N-CSRS 1 worldfinal.htm WORLD SEMIANNUAL

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: 811-1027

 

Name of Registrant: Vanguard World Funds

 

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: August 31

 

Date of reporting period: September 1, 2007–February 29, 2008

 

Item 1: Reports to Shareholders

 



 

 


>  Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund’s Investor Shares returned –9.8% (Admiral Shares, –9.7%) for the fiscal half-year ended February 29, 2008, declining more than the results for the fund’s comparative standards.

 

>  Large-capitalization growth stocks outperformed their value-oriented counterparts during the challenging six months.

>  Bright spots in the fund included stock picks among health care and industrials holdings. Notable detractors were outsized commitments to information technology and financials, which bore the brunt of the credit crunch and slowing economy.

 

Contents

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

1

Chairman’s Letter

2

Advisors’ Report

7

Fund Profile

10

Performance Summary

12

Financial Statements

13

About Your Fund’s Expenses

24

Trustees Approve Advisory Agreements

26

Glossary

28

 

 

 

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 cover of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.

 

 


 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

 

 

Six Months Ended February 29, 2008

 

 

 

Ticker

Total

 

Symbol

Returns

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund

 

 

Investor Shares

VWUSX

–9.8%

Admiral™ Shares1

VWUAX

–9.7   

Russell 1000 Growth Index

 

–6.6   

Average Large-Cap Growth Fund2

 

–6.0   

 

Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance

August 31, 2007–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions Per Share

 

Starting

Ending

Income

Capital

 

Share Price

Share Price

Dividends

Gains

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$19.44

$17.43

$0.116

$0.000

Admiral Shares

50.42

45.14

0.425

0.000

 

 

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

 



 

Chairman’s Letter

 

Dear Shareholder,

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund’s Investor Shares returned –9.8% for the fiscal six months ended February 29, 2008. Early gains in stocks gave way to losses in all but two of the fund’s sectors. Although tracing the overall trajectory of the benchmark Russell 1000 Growth Index, the fund’s return lagged those of this index and the peer-group average, both also in negative territory. Successful stock selection among health care and certain industrials holdings could not overcome the headwinds from the fund’s significant positions in beleaguered financials and information technology stocks.

U.S. and foreign stocks fell amid recession, subprime concerns

The broad U.S. stock market returned –8.5% for the six months ended February 29, buffeted by tightening global credit markets (a reaction to the subprime-mortgage crisis that began taking hold in midsummer), a weakening U.S. dollar, and fears of a U.S. recession.

Over the six-month period, large-capitalization stocks fared better than small-caps, growth stocks outpaced their value-oriented counterparts, and international stocks again outperformed U.S. stocks. But these performances should be viewed in relative terms: Each stock group posted a negative return.

 

2

 


Mortgage-market fallout roiled both taxable and tax-exempt bonds

As trouble spread from subprime-mortgage-backed securities to other instruments, the credit markets grew treacherous. Investors flocked to higher-quality government and corporate bonds, driving U.S. Treasury bond prices higher.

The broad taxable bond market outpaced stocks, posting a total return of 5.7% for the fiscal half-year as lower interest rates depressed yields and pushed up prices. By contrast, tax-exempt municipal bonds returned –0.6% as fixed income investors pulled back from all but the highest-quality, most liquid securities—preferably

Treasuries. This, combined with concerns about the financial strength of the insurers backing the highest-quality municipal bonds, pushed municipal yields above those of Treasuries, a historically unusual relationship.

The Federal Reserve Board responded to the credit-market turmoil and deteriorating economic outlook with aggressive reductions in its target for the federal funds rate. The Fed began a series of five rate cuts early in the fiscal half-year, ending with two cuts in January. The target rate stood at 3.0% at the end of the period, the lowest level since June 2005, and investors anticipated more rate cuts.

 

Market Barometer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Returns

 

Periods Ended February 29, 2008

 

Six Months

One Year

Five Years1

Stocks

 

 

 

Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps)

–8.4%

–3.8%

12.2%

Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps)

–12.9   

–12.4   

15.1   

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market)

–8.5   

–4.1   

12.9   

MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International)

–1.5   

7.8   

24.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

 

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

5.7%

7.3%

4.5%

Lehman Municipal Bond Index

–0.6   

–1.2   

3.4   

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

1.9   

4.4   

3.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPI

 

 

 

Consumer Price Index

1.8%

4.0%

2.9%

 

 

1  Annualized.

 

3

 


Concentrated portfolio lagged in a tough market

Investors’ enthusiastic pursuit of growth equities began to cool during the six months as concerns about the slowing U.S. economy fanned fears of recession. Growth stocks retained the lead over their value-oriented counterparts as markets retreated, but weakness was widespread. The U.S. Growth Fund struggled in this tough environment. In their quest for high-quality, large-cap companies with above-average earnings-growth potential, the fund’s advisors—AllianceBernstein L.P. and William Blair & Company, L.L.C.—held significant positions in some of the market’s hardest-hit segments. Within a relatively concentrated portfolio of only 70 to 80 stocks, the performance of just a few stragglers can have an outsized impact on fund returns.

Most of the fund’s performance shortfall came from its information technology and financials holdings—sectors that represented more than 43%, on average, of the portfolio and were also among the market’s poorest performers. Tech stocks—which accounted for almost one-third of portfolio assets—trimmed 6 percentage points from the fund’s total return. Leading detractors included top-ten holding Cisco Systems, which lowered its near-term outlook for sales of telecom networking equipment; NVIDIA, which reported weaker profit margins on visual computing technologies; and Broadcom, where higher costs eroded semiconductor profits. Concerns about sluggish consumer and business spending also erased sizable early gains by top-ten holdings Apple and Google.

 

Annualized Expense Ratios1

 

 

 

Your Fund Compared With Its Peer Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Investor

Admiral

Large-Cap

 

Shares

Shares

Growth Fund

U.S. Growth Fund

0.46%

0.24%

1.36%

 

1  Fund expense ratios reflect the six months ended February 29, 2008. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2007.

 

4

 


Among financials, the advisors’ above-benchmark weightings in about a dozen stocks compounded the broad-based challenges posed by asset write-downs and other issues related to subprime-mortgage defaults. Disappointments in this beleaguered sector included multiline insurer American International Group (AIG), asset manager Franklin Resources, and real estate manager and developer CB Richard Ellis Group.

In contrast, health care was a bright spot, providing a tonic in the form of positive absolute and relative returns. Leading contributors included three of the fund’s top-ten holdings: Gilead Sciences enjoyed success with its HIV treatment; eye care company Alcon raised earnings expectations; and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries benefited from strong demand for generic drugs. Materials, the other sector with a positive return, represented only a very small slice of the portfolio.

Within industrials, even though the sector lost ground, beneficial stock picking moderated some of the downdraft relative to the benchmark. Deere & Company, which benefited from increased demand for farm equipment as agricultural prices soared, was a notable contributor.

For more details about the fund’s positioning and performance during the period, please see the Advisors’ Report, which begins on page 7.

Balance and diversification can be long-term guideposts

The sharp decline in equities over the last six months tested the nerves and resolve of many investors. It can be tempting to run for shelter when clouds appear on the horizon, but rash decisions rarely contribute to long-term investment success. Instead, Vanguard encourages investors to remain focused on these bedrock principles: Invest with a long-term view, diversify within and across primary asset classes, and pay attention to costs.

Investors should keep in mind that the U.S. Growth Fund typically holds a relatively small number of the stocks in its large-cap growth universe. Whether growth stocks are in or out of favor, the fund’s more concentrated nature can result in greater variability of returns on both the downside and the upside. That’s why we encourage you to consider this fund as part of a balanced portfolio diversified across investment styles and asset classes—including stocks, bonds, and short-term reserves to provide some cushion during downswings—consistent with your risk tolerance and long-term goals.

 

5

 


As I close this report to you, it’s my pleasure to introduce the fund’s new president, F. William McNabb III. Bill is a man of great character and integrity who is intimately familiar with all aspects of Vanguard—from how we serve our clients to how we invest for our clients.

 

Bill and I have worked together very closely for more than two decades. I’m thrilled that the fund’s board elected him president, effective March 1, and designated him as my successor as chief executive officer, a role he will assume within a year, after an orderly transition. Bill and the rest of our team will serve you and our other clients extremely well in the years ahead.

Thank you for entrusting your assets to Vanguard.

Sincerely,

 


 

John J. Brennan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

March 13, 2008

 

6

 


Advisors’ Report

During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the Investor Shares of Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund returned –9.8% and the lower-cost Admiral Shares returned –9.7%. This performance reflects the combined efforts of your fund’s two independent advisors. The use of multiple advisors provides exposure to distinct, yet complementary, investment approaches, enhancing the fund’s diversification.

The advisors, the amount and percentage of fund assets each manages, and brief descriptions of their investment strategies are presented in the table below. Each advisor has also prepared a discussion of the investment environment and of how the portfolio’s positioning reflects this assessment. These reports were prepared on March 12, 2008.

 

AllianceBernstein L.P.

Portfolio Manager:

Alan Levi, Senior Vice President

Equity markets were volatile during the six months ended February 29, 2008, as credit market turmoil intensified, U.S. economic prospects deteriorated, and the outlook became uncertain. The U.S. Growth Fund’s performance for the fiscal half-year reflected weakness in technology and financials holdings and—to a lesser extent—energy, partly offset by favorable performance of health care and industrials holdings.

 

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund Investment Advisors

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fund Assets Managed

 

Investment Advisor

%

$ Million

Investment Strategy

AllianceBernstein L.P.

67

3,277

Uses a fundamentally based, research-driven approach

 

 

 

to large-capitalization growth investing. The advisor

 

 

 

seeks to build a diversified portfolio of successful,

 

 

 

well-managed companies with sustainable competitive

 

 

 

advantages and superior prospects for growth not fully

 

 

 

reflected in relative valuation.

William Blair & Company, L.L.C.

30

1,455

Uses a fundamental investment approach in pursuit of

 

 

 

superior long-term investment results from growth-

 

 

 

oriented companies with leadership positions and

 

 

 

strong market presence.

Cash Investments1

3

154

 

1  These short-term reserves are invested by Vanguard in equity index products to simulate investment in stocks. Each advisor may also maintain a modest cash position.

 

7

 


Ongoing revelations since last summer regarding the extent of losses associated with mortgage-backed securities and related structured-debt markets led to a dramatic and self-reinforcing risk-aversion on the part of financial intermediaries and investors. This has been evident in deteriorating confidence, persistently weak housing markets, and decelerating personal consumption. In response, monetary policy became increasingly accommodative and, in early February, the U.S. Congress enacted a substantial ($152 billion for 2008) fiscal stimulus program.

In contrast to the U.S. economy’s moderating growth, many overseas economies expanded. The combination of slowing domestic consumption, strong overseas growth, and a weak U.S. dollar led to robust and accelerating U.S. export growth, which offset residential housing’s drag on gross domestic product (GDP) growth. This benefited a number of the fund’s holdings, given our focus on companies with leading industry positions, many of which enjoy strong and increasing global presence.

The current debate over whether the U.S. economy will suffer an overall recession seems somewhat academic, as recessionlike conditions are already manifest in much of the consumer economy. The more relevant issues are the prospects for near-term stabilization of confidence in credit markets and financial intermediaries; employment growth; and the potential for overseas economic growth and export demand to continue to stimulate the U.S. economy.

 

Although we are encouraged by the recent shift in monetary policy, we expect the U.S. economy to experience a period of subpar growth in domestic consumption and corporate profits, along with the risks typically associated with cyclical slowdowns. Historically, such periods have led to premium valuations for well-endowed companies with a leading global market presence, sustainable competitive advantages, and unambiguous capital strength. Identifying and investing in such companies, when they are reasonably valued, remains our overarching strategy in positioning the portfolio. We have moderated our exposure to cyclical growth companies in favor of fundamental sustainability, reducing holdings of technology and industrials stocks and increasing more stable growth positions, particularly within health care.

Volatile, tumultuous market environments test investors’ ability to maintain an objective, longer-term perspective. Although we recognize that many companies may be hard-pressed to fully sustain recent growth, we are encouraged by the continued favorable fundamentals exhibited by many of our leading holdings. For example, our 25 largest holdings reported year-over-year earnings growth that, overall, averaged 40% (30% excluding two outliers). We continue to expect that relative fundamental success—in particular, earnings growth, rising consensus earnings estimates, and demonstrated capital strength—will become a more pronounced determinant of relative investment performance than has been the case in recent years.

William Blair & Company, L.L.C.

Portfolio Manager:

John F. Jostrand, CFA, Principal

Over the last six months, U.S. stock markets declined in the face of continued economic uncertainty, rising unemployment, and the slowing GDP growth rate (from 4.9% in third-quarter 2007 to a preliminary estimate of 0.6% in the fourth quarter). Investors also focused on the health of consumers and financial firms, which experienced rising mortgage defaults and credit-card and consumer-loan losses.

In this environment, growth stocks outperformed value stocks, and larger-capitalization stocks held up better than smaller ones. In the Russell 1000 Growth Index, tech stocks were the largest detractor from performance, as a result of downward earnings revisions for 2008. The index’s strongest sector contributor was energy, as oil demand remained high and the price per barrel topped $100.

 

8

 


 

The portfolio benefited from favorable stock selection in health care, where our biotech and health care equipment and supply companies fared best on better-than-expected earnings results. Good selection among energy stocks, particularly exploration and production companies, also assisted performance. The weakest portfolio groups were technology—owing to stock picks in software and IT services—and consumer staples, where stock picking and our underweighted position in this relatively stronger market sector hurt results.

In calendar-year 2008, we believe economic growth will be weak in the first half but will begin to strengthen by year-end. Through continued strong export growth, Federal Reserve actions, and the recent economic stimulus package, the economy should continue to move forward, albeit at a slower growth rate. We will continue to monitor employment and inflation readings. A significant increase in the unemployment rate could darken the economic outlook, while rising inflationary expectations could limit the Fed’s response to slowing growth.

As the economy slows, higher-quality growth companies should continue to differentiate themselves. Regardless of the macro issues facing the market, we continue to find excellent stocks that offer growth opportunities—especially in technology, selected health care, industrials, and energy stocks. Given the headwinds facing the consumer, we remain cautious on consumer spending. We also expect that financial services companies will continue to face problems. We believe that as overall earnings growth decelerates, investors will pay more attention to earnings multiples and will reward stocks that exhibit longer and more sustainable earnings trends.

 

9

 


Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Comparative

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

77

688

4,818

Median Market Cap

$38.0B

$36.4B

$33.9B

Price/Earnings Ratio

21.6x

18.3x

16.8x

Price/Book Ratio

4.0x

3.8x

2.4x

Yield3

 

1.3%

2.0%

Investor Shares

0.7%

 

 

Admiral Shares

0.8%

 

 

Return on Equity

22.7%

22.3%

19.6%

Earnings Growth Rate

23.2%

20.8%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

10.6%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

82.5%4

Expense Ratio

 

Investor Shares

0.46%4

 

 

Admiral Shares

0.24%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

1.8%

 

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Comparative

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Consumer Discretionary

5.5%

11.4%

9.4%

Consumer Staples

6.5   

10.8   

9.3   

Energy

7.6   

9.3   

13.0   

Financials

7.9   

6.6   

18.1   

Health Care

24.9   

16.2   

12.2   

Industrials

14.3   

13.3   

11.9   

Information Technology

29.9   

26.5   

15.3   

Materials

3.2   

3.8   

4.1   

Telecommunication

 

 

 

Services

0.1   

0.7   

2.9   

Utilities

0.1   

1.4   

3.8   

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Comparative Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

0.90

0.82

Beta

1.12

1.14

 

 

10

 


Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

 

Danaher Corp.

industrial machinery

3.7%

Google Inc.

Internet software

 

 

and services

3.6   

Schlumberger Ltd.

oil and gas equipment

 

 

and services

3.4   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

communications

 

 

equipment

3.4   

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

biotechnology

3.1   

Teva Pharmaceutical

 

 

Industries Ltd.

 

 

Sponsored ADR

pharmaceuticals

3.1   

Apple Inc.

computer hardware

3.0   

Alcon, Inc.

health care supplies

2.6   

Procter & Gamble Co.

household products

2.4   

PepsiCo, Inc.

soft drinks

2.3   

Top Ten

 

30.6%

 

 

Investment Focus

 


 

1  Russell 1000 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 on page 28.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 28.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

11

 


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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%) August 31, 1997—February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns for Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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 Shares2

1/6/1959

10.15%

10.95%

0.08%

Admiral Shares

8/13/2001

10.39   

11.20   

1.063   

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

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

3  Since inception.

Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 19 and 20 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

12

 


Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (95.5%)1

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (5.2%)

 

 

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.

1,455,365

47,823

 

NIKE, Inc. Class B

777,810

46,824

*

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

1,662,400

45,849

*

Coach, Inc.

1,488,530

45,132

 

International Game

 

 

 

Technology

578,193

26,105

 

Omnicom Group Inc.

463,570

20,708

*

Kohl's Corp.

448,063

19,912

 

 

 

252,353

Consumer Staples (6.2%)

 

 

 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

1,762,120

116,617

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

1,610,810

112,048

 

The Coca-Cola Co.

840,650

49,144

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico

 

 

 

SA de Cv

634,370

22,869

 

 

 

300,678

Energy (7.1%)

 

 

 

Schlumberger Ltd.

1,939,330

167,655

*

Cameron International Corp.

2,046,440

86,933

 

Apache Corp.

569,810

65,363

 

Suncor Energy, Inc.

274,830

28,362

 

 

 

348,313

Financials (7.3%)

 

 

 

CME Group, Inc.

152,895

78,481

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

1,930,510

78,475

 

Charles Schwab Corp.

3,616,635

70,922

 

American International

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

905,979

42,454

 

The Goldman Sachs

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

239,545

40,634

 

Lehman Brothers

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

527,950

26,920

*

IntercontinentalExchange Inc.

127,760

16,647

 

 

 

354,533

 

 

13

 


 

Health Care (24.2%)

 

 

 

Biotechnology (6.6%)

 

 

*

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

3,243,930

153,503

*

Genentech, Inc.

1,333,325

100,999

*

Celgene Corp.

1,192,260

67,208

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (6.9%)

 

Alcon, Inc.

869,640

125,863

*

Hologic, Inc.

1,179,800

71,154

 

Becton, Dickinson & Co.

512,010

46,296

 

C.R. Bard, Inc.

479,940

45,494

 

Stryker Corp.

434,865

28,314

*

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

454,930

19,553

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services (3.5%)

 

*

Medco Health

 

 

 

Solutions, Inc.

2,036,900

90,255

*

WellPoint Inc.

687,972

48,213

 

Aetna Inc.

662,440

32,857

 

 

 

 

 

Life Science Tools & Services (0.6%)

 

*

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

571,020

31,937

 

 

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals (6.6%)

 

 

 

Teva Pharmaceutical

 

 

 

Industries Ltd.

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

3,068,760

150,584

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

1,436,120

63,620

 

Abbott Laboratories

1,157,020

61,958

 

Allergan, Inc.

754,925

44,714

 

 

1,182,522

Industrials (13.7%)

 

 

 

Danaher Corp.

2,423,971

179,737

 

Emerson Electric Co.

1,693,570

86,304

 

Fluor Corp.

534,500

74,429

 

Deere & Co.

851,990

72,598

 

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

902,780

53,174

 

ABB Ltd. ADR

1,568,730

39,281

 

Honeywell International Inc.

635,120

36,545

 

United Technologies Corp.

496,850

35,033

 

Fastenal Co.

709,950

28,867

 

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

460,690

25,204

 

Expeditors International of

 

 

 

Washington, Inc.

526,720

20,711

 

Roper Industries Inc.

330,950

18,666

 

 

 

670,549

Information Technology (28.8%)

 

 

Communications Equipment (10.0%)

 

*

Cisco Systems, Inc.

6,791,423

165,507

*

Research In Motion Ltd.

1,033,870

107,316

 

QUALCOMM Inc.

1,990,425

84,334

*

Juniper Networks, Inc.

1,972,610

52,905

 

Nokia Corp. ADR

1,272,960

45,839

 

Corning, Inc.

1,469,715

34,142

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

 


 

 

Computers & Peripherals (4.8%)

 

 

*

Apple Inc.

1,161,886

145,259

 

*

EMC Corp.

3,949,330

61,373

 

 

Hewlett-Packard Co.

532,010

25,414

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment & Instruments (0.8%)

 

Amphenol Corp.

1,107,140

40,931

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (4.8%)

 

 

*

Google Inc.

369,185

173,953

 

*

eBay Inc.

1,271,100

33,506

 

*

VeriSign, Inc.

796,540

27,720

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IT Services (1.6%)

 

 

 

*

Fiserv, Inc.

599,195

31,530

 

 

Paychex, Inc.

975,981

30,704

 

*

Iron Mountain, Inc.

589,660

17,737

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment (3.4%)

*

MEMC Electronic

 

 

 

 

Materials, Inc.

841,860

64,217

 

 

Intel Corp.

2,522,810

50,330

 

*

NVIDIA Corp.

2,270,805

48,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software (3.4%)

 

 

 

*

Adobe Systems, Inc.

2,907,735

97,845

 

*

salesforce.com, inc.

504,700

30,141

 

*

Autodesk, Inc.

698,990

21,732

 

*^VMware Inc.

286,000

16,780

 

 

 

 

1,407,788

 

Materials (3.0%)

 

 

 

 

Praxair, Inc.

795,840

63,890

 

 

Monsanto Co.

448,620

51,896

 

 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

353,100

32,249

 

 

 

 

148,035

 

Exchange-Traded Fund (0.0%)

 

 

 

2

Vanguard Growth ETF

3,100

182

 

Total Common Stocks

 

 

 

(Cost $4,489,209)

 

4,664,953

 

Temporary Cash Investments (5.2%)1

 

 

Money Market Fund (4.9%)

 

 

 

3

Vanguard Market Liquidity

 

 

 

 

Fund, 3.522%

220,891,833

220,892

 

3

Vanguard Market Liquidity

 

 

 

 

Fund, 3.522%—Note G

16,845,400

16,845

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Face

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

 

 

($000)

 

 

U.S. Agency Obligation (0.3%)

 

 

 

4

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

 

5

2.693%, 5/7/08

18,000

17,913

 

 

 

15

 


 

Total Temporary Cash Investments

 

(Cost $255,647)

 

255,650

Total Investments (100.7%)

 

 

(Cost $4,744,856)

 

4,920,603

Other Assets and Liabilities (–0.7%)

 

Other Assets—Note C

 

41,405

Liabilities—Note G

 

(75,701)

 

 

 

(34,296)

Net Assets (100%)

 

4,886,307

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:6

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

10,901,725

Overdistributed Net Investment Income

(12,615)

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(6,169,944)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Investment Securities

175,747

Futures Contracts

(8,606)

Net Assets

4,886,307

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 213,776,901 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

3,726,051

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Investor Shares

$17.43

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 25,700,807 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

1,160,256

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$45.14

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

^  Part of security position is on loan to broker-dealers. See Note G in Notes to Financial Statements.

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 98.6% and 2.1%, respectively, of net assets. See Note E in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

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

4  The issuer operates under a congressional charter; its securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government. If needed, access to additional funding from the U.S. Treasury (beyond the issuer’s line of credit) would require congressional action.

5  Securities with a value of $17,913,000 have been segregated as initial margin for open futures contracts.

6  See Note E in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt.

 

16

 


Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends1

17,833

Interest1

5,792

Security Lending

24

Total Income

23,649

Expenses

 

Investment Advisory Fees—Note B

 

Basic Fee

4,148

Performance Adjustment

(767)

The Vanguard Group—Note C

 

Management and Administrative—Investor Shares

6,612

Management and Administrative—Admiral Shares

616

Marketing and Distribution—Investor Shares

402

Marketing and Distribution—Admiral Shares

115

Custodian Fees

20

Shareholders’ Reports—Investor Shares

52

Shareholders’ Reports—Admiral Shares

14

Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

4

Total Expenses

11,216

Expenses Paid Indirectly—Note D

(161)

Net Expenses

11,055

Net Investment Income

12,594

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

 

Investment Securities Sold1

119,673

Futures Contracts

(14,989)

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

104,684

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Investment Securities

(638,020)

Futures Contracts

(6,040)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(644,060)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(526,782)

 

1  Dividend income, interest income, and realized net gain (loss) from affiliated companies of the fund were $1,000, $5,389,000, and $0, respectively.

 

17

 


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

February 29,

August 31,

 

2008

2007

 

($000)

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

Operations

 

 

Net Investment Income

12,594

38,382

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

104,684

607,592

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(644,060)

150,227

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(526,782)

796,201

Distributions

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

Investor Shares

(25,052)

(21,929)

Admiral Shares

(11,166)

(9,238)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

Investor Shares

Admiral Shares

Total Distributions

(36,218)

(31,167)

Capital Share Transactions—Note H

 

 

Investor Shares

(155,747)

(818,275)

Admiral Shares

(28,207)

(105,323)

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

(183,954)

(923,598)

Total Increase (Decrease)

(746,954)

(158,564)

Net Assets

 

 

Beginning of Period

5,633,261

5,791,825

End of Period1

4,886,307

5,633,261

 

1  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income of ($12,615,000) and $11,009,000.

 

18

 


Financial Highlights

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$19.44

$17.06

$16.77

$14.39

$14.00

$12.92

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.039

.113

.059

.0401

.028

.040

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(1.933)

2.354

.266

2.385

.409

1.082

Total from Investment Operations

(1.894)

2.467

.325

2.425

.437

1.122

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.116)

(.087)

(.035)

(.045)

(.047)

(.042)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.116)

(.087)

(.035)

(.045)

(.047)

(.042)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$17.43

$19.44

$17.06

$16.77

$14.39

$14.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return2

–9.82%

14.50%

1.93%

16.86%

3.11%

8.73%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$3,726

$4,308

$4,530

$4,848

$5,503

$5,892

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets3

0.46%*

0.50%

0.58%

0.55%

0.53%

0.55%

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.40%*

0.60%

0.34%

0.30%1

0.19%

0.32%

Portfolio Turnover Rate

83%*

51%

48%

38%

71%

47%

 

1  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.017 and 0.11%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Microsoft Corp. in November 2004.

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

3  Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of (0.03%), (0.01%), 0.02%, (0.02%), (0.03%), and (0.02%).

*  Annualized.

 

19

 


Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$50.42

$44.24

$43.47

$37.29

$36.28

$33.46

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.158

.416

.271

.2261

.147

.164

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(5.013)

6.107

.677

6.163

1.052

2.811

Total from Investment Operations

(4.855)

6.523

.948

6.389

1.199

2.975

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.425)

(.343)

(.178)

(.209)

(.189)

(.155)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.425)

(.343)

(.178)

(.209)

(.189)

(.155)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$45.14

$50.42

$44.24

$43.47

$37.29

$36.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–9.74%

14.80%

2.16%

17.16%

3.29%

8.95%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$1,160

$1,325

$1,262

$1,012

$824

$1,071

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets2

0.24%*

0.27%

0.34%

0.32%

0.32%

0.37%

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.62%*

0.83%

0.58%

0.53%1

0.40%

0.50%

Portfolio Turnover Rate

83%*

51%

48%

38%

71%

47%

 

 

1  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.045 and 0.11%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Microsoft Corp. in November 2004.

2  Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of (0.03%), (0.01%), 0.02%, (0.02%), (0.03%), and (0.02%).

*  Annualized.

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

 

20

 


Notes to Financial Statements

Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. 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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. 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. 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 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).

3. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

5. 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.

 

21

 


6. 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. AllianceBernstein L.P. and William Blair & Company, L.L.C., each provide investment advisory services to a portion of the fund for a fee calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets managed by the advisor. The basic fee for AllianceBernstein L.P. is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to the Russell 1000 Growth Index. The basic fee for William Blair & Company, L.L.C., is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance since June 1, 2004, relative to the Russell 1000 Growth Index.

The Vanguard Group manages the cash reserves of the portfolio on an at-cost basis.

For the six months ended February 29, 2008, the aggregate investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.15% of the fund’s average net assets before a decrease of $767,000 (0.03%) 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $429,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.43% 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 six months ended February 29, 2008, these arrangements reduced the fund’s management and administrative expenses by $158,000 and custodian fees by $3,000.

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.

 

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $6,272,500,000 to offset future net capital gains of $2,713,026,000 through August 31, 2010, $2,548,333,000 through August 31, 2011, $887,490,000 through August 31, 2012, and $123,651,000 through August 31, 2013. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $4,744,856,000. Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $175,747,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $484,499,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $308,752,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

 

22

 


 

At February 29, 2008, the aggregate settlement value of open futures contracts expiring through June 2008 and the related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were:

 

 

 

 

($000)

 

 

Aggregate

Unrealized

 

Number of

Settlement

Appreciation

Futures Contracts

Long Contracts

Value

(Depreciation)

S&P 500 Index

181

60,258

(5,294)

E-mini S&P 500 Index

730

48,592

(260)

S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index

79

31,181

(2,416)

E-mini S&P Mid-Cap 400 Index

145

11,446

(636)

 

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

F. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $2,192,816,000 of investment securities and sold $2,456,895,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.

G. The market value of securities on loan to broker-dealers at February 29, 2008, was $15,941,000, for which the fund received cash collateral of $16,845,000.

 

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

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

311,623

16,339

 

407,021

21,765

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

24,562

1,226

 

21,402

1,180

Redeemed

(491,932)

(25,381)

 

(1,246,698)

(66,948)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares

(155,747)

(7,816)

 

(818,275)

(44,003)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

129,313

2,567

 

232,243

4,793

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

10,509

203

 

8,540

182

Redeemed

(168,029)

(3,354)

 

(346,106)

(7,213)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

(28,207)

(584)

 

(105,323)

(2,238)

 

 

23

 


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 table below 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 February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Ending

Expenses

 

Account Value

Account Value

Paid During

U.S. Growth Fund

8/31/2007

2/29/2008

Period1

Based on Actual Fund Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$901.80

$2.18

Admiral Shares

1,000.00

902.60

1.14

Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$1,022.85

$2.31

Admiral Shares

1,000.00

1,023.94

1.21

 

 

 

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 0.24% 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.

 

24

 


 

 

Note that the expenses shown in the table on page 23 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.

 

25

 


Trustees Approve Advisory Agreements

The board of trustees of Vanguard U.S. Growth Fund has renewed the fund’s investment advisory agreements with AllianceBernstein L.P. and William Blair & Company, L.L.C. The board determined that the retention of these advisors was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

The board based its decision upon an evaluation of each advisor’s investment staff, portfolio management process, and performance. The trustees considered the factors discussed below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether the board approved the agreements. Rather, it was the totality of the circumstances that drove the board’s decision.

Nature, extent, and quality of services

The board considered the quality of the fund’s investment management over both the short and long term and took into account the organizational depth and stability of each firm. The board noted the following:

AllianceBernstein. Founded in 1971, AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm. The investment team at AllianceBernstein uses a fundamental, research-driven approach to large-cap growth investing. At the core of the team’s process is the belief that stock prices ultimately reflect the fundamental success and growth, or lack thereof, of underlying securities. Accordingly, the investment team believes that the best approach to achieving long-term investment success is through ownership of a diversified portfolio of successful companies with strong business franchises; sustainable, competitive advantages; and superior prospective growth not fully discounted in relative valuation. The approach is company specific and “bottom-up,” reflecting the fundamental judgment of the firm’s research analysts. AllianceBernstein has managed a portion of the fund since 2001.

William Blair & Co. William Blair is an independently owned full-service investment firm. William Blair, founded in 1935, has advised a portion of the fund since 2004. The firm utilizes an investment process that relies on in-depth fundamental analysis. Based on this process, the advisor invests in companies that it believes are high quality and have sustainable, above-average growth. In selecting stocks, the advisor considers whether the company occupies a leadership position within the market it serves, the quality of the company’s products or services, the company’s return on equity, its accounting policies, and the quality of the management team.

The board concluded that each advisor’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of the advisory agreements.

Investment performance

The board considered the short- and long-term performance of the fund, including any periods of outperformance or underperformance of a relevant benchmark and peer group. The board concluded that the advisors have carried out the fund’s investment strategy in a disciplined fashion and that the results have been within competitive norms. Information about the fund’s most recent performance can be found in the Performance Summary section of this report.

Cost

The board concluded that the fund’s expense ratio was far below the average expense ratio charged by funds in its peer group. The board noted that the fund’s advisory fees were also well below those of the peer-group average. Information about the fund’s expense ratio appears in the About Your Fund’s Expenses section of this report as well as in the Financial Statements section, which also includes information about the advisory fee rate. The board did not consider the profitability of AllianceBernstein or William Blair in determining whether to approve the advisory fees, because both firms are independent of Vanguard, and the advisory fees are the result of arm’s-length negotiations.

 

26

 


The benefit of economies of scale

The board concluded that the fund’s shareholders benefit from economies of scale because of breakpoints in the fund’s advisory fee schedules. The breakpoints reduce the effective rate of the fee as the fund’s assets increase.

The advisory agreements will continue for one year and are then renewable by the fund’s board for successive one-year periods.

 

27

 


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 below). 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.

 

28

 


 

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.

 

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.

 

29

 


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, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee

 

 

John J. Brennan1

 

Born 1954

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive

Trustee since May 1987;

Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each of the investment

Chairman of the Board and

companies served by The Vanguard Group; Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation.

Chief Executive Officer

 

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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.;

Treasurer since July 1998

Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group.

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

 

 

F. William McNabb III

 

Born 1957

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,

President since March 2008

and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since 2008;

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The Vanguard 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

152 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

George U. Sauter

Mortimer J. Buckley

Paul A. Heller

Ralph K. Packard

 

 

Founder

 

John C. Bogle

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996

 

1  Officers of the funds 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

Vanguard, Admiral, Connect with Vanguard, and the ship

 

logo are trademarks of The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739

 

 

All other marks are the exclusive property of their

Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036

respective owners.

 

 

Text Telephone for People

 

 

All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper Inc.

With Hearing Impairment > 800-952-3335

or Morningstar, Inc., unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

This material may be used in conjunction

and searching for “proxy voting guidelines,” or by

with the offering of shares of any Vanguard

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

fund only if preceded or accompanied by

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

the fund’s current prospectus.

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.

 

 

 

You can review and copy information about your fund

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange

 

Commission, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

Q232 042008

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


>  The Investor Shares of Vanguard International Growth Fund returned –2.8% during the fiscal half-year ended February 29, 2008. The Admiral Shares returned –2.7%.

>  The fund performed a bit better than its benchmark index and the average return of its peer funds.

>  The fund benefited from its holdings in emerging markets, where strong gains partly offset weakness in developed markets.

See page 30 for a Notice to Shareholders concerning the fund’s investment advisors.

 

 

Contents

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

1

Chairman’s Letter

2

Advisors’ Report

7

Fund Profile

11

Performance Summary

14

Financial Statements

15

Notice to Shareholders

30

About Your Fund’s Expenses

33

Trustees Approve Advisory Agreements

35

Glossary

36

 

 

 

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 cover of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.

 

 


Your Fund’s Total Returns

 

Six Months Ended February 29, 2008

 

 

 

Ticker

Total

 

Symbol

Returns

Vanguard International Growth Fund

 

 

Investor Shares

VWIGX

–2.8%

Admiral™ Shares1

VWILX

–2.7   

MSCI EAFE Index

 

–4.7   

Average International Fund2

 

–4.6   

 

Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance

August 31, 2007–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

Distributions Per Share

 

Starting

Ending

Income

Capital

 

Share Price

Share Price

Dividends

Gains

Vanguard International Growth Fund

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$26.13

$22.79

$0.528

$2.214

Admiral Shares

83.26

72.54

1.845

7.045

 

 

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

 



 

Chairman’s Letter

 

Dear Shareholder,

The Investor Shares of Vanguard International Growth Fund returned –2.8% for the fiscal half-year as most markets in Europe and Asia retreated modestly after strong gains in recent years. The Admiral Shares returned –2.7% for the period.

In contrast to weakness in the United States and most other developed markets around the world, many less-developed markets enjoyed robust growth. Your fund’s investments in these fast-growing countries, along with careful stock selection in key industries, helped cushion the losses experienced in most international markets. The fund’s return, while negative, was better than both the average return for its peer funds and the return of its market benchmark, the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East (MSCI EAFE) Index, which does not include emerging markets.

U.S. and foreign stocks fell amid recession, subprime concerns

The broad U.S. stock market returned –8.5% for the six months ended February 29, buffeted by tightening global credit markets (a reaction to the subprime-mortgage crisis that began taking hold in midsummer), a weakening U.S. dollar, and fears of a U.S. recession.

Over the six-month period, large-capitalization stocks fared better than small-caps, growth stocks outpaced their value-oriented counterparts, and international stocks again outperformed U.S. stocks. But these performances should be viewed in relative terms: Each stock group posted a negative return.

 

2

 


Mortgage-market fallout roiled both taxable and tax-exempt bonds

As trouble spread from subprime-mortgage-backed securities to other instruments, the credit markets grew treacherous. Investors flocked to higher-quality government and corporate bonds, driving U.S. Treasury bond prices higher.

The broad taxable bond market outpaced stocks, posting a total return of 5.7% for the fiscal half-year as lower interest rates depressed yields and pushed up prices. By contrast, tax-exempt municipal bonds returned –0.6% as fixed income investors pulled back from all but the highest-quality, most liquid securities—preferably Treasuries. This, combined with concerns about the financial strength of the insurers backing the highest-quality municipal bonds, pushed municipal yields above those of Treasuries, a historically unusual relationship.

The Federal Reserve Board responded to the credit-market turmoil and deteriorating economic outlook with aggressive reductions in its target for the federal funds rate. The Fed began a series of five rate cuts early in the fiscal half-year, ending with two cuts in January. The target rate stood at 3.0% at the end of the period, the lowest level since June 2005, and investors anticipated more rate cuts.

 

Market Barometer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Returns

 

Periods Ended February 29, 2008

 

Six Months

One Year

Five Years1

Stocks

 

 

 

MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International)

–1.5%

7.8%

24.1%

Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps)

–8.4   

–3.8   

12.2   

Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps)

–12.9   

–12.4   

15.1   

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market)

–8.5   

–4.1   

12.9   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

 

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

5.7%

7.3%

4.5%

Lehman Municipal Bond Index

–0.6   

–1.2   

3.4   

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

1.9   

4.4   

3.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPI

 

 

 

Consumer Price Index

1.8%

4.0%

2.9%

 

 

1  Annualized.

 

3

 


Woes in the financial sector cast a cloud over markets

A credit crunch triggered by the rising default rate of subprime loans in the United States affected developed markets around the world. Not surprisingly, the financials sector outside the United States was hit particularly hard, and the fund’s investments in this industry (–11%) were no exception.

Fortunately, the fund was underweighted in financials stocks relative to its index, and the sector’s troubles were counterbalanced by robust gains in the two sectors that have benefited most from the recent boom in commodity prices—energy and materials. The fund’s materials sector holdings (+27%) outperformed the overall sector in the index by a substantial margin and were the fund’s biggest gainers. The fund advisors’ decision to overweight energy stocks (+25%) also paid off, notably in holdings of companies that stand to benefit from the discovery of a new source of oil off of Brazil’s coast.

However, most other international sectors did not fare well during the period. In fact, returns from most developed countries in Europe and Asia were negative, as investors anticipated that an economic slowdown in the United States would affect other mature markets, including those of Great Britain, Germany, and France. Japan’s market also declined as that nation continued to suffer from ongoing economic sluggishness.

 

Annualized Expense Ratios1

 

 

 

Your fund compared with its peer group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Investor

Admiral

International

 

Shares

Shares

Fund

International Growth Fund

0.49%

0.29%

1.48%

 

1  Fund expense ratios reflect the six months ended February 29, 2008. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2007.

 

4

 


Gains came from holdings in Brazil and Australia

Australia was the notable exception among developed nations, benefiting from its rich energy resources and growing economy. Your fund was underweighted in Australian stocks, but its Australian holdings performed far better than that nation’s overall market.

The fund also outperformed the broad benchmarks in some other markets, but couldn’t overcome the overall downtrend in international markets. The fund was also helped by its longstanding position in select emerging markets. Holdings in Brazil did particularly well.

Importantly, the fund was helped by a sinking U.S. dollar, which fell 10% against the euro, 9% versus the yen, and 15% compared with the Australian dollar during the period. Rising foreign currencies lift returns for U.S. investors.

The fund has added a third investment advisor

Late in the fiscal half-year, we added a third investment advisor to the fund’s management team. M&G Investment Management Limited, based in London, England, relies on a long-term, bottom-up approach in seeking to identify underappreciated companies with the potential to deliver high returns while reinvesting for growth. The fund’s investment objective and policies will not change.

M&G joins Schroder Investment Management North America, which has been with the fund since its inception in 1981, and Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd., which joined the fund’s management team in 2003. Like M&G, Schroder and Baillie select stocks based on each holding’s long-term outlook, not on its short-term prospects.

As we often have done with our equity funds, we are adding another advisor to further diversify holdings and better position the fund for future long-term asset growth. You’ll find on page 7 a breakdown of the fund’s assets that are managed independently by each advisor, followed by separate reports from Schroder and Baillie Gifford.

International investing remains a sound long-term strategy

After five consecutive years of strong gains for international stock funds, the recent retreat by stock markets around the world is not surprising to veteran investors. In every market, stocks routinely rise and fall in unpredictable patterns from year to year.

That’s why we like to remind our clients during periods of market pullbacks that stocks are long-term investments. While we’re pleased to provide this six-month update on your fund’s performance, we emphasize long-term performance when we evaluate the International Growth Fund, as indeed we do with all our funds. And from the longer-term perspective, we believe the fund has performed quite well, and will continue to meet the needs of investors who seek broad exposure to growth stocks in markets around the world.

 

5

 


We trust you hold the International Growth Fund in a portfolio that also consists of a diversified mix of U.S. stocks, bonds, and cash investments suited to your circumstances and goals. After all, a steady, balanced approach to investing has proven to be a sound way to pursue long-term goals while limiting unnecessary risks.

As I close this report to you, it’s my pleasure to introduce the fund’s new president, F. William McNabb III. Bill is a man of great character and integrity who is intimately familiar with all aspects of Vanguard—from how we serve our clients to how we invest for our clients.

Bill and I have worked together very closely for more than two decades. I’m thrilled that the fund’s board elected him president, effective March 1, and designated him as my successor as chief executive officer, a role he will assume within a year, after an orderly transition. Bill and the rest of our team will serve you and our other clients extremely well in the years ahead.

Thank you for your confidence in Vanguard.

Sincerely,

 


 

John J. Brennan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

March 14, 2008

 

6

 


Advisors’ Report

During the fiscal half-year ended February 29, 2008, Vanguard International Growth Fund’s Investor Shares returned –2.8%, and its Admiral Shares returned –2.7%. This performance reflects the combined efforts of your fund’s two independent advisors and, toward the end of the period, the effort of a third investment advisor.

The use of more than one advisor provides exposure to distinct, yet complementary, investment approaches, enhancing the fund’s diversification. The advisors, the percentage of fund assets each manages, and brief descriptions of their investment strategies are presented in the table below. In addition, the fund’s two advisors that managed assets for the entire six-month period have each prepared a discussion of the investment environment that existed during the fiscal half-year and of how the portfolio’s positioning reflects this assessment. These comments were prepared on March 18, 2008.

Schroder Investment Management North America Inc.

Portfolio Managers:

Virginie Maisonneuve, CFA

Head of Global and International Equities

Matthew Dobbs

 

7

 


 

Vanguard International Growth Fund Investment Advisors

 

 

 

 

 

Fund Assets

Managed

 

Investment Advisor

%

$ Million

  Investment Strategy

Schroder Investment

52

9,575

Equity analysts in 11 countries and an international

Management North

 

 

team of global sector and regional specialists

America Inc.

 

 

help to identify reasonably priced companies with

 

 

 

strong growth prospects and a sustainable

 

 

 

competitive advantage.

Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd.

39

7,210

The advisor seeks stocks that can generate above-

 

 

 

average growth in earnings and cash flow, producing

 

 

 

a bottom-up, stock-driven approach to country and

 

 

 

asset allocation. An in-depth view on each company

 

 

 

is measured against the consensus view, leading to

 

 

 

discrepancies and potential opportunities to add value.

M&G Investment

5

999

The advisor constructs a portfolio using a long-term,

Management Limited

 

 

bottom-up investment approach focusing on

 

 

 

identifying underappreciated companies—particularly

 

 

 

those with scarce assets—with the ability to deliver

 

 

 

high returns and growth potential.

Cash Investments1

4

746

 

 

1  These short-term reserves are invested by Vanguard in equity index products to simulate investment in stocks. Each advisor may also maintain a modest cash position.

 

International equity markets, as measured by the MSCI EAFE Index, declined by –4.7% during the period, and showed a strong increase in volatility against a backdrop of two competing forces. The first, and arguably the most widely publicized, involved the global financial system. Since the summer, market sentiment has been most impacted by the uncertainty triggered by the unwinding of leveraged investments throughout the global financial system and the potential negative effects on the rest of the world’s economies. In response, governments and central banks have tried to alleviate those pressures with a series of interest rate cuts, treasury auctions, and fiscal stimulus measures.

Another case of “push and pull” forces at work was illustrated by the dichotomy between the weakness of the U.S. market (the traditional economic leader) and strong fundamentals in emerging markets. Countries such as China, India, and Brazil have been able to gather domestic economic momentum either by their own right or through strength in commodities markets. The sustainability of this economic decoupling has been a key question for investors, as has the decline of the U.S. dollar, which fell about –10% versus the euro during the period as the U.S. Federal Reserve took drastic action to address the current environment.

Despite the ongoing economic slowdown in developed economies, prices of oil and other commodities—soft commodities as well as metals—have continued to be strong, supported by emerging-markets demand. This pricing strength has continued to feed fears of inflation, which in the case of continental Europe led the European Central Bank to resist cutting rates despite tensions in the financial system and the inability of the interbank market to function properly. This restraint further supported the euro versus the dollar. Looking forward, we believe that the key element to watch with regard to long-term inflation trends is wage growth, which has been tame so far. In an environment of continued global growth deceleration, subdued wage growth should continue to help moderate inflationary pressures overall.

 

8

 


 

While growth in Europe has been relatively robust when compared with that of the United States, there are clear signs of weakness, especially in areas where property markets are fragile, such as the United Kingdom or Spain. We expect a deceleration of growth in Europe, although exports to emerging markets continue to provide support overall despite the currency strength.

During the period, our portfolio’s performance benefited from its exposure to emerging markets, low exposure to Japan, and favorable stock selection in European markets. Strongest positive absolute returns came from our holdings in the materials, utilities, telecommunication services, and energy sectors, while financials and industrials showed the weakest returns. Top individual performers included stocks from a variety of industries, such as Rio Tinto (mining), Syngenta (crop protection), BG (oil and gas), Suez (utility), Unibanco (Brazilian financial), and Roche (health care).

 

Looking forward, we continue to like strong long-term growth linked to trends regarding areas such as climate change, demographics, and “Chindia.” We believe these trends will provide earnings support for those globally competitive companies that are well-positioned to benefit. In an environment of high energy prices and growing concerns about climate change, companies that help mitigate the impact of global climate change, as well as those that help consumers adapt to those changes, stand to benefit. Holdings such as Philips (energy-efficient light bulbs), Siemens (renewable energy and power generation), and Linde (gas) provide attractive “quality growth to valuation” characteristics.

Demographic trends will also continue to provide a changing landscape for consumption patterns globally as dramatic population growth over the next 40 years (world population is expected to grow to 9 billion people from 6 billion today) will be fueled by the explosion of emerging market populations, while the developed world ages rapidly. This will contribute to the sustainability in earnings growth of companies such as Danone, Nestle (consumer staples), and China Unicom.

While acknowledging that global liquidity has been hampered by the financial dislocation over the past six months, with banks still reluctant to lend, it is also worth noting that other sources of liquidity continue to help balance the negative impact of the subprime crisis. These include large foreign sovereign wealth funds of countries benefiting from commodities price strength and the recycling of the Chinese trade surplus. Going forward, the key, in our opinion, is for liquidity to move back to the financial sector to help restore confidence, which might entail further actions from regulators and central banks.

Against this background, we remain cautious with regard to companies with limited visibility in earnings. At the same time, we see opportunities emerging in companies benefiting from growth, especially linked to strong secular trends. We continue to focus on high-quality growth companies with strong competitive advantages trading at attractive valuations. We believe this disciplined strategy will continue to reward investors over the long term.

Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd.

Portfolio Manager: James K. Anderson, Chief Investment Officer

Most equity markets have been weak, with some of the steepest declines in the financial sector. Some emerging markets and mining stocks have done well, reflecting the strength of commodity prices. The general impression is of a gigantic pair trade—shorting credit on the one hand, and buying commodities on the other. Most investments have prospered, or not, depending on how close they are to one of these two poles.

 

 

9

 


 

We have been saying for a while that investors in equities were approaching a fork in the road, and that the era of “all shall have prizes” was coming to an end. The roads traveled by the winners and losers are now diverging with a vengeance.

Fortunately, most of our holdings have taken the high road, which is crowded with mining companies, industrial businesses, and enterprises serving the emerging-market consumer. It is noteworthy that, notwithstanding the poor performance of bank stocks generally, one of our best performers was Brazil’s Banco Itau.

The low road is jammed with banks, financial and consumer businesses of various kinds, pharmaceutical companies, and all sorts of enterprises that serve the western consumer. We have seen little to attract us in this group, but we have invested in a few stocks, some of which have prospered against the odds.

In our opinion, it is better to concentrate on what is working than to try to predict the development of the credit crisis.

 

Fortunately, a large number of companies are experiencing the best trading conditions they have ever seen. These are mainly industrial businesses that have little sympathy for the noise emanating from the financials sector.

We are interested in coal, agriculture, shipping, aerospace, most kinds of mining, steel, alternative energy, oil services, and anyone selling to the emerging-market consumer. We like companies that sell to customers who are not encumbered by debt, and whose suppliers have strong balance sheets. We are wary of assets that may have to be sold by distressed borrowers, and we are aware that write-offs are reducing banks’ future earning power.

The credit crisis may eventually generate buying prospects, but at the moment we are anxious to keep our distance from it, and to take advantage of the wealth of opportunities in the wider world.

 

10

 


Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Comparative

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

172

1,205

2,227

Turnover Rate

60%3

Expense Ratio

 

Investor Shares

0.49%3

 

 

Admiral Shares

0.29%3

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

1.8%

 

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Comparative

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Consumer Discretionary

12.0%

9.6%

9.1%

Consumer Staples

9.4   

8.5   

8.1   

Energy

10.5   

10.8   

11.7   

Financials

20.9   

23.1   

23.1   

Health Care

6.1   

7.6   

7.0   

Industrials

15.1   

11.6   

11.3   

Information Technology

7.1   

8.8   

8.8   

Materials

11.7   

9.4   

10.1   

Telecommunication

 

 

 

Services

5.4   

5.6   

6.0   

Utilities

1.8   

5.0   

4.8   

 

Volatility Measures4

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Comparative Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

0.97

0.96

Beta

1.05

0.94

 

 

11

 


Ten Largest Holdings5 (% of total net assets)

 

 

 

Tesco PLC

food retail

2.3%

Rio Tinto PLC

diversified metals

 

 

and mining

2.3   

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

diversified banks

2.2   

Standard Chartered PLC

diversified banks

2.0   

Roche Holdings AG

pharmaceuticals

1.9   

Total SA

integrated oil

 

 

and gas

1.9   

Petroleo Brasileiro SA

integrated oil

 

 

and gas

1.9   

Teva Pharmaceutical

 

 

Industries Ltd.

pharmaceuticals

1.6   

Nestle SA (Registered)

packaged foods

 

 

and meats

1.5   

Companhia Vale

diversified metals

 

do Rio Doce

and mining

1.5   

Top Ten

 

19.1%

 

Allocation by Region (% of equity exposure)

 


1  MSCI EAFE Index.

2  MSCI All Country World Index ex USA.

3  Annualized.

4  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 36.

