UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-CSR
CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT
OF
REGISTERED MANAGEMENT COMPANY
Investment Company Act file number: | 811-3916 |
Name of Registrant: | Vanguard Specialized 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: | January 31 |
Date of reporting period: | February 1, 2006 - July 31, 2006 |
Item 1: | Reports to Shareholders |
Vanguard® Energy Fund |
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> Semiannual Report |
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July 31, 2006 |
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| ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
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> Vanguard Energy Fund gained 2.8% for the six months ended July 31, 2006, compared with 4.9% for the S&P Energy Sector Index and a –0.9% average decline for natural resources funds.
> Oil prices rose on the whole, but dipped several times during the fiscal half-year; natural gas prices declined.
> Integrated oil and gas companies made the largest contributions to fund returns. Oil and gas drilling companies were among the detractors.
Contents |
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Your Fund's Total Returns | 1 |
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Chairman's Letter | 2 |
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Advisors' Report | 6 |
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Fund Profile | 9 |
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Performance Summary | 10 |
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Financial Statements | 11 |
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About Your Fund's Expenses | 22 |
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Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangements | 24 |
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Glossary | 26 |
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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 July 31, 2006 |
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Total Return |
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Vanguard Energy Fund | |
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Investor Shares | 2.8% |
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Admiral™ Shares1 | 2.8 |
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S&P Energy Sector Index | 4.9 |
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Average Natural Resources Fund2 | -0.9 |
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Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index | -0.4 |
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Your Fund's Performance at a Glance January 31, 2006-July 31, 2006 |
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| Distributions Per Share
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| Starting Share Price | Ending Share Price | Income Dividends | Capital Gains |
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Vanguard Energy Fund | | | | |
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Investor Shares | $64.50 | $66.20 | $0.010 | $0.065 |
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Admiral Shares | 121.13 | 124.36 | 0.026 | 0.122 |
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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
1
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/brennanphoto.gif)
Chairman’s Letter
Dear Shareholder,
The persistent climb in oil prices took a few brief pauses during the six months ended July 31, 2006, while the price of natural gas declined for much of the period. Many energy-related stocks that have enjoyed sharp gains in recent years pulled back in response. Vanguard Energy Fund gained 2.8% during the six months, a return that wasn’t as strong as the 4.9% advance of the S&P Energy Sector Index but proved better than the –0.9% average retreat among natural resources funds.
The stocks of the largest integrated oil companies held up best during the period, as these diversified behemoths were better able to withstand investor concerns about the effects of a slowing economy on the energy sector. Your fund is not as heavily exposed as the index is to this group, largely explaining the fund’s weaker result relative to its benchmark.
Stocks started strongly, but retreated as the economy slowed
Worrisome economic signals took a toll on stocks, which began the year on an upward trajectory, then reversed course in early May. The U.S. economy expanded at a torrid pace in the first calendar quarter, when gross domestic product jumped at an annualized rate of 5.6%, but economic growth skidded to half that rate in the second quarter. Instability in international oil markets and a slowing domestic housing market added to investors’ concerns.
2
The broad U.S. stock market closed on July 31 near where it started six months before. Small-capitalization stocks and growth stocks performed poorly, as investors showed increased aversion to risk.
The picture was similar in international markets, where investors were spooked by the specters of rising inflation (largely because of high energy and commodity prices) and slowing growth. However, a weakened U.S. dollar gave a boost to international returns for American investors when gains abroad were converted back into the U.S. currency.
Bonds struggled to maintain footing as interest rates climbed
The Federal Reserve Board raised its target for the federal funds rate three times during the period, to 5.25%, marking the 17th consecutive rate hike since the central bank began its inflation-fighting campaign two years ago. (At its August 8 meeting, the Fed elected to leave its target unchanged.) The broad market for taxable U.S. bonds finished the six months with a modestly positive return, while municipal bond returns fared somewhat better.
Yields of U.S. Treasury securities rose at both ends of the maturity spectrum, but the yield curve remained essentially flat, with a minuscule difference between the yields of the three-month and the 30-year
Market Barometer |
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| Total Returns Periods Ended July 31, 2006
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| Six Months | One Year | Five Years1 |
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Stocks | | | |
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Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps) | 0.2% | 5.2% | 3.4% |
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Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps) | -3.9 | 4.2 | 9.0 |
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Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market) | -0.4 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
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MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International) | 3.9 | 25.1 | 12.6 |
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Bonds |
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Lehman Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market) | 0.6% | 1.5% | 4.8% |
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Lehman Municipal Bond Index | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
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Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index | 2.3 | 4.1 | 2.2 |
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CPI |
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Consumer Price Index | 2.6% | 4.1% | 2.8% |
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1 Annualized. |
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3
issues. Although stock investors tended to avoid risk, bond investors were less sensitive; high-yield bonds were one of the stronger segments of the bond market.
Largest oil companies made significant contributions
Although Vanguard Energy Fund’s gain during the first half of its fiscal year may look weak next to the 30%-plus annual returns of the past three fiscal years, the return was respectable given the turmoil in the broader markets and the raggedness of oil and gas prices during the six months. While the per-barrel price of oil rose 10% during the half-year, the gain wasn’t smooth, with several dips along the way. Natural gas prices fell 7% during the period.
Energy stocks have enjoyed such a strong run-up in price in recent years that any pause in energy prices was likely to trigger reversals. Investors also reacted to concerns that global growth could slow, further weakening their appetite for stocks that depend on strong global growth. For the fund, that meant negative returns among oil and gas drilling companies GlobalSantaFe, Transocean, and Nabors Industries.
The fund’s largest contributors to performance included integrated oil companies Chevron, ExxonMobil, Marathon Oil, and ConocoPhillips. These companies, by virtue of their size and their control of businesses at each stage from production through consumer marketing, are more immune to oil price swings than are more narrowly focused energy firms.
Annualized Expense Ratios1 Your fund compared with its peer group |
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| Investor Shares | Admiral Shares | Average Natural Resources Fund |
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Energy Fund | 0.26% | 0.19% | 1.47% |
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1 Fund expense ratios reflect the six months ended July 31, 2006. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2005.
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They have also enjoyed record profits, as oil prices remain elevated. Many of the fund's foreign holdings also performed well, including Russian oil giant Gazprom, Norwegian offshore oil producer Norsk Hydro, British natural gas producer BG Group, and Australia's BHP Billiton, which produces coal and industrial metals. Canada, with a market largely driven by oil and commodity prices, was home to several of the fund's top detractors, including natural gas producer Canadian Natural Resources, Western Oil Sands, and Talisman Energy.
In terms of relative performance, the fund will always be at a disadvantage when energy markets are led by integrated oil companies. During the period, the fund had an average of 45% of its assets deployed to this group, compared with an average of 60% for its benchmark. The mismatch is deliberate: A sector fund is already focused on one corner of the market. Vanguard's approach is to diversify holdings as much as possible, to bring a measure of risk-control to this highly volatile market segment.
The Energy Fund is positioned as a long-term holding
Vanguard's approach to diversification extends to diversity of thought. For that reason, two advisors share the management of assets in the fund: Wellington Management Company and Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group. Each has its own methodology for selecting companies that offer sound management, high-quality assets, and attractive valuations.
The fund's relative diversification within a narrow sector and its two-pronged approach to stock selection, we believe, will serve investors well over the long term. But the fund remains a sector-specific fund that is best used to enhance a balanced portfolio of stock, bond, and money market funds. The long-term outlook for energy investments remains strong. However, the downturn that energy stocks experienced during the fiscal half-year--based on minor pullbacks in oil prices--is a reminder of the volatility that investors face in this sector.
Thank you for your continued confidence in Vanguard.
Sincerely,
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/jjbsignature.gif)
John J. Brennan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 11, 2006
5
Advisors' Report
During the six months ended July 31, 2006, Vanguard Energy Fund returned 2.8%. The performance reflected the combined efforts of your fund's two advisors. The use of multiple advisors enhances the fund's diversification by providing exposure to distinct, yet complementary, investment approaches.
The advisors, the percentage of fund assets each manages, and brief descriptions of their investment strategies are presented in the table below. Each advisor has also provided a discussion of the investment environment that existed during the past six months and of how portfolio positioning reflects this assessment.
Wellington Management
Company, LLP
Portfolio Managers:
Karl E. Bandtel, Senior Vice President
James A. Bevilacqua, Senior Vice President
The environment for energy investing has been positive over the last six months. The barrel price of oil began the calendar year in the low $60s and fluctuated throughout the period. Geopolitical concerns in oil-producing countries tended to increase commodity prices, while worries about an economic slowdown and inventory increases helped keep prices in range. Oil prices were in the mid $70s per barrel during July.
Natural gas prices moved lower during the period, falling to around $6 per 1,000 cubic feet, after starting the calendar year
Vanguard Energy Fund Investment Advisors |
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| Fund Assets Managed
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Investment Advisor | % | $ Million | | Investment Strategy |
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Wellington Management | 85 | 9,180 | | Emphasizes long-term, total return opportunities |
Company, LLP | | | | from the various energy subsectors: international |
| | | | oils,foreign integrated oils and foreign producers, |
| | | | North American producers, oil service and |
| | | | equipment,transportation and distribution, and |
| | | | refining and marketing. |
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Vanguard Quantitative Equity Group | 15 | 1,593 | | Conducts quantitative portfolio management using models that |
| | | | assess valuation,marketplace sentiment, and balance-sheet |
| | | | characteristics of companies compared with their peers. |
|
6
at historic highs near $10 per 1,000 cubic feet. Inventories of natural gas grew during the half-year and ended the period at record levels for this time of year. Although gas prices have fallen and are low relative to oil prices, drilling rates have remained at high levels. Drilling activity has stayed relatively steady, in part because of favorable pricing on the forward curve. (The curve provides an indication of prices for gas that will be delivered in the future.)
Some of our best-performing holdings during the period came from a variety of energy subsectors: BG Group, Lukoil, and Gazprom—foreign integrated; Marathon Oil and Occidental Petroleum—domestic integrated; Valero Energy—refining and marketing; and Norsk Hydro and EnCana—exploration and production.
Overall, few energy stocks had negative returns for the six months. However, two positions that worked against us were Canadian Natural Resources and Western Oil Sands, whose share prices are extremely sensitive to movements in oil prices.
In our portfolio, we continued to emphasize long-term total return opportunities from companies in the various energy subsectors: international oils, foreign integrated oils and foreign producers, North American producers, oil service and equipment, transportation and distribution, and refining and marketing. Relative to six months ago, the weighting in domestic producers and international oils decreased. The weighting in domestic integrated oils, foreign producers, and oil service and equipment increased.
During the period, we added to our position in Weatherford International. The company is well-positioned to harvest unconventional resources in the Western hemisphere and to gain market share in the Eastern hemisphere by leveraging its infrastructure there.
We eliminated our position in Anadarko Petroleum after the company acquired Kerr-McGee and Western Gas Resources. We also sold our holdings in Arch Coal, since we are reducing our exposure to coal stocks following the strong appreciation of the last several years. Finally, we eliminated our position in Arkema, after the company was spun off from its parent, Total.
Vanguard Quantitative Equity
Group
Portfolio Manager:
James D. Troyer, CFA, Principal
Our quantitative investment process evaluates a security’s attractiveness on three dimensions: valuation, sentiment, and balance-sheet characteristics. Our experience is that each of our underlying models performs well over long time frames, but that their effectiveness varies over shorter periods. In the past six months, our valuation component had the most success of the three dimensions of our model, while the other indicators were
7
less successful. This model of diversification helps reduce the excess return volatility that our portfolio can experience relative to a constructed benchmark of global energy stocks.
A defining characteristic of our strategy is that we do not maintain a “view” on the overall market for energy shares that is reflected in our portfolio. We will always be fully invested, and focus solely on overweighting those global energy stocks that our models indicate will outperform, while avoiding securities that we believe will underperform. We apply a rigorous risk-control process to neutralize unintended exposure to market capitalization, volatility, and industry risks beyond those of the benchmark—such differences are “bets” that we feel do not add value over the long term. The result is a portfolio that makes many small bets on individual stocks and attempts to capture the tendency of the market to overreact or underreact to new information.
8
Fund Profile
As of July 31, 2006
Portfolio Characteristics |
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| Fund | Broad Index1 |
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Number of Stocks | 97 | 4,981 |
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Median Market Cap | $41.5B | $70.9B |
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Price/Earnings Ratio | 11.6x | 19.1x |
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Price/Book Ratio | 3.0x | 2.7x |
|
Yield | | 1.8% |
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Investor Shares | 1.6% |
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Admiral Shares | 1.6% |
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Return on Equity | 21.6% | 17.1% |
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Earnings Growth Rate | 24.0% | 9.8% |
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Foreign Holdings | 43.8% | 2.5% |
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Turnover Rate | 17%2 | — |
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Expense Ratio | | — |
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Investor Shares | 0.26%2 |
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Admiral Shares | 0.19%2 |
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Short-Term Reserves3 | 6% | — |
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Sector Diversification4 (% of portfolio) |
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Coal & Consumable Fuels | 3% |
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Integrated Oil & Gas | 50 |
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Materials | 3 |
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Oil & Gas Drilling | 5 |
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Oil & Gas Equipment & Services | 10 |
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Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | 16 |
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Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing | 5 |
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Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation | 1 |
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Utilities | 1 |
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Short-Term Reserves3 | 6% |
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Volatility Measures5 |
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Fund Versus Broad Index1 |
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R-Squared | 0.25 |
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Beta | 1.08 |
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Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets) |
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ExxonMobil Corp. | 6.2% |
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Chevron Corp. | 4.9 |
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ConocoPhillips Co. | 4.1 |
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Total SA | 4.1 |
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Royal Dutch Shell PLC | 3.5 |
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Valero Energy Corp. | 3.5 |
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Schlumberger Ltd. | 3.2 |
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BP PLC ADR | 3.2 |
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BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR | 2.8 |
|
ENI SpA | 2.8 |
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Top Ten | 38.3% |
|
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Country Diversification (% of portfolio) |
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United States | 50% |
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Canada | 12 |
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United Kingdom | 9 |
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France | 4 |
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Norway | 4 |
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Australia | 3 |
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Russia | 3 |
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Italy | 3 |
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Brazil | 2 |
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China | 1 |
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Spain | 1 |
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South Africa | 1 |
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Netherlands | 1 |
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Short-Term Reserves3 | 6% |
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Investment Focus
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/energy_investment.gif)
1 Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.
2 Annualized.
3 Short-term reserves exclude futures and currency contracts held by the fund.
4 Sector percentages combine U.S. and international holdings.
5 For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 26.
6 "Ten Largest Holdings" excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.
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.) 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 (5): January 31, 1996-July 31,2006
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/energy_fiscalyear.gif)
Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended June 30, 2006
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 |
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Investor Shares2 | 5/23/1984 | 37.25% | 25.08% | 17.99% |
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Admiral Shares2 | 11/12/2001 | 37.33 | 28.133 | — |
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1 Six months ended July 31, 2006.
2 Total return figures do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held less than one year.
3 Return since inception.
Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 16 and 17 for dividend and capital gains information.
10
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Statement of Net Assets
As of July 31, 2006
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).
