three financial companies, two consumer discretionary holdings, and one position each from technology, health care, industrials, real estate, and energy. The three financial companies were banks based in Florida, New York, and Tennessee.
Regional banks underperformed in the aftermath of the banking crisis in March, when regulators took over two significant banks. These banks had very high ratios of uninsured deposits as a percentage of total deposits, making them particularly vulnerable to bank runs when customers became concerned about the safety of their deposits. Furthermore, one of the banks had large unrealized losses in its bond investment portfolio that would have nearly wiped out its entire equity value. A third bank that collapsed in May had a combination of these issues.
Since before the crisis, we have maintained an underweight position in banks. We believe our holdings in this segment have well-managed operations and strong capitalization, although investor sentiment for banks may remain negative in the near term.
The largest detractor was Florida-based BankUnited. Consistent with the industry, the stock declined after the crisis in March but has partially rebounded as the banking collapse was primarily confined to just three institutions. Unlike the failed banks, BankUnited has a much lower level of uninsured deposits as a percentage of total deposits. Additionally, the fair value of its bond portfolio is very similar to what it reports on its balance sheet. We find the
stock attractive because it sells for a fraction of its tangible book value.
During the fiscal year, we bought 14 new stocks and exited 13 holdings. We also received shares in a company that was spun out from an existing holding. The new stocks were spread across seven sectors: basic materials, consumer discretionary, energy, health care, industrials, real estate, and technology. The stocks that we sold also spanned seven sectors: consumer discretionary, energy, financials, health care, industrials, real estate, and technology.
Cardinal Capital Management, L.L.C.
Portfolio Managers:
Eugene Fox III, Managing Partner
Robert B. Kirkpatrick, CFA, Managing Partner
Rachel D. Matthews, Partner
Robert H. Fields, Partner
For the 12 months ended August 31, 2023, the Russell 2500 Value Index rose 5.74%. Most of the gains came in the last three months of the fiscal year, as the index remained relatively unchanged from the beginning of the period until early June 2023 despite demonstrating volatility.
Macroeconomic and COVID-19-related factors drove the equity market as investors remained cautious given lingering fears of recession, despite resilient economic performance overall. Pandemic-related fiscal and monetary
Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund
overnight bank funding rate, or the Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate inclusive of an additional agreed-upon spread. However, borrowings under the uncommitted credit facility may bear interest based upon an alternate rate agreed to by the fund and Vanguard.
In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the fund may participate in a joint lending and borrowing program that allows registered open-end Vanguard funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes (the “Interfund Lending Program”), subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order, and to the extent permitted by the fund’s investment objective and investment policies. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one business day’s notice. The interest rate to be charged is governed by the conditions of the Order and internal procedures adopted by the board of trustees. The board of trustees is responsible for overseeing the Interfund Lending Program.
For the year ended August 31, 2023, the fund did not utilize the credit facilities or the Interfund Lending Program.
6. Other: Interest income includes income distributions received from Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund and is accrued daily. Premiums and discounts on debt securities are amortized and accreted, respectively, to interest income over the lives of the respective securities, except for premiums on certain callable debt securities that are amortized to the earliest call date. 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 capital share transactions 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. In accordance with the terms of a Funds’ Service Agreement (the “FSA”) between Vanguard and the fund, Vanguard furnishes to the fund investment advisory, corporate management, administrative, marketing, and distribution services at Vanguard’s cost of operations (as defined by the FSA). These costs of operations are allocated to the fund based on methods and guidelines approved by the board of trustees and are generally settled twice a month.
Upon the request of Vanguard, the fund may invest up to 0.40% of its net assets as capital in Vanguard. At August 31, 2023, the fund had contributed to Vanguard capital in the amount of $1,366,000, representing less than 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.55% of Vanguard’s capital received pursuant to the FSA. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and employees, respectively, 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 year ended August 31, 2023, custodian fee offset arrangements reduced the fund’s expenses by $105,000 (an annual rate of less than 0.01% of average net assets).
D. Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments and derivatives. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments). Any investments and derivatives valued with significant unobservable inputs are noted on the Schedule of Investments.