5  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

12

 


Market Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Comparative

Broad

 

Fund1

Index2

Index3

Europe

 

 

 

United Kingdom

17.6%

22.0%

16.1%

France

8.8   

10.5   

7.8   

Germany

7.2   

8.9   

6.6   

Switzerland

7.0   

7.0   

5.2   

Sweden

3.7   

2.4   

1.8   

Italy

3.3   

3.9   

2.9   

Denmark

2.4   

1.0   

0.7   

Netherlands

2.4   

2.8   

2.0   

Spain

2.2   

4.1   

3.0   

Luxembourg

1.1   

0.0   

0.0   

Ireland

1.0   

0.7   

0.5   

Other European

1.7   

5.8   

4.3   

Subtotal

58.4%

69.1%

50.9%

Pacific

 

 

 

Japan

14.0%

20.8%

15.4%

Hong Kong

4.6   

2.3   

1.7   

Australia

4.0   

6.6   

4.9   

Other Pacific

0.6   

1.2   

0.9   

Subtotal

23.2%

30.9%

22.9%

Emerging Markets

 

 

 

Brazil

5.8%

—   

2.5%

South Korea

2.4   

—   

2.7   

China

2.2   

—   

2.9   

Israel

1.9   

—   

0.5   

Mexico

1.3   

—   

0.9   

India

1.1   

—   

1.5   

Taiwan

1.0   

—   

2.2   

Other Emerging

0.9   

—   

6.3   

Subtotal

16.6%

—   

19.5%

North America

 

 

 

Canada

1.8%

—   

6.7%

 

 

1  Market percentages exclude currency contracts held by the fund.

2  MSCI EAFE Index.

3  MSCI All Country World Index ex USA.

 

13

 


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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): August 31, 1997–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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 Shares2

9/30/1981

15.98%

21.85%

9.23%

Admiral Shares2

8/13/2001

16.25   

22.08   

12.943   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares purchased on or after June 27, 2003, and held for less than two months, nor for the Investor Shares do they include the account service fee that may be applicable to certain accounts with balances below $10,000.

3  Return since inception.

Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 24 and 25 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

14

 


Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

Value

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (94.9%)1

 

 

Australia (3.6%)

 

 

BHP Billiton Ltd.

5,889,200

213,088

Woodside Petroleum Ltd.

2,777,000

145,213

Woolworths Ltd.

3,995,600

106,711

Brambles Ltd.

9,423,900

90,497

^James Hardie Industries NV

7,105,000

38,998

^Macquarie Group, Ltd.

732,000

36,556

Sims Group Ltd.

698,000

20,864

Amcor Ltd.

2,728,000

17,847

 

 

669,774

Austria (0.1%)

 

 

Wienerberger AG

442,000

21,333

 

 

 

Belgium (0.0%)

 

 

Barco NV

100,516

7,295

 

 

 

Brazil (5.7%)

 

 

Petroleo Brasileiro SA

 

 

Series A ADR

3,296,500

322,826

Companhia Vale do Rio

 

 

Doce Sponsored ADR

8,565,000

251,126

Unibanco–Uniao de

 

 

Bancos Brasileiros SA

14,987,886

202,958

Banco Itau Holding

 

 

Financeira SA ADR

6,249,000

158,350

Redecard SA

3,529,000

54,466

Companhia Vale do Rio

 

 

Doce Pfd. Class A

714,000

21,144

Petroleo Brasileiro SA Pfd.

414,000

20,150

Votorantim Celulose e

 

 

Papel SA Pfd.

497,000

15,582

Banco do Brasil SA

904,000

15,064

 

 

1,061,666

Canada (1.7%)

 

 

Niko Resources Ltd.

1,658,643

155,913

Cameco Corp.

3,386,000

132,619

 

 

15

 


 

Sherritt International Corp.

1,379,000

23,258

Harry Winston Diamond Corp.

472,381

12,358

 

 

324,148

China (2.2%)

 

 

 

^China Unicom Ltd.

64,354,000

137,660

 

China Resources

 

 

 

Enterprise Ltd.

31,410,000

111,511

 

Denway Motors Ltd.

134,508,000

67,990

 

China Mobile

 

 

 

(Hong Kong) Ltd.

4,422,500

66,219

 

Chaoda Modern

 

 

 

Agriculture Holdings Ltd.

13,360,000

15,059

 

 

 

398,439

Denmark (2.4%)

 

 

*

Vestas Wind Systems A/S

1,485,736

150,621

 

^Novo Nordisk A/S B Shares

1,940,000

132,712

 

^Danske Bank A/S

2,612,000

99,774

 

^Novozymes A/S

373,600

32,616

 

AP Moller-Maersk A/S

 

 

 

B Shares

1,960

20,141

 

 

 

435,864

France (8.2%)

 

 

 

Total SA

4,606,000

346,848

 

Suez SA

4,075,588

259,096

 

L’Oreal SA

2,039,336

242,010

 

AXA

5,438,000

183,349

*

Groupe Danone

2,283,000

178,836

 

Essilor International SA

2,333,000

138,528

 

STMicroelectronics NV

9,068,000

108,852

 

^Societe Generale Class A

508,000

54,355

*

Societe Generale

 

 

 

Rights Exp. 3/3/08

508,000

4,465

 

 

 

1,516,339

Germany (6.8%)

 

 

 

Siemens AG

2,078,000

267,562

 

Adidas AG

2,854,674

181,145

 

SAP AG

3,723,500

178,152

 

Porsche AG

85,840

147,127

 

Linde AG

675,985

89,939

 

Celesio AG

1,522,800

87,387

 

Bayerische Motoren

 

 

 

Werke AG

1,457,300

79,879

*^Q-Cells AG

850,500

68,335

 

Deutsche Bank AG

571,754

63,852

^Solarworld AG

1,093,498

49,589

 

E.On AG

130,000

24,432

 

Symrise AG

721,227

19,607

 

 

 

1,257,006

Greece (0.6%)

 

 

 

EFG Eurobank Ergasias

3,625,699

104,444

 

 

 

 

Hong Kong (4.5%)

 

 

 

Swire Pacific Ltd.

 

 

 

A Shares

14,436,000

164,544

 

 

16

 


 

 

Esprit Holdings Ltd.

10,064,400

126,480

 

Industrial and

 

 

 

Commercial Bank of

 

 

 

China Ltd. Class H

178,473,000

123,817

 

Shangri-La Asia Ltd.

36,040,000

109,702

 

Jardine Matheson

 

 

 

Holdings Ltd.

3,663,200

101,346

 

CNOOC Ltd.

44,035,000

73,131

 

Hutchison

 

 

 

Telecommunications

 

 

 

International Ltd.

46,549,000

62,357

 

Hong Kong Exchanges &

 

 

 

Clearing Ltd.

2,780,000

52,812

 

Li & Fung Ltd.

6,188,000

22,508

 

Techtronic

 

 

 

Industries Co., Ltd.

7,104,762

6,880

 

 

 

843,577

India (1.1%)

 

 

2

State Bank of India

 

 

 

Warrants Exp. 01/28/09

2,024,000

108,034

*2

Bharti Airtel Ltd.

 

 

 

Warrants Exp. 8/10/10

4,052,000

83,822

*

State Bank of India

 

 

 

Rights Exp. 3/18/08

404,800

4,653

 

 

 

196,509

Indonesia (0.1%)

 

 

 

PT Indonesian

 

 

 

Satellite Corp. Tbk

15,928,000

11,682

 

 

 

 

Ireland (1.0%)

 

 

 

Allied Irish Banks PLC

3,997,260

80,918

 

Anglo Irish Bank Corp. PLC

5,649,000

80,005

 

Kerry Group PLC A Shares

508,373

15,951

 

 

 

176,874

Israel (1.9%)

 

 

 

Teva Pharmaceutical

 

 

 

Industries Ltd.

 

 

 

Sponsored ADR

6,124,603

300,534

*

Makhteshim-Agan

 

 

 

Industries Ltd.

5,438,054

45,328

 

 

 

345,862

Italy (3.1%)

 

 

 

Intesa Sanpaolo SpA

61,809,662

415,142

 

Unicredito Italiano SpA

21,218,553

156,101

 

 

 

571,243

Japan (12.9%)

 

 

 

Sony Corp.

5,058,000

238,956

 

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

6,749,600

206,034

 

Canon, Inc.

3,626,600

162,563

 

^Toray Industries, Inc.

25,933,000

160,329

 

Mitsubishi Corp.

4,132,000

126,069

 

Mitsui Sumitomo

 

 

 

Insurance Co.

11,447,000

120,284

 

Central Japan Railway Co.

12,161

115,805

 

 

17

 


 

 

SMC Corp.

1,055,800

112,570

 

Sumitomo Mitsui

 

 

 

Financial Group, Inc.

14,800

106,900

 

^Square Enix Co., Ltd.

2,938,100

98,082

 

Komatsu Ltd.

3,623,800

92,061

 

Sekisui Chemical Co.

12,836,000

90,033

 

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

3,705,000

80,574

 

Orix Corp.

523,940

78,334

 

Rakuten, Inc.

156,452

74,396

 

Nintendo Co.

137,200

68,311

 

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

12,639

63,845

 

Hoya Corp.

2,310,700

58,629

 

Yamada Denki Co., Ltd.

596,500

52,166

 

Sumitomo Electric

 

 

 

Industries Ltd.

3,094,000

45,785

 

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

3,937,000

44,842

 

Sumitomo Heavy

 

 

 

Industries Ltd.

5,223,000

41,656

 

Sumitomo Realty &

 

 

 

Development Co.

1,862,000

31,777

 

^Ebara Corp.

10,716,000

30,532

 

Toyota Motor Corp.

436,000

23,696

 

Astellas Pharma Inc.

468,000

20,454

 

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.

1,024,000

20,354

 

FamilyMart Co., Ltd.

624,000

18,388

 

Tokyu Corp.

669,000

3,875

 

 

 

2,387,300

Luxembourg (1.1%)

 

 

*

ArcelorMittal

2,586,000

198,651

 

 

 

 

Mexico (1.3%)

 

 

 

America Movil SA de CV

38,578,000

116,094

 

America Movil SA de CV

 

 

 

Series L ADR

1,403,500

84,856

 

Wal-Mart de Mexico SA

8,200,000

29,806

 

Consorcio ARA SA de CV

13,000,000

13,510

 

 

 

244,266

Netherlands (2.3%)

 

 

 

SBM Offshore NV

6,194,000

199,688

 

Koninklijke (Royal) Philips

 

 

 

Electronics NV

2,173,000

84,778

 

Heineken Holding NV

1,471,074

74,791

 

ING Groep NV

730,000

24,259

 

European Aeronautic

 

 

 

Defence and Space Co.

809,000

21,215

 

TNT NV

500,000

19,691

 

 

 

424,422

Norway (0.7%)

 

 

 

Telenor ASA

5,585,000

114,362

 

StatoilHydro ASA

779,000

23,737

 

 

 

138,099

Russia (0.7%)

 

 

 

OAO Gazprom ADR

2,634,100

132,656

 

 

18

 


 

 

 

 

 

Singapore (0.6%)

 

 

 

^Keppel Land Ltd.

24,315,000

101,023

 

 

DBS Group Holdings Ltd.

1,161,000

14,135

 

 

 

115,158

South Africa (0.1%)

 

 

 

MTN Group Ltd.

974,000

15,252

 

 

 

 

South Korea (2.4%)

 

 

 

Daewoo

 

 

 

Shipbuilding & Marine

 

 

 

Engineering Co., Ltd.

5,826,000

229,592

*

Hynix Semiconductor Inc.

4,440,000

114,176

 

Samsung Fire & Marine

 

 

 

Insurance Co.

186,900

36,945

 

Shinsegae Co., Ltd.

51,800

32,164

 

Samsung

 

 

 

Electronics Co., Ltd.

32,500

19,051

 

Hankook Tire Co. Ltd.

960,000

14,613

 

 

 

446,541

Spain (2.0%)

 

 

 

Telefonica SA

8,163,000

236,208

 

Industria de Diseno

 

 

 

Textil SA

2,605,085

134,301

 

 

 

370,509

Sweden (3.6%)

 

 

 

Atlas Copco AB–

 

 

 

A Shares

15,095,533

234,610

 

Sandvik AB

11,859,363

199,972

 

Telefonaktiebolaget LM

 

 

 

Ericsson AB Class B

49,400,170

106,281

 

Skandinaviska Enskilda

 

 

 

Banken AB A Shares

2,836,944

70,681

 

Svenska Handelsbanken

 

 

 

AB A Shares

1,471,406

40,992

 

Oriflame Cosmetics SA

261,950

17,503

 

 

 

670,039

Switzerland (6.9%)

 

 

 

Roche Holdings AG

1,830,007

358,880

 

Nestle SA (Registered)

571,500

272,770

 

Syngenta AG

822,468

236,467

 

Cie. Financiere

 

 

 

Richemont AG

2,447,600

141,688

 

UBS AG

3,627,933

118,374

 

Geberit AG

494,180

72,705

 

Adecco SA (Registered)

505,797

26,467

 

Novartis AG (Registered)

500,000

24,696

 

Holcim Ltd. (Registered)

233,000

23,760

 

 

 

1,275,807

Taiwan (0.9%)

 

 

 

Taiwan Semiconductor

 

 

 

Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

41,706,551

81,476

 

 

19

 


 

 

Hon Hai Precision

 

 

 

Industry Co., Ltd.

13,053,200

77,877

 

Compal Electronics Inc.

17,400,000

15,682

 

 

 

175,035

United Kingdom (16.4%)

 

 

 

Tesco PLC

54,558,000

431,137

 

Rio Tinto PLC

3,744,103

421,239

 

Standard Chartered PLC

11,276,800

371,526

 

WPP Group PLC

20,313,000

239,770

 

Rolls-Royce Group PLC

25,479,000

218,423

 

Rexam PLC

24,554,330

213,758

 

Royal Dutch Shell

 

 

 

PLC Class A

 

 

 

(Amsterdam Shares)

4,321,000

154,516

 

BG Group PLC

6,373,000

150,218

 

Royal Bank of Scotland

 

 

 

Group PLC

14,961,000

113,113

 

The Sage Group PLC

28,445,162

110,891

 

Reckitt Benckiser

 

 

 

Group PLC

1,880,000

101,409

 

Barclays PLC

9,453,000

88,596

 

Meggitt PLC

14,917,500

82,252

*

Admiral Group PLC

3,606,582

72,130

*

Capita Group PLC

3,551,612

46,019

 

Bunzl PLC

2,828,500

38,872

 

SABMiller PLC

1,782,001

37,022

 

Rentokil Initial PLC

20,314,000

33,460

 

Unilever PLC

813,000

25,615

 

GlaxoSmithKline PLC

1,145,000

24,994

 

HSBC Holdings PLC

1,543,000

23,326

 

Ultra Electronics

 

 

 

Holdings PLC

851,150

20,174

 

Inchcape PLC

1,899,713

14,679

 

Victrex PLC

541,321

7,975

 

 

 

3,041,114

Total Common Stocks

 

 

(Cost $14,696,303)

 

17,576,904

Temporary Cash Investments (7.7%)1

 

Money Market Fund (7.0%)

 

 

3

Vanguard Market

 

 

 

Liquidity Fund, 3.522%

974,191,590

974,192

3

Vanguard Market

 

 

 

Liquidity Fund,

 

 

 

3.522%—Note G

330,991,524

330,992

 

 

 

1,305,184

U.S. Agency Obligations (0.7%)

 

 

4

Federal Home Loan Bank

 

 

5

2.826%, 3/14/08

50,000

49,958

5

4.143%, 4/4/08

10,000

9,976

4

Federal Home Loan

 

 

 

Mortgage Corp.

 

 

5

2.681%, 4/4/08

10,000

9,976

4

Federal National

 

 

 

 

20

 


 

 

Mortgage Assn.

 

 

5

2.908%, 4/16/08

30,000

29,900

5

2.835%, 4/23/08

30,000

29,884

 

 

 

129,694

Total Temporary Cash Investments

 

(Cost $1,434,833)

 

1,434,878

Total Investments (102.6%)

 

 

(Cost $16,131,136)

 

19,011,782

Other Assets and Liabilities (–2.6%)

 

Other Assets—Note C

 

383,938

Security Lending Collateral

 

 

 

Payable to Brokers—Note G

 

(330,992)

Other Liabilities

 

(534,536)

 

 

 

(481,590)

Net Assets (100%)

 

18,530,192

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:6

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

15,310,727

Undistributed Net Investment Income

16,525

Accumulated Net Realized Gains

316,944

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Investment Securities

2,880,646

Futures Contracts

(9,687)

Foreign Currencies and

 

Forward Currency Contracts

15,037

Net Assets

18,530,192

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 580,919,696 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

13,239,243

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Investor Shares

$22.79

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 72,940,205 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

5,290,949

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$72.54

 

  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

^  Part of security position is on loan to broker-dealers. See Note G in Notes to Financial Statements.

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 99.0% and 3.6%, respectively, of net assets. See Note E in Notes to Financial Statements.

2  Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be sold in transactions exempt from registration, normally to qualified institutional buyers. At February 29, 2008, the aggregate value of these securities was $191,856,000, representing 1.0% of net assets.

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

4  The issuer operates under a congressional charter; its securities are neither issued nor guaranteed by the U.S. government. If needed, access to additional funding from the U.S. Treasury (beyond the issuer’s line of credit) would require congressional action.

5  Securities with a value of $129,694,000 have been segregated as initial margin for open futures contracts.

6  See Note E in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

ADR—American Depositary Receipt.>

21

 


 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends1

105,094

Interest2

25,073

Security Lending

1,354

Total Income

131,521

Expenses

 

Investment Advisory Fees—Note B

 

Basic Fee

11,488

Performance Adjustment

1,507

The Vanguard Group—Note C

 

Management and Administrative—Investor Shares

21,068

Management and Administrative—Admiral Shares

2,915

Marketing and Distribution—Investor Shares

1,302

Marketing and Distribution—Admiral Shares

477

Custodian Fees

2,922

Shareholders’ Reports—Investor Shares

114

Shareholders’ Reports—Admiral Shares

13

Trustees’ Fees and Expenses

12

Total Expenses

41,818

Expenses Paid Indirectly—Note D

(157)

Net Expenses

41,661

Net Investment Income

89,860

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

 

Investment Securities Sold

859,219

Futures Contracts

(177,106)

Foreign Currencies and Forward Currency Contracts

29,077

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

711,190

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

 

Investment Securities

(1,397,558)

Futures Contracts

7,548

Foreign Currencies and Forward Currency Contracts

11,215

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(1,378,795)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(577,745)

 

 

1  Dividends are net of foreign withholding taxes of $8,755,000.

2  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $23,784,000.

 

22

 


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

89,860

 

417,169

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

711,190

 

1,604,165

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(1,378,795)

 

997,178

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(577,745)

 

3,018,512

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Investor Shares

(273,214)

 

(236,800)

Admiral Shares

(119,615)

 

(88,348)

Realized Capital Gain1

 

 

 

Investor Shares

(1,145,633)

 

(909,670)

Admiral Shares

(456,740)

 

(312,400)

Total Distributions

(1,995,202)

 

(1,547,218)

Capital Share Transactions—Note H

 

 

 

Investor Shares

1,845,316

 

1,670,489

Admiral Shares

978,798

 

1,165,318

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

2,824,114

 

2,835,807

Total Increase (Decrease)

251,167

 

4,307,101

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

18,279,025

 

13,971,924

End of Period2

18,530,192

 

18,279,025

 

 

1  Includes fiscal 2008 and 2007 short-term gain distributions totaling $364,768,000 and $280,908,000, 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 $16,525,000 and $316,265,000.

 

23

 


Financial Highlights

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$26.13

$23.97

$19.83

$16.33

$14.01

$12.97

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.100

.594

.541

.341

.27

.19

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(.698)

4.132

4.284

3.474

2.26

1.03

Total from Investment Operations

(.598)

4.726

4.825

3.815

2.53

1.22

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.528)

(.530)

(.370)

(.315)

(.21)

(.18)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

(2.214)

(2.036)

(.315)

Total Distributions

(2.742)

(2.566)

(.685)

(.315)

(.21)

(.18)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$22.79

$26.13

$23.97

$19.83

$16.33

$14.01

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return1

–2.75%

20.87%

24.79%

23.54%

18.14%

9.62%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$13,239

$13,219

$10,466

$8,182

$6,797

$5,458

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets2

0.49%*

0.51%

0.55%

0.60%

0.63%

0.69%

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.88%*

2.47%

2.52%

1.89%

1.69%

1.57%

Portfolio Turnover Rate

60%*

41%

45%

48%

45%

59%

 

 

1  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares purchased on or after June 27, 2003, and held for less than two months or 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%, 0.01%, (0.01%), (0.01%), 0.00%, and 0.01%.

*  Annualized.

 

24

 


Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$83.26

$76.36

$63.15

$51.96

$44.57

$41.27

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.396

2.051

1.861

1.222

.93

.681

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(2.226)

13.159

13.639

11.063

7.21

3.264

Total from Investment Operations

(1.830)

15.210

15.500

12.285

8.14

3.945

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(1.845)

(1.832)

(1.288)

(1.095)

(.75)

(.645)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

(7.045)

(6.478)

(1.002)

Total Distributions

(8.890)

(8.310)

(2.290)

(1.095)

(.75)

(.645)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$72.54

$83.26

$76.36

$63.15

$51.96

$44.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return1

–2.67%

21.11%

25.03%

23.84%

18.36%

9.80%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$5,291

$5,060

$3,506

$2,181

$1,262

$1,044

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets2

0.29%*

0.31%

0.35%

0.40%

0.45%

0.51%

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.08%*

2.67%

2.72%

2.07%

1.86%

1.76%

Portfolio Turnover Rate

60%*

41%

45%

48%

45%

59%

 

 

1  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares purchased on or after June 27, 2003, and held for less than two months.

2  Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of 0.02%, 0.01%, (0.01%), (0.01%), 0.00%, and 0.01%.

*  Annualized.

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

 

25

 


Notes to Financial Statements

Vanguard International Growth Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund invests in securities of foreign issuers, which may subject it to investment risks not normally associated with investing in securities of United States corporations. 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. Futures and Forward Currency Contracts: The fund uses index futures contracts to a limited extent, with the objective of maintaining exposure to the European and Pacific stock markets while maintaining liquidity. The fund may purchase or sell futures contracts to achieve a desired level of investment, whether to accommodate portfolio turnover 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.

The fund may also enter into forward currency contracts to provide the appropriate currency exposure related to any open futures contracts or to protect the value of securities and related receivables and payables against changes in foreign exchange rates. The primary risk associated with the fund’s use of these contracts is that a counterparty will fail to fulfill its obligation to pay

 

26

 


 

gains due to the fund under the contracts.

 

Futures and forward currency 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 gains (losses) on futures or forward currency contracts.

4. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

6. 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.

7. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of capital shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. Schroder Investment Management North America Inc., Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd., and beginning February 19, 2008, M&G Investment Management Ltd., each provide investment advisory services to a portion of the fund for a fee calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets managed by the advisor. The basic fees of Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. and Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd. are subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to the Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East Index. In accordance with the advisory contract entered into with M&G Investment Management Ltd. in February 2008, beginning December 1, 2008, the investment advisory fee will be subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance since February 29, 2008, relative to the MSCI ACWI ex-US Index.

The Vanguard Group manages the cash reserves of the fund on an at-cost basis.

For the six months ended February 29, 2008, the aggregate investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.12% of the fund’s average net assets, before an increase of $1,507,000 (0.02%) based on performance.

 

27

 


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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $1,581,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 1.58% 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 six months ended February 29, 2008, these arrangements reduced the fund’s management and administrative expenses by $142,000 and custodian fees by $15,000.

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. The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.

During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized net foreign currency gains of $3,229,000, which increased distributable net income for tax purposes; accordingly, such gains have been reclassified from accumulated net realized gains to undistributed net investment income. Certain of the fund’s investments are 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. Unrealized appreciation through the most recent mark-to-market date for tax purposes, on passive foreign investment company holdings at February 29, 2008, was $1,713,000, all of which has been distributed and is reflected in the balance of undistributed net income.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $16,132,849,000. Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $2,878,933,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $3,783,164,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $904,231,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

At February 29, 2008, the aggregate settlement value of open futures contracts expiring in March 2008 and the related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were:

 

 

 

 

($000)

 

 

Aggregate

Unrealized

 

Number of

Settlement

Appreciation

Futures Contracts

Long Contracts

Value

(Depreciation)

Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50 Index

5,588

315,658

(8,279)

FTSE 100 Index

1,758

203,946

(886)

Topix Index

1,464

185,698

166

S&P ASX 200 Index

450

58,551

(688)

 

 

28

 


At February 29, 2008, the fund had open forward currency contracts to receive and deliver currencies as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized

 

 

 

 

 

Appreciation

 

Contract Amount (000)

(Depreciation)

Contract Settlement Date

 

Receive

 

Deliver

($000)

4/10/08

USD

661,423

GBP

338,860

(10,702)

3/26/08

EUR

214,359

USD

312,800

12,366

3/26/08

GBP

105,790

USD

207,829

2,210

3/19/08

JPY

19,859,400

USD

183,978

7,168

3/26/08

AUD

63,799

USD

57,286

2,167

AUD—Australian dollar.

 

 

 

 

 

EUR—Euro.

 

 

 

 

 

GBP—British pound.

 

 

 

 

 

JPY—Japanese yen.

 

 

 

 

 

USD—U.S. dollar.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open forward currency contracts is treated as realized gain (loss) for tax purposes.

The fund had net unrealized foreign currency gains of $1,828,000 resulting from the translation of other assets and liabilities at February 29, 2008.

F. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $6,425,954,000 of investment securities and sold $6,006,357,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.

G. The market value of securities on loan to broker-dealers at February 29, 2008, was $307,799,000, for which the fund received cash collateral of $330,992,000.

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

 

 

Year Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

1,704,737

66,464

 

2,549,115

101,410

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

1,393,926

58,446

 

1,123,137

47,631

Redeemed1

(1,253,347)

(49,849)

 

(2,001,763)

(79,750)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares

1,845,316

75,061

 

1,670,489

69,291

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

833,204

10,069

 

1,325,389

16,528

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

534,050

7,037

 

373,586

4,979

Redeemed1

(388,456)

(4,936)

 

(533,657)

(6,648)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

978,798

12,170

 

1,165,318

14,859

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $885,000 and $692,000 (fund totals).

 

29

 


Notice to Shareholders

International Growth Fund adds an investment advisor

The board of trustees of Vanguard International Growth Fund has announced the addition of M&G Investment Management Limited (M&G) to the Fund’s investment advisory team. The Fund’s board of trustees concluded that M&G’s management team, investment approach, and experience complement those of the Fund’s other investment advisors. The Fund now features a team of three accomplished advisory firms.

M&G has a long-standing relationship with Vanguard, and has successfully managed Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund since its inception in 1984. The firm uses a bottom-up approach to portfolio management, focusing on quality companies with scarce assets that can sustain high returns and reinvest for growth. M&G, based in London, England, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential plc. The firm’s nine-person Global Equity Team consists of five senior investment professionals and four analysts. The team’s senior members average 13 years of industry experience. The team has more than $19 billion in assets under management across eight mandates, including the nearly $5 billion Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund.

The Fund’s board of trustees concluded that adding M&G as an advisor would allow the fund to retain its character as a growth-oriented international equity offering, while adding a seasoned and talented management team. The three advisors should provide an attractive combination of investment approaches that should benefit fund shareholders over the long term.

The addition of the new advisor is not expected to have a material impact on the Fund’s expense ratios, which for the six months ended February 29, 2008, were 0.49% for Investor Shares and 0.29% for Admiral Shares. The expense ratio of the average international large-cap core fund as of August 31, 2007, is 1.52% (derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.).

Additional information

Vanguard International Growth Fund has entered into a new investment advisory agreement with M&G, in addition to the Fund’s current agreements with Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. and Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd. This addition to the advisor lineup will not affect the Fund’s investment objective, policies, or strategies. The fee schedules for the other advisors have not changed.

Under the terms of the Fund’s agreement with M&G, the Fund will pay M&G a fee at the end of each fiscal quarter. The fee will be calculated by applying an annual percentage rate to the average daily net assets of the portion of the Fund managed by M&G during the quarter. The quarterly payments to M&G may be increased or decreased by applying a performance adjustment. The adjustment is based on the cumulative total return of the portion of the Fund managed by M&G over a trailing 36-month period relative to the cumulative total return of the MSCI ACWI ex-US Index over the same period.

For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2007, the advisory base fees paid by Vanguard International Growth Fund to the unaffiliated investment advisors totaled $20.8 million, or 0.13% of the Fund’s average net assets, before an increase of $1.6 million, or 0.01%, based on performance. The addition of M&G is not expected to materially increase the Fund’s total annual investment advisory fees for the current fiscal year.

 

30

 


Board approval of the investment advisory agreement with M&G Investment Management Limited

Vanguard International Growth Fund’s board of trustees retained M&G under the terms of a new Investment Advisory Agreement. Each of the Fund’s three investment advisors is responsible for managing the investment and reinvestment of its portion of the Fund’s assets and for continuously reviewing, supervising, and administering the Fund’s investment program. Each advisor is subject to supervision and oversight by Vanguard’s Portfolio Review Department and by the officers and trustees of the Fund. The board of trustees designates the proportion of Fund assets to be managed by each advisor and may change these proportions at any time.

The trustees’ decision to add M&G to the Fund’s multimanager structure was based upon the board’s most recent evaluation of the Fund’s investment staff, portfolio management process, short- and long-term performance results, and current external advisory arrangements. In considering whether to approve the agreement, the board engaged in arm’s-length discussions with M&G and considered the following factors, among others:

• The board considered the benefits to shareholders of adding M&G as a new advisor to the Fund, particularly in light of the nature, extent, and quality of services to be provided by M&G. The board concluded that hiring M&G is in the best interests of Fund shareholders because M&G uses a bottom-up investment approach focusing on quality companies with scarce assets that have growth potential. The board also concluded that it is in the best interests of Fund shareholders to add a high-quality advisor with a track record of success. The board noted that adding M&G as an advisor would allow the Fund to retain its character as a growth-oriented international equity offering. The Fund would have a complement of three active advisors, who each have the opportunity to generate superior returns. The combination provides an attractive blend of proven advisors and should benefit Fund shareholders over the long term.

• The board analyzed the performance of other funds and accounts managed by M&G. The board concluded that M&G’s other investment portfolios have strong investment returns and have posted competitive results by outperforming relevant benchmarks and competitors over various short- and long-term periods.

• The board considered the advisory fee schedule and estimated expense ratio of the Fund and compared them with the average advisory fee and expense ratio of the Fund’s peer group. The board concluded that the addition of M&G would not result in a material change in the Fund’s investment advisory fees and that the Fund’s investment advisory fees and estimated expense ratio would remain at a substantial discount to the Fund’s peers.

• The board considered the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as the Fund grows, including a consideration of appropriate breakpoints in M&G’s advisory fee schedule. By including asset-based breakpoints in the fee schedule, the Fund’s trustees ensure that, if the portion of the Fund managed by M&G continues to grow, investors will capture economies of scale in the form of a lower advisory fee rate.

• Based on its informed business judgment, the board concluded that the course of action in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders was to approve the agreement to retain M&G.

The new agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is renewable after that for successive one-year periods. The agreement will be reviewed annually by the Fund’s board of trustees, a majority of whom are not “interested persons” of either the Fund or its advisors as defined in federal securities laws. The board may, at any time, reallocate the Fund’s assets among the three advisors, or allocate assets of the Fund to other investment advisors, without terminating or revising the new agreement with M&G.

 

31

 


Background information on M&G Investment Management Limited

M&G Investment Management Limited, located at Laurence Pountney Hill, London EC4R 0HH, England, is an advisory firm and wholly owned subsidiary of Prudential plc. M&G is a company incorporated in the United Kingdom, based in London, England, and is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc., a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America. M&G, a separate business unit within the Prudential Group, launched Great Britain’s first unit trust (mutual fund) in 1931. As of December 31, 2007, M&G managed approximately $333 billion in assets.

The managers primarily responsible for overseeing M&G’s portion of the Fund are:

Graham E. French, Manager at M&G. He has worked in investment management since 1988, has been with M&G since 1989, and has managed investment portfolios since 1991. Education: B.Sc., University of Durham.

Greg Aldridge, Manager at M&G. He has worked in investment management with M&G since 2004; has managed investment portfolios since 2007; and has co-managed a portion of the Fund since 2008. Prior to joining M&G, Mr. Aldridge worked for a management consulting firm from 2001 until 2004. Education: M.A., Cambridge University; M.B.A., INSEAD.

 

32

 


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 table below 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 February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Ending

Expenses

 

Account Value

Account Value

Paid During

International Growth Fund

8/31/2007

2/29/2008

Period1

Based on Actual Fund Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$972.45

$2.40

Admiral Shares

1,000.00

973.31

1.42

Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$1,022.43

$2.46

Admiral Shares

1,000.00

1,023.42

1.46

 

 

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 0.49% for Investor Shares and 0.29% 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.

 

33

 


 

Note that the expenses shown in the table on the previous page 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 2% fee that applies to shares purchased on or after June 27, 2003, and held for less than two months, nor do they include the account service fee described in the prospectus. If such fees were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Your fund does not 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.

 

34

 


Trustees Approve Advisory Agreements

The board of trustees of Vanguard International Growth Fund has renewed the fund’s investment advisory agreements with Schroder Investment Management North America Inc. (Schroder Inc.) and Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd. as well as the sub-advisory agreement with Schroder Investment Management North America Limited (Schroder Limited). The board determined that the retention of these advisors was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.

The board based its decision upon an evaluation of each advisor’s investment staff, portfolio management process, and performance. The trustees considered the factors discussed below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether the board approved the agreements. Rather, it was the totality of the circumstances that drove the board’s decision.

Nature, extent, and quality of services

The board considered the quality of the fund’s investment management over both short- and long-term periods and took into account the organizational depth and stability of each firm. The board noted that Schroder Inc., a unit of Schroders, plc, founded in 1804, has investment management experience dating back to 1926. The firm has advised the fund since its inception in 1981 and continues to employ a sound process, selecting attractive growth stocks from developed and emerging markets outside the United States. The board also noted that the fund is supported by Schroders’ worldwide network of analysts, economists, and strategists.

The board also noted that fund advisor Baillie Gifford Overseas is among the largest independently owned investment management firms in the United Kingdom. Baillie Gifford Overseas is a unit of Baillie Gifford & Co., founded in 1908. The firm has advised a portion of the International Growth Fund since 2003. Baillie Gifford continues to employ a sound process, creating a diversified portfolio of high-quality non-U.S. growth stocks from developed and emerging markets. Stocks are selected using fundamental research conducted by the firm’s Edinburgh-based analysts.

The board concluded that each advisor’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of the advisory agreements.

Investment performance

The board considered the short- and long-term performance of the fund, including any periods of outperformance or underperformance of a relevant benchmark and peer group. The board concluded that the advisors have carried out the fund’s investment strategy in disciplined fashion, and the performance results have allowed the fund to remain competitive versus its benchmark and its average peer fund. Information about the fund’s most recent performance can be found in the Performance Summary section of this report.

Cost

The board concluded that the fund’s expense ratio was far below the average expense ratio charged by funds in its peer group. The board noted that the fund’s advisory fees were also well below the peer-group average. Information about the fund’s expense ratio appears in the About Your Fund’s Expenses section of this report as well as in the Financial Statements section, which also includes information about the advisory fee rate. The board did not consider profitability of Schroder Inc. or Baillie Gifford Overseas in determining whether to approve the advisory fees, because both firms are independent of Vanguard, and the advisory fees are the result of arm’s-length negotiations.

The benefit of economies of scale

The board concluded that the fund’s shareholders benefit from economies of scale because of breakpoints in the fund’s advisory fee schedules. The breakpoints reduce the effective rate of the fee as the fund’s assets increase.

The advisory agreements will continue for one year and are renewable by the fund’s board after that for successive one-year periods.

 

35

 


 

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 below). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

 

36

 


 

 

 

 

 

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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, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee

 

 

John J. Brennan1

 

Born 1954

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive

Trustee since May 1987;

Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each of the investment

Chairman of the Board and

companies served by The Vanguard Group; Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation.

Chief Executive Officer

 

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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.;

Treasurer since July 1998

Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group.

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

 

 

F. William McNabb III

 

Born 1957

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,

President since March 2008

and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since 2008;

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The Vanguard 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

152 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

George U. Sauter

Mortimer J. Buckley

Paul A. Heller

Ralph K. Packard

 

 

Founder

 

John C. Bogle

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996

 

 

1  Officers of the funds 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

Vanguard, Admiral, Connect with Vanguard, and the ship

 

logo are trademarks of The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739

 

 

All other marks are the exclusive property of their

Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036

respective owners.

 

 

Text Telephone for People

 

With Hearing Impairment > 800-952-3335

All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper Inc.

 

or Morningstar, Inc., unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

This material may be used in conjunction

and searching for “proxy voting guidelines,” or by

with the offering of shares of any Vanguard

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

fund only if preceded or accompanied by

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

the fund’s current prospectus.

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.

 

 

 

You can review and copy information about your fund

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange

 

Commission, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

Q812 042008

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


>  During the fiscal half-year ended February 29, Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund returned –13.4%.

>  The fund’s performance matched that of its target benchmark, but lagged behind the average return for large-capitalization growth funds.

>  Heavy weightings in the financials, information technology, and consumer discretionary sectors hindered the fund’s performance for the period.

 

Contents

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

1

Chairman’s Letter

2

Fund Profile

6

Performance Summary

8

Financial Statements

9

About Your Fund’s Expenses

26

Glossary

28

 

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 cover of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.

 

 

 


Your Fund’s Total Returns

 

Six Months Ended February 29, 2008

 

 

 

Ticker

Total

 

Symbol

Returns

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund

 

 

Investor Shares

VFTSX

–13.4%

Institutional Shares1

VFTNX

–13.4   

FTSE4Good US Select Index

 

–13.4   

Average Large-Cap Growth Fund2

 

–6.0   

 

Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance

August 31, 2007–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

Distributions Per Share

 

Starting

Ending

Income

Capital

 

Share Price

Share Price

Dividends

Gains

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$9.30

$7.93

$0.140

$0.000

Institutional Shares

9.32

7.94

0.152

0.000

 

 

1  This class of shares carries lower expenses and is available for a minimum initial investment of $5 million.

2  Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.

 

1

 



 

Chairman’s Letter

 

Dear Shareholder,

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund returned a disappointing –13.4% for the six-month period ending February 29, 2008. The fund’s performance matched that of its target benchmark, but trailed the broad U.S. stock market’s return, as well as the average return for large-cap growth funds.

U.S. and foreign stocks tumbled amid recession, subprime concerns

The broad U.S. stock market returned –8.5% for the six months ended February 29, buffeted by tightening global credit markets (a reaction to the subprime mortgage crisis that began taking hold in midsummer), a weakening U.S. dollar, and fears of a U.S. recession.

Over the six-month period, large-cap stocks fared better than small-caps, growth stocks outpaced their value-oriented counterparts, and international stocks again outperformed U.S. stocks. But these performances should be viewed in relative terms: Each stock group posted a negative return.

Mortgage-market fallout roiled both taxable and tax-exempt bonds

As trouble spread from subprime mortgage-backed securities to other instruments, the credit markets grew treacherous. Investors flocked to higher-quality government and corporate bonds, driving U.S. Treasury bond prices higher.

 

2

 


The broad taxable bond market outpaced stocks, posting a total return of 5.7% for the fiscal half-year as lower interest rates depressed yields and pushed up prices. By contrast, tax-exempt municipal bonds returned –0.6%, as fixed income investors pulled back from all but the highest-quality, most liquid securities—preferably Treasuries. This, combined with concerns about the financial strength of the insurers backing the highest-quality municipal bonds, pushed municipal yields above those of Treasuries, a historically unusual relationship.

The Federal Reserve Board responded to the credit-market turmoil and deteriorating economic outlook with aggressive reductions in its target for the federal funds rate. The Fed began a series of five rate cuts early in the fiscal half-year, ending with two cuts in January. The target rate stood at 3.0% at the end of the period, the lowest level since June 2005, and investors anticipated more rate cuts.

Heavy weightings in financials, technology hindered performance

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund’s disappointing six-month return of –13.4% was on track with that of its target benchmark. However, the fund underperformed its peers and the broad U.S. stock market.

The fund’s mandate causes it to concentrate its holdings in the financials, information technology, and consumer discretionary sectors—which contain more of the stocks

 

 

Market Barometer

 

 

 

 

Total Returns

 

Periods Ended February 29, 2008

 

Six Months

One Year

Five Years1

Stocks

 

 

 

Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps)

–8.4%

–3.8%

12.2%

Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps)

–12.9   

–12.4   

15.1   

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market)

–8.5   

–4.1   

12.9   

MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International)

–1.5   

7.8   

24.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

 

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

5.7%

7.3%

4.5%

Lehman Municipal Bond Index

–0.6   

–1.2   

3.4   

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

1.9   

4.4   

3.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPI

 

 

 

Consumer Price Index

1.8%

4.0%

2.9%

 

 

1  Annualized. that meet the social and environmental criteria established by FTSE, the index provider. Over the most recent half-year period, these sectors performed poorly and were the fund’s biggest detractors.

 

3

 


The past six months have been an especially rough period for financial stocks. The fund’s heavy allocation of more than 30% in the financials sector—it focuses on commercial banks and mortgage companies in particular—played a big part in its disappointing performance. Large holdings in information technology companies, such as Google, Intel, and Apple, also hurt performance.

 

The market’s only bright spots were the energy and materials sectors. Because of the fund’s social and environmental screening process, these sectors are underweighted in the index and did little to help the fund’s performance.

Maintain a long-term focus and a well-balanced portfolio

Although Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund had a rough six-month period, it’s important to remember that, in the context of a long-term investment program, six-month results are mostly noise. For this reason, we continue to urge shareholders to look past short-term performance—good and bad. Instead, we recommend

 

Annualized Expense Ratios1

 

 

 

Your Fund Compared With Its Peer Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

Investor

Institutional

Large-Cap

 

Shares

Shares

Growth Fund

FTSE Social Index Fund

0.24%

0.11%

1.36%

 

 

1  Fund expense ratios reflect the six months ended February 29, 2008. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2007.

 

4

 


that shareholders focus on investing for the long run and maintaining a well-diversified portfolio.

Remaining focused on your long-term goals and investing in a portfolio that’s diversified among stocks, bonds, and short-term reserves can help provide peace of mind during the market’s many ups and downs. Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund can help shareholders meet their financial goals as part of a well-balanced portfolio.

As I close this report to you, it’s my pleasure to introduce the fund’s new president, F. William McNabb III. Bill is a man of great character and integrity who is intimately familiar with all aspects of Vanguard—from how we serve our clients to how we invest for our clients.

 

Bill and I have worked together very closely for more than two decades. I’m thrilled that the fund’s board elected him president, effective March 1, and designated him as my successor as chief executive officer, a role he will assume within a year, after an orderly transition. Bill and the rest of our team will serve you and our other clients extremely well in the years ahead.

Thank you for entrusting your assets to Vanguard.

Sincerely,

 


 

John J. Brennan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

March 13, 2008

 

5

 


Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

396

395

4,818

Median Market Cap

$22.1B

$22.1B

$33.9B

Price/Earnings Ratio

17.7x

17.7x

16.8x

Price/Book Ratio

2.2x

2.2x

2.4x

Yield3

 

1.9%

2.0%

Investor Shares

1.6%

 

 

Institutional Shares

1.8%

 

 

Return on Equity

18.6%

18.6%

19.6%

Earnings Growth Rate

20.0%

20.0%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

1.2%

1.2%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

38.0%4

Expense Ratio

 

Investor Shares

0.24%4

 

 

Institutional Shares

0.11%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Consumer Discretionary

13.4%

13.1%

9.4%

Consumer Staples

5.6

5.6

9.3

Energy

4.5

4.5

13.0

Financials

32.0

32.2

18.1

Health Care

16.5

16.5

12.2

Industrials

3.7

3.7

11.9

Information Technology

20.7

20.8

15.3

Materials

0.7

0.7

4.1

Telecommunication

 

 

 

Services

1.4

1.4

2.9

Utilities

1.5

1.5

3.8

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Spliced Index6

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.91

Beta

1.00

1.02

 

 

6

 


Ten Largest Holdings7 (% of total net assets)

 

 

 

Bank of America Corp.

diversified financial

 

 

services

3.8%

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

diversified financial

 

 

services

2.9   

Intel Corp.

semiconductors

2.5   

Google Inc.

internet software

 

 

and services

2.3   

Apple Inc.

computer hardware

2.3   

QUALCOMM Inc.

communications

 

 

equipment

1.5   

McDonald’s Corp.

restaurants

1.4   

The Walt Disney Co.

movies and

 

 

entertainment

1.4   

Wachovia Corp.

diversified banks

1.3   

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

managed health care

1.3   

Top Ten

 

20.7%

 

 

Investment Focus

 


 

 

1  FTSE4Good US Select Index.

2  Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on pages 28 and 29.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on pages 28 and 29.

6  Calvert Social Index through December 16, 2005; FTSE4Good US Select Index thereafter.

7  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

7

 


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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): May 31, 2000–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Five Years

Inception

Investor Shares3

5/31/2000

–2.31%

10.19%

–0.50%

Institutional Shares

1/14/2003

–2.17   

8.954   

—   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Calvert Social Index through December 16, 2005; FTSE4Good US Select Index thereafter.

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

4  Return since inception.

Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 22 and 23 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

8

 


Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (99.9%)

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (13.4%)

 

 

 

McDonald’s Corp.

143,318

7,755

 

The Walt Disney Co.

232,957

7,550

 

Target Corp.

101,571

5,344

 

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

177,441

4,253

*

DIRECTV Group, Inc.

106,871

2,677

*

Amazon.com, Inc.

37,095

2,392

 

Carnival Corp.

56,010

2,204

 

Best Buy Co., Inc.

50,078

2,154

 

Staples, Inc.

85,937

1,912

 

Clear Channel

 

 

 

Communications, Inc.

59,499

1,904

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Capital Series A

14,793

1,718

 

TJX Cos., Inc.

53,277

1,705

*

Kohl’s Corp.

38,030

1,690

 

The Gap, Inc.

71,741

1,447

*

Coach, Inc.

44,330

1,344

 

Macy’s Inc.

51,966

1,283

*

Apollo Group, Inc. Class A

20,054

1,231

 

Garmin Ltd.

19,400

1,139

 

Nordstrom, Inc.

29,257

1,083

 

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

28,945

1,076

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Interactive Series A

72,220

1,037

*

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

31,793

901

 

Gannett Co., Inc.

27,922

842

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Class A

22,141

833

 

Genuine Parts Co.

20,113

830

*

GameStop Corp. Class A

18,995

805

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Series C

22,936

804

*

Cablevision Systems

 

 

 

NY Group Class A

27,457

736

*

Discovery Holding Co.

 

 

 

Class A

32,121

725

 

H & R Block, Inc.

38,601

720

 

 

9

 


 

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

20,091

703

*

Expedia, Inc.

30,472

699

*

AutoZone Inc.

5,876

676

 

Limited Brands, Inc.

43,490

663

*

IAC/InterActiveCorp

31,602

629

 

Tiffany & Co.

16,198

610

 

Virgin Media Inc.

39,486

592

*^Mohawk Industries, Inc.

8,110

579

 

D. R. Horton, Inc.

37,694

529

*^Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc.

178,215

506

 

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

21,382

474

 

E.W. Scripps Co. Class A

11,280

471

 

Ross Stores, Inc.

16,415

457

*

XM Satellite Radio

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

37,743

445

*

Urban Outfitters, Inc.

14,721

424

 

Pulte Homes, Inc.

30,598

414

 

American Eagle

 

 

 

Outfitters, Inc.

19,294

412

*

Office Depot, Inc.

32,957

375

 

Lamar Advertising Co.

 

 

 

Class A

9,791

373

 

PetSmart, Inc.

16,273

350

*

NVR, Inc.

644

348

^New York Times Co. Class A

17,313

323

*

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.

11,374

305

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

12,969

303

*

Toll Brothers, Inc.

14,178

301

 

Lennar Corp. Class A

15,540

289

 

Gentex Corp.

17,371

280

 

RadioShack Corp.

15,926

278

 

KB Home

10,738

257

 

Foot Locker, Inc.

18,677

230

 

Weight Watchers

 

 

 

International, Inc.

4,638

218

*

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

21,128

197

*

Getty Images, Inc.

5,294

170

*

Career Education Corp.

11,417

170

*

Sally Beauty Co. Inc.

11,900

91

 

Circuit City Stores, Inc.

20,284

90

 

Idearc Inc.

18,117

87

 

^The McClatchy Co. Class A

6,938

67

*

R.H. Donnelley Corp.

8,500

60

 

 

 

74,539

Consumer Staples (5.6%)

 

 

 

CVS/Caremark Corp.

177,646

7,173

 

Walgreen Co.

119,691

4,370

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

52,554

3,254

 

General Mills, Inc.

40,267

2,255

 

Sysco Corp.

73,118

2,052

 

Kellogg Co.

35,719

1,812

 

Bunge Ltd.

14,485

1,606

 

Safeway, Inc.

52,820

1,518

 

 

10

 


 

 

Campbell Soup Co.

34,532

1,115

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.

17,065

1,022

 

The Hershey Co.

20,140

747

 

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

20,047

682

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

16,602

584

 

The Estee Lauder Cos. Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

13,634

581

 

Hormel Foods Corp.

12,288

502

 

McCormick & Co., Inc.

13,714

472

 

Dean Foods Co.

15,704

338

 

Alberto-Culver Co.

11,637

312

 

PepsiAmericas, Inc.

12,059

305

 

Del Monte Foods Co.

24,778

223

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Class B

2,416

146

 

 

 

31,069

Energy (4.5%)

 

 

 

Apache Corp.

39,325

4,511

 

XTO Energy, Inc.

57,977

3,578

*

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

42,582

2,653

 

Williams Cos., Inc.

71,342

2,570

 

Peabody Energy Corp.

31,696

1,795

 

Spectra Energy Corp.

75,100

1,736

 

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

21,930

1,666

 

Smith International, Inc.

23,868

1,504

*

Ultra Petroleum Corp.

18,208

1,429

*

Newfield Exploration Co.

15,621

865

*

Plains Exploration &

 

 

 

Production Co.

13,462

727

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

14,614

655

 

Rowan Cos., Inc.

13,241

534

 

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

18,596

441

 

Teekay Shipping Corp.

6,589

283

*

Patriot Coal Corp.

3,259

175

 

 

 

25,122

Financial Services (31.9%)

 

 

 

Capital Markets (4.7%)

 

 

 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

103,105

5,110

 

State Street Corp.