| Shares | Market Value• ($000)
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Common Stocks (93.6%)1 | | |
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United States (49.8%) |
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Energy Equipment & Services (14.0%) |
Oil & Gas Drilling (5.2%) |
* Transocean Inc. | 2,883,100 | 222,662 |
GlobalSantaFe Corp. | 3,199,100 | 175,727 |
* Nabors Industries, Inc. | 2,427,600 | 85,743 |
Rowan Cos., Inc. | 656,500 | 22,236 |
ENSCO International, Inc. | 358,800 | 16,584 |
Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc. | 554,000 | 15,689 |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | 482,600 | 13,358 |
* Pride International, Inc. | 180,000 | 5,377 |
Diamond Offshore |
Drilling, Inc. | 15,600 | 1,231 |
|
Oil & Gas Equipment & Services (8.8%) |
Schlumberger Ltd. | 5,150,900 | 344,338 |
Baker Hughes, Inc. | 2,648,100 | 211,716 |
* Weatherford |
International Ltd. | 4,443,500 | 208,134 |
Halliburton Co. | 5,363,800 | 178,936 |
* Cameron |
International Corp. | 122,700 | 6,185 |
* SEACOR Holdings Inc. | 45,500 | 3,701 |
* FMC Technologies Inc. | 18,700 | 1,178 |
* Grant Prideco, Inc. | 14,100 | 642 |
|
|
| | 1,513,437 |
|
Gas Utilities (0.9%) |
Equitable Resources, Inc. | 2,688,800 | 96,824 |
|
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels (34.9%) |
Coal & Consumable Fuels (2.8%) |
CONSOL Energy, Inc. | 4,190,200 | 172,469 |
Peabody Energy Corp. | 2,633,900 | 131,432 |
|
Integrated Oil & Gas (20.6%) |
ExxonMobil Corp. | 9,889,700 | 669,928 |
Chevron Corp. | 8,063,428 | 530,412 |
ConocoPhillips Co. | 6,449,643 | 442,704 |
Marathon Oil Corp. | 2,847,600 | 258,106 |
Occidental |
Petroleum Corp. | 1,833,300 | 197,538 |
Hess Corp. | 2,207,100 | 116,756 |
|
Oil & Gas Exploration & Production (6.5%) |
EOG Resources, Inc. | 1,926,903 | 142,880 |
Noble Energy, Inc. | 2,411,800 | 122,061 |
Devon Energy Corp. | 1,844,000 | 119,196 |
XTO Energy, Inc. | 1,849,300 | 86,899 |
* Newfield Exploration Co. | 1,708,800 | 79,254 |
Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. | 1,431,300 | 75,501 |
Apache Corp. | 329,800 | 23,241 |
Anadarko Petroleum Corp. | 500,300 | 22,884 |
Chesapeake Energy Corp. | 633,700 | 20,849 |
Kerr-McGee Corp. | 76,800 | 5,391 |
|
Oil & Gas Refining & Marketing (4.5%) |
Valero Energy Corp. | 5,587,842 | 376,788 |
Sunoco, Inc. | 1,541,100 | 107,168 |
Tesoro Petroleum Corp. | 75,900 | 5,677 |
|
Oil & Gas Storage & Transportation (0.5%) |
The Williams |
Companies, Inc. | 1,307,000 | 31,695 |
El Paso Corp. | 1,206,100 | 19,298 |
|
|
| | 3,758,127 |
|
Total United States | | 5,368,388 |
|
International (43.8%) |
|
Argentina (0.3%) |
Tenaris SA ADR | 443,400 | 17,257 |
* Petrobras Energia |
Participaciones SA ADR | 1,218,309 | 13,755 |
|
|
| | 31,012 |
Australia (2.9%) |
BHP Billiton Ltd. ADR | 7,265,500 | 306,604 |
Santos Ltd. | 969,005 | 8,567 |
|
|
| | 315,171 |
11
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
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|
Brazil (2.1%) | | |
Petroleo Brasileiro ADR | 2,018,100 | 185,423 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA Pfd. | 1,073,900 | 22,199 |
Petroleo Brasileiro SA | 806,700 | 18,531 |
|
|
| | 226,153 |
Canada (12.0%) |
Canadian Natural |
Resources Ltd. |
(New York Shares) | 4,391,300 | 233,793 |
Suncor Energy, Inc. |
(New York Shares) | 2,568,500 | 208,177 |
EnCana Corp. |
(New York Shares) | 3,056,000 | 165,207 |
Canadian Oil Sands Trust | 4,221,175 | 139,006 |
Shell Canada Ltd. Class A | 3,393,000 | 118,369 |
Talisman Energy, Inc. | 6,917,958 | 117,702 |
Petro Canada |
(New York Shares) | 2,189,400 | 97,976 |
* Western Oil Sands Inc. | 3,715,635 | 85,342 |
EnCana Corp. | 561,500 | 30,324 |
TransCanada Corp. | 699,500 | 21,506 |
Suncor Energy, Inc. | 262,700 | 21,209 |
Canadian Natural |
Resources Ltd. | 393,600 | 20,929 |
* Petro-Canada | 331,800 | 14,848 |
Imperial Oil Ltd. | 173,000 | 6,260 |
* Nexen Inc. | 97,900 | 5,734 |
* Cameco Corp. | 31,200 | 1,245 |
|
|
| | 1,287,627 |
China (1.2%) |
China Petroleum and |
Chemical Corp. ADR | 1,068,500 | 61,460 |
PetroChina Co. Ltd. | 21,536,000 | 24,581 |
China Petroleum & |
Chemical Corp. | 31,192,000 | 17,810 |
Yanzhou Coal |
Mining Co. Ltd. |
H Shares | 18,435,800 | 13,022 |
CNOOC Ltd. | 11,622,600 | 9,953 |
|
|
| | 126,826 |
France (4.2%) |
Total SA ADR | 5,752,400 | 392,486 |
Total SA | 736,383 | 50,102 |
Technip SA | 278,039 | 14,978 |
|
|
| | 457,566 |
India (0.1%) |
* 2 Oil & Natural Gas Corp., Ltd. |
Warrants Exp. 7/14/08 | 234,300 | 5,904 |
|
Italy (2.8%) |
ENI SpA ADR | 4,076,750 | 250,231 |
ENI SpA | 1,564,576 | 47,953 |
|
|
| | 298,184 |
Netherlands (0.6%) |
Fugro NV | 1,420,607 | 61,022 |
|
Norway (3.7%) |
Statoil ASA ADR | 6,201,900 | 185,375 |
Norsk Hydro AS ADR | 5,871,500 | 169,686 |
Norsk Hydro ASA | 595,590 | 17,022 |
Statoil ASA | 558,565 | 16,683 |
* Petroleum |
Geo-Services ASA | 251,850 | 13,750 |
* Petrojarl ASA | 185,450 | 1,179 |
|
|
| | 403,695 |
Russia (2.9%) |
* OAO Lukoil Holding |
Sponsored ADR | 1,950,700 | 169,126 |
* OAO Gazprom |
Sponsored ADR | 2,588,322 | 107,881 |
^Surgutneftegaz ADR | 459,300 | 33,804 |
|
|
| | 310,811 |
South Africa (0.8%) |
Sasol Ltd. Sponsored ADR | 1,798,600 | 65,919 |
Sasol Ltd. | 632,800 | 23,027 |
|
|
| | 88,946 |
Spain (0.9%) |
Repsol YPF, SA ADR | 3,046,300 | 86,119 |
Repsol YPF, SA | 466,544 | 13,140 |
|
|
| | 99,259 |
United Kingdom (9.3%) |
BG Group PLC | 21,023,555 | 282,749 |
BP PLC ADR | 3,878,800 | 281,291 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC |
ADR Class B | 2,398,426 | 177,148 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC |
ADR Class A | 2,017,800 | 142,860 |
BP PLC | 5,074,378 | 61,719 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC |
Class A | 867,664 | 30,689 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC |
Class B | 599,391 | 22,117 |
Royal Dutch Shell PLC |
Class A |
(Amsterdam Shares) | 117,600 | 4,162 |
|
|
| | 1,002,735 |
|
Total International | 4,714,911 |
|
Total Common Stocks |
(Cost $5,083,813) | | 10,083,299 |
|
Temporary Cash Investments (6.6%)1 |
|
Money Market Fund (2.5%) |
3 Vanguard Market Liquidity |
Fund, 5.276% | 244,138,940 | 244,139 |
3 Vanguard Market Liquidity |
Fund, 5.276%—Note F | 20,174,000 | 20,174 |
|
|
| | 264,313 |
12
| Face Amount ($000) | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
U.S. Agency Obligations (0.1%) | | |
4 Federal National Mortgage Assn |
5 5.310%, 9/20/06 | 10,500 | 10,425 |
5 5.341%, 10/18/06 | 5,000 | 4,944 |
|
|
| | 15,369 |
|
Repurchase Agreement (4.0%) |
|
Deutsche Bank, 5.280%, |
8/1/06 (Dated 7/31/06, |
Repurchase Value $429,663,000, |
collateralized by Federal Home Loan |
Mortgage Corp., |
4.000%-5.500%, 9/1/20-7/1/36, |
General National Mortgage Assn., |
6.000%, 7/15/17) | 429,600 | 429,600 |
|
Total Temporary Cash Investments |
(Cost $709,279) | | 709,282 |
|
Total Investments (100.2%) |
(Cost $5,793,092) | | 10,792,581 |
|
Other Assets and Liabilities (-0.2%) |
|
Other Assets—Note C | | 26,373 |
Liabilities—Note F | | (45,487) |
|
|
| | (19,114) |
|
Net Assets (100%) | | 10,773,467 |
|
At July 31, 2006, net assets consisted of:6 |
---|
Amount ($000)
|
---|
|
Paid-in Capital | 5,406,244 |
Undistributed Net Investment Income | 89,854 |
Accumulated Net Realized Gains | 275,348 |
Unrealized Appreciation |
Investment Securities | 4,999,489 |
Futures Contracts | 2,529 |
Foreign Currencies | 3 |
|
Net Assets | 10,773,467 |
|
|
|
Investor Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 105,614,680 outstanding $.001 |
par value shares of beneficial interest |
(unlimited authorization) | 6,991,459 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Investor Shares | $66.20 |
|
|
|
Admiral Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 30,412,746 outstanding $.001 |
par value shares of beneficial interest |
(unlimited authorization) | 3,782,008 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Admiral Shares | $124.36 |
|
• See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.
* Non-income-producing security.
^ Part of security position is on loan to broker-dealers. See Note F 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 96.1% and 4.1%, respectively, of net assets. See Note D 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 July 31, 2006, the value of this security represented 0.1% 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 $15,369,000 have been segregated as initial margin for open futures contracts.
6 See Note D in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.
ADR—American Depositary Receipts.
13
Statement of Operations |
---|
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
|
---|
($000) |
---|
|
Investment Income | |
|
Income |
|
Dividends1 | 88,543 |
|
Interest2 | 17,355 |
|
Security Lending | 2,115 |
|
Total Income | 108,013 |
|
Expenses |
Investment Advisory Fees—Note B | 2,758 |
|
The Vanguard Group—Note C |
|
Management and Administrative |
|
Investor Shares | 5,842 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,970 |
|
Marketing and Distribution |
|
Investor Shares | 661 |
|
Admiral Shares | 239 |
|
Custodian Fees | 89 |
|
Shareholders' Reports |
|
Investor Shares | 64 |
|
Admiral Shares | 6 |
|
Trustees' Fees and Expenses | 5 |
|
Total Expenses | 11,634 |
|
Net Investment Income | 96,379 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) |
|
Investment Securities Sold | 284,174 |
|
Futures Contracts | (6,375) |
|
Foreign Currencies | (93) |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 277,706 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
Investment Securities | (99,790) |
|
Futures Contracts | 290 |
|
Foreign Currencies | (3) |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | (99,503) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 274,582 |
|
1 Dividends are net of foreign withholding taxes of $5,607,000.
2 Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $5,450,000.
14
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 ($000) | Year Ended Jan. 31, 2006 ($000) |
---|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
|
Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 96,379 | 116,734 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 277,706 | 179,898 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | (99,503) | 3,268,127 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 274,582 | 3,564,759 |
|
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
|
Investor Shares | (1,029) | (72,401) |
|
Admiral Shares | (736) | (33,730) |
|
Realized Capital Gain1 |
|
Investor Shares | (6,668) | (103,770) |
|
Admiral Shares | (3,467) | (41,708) |
|
Total Distributions | (11,900) | (251,609) |
|
Capital Share Transactions—Note G |
|
Investor Shares | 110,542 | (705,544) |
|
Admiral Shares | 578,646 | 1,842,807 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions | 689,188 | 1,137,263 |
|
Total Increase (Decrease) | 951,870 | 4,450,413 |
|
Net Assets |
|
Beginning of Period | 9,821,597 | 5,371,184 |
|
End of Period2 | 10,773,467 | 9,821,597 |
|
1 Includes fiscal 2007 and 2006 short-term gain distributions totaling $6,557,000 and $3,116,000, respectively. Short-term gain distributions are treated as ordinary income dividends for tax purposes.
2 Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income of $89,854,000 and ($4,667,000).
15
Financial Highlights
Energy Fund Investor Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding | Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
|
---|
Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | $64.50 | $40.85 | $29.99 | $22.85 | $24.76 | $26.93 |
|
Investment Operations |
Net Investment Income | .585 | .813 | .529 | .435 | .392 | .428 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments1 | 1.190 | 24.606 | 11.052 | 7.839 | (.349) | (.660) |
|
Total from Investment Operations | 1.775 | 25.419 | 11.581 | 8.274 | .043 | (.232) |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (.010) | (.740) | (.524) | (.390) | (.360) | (.400) |
|
Distributions from |
Realized Capital Gains | (.065) | (1.029) | (.197) | (.744) | (1.593) | (1.538) |
|
Total Distributions | (.075) | (1.769) | (.721) | (1.134) | (1.953) | (1.938) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $66.20 | $64.50 | $40.85 | $29.99 | $22.85 | $24.76 |
|
|
|
Total Return2 | 2.76% | 62.93% | 38.90% | 36.49% | -0.02% | -0.55% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $6,991 | $6,733 | $4,822 | $2,434 | $1,298 | $1,258 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.26%3 | 0.28% | 0.32% | 0.38% | 0.40% | 0.39% |
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to |
Average Net Assets | 1.90%3 | 1.57% | 1.67% | 1.79% | 1.56% | 1.57% |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate4 | 17%3 | 10% | 1% | 26% | 23% | 28% |
|
1 Includes increases from redemption fees of $.02, $.03, $.02, $.00, $.01, and $.01.
2 Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
3 Annualized.
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.
16
Energy Fund Admiral Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding | Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
| Nov. 12, 20011 to Jan. 31, |
---|
Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | $121.13 | $76.71 | $56.30 | $42.89 | $46.48 | $50.00 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 1.144 | 1.561 | 1.034 | .847 | .758 | .118 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments2 | 2.234 | 46.217 | 20.770 | 14.721 | (.658) | .010 |
|
Total from Investment Operations | 3.378 | 47.778 | 21.804 | 15.568 | .100 | .128 |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (.026) | (1.425) | (1.024) | (.760) | (.698) | (.760) |
|
Distributions from |
Realized Capital Gains | (.122) | (1.933) | (.370) | (1.398) | (2.992) | (2.888) |
|
Total Distributions | (.148) | (3.358) | (1.394) | (2.158) | (3.690) | (3.648) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $124.36 | $121.13 | $76.71 | $56.30 | $42.89 | $46.48 |
|
|
|
Total Return3 | 2.80% | 63.00% | 39.02% | 36.58% | 0.02% | 0.57% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $3,782 | $3,088 | $549 | $208 | $103 | $58 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.19%4 | 0.22% | 0.26% | 0.32% | 0.34% | 0.34%4 |
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to |
Average Net Assets | 1.97%4 | 1.63% | 1.70% | 1.85% | 1.59% | 0.53%4 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate5 | 17%4 | 10% | 1% | 26% | 23% | 28% |
|
1 Inception.
2 Includes increases from redemption fees of $.03, $.03, $.03, $.01, $.02, and $.03.
3 Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
4 Annualized.
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.
17
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Energy 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 Specialized Funds. The fund may invest 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, servicing, 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 4:00 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 at the exchange rates on the valuation date as employed by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) in the calculation of its indexes. As part of the fund’s fair value procedures, exchange rates may be adjusted if they change significantly before the fund’s pricing time but after the time at which the MSCI rates are determined (generally 11:00 a.m. Eastern time).
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 asset or liability is settled in cash, when they are recorded as realized foreign currency gains (losses).
3. 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.
18
Futures contracts are valued at their quoted daily settlement prices. The aggregate principal amounts of the contracts are not recorded in the financial statements. 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).
4. Repurchase Agreements: The fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements are held by a custodian bank until the agreements mature. Each agreement requires that the market value of the collateral be sufficient to cover payments of interest and principal; however, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.
5. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.
6. Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
7. 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.
8. 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. Wellington Management Company, LLP, provides 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 Vanguard Group provides investment advisory services to a portion of the fund on an at-cost basis; the fund paid Vanguard advisory fees of $139,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2006.
For the six months ended July 31, 2006, the aggregate investment advisory fee represented an effective annual rate of 0.06% of the fund’s average net assets.
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
19
contributions to Vanguard. At July 31, 2006, the fund had contributed capital of $1,146,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 1.15% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.
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. The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.
During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund realized net foreign currency losses of $93,000, which decreased distributable net income for tax purposes; accordingly, such losses have been reclassified from accumulated net realized gains to undistributed net investment income.
At July 31, 2006, net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $4,999,489,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $5,027,992,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $28,503,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.
At July 31, 2006, the aggregate settlement value of open futures contracts expiring in September 2006 and the related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were:
| ($000)
|
---|
Futures Contracts | Number of Long Contracts | Aggregate Settlement Value | Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
|
---|
|
S&P 500 Index | 438 | 140,357 | 668 |
|
E-mini S&P 500 Index | 1,925 | 123,373 | 1,861 |
|
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on open futures contracts is required to be treated as realized gain (loss) for tax purposes.
E. During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund purchased $1,475,123,000 of investment securities and sold $784,077,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.
F. The market value of securities on loan to broker-dealers at July 31, 2006, was $19,283,000, for which the fund received cash collateral of $20,174,000.
20
G. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were:
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
| Year Ended January 31, 2006
|
---|
| Amount ($000) | Shares (000) | Amount ($000) | Shares (000) |
---|
|
Investor Shares | | | | |
|
Issued | 1,170,019 | 18,403 | 2,361,160 | 44,701 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 7,406 | 120 | 169,002 | 3,051 |
|
Redeemed1 | (1,066,883) | (17,303) | (3,235,706) | (61,397) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares | 110,542 | 1,220 | (705,544) | (13,645) |
|
Admiral Shares |
|
Issued | 866,686 | 7,391 | 2,119,452 | 21,056 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 3,856 | 33 | 68,893 | 653 |
|
Redeemed1 | (291,896) | (2,505) | (345,538) | (3,374) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares | 578,646 | 4,919 | 1,842,807 | 18,335 |
|
1 Net of redemption fees of $2,670,000 and $3,440,000, respectively (fund totals).
21
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 on page 23 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; they do not include your fund’s low-balance fee or the 1% fee on redemptions of shares held for less than one year. These fees are fully described in the prospectus. If the 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 the appropriate fund prospectus.
22
Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 |
---|
Energy Fund | Beginning Account Value 1/31/2006 | Ending Account Value 7/31/2006 | Expenses Paid During Period1 |
---|
|
Based on Actual Fund Return | | | |
|
Investor Shares | $1,000.00 | $1,027.61 | $1.31 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,027.98 | 0.96 |
|
Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return |
|
Investor Shares | $1,000.00 | $1,023.51 | $1.30 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,023.85 | 0.95 |
|
1 | These 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 0.26% for Investor Shares and 0.19% 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 peiod, then divided by the number of days in the most recent 12-month period. |
23
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangements
The board of trustees of Vanguard Energy Fund has approved the fund’s investment advisory arrangement with The Vanguard Group, Inc. The board also has approved an amended investment advisory agreement between the fund and Wellington Management Company, LLP. The amended agreement changes the process for the quarterly calculation of asset-based fees. The calculation now will be based on the average daily net assets of the fund rather than the average month-end net assets. The board determined that the retention of the advisors was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
The board decided to approve the arrangements with the advisors based 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 arrangements. 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 advisor. The board noted the following:
• The Vanguard Group. Vanguard, through its Quantitative Equity Group, has been managing investments for more than two decades. George U. Sauter, Vanguard managing director and chief investment officer, has been in the investment management business since 1985. The Quantitative Equity Group adheres to a sound, disciplined investment management process; the team has considerable experience, stability, and depth. The Group has advised Vanguard Energy Fund since 2005.
• Wellington Management Company. Founded in 1928, Wellington Management Company is among the nation’s oldest and most respected institutional investment managers. The firm has advised Vanguard Energy Fund since 1984. The investment team at Wellington Management uses a bottom-up investment approach, in which stocks are selected based on the advisor’s estimates of fundamental investment value. The advisor’s investment process emphasizes company fundamentals, management track record, and security valuation.
The board concluded that each advisor’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of the advisory arrangements with the amendment described above.
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 each advisor has carried out its investment strategy in disciplined fashion, and the results provided by each advisor have allowed the fund to outperform both the fund’s benchmark and its average peer fund since the fund’s inception. Information about the fund’s performance, including some of the performance data considered by the board, can be found in the Performance Summary section of this report.
24
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 expense ratio was 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 fund’s advisory fee rate.
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 board did not consider profitability of Wellington Management in determining whether to approve the advisory fee, because Wellington Management is independent of Vanguard, and the advisory fee is 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 advisory fee schedule with Wellington Management. The breakpoints reduce the effective rate of the fee as the fund’s assets managed by Wellington Management increase. The board also 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 the fund’s assets managed by Vanguard increase.
The board will consider whether to renew the advisory arrangements again after a one-year period.
25
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%. 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.
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.
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.
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 snapshot of a fund’s income from interest and dividends. The yield, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s net asset value, is based on income earned over the past 30 days and is annualized, or projected forward for the coming year. The index yield is based on the current annualized rate of income provided by securities in the index.
