority-owned or indirect subsidiary of a U.S. Bank (as defined in Rule 17f-5), a bank holding company meeting the requirements of an Eligible Foreign Custodian (as set forth in Rule 17f-5 or by other appropriate action of the SEC), or a foreign branch of a Bank (as defined in Section 2(a)(5) of the 1940 Act) meeting the requirements of a custodian under Section 17(f) of the 1940 Act; the term does not include any Eligible Securities Depository.
"Eligible Securities Depository" has the meaning set forth in section (b)(1) of Rule 17f-7.
"Foreign Assets" means any of the Portfolios' investments (including foreign currencies) for which the primary market is outside the United States and such cash and cash equivalents as are reasonably necessary to effect the Portfolios' transactions in such investments.
"Foreign Custody Manager" has the meaning set forth in section (a)(3) of Rule 17f-5.
"Rule 17f-5" means Rule 17f-5 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
"Rule 17f-7" means Rule 17f-7 promulgated under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 3.2 THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER.
3.2.1DELEGATION TO THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER. Each Fund,
by resolution adopted by its Board, hereby delegates to the Custodian, subject to Section (b) of Rule 17f-5, the responsibilities set forth in this Section 3.2 with respect to Foreign Assets of the Portfolios held outside the United States, and the Custodian hereby accepts such delegation as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to the Portfolios.
3.2.2COUNTRIES COVERED. The Foreign Custody Manager shall be responsible for performing the delegated responsibilities defined below only with respect to the countries and custody arrangements for each such country listed on Schedule A to this Agreement, which list of countries may be amended from time to time by any Fund with the agreement of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager shall list on Schedule A the Eligible Foreign Custodians selected by the Foreign Custody Manager to maintain the assets of the Portfolios, which list of Eligible Foreign Custodians may be amended from time to time in the sole discretion of the Foreign Custody Manager. The Foreign Custody Manager will provide amended versions of Schedule A in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereof.
Upon the receipt by the Foreign Custody Manager of Proper Instructions to open an account or to place or maintain Foreign Assets in a country listed on Schedule A, and the fulfillment by each Fund, on behalf of the applicable Portfolio(s), of the applicable account opening requirements for such country, the Foreign Custody Manager shall be deemed to have been delegated by such Fund's Board on behalf of such Portfolio(s) responsibility as Foreign Custody Manager with respect to that country and to have accepted such delegation. Execution of this Agreement by each Fund shall be deemed to be a Proper Instruction to open an account, or to place or maintain Foreign Assets, in each country listed on Schedule A. The Custodian will assist a Fund in satisfying the account opening requirements for a country as may be reasonably requested by the Fund. Following the receipt of Proper Instructions directing the Foreign
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Custody Manager to close the account of a Portfolio with the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in a designated country, the delegation by the Board on behalf of such Portfolio to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager for that country shall be deemed to have been withdrawn, and such withdrawal shall be deemed to be effective, and the Custodian shall cease to be the Foreign Custody Manager with respect to such Portfolio with respect to that country as of the date that is ninety days (or such other period to which the parties may agree in writing) after receipt of any such Proper Instructions by the Foreign Custody Manager.
The Foreign Custody Manager may withdraw its acceptance of delegated responsibilities with respect to a designated country upon written notice to the Fund. Ninety days (or such longer period to which the parties agree in writing) after receipt of any such notice by the Fund, the Custodian shall have no further responsibility in its capacity as Foreign Custody Manager to the Fund with respect to the country as to which the Custodian's acceptance of delegation is withdrawn.
3.2.3SCOPE OF DELEGATED RESPONSIBILITIES:
(a)SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Subject to the provisions of this Section 3.2, the Foreign Custody Manager may place and maintain the Foreign Assets in the care of the Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager in each country listed on Schedule A, as amended from time to time. In performing its delegated responsibilities as Foreign Custody Manager to place or maintain Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian, the Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the Foreign Assets will be subject to reasonable care, based on the standards applicable to custodians in the country in which the Foreign Assets will be held by that Eligible Foreign Custodian, after considering all factors relevant to the safekeeping of such assets, including, without limitation the factors specified in Rule 17f-5(c)(1).
(b)CONTRACTS WITH ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. The Foreign Custody Manager shall determine that the contract governing the foreign custody arrangements with each Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager will satisfy the requirements of Rule 17f-5(c)(2).
(c)MONITORING. In each case in which the Foreign Custody Manager maintains Foreign Assets with an Eligible Foreign Custodian selected by the Foreign Custody Manager, the Foreign Custody Manager shall establish a system to monitor (i) the appropriateness of maintaining the Foreign Assets with such Eligible Foreign Custodian and (ii) the contract governing the custody arrangements established by the Foreign Custody Manager with the Eligible Foreign Custodian. In the event the Foreign Custody Manager determines that the custody arrangements with an Eligible Foreign Custodian it has selected are no longer appropriate, the Foreign Custody Manager shall notify the Board in accordance with Section 3.2.5 hereunder.
3.2.4GUIDELINES FOR THE EXERCISE OF DELEGATED AUTHORITY. For purposes of this
Section 3.2, the Board shall be deemed to have considered and determined to accept such Country Risk as is incurred by placing and maintaining the Foreign Assets in each country for which the Custodian is serving as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.
3.2.5REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. The Foreign Custody Manager shall report the withdrawal of the Foreign Assets from an Eligible Foreign Custodian and the placement of such Foreign Assets with another Eligible Foreign Custodian by providing to the Board an amended Schedule A at the end of the calendar quarter in which an amendment to such Schedule has occurred. The Foreign Custody Manager shall make written reports notifying the Board of any other material change in the foreign custody arrangements of the Portfolios described in this Section 3.2 after the occurrence of the material change. The
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Foreign Custody Manager will also provide the Fund with global market information bulletins on a timely basis.
3.2.6STANDARD OF CARE AS FOREIGN CUSTODY MANAGER OF A PORTFOLIO. In
performing the responsibilities delegated to it, the Foreign Custody Manager agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence such as a person having responsibility for the safekeeping of assets of management investment companies registered under the 1940 Act would exercise (unless a higher standard of care is required by Rule 17f-5). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian acting as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolio is subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 16 of this Agreement.
3.2.7REPRESENTATIONS WITH RESPECT TO RULE 17F-5. The Foreign Custody Manager
represents to each Fund that it is a U.S. Bank as defined in section (a)(7) of Rule 17f-5. Each Fund represents to the Custodian that its Board has determined that it is reasonable for such Board to rely on the Custodian to perform the responsibilities delegated pursuant to this Agreement to the Custodian as the Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios.
3.2.8EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE CUSTODIAN AS FOREIGN CUSTODY
MANAGER. Each Board's delegation to the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios shall be effective as of the date hereof and shall remain in effect until terminated at any time, without penalty, by written notice from the terminating party to the non-terminating party. Termination will become effective ninety (90) days after receipt by the non-terminating party of such notice. The provisions of Section 3.2.2 hereof shall govern the delegation to and termination of the Custodian as Foreign Custody Manager of the Portfolios with respect to designated countries.
3.2.9CERTIFICATION REGARDING ELIGIBLE FOREIGN CUSTODIANS. Each report
presented to a Fund's Board by the Custodian pursuant to Section 3.2.5 above shall be accompanied by a certificate representing that (a) the Custodian has established a system to monitor the appropriateness of maintaining a Portfolio's Foreign Assets with each Eligible Foreign Custodian pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5 and to monitor the performance of each Eligible Foreign Custodian under the sub-custodian agreement between the Custodian and the Eligible Foreign Custodian, (b) the Custodian has monitored all Eligible Foreign Custodians and each Eligible Foreign Custodian continues to be an Eligible Foreign Custodian, (c) each Eligible Foreign Custodian continues to provide the standard of care set forth in Section
3.2.6hereof, after considering all relevant factors, including without limitation, those factors set forth in paragraph (c)(1) of Rule 17f-5, (d) all foreign custody agreements between the Custodian and the Eligible Foreign Custodians continue to meet the requirements of paragraph (c)(2) of Rule 17f-5, (e) since the submission of the last report pursuant to Section 3.2.5 above, there have been no material adverse changes to the Custodian's foreign custody network or arrangements other than those reported to the Board or other governing body or entity of the Fund, on behalf of itself or its applicable Portfolios, in the accompanying report or notified to the Fund through the Custodian's Global Market Bulletins, distributed to designated officers of the Fund and available on the Custodian's internet client portal, my.statestreet.com (which information shall be included in the accompanying report to the Board), and (f) the information included in the report is true, accurate and complete in all material respects.
SECTION 3.3 ELIGIBLE SECURITIES DEPOSITORIES.
3.3.1ANALYSIS AND MONITORING. The Custodian shall (a) provide the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) with an analysis of the custody risks associated with maintaining assets with the Eligible Securities Depositories set forth on Schedule B hereto in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(A) of Rule 17f-7, and (b) monitor such risks on a continuing basis, and
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promptly notify the Fund (or its duly-authorized investment manager or investment adviser) of any material change in such risks, in accordance with section (a)(1)(i)(B) of Rule 17f-7.
3.3.2STANDARD OF CARE. The Custodian agrees to exercise reasonable care, prudence and diligence in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1 (unless a higher standard of care is required by Rule 17f-7). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian, in performing the duties set forth in Section 3.3.1, is subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 16 of this Agreement.
SECTION 3.4 LOCAL REGULATORY MATTERS. The Custodian shall assist a Fund in complying with regulations and market practices of jurisdictions other than the United States of America applicable to a Fund's Foreign Assets as the Fund may reasonably request from time to time. Such assistance may include, but not be limited to, soliciting information and guidance from depositories, exchanges and regulators; obtaining legal opinions at the expense of the relevant Fund but only after a Fund has been notified and agrees in writing to the amount of such expenses; acting as a Fund's representative (if required by local law) in making filings; and providing such other assistance with respect to its Foreign Assets as a Fund may reasonably request. Based on what the Custodian considers to be reasonably reliable sources of information, including its Eligible Foreign Custodians, Custodian shall inform a Fund as to the Custodian's understanding of a Fund's rights, duties and obligations under regulations and market practices of jurisdictions other than the United States of America in connection with actions taken by a Fund or the Custodian, including, but not limited to, corporate actions involving a Fund's securities.
SECTION 4. DUTIES OF THE CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO PROPERTY OF THE PORTFOLIOS TO BE HELD OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES
SECTION 4.1 DEFINITIONS. As used throughout this Agreement, the capitalized terms set forth below shall have the indicated meanings:
"Foreign Securities System" means an Eligible Securities Depository listed on Schedule B hereto.
"Foreign Sub-Custodian" means a foreign banking institution serving as an Eligible Foreign Custodian.
SECTION 4.2 HOLDING SECURITIES. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the Portfolios the foreign securities and other financial assets held by each Foreign Sub-Custodian or Foreign Securities System. The Custodian may hold foreign securities and other financial assets for all of its customers, including the Portfolios, with any Foreign Sub-Custodian in an account that is identified as belonging to the Custodian for the benefit of its customers, provided however, that (i) the records of the Custodian with respect to foreign securities and other financial assets of the Portfolios which are maintained in such account shall identify those securities as belonging to the Portfolios and (ii), to the extent permitted and customary in the market in which the account is maintained, the Custodian shall require that securities so held by the Foreign Sub-Custodian be held separately from any assets of such Foreign Sub-Custodian or of other customers of such Foreign Sub-Custodian.
SECTION 4.3 FOREIGN SECURITIES SYSTEMS. Foreign securities shall be maintained in a Foreign Securities System in a designated country through arrangements implemented by the Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian, as applicable, in such country.
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SECTION 4.4 TRANSACTIONS IN FOREIGN CUSTODY ACCOUNT.
4.4.1DELIVERY OF FOREIGN ASSETS. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall release and deliver foreign securities of the Portfolios held by the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian, or in a Foreign Securities System account, only upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, and only in the following cases:
(i)Upon the sale of such foreign securities for the Portfolio in accordance with commercially reasonable market practice in the country where such foreign securities are held or traded, including, without limitation: (A) delivery against expectation of receiving later payment; or (B) in the case of a sale effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of the Foreign Securities System;
(ii)In connection with any repurchase agreement related to foreign securities;
(iii)To the depository agent in connection with tender or other similar offers for foreign securities of the Portfolios;
(iv)To the issuer thereof or its agent when such foreign securities are called, redeemed, retired or otherwise become payable;
(v)To the issuer thereof, or its agent, for transfer into the name of the Custodian (or the name of the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or of any nominee of the Custodian or such Foreign Sub-Custodian) or for exchange for a different number of bonds, certificates or other evidence representing the same aggregate face amount or number of units;
(vi)To brokers, clearing banks or other clearing agents for examination or trade execution in accordance with market custom; provided that in any such case, the Foreign Sub-Custodian shall have no responsibility or liability for any loss arising from the delivery of such foreign securities prior to receiving payment for such foreign securities except as may arise from the Foreign Sub-Custodian's own negligence or willful misconduct;
(vii)For exchange or conversion pursuant to any plan of merger, consolidation, recapitalization, reorganization or readjustment of the securities of the issuer of such securities, or pursuant to provisions for conversion contained in such securities, or pursuant to any deposit agreement;
(viii)In the case of warrants, rights or similar foreign securities, the surrender thereof in the exercise of such warrants, rights or similar securities or the surrender of interim receipts or temporary securities for definitive securities;
(ix)For delivery as security in connection with any borrowing by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requiring a pledge of assets by the Fund on behalf of such Portfolio;
(x)In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(xi)Upon the sale or other delivery of such foreign securities (including, without limitation, to one or more Special Sub-Custodians or Repo Custodians) as a Free Trade, provided that
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applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and
(B) the person or persons to whom delivery shall be made;
(xii)In connection with the lending of foreign securities; and
(xiii)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the foreign securities to be delivered and (B) the person or persons to whom delivery of such securities shall be made.
4.4.2PAYMENT OF PORTFOLIO MONIES. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which may be continuing instructions when deemed appropriate by the parties, the Custodian shall pay out, or direct the respective Foreign Sub-Custodian or the respective Foreign Securities System to pay out, monies of a Portfolio in the following cases only:
(i)Upon the purchase of foreign securities for the Portfolio, unless otherwise directed by Proper Instructions, by (A) delivering money to the seller thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such seller or dealer) against expectation of receiving later delivery of such foreign securities; or (B) in the case of a purchase effected through a Foreign Securities System, in accordance with the rules governing the operation of such Foreign Securities System;
(ii)In connection with the conversion, exchange or surrender of foreign securities of the Portfolio;
(iii)For the payment of any expense or liability of the Portfolio, including but not limited to the following payments: interest, taxes, investment advisory fees, transfer agency fees, fees under this Agreement, legal fees, accounting fees, and other operating expenses;
(iv)For the purchase or sale of foreign exchange or foreign exchange contracts for the Portfolio, including transactions executed with or through the Custodian or its Foreign Sub- Custodians;
(v)In connection with trading in options and futures contracts, including delivery as original margin and variation margin;
(vi)Upon the purchase of foreign investments including, without limitation, repurchase agreement transactions involving delivery of Portfolio monies to Repo Custodian(s), as a Free Trade, provided that applicable Proper Instructions shall set forth (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom payment shall be made;
(vii)For payment of part or all of the dividends received in respect of securities sold short;
(viii)In connection with the borrowing or lending of foreign securities; and
(ix)For any other purpose, but only upon receipt of Proper Instructions specifying (A) the amount of such payment and (B) the person or persons to whom such payment is to be made.
4.4.3 MARKET CONDITIONS. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, settlement and payment for Foreign Assets received for the account of the Portfolios and delivery
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of Foreign Assets maintained for the account of the Portfolios may be effected in accordance with the customary established securities trading or processing practices and procedures in the country or market in which the transaction occurs, including, without limitation, delivering Foreign Assets to the purchaser thereof or to a dealer therefor (or an agent for such purchaser or dealer) with the expectation of receiving later payment for such Foreign Assets from such purchaser or dealer but in all events subject to the standard of care set forth in Section 16 of this Agreement.
The Custodian shall provide to each Board the information with respect to custody and settlement practices in countries in which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian described on Schedule C hereto at the time or times set forth on such Schedule. The Custodian may revise Schedule C from time to time, provided that no such revision shall result in a Board being provided with substantively less information than had been previously provided hereunder.
SECTION 4.5 REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN SECURITIES. The foreign securities maintained in the custody of a Foreign Sub-Custodian (other than bearer securities) shall be registered in the name of the applicable Portfolio or in the name of the Custodian or in the name of any Foreign Sub-Custodian or in the name of any nominee of the foregoing provided that the use of a nominee is customary market practice. The applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio agrees to hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. To the extent that the use of nominee names is not customary market practice, foreign securities shall not be registered in a nominee name, and the Funds shall not have any obligation to hold harmless any such nominee where the use is not customary market practice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the prior written consent of the applicable Fund is given the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio shall hold any such nominee harmless from any liability as a holder of record of such foreign securities. The Custodian or a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall not be obligated to accept securities on behalf of a Portfolio under the terms of this Agreement unless the form of such securities and the manner in which they are delivered are in accordance with reasonable market practice.
SECTION 4.6 BANK ACCOUNTS. The Custodian shall identify on its books as belonging to the applicable Portfolio cash (including cash denominated in foreign currencies) deposited with the Custodian. Where the Custodian is unable to maintain, or market practice does not facilitate the maintenance of, cash on the books of the Custodian, a bank account or bank accounts shall be opened and maintained outside the United States on behalf of a Portfolio with a Foreign Sub-Custodian. All accounts referred to in this Section shall be subject only to draft or order by the Custodian (or, if applicable, such Foreign Sub-Custodian) acting pursuant to the terms of this Agreement to hold cash received by or from or for the account of the Portfolio. Cash maintained on the books of the Custodian (including its branches, subsidiaries and affiliates), regardless of currency denomination, is maintained in bank accounts established under, and subject to the laws of, The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The foregoing constitutes the disclosure required by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 167D, Section 36.
SECTION 4.7 COLLECTION OF INCOME. The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to collect all income and other payments with respect to the Foreign Assets held hereunder to which the Portfolios shall be entitled and shall credit such income, as collected, to the applicable Portfolio. The Custodian shall notify the Fund, at the frequency agreed to by the parties, in writing by facsimile transmission, electronic communication or in such other manner as the Fund and Custodian may agree in writing, if any amount payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets of the Portfolio of a Fund are not received by the Custodian when due. The Custodian shall not be responsible for the collection of amounts due and payable with respect to portfolio securities or other assets that are in default. In the event that extraordinary measures are required to collect such income, the Fund and the Custodian shall consult as to such measures and as to the compensation and expenses of the Custodian relating to such measures.
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Income on securities loaned other than from the Custodian's securities lending program shall be credited as received.
SECTION 4.8 SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS. With respect to the foreign securities held pursuant to this Section 4, the Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject always to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued, including but not limited to proxy services not being available in certain markets. Each Fund acknowledges that local conditions, including lack of regulation, onerous procedural obligations, lack of notice and other factors, may have the effect of severely limiting the ability of a Fund to exercise shareholder rights. The Custodian shall, however, as soon as is reasonably practicable communicate information received as to the foregoing to the applicable Fund. In addition to the foregoing, the Custodian agrees to provide the Funds with annual and periodic market updates.
SECTION 4.9 COMMUNICATIONS RELATING TO FOREIGN SECURITIES. The Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials received by the Custodian via the Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities being held for the account of the Portfolios (including, without limitation, pendency of calls and maturities of foreign securities and expirations of rights in connection therewith). With respect to tender or exchange offers, the Custodian shall transmit promptly to the applicable Fund written information with respect to materials so received by the Custodian from issuers of the foreign securities whose tender or exchange is sought or from the party (or its agents) making the tender or exchange offer. The Custodian shall not be liable for any untimely exercise of any tender, exchange or other right or power in connection with foreign securities or other property of the Portfolios at any time held by it unless (i) the Custodian or the respective Foreign Sub- Custodian is in actual possession of such foreign securities or property and (ii) the Custodian receives Proper Instructions with regard to the exercise of any such right or power, and both (i) and (ii) occur at least two (2) business days prior to the date on which the Custodian is to take action to exercise such right or power. For avoidance of doubt, upon and after the effective date of any termination of this Agreement, with respect to a Fund or its Portfolio(s), as may be applicable, the Custodian shall have no responsibility to so transmit any information under this Section 4.9.
The Custodian shall use reasonable commercial efforts to facilitate the exercise of voting and other shareholder rights, subject to the laws, regulations and practical constraints that may exist in the country where such securities are issued. In the event that the Fund invests in non-U.S. securities in a market in which the Custodian does not offer proxy voting services, the Custodian shall promptly notify the Fund. The Custodian shall also transmit promptly to the Fund all written information received by the Custodian through Foreign Sub-Custodians from issuers of the foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside of the United States and being held for the account of the Portfolio regarding any class action or other collective litigation relating to the Portfolio's foreign securities or other financial assets issued outside the United States and then held, or previously held, during the relevant class-action period during the term of this Agreement by the Custodian via a Foreign Sub-Custodian for the account of the Fund for the Portfolio, including, but not limited to, opt-out notices and proof-of-claim forms. Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, the Custodian's services with respect to class actions do not extend beyond the timely forwarding of written information so received by the Custodian.
SECTION 4.10 LIABILITY OF FOREIGN SUB-CUSTODIANS. The Custodian shall not employ a Foreign Sub-Custodian unless such employment is memorialized in a written agreement. Each such written agreement pursuant to which the Custodian employs a Foreign Sub-Custodian shall, to the extent possible using best efforts, require the Foreign Sub-Custodian to exercise reasonable care in the performance of its duties, and to indemnify, and hold harmless, the Custodian from and against any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim arising out of or in connection with the Foreign Sub-Custodian's performance of
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such obligations. At a Fund's election, the Portfolios shall be entitled to be subrogated to the rights of the Custodian with respect to any claims against a Foreign Sub-Custodian as a consequence of any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim if and to the extent that the Portfolios have not been made whole for any such loss, damage, cost, expense, liability or claim.
SECTION 4.11 TAX LAW. The Fund or its Portfolio shall be liable for all taxes, assessments, duties and other government charges, including any interest or penalty with respect thereto, with respect to any cash or securities held on behalf of the Fund or its Portfolios or any transaction related thereto. The Custodian shall withhold or cause to withhold the amount of tax which is required to be withheld under applicable law upon collection of any dividend, interest or other distribution with respect to any domestic security or foreign security and proceeds or income from the sale or other transfer of any domestic security or foreign security in custody at the Custodian. The Custodian shall assist the Fund with respect to any claim for exemption or reclaim under the tax laws of the designated countries listed on Schedule A upon request by a Fund. In providing such services, the Custodian does not act as the Fund's tax adviser or tax counsel.
SECTION 5. CONTRACTUAL SETTLEMENT SERVICES (PURCHASE / SALES)
SECTION 5.1 With respect to each cash account designated in writing by a Portfolio, the Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this Section 5, debit or credit the appropriate cash account of each Portfolio in connection with (i) the purchase of securities for such Portfolio, and (ii) proceeds of the sale of securities held on behalf of such Portfolio, on a contractual settlement basis (the "Contractual Settlement Services").
SECTION 5.2 The Contractual Settlement Services shall be provided for such instruments and in such markets as the Custodian may advise from time to time. The Custodian may terminate or suspend any part of the provision of the Contractual Settlement Services under this Agreement at its sole discretion immediately upon notice to the applicable Fund on behalf of each Portfolio, including, without limitation, in the event of force majeure events affecting settlement, any disorder in markets, or other changed external business circumstances affecting the markets or the Fund.
SECTION 5.3 The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that monies would ordinarily be required to settle such transaction in the applicable market. The Custodian shall promptly recredit such amount at the time that the Portfolio or the Fund notifies the Custodian by Proper Instruction that such transaction has been canceled.
SECTION 5.4 With respect to the settlement of a sale of securities, a provisional credit of an amount equal to the net sale price for the transaction (the "Settlement Amount") shall be made to the account of the Portfolio as if the Settlement Amount had been received as of the close of business on the date that monies would ordinarily be available in good funds in the applicable market. Such provisional credit will be made conditional upon the Custodian having received Proper Instructions with respect to, or reasonable notice of, the transaction, as applicable; and the Custodian or its agents having possession of the asset(s) (which shall exclude assets subject to any third party lending arrangement entered into by a Portfolio) associated with the transaction in good deliverable form and not being aware of any facts which would lead them to reasonably believe that the transaction will not settle in the time period ordinarily applicable to such transactions in the applicable market.
SECTION 5.5 Subject to the relevant requirements of Section 16, the Custodian shall have the right to reverse any provisional credit or debit given in connection with the Contractual Settlement Services
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when the Custodian believes, in its reasonable judgment, that such transaction will not settle in accordance with its terms or amounts due pursuant thereto will not be collectable or where the Custodian has not been provided Proper Instructions with respect thereto, as applicable. Upon such reversal, a sum equal to the credited or debited amount shall become immediately payable by the Portfolio to the Custodian and may be debited from any cash account held for benefit of the Portfolio. Prior to any such reversal, the Custodian will provide notice to the Fund pursuant to the relevant requirements of Section 16. Following such reversal, the Custodian will promptly notify the Fund of any action taken pursuant to this Section 5.5, which notice shall include a description of the facts forming the basis for the Custodian's decision to reverse the provisional credit.