46,761

3,673

 

Lehman Brothers

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

63,700

3,248

 

Charles Schwab Corp.

138,104

2,708

 

Franklin Resources Corp.

22,108

2,086

 

Northern Trust Corp.

26,354

1,782

 

T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

31,582

1,596

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

28,175

1,427

 

Bear Stearns Co., Inc.

13,889

1,109

 

Legg Mason Inc.

15,877

1,049

*

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

35,978

658

 

Janus Capital Group Inc.

20,787

503

 

SEI Investments Co.

17,588

440

 

^Allied Capital Corp.

18,467

417

*

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

51,147

218

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 


 

 

Commercial Banks (5.7%)

 

 

 

Wachovia Corp.

238,420

7,300

 

U.S. Bancorp

209,115

6,696

 

PNC Financial Services Group

40,990

2,518

 

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

41,859

2,433

 

BB&T Corp.

66,402

2,067

 

Regions Financial Corp.

84,472

1,791

 

M & T Bank Corp.

13,323

1,094

 

KeyCorp

47,032

1,037

 

Commerce Bancorp, Inc.

22,845

863

 

Marshall & Ilsley Corp.

32,007

743

 

Comerica, Inc.

18,106

656

 

Zions Bancorp

12,776

610

 

Huntington Bancshares Inc.

44,336

542

 

Synovus Financial Corp.

40,511

467

 

Associated Banc-Corp.

15,158

378

 

Popular, Inc.

33,515

370

 

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

8,585

358

 

City National Corp.

5,838

299

 

TCF Financial Corp.

15,199

283

 

Valley National Bancorp

14,520

271

 

First Horizon National Corp.

15,238

247

 

Fulton Financial Corp.

20,776

242

 

Colonial BancGroup, Inc.

18,399

222

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Finance (1.5%)

 

 

 

American Express Co.

140,329

5,936

 

SLM Corp.

61,284

1,202

 

Discover Financial Services

63,449

957

*^AmeriCredit Corp.

13,736

198

 

The First Marblehead Corp.

5,741

69

 

Student Loan Corp.

494

55

 

 

 

 

 

Diversified Financial Services (8.4%)

 

 

Bank of America Corp.

534,715

21,250

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

402,898

16,378

 

CME Group, Inc.

6,383

3,276

 

NYSE Euronext

31,631

2,077

 

Moody’s Corp.

31,052

1,179

 

Leucadia National Corp.

19,352

876

*

IntercontinentalExchange Inc.

6,230

812

 

Nymex Holdings Inc.

5,567

550

 

CIT Group Inc.

22,785

506

 

 

 

 

Insurance (6.7%)

 

 

MetLife, Inc.

88,954

5,182

AFLAC Inc.

58,859

3,673

The Allstate Corp.

68,459

3,268

The Hartford Financial

 

 

Services Group Inc.

38,034

2,659

The Chubb Corp.

45,980

2,340

ACE Ltd.

39,526

2,223

The Principal

 

 

 

 

12

 


 

Financial Group, Inc.

31,479

1,739

Lincoln National Corp.

32,451

1,659

Progressive Corp. of Ohio

83,684

1,534

Genworth Financial Inc.

53,011

1,229

Unum Group

43,298

992

Assurant, Inc.

14,206

889

XL Capital Ltd. Class A

21,795

786

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

19,905

740

Everest Re Group, Ltd.

7,544

731

Torchmark Corp.

11,049

666

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

18,049

665

W.R. Berkley Corp.

22,464

647

White Mountains

 

 

Insurance Group Inc.

1,265

624

* Markel Corp.

1,187

552

Safeco Corp.

11,331

524

PartnerRe Ltd.

6,698

515

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

8,494

466

Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

12,745

419

Old Republic

 

 

International Corp.

27,742

381

First American Corp.

10,917

380

MBIA, Inc.

26,927

349

Protective Life Corp.

8,314

321

Brown & Brown, Inc.

16,776

299

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.

3,250

219

Unitrin, Inc.

5,772

205

Mercury General Corp.

3,321

151

Erie Indemnity Co. Class A

2,816

139

^Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

12,269

137

Wesco Financial Corp.

191

74

 

 

 

Real Estate (2.9%)

 

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

 

REIT

26,751

2,242

Vornado Realty Trust REIT

18,107

1,513

Equity Residential REIT

33,187

1,267

Public Storage, Inc. REIT

15,230

1,239

General Growth Properties Inc.

 

REIT

29,293

1,034

Kimco Realty Corp. REIT

30,285

1,023

Host Hotels & Resorts Inc.

 

 

REIT

62,867

1,018

Avalonbay Communities, Inc.

 

 

REIT

9,366

866

Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc.

 

 

REIT

20,602

838

 

HCP, Inc. REIT

25,822

753

 

AMB Property Corp. REIT

11,804

592

 

Developers Diversified

 

 

 

Realty Corp. REIT

14,959

577

 

The Macerich Co. REIT

8,684

556

 

Regency Centers Corp. REIT

8,207

487

 

 

13

 


 

 

Hospitality Properties Trust

 

 

 

REIT

11,263

409

 

Duke Realty Corp. REIT

17,422

399

 

Apartment Investment &

 

 

 

Management Co. Class A

 

 

 

REIT

11,474

395

 

Weingarten Realty Investors

 

 

 

REIT

10,228

328

 

Liberty Property Trust REIT

11,000

327

 

iStar Financial Inc. REIT

15,764

311

 

 

 

 

 

Real Estate Management & Development (0.1%)

 

^The St. Joe Co.

8,861

341

 

Forest City Enterprise Class A

9,337

328

 

 

 

 

 

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (1.9%)

 

 

Fannie Mae

116,342

3,217

 

Freddie Mac

79,315

1,997

 

Washington Mutual, Inc.

104,483

1,546

 

Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.

63,842

1,013

 

People’s United Financial Inc.

41,513

700

 

New York Community

 

 

 

Bancorp, Inc.

38,880

635

 

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

57,520

634

 

Countrywide Financial Corp.

69,142

436

 

Astoria Financial Corp.

11,553

302

 

^MGIC Investment Corp.

9,818

145

 

The PMI Group Inc.

10,305

75

 

Radian Group, Inc.

9,700

69

 

 

 

177,821

Health Care (16.5%)

 

 

 

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

155,075

7,208

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

135,571

6,781

 

Medtronic, Inc.

136,800

6,752

*

Amgen, Inc.

130,410

5,936

*

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

111,672

5,284

*

WellPoint Inc.

68,579

4,806

 

Baxter International, Inc.

76,088

4,491

 

Aetna Inc.

59,998

2,976

*

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

64,122

2,841

*

Celgene Corp.

46,326

2,611

 

Cardinal Health, Inc.

43,661

2,582

 

Covidien Ltd.

59,226

2,534

 

Stryker Corp.

36,838

2,399

*

Genzyme Corp.

31,640

2,244

*

Boston Scientific Corp.

176,643

2,224

 

Allergan, Inc.

36,928

2,187

*

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

28,722

2,162

*

Biogen Idec Inc.

35,138

2,051

*

Express Scripts Inc.

30,198

1,785

*

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

40,965

1,761

 

Alcon, Inc.

10,774

1,559

*

Forest Laboratories, Inc.

38,109

1,516

 

 

14

 


 

 

CIGNA Corp.

33,471

1,492

*

Humana Inc.

20,107

1,374

*

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

4,581

1,291

*

Coventry Health Care Inc.

18,737

972

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

21,536

898

 

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

17,469

833

*

Hospira, Inc.

18,719

797

 

Applera Corp.–Applied

 

 

 

Biosystems Group

21,933

739

*

Waters Corp.

11,891

709

*

Henry Schein, Inc.

10,701

640

*

DaVita, Inc.

12,579

624

*

Patterson Cos.

16,732

589

*

Health Net Inc.

13,372

588

*

Millennium

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

38,828

543

 

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

7,510

507

*

Cephalon, Inc.

7,983

482

*

Millipore Corp.

6,558

458

*

Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc.

9,578

452

 

Mylan Inc.

34,663

410

*

Community Health

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

11,459

356

*

Lincare Holdings, Inc.

10,120

329

 

Universal Health Services

 

 

 

Class B

6,142

328

*

Kinetic Concepts, Inc.

6,345

326

*

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

29,177

309

 

Omnicare, Inc.

14,600

306

*

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

57,638

277

*

Sepracor Inc.

12,768

274

*

HLTH Corp.

22,090

262

 

Health Management

 

 

 

Associates Class A

28,881

155

 

 

 

92,010

Industrials (3.7%)

 

 

 

Deere & Co.

53,194

4,533

 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

47,553

2,515

 

PACCAR, Inc.

44,952

1,950

*

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

14,294

1,148

 

Southwest Airlines Co.

88,060

1,080

 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

20,436

1,038

*

First Solar, Inc.

4,632

950

 

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

26,159

936

*

Terex Corp.

12,359

834

 

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

10,017

738

 

Fastenal Co.

17,916

728

 

Republic Services, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

22,604

690

 

Equifax, Inc.

16,838

576

 

Manpower Inc.

10,094

572

 

Robert Half International, Inc.

19,331

521

 

 

15

 


 

*

ChoicePoint Inc.

9,025

437

*

Monster Worldwide Inc.

15,625

415

 

Cintas Corp.

14,390

414

 

J.B. Hunt Transport

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

12,161

333

 

 

 

20,408

Information Technology (20.7%)

 

 

 

Communications Equipment (1.9%)

 

 

QUALCOMM Inc.

198,214

8,398

*

Juniper Networks, Inc.

61,597

1,652

*

JDS Uniphase Corp.

26,287

346

*

Tellabs, Inc.

52,480

345

 

 

 

 

 

Computers & Peripherals (4.0%)

 

*

Apple Inc.

104,230

13,031

*

Dell Inc.

272,601

5,411

 

Seagate Technology

64,043

1,381

*

Network Appliance, Inc.

42,662

922

*

SanDisk Corp.

27,267

642

*

Teradata Corp.

21,837

551

*

QLogic Corp.

16,370

259

 

 

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment & Instruments (1.1%)

 

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

59,226

1,949

*

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

46,390

1,420

*

Flextronics International Ltd.

99,735

1,011

*

Avnet, Inc.

17,933

605

*

Arrow Electronics, Inc.

14,813

483

 

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

24,796

320

*

Sanmina-SCI Corp.

63,964

106

 

 

 

 

 

Internet Software & Services (3.8%)

 

*

Google Inc.

27,740

13,071

*

Yahoo! Inc.

120,930

3,359

*

eBay Inc.

123,279

3,250

*

VeriSign, Inc.

29,793

1,037

*

Akamai Technologies, Inc.

19,804

696

 

 

 

 

 

IT Services (2.3%)

 

 

 

Automatic Data

 

 

 

Processing, Inc.

63,701

2,545

 

MasterCard, Inc. Class A

10,101

1,919

 

Western Union Co.

91,543

1,904

*

Cognizant Technology

 

 

 

Solutions Corp.

34,598

1,045

*

Fiserv, Inc.

19,687

1,036

*

Computer Sciences Corp.

20,585

894

*

Iron Mountain, Inc.

23,762

715

*

Affiliated Computer

 

 

 

Services, Inc. Class A

11,031

560

 

Total System Services, Inc.

23,905

531

*

DST Systems, Inc.

7,375

518

*

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

7,032

356

 

 

16

 


 

 

Broadridge Financial

 

 

 

Solutions LLC

16,650

319

*

Convergys Corp.

15,685

226

*

Metavante Technologies

7,735

168

 

MoneyGram

 

 

 

International, Inc.

10,033

37

 

 

 

 

 

Office Electronics (0.0%)

 

 

*

Zebra Technologies Corp.

 

 

 

Class A

8,136

271

 

 

 

 

 

Semiconductors &

 

 

 

Semiconductor Equipment (5.4%)

 

 

Intel Corp.

697,746

13,920

 

Applied Materials, Inc.

166,783

3,197

*

MEMC Electronic

 

 

 

Materials, Inc.

20,188

1,540

*

NVIDIA Corp.

65,810

1,408

*

Broadcom Corp.

56,066

1,060

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

37,303

1,004

 

KLA-Tencor Corp.

22,962

965

 

Microchip Technology, Inc.

26,099

803

 

Xilinx, Inc.

35,760

799

 

Linear Technology Corp.

26,814

743

 

Altera Corp.

40,286

689

*

Micron Technology, Inc.

90,496

681

*

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

53,444

604

*

LAM Research Corp.

14,772

594

 

National Semiconductor Corp.

31,932

526

*

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

72,466

522

*

LSI Corp.

85,945

433

*

Novellus Systems, Inc.

14,798

327

*

Teradyne, Inc.

22,027

264

 

 

 

 

 

Software (2.2%)

 

 

*

Electronic Arts Inc.

37,376

1,768

*

Symantec Corp.

103,932

1,750

*

Intuit, Inc.

40,310

1,071

 

CA, Inc.

46,343

1,060

*

BEA Systems, Inc.

46,704

891

*

Autodesk, Inc.

27,763

863

*

Amdocs Ltd.

25,197

781

*

BMC Software, Inc.

23,994

775

*

Citrix Systems, Inc.

21,876

720

*

McAfee Inc.

19,146

637

*

Check Point Software

 

 

 

Technologies Ltd.

26,703

585

*

Synopsys, Inc.

17,363

403

*

Cadence Design

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

32,855

349

*

Compuware Corp.

35,455

282

 

Fair Isaac, Inc.

6,979

162

 

 

 

115,465

 

 

17

 


 

Materials (0.7%)

 

 

 

^Southern Peru Copper Corp.

 

 

 

(U.S. Shares)

10,535

1,202

 

Vulcan Materials Co.

12,879

903

 

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

15,712

864

 

Sealed Air Corp.

19,450

471

*

Pactiv Corp.

15,592

395

 

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

12,512

136

 

 

 

3,971

Telecommunication Services (1.4%)

 

 

Sprint Nextel Corp.

332,467

2,364

 

Qwest Communications

 

 

 

International Inc.

216,424

1,169

*

Crown Castle

 

 

 

International Corp.

25,607

924

*

NII Holdings Inc.

20,654

821

 

Embarq Corp.

18,326

769

 

CenturyTel, Inc.

12,915

467

 

Citizens Communications Co.

40,933

440

*^Level 3 Communications, Inc.

185,788

414

 

Telephone & Data

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.–Special

 

 

 

Common Shares

7,074

305

 

Telephone & Data

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

6,273

294

 

 

 

7,967

Utilities (1.5%)

 

 

*

AES Corp.

79,286

1,426

*

NRG Energy, Inc.

28,749

1,186

*

Mirant Corp.

30,686

1,135

 

Questar Corp.

20,392

1,127

 

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

19,730

1,000

 

Equitable Resources, Inc.

14,500

893

 

Pepco Holdings, Inc.

23,180

586

 

TECO Energy, Inc.

25,724

385

 

Puget Energy, Inc.

13,974

373

 

 

 

8,111

Total Common Stocks

 

 

(Cost $577,160)

 

556,483

Temporary Cash Investment (0.6%)

 

1

Vanguard Market Liquidity

 

 

 

Fund, 3.522%—Note E

 

 

 

(Cost $3,222)

3,222,300

3,222

Total Investments (100.5%)

 

 

(Cost $580,382)

 

559,705

Other Assets and Liabilities (–0.5%)

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

2,455

Liabilities—Note E

 

(5,225)

 

 

 

(2,770)

Net Assets (100%)

 

556,935

 

 

18

 


At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:2

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

570,393

Undistributed Net Investment Income

329

Accumulated Net Realized Gains

6,890

Unrealized Depreciation

(20,677)

Net Assets

556,935

 

 

 

 

Investor Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 54,580,839 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

432,705

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Investor Shares

$7.93

 

 

 

 

Institutional Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 15,652,263 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

124,230

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Institutional Shares

$7.94

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

^  Part of security position is on loan to broker-dealers. See Note E in Notes to Financial Statements.

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

2  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

19

 


Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

5,317

Interest1

12

Security Lending

22

Total Income

5,351

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

25

Management and Administrative

 

Investor Shares

468

Institutional Shares

39

Marketing and Distribution

 

Investor Shares

73

Institutional Shares

17

Custodian Fees

38

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Investor Shares

11

Institutional Shares

Total Expense

671

Net Investment Income

4,680

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Sold

8,541

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(99,701)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(86,480)

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $12,000.

 

20

 


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

4,680

 

9,095

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

8,541

 

12,259

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(99,701)

 

32,031

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(86,480)

 

53,385

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Investor Shares

(7,812)

 

(6,055)

Institutional Shares

(2,061)

 

(1,389)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Investor Shares

 

Institutional Shares

 

Total Distributions

(9,873)

 

(7,444)

Capital Share Transactions—Note F

 

 

 

Investor Shares

(31,012)

 

97,215

Institutional Shares

33,272

 

16,384

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

2,260

 

113,599

Total Increase (Decrease)

(94,093)

 

159,540

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

651,028

 

491,488

End of Period1

556,935

 

651,028

 

 

1  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $329,000 and $5,522,000.

 

21

 


Financial Highlights

 

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

 

 

 

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$9.30

$8.51

$8.03

$7.40

$6.87

$6.02

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.07

.13

.11

.131

.08

.07

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(1.30)

.78

.47

.62

.52

.84

Total from Investment Operations

(1.23)

.91

.58

.75

.60

.91

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.14)

(.12)

(.10)

(.12)

(.07)

(.06)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.14)

(.12)

(.10)

(.12)

(.07)

(.06)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$7.93

$9.30

$8.51

$8.03

$7.40

$6.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return2

–13.41%

10.70%

7.25%

10.16%

8.75%

15.28%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$433

$540

$405

$361

$274

$150

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.24%*

0.24%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

0.25%

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.47%*

1.48%

1.41%

1.74%1

1.17%

1.18%

Portfolio Turnover Rate

38%*

20%

51%3

12%

8%

14%

 

 

1  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $0.04 and 0.43%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Microsoft Corp. in November 2004.

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

3  Includes activity related to a change in the fund’s target index.

*  Annualized.

 

22

 


Institutional Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

 

Jan. 14,

 

Ended

 

20031 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$9.32

$8.52

$8.04

$7.41

$6.88

$6.22

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.073

.152

.12

.1382

.084

.05

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(1.301)

.780

.47

.620

.522

.61

Total from Investment Operations

(1.228)

.932

.59

.758

.606

.66

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.152)

(.132)

(.11)

(.128)

(.076)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.152)

(.132)

(.11)

(.128)

(.076)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$7.94

$9.32

$8.52

$8.04

$7.41

$6.88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–13.37%

10.95%

7.37%

10.26%

8.83%

10.61%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$124

$111

$87

$27

$13

$12

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.11%*

0.11%

0.12%

0.12%

0.12%

0.12%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.60%*

1.61%

1.54%

1.83%2

1.30%

1.32%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate

38%*

20%

51%3

12%

8%

14%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $0.036 and 0.43%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Microsoft Corp. in November 2004.

3  Includes activity related to a change in the fund’s target index.

*  Annualized.

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

 

23

 


Notes to Financial Statements

Vanguard FTSE Social Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Investor Shares and Institutional Shares. Investor Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. Institutional Shares are designed for investors who meet certain administrative and service criteria and invest a minimum of $5 million.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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.

5. 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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $51,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.05% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are

 

24

 


 

also directors and officers of Vanguard.

 

C. 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.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $1,431,000 to offset future net capital gains of $79,000 through August 31, 2012, $985,000 through August 31, 2013, and $367,000 through August 31, 2014. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $580,382,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $20,677,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $52,216,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $72,893,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $195,636,000 of investment securities and sold $199,149,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.

E. The market value of securities on loan to broker-dealers at February 29, 2008, was $2,951,000, for which the fund received cash collateral of $3,222,000.

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

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Investor Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

48,612

5,446

 

167,494

17,947

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

7,393

821

 

5,638

610

Redeemed

(87,017)

(9,693)

 

(75,917)

(8,154)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares

(31,012)

(3,426)

 

97,215

10,403

Institutional Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

50,559

5,618

 

41,949

4,428

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

1,715

190

 

1,389

150

Redeemed

(19,002)

(2,100)

 

(26,954)

(2,794)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Institutional Shares

33,272

3,708

 

16,384

1,784

 

 

25

 


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 table below 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 February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

Beginning

Ending

Expenses

 

Account Value

Account Value

Paid During

FTSE Social Index Fund

8/31/2007

2/29/2008

Period1

Based on Actual Fund Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$865.94

$1.11

Institutional Shares

1,000.00

866.30

0.51

Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return

 

 

 

Investor Shares

$1,000.00

$1,023.67

$1.21

Institutional Shares

1,000.00

1,024.32

0.55

 

 

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 0.24% for Investor Shares and 0.11% for Institutional 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.

 

26

 


 

 

Note that the expenses shown in the table on page 26 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.

 

27

 


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 below). 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.

 

28

 


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.

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.

 

29

 


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, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee

 

 

John J. Brennan1

 

Born 1954

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive

Trustee since May 1987;

Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each of the investment

Chairman of the Board and

companies served by The Vanguard Group; Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation.

Chief Executive Officer

 

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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.;

Treasurer since July 1998

Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group.

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

 

 

F. William McNabb III

 

Born 1957

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,

President since March 2008

and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since 2008;

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The Vanguard 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

152 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

George U. Sauter

Mortimer J. Buckley

Paul A. Heller

Ralph K. Packard

 

 

Founder

 

John C. Bogle

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996

 

 

1  Officers of the funds 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 other marks are the exclusive property of their

 

respective owners.

Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739

 

 

All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper Inc.

Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036

or Morningstar, Inc., unless otherwise noted.

 

 

Text Telephone for People

 

With Hearing Impairment > 800-952-3335

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

 

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

 

and searching for “proxy voting guidelines,” or by

 

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

 

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

This material may be used in conjunction

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

with the offering of shares of any Vanguard

fund voted the proxies for securities it owned during

fund only if preceded or accompanied by

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

the fund’s current prospectus.

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

 

 

 

 

Vanguard, Connect with Vanguard, and the ship logo

 

are trademarks of The Vanguard Group, Inc.

You can review and copy information about your fund

 

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

 

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

“FTSE®” and “FTSE4Good™” are trademarks jointly

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

owned by the London Stock Exchange plc and The

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

Financial Times Limited and are used by FTSE

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

International Limited under license. The FTSE4Good

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

US Select Index is calculated by FTSE International

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

Limited. FTSE International Limited does not sponsor,

Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange

endorse, or promote the fund; is not in any way

Commission, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

connected to it; and does not accept any liability in

 

relation to its issue, operation, and trading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

Q2132 042008

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


>  During the six months ended February 29, the broad U.S. stock market climbed to a record high on October 11, but then slid steeply to return –8.5% for the period.

>  The worst-performing sectors—all with double-digit declines—were telecommunication services, financials, consumer discretionary, and information technology.

>  The only sectors posting gains were energy, materials, and consumer staples.

 

Contents

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

1

Chairman’s Letter

4

Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

10

Consumer Staples Index Fund

29

Energy Index Fund

42

Financials Index Fund

56

Health Care Index Fund

78

Industrials Index Fund

94

Information Technology Index Fund

112

Materials Index Fund

131

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

144

Utilities Index Fund

156

About Your Fund’s Expenses

168

Glossary

171

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

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 cover of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.

 

 


Your Fund’s Total Returns

Six Months Ended February 29, 2008

 

Admiral™ Shares1

 

 

 

Ticker

Total

 

Symbol

Returns

Vanguard Consumer

 

 

Discretionary Index Fund

VCDAX

–16.8%

MSCI® US

 

 

IMI/Consumer Discretionary

 

–16.7   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Consumer Staples

 

 

Index Fund

VCSAX

1.1%

MSCI US IMI/Consumer Staples

 

2.2   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Energy Index Fund

VENAX

9.4%

MSCI US IMI/Energy

 

9.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Financials Index Fund

VFAIX

–20.3%

MSCI US IMI/Financials

 

–20.3   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Health Care Index Fund

VHCIX

–4.7%

MSCI US IMI/Health Care

 

–4.5   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Industrials Index Fund

VINAX

–7.2%

MSCI US IMI/Industrials

 

–7.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Information

 

 

Technology Index Fund

VITAX

–13.2%

MSCI US IMI/Information Technology

 

–13.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Materials Index Fund

VMIAX

6.6%

MSCI US IMI/Materials

 

6.6   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Telecommunication

 

 

Services Index Fund

VTCAX

–21.7%

MSCI US IMI/

 

 

Telecommunication Services

 

–19.3   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Utilities Index Fund

VUIAX

–2.0%

MSCI US IMI/Utilities

 

–1.7   

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSCI US IMI/2500

 

–8.7%

 

 

1

 


 

 

ETF Shares2

 

 

 

Ticker

Total

 

Symbol

Returns

Vanguard Consumer

 

 

Discretionary ETF

VCR

 

Market Price

 

–16.6%

Net Asset Value

 

–16.7   

MSCI US IMI/Consumer Discretionary

 

–16.7   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Consumer Staples ETF

VDC

 

Market Price

 

1.2%

Net Asset Value

 

1.1   

MSCI US IMI/Consumer Staples

 

2.2   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Energy ETF

VDE

 

Market Price

 

9.5%

Net Asset Value

 

9.4   

MSCI US IMI/Energy

 

9.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Financials ETF

VFH

 

Market Price

 

–20.1%

Net Asset Value

 

–20.3   

MSCI US IMI/Financials

 

–20.3   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Health Care ETF

VHT

 

Market Price

 

–4.5%

Net Asset Value

 

–4.6   

MSCI US IMI/Health Care

 

–4.5   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Industrials ETF

VIS

 

Market Price

 

–7.0%

Net Asset Value

 

–7.1   

MSCI US IMI/Industrials

 

–7.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Information

 

 

Technology ETF

VGT

 

Market Price

 

–13.2%

Net Asset Value

 

–13.2   

MSCI US IMI/Information Technology

 

–13.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Materials ETF

VAW

 

Market Price

 

6.7%

Net Asset Value

 

6.7   

MSCI US IMI/Materials

 

6.6   

 

 

 

 

 

2

 


 

 

 

 

Vanguard Telecommunication

 

 

Services ETF

VOX

 

Market Price

 

–21.6%

Net Asset Value

 

–21.7   

MSCI US IMI/

 

 

Telecommunication Services

 

–19.3   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Utilities ETF

VPU

 

Market Price

 

–1.7%

Net Asset Value

 

–1.9   

MSCI US IMI/Utilities

 

–1.7   

 

 

 

 

 

 

MSCI US IMI/2500

 

–8.7%

 

 

 

1  A lower-cost class of shares available to many longtime shareholders and to those with significant investments in the fund. Returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

2  Vanguard ETF™ Shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange and are available only through brokers. The table shows the ETF returns based on both the AMEX market price and the net asset value for a share. U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,964 B2; 7,337,138.

Note: MSCI US IMI/2500 is the Morgan Stanley Capital International® US Investable Market 2500 Index.

 

3

 



 

Chairman’s Letter

 

Dear Shareholder,

The U.S. stock market began the fiscal half-year by climbing to a record high on October 11. As concerns spread about the impact of the housing downturn and related credit market turmoil, the broad stock market began a volatile decline from that high point and ultimately produced a –8.5% return for the six months ended February 29.

Each of the Vanguard U.S. Sector Index Funds reacted differently to the overall economic and market environment, reflecting the business dynamics of each market sector. That is why the portfolios’ returns ranged widely, from –21.7% for the Telecommunication Services Index Fund to 9.4% for the Energy Index Fund.

The funds seeking to track the telecommunication services, financials, consumer discretionary, and information technology sectors underperformed the broad market. The industrials, health care, and utilities sector funds also wound up in negative territory, but they fell a bit less than the overall market did. The energy, materials, and consumer staples sector funds produced gains for the period.

 

U.S. and foreign stocks fell amid recession, subprime concerns

The U.S. stock market was buffeted over the half-year by tightening global credit markets, a weakening U.S. dollar, and fears of a recession that intensified as the problems stemming from the housing slump continued to spread.

Over the period, large-capitalization stocks fared better than small-caps, growth stocks outpaced their value-oriented counterparts, and international stocks again outperformed U.S. stocks. But these performances should be viewed in relative terms: Each stock group posted a negative return.

Mortgage-market fallout roiled both taxable and tax-exempt bonds

As trouble spread from subprime mortgage-backed securities to other instruments, the credit markets grew treacherous. Investors flocked to higher-quality government and corporate bonds, driving U.S. Treasury bond prices higher.

The broad taxable bond market outpaced stocks, posting a total return of 5.7% for the fiscal half-year as lower interest rates among Treasury securities depressed yields and pushed up prices. By contrast, tax-exempt municipal bonds returned –0.6%, as fixed income investors pulled back from all but the highest-quality, most liquid securities—preferably Treasuries. This, combined with concerns about the financial strength of the insurers backing some of the highest-quality municipal bonds, pushed municipal yields above those of Treasuries, a historically unusual relationship.

 

4

 


Market Barometer

 

 

 

 

Total Returns

 

Periods Ended February 29, 2008

 

Six Months

One Year

Five Years1

Stocks

 

 

 

Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps)

–8.4%

–3.8%

12.2%

Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps)

–12.9   

–12.4   

15.1   

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market)

–8.5   

–4.1   

12.9   

MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International)

–1.5   

7.8   

24.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

 

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

5.7%

7.3%

4.5%

Lehman Municipal Bond Index

–0.6   

–1.2   

3.4   

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

1.9   

4.4   

3.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPI

 

 

 

Consumer Price Index

1.8%

4.0%

2.9%

 

1 Annualized.

The Federal Reserve Board responded to the credit-market turmoil and deteriorating economic outlook with aggressive reductions in its target for the federal funds rate. The Fed began a series of five rate cuts early in the fiscal half-year, ending with two cuts in January. The target rate stood at 3.0% at the end of the period, the lowest level since June 2005, and investors anticipated more rate cuts.

A variety of factors affected the sector index funds’ returns

The Vanguard U.S. Sector Index Funds produced a wide variety of returns during the fiscal half-year ended February 29. Seven of the ten sector funds posted negative results, with four of those in double digits; three funds reported gains.

The Telecommunication Services Index Fund, which invested in the smallest sector, produced the largest loss. The fund declined –21.7%, as rivals Sprint Nextel, Verizon, and AT&T all posted poor results. As you would expect, the Financials Index Fund was pummeled by worries over the widening impact of the subprime mortgage crisis. This fund, which invested in the market’s largest sector, posted a –20.3% return.

The Information Technology Index Fund, which invested in the second-largest sector, reported a –13.2% return, as investors anticipated that spending for computer software, hardware, and services would slow in coming months. Stocks of Cisco Systems, Intel, Microsoft, and Apple were among the largest losers for the period.

The Consumer Discretionary Index Fund returned –16.8%. This sector is particularly sensitive to slowing economic activity because it is easy for worried consumers to cut back their spending at the restaurants, retailers, and entertainment purveyors that compete for discretionary dollars. Among the hardest-hit stocks in the group were those of multiline retailers (such as JC Penney, Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Target), specialty retailers (especially Home Depot and Lowe’s), and media companies (such as Comcast and Time Warner).

Declines were not as steep for the sector funds that invest in industrials (–7.2%), health care (–4.7%), and utilities (–2.0%). In the industrials group, General Electric stock was notably hard-hit. Among health-related companies, pharmaceuticals and managed health care stocks were especially weak. Meanwhile, declines in the utilities sector were broad-based.

 

5

 


Surging oil prices underpinned the Energy Index Fund’s 9.4% return, the highest among the sector funds. The stocks of exploration and production companies and of large integrated oil giants were the fund’s major contributors. The Materials Index Fund produced a 6.6% return as agricultural commodity prices escalated. Monsanto, the agricultural company, and Mosaic, the fertilizer maker, were among the major contributors to the fund’s return. The Consumer Staples Index Fund, which includes firms that produce products and services that consumers find difficult to give up, even in a slowing economy, delivered a 1.1% return.

The funds’ advisor, Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group, generally succeeded in capturing the returns of the target indexes, typically lagging by amounts consistent with the funds’ real-world operating and transaction costs. Two exceptions to this pattern were the Telecommunication Services and Consumer Staples Index Funds, which, because of regulatory limits on holdings of individual securities, weren’t able to completely replicate the holdings of their respective indexes.

Sector index funds can serve to widen a portfolio’s diversity

By their nature, sector funds focus on narrow slices of the stock market. Because of the normal volatility associated with any single sector, investing in a sector fund on a stand-alone basis can entail unnecessary risk.

 

The story is different in a broadly diversified portfolio, where the mix of returns across all sectors can serve to dilute risk. In this regard, Vanguard’s sector funds offer an excellent way to manage risk by “filling in” the gaps in a portfolio that requires further diversification. Vanguard’s history of low costs and skillful execution of indexing strategies have helped many investors capture a larger share of their chosen sector’s returns.

In addition to diversifying within your stock investments, you can further dilute risk by balancing your portfolio across asset classes with investments in bonds and cash. Indeed, studies have shown that an investor’s most important decision in establishing a well-constructed portfolio is selecting the mix of assets, rather than the individual investments themselves.

As I close this report to you, it’s my pleasure to introduce the fund’s new president, F. William McNabb III. Bill is a man of great character and integrity who is intimately familiar with all aspects of Vanguard—from how we serve our clients to how we invest for them.

Bill and I have worked together very closely for more than two decades. I’m thrilled that the fund’s board elected him president, effective March 1, and designated him my successor as chief executive officer, a role he will assume within a year, after an orderly transition. Bill and the rest of our team will serve you and our other clients extremely well in the years ahead.

Thank you for entrusting your assets to Vanguard.

Sincerely,

 


 

John J. Brennan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

March 14, 2008

 

6

 


Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance

 

 

 

 

August 31, 2007–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distributions Per Share

 

Starting

Ending

Income

Capital

 

Share Price

Share Price

Dividends

Gains

Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$31.02

$25.64

$0.200

$0.000

ETF Shares

60.02

49.55

0.460

0.000

Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$33.22

$33.07

$0.560

$0.000

ETF Shares

67.35

67.02

1.159

0.000

Energy Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$50.36

$54.66

$0.450

$0.000

ETF Shares

100.92

109.51

0.940

0.000

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$30.10

$23.63

$0.425

$0.000

ETF Shares

60.04

47.14

0.861

0.000

Health Care Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$29.82

$28.07

$0.395

$0.000

ETF Shares

59.65

56.15

0.820

0.000

Industrials Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$37.94

$34.76

$0.500

$0.000

ETF Shares

73.94

67.75

0.981

0.000

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$29.95

$25.92

$0.085

$0.000

ETF Shares

58.52

50.65

0.175

0.000

Materials Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$41.75

$43.90

$0.640

$0.000

ETF Shares

82.10

86.32

1.277

0.000

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$41.01

$31.30

$1.000

$0.000

ETF Shares

80.60

61.47

1.998

0.000

Utilities Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

$40.60

$39.27

$0.590

$0.000

ETF Shares

80.92

78.25

1.198

0.000

 

 

7

 


ETF Premium/Discount Record

The extent to which the funds’ ETF Shares have traded at a premium or a discount to net asset value (NAV) since inception. Market prices for ETF Shares, and for exchange-traded funds in general, can deviate from the NAV of the underlying securities.

 

 

 

 

Market Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above or Equal to

 

 

Market Price Below

 

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

Basis Point

Number

Percentage of

 

Number

Percentage of

 

Differential2

of Days

Total Days

 

of Days

Total Days

January 26, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Discretionary ETF

0–24.9

538

52.08%

 

449

43.47%

 

25–49.9

31

3.00   

 

6

0.58   

 

50–74.9

1

0.10   

 

2

0.19   

 

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

>100.0

2

0.19   

 

4

0.39   

 

Total

572

55.37%

 

461

44.63%

January 26, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer Staples ETF

0–24.9

568

54.99%

 

447

43.28%

 

25–49.9

11

1.06   

 

5

0.48   

 

50–74.9

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

2

0.19   

 

>100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

Total

579

56.05%

 

454

43.95%

September 23, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy ETF

0–24.9

447

51.62%

 

409

47.22%

 

25–49.9

6

0.69   

 

3

0.35   

 

50–74.9

0

0.00   

 

1

0.12   

 

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

>100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

Total

453

52.31%

 

413

47.69%

January 26, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financials ETF

0–24.9

569

55.08%

 

411

39.80%

 

25–49.9

34

3.29   

 

8

0.77   

 

50–74.9

1

0.10   

 

2

0.19   

 

75–100.0

2

0.19   

 

2

0.19   

 

>100.0

1

0.10   

 

3

0.29   

 

Total

607

58.76%

 

426

41.24%

January 26, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Health Care ETF

0–24.9

619

59.92%

 

402

38.92%

 

25–49.9

7

0.68   

 

5

0.48   

 

50–74.9

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

>100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

 

Total

626

60.60%

 

407

39.40%

September 23, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Industrials ETF

0–24.9

421

48.60%

 

399

46.07%

 

25–49.9

34

3.93   

 

5

0.58   

 

50–74.9

1

0.12   

 

0

0.00   

 

75–100.0

2

0.23   

 

1

0.12   

 

>100.0

1

0.12   

 

2

0.23   

 

Total

459

53.00%

 

407

47.00%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  One basis point equals 1/100 of a percentage point.

 

8

 


ETF Premium/Discount Record (continued)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Price

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above or Equal to

 

 

Market Price Below

 

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

 

Net Asset Value

 

Basis Point

Number

Percentage of

 

Number

Percentage of

 

Differential2

of Days

Total Days

 

of Days

Total Days

January 26, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Information Technology ETF

0–24.9

586

56.72%

 

406

39.31%

 

25–49.9

14

1.36   

 

10

0.97   

 

50–74.9

1

0.10   

 

2

0.19   

 

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

2

0.19   

 

>100.0

5

0.48   

 

7

0.68   

 

Total

606

58.66%

 

427

41.34%

January 26, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials ETF

0–24.9

495

47.91%

 

525

50.82%

 

25–49.9

1

0.10   

 

2

0.19   

 

50–74.9

1

0.10   

 

7

0.68   

 

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

1

0.10   

 

>100.0

1

0.10   

 

0

0.00   

 

Total

498

48.21%

 

535

51.79%

September 23, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Telecommunication Services ETF

0–24.9

390

45.03%

 

415

47.92%

 

25–49.9

35

4.04   

 

8

0.92   

 

50–74.9

1

0.12   

 

3

0.35   

 

75–100.0

2

0.23   

 

2

0.23   

 

>100.0

3

0.35   

 

7

0.81   

 

Total

431

49.77%

 

435

50.23%

January 26, 20041–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Utilities ETF

0–24.9

526

50.92%

 

491

47.53%

 

25–49.9

5

0.48   

 

7

0.68   

 

50–74.9

0

0.00   

 

1

0.10   

 

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

1

0.10   

 

>100.0

0

0.00   

 

2

0.19   

 

Total

531

51.40%

 

502

48.60%

 

 

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  One basis point equals 1/100 of a percentage point.

 

 

9

 

 

Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

416

416

2,454

Median Market Cap

$14.3B

$14.3B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

17.0x

17.0x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

2.2x

2.2x

2.5x

Yield3

 

1.4%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

1.2%

 

 

ETF Shares

1.3%

 

 

Return on Equity

15.6%

15.6%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

16.6%

16.7%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

14.6%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.2%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.67

Beta

1.00

1.09

 

 

10

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Advertising

1.8%

Apparel Retail

5.3   

Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods

2.8   

Auto Parts & Equipment

3.1   

Automobile Manufacturers

1.8   

Automotive Retail

1.6   

Broadcasting & Cable TV

12.9   

Casinos & Gaming

3.5   

Computer & Electronics Retail

1.8   

Department Stores

3.7   

Education Services

1.5   

Footwear

2.1   

General Merchandise Stores

3.6   

Home Improvement Retail

6.3   

Homebuilding

1.7   

Hotels, Resorts & Cruise Lines

3.9   

Household Appliances

1.3   

Housewares & Specialties

1.7   

Internet Retail

2.7   

Leisure Products

1.3   

Movies & Entertainment

13.8   

Publishing

2.9   

Restaurants

9.5   

Specialized Consumer Services

1.3   

Specialty Stores

2.8   

Other Consumer Discretionary

5.3   

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

McDonald’s Corp.

4.7%

The Walt Disney Co.

4.3   

Comcast Corp.

4.2   

Time Warner, Inc.

4.1   

Home Depot, Inc.

3.3   

News Corp.

3.1   

Target Corp.

3.0   

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

2.6   

Liberty Media Corp.

1.6   

Viacom Inc. Class B

1.6   

Top Ten

32.5%

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Consumer Discretionary.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and

 

11

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

equity index products.

 

12

 


Consumer Discretionary Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): January 26, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

1/26/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

–11.66%

2.29%

Net Asset Value

 

–11.53   

2.30   

Admiral Shares2

7/14/2005

–11.58   

–0.25   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year. Note: See Financial Highlights tables on page 27 and 28 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

13

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (99.6%)

 

 

Auto Components (3.6%)

 

 

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.

53,987

1,774

*

The Goodyear Tire &

 

 

 

Rubber Co.

17,095

463

 

BorgWarner, Inc.

10,491

452

 

Autoliv, Inc.

7,055

352

 

WABCO Holdings Inc.

5,563

232

 

Gentex Corp.

12,247

197

*

Lear Corp.

6,299

174

*

TRW Automotive

 

 

 

Holdings Corp.

5,060

112

*

Tenneco Automotive, Inc.

4,225

107

 

Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.

5,427

98

 

American Axle &

 

 

 

Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.

4,158

82

 

ArvinMeritor, Inc.

6,304

71

*

Exide Technologies

6,861

70

*

Drew Industries, Inc.

1,802

49

*

Visteon Corp.

11,657

41

*

Aftermarket Technology Corp.

1,997

37

 

Superior Industries

 

 

 

International, Inc.

2,122

37

 

Modine Manufacturing Co.

2,807

35

*

Raser Technologies, Inc.

3,117

27

 

Sauer-Danfoss, Inc.

1,116

24

 

Spartan Motors, Inc.

2,838

23

 

 

 

4,457

Automobiles (2.4%)

 

 

*

Ford Motor Co.

157,651

1,029

 

General Motors Corp.

41,165

958

 

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

21,943

815

 

Thor Industries, Inc.

3,310

101

 

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

2,646

53

*

Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc.

6,116

26

 

Monaco Coach Corp.

2,609

26

 

 

 

3,008

Distributors (0.7%)

 

 

 

Genuine Parts Co.

15,286

631

*

LKQ Corp.

10,519

223

 

 

14

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

*

Core-Mark Holding Co., Inc.

704

19

 

Building Materials

 

 

 

Holding Corp.

592

3

 

 

 

876

Diversified Consumer Services (2.8%)

 

 

*

Apollo Group, Inc. Class A

12,847

789

 

H & R Block, Inc.

29,482

550

 

Service Corp. International

25,747

278

 

DeVry, Inc.

5,421

238

 

Strayer Education, Inc.

1,309

204

*

ITT Educational Services, Inc.

3,621

200

 

Sotheby’s

5,470

185

 

Weight Watchers

 

 

 

International, Inc.

2,899

136

 

Matthews International Corp.

2,817

126

*

Bright Horizons

 

 

 

Family Solutions, Inc.

2,405

108

 

Regis Corp.

4,051

101

*

Career Education Corp.

5,848

87

*

Coinstar, Inc.

2,519

73

*

INVESTools Inc.

5,414

63

*

Corinthian Colleges, Inc.

7,777

62

 

Jackson Hewitt

 

 

 

Tax Service Inc.

2,730

57

 

Stewart Enterprises, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

8,904

53

*

Steiner Leisure Ltd.

1,476

48

*

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

861

41

*

Universal Technical

 

 

 

Institute Inc.

2,158

27

*

Capella Education Co.

403

21

 

 

 

3,447

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure (17.1%)

 

 

 

McDonald’s Corp.

107,497

5,817

 

Yum! Brands, Inc.

46,220

1,592

 

Carnival Corp.

39,711

1,563

 

International Game Technology

28,662

1,294

*

Starbucks Corp.

66,386

1,193

 

Marriott International, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

30,092

1,026

 

Starwood Hotels &

 

 

 

Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

18,027

853

*

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

9,688

807

 

Tim Hortons, Inc.

16,977

597

 

Wynn Resorts Ltd.

5,735

578

*

MGM Mirage, Inc.

8,898

548

 

Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.

12,476

437

 

Darden Restaurants Inc.

12,176

375

 

Wyndham Worldwide Corp.

16,115

357

*

Penn National Gaming, Inc.

6,689

307

 

Orient-Express Hotel Ltd.

3,837

208

 

Wendy’s International, Inc.

7,982

194

 

Brinker International, Inc.

9,595

177

 

 

15

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

 

Burger King Holdings Inc.

6,798

174

*

Bally Technologies Inc.

4,449

169

*

Jack in the Box Inc.

5,658

149

*

WMS Industries, Inc.

3,908

148

*

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

1,582

136

*

Scientific Games Corp.

6,335

131

*

The Cheesecake Factory Inc.

6,190

129

*

Sonic Corp.

5,767

123

*

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc.

1,233

122

*

Gaylord Entertainment Co.

3,786

114

*

Vail Resorts Inc.

2,475

112

 

International Speedway Corp.

2,794

111

 

Boyd Gaming Corp.

5,203

110

 

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

3,258

106

*

Panera Bread Co.

2,798

105

 

Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

3,209

93

*

Life Time Fitness, Inc.

3,039

88

*

Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.

5,461

86

*

CEC Entertainment Inc.

2,945

79

 

CBRL Group, Inc.

2,134

78

 

IHOP Corp.

1,426

65

*

P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc.

2,249

64

 

Domino’s Pizza, Inc.

4,228

56

*

Papa John’s International, Inc.

2,065

54

 

CKE Restaurants Inc.

4,722

52

*

Red Robin

 

 

 

Gourmet Burgers, Inc.

1,484

49

*

Texas Roadhouse, Inc.

5,161

48

 

Ameristar Casinos, Inc.

2,349

46

*

Morgans Hotel Group

2,862

44

 

Speedway Motorsports, Inc.

1,440

42

 

Churchill Downs, Inc.

896

41

 

Triarc Cos., Inc. Class B

4,297

36

*

California Pizza Kitchen, Inc.

2,509

35

*

Buffalo Wild Wings Inc.

1,492

35

 

The Marcus Corp.

2,010

32

*

Peet’s Coffee & Tea Inc.

1,319

31

*

Shuffle Master, Inc.

3,186

26

*

Denny’s Corp.

8,029

25

 

Landry’s Restaurants, Inc.

1,394

25

 

Ambassadors Group, Inc.

1,352

24

 

O’Charley’s Inc.

2,140

24

*

BJ’s Restaurants Inc.

1,540

21

*

Steak n Shake Co.

2,473

21

*

Monarch Casino & Resort, Inc.

1,105

18

*

AFC Enterprises, Inc.

2,356

18

*

Six Flags, Inc.

8,789

17

*

Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.

2,481

17

*

Bluegreen Corp.

1,979

17

 

Triarc Cos., Inc. Class A

1,833

16

*

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Inc.

5,774

15

 

Dover Downs Gaming &

 

 

 

 

16

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

 

Entertainment, Inc.

1,412

13

*

MTR Gaming Group Inc.

2,135

12

*

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

1,313

12

*

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Inc.

1,620

11

*

Trump Entertainment

 

 

 

Resorts, Inc.

2,667

11

*

Jamba Inc.

4,163

10

*

Town Sports

 

 

 

International Holdings, Inc.

1,067

9

 

Ruby Tuesday, Inc.

937

7

*

Magna Entertainment Corp.

 

 

 

Class A

3,555

3

 

 

 

21,388

Household Durables (6.1%)

 

 

 

Fortune Brands, Inc.

13,988

909

 

Garmin Ltd.

10,845

637

 

Whirlpool Corp.

7,046

594

 

Newell Rubbermaid, Inc.

25,148

571

 

Black & Decker Corp.

5,683

391

 

D. R. Horton, Inc.

25,501

358

*

Mohawk Industries, Inc.

4,969

355

 

The Stanley Works

6,722

326

 

Pulte Homes, Inc.

19,583

265

 

Leggett & Platt, Inc.

15,464

258

*

Toll Brothers, Inc.

11,944

253

 

Snap-On Inc.

4,981

249

 

Centex Corp.

10,941

243

 

Lennar Corp. Class A

11,655

217

 

Harman International

 

 

 

Industries, Inc.

5,237

216

 

Tupperware Brands Corp.

5,611

205

*

NVR, Inc.

370

200

*

Jarden Corp.

7,052

170

 

KB Home

6,938

166

 

MDC Holdings, Inc.

3,324

139

 

American Greetings Corp.

 

 

 

Class A

4,677

88

 

Tempur-Pedic International Inc.

4,370

76

 

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

2,582

70

 

Ryland Group, Inc.

2,287

65

*

Champion Enterprises, Inc.

7,071

63

 

Furniture Brands

 

 

 

International Inc.

4,306

56

 

Blyth, Inc.

2,347

47

*

Helen of Troy Ltd.

2,627

41

 

La-Z-Boy Inc.

4,878

41

 

Sealy Corp.

3,886

35

*

Universal Electronics, Inc.

1,368

31

*

Meritage Corp.

2,017

31

*

Hovnanian Enterprises Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

3,227

29

 

Standard Pacific Corp.

6,561

27

 

CSS Industries, Inc.

725

25

 

 

17

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

 

Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

3,530

25

*

Avatar Holding, Inc.

518

22

 

M/I Homes, Inc.

1,201

20

*

iRobot Corp.

1,073

20

 

Brookfield Homes Corp.

1,202

18

*

WCI Communities, Inc.

3,043

12

*

Palm Harbor Homes, Inc.

1,013

5

 

 

 

7,569

Internet & Catalog Retail (3.3%)

 

 

*

Amazon.com, Inc.

28,318

1,826

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Interactive Series A

52,548

755

*

Expedia, Inc.

17,683

405

*

Priceline.com, Inc.

3,310

377

*

IAC/InterActiveCorp

17,663

351

*

Netflix.com, Inc.

4,585

145

*

Blue Nile Inc.

1,310

58

*

Gaiam, Inc.

1,442

31

*

GSI Commerce, Inc.

1,990

29

 

FTD Group, Inc.

1,753

24

*

1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc.

2,330

19

*

Shutterfly, Inc.

1,150

18

*

ValueVision Media, Inc.

2,880

15

*

Stamps.com Inc.

1,649

15

*

NutriSystem, Inc.

995

14

*

Overstock.com, Inc.

1,388

14

 

Systemax Inc.

1,011

11

 

 

 

4,107

Leisure Equipment & Products (1.6%)

 

 

 

Mattel, Inc.

33,558

648

 

Eastman Kodak Co.

25,922

440

 

Hasbro, Inc.

12,809

330

 

Brunswick Corp.

7,986

130

 

Polaris Industries, Inc.

3,235

124

 

Callaway Golf Co.

6,127

93

 

Pool Corp.

4,435

85

*

JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

2,443

68

*

RC2 Corp.

1,853

34

*

MarineMax, Inc.

1,671

21

*

Leapfrog Enterprises, Inc.

3,021

17

*

Smith & Wesson Holding Corp.

2,991

15

 

Nautilus Inc.

2,848

12

 

Arctic Cat, Inc.

1,282

10

 

Marine Products Corp.

1,199

9

 

 

 

2,036

Media (31.3%)

 

 

 

The Walt Disney Co.

164,240

5,323

 

Time Warner, Inc.