26
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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 |
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|
Born 1954 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, |
Trustee since May 1987; | Chief Executive Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., |
Chairman of the Board and | and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group. |
Chief Executive Officer |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen |
|
Independent Trustees |
|
Charles D. Ellis |
|
Born 1937 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Applecore Partners |
Trustee since January 2001 | (pro bono ventures in education); Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | (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. |
|
Rajiv L. Gupta |
|
Born 1945 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman and Chief |
Trustee since December 20012 | Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals) since 1999; Board |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Member of the American Chemistry Council; Director of Tyco International, Ltd. |
| (diversified manufacturing and services) since 2005; Trustee of Drexel |
| University and of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. |
|
Amy Gutmann |
|
Born 1949 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of the University |
Trustee since June 2006 | of Pennsylvania since 2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen |
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|
Born 1950 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate Vice President |
Trustee since July 1998 | and Chief Global Diversity Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
Andre F. Perold |
|
Born 1952 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Gund Professor |
Trustee since December 2004 | of Finance and Banking, Harvard Business School (since 2000); Senior |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Recruiting, and Chair of Finance Faculty, |
| Harvard Business School; Director and Chairman of UNX, Inc. (equities trading |
| firm) (since 2003); Director of registered investment companies advised by |
| Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and affiliates (1985-2004),Genbel |
| Securities Limited (South African financial services firm) (1999-2003), Gensec |
| Bank (1999-2003), Sanlam, Ltd. (South African insurance company). |
| (2001-2003), and Stockback, Inc. (credit card firm) (2000-2002) |
|
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr |
|
Born 1941 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, |
Trustee since January 1993 | Chief Executive Officer, and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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: Retired Chairman and |
Trustee since April 1985 | Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Cummins Inc. (diesel engines),MeadWestvaco Corp. (packaging products), |
| and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (pharmaceutical distribution); Trustee of |
| Vanderbilt University and of Culver Educational Foundation. |
|
|
|
Executive Officers1 |
|
Heidi Stam |
|
Born 1956 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing Director since |
Secretary since July 2005 | July 2006,General Counsel since July 2005, and Secretary of Vanguard and of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since July |
| 2005; Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (1997-2006). |
|
Thomas J. Higgins |
|
Born 1957 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of The Vanguard |
Treasurer since July 1998 | Group, Inc.;Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Vanguard Group. |
|
|
Vanguard Senior Management Team |
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R. Gregory Barton | Kathleen C. Gubanich | Michael S. Miller |
Mortimer J. Buckley | Paul A. Heller | Ralph K. Packard |
James H. Gately | F. William McNabb, III | 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.
| | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
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| | P.O. Box 2600 Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600 |
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| | |
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 > 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 |
This material may be used in conjunction | | voting guidelines by visiting our website, |
with the offering of shares of any | | www.vanguard.com, and searching for "proxy voting |
Vanguard fund only if preceded or | | guidelines," or by calling Vanguard at 800-662-2739. |
accompanied by the fund's current | | They are also available from the SEC's website, |
prospectus. | | 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. |
| |
| |
| | © 2006 The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| | All rights reserved. |
| | Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor. |
| |
| | Q512 092006 |
| |
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| |
Vanguard® Precious Metals | |
and Mining Fund | |
| |
| |
> Semiannual Report | |
| |
July 31, 2006 | |
| ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/shipfrontcover.gif) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
> During the six months ended July 31, 2006, Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund returned 7.0%.
>The fund's diversified portfolio helped it to outperform both its benchmark
index and the average gold-oriented fund.
>Effective February 2, 2006, the fund closed to new investors, although it
remains open for additional investments from existing shareholders.
Contents
| |
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|
Your Fund's Total Returns | 1 |
|
Chairman's Letter | 2 |
|
Advisor's Report | 6 |
|
Fund Profile | 8 |
|
Performance Summary | 9 |
|
Financial Statements | 10 |
|
About Your Fund's Expenses | 18 |
|
Trustees Approve Advisory Agreement | 20 |
|
Glossary | 21 |
|
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 July 31, 2006
| Total Return |
---|
|
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund | 7.0% |
|
S&P/Citigroup Custom Precious Metals and Mining Index | 4.9 |
|
Average Gold-Oriented Fund1 | 2.8 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index | —0.4 |
|
Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance
January 31, 2006—July 31,2006
| | | Distributions Per Share
| |
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| Starting Share Price | Ending Share Price | Income Dividends | Capital Gains |
---|
|
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund | $27.08 | $28.69 | $0.02 | $0.242 |
|
1 Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.
1
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/brennanphoto.gif)
Chairman’s Letter
Dear Shareholder,
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund returned 7.0% during the six months ended July 31, 2006. This performance outpaced the return of the fund’s benchmark index and was more than 4 percentage points ahead of the average return of gold-oriented funds.
The fund’s diversification paid off during the period, as it continued to invest beyond gold-related stocks, including companies that focus on nonprecious metals and minerals. Because gold-mining stocks lagged those of the broader mining sector during the six months, the fund’s diversification into other metals and minerals helped boost performance.
Effective February 2, 2006, the fund closed to new investors. This step was taken to stem cash flow into the fund, as continued asset growth might threaten the interests of existing shareholders. The fund remains open for additional purchases by existing shareholders.
Stocks started strongly, but retreated as the economy slowed
Worrisome economic signals took a toll on stocks, which began the year on an upward trajectory, then reversed course in early May. The U.S. economy expanded at a torrid pace in the first calendar quarter, when gross domestic product jumped at an annualized rate of 5.6%, but economic growth skidded to half that rate in the second quarter. Instability in international
2
oil markets and a slowing domestic housing market added to investors’ concerns.
The broad U.S. stock market closed on July 31 near where it started six months before. Small-capitalization stocks and growth stocks performed poorly, as investors showed increased aversion to risk.
The picture was similar in international markets, where investors were spooked by the specters of rising inflation (largely because of high energy and commodity prices) and slowing growth. However, a weakened U.S. dollar gave a boost to international returns for American investors when gains abroad were converted back into the U.S. currency.
Bonds struggled to maintain footing as interest rates climbed
The Federal Reserve Board raised its target for the federal funds rate three times during the period, to 5.25%, marking the 17th consecutive rate hike since the central bank began its inflation-fighting campaign two years ago. (At its August 8 meeting, the Fed elected to leave its target unchanged.) The broad market for taxable U.S. bonds finished the six months with a modestly positive return, while municipal bond returns fared somewhat better.
Market Barometer
| Total Returns Periods Ended July 31, 2006
| | |
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| Six Months | One Year | Five Years1 |
---|
|
Stocks | | | |
|
Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps) | 0.2% | 5.2% | 3.4% |
|
Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps) | -3.9 | 4.2 | 9.0 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market) | -0.4 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
|
MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International) | 3.9 | 25.1 | 12.6 |
|
|
|
Bonds |
|
Lehman Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market) | 0.6% | 1.5% | 4.8% |
|
Lehman Municipal Bond Index | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
|
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index | 2.3 | 4.1 | 2.2 |
|
|
|
CPI |
|
Consumer Price Index | 2.6% | 4.1% | 2.8% |
|
3
Yields of U.S. Treasury securities rose at both ends of the maturity spectrum, but the yield curve remained essentially flat, with a minuscule difference between the yields of the 3-month and the 30-year issues. Although stock investors sought to avoid risk, bond investors were less sensitive; high-yield bonds were one of the stronger segments of the bond market.
Your fund's diversified portfolio helped six-month returns
The price of gold was volatile during your fund's fiscal half-year, climbing steadily during the first part of the period before declining sharply in May. Many other metals and minerals followed a similar pattern--including platinum, copper, and zinc--reaching record price levels before dropping in mid-May.
Overall, your fund's diversified portfolio allowed it to benefit from continued strong demand for raw materials from both emerging and developed markets. During the six-month period, the fund's largest holdings were in metals and mining firms, which made up, on average, about 74% of the fund's holdings. In contrast, gold producers made up 20% of the fund's holdings.
Among the fund's top-ten holdings, several provided excellent half-year returns. These included Anglo Platinum (+25%) and Lonmin (+48%), both platinum producers. The French nickel group Eramet (+47%) also turned in a strong performance.
Annualized Expense Ratios1
Your fund compared with its peer group
| Fund | Average Gold-Oriented Fund |
---|
|
Precious Metals and Mining Fund | 0.36% | 1.67% |
|
1 | Fund expense ratio reflects the six months ended July 31, 2006. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2005. |
4
Major holdings that did not perform as well during the period included Aber Diamond (–16%) and Centerra Gold (–30%). In general, gold-mining stocks lagged the broader mining sector.
Sector funds should play a limited role in your portfolio
As with any investment that concentrates on a narrow piece of the stock market, sector funds can be extremely volatile. Because of this, they should never make up the core of your portfolio. However, as a small portion of a broadly diversified portfolio, sector funds—particularly when their returns are not highly correlated with the broader stock market—may help to moderate your portfolio’s overall volatility.
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund provides investors with narrowly focused exposure to a unique sector of the stock market, keenly attuned to the metals and minerals demands of the global economy. For investors who are comfortable with the risks of such a concentrated holding, the fund can play a useful role.
Thank you for investing with Vanguard.
Sincerely,
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/jjbsignature.gif)
John J. Brennan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 14, 2006
5
Advisor’s Report
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund produced an absolute return of 7.0% over the fiscal half-year ended July 31, 2006. This result outperformed the benchmark index, which rose 4.9%, as well as the average gold-oriented fund, which returned 2.8%.
The price of gold bullion continued its strong rise during the first part of the six months, surpassing $700 per ounce in mid-May, before succumbing to selling pressure and finishing the period at just under $650 per ounce. A wide range of metals and minerals, from platinum to copper and zinc, followed a similar pattern, reaching record levels in May before suffering a sharp correction because of investors’ concerns that future demand would be constrained by a slowdown in global economic growth.
Against this background, our substantial holdings in platinum shares again proved beneficial, rewarding our long-standing confidence in the extremely strong supply/demand balance for this metal. United Kingdom platinum producer Lonmin and South African producers Anglo Platinum and Impala Platinum Holdings made notable contributions.
Canadian diversified miner Falconbridge continued its strong run after Swiss mining conglomerate Xstrata joined Canadian rival Inco in a bidding war for the company. Reflecting the intensifying competition for strategic assets in the mining industry, Inco’s shares were also pushed higher by bid approaches from two separate rival mining groups. We have since sold both Falconbridge and Inco in favor of more attractively valued alternatives elsewhere.
French nickel group Eramet, a significant player in this highly consolidated industry, also made a strong showing as nickel demand remained robust and investors began to recognize the value of the company’s assets. U.S. coal group CONSOL Energy also had a positive impact as high prices for oil and natural gas increased the attractions of coal as a lower-cost means of power generation.
On the negative side, the fund’s limited exposure to the smaller, more speculative gold producers proved detrimental as investors rewarded these companies, which are more responsive to increases in the gold bullion price. In spite of the outperformance of these stocks during the period, our long-term preference for the larger, more liquid gold stocks such as South African producer AngloGold Ashanti and North American producer Meridian Gold remains in place, because of their more controlled approach to production and costs.
The fund’s large position in Canadian diamond producer Aber Diamond was also a negative as the market struggled to put a value on the company’s recent strategic shift into diamond retailing. However, Aber Diamond is performing well on all fronts and continues to exceed profitability targets. Moreover, fundamentals for the diamond industry remain supportive, with extremely limited new production outstripped by growing jewelry-related demand, particularly from
6
Asia. Elsewhere, U.S. coal producers Arch Coal and Peabody Energy were relatively weak, partly because transport-related issues hampered their ability to deliver production. In spite of this, we continue to view coal as a cost-efficient source of power production, one that provides a secure and less politically volatile alternative to fuel oil and natural gas.
We increased the fund’s exposure to metals and minerals companies with proven track records, healthy cash flow, and strong positions in materials on which industrializing economies are heavily import-dependent. In addition to the above-mentioned platinum, diamond, and coal producers, we added to existing positions in diversified miner Rio Tinto and platinum group Johnson Matthey, which processes the metal for use in autocatalysts, an area where tighter global emissions legislation is driving robust growth.
We added to our position in FMC, a U.S. firm that mines lithium and soda ash while also running a successful niche agrochemicals business; and we established a position in Minerals Technologies, a U.S. company that has developed a technologically advanced process to supply minerals and materials to the papermaking industry. Within the gold sector, we continued to focus on groups that own the large-scale, low-cost assets that will help to offset their difficult operating environment. Additions during the period included gold producers Meridian Gold and Centerra Gold.
We sold holdings that had performed exceptionally well or in which the company’s fundamentals had deteriorated. For example, we disposed of Brazilian iron ore producer Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, which had made an excellent contribution to performance since its introduction to the fund. As stated, we also exited from our positions in Falconbridge and Inco—bid activity had left their shares fully valued.
In spite of heightened volatility during the period, the fund’s investment environment remains supportive. The appetite for raw materials from both emerging and developed nations continues apace, while supply remains tightly controlled as a result of ongoing consolidation in the broader mining sector. In addition, years of underinvestment in new projects have left production capacity struggling to cope with demand. As a consequence, our “stronger-for-longer” view on commodities remains unchanged, a scenario that provides a favorable environment for the mining groups that supply these assets.
The preemptive decision to close the fund to new accounts at the start of February reflected a desire to preserve the fund’s ability to deliver performance through a proven, consistent investment approach. We strongly believe that this action remains in the best interests of existing investors.
Graham E. French, Portfolio Manager
M&G Investment Management Ltd.
August 18, 2006
7
Fund Profile
As of July 31, 2006
Portfolio Characteristics
| Fund | Broad Index1 |
---|
|
Number of Stocks | 42 | 4,981 |
|
Median Market Cap | $4.6B | $70.9B |
|
Price/Earnings Ratio | 28.5x | 19.1x |
|
Price/Book Ratio | 3.9x | 2.7x |
|
Return on Equity | 16.7% | 17.1% |
|
Earnings Growth Rate | 15.2% | 9.8% |
|
Foreign Holdings | 87.7% | 2.5% |
|
Turnover Rate | 27%2 | — |
|
Expense Ratio | 0.36%2 | — |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 2% | — |
|
Country Diversification (% of portfolio)
| |
---|
|
Canada | 23% |
|
South Africa | 18 |
|
United Kingdom | 17 |
|
Australia | 17 |
|
United States | 12 |
|
France | 6 |
|
Germany | 3 |
|
Peru | 2 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 2% |
|
Volatility Measures 3
| Fund Versus Broad Index1 |
---|
|
R-Squared | 0.29 |
|
Beta | 1.57 |
|
Ten Largest Holdings 4 (%of total net assets)
| |
---|
|
Lonmin PLC | 9.9% |
|
Rio Tinto Group | 7.2 |
|
Anglo Platinum Ltd. ADR | 6.6 |
|
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. ADR | 6.4 |
|
Meridian Gold Co. | 5.4 |
|
Aber Diamond Corp. | 5.2 |
|
Barrick Gold Inc. | 4.6 |
|
CONSOL Energy, Inc. | 4.2 |
|
Eramet SLN | 3.7 |
|
Peabody Energy Corp. | 3.5 |
|
Top Ten | 56.7% |
|
1 | Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index. |
3 | For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 21. |
4 | “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products. |
8
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.) 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 31,1996-July 31,2006
Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended June 30, 2006
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 |
---|
|
Precious Metals and Mining Fund3 | 5/23/1984 | 72.86% | 35.20% | 12.40% |
|
1 | Six months ended July 31, 2006. |
2 | S&P/Citigroup World Equity Gold Index through June 30, 2005; S&P/Citigroup Custom Precious Metals and Mining Index thereafter. |
3 | Total return figures do not reflect the 1% redemption fee assessed on redemptions of shares held less than one year. Note: See Financial Highlights table on page 14 for dividend and capital gains information. |
9
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Statement of Net Assets
As of July 31, 2006
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).
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Common Stocks (98.0%) | | |
|
Australia (16.7%) |
Rio Tinto Ltd. | 2,700,000 | 153,908 |
BHP Billiton Ltd. | 4,500,000 | 95,098 |
1 Iluka Resources Ltd. | 16,350,000 | 87,328 |
CSR Ltd. | 24,500,000 | 63,676 |
Sims Group Ltd. | 4,250,000 | 61,494 |
1 Centennial Coal Co., Ltd. | 15,775,000 | 43,692 |
BlueScope Steel Ltd. | 7,050,000 | 37,011 |
* St. Barbara Ltd. | 21,800,000 | 8,704 |
* Tanami Gold NL | 18,170,000 | 3,622 |
* Magnesium International Ltd. | 1,678,671 | 219 |
|
|
| | 554,752 |
Canada (23.5%) |
*1 Meridian Gold Inc. (U.S. Shares) | 6,600,000 | 178,332 |
1 Aber Diamond Corp. | 5,149,400 | 172,626 |
Barrick Gold Corp. | 4,925,165 | 151,383 |
*1 Centerra Gold Inc. | 12,615,000 | 108,822 |
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. | 2,319,453 | 105,830 |
Agrium, Inc. | 2,450,000 | 59,416 |
SouthernEra Diamonds, Inc. | 4,937,400 | 1,791 |
*Claude Resources, Inc. | 800,000 | 944 |
* SouthernEra Diamonds, Inc Class A | 2,085,500 | 818 |
|
|
| | 779,962 |
France (6.0%) |
Eramet SLN | 776,773 | 123,695 |
Imerys SA | 1,060,000 | 76,891 |
|
|
| | 200,586 |
Germany (2.8%) |
K+S AG | 1,234,773 | 92,528 |
Papua New Guinea (0.3%) |
* Lihir Gold Ltd. | 4,000,000 | 8,582 |
* Bougainville Copper Ltd. | 2,000,000 | 1,135 |
|
|
| | 9,717 |
Peru (1.9%) |
Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.u. ADR | 2,200,000 | 64,042 |
South Africa (17.6%) |
Anglo Platinum Ltd. ADR | 2,127,400 | 217,969 |
Impala Platinum Holdings Ltd. ADR | 4,625,000 | 213,365 |
AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.ADR | 1,500,000 | 72,885 |
Gold Fields Ltd. ADR | 2,425,000 | 50,561 |
Northam Platinum Ltd. | 5,330,432 | 30,741 |
|
|
| | 585,521 |
United Kingdom (17.2%) |
Lonmin PLC | 6,019,413 | 329,146 |
Johnson Matthey PLC | 3,950,000 | 95,465 |
Rio Tinto PLC | 1,625,000 | 84,388 |
* Peter Hambro Mining PLC | 1,892,368 | 46,009 |
BHP Billiton PLC | 600,000 | 11,367 |
* Kenmare Resources PLC | 4,000,000 | 3,045 |
* Zambezi Resources Ltd. | 4,895,833 | 1,138 |
|
|
| | 570,558 |
United States (12.0%) |
CONSOL Energy, Inc. | 3,430,000 | 141,179 |
Peabody Energy Corp. | 2,350,000 | 117,265 |
FMC Corp. | 1,000,000 | 61,690 |
Arch Coal, Inc. | 1,200,000 | 45,528 |
Minerals Technologies, Inc. | 677,000 | 34,270 |
|
|
| | 399,932 |
|
Total Common Stocks |
(Cost $2,073,645) | | 3,257,598 |
|
10
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Precious Metals (0.1%) | | |
|
* Platinum Bullion (In Ounces) |
(Cost $1,213) | 2,009 | 2,468 |
|
Temporary Cash Investment (1.8%) |
|
2Vanguard Market |
Liquidity Fund, 5.276% |
(Cost $61,833) | 61,832,513 | 61,833 |
|
Total Investments (99.9%) |
(Cost $2,136,691) | | 3,321,899 |
|
Other Assets and Liabilities-- |
Net (0.1%) | | 2,064 |
|
Net Assets (100%) |
|
Applicable to 115,850,918 outstanding $.001 |
par value shares of beneficial interest |
(unlimited authorization) | | 3,323,963 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share | | $28.69 |
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
|
Assets |
Investments in Securities, at Value | | 3,321,899 |
Receivables for Accrued Income | | 4,598 |
Receivables for Capital Shares Issued | | 2,253 |
Other Assets--Note C | | 1,189 |
|
Total Assets | | 3,329,939 |
|
Liabilities |
Payables for Capital Shares Redeemed | | 1,709 |
Other Liabilities | | 4,267 |
|
Total Liabilities | | 5,976 |
|
Net Assets | | $3,323,963 |
|
At July 31, 2006, net assets consisted of:3 |
| Amount | Per |
| ($000) | Share |
|
Paid-in Capital | 1,959,090 | $ 16.91 |
Undistributed Net |
Investment Income | 6,782 | .06 |
Accumulated Net |
Realized Gains | 172,825 | 1.49 |
Unrealized Appreciation |
Investment Securities | 1,185,208 | 10.23 |
Foreign Currencies | 58 | -- |
|
Net Assets | 3,323,963 | $28.69 |
|
| •See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements. *Non-income-producing security. |
1 | Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such company. See Note G in Notes to Financial Statements. |
2 | Affiliated money market fund available only to Vanguard funds and certain trusts and accounts managed by Vanguard. Rate shown is the 7-day yield. |
3 | See Note D in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets. |
ADR | --American Depositary Receipt. |
11
Statement of Operations
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
|
---|
| ($000) |
---|
|
Investment Income | |
|
Income |
|
Dividends1,2 | 42,889 |
|
Interest2 | 1,910 |
|
Security Lending | 454 |
|
Total Income | 45,253 |
|
Expenses |
|
Investment Advisory Fees—Note B | 2,257 |
|
The Vanguard Group—Note C |
|
Management and Administrative | 3,282 |
|
Marketing and Distribution | 313 |
|
Custodian Fees | 189 |
|
Shareholders’ Reports | 40 |
|
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses | 2 |
|
Total Expenses | 6,083 |
|
Net Investment Income | 39,170 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) |
|
Investment Securities Sold2 | 217,552 |
|
Foreign Currencies | (477) |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 217,075 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
Investment Securities | (41,787) |
|
Foreign Currencies | 53 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | (41,734) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 214,511 |
|
1 | Dividends are net of foreign withholding taxes of $1,684,000. |
2 | Dividend income, interest income, and realized net gain (loss) from affiliated companies of the fund were $3,929,000, $1,910,000, and $0, respectively. |
12
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 ($000)
| Year Ended Jan. 31, 2006 ($000)
|
---|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
|
Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 39,170 | 27,914 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 217,075 | 88,953 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | (41,734) | 943,733 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operation | 214,511 | 1,060,600 |
|
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income | (2,466) | (24,676) |
|
Realized Capital Gain 1 | (29,835) | (57,268) |
|
Total Distributions | (32,301) | (81,944) |
|
Capital Share Transactions—Note F |
|
Issued | 423,940 | 1,591,746 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 29,997 | 75,974 |
|
Redeemed 2 | (608,877) | (270,841) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions | (154,940) | 1,396,879 |
|
Total Increase (Decrease) | 27,270 | 2,375,535 |
|
Net Assets |
|
Beginning of Period | 3,296,693 | 921,158 |
|
End of Period 3 | 3,323,963 | 3,296,693 |
|
1 | Includes fiscal 2007 and 2006 short-term gain distributions totaling $26,013,000 and $14,086,000, respectively. Short-term gain distributions are treated as ordinary income dividends for tax purposes. |
2 | Net of redemption fees of $2,952,000 and $1,463,000. |
3 | Net Assets--End of Period includes undistributed (over distributed) net investment income of $6,782,000 and ($29,445,000). |
13
Financial Highlights
| Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
| | | | |
---|
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $27.08 | $16.46 | $15.29 | $11.25 | $9.31 | $7.51 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .320 | .3371 | .1851 | .194 | .25 | .28 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized |
|
Gain (Loss) on Investments2 | 1.552 | 11.080 | 1.988 | 4.780 | 2.18 | 1.91 |
|
Total from Investment Operations | 1.872 | 11.417 | 2.173 | 4.974 | 2.43 | 2.19 |
|
Distributions |
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (.020) | (.240) | (.144) | (.934) | (.49) | (.39) |
|
Distributions from |
|
Realized Capital Gains | (.242) | (.557) | (.859) | — | — | — |
|
Total Distributions | (.262) | (.797) | (1.003) | (.934) | (.49) | (.39) |
|
Net Asset Value, |
End of Period | $28.69 | $27.08 | $16.46 | $15.29 | $11.25 | $9.31 |
|
Total Return3 | 6.98% | 70.19% | 14.20% | 44.07% | 26.51% | 30.05% |
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period | $3,324 | $3,297 | $921 | $608 | $537 | $410 |
(Millions) |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.36%4 | 0.40% | 0.48% | 0.55% | 0.60% | 0.63% |
|
Ratio of Net Investment |
Income to Average Net Assets | 2.30%4 | 1.68% | 1.32% | 1.61% | 2.14% | 3.45% |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 27%4 | 20% | 36% | 15% | 43% | 52% |
|
1 | Calculated based on average shares outstanding. |
2 | Includes increases from redemption fees of $.03, $.01, $.01, $.00, $.02, and $.00. |
3 | Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year. |
| See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements. |
14
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining 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 Specialized 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.