SECTION 5A. ACTUAL SETTLEMENT SERVICES (PURCHASE / SALES)
SECTION 5A.1 With respect to each cash account designated in writing by a Portfolio, the Custodian shall, in accordance with the terms set out in this Section 5A, debit or credit the appropriate cash account of each Portfolio in connection with (i) the purchase of securities for such Portfolio, and (ii) proceeds of the sale of securities held on behalf of such Portfolio, on an actual settlement basis.
SECTION 5A.2 The consideration payable in connection with a purchase transaction shall be debited from the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that monies are actually payable.
SECTION 5A.3 With respect to the settlement of a sale of securities, the Custodian shall credit the appropriate cash account of the Portfolio as of the time and date that the cash received as consideration for the transaction is actually received by Custodian.
SECTION 6. SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS
Upon receipt of Special Instructions (as such term is defined in Section 8 hereof), the Custodian shall, on behalf of one or more Portfolios, appoint one or more banks, trust companies or other entities designated in such Special Instructions to act as a sub-custodian for the purposes of effecting such transaction(s) as may be designated by a Fund in Special Instructions. Each such designated sub-custodian is referred to herein as a "Special Sub-Custodian." Each such duly appointed Special Sub-Custodian shall be listed on Schedule D hereto, as it may be amended from time to time by a Fund, with the acknowledgment of the Custodian. In connection with the appointment of any Special Sub-Custodian, and in accordance with Special Instructions, the Custodian shall enter into a sub-custodian agreement with the Fund and the Special Sub-Custodian in form and substance approved by such Fund, provided that such agreement shall in all events comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and the terms and provisions of this Agreement.
SECTION 6A. FOREIGN EXCHANGE
SECTION 6A.1. GENERALLY. Upon receipt of Proper Instructions, which for purposes of this Section may also include security trade advices, the Custodian shall facilitate the processing and settlement of foreign exchange transactions. Such foreign exchange transactions do not constitute part of the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement.
SECTION 6A.2. FUND ELECTIONS. Each Fund (or its investment manager or investment advisor ("Investment Advisor") acting on its behalf) may elect to enter into and execute foreign exchange transactions with third parties that are not affiliated with the Custodian, with State Street Global Markets, which is the foreign exchange division of State Street Bank and Trust Company and its affiliated companies
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("SSGM"), or with a sub-custodian. Where the Fund or its Investment Advisor gives Proper Instructions for the execution of a foreign exchange transaction using an indirect foreign exchange service described in the Client Publications (as defined below), the Fund (or its Investment Advisor) instructs the Custodian, on behalf of the Fund, to direct the execution of such foreign exchange transaction to SSGM or, when the relevant currency is not traded by SSGM, to the applicable sub-custodian. The Custodian shall not have any agency (except as contemplated in preceding sentence), trust or fiduciary obligation to the Fund, its Investment Advisor or any other person in connection with the execution of any foreign exchange transaction. The Custodian shall have no responsibility under this Agreement for the selection of the counterparty to, or the method of execution of, any foreign exchange transaction entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) or the reasonableness of the execution rate on any such transaction. "Client Publications" means the general client publications of State Street Bank and Trust Company available from time to time to clients.
SECTION 6A.3. FUND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Each Fund acknowledges that in connection with all foreign exchange transactions entered into by the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf) with SSGM or any sub-custodian, SSGM and each such sub-custodian:
(i)shall be acting in a principal capacity and not as broker, agent or fiduciary to the Fund or its Investment Advisor;
(ii)shall seek to profit from such foreign exchange transactions, and are entitled to retain and not disclose any such profit to the Fund or its Investment Advisor; and
(iii)shall enter into such foreign exchange transactions pursuant to the terms and conditions, including pricing or pricing methodology, (a) agreed with the Fund or its Investment Advisor from time to time or (b) in the case of an indirect foreign exchange service, (i) as established by SSGM and set forth in the Client Publications with respect to the particular foreign exchange execution services selected by the Fund or the Investment Advisor or (ii) as established by the sub-custodian from time to time.
SECTION 6A.4. TRANSACTIONS BY STATE STREET. The Custodian or its affiliates, including SSGM, may trade based upon information that is not available to the Fund (or its Investment Advisor acting on its behalf), and may enter into transactions for its own account or the account of clients in the same or opposite direction to the transactions entered into with the Fund (or its Investment Advisor), and shall have no obligation, under this Agreement, to share such information with or consider the interests of their respective counterparties, including, where applicable, the Fund or the Investment Advisor.
SECTION 7. PAYMENTS FOR SALES OR REPURCHASES OR REDEMPTIONS OF SHARES
The Custodian shall receive from the distributor of the Shares or from the Transfer Agent and deposit into the account of the appropriate Portfolio such payments as are received for Shares thereof issued or sold from time to time by the applicable Fund. The Custodian will provide timely notification to such Fund on behalf of each such Portfolio and the Transfer Agent of any receipt by it of payments for Shares of such Portfolio.
From such funds as may be available for the purpose, the Custodian shall, upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent, make funds available for payment to holders of Shares who have delivered to the Transfer Agent a request for redemption or repurchase of their Shares. In connection with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian is authorized upon receipt of instructions from the Transfer Agent to wire funds to or through a commercial bank designated by the redeeming shareholders. In connection
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with the redemption or repurchase of Shares, the Custodian shall honor checks drawn on the Custodian by a holder of Shares, which checks have been furnished by a Fund to the holder of Shares, when presented to the Custodian in accordance with such procedures and controls as are mutually agreed upon from time to time between such Fund and the Custodian.
SECTION 8. PROPER INSTRUCTIONS AND SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
"Proper Instructions," which may also be standing instructions, as such term is used throughout this Agreement shall mean instructions received by the Custodian from a Fund, a Fund's duly authorized investment manager or investment adviser, or a person or entity duly authorized by either of them. Such instructions may be in writing signed by the authorized person or persons or may be in a tested communication or in a communication utilizing access codes effected between electro-mechanical or electronic devices or may be by such other means and utilizing such intermediary systems and utilities as may be agreed from time to time by the Custodian and the person(s) or entity giving such instruction, provided that the Fund has followed any security procedures agreed to from time to time by the applicable Fund and the Custodian. Oral instructions will be considered Proper Instructions if the Custodian reasonably believes them to have been given by a person authorized to provide such instructions with respect to the transaction involved; the Fund shall cause all oral instructions to be confirmed in writing. For purposes of this Section, Proper Instructions shall include instructions received by the Custodian pursuant to any multi-party agreement which requires a segregated asset account in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof.
"Special Instructions," as such term is used throughout this Agreement, means Proper Instructions countersigned or confirmed in writing by the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer of the applicable Fund or any other person designated in writing by the Treasurer of such Fund, which countersignature or confirmation shall be (a) included on the same instrument containing the Proper Instructions or on a separate instrument clearly relating thereto and (b) delivered by hand, by facsimile transmission, or in such other manner as the Fund and the Custodian agree in writing.
Concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, and from time to time thereafter, as appropriate, each Fund shall deliver to the Custodian, duly certified by such Fund's Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer, a certificate setting forth: (i) the names, titles, signatures and scope of authority of all persons authorized to give Proper Instructions or any other notice, request, direction, instruction, certificate or instrument on behalf of the Fund and (ii) the names, titles and signatures of those persons authorized to give Special Instructions. Such certificate may be accepted and relied upon by the Custodian as conclusive evidence of the facts set forth therein and shall be considered to be in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of a similar certificate to the contrary.
SECTION 9. EVIDENCE OF AUTHORITY
The Custodian shall be protected in acting upon any instructions, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument or paper reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to have been properly executed by or on behalf of the applicable Fund provided that the Custodian exercised reasonable care without negligence in following or acting upon such instruction, notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument. The Custodian may receive and accept a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of any Fund as conclusive evidence (a) of the authority of any person to act in accordance with such resolution or (b) of any determination or of any action by the applicable Board as described in such resolution, and such resolution may be considered as in full force and effect until receipt by the Custodian of written notice to the contrary.
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SECTION 10. ACTIONS PERMITTED WITHOUT EXPRESS AUTHORITY
The Custodian may in its discretion, without express authority from the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio:
1)Surrender securities in temporary form for securities in definitive form;
2)Endorse for collection, in the name of the Portfolio, checks, drafts and other negotiable instruments; and
3)In general, attend to all non-discretionary details in connection with the sale, exchange, substitution, purchase, transfer and other dealings with the securities and property of the Portfolio except as otherwise directed by the applicable Board.
SECTION 11. DUTIES OF CUSTODIAN WITH RESPECT TO THE BOOKS OF ACCOUNT
The Custodian shall cooperate with and supply necessary information to the entity or entities appointed by the applicable Board to keep the books of account of each Portfolio and to compute its net asset value. Each Fund acknowledges and agrees that, with respect to investments maintained with the Underlying Transfer Agent, the Underlying Transfer Agent is the sole source of information on the number of shares of a fund held by it on behalf of a Portfolio and that the Custodian has the right to rely on holdings information furnished by the Underlying Transfer Agent to the Custodian in performing its duties under this Agreement, including without limitation, the duties set forth in this Section 11 and in Section 12 hereof; provided, however, that the Custodian shall be obligated to reconcile information as to purchases and sales of Underlying Shares contained in trade instructions and confirmations received by the Custodian and to report promptly any discrepancies to the Underlying Transfer Agent. Each Fund acknowledges that, in keeping the books of account of the Portfolio, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund's counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.
SECTION 12. RECORDS
The Custodian shall with respect to each Portfolio create and maintain all records relating to its activities and obligations under this Agreement in such manner as will meet the obligations of each Fund under the 1940 Act, with particular attention to section 31 thereof and Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 thereunder. All such records shall be the property of the Fund and shall at all times during the regular business hours of the Custodian be open for inspection by duly authorized officers, employees or agents of such Fund, including such Fund's independent public accountants, and employees and agents of the SEC. The Custodian shall, at a Fund's request, supply the Fund with a tabulation of securities owned by each Portfolio and held by the Custodian and shall, when requested to do so by the Fund and for such compensation as shall be agreed upon between the Fund and the Custodian, include certificate numbers in such tabulations. Each Fund acknowledges that, in creating and maintaining the records as set forth herein with respect to Portfolio property released and delivered pursuant to Section 2.2(14), or purchased pursuant to Section 2.6(7) hereof, the Custodian is authorized and instructed to rely upon information provided to it by the Fund, the Fund's counterparty(ies), or the agents of either of them.
SECTION 13. RESERVED
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SECTION 14. REPORTS TO FUND BY INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Custodian shall provide the applicable Fund, on behalf of each of the Portfolios at such times as such Fund may reasonably require, with reports by independent public accountants on the accounting system, internal accounting control and procedures for safeguarding securities, futures contracts and options on futures contracts, including securities deposited and/or maintained in a U.S. Securities System or a Foreign Securities System (either, a "Securities System"), relating to the services provided by the Custodian under this Agreement; such reports, shall be of sufficient scope and in sufficient detail, as may reasonably be required by the Fund to provide reasonable assurance that any material inadequacies would be disclosed by such examination, and, if there are no such inadequacies, the reports shall so state.
SECTION 15. COMPENSATION OF CUSTODIAN
The Custodian shall be entitled to reasonable compensation for its services and expenses as Custodian, as agreed upon from time to time between each Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and the Custodian.
SECTION 16. RESPONSIBILITY OF CUSTODIAN
So long as and to the extent that it is in the exercise of reasonable care, the Custodian shall not be responsible for the title, validity or genuineness of any property or evidence of title thereto received by it or delivered by it pursuant to this Agreement and shall be held harmless in acting upon any notice, request, consent, certificate or other instrument reasonably believed by it to be genuine and to be signed by the proper party or parties. The Custodian shall perform the services provided for in this Agreement without negligence, fraud or willful misconduct and with reasonable care. The Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for any failure by the Custodian to satisfy the foregoing standard of care. The Custodian shall be kept indemnified by and shall be without liability to any Fund for any action taken or omitted by it in good faith without negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, including, without limitation, acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction without negligence, fraud or willful misconduct. The indemnification obligations of this Section shall survive termination of this Agreement.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct or the negligence, fraud or willful misconduct of a sub-custodian or agent, the Custodian shall be without liability to any Fund for any loss, liability, claim or expense resulting from or caused by: (i) events or circumstances beyond the reasonable control of the Custodian or any sub-custodian or Securities System or any agent or nominee of any of the foregoing (a "Force Majeure Event"), including, without limitation, the interruption, suspension or restriction of trading on or the closure of any securities market, power or other mechanical or technological failures or interruptions, acts of war, revolution, riots or terrorism, computer viruses or communications disruptions, work stoppages, natural disasters, or other similar events or acts, except to the extent that the Custodian fails to maintain and keep updated the business and continuity and disaster recovery plan as set forth in Section 19.7 and such failure causes such loss; (ii) errors by any Fund or its duly authorized investment manager or investment adviser in their instructions to the Custodian provided such instructions have been in accordance with this Agreement; (iii) the insolvency of or acts or omissions by a Securities System; (iv) any act or omission of a Special Sub-Custodian including, without limitation, reliance on reports prepared by a Special Sub-Custodian; (v) any delay or failure of any broker, agent or intermediary, central bank or other commercially prevalent payment or clearing system to deliver to the Custodian's sub-custodian or agent securities purchased or in the remittance or payment made in connection with securities sold; (vi) any delay or failure of any company, corporation, or other body in charge of registering or transferring securities in the name of the Custodian, any Fund, the Custodian's sub- custodians, nominees or agents or any consequential losses arising out of such delay or failure to transfer such securities including non-receipt of bonus, dividends and rights and other accretions or benefits; (vii)
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delays or inability to perform its duties due to any disorder in market infrastructure with respect to any particular security or Securities System; and (viii) any provision of any present or future law or regulation or order of the United States of America, or any state thereof, or any other country, or political subdivision thereof or of any court of competent jurisdiction.
The Custodian shall be liable to a Fund for the acts or omissions of any sub-custodian selected by the Custodian, whether domestic or foreign (but excluding any Special Sub-Custodian or U.S. sub-custodian designated by a Fund pursuant to Special Instructions or Proper Instructions), to the same extent that the Custodian would be liable to the Fund as if such action or omission was performed by the Custodian itself, taking into account the facts and circumstances and the established local market practices and laws prevailing in the relevant jurisdiction at the time of the action or omission. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Custodian shall in no event be liable for losses arising from Country Risk or from the insolvency or other financial default with respect to (a) any sub-custodian that is not an affiliate of the Custodian or (b) any depositary bank holding in a deposit account cash denominated in any currency other than an "on book" currency for that market.
If a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio requires the Custodian to take any action with respect to securities, which action involves the payment of money or which action may, in the reasonable opinion of the Custodian, result in the Custodian or its nominee assigned to the Fund or the Portfolio being liable for the payment of money, such Fund on behalf of the Portfolio, as a prerequisite to requiring the Custodian to take such action, shall provide indemnity to the Custodian in an amount and form to be mutually agreed upon between such Fund and Custodian if and when necessary.
If the Custodian, its affiliates, subsidiaries or agents, advances cash or securities for any purpose (including, but not limited to, securities settlements, foreign exchange contracts and assumed settlement, but not including amounts payable to the Custodian pursuant to Section 15 of this Agreement) or in the event that the Custodian or its nominee shall incur or be assessed from a third party any taxes, charges, expenses, assessments, claims or liabilities in connection with the investment activities of a Fund and the Custodian's related performance of this Agreement, except such as may arise from the Custodian's or its nominee's own negligent action, negligent failure to act, fraud, or willful misconduct, any property at any time held for the account of the applicable Portfolio shall be security therefor and should the Fund fail to repay the Custodian promptly, the Custodian shall be entitled to apply available cash and to dispose of such Portfolio's assets to the extent necessary to obtain reimbursement. In addition, the Custodian may at any time decline to follow Proper Instructions to deliver out cash, securities or other financial assets if the Custodian reasonably determines that, after giving effect to the Proper Instructions, the cash, securities or other financial assets remaining will not have sufficient value fully to secure the Fund's reimbursement of the relevant advances or other liabilities.
Except as may arise from the Custodian's own negligence, fraud or willful misconduct, each Fund severally and not jointly shall indemnify and hold the Custodian harmless from and against any and all costs, expenses, losses, damages, charges, counsel fees, payments and liabilities which may be asserted against the Custodian (a) acting in accordance with any Proper Instruction or Special Instruction including, without limitation, any Proper Instruction with respect to Free Trades including, but not limited to, cost, expense, loss, damage, charge, counsel fee, payment or liability resulting from the Custodian's reasonable reliance upon information provided by the applicable Fund, such Fund's counterparty(ies) or the agents of either of them with respect to Fund property released, delivered or purchased pursuant to either of Section 2.2(14) or Section 2.6(7) hereof; (b) for the acts or omissions of any Special Sub-Custodian; or (c) for the acts or omissions of any Local Agent or Pledgee.
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None of the parties shall be liable for indirect, special, incidental, punitive or consequential damages. Upon the occurrence of any event that causes or may cause any loss, damage or expense to a Fund, the Custodian shall (i) promptly notify a Fund of the occurrence of such event and (ii) use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause any sub-custodian to use all commercially reasonable efforts and to take all reasonable steps under the circumstances to mitigate the effects of such event and to avoid continuing harm to a Fund.
SECTION 17. EFFECTIVE PERIOD, TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT
This Agreement shall become effective as of its execution, shall continue in full force and effect until terminated as hereinafter provided, may be amended at any time by mutual agreement of the parties hereto and may be terminated by either party by an instrument in writing delivered or mailed, postage prepaid to the other party, such termination to take effect not sooner than sixty (60) days after the date of such delivery or mailing if termination is being sought by a Fund on behalf of a Portfolio and not sooner than one hundred twenty (120) days if termination is being sought by the Custodian; provided, however, that no Fund shall amend or terminate this Agreement in contravention of any applicable federal or state regulations, or any provision of such Fund's Governing Documents, and further provided, that any Fund on behalf of one or more of the Portfolios may at any time by action of its Board (i) substitute another bank or trust company for the Custodian by giving notice as described above to the Custodian, or (ii) immediately terminate this Agreement in the event of the appointment of a bankruptcy trustee or a conservator or receiver for the Custodian by the Comptroller of the Currency or upon the happening of a like event at the direction of an appropriate regulatory agency or court of competent jurisdiction. Termination of this Agreement with respect to any one particular Fund or Portfolio shall in no way affect the rights and duties under this Agreement with respect to any other Fund or Portfolio.
Upon termination of the Agreement, the applicable Fund on behalf of each applicable Portfolio shall pay to the Custodian such compensation as may be due as of the date of such termination and shall likewise reimburse the Custodian for the transaction costs of delivering out the securities of such applicable Portfolio to the successor custodian appointed pursuant to Section 18 of this Agreement, if any.
In connection with any termination of the Agreement for any reason whatsoever, the parties shall also reasonably cooperate with respect to the development of a transition plan setting forth a reasonable timetable for the transition and describing the parties' respective responsibilities for transitioning the services back to the Fund or any successor custodian in an orderly and uninterrupted fashion.
If the Custodian is prevented from carrying out its obligations under the Agreement as a result of a Force Majeure Event for a period of 30 days, a Fund may terminate the Agreement by giving the Custodian not less than 30 days' notice, without prejudice to any of the rights of any party accrued prior to the date of termination; provided, however, that if the Force Majeure Event is a regional wide or market wide event that has similarly affected substantially all other providers of services to funds substantially similar to the services provided hereunder in such region or market, the Fund's termination right shall only arise at such time that two (2) or more of such providers are reasonably able and have begun to recommence the provision of such services. If the Custodian recommences the provision of the affected services in all material respects prior to the exercise by a Fund of its termination right, such termination right shall lapse if the Custodian gives notice to the Fund that it has done so (and it has in fact so recommenced the provision of services) and a Fund has not already provided notice of termination prior to such notice by the Custodian that it has recommenced the services in all material respects.
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SECTION 18. SUCCESSOR CUSTODIAN
If a successor custodian for one or more Portfolios shall be appointed by the applicable Board, the Custodian shall, upon termination and receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver to such successor custodian at the office of the Custodian (or such other location as shall mutually be agreed upon by the Custodian and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio), duly endorsed and in the form for transfer, all securities, cash, and other assets of each applicable Portfolio then held by it hereunder and shall transfer to an account of the successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in a Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent.
If no such successor custodian shall be appointed, the Custodian shall, in like manner, upon receipt of Proper Instructions, deliver at the office of the Custodian (or such other location as shall mutually be agreed upon by the Custodian and the applicable Fund on behalf of such Portfolio) and transfer such securities, funds and other properties in accordance with such resolution.
In the event that no Proper Instructions designating a successor custodian or alternative arrangements shall have been delivered to the Custodian on or before the date when such termination shall become effective, then the Custodian shall have the right to deliver to a bank or trust company, which is a "bank" as defined in the 1940 Act, doing business in Boston, Massachusetts or New York, New York, of its own selection, having an aggregate capital, surplus, and undivided profits, as shown by its last published report, of not less than $25,000,000, all securities, funds and other properties held by the Custodian on behalf of each applicable Portfolio and all instruments held by the Custodian relative thereto and all other property held by it under this Agreement on behalf of each applicable Portfolio, and to transfer to an account of such successor custodian all of the securities of each such Portfolio held in any Securities System or at the Underlying Transfer Agent. Thereafter, such bank or trust company shall be the successor of the Custodian under this Agreement.
In the event that securities, funds and other properties remain in the possession of the Custodian after the date of termination hereof owing to failure of any Fund to provide Proper Instructions as aforesaid, the Custodian shall be entitled to fair compensation for its services during such period as the Custodian retains possession of such securities, funds and other properties and the provisions of this Agreement relating to the duties and obligations of the Custodian shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 19. GENERAL
SECTION 19.1 NEW YORK LAW TO APPLY. This Agreement shall be construed and the provisions thereof interpreted under and in accordance with laws of The State of New York.
SECTION 19.2 CONFIDENTIALITY. All information provided under this Agreement by a party (the "Disclosing Party") to the other party (the "Receiving Party") regarding the Disclosing Party's business and operations shall be treated as confidential. All confidential information provided under this Agreement by Disclosing Party shall be used, including disclosure to third parties, by the Receiving Party, or its agents or service providers, solely for the purpose of performing or receiving the services and discharging the Receiving Party's other obligations under the Agreement or managing the internal business of the Receiving Party and its affiliates, including financial and operational management and reporting, risk management, legal and regulatory compliance and client service management. The foregoing shall not be applicable to any information (a) that is publicly available when provided or thereafter becomes publicly available, other than through a breach of this Agreement, (b) that is independently derived by the Receiving Party without the use of any information provided by the Disclosing Party in connection with this Agreement, (c) that is disclosed to comply with any proceeding, investigation, audit, examination, subpoena, civil investigative
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demand or other similar process that is initiated, authorized, or conducted by a court of law, regulatory agency, or other governmental or administrative body with appropriate jurisdiction over either party, (d) that is disclosed as required by operation of law or regulation or as required to comply with the requirements of any market infrastructure that the Disclosing Party or its agents direct the Custodian or its affiliates to employ (or which is required in connection with the holding or settlement of instruments included in the assets subject to this Agreement), or (e) where the party seeking to disclose has received the prior written consent of the party providing the information.
SECTION 19.3 ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by (a) any Fund without the written consent of the Custodian or (b) by the Custodian without the written consent of each applicable Fund.
SECTION 19.4 INTERPRETIVE AND ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS. In connection with the operation of this Agreement, the Custodian and each Fund on behalf of each of the Portfolios, may from time to time agree on such provisions interpretive of or in addition to the provisions of this Agreement as may in their joint opinion be consistent with the general tenor of this Agreement.
SECTION 19.5 ADDITIONAL FUNDS. In the event that any management investment company in addition to those listed on Appendix A hereto desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such management investment company shall become a Fund hereunder and be bound by all terms and conditions and provisions hereof including, without limitation, the representations and warranties set forth in Section 19.7 below.
SECTION 19.6 ADDITIONAL PORTFOLIOS. In the event that any Fund establishes one or more series of Shares in addition to those set forth on Appendix A hereto with respect to which it desires to have the Custodian render services as custodian under the terms hereof, it shall so notify the Custodian in writing, and if the Custodian agrees in writing to provide such services, such series of Shares shall become a Portfolio hereunder.
SECTION 19.7 THE PARTIES. All references herein to the "Fund" are to each of the management investment companies listed on Appendix A hereto, and each management investment company made subject to this Agreement in accordance with Section 19.5 above, individually, as if this Agreement were between such individual Fund and the Custodian. In the case of a series corporation, trust or other entity, all references herein to the "Portfolio" are to the individual series or portfolio of such corporation, trust or other entity, or to such corporation, trust or other entity on behalf of the individual series or portfolio, as appropriate. Any reference in this Agreement to "the parties" shall mean the Custodian and such other individual Fund as to which the matter pertains. Each Fund hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its Governing Documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable agreement; and (e) its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Fund or any law or regulation applicable to it. The Custodian hereby represents and warrants that (a) it is duly incorporated or organized and is validly existing in good standing in its jurisdiction of incorporation or organization; (b) it has the requisite power and authority under applicable law and its declaration of trust or other governing documents to enter into and perform this Agreement; (c) all requisite proceedings have been taken to authorize it to enter into and perform this Agreement; (d) this Agreement constitutes its legal, valid, binding and enforceable agreement;
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and (e) its entrance into this Agreement shall not cause a material breach or be in material conflict with any other agreement or obligation of the Custodian or any law or regulation applicable to it.
