N-CSR 1 explorer_final.htm EXPLORER ANNUAL REPORT

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT

OF

REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-1530

 

Name of Registrant: Vanguard Explorer Fund

 

Address of Registrant:

P.O. Box 2600

Valley Forge, PA 19482

 

Name and address of agent for service:

Heidi Stam, Esquire

P.O. Box 876

Valley Forge, PA 19482

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (610) 669-1000

 

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

 

Date of reporting period: November 1, 2007–October 31, 2008

 

Item 1: Reports to Shareholders

 

 

 


 

 


>   For fiscal year 2008, Vanguard Explorer Fund returned about –40%, a disappointing result that nevertheless was a bit better than the returns of the fund’s comparative standards.

>   All sectors posted double-digit declines as stocks suffered their worst losses since the 2000–2002 bear market.

>    Information technology stocks, the fund’s largest position, were among the worst performers.

 

 

 


Contents

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

1

President’s Letter

2

Advisors’ Report

7

Fund Profile

13

Performance Summary

14

Financial Statements

16

Your Fund’s After-Tax Returns

31

About Your Fund’s Expenses

32

Glossary

34

 

 

Please note: The opinions expressed in this report are just that—informed opinions. They should not be considered promises or advice. Also, please keep in mind that the information and opinions cover the period through the date on the front of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.

 

 

 


Your Fund’s Total Returns

 

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008

 

 

 

Ticker

Total

 

Symbol

Returns

Vanguard Explorer Fund

 

 

Investor Shares

VEXPX

–40.17%

AdmiralTM Shares1

VEXRX

–40.07   

Russell 2500 Growth Index

 

–41.00   

Average Small-Cap Growth Fund2

 

–42.01   

 

Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance

October 31, 2007–October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions Per Share

 

Starting

Ending

Income

Capital

 

Share Price

Share Price

Dividends

Gains

Vanguard Explorer Fund

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$83.93

$45.54

$0.310

$6.786

Admiral Shares

78.25

42.45

0.427

6.316

 

 

1  A lower-cost class of shares available to many longtime shareholders and to those with significant investments in the fund.

2  Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.

 

 

1

 


President’s Letter

 


Dear Shareholder,

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, Vanguard Explorer Fund returned –40.17% for Investor Shares and –40.07% for Admiral Shares. Although these results are disappointing in absolute terms—as were most equity returns for the period—they demonstrate relative strength.

After trailing the benchmark Russell 2500 Growth Index by more than 2 percentage points during the fiscal first half, Explorer finished the year ahead of the benchmark and retained a lead over its peer-group average. The advisors’ valuation-conscious approach to selecting growth stocks moderated the fund’s decline in the period’s tumultuous final months.

Effective August 7, the fund was reopened to all investors and the $25,000 annual investment limit was removed. Given the changes in the financial markets, Vanguard concluded that it was no longer necessary to restrict cash flows into the fund.

If you own shares of the fund in a taxable account, see page 31 for a report on after-tax returns for the 12 months, based on the highest tax bracket.

Stock prices fell sharply in a global upheaval

Global stock markets started the 12-month period near all-time highs, but then declined sharply, laid low by the financial crisis that originated in the fixed income markets. The descent traced a series of jagged ups and downs. During the week ended October 10, for example, the U.S. stock market returned about –18%. When

 

2

 


Wall Street opened the following Monday, stocks surged, returning more than 10% over the next six and a half hours.

For the full 12 months, the broad U.S. stock market returned –36.43%; international stocks returned –48.27%. The pain was especially acute in emerging markets—among the strongest performers in recent years—as investors became increasingly risk-averse.

Bond market averages masked disparate returns

The broad U.S. taxable bond market registered an unremarkable return of 0.30% for the 12 months, but by its own typically sedate standards, the dislocations were extreme. The strong performance of U.S. Treasury and government securities was offset by double-digit declines in the corporate bond market. These dynamics led to unusually large differences between the yields of Treasuries and their corresponding private-sector securities—both a reflection and a cause of the credit market’s distress. Despite their generally high creditworthiness, municipal bonds also fell in price, with the broad tax-exempt market registering a 12-month return of –3.30%.

The U.S. Federal Reserve Board responded to the turmoil with new lending programs and a dramatic easing of monetary policy. Over the full 12 months, the Fed reduced its target for the federal funds rate from 4.50% to 1.00%.

 

Market Barometer

 

 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns

 

Periods Ended October 31, 2008

 

One Year

Three Years

Five Years

Stocks

 

 

 

Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps)

–36.80%

–5.51%

0.37%

Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps)

–34.16   

–4.79   

1.57   

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market)

–36.43   

–5.10   

0.81   

MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International)

–48.27   

–3.93   

5.05   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

 

Lehman U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market)

0.30%

3.60%

3.48%

Lehman Municipal Bond Index

–3.30   

1.71   

2.73   

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

2.31   

3.93   

3.10   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPI

 

 

 

Consumer Price Index

3.66%

2.83%

3.20%

 

 

 

3

 


In the face of stiff headwinds, stock selection had mixed results

Information technology stocks—often regarded as “classic” growth stocks—continued to be the largest-weighted sector in the Explorer Fund, averaging almost one-quarter of the portfolio during the year. These stocks fell sharply as investors became anxious about the tech sector’s prospects, in view of both slower global economic growth and the major losses sustained by financial services firms, which are heavy users of technology.

The fund’s tech holdings returned –48%, accounting for more than one-quarter of the 12-month decline. Distress was widespread among the various technology segments, especially semiconductors, software, data processing, and communications equipment.

A sizable position in industrial stocks suffered a similar fate (–45%). The waning of the global boom in construction and infrastructure development weakened the performance of a wide range of equipment manufacturers. Even those involved in the burgeoning market for solar power were beaten back.

Health care holdings, the fund’s second-largest position during the year, offered scant relief. Bolstered by double-digit gains in several biotechnology companies, this sector (–30%) declined less than most.

 

Expense Ratios1

 

 

 

Your Fund Compared With Its Peer Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Investor

Admiral

Small-Cap

 

Shares

Shares

Growth Fund

Explorer Fund

0.41%

0.23%

1.61%

 

 

1  The fund expense ratios shown are from the prospectus dated August 18, 2008. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, the fund’s expense ratios were 0.44% for Investor Shares and 0.26% for Admiral Shares. The peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2007.

 

 

4

 


Purveyors of medical equipment and supplies, managed care companies, and life sciences systems and services companies were among the notably poor performers.

In an environment lacking many bright spots, the advisors’ selections among consumer staples and energy stocks kept the fund a few steps ahead of its benchmark. And, even though household budgets were under stress, the fund’s consumer discretionary holdings also held up better. Together, these three sectors added more than 2 percentage points to the fund’s return over its benchmark.

Over the fiscal year, two advisor-related changes were made, one of which was noted in the semiannual report.

 

In February, Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group added to its portion of the fund by assuming primary responsibility for the assets previously managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC. In June, Century Capital Management, LLC, joined the fund’s team of investment advisors. For more information on the fund’s positioning and performance during the year, please see the Advisors’ Report, which begins on page 7.

Risk/reward trade-offs are always part of investing

For the ten years ended October 31, 2008, Explorer Fund’s Investor Shares returned an average of 5.66% annually, a seemingly modest result that was nevertheless about 2 percentage points better than the benchmark index return and the average

 

Total Returns

 

Ten Years Ended October 31, 2008

 

 

Average

 

Annual Return

Explorer Fund Investor Shares

5.66%

Russell 2500 Growth Index

3.10   

Average Small-Cap Growth Fund1

3.84   

 

The figures shown represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results. (Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data cited. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit our website at www.vanguard.com/performance.) Note, too, that both investment returns and principal value can fluctuate widely, so an investor’s shares, when sold, could be worth more or less than their original cost.

 

 

 

1  Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.

 

 

5

 


return of small-cap growth funds. Your fund benefited from the skills of a diverse set of investment advisors with different, yet complementary, strategies, and also from its low expenses.

As shareholders, you know that Vanguard encourages investors not to evaluate a fund based on its short-term results, which can be quite volatile. But even long-term results can vary widely depending on when measurement begins and ends. Seemingly small shifts in starting and ending dates can produce significant changes in returns.

The decade through October 2008 is a case in point. The steep bear market of 2008 has joined the 2000–2002 bear market in the ten-year calculation. The impact of this one-year shift is dramatic: A year ago, Explorer Fund’s ten-year average annual return was a more robust 9.92%.

Some have dubbed the past ten years a “lost decade,” because bonds significantly outperformed most stocks, and many have noted the similarities with the decade ended in 1979. Such periods serve as an uncomfortable but useful reminder that, while stocks can be expected to outperform less-risky asset classes over time, they do not always do so.

Nevertheless, we believe that the case for long-term equity investing remains sound, and that recent experience should not fundamentally alter an investor’s long-term asset allocation target.

Although the stock market’s occasional rough patches can shake an investor’s confidence, history suggests that following the time-tested principles of diversification and balance among the major asset classes can put you in a good position to benefit from the market’s long-term opportunities. By offering exceptionally broad diversification—across small-cap growth-oriented stocks and across active investment strategies—the Explorer Fund can play a useful role in a well-designed portfolio.

Thank you for entrusting your assets to Vanguard.

Sincerely,

 


 

F. William McNabb III

President and Chief Executive Officer

November 12, 2008

 

 

 

6

 


Advisors’ Report

 

For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, Vanguard Explorer Fund returned –40.17% for Investor Shares (–40.07% for the lower-cost Admiral Shares). Your fund is managed by seven independent advisors. This provides exposure to distinct, yet complementary, investment approaches, enhancing the fund’s diversification.

The table on page 12 lists the advisors, the amount and percentage of fund assets each manages, and brief descriptions of their investment strategies. The advisors have also provided comments on their assessment of the investment environment during the past 12 months and the notable successes and shortfalls in their portfolios. These comments were prepared on November 11, 2008.

Granahan Investment

Management, Inc.

 

Portfolio Manager:

Jack Granahan, Managing Partner

Investment environment: The credit issues that surfaced in mid-2007 have turned concern into a severe global slowdown. Although the massive monetary injections by governments could eventually help, it appears that lower asset prices will be necessary to stabilize effective demand. Current trends in employment are not encouraging. Positive factors for equities still include generally good corporate balance sheets and very conservative guidance by most management teams; time will tell whether they have been sufficiently conservative. The sharp reduction in equity prices probably reflects most of these lower expectations, thus possibly offering significant investment potential in the few companies that can show growth.

Successes: We generally measure success this year in relative rather than absolute terms. Only 12% of the companies in our portion of the portfolio had gains, and only one of our ten industry sectors produced absolute gains—consumer staples. Our largest sector, health care, did have several significant winners, including Rigel Pharmaceuticals, with good clinical results for a rheumatoid arthritis drug; Axcan Pharma, which was acquired; and Haemonetics, on the strength of its accelerating earnings case. We kept Haemonetics and sold the other two. Our strategy in health care is to emphasize companies that reduce costs, improve patient outcome, and have low reimbursement risk.

Shortfalls: In a reversal from last year, our technology stocks faced severe pressure as the slowdown in enterprise spending on information technology spread from the United States to Europe, which has been a solid source of growth. This caused us to shift our overweighted position to benchmark-neutral. Company-specific factors affected firms such as VeriFone Holdings, only now emerging from issues with a new enterprise resource system, and Cadence Design Systems, with weak demand for its design software combined with changed product pricing. Ciena was cyclically affected as its telecommunications customers pushed out orders. We added to VeriFone, reduced our position in Cadence, and eliminated Ciena.

 

 

 

7

 


Kalmar Investment Advisers

Portfolio Manager: Ford B. Draper, Jr.,

President and Chief Investment Officer

Investment environment: With central bankers and governments around the world pulling out all policy stops to resolve the financial crisis and revive growth, the credit freeze should gradually thaw. Meanwhile, the real economy will get worse before it improves. As stock markets come to grips with the decline in earnings prospects, they will stabilize and start to rise well before the economy; indeed, markets may have discounted much of the earnings decline already. Taking a longer-term perspective, from today’s very depressed levels, we believe the stock market represents a generational opportunity for exceptional future returns.

Successes: Our holdings in energy—notably, exploration and production companies—and in IT, consumer discretionary, and industrial firms such as equipment makers, generally held up better than the market because of their stronger business prospects and finances. Our best gain resulted from the takeover of Longs Drug Stores.

Shortfalls: Most of our other sector exposures generally kept pace with the declining market, though we suffered by owning no biotech companies, which were among the few stocks that rose. Our biggest disappointment was Chicago Bridge & Iron, which incurred losses on two significant liquefied natural gas construction projects.

 

Wellington Management Company, LLP

Portfolio Manager:

Kenneth L. Abrams,

Senior Vice President and Partner

 

Investment environment: Equity markets fell sharply in the period amid a significant deterioration in both credit-market conditions and investor confidence. Forced deleveraging by financial institutions triggered an unprecedented set of bank failures and mergers, reshaping the global financial map. Impaired access to capital spilled over into the real economy, and reduced expectations for global growth forced energy and commodity prices sharply lower.

Successes: In the consumer discretionary sector, DreamWorks Animation shares gained on solid first-quarter earnings that exceeded expectations. People’s United Financial shares benefited from management’s ability to avoid subprime loans and much of the resulting credit crisis.

Shortfalls: Shares of managed care provider Health Net fell after management lowered its fiscal year earnings forecast due to disappointing third-quarter results. In the industrials sector, shares of Hong Kong-based China Everbright International—an environmental

 

 

8

 


protection investment firm—fell after the company reported lower-than-expected third-quarter earnings.

Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group

Portfolio Manager:

James D. Troyer, CFA, Principal

Investment environment: The stock market return for January–October 2008 was among the worst-five calendar-year results since 1926. Mid- and small-cap growth stocks declined more than their value-oriented counterparts. In our model, the valuation component added the most value to our portion of the portfolio; the market-sentiment and earnings-quality components were neutral for the 12 months.

Successes: Health care, especially equipment providers, was one of our best-performing sectors. Longs Drug Stores and respiratory-device-maker Respironics posted gains. Consumer staples companies—notably, retailers of food and other household staples—were also among our best performers.

Shortfalls: As it was during the fiscal first half, capital goods was our worst-performing industry for the year. Manitowoc, a diversified manufacturer of industrial equipment, was our worst pick.

AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC

Portfolio Manager: William E. Ricks, Ph.D.

Americas Chief Executive and Chief

Investment Officer

 

Investment environment: Equity markets in the United States and around the globe tumbled as the U.S. financial crisis entered a critical crossroads and extreme volatility and economic uncertainty dominated markets. Valuation differentials between companies have expanded, and investors have increasingly taken disparate views on individual companies’ earnings and return potential. We remain focused on fundamental stock selection driven by earnings and valuations.