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangements
The board of trustees of Vanguard Short-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund, Vanguard Intermediate-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund, and Vanguard Long-Term Corporate Bond Index Fund has renewed each fund’s investment advisory arrangement with The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), through its Fixed Income Group. The board determined that continuing each fund’s internalized management structure was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
The board based its decisions upon an evaluation of the advisor’s investment staff, portfolio management process, and performance. This evaluation included information provided to the board by Vanguard’s Portfolio Review Department, which is responsible for fund and advisor oversight and product management. The Portfolio Review Department met regularly with the advisor and made presentations to the board during the fiscal year that directed the board’s focus to relevant information and topics.
The board, or an investment committee made up of board members, also received information throughout the year through advisor presentations. For each advisor presentation, the board was provided with letters and reports that included information about, among other things, the advisory firm and the advisor’s assessment of the investment environment, portfolio performance, and portfolio characteristics.
In addition, the board received periodic reports throughout the year, which included information about each fund’s performance relative to its peers and benchmark, as applicable, and updates, as needed, on the Portfolio Review Department’s ongoing assessment of the advisor.
Prior to their meeting, the trustees were provided with a memo and materials that summarized the information they received over the course of the year. They also considered the factors discussed below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether the board approved the arrangements. Rather, it was the totality of the circumstances that drove the board’s decisions.
Nature, extent, and quality of services
The board reviewed the quality of each fund’s investment management services over both the short and long term, and took into account the organizational depth and stability of the advisor. The board considered that Vanguard has been managing investments for more than four decades. The Fixed Income Group adheres to a sound, disciplined investment management process; the team has considerable experience, stability, and depth.
The board concluded that Vanguard’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of each advisory arrangement.
Investment performance
The board considered the short- and long-term performance of each fund, including any periods of outperformance or underperformance compared with its target index and peer group. The board concluded that the performance was such that each advisory arrangement should continue.
Cost
The board concluded that each fund’s expense ratio was below the average expense ratio charged by funds in its peer group and that each fund’s advisory expenses were also below the peer-group average.
The board does not conduct a profitability analysis of Vanguard because of Vanguard’s unique structure. Unlike most other mutual fund management companies, Vanguard is owned by the funds it oversees.
The benefit of economies of scale
The board concluded that each fund’s arrangement with Vanguard ensures that the funds will realize economies of scale as they grow, with the cost to shareholders declining as fund assets increase.
The board will consider whether to renew the advisory arrangements again after a one-year period.
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.
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. The independent board members have distinguished backgrounds in business, academia, and public service. Each of the trustees and executive officers oversees 205 Vanguard funds.
Information for each trustee and executive officer of the fund appears below. That information, as well as the Vanguard fund count, is as of the date on the cover of this fund report. The mailing address of the trustees and officers is P.O. Box 876, Valley Forge, PA 19482. More information about the trustees is in the Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained, without charge, by contacting Vanguard at 800-662-7447, or online at vanguard.com.
Interested Trustee1
Mortimer J. Buckley
Born in 1969. Trustee since January 2018. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: chairman of the board (2019–present) of Vanguard and of each of the investment companies served by Vanguard; chief executive officer (2018–present) of Vanguard; chief executive officer, president, and trustee (2018–present) of each of the investment companies served by Vanguard; president and director (2017–present) of Vanguard; and president (2018–present) of Vanguard Marketing Corporation. Chief investment officer (2013–2017), managing director (2002–2017), head of the Retail Investor Group (2006–2012), and chief information officer (2001–2006) of Vanguard. Member of the board of governors of the Investment Company Institute and the board of governors of FINRA.
Independent Trustees
Tara Bunch
Born in 1962. Trustee since November 2021. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: head of global operations at Airbnb (2020–present). Vice president of AppleCare (2012–2020). Member of the board of directors of Out & Equal, the advisory board of the University of California, Berkeley School of Engineering, and the advisory board of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business.