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 4:00 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. Precious metals are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and asked prices. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value.
2. Foreign Currency: Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the valuation date as employed by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) in the calculation of its indexes. As part of the fund’s fair-value procedures, exchange rates may be adjusted if they change significantly before the fund’s pricing time but after the time at which the MSCI rates are determined (generally 11:00 a.m., Eastern time).
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 asset or liability is settled in cash, when they are recorded as realized foreign currency 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. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the 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.
15
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. Fees assessed on redemptions of capital shares are credited to paid-in capital.
B. M&G Investment Management Ltd. provides investment advisory services to the fund for a fee calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets. For the six months ended July 31, 2006, the investment advisory fee represented an effective annual rate of 0.13% of the fund’s average net assets. In accordance with the advisory contract entered into in February 2006, beginning in November 2006, the investment advisory fee will be subject to quarterly adjustments based on the fund’s performance since January 31, 2006, relative to the S&P/Citigroup Custom Metals & Mining Index.
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 July 31, 2006, the fund had contributed capital of $369,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.37% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.
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. The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.
During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund realized net foreign currency losses of $477,000, which permanently decreased distributable net income for tax purposes; accordingly, such losses 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 January 31, 2006, on passive foreign investment company holdings at July 31, 2006, was $30,162,000, which has been distributed and is reflected in the balance of undistributed net investment income.
During 2001, the fund elected to use a provision of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997 to mark-to-market certain appreciated securities held on January 1, 2001; such securities were treated as sold and repurchased, with unrealized gains of $46,006,000 becoming realized, for tax purposes. The mark-to-market created a difference between the cost of investments for financial statement and tax purposes, which will reverse when the securities are sold. Through July 31, 2006, the fund realized gains on the sale of these securities of $1,494,000 for financial statement purposes, which were included in prior
16
year mark-to-market gains for tax purposes. The remaining difference of $44,512,000 is reflected in the balance of accumulated net realized gains; the corresponding difference between the securities’ cost for financial statement and tax purposes is reflected in unrealized appreciation.
At July 31, 2006, net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $1,110,534,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $1,130,408,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $19,874,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase or since being marked-to-market for tax purposes.
E. During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund purchased $482,206,000 of investment securities and sold $455,407,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.
F. Capital shares issued and redeemed were:
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
| Year Ended January 31, 2006
|
---|
| Shares (000) | Shares (000) |
---|
|
Issued | 14,887 | 76,073 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 1,116 | 3,283 |
|
Redeemed | (21,889) | (13,578) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (5,886) | 65,778 |
|
G. Certain of the fund’s investments are in companies that are considered to be affiliated companies of the fund because the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of the company. Transactions during the period ended July 31, 2006, in securities of these companies were as follows:
| | Current Period Transactions
| | | |
---|
| Jan. 31, 2006 Market Value ($000) | Purchases at Cost ($000) | Proceeds from Securities Sold ($000) | Dividend Income ($000)
| July 31, 2006 Market Value ($000) |
---|
|
Aber Diamond Corp. | 159,477 | 49,000 | — | 2,043 | 172,626 |
|
Centennial Coal Co., Ltd. | n/a1 | 9,647 | — | 570 | 43,692 |
|
Centerra Gold Inc. | 134,269 | 21,124 | — | — | 108,822 |
|
Iluka Resources Ltd. | 69,268 | 20,796 | — | 1,316 | 87,328 |
|
Meridian Gold Inc. | 156,285 | 27,064 | — | — | 178,332 |
|
Zambezi Resources Ltd. | 1,049 | — | — | — | n/a 2 |
|
| 520,348 | | | 3,929 | 590,800 |
|
|
1 | At January 31, 2006, the issuer was not an affiliated company of the fund. |
2 | At July 31, 2006, the security is still held, but the issuer is no longer an affiliated company of the fund. |
17
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.
• 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 July 31, 2006
Precious Metals and Mining Fund | Beginning Account Value 1/31/2006 | Ending Account Value 7/31/2006 | Expenses Paid During Period1 |
---|
|
Based on Actual Fund Return | $1,000.00 | $1,069.78 | $1.85 |
|
Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return | 1,000.00 | 1,023.01 | 1.81 |
|
1 | These calculations are based on expenses incurred in the most recent six-month period. The fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio for that period is 0.36%. 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. |
18
Note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight and help you compare ongoing costs only; they do not include your fund’s low-balance fee or the 1% fee on redemptions of shares held for less than one year. These fees are fully described in the prospectus. If the 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 the appropriate fund prospectus.
19
Trustees Approve Advisory Agreement
The board of trustees of Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund has approved an amended investment advisory agreement with M&G Investment Management Limited. The amended agreement changes the process from the quarterly calculation of asset-based fees. The calculation now will be based on the average daily net assets of the fund, rather than the average month-end net assets. The board determined that the retention of M&G was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
The board based its decision upon an evaluation of M&G’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 agreement. 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 the firm. The board noted that M&G, founded in 1931, specializes in managing equity and fixed income portfolios for both institutional and retail clients worldwide. The firm has advised the Precious Metals and Mining Fund since the fund’s inception in 1984. The advisor continues to employ a sound process, selecting companies that are broadly representative of the metals and mining industries and emphasizing large, stable, and diversified companies. The advisor’s internal research team—composed of the portfolio manager, Graham E. French, and a team of six global equity analysts—conducts intensive fundamental analysis of companies in the industry; their research includes making regular visits to companies.
The board concluded that M&G’s management experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of the advisory agreement, with the amendment described above.
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 noted that M&G has carried out the fund’s investment strategy in disciplined fashion, and that performance results have allowed the fund to remain competitive versus its benchmark. The board also noted that the fund is more broadly diversified than its competitors—with the ability to invest up to half of the fund’s assets in non-precious metals and mining stocks—but continues to remain competitive versus the average gold-oriented peer fund. Information about the fund’s performance, including some of the data considered by the board, 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 fee was 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 M&G in determining whether to approve the advisory fee, because M&G is independent of Vanguard, and the advisory fee is 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 schedule. The breakpoints reduce the effective rate of the fee as the fund’s assets increase. The advisory agreement will continue for one year and is renewable by the fund’s board after that for successive one-year periods.
20
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%. 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.
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.
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.
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.
21
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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 |
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|
Born 1954 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, |
Trustee since May 1987; | Chief Executive Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., |
Chairman of the Board and | and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group. |
Chief Executive Officer |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen |
|
Independent Trustees |
|
Charles D. Ellis |
|
Born 1937 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Applecore Partners |
Trustee since January 2001 | (pro bono ventures in education); Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | (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. |
|
Rajiv L. Gupta |
|
Born 1945 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman and Chief |
Trustee since December 20012 | Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals) since 1999; Board |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Member of the American Chemistry Council; Director of Tyco International, Ltd. |
| (diversified manufacturing and services) since 2005; Trustee of Drexel |
| University and of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. |
|
Amy Gutmann |
|
Born 1949 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of the University |
Trustee since June 2006 | of Pennsylvania since 2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen |
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|
Born 1950 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate Vice President |
Trustee since July 1998 | and Chief Global Diversity Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
Andre F. Perold |
|
Born 1952 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Gund Professor |
Trustee since December 2004 | of Finance and Banking, Harvard Business School (since 2000); Senior |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Recruiting, and Chair of Finance Faculty, |
| Harvard Business School; Director and Chairman of UNX, Inc. (equities trading |
| firm) (since 2003); Director of registered investment companies advised by |
| Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and affiliates (1985-2004),Genbel |
| Securities Limited (South African financial services firm) (1999-2003), Gensec |
| Bank (1999-2003), Sanlam, Ltd. (South African insurance company). |
| (2001-2003), and Stockback, Inc. (credit card firm) (2000-2002) |
|
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr |
|
Born 1941 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, |
Trustee since January 1993 | Chief Executive Officer, and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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: Retired Chairman and |
Trustee since April 1985 | Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Cummins Inc. (diesel engines),MeadWestvaco Corp. (packaging products), |
| and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (pharmaceutical distribution); Trustee of |
| Vanderbilt University and of Culver Educational Foundation. |
|
|
|
Executive Officers1 |
|
Heidi Stam |
|
Born 1956 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing Director since |
Secretary since July 2005 | July 2006,General Counsel since July 2005, and Secretary of Vanguard and of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since July |
| 2005; Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (1997-2006). |
|
Thomas J. Higgins |
|
Born 1957 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of The Vanguard |
Treasurer since July 1998 | Group, Inc.;Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Vanguard Group. |
|
|
Vanguard Senior Management Team |
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R. Gregory Barton | Kathleen C. Gubanich | Michael S. Miller |
Mortimer J. Buckley | Paul A. Heller | Ralph K. Packard |
James H. Gately | F. William McNabb, III | 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.
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/shipbackcover.gif) P.O. Box 2600 Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600 |
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Connect with Vanguard™ > www.vanguard.com |
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|
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|
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Fund Information > 800-662-7447 | Vanguard, 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 > 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 |
This material may be used in conjunction | guidelines by visiting our website, www.vanguard.com, |
with the offering of shares of any Vanguard | and searching for “proxy voting guidelines,” or by calling |
fund only if preceded or accompanied by | Vanguard at 800-662-2739. They are also available from |
the fund’s current prospectus. | 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. |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| © 2006 The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| All rights reserved. |
| Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor. |
| |
| Q532 092006 |
Vanguard® Health Care Fund | |
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| |
| |
> Semiannual Report | |
| |
| |
July 31, 2006 | |
| |
| |
| ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
> During the six months ended July 31, 2006, Vanguard Health Care Fund returned 4.0%.
> The fund outpaced its benchmark index, the average return for peer funds, and the broad stock market, all by considerable margins.
> Compared with its index, the fund’s important holdings in international pharmaceuticals firms helped boost performance.
Contents |
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|
Your Fund's Total Returns | 1 |
|
Chairman's Letter | 2 |
|
Advisor's Report | 6 |
|
Fund Profile | 7 |
|
Performance Summary | 8 |
|
Financial Statements | 9 |
|
About Your Fund's Expenses | 20 |
|
Trustees Approve Advisory Agreement | 22 |
|
Glossary | 24 |
|
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 July 31, 2006 |
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Total Return |
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|
Vanguard Health Care Fund | |
|
Investor Shares | 4.0% |
|
Admiral™ Shares1 | 4.0 |
|
S&P Health Sector Index | 0.0 |
|
Average Health/Biotechnology Fund2 | -4.3 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index | -0.4 |
|
Your Fund's Performance at a Glance January 31, 2006-July 31, 2006 |
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| Distributions Per Share
|
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| Starting Share Price | Ending Share Price | Income Dividends | Capital Gains |
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|
Vanguard Health Care Fund | | | | |
|
Investor Shares | $143.39 | $145.27 | $0.35 | $3.337 |
|
Admiral Shares | 60.52 | 61.34 | 0.15 | 1.409 |
|
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
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/brennanphoto.gif)
Chairman’s Letter
Dear Shareholder,
During the fiscal half-year ended July 31, 2006, Vanguard Health Care Fund posted a return of 4.0%. The fund outpaced its benchmark index by 4 percentage points and the average return of its peers by 8 percentage points for the period.
Vanguard Health Care Fund remained closed to new investors, although existing shareholders can continue to invest in the fund.
Stocks started strongly, but retreated as the economy slowed
Worrisome economic signals took a toll on stocks, which began the year on an upward trajectory, then reversed course in early May. The U.S. economy expanded at a torrid pace in the first calendar quarter, when gross domestic product jumped at an annualized rate of 5.6%, but economic growth skidded to half that rate in the second quarter. Instability in international oil markets and a slowing domestic housing market added to investors’ concerns.
The broad U.S. stock market closed on July 31 near where it started six months before. Small-capitalization stocks and growth stocks performed poorly, as investors showed increased aversion to risk.
2
The picture was similar in international markets, where investors were spooked by the specters of rising inflation (largely because of high energy and commodity prices) and slowing growth. However, a weakened U.S. dollar gave a boost to international returns for American investors when gains abroad were converted back into the U.S. currency.
Bonds struggled to maintain footing as interest rates climbed
The Federal Reserve Board raised its target for the federal funds rate three times during the period, to 5.25%, marking the 17th consecutive rate hike since the central bank began its inflation-fighting campaign two years ago. (At its August 8 meeting, the Fed elected to leave its target unchanged.) The broad market for taxable U.S. bonds finished the six months with a modestly positive return, while municipal bond returns fared somewhat better.
Yields of U.S. Treasury securities rose at both ends of the maturity spectrum, but the yield curve remained essentially flat, with a minuscule difference between the yields of the 3-month and the 30-year issues. Although stock investors sought to avoid risk, bond investors were less sensitive; high-yield bonds were one of the stronger segments of the bond market.
Market Barometer |
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| Total Returns Periods Ended July 31, 2006
|
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| Six Months | One Year | Five Years1 |
---|
|
Stocks | | | |
|
Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps) | 0.2% | 5.2% | 3.4% |
|
Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps) | -3.9 | 4.2 | 9.0 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market) | -0.4 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
|
MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International) | 3.9 | 25.1 | 12.6 |
|
|
|
Bonds |
|
Lehman Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market) | 0.6% | 1.5% | 4.8% |
|
Lehman Municipal Bond Index | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
|
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index | 2.3 | 4.1 | 2.2 |
|
|
|
CPI |
|
Consumer Price Index | 2.6% | 4.1% | 2.8% |
|
|
|
|
1 Annualized. |
3
Your fund had an excellent half-year performance
Vanguard Health Care Fund’s 4.0% return roundly beat both the result of the benchmark S&P Health Sector Index and the average return for health/biotechnology funds.
The fund’s foreign and domestic pharmaceutical holdings—which made up just over half of its assets during the period, on average—experienced an excellent half-year. The stocks of a number of large drugmakers climbed, including two of the fund’s top-ten holdings, AstraZeneca Group (+29%) and Roche Holdings (+14%). Significant contributions also came from other international holdings, including Daiichi Sankyo (up +34% for the period).
The fund’s diversification into health-care-related companies in the consumer staples and materials sectors, though representing a small weighting, provided real value during the half-year. The pharmacy chain CVS (+18%) and diversified chemicals manufacturer Bayer (+21%) are two examples.
On the other hand, the fund’s biotechnology stocks were down during the period, as were its holdings among health care distributors. MedImmune (–26%) and Cardinal Health (–7%), in particular, put a drag on performance.
Wellington Management Company, LLP, the fund’s advisor, continued its focus on high-quality securities and broad diversification among health-care-related
Annualized Expense Ratios1 Your fund compared with its peer group |
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| Investor Shares | Admiral Shares | Average Health/ Biotechnology Fund |
---|
|
Health Care Fund | 0.25% | 0.17% | 1.79% |
|
1 Fund expense ratios reflect the six months ended July 31, 2006. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2005.
4
companies. Historically, this strategy has worked in the fund's favor, offsetting some of the pitfalls associated with being highly concentrated in one industry group. In combination with Vanguard's low costs, this has proved to be a winning formula for the fund.
A well-diversified portfolio should be the key to your plan
The key to achieving your objectives as an investor is to carefully choose a diversified mix of stock, bond, and money market mutual funds that fits your goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. A balanced portfolio such as this allows you to participate in the rewards offered by each asset class, while also helping to soften the effects of the downturns that ultimately occur. Vanguard Health Care Fund provides exposure to one of the stock market's most innovative and exciting sectors. It is a valuable holding for investors who are comfortable with the risks associated with a concentration in one particular industry group. The fund can play a very useful role as part of a well-diversified stock-fund portfolio.