Successes: Our portion of the portfolio had a persistent, albeit modest, underweighting to consumer discretionary stocks, which proved to be among the weakest performers for the 12 months. Stock selection within the sector also added significant value: We overweighted Priceline.com and underweighted Sirius XM Radio and Goodyear Tire & Rubber. Stock selection in the financial and health care sectors also added to our performance. In financials, persistent underweighting to banks, broker/dealers, and real estate investment trusts (REITs) paid off.

 

 

 

9

 


Shortfalls: Global cyclicals sold off sharply on the depressed economic outlook. Our stock selection was weak in the energy and industrial sectors, particularly with overweightings in ATP Oil & Gas, Rowan Companies, and Manitowoc: All three suffered significant share price drops.

Chartwell Investment Partners, L.P.

Portfolio Managers:

Edward N. Antoian,

CFA, CPA, Managing Partner

John A. Heffern, Managing Partner

Investment Environment: “Change” is the big theme for the period just ended and for the quarters ahead: change in political direction, economic conditions, climate patterns, global order, and market leadership. In many important areas of our lives, change has arrived or is on the way, and few are prepared. This change ushers in another important theme: “adaptation.” Managements, companies, even social orders are buffeted by change, but ultimately most will adapt to new realities, eventually grow, and thrive.

Successes: On a relative basis, providers of business services were our top performers. FTI Consulting posted a gain, as its outsourced services were in great demand during the economic downturn. Low exposure to consumer cyclicals also added value.

Shortfalls: Stock selection in capital spending and basic industry significantly detracted from the performance of our portion of the portfolio. AerCap Holdings, an integrated global aviation company whose principal business activity is aircraft leasing, was hindered by the unprecedented rise in commodity prices during late spring and early summer. We expect the stock to rebound, as oil prices have fallen to levels that are profitable for the airline industry.

Century Capital Management, LLC

Portfolio Manager:

Alexander L.Thorndike,

Chief Investment Officer and

Managing Partner

 

Investment Environment: It will take time to assess the U.S. government’s management of the financial bailout plan announced in October, as well as its fiscal stimulus packages and the Federal Reserve Board’s interest rate cuts. We expect these actions will eventually stabilize the capital markets and lubricate the wheels of a sustainable recovery. We do, however, believe that increased regulation and oversight will redefine the relationship between commerce and government. Patience and persistence are required during the current downturn. We continue to believe that future corporate earnings expectations remain too high, but we are encouraged that equity valuations appear to be at 30-year lows. We are cautiously optimistic that current market

 

 

10

 


conditions may allow us to invest in tomorrow’s leadership franchises at today’s laggard valuations.

Successes: Since Century Capital Management became an investment advisor to the Explorer Fund in early June, the information technology and consumer staples sectors have contributed most to the performance of our portion of the portfolio. Websense and Ralcorp Holdings were among our best-performing stocks. Websense recently reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings and raised expectations for 2008. Ralcorp benefited from a “trade-down” trend by cost-conscious consumers from branded to private-label products.

Shortfalls: The health care and industrials sectors detracted most from our performance. Bruker and General Cable were among the worst performers for the period. Bruker recently reported below-expectation sales for its scientific instruments, and General Cable was hurt by the global economic slowdown in infrastructure spending.

 

 

11

 


Vanguard Explorer Fund Investment Advisors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fund Assets Managed

 

Investment Advisor

%

$ Million

Investment Strategy

Granahan Investment

26

1,857

Bases its investment process on the beliefs that

Management, Inc.

 

 

earnings drive stock prices and that small, dynamic

 

 

 

companies with exceptional growth prospects have the

 

 

 

greatest long-term potential. A bottom-up, fundamental

 

 

 

approach places companies in one of three life-cycle

 

 

 

categories: pioneer, core growth, and special situation.

 

 

 

In each, the process looks for companies with strong

 

 

 

earnings growth and leadership in their markets.

Kalmar Investment Advisers

14

1,002

Employs a “growth with value” strategy using creative,

 

 

 

bottom-up research to uncover vigorously growing,

 

 

 

high-quality businesses. The process also seeks out

 

 

 

stocks that are inefficiently valued or that offer value

 

 

 

through longer-term company ownership. The strategy

 

 

 

has a dual objective of superior returns with lower risk.

Wellington Management

14

993

Conducts research and analysis of individual companies

Company, LLP

 

 

to select stocks believed to have exceptional growth

 

 

 

potential relative to their market valuations. Each stock

 

 

 

is considered individually before purchase, and company

 

 

 

developments are continually monitored for comparison

 

 

 

with expectations for growth.

Vanguard Quantitative

14

974

Employs a quantitative fundamental management

Equity Group

 

 

approach, using models that assess valuation, market

 

 

 

sentiment, and earnings quality of companies as

 

 

 

compared with their peers.

AXA Rosenberg Investment

12

878

Employs an investment philosophy grounded in funda-

Management LLC

 

 

mental analysis using a two-part quantitative model:

 

 

 

a valuation model, which compares a stock’s price to

 

 

 

its fair value, and an earnings forecast model, which

 

 

 

identifies companies likely to have superior earnings.

Chartwell Investment Partners, L.P.

9

601

Uses a bottom-up, fundamental, research-driven stock-

 

 

 

selection strategy focusing on companies with sustain-

 

 

 

able growth, strong management teams, competitive

 

 

 

positions, and outstanding product and service offerings.

 

 

 

These companies should continually demonstrate

 

 

 

growth in earnings per share.

Century Capital Management, LLC

6

394

Employs a fundamental, bottom-up approach that

 

 

 

attempts to identify reasonably priced companies that

 

 

 

will grow faster than the overall market. Companies

 

 

 

also must have a superior return on equity, high

 

 

 

recurring revenues, and improving margins.

Cash Investments

5

350

These short-term reserves are invested by Vanguard

 

 

 

in equity index products to simulate investment in

 

 

 

stocks. Each advisor also may maintain a modest cash

 

 

 

position.

 

 

 

 

12

 


Explorer Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of October 31, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Comparative

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

991

1,516

4,647

Median Market Cap

$1.7B

$1.7B

$27.5B

Price/Earnings Ratio

16.2x

17.5x

12.8x

Price/Book Ratio

1.9x

2.2x

1.8x

Yield3

 

0.9%

2.6%

Investor Shares

0.3%

 

 

Admiral Shares

0.5%

 

 

Return on Equity

15.4%

16.3%

20.4%

Earnings Growth Rate

23.0%

21.4%

17.8%

Foreign Holdings

3.1%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

112%

Expense Ratio

 

 

 

(10/31/2007)4

 

Investor Shares

0.41%

 

 

Admiral Shares

0.23%

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

2.5%

 

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Comparative

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Consumer Discretionary

12.8%

15.0%

8.8%

Consumer Staples

4.1   

3.5   

11.1   

Energy

7.2   

8.2   

12.5   

Financials

7.6   

6.2   

16.7   

Health Care

20.8   

22.0   

13.7   

Industrials

16.8   

19.5   

11.1   

Information Technology

24.6   

19.2   

15.6   

Materials

4.4   

4.5   

3.4   

Telecommunication

 

 

 

Services

0.8   

1.1   

3.0   

Utilities

0.9   

0.8   

4.1   

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Comparative Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

0.99

0.93

Beta

0.95

1.20

 

 


Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of portfolio)

 

 

 

 

Cephalon, Inc.

biotechnology

1.4%

Microsemi Corp.

semiconductors

1.0   

O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.

automotive retail

0.8   

DeVry, Inc.

education services

0.7   

Polycom, Inc.

communications

 

 

equipment

0.7   

AptarGroup Inc.

metal and glass

 

 

containers

0.7   

Henry Schein, Inc.

health care

 

 

distributors

0.7   

The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

diversified

 

 

commercial and

 

 

professional services

0.7   

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

data processing and

 

 

outsourced services

0.7   

Stericycle, Inc.

environmental and

 

 

facilities services

0.6   

Top Ten

 

8.0%

 

 

1  Russell 2500 Growth Index.

2  Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary.

4  The expense ratios shown are from the prospectus dated August 18, 2008. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, expense ratios were 0.44% for Investor Shares and 0.26% for Admiral Shares.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary.

6  The holdings listed exclude any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

 

 

13

 


Explorer Fund

 

Performance Summary

 

All of the returns in this report represent past performance, which is not a guarantee of future results that may be achieved by the fund. (Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data cited. For performance data current to the most recent month-end, visit our website at www.vanguard.com/performance.) Note, too, that both investment returns and principal value can fluctuate widely, so an investor’s shares, when sold, could be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or on the sale of fund shares.

 

Cumulative Performance: October 31, 1998–October 31, 2008

Initial Investment of $10,000

 


 

 

 

Average Annual Total Returns

Final Value

 

Periods Ended October 31, 2008

of a $10,000

 

One Year

Five Years

Ten Years

Investment

Explorer Fund Investor Shares1

–40.17%

–0.98%

5.66%

$17,347

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index

–36.43   

0.81   

1.27   

11,350

Russell 2500 Growth Index

–41.00   

–0.17   

3.10   

13,574

Average Small-Cap Growth Fund2

–42.01   

–2.04   

3.84   

14,572

 

 

 

 

 

Final Value

 

 

 

Since

of a $100,000

 

One Year

Five Years

Inception3

Investment

Explorer Fund Admiral Shares

–40.07%

–0.81%

1.78%

$113,058

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index

–36.43   

0.81   

0.94   

106,766

Russell 2500 Growth Index

–41.00   

–0.17   

1.34   

109,738

 

 

 

1  Total returns do not include the account service fee that may be applicable to certain accounts with balances below $10,000.

2  Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.

3  Performance for the fund’s Admiral Shares and comparative standards is calculated since the Admiral Shares’ inception: November 12, 2001.

 

 

 

14

 


Explorer Fund

 

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): October 31, 1998–October 31, 2008

 


Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended September 30, 2008

This table presents average annual total returns through the latest calendar quarter—rather than through the end of the fiscal period. Securities and Exchange Commission rules require that we provide this information.

 

 

Inception Date

One Year

Five Years

Ten Years

Investor Shares1

12/11/1967

–22.57%

5.51%

8.87%

Admiral Shares

11/12/2001

–22.44   

5.68   

5.292   

 

 

 

1   Total returns do not include the account service fee that may be applicable to certain accounts with balances below $10,000.

2    Return since inception.

Note: See Financial Highlights tables for dividend and capital gains information.

 

 

 

15

 


Explorer Fund

 

Financial Statements

Statement of Net Assets—Investments Summary

As of October 31, 2008

This Statement summarizes the fund’s holdings by asset type (common stocks, bonds, etc.) and by industry sector. Details are reported for each of the fund’s 50 largest individual holdings and for investments that, in total for any issuer, represent more than 1% of the fund’s net assets. The total value of smaller holdings is reported as a single amount within each category.

The fund provides a complete list of its holdings four times in each fiscal year, at the quarter-ends. For the second and fourth fiscal quarters, the complete listing of the fund’s holdings is available electronically on Vanguard.com and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website (www.sec.gov), or you can have it mailed to you without charge by calling 800-662-7447. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the SEC on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website. Forms N-Q may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room (see the back cover of this report for further information).

 

 

 

 

Market

Percentage

 

 

 

Value

of Net

 

 

Shares

($000)

Assets

Common Stocks

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary

 

 

 

*

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

2,043,012

55,386

0.8%

 

DeVry, Inc.

901,870

51,127

0.7%

*

Dollar Tree, Inc.

901,451

34,273

0.5%

 

Service Corp. International

4,801,600

33,131

0.5%

*

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

997,967

28,043

0.4%

 

Ross Stores, Inc.

810,297

26,489

0.4%

*

WMS Industries, Inc.

1,025,099

25,627

0.4%

Consumer Discretionary—Other

 

583,337

8.2%

 

 

 

837,413

11.9%

Consumer Staples

 

 

 

*,^

Chattem, Inc.

349,383

26,438

0.4%

 

Church & Dwight, Inc.

440,640

26,037

0.4%

*

Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.

380,100

25,725

0.4%

Consumer Staples—Other

 

188,492

2.6%

 

 

 

266,692

3.8%

Energy

 

 

 

*

Ultra Petroleum Corp.

656,350

30,553

0.4%

*

Comstock Resources, Inc.

617,303

30,507

0.4%

*

Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

992,540

27,275

0.4%

*

Southwestern Energy Co.

755,580

26,914

0.4%

Energy—Other

 

356,242

5.1%

 

 

 

471,491

6.7%

Exchange-Traded Funds

 

 

 

1

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF

1,165,083

54,304

0.8%

1

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

713,200

32,893

0.4%

 

 

 

87,197

1.2%

 

 

 

16

 


Explorer Fund

 

 

 

 

Market

Percentage

 

 

 

Value

of Net

 

 

Shares

($000)

Assets

Financials

 

 

 

 

Cash America International Inc.

965,000

34,132

0.5%

 

People’s United Financial Inc.

1,619,975

28,350

0.4%

2

Advanta Corp. Class A

1,023,300

2,425

0.0%

Financials—Other

 

386,579

5.5%

 

 

 

451,486

6.4%

Health Care

 

 

 

*

Cephalon, Inc.

1,353,105

97,045

1.4%

*

Henry Schein, Inc.

1,016,292

47,573

0.7%

*

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

702,820

37,137

0.5%

*

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.

1,007,150

35,442

0.5%

 

DENTSPLY International Inc.

1,086,989

33,023

0.5%

*

ResMed Inc.

960,360

32,902

0.5%

*

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

802,440

32,699

0.5%

 

Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.

1,041,456

32,264

0.5%

*

Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.

955,750

31,817

0.5%

*

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1,638,064

31,615

0.5%

*

Haemonetics Corp.

479,400

28,313

0.4%

*

Alkermes, Inc.

2,819,600

27,858

0.4%

*

Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.

1,428,740

26,432

0.4%

 

PDL BioPharma Inc.

2,540,768

24,772

0.4%

Health Care—Other

 

860,537

11.9%

 

 

 

1,379,429

19.6%

Industrials

 

 

 

 

The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

634,100

46,727

0.7%

*

Stericycle, Inc.

778,680

45,498

0.7%

 

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Class A

1,016,340

36,446

0.5%

*

Kansas City Southern

887,351

27,393

0.4%

*

RBC Bearings Inc.

1,041,518

24,715

0.4%

Industrials—Other

 

919,201

12.9%

 

 

 

1,099,980

15.6%

 

Information Technology

 

 

 

*

Microsemi Corp.

3,113,380

67,685

1.0%

*

Polycom, Inc.

2,342,445

49,215

0.7%

*

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

921,404

46,218

0.7%

*

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

547,131

41,877

0.6%

*

Ariba, Inc.

3,517,009

37,632

0.5%

*

FEI Co.

1,602,502

33,669

0.5%

 

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

784,550

30,433

0.4%

^

Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.

1,706,992

29,719

0.4%

*

VeriFone Holdings, Inc.

2,396,300

27,222

0.4%

*

ON Semiconductor Corp.

5,071,025

25,913

0.4%

*

Riverbed Technology, Inc.

1,987,900

24,908

0.4%

Information Technology—Other

 

1,225,844

17.3%

 

 

 

1,640,335

23.3%

Materials

 

 

 

 

AptarGroup Inc.