Emerson U. Fullwood
Born in 1948. Trustee since January 2008. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: executive chief staff and marketing officer for North America and corporate vice president (retired 2008) of Xerox Corporation (document management products and services). Former president of the Worldwide Channels Group, Latin America, and Worldwide Customer Service and executive chief staff officer of Developing Markets of Xerox. Executive in residence and 2009–2010 Distinguished Minett Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Member of the board of directors of the University of Rochester Medical Center, the Monroe Community College Foundation, the United Way of Rochester, North Carolina A&T University, Roberts Wesleyan College, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Trustee of the University of Rochester.
F. Joseph Loughrey
Born in 1949. Trustee since October 2009. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: president and chief operating officer (retired 2009) and vice chairman of the board (2008–2009) of Cummins Inc. (industrial machinery). Director of the V Foundation. Member of the advisory council for the College of Arts and Letters at the University of Notre Dame. Chairman of the board of Saint Anselm College.
Mark Loughridge
Born in 1953. Trustee since March 2012. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: senior vice president and chief financial officer (retired 2013) of IBM (information technology services). Fiduciary member of IBM’s Retirement Plan Committee (2004–2013), senior vice president and general manager (2002–2004) of IBM Global Financing, vice president and controller (1998–2002) of IBM, and a variety of other prior management roles at IBM. Member of the Council on Chicago Booth.
Scott C. Malpass
Born in 1962. Trustee since March 2012. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: chief investment officer (retired 2020) and vice president (retired 2020) of the University of Notre Dame. Chair of the board of Catholic Investment Services, Inc. (investment advisors). Member of the board of superintendence of the Institute for the Works of Religion, the Notre Dame 403(b) Investment Committee, and the board of directors of Paxos Trust Company (finance).
Deanna Mulligan
Born in 1963. Trustee since January 2018. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: chief executive officer of Purposeful (advisory firm for CEOs and C-level executives; 2021–present). Board chair (2020), chief executive officer (2011–2020), and president (2010–2019) of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Chief operating officer (2010–2011) and executive vice president (2008–2010) of Individual Life and Disability of the Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Director of DuPont. Member of the board of the Economic Club of New York. Trustee of the Partnership for New York City (business leadership), Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose, and the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
André F. Perold
Born in 1952. Trustee since December 2004. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: George Gund Professor of Finance and Banking, Emeritus at the Harvard Business School (retired 2011). Chief investment officer and partner of HighVista Strategies (private investment firm). Member of the board of RIT Capital Partners (investment firm).
Sarah Bloom Raskin
Born in 1961. Trustee since January 2018. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: deputy secretary (2014–2017) of the United States Department of the Treasury. Governor (2010–2014) of the Federal Reserve Board. Commissioner (2007–2010) of financial regulation for the State of Maryland. Colin W. Brown Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Law, Duke Law School (2021–present); Rubenstein Fellow, Duke University (2017–2020); Distinguished Fellow of the Global Financial Markets Center, Duke Law School (2020–2022); and Senior Fellow, Duke Center on Risk (2020–present). Partner of Kaya Partners (climate policy advisory services). Member of the board of directors of Arcadia (energy solution technology).
Grant Reid
Born in 1959. Trustee since July 2023. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: chief executive officer and president (2014–2022) and member of the board of directors (2015–2022) of Mars, Incorporated (multinational manufacturer). Member of the board of directors of Marriott International, Inc. Chair of Agribusiness Task Force, Sustainable Markets Initiative.
David Thomas
Born in 1956. Trustee since July 2021. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: president of Morehouse College (2018–present). Professor of business administration, emeritus at Harvard University (2017–2018). Dean (2011–2016) and professor of management (2016–2017) at the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. Director of DTE Energy Company. Trustee of Common Fund.
Peter F. Volanakis
Born in 1955. Trustee since July 2009. Principal occupation(s) during the past five years and other experience: president and chief operating officer (retired 2010) of Corning Incorporated
1 Mr. Buckley is considered an “interested person,” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, because he is an officer of the Vanguard funds.
Item 2: Code of Ethics.
The Registrant has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the Registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. The Code of Ethics was amended during the reporting period covered by this report to make certain technical, non-material changes.
Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert.