The Custodian hereby represents to each of the Funds, on behalf of each of such Fund's Portfolios, that it
(a)has and shall maintain and update a disaster recovery and business continuation plan that is reasonably designed to enable the Custodian to perform its duties and obligations set forth under this Agreement in the event of a significant business disruption affecting the Custodian, including a Force Majeure Event; (b) shall test the operability of such plan at least once every twelve (12) months and revise such plan as Custodian reasonably believes is necessary to ensure that the plan, in general, continues to be reasonably designed to enable the Custodian to perform its duties and obligations as set forth under this Agreement; and (c) shall activate such plan if Custodian reasonably believes (i) an event has occurred which would materially affect the Custodian's timely discharge of its duties and performance of its obligations under this Agreement and (ii) activation of such plan would allow Custodian to discharge its duties hereunder. The Custodian shall enter into and shall maintain in effect at all times during the term of this Agreement with appropriate parties one or more agreements making reasonable provision for (i) periodic back-up of the computer files and data with respect to the Fund and (ii) emergency use of electronic data processing equipment to provide services under this Agreement. Upon reasonable request, the Custodian shall discuss with the Fund the business continuity/disaster recovery plan of the Custodian. The Custodian represents that its business continuity plan is appropriate for its business as a provider of custodian services to investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
SECTION 19.8 REMOTE ACCESS SERVICES ADDENDUM. The Custodian and each Fund agree to be bound by the terms of the Remote Access Services Addendum hereto.
SECTION 19.9 NOTICES. Any notice, instruction or other instrument required to be given hereunder may be delivered in person to the offices of the parties as set forth herein during normal business hours or delivered prepaid registered mail or by telex, cable or telecopy to the parties at the following addresses or such other addresses as may be notified by any party from time to time.
To any Fund: |
c/o THE VANGUARD GROUP, INC. |
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400 Devon Park Drive, A29 |
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Wayne, PA 19087 |
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Attention: Chief Financial Officer |
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Telecopy: (610) 669-6112 |
With a copy to: |
THE VANGUARD GROUP, INC. |
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400 Devon Park Drive, V26 |
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Wayne, PA 19087 |
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Attention: General Counsel |
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Telecopy: (610) 669-6600 |
To the Custodian: |
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY |
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1 Iron Street |
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Boston, MA 02210 |
|
Attention: Jay Fulchino |
|
Telephone: 617-662-0934 |
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With a copy to: |
STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY |
|
Legal Division Global Services Americas |
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One Lincoln Street |
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Boston, MA 02111 |
|
Attention: Senior Vice President |
Such notice, instruction or other instrument shall be deemed to have been served in the case of a registered letter at the expiration of five business days after posting, in the case of cable twenty-four hours after dispatch and, in the case of facsimile, immediately on dispatch and if delivered outside normal business hours it shall be deemed to have been received at the next time after delivery when normal business hours commence and in the case of cable, facsimile or telecopy on the business day after the receipt thereof. Evidence that the notice was properly addressed, stamped and put into the post shall be conclusive evidence of posting.
SECTION 19.10 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.
SECTION 19.11 SEVERABILITY. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired.
SECTION 19.12 REPRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS. This Agreement and all schedules, addenda, exhibits, appendices, attachments and amendments hereto may be reproduced by any photographic, photostatic, microfilm, micro-card, miniature photographic or other similar process. The parties hereto all/each agree that any such reproduction shall be admissible in evidence as the original itself in any judicial or administrative proceeding, whether or not the original is in existence and whether or not such reproduction was made by a party in the regular course of business, and that any enlargement, facsimile or further reproduction of such reproduction shall likewise be admissible in evidence.
SECTION 19.13 SHAREHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS ELECTION. Rule 14b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires banks which hold securities for the account of customers to respond to requests by issuers of securities for the names, addresses and holdings of beneficial owners of securities of that issuer held by the bank unless the beneficial owner has expressly objected to disclosure of this information. In order to comply with the rule, the Custodian needs each Fund to indicate whether it authorizes the Custodian to provide such Fund's name, address, and share position to requesting companies whose securities the Fund owns. If a Fund tells the Custodian "no," the Custodian will not provide this information to requesting companies. If a Fund tells the Custodian "yes" or does not check either "yes" or "no" below, the Custodian is required by the rule to treat the Fund as consenting to disclosure of this information for all securities owned by the Fund or any funds or accounts established by the Fund. For a Fund's protection, the Rule prohibits the requesting company from using the Fund's name and address for any purpose other than corporate communications. Please indicate below whether the Fund consents or objects by checking one of the alternatives below.
YES [ ] The Custodian is authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and share positions.
NO [X] The Custodian is not authorized to release the Fund's name, address, and share positions.
SECTION 19.14 REPORTS. Upon reasonable request of a Fund, the Custodian shall provide the Fund with a copy of the Custodian's System and Organization Controls for Service Organizations: Internal
Information Classification: Limited Access
29
Control over Financial Reporting (SOC) 1 reports prepared in accordance with the requirements of AT-C section 320, Reporting on an Examination of Controls at a Service Organization Relevant to User Entities' Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (or any successor attestation standard). In addition, from time to time as requested, the Custodian will furnish the Fund a "gap" or "bridge" letter that will address any material changes that might have occurred in the Custodian's controls covered in the SOC Report from the end of the SOC Report period through a specified requested date. The Custodian shall use commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Fund with such reports as the Fund may reasonably request or otherwise reasonably require to fulfill its duties under Rule 38a-l of the 1940 Act or similar legal and regulatory requirements. Upon reasonable request to the Fund, the Custodian shall also provide to the Fund sub- certifications in connection with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 certification requirements.
SECTION 19.15 OPINIONS. The Custodian shall take all reasonable action, as the Fund with respect to a Portfolio may from time to time request, to obtain from year to year favorable opinions from the Fund's independent accountants with respect to its activities hereunder in connection with (i) the preparation of any registration statement of a Fund and any other reports required by a governmental agency or regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the Fund, and (ii) the fulfillment by a Fund of any other requirements of a governmental agency or regulatory authority with jurisdiction over the Fund.
SECTION 19.16 REGULATION GG. The Funds are hereby notified that "restricted transactions," as such term is defined in Section 233.2(y) of Federal Reserve Regulation GG, are prohibited in any dealings with the Custodian pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise between or among any party hereto.
SECTION 19.17 PORTFOLIO BY PORTFOLIO BASIS. This Agreement is executed by a Fund with respect to each of its Portfolios and the obligations hereunder are not binding upon any of the directors, officers or shareholders of the Fund individually. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, each and every obligation, liability or undertaking of a particular Portfolio under this Agreement shall constitute solely an obligation, liability or undertaking of, and be binding upon, such particular Portfolio and shall be payable solely from the available assets of such particular Portfolio and shall not be binding upon or affect any assets of any other Portfolio.
SECTION 19.18 SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS. The Custodian and the Funds may from time to time agree to document the manner in which they expect to deliver and receive the services contemplated by this Agreement. In such event, each party will perform its obligations in accordance with any service levels that may be agreed upon by the parties in writing from time to time, subject to the terms of this Agreement
SECTION 19.19 LOAN SERVICES ADDENDUM. If a Fund directs the Custodian in writing to perform loan services, the Custodian and the Fund will be bound by the terms of the Loan Services Addendum attached hereto. The Fund shall reimburse Custodian for its fees and expenses related thereto as agreed upon from time to time in writing by the Fund and the Custodian.
[Signature page to follow.]
Information Classification: Limited Access
30
APPENDIX A
Vanguard California Tax-Free Funds
Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund
Vanguard CMT Funds
Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund
Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund
Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
Vanguard Malvern Funds
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Funds Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Municipal Bond Funds
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund
Vanguard New Jersey Tax-Free Funds
Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
Vanguard New York Tax-Free Funds
Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Ohio Tax-Free Funds
Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Pennsylvania Tax-Free Funds
Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Quantitative Funds
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Vanguard STAR Funds
Vanguard STAR Fund
A-1
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds
Balanced Portfolio
Diversified Value Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
High Yield Bond Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
Small Company Growth Portfolio
Vanguard World Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
A-2
SCHEDULE A GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK
MARKET |
|
SUBCUSTODIAN |
ADDRESS | |
Albania |
Raiffeisen Bank sh.a. |
|
Blv. "Bajram Curri" ETC Kati 14 Tirana, Albania | |
Argentina |
Citibank, N.A. |
|
Bartolome Mitre 530 | |
|
|
|
|
1036 Buenos Aires, Argentina |
Australia |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking |
HSBC Securities Services Level 3, | ||
|
Corporation Limited |
|
10 Smith St., | |
|
|
|
|
Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia |
Austria |
Deutsche Bank AG (operating through its |
Fleischmarkt 1 | ||
|
Frankfurt branch with support from its |
A-1010 Vienna, Austria | ||
|
Vienna branch) |
|
| |
|
UniCredit Bank Austria AG |
Custody Department / Dept. 8398-TZ Julius Tandler Platz 3 | ||
|
|
|
|
A-1090 Vienna, Austria |
Bahrain |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited (as |
1ST Floor, Bldg. #2505 Road # 2832, Al | ||
|
delegate of The Hongkong and Shanghai |
Seef 428 Kingdom of Bahrain | ||
|
Banking Corporation Limited) |
| ||
Bangladesh |
Standard Chartered Bank |
|
Silver Tower, Level 7 | |
|
|
|
|
52 South Gulshan Commercial Area Gulshan 1, Dhaka 1212, |
|
|
|
|
Bangladesh |
Belgium |
Deutsche |
Bank AG, |
Netherlands |
De Entrees 99-197 |
|
(operating |
through its |
Amsterdam |
1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands |
|
branch with support from its Brussels |
| ||
|
branch) |
|
|
|
Benin |
via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire |
23, Bld de la République | ||
|
S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
|
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire | |
Bermuda |
HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited |
6 Front Street | ||
|
|
|
|
Hamilton, HM06, Bermuda |
Federation of |
UniCredit Bank d.d. |
|
Zelenih beretki 24 | |
Bosnia and |
|
|
|
71 000 Sarajevo |
Herzegovina |
|
|
|
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Botswana |
Standard Chartered Bank Botswana Limited |
4th Floor, Standard Chartered House Queens Road | ||
|
|
|
|
The Mall |
|
|
|
|
Gaborone, Botswana |
Brazil |
Citibank, N.A. |
|
AV Paulista 1111 | |
|
|
|
|
S÷o Paulo, SP 01311-920 Brazil |
Bulgaria |
Citibank Europe plc, Bulgaria Branch |
Serdika Offices, 10th floor 48 Sitnyakovo Blvd. | ||
|
|
|
|
1505 Sofia, Bulgaria |
|
UniCredit Bulbank AD |
|
7 Sveta Nedelya Square | |
|
|
|
|
1000 Sofia, Bulgaria |
Burkina Faso |
via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire |
23, Bld de la République | ||
|
S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
|
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire | |
Canada |
State Street Trust Company Canada |
30 Adelaide Street East, Suite 800 Toronto, ON Canada | ||
|
|
|
|
M5C 3G6 |
Chile |
Ita÷ CorpBanca S.A. |
|
Presidente Riesco Street # 5537 Floor 18 | |
|
|
|
|
Las Condes, Santiago de Chile |
People's |
HSBC Bank (China) Company Limited |
33rd Floor, HSBC Building, Shanghai IFC 8 Century Avenue | ||
Republic of |
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
Pudong, Shanghai, China (200120) | ||
China |
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
| ||
|
China Construction Bank Corporation |
No.1 Naoshikou Street Chang An Xing Rong | ||
|
|
|
|
Plaza Beijing 100032-33, China |
SCH A-1
China Connect |
Citibank N.A. |
| |
|
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking | ||
|
Corporation Limited |
| |
|
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) | ||
|
Limited |
|
|
Colombia |
Cititrust Colombia S.A. Sociedad Fiduciaria | ||
Costa Rica |
Banco BCT S.A. |
| |
Croatia |
Privredna Banka Zagreb d.d. | ||
|
Zagrebacka Banka d.d. |
| |
Cyprus |
BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.C.A., | ||
|
Greece (operating through its Athens | ||
|
branch) |
|
|
Czech Republic |
Československá obchodn÷ banka, a.s. | ||
|
UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and | ||
|
Slovakia, a.s. |
| |
Denmark |
Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden | ||
|
(operating through its branch, Nordea | ||
|
Danmark, Filial af Nordea Bank AB | ||
|
(publ), Sverige) |
| |
|
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB | ||
|
(publ), Sweden (operating through its | ||
|
Copenhagen branch) |
| |
Egypt |
HSBC Bank Egypt S.A.E. |
| |
|
(as delegate of The Hongkong and | ||
|
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) | ||
Estonia |
AS SEB Pank |
| |
Finland |
Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden | ||
|
(operating through its branch, Nordea | ||
|
Bank AB (publ), Finnish branch) | ||
|
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), | ||
|
Sweden (operating through its Helsinki | ||
|
branch) |
|
|
France |
Deutsche |
Bank AG, |
Netherlands |
|
(operating |
through its |
Amsterdam |
|
branch with support from its Paris | ||
|
branch) |
|
|
Republic of |
JSC Bank of Georgia |
| |
Georgia |
|
|
|
Germany |
State Street Bank International GmbH | ||
|
Deutsche Bank AG |
| |
Ghana |
Standard Chartered Bank Ghana Limited | ||
39/F., Champion Tower 3 Garden Road Central, Hong Kong
Level 30,
HSBC Main Building 1 Queen's Road Central, Hong Kong
15th Floor Standard Chartered Tower 388 Kwun Tong Road Kwun Tong, Hong Kong
Carrera 9A, No. 99-02 Bogotá DC, Colombia
160 Calle Central Edificio BCT San José, Costa Rica
Custody Department Radnička cesta 50 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Savska 60
10000 Zagreb, Croatia
2 Lampsakou Str.
115 28 Athens, Greece
Radlická 333/150
150 57 Prague 5, Czech Republic
BBCentrum FILADELFIE Želetavská 1525/1
140 92 Praha 4 - Michle, Czech Republic
Strandgade 3
0900 Copenhagen C, Denmark
Bernstorffsgade 50
1577 Copenhagen, Denmark
6th Floor
306 Corniche El Nil Maadi
Cairo, Egypt
Tornim÷e 2
15010 Tallinn, Estonia
Satamaradankatu 5
00500 Helsinki, Finland
Securities Services Box 630
SF-00101 Helsinki, Finland
De Entrees 99-197
1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands
29a Gagarini Str. Tbilisi 0160,
Georgia
Brienner Strasse 59
80333 Munich, Germany
Alfred-Herrhausen-Allee16-24
D-65760 Eschborn, Germany
P. O. Box 768
1st Floor
SCH A-2
|
|
High Street Building Accra, Ghana |
Greece |
BNP Paribas Securities Services, S.C.A. |
2 Lampsakou Str. |
|
|
115 28 Athens, Greece |
Guinea-Bissau |
via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire |
23, Bld de la République |
|
S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire |
Hong Kong |
Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) |
15th Floor Standard Chartered Tower 388 Kwun Tong Road |
|
Limited |
Kwun Tong, Hong Kong |
Hungary |
Citibank Europe plc Magyarországi |
7 Szabadság tér, Bank Center Budapest, H-1051 Hungary |
|
Fi÷ktelepe |
|
|
UniCredit Bank Hungary Zrt. |
6th Floor Szabadság tér 5-6 |
|
|
H-1054 Budapest, Hungary |
Iceland |
Landsbankinn hf. |
Austurstr÷ti 11 |
|
|
155 Reykjavik, Iceland |
India |
Deutsche Bank AG |
Block B1, 4th Floor, Nirlon Knowledge Park |
|
|
Off Western Express Highway Goregaon (E) |
|
|
Mumbai 400 063, India |
|
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking |
11F, Building 3, NESCO - IT Park, NESCO Complex, |
|
Corporation Limited |
Western Express Highway Goregaon (East), |
|
|
Mumbai 400 063, India |
Indonesia |
Deutsche Bank AG |
Deutsche Bank Building, 4th floor Jl. Imam Bonjol, No. 80 |
|
|
Jakarta 10310, Indonesia |
Ireland |
State Street Bank and Trust Company, |
525 Ferry Road |
|
United Kingdom branch |
Edinburgh EH5 2AW, Scotland |
Israel |
Bank Hapoalim B.M. |
50 Rothschild Boulevard Tel Aviv, Israel |
|
|
61000 |
Italy |
Deutsche Bank S.p.A. |
Investor Services |
|
|
Via Turati 27 3rd Floor |
|
|
20121 Milan, Italy |
Ivory Coast |
Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire S.A. |
23, Bld de la République |
|
|
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire |
Japan |
Mizuho Bank, Limited |
Shinagawa Intercity Tower A 2-15-1, Konan, Minato-ku |
|
|
Tokyo 108-6009, Japan |
|
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking |
HSBC Building |
|
Corporation Limited |
11-1 Nihonbashi 3-chome, Chuo-ku Tokyo 1030027, Japan |
Jordan |
Standard Chartered Bank |
Shmeissani Branch |
|
|
Al-Thaqafa Street, Building # 2 |
|
|
P.O. Box 926190 |
|
|
Amman 11110, Jordan |
Kazakhstan |
JSC Citibank Kazakhstan |
Park Palace, Building A, 41 Kazibek Bi street, |
|
|
Almaty A25T0A1, Kazakhstan |
Kenya |
Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited |
Custody Services |
|
|
Standard Chartered @ Chiromo, Level 5 48 Westlands Road |
|
|
P.O. Box 40984 00100 GPO |
|
|
Nairobi, Kenya |
Republic of Korea |
Deutsche Bank AG |
18th Fl., Young-Poong Building 41 Cheonggyecheon-ro |
|
|
Jongro-ku-, Seoul 03188, Korea |
|
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking |
5F |
|
Corporation Limited |
HSBC Building #37 Chilpae-ro |
|
|
Jung-gu, Seoul 04511, Korea |
Kuwait |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
Kuwait City, Sharq Area Abdulaziz Al Sager Street Al Hamra |
|
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
Tower, 37F |
SCH A-3
|
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
P. O. Box 1683, Safat 13017, Kuwait |
Latvia |
AS SEB banka |
Unicentrs, Valdlauči |
|
|
LV-1076 Kekavas pag., Rigas raj., Latvia |
Lithuania |
AB SEB bankas |
Gedimino av. 12 |
|
|
LT 2600 Vilnius, Lithuania |
Malawi |
Standard Bank Limited |
Kaomba Centre |
|
|
Cnr. Victoria Avenue & Sir Glyn Jones Road |
|
|
Blantyre, Malawi |
Malaysia |
Deutsche Bank (Malaysia) Berhad |
Domestic Custody Services Level 20, Menara IMC |
|
|
8 Jalan Sultan Ismail |
|
|
50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
|
Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad |
Menara Standard Chartered 30 Jalan Sultan Ismail |
|
|
50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
Mali |
via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire |
23, Bld de la République |
|
S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire |
Mauritius |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking |
6F HSBC Centre 18 CyberCity |
|
Corporation Limited |
Ebene, Mauritius |
Mexico |
Banco Nacional de México, S.A. |
3er piso, Torre Norte |
|
|
Act. Roberto Medell÷n No. 800 Col. Santa Fe |
|
|
Mexico, DF 01219 |
Morocco |
Citibank Maghreb |
Zénith Millénium Immeuble1 Sidi Maârouf |
|
|
B.P. 40 Casablanca 20190, Morocco |
Namibia |
Standard Bank Namibia Limited |
Standard Bank Center |
|
|
Cnr. Werner List St. and Post St. Mall 2nd Floor |
|
|
Windhoek, Namibia |
Netherlands |
Deutsche Bank AG |
De Entrees 99-197 |
|
|
1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands |
New Zealand |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking |
HSBC House |
|
Corporation Limited |
Level 7, 1 Queen St. Auckland 1010, New |
|
|
Zealand |
Niger |
via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire |
23, Bld de la République |
|
S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire |
Nigeria |
Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc. |
Plot 1712 Idejo St Victoria Island, |
|
|
Lagos 101007, Nigeria |
Norway |
Nordea Bank AB (publ), Sweden |
Essendropsgate 7 |
|
(operating through its branch, Nordea |
0368 Oslo, Norway |
|
Bank AB (publ), filial i Norge) |
|
|
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ), |
P.O. Box 1843 Vika Filipstad Brygge 1 |
|
Sweden (operating through its Oslo branch) |
N-0123 Oslo, Norway |
Oman |
HSBC Bank Oman S.A.O.G. |
2nd Floor Al Khuwair PO Box 1727 PC 111 |
|
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
Seeb, Oman |
|
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
|
Pakistan |
Deutsche Bank AG |
Unicentre Unitowers |
|
|
I.I. Chundrigar Road |
|
|
P.O. Box 4925 |
|
|
Karachi - 74000, Pakistan |
Panama |
Citibank, N.A. |
Boulevard Punta Pacifica Torre de las Americas Apartado |
|
|
Panama City, Panama 0834-00555 |
Peru |
Citibank del Per÷, S.A. |
Canaval y Moreyra 480 3rd Floor, San |
|
|
Isidro Lima 27, Per÷ |
Philippines |
Deutsche Bank AG |
Global Transaction Banking Tower One, Ayala |
SCH A-4
|
|
|
|
Triangle 1226 Makati City, Philippines |
Poland |
Bank Handlowy w Warszawie S.A. |
ul. Senatorska 16 | ||
|
|
|
|
00-293 Warsaw, Poland |
|
Bank Polska Kasa Opieki S.A. |
31 Zwirki I Wigury Street | ||
|
|
|
|
02-091, Warsaw, Poland |
Portugal |
Deutsche |
Bank AG, |
Netherlands |
De Entrees 99-197 |
|
(operating |
through its |
Amsterdam |
1101 HE Amsterdam, Netherlands |
|
branch with support from its Lisbon |
| ||
|
branch) |
|
|
|
Puerto Rico |
Citibank N.A. |
|
235 Federico Costa Street, Suite 315 San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
|
|
|
|
00918 |
Qatar |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
|
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
|
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
2 Fl Ali Bin Ali Tower Building no.: 150 Airport Road Doha, Qatar
Romania |
Citibank Europe plc, Dublin Romania |
8, Iancu de Hunedoara Boulevard |
|
Branch |
712042, Bucharest Sector 1, Romania |
Russia |
AO Citibank |
8-10 Gasheka Street, Building 1 |
|
|
125047 Moscow, Russia |
Saudi Arabia |
HSBC Saudi Arabia |
HSBC Head Office 7267 Olaya - Al Murooj Riyadh 12283- |
|
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
2255 |
|
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
Senegal |
via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire |
23, Bld de la République |
|
S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire |
Serbia |
UniCredit Bank Serbia JSC |
Rajiceva 27-29 |
|
|
11000 Belgrade, Serbia |
Singapore |
Citibank N.A. |
3 Changi Business Park Crescent |
|
|
#07-00, Singapore 486026 |
|
United Overseas Bank Limited |
156 Cecil Street |
|
|
FEB Building #08-03 |
|
|
Singapore 069544 |
Slovak Republic |
UniCredit Bank Czech Republic and |
Ŝancová 1/A |
|
Slovakia, a.s. |
813 33 Bratislava, Slovak Republic |
Slovenia |
UniCredit Banka Slovenija d.d. |
•martinska 140 |
|
|
SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia |
South Africa |
FirstRand Bank Limited |
Mezzanine Floor |
|
|
3 First Place Bank City |
|
|
Corner Simmonds & Jeppe Sts. Johannesburg 2001 |
|
|
Republic of South Africa |
|
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited |
3rd Floor, 25 Pixley Ka Isaka Seme St. Johannesburg 2001 |
|
|
Republic of South Africa |
Spain |
Deutsche Bank S.A.E. |
Calle de Rosario Pino 14-16, Planta 1 |
|
|
28020 Madrid, Spain |
Sri Lanka |
The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking |
24, Sir Baron Jayatilake Mawatha Colombo 01, Sri Lanka |
|
Corporation Limited |
|
Republic of |
UniCredit Bank d.d. |
Zelenih beretki 24 |
Srpska |
|
71 000 Sarajevo |
|
|
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
Swaziland |
Standard Bank Swaziland Limited |
Standard House, Swazi Plaza Mbabane, |
|
|
Swaziland H101 |
Sweden |
Nordea Bank AB (publ) |
Sm÷landsgatan 17 |
|
|
105 71 Stockholm, Sweden |
SCH A-5
|
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ) |
Switzerland |
Credit Suisse (Switzerland) Limited |
|
UBS Switzerland AG |
Taiwan - R.O.C. |
Deutsche Bank AG |
|
Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Limited |
Tanzania |
Standard Chartered Bank (Tanzania) |
|
Limited |
Thailand |
Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Public |
|
Company Limited |
Togo |
via Standard Chartered Bank C÷te d'Ivoire |
|
S.A., Abidjan, Ivory Coast |
Tunisia |
Union Internationale de Banques |
Turkey |
Citibank, A.Ş. |
|
Deutsche Bank A.Ş. |
Uganda |
Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Limited |
Ukraine |
PJSC Citibank |
United Arab |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
Emirates Dubai |
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
Financial |
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
Market |
|
United Arab |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
Emirates Dubai |
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
International |
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
Financial Center |
|
United Arab |
HSBC Bank Middle East Limited |
Emirates Abu |
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
Dhabi |
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
United Kingdom |
State Street Bank and Trust Company, |
|
United Kingdom branch |
Uruguay |
Banco Ita÷ Uruguay S.A. |
Venezuela |
Citibank, N.A. |
Vietnam |
HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Limited |
|
(as delegate of The Hongkong and |
|
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited) |
Sergels Torg 2
SE-106 40 Stockholm, Sweden
Uetlibergstrasse 231
8070 Zurich, Switzerland
Max-H÷gger-Strasse 80-82 CH-8048 Zurich-Alstetten, Switzerland
296 Ren-Ai Road
Taipei 106 Taiwan, Republic of China
168 Tun Hwa North Road
Taipei 105, Taiwan, Republic of China
1 Floor, International House
Corner Shaaban Robert St and Garden Ave PO Box 9011
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Sathorn Nakorn Tower 14th Floor, Zone B 90 North Sathorn Road