Thank you for investing with Vanguard.
Sincerely,
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/jjbsignature.gif)
John J. Brennan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 14, 2006
5
Advisor's Report
Vanguard Health Care Fund advanced 4.0% during the fiscal half-year ended July 31, 2006. This compared with 0.7% for the S&P 500 Index; a flat 0.0% for the fund's benchmark, the S&P Health Sector Index; and -4.3% for the average return of health/biotechnology funds.
The investment environment
Health care stocks performed in line with the overall stock market during the period, but with substantial differences among the subsectors of the industry. International stocks were quite strong, faring much better than their domestic counterparts. The large U.S. pharmaceutical companies improved versus their sluggish performance of the past few years. Biotech companies were weaker, following upon their strong showing last year. Medical technology companies were affected by slowdowns in important categories like orthopedic implants and implantable defibrillators. Finally, health services companies suffered a significant retrenchment; they had performed strongly last year, in anticipation of the benefit from changes in the Medicare program.
Our successes
Our international holdings AstraZeneca Group, Roche Holdings, Daiichi Sankyo, and Takeda Pharmaceutical were particularly strong during the period, driven by earnings growth, improved fundamentals, and solid volume growth. Our significant exposure to the international sector was largely responsible for the fund's strong relative results.
Our shortfalls
Health services companies Cardinal Health, CIGNA, and McKesson produced weak returns during the period. As was the case with much of the health services group, modest shortfalls in results for these companies were magnified in the companies' stock prices, following several years of very good performance.
The fund's positioning
We believe that the rise in interest rates and higher energy costs have created a difficult environment for equities. The health care sector usually fares relatively well during tough periods, but it is not immune. We will continue to invest with a long-term focus, maintaining appropriate diversification and attention to valuations.
During the six-month period, we made several changes in the fund's holdings. We added UnitedHealth Group, which was priced attractively, and we added to our positions in St. Jude Medical and in Schering-Plough, because of its strong anticholesterol franchise. We reduced our exposure to Gilead Sciences as well as to Schering AG, which was acquired by Bayer.
Edward P. Owens
Senior Vice President and
Portfolio Manager
Wellington Management Company, LLP
August 14, 2006
6
Fund Profile
As of July 31, 2006
Portfolio Characteristics |
---|
| Fund | Broad Index1 |
---|
|
Number of Stocks | 83 | 4,981 |
|
Median Market Cap | $28.1B | $70.9B |
|
Price/Earnings Ratio | 25.0x | 19.1x |
|
Price/Book Ratio | 3.7x | 2.7x |
|
Yield | | 1.8% |
|
Investor Shares | 1.2% |
|
Admiral Shares | 1.3% |
|
Return on Equity | 18.4% | 17.1% |
|
Earnings Growth Rate | 14.4% | 9.8% |
|
Foreign Holdings | 28.6% | 2.5% |
|
Turnover Rate | 8%2 | — |
|
Expense Ratio | | — |
|
Investor Shares | 0.25%2 |
|
Admiral Shares | 0.17%2 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 8% | — |
|
|
|
|
Volatility Measures3 |
---|
Fund Versus Broad Index1 |
---|
|
R-Squared | 0.29 |
|
Beta | 0.50 |
|
|
|
|
Sector Diversification4 (% of portfolio) |
---|
|
Biotechnology | 11% |
|
Consumer Staples | 3 |
|
Health Care Distributors | 6 |
|
Health Care Equipment | 7 |
|
Health Care Facilities | 2 |
|
Health Care Services | 2 |
|
Health Care Technology | 2 |
|
Managed Health Care | 6 |
|
Materials | 3 |
|
Pharmaceuticals | 50 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 8% |
|
|
|
|
Ten Largest Holdings5 (% of total net assets) |
---|
|
Eli Lilly & Co. | 4.9% |
|
Schering-Plough Corp. | 4.4 |
|
AstraZeneca Group PLC | 4.2 |
|
Roche Holdings AG | 4.1 |
|
Sanofi-Aventis | 3.8 |
|
Forest Laboratories, Inc. | 3.5 |
|
Cardinal Health, Inc. | 3.0 |
|
Novartis AG (Registered) | 2.9 |
|
McKesson Corp. | 2.8 |
|
Pfizer Inc. | 2.7 |
|
Top Ten | 36.3% |
|
|
|
|
Country Diversification (% of portfolio) |
---|
|
United States | 63% |
|
Japan | 10 |
|
Switzerland | 7 |
|
United Kingdom | 4 |
|
France | 4 |
|
Germany | 2 |
|
Netherlands | 1 |
|
Others | 1 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 8% |
|
|
|
|
Investment Focus
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/health_investment.gif)
1 Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.
2 Annualized.
3 For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 24.
4 Sector percentages combine U.S. and international holdings.
5 "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.) 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 31, 1996-July 31, 2006
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/health_graph.gif)
Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended June 30, 2006
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 | 5/23/1984 | 12.10% | 7.93% | 16.42% |
|
Admiral Shares2 | 11/12/2001 | 12.21 | 9.143 | — |
|
1 Six months ended July 31, 2006.
2 Total return figures do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held less than one year.
3 Return since inception.
Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 14 and 15 for dividend and capital gains information.
8
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Statement of Net Assets
As of July 31, 2006
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).
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Common Stocks (91.9%) | | |
|
United States (63.3%) |
|
Biotechnology (10.6%) |
* Amgen, Inc. | 9,989,355 | 696,658 |
* Gilead Sciences, Inc. | 7,749,848 | 476,461 |
* Genzyme Corp. | 6,919,340 | 472,452 |
* Genentech, Inc. | 5,250,000 | 424,305 |
* MedImmune Inc. | 8,650,000 | 219,537 |
*^1 Cephalon, Inc. | 3,310,800 | 217,652 |
* Vertex |
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 4,009,400 | 134,395 |
* Biogen Idec Inc. | 2,000,000 | 84,240 |
* Millennium |
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 7,741,300 | 76,020 |
*^ Human Genome |
Sciences, Inc. | 1,938,500 | 18,823 |
|
|
| | 2,820,543 |
Chemicals (0.6%) |
Sigma-Aldrich Corp. | 2,400,000 | 166,800 |
Food & Staples Retailing (2.8%) |
CVS Corp. | 21,000,000 | 687,120 |
Walgreen Co. | 1,000,000 | 46,780 |
|
|
| | 733,900 |
Health Care Equipment & Supplies (7.2%) |
Health Care Equipment (6.8%) |
Medtronic, Inc. | 10,202,000 | 515,405 |
Becton, Dickinson & Co. | 7,400,000 | 487,808 |
* St. Jude Medical, Inc. | 7,500,900 | 276,783 |
Baxter International, Inc. | 5,300,000 | 222,600 |
Beckman Coulter, Inc. | 2,776,600 | 158,960 |
* Hospira, Inc. | 2,045,070 | 89,349 |
Biomet, Inc. | 1,244,700 | 41,000 |
STERIS Corp. | 850,000 | 19,695 |
Health Care Supplies (0.4%) |
DENTSPLY |
International Inc. | 2,885,400 | 90,313 |
Bausch & Lomb, Inc. | 300,000 | 14,190 |
|
|
| | 1,916,103 |
Health Care Providers & Services (15.8%) |
Health Care Distributors (6.1%) |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | 12,036,708 | 806,459 |
McKesson Corp. | 14,800,000 | 745,772 |
1 Owens & Minor, Inc. |
Holding Co. | 2,200,000 | 66,462 |
|
Health Care Facilities (2.4%) |
HCA Inc. | 8,391,800 | 412,541 |
Universal Health Services |
Class B | 2,460,400 | 137,782 |
Health Management |
Associates Class A | 4,086,900 | 83,087 |
|
Health Care Services (1.9%) |
Quest Diagnostics, Inc. | 4,300,000 | 258,516 |
* Laboratory Corp. of |
America Holdings | 2,967,360 | 191,157 |
* Medco Health |
Solutions, Inc. | 1,000,000 | 59,330 |
|
Managed Health Care (5.4%) |
* 1 Humana Inc. | 9,127,500 | 510,501 |
* Coventry Health Care Inc. | 4,750,000 | 250,325 |
* WellPoint Inc. | 3,202,400 | 238,579 |
CIGNA Corp. | 2,190,300 | 199,865 |
UnitedHealth Group Inc. | 3,600,000 | 172,188 |
* Health Net Inc. | 1,000,000 | 41,970 |
Aetna Inc. | 600,000 | 18,894 |
|
|
| | 4,193,428 |
9
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Heath Care Technology (1.5%) | | |
IMS Health, Inc. | 8,347,400 | 229,053 |
*^1 Cerner Corp. | 4,400,000 | 178,112 |
|
|
| | 407,165 |
Household Products (0.5%) |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | 1,500,000 | 88,980 |
Kimberly-Clark Corp. | 676,300 | 41,288 |
|
|
| | 130,268 |
Insurance (0.1%) |
UnumProvident Corp. | 1,252,500 | 20,328 |
|
Life Science Tools & Services (0.4%) |
* Ventana |
Medical Systems, Inc. | 1,100,000 | 51,271 |
*1 PAREXEL |
International Corp. | 1,570,200 | 46,588 |
|
|
| | 97,859 |
Machinery (0.2%) |
Pall Corp. | 2,404,600 | 62,712 |
|
Pharmaceuticals (23.6%) |
Eli Lilly & Co. | 23,029,900 | 1,307,407 |
Schering-Plough Corp. | 57,170,000 | 1,168,555 |
*1 Forest Laboratories, Inc. | 20,101,500 | 930,900 |
Pfizer Inc. | 27,611,570 | 717,625 |
Abbott Laboratories | 14,480,700 | 691,743 |
Wyeth | 8,250,000 | 399,878 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. | 15,100,000 | 361,947 |
Allergan, Inc. | 2,100,000 | 226,485 |
Johnson & Johnson | 3,300,000 | 206,415 |
1 Perrigo Co. | 5,322,320 | 84,306 |
Mylan Laboratories, Inc. | 2,700,000 | 59,292 |
* Watson |
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. | 2,200,000 | 49,258 |
* Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. | 900,000 | 44,784 |
|
|
| | 6,248,595 |
|
Total United States | | 16,797,701 |
|
International (28.6%) |
|
Belgium (0.4%) |
^ UCB SA | 1,933,593 | 112,603 |
|
Canada (0.1%) |
* Axcan Pharma Inc. | 1,356,900 | 17,660 |
|
Denmark (0.2%) |
Novo Nordisk A/S B Shares | 700,000 | 43,035 |
|
France (4.0%) |
^ Sanofi-Aventis | 10,589,415 | 1,004,745 |
Ipsen Promesses | 1,400,000 | 53,660 |
|
|
| | 1,058,405 |
Germany (1.5%) |
^ Bayer AG | 7,644,656 | 376,162 |
Fresenius Medical Care AG | 220,650 | 26,330 |
|
|
| | 402,492 |
Japan (9.8%) |
Takeda |
Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. | 10,400,000 | 671,546 |
Astellas Pharma Inc. | 14,565,700 | 579,403 |
Eisai Co., Ltd. | 9,453,700 | 437,658 |
Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. | 13,538,300 | 373,046 |
Shionogi & Co., Ltd. | 9,876,000 | 187,506 |
Chugai |
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | 8,834,500 | 182,349 |
Tanabe Seiyaku Co., Ltd. | 6,850,000 | 89,891 |
Ono |
Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. | 1,113,000 | 54,629 |
Olympus Corp. | 1,000,000 | 28,852 |
|
|
| | 2,604,880 |
Netherlands (0.5%) |
Akzo Nobel NV | 2,400,000 | 133,453 |
|
Switzerland (7.6%) |
Roche Holdings AG | 6,123,977 | 1,089,128 |
Novartis AG (Registered) | 13,719,880 | 775,826 |
Serono SA Class B | 210,641 | 142,453 |
|
|
| | 2,007,407 |
United Kingdom (4.5%) |
AstraZeneca Group PLC | 14,781,500 | 901,894 |
AstraZeneca Group |
PLC ADR | 3,496,672 | 213,402 |
GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADR | 1,642,381 | 90,873 |
|
|
| | 1,206,169 |
Total International | | 7,586,104 |
|
Total Common Stocks |
(Cost $14,697,024) | | 24,383,805 |
|
Temporary Cash Investments (9.3%) |
|
Money Market Fund (1.1%) |
2 Vanguard Market |
Liquidity Fund, |
5.276%—Note G | 293,084,436 | 293,084 |
|
|
| Face | |
| Amount | |
| ($000) | |
|
Commercial Paper (1.6%) |
|
General Electric |
Capital Services |
5.671%, 8/16/06 | 210,000 | 209,506 |
General Electric Co. |
5.359%, 9/5/06 | 210,000 | 208,917 |
|
|
| | 418,423 |
10
| Face Amount ($000) | Market Value• ($000)
|
---|
|
Repurchase Agreements (6.6%) | | |
Bank of America |
5.280%, 8/1/06 (Dated |
7/31/06, Repurchase Value |
$642,594,000 collateralized |
by Federal National |
Mortgage Assn., |
5.000%, 3/1/36) | 642,500 | 642,500 |
Deutsche Bank |
5.280%, 8/1/06 (Dated |
7/31/06, Repurchase Value |
$433,864,000 collateralized |
by Federal Home Loan |
Mortgage Corp., |
4.500%-7.500%, |
12/1/17-6/1/36 and |
Government National |
Mortgage Assn., |
5.500%-6.000%, |
2/15/32-9/15/35) | 433,800 | 433,800 |
SBC Warburg Dillon Read |
5.280%, 8/1/06 (Dated |
7/31/06, Repurchase Value |
$664,797,000 collateralized |
by Federal Home Loan |
Mortgage Corp., |
4.000%-10.500%, |
9/1/06-3/1/36 and |
Federal National |
Mortgage Assn., |
4.000%-8.250%, |
1/1/10-1/1/36) | 664,700 | 664,700 |
|
|
| | 1,741,000 |
|
Total Temporary Cash Investments |
(Cost $2,452,506) | | 2,452,507 |
|
Total Investments (101.2%) |
(Cost $17,149,530) | | 26,836,312 |
|
Other Assets and Liabilities— |
|
Net (-1.2%) | | (307,906) |
|
Net Assets (100%) | | 26,528,406 |
|
Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities | |
|
Assets |
Investments in Securities, at Value | 26,836,312 |
Receivables for Investment |
Securities Sold | 14,714 |
Receivables for Capital Shares Issued | 6,099 |
Other Assets—Note C | 23,250 |
|
Total Assets | 26,880,375 |
|
Liabilities |
Security Lending Collateral |
Payable to Brokers—Note G | 293,084 |
Payables for Capital Shares Redeemed | 12,415 |
Other Liabilities | 46,470 |
|
Total Liabilities | 351,969 |
|
Net Assets | 26,528,406 |
|
|
|
|
At July 31, 2006, net assets consisted of:3 |
Amount ($000) |
|
Paid-in Capital | 16,174,197 |
Undistributed Net Investment Income | 174,965 |
Accumulated Net Realized Gains | 492,403 |
Unrealized Appreciation |
Investment Securities | 9,686,782 |
Foreign Currencies | 59 |
|
Net Assets | 26,528,406 |
|
|
|
|
Investor Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 114,490,707 outstanding $.001 |
par value shares of beneficial interest |
(unlimited authorization) | 16,632,389 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Investor Shares | $145.27 |
|
|
|
|
Admiral Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 161,330,977 outstanding $.001 |
par value shares of beneficial interest |
(unlimited authorization) | 9,896,017 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Admiral Shares | $61.34 |
|
• 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 Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such company. See Note I in Notes to Financial Statements.
2 Affiliated money market fund available only to Vanguard funds and certain trusts and accounts managed by Vanguard. Rate shown is the 7-day yield.
3 See Note E in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.
ADR—American Depositary Receipt.
11
Statement of Operations |
---|
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
|
---|
($000) |
---|
|
Investment Income | |
|
Income |
|
Dividends1,2 | 179,988 |
|
Interest | 56,032 |
|
Security Lending | 4,252 |
|
Total Income | 240,272 |
|
Expenses |
|
Investment Advisory Fees—Note B | 8,383 |
|
The Vanguard Group—Note C |
|
Management and Administrative |
|
Investor Shares | 13,320 |
|
Admiral Shares | 4,143 |
|
Marketing and Distribution |
|
Investor Shares | 1,288 |
|
Admiral Shares | 604 |
|
Custodian Fees | 912 |
|
Shareholders' Reports |
|
Investor Shares | 119 |
|
Admiral Shares | 14 |
|
Trustees' Fees and Expenses | 14 |
|
Total Expenses | 28,797 |
|
Expenses Paid Indirectly—Note D | (143) |
|
Net Expenses | 28,654 |
|
Net Investment Income | 211,618 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) |
|
Investment Securities Sold2 | 492,474 |
|
Foreign Currencies | 1,342 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 493,816 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) |
|
Investment Securities | 301,733 |
|
Foreign Currencies | 154 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | 301,887 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 1,007,321 |
|
1 Dividends are net of foreign withholding taxes of $11,622,000.
2 Dividend income and realized net gain (loss) from affiliated companies of the fund were $2,924,000 and $37,385,000, respectively.
12
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 ($000) | Year Ended January 31, 2006 ($000) |
---|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
|
Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 211,618 | 318,037 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 493,816 | 1,288,545 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | 301,887 | 3,083,665 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 1,007,321 | 4,690,247 |
|
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
|
Investor Shares | (40,444) | (184,582) |
|
Admiral Shares | (24,465) | (94,323) |
|
Realized Capital Gain1 |
|
Investor Shares | (385,599) | (644,500) |
|
Admiral Shares | (225,300) | (257,326) |
|
Total Distributions | (675,808) | (1,180,731) |
|
Capital Share Transactions—Note H |
|
Investor Shares | (765,352) | (4,688,888) |
|
Admiral Shares | 641,183 | 5,594,230 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions | (124,169) | 905,342 |
|
Total Increase (Decrease) | 207,344 | 4,414,858 |
|
Net Assets |
|
Beginning of Period | 26,321,062 | 21,906,204 |
|
End of Period2 | 26,528,406 | 26,321,062 |
|
1 Includes fiscal 2007 and 2006 short-term gain distributions totaling $16,842,000 and $69,889,000, 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 $174,965,000 and $26,914,000.
13
Financial Highlights
Health Care Fund Investor Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding | Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
|
---|
Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | $143.39 | $123.84 | $124.29 | $94.35 | $115.01 | $123.04 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 1.137 | 1.753 | 1.272 | .960 | .947 | .980 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized |
Gain (Loss) on Investments | 4.430 | 24.424 | 3.385 | 30.078 | (14.124) | (2.516) |
|
Total from Investment Operations | 5.567 | 26.177 | 4.657 | 31.038 | (13.177) | (1.536) |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (.350) | (1.542) | (1.112) | (.995) | (.955) | (1.030) |
|
Distributions from |
Realized Capital Gains | (3.337) | (5.085) | (3.995) | (.103) | (6.528) | (5.464) |
|
Total Distributions | (3.687) | (6.627) | (5.107) | (1.098) | (7.483) | (6.494) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $145.27 | $143.39 | $123.84 | $124.29 | $94.35 | $115.01 |
|
|
|
Total Return1 | 3.96% | 21.49% | 3.76% | 32.99% | -11.65% | -1.11% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $16,632 | $17,198 | $19,087 | $18,340 | $13,506 | $15,981 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.25%2 | 0.25% | 0.22% | 0.28% | 0.29% | 0.31% |
|
Ratio of Net Investment |
Income to Average Net Assets | 1.63%2 | 1.29% | 1.02% | 0.91% | 0.86% | 0.84% |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 8%2 | 14% | 13% | 13% | 25% | 13% |
|
1 Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions after March 23, 2005, of shares held for less than one year, or the 1% fee assessed until March 23, 2005, on shares purchased on or after April 19, 1999, and held for less than five years.