328,083

5,121

*

Comcast Corp. Class A

173,711

3,394

 

News Corp., Class A

165,311

3,043

*

Viacom Inc. Class B

51,595

2,051

*

Comcast Corp. Special

 

 

 

Class A

95,240

1,843

 

 

18

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

*

DIRECTV Group, Inc.

63,127

1,581

 

Clear Channel

 

 

 

Communications, Inc.

43,004

1,376

 

Omnicom Group Inc.

29,709

1,327

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Capital Series A

11,195

1,300

 

CBS Corp.

53,778

1,227

 

The McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc.

29,898

1,224

 

News Corp., Class B

40,359

771

 

Gannett Co., Inc.

20,985

633

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Class A

16,208

609

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Series C

16,655

584

*

DISH Network Corp.

18,846

559

*

Cablevision Systems

 

 

 

NY Group Class A

20,806

557

*

Discovery Holding Co.

 

 

 

Class A

24,187

546

*

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

16,276

444

 

Washington Post Co.

 

 

 

Class B

526

381

 

Virgin Media Inc.

25,103

377

*

Interpublic Group of

 

 

 

Cos., Inc.

42,480

366

*

Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc.

124,540

354

*

XM Satellite Radio

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

28,625

338

 

E.W. Scripps Co. Class A

8,036

336

 

Lamar Advertising Co.

 

 

 

Class A

6,976

266

 

New York Times Co. Class A

12,342

230

*

DreamWorks

 

 

 

Animation SKG, Inc.

6,546

166

 

Meredith Corp.

3,491

151

*

Marvel Entertainment, Inc.

5,496

138

 

John Wiley & Sons Class A

3,673

134

 

Regal Entertainment Group

 

 

 

Class A

6,449

127

 

Arbitron Inc.

2,681

112

*

Gemstar-TV Guide

 

 

 

International, Inc.

23,438

111

*

Scholastic Corp.

3,024

105

*

CTC Media, Inc.

3,473

102

*

Lions Gate

 

 

 

Entertainment Corp.

10,810

102

 

Interactive Data Corp.

3,429

100

*

Getty Images, Inc.

3,014

97

 

Belo Corp. Class A

8,043

95

*

Morningstar, Inc.

1,403

91

 

National CineMedia Inc.

3,806

82

*

TiVo Inc.

8,532

74

 

Harte-Hanks, Inc.

4,287

72

*

Live Nation, Inc.

6,014

71

 

Idearc Inc.

13,286

64

 

 

19

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

 

The McClatchy Co. Class A

5,193

50

*

Valassis Communications, Inc.

4,313

48

 

Hearst-Argyle Television Inc.

2,170

48

*

R.H. Donnelley Corp.

6,482

46

 

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.

4,768

44

 

Cinemark Holdings Inc.

2,922

42

 

Lee Enterprises, Inc.

3,747

39

 

RCN Corp.

3,416

38

 

CKX, Inc.

3,946

35

*

Cox Radio, Inc.

3,150

35

 

World Wrestling

 

 

 

Entertainment, Inc.

1,947

34

*

Entravision

 

 

 

Communications Corp.

5,906

34

*

Knology, Inc.

2,716

33

 

Journal Communications, Inc.

4,585

32

 

Entercom

 

 

 

Communications Corp.

2,670

30

 

Media General, Inc. Class A

1,847

29

*

Lin TV Corp.

2,456

25

*

Mediacom

 

 

 

Communications Corp.

5,593

24

*

Fisher Communications, Inc.

721

23

 

Gray Television, Inc.

3,802

22

 

Warner Music Group Corp.

3,417

21

 

Citadel Broadcasting Corp.

17,756

20

 

GateHouse Media, Inc.

3,115

20

*

AH Belo Corp.

1,588

19

*

LodgeNet Interactive Corp.

1,869

17

*

Cumulus Media Inc.

3,031

17

*

Playboy Enterprises, Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

1,910

15

*

Martha Stewart

 

 

 

Living Omnimedia, Inc.

2,171

15

 

PRIMEDIA Inc.

1,807

14

*

Harris Interactive Inc.

4,502

12

 

Westwood One, Inc.

6,685

12

*

Radio One, Inc. Class D

7,161

9

*

Emmis Communications, Inc.

2,941

9

*

Charter Communications, Inc.

6,762

7

 

 

 

39,073

Multiline Retail (7.3%)

 

 

 

Target Corp.

71,728

3,774

*

Kohl’s Corp.

27,487

1,222

 

Macy’s Inc.

39,164

967

 

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

 

 

 

(Holding Co.)

19,149

885

*

Sears Holdings Corp.

6,881

658

 

Nordstrom, Inc.

16,873

625

*

Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.

8,890

239

 

Family Dollar Stores, Inc.

12,424

238

*

Saks Inc.

11,557

180

*

Big Lots Inc.

8,201

138

 

 

20

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

 

Dillard’s Inc.

5,576

82

*

99 Cents Only Stores

4,639

43

 

Fred’s, Inc.

3,415

30

*

Retail Ventures, Inc.

2,719

18

 

Tuesday Morning Corp.

2,909

16

 

Bon-Ton Stores, Inc.

828

5

 

 

 

9,120

Specialty Retail (18.5%)

 

 

 

Home Depot, Inc.

153,436

4,074

 

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

133,370

3,197

 

Staples, Inc.

64,124

1,427

 

Best Buy Co., Inc.

32,042

1,378

 

TJX Cos., Inc.

40,420

1,294

 

The Gap, Inc.

50,775

1,024

*

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

24,334

690

 

Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

7,918

614

*

GameStop Corp. Class A

13,182

558

 

Sherwin-Williams Co.

9,712

503

*

AutoZone Inc.

4,135

476

 

Tiffany & Co.

12,327

464

 

Limited Brands, Inc.

28,707

438

 

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

17,655

377

*

CarMax, Inc.

19,618

360

 

Ross Stores, Inc.

12,501

348

 

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

9,167

307

*

Urban Outfitters, Inc.

10,515

303

*

Office Depot, Inc.

24,562

279

*

O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.

9,884

266

 

PetSmart, Inc.

11,942

257

*

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

7,688

212

 

RadioShack Corp.

11,796

206

 

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

8,469

198

*

Aeropostale, Inc.

7,028

189

*

AutoNation, Inc.

12,546

183

 

Guess ?, Inc.

4,281

176

 

Foot Locker, Inc.

14,041

173

*

Chico’s FAS, Inc.

15,873

148

 

OfficeMax, Inc.

6,898

147

*

J. Crew Group, Inc.

3,556

142

*

AnnTaylor Stores Corp.

5,892

142

 

Barnes & Noble, Inc.

4,744

133

*

Tractor Supply Co.

3,212

120

*

The Gymboree Corp.

2,768

110

 

Men’s Wearhouse, Inc.

4,655

107

*

Rent-A-Center, Inc.

6,204

106

*

Collective Brands, Inc.

5,972

94

*

Zale Corp.

4,505

87

*

Tween Brands, Inc.

2,833

84

 

Aaron Rents, Inc.

4,020

79

*

Pacific Sunwear of

 

 

 

California, Inc.

6,478

72

 

Penske Automotive Group Inc.

3,841

69

 

Circuit City Stores, Inc.

15,294

68

 

 

21

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

*

Charming Shoppes, Inc.

11,897

66

*

Genesco, Inc.

2,063

62

*

The Dress Barn, Inc.

4,660

61

*

Sally Beauty Co. Inc.

7,494

57

 

Brown Shoe Co., Inc.

3,875

57

 

The Buckle, Inc.

1,235

56

 

The Pep Boys

 

 

 

(Manny, Moe & Jack)

4,713

54

*

Cabela’s Inc.

3,879

53

 

Group 1 Automotive, Inc.

2,113

52

 

Borders Group, Inc.

5,438

50

 

Sonic Automotive, Inc.

2,827

50

 

Stage Stores, Inc.

3,915

50

*

The Children’s Place

 

 

 

Retail Stores, Inc.

2,306

49

 

Asbury Automotive Group, Inc.

3,291

46

*

Hibbett Sports Inc.

2,856

45

 

Cato Corp. Class A

2,812

44

*

Pier 1 Imports Inc.

8,272

43

*

Charlotte Russe Holding Inc.

2,104

41

*

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers, Inc.

1,699

39

 

Christopher & Banks Corp.

3,426

37

*

CSK Auto Corp.

4,063

37

*

Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.

2,030

34

 

bebe stores, inc.

2,555

31

*

Blockbuster Inc. Class A

10,105

31

 

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc.

1,822

31

*

Zumiez Inc.

1,474

26

*

DSW Inc. Class A

1,344

24

 

Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp.

2,100

19

*

Blockbuster Inc. Class B

6,777

19

 

Talbots Inc.

2,263

19

*

Hot Topic, Inc.

3,987

18

*

Select Comfort Corp.

4,268

18

*

Nexcen Brands, Inc.

4,303

17

*

Build-A-Bear-Workshop, Inc.

1,449

17

 

Stein Mart, Inc.

2,763

16

 

Lithia Motors, Inc.

1,579

16

*

Citi Trends Inc.

1,037

15

*

New York & Co., Inc.

2,517

15

*

A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts, Inc.

1,480

13

 

Finish Line, Inc.

3,842

11

*

Conn’s, Inc.

626

8

*

Coldwater Creek Inc.

1,128

6

 

 

 

23,132

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods (4.9%)

 

 

 

NIKE, Inc. Class B

33,834

2,037

*

Coach, Inc.

33,457

1,014

 

VF Corp.

7,991

608

 

Polo Ralph Lauren Corp.

5,380

335

*

Hanesbrands Inc.

8,647

252

 

Phillips-Van Heusen Corp.

5,132

187

 

Liz Claiborne, Inc.

9,024

160

 

 

22

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

*

The Warnaco Group, Inc.

4,175

157

*

Fossil, Inc.

4,415

142

 

Wolverine World Wide, Inc.

4,877

129

*

Deckers Outdoor Corp.

1,121

124

 

Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

7,682

108

*

Quiksilver, Inc.

11,367

102

*

Iconix Brand Group Inc.

4,673

97

*

Under Armour, Inc.

2,558

94

*

Carter’s, Inc.

5,246

81

*

Timberland Co.

4,623

69

*

Crocs, Inc.

2,742

67

*

Skechers U.S.A., Inc.

2,994

64

 

Columbia Sportswear Co.

1,312

54

 

UniFirst Corp.

1,244

48

 

K-Swiss, Inc.

2,450

36

 

Movado Group, Inc.

1,779

34

 

Oxford Industries, Inc.

1,517

32

*

Steven Madden, Ltd.

1,886

32

*

Volcom, Inc.

1,501

30

*

True Religion Apparel, Inc.

1,446

30

 

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.

1,069

16

*

Heelys Inc.

1,041

5

 

 

 

6,144

Total Common Stocks

 

 

(Cost $151,121)

 

124,357

Temporary Cash Investment (0.2%)

 

 

1

Vanguard Market

 

 

 

Liquidity Fund, 3.522%

 

 

 

(Cost $266) 265,725

 

266

Total Investments (99.8%)

 

 

(Cost $151,387)

 

124,623

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.2%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

1,244

Liabilities

 

(1,045)

 

 

 

199

Net Assets (100%)

 

124,822

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:2

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

155,682

Undistributed Net Investment Income

113

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(4,209)

Unrealized Depreciation

(26,764)

Net Assets

124,822

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 32,327 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

829

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$25.64

 

 

23

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

 

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 2,502,208 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

123,993

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$49.55

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

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

2  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

24

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

913

Interest1

4

Total Income

917

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

11

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

1

ETF Shares

87

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

18

Custodian Fees

12

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

4

Total Expenses

133

Net Investment Income

784

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

(1,044)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(24,356)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(24,616)

 

 

25

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

784

 

833

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(1,044)

 

8,674

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(24,356)

 

191

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(24,616)

 

9,698

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(4)

 

(8)

ETF Shares

(1,197)

 

(564)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(1,201)

 

(572)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(26)

 

268

ETF Shares

35,648

 

57,946

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

35,622

 

58,214

Total Increase (Decrease)

9,805

 

67,340

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

115,017

 

47,677

End of Period2

124,822

 

115,017

 

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $4,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $113,000 and $530,000.

 

26

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

July 14,

 

Ended

Year Ended

20051 to

 

February 29,

August 31,

Aug. 31,

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$31.02

$27.03

$27.75

$28.29

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.152

.217

.2452

.162

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(5.33)

4.015

(.808)

(.70)

Total from Investment Operations

(5.18)

4.232

(.563)

(.54)

Distributions

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.20)

(.242)

(.157)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.20)

(.242)

(.157)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$25.64

$31.02

$27.03

$27.75

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return3

–16.76%

15.64%

–2.03%

–1.91%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$1

$1

$0.6

$0.1

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.27%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

1.13%*

0.84%

0.89%

0.67%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

15%*

8%

10%

13%

 

 

27

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 26,

 

Ended

 

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$60.02

$52.28

$53.65

$46.99

$50.09

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.332

.45

.4942

.352

.20

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(10.34)

7.76

(1.556)

6.66

(3.30)

Total from Investment Operations

(10.01)

8.21

(1.062)

7.01

(3.10)

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.46)

(.47)

(.308)

(.35)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.46)

(.47)

(.308)

(.35)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$49.55

$60.02

$52.28

$53.65

$46.99

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–16.74%

15.69%

–1.99%

14.91%

–6.19%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$124

$114

$47

$32

$19

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.18%*

0.89%

0.92%

0.69%

0.68%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

15%*

8%

10%

13%

11%

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

4  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

28

 


Consumer Discretionary Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Consumer Discretionary Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004—2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $11,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.01% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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 six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $2,267,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $898,000 to offset future net capital gains of $36,000 through August 31, 2013, $86,000 through August 31, 2014, $178,000 through August 31, 2015, and $598,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $151,387,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $26,764,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $1,981,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $28,745,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $71,954,000 of investment securities and sold $36,911,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

316

12

 

884

28

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

4

 

7

Redeemed1

(346)

(11)

 

(623)

(20)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

(26)

1

 

268

8

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

62,513

1,102

 

134,154

2,300

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(26,865)

(500)

 

(76,208)

(1,300)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

35,648

602

 

57,946

1,000

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $3,000 and $8,000.

 

 

29

 

 

Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

108

107

2,454

Median Market Cap

$50.0B

$113.3B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

18.2x

18.2x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

3.5x

3.7x

2.5x

Yield3

 

2.3%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

2.0%

 

 

ETF Shares

2.0%

 

 

Return on Equity

24.9%

26.1%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

9.7%

9.7%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

11.0%4

0.0%

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

0.99

0.50

Beta

0.99

0.52

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Agricultural Products

3.7%

Brewers

3.4   

Drug Retail

7.7   

Food Distributors

1.9   

Food Retail

4.2   

Household Products

20.7   

Hypermarkets & Super Centers

9.7   

Packaged Foods & Meats

15.6   

Personal Products

3.6   

Soft Drinks

16.0   

Tobacco

12.7   

Other Consumer Staples

0.8   

 

 

30

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

13.7%

Altria Group, Inc.

9.9   

The Coca-Cola Co.

7.5   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

7.3   

PepsiCo, Inc.

6.8   

CVS/Caremark Corp.

4.5   

Kraft Foods Inc.

3.7   

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

3.0   

Walgreen Co.

2.8   

Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.

2.7   

Top Ten

61.9%

 

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Consumer Staples.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

31

 


Consumer Staples Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): January 26, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

1/26/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

12.86%

10.58%

Net Asset Value

 

12.92   

10.61   

Admiral Shares2

1/30/2004

12.87   

10.73   

 

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year. Note: See Financial Highlights tables on page 39 and 40 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

32

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (99.9%)

 

 

Beverages (20.3%)

 

 

 

The Coca-Cola Co.

600,458

35,103

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

458,536

31,896

 

Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.

266,950

12,571

 

Molson Coors Brewing Co.

 

 

 

Class B

53,328

2,878

 

Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.

109,800

2,682

 

The Pepsi Bottling Group, Inc.

58,255

1,981

*

Constellation Brands, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

86,154

1,655

 

Brown-Forman Corp. Class B

24,590

1,568

*

Hansen Natural Corp.

33,238

1,379

*

Central European

 

 

 

Distribution Corp.

18,968

1,104

 

PepsiAmericas, Inc.

37,482

948

*

Boston Beer Co., Inc. Class A

14,166

505

 

Coca-Cola Bottling Co.

8,024

439

 

National Beverage Corp.

55,848

409

*

Jones Soda Co.

75,492

402

 

 

 

95,520

Food & Staples Retailing (23.5%)

 

 

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

692,184

34,325

 

CVS/Caremark Corp.

530,512

21,422

 

Walgreen Co.

359,988

13,143

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

159,061

9,849

 

Sysco Corp.

227,505

6,384

 

The Kroger Co.

243,238

5,899

 

Safeway, Inc.

168,975

4,856

 

SuperValu Inc.

88,391

2,320

 

Whole Foods Market, Inc.

59,749

2,100

*

BJ’s Wholesale Club, Inc.

34,677

1,094

*

Rite Aid Corp.

344,446

920

 

Longs Drug Stores, Inc.

18,466

887

 

Ruddick Corp.

24,778

799

*

Performance Food Group Co.

24,406

793

 

Casey’s General Stores, Inc.

31,068

778

*

Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.

40,642

665

 

The Andersons, Inc.

13,950

645

*

United Natural Foods, Inc.

36,265

614

 

 

33

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

 

*

The Great Atlantic &

 

 

 

Pacific Tea Co., Inc.

22,491

609

*

The Pantry, Inc.

23,232

559

 

Nash-Finch Co.

15,177

532

 

Weis Markets, Inc.

15,153

491

 

Ingles Markets, Inc.

20,439

491

 

PriceSmart, Inc.

20,146

489

 

 

 

110,664

Food Products (19.2%)

 

 

 

Kraft Foods Inc.

558,000

17,393

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

212,733

9,594

 

General Mills, Inc.

125,209

7,010

 

Kellogg Co.

104,813

5,316

 

H.J. Heinz Co.

120,232

5,303

 

Bunge Ltd.

46,098

5,110

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.

71,868

4,302

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

189,061

4,178

 

Sara Lee Corp.

285,173

3,602

 

Campbell Soup Co.

93,027

3,004

 

The Hershey Co.

65,869

2,442

 

McCormick & Co., Inc.

51,241

1,765

 

Tyson Foods, Inc.

122,191

1,761

*

Smithfield Foods, Inc.

54,606

1,504

 

Hormel Foods Corp.

35,592

1,454

 

Dean Foods Co.

67,461

1,452

 

J.M. Smucker Co.

26,727

1,368

 

Corn Products

 

 

 

International, Inc.

36,786

1,350

 

Del Monte Foods Co.

119,905

1,077

 

Flowers Foods, Inc.

45,732

1,036

*

Ralcorp Holdings, Inc.

15,233

845

*

Darling International, Inc.

56,878

791

*

Hain Celestial Group, Inc.

27,849

752

 

Pilgrim’s Pride Corp.

31,119

730

*

Chiquita Brands

 

 

 

International, Inc.

34,831

713

 

Lancaster Colony Corp.

17,898

665

*

TreeHouse Foods Inc.

27,358

607

 

Sanderson Farms, Inc.

17,273

602

 

Seaboard Corp.

370

588

 

Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc.

23,247

563

 

Reddy Ice Holdings, Inc.

23,275

549

 

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc.

15,331

529

 

Lance, Inc.

31,368

525

*

Green Mountain

 

 

 

Coffee Roasters, Inc.

17,104

522

 

J & J Snack Foods Corp.

19,864

490

 

Farmer Brothers, Inc.

19,699

440

 

Alico, Inc.

10,461

427

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. Class B

3,993

241

 

 

 

90,600

Household Products (20.6%)

 

 

 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

978,047

64,727

 

 

34

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

 

 

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

184,815

14,063

 

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

155,189

10,115

 

The Clorox Co.

55,523

3,231

*

Energizer Holdings, Inc.

23,299

2,163

 

Church & Dwight, Inc.

30,465

1,629

 

WD-40 Co.

17,419

541

*

Spectrum Brands Inc.

115,393

434

*

Central Garden & Pet Co.

 

 

 

Class A

63,560

280

*

Central Garden & Pet Co.

31,256

154

 

 

 

97,337

Personal Products (3.6%)

 

 

 

Avon Products, Inc.

161,256

6,137

 

The Estee Lauder Cos. Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

47,174

2,009

 

Alberto-Culver Co.

43,370

1,162

 

Herbalife Ltd.

26,953

1,127

*

NBTY, Inc.

33,208

948

*

Bare Escentuals, Inc.

33,924

929

*

Chattem, Inc.

10,637

829

 

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

43,801

725

*

American Oriental

 

 

 

Bioengineering, Inc.

61,632

615

*

Elizabeth Arden, Inc.

29,819

543

 

Mannatech, Inc.

65,744

512

*

Prestige Brands Holdings Inc.

62,632

483

*

USANA Health Sciences, Inc.

15,184

473

*

Revlon, Inc. Class A

416,419

433

 

 

 

16,925

Tobacco (12.7%)

 

 

 

Altria Group, Inc.

637,592

46,634

 

Reynolds American Inc.

68,416

4,360

 

UST, Inc.

62,026

3,367

 

Carolina Group

43,367

3,265

 

Universal Corp. (VA)

16,284

927

 

Vector Group Ltd.

36,063

663

*

Alliance One International, Inc.

105,941

519

 

 

 

59,735

Total Common Stocks

 

 

(Cost $445,861)

 

470,781

Temporary Cash Investments (0.0%)

 

 

1

Vanguard Market

 

 

 

Liquidity Fund, 3.522%

 

 

 

(Cost $144)

143,838

144

Total Investments (99.9%)

 

 

(Cost $446,005)

 

470,925

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.1%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

4,458

Liabilities

 

(4,206)

 

 

 

252

Net Assets (100%)

 

471,177

 

 

35

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:2

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

448,972

Undistributed Net Investment Income

1,274

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(3,989)

Unrealized Appreciation

24,920

Net Assets

471,177

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 466,657 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

15,432

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$33.07

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 6,800,000 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

455,745

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$67.02

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

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

2  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

36

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

4,099

Interest1

6

Total Income

4,105

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

21

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

12

ETF Shares

295

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

1

ETF Shares

48

Custodian Fees

6

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

8

Total Expenses

391

Net Investment Income

3,714

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

601

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(6,032)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(1,717)

 

 

37

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

3,714

 

6,405

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

601

 

6,817

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(6,032)

 

13,738

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(1,717)

 

26,960

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(184)

 

(96)

ETF Shares

(6,259)

 

(3,840)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(6,443)

 

(3,936)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

6,704

 

2,899

ETF Shares

153,733

 

76,754

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

160,437

 

79,653

Total Increase (Decrease)

152,277

 

102,677

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

318,900

 

216,223

End of Period2

471,177

 

318,900

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $6,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $1,274,000 and $4,003,000.

 

38

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 30,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$33.22

$30.56

$27.64

$25.82

$25.00

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.24

.662

.5472

.4272

.24

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

.17

2.460

2.716

1.952

.58

Total from Investment Operations

.41

3.122

3.263

2.379

.82

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.56)

(.462)

(.343)

(.440)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

(.119)

Total Distributions

(.56)

(.462)

(.343)

(.559)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$33.07

$33.22

$30.56

$27.64

$25.82

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return3

1.12%

10.30%

11.92%

9.29%

3.28%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$15

$9

$6

$4

$1

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.87%*

2.16%

1.90%

1.69%

1.51%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

11%*

12%

14%

7%

20%

 

 

39

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 26,

 

Ended

 

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$67.35

$61.94

$56.03

$52.28

$50.84

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.493

1.37

1.0902

.9502

.47

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

.336

5.00

5.523

3.894

.97

Total from Investment Operations

.829

6.37

6.613

4.844

1.44

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(1.159)

(.96)

(.703)

(.853)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

(.241)

Total Distributions

(1.159)

(.96)

(.703)

(1.094)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$67.02

$67.35

$61.94

$56.03

$52.28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

1.13%

10.38%

11.91%

9.33%

2.83%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$456

$310

$211

$73

$21

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.92%*

2.20%

1.93%

1.71%

1.51%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

11%*

12%

14%

7%

20%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

4  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

40

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Consumer Staples Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $39,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.04% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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.

 

41

 


Consumer Staples Index Fund

 

During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $1,214,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $3,381,000 to offset future net capital gains of $276,000 through August 31, 2014, $773,000 through August 31, 2015, and $2,332,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $446,005,000. Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $24,920,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $36,733,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $11,813,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $182,525,000 of investment securities and sold $25,757,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

8,346

242

 

4,493

139

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

172

5

 

92

3

Redeemed1

(1,814)

(54)

 

(1,686)

(53)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

6,704

193

 

2,899

89

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

161,008

2,300

 

109,926

1,700

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(7,275)

(100)

 

(33,172)

(500)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

153,733

2,200

 

76,754

1,200

 

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $11,000 and $9,000.

 

 

42

 

 

Energy Index Fund

 

Energy Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

161

161

2,454

Median Market Cap

$45.7B

$64.5B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

13.3x

13.1x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

2.8x

2.9x

2.5x

Yield3

 

1.2%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

0.9%

 

 

ETF Shares

1.0%

 

 

Return on Equity

25.2%

25.9%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

52.8%

51.2%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

13.2%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.29

Beta

1.02

1.18

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Coal & Consumable Fuels

2.9%

Integrated Oil & Gas

46.4   

Oil & Gas Drilling

6.6   

Oil & Gas Equipment & Services

18.2   

Oil & Gas Exploration & Production

19.2   

Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing

3.3   

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation

3.4   

 

 

43

 


Energy Index Fund

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

ExxonMobil Corp.

19.7%

Chevron Corp.

10.9   

ConocoPhillips Co.

7.8   

Schlumberger Ltd.

6.5   

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

3.6   

Transocean, Inc.

2.4   

Devon Energy Corp.

2.4   

Apache Corp.

2.1   

Marathon Oil Corp.

2.1   

Halliburton Co.

1.9   

Top Ten

59.4%

 

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Energy.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

44

 


Energy Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): September 23, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

9/23/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

34.78%

30.38%

Net Asset Value

 

34.87   

30.42   

Admiral Shares2

10/7/2004

34.81   

28.57   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

  Note: See Financial Highlights tables on page 53 and 54 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

45

 


Energy Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (100.0%)

 

 

Energy Equipment & Services (24.8%)

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Drilling (6.6%)

 

 

*

Transocean, Inc.

156,343

21,968

 

Noble Corp.

138,114

6,788

*

Nabors Industries, Inc.

147,572

4,653

 

ENSCO International, Inc.

75,676

4,528

 

Diamond Offshore

 

 

 

Drilling, Inc.

36,523

4,413

*

Pride International, Inc.

90,627

3,212

 

Helmerich & Payne, Inc.

56,272

2,523

 

Rowan Cos., Inc.

62,568

2,522

 

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc.

86,451

2,051

*

Atwood Oceanics, Inc.

16,546

1,540

*

Unit Corp.

27,228

1,502

*

Hercules Offshore, Inc.

50,651

1,284

*

Grey Wolf, Inc.

126,750

786

*

Parker Drilling Co.

85,888

569

*

Pioneer Drilling Co.

41,921

562

*

Bronco Drilling Co., Inc.

25,165

398

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Equipment & Services (18.2%)

 

 

 

Schlumberger Ltd.

678,561

58,662

 

Halliburton Co.

444,765

17,035

*

Weatherford International Ltd.

170,721

11,766

*

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

180,466

11,243

 

Baker Hughes, Inc.

161,116

10,842

 

Smith International, Inc.

103,152

6,502

*

Cameron International Corp.

113,672

4,829

 

BJ Services Co.

153,702

3,987

*

FMC Technologies Inc.

69,537

3,940

*

Grant Prideco, Inc.

68,975

3,481

*

Exterran Holdings, Inc.

34,406

2,396

*

Oceaneering International, Inc.

32,083

1,925

*

Superior Energy Services, Inc.

45,115

1,836

*

Helix Energy

 

 

 

Solutions Group, Inc.

49,998

1,761

 

Tidewater Inc.

29,841

1,676

*

Core Laboratories N.V.

13,395

1,629

*

Dresser Rand Group, Inc.

46,246

1,576

 

 

46

 


Energy Index Fund

 

 

*

SEACOR Holdings Inc.

14,215

1,365

*

Oil States International, Inc.

28,956

1,221

*

W-H Energy Services, Inc.

18,821

1,183

*

Global Industries Ltd.

61,870

1,139

*

Dril-Quip, Inc.

22,983

1,075

*

Bristow Group, Inc.

16,726

882

*

TETRA Technologies, Inc.

49,215

846

*

Willbros Group, Inc.

24,157

828

*

Hornbeck Offshore

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

17,733

797

*

ION Geophysical Corp.

55,350

736

*

Gulfmark Offshore, Inc.

13,665

692

*

NATCO Group Inc.

14,298

681

*

Complete

 

 

 

Production Services, Inc.

33,357

648

 

Lufkin Industries, Inc.

11,192

640

*

T-3 Energy Services, Inc.

12,243

604

 

CARBO Ceramics Inc.

15,671

579

*

Matrix Service Co.

28,128

572

*

Basic Energy Services Inc.

25,493

539

*

Dawson Geophysical Co.

8,093

533

*

PHI Inc. Non-Voting Shares

16,376

496

*

Trico Marine Services, Inc.

12,101

478

 

Gulf Island Fabrication, Inc.

15,936

465

*

Superior Well Services, Inc.

17,297

447

 

RPC Inc.

33,931

447

*

Newpark Resources, Inc.

99,857

442

*

OYO Geospace Corp.

7,268

350

*

SulphCo, Inc.

75,170

316

*

Cal Dive International, Inc.

18,963

198

*

Allis-Chalmers Energy Inc.

6,606

83

 

 

 

223,667

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (75.2%)

 

 

 

Coal & Consumable Fuels (2.9%)

 

 

 

Peabody Energy Corp.

135,807

7,689

 

CONSOL Energy, Inc.

92,975

7,064

 

Arch Coal, Inc.

75,052

3,834

 

Massey Energy Co.

44,768

1,713

*

Alpha Natural Resources, Inc.

38,028

1,542

 

Foundation Coal Holdings, Inc.

26,387

1,524

*

Patriot Coal Corp.

18,391

988

*

International Coal Group, Inc.

99,916

621

*

USEC Inc.

79,744

509

*

Uranium Resources Inc.

44,882

425

*

Evergreen Energy, Inc.

120,173

258

 

 

 

 

 

Integrated Oil & Gas (46.4%)

 

 

 

ExxonMobil Corp.

2,044,138

177,860

 

Chevron Corp.

1,133,462

98,226

 

ConocoPhillips Co.

844,847

69,877

 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

414,326

32,056

 

Marathon Oil Corp.

356,952

18,976

 

Hess Corp.

145,162

13,526

 

 

47

 


Energy Index Fund

 

 

 

Murphy Oil Corp.

92,196

7,411

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (19.2%)

 

Devon Energy Corp.

211,879

21,764

 

Apache Corp.

167,160

19,175

 

XTO Energy, Inc.

243,851

15,048

 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

235,077

14,984

 

EOG Resources, Inc.

124,202

14,779

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

228,292

10,323

 

Noble Energy, Inc.

87,863

6,801

*

Ultra Petroleum Corp.

78,355

6,149

*

Southwestern Energy Co.

87,944

5,737

 

Range Resources Corp.

77,489

4,741

*

Denbury Resources, Inc.

130,330

4,156

*

Newfield Exploration Co.

69,941

3,873

*

Plains Exploration &

 

 

 

Production Co.

61,033

3,296

 

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

64,215

2,876

 

Cabot Oil & Gas Corp.

52,683

2,621

 

Cimarex Energy Co.

45,350

2,390

*

Forest Oil Corp.

44,372

2,189

*

Quicksilver Resources, Inc.

57,237

1,969

*

Petrohawk Energy Corp.

97,514

1,763

*

Whiting Petroleum Corp.

26,446

1,619

 

St. Mary Land &

 

 

 

Exploration Co.

39,909

1,472

*

Mariner Energy Inc.

48,977

1,358

*

Encore Acquisition Co.

31,940

1,175

 

Berry Petroleum Class A

25,860

1,063

*

EXCO Resources, Inc.

60,490

1,049

*

Comstock Resources, Inc.

28,516

1,035

*

Delta Petroleum Corp.

42,960

1,029

*

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

17,812

1,029

 

Penn Virginia Corp.

24,147

1,028

*

Continental Resources, Inc.

34,015

955

 

Atlas America, Inc.

15,795

955

*

Arena Resources, Inc.

23,462

950

*

Swift Energy Co.

19,714

941

*

Stone Energy Corp.

18,017

915

*

Bill Barrett Corp.

19,068

884

*

Rosetta Resources, Inc.

40,764

834

*

CNX Gas Corp.

20,935

767

 

W&T Offshore, Inc.

21,499

763

*

Petroleum Development Corp.

10,634

742

*

ATP Oil & Gas Corp.

20,293

715

*

Oilsands Quest, Inc.

171,249

685

*

Warren Resources Inc.

48,863

654

*

Contango Oil & Gas Co.

10,143

652

*

Parallel Petroleum Corp.

32,041

592

*

BPZ Energy, Inc.

36,868

581

*

PetroQuest Energy, Inc.

36,549

576

*

McMoRan Exploration Co.

34,185

574

*

Brigham Exploration Co.

59,518

465

 

 

48

 


Energy Index Fund

 

 

*

Goodrich Petroleum Corp.

19,100

461

*

Bois d’Arc Energy, Inc.

20,796

446

*

Harvest Natural

 

 

 

Resources, Inc.

35,506

435

*

GMX Resources Inc.

13,696

397

*

Veneco Inc.

27,792

363

*

GeoGlobal Resources Inc.

101,028

335

*

Gulfport Energy Corp.

9,608

139

*

Energy Partners, Ltd.

9,344

101

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing (3.3%)

 

 

 

Valero Energy Corp.

277,701

16,043

 

Sunoco, Inc.

61,735

3,771

 

Tesoro Corp.

74,795

2,778

 

Frontier Oil Corp.

58,358

2,084

 

Holly Corp.

27,495

1,468

 

World Fuel Services Corp.

21,587

675

 

Western Refining, Inc.

25,204

502

*

Clean Energy Fuels Corp.

28,596

437

*

VeraSun Energy Corp.

44,440

402

*

US BioEnergy Corp.

50,667

371

 

Delek US Holdings, Inc.

21,455

339

*

Rentech, Inc.

246,023

310

*

Pacific Ethanol, Inc.

56,351

279

*

Verenium Corp.

43,190

129

*

Aventine Renewable

 

 

 

Energy Holdings, Inc.

7,505

48

 

Alon USA Energy, Inc.

1,178

18

 

 

 

 

 

Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation (3.4%)

 

 

 

Williams Cos., Inc.

300,982

10,841

 

Spectra Energy Corp.

324,524

7,500

 

El Paso Corp.

362,279

5,905

*

Kinder Morgan

 

 

 

Management, LLC

38,117

2,078

 

Overseas

 

 

 

Shipholding Group Inc.

18,079

1,134

 

Crosstex Energy, Inc.

27,327

977

*

Cheniere Energy, Inc.

32,540

954

 

General Maritime Corp.

23,607

556

*

Enbridge Energy

 

 

 

Management LLC

10,426

545

 

 

 

677,611

Total Investments (100.0%)

 

 

(Cost $667,134)

 

901,278

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.0%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

12,309

Liabilities

 

(12,000)

 

 

 

309

Net Assets (100%)

 

901,587

 

 

49

 


Energy Index Fund

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

670,450

Undistributed Net Investment Income

1,687

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(4,694)

Unrealized Appreciation

234,144

Net Assets

901,587

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 2,644,145 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

144,537

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$54.66

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 6,912,901 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

757,050

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$109.51

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note D in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

50

 


Energy Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

4,992

Interest1

12

Total Income

5,004

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

25

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

151

ETF Shares

574

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

12

ETF Shares

97

Custodian Fees

9

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

14

Total Expenses

882

Expenses Paid Indirectly—Note C

(2)

Net Expenses

880

Net Investment Income

4,124

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

2,651

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

65,737

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

72,512

 

 

51

 


Energy Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

4,124

 

6,565

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

2,651

 

3,965

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

65,737

 

115,652

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

72,512

 

126,182

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(1,147)

 

(852)

ETF Shares

(6,304)

 

(4,184)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(7,451)

 

(5,036)

Capital Share Transactions—Note F

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

20,198

 

13,336

ETF Shares

45,145

 

213,757

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

65,343

 

227,093

Total Increase (Decrease)

130,404

 

348,239

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

771,183

 

422,944

End of Period2

901,587

 

771,183

 

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $12,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $1,687,000 and $5,014,000.

 

52

 


Energy Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

Oct. 7,

 

Ended

Year Ended

20041 to

 

February 29,

August 31,

Aug. 31,

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$50.36

$40.36

$36.29

$25.98

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.23

.5012

.462

.5882,3

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

4.52

9.944

3.96

9.833

Total from Investment Operations

4.75

10.445

4.42

10.421

Distributions

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.45)

(.445)

(.35)

(.111)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.45)

(.445)

(.35)

(.111)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$54.66

$50.36

$40.36

$36.29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return4

9.42%

26.03%

12.27%

40.27%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$145

$115

$83

$60

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

0.93%*

1.16%

1.20%

1.95%3,*

Portfolio Turnover Rate5

13%*

15%

21%

16%

 

 

53

 


Energy Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

Sept. 23,

 

Ended

Year Ended

20041 to

 

February 29,

August 31,

Aug. 31,

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$100.92

$80.90

$72.72

$49.24

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.49

1.0802

.9662

1.1692,6

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

9.04

19.869

7.915

22.527

Total from Investment Operations

9.53

20.949

8.881

23.696

Distributions

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.94)

(.929)

(.701)

(.216)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.94)

(.929)

(.701)

(.216)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$109.51

$100.92

$80.90

$72.72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

9.44%

26.09%

12.31%

48.29%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$757

$656

$340

$182

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

0.98%*

1.20%

1.23%

1.97%6,*

Portfolio Turnover Rate5

13%*

15%

21%

16%

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.163 and 0.52%, respectively, resulting from a cash payment received in connection with the merger of Chevron Corp. and Unocal Corp. in August 2005.

4  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

5  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

6  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.324 and 0.52%, respectively, resulting from a cash payment received in connection with the merger of Chevron Corp. and Unocal Corp. in August 2005.

*  Annualized.

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

 

54

 


Energy Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Energy Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $71,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.07% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. The fund’s custodian bank has agreed to reduce its fees when the fund maintains cash on deposit in the non-interest-bearing custody account. For the six months ended February 29, 2008, custodian fee offset arrangements reduced the fund’s expenses by $2,000.

 

55

 


Energy Index Fund

 

D. 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 six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $4,099,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $2,704,000 to offset future net capital gains of $5,000 through August 31, 2013, $789,000 through August 31, 2014, $461,000 through August 31, 2015, and $1,449,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $667,134,000. Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $234,144,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $239,272,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $5,128,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

E. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $128,859,000 of investment securities and sold $65,757,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

F. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

31,689

586

 

43,071

931

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

1,023

18

 

749

17

Redeemed1

(12,514)

(240)

 

(30,484)

(721)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

20,198

364

 

13,336

227

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

55,806

509

 

247,713

2,700

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(10,661)

(100)

 

(33,956)

(400)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

45,145

409

 

213,757

2,300

 

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $89,000 and $96,000.

 

 

56

 

 

Financials Index Fund

 

Financials Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

510

508

2,454

Median Market Cap

$27.2B

$27.2B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

14.0x

13.9x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

1.4x

1.4x

2.5x

Yield3

 

3.6%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

3.3%

 

 

ETF Shares

3.4%

 

 

Return on Equity

16.2%

16.2%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

15.7%

15.7%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

8.0%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.53

Beta

1.00

0.96

 

 

57

Financials Index Fund

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Asset Management & Custody Banks

7.7%

Consumer Finance

3.5   

Diversified Banks

8.7   

Insurance Brokers

1.4   

Investment Banking & Brokerage

8.6   

Life & Health Insurance

6.6   

Multiline Insurance

6.6   

Office REITs

1.7   

Other Diversified Financial Services

17.6   

Property & Casualty Insurance

9.4   

Regional Banks

9.0   

Reinsurance

1.3   

Residential REITs

1.6   

Retail REITs

2.8   

Specialized Finance

2.9   

Specialized REITs

2.8   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance

4.2   

Other Financials

3.6   

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

Bank of America Corp.

7.1%

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

5.5   

Citigroup, Inc.

5.0   

American International Group, Inc.

4.1   

Wells Fargo & Co.

3.8   

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

2.5   

Wachovia Corp.

2.4   

U.S. Bancorp

2.2   

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

2.0   

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B

1.8   

Top Ten

36.4%

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Financials.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

58

Financials Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): January 26, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

1/26/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

–17.75%

3.23%

Net Asset Value

 

–17.42   

3.28   

Admiral Shares2

2/4/2004

–17.47   

3.72   

 

 

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year. Note: See Financial Highlights tables on page 76 and 77 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

59

Financials Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (99.9%)

 

 

Capital Markets (16.3%)

 

 

 

The Goldman

 

 

 

Sachs Group, Inc.

72,914

12,368

 

Bank of New York

 

 

 

Mellon Corp.

231,796

10,169

 

Morgan Stanley

194,413

8,189

 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

165,033

8,179

 

State Street Corp.

78,564

6,171

 

Lehman Brothers

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

91,825

4,682

 

Charles Schwab Corp.

200,127

3,924

 

Franklin Resources Corp.

34,884

3,292

 

Northern Trust Corp.

40,285

2,724

 

T. Rowe Price Group Inc.

51,048

2,579

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

47,493

2,405

*

Invesco, Ltd.

81,124

2,078

 

Bear Stearns Co., Inc.

22,291

1,780

 

Legg Mason Inc.

26,899

1,776

 

American Capital

 

 

 

Strategies, Ltd.

38,267

1,389

*

TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.

54,153

991

 

Janus Capital Group Inc.

34,581

838

 

Eaton Vance Corp.

24,073

767

 

Federated Investors, Inc.

18,676

758

 

SEI Investments Co.

29,627

741

 

Allied Capital Corp.

31,260

706

*

Affiliated Managers

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

6,099

588

 

Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.

16,896

530

 

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

19,351

435

*

Investment Technology

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

9,016

420

 

Jefferies Group, Inc.

21,546

382

 

Apollo Investment Corp.

24,261

376

*

E*TRADE Financial Corp.

85,773

366

*

Knight Capital Group, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

19,253

309

*

GFI Group Inc.

3,264

250

 

 

60

Financials Index Fund

 

 

*

FCStone Group, Inc.

4,711

220

 

Greenhill & Co., Inc.

3,123

203

 

optionsXpress Holdings Inc.

8,315

193

 

Ares Capital Corp.

14,338

184

 

MCG Capital Corp.

12,942

155

*

Piper Jaffray Cos., Inc.

3,806

147

*

KBW Inc.

5,371

115

*

Stifel Financial Corp.

2,319

101

 

Calamos Asset

 

 

 

Management, Inc.

4,563

84

 

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

3,255

82

 

Gamco Investors Inc. Class A

1,214

68

 

Capital Southwest Corp.

604

66

 

SWS Group, Inc.

5,025

57

*

LaBranche & Co. Inc.

11,465

53

*

TradeStation Group, Inc.

5,362

51

*

FBR Capital Markets Corp.

5,399

38

 

BlackRock Kelso Capital Corp.

2,585

33

*

Penson Worldwide, Inc.

2,784

28

*

Thomas Weisel

 

 

 

Partners Group, Inc.

2,576

23

 

 

 

82,063

Commercial Banks (17.7%)

 

 

 

Wells Fargo & Co.

648,519

18,956

 

Wachovia Corp.

402,450

12,323

 

U.S. Bancorp

351,322

11,249

 

PNC Financial

 

 

 

Services Group

69,427

4,265

 

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

67,312

3,913

 

BB&T Corp.

111,805

3,481

 

Regions Financial Corp.

141,482

2,999

 

Fifth Third Bancorp

97,519

2,233

 

National City Corp.

122,507

1,943

 

KeyCorp

81,479

1,797

 

Commerce Bancorp, Inc.

37,733

1,426

 

M & T Bank Corp.

14,545

1,194

 

Comerica, Inc.

30,860

1,118

 

Marshall & Ilsley Corp.

47,174

1,094

 

Zions Bancorp

21,720

1,037

 

Huntington Bancshares Inc.

70,353

860

 

Synovus Financial Corp.

53,817

621

 

Associated Banc-Corp.

24,364

607

 

Popular, Inc.

53,752

593

 

Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc.

10,761

550

 

UnionBanCal Corp.

11,208

522

 

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

12,438

518

 

Bank of Hawaii Corp.

9,941

477

 

City National Corp.

8,441

433

 

Valley National Bancorp

23,011

430

 

TCF Financial Corp.

23,080

430

 

First Horizon National Corp.

25,440

413

 

Fulton Financial Corp.

34,894

406

 

Wilmington Trust Corp.

13,094

403

 

 

61

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

Colonial BancGroup, Inc.

29,350

355

 

Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc.

17,231

343

 

BancorpSouth, Inc.

14,950

336

*

SVB Financial Group

6,920

313

 

Whitney Holdings Corp.

12,958

311

 

Webster Financial Corp.

11,016

308

 

FirstMerit Corp.

16,265

305

 

Westamerica Bancorporation

5,989

283

 

First Midwest Bancorp, Inc.

9,944

259

 

BOK Financial Corp.

4,744

245

 

East West Bancorp, Inc.

12,838

241

 

UCBH Holdings, Inc.

20,941

236

 

UMB Financial Corp.

5,987

229

 

International Bancshares Corp.

10,442

226

 

National Penn Bancshares Inc.

13,995

224

 

The South Financial Group, Inc.

14,730

213

 

United Bankshares, Inc.

7,840

206

 

Pacific Capital Bancorp

9,005

189

 

Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.

7,142

189

 

Cathay General Bancorp

8,597

188

 

Old National Bancorp

12,013

186

 

Trustmark Corp.

9,269

183

 

Hancock Holding Co.

4,860

180

 

Umpqua Holdings Corp.

12,473

177

 

Citizens Banking Corp.

15,225

169

 

F.N.B. Corp.

12,265

168

 

Glacier Bancorp, Inc.

9,782

168

 

MB Financial, Inc.

5,780

166

 

First Charter Corp.

6,714

163

 

First Community Bancorp

5,652

161

 

First Citizens BancShares

 

 

 

Class A

1,099

156

 

Wintrust Financial Corp.

4,567

154

*

Signature Bank

5,673

150

 

Sterling Financial Corp.

9,939

148

 

First BanCorp Puerto Rico

16,067

145

*

Investors Bancorp, Inc.

9,989

145

 

First Commonwealth

 

 

 

Financial Corp.

13,390

142

 

Sterling Bancshares, Inc.

14,974

139

 

Park National Corp.

2,182

132

 

Community Bank System, Inc.

5,753

127

 

City Holding Co.

3,386

126

 

NBT Bancorp, Inc.

6,412

123

 

First Financial Bankshares, Inc.

3,223

122

 

S & T Bancorp, Inc.

4,273

121

 

Frontier Financial Corp.

7,981

120

 

CVB Financial Corp.

12,829

118

 

Central Pacific Financial Co.

6,166

114

 

PrivateBancorp, Inc.

3,785

114

 

United Community Banks, Inc.

7,908

113

 

WesBanco, Inc.

4,592

107

 

Boston Private

 

 

 

 

62

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

Financial Holdings, Inc.

7,527

104

 

IBERIABANK Corp.

2,274

101

 

Chemical Financial Corp.

4,397

98

 

Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.

3,405

93

 

First Merchants Corp.

3,406

92

 

Sterling Financial Corp. (PA)

5,210

87

 

Renasant Corp.

4,079

86

 

Amcore Financial, Inc.

4,380

85

 

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

3,661

85

 

Provident Bankshares Corp.

6,518

83

 

Harleysville National Corp.

5,978

79

 

First Financial Bancorp

6,801

79

 

Community Trust Bancorp Inc.

2,828

77

 

Independent Bank Corp. (MA)

2,708

72

*

Texas Capital Bancshares, Inc.

4,776

71

 

Omega Financial Corp.

2,359

65

 

Washington Trust Bancorp, Inc.

2,756

64

 

First Community

 

 

 

Bancshares, Inc.

1,988

63

 

Hanmi Financial Corp.

8,205

63

 

Tompkins Trustco, Inc.

1,410

62

*

Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc.

2,685

62

 

Bank of the Ozarks, Inc.

2,575

61

 

Old Second Bancorp, Inc.

2,297

59

*

Centennial Bank Holdings Inc.

9,888

59

 

Simmons First National Corp.

2,272

58

 

Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

2,139

58

 

Capitol Bancorp Ltd.

3,035

57

 

BancFirst Corp.

1,286

54

 

S.Y. Bancorp, Inc.

2,454

54

 

Nara Bancorp, Inc.

4,801

53

 

First Financial Corp. (IN)

1,991

52

*

Royal Bank of Canada

1,031

52

 

City Bank Lynnwood (WA)

2,740

51

 

Sterling Bancorp

3,470

49

 

Banner Corp.

2,231

48

 

Integra Bank Corp.

3,391

48

 

First Source Corp.

2,715

47

*

Western Alliance Bancorp

3,910

47

 

TriCo Bancshares

2,758

47

 

First State Bancorporation

3,882

46

 

Union Bankshares Corp.

2,621

46

 

West Coast Bancorp

3,019

45

 

Univest Corp. of Pennsylvania

2,203

45

 

CoBiz Inc.

3,667

45

 

Cascade Bancorp

4,284

44

 

Heartland Financial USA, Inc.

2,379

42

 

Independent Bank Corp. (MI)

4,111

40

*

Virginia Commerce

 

 

 

Bancorp, Inc.

3,607

36

 

Midwest Banc Holdings, Inc.

3,452

35

 

Great Southern Bancorp, Inc.

1,818

33

 

Republic Bancorp, Inc. Class A

1,944

32

 

 

63

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

W Holding Co., Inc.

24,026

31

 

Seacoast Banking

 

 

 

Corp. of Florida

3,067

31

 

Irwin Financial Corp.

3,839

29

 

Wilshire Bancorp Inc.

3,667

26

 

Center Financial Corp.

2,575

25

 

Taylor Capital Group, Inc.

1,254

20

 

 

 

89,103

Consumer Finance (3.5%)

 

 

 

American Express Co.

214,156

9,059

 

Capital One Financial Corp.

85,362

3,929

 

SLM Corp.

104,947

2,058

 

Discover Financial Services

87,445

1,320

*

AmeriCredit Corp.

23,086

332

 

Cash America International Inc.

5,994

194

 

The First Marblehead Corp.

13,320

160

*

Dollar Financial Corp.

4,819

108

*

World Acceptance Corp.

3,260

99

 

Student Loan Corp.

857

95

*

EZCORP, Inc.

6,557

77

 

Advance America,

 

 

 

Cash Advance Centers, Inc.

9,521

71

*

First Cash

 

 

 

Financial Services, Inc.

5,707

53

 

Advanta Corp. Class B

5,589

43

 

Nelnet, Inc.

3,815

42

*

CompuCredit Corp.

3,011

31

*

Credit Acceptance Corp.

1,516

23

 

Advanta Corp. Class A

1,746

12

 

 

 

17,706

Diversified Financial Services (20.8%)

 

 

Bank of America Corp.