Silom, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
23, Bld de la République
17 BP 1141 Abidjan 17 C÷te d'Ivoire
65 Avenue Bourguiba
1000 Tunis, Tunisia
Tekfen Tower
Eski Buyukdere Caddesi 209 Kat 3 Levent 34394 Istanbul, Turkey
Eski Buyukdere Caddesi Tekfen Tower No. 209 Kat: 17 4 Levent 34394 Istanbul, Turkey
5 Speke Road
P.O. Box 7111 Kampala, Uganda
16-g Dilova St. Kyiv 03150, Ukraine
HSBC Securities Services Emaar Square
Level 3, Building No. 5 P O Box 502601 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
HSBC Securities Services Emaar Square
Level 3, Building No. 5 P O Box 502601
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
HSBC Securities Services Emaar Square
Level 3, Building No. 5 P O Box 502601
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
525 Ferry Road
Edinburgh EH5 2AW, Scotland
Zabala 1463
11000 Montevideo, Uruguay
Centro Comercial El Recreo Torre Norte,
Piso 19 Avenida Casanova Caracas,
Venezuela 1050
Centre Point
106 Nguyen Van Troi Street Phu Nhuan District
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
SCH A-6
Zambia |
Standard Chartered Bank Zambia Plc. |
Standard Chartered House Cairo Road |
|
|
P.O. Box 32238 |
|
|
10101, Lusaka, Zambia |
Zimbabwe |
Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe Limited |
3rd Floor Stanbic Centre |
|
(as delegate of Standard Bank of South |
59 Samora Machel Avenue Harare, |
|
Africa Limited) |
Zimbabwe |
SCH A-7
SCHEDULE B DEPOSITORIES OPERATING IN NETWORK MARKETS
MARKET |
DEPOSITORY |
Albania |
Bank of Albania |
Argentina |
Caja de Valores S.A. |
Australia |
Austraclear Limited |
Austria |
OeKB Central Securities |
|
Depository GmbH |
Bahrain |
Clearing, Settlement, Depository |
|
and Registry System of the |
|
Bahrain Bourse |
Bangladesh |
Bangladesh Bank |
|
Central Depository Bangladesh |
|
Limited |
Belgium |
Euroclear Belgium |
|
National Bank of Belgium |
Benin |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
|
Règlement |
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
Bermuda |
Bermuda Securities Depository |
Federation of |
Registar vrijednosnih papira u |
Bosnia and |
Federaciji Bosne i Hercegovine, |
Herzegovina |
d.d. |
Botswana |
Bank of Botswana |
|
Central Securities Depository |
|
Company of Botswana Ltd. |
Brazil |
Central de Cust÷dia e de |
|
Liquida÷÷o Financeira de T÷tulos |
|
Privados (CETIP) |
|
BM&F BOVESPA Depository |
|
Services, a department of BM&F |
|
BOVESPA S.A. |
|
Sistema Especial de Liquida÷÷o e |
|
de Cust÷dia (SELIC) |
Bulgaria |
Bulgarian National Bank |
|
Central Depository AD |
Burkina Faso |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
|
Règlement |
TYPES OF SECURITIES
Government debt
Equities, government and corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments
Government securities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments
All securities listed on Wiener B÷rse AG, the Vienna Stock Exchange (as well as virtually all other Austrian securities)
Equities
Government securities
Equities and corporate bonds
Equities and most corporate bonds
Government securities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Equities, corporate bonds
Equities, corporate bonds, government securities, money market instruments
Government debt
Equities and corporate bonds
Corporate debt and money market instruments
Equities and corporate bonds traded on-exchange
Government debt issued by the central bank and the National Treasury
Government securities
Eligible equities and corporate bonds
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
SCH B-1
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
Canada |
The Canadian Depository for |
|
Securities Limited |
Chile |
Dep÷sito Central de Valores S.A. |
People's |
China Securities Depository and |
Republic of |
Clearing Corporation Limited, |
China |
Shanghai and Shenzhen Branches |
|
China Central Depository and |
|
Clearing Co., Ltd. |
|
Shanghai Clearing House |
Colombia |
Dep÷sito Central de Valores |
|
Dep÷sito Centralizado de Valores |
|
de Colombia S.A. (DECEVAL) |
Costa Rica |
Interclear Central de Valores S.A. |
Croatia |
Središnje klirinško depozitarno |
|
društvo d.d. |
Cyprus |
Central Depository and Central |
|
Registry |
Czech Republic |
Centráln÷ depozitář cenn÷ch |
|
pap÷rů, a.s. |
|
Czech National Bank |
Denmark |
VP Securities A/S |
Egypt |
Central Bank of Egypt |
|
Misr for Central Clearing, |
|
Depository and Registry S.A.E. |
Estonia |
AS Eesti V÷÷rtpaberikeskus |
Finland |
Euroclear Finland |
France |
Euroclear France |
Republic of |
Georgian Central Securities |
Georgia |
Depository |
|
National Bank of Georgia |
Germany |
Clearstream Banking AG, |
|
Frankfurt |
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
All book-entry eligible securities, including government securities, equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, strip bonds, and asset- backed securities
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and money market instruments
A shares, B shares, Treasury bonds, local government bonds, enterprise bonds, corporate bonds, open and closed-end funds, convertible bonds, and warrants
Bonds traded through the China Interbank Bond Market (CIBM), including Treasury bonds, local government bonds, policy bank bonds, central bank bills, medium-term notes, commercial paper, enterprise bonds, and commercial bank bonds
Bonds traded through the China Interbank Bond Market (CIBM), including Treasury bonds, local government bonds, policy bank bonds, central bank bills, enterprise bonds, certain issues of medium-term notes, commercial paper, and commercial bank bonds
Securities issued by the central bank and the Republic of Colombia
Equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments
Securities traded on Bolsa Nacional de Valores
Eligible equities, corporate bonds, government securities, and corporate money market instruments
Equities, corporate bonds, dematerialized government securities, corporate money market instruments
All dematerialized equities, corporate debt, and government debt, excluding Treasury bills
Treasury bills
Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, corporate money market instruments, warrants
Treasury bills
Eligible equities, corporate bonds, and Treasury bonds
All registered equity and debt securities
Equities, corporate bonds, government securities, money market instruments
Government securities, equities, bonds, and money market instruments
Equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
Government securities
Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, warrants, investment funds, and index certificates
SCH B-2
Ghana |
Central Securities Depository |
|
(Ghana) Limited |
Greece |
Bank of Greece, System for |
|
Monitoring Transactions in |
|
Securities in Book-Entry Form |
|
Hellenic Central Securities |
|
Depository |
Guinea-Bissau |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
|
Règlement |
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
Hong Kong |
Central Moneymarkets Unit |
|
Hong Kong Securities Clearing |
|
Company Limited |
Hungary |
KELER K÷zponti ÷rtéktár Zrt. |
Iceland |
Nasdaq ver÷bréfami÷st÷÷ hf. |
India |
Central Depository Services |
|
(India) Limited |
|
National Securities Depository |
|
Limited |
|
Reserve Bank of India |
Indonesia |
Bank Indonesia |
|
PT Kustodian Sentral Efek |
|
Indonesia |
Ireland |
Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited |
|
Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V. |
Israel |
Tel Aviv Stock Exchange Clearing |
|
House Ltd. (TASE Clearing |
|
House) |
Italy |
Monte Titoli S.p.A. |
Ivory Coast |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
|
Règlement |
Government securities and Bank of Ghana securities; equities and corporate bonds
Government debt
Eligible listed equities, government debt, and corporate bonds
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Government debt (i.e., exchange fund bills and notes issued by the HKMA), other private debt, and money market instruments
Securities listed or traded on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and investment fund notes
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
Eligible equities, debt securities, and money market instruments
Eligible equities, debt securities, and money market instruments
Government securities
Sertifikat Bank Indonesia (central bank certificates), Surat Utang Negara (government debt instruments), and Surat Perbendaharaan Negara (Treasury bills)
Equities, corporate bonds, and money market instruments
GBP- and EUR-denominated money market instruments Government securities
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds and trust fund units
Equities, corporate debt, government debt, money market instruments, and warrants
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory |
|
|
Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. |
Japan |
Bank of Japan Financial |
Government securities |
|
Network System |
|
|
Japan Securities Depository |
Equities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments |
|
Center (JASDEC) Incorporated |
|
|
|
SCH B-3 |
Jordan |
Central Bank of Jordan |
Treasury bills, government bonds, development bonds, and public |
|
|
entity bonds |
|
Securities Depository Center |
Equities and corporate bonds |
Kazakhstan |
Central Securities Depository |
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money |
|
|
market instruments |
Kenya |
Central Bank of Kenya |
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds |
|
Central Depository and Settlement |
Equities and corporate debt |
|
Corporation Limited |
|
Republic of |
Korea Securities Depository |
Equities, government securities, corporate bonds and money market |
Korea |
|
instruments |
Kuwait |
Kuwait Clearing Company KSC |
Money market instruments, equities, and corporate bonds |
Latvia |
Latvian Central Depository |
Equities, government securities, corporate bonds, and money |
|
|
market instruments |
Lebanon |
Banque du Liban |
Government securities and certificates of deposit issued by the |
|
|
central bank |
|
Custodian and Clearing Center of |
Equities, corporate bonds and money market instruments |
|
Financial Instruments for Lebanon |
|
|
and the Middle East (Midclear) |
|
|
S.A.L. |
|
Lithuania |
Central Securities Depository of |
All securities available for public trading |
|
Lithuania |
|
Malawi |
Reserve Bank of Malawi |
Reserve Bank of Malawi bills and Treasury bills |
Malaysia |
Bank Negara Malaysia |
Treasury bills, Bank Negara Malaysia bills, Malaysian government |
|
|
securities, private debt securities, and money market instruments |
|
Bursa Malaysia Depository Sdn. |
Securities listed on Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad |
|
Bhd. |
|
Mali |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
|
Règlement |
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory |
|
|
Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. |
Mauritius |
Bank of Mauritius |
Government debt (traded through primary dealers) |
|
Central Depository and Settlement |
Listed and unlisted equity and debt securities (corporate debt and |
|
Co. Limited |
T-bills traded on the exchange) |
Mexico |
S.D. Indeval, S.A. de C.V. |
All securities |
Morocco |
Maroclear |
Eligible listed equities, corporate and government debt, certificates |
|
|
of deposit, commercial paper |
Namibia |
Bank of Namibia |
Treasury bills |
Netherlands |
Euroclear Nederland |
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, corporate money |
|
|
market instruments, and stripped government bonds |
New Zealand |
New Zealand Central Securities |
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, and money |
|
Depository Limited |
market instruments |
Niger |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, |
|
Règlement |
the West African regional exchange, including securities from the |
|
|
following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- |
|
|
Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. |
SCH B-4
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
Nigeria |
Central Bank of Nigeria |
|
Central Securities Clearing |
|
System Limited |
Norway |
Verdipapirsentralen |
Oman |
Muscat Clearing & Depository |
|
Company S.A.O.G. |
Pakistan |
Central Depository Company of |
|
Pakistan Limited |
|
State Bank of Pakistan |
Panama |
Central Latinoamericana de |
|
Valores, |
|
S.A. (LatinClear) |
Peru |
CAVALI S.A. Instituci÷n de |
|
Compensaci÷n y Liquidaci÷n de |
|
Valores |
Philippines |
Philippine Depository & Trust |
|
Corporation |
|
Registry of Scripless Securities |
|
(ROSS) of the Bureau of the |
|
Treasury |
Poland |
Rejestr Papier÷w Wartościowych |
|
Krajowy Depozyt Papier÷w |
|
Wartościowych, S.A. |
Portugal |
INTERBOLSA - Sociedad |
|
Gestora de Sistemas de |
|
Liquida÷÷o e de Sistemas |
|
Centralizados de Valores |
|
Mobiliários, S.A. |
Qatar |
Qatar Central Securities |
|
Depository |
Romania |
National Bank of Romania |
|
S.C. Depozitarul Central S.A. |
Russia |
National Settlement Depository |
Saudi Arabia |
Saudi Arabian Monetary |
|
Authority |
|
Securities Depository Center |
|
Company |
Senegal |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
|
Règlement |
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Treasury bills and government bonds
Equities and corporate bonds traded on the Nigeria Stock Exchange
All listed securities
Equities, corporate bonds, government debt
Equities and corporate bonds
Government securities
Equities, government and corporate debt, commercial paper, short- term securities
All securities in book-entry form traded on the stock exchange
Eligible equities and debt
Government securities
Treasury bills
Equities, corporate bonds, corporate money market instruments, Treasury bonds, warrants, and futures contracts
All local Portuguese instruments
Equities, government bonds and Treasury bills listed on the Qatar Exchange
Treasury bills and bonds
Bursa de Valori Bucuresti- (Bucharest Stock Exchange-) listed equities, corporate bonds, government bonds, and municipal bonds
Eligible equities, Obligatsii Federal'nogo Zaima (OFZs), and corporate debt denominated in RUB
Government securities and Saudi government development bonds (SGDBs)
Equities
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
SCH B-5
Serbia |
Central Securities Depository and |
|
Clearinghouse |
Singapore |
Monetary Authority of Singapore |
|
The Central Depository (Pte.) |
|
Limited |
Slovak Republic |
Centrálny depozitár cenn÷ch |
|
papierov SR, a.s. |
Slovenia |
KDD Centralna klirinško |
|
depotna družba d.d. |
South Africa |
Strate (Pty) Ltd. |
Spain |
IBERCLEAR |
Sri Lanka |
Central Bank of Sri Lanka |
|
Central Depository System (Pvt) |
|
Limited |
Republic of |
Central Registry of Securities in |
Srpska |
the Republic of Srpska JSC |
Swaziland |
Central Bank of Swaziland |
Sweden |
Euroclear Sweden |
Switzerland |
SIX SIS AG |
Taiwan - R.O.C. |
Central Bank of the Republic of |
|
China (Taiwan) |
|
Taiwan Depository and Clearing |
|
Corporation |
Tanzania |
Central Depository System (CDS), |
|
a department of the Dar es Salaam |
|
Stock Exchange |
Thailand |
Thailand Securities Depository |
|
Company Limited |
Togo |
Dépositaire Central Banque de |
|
Règlement |
|
Banque Centrale des Etats |
|
d'Afrique de l'Ouest |
Tunisia |
Tunisie Clearing |
Turkey |
Central Bank of Turkey |
|
Central Registry Agency |
Uganda |
Bank of Uganda |
|
Securities Central Depository |
Ukraine |
National Depository of Ukraine |
All instruments
Government securities
Eligible listed equities and eligible private debt traded in Singapore
All dematerialized securities
All publicly traded securities
Eligible equities, government securities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, and warrants
Government securities, equities, warrants, money market instruments, and corporate bonds
Government securities Equities and corporate bonds
Government securities, equities, and corporate and municipal bonds
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds
Government securities, equities, bonds, money market instruments, derivatives, exchange traded funds, and warrants
Government securities, equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, derivatives, mutual funds, and warrants
Government securities
Listed equities, short-term bills, and corporate bonds
Equities and corporate bonds
Government securities, equities and corporate bonds
All securities traded on Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières, the West African regional exchange, including securities from the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea- Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds issued by the following West African nations: Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, the Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.
All eligible listed securities Government securities
Equities, corporate bonds, money market instruments, mutual fund certificates, exchange traded funds
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds Equities, corporate bonds
Equities, bonds, and money market instruments
SCH B-6
United Arab |
Clearing, Settlement, Depository |
Emirates Abu |
and Registry department of the |
Dhabi |
Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange |
United Arab |
Clearing, Settlement and |
Emirates |
Depository Division, a department |
Dubai Financial |
of the Dubai Financial Market |
Market |
|
United Arab |
Central Securities Depository, |
Emirates |
owned and operated by NASDAQ |
Dubai |
Dubai Limited |
International |
|
Financial |
|
United Kingdom |
Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited |
Uruguay |
Banco Central del Uruguay |
Venezuela |
Banco Central de Venezuela |
Vietnam |
Vietnam Securities Depository |
Zambia |
Bank of Zambia |
|
LuSE Central Shares Depository |
|
Limited |
Zimbabwe |
Chengetedzai Depository |
|
Company Limited |
|
Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe |
TRANSNATIONAL DEPOSITORIES
Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V.
Clearstream Banking, S.A.
Equities, government securities, and corporate debt
Equities, government securities, and corporate debt listed on the
DFM
Equities, corporate bonds, and corporate money market instruments
GBP- and EUR-denominated money market instruments Government securities
Government securities
Equities, government bonds, T-bills, corporate bonds, and public fund certificates
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds
Treasury bonds, corporate bonds, and equities
Equities and corporate bonds
Treasury bills and Treasury bonds
Domestic securities from more than 40 markets
Domestic securities from more than 50 markets
SCH B-7
SCHEDULE C GLOBAL CUSTODY NETWORK PUBLICATIONS
Publication / Type of Information |
Brief Description |
(scheduled update frequency)
The Guide to Custody in World Markets |
An overview of settlement and safekeeping procedures, custody practices, and | ||||
(regular my.statestreet.com updates) |
foreign investor considerations for the markets in which State Street offers | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
custodial services. |
Global Custody Network Review |
Information relating to Foreign Subcustodians in State Street's Global | ||||
(updated annually on my.statestreet.com) |
Custody Network. The Review stands as an integral part of the materials that | ||||
|
|
|
|
|
State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to assist them in |
|
|
|
|
|
complying with SEC Rule 17f-5. The Review also gives insight into State |
|
|
|
|
|
Street's market expansion and Foreign Subcustodian selection processes, as |
|
|
|
|
|
well as the procedures and controls used to monitor the financial condition |
|
|
|
|
|
and performance of our Foreign Subcustodian banks. |
Securities Depository Review
(updated annually on my.statestreet.com)
Global Legal Survey
(updated annually on my.statestreet.com)
Subcustodian Agreements (available on CD-ROM annually)
Global Market Bulletin
(daily or as necessary via email and on my.statestreet.com)
Custody risk analyses of the Foreign Securities Depositories presently operating in Network markets. This publication is an integral part of the materials that State Street provides to its U.S. mutual fund clients to meet informational obligations created by SEC Rule 17f-7.
With respect to each market in which State Street offers custodial services, opinions relating to whether local law restricts:
(i)access of a fund's independent public accountants to books and records of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System,
(ii)a fund's ability to recover in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency of a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System,
(iii)a fund's ability to recover in the event of a loss by a Foreign Subcustodian or Foreign Securities System, and
(iv)the ability of a foreign investor to convert cash and cash equivalents to U.S. dollars.
Copies of the contracts that State Street has entered into with each Foreign Subcustodian that maintains U.S. mutual fund assets in the markets in which State Street offers custodial services.
Information on changing settlement and custody conditions in markets where State Street offers custodial services. Includes changes in market and tax regulations, depository developments, dematerialization information, as well as other market changes that may impact State Street's clients.
Foreign Custody Risk |
For those markets where State Street offers custodial services that exhibit | |
Advisories |
special risks or infrastructures impacting custody, State Street maintains | |
(provided as necessary and on |
market advisories to highlight those unique market factors which might | |
my.statestreet.com) |
impact our ability to offer recognized custody service levels. | |
|
|
|
Foreign Custody Manager Material |
Informational letters and accompanying materials, pursuant to our role as | |
Change Notices |
Foreign Custody Manager, confirming State Street's foreign custody | |
(quarterly or as necessary and on |
arrangements, including a summary of material changes with Foreign | |
my.statestreet.com) |
Subcustodians that have occurred during the previous quarter. The notices also | |
|
|
identify any material changes in the custodial risks associated with |
|
|
maintaining assets with Foreign Securities Depositories. |
Please contact [email protected] with questions about this document.
The information contained in this document has been carefully researched and is believed to be reliable as of the publication date. Due to the complexities of the markets and changing conditions, however, State Street cannot guarantee that it is complete or accurate in every respect. This document should not be construed or used as a substitute for appropriate legal or investment counsel. Specific advice should be sought on matters relevant to the investment activities of the reader. This application contains proprietary information and is fully protected by relevant copyright laws worldwide.
Copyright 2017 State Street Corporation
www.statestreet.com
SCH C-1
SCHEDULE D SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS
SPECIAL SUB-CUSTODIANS
*[None/Name of Special Sub-Custodian(s)]
SCH D-1
LOAN SERVICES ADDENDUM
As used in this Addendum, the term "Fund", in relation to a Loan (as defined below), includes a Portfolio on whose behalf the Fund acts with respect to the Loan.
The following provisions will apply with respect to interests in commercial loans, including loan participations, whether the loans are bilateral or syndicated and whether any obligor is located in or outside of the United States (collectively, "Loans"), made or acquired by a Fund on behalf of one or more of its Portfolios.
SECTION 1. PAYMENT CUSTODY. If a Fund wishes the Custodian to receive payments directly with respect to a Loan for credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement,
(a)the Fund will cause the Custodian to be named as the Fund's nominee for payment purposes under the relevant financing documents, e.g., in the case of a syndicated loan, the administrative contact for the agent bank, and otherwise provide for the payment to the Custodian of the payments with respect to the Loan; and
(b)the Custodian will credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement any payment on or in respect of the Loan actually received by the Custodian and identified as relating to the Loan, but with any amount credited being conditional upon clearance and actual receipt by the Custodian of final payment.
SECTION 2. MONITORING. If a Fund wishes the Custodian to monitor payments on and forward notices relating to a Loan,
(a)the Fund will deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Custodian a schedule identifying the amount and due dates of the scheduled principal payments, the scheduled interest payment dates and related payment amount information, and such other information with respect to the Loan as the Custodian may reasonably require in order to perform its services hereunder (collectively, "Loan Information") and in such form and format as the Custodian may reasonably request; and
(b)the Custodian will (i) if the amount of a principal, interest, fee or other payment with respect to the Loan is not received by the Custodian on the date on which the amount is scheduled to be paid as reflected in the Loan Information, provide a report to the Fund that the payment has not been received and (ii) if the Custodian receives any consent solicitation, notice of default or similar notice from any syndication agent, lead or obligor on the Loan, undertake reasonable efforts to forward the notice to the Fund.
SECTION 3. EXCULPATION OF THE CUSTODIAN.
(a)Payment Custody and Monitoring. The Custodian will have no liability for any delay or failure by the Fund or any third party in providing Loan Information to the Custodian or for any inaccuracy or incompleteness of any Loan Information. The Custodian will have no obligation to verify, investigate, recalculate, update or otherwise confirm the accuracy or completeness of any Loan Information or other information or notices received by the Custodian in respect of the Loan. The Custodian will be entitled to (i) rely upon the Loan Information provided to it by or on behalf of the Fund or any other information or notices that the Custodian may receive from time to time from any syndication agent, lead or obligor or any similar party with respect to the Loan and (ii) update its records on the basis of such information or notices as may from time to time be received by the Custodian.
LSA-1
(b)Any Service. The Custodian will have no obligation to (i) determine whether any necessary steps have been taken or requirements have been met for the Fund to have acquired good or record title to a Loan, (ii) ensure that the Fund's acquisition of the Loan has been authorized by the Fund, (iii) collect past due payments on the Loan, preserve any rights against prior parties, exercise any right or perform any obligation in connection with the Loan (including taking any action in connection with any consent solicitation, notice of default or similar notice received from any syndication agent, lead or obligor on the Loan) or otherwise take any other action to enforce the payment obligations of any obligor on the Loan, (iv) become itself the record title holder of the Loan or (v) make any advance of its own funds with respect to the Loan.
(c)Miscellaneous. The Custodian will not be considered to have been or be charged with knowledge of the sale of a Loan by the Fund, unless and except to the extent that the Custodian shall have received written notice of the sale from the Fund and the proceeds of the sale have been received by the Custodian for credit to the bank account maintained by the Custodian for the Fund under the Custodian Agreement. If any question arises as to the Custodian's duties under this Addendum, the Custodian may request instructions from the Fund and will be entitled at all times to refrain from taking any action unless it has received Proper Instructions from the Fund. The Custodian will in all events have no liability, risk or cost for any action taken or omitted with respect to the Loan pursuant to Proper Instructions. The Custodian will have no responsibilities or duties whatsoever with respect to the Loan except as are expressly set forth in this Addendum.
LSA-2
Execution Version
FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This first amendment dated January 18, 2018 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties".