2 Annualized.
14
Health Care Fund Admiral Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding | Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
| Nov. 12, 20011 to Jan. 31, |
---|
Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | $60.52 | $52.25 | $52.44 | $39.80 | $48.52 | $50.00 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .504 | .779 | .576 | .447 | .436 | .066 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized |
Gain (Loss) on Investments | 1.878 | 10.328 | 1.431 | 12.696 | (5.963) | .542 |
|
Total from Investment Operations | 2.382 | 11.107 | 2.007 | 13.143 | (5.527) | .608 |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (.153) | (.690) | (.511) | (.460) | (.438) | (.390) |
|
Distributions from |
Realized Capital Gains | (1.409) | (2.147) | (1.686) | (.043) | (2.755) | (1.698) |
|
Total Distributions | (1.562) | (2.837) | (2.197) | (.503) | (3.193) | (2.088) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $61.34 | $60.52 | $52.25 | $52.44 | $39.80 | $48.52 |
|
|
|
Total Return2 | 4.01% | 21.62% | 3.84% | 33.12% | -11.58% | 1.23% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $9,896 | $9,123 | $2,819 | $2,492 | $1,620 | $1,631 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.17%3 | 0.14% | 0.15% | 0.19% | 0.22% | 0.23%3 |
|
Ratio of Net Investment |
Income to Average Net Assets | 1.71%3 | 1.40% | 1.10% | 0.98% | 0.93% | 0.50%3 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 8%3 | 14% | 13% | 13% | 25% | 13% |
|
1 Inception.
2 Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions after March 23, 2005, of shares held for less than one year, or the 1% fee previously assessed on shares held for less than five years. 3 Annualized.
See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
15
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Health Care 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 Specialized Funds. The fund may invest 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, servicing, 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 4:00 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 at the exchange rates on the valuation date as employed by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) in the calculation of its indexes. As part of the fund’s fair-value procedures, exchange rates may be adjusted if they change significantly before the fund’s pricing time but after the time at which the MSCI rates are determined (generally 11:00 a.m. Eastern time).
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 asset or liability is settled in cash, when they are recorded as realized foreign currency gains (losses).
3. Repurchase Agreements: The fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements are held by a custodian bank until the agreements mature. Each agreement requires that the market value of the collateral be sufficient to cover payments of interest and principal; however, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.
16
4. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the 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 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 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. Wellington Management Company, LLP, provides investment advisory services to the fund for a fee calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets. For the six months ended July 31, 2006, the investment advisory fee represented an effective annual rate of 0.07% of the fund’s average net assets.
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 July 31, 2006, the fund had contributed capital of $2,786,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 2.79% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.
D. The fund has asked its investment advisor 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 July 31, 2006, these arrangements reduced the fund’s management and administrative expenses by $132,000 and custodian fees by $11,000.
17
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 July 31, 2006, the fund realized net foreign currency gains of $1,342,000, which increased distributable net income for tax purposes; accordingly such gains have been reclassified from accumulated net realized gains to undistributed net investment income.
At July 31, 2006, net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $9,686,782,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $9,764,059,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $77,277,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.
F. During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund purchased $912,857,000 of investment securities and sold $1,065,851,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.
G. The market value of securities on loan to broker-dealers at July 31, 2006, was $279,230,000, for which the fund received cash collateral of $293,084,000.
H. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were:
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
| Year Ended January 31, 2006
|
---|
| Amount ($000) | Shares (000) | Amount ($000) | Shares (000) |
---|
|
Investor Shares | | | | |
|
Issued | 379,846 | 2,717 | 1,232,491 | 9,231 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 408,582 | 2,892 | 792,348 | 5,873 |
|
Redeemed1 | (1,553,780) | (11,061) | (6,713,727) | (49,290) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares | (765,352) | (5,452) | (4,688,888) | (34,186) |
|
Admiral Shares |
|
Issued | 871,798 | 14,578 | 5,619,324 | 97,256 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 229,114 | 3,842 | 319,494 | 5,498 |
|
Redeemed1 | (459,729) | (7,819) | (344,588) | (5,983) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares | 641,183 | 10,601 | 5,594,230 | 96,771 |
|
1 Net of redemption fees of $436,000 and $1,560,000, respectively (fund totals).
18
I. Certain of the fund’s investments are in companies that are considered to be affiliated companies of the fund because the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of the company. Transactions during the period in these companies were as follows:
| Current Period Transactions
| |
---|
| Jan. 31, 2006 Market Value ($000) | Purchases at Cost ($000) | Proceeds from Securities Sold ($000) | Dividend Income ($000) | July 31, 2006 Market Value ($000) |
---|
|
Cephalon, Inc. | 238,843 | — | 4,401 | — | 217,652 |
|
Cerner Corp. | 207,000 | — | 9,503 | — | 178,112 |
|
Forest Laboratories, Inc. | 925,669 | 4,252 | — | — | 930,900 |
|
Humana, Inc. | 545,291 | — | 33,322 | — | 510,501 |
|
McKesson Corp. | 816,200 | — | 29,849 | 1,812 | n/a(1) |
|
Owens & Minor, Inc. Holding Co. | 68,860 | — | — | 660 | 66,462 |
|
PAREXEL International Corp. | 38,281 | — | — | — | 46,588 |
|
Perrigo Co. | 83,081 | — | — | 452 | 84,306 |
|
| 2,923,225 | | | 2,924 | 2,034,521 |
|
|
1 At July 31, 2006, the issuer was not an affiliated company of the fund.
19
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 July 31, 2006 |
---|
Health Care Fund | Beginning Account Value 1/31/2006 | Ending Account Value 7/31/2006 | Expenses Paid During Period1 |
---|
|
Based on Actual Fund Return | | | |
|
Investor Shares | $1,000.00 | $1,039.55 | $1.26 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,040.09 | 0.86 |
|
Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return |
|
Investor Shares | $1,000.00 | $1,023.55 | $1.25 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,023.95 | 0.85 |
|
1 | These 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 Investor Shares, and 0.17% 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 peiod, then divided by the number of days in the most recent 12-month period. |
20
Note that the expenses shown in the table on page 20 are meant to highlight and help you compare ongoing costs only; they do not include your fund’s low-balance fee or the 1% redemption fee that applies to shares held for less than one year. These fees are fully described in the prospectus. If the 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 the appropriate fund prospectus.
21
Trustees Approve Advisory Agreement
The board of trustees of Vanguard Health Care Fund has approved an amended investment advisory agreement with Wellington Management Company, LLP. The amended agreement changes the process for the quarterly calculation of asset-based fees. The calculation now will be based on the average daily net assets of the fund rather than the average month-end net assets. The board determined that the retention of Wellington Management was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
The board based its decision upon an evaluation of Wellington Management’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 agreement. 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 investment management to the fund over both the short and long term and the organizational depth and stability of the advisory firm. The board noted that Wellington Management, with over 75 years of investment management experience, subadvises a broad range of mandates—including both equity and fixed income strategies—for institutional clients worldwide. Edward P. Owens has managed the Health Care Fund since its inception in 1984. Mr. Owens is aided by a team of five experienced health care analysts. The advisor’s health care team utilizes intensive fundamental analysis to identify companies with high-quality balance sheets, strong management, and the potential for new products that will lead to above-average growth in revenue and earnings. The advisor invests in stocks broadly representing the health care industry, seeking to maintain exposure across five primary subsectors: health services, medical products, specialty pharmaceuticals, major pharmaceuticals, and international markets.
The board concluded that Wellington Management’s experience, stability, depth and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of the advisory agreement with the amendment described above.
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 trustees found that the fund, under Wellington Management, has consistently outperformed both the Standard & Poor’s Health Sector Index and the fund’s peer group since the fund’s inception. Information about the fund’s performance, including some of the data considered by the board, 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 fee was 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 Wellington Management in determining whether to approve the advisory fee, because Wellington Management is independent of Vanguard, and the advisory fee is the result of arm’s-length negotiations.
22
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 schedule. The breakpoints reduce the effective rate of the fee as the fund’s assets increase.
The advisory agreement will continue for one year and is renewable by the fund’s board after that for successive one-year periods.
23
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%. 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.
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.
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.
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 snapshot of a fund’s income from interest and dividends. The yield, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s net asset value, is based on income earned over the past 30 days and is annualized, or projected forward for the coming year. The index yield is based on the current annualized rate of income provided by securities in the index. This page intentionally left blank.
24
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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 |
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|
Born 1954 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, |
Trustee since May 1987; | Chief Executive Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., |
Chairman of the Board and | and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group. |
Chief Executive Officer |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen |
|
Independent Trustees |
|
Charles D. Ellis |
|
Born 1937 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Applecore Partners |
Trustee since January 2001 | (pro bono ventures in education); Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | (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. |
|
Rajiv L. Gupta |
|
Born 1945 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman and Chief |
Trustee since December 20012 | Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals) since 1999; Board |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Member of the American Chemistry Council; Director of Tyco International, Ltd. |
| (diversified manufacturing and services) since 2005; Trustee of Drexel |
| University and of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. |
|
Amy Gutmann |
|
Born 1949 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of the University |
Trustee since June 2006 | of Pennsylvania since 2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen |
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|
Born 1950 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate Vice President |
Trustee since July 1998 | and Chief Global Diversity Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
Andre F. Perold |
|
Born 1952 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Gund Professor |
Trustee since December 2004 | of Finance and Banking, Harvard Business School (since 2000); Senior |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Recruiting, and Chair of Finance Faculty, |
| Harvard Business School; Director and Chairman of UNX, Inc. (equities trading |
| firm) (since 2003); Director of registered investment companies advised by |
| Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and affiliates (1985-2004),Genbel |
| Securities Limited (South African financial services firm) (1999-2003), Gensec |
| Bank (1999-2003), Sanlam, Ltd. (South African insurance company). |
| (2001-2003), and Stockback, Inc. (credit card firm) (2000-2002) |
|
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr |
|
Born 1941 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, |
Trustee since January 1993 | Chief Executive Officer, and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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: Retired Chairman and |
Trustee since April 1985 | Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Cummins Inc. (diesel engines),MeadWestvaco Corp. (packaging products), |
| and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (pharmaceutical distribution); Trustee of |
| Vanderbilt University and of Culver Educational Foundation. |
|
|
|
Executive Officers1 |
|
Heidi Stam |
|
Born 1956 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing Director since |
Secretary since July 2005 | July 2006,General Counsel since July 2005, and Secretary of Vanguard and of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since July |
| 2005; Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (1997-2006). |
|
Thomas J. Higgins |
|
Born 1957 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of The Vanguard |
Treasurer since July 1998 | Group, Inc.;Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Vanguard Group. |
|
|
Vanguard Senior Management Team |
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R. Gregory Barton | Kathleen C. Gubanich | Michael S. Miller |
Mortimer J. Buckley | Paul A. Heller | Ralph K. Packard |
James H. Gately | F. William McNabb, III | 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.
| | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
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| | P.O. Box 2600 Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600 |
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| | |
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 > 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 |
This material may be used in conjunction | | voting guidelines by visiting our website, |
with the offering of shares of any | | www.vanguard.com, and searching for "proxy voting |
Vanguard fund only if preceded or | | guidelines," or by calling Vanguard at 800-662-2739. |
accompanied by the fund's current | | They are also available from the SEC's website, |
prospectus. | | 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. |
| |
| |
| | © 2006 The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| | All rights reserved. |
| | Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor. |
| |
| | Q522 092006 |
Vanguard® REIT Index Fund |
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| |
| |
> Semiannual Report | |
| |
| |
July 31, 2006 | |
| |
| |
| |
| ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
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> Vanguard REIT Index Fund returned 9.0% for the six months ended July 31, 2006. The fund closely tracked the performance of its target benchmark and outpaced the return of its average peer.
> All REIT segments posted positive returns. The fund’s sizable holdings in office and residential REITs delivered the strongest results. Returns were less robust in the retail subcategory, the fund’s largest.
> The broad U.S. stock market became listless as economic news, initially upbeat, turned worrisome in the second half of the period. Larger stocks generally did better than small-cap stocks.
Contents |
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|
Your Fund's Total Returns | 1 |
|
Chairman's Letter | 2 |
|
Fund Profile | 7 |
|
Performance Summary | 8 |
|
Financial Statements | 9 |
|
About Your Fund's Expenses | 21 |
|
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement | 23 |
|
Glossary | 24 |
|
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/msci.gif)
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 July 31, 2006 |
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Total Return |
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|
Vanguard REIT Index Fund | |
|
Investor Shares | 9.0% |
|
Admiral™ Shares1 | 9.0 |
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Institutional Shares2 | 9.0 |
|
ETF Shares3 |
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Market Price | 9.1 |
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Net Asset Value | 9.0 |
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MSCI® US REIT Index | 9.2 |
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Average Real Estate Fund4 | 8.6 |
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Target REIT Composite5 | 9.0 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index | -0.4 |
|
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|
Your Fund's Performance at a Glance January 31, 2006-July 31, 2006 |
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| Distributions Per Share
|
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| Starting Share Price | Ending Share Price | Income Dividends6 | Capital Gains | Return of Capital |
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|
Vanguard REIT Index Fund | | | | | |
|
Investor Shares | $21.29 | $22.83 | $0.350 | $0.000 | $0.000 |
|
Admiral Shares | 90.82 | 97.43 | 1.521 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
|
Institutional Shares | 14.06 | 15.08 | 0.239 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
|
ETF Shares | 64.07 | 68.73 | 1.082 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
|
1 A lower-cost class of shares available to many longtime shareholders and to those with significant investments in the fund.
2 This class of shares also carries low expenses and is available for a minimum investment of $5 million.
3 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.
4 Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.
5 The Target REIT Composite consists of the MSCI US REIT Index adjusted to include a 2% cash position (Lipper Money Market Average).
6 The return of capital distribution is determined after the end of the fund’s fiscal year. Consequently, part of the income dividend may be eventually classified as a return of capital.
1
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/brennanphoto.gif)
Chairman’s Letter
Dear Shareholder,
During the fiscal half-year ended July 31, 2006, investors in real estate companies continued to benefit from share-price gains that were stronger than those found in many other parts of the broad U.S. stock market. Vanguard REIT Index Fund returned 9.0%, closely tracking the return of the target MSCI US REIT Index. The fund outpaced the result of average competing real estate funds.
On July 31, the fund’s Investor Shares yielded 3.9%, and the Admiral, Institutional, and ETF Shares yielded 4.0%. These figures represented a small increase from those seen at the start of the period, although REIT yields generally remained significantly lower than they were a few years ago, before prices jumped.
Please note that the yield figures are not comparable to dividends paid by other stock funds, because REITs must distribute at least 90% of their taxable income, minus expenses, to shareholders. The figures also include some payments that represent capital gains and returns of capital by the underlying REITs, amounts that are determined by each REIT at the end of its fiscal year.
Stocks started strongly, but retreated as the economy slowed
Worrisome economic signals took a toll on stocks, which began the year on an upward trajectory, then reversed course in early May. The U.S. economy expanded at a
2
torrid pace in the first calendar quarter, when gross domestic product jumped at an annualized rate of 5.6%, but economic growth skidded to half that rate in the second quarter. Instability in international oil markets and a slowing domestic housing market added to investors’ concerns.
The broad U.S. stock market closed on July 31 near where it started six months before. Small-capitalization stocks and growth stocks performed poorly, as investors showed increased aversion to risk.
The picture was similar in international markets, where investors were spooked by the specters of rising inflation (largely because of high energy and commodity prices) and slowing growth. However, a weakened U.S. dollar gave a boost to international returns for American investors when gains abroad were converted back into the U.S. currency.
Bonds struggled to maintain footing as interest rates climbed
The Federal Reserve Board raised its target for the federal funds rate three times during the period, to 5.25%, marking the 17th consecutive rate hike since the central bank began its inflation-fighting campaign two years ago. (At its August 8 meeting, the Fed elected to leave its target unchanged.) The broad market for taxable U.S. bonds finished the six months with a modestly positive return, while municipal bond returns fared somewhat better.
Market Barometer |
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| Total Returns Periods Ended July 31, 2006
|
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| Six Months | One Year | Five Years1 |
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|
Stocks | | | |
|
Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps) | 0.2% | 5.2% | 3.4% |
|
Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps) | -3.9 | 4.2 | 9.0 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market) | -0.4 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
|
MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International) | 3.9 | 25.1 | 12.6 |
|
|
|
Bonds |
|
Lehman Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market) | 0.6% | 1.5% | 4.8% |
|
Lehman Municipal Bond Index | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
|
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index | 2.3 | 4.1 | 2.2 |
|
|
|
CPI |
|
Consumer Price Index | 2.6% | 4.1% | 2.8% |
|
|
|
|
1 Annualized. |
3
Yields of U.S. Treasury securities rose at both ends of the maturity spectrum, but the yield curve remained essentially flat, with a minuscule difference between the yields of the 3-month and the 30-year issues. Although, as noted earlier, stock investors tended to avoid risk during the period, bond investors were less sensitive; high-yield bonds were one of the stronger segments of the bond market.
Despite economic uncertainties, REITs again fared well
The REIT Index Fund continued on the upward trajectory it has traced over the past several fiscal periods. The fund’s 9.0% return for the six-month period was in line with that of its target index and a few notches better than that of its peer funds. The fund’s performance was strongest in February and March, but then slowed as the economy showed clearer signs of cooling off.
Stocks of office and residential REITs were especially robust during the period. Almost all of the stocks in the office segment—the second-largest component of the MSCI US REIT Index—posted positive returns. Despite a downturn in economic conditions, many companies displayed interest in securing space for current or future expansion. In and around many of the nation’s larger cities, vacancy rates remained low and demand for office space drove rents higher. Top-ten fund holdings Boston Properties and Equity Office Properties had returns of more than 20% for the period.
Annualized Expense Ratios1 Your fund compared with its peer group |
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| Investor Shares | Admiral Shares | Institutional Shares | ETF Shares | Average Real Estate Fund |
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|
REIT Index Fund | 0.21% | 0.14% | 0.10% | 0.12% | 1.52% |
|
1 Fund expense ratios reflect the six months ended July 31, 2006. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2005.
4
Growth in the condominium market in larger cities was solid as building owners focused on attracting buyers for their conversions of apartment buildings and hotels into luxury living space. On the other hand, the rising sale prices of homes have meant that some prospective buyers remain renters, which raised demand for apartment units. Equity Residential, the largest publicly traded apartment REIT in the United States, saw market-beating returns during the period, as did Archstone-Smith Trust and Avalonbay Communities.
Among the few disappointments were retail REITs. This category is the largest in the MSCI US REIT Index, at more than one-quarter of assets, but it generated meager returns. Although consumer spending remained strong throughout the period, the category saw weak performance among its biggest constituents, including Simon Property Group and General Growth Properties.
Your fund reached its ten-year anniversary in May. I'd like to recognize the talents of the individuals in Vanguard's Quantitative Equity Group who, by honing our indexing methodologies over the past 30 years, have enabled the fund to succeed in capturing the majority of the target index's return.