1,579,600

47,893

0.7%

 

Sensient Technologies Corp.

1,273,300

32,125

0.5%

 

Albemarle Corp.

1,021,170

24,866

0.4%

Materials—Other

 

182,141

2.5%

 

 

 

287,025

4.1%

 

 

 

 

 

† Telecommunication Services

 

48,438

0.7%

 

 

 

 

 

† Utilities

 

46,243

0.6%

Total Common Stocks (Cost $8,676,933)

 

6,615,729

93.9%3

 

17

 


Explorer Fund

 

 

 

 

Market

Percentage

 

 

 

Value

of Net

 

 

Shares

($000)

Assets

Temporary Cash Investments

 

 

 

Money Market Fund

 

 

 

4,5

Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, 2.217%

460,318,555

460,319

6.5%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

($000)

 

 

Repurchase Agreement

 

 

 

 

JPMorgan Securities Inc. 0.230%, 11/3/08

 

 

 

 

(Dated 10/31/08, Repurchase Value $41,901,000,

 

 

 

 

collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assn.

 

 

 

 

5.500%, 9/1/35–6/1/38)

41,900

41,900

0.6%

 

 

 

 

 

6U.S. Government Agency Obligations

 

26,984

0.4%

Total Temporary Cash Investments (Cost $529,196)

 

529,203

7.5%3

Total Investments (Cost $9,206,129)

 

7,144,932

101.4%

Other Assets and Liabilities

 

 

 

Other Assets

 

83,310

1.2%

Liabilities5

 

(179,169)

(2.6%)

 

 

 

(95,859)

(1.4%)

Net Assets

 

7,049,073

100.0%

 

 

 

 

18

 


Explorer Fund

 

At October 31, 2008, net assets consisted of:

 

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

9,943,754

Undistributed Net Investment Income

13,262

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(834,803)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Investment Securities

(2,061,197)

Futures Contracts

(11,848)

Foreign Currencies

(95)

Net Assets

7,049,073

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 110,366,834 outstanding $.001 par value shares of

 

beneficial interest (unlimited authorization)

5,025,715

Net Asset Value Per Share—Investor Shares

$45.54

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 47,668,092 outstanding $.001 par value shares of

 

beneficial interest (unlimited authorization)

2,023,358

Net Asset Value Per Share—Admiral Shares

$42.45

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

^  Part of security position is on loan to broker-dealers. The total value of securities on loan is $82,936,000.

†  Represents the aggregate value, by category, of securities that are not among the 50 largest holdings and, in total for any issuer, represent 1% or less of net assets.

1  Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the issuer is another member of The Vanguard Group.

2  Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.

3  The fund invests a portion of its cash reserves in equity markets through the use of index futures contracts. After giving effect to futures investments, the fund’s effective common stock and temporary cash investment positions represent 97.6% and 3.8%, respectively, of net assets.

4  Affiliated money market fund available only to Vanguard funds and certain trusts and accounts managed by Vanguard. Rate shown is the 7-day yield.

5  Includes $84,415,000 of collateral received for securities on loan.

6  Securities with a value of $26,984,000 have been segregated as initial margin for open futures contracts.

See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

19

 


Explorer Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Year Ended

 

October 31, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends1,2

58,761

Interest2

18,290

Security Lending

8,613

Total Income

85,664

Expenses

 

Investment Advisory Fees—Note B

 

Basic Fee

17,981

Performance Adjustment

(2,213)

The Vanguard Group—Note C

 

Management and Administrative—Investor Shares

18,898

Management and Administrative—Admiral Shares

2,208

Marketing and Distribution—Investor Shares

1,621

Marketing and Distribution—Admiral Shares

794

Custodian Fees

88

Auditing Fees

34

Shareholders’ Reports—Investor Shares

237

Shareholders’ Reports—Admiral Shares

112

Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

17

Total Expenses

39,777

Expenses Paid Indirectly

(529)

Net Expenses

39,248

Net Investment Income

46,416

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

 

Investment Securities Sold2

(701,538)

Futures Contracts

(94,115)

Covered Call Options Written

835

Foreign Currencies

(257)

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(795,075)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Investment Securities

(4,085,912)

Futures Contracts

(27,274)

Covered Call Options Written

Foreign Currencies

(108)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(4,113,294)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(4,861,953)

 

 

 

1  Dividends are net of foreign withholding taxes of $541,000.

2  Dividend income, interest income, and realized net gain (loss) from affiliated companies of the fund were $2,001,000, $15,907,000, and ($11,440,000), respectively.

See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

20

 


Explorer Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Year Ended October 31,

 

2008

2007

 

($000)

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

Operations

 

 

Net Investment Income

46,416

59,448

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(795,075)

1,101,439

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(4,113,294)

583,721

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(4,861,953)

1,744,608

Distributions

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

Investor Shares

(32,844)

(33,478)

Admiral Shares

(19,834)

(18,985)

Realized Capital Gain1

 

 

Investor Shares

(718,966)

(776,690)

Admiral Shares

(293,376)

(300,195)

Total Distributions

(1,065,020)

(1,129,348)

Capital Share Transactions

 

 

Investor Shares

294,591

(19,018)

Admiral Shares

92,430

211,543

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

387,021

192,525

Total Increase (Decrease)

(5,539,952)

807,785

Net Assets

 

 

Beginning of Period

12,589,025

11,781,240

End of Period2

7,049,073

12,589,025

 

 

1  Includes fiscal 2008 and 2007 short-term gain distributions totaling $233,468,000 and $122,716,000, respectively. Short-term gain distributions are treated as ordinary income dividends for tax purposes.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $13,262,000 and $18,187,000. See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

21

 


Explorer Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a Share Outstanding

Year Ended October 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$83.93

$80.26

$76.67

$67.01

$63.17

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income (Loss)

.295

.362

.302

.111

(.050)

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(31.589)

11.052

9.724

9.622

3.890

Total from Investment Operations

(31.294)

11.414

10.026

9.733

3.840

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.310)

(.320)

(.230)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

(6.786)

(7.424)

(6.206)

(.073)

Total Distributions

(7.096)

(7.744)

(6.436)

(.073)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$45.54

$83.93

$80.26

$76.67

$67.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return1

–40.17%

15.31%

13.59%

14.53%

6.08%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$5,026

$8,937

$8,517

$7,836

$7,302

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets2

0.44%

0.41%

0.46%

0.51%

0.57%

Ratio of Net Investment Income (Loss) to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.40%

0.44%

0.36%

0.16%

(0.11%)

Portfolio Turnover Rate

112%

90%

96%

80%

82%

 

 

 

1  Total returns do not include the account service fee that may be applicable to certain accounts with balances below $10,000.

2  Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of (0.02%), (0.04%), (0.03%), (0.01%), and 0.02%. See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

22

 


Explorer Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For a Share Outstanding

Year Ended October 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$78.25

$74.82

$71.47

$62.37

$58.71

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.385

.478

.422

.215

.040

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(29.442)

10.299

9.050

8.953

3.620

Total from Investment Operations

(29.057)

10.777

9.472

9.168

3.660

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.427)

(.437)

(.346)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

(6.316)

(6.910)

(5.776)

(.068)

Total Distributions

(6.743)

(7.347)

(6.122)

(.068)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$42.45

$78.25

$74.82

$71.47

$62.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–40.07%

15.53%

13.79%

14.70%

6.23%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$2,023

$3,652

$3,264

$2,402

$1,161

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets1

0.26%

0.23%

0.28%

0.34%

0.43%

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.58%

0.62%

0.54%

0.33%

0.04%

Portfolio Turnover Rate

112%

90%

96%

80%

82%

 

 

1  Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of (0.02%), (0.04%), (0.03%), (0.01%), and 0.02%. See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

 

 

 

23

 


Explorer Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Explorer Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund offers two classes of shares: Investor Shares and Admiral Shares. Investor Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. Admiral Shares are designed for investors who meet certain administrative, service, tenure, and account-size criteria.

A. The following significant accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles for U.S. mutual funds. The fund consistently follows such policies in preparing its financial statements.

1. Security Valuation: Securities are valued as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date. Equity securities are valued at the latest quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades; such securities not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or whose values have been affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued at their fair values calculated according to procedures adopted by the board of trustees. These procedures include obtaining quotations from an independent pricing service, monitoring news to identify significant market- or security-specific events, and evaluating changes in the values of foreign market proxies (for example, ADRs, futures contracts, or exchange-traded funds), between the time the foreign markets close and the fund’s pricing time. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a fund to calculate its net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value. Temporary cash investments acquired over 60 days to maturity are valued using the latest bid prices or using valuations based on a matrix system (which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings), both as furnished by independent pricing services. Other temporary cash investments are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

2. Foreign Currency: Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from an independent third party as of the fund’s pricing time on the valuation date. Realized gains (losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment securities include the effects of changes in exchange rates since the securities were purchased, combined with the effects of changes in security prices. Fluctuations in the value of other assets and liabilities resulting from changes in exchange rates are recorded as unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) until the assets or liabilities are settled in cash, at which time they are recorded as realized foreign currency gains (losses).

3. Covered Call Options Written: The fund may write covered call options on security holdings that are considered to be attractive long-term investments but are believed to be overvalued in the short-term. When the fund writes options, the premium received by the fund is recorded as an asset with an equal liability that is marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the options written. Fluctuations in the value of the options are recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) until expired, closed, or exercised, at which time realized gains (losses) are recognized. Options are valued at their latest quoted sales prices. Options not traded on the valuation date are valued at the latest quoted asked prices.

4. Futures Contracts: The fund uses index futures contracts to a limited extent, with the objective of maintaining full exposure to the stock market while maintaining liquidity. The fund may purchase or sell futures contracts to achieve a desired level of investment, whether to accommodate portfolio turnover

 

 

24

 


Explorer Fund

 

or cash flows from capital share transactions. The primary risks associated with the use of futures contracts are imperfect correlation between changes in market values of stocks held by the fund and the prices of futures contracts, and the possibility of an illiquid market.

Futures contracts are valued at their quoted daily settlement prices. The aggregate principal amounts of the contracts are not recorded in the Statement of Net Assets. Fluctuations in the value of the contracts are recorded in the Statement of Net Assets as an asset (liability) and in the Statement of Operations as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) until the contracts are closed, when they are recorded as realized futures gains (losses).

5. Repurchase Agreements: The fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements are held by a custodian bank until the agreements mature. Each agreement requires that the market value of the collateral be sufficient to cover payments of interest and principal; however, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.

6. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (tax years ended October 31, 2005–2008), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

7. Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

8. Security Lending: The fund may lend its securities to qualified institutional borrowers to earn additional income. Security loans are required to be secured at all times by collateral at least equal to the market value of securities loaned. The fund invests cash collateral received in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, and records a liability for the return of the collateral, during the period the securities are on loan. Security lending income represents the income earned on investing cash collateral, less expenses associated with the loan.

9. Other: Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income includes income distributions received from Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund and is accrued daily. Security transactions are accounted for on the date securities are bought or sold. Costs used to determine realized gains (losses) on the sale of investment securities are those of the specific securities sold.

Each class of shares has equal rights as to assets and earnings, except that each class separately bears certain class-specific expenses related to maintenance of shareholder accounts (included in Management and Administrative expenses) and shareholder reporting. Marketing and distribution expenses are allocated to each class of shares based on a method approved by the board of trustees. Income, other non-class-specific expenses, and gains and losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

B. AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC, Century Capital Management, LLC, Chartwell Investment Partners, L.P., Granahan Investment Management, Inc., Kalmar Investment Advisers, and Wellington Management Company, LLP, each provide investment advisory services to a portion of the fund for fees calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets managed by the advisor. The basic fees of Chartwell Investment Partners, Granahan Investment Management, Inc., Kalmar Investment Advisers, and Wellington Management Company, LLP, are subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index. The basic fee for AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance since July 31, 2007, relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index. In accordance with the

 

 

25

 


Explorer Fund

 

advisory contract entered into with Century Capital Management, LLC, in June 2008, beginning August 1, 2009, the investment advisory fee will be subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance since October 31, 2008, relative to a 50/50 blend of the Russell 2500 Index and the Russell 2500 Growth Index. Until February 2008, a portion of the fund was managed by Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC. The basic fee paid to Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. LLC was subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index.

The Vanguard Group provides investment advisory services to a portion of the fund on an at-cost basis; the fund paid Vanguard advisory fees of $454,000 for the year ended October 31, 2008.

For the year ended October 31, 2008, the aggregate investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.18% of the fund’s average net assets, before a decrease of $2,213,000 (0.02%) based on performance.

C. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost corporate management, administrative, marketing, and distribution services. The costs of such services are allocated to the fund under methods approved by the board of trustees. The fund has committed to provide up to 0.40% of its net assets in capital contributions to Vanguard. At October 31, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $825,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.82% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

D. The fund has asked its investment advisors to direct certain security trades, subject to obtaining the best price and execution, to brokers who have agreed to rebate to the fund part of the commissions generated. Such rebates are used solely to reduce the fund’s management and administrative expenses. The fund’s custodian bank has also agreed to reduce its fees when the fund maintains cash on deposit in the non-interest-bearing custody account. For the year ended October 31, 2008, these arrangements reduced the fund’s management and administrative expenses by $498,000 and custodian fees by $31,000. The total expense reduction represented an effective annual rate of 0.01% of the fund’s average net assets.

E. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the financial statements to reflect their tax character. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain, or loss are recognized in different periods for financial statement and tax purposes; these differences will reverse at some time in the future. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes.

During the year ended October 31, 2008, the fund realized net foreign currency losses of $257,000, which decreased distributable net income for tax purposes; accordingly, such losses have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to undistributed net investment income. Certain of the fund’s investments were in securities considered to be “passive foreign investment companies,” for which any unrealized appreciation and/or realized gains are required to be included in distributable net income for tax purposes. During the year ended October 31, 2008, the fund realized gains on the sale of passive foreign investment companies of $1,594,000, which have been included in current and prior periods’ taxable income; accordingly, such gains have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to undistributed net investment income.

 

 

26

 


Explorer Fund

 

For tax purposes, at October 31, 2008, the fund had $34,524,000 of ordinary income available for distribution. The fund had available realized losses of $784,127,000 to offset future net capital gains through October 31, 2016.

At October 31, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $9,268,828,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $2,123,896,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $361,972,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $2,485,868,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

At October 31, 2008, the aggregate settlement value of open futures contracts expiring in December 2008 and the related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were:

 

 

 

 

($000)

 

Number of

Aggregate

Unrealized

 

Long (Short)

Settlement

Appreciation

Futures Contracts

Contracts

Value

(Depreciation)

E-mini Russell 2000 Index

4,002

214,707

(7,615)

E-mini S&P MidCap Index

574

32,626

1,790

S&P MidCap 400 Index

41

11,652

(4,059)

E-mini NASDAQ 100 Index

255

6,819

(1,964)

 

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open futures contracts is required to be treated as realized gain (loss) for tax purposes.