All members of the Audit Committee have been determined by the Registrant’s Board of Trustees to be Audit Committee Financial Experts and to be independent: F. Joseph Loughrey, Mark Loughridge, Sarah Bloom Raskin, and Peter F. Volanakis.
Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Audit Fees of the Registrant.
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2023: $558,000
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022: $536,000
Aggregate Audit Fees of Registered Investment Companies in the Vanguard Group.
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2023: $9,326,156
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022: $10,494,508
Includes fees billed in connection with audits of the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and Vanguard Marketing Corporation.
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2023: $3,295,934
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022: $2,757,764
Includes fees billed in connection with assurance and related services provided to the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and Vanguard Marketing Corporation.
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2023: $1,678,928
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022: $5,202,689
Includes fees billed in connection with tax compliance, planning, and advice services provided to the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and Vanguard Marketing Corporation.
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2023: $25,000
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022: $298,000
Includes fees billed for services related to tax reported information provided to the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and Vanguard Marketing Corporation.
(e) (1) Pre-Approval Policies. The policy of the Registrant’s Audit Committee is to consider, and, if appropriate, approve before the principal accountant is engaged for such services, all specific audit and non-audit services provided to: the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and entities controlled by The Vanguard Group, Inc. that provide ongoing services to the Registrant. In making a determination, the Audit Committee considers whether the services are consistent with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
In the event of a contingency situation in which the principal accountant is needed to provide services in between scheduled Audit Committee meetings, the Chairman of the Audit Committee would be called on to consider and, if appropriate, pre-approve audit or permitted non-audit services in an amount sufficient to complete services through the next Audit Committee meeting, and to determine if such services would be consistent with maintaining the accountant’s independence. At the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting, services and fees would be presented to the Audit Committee for formal consideration, and, if appropriate, approval by the entire Audit Committee. The Audit Committee would again consider whether such services and fees are consistent with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
The Registrant’s Audit Committee is informed at least annually of all audit and non-audit services provided by the principal accountant to the Vanguard complex, whether such services are provided to: the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., or other entities controlled by The Vanguard Group, Inc. that provide ongoing services to the Registrant.
(2) No percentage of the principal accountant’s fees or services were approved pursuant to the waiver provision of paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X.
(f) For the most recent fiscal year, over 50% of the hours worked under the principal accountant’s engagement were not performed by persons other than full-time, permanent employees of the principal accountant.
(g) Aggregate Non-Audit Fees.
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2023: $1,703,928
Fiscal Year Ended August 31, 2022: $5,500,689
Includes fees billed for non-audit services provided to the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and Vanguard Marketing Corporation.
(h) For the most recent fiscal year, the Audit Committee has determined that the provision of all non-audit services was consistent with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.
Item 5: Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.
The Registrant is a listed issuer as defined in rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). The Registrant has a separately-designated standing audit committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The Registrant’s audit committee members are: F. Joseph Loughrey, Mark Loughridge, Sarah Bloom Raskin, and Peter F. Volanakis.
Item 6: Investments.
Not applicable. The complete schedule of investments is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this Form.
Item 7: Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 8: Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9: Purchase of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.
Not applicable.
Item 10: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
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 the 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: Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management
Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 13: Exhibits.
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 SCOTTSDALE FUNDS | |
| | |
BY: | /s/ MORTIMER J. BUCKLEY* | |
| MORTIMER J. BUCKLEY | |
| CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | |
Date: October 19, 2023
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUNDS | |
| | |
BY: | /s/ MORTIMER J. BUCKLEY* | |
| MORTIMER J. BUCKLEY | |
| CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER | |
Date: October 19, 2023
| VANGUARD SCOTTSDALE FUNDS | |
| | |
BY: | /s/ CHRISTINE BUCHANAN* | |
| CHRISTINE BUCHANAN | |
| CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | |
Date: October 19, 2023
* By: | /s/ Anne E. Robinson | |
Anne E. Robinson, pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed on July 21, 2023 (see File Number 33-53683) and to a Power of Attorney filed on March 29, 2023 (see File Number 2-11444), Incorporated by Reference.