903,227

35,894

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

683,569

27,787

 

Citigroup, Inc.

1,051,511

24,931

 

CME Group, Inc.

9,989

5,127

 

Nymex Holdings Inc.

18,013

1,780

 

NYSE Euronext

26,954

1,770

 

Moody’s Corp.

44,696

1,698

 

Leucadia National Corp.

33,957

1,537

*

IntercontinentalExchange Inc.

11,392

1,484

*

Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.

28,151

1,169

 

CIT Group Inc.

38,493

855

*

Interactive Brokers Group, Inc.

7,981

248

 

Portfolio Recovery

 

 

 

Associates, Inc.

3,237

118

*

PICO Holdings, Inc.

3,445

118

 

Financial Federal Corp.

4,958

107

 

Compass Diversified Trust

4,444

60

*

MarketAxess Holdings, Inc.

6,304

59

 

Resource America, Inc.

3,241

39

 

ASTA Funding, Inc.

2,158

35

*

NewStar Financial, Inc.

5,089

30

 

Asset Acceptance

 

 

 

 

64

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

Capital Corp.

2,274

22

*

Primus Guaranty, Ltd.

4,362

18

 

 

 

104,886

Insurance (25.4%)

 

 

 

American International

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

438,802

20,562

*

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

1,976

9,237

 

MetLife, Inc.

150,855

8,789

 

Prudential Financial, Inc.

92,065

6,718

 

AFLAC Inc.

99,476

6,208

 

The Travelers Cos., Inc.

131,221

6,090

 

The Allstate Corp.

110,419

5,270

 

The Hartford Financial

 

 

 

Services Group Inc.

63,876

4,465

 

The Chubb Corp.

78,222

3,982

 

ACE Ltd.

67,288

3,784

 

Loews Corp.

86,262

3,609

 

The Principal

 

 

 

Financial Group, Inc.

53,380

2,948

 

Lincoln National Corp.

54,949

2,808

 

Marsh & McLennan

 

 

 

Cos., Inc.

105,925

2,698

 

Progressive Corp. of Ohio

133,337

2,444

 

Aon Corp.

53,440

2,224

 

Genworth Financial Inc.

89,215

2,068

 

Unum Group

73,390

1,681

 

XL Capital Ltd. Class A

36,640

1,321

 

Assurant, Inc.

20,445

1,279

 

Everest Re Group, Ltd.

12,753

1,236

 

Torchmark Corp.

18,733

1,129

 

Cincinnati Financial Corp.

30,356

1,128

 

Axis Capital Holdings Ltd.

27,681

1,021

 

Willis Group Holdings Ltd.

29,139

957

 

W.R. Berkley Corp.

32,074

923

*

Markel Corp.

1,914

890

 

Safeco Corp.

19,197

888

 

PartnerRe Ltd.

11,362

874

 

White Mountains

 

 

 

Insurance Group Inc.

1,768

872

 

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd.

13,862

761

 

Fidelity National

 

 

 

Financial, Inc. Class A

42,371

746

*

Arch Capital Group Ltd.

10,498

719

 

Old Republic

 

 

 

International Corp.

44,407

609

 

HCC Insurance Holdings, Inc.

23,422

564

 

First American Corp.

15,827

551

 

Protective Life Corp.

13,476

520

 

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.

10,199

501

 

MBIA, Inc.

38,354

497

 

Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd.

16,952

491

 

The Hanover

 

 

 

 

65

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

Insurance Group Inc.

10,453

457

 

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

19,206

453

*

Conseco, Inc.

38,192

448

 

Endurance Specialty

 

 

 

Holdings Ltd.

11,117

437

 

Brown & Brown, Inc.

24,103

430

 

Platinum Underwriters

 

 

 

Holdings, Ltd.

12,133

419

*

Philadelphia Consolidated

 

 

 

Holding Corp.

12,304

417

 

Nationwide Financial

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

9,615

397

*

Alleghany Corp.

1,076

388

 

American Financial Group, Inc.

14,434

373

 

Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.

5,354

361

 

Erie Indemnity Co. Class A

7,117

351

 

Commerce Group, Inc.

9,585

347

 

Allied World Assurance

 

 

 

Holdings, Ltd.

7,873

343

 

Reinsurance Group of

 

 

 

America, Inc.

6,242

342

 

IPC Holdings Ltd.

12,275

333

 

Unitrin, Inc.

9,248

329

*

ProAssurance Corp.

6,089

324

 

Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd.

19,861

316

 

Assured Guaranty Ltd.

12,028

309

 

Delphi Financial Group, Inc.

8,913

269

 

Selective Insurance Group

10,826

257

 

Zenith National

 

 

 

Insurance Corp.

7,479

255

 

Mercury General Corp.

5,557

253

 

The Phoenix Cos., Inc.

21,896

249

 

Max Re Capital Ltd.

8,506

236

*

Argo Group

 

 

 

International Holdings

6,277

235

 

Ambac Financial Group, Inc.

20,503

228

 

Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Co.

7,452

228

 

R.L.I. Corp.

4,123

215

 

Odyssey Re Holdings Corp.

5,832

211

 

Employers Holdings, Inc.

10,441

179

 

National Financial

 

 

 

Partners Corp.

7,374

175

 

Midland Co.

2,568

166

 

Alfa Corp.

7,317

159

*

Enstar Group Ltd.

1,601

157

 

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

8,901

155

*

Navigators Group, Inc.

2,762

151

 

United Fire & Casualty Co.

4,266

147

 

Infinity Property &

 

 

 

Casualty Corp.

3,266

131

 

LandAmerica Financial

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

3,297

121

 

Tower Group, Inc.

4,206

119

 

 

66

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

OneBeacon Insurance

 

 

 

Group Ltd.

5,376

115

 

Safety Insurance Group, Inc.

2,807

104

 

Stewart Information

 

 

 

Services Corp.

3,429

102

 

American Equity Investment

 

 

 

Life Holding Co.

10,367

99

*

Hilltop Holdings Inc.

9,209

96

 

Harleysville Group, Inc.

2,821

95

 

Castlepoint Holdings Ltd.

7,444

94

 

National Western Life

 

 

 

Insurance Co. Class A

526

94

 

Amtrust Financial Services Inc.

5,480

92

 

American Physicians

 

 

 

Capital, Inc.

2,004

88

 

Flagstone Reinsurance

 

 

 

Holdings Ltd.

6,903

88

 

State Auto Financial Corp.

2,984

81

*

United America Indemnity, Ltd.

4,304

81

 

FBL Financial Group, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

2,653

78

 

Presidential Life Corp.

4,528

76

*

Greenlight Capital Re. Ltd.

3,940

75

*

eHealth, Inc.

3,007

74

*

CNA Surety Corp.

3,569

50

 

Donegal Group Inc. Class A

2,422

40

 

Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. Class B

1,520

37

 

National Interstate Corp.

1,190

33

*

Darwin Professional

 

 

 

Underwriters, Inc.

1,272

27

 

Life Partners Holdings

1,118

17

*

First Acceptance Corp.

3,757

12

 

Security Capital

 

 

 

Assurance, Ltd.

7,293

11

*

Scottish Re Group Ltd.

11,349

5

 

 

 

127,696

Real Estate Investment Trusts (11.4%)

 

 

 

Simon Property

 

 

 

Group, Inc. REIT

45,378

3,803

 

ProLogis REIT

52,480

2,828

 

Vornado Realty Trust REIT

27,937

2,334

 

Public Storage, Inc. REIT

26,095

2,123

 

Equity Residential REIT

55,201

2,108

 

Boston Properties, Inc. REIT

24,324

2,096

 

Annaly Mortgage

 

 

 

Management Inc. REIT

92,105

1,906

 

Host Hotels &

 

 

 

Resorts Inc. REIT

106,251

1,720

 

General Growth

 

 

 

Properties Inc. REIT

44,578

1,574

 

Kimco Realty Corp. REIT

46,266

1,562

 

Avalonbay Communities, Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

16,085

1,487

 

 

67

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

Plum Creek Timber Co. Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

35,194

1,432

 

HCP, Inc. REIT

44,011

1,284

 

Ventas, Inc. REIT

27,031

1,130

 

SL Green Realty Corp. REIT

12,041

1,102

 

AMB Property Corp. REIT

20,162

1,012

 

Developers Diversified

 

 

 

Realty Corp. REIT

25,047

966

 

The Macerich Co. REIT

14,820

948

 

Regency Centers Corp. REIT

14,171

841

 

Federal Realty

 

 

 

Investment Trust REIT

11,610

832

 

Hospitality Properties

 

 

 

Trust REIT

18,973

689

 

Duke Realty Corp. REIT

29,623

679

 

Rayonier Inc. REIT

15,905

677

 

Health Care Inc. REIT

16,442

677

 

Apartment Investment &

 

 

 

Management Co.

 

 

 

Class A REIT

19,490

671

 

UDR, Inc. REIT

27,214

608

 

Alexandria Real Estate

 

 

 

Equities, Inc. REIT

6,575

604

 

Nationwide Health

 

 

 

Properties, Inc. REIT

18,975

576

 

Liberty Property Trust REIT

18,500

550

 

Camden Property Trust REIT

11,380

540

 

Essex Property Trust, Inc. REIT

5,110

537

 

iStar Financial Inc. REIT

27,178

536

 

Taubman Co. REIT

10,722

523

 

Weingarten Realty

 

 

 

Investors REIT

15,721

505

 

Mack-Cali Realty Corp. REIT

13,692

472

 

Realty Income Corp. REIT

20,396

469

 

CapitalSource Inc. REIT

28,032

444

 

Digital Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

12,358

444

 

BRE Properties Inc.

 

 

 

Class A REIT

10,217

440

 

Senior Housing

 

 

 

Properties Trust REIT

19,106

406

 

Douglas Emmett, Inc. REIT

17,753

376

 

Post Properties, Inc. REIT

8,798

370

 

Potlatch Corp. REIT

7,922

327

 

Highwood Properties, Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

10,929

322

 

Home Properties, Inc. REIT

6,850

315

 

Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT

6,588

312

 

HRPT Properties Trust REIT

45,321

312

 

DCT Industrial Trust Inc. REIT

33,951

304

 

Washington REIT

9,449

302

 

National Retail

 

 

 

Properties REIT

14,397

298

 

CBL & Associates

 

 

 

 

68

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

Properties, Inc. REIT

12,620

295

 

BioMed Realty

 

 

 

Trust, Inc. REIT

13,253

291

 

MFA Mortgage

 

 

 

Investments, Inc. REIT

29,902

286

 

Brandywine Realty

 

 

 

Trust REIT

16,765

281

 

Corporate Office Properties

 

 

 

Trust, Inc. REIT

9,117

279

 

First Industrial Realty

 

 

 

Trust REIT

9,160

278

 

Thornburg Mortgage, Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

30,401

271

 

Entertainment Properties

 

 

 

Trust REIT

5,712

268

 

Healthcare Realty

 

 

 

Trust Inc. REIT

10,401

247

 

Mid-America Apartment

 

 

 

Communities, Inc. REIT

4,913

238

 

LaSalle Hotel Properties REIT

8,108

234

 

Omega Healthcare

 

 

 

Investors, Inc. REIT

13,700

232

 

DiamondRock

 

 

 

Hospitality Co. REIT

18,262

228

 

Tanger Factory

 

 

 

Outlet Centers, Inc. REIT

6,381

227

 

Colonial Properties Trust REIT

9,047

220

 

Equity Lifestyle

 

 

 

Properties, Inc. REIT

4,709

215

 

Strategic Hotels and

 

 

 

Resorts, Inc. REIT

15,042

214

 

EastGroup

 

 

 

Properties, Inc. REIT

4,800

204

 

American Financial

 

 

 

Realty Trust REIT

26,171

202

 

Pennsylvania REIT

7,806

193

 

Cousins Properties, Inc. REIT

7,872

191

 

Sunstone Hotel

 

 

 

Investors, Inc. REIT

12,149

190

 

Extra Space Storage Inc. REIT

12,400

187

 

Redwood Trust, Inc. REIT

5,347

179

 

Lexington Realty Trust REIT

12,247

177

 

Inland Real Estate Corp. REIT

12,682

177

 

Maguire Properties, Inc. REIT

7,663

174

 

Sovran Self Storage, Inc. REIT

4,364

168

 

Equity One, Inc. REIT

7,434

159

 

PS Business Parks, Inc. REIT

3,255

158

 

Ashford Hospitality Trust REIT

23,445

156

 

Franklin Street

 

 

 

Properties Corp. REIT

12,155

153

 

FelCor Lodging Trust, Inc. REIT

11,973

151

 

National Health Investors REIT

4,796

145

 

American Campus

 

 

 

 

69

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

Communities, Inc. REIT

5,459

143

 

Acadia Realty Trust REIT

6,196

142

 

Anworth Mortgage

 

 

 

Asset Corp. REIT

14,537

138

*

Alexander’s, Inc. REIT

407

123

 

Medical Properties

 

 

 

Trust Inc. REIT

9,968

119

 

Parkway Properties Inc. REIT

3,283

117

 

Newcastle

 

 

 

Investment Corp. REIT

10,647

114

 

NorthStar Realty

 

 

 

Finance Corp. REIT

12,401

110

 

Gramercy Capital Corp. REIT

5,310

108

 

Investors Real Estate

 

 

 

Trust REIT

11,193

105

 

Cedar Shopping

 

 

 

Centers, Inc. REIT

8,908

104

 

Saul Centers, Inc. REIT

2,173

101

 

U-Store-It Trust REIT

9,927

100

 

Getty Realty

 

 

 

Holding Corp. REIT

3,549

95

 

LTC Properties, Inc. REIT

3,816

92

 

RAIT Financial Trust REIT

11,812

90

 

Glimcher Realty Trust REIT

7,597

88

 

Ramco-Gershenson

 

 

 

Properties Trust REIT

3,720

83

 

Anthracite Capital Inc. REIT

12,916

83

 

Universal Health

 

 

 

Realty Income REIT

2,340

79

 

Friedman, Billings,

 

 

 

Ramsey Group, Inc. REIT

31,543

79

 

First Potomac REIT

4,899

77

 

CapLease, Inc. REIT

9,243

76

 

Kite Realty Group Trust REIT

5,829

74

 

Education Realty

 

 

 

Trust, Inc. REIT

5,753

73

 

Sun Communities, Inc. REIT

3,568

73

 

GMH Communities Trust REIT

8,021

72

 

Capital Trust Class A REIT

2,329

64

 

Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. REIT

3,909

63

 

Urstadt Biddle Properties

 

 

 

Class A REIT

3,839

56

 

Crystal River Capital Inc. REIT

5,073

54

 

JER Investors Trust Inc. REIT

5,119

52

 

Deerfield Capital Corp.

7,973

52

 

 

 

57,640

Real Estate Management & Development (0.6%)

*

CB Richard Ellis Group, Inc.

42,125

845

 

The St. Joe Co.

18,670

718

 

Jones Lang LaSalle Inc.

7,566

578

 

Forest City Enterprise Class A

12,665

445

*

Forestar Real Estate

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

7,119

174

 

 

70

Financials Index Fund

 

 

*

Tejon Ranch Co.

2,432

86

*

Meruelo Maddux

 

 

 

Properties Inc.

8,734

37

*

FX Real Estate and

 

 

 

Entertainment Inc.

1,942

11

 

 

 

2,894

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (4.2%)

 

 

Fannie Mae

198,555

5,490

 

Freddie Mac

134,823

3,395

 

Washington Mutual, Inc.

175,255

2,594

 

Hudson City Bancorp, Inc.

101,291

1,607

 

People’s United Financial Inc.

70,083

1,182

 

New York Community

 

 

 

Bancorp, Inc.

58,847

961

 

Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.

77,755

858

 

Countrywide Financial Corp.

117,011

738

 

Astoria Financial Corp.

17,538

459

 

Washington Federal Inc.

17,652

401

 

TFS Financial Corp.

23,487

291

 

MGIC Investment Corp.

16,542

245

 

First Niagara

 

 

 

Financial Group, Inc.

21,287

243

 

NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc.

20,460

233

 

Capitol Federal Financial

4,571

159

 

Provident Financial

 

 

 

Services Inc.

11,659

140

 

TrustCo Bank NY

15,113

131

 

The PMI Group Inc.

17,321

126

 

Radian Group, Inc.

16,220

115

 

Downey Financial Corp.

4,257

111

 

Bank Mutual Corp.

10,322

111

 

Brookline Bancorp, Inc.

11,409

110

 

First Busey Corp.

5,643

106

 

Northwest Bancorp, Inc.

3,989

105

 

IndyMac Bancorp, Inc.

16,449

101

 

Provident New York

 

 

 

Bancorp, Inc.

7,557

99

*

First Federal Financial Corp.

3,017

94

*

Guaranty Financial Group, Inc.

7,118

93

 

Dime Community Bancshares

4,947

75

 

Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin Inc.

3,656

69

*

Beneficial Mutual Bancorp, Inc.

7,480

69

 

Corus Bankshares Inc.

6,343

66

 

BankFinancial Corp.

4,420

63

 

WSFS Financial Corp.

1,285

61

 

Flagstar Bancorp, Inc.

7,379

53

 

First Financial Holdings, Inc.

2,308

52

 

TierOne Corp.

3,125

46

*

Ocwen Financial Corp.

7,558

45

 

First Place Financial Corp.

3,521

43

 

BankAtlantic Bancorp, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

9,116

42

 

Kearny Financial Corp.

3,707

40

 

 

71

Financials Index Fund

 

 

 

ViewPoint Financial Group

2,431

38

 

PFF Bancorp, Inc.

4,237

36

*

Oritani Financial Corp.

2,841

31

 

BankUnited Financial Corp.

6,317

31

 

United Community

 

 

 

Financial Corp.

5,196

29

 

Roma Financial Corp.

2,038

27

*

Wauwatosa Holdings, Inc.

1,980

23

*

Franklin Bank Corp.

4,974

19

*

Triad Guaranty, Inc.

2,446

14

*

Fremont General Corp.

13,713

14

 

 

 

21,284

Total Investments (99.9%)

 

 

(Cost $613,318)

 

503,272

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.1%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

8,344

Liabilities

 

(8,004)

 

 

 

340

Net Assets (100%)

 

503,612

 

 

 

72

Financials Index Fund

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

615,534

Undistributed Net Investment Income

1,563

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(3,439)

Unrealized Depreciation

(110,046)

Net Assets

503,612

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 1,929,548 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

45,601

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$23.63

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 9,715,863 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

458,011

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$47.14

 

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

 

73

Financials Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

5,726

Interest1

12

Total Income

5,738

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

20

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

30

ETF Shares

268

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

3

ETF Shares

46

Custodian Fees

25

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

9

Total Expenses

401

Net Investment Income

5,337

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

(1,182)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(98,175)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(94,020)

 

 

74

Financials Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

5,337

 

6,347

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(1,182)

 

7,622

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(98,175)

 

(20,258)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(94,020)

 

(6,289)

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(380)

 

(272)

ETF Shares

(5,095)

 

(5,087)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(5,475)

 

(5,359)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

34,747

 

11,614

ETF Shares

267,467

 

168,244

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

302,214

 

179,858

Total Increase (Decrease)

202,719

 

168,210

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

300,893

 

132,683

End of Period2

503,612

 

300,893

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $12,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $1,563,000 and $1,701,000.

 

75

Financials Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Feb. 4,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$30.10

$29.86

$26.36

$25.35

$24.90

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.3332

.7702

.7162

.6602

.31

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(6.378)

.145

3.392

1.086

.14

Total from Investment Operations

(6.045)

.915

4.108

1.746

.45

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.425)

(.675)

(.608)

(.736)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.425)

(.675)

(.608)

(.736)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$23.63

$30.10

$29.86

$26.36

$25.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return3

–20.33%

2.95%

15.76%

6.88%

1.81%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$46

$19

$8

$3

$1

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

2.67%*

2.37%

2.49%

2.59%

2.38%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

8%*

12%

6%

6%

9%

 

 

76

Financials Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 26,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$60.04

$59.57

$52.57

$50.57

$50.51

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.7152

1.5572

1.432

1.3162

.70

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(12.754)

.282

6.80

2.160

(.64)

Total from Investment Operations

(12.039)

1.839

8.23

3.476

.06

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.861)

(1.369)

(1.23)

(1.476)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.861)

(1.369)

(1.23)

(1.476)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$47.14

$60.04

$59.57

$52.57

$50.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–20.28%

2.97%

15.82%

6.85%

0.12%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$458

$282

$125

$53

$20

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

2.72%*

2.41%

2.52%

2.61%

2.38%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

8%*

12%

6%

6%

9%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

4  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

77

Financials Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Financials Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $45,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.04% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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 six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $1,243,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $969,000 to offset future net capital gains of $85,000 through August 31, 2014, $11,000 through August 31, 2015, and $873,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $613,318,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $110,046,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $4,390,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $114,436,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $327,942,000 of investment securities and sold $26,208,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

39,384

1,479

 

17,304

546

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

275

10

 

234

7

Redeemed1

(4,912)

(181)

 

(5,924)

(186)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

34,747

1,308

 

11,614

367

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

277,444

5,216

 

213,622

3,300

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(9,977)

(200)

 

(45,378)

(700)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

267,467

5,016

 

168,244

2,600

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $50,000 and $53,000.

 

 

78

 

 

Health Care Index Fund

 

Health Care Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

273

273

2,454

Median Market Cap

$44.2B

$44.2B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

22.0x

22.0x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

3.4x

3.4x

2.5x

Yield3

 

1.6%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

1.4%

 

 

ETF Shares

1.4%

 

 

Return on Equity

20.6%

20.6%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

12.1%

12.2%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

11.5%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.43

Beta

1.00

0.63

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Biotechnology

14.1%

Health Care Distributors

3.3   

Health Care Equipment

17.0   

Health Care Facilities

1.3   

Health Care Services

4.5   

Life Sciences Tools & Services

4.6   

Managed Health Care

9.8   

Pharmaceuticals

43.8   

Other Health Care

1.6   

 

 

79

Health Care Index Fund

 

Ten Largest Holdings6(% of total net assets)

 

 

Johnson & Johnson

10.2%

Pfizer Inc.

8.7   

Merck & Co., Inc.

5.5   

Abbott Laboratories

4.7   

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

3.4   

Wyeth

3.4   

Medtronic, Inc.

3.2   

Eli Lilly & Co.

2.9   

Amgen, Inc.

2.8   

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

2.6   

Top Ten

47.4%

 

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Health Care.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

80

Health Care Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): January 26, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

1/26/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

7.64%

5.59%

Net Asset Value

 

7.80   

5.62   

Admiral Shares2

2/5/2004

7.75   

5.60   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
Note: See
Financial Highlights tables on page 91 and 92 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

81

Health Care Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (100.0%)

 

 

Biotechnology (14.1%)

 

 

*

Amgen, Inc.

416,197

18,945

*

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

356,188

16,855

*

Genentech, Inc.

181,375

13,739

*

Celgene Corp.

147,764

8,329

*

Genzyme Corp.

101,813

7,221

*

Biogen Idec Inc.

112,287

6,553

*

Millennium

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

123,351

1,726

*

Cephalon, Inc.

25,706

1,551

*

BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc.

37,041

1,409

*

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

51,605

1,366

*

ImClone Systems, Inc.

23,043

1,037

*

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

50,494

884

*

Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

13,701

830

*

Pharmion Corp.

11,454

820

*

OSI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

22,169

797

*

PDL BioPharma Inc.

44,619

713

*

United Therapeutics Corp.

8,170

688

*

Myriad Genetics, Inc.

16,761

620

*

Cepheid, Inc.

21,152

585

*

Onyx Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

21,037

575

*

Alkermes, Inc.

38,778

502

*

LifeCell Corp.

12,330

497

*

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

33,283

479

*

Savient Pharmaceuticals Inc.

20,369

462

*

Regeneron

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

23,190

458

*

Medarex, Inc.

46,011

428

*

Applera Corp.–Celera

 

 

 

Genomics Group

30,131

418

*

Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

21,355

389

*

Martek Biosciences Corp.

12,394

355

*

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc.

10,891

309

*

Theravance, Inc.

17,598

289

*

Human Genome

 

 

 

Sciences, Inc.

48,749

288

*

Incyte Corp.

28,985

287

 

 

82

Health Care Index Fund

 

 

*

Acorda Therapeutics Inc.

10,752

220

*

Seattle Genetics, Inc.

23,754

214

*

Abraxis BioScience

3,114

190

*

Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

27,669

188

*

Dendreon Corp.

32,309

171

*

InterMune Inc.

11,755

166

*

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.

13,724

161

*

Progenics

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

10,145

155

*

Zymogenetics, Inc.

14,433

144

*

Geron Corp.

29,029

143

*

Halozyme Therapeutics Inc.

24,797

136

*

CV Therapeutics, Inc.

22,839

133

*

XOMA Ltd.

50,336

128

*

Indevus Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

24,723

123

*

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.

12,003

119

 

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

34,856

118

*

Genomic Health, Inc.

5,385

103

*

Omrix Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

4,245

102

*

GTx, Inc.

6,150

101

*

Array BioPharma Inc.

17,063

96

*

Keryx Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.

15,983

92

*

Nabi Biopharmaceuticals

23,429

91

*

Orexigen Therapeutics Inc.

6,538

85

*

Lexicon Pharmaceuticals Inc.

44,413

83

*

Senomyx, Inc.

11,665

79

*

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc.

14,517

73

*

deCODE genetics, Inc.

22,803

67

*

Affymax Inc.

3,421

66

*

Osiris Therapeutics, Inc.

5,610

58

*

Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

5,431

55

*

Amicus Therapeutics, Inc.

3,054

30

*

Emergent BioSolutions Inc.

2,453

18

*

MannKind Corp.

1,250

9

 

 

 

94,121

Health Care Equipment & Supplies (17.9%)

 

 

 

Medtronic, Inc.

435,399

21,491

 

Baxter International, Inc.

242,644

14,321

 

Becton, Dickinson & Co.

93,380

8,443

 

Covidien Ltd.

189,632

8,114

 

Stryker Corp.

109,992

7,162

*

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

90,090

6,783

*

Boston Scientific Corp.

513,310

6,463

*

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

131,002

5,630

*

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.

14,624

4,123

 

C.R. Bard, Inc.

39,471

3,741

*

Hologic, Inc.

48,004

2,895

*

Hospira, Inc.

60,258

2,565

*

Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

48,109

2,523

 

DENTSPLY International Inc.

55,118

2,152

*

Respironics, Inc.

28,385

1,864

 

Beckman Coulter, Inc.

24,059

1,624

 

 

83

Health Care Index Fund

 

 

*

IDEXX Laboratories Corp.

23,396

1,298

*

ResMed Inc.

29,546

1,196

 

Hillenbrand Industries, Inc.

22,509

1,181

*

Kinetic Concepts, Inc.

20,708

1,064

*

Gen-Probe Inc.

20,645

987

*

Edwards Lifesciences Corp.

21,868

954

*

Immucor Inc.

26,717

796

*

Inverness Medical

 

 

 

Innovations, Inc.

24,351

710

 

STERIS Corp.

24,769

610

 

Cooper Cos., Inc.

17,074

584

*

Haemonetics Corp.

10,041

583

*

Advanced Medical Optics, Inc.

23,139

529

 

West Pharmaceutical

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

12,643

522

*

Nuvasive, Inc.

13,354

515

 

Meridian Bioscience Inc.

14,505

497

*

ArthroCare Corp.

10,662

428

*

American Medical

 

 

 

Systems Holdings, Inc.

26,171

382

 

Mentor Corp.

12,282

364

*

Wright Medical Group, Inc.

13,727

361

 

Analogic Corp.

5,381

315

*

Integra LifeSciences Holdings

7,512

311

*

CONMED Corp.

10,948

295

 

Invacare Corp.

11,179

279

*

Align Technology, Inc.

22,137

273

*

Thoratec Corp.

18,610

270

*

SurModics, Inc.

5,901

261

*

Abaxis, Inc.

8,214

239

*

Orthofix International N.V.

5,800

232

*

Symmetry Medical Inc.

12,194

217

*

Zoll Medical Corp.

7,811

194

*

ev3 Inc.

21,920

194

*

Conceptus, Inc.

11,332

193

*

Sirona Dental Systems Inc.

7,328

191

*

SonoSite, Inc.

6,432

189

*

Greatbatch, Inc.

8,638

185

*

Quidel Corp.

11,221

184

 

Datascope Corp.

4,965

173

*

Accuray Inc.

15,559

161

*

Merit Medical Systems, Inc.

10,077

160

 

Vital Signs, Inc.

3,039

154

*

ICU Medical, Inc.

4,998

134

*

Volcano Corp.

10,498

129

*

OraSure Technologies, Inc.

17,668

126

*

Insulet Corp.

6,589

113

*

TomoTherapy, Inc.

8,449

111

*

Palomar Medical

 

 

 

Technologies, Inc.

6,672

89

*

Clinical Data, Inc.

4,297

88

*

Cynosure Inc.

3,264

78

*

Aspect Medical Systems, Inc.

5,884

73

 

 

84

Health Care Index Fund

 

 

*

Hansen Medical Inc.

3,760

71

*

Stereotaxis Inc.

10,800

62

*

Cyberonics, Inc.

677

9

*

Northstar Neuroscience, Inc.

388

1

 

 

 

119,209

Health Care Providers & Services (18.8%)

 

 

 

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

494,408

22,980

*

WellPoint Inc.

218,646

15,323

 

Aetna Inc.

191,559

9,501

*

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

204,755

9,073

 

Cardinal Health, Inc.

138,901

8,215

 

McKesson Corp.

110,798

6,510

*

Express Scripts Inc.

82,123

4,853

 

CIGNA Corp.

107,841

4,808

*

Humana Inc.

64,852

4,431

*

Laboratory Corp. of

 

 

 

America Holdings

44,746

3,459

*

Coventry Health Care Inc.

59,293

3,076

 

Quest Diagnostics, Inc.

63,011

3,004

 

AmerisourceBergen Corp.

64,267

2,681

*

Henry Schein, Inc.

34,275

2,050

*

DaVita, Inc.

40,791

2,024

*

Health Net Inc.

42,433

1,865

*

Patterson Cos.

42,852

1,508

*

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc.

18,732

1,237

*

Community Health

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

36,641

1,138

*

VCA Antech, Inc.

32,191

1,034

 

Universal Health Services

 

 

 

Class B

19,195

1,025

*

Lincare Holdings, Inc.

30,624

995

 

Omnicare, Inc.

46,536

976

*

Tenet Healthcare Corp.

180,833

870

*

AMERIGROUP Corp.

20,304

731

 

Owens & Minor, Inc.

 

 

 

Holding Co.

15,634

672

*

Magellan Health Services, Inc.

15,204

659

*

WellCare Health Plans Inc.

13,521

645

*

Psychiatric Solutions, Inc.

20,998

594

*

LifePoint Hospitals, Inc.

21,083

528

 

Health Management

 

 

 

Associates Class A

92,804

497

*

HealthSouth Corp.

30,129

484

*

Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.

17,297

474

*

Healthways, Inc.

13,578

466

*

PSS World Medical, Inc.

25,698

450

 

Chemed Corp.

9,160

437

*

Amedisys Inc.

10,030

429

*

inVentiv Health, Inc.

11,714

373

*

Apria Healthcare Group Inc.

16,693

362

 

Brookdale Senior Living Inc.

13,612

355

*

HealthExtras, Inc.

12,146

335

*

Healthspring, Inc.

17,258

303

 

 

85

Health Care Index Fund

 

 

*

Centene Corp.

16,706

299

*

Universal American Corp.

17,176

295

*

AmSurg Corp.

11,761

283

*

Kindred Healthcare, Inc.

12,561

265

*

HMS Holdings Corp.

8,284

227

*

Gentiva Health Services, Inc.

10,195

220

*

Sun Healthcare Group Inc.

14,871

219

*

AMN Healthcare Services, Inc.

13,317

216

*

Matria Healthcare, Inc.

8,203

206

*

Res-Care, Inc.

8,799

189

*

Emeritus Corp.

8,253

183

 

Landauer, Inc.

3,586

171

*

Air Methods Corp.

4,153

171

*

PharMerica Corp.

10,927

161

*

Molina Healthcare Inc.

4,904

155

*

MedCath Corp.

6,957

145

*

Assisted Living Concepts Inc.

22,615

136

*

Cross Country Healthcare, Inc.

11,600

126

 

National Healthcare Corp.

2,413

113

*

Odyssey Healthcare, Inc.

12,589

110

 

LCA-Vision Inc.

7,383

102

*

Alliance Imaging, Inc.

9,880

97

*

Skilled Healthcare Group Inc.

7,372

93

*

Nighthawk Radiology

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

5,220

60

 

 

 

125,672

Health Care Technology (0.8%)

 

 

 

IMS Health, Inc.

74,422

1,675

*

Cerner Corp.

25,987

1,129

*

HLTH Corp.

69,749

826

*

Eclipsys Corp.

18,423

393

*

The TriZetto Group, Inc.

16,583

324

*

Omnicell, Inc.

12,424

236

*

Phase Forward Inc.

14,452

230

*

Allscripts Healthcare

 

 

 

Solutions, Inc.

20,399

218

*

Vital Images, Inc.

6,264

99

 

 

 

5,130

Life Sciences Tools & Services (4.6%)

 

 

*

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

160,744

8,990

*

Waters Corp.

38,466

2,293

 

Applera Corp.–Applied

 

 

 

Biosystems Group

64,372

2,170

*

Covance, Inc.

24,496

2,068

 

Pharmaceutical Product

 

 

 

Development, Inc.

40,953

1,846

*

Illumina, Inc.

21,078

1,526

*

Charles River

 

 

 

Laboratories, Inc.

26,016

1,524

*

Invitrogen Corp.

17,831

1,507

*

Millipore Corp.

20,849

1,457

 

PerkinElmer, Inc.

45,302

1,124

*

Techne Corp.

14,396

984

 

 

86

Health Care Index Fund

 

 

*

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

7,140

674

*

Varian, Inc.

11,723

635

*

PAREXEL International Corp.

10,663

586

*

Dionex Corp.

7,140

527

*

Affymetrix, Inc.

26,336

505

*

AMAG Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

6,118

268

*

Exelixis, Inc.

39,815

254

*

Nektar Therapeutics

35,150

244

*

Kendle International Inc.

4,987

223

*

Bruker BioSciences Corp.

16,098

220

*

Luminex Corp.

12,551

219

*

Pharmanet Development

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

6,853

198

*

eResearch Technology, Inc.

15,474

185

*

Medivation Inc.

9,182

147

*

Enzo Biochem, Inc.

12,676

119

*

Albany Molecular

 

 

 

Research, Inc.

9,512

106

 

Cambrex Corp.

11,112

97

 

 

 

30,696

Pharmaceuticals (43.8%)

 

 

 

Johnson & Johnson

1,094,879

67,839

 

Pfizer Inc.

2,612,814

58,214

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

832,715

36,889

 

Abbott Laboratories

591,362

31,667

 

Wyeth

512,442

22,353

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

390,684

19,542

 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

756,997

17,116

 

Schering-Plough Corp.

619,803

13,450

 

Allergan, Inc.

117,443

6,956

*

Forest Laboratories, Inc.

119,375

4,748

*

Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc.

39,206

1,849

 

Mylan Inc.

115,696

1,370

*

Endo Pharmaceuticals

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

51,283

1,347

*

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

37,566

1,045

 

Perrigo Co.

30,423

1,017

*

King Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

93,233

988

*

Sepracor Inc.

42,737

917

*

Warner Chilcott Ltd.

38,362

647

*

Valeant Pharmaceuticals

 

 

 

International

35,196

484

 

Medicis Pharmaceutical Corp.

21,411

439

*

Alpharma, Inc. Class A

16,700

421

*

Xenoport Inc.

7,699

394

*

The Medicines Co.

18,859

363

*

Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

10,752

344

*

K-V Pharmaceutical Co.

 

 

 

Class A

12,762

321

*

Sciele Pharma, Inc.

12,306

255

*

ViroPharma Inc.

26,705

245

*

Par Pharmaceutical Cos. Inc.

13,676

242

 

 

87

Health Care Index Fund

 

 

*

APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

12,174

137

*

Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

9,524

129

*

Salix Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

18,272

123

*

Cypress Bioscience, Inc.

14,453

116

*

Akorn, Inc.

16,783

107

*

Sirtis Pharmaceuticals Inc.

385

5

*

Cadence Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

400

2

 

 

 

292,081

Total Investments (100.0%)

 

 

(Cost $690,024)

 

666,909

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.0%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

5,369

Liabilities

 

(5,374)

 

 

 

(5)

Net Assets (100%)

 

666,904

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

 

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

694,086

Undistributed Net Investment Income

1,481

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(5,548)

Unrealized Depreciation

(23,115)

Net Assets

666,904

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 4,750,768 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

133,372

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$28.07

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 9,502,626 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

533,532

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$56.15

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

88

Health Care Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

4,799

Interest1

8

Total Income

4,807

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

24

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

143

ETF Shares

365

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

12

ETF Shares

69

Custodian Fees

55

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

14

Total Expenses

682

Net Investment Income

4,125

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

1,379

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(39,754)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(34,250)

 

 

89

Health Care Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

4,125

 

7,712

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

1,379

 

40,442

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(39,754)

 

(11,813)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(34,250)

 

36,341

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(1,807)

 

(1,154)

ETF Shares

(6,890)

 

(3,876)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(8,697)

 

(5,030)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

9,922

 

17,034

ETF Shares

90,554

 

89,085

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

100,476

 

106,119

Total Increase (Decrease)

57,529

 

137,430

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

609,375

 

471,945

End of Period2

666,904

 

609,375

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $8,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $1,481,000 and $6,053,000.

 

90

Health Care Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Feb. 5,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$29.82

$27.99

$26.92

$23.97

$25.33

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.167

.392

.3042

.2742

.13

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(1.522)

1.736

.951

2.762

(1.49)

Total from Investment Operations

(1.355)

2.128

1.255

3.036

(1.36)

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.395)

(.298)

(.185)

(.086)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.395)

(.298)

(.185)

(.086)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$28.07

$29.82

$27.99

$26.92

$23.97

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return3

–4.66%

7.65%

4.68%

12.70%

–5.37%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$133

$132

$108

$73

$11

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.24%*

1.42%

1.12%

1.11%

1.09%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

11%*

10%

11%

9%

8%

 

 

91

Health Care Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 26,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$59.65

$55.99

$53.85

$47.90

$50.55

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.35

.809

.6222

.5972

.23

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(3.03)

3.466

1.905

5.486

(2.88)

Total from Investment Operations

(2.68)

4.275

2.527

6.083

(2.65)

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.82)

(.615)

(.387)

(.133)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.82)

(.615)

(.387)

(.133)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$56.15

$59.65

$55.99

$53.85

$47.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–4.61%

7.69%

4.71%

12.72%

–5.24%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$534

$477

$364

$205

$19

Ratio of Total Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.29%*

1.46%

1.15%

1.13%

1.09%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

11%*

10%

11%

9%

8%

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

4  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

92

Health Care Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Health Care Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $58,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.06% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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.

 

93

Health Care Index Fund

 

During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $2,354,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $4,249,000 to offset future net capital gains of $207,000 through August 31, 2014, $343,000 through August 31, 2015, and $3,699,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $690,024,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $23,115,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $37,292,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $60,407,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $144,000,000 of investment securities and sold $45,671,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

18,135

599

 

29,033

979

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

847

27

 

449

16

Redeemed1

(9,060)

(302)

 

(12,448)

(423)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

9,922

324

 

17,034

572

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

102,999

1,700

 

290,709

4,901

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(12,445)

(200)

 

(201,624)

(3,400)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

90,554

1,500

 

89,085

1,501

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $47,000 and $52,000.

 

 

94

 

 

Industrials Index Fund

 

Industrials Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

342

342

2,454

Median Market Cap

$28.8B

$28.8B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

16.7x

16.7x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

2.9x

2.9x

2.5x

Yield3

 

1.9%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

1.7%

 

 

ETF Shares

1.7%

 

 

Return on Equity

20.1%

20.1%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

22.0%

22.0%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

8.7%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.69

Beta

1.01

0.93

 

 

95

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Aerospace & Defense

20.9%

Air Freight & Logistics

5.6   

Airlines

1.6   

Building Products

1.5   

Construction & Engineering

3.1   

Construction & Farm Machinery & Heavy Trucks

8.9   

Diversified Commercial & Professional Services

2.8   

Electrical Components & Equipment

6.0   

Environmental & Facilities Services

2.4   

Human Resource & Employment Services

1.1   

Industrial Conglomerates

25.6   

Industrial Machinery

9.2   

Office Services & Supplies

1.3   

Railroads

6.2   

Trading Companies & Distributors

1.5   

Trucking

1.1   

Other Industrials

1.2   

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

General Electric Co.

19.4%

United Technologies Corp.

3.8   

The Boeing Co.

3.5   

3M Co.

3.1   

United Parcel Service, Inc.

2.8   

Caterpillar, Inc.

2.7   

Honeywell International Inc.

2.4   

Emerson Electric Co.

2.3   

Deere & Co.

2.2   

Lockheed Martin Corp.

2.1   

Top Ten

44.3%

 

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Industrials.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

96

 


Industrials Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): September 23, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

9/23/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

13.35%

14.49%

Net Asset Value

 

13.52   

14.53   

Admiral Shares2

5/8/2006

13.46   

7.61   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
Note: See
Financial Highlights tables on page 109 and 110 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

 

97

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (99.9%)

 

 

Aerospace & Defense (20.9%)

 

 

 

United Technologies Corp.

136,406

9,618

 

The Boeing Co.

106,951

8,854

 

Honeywell International Inc.

103,048

5,929

 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

51,010

5,264

 

General Dynamics Corp.

49,583

4,058

 

Raytheon Co.

62,358

4,043

 

Northrop Grumman Corp.

46,691

3,670

 

Precision Castparts Corp.

20,064

2,215

 

L-3 Communications

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

18,185

1,933

 

Rockwell Collins, Inc.

23,586

1,389

 

Goodrich Corp.

17,238

1,021

*

Alliant Techsystems, Inc.

4,813

505

*

BE Aerospace, Inc.

13,382

459

*

Spirit Aerosystems

 

 

 

Holdings Inc.

14,603

395

 

DRS Technologies, Inc.

5,982

336

*

Hexcel Corp.

13,867

280

 

Curtiss-Wright Corp.

6,511

274

*

Moog Inc.

5,396

221

*

Esterline Technologies Corp.

4,189

220

*

Teledyne Technologies, Inc.

4,913

218

*

Orbital Sciences Corp.

8,746

189

*

AAR Corp.

5,618

145

 

Triumph Group, Inc.

2,470

140

*

TransDigm Group, Inc.

3,455

134

*

Ceradyne, Inc.

3,811

119

*

Taser International Inc.

9,069

102

 

American Science &

 

 

 

Engineering, Inc.

1,434

78

*

Ladish Co., Inc.

2,096

75

*

GenCorp, Inc.

7,149

74

*

DynCorp International Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

4,071

68

 

HEICO Corp. Class A

1,787

65

*

MTC Technologies, Inc.

1,835

43

*

Stanley Inc.

1,282

36

 

Cubic Corp.

1,325

34

 

 

98

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

 

*

Argon ST, Inc.

1,932

31

 

HEICO Corp.

616

27

*

Aerovironment Inc.

1,244

26

*

Applied Energetics, Inc.

4,007

9

 

 

 

52,297

Air Freight & Logistics (5.5%)

 

 

 

United Parcel Service, Inc.

100,002

7,024

 

FedEx Corp.

42,676

3,761

 

Expeditors International of

 

 

 

Washington, Inc.

30,957

1,217

 

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

23,525

1,194

*

Hub Group, Inc.

5,799

174

 

UTI Worldwide, Inc.

8,507

143

*

Atlas Air Worldwide

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

2,454

124

 

Forward Air Corp.

4,213

124

 

Pacer International, Inc.

5,239

81

*

ABX Holdings Inc.

9,629

29

 

 

 

13,871

Airlines (1.6%)

 

 

 

Southwest Airlines Co.

107,373

1,316

*

Delta Air Lines Inc.

39,091

522

 

UAL Corp.

16,678

505

*

AMR Corp.

36,186

464

*

Continental Airlines, Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

14,148

342

 

Skywest, Inc.

8,477

188

*

Alaska Air Group, Inc.

6,073

148

*

US Airways Group Inc.

11,388

141

*

JetBlue Airways Corp.

22,477

123

*

AirTran Holdings, Inc.

13,058

94

*

Republic Airways Holdings Inc.

4,502

88

*

Allegiant Travel Co.

2,169

59

 

 

 

3,990

Building Products (1.5%)

 

 

 

Trane, Inc.

26,388

1,189

 

Masco Corp.

53,569

1,001

*

USG Corp.

10,648

362

 

Lennox International Inc.

8,144

307

*

Owens Corning Inc.

11,278

213

 

Ameron International Corp.

1,332

147

 

Simpson Manufacturing Co.

5,784

139

*

Armstrong Worldwide

 

 

 

Industries, Inc.

2,830

102

 

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

4,453

69

 

Universal Forest Products, Inc.

2,449

68

 

Gibraltar Industries Inc.

4,067

44

*

Griffon Corp.

3,849

34

 

American Woodmark Corp.

1,388

26

*

Builders FirstSource, Inc.

2,543

17

*

NCI Building Systems, Inc.

366

11

*

PGT, Inc.

1,769

6

 

 

 

3,735

 

 

99

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

 

Commercial Services & Supplies (8.3%)

 

 

 

Waste Management, Inc.

73,839

2,424

 

Pitney Bowes, Inc.

31,414

1,124

 

R.R. Donnelley & Sons Co.

31,290

996

 

Republic Services, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

27,129

828

 

The Dun & Bradstreet Corp.

8,501

742

 

Avery Dennison Corp.

13,767

707

*

Stericycle, Inc.

12,587

678

 

Manpower Inc.

11,768

667

 

Equifax, Inc.

19,249

659

 

Robert Half International, Inc.

22,326

602

 

Cintas Corp.

20,601

593

*

Covanta Holding Corp.

17,937

514

*

ChoicePoint Inc.

10,390

503

*

Allied Waste Industries, Inc.

47,822

494

*

Corrections Corp. of America

17,881

480

 

The Brink’s Co.

7,069

473

*

Monster Worldwide Inc.

16,995

452

*

FTI Consulting, Inc.

6,981

443

*

Copart, Inc.

10,480

437

*

IHS Inc. Class A

5,328

328

 

Watson Wyatt & Co. Holdings

6,129

325

*

Waste Connections, Inc.

10,077

306

 

Herman Miller, Inc.

8,787

262

*

Geo Group Inc.

7,319

195

*

United Stationers, Inc.

3,763

186

 

HNI Corp.

6,157

182

 

Mine Safety Appliances Co.

4,534

182

*

Tetra Tech, Inc.

8,749

165

*

Clean Harbors Inc.

2,599

160

 

Deluxe Corp.

7,638

159

*

PHH Corp.

7,849

159

*

The Advisory Board Co.

2,690

149

 

Steelcase Inc.

9,478

134

*

Huron Consulting Group Inc.

2,529

134

 

ABM Industries Inc.

6,679

133

*

TeleTech Holdings, Inc.

5,842

132

*

Korn/Ferry International

7,430

125

 

Rollins, Inc.

6,963

123

 

The Corporate

 

 

 

Executive Board Co.

3,024

123

 

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

6,051

120

 

G & K Services, Inc. Class A

3,125

120

 

Interface, Inc.

7,112

119

*

Cenveo Inc.

7,719

116

*

CoStar Group, Inc.

2,763

115

*

Navigant Consulting, Inc.

6,841

112

 

Viad Corp.

3,096

107

*

Layne Christensen Co.

2,678

107

*

Acco Brands Corp.

7,694

107

 

Resources Connection, Inc.

6,539

105

 

 

100

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

 

*

Mobile Mini, Inc.

5,495

102

 

Knoll, Inc.

7,097

100

*

School Specialty, Inc.

3,228

99

 

IKON Office Solutions, Inc.

13,396

95

 

Heidrick & Struggles

 

 

 

International, Inc.

2,755

94

*

Consolidated Graphics, Inc.

1,617

86

 

Kelly Services, Inc. Class A

4,164

80

*

American Reprographics Co.

4,891

79

*

TrueBlue, Inc.

6,269

78

*

M&F Worldwide Corp.

2,079

77

 

Comfort Systems USA, Inc.

6,445

77

 

McGrath RentCorp

3,501

73

*

Team, Inc.

2,319

71

*

CRA International Inc.

1,850

70

*

CBIZ Inc.

7,858

70

 

Ennis, Inc.

3,874

62

*

Spherion Corp.

9,011

58

*

Kenexa Corp.

2,828

57

 

Bowne & Co., Inc.

4,209

56

*

Innerworkings, Inc.

3,903

54

 

CDI Corp.

2,322

53

*

Fuel-Tech N.V.

2,577

52

*

Kforce Inc.

5,567

48

 

Courier Corp.

1,566

43

*

RSC Holdings Inc.

3,725

42

 

Schawk, Inc.

2,514

40

*

Pike Electric Corp.

3,053

39

 

Kimball International, Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

3,700

39

*

First Advantage Corp. Class A

1,747

35

*

Hudson Highland Group, Inc.

4,221

31

*

LECG Corp.

3,276

31

*

Volt Information Sciences Inc.

1,857

30

*

EnerNOC Inc.

1,524

23

 

The Standard Register Co.

2,218

19

 

Administaff, Inc.

212

5

 

 

 

20,674

Construction & Engineering (3.1%)

 

 

 

Fluor Corp.

12,845

1,789

*

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc.

17,551

1,409

*

Foster Wheeler Ltd.

20,876

1,366

*

KBR Inc.

24,335

811

*

Shaw Group, Inc.

11,783

759

*

Quanta Services, Inc.

24,717

590

*

URS Corp.

11,386

459

*

EMCOR Group, Inc.

9,390

226

 

Granite Construction Co.

5,247

158

*

Insituform Technologies Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

3,913

55

*

Perini Corp.

1,395

52

 

Great Lakes Dredge &

 

 

 

Dock Co.

5,490

34

 

 

101

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

 

 

 

 

7,708

Electrical Equipment (5.9%)

 

 

 

Emerson Electric Co.

114,349

5,827

*

First Solar, Inc.

5,661

1,162

 

Rockwell Automation, Inc.

20,591

1,127

 

Cooper Industries, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

26,360

1,105

 

Roper Industries Inc.

12,731

718

 

Ametek, Inc.

15,445

658

*

General Cable Corp.

7,615

470

*

SunPower Corp. Class A

5,287

347

 

Hubbell Inc. Class B

7,437

337

*

Thomas & Betts Corp.

8,298

333

 

Acuity Brands, Inc.

6,361

282

 

Woodward Governor Co.

9,106

260

 

Belden Inc.

6,604

260

*

GrafTech International Ltd.

14,939

239

 

Brady Corp. Class A

7,420

227

 

Regal-Beloit Corp.

4,733

175

 

Baldor Electric Co.

6,076

174

*

Energy Conversion

 

 

 

Devices, Inc.

5,678

151

*

Evergreen Solar, Inc.

14,419

139

*

American

 

 

 

Superconductor Corp.

5,892

133

*

II-VI, Inc.

3,876

127

*

EnerSys

4,948

114

 

A.O. Smith Corp.

3,074

112

 

Franklin Electric, Inc.

2,684

89

*

Superior Essex Inc.

2,772

79

*

FuelCell Energy, Inc.

10,073

72

 

Encore Wire Corp.