F. During the year ended October 31, 2008, the fund purchased $10,951,394,000 of investment securities and sold $11,531,826,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

G. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were:

 

 

 

 

Year Ended October 31,

 

 

2008

 

 

2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

981,528

15,527

 

1,002,407

12,663

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

742,180

10,728

 

798,597

10,589

Redeemed

(1,429,117)

(22,368)

 

(1,820,022)

(22,892)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares

294,591

3,887

 

(19,018)

360

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

459,208

7,554

 

762,605

10,288

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

293,573

4,559

 

309,959

4,415

Redeemed

(660,351)

(11,114)

 

(861,021)

(11,658)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

92,430

999

 

211,543

3,045

 

 

 

27

 


Explorer Fund

 

H. Certain of the fund’s investments are in companies that are considered to be affiliated companies of the fund because the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of the company. Transactions during the period in securities of these companies were as follows:

 

 

 

 

Current Period Transactions

 

 

Oct. 31, 2007

 

Proceeds from

 

Oct. 31, 2008

 

Market

Purchases

Securities

Dividend

Market

 

Value

at Cost

Sold

Income

Value

 

($000)

($000)

($000)

($000)

($000)

Advanta Corp.

NA1

7,992

1,403

579

2,425

RBC Bearings Inc.

NA1

41,775

9,506

NA2

The Advisory Board Co.

60,415

22,394

34,369

NA2

 

60,415

 

 

579

2,425

 

I. In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157 (“FAS 157”), “Fair Value Measurements.” FAS 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements in financial statements.

The various inputs that may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments are summarized in three broad levels. The inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2—Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).

Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments).

The following table summarizes the fund’s investments as of October 31, 2008, based on the inputs used to value them:

 

 

Investments

Futures

 

in Securities

Contracts

Valuation Inputs

($000)

($000)

Level 1—Quoted prices

7,036,532

(11,848)

Level 2—Other significant observable inputs

103,832

Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs

4,568

Total

7,144,932

(11,848)

 

 

 

1  At October 31, 2007, the issuer was not an affiliated company of the fund.

2  At October 31, 2008, the security was still held, but the issuer was no longer an affiliated company of the fund.

 

 

28

 


Explorer Fund

 

The following table summarizes changes in investments valued based on Level 3 inputs during the year ended October 31, 2008:

 

 

Investments

 

in Securities

Amount valued based on Level 3 Inputs

($000)

Balance as of October 31, 2007

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

4,568

Balance as of October 31, 2008

4,568

 

J. The following table summarizes the fund’s covered call options written during the year ended October 31, 2008:

 

 

Number of

Premiums

 

Contracts

Received

Covered Call Options

Written

($000)

Balance at October 31, 2007

Options written

12,056

835

Options expired

(8,580)

(402)

Options closed

(3,476)

(433)

Options exercised

Options open at October 31, 2008

 

 

 

29

 


Report of Independent Registered

Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Trustees of Trustees and Shareholders of Vanguard Explorer Fund:

 

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets—investments summary and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vanguard Explorer Fund (the “Fund”) at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2008 by correspondence with the custodians and brokers, and by agreement to the underlying ownership records for Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

 

 

December 19, 2008

 

 

Special 2008 tax information (unaudited) for Vanguard Explorer Fund

 

This information for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2008, is included pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund distributed $778,981,000 as capital gain dividends (from net long-term capital gains) to shareholders during the fiscal year.

For nonresident alien shareholders, 100% of short-term capital gain dividends distributed by the fund are qualified short-term capital gains.

The fund distributed $52,888,000 of qualified dividend income to shareholders during the fiscal year.

For corporate shareholders,100.0% of investment income (dividend income plus short-term gains, if any) qualifies for the dividends-received deduction.

 

 

30

 


Your Fund’s After-Tax Returns

 

This table presents returns for your fund both before and after taxes. The after-tax returns are shown in two ways: (1) assuming that an investor owned the fund during the entire period and paid taxes on the fund’s distributions, and (2) assuming that an investor paid taxes on the fund’s distributions and sold all shares at the end of each period.

Calculations are based on the highest individual federal income tax and capital gains tax rates in effect at the times of the distributions and the hypothetical sales. State and local taxes were not considered. After-tax returns reflect any qualified dividend income, using actual prior-year figures and estimates for 2008. (In the example, returns after the sale of fund shares may be higher than those assuming no sale. This occurs when the sale would have produced a capital loss. The calculation assumes that the investor received a tax deduction for the loss.)

The table shows returns for Investor Shares only; returns for other share classes will differ. Please note that your actual after-tax returns will depend on your tax situation and may differ from those shown. Also note that if you own the fund in a tax-deferred account, such as an individual retirement account or a 401(k) plan, this information does not apply to you. Such accounts are not subject to current taxes.

Finally, keep in mind that a fund’s performance—whether before or after taxes—does not guarantee future results.

 

Average Annual Total Returns: Explorer Fund Investor Shares1

Periods Ended October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

One

Five

Ten

 

Year

Years

Years

Returns Before Taxes

–40.17%

–0.98%

5.66%

Returns After Taxes on Distributions

–41.26   

–1.97   

4.08   

Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares

–24.43   

–0.58   

4.52   

 

 

 

1  Total returns do not include the account service fee that may be applicable to certain accounts with balances below $10,000.

 

 

31

 


About Your Fund’s Expenses

 

As a shareholder of the fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of the fund.

A fund’s expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets. This figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

The accompanying table illustrates your fund’s costs in two ways:

• Based on actual fund return. This section helps you to estimate the actual expenses that you paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the fund’s actual return, and the third column shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the fund. You may use the information here, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period.

To do so, simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your fund under the heading “Expenses Paid During Period.”

• Based on hypothetical 5% yearly return. This section is intended to help you compare your fund’s costs with those of other mutual funds. It assumes that the fund had a yearly return of 5% before expenses, but that the expense ratio is unchanged. In this case—because the return used is not the fund’s actual return—the results do not apply to your investment. The example is useful in making comparisons because the Securities and Exchange Commission requires all mutual funds to calculate expenses based on a 5% return. You can assess your fund’s costs by comparing this hypothetical example with the hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Six Months Ended October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Ending

Expenses

 

Account Value

Account Value

Paid During

Explorer Fund

4/30/2008

10/31/2008

Period1

Based on Actual Fund Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$692.94

$1.96

Admiral Shares

1,000.00

693.51

1.20

Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$1,022.89

$2.35

Admiral Shares

1,000.00

1,023.79

1.43

 

 

1  The calculations are based on expenses incurred in the most recent six-month period. The fund’s annualized six-month expense ratios for that period are 0.46% for Investor Shares and 0.28% for Admiral Shares. The dollar amounts shown as “Expenses Paid” are equal to the annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by the number of days in the most recent 12-month period.

 

 

32

 


Note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight and help you compare ongoing costs only and do not reflect transaction costs incurred by the fund for buying and selling securities. Further, the expenses do not include the account service fee described in the prospectus. If such a fee were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Your fund does not charge transaction fees, such as purchase or redemption fees, nor does it carry a “sales load.”

The calculations assume no shares were bought or sold during the period. Your actual costs may have been higher or lower, depending on the amount of your investment and the timing of any purchases or redemptions.

You can find more information about the fund’s expenses, including annual expense ratios, in the Financial Statements section of this report. For additional information on operating expenses and other shareholder costs, please refer to your fund’s current prospectus.

 

 

33

 


Glossary

 

Beta. A measure of the magnitude of a fund’s past share-price fluctuations in relation to the ups and downs of a given market index. The index is assigned a beta of 1.00. Compared with a given index, a fund with a beta of 1.20 typically would have seen its share price rise or fall by 12% when the index rose or fell by 10%. For this report, beta is based on returns over the past 36 months for both the fund and the index. Note that a fund’s beta should be reviewed in conjunction with its R-squared (see definition). The lower the R-squared, the less correlation there is between the fund and the index, and the less reliable beta is as an indicator of volatility.

Earnings Growth Rate. The average annual rate of growth in earnings over the past five years for the stocks now in a fund.

Equity Exposure. A measure that reflects a fund’s investments in stocks and stock futures. Any holdings in short-term reserves are excluded.

Expense Ratio. The percentage of a fund’s average net assets used to pay its annual administrative and advisory expenses. These expenses directly reduce returns to investors.

Foreign Holdings. The percentage of a fund represented by stocks or depositary receipts of companies based outside the United States.

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 measured from the inception date.

Median Market Cap. 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.

Price/Book Ratio. The share price of a stock divided by its net worth, or book value, per share. For a fund, the weighted average price/book ratio of the stocks it holds.

Price/Earnings Ratio. The ratio of a stock’s current price to its per-share earnings over the past year. For a fund, the weighted average P/E of the stocks it holds. P/E is an indicator of market expectations about corporate prospects; the higher the P/E, the greater the expectations for a company’s future growth.

R-Squared. A measure of how much of a fund’s past returns can be explained by the returns from the market in general, as measured by a given index. If a fund’s total returns were precisely synchronized with an index’s returns, its R-squared would be 1.00. If the fund’s returns bore no relationship to the index’s returns, its R-squared would be 0. For this report, R-squared is based on returns over the past 36 months for both the fund and the index.

Return on Equity. The annual average rate of return generated by a company during the past five years for each dollar of shareholder’s equity (net income divided by shareholder’s equity). For a fund, the weighted average return on equity for the companies whose stocks it holds.

Short-Term Reserves. The percentage of a fund invested in highly liquid, short-term securities that can be readily converted to cash.

Turnover Rate. An indication of the fund’s trading activity. Funds with high turnover rates incur higher transaction costs and may be more likely to distribute capital gains (which may be taxable to investors). The turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions, which have minimal impact on costs.

 

 

34

 


 

Yield. A fund’s 30-day SEC yield is derived using a formula specified by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Under the formula, data related to the fund’s security holdings in the previous 30 days are used to calculate the fund’s hypothetical net income for that period, which is then annualized and divided by the fund’s estimated average net assets over the calculation period. For the purposes of this calculation, a security’s income is based on its current market yield to maturity (in the case of bonds) or its projected dividend yield (for stocks). Because the SEC yield represents hypothetical annualized income, it will differ—at times significantly—from the fund’s actual experience. As a result, the fund’s income distributions may be higher or lower than implied by the SEC yield.

 

35

 


The People Who Govern Your Fund

The trustees of your mutual fund are there to see that the fund is operated and managed in your best interests since, as a shareholder, you are a part owner of the fund. Your fund’s trustees also serve on the board of directors of The Vanguard Group, Inc., which is owned by the Vanguard funds and provides services to them on an at-cost basis.

A majority of Vanguard’s board members are independent, meaning that they have no affiliation with Vanguard or the funds they oversee, apart from the sizable personal investments they have made as private individuals.

Our independent board members bring distinguished backgrounds in business, academia, and public service to their task of working with Vanguard officers to establish the policies and oversee the activities of the funds. Among board members’ responsibilities are selecting investment advisors for the funds; monitoring fund operations, performance, and costs; reviewing contracts; nominating and selecting new trustees/directors; and electing Vanguard officers.

Each trustee serves a fund until its termination; or until the trustee’s retirement, resignation, or death; or otherwise as specified in the fund’s organizational documents. Any trustee may be removed at a shareholders’ meeting by a vote representing two-thirds of the net asset value of all shares of the fund together with shares of other Vanguard funds organized within the same trust. The table on these two pages shows information for each trustee and executive officer of the fund. The mailing address of the trustees and officers is P.O. Box 876, Valley Forge, PA 19482.

 

Chairman of the Board and Trustee

 

John J. Brennan1

Born 1954  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board and Director/ Trustee Since May 1987;   Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each of the investment companies served Chairman of the Board    by The Vanguard Group; Chief Executive Officer and President of The Vanguard Group 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group (1996–2008).

 

Independent Trustees

 

Charles D. Ellis

Born 1937  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Applecore Partners (pro bono ventures Trustee Since January 2001 in education); Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates (international business strategy 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen consulting); Successor Trustee of Yale University; Overseer of the Stern School of Business at New York University; Trustee of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

Emerson U. Fullwood

Born 1948  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Executive Chief Staff and Marketing Trustee Since January 2008 Officer for North America since 2004 and Corporate Vice President of Xerox Corporation 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen (photocopiers and printers); Director of SPX Corporation (multi-industry manufacturing), of the United Way of Rochester, and of the Boy Scouts of America.

Rajiv L. Gupta

Born 1945  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, and Trustee Since December 20012 Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Board Member of 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen the American Chemistry Council; Director of Tyco International, Ltd. (diversified manufacturing and services), since 2005.

 


Amy Gutmann

Born 1949  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of the University of

Trustee Since June 2006   Pennsylvania since 2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, Annenberg School 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen for Communication, and Graduate School of Education of the University of Pennsylvania since 2004; Provost (2001–2004) and Laurance S. Rockefeller Professor of Politics and the University Center for Human Values (1990–2004), Princeton University; Director of Carnegie Corporation of New York since 2005 and of Schuylkill River Development Corporation and Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce since 2004; Trustee of the National Constitution Center since 2007.

 

JoAnn Heffernan Heisen

Born 1950  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate Vice President and Trustee Since July 1998   Chief Global Diversity Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief Information 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen Officer (1997–2005), and Member of the Executive Committee of Johnson & Johnson (pharmaceuticals/consumer products); Director of the University Medical Center at Princeton and Women’s Research and Education Institute.

 

André F. Perold

Born 1952  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Gund Professor of Finance Trustee Since December 2004 and Banking, Harvard Business School; Senior Associate Dean and Director of Faculty 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen Recruiting, Harvard Business School; Director and Chairman of UNX, Inc. (equities trading firm); Chair of the Investment Committee of HighVista Strategies LLC (private investment firm) since 2005.

 

Alfred M. Rankin, Jr.

Born 1941  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, Chief Executive Trustee Since January 1993 Officer, and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift trucks/housewares/lignite); Director 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen of Goodrich Corporation (industrial products/aircraft systems and services).

J. Lawrence Wilson

Born 1936  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Trustee Since April 1985   Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director of Cummins Inc. (diesel engines) and 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen AmerisourceBergen Corp. (pharmaceutical distribution); Trustee of Vanderbilt University and of Culver Educational Foundation.

 

Executive Officers1

 

Thomas J. Higgins

Born 1957  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Chief Financial Officer   Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group; Chief Since September 2008   Financial Officer of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Treasurer Since July 1998   Group since 2008. 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen

F. William McNabb III

Born 1957  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chief Executive Officer, Director, Chief Executive Officer   and President of The Vanguard Group, Inc., since 2008; Chief Executive Officer and Since August 31, 2008   President of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since President Since March 2008 2008; Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The Vanguard 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen Group (1995–2008).

 


Heidi Stam

Born 1956  Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing Director of The Vanguard Secretary Since July 2005   Group, Inc., since 2006; General Counsel of The Vanguard Group since 2005; Secretary of 156 Vanguard Funds Overseen The Vanguard Group and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since 2005; Director and Senior Vice President of Vanguard Marketing Corporation since 2005; Principal of The Vanguard Group (1997–2006).