For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
The Parties hereby amend and restate Appendix A to the Agreement as set forth below:
APPENDIX A
VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS
Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund
VANGUARD CMT FUNDS
Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund
VANGUARD CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES FUND
Vanguard Convertible Securities Fund
VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund
VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND
Vanguard Explorer Fund
VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
Information Classification: Limited Access
Execution Version
VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS
Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund
Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund
VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund
VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS
Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund
VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS
Vanguard Market Neutral Fund
VANGUARD MORGAN GROWTH FUND
Vanguard Morgan Growth Fund
VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund
VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
Information Classification: Limited Access
Execution Version
VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND
Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS
Dividend Appreciation Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Health Care Fund
VANGUARD STAR FUNDS
Vanguard STAR Fund
VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS
Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund
VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND
Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
Balanced Portfolio
Capital Growth Portfolio
Diversified Value Portfolio
Equity Income Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Growth Portfolio
High Yield Bond Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
International Portfolio
Small Company Growth Portfolio
VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND
Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund
VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS
Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
VANGUARD WINDSOR FUNDS
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
VANGUARD WORLD FUND
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Information Classification: Limited Access
SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED
MASTER CUSTODIAN AGREEMENT
This second amendment dated May 22, 2019 (the "Amendment") to the Amended and Restated Master Custodian Agreement dated September 15, 2017 (the "Agreement") between State Street Bank and Trust Company, a Massachusetts trust company (the "Custodian"), and each management investment company listed on Appendix A thereto (each, a "Fund"). Custodian and each Fund may be referred to individually as a "Party" or collectively as the "Parties".
For good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
The Parties hereby amend and restate Appendix A to the Agreement as set forth below:
APPENDIX A
VANGUARD CALIFORNIA TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard California Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard California Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard California Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD CHARLOTTE FUNDS
Vanguard Total International Bond Index Fund
VANGUARD CMT FUNDS
Vanguard Municipal Cash Management Fund
VANGUARD FENWAY FUNDS
Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund
VANGUARD FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard High-Yield Corporate Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund
Vanguard Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund
VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND
Vanguard Explorer Fund
VANGUARD HORIZON FUNDS
Vanguard Global Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Equity Fund
Vanguard Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS
Vanguard 500 Index Fund
VANGUARD INSTITUTIONAL INDEX FUNDS
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund
VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUNDS Vanguard Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund Vanguard Total World Stock Index Fund
VANGUARD MALVERN FUNDS
Vanguard Institutional Intermediate-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Institutional Short-Term Bond Fund
Vanguard Capital Value Fund
Vanguard U.S. Value Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Bond Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Inflation-Protected Securities Index Fund
VANGUARD MASSACHUSETTS TAX-EXEMPT FUNDS Vanguard Massachusetts Tax-Exempt Fund
VANGUARD MONTGOMERY FUNDS
Vanguard Market Neutral Fund
VANGUARD MUNICIPAL BOND FUNDS
Vanguard High-Yield Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Intermediate-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Limited-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Municipal Money Market Fund
Vanguard Short-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Tax-Exempt Bond Index Fund
VANGUARD NEW JERSEY TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New Jersey Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New Jersey Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD NEW YORK TAX-FREE FUNDS Vanguard New York Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund Vanguard New York Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD OHIO TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard Ohio Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
VANGUARD PENNSYLVANIA TAX-FREE FUNDS
Vanguard Pennsylvania Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund
Vanguard Pennsylvania Municipal Money Market Fund
VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE FUNDS
Vanguard Growth and Income Fund
VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUND
Vanguard Explorer Value Fund
Vanguard Russell 3000 Index Fund
VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS
Dividend Appreciation Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Fund
Vanguard Health Care Fund
VANGUARD STAR FUNDS
Vanguard STAR Fund
VANGUARD TAX-MANAGED FUNDS
Vanguard Developed Markets Index Fund
VANGUARD TRUSTEES' EQUITY FUND
Vanguard Alternative Strategies Fund
Vanguard Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund
Vanguard Commodity Strategy Fund
VANGUARD VARIABLE INSURANCE FUNDS
Balanced Portfolio
Capital Growth Portfolio
Diversified Value Portfolio
Equity Income Portfolio
Equity Index Portfolio
Growth Portfolio
High Yield Bond Portfolio
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio
REIT Index Portfolio
International Portfolio
Small Company Growth Portfolio
VANGUARD WELLESLEY INCOME FUND
Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund
VANGUARD WHITEHALL FUNDS
Vanguard Emerging Markets Government Bond Index Fund
Vanguard Mid-Cap Growth Fund
Vanguard Selected Value Fund
VANGUARD WINDSOR FUNDS
Vanguard Windsor Fund
Vanguard Windsor II Fund
VANGUARD WORLD FUND
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund
Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund
Vanguard Energy Index Fund
Vanguard Financials Index Fund
Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund
Vanguard Health Care Index Fund
Vanguard Industrials Index Fund
Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund
Vanguard Materials Index Fund
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of Vanguard Fenway Funds of our report dated November 13, 2019, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appears in Vanguard PRIMECAP Core Fund’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the year ended September 30, 2019, and of our report dated November 19, 2019, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appears in Vanguard Equity Income Fund’s Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the year ended September 30, 2019. We also consent to the references to us under the headings “Financial Statements”, “Service Providers—Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Financial Highlights” in such Registration Statement.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
January 29, 2020
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 of Mutual Funds (collectively the "Funds," individually a "Fund"). The Plan has been adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") to allow each Fund to offer multiple classes of shares in a manner permitted by Rule 18f-3, subject to the requirements imposed by the Rule. 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, Inc. ("VGI"). In addition, the Plan has been adopted by a majority of the Board of Trustees of each Fund ("Fund Board"), 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 VGI business line depending on the eligibility of the client segments to whom they market. Each Fund retains sole discretion in determining share class availability, and VGI retains discretion in determining 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 of actively-managed Funds 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
1
amended from time to time. It is expected that the minimum investment amount for Investor Shares of actively-managed Funds will normally be lower than the amount required for any other class of shares of such Funds. Investor Shares of actively- managed Funds are typically distributed by all VGI business lines. Investor Shares of index Funds generally will be available to Funds that operate as a Fund-of-Funds and certain retirement plan clients receiving recordkeeping services from VGI.
B.Admiral Shares
Admiral Shares generally will be available to retail, 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 in the Fund; or (ii) any other factors deemed appropriate by a Fund's Board. Admiral Shares are typically distributed by all VGI 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 Vanguard's 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 VGI's 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 Fund share classes. Institutional Select Shares are typically distributed by VGI's institutional business line.
F.ETF Shares
A Fund will sell ETF Shares to investors that are (or who purchase through) Authorized Participants, and who generally pay for their ETF shares by depositing a prescribed basket consisting predominantly of securities with the Fund. An
2
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 Fund's 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 VGI business lines.
G.Transition Shares
Transition Shares generally will be available solely to Funds that operate as Funds-of-Funds and 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
Shareholders in all share classes will receive a range of shareholder services provided by VGI. These 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. Each share class will bear its proportionate share of VGI's cost of providing such services in accordance with Section VI of the Plan.
V.CONVERSION FEATURES
A. Self-Directed Conversions
1.Conversion into Investor Shares, Admiral Shares, Institutional Shares Institutional Plus Shares, and Institutional Select Shares. Shareholders may conduct self-directed conversions from one share class into another share class of the same Fund for which they are eligible. Self-directed conversions may be initiated by the shareholder; however, depending upon the particular share class and the complexity of the shareholder's accounts, such conversions may require the assistance of a VGI representative. Shareholders may convert from one share class into another share class provided that following the conversion the shareholder meets the then applicable eligibility requirements for the share class into which they are converting. Any such conversion will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes next calculated after VGI's receipt of the shareholder's request in good order.
2.Conversion into ETF Shares. Except as otherwise provided, a shareholder may convert Investor Shares, Admiral Shares, or Institutional Shares into ETF Shares of the same Fund (if available), provided that: (i) the share class out of which the shareholder is converting and the ETF Shares declare and distribute dividends on the same schedule; (ii) the shares to be converted are not held through an employee benefit plan; and (iii) following
3
the conversion, the shareholder will hold ETF Shares through a brokerage account. Any such conversion will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes next calculated after VGI's receipt of the shareholder's request in good order. VGI or the Fund may charge an administrative fee to process conversion transactions.
B.Automatic Conversions
1.Automatic conversion into Admiral Shares. VGI may automatically convert Investor Shares into Admiral Shares of the same Fund (if available), provided that following the conversion the shareholder meets the eligibility requirements for Admiral Shares. Any such conversion will occur at the respective net asset values of the share classes next calculated after VGI's conversion without the imposition of any charge. Such automatic conversions may occur on a periodic, or one-time basis. Automatic conversions may not apply to certain financial types of accounts (e.g., accounts held through certain intermediaries, or other accounts as may be excluded by VGI management).
2.Automatic conversion into Institutional Shares, Institutional Plus Shares, or Institutional Select Shares. VGI 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, if permitted under applicable law, cash out the shareholder's remaining account balance. Any such cash out will be preceded by written notice to the shareholder and will be subject to the Fund's 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 shareholder's 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.
VI. EXPENSE ALLOCATION AMONG CLASSES
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A.Background
VGI is a jointly-owned subsidiary of the Funds. VGI provides the Funds, on an at-cost basis, virtually all of their corporate management, administrative and distribution services. VGI also may provide investment advisory services on an at-cost basis to the Funds. VGI was established and operates pursuant to a Funds' Service Agreement between itself and the Funds (the "Agreement"), and pursuant to certain exemptive orders granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("Exemptive Orders"). VGI's direct and indirect expenses of providing corporate management, administrative and distribution services to the Funds are allocated among such Funds in accordance with methods specified in the Agreement or such other methods as may be approved by the Board of Directors of VGI ("VGI Board") as permitted under the Agreement and by the Fund Board.1
B.Class Specific Expenses
1.Expenses for Account-Based Services. Expenses associated with VGI's 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 Fund's 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; and (ii) the percentage of total account transactions performed by VGI 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 Fund's 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 Fund's 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.
1In accordance with the methods set out in the Agreement and VGI Board and Fund Board approved methods, the expenses that would otherwise have been allocated to each Fund that operates as a Fund-of-Funds are reallocated to the approved share class of the underlying Funds in the Fund-of-Funds' portfolio on a pro rata basis based on the Fund-of-Fund's relative net assets invested in the underlying Fund's share class.
5
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 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 Fund Board under paragraph (c)(1)(v) of Rule 18f-3 under the 1940 Act.
2.Asset Management Expenses. Expenses associated with management of a Fund's assets (including all advisory, tax preparation and custody fees) will be allocated among the Fund's 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 Fund's 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
6
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 VGI.
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000
Last Approved by Board: November 22, 2019
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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 |
Admiral, 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 |
|
| |
• |
Municipal 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 | |
• Global Credit Bond Fund |
Investor, Admiral | ||
1
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Chester Funds |
| |
• |
PRIMECAP Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Target Retirement Income Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2010 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
Investor | |
• Target Retirement 2065 Fund |
Investor | |
• Institutional Target Retirement Income Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2010 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
Institutional | |
• Institutional Target Retirement 2065 Fund |
Institutional | |
Vanguard Explorer Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Fenway Funds |
| |
• |
Equity Income Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Growth Equity Fund |
Investor |
• |
PRIMECAP Core Fund |
Investor |
Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Funds |
| |
• |
Ultra-Short-Term Bond Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Real Estate II Index Fund |
Institutional Plus | |
• |
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 |
2
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
| |
• |
Long-Term Treasury Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
• |
Long-Term Investment-Grade Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
• |
High-Yield Corporate Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Horizon Funds |
|
| |
• |
Capital Opportunity Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
• |
Global Equity Fund |
Investor | |
• |
Strategic Equity Fund |
Investor | |
• |
Strategic Small-Cap Equity Fund |
Investor | |
• International Core Stock Fund |
Investor, Admiral | ||
Vanguard Index Funds |
|
| |
• |
500 Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional Select, ETF | |
• Extended Market Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
|
|
Institutional Plus, Institutional Select, ETF | |
• |
Growth Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |
• |
Large-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |
• Mid-Cap Growth Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, ETF | ||
• |
Mid-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | |
|
|
Institutional Plus, ETF | |
• Mid-Cap Value Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, ETF | ||
• Small-Cap Growth Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• |
Small-Cap Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | |
|
|
Institutional Plus, ETF | |
• Small-Cap Value Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• Total Stock Market Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, Institutional | ||
|
|
Plus, Institutional Select, ETF | |
• |
Value Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |
Vanguard Institutional Index Funds |
|
| |
• |
Institutional Index Fund |
Institutional, Institutional Plus | |
• Institutional Total Stock Market Index Fund |
Institutional, Institutional Plus | ||
Vanguard International Equity Index Funds |
|
| |
• Emerging Markets Stock Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
|
|
Institutional Plus | |
|
FTSE Emerging Markets ETF |
ETF | |
• European Stock Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, | ||
|
|
Institutional Plus | |
|
FTSE Europe ETF |
ETF | |
• FTSE All-World ex US Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, Institutional | ||
|
|
Plus, ETF | |
• Pacific Stock Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional | ||
|
FTSE Pacific ETF |
ETF | |
• Total World Stock Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• FTSE All World ex-US Small-Cap Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
• Global ex-U.S. Real Estate Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF | ||
3
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 Montgomery Funds |
| |
• |
Market Neutral Fund |
Investor, Institutional |
Vanguard Municipal Bond Funds |
| |
• |
Municipal 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 |
Admiral, ETF | |
Vanguard New Jersey Tax-Free Funds |
| |
• |
Municipal Money Market Fund |
Investor |
• |
Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard New York Tax-Free Funds |
| |
• |
Municipal Money Market Fund |
Investor |
• |
Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard Ohio Tax-Free Funds |
| |
• |
Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund |
Investor |
Vanguard Pennsylvania Tax-Free Funds |
| |
• |
Municipal Money Market Fund |
Investor |
• |
Long-Term Tax-Exempt Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
4
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Quantitative Funds |
| |
• Growth and Income Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Scottsdale Funds |
| |
• |
Short-Term Treasury Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF |
• Intermediate-Term Treasury Index Fund |
Institutional, Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Long-Term Treasury 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 | |
• |
Total Corporate Bond ETF |
ETF |
• |
Total World Bond ETF |
ETF |
Vanguard Specialized Funds |
| |
• |
Energy Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Global Capital Cycles Fund |
Investor | |
• |
Health Care Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Dividend Growth Fund |
Investor |
• Real Estate Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional, ETF | |
• Dividend Appreciation Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• Global ESG Select Stock Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
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, |
Vanguard Tax-Managed Funds |
ETF | |
| ||
• |
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 |
5
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Trustees' Equity Fund |
| |
• |
International Value Fund |
Investor |
• |
Diversified Equity Fund |
Investor |
• Emerging Markets Select Stock Fund |
Investor | |
• |
Alternative Strategies Fund |
Investor |
• |
Commodity Strategy Fund |
Admiral |
Vanguard Valley Forge Funds |
| |
• |
Balanced Index Fund |
Investor, Admiral, Institutional |
• |
Managed Payout Fund |
Investor |
Vanguard Variable Insurance Funds |
| |
• |
Balanced Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Conservative Allocation Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Diversified Value Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Equity Income Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Equity Index Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Growth Portfolio |
Investor |
• Global Bond Index Portfolio |
Investor | |
• Total Bond Market Index Portfolio |
Investor | |
• |
High Yield Bond Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
International Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Mid-Cap Index Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Moderate Allocation Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Money Market Portfolio |
Investor |
• |
Real Estate Index Portfolio |
Investor |
• Short-Term Investment Grade Portfolio |
Investor | |
• Small Company Growth Portfolio |
Investor | |
• |
Capital Growth Portfolio |
Investor |
• Total International Stock Market Index Portfolio |
Investor | |
• Total Stock Market Index Portfolio |
Investor | |
Vanguard Wellesley Income Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
Vanguard Wellington Fund |
| |
• |
U.S. Liquidity Factor ETF |
ETF |
• |
U.S. Minimum Volatility ETF |
ETF |
• |
U.S. Momentum Factor ETF |
ETF |
• |
U.S. Multifactor ETF |
ETF |
• |
U.S. Multifactor Fund |
Admiral |
• |
U.S. Quality Factor ETF |
ETF |
• U.S. Value Factor ETF |
ETF | |
• |
Wellington Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
6
Vanguard Fund |
Share Classes Authorized |
Vanguard Whitehall Funds |
| |
• |
Selected Value Fund |
Investor |
• |
Mid-Cap Growth Fund |
Investor |
• |
International Explorer Fund |
Investor |
• High Dividend Yield Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
•Emerging Markets Government
|
Bond Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional, ETF |
• Vanguard Global Minimum Volatility Fund |
Investor, Admiral | |
• International Dividend Appreciation Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• International High Dividend Yield Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
Vanguard Windsor Funds |
| |
• |
Windsor Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Windsor II Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
Vanguard World Fund |
| |
• Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund |
Institutional, Institutional Plus, ETF | |
• FTSE Social Index Fund |
Admiral, Institutional | |
• |
Global Wellesley Income Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Global Wellington Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
International Growth Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• Mega Cap Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Mega Cap Growth Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• Mega Cap Value Index Fund |
Institutional, ETF | |
• |
U.S. Growth Fund |
Investor, Admiral |
• |
Consumer Discretionary Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• Consumer Staples Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Energy Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• |
Financials Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• Health Care Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Industrials Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• Information Technology Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Materials Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• Communication Services Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF | |
• |
Utilities Index Fund |
Admiral, ETF |
• ESG U.S. Stock ETF |
ETF | |
• |
ESG International Stock ETF |
ETF |
Original Board Approval: July 21, 2000
Last Updated: November 22, 2019
7
SCHEDULE B
to
VANGUARD FUNDS MULTIPLE CLASS
PLAN
VGI has policies and procedures designed to ensure consistency and compliance with the offering of multiple classes of shares within this Multiple Class Plan's eligibility requirements.2 These policies are reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis in conjunction with VGI's Compliance Department.
Investor Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Investor Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000 ($50,000 for Vanguard Treasury Money Market Fund). Personal Advisor Services clients, clients investing through financial intermediaries, and institutional clients may hold Investor Shares without restriction in Funds that do not offer Admiral Shares. Investor Shares of index Funds generally are available only to Funds that operate as a Fund-of-Funds and certain retirement plan clients receiving recordkeeping services from VGI. A Vanguard Fund may, from time to time, establish higher or lower minimum amounts for Investor Shares. Each Fund and VGI also reserve the right to establish higher or lower minimum amounts for certain investors or a group of investors.
Financial intermediaries that serve as mutual fund supermarkets may only invest in Investor Shares of Funds in which Investor Shares are available and may not invest in other share classes of such Funds. Mutual fund supermarket means a program or platform offered by a financial intermediary through which such intermediary's retail clients may purchase and sell mutual funds offered by a variety of independent fund families on a self-directed basis without advice or recommendation from a financial advisor or broker. This definition may be changed or amended at any time and without prior notice as may be determined in the discretion of VGI management. Nothing in the definition of mutual fund supermarket should be construed to prohibit Vanguard Brokerage Services from offering the Funds' other share classes to its eligible clients.
Admiral Shares Eligibility Requirements
Admiral Shares generally are intended for clients who meet the required minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000 for retail clients in index Funds and $50,000 for retail clients in actively-managed Funds. Personal Advisor Services clients, clients investing through financial intermediaries and institutional clients may hold Admiral Shares of both index and actively-managed Funds without restriction. Funds may, from time to time, establish higher or lower minimum amounts for Admiral Shares, and each Fund and VGI reserve 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:
•Certain Retirement Plans Admiral Shares of actively-managed Funds generally are not available for SIMPLE IRAs and Vanguard Individual 401(k) Plans.3
•Mutual Fund Supermarkets Admiral Shares are not available to mutual fund supermarkets, except where a Fund does not have Investor Shares.
2The eligibility of a Fund that operates as a Fund-of-Funds to invest in a particular share class of an underlying Fund is determined by VGI and the Fund Board.
3Admiral Share classes of all Funds are available to 403(b) plan participants in Vanguard's Retail 403(b) business, which is serviced by The Newport Group.
Institutional Shares Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of
$5,000,000. However, each Fund and VGI also reserve 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:4
•Retail clients. Retail clients may hold Institutional Shares by aggregating up to 3 accounts held by the same client (same tax I.D. number) in a single Fund.
•Financial intermediary clients. Financial intermediaries generally may hold Institutional Shares for the benefit of their underlying clients provided that:
(1)each underlying investor individually meets the investment minimum amount described above;
and
(2)the financial intermediary agrees to monitor ongoing compliance of the underlying investor accounts with the investment minimum amount; or
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
Home office model portfolios offered on wealth management platforms administered by financial intermediaries5 may offer Institutional Shares, provided:
(1)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, has total assets of at least $25 billion invested in Vanguard; and
(2)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, meets the investment minimum of Institutional Shares for the Fund.
A home office model portfolio must meet the following criteria:
(1)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are set and selected by the financial intermediary (i.e., the firm itself);
(2)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are not subject to change by individual financial advisors; and
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
•Institutional clients. An institutional client may hold Institutional Shares if the total amount aggregated among all accounts held by such a client (including accounts held through financial intermediaries) and invested in the Fund is at least $5 million (or such higher minimum required by
the individual Fund). Such an institutional client must disclose to VGI on behalf of its accounts the following: (1) that the client acts as a common-decision maker6 for each account; and (2) the total
4The following special rules also apply to Vanguard Prime Money Market Fund Admiral Shares.
5For purposes of this Schedule B, this is not intended to include robo advisors.
6For purposes of this Schedule B, a common-decision maker includes, but is not limited to, a corporate entity that controls
multiple pools of assets invested in a Fund. For example, a corporate entity that acts as a plan sponsor for a retirement plan may have one or more investment committees or boards of trustees overseeing both the retirement plan account as well as other accounts invested in the Fund. In this case, the corporate entity would be considered a common-decision maker for each account where there is a common membership across each investment committee or governing body making investment decisions for each account. Common-decision makers do not include financial intermediaries.
balance in each account in the Fund.
•Institutional clients with assets in certain Vanguard collective investment trusts and Funds. Institutional clients with assets in the following collective investment trusts and Funds may aggregate such assets with assets invested in the corresponding Funds listed below in the right column ("Corresponding Funds") for purposes of meeting the investment minimum for Institutional Shares of the Corresponding Funds.
Trust/Fund |
Corresponding Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock |
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index |
Market Index Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock |
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock |
Market Index Trust |
Market Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total Bond |
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index |
Market Index Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total |
Vanguard Total International Stock |
International Stock Market Index Trust |
Market Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust |
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Extended Market |
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund |
Index Trust |
|
Vanguard Employee Benefit Index |
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund |
Fund |
|
Vanguard Employee Benefit Index |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund |
Fund |
|
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Target Retirement Trust |
Vanguard Institutional Target |
|
Retirement Fund (full suite) |
•Investment by Vanguard Target Retirement Collective Trust. A Vanguard Target Retirement Trust that is a collective trust exempt from regulation under the Investment Company Act and that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in underlying Funds (a "TRT") may hold Institutional Shares of an underlying Fund whether or not its investment meets the minimum investment threshold specified above.
•Accumulation Period Accounts funded through regular contributions (e.g., employer sponsored participant contribution plans), whose assets are expected to quickly achieve eligibility levels, may qualify for Institutional Shares upon account creation, rather than undergoing the conversion process shortly after account set-up if VGI management determines that the account will become eligible for Institutional Shares within a limited period of time (generally 90 days). The accumulation period eligibility is subject to the discretion of VGI management.
Institutional Plus Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Plus Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $100,000,000. However, each Fund and VGI also reserve 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:
•Retail clients. Retail clients may hold Institutional Plus Shares by aggregating up to 3 accounts held by the same client (same tax I.D. number) in a single Fund. For purposes of this rule, VGI management is authorized to permit aggregation of a greater number of accounts in the case of clients whose aggregate assets within the Funds are expected to generate substantial economies in the servicing of their accounts.
•Institutional clients. An institutional client may hold Institutional Plus Shares if the total amount aggregated among all accounts held by such client (including accounts held through financial intermediaries) and invested in the Fund is at least $100 million (or such higher or lower minimum required by the individual Fund). Such an institutional client must disclose to VGI on behalf of its accounts the following: (1) that the client acts as a common-decision maker for each account; and
(2) the total balance in each account held in the Fund.
•Institutional clients with assets in certain Vanguard collective investment trusts and Funds. Institutional clients with assets in the following collective investment trusts and Funds may aggregate such assets with assets invested in the corresponding Funds listed below in the right column ("Corresponding Funds") for purposes of meeting the investment minimum for Institutional Plus Shares of the Corresponding Funds.
Trust/Fund |
Corresponding Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock |
Vanguard Total Stock Market Index |
Market Index Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock |
Vanguard Institutional Total Stock |
Market Index Trust |
Market Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total Bond |
Vanguard Total Bond Market Index |
Market Index Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Total |
Vanguard Total International Stock |
International Stock Market Index Trust |
Market Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust |
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional 500 Index Trust |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund |
Vanguard Institutional Extended Market |
Vanguard Extended Market Index Fund |
Index Trust |
|
Vanguard Employee Benefit Index |
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund |
Fund |
|
Vanguard Employee Benefit Index |
Vanguard 500 Index Fund |
Fund |
|
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Growth Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index |
Vanguard Russell 1000 Value Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Growth Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index |
Vanguard Russell 2000 Value Index |
Trust |
Fund |
Vanguard Target Retirement Trust |
Vanguard Institutional Target |
|
Retirement Fund (full suite) |
•Financial intermediary clients. Financial intermediaries generally may hold Institutional Plus Shares for the benefit of their underlying clients provided that:
(1)each underlying investor individually meets the investment minimum amount described above;
and
(2)the financial intermediary agrees to monitor ongoing compliance of the underlying investor accounts with the investment minimum amount; or
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
Home office model portfolios offered on wealth management platforms administered by financial intermediaries may offer Institutional Plus Shares, provided:
(1)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, has total assets of at least $25 billion invested in Vanguard; and
(2)the financial intermediary in aggregate at the firm level, excluding custody assets, meets the investment minimum of Institutional Plus Shares for the Fund.