Keep your perspective, even during good times
It would be a mistake to let the red-hot performance of REITs during the past few years blind us to the importance of diversification and risk control. Today's high
Vanguard REIT Index Fund ETF Shares Premium/Discount: September 23, 20041-July 31, 2006 |
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| Market Price Above or Equal to Net Asset Value | Market Price Below Net Asset Value |
---|
|
Basis Point Differential2 | Number of Days | Percentage of Total Days | Number of Days | Percentage of Total Days |
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|
0-24.9 | 222 | 47.53% | 238 | 50.97% |
|
25-49.9 | 4 | 0.86 | 3 | 0.64 |
|
50-74.9 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
75-100.0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 |
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>100.0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
Total | 226 | 48.39% | 241 | 51.61% |
|
1 Inception.
2 One basis point equals 1/100 of 1%.
5
flyers will eventually lose altitude and revert to more customary performance, and the landing can sometimes be a bit bumpy.
If you construct a well-balanced and broadly diversified portfolio of stock, bond, and money market funds, you’ll be better positioned to weather a variety of markets, even when a particular market segment or asset class falls on hard times.
Investments that focus on a single portion of the market are best used as portfolio diversifiers. If allocated prudently, the REIT Index Fund can be a low-cost way to gain modest exposure to commercial real estate.
Thank you for your ongoing confidence in Vanguard.
Sincerely,
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/jjbsignature.gif)
John J. Brennan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 17, 2006
6
Fund Profile
As of July 31, 2006
Portfolio Characteristics |
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| Fund | Target Index1 | Broad Index2 |
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|
Number of Stocks | 107 | 108 | 4,981 |
|
Median Market Cap | $4.9B | $4.9B | $70.9B |
|
Price/Earnings Ratio | 45.0x | 44.9x | 19.1x |
|
Price/Book Ratio | 2.7x | 2.7x | 2.7x |
|
Yield | | 4.1% | 1.8% |
|
Investor Shares | 3.9%3 |
|
Admiral Shares | 4.0%3 |
|
Institutional Shares | 4.0%3 |
|
ETF Shares | 4.0%3 |
Return on Equity | 7.9% | 7.9% | 17.1% |
|
Earnings Growth Rate | -4.8% | -4.9% | 9.8% |
|
Foreign Holdings | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.5% |
|
Turnover Rate | 14%4 | — | — |
|
Expense Ratio | | — | — |
|
Investor Shares | 0.21%4 |
|
Admiral Shares | 0.14%4 |
|
Institutional Shares | 0.10%4 |
|
ETF Shares | 0.12%4 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 2% | — | — |
|
|
|
Fund Allocation by REIT Type (% of portfolio) |
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|
Retail | 26% |
|
Office | 21 |
|
Residential | 19 |
|
Specialized | 17 |
|
Diversified | 8 |
|
Industrial | 7 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 2% |
|
|
|
Volatility Measures5 |
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| Fund Versus Target Index1 | Fund Versus Broad Index2 |
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|
R-Squared | 1.00 | 0.23 |
|
Beta | 0.98 | 0.90 |
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|
|
Ten Largest Holdings6 (% of total net assets) |
---|
|
Simon Property Group, Inc. REIT | 6.0% |
|
Equity Office Properties Trust REIT | 4.5 |
|
ProLogis REIT | 4.3 |
|
Equity Residential REIT | 4.2 |
|
Vornado Realty Trust REIT | 4.2 |
|
Archstone-Smith Trust REIT | 3.5 |
|
Boston Properties, Inc. REIT | 3.3 |
|
Host Marriott Corp. REIT | 3.1 |
|
General Growth Properties Inc. REIT | 3.1 |
|
Avalonbay Communities, Inc. REIT | 2.7 |
|
Top Ten | 38.9% |
|
|
|
Investment Focus
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/reit_investment.gif)
1 MSCI US REIT Index.
2 Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.
3 This yield may include some payments that represent a return of capital, capital gains distributions, or both by the underlying REITs. These amounts are determined by each REIT at the end of its fiscal year.
4 Annualized.
5 For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 24.
6 “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.) 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 13, 1996-July 31, 2006
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/reit_totalreturns.gif)
Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended June 30, 2006
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 | 5/13/1996 | 19.23% | 18.92% | 14.89% |
|
Admiral Shares2 | 11/12/2001 | 19.32 | 21.653 | — |
|
Institutional Shares2 | 12/2/2003 | 19.38 | 22.743 | — |
|
ETF Shares | 9/23/2004 |
Market Price | | 19.48 | 25.023 | — |
|
Net Asset Value | | 19.35 | 25.063 | — |
|
1 Six months ended July 31, 2006.
2 Total return figures do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
3 Return since inception.
Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 14 through 17 for dividend and capital gains information.
8
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Statement of Net Assets
As of July 31, 2006
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).
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts (97.9%) | | |
|
Diversified REITs (8.4%) |
Vornado Realty Trust REIT | 3,827,074 | 400,121 |
Liberty Property Trust REIT | 2,659,666 | 124,605 |
Colonial Properties |
Trust REIT | 1,282,739 | 61,482 |
�� Crescent Real |
Estate, Inc. REIT | 2,900,874 | 56,625 |
Washington REIT | 1,350,087 | 50,061 |
Spirit Finance Corp. REIT | 2,915,116 | 32,358 |
PS Business |
Parks, Inc. REIT | 486,699 | 29,202 |
^ Franklin Street |
Properties Corp. REIT | 1,530,249 | 28,463 |
Investors Real Estate |
Trust REIT | 1,318,105 | 12,337 |
Capital Lease |
Funding, Inc. REIT | 998,333 | 10,972 |
|
|
| | 806,226 |
Industrial REITs (6.8%) |
ProLogis REIT | 7,361,781 | 407,475 |
AMB Property Corp. REIT | 2,636,838 | 138,249 |
First Industrial Realty |
Trust REIT | 1,334,624 | 53,759 |
EastGroup |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 663,370 | 31,198 |
First Potomac REIT | 708,696 | 20,049 |
|
|
| | 650,730 |
Office REITs (21.2%) |
Equity Office Properties |
Trust REIT | 11,458,952 | 434,409 |
Boston |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 3,218,266 | 316,034 |
Duke Realty Corp. REIT | 4,051,468 | 150,958 |
SL Green Realty |
Corp. REIT | 1,301,011 | 148,705 |
Reckson Associates |
Realty Corp. REIT | 2,499,364 | 111,297 |
Mack-Cali Realty |
Corp. REIT | 1,870,768 | 90,377 |
Trizec |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 3,060,438 | 88,018 |
Brandywine Realty |
Trust REIT | 2,741,372 | 86,737 |
HRPT Properties |
Trust REIT | 6,317,090 | 74,226 |
Alexandria Real Estate |
Equities, Inc. REIT | 784,932 | 74,113 |
Kilroy Realty Corp. REIT | 956,930 | 70,707 |
Corporate Office Properties |
Trust, Inc. REIT | 1,198,078 | 53,913 |
Maguire |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,379,089 | 51,592 |
Highwood |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,382,356 | 51,479 |
BioMed Realty |
Trust, Inc. REIT | 1,649,013 | 49,157 |
American Financial |
Realty Trust REIT | 3,874,389 | 44,865 |
Cousins |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,143,858 | 36,340 |
^ Lexington Corporate |
Properties Trust REIT | 1,590,772 | 31,688 |
Digital Realty |
Trust, Inc. REIT | 1,086,740 | 29,701 |
Glenborough Realty |
Trust, Inc. REIT | 913,794 | 20,286 |
Parkway |
Properties Inc. REIT | 426,762 | 19,405 |
|
|
| | 2,034,007 |
Residential REITs (18.6%) |
Equity Residential REIT | 8,715,452 | 405,356 |
Archstone-Smith Trust REIT | 6,393,945 | 335,490 |
Avalonbay |
Communities, Inc. REIT | 2,217,309 | 259,248 |
Apartment Investment |
& Management Co. |
Class A REIT | 2,922,848 | 140,559 |
Camden Property |
Trust REIT | 1,683,691 | 128,718 |
9
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
United Dominion | | |
Realty Trust REIT | 4,033,968 | 112,346 |
BRE Properties Inc. |
Class A REIT | 1,544,483 | 90,568 |
Essex Property |
Trust, Inc. REIT | 653,651 | 76,536 |
Post Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,245,969 | 59,819 |
Home Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,038,628 | 57,935 |
Mid-America Apartment |
Communities, Inc. REIT | 676,770 | 38,657 |
Equity Lifestyle |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 666,364 | 28,634 |
^ Sun Communities, Inc. REIT | 488,451 | 15,591 |
GMH Communities |
Trust REIT | 1,195,664 | 14,994 |
Education Realty |
Trust, Inc. REIT | 795,502 | 12,434 |
|
|
| | 1,776,885 |
Retail REITs (26.0%) |
Simon Property |
Group, Inc. REIT | 6,777,848 | 579,709 |
General Growth |
Properties Inc. REIT | 6,480,140 | 295,754 |
Kimco Realty Corp. REIT | 6,514,409 | 255,625 |
Developers Diversified |
Realty Corp. REIT | 3,279,440 | 173,089 |
The Macerich Co. REIT | 2,106,781 | 153,268 |
Regency Centers |
Corp. REIT | 2,045,822 | 131,178 |
Federal Realty |
Investment Trust REIT | 1,592,070 | 115,505 |
Weingarten Realty |
Investors REIT | 2,421,977 | 96,782 |
Pan Pacific Retail |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,227,253 | 84,803 |
New Plan Excel |
Realty Trust REIT | 3,139,726 | 81,382 |
CBL & Associates |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,833,521 | 71,801 |
Taubman Co. REIT | 1,565,085 | 64,951 |
Realty Income Corp. REIT | 2,681,666 | 61,356 |
Pennsylvania REIT | 1,046,670 | 41,218 |
Mills Corp. REIT | 1,703,830 | 39,495 |
^ National Retail |
Properties REIT | 1,596,491 | 33,271 |
Inland Real Estate |
Corp. REIT | 1,930,585 | 31,295 |
Heritage Property |
Investment Trust REIT | 856,049 | 30,895 |
Tanger Factory Outlet |
Centers, Inc. REIT | 925,077 | 30,435 |
Equity One, Inc. REIT | 1,254,193 | 27,429 |
Glimcher Realty Trust REIT | 1,100,802 | 26,034 |
Acadia Realty Trust REIT | 765,214 | 18,243 |
Ramco-Gershenson |
Properties Trust REIT | 507,009 | 14,921 |
Getty Realty |
Holding Corp. REIT | 483,522 | 13,819 |
Saul Centers, Inc. REIT | 302,348 | 12,064 |
Urstadt Biddle Properties |
Class A REIT | 625,776 | 10,557 |
Urstadt Biddle |
Properties REIT | 14,698 | 235 |
|
|
| | 2,495,114 |
Specialized REITs (16.9%) |
Host Marriott Corp. REIT | 13,945,793 | 295,930 |
Public Storage, Inc. REIT | 2,506,141 | 201,218 |
^ Health Care Properties |
Investors REIT | 4,099,762 | 112,415 |
Ventas, Inc. REIT | 2,812,330 | 100,485 |
Hospitality |
Properties Trust REIT | 2,226,115 | 96,992 |
Shurgard Storage |
Centers, Inc. |
Class A REIT | 1,416,909 | 93,374 |
Health Care Inc. REIT | 1,839,888 | 66,585 |
Nationwide Health |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 2,209,022 | 52,398 |
Sunstone Hotel |
Investors, Inc. REIT | 1,736,564 | 49,249 |
LaSalle Hotel |
Properties REIT | 1,186,271 | 49,005 |
Healthcare Realty |
Trust Inc. REIT | 1,437,889 | 47,580 |
Strategic Hotels and |
Resorts, Inc. REIT | 2,202,454 | 43,939 |
Senior Housing |
Properties Trust REIT | 2,161,598 | 40,184 |
Entertainment |
Properties Trust REIT | 793,865 | 33,795 |
FelCor Lodging |
Trust, Inc. REIT | 1,450,121 | 31,903 |
DiamondRock |
Hospitality Co. REIT | 1,955,056 | 31,418 |
U-Store-It Trust REIT | 1,458,947 | 27,808 |
Sovran Self |
Storage, Inc. REIT | 528,597 | 27,313 |
Equity Inns, Inc. REIT | 1,626,627 | 25,652 |
Trustreet |
Properties, Inc. REIT | 1,926,442 | 25,641 |
Highland |
Hospitality Corp. REIT | 1,779,555 | 23,757 |
Extra Space |
Storage Inc. REIT | 1,481,201 | 23,595 |
Omega Healthcare |
Investors, Inc. REIT | 1,725,125 | 23,048 |
Ashford Hospitality |
Trust REIT | 1,906,663 | 22,403 |
Innkeepers USA |
Trust REIT | 1,292,457 | 21,804 |
National Health |
Investors REIT | 693,855 | 17,561 |
10
| Shares | Market Value• ($000)
|
---|
|
Medical Properties | | |
Trust Inc. REIT | 1,184,980 | 14,457 |
LTC Properties, Inc. REIT | 596,276 | 13,160 |
Universal Health |
Realty Income REIT | 337,013 | 10,970 |
|
|
| | 1,623,639 |
|
Total Real Estate Investment Trusts |
(Cost $6,218,955) | | 9,386,601 |
|
Temporary Cash Investments (2.6%) |
|
1 Vanguard Market Liquidity |
Fund, 5.276% | 196,120,958 | 196,121 |
1 Vanguard Market Liquidity |
Fund, 5.276%—Note E | 48,114,000 | 48,114 |
|
Total Temporary Cash Investments |
(Cost $244,235) | | 244,235 |
|
Total Investments (100.5%) |
(Cost $6,463,190) | | 9,630,836 |
|
Other Assets and Liabilities (-0.5%) |
|
Other Assets—Note B | | 30,052 |
Liabilities—Note E | | (77,189) |
| | (47,137) |
|
Net Assets (100%) | | 9,583,699 |
|
|
|
|
At July 31, 2006, net assets consisted of:2 |
---|
Amount ($000) |
---|
|
Paid-in Capital | 6,409,545 |
|
Overdistributed Net Investment Income | (27,752) |
|
Accumulated Net Realized Gains | 34,260 |
|
Unrealized Appreciation | 3,167,646 |
|
Net Assets | 9,583,699 |
|
|
|
Investor Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 225,887,105 outstanding |
$.001 par value shares of beneficial |
interest (unlimited authorization) | 5,157,550 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Investor Shares | $22.83 |
|
|
|
Admiral Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 24,089,415 outstanding |
$.001 par value shares of beneficial |
interest (unlimited authorization) | 2,347,047 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Admiral Shares | $97.43 |
|
|
|
Institutional Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 47,478,511 outstanding |
$.001 par value shares of beneficial |
interest (unlimited authorization) | 715,920 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Institutional Shares | $15.08 |
|
|
|
ETF Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 19,835,186 outstanding |
$.001 par value shares of beneficial |
interest (unlimited authorization) | 1,363,182 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
ETF Shares | $68.73 |
|
• See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.
^ 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.
11
Statement of Operations |
---|
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
|
---|
($000) |
---|
|
Investment Income | |
|
Income |
|
Dividends | 125,423 |
|
Interest1 | 4,391 |
|
Security Lending | 72 |
|
Total Income | 129,886 |
|
Expenses |
The Vanguard Group—Note B |
|
Investment Advisory Services | 53 |
|
Management and Administrative |
|
Investor Shares | 4,384 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,303 |
|
Institutional Shares | 231 |
|
ETF Shares | 550 |
|
Marketing and Distribution |
|
Investor Shares | 522 |
|
Admiral Shares | 186 |
|
Institutional Shares | 65 |
|
ETF Shares | 99 |
|
Custodian Fees | 70 |
|
Shareholders' Reports |
|
Investor Shares | 102 |
|
Admiral Shares | 3 |
|
Institutional Shares | — |
|
ETF Shares | — |
|
Trustees' Fees and Expenses | 5 |
|
Total Expenses | 7,573 |
|
Net Investment Income | 122,313 |
|
Investment Securities Sold | 111,590 |
|
Capital Gain Distributions Received | 26,347 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 137,937 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities | 502,607 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 762,857 |
|
1 Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $4,348,000.
12
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 ($000) | Year Ended Jan. 31, 2006 ($000) |
---|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
|
Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 122,313 | 198,039 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 137,937 | 180,856 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | 502,607 | 1,448,924 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 762,857 | 1,827,819 |
|
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
|
Investor Shares | (78,038) | (130,616) |
|
Admiral Shares | (36,188) | (45,987) |
|
Institutional Shares | (10,143) | (13,886) |
|
ETF Shares | (18,654) | (10,432) |
|
Realized Capital Gain1 |
|
Investor Shares | — | (121,441) |
|
Admiral Shares | — | (42,265) |
|
Institutional Shares | — | (12,188) |
|
ETF Shares | — | (9,525) |
|
Return of Capital |
|
Investor Shares | — | (15,207) |
|
Admiral Shares | — | (5,302) |
|
Institutional Shares | — | (1,595) |
|
ETF Shares | — | (1,201) |
|
Total Distributions | (143,023) | (409,645) |
|
Capital Share Transactions—Note F |
|
Investor Shares | 87,454 | (571,751) |
|
Admiral Shares | 165,097 | 815,202 |
|
Institutional Shares | 100,185 | 184,704 |
|
ETF Shares | 416,917 | 602,492 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions | 769,653 | 1,030,647 |
|
Total Increase (Decrease) | 1,389,487 | 2,448,821 |
|
Net Assets |
|
Beginning of Period | 8,194,212 | 5,745,391 |
|
End of Period2 | 9,583,699 | 8,194,212 |
|
1 Includes fiscal 2007 and 2006 short-term gain distributions totaling $0 and $5,807,000, respectively. Short-term gain distributions are treated as ordinary income dividends for tax purposes.
2 Net Assets–End of Period includes undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income of ($27,752,000) and ($7,042,000).
13
Financial Highlights
Investor Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding | Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
|
---|
Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | $21.29 | $17.20 | $15.83 | $11.52 | $12.10 | $11.61 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .302 | .562 | .563 | .579 | .606 | .631 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized |
Gain (Loss) on Investments1 | 1.588 | 4.692 | 1.759 | 4.511 | (.426) | .669 |
|
Total from |
Investment Operations | 1.890 | 5.254 | 2.322 | 5.090 | .180 | 1.300 |
|
Distributions |
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (.350) | (.568) | (.565) | (.678) | (.667) | (.631) |
|
Distributions from |
Realized Capital Gains | — | (.530) | (.387) | — | — | — |
|
Return of Capital | — | (.066) | — | (.102) | (.093) | (.179) |
|
Total Distributions | (.350) | (1.164) | (.952) | (.780) | (.760) | (.810) |
|
Net Asset Value, |
End of Period | $22.83 | $21.29 | $17.20 | $15.83 | $11.52 | $12.10 |
|
|
|
Total Return2 | 8.96% | 31.43% | 14.78% | 45.39% | 1.20% | 11.59% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, |
End of Period (Millions) | $5,158 | $4,727 | $4,311 | $3,383 | $1,734 | $1,270 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.21%4 | 0.21% | 0.21% | 0.24% | 0.27% | 0.28% |
|
Ratio of Net Investment |
Income to Average Net Assets | 2.76%4 | 2.91% | 3.44% | 4.10% | 4.90% | 5.35% |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate3 | 14%4 | 17% | 13% | 7% | 12% | 10% |
|
1 Includes increases from redemption fees of $0.00, $0.01, $0.01, $0.00, $0.01, and $0.00.
2 Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
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.