 

Vanguard Senior Management Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R. Gregory Barton

Kathleen C. Gubanich

Michael S. Miller

Ralph K. Packard

George U. Sauter

Mortimer J. Buckley

Paul A. Heller

James M. Norris

Glenn W. Reed

 

 

Founder

 

John C. Bogle

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996

 

 

 

1  These individuals are “interested persons” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940.

2  December 2002 for Vanguard Equity Income Fund, Vanguard Growth Equity Fund, the Vanguard Municipal Bond Funds, and the Vanguard State Tax-Exempt Funds.

More information about the trustees is in the Statement of Additional Information, available from The Vanguard Group.

 

 

 

 



P.O. Box 2600

Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600

 

Connect with Vanguard®> www.vanguard.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fund Information > 800-662-7447

All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper Inc.

 

or Morningstar, Inc., unless otherwise noted.

Direct Investor Account Services>800-662-2739

You can obtain a free copy of Vanguard’s proxy voting

 

guidelines by visiting our website, www.vanguard.com,

Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036

and searching for “proxy voting guidelines,” or by

 

calling Vanguard at 800-662-2739. The guidelines are

Text Telephone for People

also available from the SEC’s website, www.sec.gov.

With Hearing Impairment > 800-952-3335

In addition, you may obtain a free report on how your

 

fund voted the proxies for securities it owned during

 

the 12 months ended June 30. To get the report, visit

 

either www.vanguard.com or www.sec.gov.

This material may be used in conjunction

 

with the offering of shares of any Vanguard

 

fund only if preceded or accompanied by

You can review and copy information about your fund

the fund’s current prospectus.

at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C.

 

To find out more about this public service, call the SEC

 

at 202-551-8090. Information about your fund is also

 

available on the SEC’s website, and you can receive

 

copies of this information, for a fee, by sending a

CFA® is a trademark owned by CFA Institute.

request in either of two ways: via e-mail addressed to

 

publicinfo@sec.gov or via regular mail addressed to the

The funds or securities referred to herein are not

Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange

sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI

Commission, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

bears no liability with respect to any such funds or

 

securities. For any such funds or securities, the

 

prospectus or the Statement of Additional Information

 

contains a more detailed description of the limited

 

relationship MSCI has with The Vanguard Group and

 

any related funds.

 

 

 

 

 

Russell is a trademark of The Frank Russell Company.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

Q240 122008

 


 

Vanguard® Explorer™ Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (93.9%)1

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (11.9%)

 

 

*

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

2,043,012

55,386

 

DeVry, Inc.

901,870

51,127

*

Dollar Tree, Inc.

901,451

34,273

 

Service Corp. International

4,801,600

33,131

*

DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

997,967

28,043

 

Ross Stores, Inc.

810,297

26,489

*

WMS Industries, Inc.

1,025,099

25,627

*

Urban Outfitters, Inc.

987,336

21,465

 

Aaron Rents, Inc.

782,640

19,402

*

GameStop Corp. Class A

678,985

18,597

*

Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

556,500

17,914

 

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

2,056,700

16,844

*

Big Lots Inc.

685,798

16,754

*

Tractor Supply Co.

401,535

16,688

*,^

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc.

649,488

16,542

 

Matthews International Corp.

344,100

15,357

*

Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

1,113,500

15,121

 

Foot Locker, Inc.

995,400

14,553

*

LKQ Corp.

1,228,470

14,054

*

Capella Education Co.

276,659

13,114

 

Tiffany & Co.

457,698

12,564

*

The Warnaco Group, Inc.

407,100

12,136

*

Lamar Advertising Co. Class A

768,200

11,654

 

Autoliv, Inc.

513,900

10,977

 

John Wiley & Sons Class A

315,250

10,964

*

Apollo Group, Inc. Class A

156,900

10,906

*

Papa John’s International, Inc.

471,262

10,632

*

Penn National Gaming, Inc.

547,985

10,554

 

Tupperware Brands Corp.

379,630

9,605

 

Burger King Holdings Inc.

454,130

9,028

*

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

607,410

8,868

*,^

Life Time Fitness, Inc.

456,730

8,696

 

WABCO Holdings Inc.

471,814

8,667

*

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp.

1,354,200

8,559

*

thinkorswim Group, Inc.

1,030,600

8,245

 

RadioShack Corp.

613,318

7,765

 

OfficeMax, Inc.

873,400

7,031

 

BorgWarner, Inc.

307,800

6,916

*,^

Netflix.com, Inc.

269,135

6,664

*

Corinthian Colleges, Inc.

447,982

6,397

*

ITT Educational Services, Inc.

70,900

6,214

 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

186,234

5,810

*

The Dress Barn, Inc.

540,272

5,165

*

Scientific Games Corp.

278,750

5,017

*

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. Class B

117,050

5,006

*

Tenneco Automotive, Inc.

1,014,006

4,979

*

The Gymboree Corp.

189,059

4,889

*

The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.

145,859

4,876

 

CBRL Group, Inc.

243,939

4,859

 

Darden Restaurants Inc.

216,275

4,795

*

CEC Entertainment Inc.

181,194

4,653

 

 


 

*

Morningstar, Inc.

121,925

4,565

*,^

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

85,600

4,344

*

Priceline.com, Inc.

78,000

4,105

*

Hanesbrands Inc.

234,600

4,098

*

NVR, Inc.

8,300

4,069

*

Aeropostale, Inc.

155,800

3,772

*

The Wet Seal, Inc. Class A

1,224,950

3,601

*,^

Zale Corp.

211,000

3,600

*

Bally Technologies Inc.

162,400

3,597

*

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

88,408

3,490

*

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

488,038

3,426

 

 

Page 1

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

Hot Topic, Inc.

498,200

3,228

*

Deckers Outdoor Corp.

37,700

3,199

*

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co.

350,203

3,124

 

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

114,300

3,076

*

Jack in the Box Inc.

152,900

3,073

*

Hollywood Media Corp.

1,564,823

3,004

 

Limited Brands, Inc.

237,200

2,842

*

Fossil, Inc.

153,700

2,790

 

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

112,900

2,653

*

FGX International Holdings Ltd.

207,091

2,278

^

NutriSystem, Inc.

156,614

2,216

*

Fuel Systems Solutions, Inc.

77,200

2,196

*

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

400,908

2,145

 

Harte-Hanks, Inc.

304,500

2,138

*

Denny’s Corp.

1,152,300

2,063

*

True Religion Apparel, Inc.

121,900

2,042

^

Polaris Industries, Inc.

58,900

1,983

*

Global Sources Ltd.

243,452

1,923

*,^

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.

350,102

1,831

 

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

183,000

1,685

*

Collective Brands, Inc.

117,922

1,508

*

Coinstar, Inc.

58,460

1,402

 

Guess ?, Inc.

60,100

1,308

 

Phillips-Van Heusen Corp.

52,800

1,294

 

Strayer Education, Inc.

5,600

1,267

 

Interactive Data Corp.

53,300

1,257

 

Hillenbrand Inc.

63,900

1,214

*

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.

62,754

1,202

 

The Buckle, Inc.

44,700

1,177

*

Hawk Corp. Class A

75,003

1,084

 

National CineMedia Inc.

128,891

1,044

*

Perry Ellis International Corp.

106,423

1,042

 

Borders Group, Inc.

306,170

1,038

 

Liz Claiborne, Inc.

119,830

977

*,^

Conn’s, Inc.

68,550

929

*

Wonder Auto Technology, Inc.

216,644

864

*

Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.

28,500

806

 

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

29,100

796

 

PetSmart, Inc.

38,800

764

*

Mediacom Communications Corp.

164,766

732

 

Systemax Inc.

51,600

731

*,^

Palm Harbor Homes, Inc.

84,600

728

^

Talbots Inc.

69,620

683

*

Town Sports International Holdings, Inc.

255,726

637

*

Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.

118,300

614

*,^

CarMax, Inc.

54,300

577

 

International Speedway Corp.

17,867

561

*

Citi Trends Inc.

31,400

525

 

Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment, Inc.

100,550

515

*

Lodgian, Inc.

86,660

442

^

DineEquity, Inc.

19,481

351

*

Wendy’s/Arby’s Group, Inc.

96,600

350

 

CPI Corp.

47,665

348

*

Sirius XM Radio Inc.

984,300

333

*

Alloy, Inc.

66,260

333

 

 


 

 

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

14,200

306

*

Mothers Work, Inc.

34,392

302

*

AnnTaylor Stores Corp.

23,880

300

 

Pulte Homes, Inc.

19,900

222

 

Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc.

14,160

139

*

Barry RG Corp Ohio

23,030

119

*

K12 Inc.

3,900

107

*

Red Lion Hotels Corp.

38,360

106

*

Charlotte Russe Holding Inc.

12,400

105

 

 

Page 2

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

 

Hasbro, Inc.

3,400

99

*

Aristotle Corp

13,280

81

*

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group Inc.

9,300

75

 

CKE Restaurants Inc.

7,300

62

 

Finish Line, Inc.

4,319

41

 

Dover Motorsports, Inc.

18,817

40

*

Sally Beauty Co. Inc.

7,500

38

 

Blyth, Inc.

2,770

24

 

Cinemark Holdings Inc.

2,850

24

*

Champion Enterprises, Inc.

9,620

18

*

Overstock.com, Inc.

1,312

16

*

Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. Class A

400

11

*

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.

2,060

9

*

Nathan’s Famous Inc

418

7

*

Retail Ventures, Inc.

570

1

 

 

 

837,413

Consumer Staples (3.8%)

 

 

*,^

Chattem, Inc.

349,383

26,438

 

Church & Dwight, Inc.

440,640

26,037

*

Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.

380,100

25,725

 

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

1,797,235

23,166

 

Ruddick Corp.

805,200

23,061

*

United Natural Foods, Inc.

963,604

21,527

*

Central European Distribution Corp.

611,040

17,592

*

Constellation Brands, Inc. Class A

1,200,221

15,051

 

Herbalife Ltd.

553,039

13,511

 

Spartan Stores, Inc.

387,400

10,456

 

Tyson Foods, Inc.

1,047,600

9,156

*

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

639,900

6,732

 

PriceSmart, Inc.

449,850

6,703

 

Diamond Foods, Inc.

224,482

6,562

^

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

191,119

5,617

*

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.

135,240

4,760

 

McCormick & Co., Inc.

131,700

4,433

*

Dean Foods Co.

144,200

3,152

*

Darling International, Inc.

358,900

2,706

*

NBTY, Inc.

111,748

2,612

*

Boston Beer Co., Inc. Class A

64,600

2,441

*

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

35,050

1,712

 

Alberto-Culver Co.

64,800

1,667

*

Omega Protein Corp.

150,997

1,114

 

Nash-Finch Co.

23,500

927

*

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

58,200

874

*

Elizabeth Arden, Inc.

33,080

572

*

AgFeed Industries, Inc.

116,620

511

*

The Pantry, Inc.

21,800

480

*

Physicians Formula Holdings, Inc.

109,049

385

 

Flowers Foods, Inc.

9,500

282

^

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

19,200

206

*

Overhill Farms Inc.

32,386

144

 

Inter Parfums, Inc.

9,300

108

*

China Sky One Medical Inc.

9,800

88

*

Schiff Nutrition International, Inc.

9,800

58

 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

1,201

53

 

Arden Group Inc. Class A

328

49

 

 


 

*

National Beverage Corp.

1,600

15

*

Medifast, Inc.

1,500

8

*

Natural Alternatives International, Inc.

205

1

 

 

 

266,692

Energy (6.7%)

 

 

*

Ultra Petroleum Corp.

656,350

30,553

*

Comstock Resources, Inc.

617,303

30,507

*

Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

992,540

27,275

 

 

Page 3

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

Southwestern Energy Co.

755,580

26,914

*

Petrohawk Energy Corp.

1,277,350

24,206

 

XTO Energy, Inc.

550,925

19,806

 

Tidewater Inc.

445,055

19,409

 

Walter Industries, Inc.

392,066

15,193

 

Core Laboratories N.V.

202,040

14,890

*

Superior Energy Services, Inc.

545,170

11,623

*

Encore Acquisition Co.

366,100

11,404

 

Southern Union Co.

638,400

10,993

 

Range Resources Corp.

237,290

10,018

*

Unit Corp.

258,139

9,691

 

Niko Resources Ltd.

212,040

9,289

*

Mariner Energy Inc.

601,636

8,658

*

Arena Resources, Inc.

277,800

8,467

*

Tesco Corp.

742,700

8,452

*

Gulfmark Offshore, Inc.

209,569

7,754

*

Oil States International, Inc.

325,957

7,539

 

St. Mary Land & Exploration Co.

286,875

7,140

*

GMX Resources Inc.

186,800

7,052

*

Grey Wolf, Inc.

1,095,050

7,030

*

Oceaneering International, Inc.

248,100

6,989

 

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

144,999

6,274

*,^

Delta Petroleum Corp.

662,000

6,223

 

Berry Petroleum Class A

250,250

5,831

*

Bristow Group, Inc.

228,050

5,649

*

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

188,338

5,629

*

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.

530,100

5,598

*

Lundin Petroleum AB

1,157,600

5,526

 

Penn Virginia Corp.

145,895

5,423

 

Massey Energy Co.

218,251

5,039

*

Whiting Petroleum Corp.

92,700

4,819

*

Swift Energy Co.

139,300

4,469

*

Parker Drilling Co.

851,871

4,362

 

W&T Offshore, Inc.

210,028

4,026

*

ION Geophysical Corp.

574,100

3,766

^

Frontline Ltd.

116,100

3,692

*

Rosetta Resources, Inc.

336,306

3,548

*

Contango Oil & Gas Co.

63,298

3,481

*

Matrix Service Co.

283,065

3,468

*

IHS Inc. Class A

92,900

3,288

*

Concho Resources, Inc.

154,000

3,272

*

SEACOR Holdings Inc.

46,799

3,143

 

Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc.

146,100

3,033

*

McMoRan Exploration Co.

205,200

2,912

*

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.

79,400

2,840

*

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

341,600

2,630

 

Ship Finance International Ltd.

169,948

2,320

*

Willbros Group, Inc.

139,000

2,153

*

Pioneer Drilling Co.

223,013

1,726

*

Clayton Williams Energy, Inc.

33,600

1,627

*

GeoResources Inc.

99,800

1,491

 

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

111,900

1,485

 

Teekay Tankers Ltd.

119,980

1,458

*

Callon Petroleum Co.

119,575

1,234

*

Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings, Inc.

562,505

1,097

 

 


 

 

DHT Maritime

190,080

1,000

*

Warren Resources Inc.

180,451

955

 

Rowan Cos., Inc.

49,485

898

*

Basic Energy Services Inc.

60,200

823

*

PHI Inc. Non-Voting Shares

31,600

663

*

Stone Energy Corp.