2,851

48

 

Vicor Corp.

3,728

45

*

Polypore International Inc.

2,331

42

*

Medis Technology Ltd.

3,513

38

*

Plug Power, Inc.

10,001

30

*

Power-One, Inc.

1,383

4

 

 

 

14,924

Industrial Conglomerates (25.6%)

 

 

 

General Electric Co.

1,467,966

48,648

 

3M Co.

98,420

7,716

 

Tyco International, Ltd.

71,990

2,884

 

Textron, Inc.

36,205

1,961

*

McDermott International, Inc.

32,707

1,708

 

Walter Industries, Inc.

7,478

409

 

Carlisle Co., Inc.

9,037

330

 

Teleflex Inc.

5,428

307

 

Raven Industries, Inc.

2,538

74

 

Tredegar Corp.

4,436

70

 

 

 

64,107

Machinery (18.1%)

 

 

 

Caterpillar, Inc.

92,376

6,682

 

Deere & Co.

63,967

5,451

 

 

102

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

 

 

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

67,159

3,295

 

Danaher Corp.

36,774

2,727

 

PACCAR, Inc.

50,930

2,209

 

Eaton Corp.

21,179

1,708

 

Ingersoll-Rand Co.

39,571

1,656

 

Parker Hannifin Corp.

24,434

1,579

 

Cummins Inc.

28,185

1,420

 

ITT Industries, Inc.

25,020

1,407

 

Dover Corp.

28,864

1,198

 

Joy Global Inc.

15,593

1,035

*

Terex Corp.

14,812

999

 

Flowserve Corp.

8,300

904

*

AGCO Corp.

13,304

863

 

SPX Corp.

7,664

784

 

The Manitowoc Co., Inc.

18,858

768

 

Pall Corp.

17,564

692

 

Harsco Corp.

12,164

687

 

Bucyrus International, Inc.

5,394

539

 

Pentair, Inc.

13,763

449

 

Donaldson Co., Inc.

10,393

438

 

Oshkosh Truck Corp.

10,720

430

 

Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc.

5,936

399

 

The Timken Co.

11,766

355

 

IDEX Corp.

11,720

353

 

Kennametal, Inc.

11,309

343

 

Trinity Industries, Inc.

11,700

330

 

Graco, Inc.

9,368

325

 

Crane Co.

6,985

288

*

Gardner Denver Inc.

7,771

287

 

The Toro Co.

5,856

282

 

CLARCOR Inc.

6,788

243

 

Wabtec Corp.

6,835

237

 

Nordson Corp.

4,501

231

 

Actuant Corp.

8,116

218

 

Valmont Industries, Inc.

2,674

214

 

Kaydon Corp.

4,205

180

 

Mueller Industries Inc.

5,539

159

*

The Middleby Corp.

2,293

156

 

Robbins & Myers, Inc.

4,468

152

*

Chart Industries, Inc.

4,015

138

 

Albany International Corp.

3,955

136

 

Watts Water Technologies, Inc.

4,730

131

 

Briggs & Stratton Corp.

7,175

128

 

Lindsay Manufacturing Co.

1,600

126

*

ESCO Technologies Inc.

3,715

123

 

Titan International, Inc.

3,550

121

 

CIRCOR International, Inc.

2,428

111

*

RBC Bearings Inc.

3,288

110

 

Barnes Group, Inc.

4,815

110

*

Astec Industries, Inc.

2,676

101

 

Dynamic Materials Corp.

1,755

100

*

EnPro Industries, Inc.

3,272

97

 

Tennant Co.

2,625

95

 

 

103

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

 

*

Columbus McKinnon Corp.

2,877

82

 

Federal Signal Corp.

6,502

78

*

Blount International, Inc.

6,052

72

 

Freightcar America Inc.

1,734

70

 

Badger Meter, Inc.

1,769

68

 

The Greenbrier Cos., Inc.

2,506

66

 

NACCO Industries, Inc. Class A

807

65

 

Cascade Corp.

1,349

60

 

Gorman-Rupp Co.

1,811

49

*

Force Protection, Inc.

9,914

41

 

American Railcar

 

 

 

Industries, Inc.

1,518

38

*

3D Systems Corp.

2,559

37

 

Sun Hydraulics Corp.

1,665

36

 

Mueller Water Products, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

4,252

34

*

Accuride Corp.

4,686

34

 

Wabash National Corp.

4,086

32

*

Commercial Vehicle Group Inc.

3,072

29

*

TurboChef Technologies, Inc.

3,363

29

 

Mueller Water Products, Inc.

2,593

23

*

TriMas Corp.

2,147

17

 

Xerium Technologies Inc.

3,205

16

 

 

 

45,275

Marine (0.5%)

 

 

*

Kirby Corp.

7,451

336

 

Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.

5,983

264

 

Genco Shipping and

 

 

 

Trading Ltd.

3,298

192

 

Eagle Bulk Shipping Inc.

6,664

177

 

Quintana Maritime Ltd.

6,060

140

*

American Commercial

 

 

 

Lines Inc.

7,766

132

 

Horizon Lines Inc.

4,589

93

*

TBS International Ltd.

1,348

46

 

 

 

1,380

Road & Rail (7.3%)

 

 

 

Union Pacific Corp.

36,239

4,521

 

Burlington Northern

 

 

 

Santa Fe Corp.

50,992

4,476

 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

56,248

2,975

 

CSX Corp.

61,068

2,963

 

Ryder System, Inc.

8,585

495

*

Kansas City Southern

11,239

402

 

Landstar System, Inc.

7,875

365

 

J.B. Hunt Transport

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

12,900

353

 

Con-way, Inc.

6,474

293

*

Hertz Global Holdings Inc.

21,031

251

*

Avis Budget Group, Inc.

15,082

172

*

Genesee & Wyoming Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

4,902

152

 

Werner Enterprises, Inc.

7,653

136

 

 

104

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

 

 

Heartland Express, Inc.

9,675

135

 

Knight Transportation, Inc.

9,095

135

*

Old Dominion

 

 

 

Freight Line, Inc.

4,297

117

*

YRC Worldwide, Inc.

8,220

113

 

Arkansas Best Corp.

3,643

97

*

Amerco, Inc.

997

52

*

Dollar Thrifty

 

 

 

Automotive Group, Inc.

3,410

49

*

Universal Truckload

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

924

17

 

 

 

18,269

Trading Companies & Distributors (1.5%)

 

 

 

Fastenal Co.

18,428

749

 

W.W. Grainger, Inc.

9,784

721

 

UAP Holding Corp.

7,646

294

 

MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

6,885

279

 

GATX Corp.

7,161

258

*

WESCO International, Inc.

6,365

255

*

United Rentals, Inc.

11,215

225

 

Applied Industrial

 

 

 

Technology, Inc.

5,809

161

 

Watsco, Inc.

3,480

132

 

Kaman Corp. Class A

3,573

86

*

Interline Brands, Inc.

4,508

80

 

Aircastle Ltd.

3,047

63

*

Rush Enterprises, Inc. Class A

4,094

61

*

NuCo2, Inc.

2,145

59

 

TAL International Group, Inc.

2,716

57

*

Beacon Roofing Supply, Inc.

6,345

54

 

Electro Rent Corp.

3,380

44

*

H&E Equipment Services, Inc.

2,612

41

 

Houston Wire & Cable Co.

2,407

35

 

Lawson Products, Inc.

1,029

26

 

Bluelinx Holdings Inc.

3,834

21

*

Rush Enterprises, Inc. Class B

1,294

19

 

 

 

3,720

Transportation Infrastructure (0.1%)

 

 

 

Macquarie

 

 

 

Infrastructure Co. LLC

6,154

206

Total Investments (99.9%)

 

 

(Cost $257,179)

 

250,156

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.1%)

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

1,992

Liabilities

 

(1,703)

 

 

 

289

Net Assets (100%)

 

250,445

 

 

105

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

259,378

Undistributed Net Investment Income

791

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(2,701)

Unrealized Depreciation

(7,023)

Net Assets

250,445

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 186,221 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

6,474

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$34.76

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 3,601,305 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

243,971

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$67.75

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

106

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

2,646

Interest1

3

Total Income

2,649

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

17

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

6

ETF Shares

170

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

33

Custodian Fees

12

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

6

Total Expenses

244

Net Investment Income

2,405

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

10,694

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(31,660)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(18,561)

 

 

107

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

2,405

 

2,607

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

10,694

 

7,876

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(31,660)

 

25,565

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(18,561)

 

36,048

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(67)

 

(4)

ETF Shares

(3,337)

 

(1,637)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(3,404)

 

(1,641)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

3,148

 

3,509

ETF Shares

36,208

 

75,257

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

39,356

 

78,766

Total Increase (Decrease)

17,391

 

113,173

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

233,054

 

119,881

End of Period2

250,445

 

233,054

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $3,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $791,000 and $1,790,000.

 

108

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

Six Months

Year

May 8,

 

Ended

Ended

20061 to

 

February 29,

Aug. 31,

Aug. 31,

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$37.94

$30.72

$34.10

Investment Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.372

.512

.1642

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(3.05)

7.09

(3.544)

Total from Investment Operations

(2.68)

7.60

(3.380)

Distributions

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.50)

(.38)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.50)

(.38)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$34.76

$37.94

$30.72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return3

–7.18%

24.90%

–9.91%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$6

$4

$0.2

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

1.94%*

1.46%

1.35%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

9%*

13%

9%

 

 

109

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

Sept. 23,

 

Ended

Year Ended

20041 to

 

February 29,

August 31,

Aug. 31,

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$73.94

$59.85

$54.30

$48.79

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.7072

1.0262

.8422

.65

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(5.916)

13.808

5.160

5.18

Total from Investment Operations

(5.209)

14.834

6.002

5.83

Distributions

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.981)

(.744)

(.452)

(.32)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.981)

(.744)

(.452)

(.32)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$67.75

$73.94

$59.85

$54.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–7.14%

24.95%

11.08%

11.94%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$244

$229

$120

$16

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

1.99%*

1.50%

1.38%

1.30%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

9%*

13%

9%

11%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

4  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

110

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Industrials Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $23,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.02% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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.

 

111

 


Industrials Index Fund

 

During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $13,077,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized gains to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $301,000 to offset future net capital gains of $18,000 through August 31, 2014, and $283,000 through August 31, 2015. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $257,179,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $7,023,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $12,219,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $19,242,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $104,161,000 of investment securities and sold $64,584,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

3,888

106

 

3,732

102

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

57

1

 

2

Redeemed1

(797)

(22)

 

(225)

(7)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

3,148

85

 

3,509

95

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

89,958

1,201

 

104,732

1,500

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(53,750)

(700)

 

(29,475)

(400)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

36,208

501

 

75,257

1,100

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $14,000 and $4,000.

 

 

112

 

 

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

397

396

2,454

Median Market Cap

$70.6B

$70.6B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

20.3x

20.3x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

3.5x

3.5x

2.5x

Yield3

 

0.7%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

0.5%

 

 

ETF Shares

0.6%

 

 

Return on Equity

20.0%

20.0%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

21.9%

22.0%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

11.9%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.79

Beta

1.00

1.54

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Application Software

4.6%

Communications Equipment

15.1   

Computer Hardware

20.6   

Computer Storage & Peripherals

3.6   

Data Processing & Outsourced Services

6.2   

Electronic Equipment Manufacturers

2.0   

Electronic Manufacturing Services

1.8   

Home Entertainment Software

1.2   

Internet Software & Services

9.5   

IT Consulting & Other Services

2.0   

Semiconductor Equipment

3.5   

Semiconductors

12.4   

Systems Software

16.1   

Other Information Technology

1.4   

 

 

113

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

Microsoft Corp.

10.3%

International Business Machines Corp.

7.0   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

6.6   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

5.5   

Intel Corp.

5.2   

Google Inc.

5.0   

Apple Inc.

4.9   

Oracle Corp.

3.5   

QUALCOMM Inc.

3.1   

Dell Inc.

1.9   

Top Ten

53.0%

 

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Information Technology.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

114

Information Technology Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): January 26, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

1/26/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

14.80%

4.89%

Net Asset Value

 

15.00   

4.91   

Admiral Shares2

3/25/2004

14.93   

8.14   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
Note: See
Financial Highlights tables on page 128 and 129 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

115

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (100.0%)

 

 

Communications Equipment (15.1%)

 

 

*

Cisco Systems, Inc.

1,420,260

34,612

 

QUALCOMM Inc.

383,097

16,232

 

Corning, Inc.

368,898

8,569

 

Motorola, Inc.

534,753

5,331

*

Juniper Networks, Inc.

116,000

3,111

 

Harris Corp.

32,083

1,567

*

CommScope, Inc.

15,828

663

*

JDS Uniphase Corp.

50,170

660

*

Tellabs, Inc.

97,668

643

*

Ciena Corp.

20,100

519

*

Polycom, Inc.

21,601

471

*

F5 Networks, Inc.

19,676

436

*

Foundry Networks, Inc.

33,277

395

*

EchoStar Corp.

9,848

394

*

ADC

 

 

 

Telecommunications, Inc.

27,589

377

*

3Com Corp.

94,059

309

 

ADTRAN Inc.

13,979

257

*

Comtech

 

 

 

Telecommunications Corp.

5,460

237

 

Plantronics, Inc.

11,338

214

*

Sonus Networks, Inc.

61,117

203

*

Harmonic, Inc.

22,009

196

*

InterDigital, Inc.

11,091

193

*

Infinera Corp.

16,045

187

*

Arris Group Inc.

31,955

184

*

NETGEAR, Inc.

8,262

180

*

Tekelec

15,070

179

*

Avocent Corp.

10,692

179

*

Blue Coat Systems, Inc.

7,401

174

*

Sycamore Networks, Inc.

45,986

160

 

Black Box Corp.

4,120

128

*

ViaSat, Inc.

6,053

127

*

Riverbed Technology, Inc.

5,829

117

*

Dycom Industries, Inc.

9,598

110

*

Finisar Corp.

65,025

105

 

 

116

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

*

Mastec Inc.

10,975

96

*

Powerwave Technologies, Inc.

30,924

88

*

Starent Networks Corp.

5,339

84

*

Extreme Networks, Inc.

25,601

77

*

Loral Space and

 

 

 

Communications Ltd.

3,127

76

*

Hughes Communications Inc.

1,578

74

*

Ixia

9,736

73

*

UTStarcom, Inc.

24,311

69

*

Comtech Group Inc.

6,371

67

*

Nextwave Wireless Inc.

11,931

64

*

Aruba Networks, Inc.

11,146

63

*

Harris Stratex Networks, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

6,056

61

*

MRV Communications Inc.

34,289

55

 

Bel Fuse, Inc. Class B

1,996

54

*

BigBand Networks Inc.

6,736

42

*

Packeteer, Inc.

8,721

39

*

Orbcomm, Inc.

6,120

35

*

OpNext, Inc.

5,510

25

*

Optium Corp.

2,820

19

 

Bel Fuse, Inc. Class A

559

18

 

 

 

78,598

Computers & Peripherals (24.2%)

 

 

 

International Business

 

 

 

Machines Corp.

322,576

36,729

 

Hewlett-Packard Co.

603,517

28,830

*

Apple Inc.

204,962

25,624

*

Dell Inc.

497,235

9,870

*

EMC Corp.

491,188

7,633

*

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

215,140

3,528

 

Seagate Technology

124,546

2,686

*

Network Appliance, Inc.

83,296

1,801

*

Western Digital Corp.

51,495

1,590

*

SanDisk Corp.

53,629

1,263

*

Teradata Corp.

42,267

1,066

*

NCR Corp.

42,418

940

*

Lexmark International, Inc.

22,175

732

*

Brocade Communications

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

91,245

702

*

QLogic Corp.

33,979

539

 

Diebold, Inc.

15,522

374

*

Emulex Corp.

19,978

297

*

Intermec, Inc.

11,484

253

*

Avid Technology, Inc.

9,617

234

*

Electronics for Imaging, Inc.

13,401

202

*

Synaptics Inc.

6,861

184

 

Imation Corp.

7,820

176

 

Palm, Inc.

22,088

143

*

Quantum Corp.

46,953

117

*

Hutchinson Technology, Inc.

6,128

103

*

Data Domain, Inc.

4,398

93

*

Stratasys, Inc.

4,603

86

 

 

117

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

*

Novatel Wireless, Inc.

7,617

81

*

Adaptec, Inc.

27,935

74

*

Rackable Systems Inc.

6,964

64

*

Isilon Systems Inc.

4,646

26

 

 

 

126,040

Electronic Equipment & Instruments (4.6%)

 

 

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

116,369

3,829

*

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

90,489

2,770

*

Flextronics International Ltd.

194,755

1,975

 

Amphenol Corp.

41,732

1,543

*

Avnet, Inc.

35,257

1,188

*

Arrow Electronics, Inc.

28,733

937

*

FLIR Systems, Inc.

30,068

856

*

Mettler-Toledo

 

 

 

International Inc.

8,441

825

*

Trimble Navigation Ltd.

28,252

772

*

Itron, Inc.

7,137

680

 

Jabil Circuit, Inc.

43,838

566

*

Ingram Micro, Inc. Class A

36,395

556

*

Anixter International Inc.

7,905

517

*

Dolby Laboratories Inc.

11,544

511

*

Tech Data Corp.

12,957

432

 

Molex, Inc. Class A

18,350

399

*

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

40,418

369

 

National Instruments Corp.

13,944

361

 

Molex, Inc.

15,221

343

*

Rofin-Sinar Technologies Inc.

7,320

288

*

Benchmark Electronics, Inc.

17,134

288

*

Plexus Corp.

10,972

272

*

Checkpoint Systems, Inc.

9,324

226

*

ScanSource, Inc.

6,079

207

*

Sanmina-SCI Corp.

124,949

206

*

Insight Enterprises, Inc.

11,538

202

 

Technitrol, Inc.

9,150

201

 

Cognex Corp.

9,705

188

*

Littelfuse, Inc.

5,256

164

*

L-1 Identity Solutions Inc.

13,222

158

 

AVX Corp.

12,156

152

 

Daktronics, Inc.

8,022

139

*

Rogers Corp.

4,184

133

 

MTS Systems Corp.

4,214

131

*

Brightpoint, Inc.

12,438

129

*

Universal Display Corp.

7,383

126

*

FARO Technologies, Inc.

3,724

122

*

Cogent Inc.

11,284

113

*

TTM Technologies, Inc.

10,084

111

*

Electro Scientific

 

 

 

Industries, Inc.

6,690

108

 

Park Electrochemical Corp.

4,594

108

*

DTS Inc.

4,195

102

*

KEMET Corp.

19,741

98

 

Methode Electronics, Inc.

 

 

 

 

118

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

 

Class A

8,925

95

*

Newport Corp.

8,657

91

 

Agilysys, Inc.

6,296

80

*

GSI Group, Inc.

9,635

78

 

CTS Corp.

7,971

77

*

Echelon Corp.

6,583

74

*

SYNNEX Corp.

3,343

70

*

IPG Photonics Corp.

3,574

61

*

Smart Modular

 

 

 

Technologies Inc.

7,844

52

*

Multi-Fineline Electronix, Inc.

2,434

52

*

Comverge Inc.

2,950

41

 

 

 

24,172

Internet Software & Services (9.5%)

 

 

*

Google Inc.

55,129

25,976

*

Yahoo! Inc.

281,572

7,822

*

eBay Inc.

253,485

6,682

*

VeriSign, Inc.

54,742

1,905

*

Akamai Technologies, Inc.

36,957

1,299

*

Equinix, Inc.

7,647

530

*

SINA.com

12,209

506

*

ValueClick, Inc.

22,980

444

*

Digital River, Inc.

9,432

308

*

VistaPrint Ltd.

9,729

306

*

Sohu.com Inc.

6,546

295

*

Omniture, Inc.

12,357

284

*

j2 Global

 

 

 

Communications, Inc.

11,727

252

*

CNET Networks, Inc.

33,852

246

*

EarthLink, Inc.

29,087

210

*

Websense, Inc.

10,634

207

*

Ariba, Inc.

18,581

166

*

DealerTrack Holdings Inc.

7,910

162

 

United Online, Inc.

15,859

158

*

RealNetworks, Inc.

24,821

145

*

Interwoven Inc.

10,301

140

*

Bankrate, Inc.

3,031

128

*

CMGI, Inc.

10,933

126

*

SonicWALL, Inc.

14,628

122

*

S1 Corp.

14,258

101

*

Vignette Corp.

6,613

84

*

Move, Inc.

33,096

83

*

LoopNet, Inc.

6,855

82

 

InfoSpace, Inc.

7,788

79

*

The Knot, Inc.

6,746

78

*

ComScore Inc.

3,744

77

*

Internap Network

 

 

 

Services Corp.

10,312

72

*

Vocus, Inc.

2,701

66

*

Switch and Data Inc.

5,231

55

*

WebMD Health Corp. Class A

1,960

55

*

Perficient, Inc.

6,341

54

 

Marchex, Inc.

5,944

52

 

 

119

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

*

Chordiant Software, Inc.

7,827

45

 

Openwave Systems Inc.

19,463

40

*

iPass Inc.

14,054

39

*

DivX, Inc.

3,680

36

*

Liquidity Services, Inc.

3,620

35

*

Limelight Networks Inc.

6,781

32

*

TechTarget

2,001

23

*

Jupitermedia Corp.

4,913

16

*

SAVVIS, Inc.

337

7

 

 

 

49,630

IT Services (8.2%)

 

 

 

Accenture Ltd.

140,701

4,960

 

Automatic Data

 

 

 

Processing, Inc.

123,179

4,921

 

Western Union Co.

177,803

3,698

 

MasterCard, Inc. Class A

16,717

3,176

 

Paychex, Inc.

78,947

2,484

 

Electronic Data

 

 

 

Systems Corp.

120,072

2,080

*

Cognizant Technology

 

 

 

Solutions Corp.

67,979

2,054

*

Fiserv, Inc.

36,613

1,927

 

Fidelity National Information

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

45,362

1,882

*

Computer Sciences Corp.

40,899

1,777

*

Iron Mountain, Inc.

44,687

1,344

*

Affiliated Computer

 

 

 

Services, Inc. Class A

21,839

1,108

*

Alliance Data Systems Corp.

18,499

937

*

Hewitt Associates, Inc.

22,743

897

 

Total System Services, Inc.

39,526

879

*

DST Systems, Inc.

11,509

809

 

Global Payments Inc.

18,472

733

 

Broadridge Financial

 

 

 

Solutions LLC

32,766

627

*

SAIC, Inc.

25,492

486

*

Convergys Corp.

30,488

440

*

Metavante Technologies

19,465

422

*

NeuStar, Inc. Class A

16,197

416

*

Unisys Corp.

82,341

340

*

VeriFone Holdings, Inc.

15,622

323

*

CACI International, Inc.

7,053

308

*

Perot Systems Corp.

21,523

297

*

Gartner, Inc. Class A

14,911

282

*

MPS Group, Inc.

24,152

275

*

Wright Express Corp.

9,434

273

*

SRA International, Inc.

10,146

244

 

Acxiom Corp.

18,142

231

*

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

9,691

209

*

ManTech International Corp.

4,632

204

 

MAXIMUS, Inc.

5,234

190

*

Sapient Corp.

20,641

152

 

Syntel, Inc.

5,376

146

 

 

120

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

*

Sykes Enterprises, Inc.

7,728

130

 

Heartland Payment

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

5,343

118

*

Forrester Research, Inc.

3,557

95

 

TNS Inc.

5,126

92

*

BearingPoint, Inc.

45,270

73

*

ExlService Holdings, Inc.

3,358

72

 

MoneyGram International, Inc.

19,484

71

*

Ness Technologies Inc.

7,365

69

*

Global Cash Access, Inc.

11,914

63

 

infoUSA Inc.

8,056

61

*

Ciber, Inc.

13,194

61

*

RightNow Technologies Inc.

4,392

50

*

Lionbridge Technologies, Inc.

13,722

49

*

iGATE Corp.

5,159

41

 

Gevity HR, Inc.

5,759

40

*

CSG Systems

 

 

 

International, Inc.

538

6

 

 

 

42,622

Office Electronics (0.7%)

 

 

 

Xerox Corp.

216,405

3,181

*

Zebra Technologies Corp.

 

 

 

Class A

15,922

531

 

 

 

3,712

Semiconductors &

 

 

Semiconductor Equipment (15.8%)

 

 

 

Intel Corp.

1,368,766

27,307

 

Texas Instruments, Inc.

327,316

9,806

 

Applied Materials, Inc.

322,610

6,184

*

MEMC Electronic

 

 

 

Materials, Inc.

53,635

4,091

*

NVIDIA Corp.

123,555

2,643

*

Broadcom Corp.

109,917

2,079

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

71,014

1,912

 

KLA-Tencor Corp.

42,640

1,791

 

Microchip Technology, Inc.

50,153

1,544

 

Xilinx, Inc.

68,823

1,539

 

Linear Technology Corp.

52,201

1,446

 

Altera Corp.

78,625

1,345

*

Micron Technology, Inc.

178,011

1,339

*

Marvell Technology

 

 

 

Group Ltd.

117,494

1,329

*

LAM Research Corp.

29,018

1,168

 

National Semiconductor Corp.

61,803

1,018

*

Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

139,521

1,006

*

LSI Corp.

165,254

833

*

Cypress Semiconductor Corp.

37,267

810

 

Intersil Corp.

30,648

713

*

Cree, Inc.

19,939

616

*

Varian Semiconductor

 

 

 

Equipment Associates, Inc.

17,994

608

*

Novellus Systems, Inc.

27,189

600

*

Teradyne, Inc.

40,789

489

 

 

121

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

*

ON Semiconductor Corp.

68,211

409

*

International Rectifier Corp.

17,086

389

*

Integrated Device

 

 

 

Technology Inc.

44,991

377

*

Microsemi Corp.

17,190

374

*

Silicon Laboratories Inc.

11,671

361

*

Rambus Inc.

19,311

348

*

Fairchild Semiconductor

 

 

 

International, Inc.

29,184

325

*

Amkor Technology, Inc.

27,786

325

*

Atheros Communications, Inc.

13,281

323

*

Atmel Corp.

95,859

312

*

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

35,899

297

*

Verigy Ltd.

14,042

282

*

Tessera Technologies, Inc.

11,239

265

*

PMC Sierra Inc.

50,627

243

*

MKS Instruments, Inc.

11,534

232

*

ATMI, Inc.

8,093

221

*

OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

12,961

206

*

RF Micro Devices, Inc.

64,715

204

*

Cymer, Inc.

7,155

203

*

Sigma Designs, Inc.

6,601

194

*

FormFactor Inc.

10,727

192

*

Entegris Inc.

27,212

192

*

Semtech Corp.

14,823

189

*

Cabot Microelectronics Corp.

5,610

188

*

FEI Co.

8,494

173

*

Brooks Automation, Inc.

16,541

167

*

Zoran Corp.

11,789

162

*

Diodes Inc.

7,040

159

*

TriQuint Semiconductor, Inc.

33,067

156

*

Standard Microsystem Corp.

5,486

156

*

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

24,003

138

*

Applied Micro Circuits Corp.

16,489

122

*

Advanced Energy

 

 

 

Industries, Inc.

8,606

110

*

Veeco Instruments, Inc.

7,098

110

*

Hittite Microwave Corp.

3,280

109

 

Micrel, Inc.

13,962

103

*

AMIS Holdings Inc.

14,712

100

*

ANADIGICS, Inc.

14,178

100

*

Cirrus Logic, Inc.

18,854

97

*

Photronics, Inc.

9,434

95

*

Monolithic Power Systems

5,642

94

*

Netlogic Microsystems Inc.

3,951

93

*

Silicon Image, Inc.

20,239

93

*

Exar Corp.

11,430

90

*

DSP Group Inc.

7,591

88

 

Cohu, Inc.

5,202

81

*

Cavium Networks, Inc.

5,580

79

*

SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc.

11,944

77

*

Actel Corp.

6,246

74

*

Mattson Technology, Inc.

12,338

73

 

 

122

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

*

Spansion Inc. Class A

25,614

70

*

Lattice Semiconductor Corp.

27,153

70

*

Trident Microsystems, Inc.

13,612

68

*

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.

12,891

66

*

Silicon Storage

 

 

 

Technology, Inc.

22,103

63

*

Conexant Systems, Inc.

116,021

61

*

Advanced Analogic

 

 

 

Technologies, Inc.

9,124

59

*

Rudolph Technologies, Inc.

6,676

58

*

Supertex, Inc.

2,801

58

*

Ultratech, Inc.

5,345

51

*

Asyst Technologies, Inc.

11,991

42

*

PDF Solutions, Inc.

5,527

32

*

Eagle Test Systems, Inc.

2,972

31

*

Credence Systems Corp.

21,903

31

 

 

 

82,526

Software (21.9%)

 

 

 

Microsoft Corp.

1,971,074

53,653

*

Oracle Corp.

959,270

18,034

*

Adobe Systems, Inc.

134,322

4,520

*

Electronic Arts Inc.

73,735

3,487

*

Symantec Corp.

203,027

3,419

 

CA, Inc.

96,864

2,216

*

Intuit, Inc.

73,993

1,965

*

Activision, Inc.

68,195

1,858

*

BEA Systems, Inc.

93,235

1,778

*

NAVTEQ Corp.

23,076

1,730

*

Autodesk, Inc.

54,313

1,689

*

BMC Software, Inc.

45,838

1,480

*

Citrix Systems, Inc.

44,410

1,462

*

salesforce.com, inc.

21,949

1,311

*

McAfee Inc.

37,525

1,248

*

Synopsys, Inc.

33,767

784

*

Red Hat, Inc.

43,200

770

*

ANSYS, Inc.

18,285

683

*

Cadence Design

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

62,928

668

*

MICROS Systems, Inc.

19,170

614

*

Novell, Inc.

82,236

613

*

Sybase, Inc.

21,202

564

*

Nuance Communications, Inc.

33,967

559

 

FactSet Research Systems Inc.

10,352

545

*

Compuware Corp.

66,999

533

*

Take-Two Interactive

 

 

 

Software, Inc.

17,373

460

 

Jack Henry & Associates Inc.

18,933

445

*

Parametric Technology Corp.

26,984

413

*

Informatica Corp.

20,692

361

*

TIBCO Software Inc.

44,610

315

*

THQ Inc.

15,824

296

*

Concur Technologies, Inc.

10,111

296

*

Solera Holdings, Inc.

12,241

290

 

 

123

Information Technology Index Fund

 

 

*

Progress Software Corp.

9,827

280

 

Fair Isaac, Inc.

11,992

278

 

Blackbaud, Inc.

10,357

271

*

Lawson Software, Inc.

32,353

252

*

Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc.

8,485

247

*

Quest Software, Inc.

15,571

222

*

Advent Software, Inc.

4,550

204

*

Macrovision Corp.

12,895

197

*

Blackboard Inc.

6,163

177

*

SPSS, Inc.

4,312

164

*

The Ultimate Software

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

5,891

161

*

MicroStrategy Inc.

2,283

152

*

ACI Worldwide, Inc.

8,373

148

*

Epicor Software Corp.

12,382

137

 

Quality Systems, Inc.

4,192

137

*

Manhattan Associates, Inc.

6,152

136

*

Commvault Systems, Inc.

9,629

135

*

MSC Software Corp.

10,356

131

*

Wind River Systems Inc.

18,144

131

*

Tyler Technologies, Inc.

8,645

120

*

JDA Software Group, Inc.

6,694

114

*

Secure Computing Corp.

12,924

105

*

Ansoft Corp.

3,643

89

*

Magma Design

 

 

 

Automation, Inc.

8,611

85

*

Radiant Systems, Inc.

5,910

84

*

Taleo Corp. Class A

4,399

84

*

EPIQ Systems, Inc.

6,099

83

*

eSPEED, Inc. Class A

6,801

79

*

Aspen Technologies, Inc.

6,888

77

*

VASCO Data Security

 

 

 

International, Inc.

6,593

73

*

Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.

4,185

67

*

Intervoice, Inc.

9,302

66

*

FalconStor Software, Inc.

7,200

60

*

Sonic Solutions, Inc.

6,035

55

*

Borland Software Corp.

17,298

34

 

Renaissance Learning, Inc.

2,172

29

*

Mentor Graphics Corp.

1,066

10

 

 

 

113,933

Total Investments (100.0%)

 

 

(Cost $566,462)

 

521,233

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.0%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

4,105

Liabilities

 

(4,022)

 

 

 

83

Net Assets (100%)

 

521,316

 

 

124

Information Technology Index Fund

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

571,358

Undistributed Net Investment Income

599

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(5,412)

Unrealized Depreciation

(45,229)

Net Assets

521,316

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 737,897 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

19,127

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$25.92

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 9,914,517 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

502,189

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$50.65

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

125

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

1,893

Interest1

9

Total Income

1,902

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

22

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

20

ETF Shares

400

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

2

ETF Shares

70

Custodian Fees

24

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

8

Total Expenses

546

Net Investment Income

1,356

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

6,346

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(92,565)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(84,863)

 

 

126

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

1,356

 

1,259

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

6,346

 

295

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(92,565)

 

53,390

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(84,863)

 

54,944

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(64)

 

(14)

ETF Shares

(1,663)

 

(640)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(1,727)

 

(654)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

10,422

 

6,136

ETF Shares

146,093

 

214,370

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

156,515

 

220,506

Total Increase (Decrease)

69,925

 

274,796

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

451,391

 

176,595

End of Period2

521,316

 

451,391

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $9,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $599,000 and $970,000.

 

127

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Mar. 25,

 

Ended

 

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$29.95

$24.40

$23.93

$20.72

$23.40

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.054

.112

.0842

.3513

.01

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(3.999)

5.50

.424

3.182

(2.69)

Total from Investment Operations

(3.945)

5.61

.508

3.533

(2.68)

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.085)

(.06)

(.038)

(.323)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.085)

(.06)

(.038)

(.323)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$25.92

$29.95

$24.40

$23.93

$20.72

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return4

–13.22%

23.02%

2.12%

17.05%

–11.45%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$19

$12

$5

$2

$0.2

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.45%*

0.38%

0.33%

1.26%3

0.12%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate5

12%*

8%

8%

7%

9%

 

 

128

Information Technology Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 26,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$58.52

$47.66

$46.76

$40.46

$50.89

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.107

.2312

.1752

.6706

.03

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

(7.802)

10.765

.816

6.239

(10.46)

Total from Investment Operations

(7.695)

10.996

.991

6.909

(10.43)

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.175)

(.136)

(.091)

(.609)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.175)

(.136)

(.091)

(.609)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$50.65

$58.52

$47.66

$46.76

$40.46

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–13.20%

23.10%

2.11%

17.07%

–20.50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$502

$439

$172

$51

$16

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

0.50%*

0.42%

0.36%

1.28%6

0.12%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate5

12%*

8%

8%

7%

9%

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.284 and 1.00%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Microsoft Corp. in November 2004.

4  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

5  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

6  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.553 and 1.00%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Microsoft Corp. in November 2004.

*  Annualized.

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

 

129

Information Technology Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Information Technology Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund's financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $47,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.05% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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.

 

130

Information Technology Index Fund

 

During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $10,555,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $1,142,000 to offset future net capital gains of $63,000 through August 31, 2013, $188,000 through August 31, 2014, $612,000 through August 31, 2015, and $279,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $566,462,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $45,229,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $19,893,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $65,122,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $219,021,000 of investment securities and sold $62,752,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

14,807

487

 

9,143

320

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

58

2

 

12

Redeemed1

(4,443)

(160)

 

(3,019)

(108)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

10,422

329

 

6,136

212

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

176,465

2,910

 

214,370

3,900

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(30,372)

(500)

 

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

146,093

2,410

 

214,370

3,900

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $52,000 and $19,000.

 

 

131

 

 

Materials Index Fund

 

Materials Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

119

119

2,454

Median Market Cap

$19.8B

$19.8B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

18.9x

19.0x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

2.9x

2.9x

2.5x

Yield3

 

1.8%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

1.6%

 

 

ETF Shares

1.6%

 

 

Return on Equity

16.2%

16.2%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

28.3%

28.3%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

14.6%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.57

Beta

1.00

1.12

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Aluminum

5.9%

Commodity Chemicals

1.3    

Construction Materials

2.6    

Diversified Chemicals

18.4    

Diversified Metals & Mining

7.6    

Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals

15.7    

Forest Products

2.4    

Gold

3.9    

Industrial Gases

8.3    

Metal & Glass Containers

4.4    

Paper Packaging

2.7    

Paper Products

4.0    

Specialty Chemicals

9.8    

Steel

12.2    

Other Materials

0.8    

 

 

132

Materials Index Fund

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

Monsanto Co.

10.7%

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

7.1    

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Inc.

 

Class B

6.5    

Dow Chemical Co.

6.0    

Alcoa Inc.

5.3    

Praxair, Inc.

4.3    

Newmont Mining Corp. (Holding Co.)

3.8    

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

3.3    

Nucor Corp.

3.2    

The Mosaic Co.

2.9    

Top Ten

53.1%

 

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Materials.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

133

Materials Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): January 26, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

1/26/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

26.25%

17.60%

Net Asset Value

 

26.42   

17.64   

Admiral Shares2

2/11/2004

26.36   

16.69   

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
Note: See
Financial Highlights tables on page 141 and 142 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

134

Materials Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (99.8%)

 

 

Chemicals (53.4%)

 

 

 

Monsanto Co.

404,340

46,774

 

E.I. du Pont de

 

 

 

Nemours & Co.

665,327

30,884

 

Dow Chemical Co.

698,942

26,343

 

Praxair, Inc.

233,790

18,769

 

Air Products &

 

 

 

Chemicals, Inc.

159,467

14,564

*

The Mosaic Co.

114,461

12,740

 

PPG Industries, Inc.

121,205

7,512

 

Ecolab, Inc.

136,595

6,391

 

Sigma-Aldrich Corp.

96,302

5,299

 

Rohm & Haas Co.

94,201

5,050

 

CF Industries Holdings, Inc.

37,232

4,545

 

Eastman Chemical Co.

60,051

3,952

 

Celanese Corp. Series A

100,751

3,919

 

FMC Corp.

53,189

3,011

*

Terra Industries, Inc.

66,310

2,998

 

Lubrizol Corp.

50,781

2,961

 

Huntsman Corp.

115,006

2,775

 

Airgas, Inc.

54,784

2,662

 

International Flavors &

 

 

 

Fragrances, Inc.

54,977

2,371

 

Albemarle Corp.

60,367

2,290

 

Nalco Holding Co.

105,809

2,285

 

Cytec Industries, Inc.

33,694

1,930

 

RPM International, Inc.

89,925

1,880

 

Ashland, Inc.

41,998

1,855

 

Valspar Corp.

70,762

1,535

 

Hercules, Inc.

81,305

1,490

*

OM Group, Inc.

22,513

1,363

 

Cabot Corp.

49,070

1,345

 

Scotts Miracle-Gro Co.

33,302

1,185

 

Chemtura Corp.

137,540

1,136

*

W.R. Grace & Co.

52,198

1,108

 

Olin Corp.

54,992

1,057

 

H.B. Fuller Co.

44,508

1,013

 

Sensient Technologies Corp.

33,353

899

 

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

14,270

860

 

 

135

Materials Index Fund

 

 

*

Rockwood Holdings, Inc.

27,355

840

 

NewMarket Corp.

10,663

714

 

Arch Chemicals, Inc.

18,378

642

 

Ferro Corp.

32,307

520

 

Koppers Holdings, Inc.

12,411

518

*

Calgon Carbon Corp.

28,542

466

*

Zoltek Cos., Inc.

19,985

457

*

PolyOne Corp.

65,723

427

 

A. Schulman Inc.

17,614

360

*

Flotek Industries, Inc.

11,582

263

 

Westlake Chemical Corp.

14,543

235

 

American Vanguard Corp.

14,785

223

*

Symyx Technologies, Inc.

24,911

163

 

Innophos Holdings Inc.

7,730

102

 

Spartech Corp.

6,517

92

 

NL Industries, Inc.

7,309

79

 

Innospec, Inc.

4,173

78

 

Tronox Inc. Class B

4,372

19

 

Tronox Inc.

3,870

17

 

Georgia Gulf Corp.

1,916

12

 

 

 

232,978

Construction Materials (2.6%)

 

 

 

Vulcan Materials Co.

80,040

5,611

 

Martin Marietta Materials, Inc.

31,069

3,343

 

Eagle Materials, Inc.

32,603

1,159

 

Texas Industries, Inc.

17,258

994

*

Headwaters Inc.

31,523

386

 

 

 

11,493

Containers & Packaging (7.1%)

 

 

*

Owens-Illinois, Inc.

116,072

6,552

*

Crown Holdings, Inc.

118,928

2,963

 

Ball Corp.

66,950

2,953

 

Sealed Air Corp.

119,583

2,895

*

Pactiv Corp.

96,584

2,446

 

Sonoco Products Co.

69,946

1,970

 

Bemis Co., Inc.

74,415

1,847

 

AptarGroup Inc.

48,078

1,802

 

Packaging Corp. of America

78,192

1,782

*

Smurfit-Stone

 

 

 

Container Corp.

189,172

1,504

 

Greif Inc. Class A

17,513

1,145

 

Silgan Holdings, Inc.

18,233

852

 

Temple-Inland Inc.

58,709

806

 

Rock-Tenn Co.

26,231

704

 

Myers Industries, Inc.

20,854

254

*

Graphic Packaging Corp.

74,905

231

 

 

 

30,706

Metals & Mining (30.4%)

 

 

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper

 

 

 

& Gold, Inc. Class B

282,684

28,512

 

Alcoa Inc.

627,626

23,310

 

Newmont Mining Corp.

 

 

 

(Holding Co.)

320,539

16,402

 

 

136

Materials Index Fund

 

 

 

Nucor Corp.

213,137

13,762

 

United States Steel Corp.

87,452

9,484

 

Allegheny Technologies Inc.

68,147

5,271

 

AK Steel Holding Corp.

82,568

4,345

 

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.

30,961

3,699

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

60,768

3,540

 

Reliance Steel &

 

 

 

Aluminum Co.

49,907

2,770

 

Commercial Metals Co.

82,987

2,528

 

Carpenter Technology Corp.

36,357

2,284

*

Century Aluminum Co.

24,324

1,609

*

Coeur d’Alene Mines Corp.

315,561

1,521

 

Quanex Corp.

27,572

1,419

 

Compass Minerals

 

 

 

International, Inc.

23,947

1,363

 

Metal Management, Inc.

19,321

1,172

 

Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

16,119

1,055

*

Hecla Mining Co.

89,483

1,029

 

Titanium Metals Corp.

46,982

969

*

RTI International Metals, Inc.

17,115

939

 

Worthington Industries, Inc.

49,343

868

 

Kaiser Aluminum Corp.

10,705

785

 

Royal Gold, Inc.

20,043

632

*

Stillwater Mining Co.

30,744

631

*

Apex Silver Mines Ltd.

43,532

579

*

Haynes International, Inc.

8,624

490

 

AMCOL International Corp.

16,722

482

*

General Moly, Inc.

40,085

429

*

Brush Engineered

 

 

 

Materials Inc.

15,190

422

 

A.M. Castle & Co.

13,154

292

 

 

 

132,593

Paper & Forest Products (6.3%)

 

 

 

International Paper Co.

301,016

9,542

 

Weyerhaeuser Co.

155,137

9,494

 

MeadWestvaco Corp.

136,788

3,510

*

Domtar Corp.

382,107

2,434

 

Louisiana-Pacific Corp.

51,611

562

 

Glatfelter

31,714

418

 

Deltic Timber Corp.

7,904

376

*

Buckeye Technology, Inc.

27,648

299

 

Neenah Paper Inc.

11,100

289

 

Wausau Paper Corp.

33,749

265

 

Schweitzer-Mauduit

 

 

 

International, Inc.

11,020

253

*

AbitibiBowater, Inc.

21,097

218

 

 

 

27,660

 

 

137

Materials Index Fund

 

Total Common Stocks (99.8%)

 

 

(Cost $399,353)

 

435,430

Temporary Cash Investment (0.2%)

 

1

Vanguard Market

 

 

 

Liquidity Fund, 3.522%

 

 

 

(Cost $864)

864,070

864

Total Investments (100.0%)

 

 

(Cost $400,217)

 

436,294

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.0%)

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

4,244

Liabilities

 

(4,419)

 

 

 

(175)

Net Assets (100%)

 

436,119

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:2

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

402,559

Undistributed Net Investment Income

848

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(3,365)

Unrealized Appreciation

36,077

Net Assets

436,119

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 2,052,385 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

90,108

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$43.90

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 4,008,446 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

346,011

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$86.32

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

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

2  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

138

Materials Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

4,443

Interest1

12

Total Income

4,455

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

20

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

79

ETF Shares

266

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

6

ETF Shares

47

Custodian Fees

2

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

6

Total Expenses

426

Net Investment Income

4,029

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

7,836

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

11,805

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

23,670

 

 

139

Materials Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

4,029

 

4,022

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

7,836

 

12,404

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

11,805

 

22,936

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

23,670

 

39,362

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(1,057)

 

(270)

ETF Shares

(5,116)

 

(2,045)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(6,173)

 

(2,315)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

30,934

 

40,346

ETF Shares

18,712

 

183,943

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

49,646

 

224,289

Total Increase (Decrease)

67,143

 

261,336

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

368,976

 

107,640

End of Period2

436,119

 

368,976

 

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $12,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $848,000 and $2,992,000.

 

140

Materials Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Feb. 11,

 

Ended

 

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$41.75

$32.37

$28.34

$26.53

$26.14

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.39

.702

.6722

.48

.24

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

2.40

9.25

3.853

1.83

.15

Total from Investment Operations

2.79

9.95

4.525

2.31

.39

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.64)

(.57)

(.495)

(.50)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.64)

(.57)

(.495)

(.50)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$43.90

$41.75

$32.37

$28.34

$26.53

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return3

6.64%

31.00%

16.08%

8.61%

1.49%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$90

$57

$12

$7

$1

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.94%*

1.80%

2.13%

1.81%

1.93%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

15%*

6%

13%

12%

8%

 

 

141

Materials Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 26,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$82.10

$63.65

$55.70

$52.13

$49.48

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.778

1.4182

1.3362

.915

.58

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments

4.719

18.168

7.582

3.630

2.07

Total from Investment Operations

5.497

19.586

8.918

4.545

2.65

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(1.277)

(1.136)

(.968)

(.975)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(1.277)

(1.136)

(.968)

(.975)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$86.32

$82.10

$63.65

$55.70

$52.13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

6.68%

31.06%

16.11%

8.62%

5.36%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$346

$312

$95

$50

$21

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

1.99%*

1.84%

2.16%

1.83%

1.93%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate4

15%*

6%

13%

12%

8%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

4  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

142

Materials Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Materials Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $36,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.04% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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.

 

 

143

Materials Index Fund

 

During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $9,160,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $1,905,000 to offset future net capital gains of $6,000 through August 31, 2014, $698,000 through August 31, 2015, and $1,201,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $400,217,000. Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $36,077,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $65,318,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $29,241,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $104,821,000 of investment securities and sold $57,830,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

37,519

853

 

46,752

1,145

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

988

22

 

251

7

Redeemed1

(7,573)

(179)

 

(6,657)

(171)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

30,934

696

 

40,346

981

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

52,109

604

 

224,099

2,804

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(33,397)

(400)

 

(40,156)

(500)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

18,712

204

 

183,943

2,304

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $108,000 and $68,000.

 

 

144

 

 

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

46

46

2,454

Median Market Cap

$10.3B

$105.5B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

22.2x

19.4x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

2.6x

2.2x

2.5x

Yield3

 

4.0%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

3.2%

 

 

ETF Shares

3.2%

 

 

Return on Equity

11.0%

13.5%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

18.3%

14.3%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

20.8%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

0.94

0.70

Beta

0.95

1.30

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Alternative Carriers

8.5%

Integrated Telecommunication Services

62.4   

Wireless Telecommunication Services

29.1   

 

 

145

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

Verizon Communications Inc.

20.6%

AT&T Inc.

20.3   

American Tower Corp. Class A

4.5   

Sprint Nextel Corp.

4.1   

Crown Castle International Corp.

3.1   

Qwest Communications International Inc.

2.8   

NII Holdings Inc.

2.5   

Embarq Corp.

2.3   

Windstream Corp.

2.1   

Telephone & Data Systems, Inc.

1.9   

Top Ten

64.2%

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Telecommunication Services.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

146

Telecommunication Services Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): September 23, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

9/23/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

5.27%

16.33%

Net Asset Value

 

5.49   

16.38   

Admiral Shares2

3/11/2005

5.44   

16.49   

 

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
Note: See
Financial Highlights tables on page 153 and 154 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

147

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (100.2%)

 

 

Diversified Telecommunication Services (71.1%)

 

 

Alternative Carriers (8.6%)

 

 

*

Level 3

 

 

 

Communications, Inc.

1,372,886

3,062

*

Time Warner Telecom Inc.

145,827

2,324

*

Cogent Communications

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

105,634

2,058

*

Premiere Global

 

 

 

Services, Inc.

142,170

2,009

*

Global Crossing Ltd.

90,442

1,746

*

Globalstar, Inc.

214,385

1,657

*

Vonage Holdings Corp.

809,115

1,497

*

PAETEC Holding Corp.

191,873

1,481

 

 

 

 

 

Integrated Telecommunication Services (62.5%)

 

 

Verizon

 

 

 

Communications Inc.

1,047,951

38,062

 

AT&T Inc.

1,077,229

37,520

 

Qwest Communications

 

 

 

International Inc.

952,078

5,141

 

Embarq Corp.

103,078

4,323

 

Windstream Corp.

337,136

3,965

 

CenturyTel, Inc.

88,217

3,193

 

Citizens

 

 

 

Communications Co.

280,914

3,017

*

Cincinnati Bell Inc.

522,473

2,027

 

NTELOS Holdings Corp.

87,703

1,871

 

Iowa Telecommunications

 

 

 

Services Inc.

117,567

1,861

 

FairPoint

 

 

 

Communications, Inc.

179,023

1,762

 

Atlantic Tele-Network, Inc.

56,591

1,740

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

Communications

 

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

118,573

1,709

 

Shenandoah

 

 

 

 

148

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

 

 

Telecommunications Co.

113,547

1,691

*

General Communication, Inc.

277,968

1,609

 

Alaska Communications

 

 

 

Systems Holdings, Inc.

141,041

1,598

 

SureWest Communications

126,393

1,589

*

Cbeyond Inc.

89,396

1,465

 

IDT Corp. Class B

200,937

1,177

 

IDT Corp.

53,517

313

 

 

 

131,467

Wireless Telecommunication Services (29.1%)

 

*

American Tower Corp.

 

 

 

Class A

214,810

8,257

 

Sprint Nextel Corp.

1,067,908

7,593

*

Crown Castle

 

 

 

International Corp.

161,030

5,812

*

NII Holdings Inc.

114,387

4,545

*

Metropcs

 

 

 

Communications Inc.

180,939

2,886

*

Leap Wireless

 

 

 

International, Inc.

66,124

2,827

*

SBA Communications Corp.

89,942

2,793

*

U.S. Cellular Corp.

31,975

2,014

*

Syniverse Holdings Inc.

108,988

1,847

*

Rural Cellular Corp. Class A

41,838

1,842

 

Telephone & Data

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.

38,131

1,788

*

TerreStar Corp.

327,550

1,765

*

Fibertower Corp.

1,149,314

1,724

 

iPCS, Inc.

88,077

1,671

*

Clearwire Corp.