A home office model portfolio must meet the following criteria:
(1)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are set and selected by the financial intermediary (i.e., the firm itself);
(2)the allocations and Funds used in the model portfolios on the platform are not subject to change by individual financial advisors; and
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
•Accumulation Period - Accounts funded through regular contributions (e.g., employer sponsored participant contribution plans), whose assets are expected to quickly achieve eligibility levels, may qualify for Institutional Plus Shares upon account creation, rather than undergoing the conversion process shortly after account set-up if VGI management determines that the account will become eligible for Institutional Plus Shares within a limited period of time (generally 90 days). The accumulation period eligibility is subject to the discretion of VGI management.
•Asset Allocation Models - Clients with defined asset allocation models whose assets meet eligibility requirements may qualify for Institutional Plus Shares if such models comply with policies and procedures that have been approved by VGI management.
Institutional Select Shares - Eligibility Requirements
Institutional Select Shares generally require a minimum initial investment and ongoing account balance of $3,000,000,000. However, each Fund and VGI also reserve 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:
•Institutional clients. An institutional client may hold Institutional Select Shares if the total amount aggregated among all accounts held by such client (including accounts held through financial intermediaries) and invested in the Fund is at least $3 billion (or such higher or lower minimum required by the individual Fund). Such an institutional client must disclose to VGI on behalf of its accounts the following: (1) the client acts as a common-decision maker for each account; and (2) the total balance in each account in the Fund.
•Financial intermediary clients. Financial intermediaries generally may hold Institutional Select Shares for the benefit of their underlying clients provided that:
(1)each underlying investor individually meets the investment minimum amount described above;
and
(2)the financial intermediary agrees to monitor ongoing compliance of the underlying investor accounts with the investment minimum amount; or
(3)an arrangement is established between VGI and the financial intermediary to allow VGI to monitor compliance with the eligibility requirements.
•Accumulation Period - Accounts funded through regular contributions (e.g. employer sponsored participant contribution plans), whose assets are expected to quickly achieve eligibility levels, may qualify for Institutional Select Shares upon account creation, rather than undergoing the conversion process shortly after account set-up, if VGI management determines that the account will become eligible for Institutional Select Shares within a limited period of time (generally 90 days). The accumulation period eligibility is subject to the discretion of VGI management.
•Investment by VGI collective investment trusts with a similar mandate. A VGI collective investment trust exempt from regulation under the Investment Company Act and that seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in an underlying Fund with an index-based mandate may hold Institutional Select Shares of an underlying Fund with a similar index-based mandate whether or not its investment meets the minimum investment threshold specified above.
ETF Shares Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility requirements for ETF Shares will be set forth in the Fund's registration statement. To be eligible to purchase ETF Shares directly from a Fund, an investor must be (or must purchase through) an Authorized Participant, as defined in Paragraph III.F 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 relevant Fund's prospectus. The value of a Fund's Creation Unit will vary with the net asset value of the
Fund's ETF Shares, but is expected to be several million dollars. An eligible investor generally must purchase a Creation Unit by depositing a prescribed basket consisting predominantly of securities with the Fund.
Transition Shares Eligibility Requirements
Transition Shares will be offered only to Funds that operate as a Fund-of-Funds and only by an underlying Fund (i) that is receiving assets in kind from one or more 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: November 22, 2019
Code of Ethics
Do the right thing
February, 2019
Table of Contents |
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Message from our CEO |
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The Code of Ethics at a Glance........................................................................................................................... |
2 |
Section 1. Background......................................................................................................................................... |
4 |
Section 2. Standards of Conduct......................................................................................................................... |
4 |
2.1. Conflicts of Interest |
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(a)When can conflicts of interest arise?
(b)What types of conflicts of interest must I avoid?
(c)Which conflicts of interest do I need to disclose?
(d)When and how do I disclose conflicts of interest?
Section 3. Outside Business Activities ............................................................................................................... |
6 |
3.1 Outside Business Activity Requirements |
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(a)Am I prohibited from engaging in any outside business activities?
(b)Am I required to obtain preclearance for any outside business activities?
(c)What outside business activities do not require preclearance?
(d)When and how do I preclear an outside business activity?
Section 4. Gift and Entertainment Policy............................................................................................................ |
10 | |
Section 5. |
Anti-Bribery Policy ............................................................................................................................ |
10 |
Section 6. |
Antitrust and Competition Policy ...................................................................................................... |
12 |
Section 7. Duty of Confidentiality....................................................................................................................... |
12 | |
Section 8. Personal Trading and Reporting Requirements ................................................................................. |
12 | |
8.1General Trading Prohibitions and Reporting Requirements
(a) What are the general trading prohibitions?
(b) Am I required to maintain Securities in a brokerage account at Vanguard?
(c) What am I required to report?
8.2 Additional Trading and Reporting Requirements for Investment Persons .................................................. |
15 |
(a)Which Securities trades am I required to preclear?
(b)How do I obtain preclearance?
(c)How long is my preclearance approval valid?
(d)Am I required to obtain preclearance before investing in a Private Placement?
(e)Are there Securities transactions that I do not need to preclear?
(f)Am I subject to restrictions on my personal trading in Covered Securities?
(g)Am I prohibited from engaging in certain Securities transactions?
(h)What happens if I make a "short-term trade" in a Vanguard Fund?
(i)Are there any additional reporting requirements that apply to me?
Table of Contents (continued) |
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8.3 Additional Trading Prohibitions and Reporting Requirements for Fund Access Persons ........................... |
20 |
(a) Which Securities trades am I required to preclear? |
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(b) How do I obtain preclearance? |
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(c) How long is my preclearance approval valid? |
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(d) Am I required to obtain preclearance before investing in a Private Placement? |
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(e) Are there Securities transactions that I do not need to preclear? |
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(f) Am I subject to restrictions on my personal trading in Covered Securities? |
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(g) Am I prohibited from engaging in any Securities transactions? |
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(h) What happens if I make a "short-term trade" in a Vanguard Fund? |
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(i) Are there any additional reporting requirements that apply to me? |
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8.4 Additional Trading Prohibitions and Reporting Requirements for VAI Access Persons .............................. |
24 |
(a) Am I required to preclear Security trades? |
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(b) Am I required to obtain preclearance before investing in a Private Placement? |
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(c) Am I prohibited from engaging in any Securities transactions? |
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(d) What happens if I make a "short-term trade" in a Vanguard Fund? |
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(e) Are there any additional reporting requirements that apply to me? |
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8.5 Additional Trading Prohibitions for Non-U.S. Crew Members ................................................................... |
26 |
(a)What are the additional trading prohibitions?
(b)What are the Vanguard Fund reporting requirements in Australia?
(c)What are the additional trading restrictions for Japan?
(d)What additional information is required to be reported for accounts where I have Investment Discretion?
Section 9. Certification Requirements.............................................................................................................. |
28 |
9.1What am I required to certify initially?
9.2What am I required to certify annually?
Section 10. Penalties and Sanctions.................................................................................................................. |
28 |
10.1How are violations administered by Compliance?
10.2How is an appropriate sanction determined?
10.3How is the materiality of a violation determined?
10.4What are my obligations to report a violation?
Section 11. Waivers............................................................................................................................................ |
29 |
Appendix A. Definitions..................................................................................................................................... |
31 |
Appendix B. Independent Directors and Trustees............................................................................................. |
36 |
Excellence
Integrity
Responsibility
Do the right thing
At Vanguard, the trust of our clients is our greatest asset. And that trust can only be preserved if each one of us does the right thing on behalf of Vanguard and our clients.
Our Code of Ethics is built on our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior and fiduciary responsibility. Our actions, decisions, and interests should never compete with the interests of Vanguard or our clients.
All crew members are responsible for understanding and complying with our Code of Ethics. Please know and follow the policies that apply to you, and be accountable for your actions. If you are a manager, help your crew to understand and comply with the Code of Ethics through your words and your actions.
Use the Code of Ethics as your guide when faced with challenging decisions or circumstances. But remember, the Code of Ethics is a document. It cannot anticipate every situation. Ultimately, we rely on your sense of personal integrity to protect and enhance Vanguard's reputation. Never underestimate the importance of your own ethical conduct in our mission to treat investors fairly and give them the best chance to succeed.
Mortimer J. Buckley
President and Chief Executive Officer
The Code of Ethics at a Glance
Below are some of the general requirements of the Code of Ethics which may impact you the most. These descriptions are for guidance only. Please consult the applicable provisions of the Code of Ethics for detailed requirements.
1. Clients' Interests Come First
You must serve the interests of Vanguard Clients ahead of your own personal interests.
2. Conflicts of Interest
Your actions, decisions, and interests should not compete or conflict with Vanguard
or Vanguard Clients' interests. You must report any potential conflicts of interest to Compliance.
3. Business Activities Outside of Vanguard
You may engage in outside business activities that do not conflict with Vanguard's interests; however, you must obtain approval from Compliance for certain outside business activities.
4. Gifts and Entertainment
When doing business with Vanguard Clients, vendors, potential Vanguard Clients, and others, you must abide by limitations on giving and receiving gifts and business entertainment. Under the Gift and Entertainment Policy, you must report certain gifts and entertainment to Compliance.
6. Antitrust and Competition
You are prohibited from engaging in activity that could have an anticompetitive effect on the price of goods, services, securities,
or other trading conditions in the global marketplace in which we operate.
7. Insider Trading
You are prohibited from buying or selling any Security while in the possession of material nonpublic information about the issuer of the Security.
8. Personal Trading Activities
You are required to abide by the Code of Ethics requirements related to holding, reporting, and trading Securities for personal benefit. Personal trading restrictions and reporting requirements vary depending on the rules of the country you are working in and whether you are an Access Person or a Non-Access Person.
9. Certification Requirements
On an annual basis, you must acknowledge that you understand the Code of Ethics and will comply with its provisions.
5. Anti-Bribery
You are prohibited from engaging or participating in any form of bribery or corruption.
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Clients' Interests Come First
You must serve the interests of Vanguard Clients ahead of your own personal interests.
Section 1. Background
The Code of Ethics ("Code") has been approved and adopted by the board of directors of The Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard"), the boards of trustees of each of the Vanguard Funds, and the boards of directors of each of Vanguard's Affiliates, as applicable. Unless stated otherwise, the Code applies to all Crew Members and Contingent Workers. The Code also contains provisions applicable to Independent Directors and Trustees (Appendix B).
Section 2. Standards of Conduct
Vanguard consistently seeks to earn and maintain the trust and loyalty of our clients by adhering to the highest standards of ethical behavior and fiduciary responsibility. You must adhere at all times to the spirit, and not just the letter, of the Code. Any transaction or activity that violates either of the standards of conduct described below is prohibited, regardless of whether it meets technical rules found elsewhere in the Code. Accordingly, you must conduct yourself in accordance with applicable law and regulations, and the following standards of conduct:
•Vanguard Clients' interests come first. You must at all times place the interests of Vanguard Clients first. In particular, you must avoid serving your own personal interests ahead of the interests of Vanguard Clients.
•Conflicts of interest must be avoided. Your actions, decisions, and interests cannot compete or conflict with Vanguard's interests or the interests of Vanguard Clients. You must ensure that you do not have a conflict with your duties for Vanguard and that you do not use Vanguard's name, property, facilities, confidential information, relationships, or other assets for personal benefit or for outside work or other endeavors.
Vanguard Affiliates or your specific department may have additional policies regarding conflicts of interest that you must also follow.
2.1 Conflicts of Interest
A conflict of interest is defined as any situation where financial or other personal factors can compromise independence, objectivity, or professional judgment. A conflict of interest exists when these factors compete, or give the appearance of competing, with your duty to serve the interests of Vanguard and Vanguard Clients.
2.1(a) When can conflicts of interest arise?
Even the perception of a conflict could negatively affect Vanguard and harm our reputation. It's important to understand the following conflict situations:
•Actual conflict of interest. A situation where your personal interests directly conflict with your duties, responsibilities, or the terms of your assignment at Vanguard.
•Perceived conflict of interest. A situation where it appears that your personal interests inappropriately influence the performance of your duties, responsibilities, or the terms of your assignment at Vanguard − whether founded or not.
•Potential conflict of interest. A situation that could arise in the future where your personal interests would affect your duties, responsibilities, or the terms of your assignment at Vanguard.
Depending on your role or the terms of your assignment at Vanguard, the potential for conflict may also arise where an Immediate Family Member is employed by, or associated with, a company with which Vanguard has or is looking to establish a relationship.
Example:Your spouse is employed as a trader at a brokerage firm that executes Vanguard Fund trades − if you are a phone associate, a conflict may not exist; however, if you hold a position in the Investment Management Group or Fund Financial Services, a potential conflict may exist.
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Conflicts of Interest
Your actions, decisions, and interests should not compete or conflict with Vanguard or Vanguard Clients' interests. You must report any potential conflicts of interest to Compliance.
2.1(b) What types of conflicts of interest must I avoid?
You need to avoid situations where a conflict of interest could arise, including:
•Any business interest that competes, directly or indirectly, with the interests of Vanguard or Vanguard Clients while working on Vanguard matters.
•Any situation where you would benefit, directly or indirectly, from Vanguard's dealings with others.
2.1(c) Which conflicts of interest do I need to disclose?
You are required to disclose the following information:
•Any situation that may present the potential for a conflict of interest with Vanguard's business or the interests of Vanguard Clients.
•Any employment arrangements or positions (e.g., board member) of an Immediate Family Member that may present the potential for conflict with Vanguard and its activities (e.g., relationships with potential or existing vendors or financial institutions, including banks, with whom Vanguard conducts business).
2.1(d) When and how do I disclose conflicts of interest?
Report any conflicts whether actual, perceived, or potential to Compliance as soon as they arise. Contact Compliance if you encounter a conflict that is not explicitly addressed by our policies, or is potentially significant to a business area or across divisions.
Certain Vanguard Affiliates or departments may have additional policies regarding conflicts of interest. Crew Members and Contingent Workers in those departments must also follow those policies. If in doubt about whether you are subject to additional departmental or Vanguard Affiliate policies, please check with your Vanguard manager or Compliance.
Contingent Workers must also consult with their employer if an actual, perceived, or potential conflict arises.
MCO Resource To disclose conflicts of interest, complete a Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Form via MCO.
Section 3. Outside Business Activities
You are permitted to engage in certain outside business activities (permanent, part-time, or one-time assignment) during your personal time. However, those activities must not adversely affect Vanguard or present a conflict of interest. Your job at Vanguard must come first over other business opportunities, nonprofit activities, or a second job. Be mindful of conflicts, obtain any necessary approvals, and be aware that you may be required to discontinue an activity if a conflict exists.
While Contingent Workers are exempt from the requirements of Section 3, those Contingent Workers who hold a FINRA license are required to comply with the FINRA Licensing Policy on CrewNet.
In addition to the requirements and restrictions in this section, the following supplemental policies may apply to Crew Members:
•Senior Executive Covered Activity Policy (officers and Crew Members in roles designated as M6/P6/S6 or higher).
•Managing Director Outside Business Activity Policy.
If there is a conflict between a requirement in the Code and a more restrictive requirement in one of these supplemental policies, the more restrictive requirement outlined in the Senior Executive Covered Activity Policy or the Managing Director Outside Business Activity Policy will govern.
Web Resource If you are FINRA licensed, you are also required to comply with the FINRA Licensing Policy on CrewNet.
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Business Activities Outside of Vanguard
You may engage in outside business activities that do not conflict with Vanguard's interests; however, you must obtain approval from Compliance for certain outside business activities.
3.1 Outside Business Activity Requirements
3.1(a) Am I prohibited from engaging in any outside business activities?
Yes. The following activities are generally prohibited:
•Holding a second job with any company or organization whose activities could create a conflict of interest with your employment at Vanguard. This includes, but is not limited to, selling Securities, term insurance, or fixed or variable annuities; providing investment advice or financial planning or registering as an independent investment advisor; or engaging in any business activity similar to your job at Vanguard.
•Working, including serving as a director, officer, or in an advisory capacity, for any business or enterprise that competes with Vanguard.
•Working for any organization that could benefit from your knowledge of confidential Vanguard information, such as new Vanguard products, services, or technology.
•Serving on the board of a publicly traded company (or on the board of a company reasonably expected to become a public company).
•Using Vanguard time, equipment, services, or property or enlisting Crew Members for the benefit of the outside business activity.
•Allowing your activities, or the time you spend on them, to interfere with the performance of your job.
•Accepting a business opportunity from someone who does, or seeks to do, business with Vanguard if the person made the offer because of your position at Vanguard.
•Selling interests, soliciting investors or referring participants to a Private Securities Transaction.
•Certain elected or appointed political positions.
3.1(b) Am I required to obtain preclearance for any outside business activities?
Yes. You are required to obtain prior written approval for the following outside business activities:
•Compensated positions held outside of Vanguard, including positions with a nonprofit
or charitable organization.
•All entrepreneurial activities, including home and family businesses and independent consulting.
•Volunteer positions that involve reviewing, recommending or approving Securities for an organization. This includes, but is not limited to, serving on the finance or investment committee of a nonprofit organization, or serving as treasurer for a homeowners association or on a school board.
•Any activity where your role is similar or closely related to your responsibilities at Vanguard.
•Any government position, whether paid or unpaid, elected or appointed (e.g., an elected official or member, director, officer, or employee of a government agency, authority, advisory board or other board, such as a public school or library board).
•Any official position with any federal, state, or local government authority, or service as a board member or in any representative capacity for any civic, public interest, or regional business interest organization. Example: You are the executive director of a local chamber of commerce or on the board of a wildlife protection organization.
•Any board position, whether compensated or non-compensated, including advisory positions. This includes, but is not limited to, positions on boards of nonprofit organizations, charitable foundations, universities, hospitals, and civic, religious, or fraternal organizations.
•Any position on a panel or committee of an index provider.
•Acting as a real estate agent or conducting any mortgage related activities.
•Any teaching positions where the subject matter relates to Vanguard business that is not in the course of your duties for Vanguard.
•Crypto Mining for Digital Currencies, Digital Utility Tokens, or Digital Security Tokens.
•Engaging in an equity or a debt-based Crowdfunding project or venture.
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Gifts and Entertainment
When doing business with Vanguard Clients, vendors, potential Vanguard Clients, and others, you must abide by limitations on giving and receiving gifts and business entertainment. Under the Gift and Entertainment Policy, you must report certain gifts and entertainment to Compliance.
Anti-Bribery
You are prohibited from engaging
or participating in any form of bribery or corruption.
3.1(c) What outside business activities do not require preclearance?
You are not required to obtain written approval for the following activities:
•Compensated positions in a retail business − for example, positions in retail or department stores or in the food service industry.
•Ownership of a second home, rental property, or investment property, provided that the property does not do business with Vanguard.
•Selling items on online auction sites, so long as it is not operated as a business.
•Unpaid positions with holding companies, trusts, or non-operating entities that hold your or your family's real estate or other Investments, provided the Securities would not otherwise require approval if held directly.
3.1(d) When and how do I preclear an outside business activity?
Other than those outside business activities described in Section 3.1(c), you are required to obtain approval for outside business activities:
•If you are already participating in an activity upon joining Vanguard.
•Before accepting any new activity.
•If there are any changes to a previously reported activity.
In certain situations, you may receive a follow-up form from Compliance requiring you to obtain approval from a Vanguard Officer or Managing Director.
Note: Vanguard Officers may not accept or participate in any outside business activities unless they have received written approval from a Vanguard Managing Director or the Chief Executive Officer in addition to receiving written approval from Compliance.
MCO Resource To seek approval, you must complete the Outside Business Activities Form via MCO.
Section 4. Gift and Entertainment Policy
You are subject to Vanguard's Gift and Entertainment Policy, which is considered an integral part of the Code. There are restrictions on the extent to which gifts or entertainment may be received from or provided to any third party.
Web Resource Refer to the Gift and Entertainment Policy on the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet for information and guidelines.
Section 5. Anti-Bribery Policy
You are subject to Vanguard's Anti-Bribery Policy, which prohibits bribery and corruption in all forms. You must not offer, give, or receive anything of value for the purpose of improperly obtaining business, retaining business or securing an improper advantage for Vanguard.
Web Resource Refer to the Anti-Bribery Policy on the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet for information and guidelines.
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Antitrust and Competition
You are prohibited from engaging in activity that could have an anticompetitive effect on the price of goods, services, securities, or other trading conditions in the global marketplace in which we operate.
Section 6. Antitrust and
Competition Policy
You are subject to Vanguard's Antitrust and Competition Policy, which prohibits you from engaging in activity that could have an anticompetitive effect on the price of goods, services and/or securities or other trading conditions in the global marketplace in which we operate.
Web Resource Refer to the Antitrust and Competition Policy on the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet for information and guidelines.
Section 7. Duty of Confidentiality
You must keep confidential any nonpublic information you may have obtained while working at Vanguard or while on assignment at Vanguard. This information includes, but is not limited to information about:
•The Vanguard Funds (e.g., recent or impending Securities transactions, activities of the funds' advisors, offerings of new funds, changes
to fund minimums or other provisions in the prospectus, or closings of funds).
•Current or prospective Vanguard Clients (e.g., their personal information, Investments, or account transactions).
•Other Crew Members, Contingent Workers, or Independent Directors and Trustees (e.g., their pay, benefits, position level, and performance ratings).
•Vanguard business activities (e.g., new services, products, technology, or business initiatives).
You must not disclose confidential information to any other person unless it is necessary for the performance of your duties for Vanguard, there is a business purpose for doing so, and such disclosure is authorized by Vanguard.
Contingent Workers may also be subject to a non-disclosure agreement and/or a service or supply agreement with specific confidentiality
provisions. In addition to the requirements of the Code, you must act at all times in accordance with the specific confidentiality provisions in such agreements. Contact your employer for more information.
Section 8. Personal Trading
Activities
You must avoid taking personal advantage of your knowledge of Securities activity in Vanguard Funds or Vanguard Client accounts. The Code includes specific restrictions on personal investing, but cannot anticipate every fact pattern or situation. You should adhere at all times to the spirit, and not just the letter, of the Code. There are additional trading prohibitions and reporting requirements if you are designated as either an Investment Person (Section 8.2), Fund Access Person (Section 8.3), or VAI Access Person (Section 8.4).
Regardless of your designation, Compliance has the authority, with appropriate notice to you, to apply any or all of the trading restrictions within the Code.
8.1GeneralTrading Prohibitions and Reporting Requirements
The requirements of this Section 8.1(a) apply to all persons subject to the Code. The requirements of Section 8.1(c) apply to all Crew Members and Contingent Workers deemed Associated Persons.
8.1(a) What are the general trading prohibitions?
•Engaging in conduct that is deceitful, fraudulent, or manipulative, or that involves false or misleading statements, in connection with the purchase or sale of a Security by a Vanguard Fund or Vanguard Client account.
•Intentionally, recklessly, or negligently circulating false information or rumors that may affect
the securities markets or may be perceived as market manipulation.
•Trading on knowledge of Vanguard Fund activities. Taking personal advantage of knowledge of recent, impending, or planned
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Insider Trading
You are prohibited from buying or selling any Security while in the possession of material nonpublic information about the issuer of the Security.
Securities activities of the Vanguard Funds or their investment advisors. You are prohibited from purchasing or selling - directly or indirectly - any Security or Related Security when you know that the Security is being purchased or sold, or considered for purchase or sale, by a Vanguard Fund (with the exception of an index fund). These prohibitions apply to all Securities in which you have acquired or will acquire Beneficial Ownership.
•Vanguard InsiderTrading Policies. You are subject to the Insider Trading Policy and/or any similar policy of the Vanguard Affiliate for which you work. Each of these policies are considered an integral part of the Code. Each policy prohibits you from buying or selling any Security while in possession of material, nonpublic information about the issuer of the Security. The policies prohibit you from communicating any nonpublic information about any Security or issuer of Securities to third parties.
•Vanguard FundTrading. When purchasing, exchanging, or redeeming shares of a Vanguard Fund, you and your Immediate Family Members must adhere to the policies and standards
set forth in the fund's prospectus, or offering document, including policies on market-timing and frequent trading.
•Initial Coin Offerings. You are prohibited from participating in an Initial Coin Offering.
Web Resource Refer to your local Insider Trading Policy on the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet for further information.
8.1(b) Am I required to maintain Securities in a brokerage account at Vanguard?
U.S. Crew Members: Yes. You and your Immediate Family Members are required to maintain all Reportable Securities within a Vanguard Brokerage Account. You may hold Vanguard Funds, other than Vanguard ETFs, outside of Vanguard. Employer- sponsored retirement accounts (e.g., 401(k) and 403(b)), 529 Plans, and Compliance-approved accounts are exempt from this requirement (e.g., Managed Account). Vanguard ETFs must be held within a Vanguard Brokerage Account.
Non-U.S. Crew Members: No. You and your Immediate Family Members are not required to maintain Reportable Securities within a Vanguard Brokerage Account.