21,621

656

*

Patriot Coal Corp.

32,700

518

*

ATP Oil & Gas Corp.

38,302

461

*

EXCO Resources, Inc.

45,500

418

 

 

Page 4

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

Energy Partners, Ltd.

75,167

325

*

Dresser Rand Group, Inc.

12,400

278

*

Approach Resources Inc.

24,600

268

*

Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc.

8,489

202

*

T-3 Energy Services, Inc.

8,123

196

*

Gulfport Energy Corp.

24,641

174

*

PetroQuest Energy, Inc.

12,527

125

*

Bolt Technology Corp.

7,050

57

*

Union Drilling, Inc.

7,000

38

*

TETRA Technologies, Inc.

4,420

31

*

International Coal Group, Inc.

4,402

21

 

 

 

471,491

Exchange-Traded Funds (1.2%)

 

 

2

Vanguard Small-Cap ETF

1,165,083

54,304

2

Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF

713,200

32,893

 

 

 

87,197

Financials (6.4%)

 

 

 

Cash America International Inc.

965,000

34,132

 

People’s United Financial Inc.

1,619,975

28,350

 

Platinum Underwriters Holdings, Ltd.

594,300

18,863

*

Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.

536,000

17,399

 

SEI Investments Co.

928,200

16,411

 

Jefferies Group, Inc.

969,363

15,345

*

ProAssurance Corp.

266,600

14,650

 

U-Store-It Trust REIT

2,066,850

14,179

 

UMB Financial Corp.

307,800

13,953

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.

931,400

13,524

*,^

Western Alliance Bancorp

885,572

13,115

*

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.

607,370

12,979

 

CapitalSource Inc. REIT

1,679,649

12,429

*

Arch Capital Group Ltd.

174,300

12,157

*

Affiliated Managers Group, Inc.

233,040

10,808

 

Huntington Bancshares Inc.

1,135,000

10,726

 

First American Corp.

498,100

10,166

*,^

Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. Class A

257,400

9,611

 

MFA Mortgage Investments, Inc. REIT

1,705,250

9,379

 

City National Corp.

175,000

9,368

 

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

197,350

9,058

^

Popular, Inc.

1,119,117

8,505

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

122,100

8,265

^

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

117,650

7,761

 

Lazard Ltd. Class A

250,335

7,553

*

Stifel Financial Corp.

163,975

7,158

 

optionsXpress Holdings Inc.

396,650

7,045

^

Redwood Trust, Inc. REIT

395,700

6,030

 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

101,800

5,698

 

QC Holdings Inc.

587,686

4,737

 

CIT Group Inc.

1,100,600

4,556

 

Validus Holdings, Ltd.

240,000

4,258

 

Aon Corp.

100,000

4,230

 

Brown & Brown, Inc.

203,600

4,178

*,^

Portfolio Recovery Associates, Inc.

113,350

4,067

 

IPC Holdings Ltd.

139,214

3,844

 

BancorpSouth, Inc.

157,300

3,818

*,^

The St. Joe Co.

108,500

3,355

 

 


 

 

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

116,900

3,329

 

Federated Investors, Inc.

137,500

3,327

 

Eaton Vance Corp.

140,350

3,088

*

SVB Financial Group

49,560

2,550

 

Taubman Co. REIT

74,800

2,485

3

Advanta Corp. Class A

1,023,300

2,425

 

Janus Capital Group Inc.

201,500

2,366

*

Knight Capital Group, Inc. Class A

162,200

2,345

*

Riskmetrics Group Inc.

150,000

2,311

 

 

Page 5

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

 

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.

50,600

2,168

 

Ventas, Inc. REIT

55,700

2,009

*

Cardtronics Inc.

351,483

1,961

 

Washington REIT

64,800

1,943

 

Home Properties, Inc. REIT

40,800

1,652

^

GLG Partners, Inc.

481,737

1,542

 

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc. REIT

42,200

1,487

 

Nationwide Health Properties, Inc. REIT

47,300

1,411

 

City Holding Co.

29,636

1,240

 

Highwood Properties, Inc. REIT

48,600

1,206

 

PS Business Parks, Inc. REIT

26,200

1,186

 

Apartment Investment & Management Co. Class A REIT

65,536

959

 

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

25,600

857

*

EZCORP, Inc.

50,200

795

^

National Financial Partners Corp.

113,260

754

 

DuPont Fabros Technology Inc.

115,900

722

 

Rayonier Inc. REIT

19,300

638

 

Capitol Federal Financial

11,700

544

*

Broadpoint Securities Group

178,400

526

 

Camden Property Trust REIT

14,500

489

 

Forest City Enterprise Class A

36,900

439

 

Suffolk Bancorp

12,800

415

 

Federal Realty Investment Trust REIT

2,900

178

 

Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, Inc. REIT

4,400

159

 

Hancock Holding Co.

3,500

155

*

PMA Capital Corp. Class A

18,519

86

 

Associated Estates Realty Corp. REIT

7,100

58

*

Guaranty Bancorp

4,993

21

 

 

 

451,486

Health Care (19.6%)

 

 

*

Cephalon, Inc.

1,353,105

97,045

*

Henry Schein, Inc.

1,016,292

47,573

*

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

702,820

37,137

*

IDEXX Laboratories Inc.

1,007,150

35,442

 

DENTSPLY International Inc.

1,086,989

33,023

*

ResMed Inc.

960,360

32,902

*

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

802,440

32,699

 

Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc.

1,041,456

32,264

*

Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.

955,750

31,817

*

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1,638,064

31,615

*

Haemonetics Corp.

479,400

28,313

*

Alkermes, Inc.

2,819,600

27,858

*

Endo Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.

1,428,740

26,432

 

PDL BioPharma Inc.

2,540,768

24,772

 

Perrigo Co.

693,850

23,591

*

Qiagen NV

1,609,300

22,949

*

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

1,567,449

22,038

*

Hologic, Inc.

1,761,609

21,562

*

Covance, Inc.

397,907

19,895

*

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

971,959

17,806

*

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

387,455

17,633

^

Martek Biosciences Corp.

581,713

17,352

*

Medarex, Inc.

2,415,900

16,984

*

Seattle Genetics, Inc.

1,649,904

16,961

*

Waters Corp.

386,094

16,911

 

 


 

 

Cooper Cos., Inc.

980,232

16,154

*

Celera Corp.

1,400,005

15,834

*

Nektar Therapeutics

2,772,600

15,332

*

Immucor Inc.

567,580

15,069

*

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

565,865

14,831

 

STERIS Corp.

430,902

14,668

*

Patterson Cos.

569,950

14,437

 

Techne Corp.

195,050

13,462

*

Luminex Corp.

717,600

13,383

 

 

Page 6

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

Sun Healthcare Group Inc.

1,163,700

13,359

*

Celgene Corp.

202,710

13,026

*

ImClone Systems, Inc.

181,727

12,496

*

Coventry Health Care Inc.

907,100

11,965

*

MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.

343,043

11,880

*

Community Health Systems, Inc.

550,400

11,283

*

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

430,564

11,268

*

Eclipsys Corp.

752,900

11,181

 

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

222,950

11,130

*

Align Technology, Inc.

1,597,500

11,071

*

Warner Chilcott Ltd.

766,814

10,636

*

Invitrogen Corp.

366,774

10,559

*

DaVita, Inc.

182,185

10,339

*

Cougar Biotechnology Inc.

393,683

10,000

 

Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC

1,831,450

9,550

*

Masimo Corp.

298,145

9,538

*,^

Amedisys Inc.

160,562

9,057

 

Teleflex Inc.

170,870

9,054

*

Bruker BioSciences Corp.

2,142,310

8,762

*

Humana Inc.

293,700

8,691

*

Human Genome Sciences, Inc.

2,567,300

8,292

 

Owens & Minor, Inc.

184,700

7,992

*

Health Net Inc.

615,100

7,922

*

OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

198,650

7,539

*

Wright Medical Group, Inc.

317,269

7,354

 

PerkinElmer, Inc.

388,838

6,976

 

Shire Pharmaceuticals Group PLC ADR

175,000

6,904

*

Durect Corp.

1,583,700

6,509

*

Thoratec Corp.

250,190

6,160

*

Cyberonics, Inc.

471,700

6,009

 

Analogic Corp.

133,680

5,903

*

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

86,987

5,488

*

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

518,700

5,296

*

Gentiva Health Services, Inc.

194,232

5,273

 

Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.

228,800

5,207

*

Cerner Corp.

135,147

5,032

*

Integra LifeSciences Holdings

132,708

4,982

 

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp.

343,050

4,895

*

The Medicines Co.

277,700

4,840

*

CardioNet, Inc.

181,530

4,645

*

VCA Antech, Inc.

252,600

4,572

*,4

Impax Laboratories, Inc.

570,900

4,568

*

AthenaHealth Inc.

146,850

4,494

*

Varian, Inc.

121,806

4,489

*,^

Eurand NV

456,692

4,339

*

Sirona Dental Systems Inc.

266,368

4,254

*

Lincare Holdings, Inc.

158,800

4,184

*

United Therapeutics Corp.

47,700

4,161

*

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc. Class A

46,200

3,945

*

ImmunoGen, Inc.

809,800

3,749

*

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

136,300

3,677

*

Exelixis, Inc.

1,050,000

3,612

 

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

89,800

3,585

*

Kendle International Inc.

186,940

3,378

*

Cypress Bioscience, Inc.

612,800

3,334

 

 


 

*

Zoll Medical Corp.

137,848

3,319

*

Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

91,600

3,282

*

Inverness Medical Innovations, Inc.

171,186

3,278

 

Invacare Corp.

179,046

3,257

*

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

223,500

3,239

 

Chemed Corp.

72,500

3,175

*

WellCare Health Plans Inc.

130,300

3,149

*

American Medical Systems Holdings, Inc.

290,600

3,144

*

CONMED Corp.

113,000

2,961

 

 

Page 7

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.

128,200

2,949

*

Nuvasive, Inc.

62,015

2,920

*

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

153,900

2,816

*

Questcor Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

339,361

2,627

*

CryoLife Inc.

192,500

2,579

*

Conceptus, Inc.

158,142

2,562

*

Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

140,100

2,523

*

CorVel Corp.

93,388

2,505

*

Emergency Medical Services LP Class A

74,918

2,462

*

Cytokinetics, Inc.

843,249

2,403

*

HMS Holdings Corp.

96,800

2,398

 

Omnicare, Inc.

85,000

2,343

*

Obagi Medical Products, Inc.

275,100

2,289

*

Mylan Inc.

264,402

2,266

*

Illumina, Inc.

73,200

2,257

*

Centene Corp.

115,000

2,167

*

Sequenom, Inc.

120,300

2,165

*

PAREXEL International Corp.

202,657

2,108

 

Universal Health Services Class B

48,400

2,035

*

PSS World Medical, Inc.

108,700

1,972

*

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.

171,768

1,944

*

ICON PLC - ADR

76,598

1,943

*

Cynosure Inc.

216,320

1,895

*

Catalyst Health Solutions, Inc.

105,550

1,781

*

Affymetrix, Inc.

470,414

1,736

*

CV Therapeutics, Inc.

182,109

1,699

*

Dionex Corp.

30,000

1,615

*

Cepheid, Inc.

122,600

1,455

*

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.

227,880

1,406

*

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.

154,504

1,389

*

Millipore Corp.

25,800

1,339

*

ev3 Inc.

206,915

1,339

*

Volcano Corp.

82,773

1,287

*

Natus Medical Inc.

82,858

1,268

*

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

101,435

1,141

*

Albany Molecular Research, Inc.

89,587

1,133

*,^

Enzon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

225,100

1,119

*

Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.

363,860

1,099

*

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc.

28,225

1,091

*

Orthofix International N.V.

77,472

1,050

 

Atrion Corp.

8,441

835

*

Harvard Bioscience, Inc.

265,386

823

 

Datascope Corp.

13,900

697

*,^

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

70,320

683

*

Gen-Probe Inc.

13,200

621

 

Ensign Group Inc.

37,100

608

*

Osteotech, Inc.

158,611

506

*

Vivus, Inc.

81,000

493

*

Capital Senior Living Corp.

81,200

365

*

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

17,500

344

*

Biomimetic Therapeutics, Inc.

41,200

337

*

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

35,800

326

*

Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

37,680

310

*

Pain Therapeutics, Inc.

33,738

308

 

Young Innovations, Inc.

16,748

285

 

 


 

*

VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.

18,036

278

*

Medical Action Industries Inc.

22,200

255

*

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

54,673

226

*

SonoSite, Inc.

8,570

181

*

AngioDynamics, Inc.

13,782

174

*

Animal Health International, Inc.

24,692

159

*

Anika Resh Inc.

21,328

129

*

Aspect Medical Systems, Inc.

28,552

94

*

A.D.A.M., Inc.

17,558

75

 

 

Page 8

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

Angeion Corp.

19,144

74

*

AMERIGROUP Corp.

2,460

61

*

Sonic Innovations, Inc.

28,680

48

*

Vascular Solutions, Inc.

3,000

28

*

Columbia Laboratories Inc.

15,100

24

*

eResearch Technology, Inc.

2,800

18

*

Symmetry Medical Inc.

970

13

*

RehabCare Group, Inc.

702

12

*

Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.

2,680

11

*

Allied Healthcare Products, Inc.

300

1

 

 

 

1,379,429

Industrials (15.6%)

 

 

 

The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

634,100

46,727

*

Stericycle, Inc.

778,680

45,498

 

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc. Class A

1,016,340

36,446

*

Kansas City Southern

887,351

27,392

*

RBC Bearings Inc.

1,041,518

24,715

*

Corrections Corp. of America

1,251,216

23,911

*

Covanta Holding Corp.

1,094,703

23,602

*

Tetra Tech, Inc.

1,067,478

23,474

 

Kennametal, Inc.

1,082,910

22,979

 

Ametek, Inc.

679,090

22,580

 

Equifax, Inc.

849,354

22,151

*

Clean Harbors Inc.

336,790

22,083

*

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

264,090

21,798

 

McGrath RentCorp

945,000

21,489

*

Waste Connections, Inc.

616,851

20,880

*,^

JetBlue Airways Corp.

3,736,200

20,736

 

Knight Transportation, Inc.

1,186,900

18,872

 

UTI Worldwide, Inc.

1,439,513

16,929

 

Donaldson Co., Inc.

475,630

16,718

*

FTI Consulting, Inc.

283,346

16,505

*

Quanta Services, Inc.

798,194

15,772

 

Con-way, Inc.

453,100

15,424

*

Iron Mountain, Inc.

616,650

14,972

*

Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Class A

448,300

14,951

*

The Advisory Board Co.

587,920

14,492

 

Watsco, Inc.

349,700

14,369

*

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.

312,200

14,227

*

EnerSys

1,059,130

14,002

 

J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

469,700

13,354

 

Robert Half International, Inc.

680,600

12,843

*

Shaw Group, Inc.

706,155

12,633

*

US Airways Group Inc.

1,233,550

12,508

 

Heartland Express, Inc.