117,955

1,652

 

Telephone & Data

 

 

 

Systems, Inc.—Special

 

 

 

Common Shares

38,179

1,646

 

USA Mobility, Inc.

155,024

1,628

*

Centennial

 

 

 

Communications Corp.

 

 

 

Class A

299,780

1,580

 

 

 

53,870

Total Investments (100.2%)

 

 

(Cost $235,496)

 

185,337

Other Assets and Liabilities (–0.2%)

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

3,619

Liabilities

 

(3,943)

 

 

 

(324)

Net Assets (100%)

 

185,013

 

 

149

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

$247,209

Undistributed Net Investment Income

782

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(12,819)

Unrealized Depreciation

(50,159)

Net Assets

185,013

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 804,544 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

25,180

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$31.30

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 2,600,000 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

159,833

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$61.47

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note D in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

150

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

3,363

Interest1

18

Total Income

3,381

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

20

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

38

ETF Shares

164

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

11

ETF Shares

36

Custodian Fees

5

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

6

Total Expenses

280

Expenses Paid Indirectly—Note C

(2)

Net Expenses

278

Net Investment Income

3,103

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

1,260

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(60,156)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(55,793)

 

 

151

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

3,103

 

5,124

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

1,260

 

21,123

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(60,156)

 

8,792

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(55,793)

 

35,039

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(1,069)

 

(271)

ETF Shares

(5,594)

 

(1,761)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(6,663)

 

(2,032)

Capital Share Transactions—Note F

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(15,787)

 

40,952

ETF Shares

(53,637)

 

165,408

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

(69,424)

 

206,360

Total Increase (Decrease)

(131,880)

 

239,367

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

316,893

 

77,526

End of Period2

185,013

 

316,893

 

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $14,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $782,000 and $4,342,000.

 

152

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

 

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

Mar. 11,

 

Ended

Year Ended

20051 to

 

February 29,

August 31,

Aug. 31,

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$41.01

$33.29

$28.18

$26.75

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.462

.8882

.8612,3

.342

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments4

(9.17)

7.308

5.041

1.09

Total from Investment Operations

(8.71)

8.196

5.902

1.43

Distributions

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(1.00)

(.476)

(.792)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(1.00)

(.476)

(.792)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$31.30

$41.01

$33.29

$28.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return5

–21.68%

24.77%

21.47%

5.35%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$25

$51

$6

$1

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.27%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

2.29%*

2.17%

3.28%3

2.70%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate6

21%*

17%

32%

41%

 

 

153

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

Sept. 23,

 

Ended

Year Ended

20041 to

 

February 29,

August 31,

Aug. 31,

For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$80.60

$65.40

$55.35

$49.50

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.8702

1.7412

2.0402,7

1.302

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments8

(18.002)

14.386

9.567

4.96

Total from Investment Operations

(17.132)

16.127

11.607

6.26

Distributions

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(1.998)

(.927)

(1.557)

(.41)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(1.998)

(.927)

(1.557)

(.41)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$61.47

$80.60

$65.40

$55.35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–21.68%

24.81%

21.49%

12.65%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$160

$266

$72

$17

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.23%

0.25%

0.26%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

2.34%*

2.21%

3.31%7

2.72%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate6

21%*

17%

32%

41%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $0.112 and 0.38%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from MCI in December 2005.

4  Includes increases from redemption fees of $.04, $.01, $.00, and $.00.

5  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

6  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

7  Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $0.219 and 0.38%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from MCI in December 2005.

8  Includes increases from redemption fees of $.06, $.03, $.00, and $.00.

*  Annualized.

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

 

154

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Telecommunication Services Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $19,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.02% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. The fund’s custodian bank has agreed to reduce its fees when the fund maintains cash on deposit in the non-interest-bearing custody account. For the six months ended February 29, 2008, custodian fee offset arrangements reduced the fund’s expenses by $2,000.

D. 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.

 

155

Telecommunication Services Index Fund

 

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 six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund realized $8,873,000 of net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions—in which shareholders exchanged fund shares for securities held by the fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from accumulated net realized losses to paid-in capital.

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $4,681,000 to offset future net capital gains of $29,000 through August 31, 2014, $818,000 through August 31, 2015, and $3,834,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $235,496,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $50,159,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $652,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $50,811,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

E. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $104,320,000 of investment securities and sold $175,917,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

F. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

2,813

77

 

47,055

1,227

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

1,014

26

 

257

7

Redeemed1

(19,614)

(539)

 

(6,360)

(161)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

(15,787)

(436)

 

40,952

1,073

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

62,559

900

 

285,319

3,700

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

(116,196)

(1,600)

 

(119,911)

(1,500)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

(53,637)

(700)

 

165,408

2,200

 

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $200,000 and $110,000.

 

 

156

 

 

Utilities Index Fund

 

Utilities Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

86

86

2,454

Median Market Cap

$14.0B

$15.9B

$35.8B

Price/Earnings Ratio

15.5x

15.5x

16.7x

Price/Book Ratio

1.9x

1.9x

2.5x

Yield3

 

3.3%

2.0%

Admiral Shares

3.2%

 

 

ETF Shares

3.2%

 

 

Return on Equity

13.1%

13.1%

19.8%

Earnings Growth Rate

11.1%

11.1%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

21.6%4

Expense Ratio

 

Admiral Shares

0.25%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.20%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Volatility Measures5

 

 

Fund Versus

Fund Versus

 

Target Index1

Broad Index2

R-Squared

1.00

0.27

Beta

1.00

0.66

 

Industry Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Electric Utilities

48.9%

Gas Utilities

9.1   

Independent Power Producers &

 

Energy Traders

10.9   

Multi-Utilities

30.4   

Other Utilities

0.7   

 

 

157

Utilities Index Fund

 

Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets)

 

 

Exelon Corp.

9.1%

Southern Co.

4.8   

FPL Group, Inc.

4.3   

Dominion Resources, Inc.

4.3   

Public Service Enterprise Group, Inc.

4.1   

Duke Energy Corp.

4.1   

FirstEnergy Corp.

3.8   

Entergy Corp.

3.7   

PPL Corp.

3.1   

American Electric Power Co., Inc.

3.0   

Top Ten

44.3%

 

 

 

1  MSCI US IMI/Utilities.

2  MSCI US IMI/2500.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 171.

4  Annualized.

5  For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 171.

6  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

158

Utilities Index 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.

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): January 26, 2004–February 29, 2008

 


 

Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

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.

 

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

One Year

Inception

ETF Shares

1/26/2004

 

 

Market Price

 

16.96%

18.89%

Net Asset Value

 

17.15   

18.92   

Admiral Shares2

4/28/2004

17.08   

20.19   

 

 

 

1  Six months ended February 29, 2008.

2  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
Note: See
Financial Highlights tables on page 165 and 166 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

159

Utilities Index Fund

 

Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (100.1%)

 

 

Electric Utilities (48.9%)

 

 

 

Exelon Corp.

537,515

40,233

 

Southern Co.

618,562

21,359

 

FPL Group, Inc.

314,970

18,990

 

Duke Energy Corp.

1,027,045

18,014

 

FirstEnergy Corp.

248,275

16,781

 

Entergy Corp.

158,311

16,265

 

PPL Corp.

303,138

13,756

 

American Electric

 

 

 

Power Co., Inc.

325,788

13,331

 

Edison International

252,091

12,453

 

Progress Energy, Inc.

200,554

8,405

 

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

135,394

6,860

 

Pepco Holdings, Inc.

157,817

3,988

 

Northeast Utilities

126,245

3,203

 

Pinnacle West Capital Corp.

81,761

2,907

 

Sierra Pacific Resources

190,347

2,457

 

DPL Inc.

92,510

2,360

 

ITC Holdings Corp.

39,506

2,106

 

Westar Energy, Inc.

81,411

1,851

 

Great Plains Energy, Inc.

70,187

1,785

 

Hawaiian Electric

 

 

 

Industries Inc.

67,653

1,519

 

Portland General Electric Co.

50,920

1,188

 

Cleco Corp.

48,825

1,119

 

IDACORP, Inc.

36,611

1,091

 

ALLETE, Inc.

21,317

768

*

El Paso Electric Co.

36,725

751

 

Otter Tail Corp.

23,072

749

 

UniSource Energy Corp.

28,783

681

 

UIL Holdings Corp.

19,470

572

 

MGE Energy, Inc.

17,794

562

 

Empire District Electric Co.

27,327

560

 

 

 

216,664

Gas Utilities (9.1%)

 

 

 

Questar Corp.

140,694

7,773

 

Equitable Resources, Inc.

94,124

5,800

 

ONEOK, Inc.

80,266

3,738

 

Energen Corp.

55,545

3,333

 

 

160

Utilities Index Fund

 

 

 

National Fuel Gas Co.

64,587

3,039

 

UGI Corp. Holding Co.

86,891

2,225

 

AGL Resources Inc.

62,370

2,163

 

Southern Union Co.

83,091

2,137

 

Atmos Energy Corp.

73,099

1,901

 

Piedmont Natural Gas, Inc.

60,345

1,484

 

WGL Holdings Inc.

40,296

1,257

 

Nicor Inc.

36,754

1,253

 

New Jersey Resources Corp.

22,857

1,052

 

Northwest Natural Gas Co.

21,545

906

 

Southwest Gas Corp.

34,690

888

 

South Jersey Industries, Inc.

24,062

822

 

The Laclede Group, Inc.

16,747

572

 

 

 

40,343

Independent Power Producers &

 

Energy Traders (10.9%)

 

 

 

Constellation

 

 

 

Energy Group, Inc.

147,135

12,999

*

AES Corp.

545,081

9,801

*

Mirant Corp.

208,561

7,717

*

NRG Energy, Inc.

184,655

7,621

*

Reliant Energy, Inc.

280,432

6,394

*

Dynegy, Inc.

407,462

3,015

 

Ormat Technologies Inc.

13,759

601

 

 

 

48,148

Multi-Utilities (30.4%)

 

 

 

Dominion Resources, Inc.

474,339

18,945

 

Public Service

 

 

 

Enterprise Group, Inc.

414,205

18,266

 

PG&E Corp.

293,026

11,035

 

Sempra Energy

202,263

10,746

 

Consolidated Edison Inc.

221,139

9,042

 

Ameren Corp.

169,415

7,234

 

Xcel Energy, Inc.

341,970

6,778

 

DTE Energy Co.

133,339

5,316

 

Wisconsin Energy Corp.

95,250

4,155

 

NiSource, Inc.

223,294

3,838

 

CenterPoint Energy Inc.

248,567

3,649

 

MDU Resources Group, Inc.

133,694

3,511

 

Energy East Corp.

128,913

3,436

 

SCANA Corp.

90,269

3,419

 

Alliant Energy Corp.

89,849

3,121

 

Integrys Energy Group, Inc.

62,115

2,855

 

NSTAR

86,992

2,688

 

CMS Energy Corp.

183,330

2,638

 

TECO Energy, Inc.

171,591

2,570

 

Puget Energy, Inc.

95,437

2,548

 

OGE Energy Corp.

74,763

2,428

 

Vectren Corp.

62,333

1,606

 

Black Hills Corp.

30,755

1,100

*

Aquila, Inc.

305,861

997

 

Avista Corp.

43,013

785

 

NorthWestern Corp.

30,155

778

 

 

161

Utilities Index Fund

 

 

 

PNM Resources Inc.

62,470

740

 

CH Energy Group, Inc.

12,839

459

 

 

 

134,683

Water Utilities (0.8%)

 

 

 

Aqua America, Inc.

108,528

2,066

 

California Water Service Group

15,992

602

 

American States Water Co.

13,993

456

 

SJW Corp.

11,286

341

 

 

 

3,465

Total Investments (100.1%)

 

 

(Cost $460,123)

 

443,303

 

 

Market

 

Value

 

($000)

Other Assets and Liabilities (–0.1%)

 

Other Assets—Note B

3,697

Liabilities

(4,138)

 

(441)

Net Assets (100%)

442,862

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

461,138

Undistributed Net Investment Income

2,327

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(3,783)

Unrealized Depreciation

(16,820)

Net Assets

442,862

 

 

 

 

Admiral Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 2,869,829 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

112,697

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Admiral Shares

$39.27

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 4,219,298 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

330,165

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$78.25

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

162

Utilities Index Fund

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

6,536

Interest1

8

Total Income

6,544

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

21

Management and Administrative

 

Admiral Shares

126

ETF Shares

239

Marketing and Distribution

 

Admiral Shares

10

ETF Shares

43

Custodian Fees

20

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Admiral Shares

ETF Shares

7

Total Expenses

466

Net Investment Income

6,078

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on

 

Investment Securities Sold

(1,369)

Change in Unrealized Appreciation

 

(Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(20,234)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Resulting from Operations

(15,525)

 

 

163

Utilities Index Fund

 

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

Year Ended

 

February 29,

 

August 31,

 

2008

 

2007

 

($000)

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

 

 

Operations

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

6,078

 

8,540

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(1,369)

 

29,429

Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(20,234)

 

(17,088)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(15,525)

 

20,881

Distributions

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

(1,603)

 

(2,008)

ETF Shares

(4,337)

 

(5,532)

Realized Capital Gain

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

 

ETF Shares

 

Total Distributions

(5,940)

 

(7,540)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

 

 

Admiral Shares

10,164

 

50,850

ETF Shares

61,604

 

93,508

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

71,768

 

144,358

Total Increase (Decrease)

50,303

 

157,699

Net Assets

 

 

 

Beginning of Period

392,559

 

234,860

End of Period2

442,862

 

392,559

 

 

 

1  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $8,000.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $2,327,000 and $2,189,000.

 

164

Utilities Index Fund

 

Financial Highlights

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Apr. 28,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$40.60

$36.47

$34.03

$26.70

$25.03

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

.57

1.080

1.0802

.9722

.36

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments3

(1.31)

4.089

2.378

7.623

1.31

Total from Investment Operations

(.74)

5.169

3.458

8.595

1.67

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.59)

(1.039)

(1.018)

(1.265)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.59)

(1.039)

(1.018)

(1.265)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$39.27

$40.60

$36.47

$34.03

$26.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return4

–1.96%

14.33%

10.48%

32.87%

6.67%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$113

$108

$52

$30

$1

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.25%*

0.26%

0.28%

0.28%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

2.76%*

2.70%

3.26%

3.34%

3.82%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate5

22%*

12%

9%

7%

7%

 

 

165

Utilities Index Fund

 

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months

 

 

 

Jan. 26,

 

Ended

 

20041 to

For a Share Outstanding

February 29,

Year Ended August 31,

Aug. 31,

Throughout Each Period

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$80.92

$72.68

$67.80

$53.14

$49.64

Investment Operations

 

 

 

 

 

Net Investment Income

1.156

2.180

2.2142

2.0362

1.11

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

on Investments6

(2.628)

8.156

4.704

15.115

2.39

Total from Investment Operations

(1.472)

10.336

6.918

17.151

3.50

Distributions

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(1.198)

(2.096)

(2.038)

(2.491)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(1.198)

(2.096)

(2.038)

(2.491)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$78.25

$80.92

$72.68

$67.80

$53.14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–1.95%

14.37%

10.52%

32.93%

7.05%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

 

 

 

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$330

$285

$183

$95

$43

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.20%*

0.22%

0.25%

0.26%

0.28%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to

 

 

 

 

 

Average Net Assets

2.81%*

2.74%

3.29%

3.36%

3.82%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate5

22%*

12%

9%

7%

7%

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Includes increases from redemption fees of $.01, $.02, $.04, $.00, and $.00.

4  Total returns do not reflect the 2% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

5  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

6  Includes increases from redemption fees of $.02, $.03, $.06, $.01, and $.00.

*  Annualized.

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

 

166

Utilities Index Fund

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Utilities Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares, Admiral Shares and ETF Shares. Admiral Shares are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. 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 August 31, 2004–2007) and for the period ended February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. Fees assessed on redemptions of Admiral Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $41,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.04% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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.

 

 

167

Utilities Index Fund

 

The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at August 31, 2007, the fund had available realized losses of $1,621,000 to offset future net capital gains of $62,000 through August 31, 2013, $62,000 through August 31, 2014, $1,181,000 through August 31, 2015, and $316,000 through August 31, 2016. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending August 31, 2008; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $460,123,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $16,820,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $15,348,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $32,168,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the six months ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $135,203,000 of investment securities and sold $62,273,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were (see table below):

 

 

Six Months Ended

Year Ended

 

February 29, 2008

August 31, 2007

 

Amount

Shares

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

 

($000)

(000)

Admiral Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

27,988

651

 

70,180

1,711

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

1,478

34

 

1,829

47

Redeemed1

(19,302)

(470)

 

(21,159)

(529)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares

10,164

215

 

50,850

1,229

ETF Shares

 

 

 

 

 

Issued

61,604

700

 

250,373

3,003

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

 

Redeemed

 

(156,865)

(2,000)

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

61,604

700

 

93,508

1,003

 

1  Net of redemption fees of $134,000 and $155,000.

 

 

168

 

 

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 examples on this page 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 adjacent 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.

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 2% fee on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.

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 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.

 

169

Based on actual fund return

 

 

 

 

Six months ended February 29, 2008

 

 

Beginning

Ending

Expenses

 

 

Account Value

Account Value

Paid During

Index Fund

Share Class

8/31/2007

2/29/2008

Period1

Consumer Discretionary

Admiral

$1,000.00

$832.40

$1.14

 

ETF

1,000.00

832.61

0.91

Consumer Staples

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,011.18

$1.25

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,011.28

1.00

Energy

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,094.18

$1.30

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,094.43

1.04

Financials

Admiral

$1,000.00

$796.71

$1.12

 

ETF

1,000.00

797.17

0.89

Health Care

Admiral

$1,000.00

$953.35

$1.21

 

ETF

1,000.00

953.94

0.97

Industrials

Admiral

$1,000.00

$928.21

$1.20

 

ETF

1,000.00

928.56

0.96

Information Technology

Admiral

$1,000.00

$867.81

$1.16

 

ETF

1,000.00

868.04

0.93

Materials

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,066.42

$1.28

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,066.83

1.03

Telecommunication Services

Admiral

$1,000.00

$783.15

$1.11

 

ETF

1,000.00

783.17

0.89

Utilities

Admiral

$1,000.00

$980.40

$1.23

 

ETF

1,000.00

980.52

0.98

Based on hypothetical 5% yearly return

 

 

 

Six months ended February 29, 2008

 

 

Beginning

Ending

Expenses

 

 

Account Value

Account Value

Paid During

Index Fund

Share Class

8/31/2007

2/29/2008

Period1

Consumer Discretionary

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Consumer Staples

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Energy

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Financials

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Health Care

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Industrials

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Information Technology

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Materials

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Telecommunication Services

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

Utilities

Admiral

$1,000.00

$1,023.62

$1.26

 

ETF

1,000.00

1,023.87

1.01

 

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 0.25% for the Consumer Discretionary Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Consumer Staples Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Energy Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Financials Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Health Care Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Industrials Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Information Technology Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Materials Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Telecommunication Services Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF Shares; 0.25% for the Utilities Index Fund Admiral Shares and 0.20% for the ETF 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.

 

170

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 below). 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.

 

171

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.

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.

 

172

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 below 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, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee

 

 

John J. Brennan1

 

Born 1954

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years:

Trustee since May 1987;

Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,

Chairman of the Board and

and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,

Chief Executive Officer

and of each of the investment companies served

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

by The Vanguard Group. Director of Vanguard

 

Marketing Corporation.

 

 

Independent Trustees

 

 

 

Charles D. Ellis

 

Born 1937

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years:

Trustee since January 2001

Applecore Partners (pro bono ventures in education);

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates (international

 

business strategy 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:

Trustee since January 2008

Executive Chief Staff and Marketing Officer for

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

North America since 2004 and Corporate Vice

 

President of Xerox Corporation (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:

Trustee since December 20012

Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Board Member

 

of 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:

Trustee since June 2006

President of the University of Pennsylvania since

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences,

 

Annenberg School 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:

Trustee since July 1998

Corporate Vice President and Chief Global Diversity

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief

 

Information 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:

Trustee since December 2004

George Gund Professor of Finance and Banking,

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Harvard Business School; Senior Associate Dean

 

and Director of Faculty 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:

Trustee since January 1993

Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer,

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift

 

trucks/housewares/lignite); Director of Goodrich

 

Corporation (industrial products/aircraft systems

 

and services).

 

 

J. Lawrence Wilson

 

Born 1936

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years:

Trustee since April 1985

Retired Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director

 

of Cummins Inc. (diesel engines) and

 

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:

Treasurer since July 1998

Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Treasurer

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

of each of the investment companies served by

 

The Vanguard Group.

 

 

F. William McNabb III

 

Born 1957

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years:

President since March 2008

President of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

of the investment companies served by The

 

Vanguard Group since 2008; Director of Vanguard

 

Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The

 

Vanguard Group (1995–2008).

 

 

 

 

 

Heidi Stam

 

Born 1956

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years:

Secretary since July 2005

Managing Director of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

since 2006; General Counsel of The Vanguard

 

Group since 2005; Secretary of 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

 

 

Mortimer J. Buckley

Paul A. Heller

Ralph K. Packard

Kathleen C. Gubanich

Michael S. Miller

George U. Sauter

 

Founder

 

John C. Bogle

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996

 

1  Officers of the funds 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

Vanguard, Admiral, Connect with Vanguard, Vanguard ETF, and

 

the ship logo are trademarks of The Vanguard Group, Inc. All other

Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739

marks are the exclusive property of their respective owners.

 

 

Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036

 

 

The funds or securities referred to herein are not sponsored,

Text Telephone for People

endorsed, or promoted by MSCI, and MSCI bears no liability

With Hearing Impairment > 800-952-3335

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

This material may be used in conjunction with

related funds.

the offering of shares of any Vanguard fund

 

only if preceded or accompanied by the fund’s

 

current prospectus.

All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper Inc. or

 

Morningstar, Inc., unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

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

 

by visiting our website, www.vanguard.com, and searching for “proxy

 

voting guidelines,” or by calling Vanguard at 800-662-2739. The

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

You can review and copy information about your fund 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 request in either of

 

two ways: via e-mail addressed to publicinfo@sec.gov or via regular

 

mail addressed to the Public Reference Section, Securities and

 

Exchange Commission, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

Q4832 042008

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


>  Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund was created to help pension plan managers and other investors balance their portfolio assets and liabilities by investing in a portfolio of U.S. Treasury securities of long-term duration.

>  The fund’s Institutional Shares returned –2.8% since their inception on November 28, 2007, slightly outperforming the fund’s benchmark.

>  Over the past six months, the bond market outperformed the stock market, but faced its own set of problems due to the subprime-mortgage crisis.

 

Contents

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

1

Chairman’s Letter

2

Fund Profile

6

Performance Summary

7

Financial Statements

8

Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement

17

Glossary

18

 

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 cover of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.

 

 


Your Fund’s Total Returns

 

Inception Through February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Return Since

 

Ticker

Share-Class

 

Symbol

Inception

Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund

 

 

Institutional Shares1 (Inception: November 28, 2007)

VEDTX

–2.8%

Lehman U.S. Treasury STRIPS 20–30 Year Equal Par Bond Index

 

–3.2   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund

 

 

ETF Shares2 (Inception: December 6, 2007)

EDV

 

Market Price

 

–2.6%

Net Asset Value

 

–0.9   

Lehman U.S. Treasury STRIPS 20–30 Year Equal Par Bond Index

 

–1.0   

 

Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance

Inception Through February 29, 2008

 

 

 

Distributions Per Share

 

Starting

Ending

Income

Capital

 

Share Price

Share Price

Dividends

Gains

Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury

 

 

 

 

Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Institutional Shares

$30.003

$29.06

$0.105

$0.000

ETF Shares

97.784

96.52

0.349

0.000

 

 

1  This class of shares carries low expenses and is available for a minimum initial investment of $5 million.

2  Vanguard ETF® Shares are traded on the American Stock Exchange and are available only through brokers. The table shows ETF returns based on both the AMEX market price and the net asset value for a share. U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,964 B2.

3  Share price at inception: November 28, 2007.

4  Share price at inception: December 6, 2007.

 

1

 



Chairman’s Letter

 

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund’s first “semiannual report”. Since the fund’s inception on November 28, 2007, through the fiscal half-year ended February 29, 2008, the fund’s Institutional Shares returned –2.8%, slightly outperforming its target index. The fund’s ETF Shares, began operation on December 6, 2007. Over this abbreviated period, the fund’s portfolio returned –0.9% based on NAV.

This new bond fund, which is advised by Vanguard Fixed Income Group, seeks to track the performance of the Lehman U.S. Treasury STRIPS 20–30 Year Equal Par Bond Index. The average duration of the fund’s investments ranges from about 22 to 27 years—consistent with the index’s duration—making the fund suitable for pension plans and other long-term portfolios.

Mortgage-market fallout roiled both taxable and tax-exempt bonds

As trouble spread from subprime-mortgage-backed securities to other instruments, U.S. credit markets grew treacherous. Investors flocked to higher-quality government and corporate bonds, driving U.S. Treasury bond prices higher.

The broad taxable bond market outpaced stocks, posting a total return of 5.7% for the fiscal half-year as lower interest rates depressed yields and pushed up prices. By contrast, tax-exempt municipal bonds returned –0.6% as fixed income investors pulled back from all but the highest-quality, most liquid securities—preferably Treasuries. This, combined with concerns about the financial strength of the insurers backing the highest-quality municipal bonds, pushed municipal yields above those of Treasuries, a historically unusual relationship.

The Federal Reserve Board responded to the credit-market turmoil and deteriorating economic outlook with aggressive reductions in its target for the federal funds rate. The Fed began a series of five rate cuts early in the fiscal half-year, ending with two cuts in January. The target rate stood at 3.0% at the end of the period, the lowest level since June 2005, and investors anticipated more rate cuts.

 

2

 


U.S. and foreign stocks fell amid recession, subprime concerns

The broad U.S. stock market returned –8.5% for the six months ended February 29, buffeted by tightening global credit markets (a reaction to the subprime-mortgage crisis that began taking hold in midsummer), a weakening U.S. dollar, and fears of a U.S. recession.

Over the six-month period, large-capitalization stocks fared better than small-caps, growth stocks outpaced their value-oriented counterparts, and international stocks again outperformed U.S. stocks. But these performances should be viewed in relative terms: Each stock group posted a negative return.

 

Market Barometer

 

 

 

 

Total Returns

 

Periods Ended February 29, 2008

 

Six Months

One Year

Five Years1

Bonds

 

 

 

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

5.7%

7.3%

4.5%

Lehman Municipal Bond Index

–0.6   

–1.2   

3.4   

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

1.9   

4.4   

3.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stocks

 

 

 

Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps)

–8.4%

–3.8%

12.2%

Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps)

–12.9   

–12.4   

15.1   

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market)

–8.5   

–4.1   

12.9   

MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International)

–1.5   

7.8   

24.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPI

 

 

 

Consumer Price Index

1.8%

4.0%

2.9%

 

1  Annualized.

 

3

 


Extended-duration bond funds can be a good match for pension plans

Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund is a low-cost bond fund designed to address the unique needs of pension plan managers and other investors with very long-term horizons. By investing in extended-duration, zero-coupon U.S. Treasury securities, the fund manager seeks to provide investors with a tool that can moderate changes in the ratio of a portfolio’s long-term assets to its long-term obligations.

This strategy can help ensure that companies maintain their pension obligations to employees, an important objective underscored in regulations set forth in the U.S. Pension Protection Act of 2006.

Of course, less volatility in the relationship between a portfolio’s assets and liabilities doesn’t necessarily imply less return volatility. Because of its exposure to longer-term bonds, the fund is very sensitive to interest rates. Rising interest rates can cause a decline in the value of the fund’s investments. For this reason, the fund is intended for investors—particularly for pension plans—with long-term liabilities of 20 years or more. Since the fund’s November 28, 2007, inception, its Institutional Shares have returned –2.8%. These returns have slightly outpaced those of the fund’s target benchmark.

The Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund advisor, Vanguard Fixed Income Group, is a tenured team that uses sophisticated trading strategies and index portfolio-construction methodologies while also drawing on Vanguard’s several decades of managing defined benefit plan assets. These efforts are also aided by Vanguard’s low-cost structure, which allows a greater portion of the fund’s returns to go to shareholders.

 

Annualized Expense Ratios1

 

 

 

 

 

 

Institutional

ETF

 

Shares

Shares

Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund

0.11%

0.14%

 

1  Fund expense ratios are annualized since the share-class inception: November 28, 2007, for Institutional Shares and December 6, 2007, for ETF Shares.

 

4

 


Long-term investing can help reduce volatility for institutional portfolios

Uncertain economic times can be stressful for any investor and can be especially challenging for managers of institutional retirement accounts. The Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund aims to help smooth some of the volatility in defined benefit plans by more closely aligning the durations of assets with plan obligations.

As I close this report to you, it’s my pleasure to introduce the fund’s new president, F. William McNabb III. Bill is a man of great character and integrity who is intimately familiar with all aspects of Vanguard—from how we serve our clients to how we invest for our clients.

 

Bill and I have worked together very closely for more than two decades. I’m thrilled that the fund’s board elected him president and designated him my successor as chief executive officer, a role he will assume within a year, after an orderly transition. Bill and the rest of our team will serve you and our other clients extremely well in the years ahead.

We thank you for investing with Vanguard.

Sincerely,

 


 

John J. Brennan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

March 17, 2008

 

Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury ETF

Premium/Discount: December 6, 20071–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Price Above or

 

Market Price Below

 

Equal to Net Asset Value

 

Net Asset Value

 

Number

Percentage

 

Number

Percentage

Basis Point Differential2

of Days

of Total Days

 

of Days

of Total Days

0–24.9

8

13.80%

 

6

10.34%

25–49.9

2

3.45   

 

7

12.07   

50–74.9

1

1.72   

 

7

12.07   

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

6

10.34   

>100.0

1

1.72   

 

20

34.49   

Total

12

20.69%

 

46

79.31%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  One basis point equals 1/100 of a percentage point.

 

5

 


Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Financial Attributes

 

 

 

 

Target

 

Fund

Index1

Number of Issues

46

47

Yield2

 

4.7%

Institutional Shares

4.6%

 

ETF Shares

4.6%

 

Yield to Maturity

4.7%3

4.7%

Average Coupon

0.0%

0.0%

Average Effective Maturity

24.1 years

24.1 years

Average Quality4

Aaa

Aaa

Average Duration

25.0 years

25.0 years

Expense Ratio

 

Institutional Shares

0.11%5

 

ETF Shares

0.14%5

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.1%

 

Sector Diversification (% of portfolio)

 

 

 

Treasury/Agency

100.0%

 

Distribution by Maturity (% of portfolio)

 

 

 

Under 1 Year

0.2%

20–30 Years

99.8   

 

Distribution by Credit Quality4 (% of portfolio)

 

 

Aaa

100.0%

 

Investment Focus

 


 

 

1  Lehman U.S. Treasury STRIPS 20–30 Year Equal Par Bond Index.

2  30-day SEC yield. See the Glossary on page 18.

3  Before expenses.

4  Moody’s Investors Service.

5  Annualized.

 

6

 


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.

Total Returns (%): November 28, 2007–February 29, 2008

 


 

Total Returns: Periods Ended December 31, 2007

This table presents 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.

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

Inception

Institutional Shares

11/28/2007

–1.31%1

ETF Shares

12/6/2007

 

Market Price

 

0.51   

Net Asset Value

 

0.60   

 

 

1  Since inception on November 28, 2007.

Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 12 and 13 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

7

 


Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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).

 

 

 

 

Face

Market

 

 

Maturity

Amount

Value

 

Coupon

Date

($000)

($000)

U.S. Government Securities (100.1%)

 

 

 

 

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/28

5,500

2,146

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/28

9,000

3,493

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/28

4,800

1,855

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/28

9,000

3,454

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/28

6,000

2,294

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/29

5,750

2,173

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/29

6,000

2,284

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/29

8,500

3,178

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/29

10,200

3,758

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/29

4,000

1,479

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/29

6,900

2,523

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/30

6,650

2,400

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/30

7,650

2,739

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/30

4,000

1,426

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/30

9,000

3,181

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/30

8,900

3,118

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/31

6,000

2,084

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/31

2,600

900

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/31

10,250

3,514

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/31

7,250

2,451

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/31

7,000

2,347

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/32

8,750

2,894

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/32

11,155

3,653

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/32

6,250

2,022

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/32

5,500

1,759

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/33

7,100

2,242

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/33

8,500

2,659

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/33

8,500

2,626

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/33

6,000

1,835

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/34

6,000

1,814

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/34

10,500

3,140

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/34

7,250

2,139

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/34

5,875

1,718

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/35

9,000

2,597

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/35

8,675

2,485

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/35

6,250

1,766

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/35

6,700

1,879

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/36

4,250

1,194

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/36

10,250

2,857

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/36

7,000

1,931

 

 

8

 


 

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

8/15/36

10,550

2,870

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

11/15/36

6,400

1,726

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/37

16,100

4,284

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

2/15/37

6,700

1,795

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/37

15,250

4,051

U.S. Treasury STRIPS

0.000%

5/15/37

8,000

2,113

Total U.S. Government Securities (Cost $116,974)

 

 

112,846

Other Assets and Liabilities (–0.1%)

 

 

 

 

Receivables for Investment Securities Sold

 

 

5,454

Other Assets—Note B

 

 

 

9

Payables for Investment Securities Purchased

 

 

(5,433)

Other Liabilities

 

 

 

(157)

 

 

 

 

(127)

Net Assets (100%)

 

 

 

112,719

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

116,415

Undistributed Net Investment Income

564

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(132)

Unrealized Depreciation

(4,128)

Net Assets

112,719

 

 

 

 

Institutional Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 3,381,008 outstanding $.001 par value shares of

 

beneficial interest (unlimited authorization)

98,241

Net Asset Value Per Share—Institutional Shares

$29.06

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 150,000 outstanding $.001 par value shares of

 

beneficial interest (unlimited authorization)

14,478

Net Asset Value Per Share—ETF Shares

$96.52

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

 

9

 


Statement of Operations

 

 

November 28, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Interest

691

Total Income

691

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

Management and Administrative

 

Institutional Shares

3

ETF Shares

5

Custodian Fees

6

Shareholders’ Reports

 

Institutional Shares

3

ETF Shares

Total Expenses

17

Net Investment Income

674

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Sold

(132)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(4,128)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(3,586)

 

 

1  Inception.

 

10

 


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

November 28, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Operations

 

Net Investment Income

674

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(132)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(4,128)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(3,586)

Distributions

 

Net Investment Income

 

Institutional Shares

(58)

ETF Shares

(52)

Realized Capital Gain

 

Institutional Shares

ETF Shares

Total Distributions

(110)

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

Institutional Shares

101,732

ETF Shares

14,683

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Shares Transactions

116,415

Total Increase (Decrease)

112,719

Net Assets

 

Beginning of Period

End of Period2

112,719

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $564,000.

 

11

 


Financial Highlights

 

Institutional Shares

 

 

November 28, 20071 to

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period

February 29, 2008

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$30.00

Investment Operations

 

Net Investment Income

.3152

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(1.150)

Total from Investment Operations

(.835)

Distributions

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.105)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.105)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$29.06

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–2.78%

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$98

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.11%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

4.44%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate3

38%*

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

 

12

 


ETF Shares

 

 

December 6, 20071 to

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period

February 29, 2008

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$97.78

Investment Operations

 

Net Investment Income

1.0042

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(1.915)

Total from Investment Operations

(.911)

Distributions

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

(.349)

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

(.349)

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$96.52

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–0.92%

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$14

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.14%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

4.41%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate3

38%*

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF Creation Units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

13

 


Notes to Financial Statements

Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers three classes of shares: Institutional Shares, Institutional Plus Shares, and ETF Shares. Institutional Shares were first issued on November 28, 2007, and are designed for investors who meet certain administrative and service criteria and invest a minimum of $5 million. Institutional Plus Shares are available to investors who invest a minimum of $100 million. The fund has not issued any Institutional Plus Shares through February 29, 2008. ETF Shares were first issued on December 6, 2007, and first offered to the public on December 10, 2007. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the American Stock Exchange; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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: Bonds, and 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. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value. Other temporary cash investments are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or whose values have been materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value.

2. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for the period from inception to February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

3. Distributions: Quarterly income dividends and annual distributions from realized capital gains, if any, are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

4. Other: Interest income includes income distributions received from Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund and is accrued daily. Premiums and discounts on debt securities purchased are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income over the lives of the respective securities. 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. Fees, if any, assessed on purchases of Institutional Shares are credited to paid-in capital.

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.

 

14

 


B. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $9,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.01% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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. The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.

At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $116,974,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $4,128,000, consisting entirely of unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the period ended from inception to February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $126,766,000 of investment securities and sold $10,352,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.

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

 

 

Inception1 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

Institutional Shares

 

 

Issued

102,294

3,404

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

58

2

Redeemed

(620)

(25)

Net Increase (Decrease)—Institutional Shares

101,732

3,381

ETF Shares

 

 

Issued

14,683

150

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

Redeemed

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

14,683

150

 

 

 

 

1  Inception was November 28, 2007, for Institutional Shares and December 6, 2007, for ETF Shares.

 

15

 


F. In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation 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, effective for the fund’s current fiscal period.

Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels:

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 inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At February 29, 2008, 100% of the fund’s investments were valued based on Level 2 inputs.

 

16

 


Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement

The board of trustees of Vanguard Extended Duration Treasury Index Fund approved the launch of the fund in September 2007, utilizing an internalized management structure whereby The Vanguard Group, Inc.—through its Fixed Income Group (FIG)—provides investment advisory services at cost. The board determined prior to the fund’s launch that the investment advisory arrangement with Vanguard would be in the best interests of the fund and its prospective shareholders.

The board based its decision upon an evaluation of the advisor’s investment staff, portfolio management process, and performance with similar mandates. The trustees considered the factors discussed below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether the board approved the arrangement. Rather, it was the totality of the circumstances that drove the board’s decision.

Nature, extent, and quality of services

The board considered the benefits to shareholders of selecting FIG as an advisor to the fund, particularly in light of the nature, extent, and quality of services to be provided by FIG. The board noted that FIG’s portfolio management team has depth and stability. In its management of other Vanguard index, as well as actively managed, funds, the team has a track record of consistent success and disciplined investment processes.

The board concluded that Vanguard’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted approval of the advisory arrangement.

Investment performance

The board determined that the Fixed Income Group, in its management of other Vanguard funds, has a track record of consistent performance and disciplined investment management processes.

Cost

The board evaluated the cost of services to be provided, including consideration of competitive fee rates, and concluded that, after the implementation of the arrangement with Vanguard, the fund’s advisory expense ratio would be well below the average advisory expense ratio for its peer group. Information about the fund’s expense ratio appears in the Financial Statements section of this report.

The board does not conduct a profitability analysis of Vanguard, because of Vanguard’s unique “at-cost” structure. Unlike most other mutual fund management companies, Vanguard is owned by the funds it oversees, and produces “profits” only in the form of reduced expenses for fund shareholders.

The benefit of economies of scale

The board concluded that the fund’s low-cost arrangement with Vanguard ensures that the fund will realize economies of scale as it grows, with the cost to shareholders declining as fund assets increase.

The board will consider whether to renew the advisory arrangement after a one-year period.

 

17

 


Glossary

Average Coupon. The average interest rate paid on the fixed income securities held by a fund. It is expressed as a percentage of face value.

Average Duration. An estimate of how much the value of the bonds held by a fund will fluctuate in response to a change in interest rates. To see how the value could change, multiply the average duration by the change in rates. If interest rates rise by 1 percentage point, the value of the bonds in a fund with an average duration of five years would decline by about 5%. If rates decrease by a percentage point, the value would rise by 5%.

Average Effective Maturity. The average length of time until fixed income securities held by a fund reach maturity and are repaid, taking into consideration the possibility that the issuer may call the bond before its maturity date. The figure reflects the proportion of fund assets represented by each security; it also reflects any futures contracts held. In general, the longer the average effective maturity, the more a fund’s share price will fluctuate in response to changes in market interest rates.

Average Quality. An indicator of credit risk, this figure is the average of the ratings assigned to a fund’s fixed income holdings by credit-rating agencies. The agencies make their judgment after appraising an issuer’s ability to meet its obligations. Quality is graded on a scale, with Aaa or AAA indicating the most creditworthy bond issuers. U.S. Treasury securities are considered to have the highest credit quality.

Distribution by Coupon. A breakdown of the securities in a fund according to coupon rate—the interest rate that an issuer promises to pay, expressed as an annual percentage of face value. Securities with unusually high coupon rates may be subject to call risk, the possibility that they will be redeemed (or “called”) early by the issuer.

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.

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.

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

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.

Yield to Maturity. The rate of return an investor would receive if the fixed income securities held by a fund were held to their maturity dates.

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18

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

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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, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee

 

 

John J. Brennan1

 

Born 1954

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive

Trustee since May 1987;

Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each of the investment

Chairman of the Board and

companies served by The Vanguard Group; Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation.

Chief Executive Officer

 

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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.;

Treasurer since July 1998

Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group.

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

 

 

F. William McNabb III

 

Born 1957

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,

President since March 2008

and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since 2008;

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The Vanguard 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

152 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

George U. Sauter

Mortimer J. Buckley

Paul A. Heller

Ralph K. Packard

 

 

Founder

 

John C. Bogle

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996

 

1  Officers of the funds 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

Vanguard, Vanguard.com, Connect with Vanguard,

 

Vanguard ETF, and the ship logo are trademarks of

Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739

The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

 

Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036

 

 

All other marks are the exclusive property of their

Text Telephone for People

respective owners.

With Hearing Impairment > 800-952-3335

 

 

All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper Inc.

 

or Morningstar, Inc., unless otherwise noted.

 

 

This material may be used in conjunction

 

with the offering of shares of any Vanguard

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

fund only if preceded or accompanied by

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

the fund’s current prospectus.

and searching for “proxy voting guidelines,” or by

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

 

 

You can review and copy information about your fund

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange

 

Commission, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

Q12752 042008

 

 

 

 

 



 

 


>  From inception on December 17, 2007, through February 29, Vanguard’s Mega Cap 300 Index Funds posted returns ranging from –7.9% to –7.3%, based on the net asset values of their ETF Shares. Each of the three funds closely tracked its target benchmark.

>  The Mega Cap 300 Growth ETF outperformed its value counterpart during that period; however, all three funds reported losses in at least eight of ten economic sectors.

>  The broad U.S. stock market returned –8.5% during the six months ended February 29.

 

Contents

 

 

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

1

Chairman’s Letter

2

Mega Cap 300 Index Fund

8

Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund

25

Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund

38

Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement

50

Glossary

51

 

 

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 cover of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.

 

 


Your Fund’s Total Returns

 

Periods Ended February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

Returns Since

 

Ticker

Share-Class

 

Symbol

Inception

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund

 

 

Institutional Shares1 (Inception: February 22, 2008)

VMCTX

–1.5%

MSCI US Large Cap 300 Index

 

–1.5   

Average Large-Cap Core Fund2

 

–1.5   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund

 

 

ETF Shares3 (Inception: December 17, 2007)

MGC

 

Market Price

 

–7.6%

Net Asset Value

 

–7.6   

MSCI US Large Cap 300 Index

 

–7.6   

Average Large-Cap Core Fund2

 

–7.9   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund

 

 

ETF Shares3 (Inception: December 17, 2007)

MGK

 

Market Price

 

–7.4%

Net Asset Value

 

–7.3   

MSCI US Large Cap Growth Index

 

–7.3   

Average Large-Cap Growth Fund2

 

–9.2   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund

 

 

ETF Shares3 (Inception: December 17, 2007)

MGV

 

Market Price

 

–7.9%

Net Asset Value

 

–7.9   

MSCI US Large Cap Value Index

 

–7.8   

Average Large-Cap Value Fund2

 

–7.2   

 

 

1  This class of shares carries low expenses and is available for a minimum investment of $5 million.

2  Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.

3  These Vanguard ETF™ Shares are traded on the NYSE Arca exchange and are available only through brokers. The table shows the ETF returns based on both the NYSE Arca market price and the net asset value for a share. U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,964 B2; 7,337,138.

 

1

 



 

Chairman’s Letter

 

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present our first shareholder report for three recently opened funds: Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund, Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund, and Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund.

These funds, which launched their ETF Shares on December 17, 2007, are designed to capture the performance of the largest stocks in the U.S. market. By seeking to track three different MSCI US Large Cap 300 indexes, the funds allow you to gain exposure to this market segment as a whole or to its growth or value components.

Unfortunately, the funds got their start during a difficult period for stocks, which resulted from problems in the credit markets that started in mid-2007. From inception through February 29, the Mega Cap 300 ETF returned –7.6%, mirroring its benchmark and slightly outpacing the average return of its peers. The Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund’s portfolio returned –7.3% for the period, and the Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund’s portfolio returned –7.9%.

The Mega Cap 300 Index Fund introduced Institutional Shares on February 22, 2008. This share class, which returned –1.5% in its first week of operation, is available for a minimum initial investment of $5,000,000. The table on page 1 shows the total returns for the funds, their target indexes, and their peer groups on average.

 

2

 


U.S. and foreign stocks fell amid recession, subprime concerns

Over the six months ended February 29, the broad U.S. stock market returned –8.5%, buffeted by tightening global credit markets (a reaction to the subprime-mortgage crisis that began taking hold in midsummer), a weakening U.S. dollar, and fears of a U.S. recession.

During the period, large-capitalization stocks fared better than small-caps, growth stocks outpaced their value-oriented counterparts, and international stocks again outperformed U.S. stocks. But these performances should be viewed in relative terms: Each stock group posted a negative return.

 

Mortgage-market fallout roiled both taxable and tax-exempt bonds

As trouble spread from subprime-mortgage-backed securities to other instruments, the credit markets grew treacherous. Investors flocked to higher-quality government and corporate bonds, driving U.S. Treasury bond prices higher.

The broad taxable bond market outpaced stocks, posting a total return of 5.7% for the fiscal half-year as lower interest rates depressed yields and pushed up prices. By contrast, tax-exempt municipal bonds returned –0.6% as fixed income investors pulled back from all but the highest-quality, most liquid securities—preferably Treasuries. This, combined with concerns about the

 

Market Barometer

 

 

 

 

Total Returns

 

Periods Ended February 29, 2008

 

Six Months

One Year

Five Years1

Stocks

 

 

 

Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps)

–8.4%

–3.8%

12.2%

Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps)

–12.9   

–12.4   

15.1   

Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market)

–8.5   

–4.1   

12.9   

MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International)

–1.5   

7.8   

24.1   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bonds

 

 

 

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

5.7%

7.3%

4.5%

Lehman Municipal Bond Index

–0.6   

–1.2   

3.4   

Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index

1.9   

4.4   

3.0   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CPI

 

 

 

Consumer Price Index

1.8%

4.0%

2.9%

 

1  Annualized.

 

3

 


financial strength of the insurers backing some of the highest-quality municipal bonds, pushed municipal yields above those of Treasuries, a historically unusual relationship.

The Federal Reserve Board responded to the credit-market turmoil and deteriorating economic outlook with aggressive reductions in its target for the federal funds rate. The Fed began a series of five rate cuts early in the fiscal half-year, ending with two cuts in January. The target rate stood at 3.0% at the end of the period, the lowest level since June 2005, and investors anticipated more rate cuts.

Funds track their targets, accomplish their mandate

Because Vanguard’s Mega Cap 300 Index Funds have existed for such a short period, it would be difficult, and perhaps misguided, to offer an in-depth analysis of their performance. Still, we’re pleased that all three funds met their primary objective, successfully tracking their target indexes between mid-December and February 29. That the funds achieved this objective during a particularly turbulent period in the market is a tribute to the experience and skill of the advisor, Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group.

Large-cap stocks, like the broader U.S. equity market, slogged through these weeks as the ever-widening ripples of the subprime-loan crisis spread. Not surprisingly, the Mega Cap 300 Value Fund, which is heavily weighted in the financials sector, struggled most. Among the market’s largest companies, the stocks of financial firms such as Citigroup declined sharply.

 

Annualized Expense Ratios1

 

 

 

Your Fund Compared With Its Peer Group

 

 

 

 

Institutional

ETF

Average

 

Shares

Shares

Fund

Mega Cap 300 Index Fund

0.08%

0.13%

1.29%

Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund

—   

0.13   

1.36   

Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund

—   

0.13   

1.28   

 

1  Fund expense ratios reflect the period ended February 29, 2008. Peer groups are: for the Mega Cap 300 Index Fund, the Average Large-Cap Core Fund; for the Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund, the Average Large-Cap Growth Fund; and for the Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund, the Average Large-Cap Value Fund. Peer-group expense ratios are derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and capture information through year-end 2007.

 

4

 


Growth stocks were not immune, however. The Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund, weighted largely in information technology stocks, also declined during the period. Tech-sector companies such as Google, Apple, and Microsoft posted poor returns.

All three funds reported losses in at least eight of ten market sectors. The two sectors that performed well were materials and energy. Despite the market volatility, demand for mining-related stocks remained strong because of a seemingly insatiable global appetite for raw materials, which has kept commodity prices high.

When the markets get rocky, a long-term view is key

During the past six months, the U.S. stock market was marked by volatility and uncertainty. Although short-term returns have been disheartening for investors, it’s important to take a long-term perspective on your investments.

At Vanguard, we encourage investors to ignore the “noise” of news headlines, pundits’ pronouncements, and the day-to-day fluctuations of the market. Instead, focus on the composition of your entire portfolio, making sure it’s well-balanced with stocks, bonds, and short-term investments.

 

Vanguard’s new Mega Cap 300 Index Funds provide an opportunity for you to further diversify your investments. They combine access to the largest stocks in the U.S. market with the benefits of Vanguard’s historically low costs and indexing expertise.

As I close this report to you, it’s my pleasure to introduce the funds’ new president, F. William McNabb III. Bill’s a man of great character and integrity who is intimately familiar with all aspects of Vanguard—from how we serve our clients to how we invest for them.

Bill and I have worked together very closely for more than two decades. I’m thrilled that the funds’ board elected him president and designated him to succeed me as chief executive officer, a role he’ll assume within a year, after an orderly transition. Bill and the rest of our team will serve you and our other clients extremely well in the years ahead.

Thank you for investing your assets at Vanguard.