U.S. and Non-U.S. Contingent Workers: No. You and your Immediate Family Members are not required to maintain Reportable Securities within a Vanguard Brokerage Account.
Web Resource Refer to the U.S. Crew - Securities to be Held at Vanguard document, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
8.1(c) What am I required to report?
The requirements of this Section apply to all Crew Members and Contingent Workers deemed Associated Persons.
Initial Holdings Report Within ten calendar days of joining Vanguard, you must disclose all Covered Accounts and all Reportable Securities held by you or an Immediate Family Member. This includes Brokerage Accounts held at Vanguard, as well as those held at another financial institution. This information must be current as of 45 calendar days before joining Vanguard.
MCO Resource You will receive an Initial Certification to complete which will include a section to disclose Covered Accounts and all Reportable Securities via MCO.
In addition, you must notify Compliance if you or an Immediate Family Member has subsequently opened, or intends to open, a Covered Account with a financial institution (e.g., broker, dealer, advisor, or any other professional money manager), has acquired holdings in Reportable Securities,
or if a preexisting Covered Account (including a Vanguard Brokerage Account) becomes associated with you (such as through marriage or inheritance).
MCO Resource Disclose new Covered Accounts and Reportable Securities via MCO.
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Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for Non-Access Persons document, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
Duplicate statements and transaction confirmations You must disclose transactions in Reportable Securities made by you and your Immediate Family Members. For any disclosed Vanguard Brokerage Accounts, Compliance will receive transaction confirmations automatically. For each approved Covered Account and any holdings of Reportable Securities held outside of Vanguard, it is your responsibility to ensure duplicate statements and transaction confirmations are delivered to Compliance. If the sponsor of your Covered Account is not able to send statements and daily transaction confirmations (electronic or paper) directly to Vanguard, you will be required to submit copies through MCO immediately after you receive them, unless you receive an exemption from this requirement from Compliance. You do not need to report an account or submit transaction confirmations or statements if the account does not have the ability to hold Securities (e.g., a traditional checking account).
8.2(a) Which Securities trades am I required to preclear?
You must obtain, for yourself and on behalf of your Immediate Family Members, preclearance for any transaction in a Covered Security and in a Vanguard ETF.
By seeking preclearance, you will be deemed to be advising Compliance that you:
•Do not possess any material, nonpublic information relating to the security.
•Do not use knowledge of any proposed trade or investment program relating to the Vanguard Funds for personal benefit.
•Believe the proposed trade is available to any market participant on the same terms.
Non-U.S. Investment Persons may be subject to additional restrictions. See Section 8.5.
Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for Investment Persons document, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
Contingent Workers deemed Associated Persons are required to comply with and are subject to the Securities Account Reporting Obligations on CrewNet.
8.2AdditionalTrading and Reporting Requirements for Investment Persons
The requirements of this Section 8.2 are in addition to the requirements of Section 8.1 and apply to all transactions or holdings in which an Investment Person has, or will acquire, Beneficial Ownership of Securities. To see if you are designated as an Investment Person, reference the Investment Persons Departments list on CrewNet. Note: this designation could apply to Crew Members or Contingent Workers.
8.2(b) How do I obtain preclearance?
You must receive preclearance through the MCO system or from an authorized member of Compliance. Transactions in Covered Securities and Vanguard ETFs may not be executed before you receive approval.
Same day limit orders are permitted; however, good 'til canceled orders (such as limit orders that stay open over the course of multiple trading days until a security reaches a specified market price) are not permitted.
Attempting to gain approval after the transaction has occurred is not permitted. Completing a personal trade before receiving approval or after the approval window expires constitutes a violation
15
of the Code. See Section 10 for more information regarding the sanctions that may be imposed as a result of a violation.
MCO Resource Preclearance must be obtained via MCO. Once the required information is submitted, your preclearance request will be approved or denied immediately.
8.2(c) How long is my preclearance approval valid?
U.S.: Preclearance approval will expire at the end of the trading day on which it is issued (e.g., if you receive approval for a trade on Monday,
it is effective until the market closes on that Monday). Preclearance for limit orders is good for transactions on the same day that approval is granted only. If you receive approval for a limit order, it must be executed or expire at the close of regular trading on the same business day for which approval was granted. If you wish to execute the limit order after the close of regular trading on the day you received approval, you must submit a new preclearance request for the day you wish to execute the trade.
Non-U.S.: If you receive approval, transactions must be executed no later than the end of trading on the next business day after the preclearance is granted. If the transaction is not placed within that time, you must submit a new request for approval before placing the transaction. If you preclear a limit order, that limit order must either be executed or expire at the end of the next business day. If you want to execute the order after the next business day period expires, you must resubmit your preclearance request.
8.2(d) Am I required to obtain preclearance before investing in a Private Placement?
Yes. You cannot invest in securities offered to potential investors in a Private Placement or other limited investment offering without first obtaining preclearance from Compliance. You must provide documentation describing the investment (e.g., offering memorandum, subscription documents, etc.) so as to enable Compliance to conduct a thorough review of the investment. Approval
may be granted after a review of the facts and circumstances, including whether:
•An investment in the securities is likely to result in future conflicts with Vanguard Client accounts.
•You are being offered the opportunity due to your employment at, or association with, Vanguard.
If you receive approval to purchase Securities in a Private Placement, you must inform Compliance if that Security goes to public offer or is pending listing on an exchange.
MCO Resource To seek preclearance of a Private Placement, complete the Outside Business Activities Form via MCO.
8.2(e) Are there Securities transactions that I do not need to preclear?
Yes. You are not required to obtain preclearance for the following:
•Purchases or sales of Vanguard Funds. Note: The purchase or sale of Vanguard ETFs require preclearance.
•Purchases or sales where the person requesting preclearance has no direct or indirect influence or control over the Covered Security (e.g., you have a trust in your name but you are not the trustee who places the transaction, provided you have granted Investment Discretion
to the trustee and there has been no prior communication between you and the trustee regarding the transaction).
•Corporate actions in Covered Securities such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions.
•Purchases or sales made as a part of an Automatic Investment Program.
•Purchases made upon the exercise of Rights by an issuer in proportion to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent such Rights were acquired for such issuer.
•Acquisitions of Covered Securities through gifts or bequests.
16
Personal Trading Activities
You are required to abide by the Code of Ethics requirements related to holding, reporting, and trading Securities for personal benefit. Personal trading restrictions and reporting requirements vary depending on the rules of the country you are working in and whether you are an Access Person or a Non-Access Person.
8.2(f) Am I subject to restrictions on my personal trading in Covered Securities?
Yes. You may be subject to certain restrictions if you purchase or sell a Covered Security within seven days before or after a Vanguard Fund purchases or sells the same Covered Security or a Related Security (the "blackout period").
If you purchase a Covered Security within seven days before a Vanguard Fund purchases the same Covered Security or a Related Security, you may be required to hold the Covered Security for 6 months before being permitted to sell the Covered Security for a profit.
If you sell a Covered Security within seven days before a Vanguard Fund sells the same Covered Security or a Related Security, you may be required to disgorge any profits earned from your sale of the Covered Security (exclusive of commissions) at a price higher than what the Vanguard Fund received for selling the Covered Security or a Related Security.
In general, you will not receive preclearance to purchase a Covered Security within seven days after a Vanguard Fund trades the same Covered Security or a Related Security. If you execute the transaction without receiving preclearance, you will have violated this Code and must immediately sell the Covered Security and disgorge all profits received from the sale to Vanguard (exclusive of commissions).
In general, you will not receive preclearance to sell a Covered Security within seven days after a Vanguard Fund trades the same Covered Security or a Related Security. If you execute the transaction without receiving preclearance, you will have violated the Code and must disgorge the difference (exclusive of commissions) between the sale price you received and the Vanguard Fund's sale price (as long as your sales price is higher), multiplied by the number of shares you sold.
In addition to these restrictions, local law may dictate the extent to which any gains must be relinquished.
Quick Guide: For example on the above trade scenarios, refer to Code of Ethics Q&A, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
Compliance may exempt from these restrictions trades during blackout periods that coincide with trading by certain Vanguard Funds (e.g., index funds).
Compliance may waive the blackout period as it applies to the sale of a Covered Security if the Chief Compliance Officer determines its application creates a significant hardship to you (e.g., you need cash for a home purchase or to cover a major medical expense) and, in the opinion of the Chief Compliance Officer, satisfies the requirements for a waiver in Section 11.
Web Resource Refer to the Hardship Waiver Request Form on the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for Investment Persons document, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
8.2(g) Am I prohibited from engaging in certain Securities transactions?
Yes. You are prohibited from engaging in the following Securities transactions:
•Futures and Options. You are prohibited from entering into, acquiring, or selling any Futures contract (including single stock futures) or any
18
Option on any Covered Security (including Options on ETFs).
•Initial Public Offerings and Secondary Offerings. You are prohibited from acquiring Securities in an Initial Public Offering or Secondary Offering.
•Short-Selling. You are prohibited from selling short any Security that you do not own or from otherwise engaging in Short-Selling activities.
•Short-TermTrading. You are prohibited from purchasing and then selling any Covered Security or a Vanguard ETF at a profit, as well as selling and then repurchasing a Covered Security or a Vanguard ETF at a lower price within 60 calendar days. Gains are calculated based on last in, first out method for purposes of this restriction. If you realize profits on short-term trades, you will be required to relinquish the profits. In addition, the trade will be recorded as a violation of the Code.
•Spread Bets. You are prohibited from participating in Spread Betting on Securities, indexes, interest rates, currencies, or commodities.
8.2(h) What happens if I make a "short-term trade" in a Vanguard Fund?
Compliance will monitor trading in Vanguard Funds, other than Vanguard ETFs, and will review situations where Vanguard Fund shares are redeemed within 30 calendar days of purchase (a "short-term trade"). You may be required to relinquish any profit made on a short-term trade and will be subject to disciplinary action if Compliance determines the short-term trade was detrimental to a Vanguard Fund or a Vanguard Client or that there is a history of frequent trading by you or your Immediate Family Members. For purposes of this paragraph:
•A redemption includes a redemption by any means, including an exchange out of a Vanguard Fund.
•This policy does not cover purchases and redemptions/sales (i) into or out of Vanguard money market funds, Vanguard short-term bond funds, or (ii) through an Automatic Investment Program.
Nothing in this section is intended to replace, nullify, or modify any requirements imposed by a Vanguard Fund.
Note: This section applies to transactions in Vanguard Funds other than Vanguard ETFs (e.g., Vanguard mutual funds). As noted above, Investment Persons are prohibited from purchasing and then selling any Vanguard ETF at a profit, as well as selling and then repurchasing a Vanguard ETF at a lower price within 60 calendar days
8.2(i) Are there any additional reporting requirements that apply to me?
In addition to the standard reporting requirements set forth in Section 8.1(c), you must also disclose the following:
•Covered Accounts where you exercise Investment Discretion.
•Accounts, 529 college savings plans and annuity or insurance products holding Vanguard Funds.
The information must be updated in MCO no later than ten calendar days after you become an Investment Person or joining Vanguard.
QuarterlyTransactions Report Within 30 days of quarter end, you must certify that all transactions effected in Covered Securities during the quarter have been recorded accurately in MCO. If there are no transactions in Covered Securities the report should state "None." You will not be required
to certify if Compliance receives automated or duplicate confirmations and statements. Note: Compliance receives duplicate confirms and statements for all Vanguard accounts.
Annual Holdings Report Within 30 calendar days of receipt, you must certify that all Covered Accounts and Reportable Securities are recorded accurately in MCO.
If you are an Investment Person of Vanguard Investments Hong Kong, Limited (VIHK), the holdings disclosure requirement is semi-annual, including the provision of statements.
19
Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for Investment Persons, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
MCO Resource Verify and disclose all Covered Accounts and holdings in Reportable Securities via MCO
8.3AdditionalTrading Prohibitions and Reporting Requirements for Fund Access Persons
The requirements of this Section 8.3 are in addition to the requirements of Section 8.1 and apply to all transactions or holdings in which a Fund Access Person has, or will acquire, Beneficial Ownership of Securities. To see if you are designated as a Fund Access Person, reference the Fund Access Persons Departments list on CrewNet. Note: this designation could apply to Crew Members or Contingent Workers.
8.3(a) Which Securities trades am I required to preclear?
You must obtain, for yourself and on behalf of your Immediate Family Members, preclearance for any transaction in a Covered Security.
By seeking preclearance, you will be deemed to be advising Compliance that you:
•Do not possess any material, nonpublic information relating to the security.
•Do not use knowledge of any proposed trade or investment program relating to the Vanguard Funds for personal benefit.
•Believe the proposed trade is available to any market participant on the same terms.
Non-U.S. Fund Access Persons may be subject to additional restrictions. See Section 8.5(a).
Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for Fund Access Persons document, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
8.3(b) How do I obtain preclearance?
You must receive preclearance through the MCO system or by contacting Compliance. Transactions in Covered Securities may not be executed before you receive approval.
Same day limit orders are permitted; however, good 'til canceled orders (such as limit orders that stay open over the course of multiple trading days until a security reaches a specified market price) are not permitted.
Attempting to gain approval after the transaction has occurred is not permitted. Completing a personal trade before receiving approval or after the approval window expires constitutes a violation of the Code. See Section 10 for more information regarding the sanctions that may be imposed as a result of a violation.
MCO Resource Preclearance must be obtained via MCO. Once the required information is submitted, your preclearance request will be approved or denied immediately.
8.3(c) How long is my preclearance approval valid?
U.S.: Preclearance approval will expire at the end of the trading day on which it is issued (e.g., if you receive approval for a trade on Monday,
it is effective until the market closes on that Monday). Preclearance for limit orders is good for transactions on the same day that approval is granted only. If you receive approval for a limit
20
order, it must be executed or expire at the close of regular trading on the same business day for which approval was granted. If you wish to execute the limit order after the close of regular trading on the day you received approval, you must submit a new preclearance request for the day you wish to execute the trade.
Non-U.S.: If you receive approval, transactions must be executed no later than the end of trading on the next business day after the preclearance is granted. If the transaction is not placed within that time, you must submit a new request for approval before placing the transaction. If you preclear a limit order, that limit order must either be executed or expire at the end of the next business day. If you want to execute the order after the next business day period expires, you must resubmit your preclearance request.
8.3(d) Am I required to obtain preclearance before investing in a Private Placement?
Yes. You cannot invest in securities offered to potential investors in a Private Placement or other limited investment offering without first obtaining preclearance from Compliance. You must provide documentation describing the investment (e.g., offering memorandum, subscription documents, etc.) so as to enable Compliance to conduct a thorough review of the investment. Approval may be granted after a review of the facts and circumstances, including whether:
•An investment in the securities is likely to result in future conflicts with Vanguard Client accounts.
•You are being offered the opportunity due to your employment at, or association with, Vanguard.
If you receive approval to purchase Securities in a Private Placement, you must inform Compliance if that Security goes to public offer or is pending listing on an exchange.
MCO Resource To seek preclearance of a Private Placement, complete the Outside Business Activities Form via MCO.
8.3(e) Are there Securities transactions that I do not need to preclear?
Yes. You are not required to obtain preclearance for the following:
•Purchases or sales of Vanguard Funds.
•Purchases or sales where the person requesting preclearance has no direct or indirect influence or control over the account (e.g., you have a trust in your name but you are not the trustee who places the transaction, provided you have granted Investment Discretion to the trustee and there has been no prior communication between you and the trustee regarding the transaction).
•Corporate actions in Covered Securities such as stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations, spin-offs, or other similar corporate reorganizations or distributions.
•Purchases or sales made as a part of an Automatic Investment Program.
•Purchases made upon the exercise of Rights by an issuer in proportion to all holders of a class of its Securities, to the extent, such Rights were acquired for such issuer.
•Acquisitions of Covered Securities through gifts or bequests.
8.3(f) Am I subject to restrictions on my personal trading in Covered Securities?
Yes. You may be subject to certain restrictions if you purchase or sell a Covered Security within seven days before or after a Vanguard Fund purchases or sells the same Covered Security or a Related Security (the "blackout period").
If you purchase a Covered Security within seven days before a Vanguard Fund purchases the same Covered Security or a Related Security, you may be required to hold the Covered Security for 6 months before being permitted to sell the Covered Security for a profit.
If you sell a Covered Security within seven days before a Vanguard Fund sells the same Covered Security or a Related Security, you may be required to disgorge any profits earned from your sale of the
21
Covered Security (exclusive of commissions) at a price higher than what the Vanguard Fund received for selling the Covered Security or a Related Security.
In general, you will not receive preclearance to purchase a Covered Security within seven days after a Vanguard Fund trades the same Covered Security or a Related Security. If you execute the transaction without receiving preclearance, you will have violated this Code and must immediately sell the Covered Security and disgorge all profits received from the sale to Vanguard (exclusive of commissions).
In general, you will not receive preclearance to sell a Covered Security within seven days after a Vanguard Fund trades the same Covered Security or a Related Security. If you execute the transaction without receiving preclearance, you will have violated the Code and must disgorge the difference (exclusive of commissions) between the sale price you received and the Vanguard Fund's sale price (as long as your sales price is higher), multiplied by the number of shares you sold.
Quick Guide: For example on the above trade scenarios, refer to Code of Ethics Q&A, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
In addition to these restrictions, local law may dictate the extent to which any gains must be relinquished.
Compliance may exempt from these restrictions certain trades during blackout periods that coincide with trading by certain Vanguard Funds (e.g., index funds).
The blackout period will not apply to a Fund Access Person's sale of any stock for which the market capitalization exceeds US$5 billion, provided that
the total value of any sales of the Security by the Fund Access Person do not exceed US$10,000 in any 30-day rolling period. Sales of securities with market capitalizations below US$5 billion, or that exceed US$10,000 in any 30-day rolling period, will continue to be subject to the blackout periods unless Compliance grants a waiver.
Compliance may waive the blackout period as it applies to the sale of a Covered Security if the Chief Compliance Officer determines its application creates a significant hardship to you (e.g., you need cash for a home purchase or to cover a major medical expense) and, in the opinion of the Chief Compliance Officer, satisfies the requirements for a waiver in Section 11.
Web Resource Refer to the Hardship Waiver Request Form on the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
8.3(g) Am I prohibited from engaging in any Securities transactions?
Yes. You are prohibited from engaging in the following Securities transactions:
•Futures and Options. You are prohibited from entering into, acquiring, or selling any Futures contract (including single stock futures) or any Option on any Security (including Options on ETFs).
•Initial Public Offerings and Secondary Offerings. You are prohibited from acquiring Securities in an Initial Public Offering or Secondary Offering.
•Short-Selling. You are prohibited from selling short any Security that you do not own or from otherwise engaging in Short-Selling activities.
•Short-TermTrading. You are prohibited from purchasing and then selling any Covered Security at a profit, as well as selling and then repurchasing a Covered Security at a lower price within 60 calendar days. Gains are calculated based on last in, first out method for purposes of this restriction. If you realize profits on short-term trades, you will be
22
required to relinquish the profits. In addition, the trade will be recorded as a violation of the Code. Example: You are not permitted to sell a security at $12 that you purchased within the prior 60 days for $10. Similarly, you are not permitted to purchase a security at $10 that you sold within the prior 60 days for $12.
•Spread Bets. You are prohibited from participating in Spread Betting on Securities, indexes, interest rates, currencies, or commodities.
8.3(h) What happens if I make a "short-term trade" in a Vanguard Fund?
Compliance will monitor trading in Vanguard Funds, other than Vanguard ETFs, and will review situations where Vanguard Fund shares are redeemed within 30 calendar days of purchase (a "short-term trade"). You may be required
to relinquish any profit made on a short-term trade and will be subject to disciplinary action if Compliance determines the short-term trade was detrimental to a Vanguard Fund or a Vanguard Client or that there is a history of frequent trading by you or your Immediate Family Members. For purposes of this paragraph:
•A redemption includes a redemption by any means, including an exchange out of a Vanguard Fund.
•This policy does not cover purchases and redemptions/sales (i) into or out of Vanguard money market funds, Vanguard short-term bond funds, or (ii) through an Automatic Investment Program.
Nothing in this section is intended to replace, nullify, or modify any requirements imposed by a Vanguard Fund.
Note: This section applies to transactions in Vanguard Funds other than Vanguard ETFs (e.g., Vanguard mutual funds).
8.3(i) Are there any additional reporting requirements that apply to me?
In addition to the standard reporting requirements set forth in Section 8.1(c), you must also disclose the following:
•Covered Accounts where you exercise Investment Discretion.
•Accounts, 529 college savings plans and annuity or insurance products holding Vanguard Funds.
The information must be updated in MCO no later than ten calendar days after you become a Fund Access Person or joining Vanguard.
QuarterlyTransactions Report Within 30 days of quarter end, you must certify that all transactions effected in Covered Securities during the quarter have been recorded accurately in MCO. If there are no transactions in Covered Securities the report should state "None." You will not be required
to certify if Compliance receives automated or duplicate confirmations and statements. Note: Compliance receives duplicate confirms and statements for all Vanguard accounts.
Annual Holdings Report Within 30 calendar days of receipt, you must certify that all Covered Accounts and Reportable Securities are recorded accurately in MCO.
If you are an Investment Person of Vanguard Investments Hong Kong, Limited (VIHK), the holdings disclosure requirement is semi-annual, including the provision of statements.
Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for Fund Access Persons, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
MCO Resource Verify and disclose all Covered Accounts and holdings in Reportable Securities via MCO.
23
8.4AdditionalTrading Prohibitions and Reporting Requirements for VAI Access Persons
The requirements of this Section 8.4 are in addition to the requirements of Section 8.1 and apply to all transactions or holdings in which a VAI Access Person has, or will acquire, Beneficial Ownership of Securities. To see if you are designated as a VAI Access Person, reference the VAI Access Person Departments list on CrewNet. Note: this designation could apply to Crew Members or Contingent Workers.
8.4(a) Am I required to preclear Security trades?
No. You are not required to preclear transactions in Covered Securities for you and your Immediate Family members.
Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for VAI Access Persons, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
8.4(b) Am I required to obtain preclearance before investing in a Private Placement?
Yes. You cannot invest in securities offered to potential investors in a Private Placement or other limited investment offering without first obtaining preclearance from Compliance. You must provide documentation describing the investment (e.g., offering memorandum, subscription documents, etc.) so as to enable Compliance to conduct a thorough review of the investment. Approval may be granted after a review of the facts and circumstances, including whether:
•An investment in the securities is likely to result in future conflicts with Vanguard Client accounts.
•You are being offered the opportunity due to your employment at, or association with, Vanguard.
If you receive approval to purchase Securities in a Private Placement, you must inform Compliance if that Security goes to public offer or is pending listing on an exchange.
MCO Resource To seek preclearance of a Private Placement complete the Outside Business Activities Form via MCO.
8.4(c) Am I prohibited from engaging in any Securities transactions?
Yes. You are subject to the following restrictions with respect to any transaction in which you will acquire any direct or indirect Beneficial Ownership:
•Initial Public Offerings and Secondary Offerings. You are prohibited from acquiring Securities in an Initial Public Offering or Secondary Offering.
•Short-Selling. You are prohibited from selling short any Security that you do not own or from otherwise engaging in Short-Selling activities.
•Short-TermTrading. You are prohibited from purchasing and then selling any Covered Security at a profit, as well as selling and then repurchasing a Covered Security at a lower price within 60 calendar days. A last-in-first-out accounting methodology will be applied to a series of Security purchases when applying this holding rule. If you realize profits on short- term trades, you will be required to relinquish the profits to The Vanguard Group Foundation (exclusive of commissions). In addition, the trade will be recorded as a violation of the Code.
•Short-term trading on options. You may hold options on a Covered Security until you exercise the options or the options expire. However, you may not otherwise close any open positions within 60 calendar days. If you realize profits on such short-term trades, you must relinquish such profits to The Vanguard Group Foundation (exclusive of commissions). For example:
you would not be permitted to sell a Covered Security at $12 that you purchased within the prior 60 days for $10. Similarly, you would not be permitted to purchase a Covered Security at $10 that you had sold within the prior 60 days
24
for $12. Note: These types of transactions can have unintended consequences. For example, your call option could be assigned, causing the underlying Security to be called away within sixty (60) calendar days following the purchase of the Covered Security and will be recorded as a violation of the Code.
8.4(d) What happens if I make a "short-term trade" in a Vanguard Fund?
Compliance will monitor trading in Vanguard Funds, other than Vanguard ETFs, and will review situations where Vanguard Fund shares are redeemed within 30 calendar days of purchase (a "short-term trade"). You may be required to relinquish any profit made on a short-term trade and will be subject to disciplinary action if Compliance determines the short-term trade was detrimental to a Vanguard Fund or a Vanguard Client or that there is a history of frequent trading by the you or your Immediate Family Members. For purposes of this paragraph:
•A redemption includes a redemption by any means, including an exchange out of a Vanguard Fund.
•This policy does not cover purchases and redemptions/sales (i) into or out of Vanguard money market funds, Vanguard short-term bond funds, or (ii) through an Automatic Investment Program.
Nothing in this section is intended to replace, nullify, or modify any requirements imposed by a Vanguard Fund.
Note:This section applies to transactions in Vanguard Funds other than Vanguard ETFs (e.g., Vanguard mutual funds).
8.4(e) Are there any additional reporting requirements that apply to me?
In addition to the standard reporting requirements set forth in Section 8.1(c), you must also disclose the following:
•Covered Accounts where you exercise Investment Discretion.