744,420

11,419

*

Aecom Technology Corp.

626,654

11,048

 

Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. N.V.

862,455

10,686

 

Lennox International Inc.

343,900

10,255

 

The Manitowoc Co., Inc.

1,030,544

10,141

 

Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers Inc.

527,380

9,793

*

Geo Group Inc.

549,455

9,703

 

Roper Industries Inc.

201,625

9,144

 

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

540,050

8,943

*

Navistar International Corp.

294,817

8,880

 

Acuity Brands, Inc.

253,304

8,856

 

 


 

 

Harsco Corp.

358,390

8,483

*

AerCap Holdings NV

1,279,150

8,110

*

MPS Group, Inc.

1,028,445

8,012

*

McDermott International, Inc.

429,521

7,358

*,^

Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd. ADR

414,000

7,245

*

Axsys Technologies, Inc.

107,799

7,118

*

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

190,275

6,932

*

TrueBlue, Inc.

805,353

6,709

 

Mine Safety Appliances Co.

247,596

6,685

 

 

Page 9

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

Stanley Inc.

179,722

6,157

*

Mobile Mini, Inc.

358,990

6,031

*

Esterline Technologies Corp.

164,110

5,916

*

SunPower Corp. Class B

196,638

5,822

*

Delta Air Lines Inc.

523,150

5,744

 

Ryder System, Inc.

143,104

5,670

 

GATX Corp.

198,100

5,656

^

Genco Shipping and Trading Ltd.

254,583

5,308

 

Barnes Group, Inc.

353,190

5,125

*

Perini Corp.

267,478

5,087

 

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

136,850

5,050

*

Hansen Transmissions

2,977,202

4,994

 

American Ecology Corp.

279,300

4,899

 

Crane Co.

277,323

4,540

 

Flowserve Corp.

77,935

4,436

*

Kadant Inc.

268,800

4,419

*

Flow International Corp.

1,144,000

4,393

 

The Brink’s Co.

88,900

4,311

*

AGCO Corp.

135,000

4,255

*

Kirby Corp.

121,800

4,180

*

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.

259,465

4,141

*

Thomas & Betts Corp.

152,580

3,624

 

Nordson Corp.

95,950

3,543

*

Energy Conversion Devices, Inc.

100,500

3,431

*

Resources Connection, Inc.

197,300

3,421

*

GeoEye Inc.

156,000

3,376

*

TransDigm Group, Inc.

109,700

3,306

 

Bucyrus International, Inc.

135,300

3,265

 

Hubbell Inc. Class B

90,600

3,250

 

Titan International, Inc.

278,185

3,216

*

Continental Airlines, Inc. Class B

169,500

3,207

 

HEICO Corp.

81,400

3,131

*

General Cable Corp.

181,150

3,094

*

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

74,901

3,068

*

Chart Industries, Inc.

220,650

3,005

*

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

154,400

2,983

 

Herman Miller, Inc.

133,400

2,935

*

GrafTech International Ltd.

339,000

2,749

 

Knoll, Inc.

187,000

2,704

 

Triumph Group, Inc.

59,900

2,627

*

CoStar Group, Inc.

72,600

2,615

*

Mastec Inc.

293,022

2,555

 

China Everbright International, Ltd.

28,881,000

2,520

^

Horizon Lines Inc.

527,994

2,476

*

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.

343,342

2,469

*

EMCOR Group, Inc.

137,800

2,449

 

Insteel Industries, Inc.

226,500

2,324

*

Orbital Sciences Corp.

112,700

2,309

 

CIRCOR International, Inc.

75,200

2,305

*,^

RSC Holdings Inc.

311,200

2,284

*,^

Trex Co., Inc.

139,400

2,274

 

Interface, Inc.

317,400

2,238

*

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.

163,294

2,234

*

American Reprographics Co.

207,350

2,206

*

Michael Baker Corp.

91,001

2,169

 

 


 

*

Cenveo Inc.

437,700

2,114

*

GT Solar International Inc.

444,500

2,049

*

Gardner Denver Inc.

79,300

2,032

 

Federal Signal Corp.

236,992

2,017

 

Robbins & Myers, Inc.

94,000

1,918

*

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

134,668

1,891

 

Pall Corp.

70,100

1,851

*

TBS International Ltd.

213,790

1,830

*

Exponent, Inc.

62,180

1,830

 

 

Page 10

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

^

Lindsay Manufacturing Co.

38,100

1,813

*

On Assignment, Inc.

274,484

1,784

 

The Toro Co.

50,300

1,692

 

AAON, Inc.

99,374

1,639

 

The Timken Co.

101,900

1,618

 

Deluxe Corp.

128,907

1,568

*

CRA International Inc.

54,787

1,483

 

Pacer International, Inc.

131,200

1,481

*

EnPro Industries, Inc.

64,533

1,433

 

The Corporate Executive Board Co.

46,800

1,396

 

Textainer Group Holdings Ltd.

125,700

1,386

*,^

AMREP Corp.

45,200

1,361

*

K-Tron International, Inc

13,968

1,313

 

Graham Corp.

58,618

1,231

 

VSE Corp.

33,627

1,103

 

Watson Wyatt & Co. Holdings

25,100

1,066

*

Hudson Highland Group, Inc.

200,940

1,053

*

Dynamex Inc.

43,000

1,050

*

Huron Consulting Group Inc.

17,500

951

 

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

100,081

934

*

WESCO International, Inc.

45,000

895

*

USA Truck, Inc.

52,600

777

*,^

China Architectural Engineering Inc.

188,854

744

*

GP Strategies Corp.

117,140

705

*

Spherion Corp.

190,605

606

*

Kforce Inc.

75,156

591

*

Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

19,300

586

*

Navigant Consulting, Inc.

32,388

524

*

Altra Holdings Inc.

56,699

507

*

Copart, Inc.

13,900

485

*

LECG Corp.

94,348

453

 

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp.

18,367

434

*

PRG-Schultz International, Inc.

98,200

416

 

KBR Inc.

26,600

395

 

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

40,000

394

 

CDI Corp.

30,300

394

*

Duff & Phelps Corp.

18,300

348

 

Copa Holdings SA Class A

12,800

325

 

The Eastern Co.

27,174

319

*

Casella Waste Systems, Inc.

61,325

309

 

NN, Inc.

29,598

213

*,^

C & D Technologies, Inc.

60,921

213

 

Bluelinx Holdings Inc.

77,502

208

 

The Standard Register Co.

25,600

208

 

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

19,980

199

 

Wabtec Corp.

4,800

191

*

YRC Worldwide, Inc.

41,500

190

 

Applied Industrial Technology, Inc.

8,464

171

 

Industrial Services of America, Inc.

19,900

154

 

TAL International Group, Inc.

9,290

154

 

Landstar System, Inc.

3,400

131

*

Ultrapetrol Bahamas Ltd.

31,282

129

*

A.T. Cross Co. Class A

23,888

127

*

Waste Services, Inc.

19,100

114

 

EnergySolutions

22,476

101

 

 


 

*

SL Industries, Inc.

5,933

63

*

ICT Group, Inc.

11,690

62

 

Twin Disc, Inc.

6,190

48

*

Taylor Devices Inc.

13,776

46

*

CAI International Inc.

4,900

39

*

Korn/Ferry International

2,550

35

*

ICF International, Inc.

555

10

*

MFRI, Inc.

1,400

10

*

Nortech Systems, Inc.

2,090

9

 

 

Page 11

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

 

Providence and Worcester Railroad Co.

600

8

*

Tecumseh Products Co. Class A

208

4

*

Servotronics Inc.

100

1

 

 

 

1,099,980

Information Technology (23.3%)

 

 

*

Microsemi Corp.

3,113,380

67,685

*

Polycom, Inc.

2,342,445

49,215

*

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

921,404

46,218

*

Mettler-Toledo International Inc.

547,131

41,877

*

Ariba, Inc.

3,517,009

37,632

*

FEI Co.

1,602,502

33,669

 

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

784,550

30,433

^

Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.

1,706,992

29,719

*

VeriFone Holdings, Inc.

2,396,300

27,222

*

ON Semiconductor Corp.

5,071,025

25,913

*

Riverbed Technology, Inc.

1,987,900

24,908

*

Red Hat, Inc.

1,781,313

23,709

*

Verigy Ltd.

1,630,400

23,641

 

Syntel, Inc.

938,337

23,336

*

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

1,935,150

23,067

 

Global Payments Inc.

557,370

22,579

*

PMC Sierra Inc.

4,567,500

21,376

*

TiVo Inc.

3,008,500

20,668

*

Hewitt Associates, Inc.

724,041

20,193

*

Concur Technologies, Inc.

788,412

19,892

*

NICE-Systems Ltd. ADR

879,567

19,667

*

MKS Instruments, Inc.

1,033,350

19,169

*

Netezza Corp.

1,905,600

18,484

*

Blue Coat Systems, Inc.

1,356,224

18,309

 

Intersil Corp.

1,296,600

17,750

*

Progress Software Corp.

759,686

17,427

*

ANSYS, Inc.

601,859

17,231

*

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

5,054,200

16,881

*

Ingram Micro, Inc. Class A

1,248,700

16,645

*

Synopsys, Inc.

904,300

16,531

*

salesforce.com, inc.

525,300

16,263

*

FLIR Systems, Inc.

502,018

16,115

*

Teradyne, Inc.

3,139,942

16,014

*

Cymer, Inc.

630,400

15,426

*

Littelfuse, Inc.

779,750

14,550

 

Amphenol Corp.

498,410

14,279

*

Sapient Corp.

2,588,005

14,208

*

S1 Corp.

2,207,385

13,840

*

Websense, Inc.

679,178

13,258

*

Cogent Inc.

1,428,225

13,054

*

Affiliated Computer Services, Inc. Class A

305,410

12,522

*

SAIC, Inc.

666,100

12,303

*

j2 Global Communications, Inc.

740,144

11,931

*

Avnet, Inc.

705,435

11,809

*

ATMI, Inc.

969,185

11,785

*

NeuStar, Inc. Class A

577,680

11,380

*

CyberSource Corp.

934,800

11,358

*

Solera Holdings, Inc.

456,000

11,350

*

BMC Software, Inc.

430,800

11,123

*

Informatica Corp.

774,264

10,878

 

 


 

*

Power Integrations, Inc.

500,550

10,507

*

HLTH Corp.

1,242,200

10,298

*

Itron, Inc.

210,070

10,184

 

ADTRAN Inc.

661,430

10,054

*

Tessera Technologies, Inc.

581,690

10,052

*

CACI International, Inc.

239,569

9,865

*

Macrovision Solutions Corp.

890,120

9,863

*

VistaPrint Ltd.

569,325

9,718

*

Atmel Corp.

2,326,709

9,656

 

 

Page 12

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

MICROS Systems, Inc.

558,531

9,512

*

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

1,321,900

9,425

*

McAfee Inc.

287,105

9,345

*

Compuware Corp.

1,459,526

9,312

*

Sybase, Inc.

343,902

9,158

*

Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.

452,750

8,883

*

EarthLink, Inc.

1,189,820

8,210

*

ValueClick, Inc.

1,066,665

7,893

 

Marchex, Inc.

1,020,088

7,834

*

Cadence Design Systems, Inc.

1,871,260

7,616

*

Sohu.com Inc.

138,490

7,609

*

Digital River, Inc.

304,170

7,537

 

Diebold, Inc.

251,600

7,478

 

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

607,870

7,209

*

Commvault Systems, Inc.

628,400

6,724

*

Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc.

477,300

6,682

*

Parametric Technology Corp.

514,310

6,681

*

Interwoven Inc.

520,569

6,564

 

Blackbaud, Inc.

429,450

6,528

*

Novell, Inc.

1,388,554

6,471

*

Hittite Microwave Corp.

193,500

6,341

*

Silicon Laboratories Inc.

243,300

6,316

*

Integrated Device Technology Inc.

967,086

6,151

*

LSI Corp.

1,590,147

6,122

*

OpNext, Inc.

1,529,798

6,119

*

EPIQ Systems, Inc.

438,950

5,965

*

Trimble Navigation Ltd.

285,750

5,878

*

VeriSign, Inc.

267,895

5,679

 

National Instruments Corp.

223,000

5,664

*

Harris Stratex Networks, Inc. Class A

850,775

5,641

*

SPSS, Inc.

239,425

5,593

*

Emulex Corp.

556,249

5,284

*

Manhattan Associates, Inc.

311,416

5,235

*

Perot Systems Corp.

356,584

5,131

*

Broadcom Corp.

300,000

5,124

*

Kenexa Corp.

572,759

5,103

*

Brooks Automation, Inc.

737,600

5,053

*

Lawson Software, Inc.

948,428

5,046

*

Quest Software, Inc.

363,958

4,822

*

Stratasys, Inc.

392,000

4,735

*

DTS Inc.

226,774

4,683

*

Acme Packet, Inc.

986,426

4,676

*

DealerTrack Holdings Inc.

435,000

4,668

*,^

Data Domain, Inc.

250,995

4,633

*

Wind River Systems Inc.

523,680

4,577

*

Hutchinson Technology, Inc.

666,850

4,561

*

RF Micro Devices, Inc.

2,231,200

4,440

*

PROS Holdings, Inc.

817,894

4,392

*

Silicon Motion Technology Corp. ADR

1,252,200

4,358

*

DemandTec, Inc.

600,580

4,330

 

Harris Corp.

117,550

4,226

*,^

Netlogic Microsystems Inc.

197,925

4,180

 

Broadridge Financial Solutions LLC

333,200

4,032

*

Metavante Technologies

237,400

3,981

*

Taleo Corp. Class A

287,900

3,973

 

 


 

*

Dolby Laboratories Inc.

124,400

3,927

*

Ulticom, Inc.

676,000

3,870

*

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.

856,810

3,839

*

ADC Telecommunications, Inc.

599,098

3,798

*

Blackboard Inc.

150,160

3,676

 

Xilinx, Inc.

195,000

3,592

*

ManTech International Corp.

65,511

3,534

*

Coherent, Inc.

137,814

3,487

 

MTS Systems Corp.

105,985

3,442

 

 

Page 13

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

 

Jack Henry & Associates Inc.

178,400

3,391

*,^

Renesola Ltd. ADR

532,270

3,343

 

IXYS Corp.

407,764

3,238

*

NetApp, Inc.

238,475

3,227

*

Atheros Communications, Inc.

177,750

3,194

*

Diodes Inc.

317,775

3,140

*

Plexus Corp.

167,400

3,124

*

Wright Express Corp.

221,800

3,036

 

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

356,200

2,996

*

Integral Systems, Inc.

116,406

2,860

*

Ceva, Inc.

326,383

2,774

*

AsiaInfo Holdings, Inc.

240,500

2,643

*

Ultratech, Inc.

174,279

2,628

*

JDA Software Group, Inc.

175,509

2,506

*

Anixter International Inc.

70,500

2,370

*

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

404,746

2,323

*

Ciena Corp.

237,400

2,281

*

Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc.