Sincerely,

 


 

John J. Brennan

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

March 21, 2008

 

5

 


Vanguard Mega Cap 300 ETF

Premium/Discount: December 17, 20071–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Price Above or

 

Market Price Below

 

Equal to Net Asset Value

 

Net Asset Value

 

Number

Percentage

 

Number

Percentage

Basis Point Differential2

of Days

of Total Days

 

of Days

of Total Days

0–24.9

24

47.06%

 

24

47.06%

25–49.9

1

1.96   

 

1

1.96   

50–74.9

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

>100.0

1

1.96   

 

0

0.00   

Total

26

50.98%

 

25

49.02%

 

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth ETF

Premium/Discount: December 17, 20071–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Price Above or

 

Market Price Below

 

Equal to Net Asset Value

 

Net Asset Value

 

Number

Percentage

 

Number

Percentage

Basis Point Differential2

of Days

of Total Days

 

of Days

of Total Days

0–24.9

21

41.18%

 

27

52.94%

25–49.9

1

1.96   

 

0

0.00   

50–74.9

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

>100.0

1

1.96   

 

1

1.96   

Total

23

45.10%

 

28

54.90%

 

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Value ETF

Premium/Discount: December 17, 20071–February 29, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Market Price Above or

 

Market Price Below

 

Equal to Net Asset Value

 

Net Asset Value

 

Number

Percentage

 

Number

Percentage

Basis Point Differential2

of Days

of Total Days

 

of Days

of Total Days

0–24.9

24

47.06%

 

24

47.06%

25–49.9

2

3.92   

 

1

1.96   

50–74.9

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

75–100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

>100.0

0

0.00   

 

0

0.00   

Total

26

50.98%

 

25

49.02%

 

 

1  Inception.

2  One basis point equals 1/100 of a percentage point.

 

6

 


Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance

Inception Through February 29, 2008

 

 

 

Distributions Per Share

 

Starting

Ending

Income

Capital

 

Share Price

Share Price

Dividends

Gains

Mega Cap 300 Index Fund

 

 

 

 

Institutional Shares

$91.071

$89.68

$0.000

$0.000

ETF Shares

49.242

45.50

0.000

0.000

Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares

$49.102

$45.50

$0.000

$0.000

Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares

$49.382

$45.49

$0.000

$0.000

 

 

1  At inception: February 22, 2008.

2  At inception: December 17, 2007.

 

 

7

 

 

Mega Cap 300 Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

301

301

4,818

Median Market Cap

$59.8B

$60.8B

$33.9B

Price/Earnings Ratio

16.2x

16.2x

16.8x

Price/Book Ratio

2.6x

2.5x

2.4x

Yield3

 

2.2%

2.0%

Institutional Shares

NA

 

 

ETF Shares

2.1%

 

 

Return on Equity

21.0%

21.0%

19.6%

Earnings Growth Rate

20.7%

20.7%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

5.6%4

Expense Ratio

 

Institutional Shares

0.08%4

 

 

ETF Shares

0.13%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Consumer Discretionary

8.4%

8.4%

9.4%

Consumer Staples

11.2   

11.2   

9.3   

Energy

13.7   

13.6   

13.0   

Financials

17.0   

17.3   

18.1   

Health Care

12.9   

12.7   

12.2   

Industrials

10.8   

10.8   

11.9   

Information Technology

15.9   

15.9   

15.3   

Materials

3.5   

3.5   

4.1   

Telecommunication

 

 

 

Services

3.4   

3.4   

2.9   

Utilities

3.2   

3.2   

3.8   

 

 

8

 


Ten Largest Holdings5 (% of total net assets)

 

 

 

ExxonMobil Corp.

integrated oil

 

 

and gas

4.5%

General Electric Co.

industrial

 

 

conglomerates

3.2   

Microsoft Corp.

systems software

2.2   

AT&T Inc.

integrated

 

 

telecommunication

 

 

services

2.0   

The Procter & Gamble Co.

household products

1.9   

Chevron Corp.

integrated oil

 

 

and gas

1.7   

Johnson & Johnson

pharmaceuticals

1.7   

Bank of America Corp.

diversified financial

 

 

services

1.7   

International Business

computer

 

Machines Corp.

hardware

1.5      

Altria Group, Inc.

tobacco

1.5

Top Ten

 

21.9%

 

Investment Focus

 


 

1  MSCI US Large Cap 300 Index.

2  Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. The Institutional Shares had not existed for 30 days as of February 29, 2008. See the Glossary on page 51.

4  Annualized.

5  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products. See page 51 for a glossary of investment terms.

 

9

 


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.

Fiscal-Period Total Returns (%): December 17, 2007–February 29, 2008

 


 

Total Returns: Period Ended December 31, 2007

This table presents 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.

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

Inception

Mega Cap 300 Index Fund ETF Shares

12/17/2007

 

Market Price

 

1.62%

Net Asset Value

 

1.56   

 

 

1  Since the ETF Shares’ inception on December 17, 2007.

Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 21 and 22 for dividend and capital gains information for the Institutional and ETF Shares.

 

10

 


Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (100.0%)

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (8.4%)

 

 

 

McDonald’s Corp.

3,666

198

 

The Walt Disney Co.

5,581

181

 

Time Warner, Inc.

11,157

174

 

Home Depot, Inc.

5,185

138

 

Target Corp.

2,436

128

*

Comcast Corp. Class A

6,059

118

 

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

4,568

110

 

News Corp., Class A

5,600

103

*

Viacom Inc. Class B

1,755

70

 

NIKE, Inc. Class B

1,148

69

*

Amazon.com, Inc.

954

62

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.

1,826

60

*

Comcast Corp. Special Class A

3,043

59

 

Yum! Brands, Inc.

1,600

55

*

DIRECTV Group, Inc.

2,144

54

 

Carnival Corp.

1,344

53

 

Staples, Inc.

2,196

49

 

Best Buy Co., Inc.

1,096

47

 

Clear Channel

 

 

 

Communications, Inc.

1,455

47

 

Omnicom Group Inc.

1,010

45

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Capital Series A

379

44

 

International Game Technology

973

44

 

TJX Cos., Inc.

1,368

44

*

Kohl’s Corp.

943

42

 

CBS Corp.

1,834

42

 

The McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc.

1,015

42

*

Starbucks Corp.

2,296

41

 

Marriott International, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

1,041

36

 

The Gap, Inc.

1,739

35

*

Coach, Inc.

1,148

35

*

Ford Motor Co.

5,304

35

 

Macy’s Inc.

1,340

33

 

General Motors Corp.

1,393

32

 

Fortune Brands, Inc.

472

31

 

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

 

 

 

 

11

 


 

 

(Holding Co.)

648

30

 

Starwood Hotels &

 

 

 

Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

614

29

 

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

773

29

*

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

328

27

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Interactive Series A

1,853

27

 

News Corp., Class B

1,366

26

*

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

835

24

*

Sears Holdings Corp.

242

23

 

Gannett Co., Inc.

717

22

 

Garmin Ltd.

367

22

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Class A

553

21

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Series C

572

20

*

DISH Network Corp.

643

19

*

MGM Mirage, Inc.

307

19

*

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

557

15

 

Limited Brands, Inc.

981

15

 

 

 

2,724

Consumer Staples (11.2%)

 

 

 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

9,587

634

 

Altria Group, Inc.

6,502

476

 

The Coca-Cola Co.

6,405

374

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

7,417

368

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

4,970

346

 

CVS/Caremark Corp.

4,555

184

 

Kraft Foods Inc.

4,775

149

 

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

1,569

119

 

Walgreen Co.

3,057

112

 

Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.

2,265

107

 

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

1,310

85

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

1,347

83

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

1,782

80

 

General Mills, Inc.

1,038

58

 

Sysco Corp.

1,877

53

 

Avon Products, Inc.

1,331

51

 

The Kroger Co.

1,997

48

 

H.J. Heinz Co.

982

43

 

Kellogg Co.

852

43

 

Safeway, Inc.

1,353

39

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.

601

36

 

Reynolds American Inc.

545

35

 

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

1,510

33

 

Sara Lee Corp.

2,229

28

 

Carolina Group

334

25

 

Campbell Soup Co.

715

23

 

The Hershey Co.

489

18

 

 

 

3,650

Energy (13.6%)

 

 

 

ExxonMobil Corp.

16,865

1,467

 

Chevron Corp.

6,518

565

 

ConocoPhillips Co.

4,690

388

 

Schlumberger Ltd.

3,692

319

 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

2,556

198

*

Transocean, Inc.

960

135

 

 

12

 


 

 

Devon Energy Corp.

1,303

134

 

Apache Corp.

1,022

117

 

Marathon Oil Corp.

2,199

117

 

Halliburton Co.

2,738

105

 

Valero Energy Corp.

1,704

98

 

XTO Energy, Inc.

1,484

92

 

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

1,433

91

 

EOG Resources, Inc.

753

90

 

Hess Corp.

881

82

*

Weatherford International Ltd.

1,037

71

*

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

1,097

68

 

Williams Cos., Inc.

1,847

67

 

Baker Hughes, Inc.

983

66

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

1,384

63

 

Peabody Energy Corp.

817

46

 

Spectra Energy Corp.

1,945

45

 

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

215

26

 

 

 

4,450

Financials (17.1%)

 

 

 

Bank of America Corp.

13,701

545

 

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

10,369

422

 

Citigroup, Inc.

15,952

378

 

American

 

 

 

International Group, Inc.

6,654

312

 

Wells Fargo & Co.

9,836

288

 

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

1,104

187

 

Wachovia Corp.

6,083

186

 

U.S. Bancorp

5,310

170

 

Bank of New York Mellon Corp.

3,500

154

*

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

30

140

 

American Express Co.

3,272

138

 

MetLife, Inc.

2,285

133

 

Morgan Stanley

2,949

124

 

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

2,502

124

 

Prudential Financial, Inc.

1,395

102

 

State Street Corp.

1,199

94

 

AFLAC Inc.

1,503

94

 

The Travelers Cos., Inc.

1,990

92

 

Fannie Mae

2,999

83

 

CME Group, Inc.

158

81

 

The Allstate Corp.

1,673

80

 

Lehman Brothers Holdings, Inc.

1,388

71

 

The Hartford Financial

 

 

 

Services Group Inc.

978

68

 

PNC Financial Services Group

1,051

65

 

The Chubb Corp.

1,184

60

 

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

1,021

59

 

Capital One Financial Corp.

1,285

59

 

Charles Schwab Corp.

3,008

59

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

688

58

 

ACE Ltd.

1,013

57

 

 

13

 


 

 

Loews Corp.

1,317

55

 

BB&T Corp.

1,696

53

 

Freddie Mac

2,035

51

 

Franklin Resources Corp.

530

50

 

Regions Financial Corp.

2,166

46

 

The Principal Financial

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

817

45

 

Lincoln National Corp.

835

43

 

ProLogis REIT

791

43

 

Northern Trust Corp.

610

41

 

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

1,605

41

 

Washington Mutual, Inc.

2,660

39

 

Progressive Corp. of Ohio

2,021

37

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

724

37

 

Vornado Realty Trust REIT

421

35

 

Fifth Third Bancorp

1,482

34

 

Aon Corp.

811

34

 

Equity Residential REIT

853

33

 

Public Storage, Inc. REIT

394

32

 

Genworth Financial Inc.

1,362

32

*

Invesco, Ltd.

1,227

31

 

SLM Corp.

1,587

31

 

National City Corp.

1,852

29

 

KeyCorp

1,232

27

 

Bear Stearns Co., Inc.

340

27

 

Legg Mason Inc.

409

27

 

NYSE Euronext

406

27

 

Moody’s Corp.

698

27

 

General Growth Properties Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

680

24

 

XL Capital Ltd. Class A

559

20

 

Discover Financial Services

1,322

20

 

M & T Bank Corp.

220

18

 

Marshall & Ilsley Corp.

713

17

 

 

 

5,589

Health Care (12.9%)

 

 

 

Johnson & Johnson

8,824

547

 

Pfizer Inc.

21,086

470

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

6,719

298

 

Abbott Laboratories

4,754

255

 

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

3,988

185

 

Wyeth

4,136

180

 

Medtronic, Inc.

3,506

173

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

3,140

157

*

Amgen, Inc.

3,343

152

*

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

2,960

140

 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

6,084

138

*

WellPoint Inc.

1,763

124

 

Baxter International, Inc.

1,957

116

*

Genentech, Inc.

1,505

114

 

Schering-Plough Corp.

5,000

109

 

Aetna Inc.

1,544

77

*

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

1,666

74

 

 

14

 


 

*

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

1,313

73

 

Becton, Dickinson & Co.

749

68

*

Celgene Corp.

1,178

66

 

Cardinal Health, Inc.

1,122

66

 

Covidien Ltd.

1,525

65

 

Stryker Corp.

883

58

*

Genzyme Corp.

810

57

 

Allergan, Inc.

941

56

*

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

727

55

 

McKesson Corp.

910

53

*

Biogen Idec Inc.

906

53

*

Boston Scientific Corp.

4,124

52

*

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

1,046

45

*

Express Scripts Inc.

662

39

 

CIGNA Corp.

870

39

*

Forest Laboratories, Inc.

973

39

 

 

 

4,193

Industrials (10.8%)

 

 

 

General Electric Co.

31,196

1,034

 

United Technologies Corp.

2,898

204

 

The Boeing Co.

2,272

188

 

3M Co.

2,092

164

 

United Parcel Service, Inc.

2,126

149

 

Caterpillar, Inc.

1,966

142

 

Honeywell International Inc.

2,187

126

 

Emerson Electric Co.

2,436

124

 

Deere & Co.

1,359

116

 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

1,081

112

 

Union Pacific Corp.

778

97

 

Burlington Northern

 

 

 

Santa Fe Corp.

1,087

95

 

General Dynamics Corp.

1,061

87

 

Raytheon Co.

1,325

86

 

FedEx Corp.

904

80

 

Northrop Grumman Corp.

992

78

 

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

1,444

71

 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

1,211

64

 

CSX Corp.

1,297

63

 

Tyco International, Ltd.

1,525

61

 

Danaher Corp.

782

58

 

Waste Management, Inc.

1,597

52

 

PACCAR, Inc.

1,090

47

 

Precision Castparts Corp.

424

47

 

Textron, Inc.

767

42

 

Eaton Corp.

449

36

 

Ingersoll-Rand Co.

840

35

 

Southwest Airlines Co.

2,299

28

 

Masco Corp.

1,138

21

 

 

 

3,507

Information Technology (15.9%)

 

 

 

Microsoft Corp.

25,991

707

 

International Business

 

 

 

Machines Corp.

4,254

484

 

 

15

 


 

*

Cisco Systems, Inc.

18,728

456

 

Hewlett-Packard Co.

7,958

380

 

Intel Corp.

18,049

360

*

Google Inc.

727

343

*

Apple Inc.

2,703

338

*

Oracle Corp.

12,647

238

 

QUALCOMM Inc.

5,051

214

*

Dell Inc.

6,556

130

 

Texas Instruments, Inc.

4,316

129

 

Corning, Inc.

4,856

113

*

Yahoo! Inc.

3,709

103

*

EMC Corp.

6,451

100

*

eBay Inc.

3,343

88

 

Applied Materials, Inc.

4,239

81

 

Motorola, Inc.

7,055

70

 

Accenture Ltd.

1,856

65

 

Automatic Data

 

 

 

Processing, Inc.

1,634

65

*

Adobe Systems, Inc.

1,771

60

 

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

1,525

50

 

Western Union Co.

2,339

49

*

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

2,821

46

*

Symantec Corp.

2,715

46

*

Electronic Arts Inc.

960

45

 

Xerox Corp.

2,879

42

 

MasterCard, Inc. Class A

221

42

*

Juniper Networks, Inc.

1,503

40

*

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

1,218

37

 

Seagate Technology

1,643

35

*

NVIDIA Corp.

1,604

34

 

Paychex, Inc.

1,058

33

 

CA, Inc.

1,269

29

 

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

1,573

27

*

Broadcom Corp.

1,440

27

*

Intuit, Inc.

984

26

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

958

26

*

Network Appliance, Inc.

1,118

24

*

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

1,537

17

 

 

 

5,199

Materials (3.5%)

 

 

 

Monsanto Co.

1,678

194

 

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

2,775

129

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper

 

 

 

& Gold, Inc. Class B

1,175

119

 

Dow Chemical Co.

2,923

110

 

Alcoa Inc.

2,618

97

 

Praxair, Inc.

984

79

 

Newmont Mining Corp.

 

 

 

(Holding Co.)

1,336

68

 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

665

61

 

Nucor Corp.

888

57

*

The Mosaic Co.

476

53

 

International Paper Co.

1,256

40

 

 

16

 


 

 

Weyerhaeuser Co.

646

40

 

PPG Industries, Inc.

505

31

 

Ecolab, Inc.

566

27

 

Rohm & Haas Co.

392

21

 

 

 

1,126

Telecommunication Services (3.4%)

 

 

AT&T Inc.

18,722

652

 

Verizon Communications Inc.

8,928

324

 

Sprint Nextel Corp.

8,526

61

*

American Tower Corp. Class A

1,264

49

 

Qwest Communications

 

 

 

International Inc.

4,779

26

 

 

 

1,112

Utilities (3.2%)

 

 

 

Exelon Corp.

2,037

152

 

Southern Co.

2,327

80

 

FPL Group, Inc.

1,189

72

 

Dominion Resources, Inc.

1,792

72

 

Public Service Enterprise

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

1,565

69

 

Duke Energy Corp.

3,877

68

 

FirstEnergy Corp.

938

63

 

Entergy Corp.

602

62

 

PPL Corp.

1,148

52

 

American Electric

 

 

 

Power Co., Inc.

1,228

50

 

Constellation Energy

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

556

49

 

Edison International

952

47

 

PG&E Corp.

1,105

42

 

Sempra Energy

772

41

*

AES Corp.

2,057

37

 

Consolidated Edison Inc.

834

34

 

Progress Energy, Inc.

757

32

 

Ameren Corp.

639

27

 

 

 

1,049

Total Investments (100.0%)

 

 

(Cost $33,601)

 

32,599

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.0%)

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

219

Liabilities

 

(219)

 

 

 

Net Assets (100%)

 

32,599

 

 

17

 


At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

33,554

Undistributed Net Investment Income

66

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(19)

Unrealized Depreciation

(1,002)

Net Assets

32,599

 

 

 

 

Institutional Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 109,807 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

9,848

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

Institutional Shares

$89.68

 

 

 

 

ETF Shares—Net Assets

 

Applicable to 500,000 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

22,751

Net Asset Value Per Share—

 

ETF Shares

$45.50

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

* Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

18

 


Statement of Operations

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

67

Interest2

2

Total Income

69

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

Management and Administrative

 

Institutional Shares

ETF Shares

1

Custodian Fees

2

Total Expenses

3

Net Investment Income

66

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Sold

(19)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(1,002)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(955)

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $2,000.

 

19

 


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Operations

 

Net Investment Income

66

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(19)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(1,002)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(955)

Distributions

 

Net Investment Income

 

Institutional Shares

ETF Shares

Realized Capital Gain

 

Institutional Shares

ETF Shares

Total Distributions

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

Institutional Shares

10,000

ETF Shares

23,554

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

33,554

Total Increase (Decrease)

32,599

Net Assets

 

Beginning of Period

End of Period2

32,599

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $66,000.

 

20

 


Financial Highlights

 

Institutional Shares

 

 

February 22, 20081 to

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period

February 29, 2008

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$91.07

Investment Operations

 

Net Investment Income

.042

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(1.43)

Total from Investment Operations

(1.39)

Distributions

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$89.68

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–1.53%

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$10

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.08%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

2.53%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate3

6%*

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF creation units.

*  Annualized.

 

21

 


ETF Shares

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period

February 29, 2008

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$49.24

Investment Operations

 

Net Investment Income

.222

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(3.96)

Total from Investment Operations

(3.74)

Distributions

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$45.50

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–7.60%

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$23

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.13%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

2.48%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate3

6%*

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF creation units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

22

 


Notes to Financial Statements

 

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares: Institutional Shares and ETF Shares. Institutional Shares were first issued on February 22, 2008, and are designed for investors who meet certain administrative and service criteria and invest a minimum of $5 million. ETF Shares were first issued on December 17, 2007, and first offered to the public on December 21, 2007. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, Inc.; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.

2. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for the period from inception to February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. 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. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $2,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.002% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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. The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.

 

23

 


At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $33,601,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $1,002,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $346,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $1,348,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the period ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $33,882,000 of investment securities and sold $262,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

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

 

 

Inception1 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

Amount

Shares

 

($000)

(000)

Institutional Shares

 

 

Issued

10,000

110

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

Redeemed

Net Increase (Decrease)—Institutional Shares

10,000

110

ETF Shares

 

 

Issued

23,554

500

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

Redeemed

Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares

23,554

500

 

F. In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation 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, effective for the fund’s current fiscal period.

Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels:

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 inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At February 29, 2008, 100% of the fund’s investments were valued based on Level 1 inputs.

1  Inception dates are February 22, 2008, for the Institutional Shares and December 17, 2007, for the ETF Shares.

 

 

24

 

 

Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

192

191

4,818

Median Market Cap

$45.1B

$45.1B

$33.9B

Price/Earnings Ratio

18.6x

18.6x

16.8x

Price/Book Ratio

3.6x

3.5x

2.4x

Yield3

 

1.1%

2.0%

ETF Shares

1.0%

 

 

Return on Equity

21.4%

21.3%

19.6%

Earnings Growth Rate

22.3%

22.4%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

5.2%4

Expense Ratio

 

ETF Shares

0.13%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Consumer Discretionary

11.9%

12.0%

9.4%

Consumer Staples

12.2   

12.3   

9.3   

Energy

8.4   

8.2   

13.0   

Financials

7.7   

7.7   

18.1   

Health Care

12.5   

12.3   

12.2   

Industrials

12.3   

12.3   

11.9   

Information Technology

30.3   

30.5   

15.3   

Materials

3.8   

3.8   

4.1   

Telecommunication

 

 

 

Services

0.4   

0.4   

2.9   

Utilities

0.5   

0.5   

3.8   

 

 

25

 


Ten Largest Holdings5 (% of total net assets)

 

 

 

Microsoft Corp.

systems software

4.2%

International Business

 

 

Machines Corp.

computer hardware

2.9   

Cisco Systems, Inc.

communications

 

 

equipment

2.7   

Hewlett-Packard Co.

computer hardware

2.3   

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

hypermarkets and

 

 

supercenters

2.2   

Intel Corp.

semiconductors

2.1   

PepsiCo, Inc.

soft drinks

2.1   

Google Inc.

Internet software

 

 

and services

2.0   

Apple Inc.

computer hardware

2.0   

Schlumberger Ltd.

oil and gas equipment

 

and services

1.9   

Top Ten

 

24.4%

 

Investment Focus

 


 

1  MSCI US Large Cap 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 on page 51.

4  Annualized.

5  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products. See page 51 for a glossary of investment terms.

 

26

 


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.

Fiscal-Period Total Returns (%): December 17, 2007–February 29, 2008

 


 

Total Returns: Period Ended December 31, 2007

This table presents 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.

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

Inception

Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund ETF Shares

12/17/2007

 

Market Price

 

1.96%

Net Asset Value

 

1.96   

 

 

1  Since the ETF Shares’ inception on December 17, 2007.

Note: See Financial Highlights table on page 35 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

27

 


Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

 

Value

 

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (100.0%)

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (11.9%)

 

 

 

The Walt Disney Co.

13,621

441

 

Target Corp.

5,945

313

*

Comcast Corp. Class A

14,763

288

 

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

11,128

267

 

News Corp., Class A

13,642

251

 

McDonald’s Corp.

4,465

242

*

Viacom Inc. Class B

4,283

170

 

NIKE, Inc. Class B

2,800

169

*

Amazon.com, Inc.

2,324

150

 

Johnson Controls, Inc.

4,447

146

*

Comcast Corp. Special Class A

7,550

146

 

Yum! Brands, Inc.

3,897

134

*

DIRECTV Group, Inc.

5,345

134

 

Staples, Inc.

5,351

119

 

Best Buy Co., Inc.

2,674

115

 

Omnicom Group Inc.

2,459

110

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Capital Series A

925

107

 

International Game Technology

2,375

107

 

TJX Cos., Inc.

3,331

107

 

The McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc.

2,540

104

*

Kohl’s Corp.

2,297

102

*

Starbucks Corp.

5,592

100

 

Marriott International, Inc.

 

 

 

Class A

2,536

86

*

Coach, Inc.

2,796

85

*

Ford Motor Co.

12,923

84

 

Starwood Hotels &

 

 

 

Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

1,500

71

 

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

1,883

70

*

Las Vegas Sands Corp.

800

67

*

Liberty Media Corp.–

 

 

 

Interactive Series A

4,513

65

 

News Corp., Class B

3,326

64

*

Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc.

2,032

58

*

Sears Holdings Corp.

590

56

 

Garmin Ltd.

891

52

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Class A

1,348

51

 

 

28

 


 

*

Liberty Global, Inc. Series C

1,393

49

 

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

 

 

 

(Holding Co.)

1,025

47

*

DISH Network Corp.

1,565

46

*

MGM Mirage, Inc.

746

46

*

Time Warner Cable, Inc.

1,352

37

 

Limited Brands, Inc.

940

14

 

 

 

4,870

Consumer Staples (12.2%)

 

 

 

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

18,099

898

 

PepsiCo, Inc.

12,125

843

 

The Procter & Gamble Co.

11,696

774

 

CVS/Caremark Corp.

11,124

449

 

The Coca-Cola Co.

5,462

319

 

Colgate-Palmolive Co.

3,823

291

 

Walgreen Co.

7,446

272

 

Costco Wholesale Corp.

3,282

203

 

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.

4,339

196

 

Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.

3,653

172

 

Sysco Corp.

4,571

128

 

Avon Products, Inc.

3,241

123

 

Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co.

1,463

88

 

Kellogg Co.

1,348

68

 

The Kroger Co.

2,524

61

 

The Hershey Co.

1,192

44

 

Carolina Group

405

30

 

Campbell Soup Co.

872

28

 

 

 

4,987

Energy (8.4%)

 

 

 

Schlumberger Ltd.

8,998

778

 

Occidental Petroleum Corp.

6,241

483

*

Transocean, Inc.

2,337

328

 

Halliburton Co.

6,670

255

 

XTO Energy, Inc.

3,613

223

 

EOG Resources, Inc.

1,834

218

*

Weatherford International Ltd.

2,525

174

*

National Oilwell Varco Inc.

2,670

166

 

Williams Cos., Inc.

4,499

162

 

Baker Hughes, Inc.

2,396

161

 

Valero Energy Corp.

2,697

156

 

Chesapeake Energy Corp.

3,370

152

 

Peabody Energy Corp.

1,991

113

 

Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc.

523

63

 

 

 

3,432

Financials (7.7%)

 

 

 

Bank of New York

 

 

 

Mellon Corp.

8,636

379

*

Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

 

 

 

Class B

73

341

 

American Express Co.

7,973

337

 

State Street Corp.

2,918

229

 

AFLAC Inc.

3,663

229

 

CME Group, Inc.

359

184

 

 

29

 


 

 

The Goldman Sachs

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

958

162

 

Charles Schwab Corp.

7,328

144

 

Franklin Resources Corp.

1,291

122

 

The Principal Financial

 

 

 

Group, Inc.

1,992

110

 

ProLogis REIT

1,925

104

 

Progressive Corp. of Ohio

5,088

93

 

Prudential Financial, Inc.

1,213

89

 

Public Storage, Inc. REIT

959

78

*

Invesco, Ltd.

2,993

77

 

SLM Corp.

3,869

76

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

836

70

 

Legg Mason Inc.

997

66

 

Northern Trust Corp.

963

65

 

NYSE Euronext

989

65

 

Moody’s Corp.

1,699

65

 

Discover Financial Services

3,219

49

 

General Growth Properties Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

827

29

 

 

 

3,163

Health Care (12.5%)

 

 

 

UnitedHealth Group Inc.

9,733

452

 

Medtronic, Inc.

8,571

423

*

Amgen, Inc.

8,253

376

*

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

7,012

332

*

WellPoint Inc.

4,303

302

 

Baxter International, Inc.

4,776

282

*

Genentech, Inc.

3,550

269

 

Schering-Plough Corp.

12,201

265

 

Abbott Laboratories

4,051

217

 

Aetna Inc.

3,769

187

*

Medco Health Solutions, Inc.

4,057

180

*

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

3,196

179

*

Celgene Corp.

2,956

167

 

Becton, Dickinson & Co.

1,824

165

 

Cardinal Health, Inc.

2,731

162

*

Genzyme Corp.

1,973

140

 

Stryker Corp.

2,149

140

 

Allergan, Inc.

2,293

136

*

Zimmer Holdings, Inc.

1,770

133

 

McKesson Corp.

2,216

130

*

Biogen Idec Inc.

2,210

129

*

St. Jude Medical, Inc.

2,548

110

*

Express Scripts Inc.

1,614

95

 

CIGNA Corp.

1,376

61

 

Covidien Ltd.

1,300

56

*

Forest Laboratories, Inc.

827

33

 

 

 

5,121

Industrials (12.3%)

 

 

 

United Technologies Corp.

7,073

499

 

The Boeing Co.

5,546

459

 

 

30

 


 

 

3M Co.

5,103

400

 

United Parcel Service, Inc.

5,186

364

 

Caterpillar, Inc.

4,790

346

 

Honeywell International Inc.

5,327

307

 

Deere & Co.

3,317

283

 

Lockheed Martin Corp.

2,632

272

 

Burlington Northern

 

 

 

Santa Fe Corp.

2,648

232

 

Raytheon Co.

3,277

212

 

General Dynamics Corp.

2,585

212

 

FedEx Corp.

2,201

194

 

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.

3,518

173

 

CSX Corp.

3,166

154

 

Emerson Electric Co.

2,967

151

 

Tyco International, Ltd.

3,716

149

 

Danaher Corp.

1,907

141

 

PACCAR, Inc.

2,656

115

 

Precision Castparts Corp.

1,033

114

 

Textron, Inc.

1,868

101

 

Eaton Corp.

1,093

88

 

Southwest Airlines Co.

5,600

69

 

 

 

5,035

Information Technology (30.3%)

 

 

 

Microsoft Corp.

63,379

1,725

 

International Business

 

 

 

Machines Corp.

10,380

1,182

*

Cisco Systems, Inc.

45,677

1,113

 

Hewlett-Packard Co.

19,419

928

 

Intel Corp.

43,961

877

*

Google Inc.

1,774

836

*

Apple Inc.

6,596

825

*

Oracle Corp.

30,904

581

 

QUALCOMM Inc.

12,326

522

*

Dell Inc.

15,999

318

 

Texas Instruments, Inc.

10,532

316

 

Corning, Inc.

11,830

275

*

Yahoo! Inc.

9,035

251

*

EMC Corp.

15,718

244

*

eBay Inc.

8,145

215

 

Applied Materials, Inc.

10,327

198

 

Motorola, Inc.

17,187

171

 

Accenture Ltd.

4,528

160

 

Automatic Data

 

 

 

Processing, Inc.

3,979

159

*

Adobe Systems, Inc.

4,322

145

 

Western Union Co.

5,789

120

*

Sun Microsystems, Inc.

6,872

113

*

Symantec Corp.

6,615

111

*

Electronic Arts Inc.

2,338

111

 

MasterCard, Inc. Class A

538

102

*

Juniper Networks, Inc.

3,662

98

*

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

2,967

91

*

NVIDIA Corp.

3,906

84

 

 

31

 


 

 

Paychex, Inc.

2,576

81

 

CA, Inc.

3,089

71

*

Broadcom Corp.

3,509

66

*

Intuit, Inc.

2,396

64

 

Analog Devices, Inc.

2,333

63

*

Network Appliance, Inc.

2,722

59

 

Seagate Technology

2,001

43

*

Marvell Technology Group Ltd.

3,744

42

 

Xerox Corp.

2,455

36

 

 

 

12,396

Materials (3.8%)

 

 

 

Monsanto Co.

4,133

478

 

Freeport-McMoRan Copper

 

 

 

& Gold, Inc. Class B

2,862

289

 

Praxair, Inc.

2,396

192

 

Newmont Mining Corp.

 

 

 

(Holding Co.)

3,261

167

 

Nucor Corp.

2,169

140

*

The Mosaic Co.

1,159

129

 

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

1,052

96

 

Ecolab, Inc.

1,375

64

 

 

 

1,555

Telecommunication Services (0.4%)

 

 

*

American Tower Corp. Class A

3,079

118

 

Qwest Communications

 

 

 

International Inc.

11,644

63

 

 

 

181

Utilities (0.5%)

 

 

Constellation Energy

 

 

Group, Inc.

1,354

120

* AES Corp.

5,011

90

 

 

210

Total Investments (100.0%)

 

 

(Cost $41,716)

 

40,950

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.0%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

269

Liabilities

 

(268)

 

 

1

Net Assets (100%)

 

 

Applicable to 900,000 outstanding

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

 

40,951

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$45.50

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

41,698

Undistributed Net Investment Income

37

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(18)

Unrealized Depreciation

(766)

Net Assets

40,951

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

 

32

 


Statement of Operations

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

41

Total Income

41

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

Management and Administrative

2

Custodian Fees

2

Total Expenses

4

Net Investment Income

37

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Sold

(18)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(766)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(747)

 

 

1  Inception.

 

33

 


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Operations

 

Net Investment Income

37

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(18)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(766)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(747)

Distributions

 

Net Investment Income

Realized Capital Gain

Total Distributions

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

Issued

41,698

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

Redeemed

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

41,698

Total Increase (Decrease)

40,951

Net Assets

 

Beginning of Period

End of Period2

40,951

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $37,000.

 

34

 


Financial Highlights

 

ETF Shares

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period

February 29, 2008

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$49.10

Investment Operations

 

Net Investment Income

.102

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(3.70)

Total from Investment Operations

(3.60)

Distributions

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$45.50

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–7.33%

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$41

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.13%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

1.11%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate3

5%*

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF creation units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

35

 


Notes to Financial Statements

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares: Institutional Shares and ETF Shares. Institutional Shares are designed for investors who meet certain administrative and service criteria and invest a minimum of $5 million. The fund has not issued any Institutional Shares as of February 29, 2008. ETF Shares were first issued on December 17, 2007, and first offered to the public on December 21, 2007. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, Inc.; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value.

2. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for the period from inception to February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. Other: Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income 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.

B. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $2,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.005% of the fund’s net assets and 0.002% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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. The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.

36

 


At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $41,716,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $766,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $705,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $1,471,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the period ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $42,013,000 of investment securities and sold $279,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital shares issued and redeemed were:

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

Shares

 

(000)

Issued

900

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

Redeemed

Net Increase (Decrease)—Shares Outstanding

900

 

F. In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation 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, effective for the fund’s current fiscal period.

Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels:

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 inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At February 29, 2008, 100% of the fund’s investments were valued based on Level 1 inputs.

 

 

 

1  Inception.

 

 

 

37

 

 

Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund

 

Fund Profile

As of February 29, 2008

 

Portfolio Characteristics

 

 

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Number of Stocks

133

134

4,818

Median Market Cap

$105.5B

$105.5B

$33.9B

Price/Earnings Ratio

14.2x

14.2x

16.8x

Price/Book Ratio

2.0x

2.0x

2.4x

Yield3

 

3.3%

2.0%

ETF Shares

3.2%

 

 

Return on Equity

20.7%

20.6%

19.6%

Earnings Growth Rate

19.4%

19.4%

20.5%

Foreign Holdings

0.0%

0.0%

0.0%

Turnover Rate

2.7%4

Expense Ratio

 

ETF Shares

0.13%4

 

 

Short-Term Reserves

0.0%

 

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)

 

 

Target

Broad

 

Fund

Index1

Index2

Consumer Discretionary

4.6%

4.6%

9.4%

Consumer Staples

10.2   

10.1   

9.3   

Energy

19.3   

19.3   

13.0   

Financials

27.1   

27.1   

18.1   

Health Care

13.2   

13.2   

12.2   

Industrials

9.1   

9.2   

11.9   

Information Technology

0.8   

0.8   

15.3   

Materials

3.1   

3.1   

4.1   

Telecommunication

 

 

 

Services

6.5   

6.5   

2.9   

Utilities

6.1   

6.1   

3.8   

 

 

38

 


Ten Largest Holdings5 (% of total net assets)

 

 

 

ExxonMobil Corp.

integrated oil

 

 

and gas

9.3%

General Electric Co.

industrial

 

 

conglomerates

6.5   

AT&T Inc.

integrated

 

 

telecommunication

 

 

services

4.1   

Chevron Corp.

integrated oil

 

 

and gas

3.6   

Johnson & Johnson

pharmaceuticals

3.5   

Bank of America Corp.

diversified financial

 

 

services

3.4   

Altria Group, Inc.

tobacco

3.0   

Pfizer Inc.

pharmaceuticals

3.0   

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

diversified financial

 

 

services

2.7   

ConocoPhillips Co.

integrated oil

 

 

and gas

2.5   

Top Ten

 

41.6%

 

Investment Focus

 


 

1  MSCI US Large Cap Value Index.

2  Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.

3  30-day SEC yield for the fund; annualized dividend yield for the indexes. See the Glossary on page 51.

4  Annualized.

5  “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products. See page 51 for a glossary of investment terms.

 

39

 


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.

Fiscal-Period Total Returns (%): December 17, 2007–February 29, 2008

 


 

Total Returns: Period Ended December 31, 2007

This table presents 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.

 

 

 

Since

 

Inception Date

Inception

Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund ETF Shares

12/17/2007

 

Market Price

 

1.05%

Net Asset Value

 

1.15   

 

 

1  Since the ETF Shares’ inception on December 17, 2007.

Note: See Financial Highlights table on page 47 for dividend and capital gains information.

 

40

 


Financial Statements (unaudited)

Statement of Net Assets

As of February 29, 2008

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 lists appear in the fund’s semiannual and annual reports to shareholders. For the first and third fiscal quarters, the fund files the lists with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form N-Q. Shareholders can look up the fund’s Forms N-Q on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. 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

 

 

Value

 

Shares

($000)

Common Stocks (99.8%)

 

 

Consumer Discretionary (4.6%)

 

 

Time Warner, Inc.

19,245

300

Home Depot, Inc.

9,011

239

McDonald’s Corp.

3,122

169

Carnival Corp.

2,290

90

Clear Channel

 

 

Communications, Inc.

2,477

79

CBS Corp.

3,163

72

The Gap, Inc.

2,960

60

Macy’s Inc.

2,284

56

General Motors Corp.

2,373

55

Fortune Brands, Inc.

804

52

Gannett Co., Inc.

1,222

37

Limited Brands, Inc.

1,218

19

J.C. Penney Co., Inc.

 

 

(Holding Co.)

385

18

 

 

1,246

Consumer Staples (10.1%)

 

 

Altria Group, Inc.

11,215

820

The Procter & Gamble Co.

8,231

545

The Coca-Cola Co.

7,174

419

Kraft Foods Inc.

8,237

257

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

2,230

145

General Mills, Inc.

1,789

100

H.J. Heinz Co.

1,672

74

Safeway, Inc.

2,303

66

Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc.

1,373

65

Reynolds American Inc.

927

59

ConAgra Foods, Inc.

2,571

57

Sara Lee Corp.

3,795

48

The Kroger Co.

1,765

43

Kellogg Co.

508

26

Carolina Group

284

21

Campbell Soup Co.

610

20

 

 

2,765

Energy (19.2%)

 

 

ExxonMobil Corp.

29,090

2,531

Chevron Corp.

11,242

974

ConocoPhillips Co.

8,090

669

 

 

41

 


 

Devon Energy Corp.

2,251

231

Apache Corp.

1,772

203

Marathon Oil Corp.

3,746

199

Anadarko Petroleum Corp.

2,484

158

Hess Corp.

1,531

143

Spectra Energy Corp.

3,311

77

Valero Energy Corp.

1,015

59

 

 

5,244

Financials (27.1%)

 

 

Bank of America Corp.

23,632

939

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

17,844

725

Citigroup, Inc.

27,514

652

American International

 

 

Group, Inc.

11,513

540

Wells Fargo & Co.

16,966

496

Wachovia Corp.

10,504

322

U.S. Bancorp

9,197

295

MetLife, Inc.

3,976

232

Morgan Stanley

5,086

214

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

4,316

214

The Goldman Sachs

 

 

Group, Inc.

1,238

210

The Travelers Cos., Inc.

3,441

160

Fannie Mae

5,294

146

The Allstate Corp.

2,912

139

Lehman Brothers

 

 

Holdings, Inc.

2,363

121

The Hartford Financial

 

 

Services Group Inc.

1,665

116

Prudential Financial, Inc.

1,576

115

PNC Financial Services Group

1,821

112

The Chubb Corp.

2,060

105

SunTrust Banks, Inc.

1,737

101

Capital One Financial Corp.

2,188

101

ACE Ltd.

1,725

97

Loews Corp.

2,243

94

BB&T Corp.

2,888

90

Freddie Mac

3,466

87

Regions Financial Corp.

3,687

78

Lincoln National Corp.

1,420

73

 

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc.

2,834

72

 

Washington Mutual, Inc.

4,530

67

 

Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

1,234

63

 

Vornado Realty Trust REIT

718

60

 

Fifth Third Bancorp

2,523

58

 

Aon Corp.

1,379

57

 

Equity Residential REIT

1,450

55

 

Genworth Financial Inc.

2,320

54

 

National City Corp.

3,155

50

 

Simon Property Group, Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

586

49

 

KeyCorp

2,107

46

 

Bear Stearns Co., Inc.

577

46

 

 

42

 


 

 

XL Capital Ltd. Class A

953

34

 

M & T Bank Corp.

373

31

 

Marshall & Ilsley Corp.

1,212

28

 

Northern Trust Corp.

365

25

 

General Growth Properties Inc.

 

 

 

REIT

580

20

 

 

 

7,389

Health Care (13.2%)

 

 

 

Johnson & Johnson

15,236

944

 

Pfizer Inc.

36,364

810

 

Merck & Co., Inc.

11,589

513

 

Wyeth

7,168

313

 

Abbott Laboratories

5,354

287

 

Eli Lilly & Co.

5,448

273

 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

10,573

239

*

Boston Scientific Corp.

7,025

88

 

Covidien Ltd.

1,689

72

*

Forest Laboratories, Inc.

1,077

43

 

CIGNA Corp.

520

23

 

 

 

3,605

Industrials (9.1%)

 

 

 

General Electric Co.

53,808

1,783

 

Union Pacific Corp.

1,325

165

 

Northrop Grumman Corp.

1,722

135

 

Norfolk Southern Corp.

2,063

109

 

Emerson Electric Co.

2,075

106

 

Waste Management, Inc.

2,721

89

 

Ingersoll-Rand Co.

1,504

63

 

Masco Corp.

2,066

39

 

 

 

2,489

Information Technology (0.8%)

 

 

 

Tyco Electronics Ltd.

2,596

85

 

Xerox Corp.

3,187

47

 

Electronic Data Systems Corp.

2,679

46

 

Seagate Technology

1,400

30

 

 

 

208

Materials (3.1%)

 

 

E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.

4,825

224

Dow Chemical Co.

4,976

188

Alcoa Inc.

4,515

168

Weyerhaeuser Co.

1,133

69

International Paper Co.

2,138

68

PPG Industries, Inc.

858

53

Rohm & Haas Co.

677

36

Air Products & Chemicals, Inc.

395

36

 

 

842

Telecommunication Services (6.5%)

 

 

AT&T Inc.

32,218

1,122

Verizon Communications Inc.

15,325

557

Sprint Nextel Corp.

14,525

103

 

 

1,782

Utilities (6.1%)

 

 

Exelon Corp.

3,513

263

 

 

43

 


 

Southern Co.

4,044

140

FPL Group, Inc.

2,102

127

Dominion Resources, Inc.

3,169

127

Duke Energy Corp.

6,874

121

Public Service Enterprise

 

 

Group, Inc.

2,664

118

FirstEnergy Corp.

1,597

108

Entergy Corp.

1,025

105

PPL Corp.

2,007

91

American Electric

 

 

Power Co., Inc.

2,092

86

Edison International

1,623

80

PG&E Corp.

1,881

71

Sempra Energy

1,313

70

Consolidated Edison Inc.

1,420

58

Progress Energy, Inc.

1,289

54

Ameren Corp.

1,087

46

 

 

1,665

Total Investments (99.8%)

 

 

(Cost $29,115)

 

27,235

Other Assets and Liabilities (0.2%)

 

 

Other Assets—Note B

 

184

Liabilities

 

(125)

 

 

59

Net Assets (100%)

 

 

Applicable to 600,000 outstanding

 

 

$.001 par value shares of beneficial

 

 

interest (unlimited authorization)

 

27,294

Net Asset Value Per Share

 

$45.49

 

At February 29, 2008, net assets consisted of:1

 

Amount

 

($000)

Paid-in Capital

29,072

Undistributed Net Investment Income

116

Accumulated Net Realized Losses

(14)

Unrealized Depreciation

(1,880)

Net Assets

27,294

 

 

 

•  See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.

*  Non-income-producing security.

1  See Note C in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.

REIT—Real Estate Investment Trust.

 

44

 


Statement of Operations

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Investment Income

 

Income

 

Dividends

120

Total Income

120

Expenses

 

The Vanguard Group—Note B

 

Investment Advisory Services

Management and Administrative

2

Custodian Fees

2

Total Expenses

4

Net Investment Income

116

Realized Net Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Sold

(14)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities

(1,880)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(1,778)

 

 

 

1  Inception.

 

45

 


Statement of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

($000)

Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets

 

Operations

 

Net Investment Income

116

Realized Net Gain (Loss)

(14)

Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

(1,880)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

(1,778)

Distributions

 

Net Investment Income

Realized Capital Gain

Total Distributions

Capital Share Transactions—Note E

 

Issued

29,072

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

Redeemed

Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions

29,072

Total Increase (Decrease)

27,294

Net Assets

 

Beginning of Period

End of Period2

27,294

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $116,000.

 

46

 


Financial Highlights

 

ETF Shares

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period

February 29, 2008

Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period

$49.38

Investment Operations

 

Net Investment Income

.332

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments

(4.22)

Total from Investment Operations

(3.89)

Distributions

 

Dividends from Net Investment Income

Distributions from Realized Capital Gains

Total Distributions

Net Asset Value, End of Period

$45.49

 

 

 

 

Total Return

–7.88%

 

 

 

 

Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net Assets, End of Period (Millions)

$27

Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets

0.13%*

Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets

3.49%*

Portfolio Turnover Rate3

3%*

 

 

 

1  Inception.

2  Calculated based on average shares outstanding.

3  Excludes the value of portfolio securities received or delivered as a result of in-kind purchases or redemptions of the fund’s capital shares, including ETF creation units.

*  Annualized.

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

 

47

 


Notes to Financial Statements

Vanguard Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund files reports with the SEC under the company name Vanguard World Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares: Institutional Shares and ETF Shares. Institutional Shares are designed for investors who meet certain administrative and service criteria and invest a minimum of $5 million. The fund has not issued any Institutional Shares as of February 29, 2008. ETF shares were first issued on December 17, 2007, and first offered to the public on December 21, 2007. ETF Shares are listed for trading on the NYSE Arca, Inc.; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.

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 materially affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the board of trustees to represent fair value.

2. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for the period from inception to February 29, 2008, and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

4. Other: Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income 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.

B. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost investment advisory, 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 February 29, 2008, the fund had contributed capital of $2,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.002% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

C. 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. The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.

 

48

 


At February 29, 2008, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $29,115,000. Net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $1,880,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $72,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $1,952,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

D. During the period ended February 29, 2008, the fund purchased $29,268,000 of investment securities and sold $139,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

E. Capital shares issued and redeemed were:

 

 

December 17, 20071 to

 

February 29, 2008

 

Shares

 

(000)

Issued

600

Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions

Redeemed

Net Increase (Decrease)—Shares Outstanding

600

 

F. In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation 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, effective for the fund’s current fiscal period.

Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels:

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 inputs or methodologies used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At February 29, 2008, 100% of the fund’s investments were valued based on Level 1 inputs.

 

 

1  Inception.

 

 

49

 

 

Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement

The board of trustees of the Vanguard Mega Cap Index Funds approved the launch of the Mega Cap 300 Index Fund, Mega Cap 300 Growth Index Fund, and Mega Cap 300 Value Index Fund in December 2007, utilizing an internalized management structure whereby The Vanguard Group, Inc.—through its Quantitative Equity Group (QEG)—provides investment advisory services at cost. The board determined prior to the funds’ launch that the investment advisory arrangement with Vanguard would be in the best interests of the funds and their prospective shareholders.

The board based its decision upon an evaluation of the advisor’s investment staff, portfolio management process, and performance with similar mandates. The trustees considered the factors discussed below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether the board approved the arrangement. Rather, it was the totality of the circumstances that drove the board’s decision.

Nature, extent, and quality of services

The board considered the benefits to shareholders of selecting QEG as an advisor to the fund, particularly in light of the nature, extent, and quality of services to be provided by QEG. The board noted that QEG’s strategy for the funds involves a direct application of Vanguard’s existing indexing processes, which have been successfully implemented for more than a quarter-century, and that Vanguard’s expense-ratio advantage and index-tracking capabilities should provide more income to investors after expenses.

The board concluded that Vanguard’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted approval of the advisory arrangement.

Investment performance

The board determined that, in its management of other Vanguard funds, QEG has a track record of consistent performance and disciplined investment management processes.

Cost

The board evaluated the cost of services to be provided, including consideration of competitive fee rates, and concluded that, after the implementation of the arrangement with Vanguard, each fund’s advisory expense ratio would be well below the average advisory expense ratio for its peer group. Information about each fund’s expense ratio appears in the Financial Statements sections of this report.

The board does not conduct a profitability analysis of Vanguard because of Vanguard’s unique “at-cost” structure. Unlike most other mutual fund management companies, Vanguard is owned by the funds it oversees, and produces “profits” only in the form of reduced expenses for fund shareholders.

The benefit of economies of scale

The board concluded that the funds’ low-cost arrangement with Vanguard ensures that each fund will realize economies of scale as it grows, with the cost to shareholders declining as fund assets increase.

The board will consider whether to renew the advisory arrangement after a one-year period.

 

50

 


Glossary

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.

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.

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.

 

 

 

 

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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, Chief Executive Officer, and Trustee

 

 

John J. Brennan1

 

Born 1954

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive

Trustee since May 1987;

Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each of the investment

Chairman of the Board and

companies served by The Vanguard Group; Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation.

Chief Executive Officer

 

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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

152 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.;

Treasurer since July 1998

Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group.

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

 

 

 

 

 

F. William McNabb III

 

Born 1957

Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of The Vanguard Group, Inc.,

President since March 2008

and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since 2008;

152 Vanguard Funds Overseen

Director of Vanguard Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The Vanguard 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

152 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

George U. Sauter

Mortimer J. Buckley

Paul A. Heller

Ralph K. Packard

 

 

Founder

 

John C. Bogle

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996

 

 

1  Officers of the funds 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

Vanguard, Connect with Vanguard, Vanguard ETF, and

 

the ship logo are trademarks of The Vanguard Group, Inc.

Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739

 

 

All other marks are the exclusive property of their

Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036

respective owners.

 

 

Text Telephone for People

 

With Hearing Impairment > 800-952-3335

All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper Inc.

 

or Morningstar, Inc., unless otherwise noted.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

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

This material may be used in conjunction

and searching for “proxy voting guidelines,” or by

with the offering of shares of any Vanguard

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

fund only if preceded or accompanied by

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

the fund’s current prospectus.

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.

 

 

 

You can review and copy information about your fund

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Public Reference Section, Securities and Exchange

 

Commission, Washington, DC 20549-0102.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

© 2008 The Vanguard Group, Inc.

 

All rights reserved.

 

Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

 

 

 

Q8282 042008

 

 

 

 

 


Item 2: Not Applicable.

 

Item 3: Not Applicable.

 

Item 4: Not Applicable.

 

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)  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 WORLD FUNDS

BY:

 

(signature)

 

(HEIDI STAM)

 

JOHN J. BRENNAN*

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

Date: April 18, 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 WORLD FUNDS

BY:

 

(signature)

 

(HEIDI STAM)

 

JOHN J. BRENNAN*

 

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

Date: : April 18, 2008

 

 

 

VANGUARD WORLD FUNDS

BY:

 

(signature)

 

(HEIDI STAM)

 

THOMAS J. HIGGINS*

 

TREASURER

 

Date: : April 18, 2008

 

*By Power of Attorney. Filed on January 18, 2008, see File Number 2-29601. Incorporated by Reference.