•Accounts, 529 college savings plans and annuity or insurance products holding Vanguard Funds.
The information must be updated in MCO no later than ten calendar days after you become a VAI Access Person or joining Vanguard.
QuarterlyTransactions Report Within 30 days
of quarter end, you must certify that all transactions effected in Covered Securities during the quarter have been recorded accurately in MCO. If there are no transactions in Covered Securities the report should state "None." You will not be required to certify if Compliance receives automated or duplicate confirmations and statements. Note: Compliance receives duplicate confirms and statements for all Vanguard accounts.
Annual Holdings Report Within 30 calendar days of receipt, you must certify that all Covered Accounts and Reportable Securities are recorded accurately in MCO.
Quick Guide: Refer to the Trading and Reporting Requirements for VAI Access Persons, which can be accessed from the Code of Ethics Resource page on CrewNet.
MCO Resource - Verify and disclose all Covered Accounts and holdings in Reportable Securities via MCO.
25
8.5AdditionalTrading Prohibitions for Non-U.S. Crew Members
The requirements of this Section 8.5 are in addition to the requirements of Section 8.1 as well as the requirements of Section 8.2, 8.3, or 8.4, as applicable.
8.5(a) What are the additional trading prohibitions?
There are additional trading requirements and restrictions for Crew Members in Australia as well as for Crew Members and Contingent Workers in Japan.
8.5(b) What are the Vanguard Fund reporting requirements in Australia?
You and your Immediate Family Members will be required to disclose Vanguard Fund accounts in MCO but are not required to report transactions in Vanguard Funds to the local Compliance Department. For monitoring purposes, the local Compliance Department will access their records via the transfer agency system maintained at VIA, as required.
Note:Trades in Vanguard ETFs are required to be reported, as these records are not held by VIA.
8.5(c) What are the additional trading restrictions for Japan?
Crew Members and Contingent Workers including their Immediate Family Members are prohibited from activities including, but not limited to engaging in margin transactions, Securities-related derivatives transactions, and specified OTC derivatives transactions on their own account.
8.5(d) What additional information is required to be reported for accounts with third party Investment Discretion?
If you or your Immediate Family Member have an arrangement in place with a third party to manage Securities on a discretionary basis, you must provide a copy of the Discretionary Agreement
Approval request to Compliance in advance of effecting any transactions subject to the agreement.
Web Resource Request and complete a Discretionary Agreement Approval Request Form.
26
Certification Requirements
On an annual basis, you must acknowledge that you understand the Code of Ethics and will comply with its provisions.
Section 9. Certification
Requirements
9.1 What am I required to certify initially?
Initial Certification Within 10 calendar days after joining Vanguard, you must certify to Compliance that you have read, understand, and will comply with all applicable requirements of the Code and Code-related policies.
9.2 What am I required to certify annually?
Annual Certification Within 30 calendar days of receipt, you must certify that you have read, understand, and have and will continue to comply with all applicable requirements of the Code and Code-related policies.
Section 10. Penalties and Sanctions
Any violations and potential violations of the Code will be investigated by Compliance or, if necessary, the Global Code of Ethics Committee. Once it has been determined that there was a violation, you will be subject to sanctions, as described below. Compliance will utilize a rolling 24-month period when evaluating whether to sanction a violation. The terms of the Disciplinary Action Policy will also apply.
For violations involving a Contingent Worker, Compliance will consult with a local Human Resource contact (outside the U.S.) or Crew Relations Specialist (inside the U.S.) and the appropriate employer regarding disciplinary action.
10.1How are violations administered by Compliance?
The sanctions program for non-material violations of the Code (e.g., late certification submissions, missed preclearance of a Covered Security, late in providing account confirms/statements, failure to observe the holding period requirements, etc.) and material violations will generally operate as follows:
The process for addressing non-material and material violations will include the following:
•First non-material violation in a rolling 24-month period - Letter of Education. Compliance will send the applicable Crew Member, his or her direct manager, and Human Resources or Crew Relations a summary of the violation.
•Second non-material violation in a rolling 24-month period - Letter of Caution. Compliance will send a letter of caution to the Crew Member and his or her direct manager for both parties to sign and return to Compliance. Compliance will have the direct manager add a first written warning to Workday. Compliance also will notify the Chief Compliance Officer, the Crew Member's direct officer, and Human Resources or Crew Relations.
•Third non-material violation in a rolling 24-month period - Letter of Violation. Compliance will report the violation to the Global Code of Ethics Committee, which will impose an appropriate sanction (e.g., final written warning) if warranted.
•Material violation. Compliance will report the material violation to the Global Code of Ethics Committee, which will impose an appropriate sanction (e.g., final written warning, termination, etc.) in its discretion.
10.2How is an appropriate sanction determined?
In addition to the foregoing, Compliance may,
as authorized by the Chief Compliance Officer and in consultation with the appropriate local Human Resource contact (outside the U.S.) or Crew Relations Specialist (inside the U.S.), impose sanctions for violations of the Code that are considered to be necessary and appropriate under the circumstances and in the best interests of Vanguard and Vanguard Clients.
As mentioned above, certain violations will be reported to the Global Code of Ethics Committee, which will impose sanctions in its discretion. These
28
sanctions, subject to local laws, may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: personal trading suspension, profit disgorgement, negative adjustment to performance review and compensation, final written warning, termination of employment or referral to civil or criminal authorities, or any other sanction as may be determined by the Global Code of Ethics Committee in its discretion.
10.3How is the materiality of a violation determined?
Compliance and/or the Committee will consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to, whether there was a violation of law, the frequency of violations, the monetary value of the violation in question, violations that impact a Vanguard Client, or violations that are egregious, malicious, or repetitive in nature.
10.4What are my obligations to report a violation?
You are required to immediately report a violation of the Code to the local Compliance Department once you become aware of a violation.
Section 11. Waivers
The Chief Compliance Officer may grant exceptions to this Code, including preclearance, other trading restrictions, and certain reporting requirements on a case-by-case basis if it is determined that (1) the proposed conduct involves no opportunity for abuse, (2) the proposed conduct does not conflict with Vanguard's interests, and (3) not granting an exception would result in an unfair or unjust outcome.
The Chief Compliance Officer may waive the applicability of the Code for a Contingent Worker if the Code's requirements are covered through the applicable service provider's contract with Vanguard.
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Appendices
Appendix A.
Definitions
MCO Resource Verify and disclose all Covered Accounts and holdings in Reportable Securities
via MCO.
Appendix B.
Independent Directors and Trustees
30
Appendix A. Definitions
The following definitions apply throughout the Code.
Term |
Definition |
|
|
Access Person |
Any person designated as an Investment Person, Fund Access Person, or VAI Access Person. |
|
|
American Depository |
A receipt that represents a specific number of shares of a foreign-based corporation held by a |
Receipts (ADRs) |
U.S. bank and entitles the holder to all dividends and capital gains. Through ADRs, investors can |
|
gain exposure to securities of foreign-based companies while investing in the U.S. instead of in |
|
foreign markets. |
|
|
Associated Persons |
Any person who conducts securities business on behalf of the Vanguard Marketing Corporation |
|
(VMC). This includes all FINRA-licensed Contingent Workers, as well as non-licensed Contingent |
|
Workers who perform certain operational and administrative functions for VMC. |
|
|
Automatic Investment |
A program in which regular periodic purchases (or withdrawals) are made automatically in (or |
Program |
from) Investment accounts, according to a predetermined schedule and allocation. An Automatic |
|
Investment Program includes a dividend reinvestment plan. |
|
|
Bankers' Acceptance |
A time draft drawn on a commercial bank by a borrower usually in connection with an |
|
international commercial transaction. Bankers' acceptances are usually guaranteed by the bank. |
|
|
Beneficial Ownership |
The opportunity to directly or indirectlythrough any contract, arrangement, understanding, |
|
relationship, or otherwiseshare at any time in any economic interest or profit derived from an |
|
ownership of or a transaction in a Security. You are deemed to have Beneficial Ownership in the |
|
following: |
|
• Any Security owned individually by you. |
|
• Any Security owned by an Immediate Family Member. |
|
• Any Security owned in joint tenancy, as tenants in common, or in other joint ownership |
|
arrangements. |
|
• Any Security in which an Immediate Family Member has Beneficial Ownership if the Security |
|
is held in a Covered Account over which you have decision making authority (for example, |
|
you act as a trustee, executor, or guardian or you provide Investment advice). |
|
• Your interest as a general partner or manager/member in Securities held by a general or |
|
limited partnership or limited liability company. |
|
• Your interest as a member of an investment club or an organization that is formed for the |
|
purpose of investing in a pool of monies or Securities. |
|
• Your ownership of Securities as a trustee of a trust in which either you or an Immediate |
|
Family Member has a vested interest in the principal or income of the trust or your |
|
ownership of a vested interest in a trust. |
|
• Securities owned by a corporation which is directly or indirectly controlled by, or under |
|
common control with, such person. |
|
|
Bond |
A debt obligation issued by a corporation, government, or government agency that entails |
|
repayment of the principal amount of the obligation at a future date, usually with interest. |
|
|
Bribery |
The act of making an illegal payment from one party to another, usually in return for a legal or |
|
financial favor. |
|
|
Brokerage Account |
Any account where you can transact in Securities, including Automatic Investment Programs, |
|
employee stock purchase programs, and employee stock option programs. |
|
|
Certificate of Deposit |
An insured, interest-bearing deposit at a bank that requires the depositor to keep the money |
(CD) |
invested for a specified period. |
|
|
Closed-End Fund |
A fund that offers a fixed number of shares. The fixed number of shares outstanding are offered |
|
during an initial subscription period, similar to an initial public offering. After the subscription |
|
period is closed, the shares are traded on an exchange between investors, like a stock. |
|
|
Commercial Paper |
A promissory note issued by a company in need of short-term financing. |
|
|
31
Contingent Workers |
A Contingent Worker is a broad term that refers to any person providing services to Vanguard |
|
who Vanguard has not designated as a Crew Member. |
|
Contingent Workers generally include individuals performing services for or on behalf of Vanguard |
|
through staffing firms, consulting firms, service providers, and as independent contractors, other |
|
than those who work for an independent organization with expertise in a specific function that is |
|
peripheral to Vanguard's core business (e.g., security, landscaping, and food services). |
|
Note: Compliance may waive the applicability of the Code for a Contingent Worker if Compliance |
|
deems the Code's requirements are covered through their service provider's contract with |
|
Vanguard. |
|
|
Contract for Difference |
A contract between two parties, typically described as buyer and seller, stipulating that the seller |
(CFD) |
will pay the difference between the current value of an asset and its value at contract time. (If the |
|
difference is negative, then the buyer pays instead of the seller.) |
|
|
Corporate Action |
A corporate action is any activity by an issuer that can change its shareholders' ownership. |
|
Examples include mergers, stock splits, dividends, Rights issues, etc. |
|
|
Covered Account |
A Vanguard Fund account, a Brokerage Account, and any other type of account that holds, or is |
|
capable of holding, Reportable Securities. |
|
|
Covered Security |
Any Security, other than (i) Direct Obligations of a Government; (ii) Bankers' Acceptances, |
|
Certificates of Deposit (CD), Commercial Paper, and High-Quality Short-Term Debt Instruments, |
|
including Repurchase Agreements; (iii) shares issued by Open-End Funds (although for |
|
European subsidiaries, this is limited to UCITS schemes, a non-UCITS retail scheme, or another |
|
fund subject to supervision under the law of an European Economic Area (EEA) state which is an |
|
index fund or which requires an equivalent level of risk spreading in their assets); (iv) life policies; |
|
(v) exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded notes, and (vi) Digital Security Tokens. |
|
|
Crew Member |
All employees, officers, directors, and trustees of Vanguard or a Vanguard Fund. |
|
|
Crowdfunding |
The use of small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals to finance a new business |
|
venture. This is an evolving method of raising capital, typically done through the Internet. |
|
|
Crypto Mining |
The act of running or facilitating any computational process for purposes of receiving |
|
compensation in the form of a Digital Currency, Digital Utility Token, or Digital Security Token. |
|
Crypto Mining may be done either directly or indirectly. Indirect Crypto Mining involves any |
|
investment or participation in a venture that engages in direct Crypto Mining. |
|
|
Debenture |
An unsecured debt obligation backed only by the general credit of the borrower. |
|
|
Direct Obligations of a |
A debt that is backed by the full taxing power of any government. These Securities are generally |
Government |
considered to be of the very highest quality. |
|
|
Digital Currency |
A digital asset that: (1) serves solely as a store of value, a medium of exchange, or a unit of |
|
account; (2) is not issued or guaranteed by any jurisdiction, central bank, or public authority,; (3) |
|
relies on algorithmic techniques to regulate the generation of new units of the digital asset; and |
|
(4) has transactions involving the digital asset recorded on a decentralized network or distributed |
|
ledger (e.g., blockchain). A Digital Currency is distinguishable from a Digital Security Token or a |
|
Digital Utility Token. |
|
|
Digital UtilityToken |
A digital asset that (1) provides access to a particular network, product, or service; (2) derives its |
|
value primarily from providing access to a particular network, product, or service; and (3) does not |
|
function as a Digital Currency or Digital Security Token. |
|
|
Digital SecurityToken |
Any digital asset that is not a Digital Currency or Digital Utility Token. In general, a Digital Security |
|
Token may: (1) derive its value primarily from, or represent an interest in a separate asset or pool |
|
of assets; or (2) represent an interest an enterprise or venture. A Digital Security Token may |
|
provide owners or holders with voting rights, rights to distributions, or other rights associated |
|
with ownership. Digital Security Tokens are generally held for speculative investment purposes |
|
and not to provide holders with access to a particular network, product, or service. Digital |
|
Security Tokens, like other investments, are generally not used as a medium of exchange. |
|
Note: Whether or not an asset is a Digital Security Token depends on specific facts and |
|
circumstances. Merely referring to an asset as a Digital Currency or Digital Utility Token does not |
|
prevent the asset from being a Digital Security Token. Furthermore, an asset may be a Digital |
|
Security Token even if it has some purported utility. Please contact Compliance if you have any |
|
questions regarding whether an asset is a Digital Security Token |
|
|
32
Evidence of Indebtedness |
Written agreements for enforceable obligations to pay money. |
|
|
Exchange-Traded Fund |
An investment with characteristics of both mutual funds and individual stocks. Many ETFs |
(ETF) |
track an index, a commodity, or a basket of assets. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs can be traded |
|
throughout the day. ETFs often have lower expense ratios but must be purchased and sold |
|
through a broker, which means you may incur commissions. |
|
|
Exchange-Traded Note |
A senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt Security issued by a financial institution, whose returns |
(ETN) |
are based on the performance of an underlying index and backed only by the credit of the issuer. |
|
ETNs have a maturity date, but typically pay no periodic coupon interest and offer no principal |
|
protection. At maturity an ETN investor receives a cash payment linked to the performance of the |
|
corresponding index, less fees. |
|
|
Fund Access Person |
Any officer (other than officers designated as an Investment Person), director, or trustee of |
|
Vanguard or a Vanguard Fund, excluding Independent Directors and Trustees; or anyone who has |
|
access to nonpublic information regarding a Vanguard Fund's impending purchases or sales of |
|
Securities, or nonpublic information regarding the portfolio holdings of any Vanguard Fund. For |
|
anyone not an officer, Compliance designates Fund Access Persons individually or by department |
|
number. For a list of Fund Access Person departments, please see the Fund Access Person |
|
Departments list on CrewNet. |
|
|
Futures/Futures Contract |
A contract to buy or sell specific amounts of a commodity or financial instrument (such as grain, |
|
a currency, including foreign currencies and Digital Currencies (e.g., Bitcoin), or an index) for an |
|
agreed-upon price at a certain time in the future. Sometimes the arrangements in a contract |
|
prescribe that settlements are made through cash payments, rather than the delivery of physical |
|
goods or Securities; this is called Contract for Difference. |
|
|
High-Quality Short-Term |
An instrument that has a maturity at issuance of less than 366 days and is rated in one of the |
Debt Instrument |
two highest ratings categories by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or an |
|
instrument that is unrated but determined by Vanguard to be of comparable quality. |
|
|
Immediate Family |
Your spouse, domestic partner (an unrelated adult with whom you share your home and |
Members |
contribute to each other's support), and minor children |
|
|
Initial Coin Offering (ICO) |
An initial offer or sale of a Digital Security Token. |
|
Note: Whether or not an offering is an ICO depends on specific facts and circumstances. |
|
Please contact Compliance before participating in an initial offering of a Digital Currency or |
|
Digital Utility Token. |
|
|
Initial Public Offering |
A corporation's first offering of common stock to the public. |
(IPO) |
|
|
|
Independent Directors |
Any director or trustee who is not an "interested person" of a Vanguard Fund within the meaning |
andTrustees |
of Section 2(a)(19) of the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
|
|
Investment |
A monetary asset purchased with the idea that the asset will provide income in the future or |
|
appreciate and be sold at a higher price. |
|
|
Investment Contract |
Any contract, transaction, or scheme whereby a person invests money in a common enterprise |
|
and is led to expect profits solely from the efforts of the promoter or third party. |
|
|
Investment Discretion |
The authority an individual may exercise, with respect to investment control or trading discretion, |
|
on another person's account (e.g., executor, trustee, power of attorney). |
|
|
Investment Person |
Anyone who, in connection with his or her regular functions or duties, makes or participates in |
|
making any recommendations regarding the purchase or sale of Securities by a Vanguard Fund; |
|
and anyone designated by Compliance including, but not limited to, those who obtain nonpublic |
|
information concerning recommendations made to a Vanguard Fund. Compliance will designate |
|
Investment Persons individually or by department number. For a list of Investment Persons |
|
departments, please see the Investment Persons Departments list on CrewNet. |
|
|
Managed Account |
A Managed Account is an investment account that is owned by an investor and overseen by a |
|
hired professional money manager. The investor has no trading discretion on the account. |
|
|
Managed Services |
A Contingent Worker who provides services to Vanguard and who is employed by an independent |
Workers |
organization with expertise in a specific function that is peripheral to Vanguard's core business |
|
(e.g., security, landscaping, and food services). |
|
|
33
Money Market Fund |
A type of mutual fund that invests in short-term debt securities with the purpose of providing |
|
liquidity and interest at a low risk to shareholders. Money market funds generally seek to |
|
maintain a stable net asset value of $1.00 per share. |
|
|
MyComplianceOffice |
MyComplianceOffice (MCO) is a third-party web based application that allows Crew and |
(MCO) |
Contingent Workers to report and update certain information, as required by the Code. |
|
|
Non-Access Person |
Anyone who has not been designated as either an Investment Person, a Fund Access Person, |
|
or a Vanguard Advisers, Inc. Access Person. |
|
|
Note |
A financial security that generally has a longer term than a bill, but a shorter term than a Bond. |
|
However, the duration of a note can vary significantly and may not always fall neatly into this |
|
categorization. Notes are similar to Bonds in that they are sold at, above, or below face (par) |
|
value; make regular interest payments; and have a specified term until maturity. |
|
|
Open-End Fund |
A mutual fund that has an unlimited number of shares available for purchase. |
|
|
Option |
The right, but not the obligation, to buy (for a call option) or sell (for a put option) a specific |
|
amount of a given stock, commodity, currency, including foreign currencies and Digital Currencies |
|
(e.g., Bitcoin), index, or debt, at a specified price (the strike price) during a specified period or on |
|
one particular date. |
|
|
Private Placement |
A Security that is not registered or required to be registered under the U.S. federal securities |
|
laws. Private Placements are generally sold to a relatively small number of select investors (as |
|
opposed to a public issue, in which Securities are made available for sale on the open market) in |
|
order to raise capital. Private Placements may include, among others, interests in hedge funds |
|
(including limited partnership interests) and shares of private companies. Investors in Private |
|
Placements are usually banks, mutual funds, insurance companies, pension funds, edge funds, |
|
and high net worth individuals. Private Placements are typically held or maintained outside of |
|
Vanguard. |
|
|
Private Securities |
The acquisition, purchase, sale, or disposition of a Private Placement. |
Transaction |
|
|
|
Real Estate Investment |
A publicly traded company that invests in real estate and distributes almost all of its taxable |
Trust (REIT) |
income to shareholders. REITs often specialize in a particular kind of property. They can, for |
|
example, invest in real estate such as office buildings, shopping centers, or hotels; purchase real |
|
estate (an equity REIT); and provide loans to building developers (a mortgage REIT). REITs offer |
|
the opportunity for smaller investors to invest in real estate. |
|
|
Related Security |
Any Security or instrument that provides economic exposure to the same company or entity |
|
provided, however, that equity instruments will generally not be considered related to fixed |
|
income instruments (other than convertible Bonds) and vice versa. For example, all of the |
|
following instruments would be related to the common Stock of Company X: Options, Futures, |
|
Rights, and Warrants on Company X common Stock; preferred Stock issued by Company X; and |
|
Bonds convertible into Company X common Stock. Similarly, different Bonds issued by Company |
|
X would be related to one another. |
|
|
Reportable Securities |
Any Covered Security (as defined above), ETFs, ETNs, and Digital Security Tokens. |
|
|
Repurchase Agreement |
An arrangement by which the seller of an asset agrees, at the time of the sale, to buy back the |
|
asset at a specific price and, typically, on a given date (normally the next day). |
|
|
Rights |
A Security giving stockholders entitlement to purchase new shares issued by the corporation |
|
issuer at a predetermined price (normally at a discount to the current market price) in proportion |
|
to the number of shares already owned. Rights are issued only for a short period of time, after |
|
which they expire. |
|
|
Security |
Any Stock, Bond, money market instrument, Note, evidence of indebtedness, Debenture, |
|
Warrant, Option, Right, Investment Contract, ETF, ETN, or any other Investment or interest |
|
commonly known as a Security. |
|
|
Secondary Offering |
The sale of new or closely held shares by a company that has already made an Initial Public |
|
Offering. |
|
|
34
Short-Selling |
The sale of a Security that the investor does not own to take advantage of an anticipated decline |
|
in the price of the Security. To sell short, the investor must borrow the Security from a broker to |
|
make delivery to the buyer. |
|
|
Spread-Betting |
A way of trading that enables you to profit from movements in a wide range of markets from |
|
Shares to currencies, including foreign currencies and Digital Currencies (e.g., Bitcoin), |
|
commodities, and interest rates. Spread betting allows you to trade on whether the price quoted |
|
for these financial instruments will go up or down. |
|
|
Stock |
A Security that represents part ownership, or equity, in a corporation. Each share of stock is a |
|
proportional stake in the corporation's assets and profits, some of which could be paid out as |
|
dividends. |
|
|
Undertakings ForThe |
A regulatory framework of the European Commission that creates a harmonized regime |
Collective Investment Of |
throughout Europe for the management and sale of mutual funds. UCITS funds can be |
Transferable Securities |
registered in Europe and sold to investors worldwide using unified regulatory and investor |
(UCITS) |
protection requirements. |
|
|
Unit InvestmentTrust |
An SEC-registered Investment company that purchases a fixed, unmanaged portfolio of |
(UIT) |
income-producing Securities and then sells shares in the trust to investors, usually in units |
|
of at least $1,000. |
|
|
Vanguard |
The Vanguard Group, Inc. (VGI) and any Vanguard Affiliate. |
|
|
Vanguard Advisers, Inc. |
Any VAI officer, as well as anyone who is involved in making Securities recommendations to VAI |
(VAI) Access Person |
clients, or has significant levels of interaction or dealings with VAI clients for the purposes of |
|
providing VAI services to clients. Compliance will designate VAI Access Persons individually or |
|
by department number. For a list of VAI Access Person departments, please see the VAI Access |
|
Person Departments list on CrewNet. |
|
|
Vanguard Affiliates |
Any direct or indirect subsidiary of VGI. |
|
|
Vanguard Clients |
The clients of VGI, or any of the International Subsidiaries, and investors in the Vanguard Funds, |
|
including the Vanguard Funds themselves. |
|
|
Vanguard ETFs |
Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) sponsored or managed by Vanguard. Vanguard ETFs issue shares |
|
that can be bought or sold throughout the day in the secondary market at a market-determined |
|
price. A Vanguard ETF may operate as a share class of a Vanguard Fund or as a standalone |
|
investment pool. |
|
|
Vanguard Funds |
Vanguard mutual funds, Vanguard ETFs, and any other accounts sponsored or managed by |
|
Vanguard. This includes, but is not limited to, separately managed accounts and collective trusts. |
|
|
Vanguard Officers |
Those Vanguard Crew Members at a Principal level position or higher. |
|
|
Warrant |
An entitlement to purchase a certain amount of common Stock at a set price (usually higher than |
|
the current price) during an extended period of time. Usually issued with a fixed-income security |
|
to enhance its marketability, a Warrant can be transferred, traded, or exercised by the holder. |
35
Appendix B. Independent Directors and Trustees
Independent Directors and Trustees are required to report Securities transactions to Compliance only when a transaction is completed within 15 days of a security being purchased or sold by a Vanguard Fund and the Independent Director/Trustee had knowledge (or should have had knowledge) of the transaction.
Additionally, the following Sections of the Code are applicable to Independent Directors and Trustees:
Sections
Section 2 Standards of Conduct (excludes the reporting requirements for conflicts of interest) Section 5 Anti-Bribery Policy
Section 6 Antitrust and Competition Policy Section 7 Duty of Confidentiality
Section 8 Personal Trading Activities 8.1(a) (excludes bullet 6)
36
Do the right thing
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