194,700

2,274

*

NetScout Systems, Inc.

230,805

2,220

*

Vocus, Inc.

129,850

2,185

*

GSI Commerce, Inc.

209,000

2,163

*

Arrow Electronics, Inc.

118,488

2,068

*

Bookham, Inc.

3,784,600

2,044

*

The Hackett Group Inc.

677,142

2,018

*

Western Digital Corp.

121,500

2,005

*

Forrester Research, Inc.

70,600

1,980

*

QLogic Corp.

162,300

1,951

*

SkillSoft PLC

252,400

1,943

*

Lexmark International, Inc.

74,700

1,929

*

Sonic Solutions, Inc.

938,400

1,914

 

United Online, Inc.

251,622

1,862

*

Super Micro Computer Inc.

292,280

1,836

*

CSG Systems International, Inc.

109,445

1,820

*

AuthenTec, Inc.

961,100

1,807

*

Amkor Technology, Inc.

443,422

1,800

*

Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

356,872

1,788

*

Internet Brands Inc.

274,600

1,782

*

TIBCO Software Inc.

344,858

1,776

*,^

UTStarcom, Inc.

691,100

1,645

*

iGATE Corp.

224,899

1,527

*

Radiant Systems, Inc.

252,900

1,333

*

Measurement Specialties, Inc.

119,374

1,275

*

OSI Systems Inc.

108,400

1,247

*

Telecommunication Systems, Inc.

167,506

1,152

*

Vignette Corp.

131,700

1,069

*

Powerwave Technologies, Inc.

1,093,900

1,039

 

Pegasystems Inc.

75,300

985

 

Fair Isaac, Inc.

59,628

930

*

OPNET Technologies, Inc.

72,565

916

*

Akamai Technologies, Inc.

62,700

902

*

Comtech Telecommunications Corp.

18,000

872

*

RightNow Technologies Inc.

132,192

870

*

CPI International, Inc.

87,400

862

*

Harmonic, Inc.

120,000

853

*

Sumtotal Systems Inc.

263,600

846

 

 


 

*

PC Mall, Inc.

188,420

844

*

Veeco Instruments, Inc.

99,627

771

*

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

84,000

759

*

TNS Inc.

50,918

722

*

Silicon Image, Inc.

147,700

675

*

Spreadtrum Communications, Inc.

514,840

654

 

Total System Services, Inc.

47,104

647

*

Insight Enterprises, Inc.

65,799

640

*

Oplink Communications, Inc.

78,256

635

 

 

Page 14

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

*

SeaChange International, Inc.

80,181

613

*,^

Airvana, Inc.

139,300

612

*

Mentor Graphics Corp.

82,300

604

*

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

136,320

588

*

Gerber Scientific, Inc.

122,673

586

*

Standard Microsystem Corp.

32,536

586

*

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc.

26,150

583

*

ScanSource, Inc.

29,200

579

 

MAXIMUS, Inc.

17,949

573

*

Double-Take Software Inc.

73,200

542

*

Tollgrade Communications, Inc.

120,638

531

*

Online Resources Corp.

149,100

522

 

QAD Inc.

96,398

492

 

PC-Tel, Inc.

82,420

484

*

Keynote Systems Inc.

46,519

456

*

Avanex Corp.

122,815

381

 

Cass Information Systems, Inc.

9,100

316

*

Techwell, Inc.

36,000

315

*

Ness Technologies Inc.

37,700

279

*

Cabot Microelectronics Corp.

9,000

259

*

IntriCon Corp.

48,000

252

*

Computer Task Group, Inc.

50,047

250

*

Perceptron, Inc.

58,898

250

*

TechTeam Global, Inc.

42,119

246

*

Semtech Corp.

19,400

235

*

Zygo Corp.

25,706

221

*

Electro Scientific Industries, Inc.

25,826

216

*

Nuance Communications, Inc.

23,500

215

*

Internap Network Services Corp.

75,023

215

*

Internet Gold-Golden Lines Ltd.

39,949

207

*

Tekelec

15,800

200

*

Actel Corp.

15,394

186

*

WebMD Health Corp. Class A

8,100

181

*

F5 Networks, Inc.

6,500

161

*

EMS Technologies, Inc.

7,500

157

*

BigBand Networks Inc.

38,756

143

*

Inx Inc.

24,282

139

*

Equinix, Inc.

2,100

131

*

Semitool, Inc.

19,792

117

*

Data I/O Corp.

34,611

99

*

KVH Industries, Inc.

14,840

87

*

PLX Technology, Inc.

24,081

83

*

Bottomline Technologies, Inc.

10,164

80

*

SonicWALL, Inc.

14,467

65

*

Brocade Communications Systems, Inc.

13,500

51

*

Avocent Corp.

2,168

33

*

Versant Corp.

1,601

26

*

Web.com Group, Inc.

4,495

22

*

Applied Micro Circuits Corp.

1,800

9

*

CommScope, Inc.

400

6

*

Datalink Corp.

1,197

4

*

Logility, Inc.

200

1

 

 

 

1,640,335

Materials (4.1%)

 

 

 

AptarGroup Inc.

1,579,600

47,893

 

 


 

 

Sensient Technologies Corp.

1,273,300

32,125

 

Albemarle Corp.

1,021,170

24,866

 

Hercules, Inc.

1,415,174

23,789

 

Terra Industries, Inc.

808,968

17,789

 

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

273,552

15,527

 

FMC Corp.

307,800

13,402

 

Arch Chemicals, Inc.

444,081

12,599

*

OM Group, Inc.

431,400

9,206

 

Sealed Air Corp.

513,800

8,694

 

 

Page 15

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

 

RPM International, Inc.

471,900

6,701

 

Airgas, Inc.

152,200

5,838

*

LSB Industries, Inc.

702,558

5,775

 

Commercial Metals Co.

518,900

5,760

 

International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc.

172,410

5,496

*

Century Aluminum Co.

424,300

5,333

*

Pactiv Corp.

195,000

4,594

 

Innophos Holdings Inc.

170,396

4,558

 

Nalco Holding Co.

273,712

3,865

 

Greif Inc. Class A

84,200

3,417

 

Compass Minerals International, Inc.

61,700

3,389

 

Ferro Corp.

213,010

3,297

*,^

ShengdaTech Inc.

492,277

2,496

*

Intrepid Potash, Inc.

113,700

2,472

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

178,700

2,130

 

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Class A

78,200

2,106

 

Ball Corp.

59,200

2,025

 

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

25,900

1,663

*

Crown Holdings, Inc.

82,100

1,657

 

Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co.

61,900

1,550

 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

18,400

1,442

 

NewMarket Corp.

32,110

1,210

 

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.

35,955

939

 

AK Steel Holding Corp.

67,000

933

*

Solutia Inc.

87,800

846

*

GenTek, Inc.

25,000

450

 

Worthington Industries, Inc.

36,876

445

 

Innospec, Inc.

48,683

426

*

Universal Stainless & Alloy Products, Inc.

8,400

155

 

Stepan Co.

3,330

119

*

Bway Holding Co.

6,380

48

 

 

 

287,025

Telecommunication Services (0.7%)

 

 

*

American Tower Corp. Class A

434,555

14,041

*

Clearwire Corp.

1,489,600

12,915

 

Partner Communications Company Ltd.

536,300

10,018

 

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

130,400

3,501

*

Syniverse Holdings Inc.

162,237

3,050

 

NTELOS Holdings Corp.

105,900

2,753

*

Centennial Communications Corp. Class A

370,100

1,318

*

Premiere Global Services, Inc.

46,510

463

*

SBA Communications Corp.

16,300

342

 

Consolidated Communications Holdings, Inc.

3,610

37

 

 

 

48,438

Utilities (0.6%)

 

 

 

UGI Corp. Holding Co.

609,900

14,558

 

ITC Holdings Corp.

295,200

11,979

 

Ormat Technologies Inc.

351,000

8,480

 

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

426,000

4,908

 

Sierra Pacific Resources

483,242

4,006

 

CMS Energy Corp.

114,225

1,171

*

El Paso Electric Co.

44,500

824

 

Energen Corp.

9,200

309

 

Southwest Water Co.

1,030

8

 

 

 

46,243

 

 

 

 

Total Common Stocks (Cost $8,676,933)

 

6,615,729

 

 

Page 16

 

 


Vanguard® Explorer Fund

 

 

Schedule of Investments

 

 

October 31, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Market

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Temporary Cash Investments (7.5%)1

 

 

Money Market Fund (6.5%)

 

 

5,6

Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, 2.217%

460,318,555

460,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

($000)

 

Repurchase Agreement (0.6%)

 

 

 

JPMorgan Securities Inc., 0.230%, 11/3/08

 

 

 

(Dated 10/31/08, Repurchase Value $41,901,000, collateralized by Federal National Mortgage Assn.

 

 

 

5.500%, 9/1/35–6/1/38)

41,900

41,900

 

 

 

 

U.S. Government Agency Obligations (0.4%)

 

 

7,8

Federal Home Loan Bank, 2.433%, 11/6/08

18,500

18,497

7,8

Federal Home Loan Bank, 2.576%, 11/24/08

8,000

7,991

7,8

Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp., 1.912%, 2/27/09

500

496

 

 

 

26,984

Total Temporary Cash Investments (Cost $529,196)

 

529,203

Total Investments (101.4%) (Cost $9,206,129)

 

7,144,932

6Other Assets and Liabilities—Net (–1.4%)

 

(95,859)

Net Assets (100%)

 

7,049,073

 

 

 

*  Non-income-producing security.

^  Part of security position is on loan to broker-dealers. The total value of securities on loan is $82,936,000.

1  The fund invests a portion of its cash reserves in equity markets through the use of index futures contracts. After giving effect to futures investments, the fund’s effective common stock and temporary cash investment positions represent 97.6% and 3.8%, respectively, of net assets.

2  Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the issuer is another member of The Vanguard Group.

3  Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.

4  Restricted security represents 0.1% of net assets.

5  Affiliated money market fund available only to Vanguard funds and certain trusts and accounts managed by Vanguard. Rate shown is the 7-day yield.

6  Includes $84,415,000 of collateral received for securities on loan.

7  The issuer operates under a congressional charter; its securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government.

8  Securities with a value of $26,984,000 have been segregated as initial margin for open futures contracts.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt.

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

 

 

 

© 2008 Vanguard Group. Inc.

Page 17

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

 

 

SNA240 122008

 

 


Item 2: Code of Ethics. The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics was amended during the reporting period covered by this report to make certain technical, non-material changes.

 

Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert. The following members of the Audit Committee have been determined by the Registrant’s Board of Trustees to be Audit Committee Financial Experts serving on its Audit Committee, and to be independent: Charles D. Ellis, Rajiv L. Gupta, JoAnn Heffernan Heisen, André F. Perold, Alfred M. Rankin, Jr., and J. Lawrence Wilson.

 

Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) Audit Fees.

Audit Fees of the Registrant

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008: $34,000

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2007: $33,000

Aggregate Audit Fees of Registered Investment Companies in the Vanguard Group.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008: $3,055,590

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2007: $2,835,320

(b)   Audit-Related Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008: $626,240

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2007: $630,400

Includes fees billed in connection with assurance and related services provided to the Registrant, The Vanguard Group, Inc., Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and other registered investment companies in the Vanguard Group.

(c)   Tax Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008: $230,400

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2007: $215,900

Includes fees billed in connection with tax compliance, planning and advice services provided to the Registrant, The Vanguard Group, Inc., Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and other registered investment companies in the Vanguard Group and related to income and excise taxes.

(d)   All Other Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008: $0

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2007: $0

Includes fees billed for services related to risk management and privacy matters. Services were provided to the Registrant, The Vanguard Group, Inc., Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and other registered investment companies in the Vanguard Group.

(e)   (1) Pre-Approval Policies. The policy of the Registrant’s Audit Committee is to consider and, if appropriate, approve before the principal accountant is engaged for such services, all specific audit and non-audit services provided to: (1) the Registrant; (2) The Vanguard Group, Inc.; (3) other entities controlled by The Vanguard Group, Inc. that provide ongoing services to the Registrant; and (4) other registered investment companies in the Vanguard Group. In making a determination, the Audit Committee considers whether the services are consistent with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

In the event of a contingency situation in which the principal accountant is needed to provide services in between scheduled Audit Committee meetings, the Chairman of the Audit Committee would be called on to consider and, if appropriate, pre-approve audit or permitted non-audit

 


services in an amount sufficient to complete services through the next Audit Committee meeting, and to determine if such services would be consistent with maintaining the accountant’s independence. At the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting, services and fees would be presented to the Audit Committee for formal consideration, and, if appropriate, approval by the entire Audit Committee. The Audit Committee would again consider whether such services and fees are consistent with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

The Registrant’s Audit Committee is informed at least annually of all audit and non-audit services provided by the principal accountant to the Vanguard complex, whether such services are provided to: (1) the Registrant; (2) The Vanguard Group, Inc.; (3) other entities controlled by The Vanguard Group, Inc. that provide ongoing services to the Registrant; or (4) other registered investment companies in the Vanguard Group.

(2) No percentage of the principal accountant’s fees or services were approved pursuant to the waiver provision of paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.

(f)   For the most recent fiscal year, over 50% of the hours worked under the principal accountant’s engagement were not performed by persons other than full-time, permanent employees of the principal accountant.

(g)  Aggregate Non-Audit Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2008: $230,400

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2007: $215,900

Includes fees billed for non-audit services provided to the Registrant, The Vanguard Group, Inc., Vanguard Marketing Corporation, and other registered investment companies in the Vanguard Group.

(h)   For the most recent fiscal year, the Audit Committee has determined that the provision of all non-audit services was consistent with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5: Not Applicable.

 

Item 6: Not Applicable.

 

Item 7: Not Applicable.

 

Item 8: Not Applicable.

 

Item 9: Not Applicable.

 

Item 10: Not Applicable.

 

Item 11: Controls and Procedures.

 

(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Principal Executive and Financial Officers concluded that the Registrant's Disclosure Controls and Procedures are effective based on their evaluation of the Disclosure Controls and Procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report.

(b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no significant changes in Registrant’s Internal Control Over Financial Reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect this control subsequent to the date of the evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 


Item 12: Exhibits.

 

(a) Code of Ethics.

(b) Certifications.

 

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

 

 

 

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

 

 

BY:

/s/ F. WILLIAM MCNABB III*

 

F. WILLIAM MCNABB III

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

 

Date: December 16, 2008

 

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

 

 

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

 

 

BY:

/s/ F. WILLIAM MCNABB III*

 

F. WILLIAM MCNABB III

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

 

Date: December 16, 2008

 

 

 

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND

 

 

BY:

/s/ THOMAS J. HIGGINS*

 

THOMAS J. HIGGINS

 

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

 

Date: December 16, 2008

 

* By: /s/ Heidi Stam

 

Heidi Stam, pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed on January 18, 2008, see file Number 2-29601, Incorporated by Reference; and pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed on September 26, 2008, see File Number 2-47371, Incorporated by Reference.