4 Annualized.
14
Admiral Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding | Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
| Nov. 12, 20011 to Jan. 31, |
---|
Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | $90.82 | $73.40 | $67.56 | $49.14 | $51.65 | $50.00 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 1.32 | 2.460 | 2.437 | 2.508 | 2.619 | .494 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized |
Gain (Loss) on Investments2 | 6.811 | 19.993 | 7.494 | 19.279 | (1.854) | 2.401 |
|
Total from |
Investment Operations | 8.131 | 22.453 | 9.931 | 21.787 | .765 | 2.895 |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (1.521) | (2.488) | (2.439) | (2.931) | (2.878) | (.970) |
|
Distributions from |
Realized Capital Gains | — | (2.258) | (1.652) | — | — | — |
|
Return of Capital | — | (.287) | — | (.436) | (.397) | (.275) |
|
Total Distributions | (1.521) | (5.033) | (4.091) | (3.367) | (3.275) | (1.245) |
|
Net Asset Value, |
End of Period | $97.43 | $90.82 | $73.40 | $67.56 | $49.14 | $51.65 |
|
|
|
Total Return3 | 9.04% | 31.49% | 14.82% | 45.57% | 1.19% | 5.78% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, |
End of Period (Millions) | $2,347 | $2,025 | $938 | $733 | $320 | $166 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.14%4 | 0.14% | 0.16% | 0.18% | 0.21% | 0.23%4 |
|
Ratio of Net Investment |
Income to Average Net Assets | 2.83%4 | 2.98% | 3.49% | 4.16% | 4.99% | 5.27%4 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate5 | 14%4 | 17% | 13% | 7% | 12% | 10% |
|
|
|
1 Inception.
2 Includes increases from redemption fees of $0.01, $0.02, $0.04, $0.01, $0.03, and $0.01.
3 Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
4 Annualized.
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.
15
Institutional Shares |
---|
Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
| Dec. 2, 20031 to Jan. 31, |
---|
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $14.06 | $11.36 | $10.46 | $10.00 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .207 | .385 | .381 | .065 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | 1.052 | 3.099 | 1.156 | .575 |
|
Total from Investment Operations | 1.259 | 3.484 | 1.537 | .640 |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income | (.239) | (.389) | (.381) | (.157) |
|
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains | — | (.350) | (.256) | — |
|
Return of Capital | — | (.045) | — | (.023) |
|
Total Distributions | (.239) | (.784) | (.637) | (.180) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $15.08 | $14.06 | $11.36 | $10.46 |
|
|
|
Total Return2 | 9.04% | 31.58% | 14.81% | 6.49% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $716 | $571 | $297 | $63 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets | 0.10%3 | 0.10% | 0.13% | 0.15%3 |
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | 2.87%3 | 3.02% | 3.52% | 4.19%3 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate4 | 14%3 | 17% | 13% | 7% |
|
1 Inception.
2 Total returns do not reflect the 1% fee assessed on redemptions of shares held for less than one year.
3 Annualized.
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.
16
ETF Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period | Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 | Year Ended Jan. 31, 2006 | Sept. 23, 20041 to Jan. 31, 2005 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $64.07 | $51.77 | $49.41 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .938 | 1.745 | .665 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments2 | 4.804 | 14.116 | 2.965 |
|
Total from Investment Operations | 5.742 | 15.861 | 3.630 |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income | (1.082) | (1.764) | (.682) |
|
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains | — | (1.594) | (.588) |
|
Return of Capital | — | (.203) | — |
|
Total Distributions | (1.082) | (3.561) | (1.270) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $68.73 | $64.07 | $51.77 |
|
|
|
Total Return | 9.05% | 31.54% | 7.13% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $1,363 | $871 | $198 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets | 0.12%3 | 0.12% | 0.18%3 |
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | 2.85%3 | 3.00% | 3.47%3 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate4 | 14%3 | 17% | 13% |
|
1 Inception.
2 Includes increases from redemption fees of $0.00, $0.01, and $0.00.
3 Annualized.
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. See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
17
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard REIT 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 Specialized Funds. The fund offers four classes of shares: Investor Shares, Admiral Shares, Institutional Shares, and ETF Shares (formerly known as VIPER® 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, servicing, tenure, and account-size criteria. Institutional Shares are designed for investors who meet certain administrative and servicing criteria and invest a minimum of $5 million. 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 4:00 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. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the financial statements.
3. Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Quarterly income dividends declared by the fund are reallocated at fiscal year-end to ordinary income, capital gain, and return of capital to reflect their tax character.
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: Distributions received from REITs are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Each REIT reports annually the tax character of its distributions. Dividend income, capital gain distributions received, and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) reflect the amounts of taxable income, capital gain, and return of capital reported by the REITs, and management’s estimates of such amounts for REIT distributions for which actual information has not been reported. 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.
18
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 July 31, 2006, the fund had contributed capital of $995,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.99% 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 return of capital distributions and tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year.
During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund realized $103,677,000 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.
At July 31, 2006, net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $3,167,646,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $3,210,542,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $42,896,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.
D. During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund purchased $1,563,502,000 of investment securities and sold $836,105,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.
E. The market value of securities on loan to broker-dealers at July 31, 2006, was $46,273,000, for which the fund received cash collateral of $48,114,000.
19
F. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were:
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
| Year Ended January 31, 2006
|
---|
| Amount ($000) | Shares (000) | Amount ($000) | Shares (000) |
---|
|
Investor Shares | | | | |
|
Issued | 657,761 | 30,083 | 1,162,085 | 60,470 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 71,878 | 3,302 | 244,346 | 12,743 |
|
Redeemed1 | (642,185) | (29,581) | (1,978,182) | (101,814) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares | 87,454 | 3,804 | (571,751) | (28,601) |
|
Admiral Shares |
|
Issued | 386,100 | 4,157 | 1,295,720 | 15,370 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 29,932 | 322 | 77,443 | 933 |
|
Redeemed1 | (250,935) | (2,691) | (557,961) | (6,787) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares | 165,097 | 1,788 | 815,202 | 9,516 |
|
Institutional Shares |
|
Issued | 175,477 | 12,121 | 283,189 | 21,978 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 8,914 | 620 | 24,652 | 1,932 |
|
Redeemed1 | (84,206) | (5,849) | (123,137) | (9,506) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Institutional Shares | 100,185 | 6,892 | 184,704 | 14,404 |
|
ETF Shares |
|
Issued | 671,866 | 10,139 | 657,191 | 10,668 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | — | — | — | — |
|
Redeemed1 | (254,949) | (3,900) | (54,699) | (900) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares | 416,917 | 6,239 | 602,492 | 9,768 |
|
1 Net of redemption fees of $747,000 and $2,336,000, respectively (fund totals).
20
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 July 31, 2006 |
---|
REIT Index Fund | Beginning Account Value 1/31/2006 | Ending Account Value 7/31/2006 | Expenses Paid During Period1 |
---|
|
Based on Actual Fund Return | | | |
|
Investor Shares | $1,000.00 | $1,089.63 | $1.09 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,090.40 | 0.73 |
|
Institutional Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,090.43 | 0.52 |
|
ETF Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,090.49 | 0.62 |
|
Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return |
|
Investor Shares | $1,000.00 | $1,023.75 | $1.05 |
|
Admiral Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,024.10 | 0.70 |
|
Institutional Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,024.30 | 0.50 |
|
ETF Shares | 1,000.00 | 1,024.20 | 0.60 |
|
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 0.21% for Investor Shares, 0.14% for Admiral Shares, 0.10% for Institutional Shares, and 0.12% for 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. |
21
Note that the expenses shown in the table on page 21 are meant to highlight and help you compare ongoing costs only; they do not include your fund’s low-balance fee or the 1% redemption fee that applies to shares held for less than one year. These fees are fully described in the prospectus. If these 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 the appropriate fund prospectus.
22
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement
The board of trustees of Vanguard REIT Index Fund has renewed the fund’s investment advisory arrangement with The Vanguard Group, Inc. Vanguard—through its Quantitative Equity Group—serves as the investment advisor for the fund. The board determined that continuing the fund’s internalized management structure was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
The board based its decision upon an evaluation of the 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 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 quality of the fund’s investment management over both short- and long-term periods, and took into account the organizational depth and stability of the advisor. Vanguard has been managing investments for more than two decades. George U. Sauter, Vanguard managing director and chief investment officer, has been in the investment management business since 1985, and has led the Quantitative Equity Group since 1987. The Quantitative Equity 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 the advisory arrangement.
Investment performance
The board considered the short- and long-term performance of the fund, including any periods of outperformance or underperformance of its target benchmark and peer group. The board noted that the fund has performed in line with expectations, and that its results have been consistent with its investment strategy. Information about the fund’s performance, including some of the data considered by the board, 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 also noted that the fund’s advisory expense ratio was well below its 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.
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 of trustees 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 again after a one-year period.
23
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%. 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.
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.
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.
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 snapshot of the level of dividends, interest, capital gains distributions, and return-of-capital distributions received by the fund. The index yield is based on the current annualized rate of dividends and other distributions provided by securities in the index.
24
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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, |
Trustee since May 1987; | Chief Executive Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., |
Chairman of the Board and | and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group. |
Chief Executive Officer |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen |
|
Independent Trustees |
|
Charles D. Ellis |
|
Born 1937 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Applecore Partners |
Trustee since January 2001 | (pro bono ventures in education); Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | (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. |
|
Rajiv L. Gupta |
|
Born 1945 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman and Chief |
Trustee since December 20012 | Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals) since 1999; Board |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Member of the American Chemistry Council; Director of Tyco International, Ltd. |
| (diversified manufacturing and services) since 2005; Trustee of Drexel |
| University and of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. |
|
Amy Gutmann |
|
Born 1949 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of the University |
Trustee since June 2006 | of Pennsylvania since 2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen |
---|
|
Born 1950 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate Vice President |
Trustee since July 1998 | and Chief Global Diversity Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
Andre F. Perold |
|
Born 1952 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Gund Professor |
Trustee since December 2004 | of Finance and Banking, Harvard Business School (since 2000); Senior |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Recruiting, and Chair of Finance Faculty, |
| Harvard Business School; Director and Chairman of UNX, Inc. (equities trading |
| firm) (since 2003); Director of registered investment companies advised by |
| Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and affiliates (1985-2004),Genbel |
| Securities Limited (South African financial services firm) (1999-2003), Gensec |
| Bank (1999-2003), Sanlam, Ltd. (South African insurance company). |
| (2001-2003), and Stockback, Inc. (credit card firm) (2000-2002) |
|
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr |
|
Born 1941 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, |
Trustee since January 1993 | Chief Executive Officer, and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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: Retired Chairman and |
Trustee since April 1985 | Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Cummins Inc. (diesel engines),MeadWestvaco Corp. (packaging products), |
| and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (pharmaceutical distribution); Trustee of |
| Vanderbilt University and of Culver Educational Foundation. |
|
|
|
Executive Officers1 |
|
Heidi Stam |
|
Born 1956 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing Director since |
Secretary since July 2005 | July 2006,General Counsel since July 2005, and Secretary of Vanguard and of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since July |
| 2005; Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (1997-2006). |
|
Thomas J. Higgins |
|
Born 1957 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of The Vanguard |
Treasurer since July 1998 | Group, Inc.;Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Vanguard Group. |
|
|
Vanguard Senior Management Team |
---|
R. Gregory Barton | Kathleen C. Gubanich | Michael S. Miller |
Mortimer J. Buckley | Paul A. Heller | Ralph K. Packard |
James H. Gately | F. William McNabb, III | 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.
| | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
| | 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, VIPER, and the ship logo are |
Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739 | | trademarks of The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| |
| |
Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036 | |
| | All other marks are the exclusive property of their |
Text Telephone > 800-952-3335 | | respective owners. |
| |
| | 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 |
fund only if preceded or accompanied by | | voting guidelines by visiting our website, |
the fund's current prospectus. | | www.vanguard.com, and searching for "proxy |
| | voting guidelines," or by calling Vanguard at |
| | 800-662-2739. They are also available from |
The funds or securities referred to herein | | the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. In addition, you |
are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted | | may obtain a free report on how your fund voted |
by MSCI, and MSCI bears no liability with | | the proxies for securities it owned during the 12 |
respect to any such funds or securities | | months ended June 30.To get the report, visit either |
For any such funds or securities, the | | www.vanguard.com or www.sec.gov. |
prospectus or the Statement of Additional | | You can review and copy information about your |
Information contains a more detailed | | fund at the SEC's Public Reference Room in |
description of the limited relationship | | Washington, D.C.To find out more about this public |
MSCI has with The Vanguard Group and | | service, call the SEC at 202-551-8090. Information |
any related funds. | | 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. |
| |
| |
| | ©2006 The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| | All rights reserved. |
| | Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor. |
| |
| |
| |
| | Q1232 092006 |
Vanguard® Dividend Growth Fund |
---|
| |
| |
> Semiannual Report | |
| |
| |
July 31, 2006 | |
| |
| |
| |
| ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
>Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund posted a 4.1% gain during the six months ended July 31, 2006. The fund’s result surpassed those of all its comparative measures.
> Relative to its benchmark index, the fund benefited from strong stock selection in the consumer discretionary, energy, health care, and information technology sectors. Some poor stock choices in financials detracted from performance.
> The broad U.S. stock market became listless as economic news, initially upbeat, turned worrisome in the second half of the period. Larger stocks generally did better than small-cap stocks.
Contents |
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|
Your Fund's Total Returns | 1 |
|
Chairman's Letter | 2 |
|
Advisor's Report | 6 |
|
Fund Profile | 7 |
|
Performance Summary | 8 |
|
Financial Statements | 9 |
|
About Your Fund's Expenses | 16 |
|
Trustees Approve Advisory Agreement | 18 |
|
Glossary | 19 |
|
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 July 31, 2006 |
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Total Return |
---|
|
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund | 4.1% |
|
Russell 1000 Index | 0.2 |
|
Average Large-Cap Core Fund1 | -1.3 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index | -0.4 |
|
|
|
Your Fund's Performance at a Glance January 31, 2006-July 31, 2006
|
---|
| Distributions Per Share
|
---|
| Starting Share Price | Ending Share Price | Income Dividends | Capital Gains |
---|
|
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund | $12.75 | $13.14 | $0.13 | $0.00 |
|
1 Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.
1
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/brennanphoto.gif)
Chairman's Letter
Dear Shareholder,
During the six months ended July 31, 2006, Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund returned 4.1%. The fund benefited mainly from strong performance among its health care and energy holdings, as well as from its advisor's astute stock selection in a few hard-hit sectors. The fund's performance outpaced the 0.2% return of the Russell 1000 Index, a measure of large- and mid-capitalization stocks, as well as the -1.3% return of the average large-cap core mutual fund.
Stocks started strongly, but retreated as the economy slowed
Worrisome economic signals took a toll on stocks, which began the year on an upward trajectory, then reversed course in early May. The U.S. economy expanded at a torrid pace in the first calendar quarter, when gross domestic product jumped at an annualized rate of 5.6%, but economic growth skidded to half that rate in the second quarter. Instability in international oil markets and a slowing domestic housing market added to investors' concerns.
The broad U.S stock market closed on July 31 near where it started six months before. Small-capitalization stocks and growth stocks performed poorly, as investors showed increased aversion to risk.
The picture was similar in international markets, where investors were spooked by the specters of rising inflation (largely because of high energy and commodity
2
prices) and slowing growth. However, a weakened U.S. dollar gave a boost to international returns for American investors when gains abroad were converted back into the U.S. currency.
Bonds struggled to maintain footing as interest rates climbed
The Federal Reserve Board raised its target for the federal funds rate three times during the period, to 5.25%, marking the 17th consecutive rate hike since the central bank began its inflation-fighting campaign two years ago. (At its August 8 meeting, the Fed elected to leave its target unchanged.) The broad market for taxable U.S. bonds finished the six months with a modestly positive return, while municipal bond returns fared somewhat better. Yields of U.S. Treasury securities rose at both ends of the maturity spectrum, but the yield curve remained essentially flat, with a minuscule difference between the yields of the three-month and the 30-year issues. Although stock investors tended to avoid risk, bond investors were less sensitive; high-yield bonds were one of the stronger segments of the bond market.
The fund built its solid return on stocks in many sectors
The advisors of many income-oriented stock funds focus solely on stocks with hefty current dividends. Wellington Management Company, your fund's advisor, takes a broader view, evaluating the likelihood that a company will build its earnings and deploy its "free cash flow,"
Market Barometer |
---|
| Total Returns Periods Ended July 31, 2006
|
---|
| Six Months | One Year | Five Years1 |
---|
|
Stocks | | | |
|
Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps) | 0.2% | 5.2% | 3.4% |
|
Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps) | -3.9 | 4.2 | 9.0 |
|
Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market) | -0.4 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
|
MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International) | 3.9 | 25.1 | 12.6 |
|
|
|
Bonds |
|
Lehman Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market) | 0.6% | 1.5% | 4.8% |
|
Lehman Municipal Bond Index | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
|
Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index | 2.3 | 4.1 | 2.2 |
|
|
|
CPI |
|
Consumer Price Index | 2.6% | 4.1% | 2.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
1 Annualized. |
3
the cash left over after spending to maintain operations, to increase its dividend payouts.
This emphasis on future dividend growth paid off over the half-year, as the fund’s 4.1% return surpassed both the gain of its benchmark index and the average return of its peers. Of the fund’s 61 holdings, as of July 31, roughly two-thirds raised their dividend payouts during the period.
Stocks from a number of sectors made important contributions, with the biggest boost coming from the fund’s health care holdings. Good security selection was evident in this group, as the fund’s stocks turned in excellent results while the index sector showed a slight decline. The fund’s pharmaceuticals holdings posted uniformly strong returns. Its energy holdings also did very well, as integrated oil giants—such as Chevron and ExxonMobil—continued to rack up impressive gains as a result of high energy prices.
The fund avoided a number of disappointments in two of its largest sectors, consumer discretionary and information technology. Both groups performed poorly in the broad market. While the fund’s holdings in these sectors had modestly negative returns, the advisor was able to steer clear of many of the weakest performers to produce returns much better than those of the index sectors.
Financials holdings were a notable source of disappointment for the fund, as a number of the advisor’s stock holdings fared poorly. Its insurance holdings, which
Annualized Expense Ratios1 Your fund compared with its peer group |
---|
| Fund | Average Large-Cap Core Fund |
---|
|
Dividend Growth Fund | 0.39% | 1.41% |
|
|
|
1 Fund expense ratio reflects the six months ended July 31, 2006. Peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper Inc. and captures information through year-end 2005.
4
included sizable positions in American International Group and ACE, had much weaker results than the index subsector.
The Dividend Growth Fund's successful showing during this period is a credit to the broad research and analytical skills of Wellington Management Company. The fund's significant expense advantage--its expense ratio is more than a percentage point less than the average for its peers--also enhanced its performance edge.
To learn more about the fund's performance and positioning, please review the Advisor's Report, which begins on the next page.
Dividends can be valuable in a portfolio's long-term growth
Over the past few years, investors have been paying more attention to the important role that dividends can play in their portfolios. Besides providing a source of investment earnings that can build over time and be reinvested, dividends can offer a useful "buffer" against some of the volatility that may affect capital return. In view of these benefits, stocks that have a history of regularly raising their dividend payouts may present particularly attractive opportunities. With its focus on stocks the advisor believes are capable of generating solid long-term growth in their earnings and dividends, the Dividend Growth Fund can be a valuable part of a long-term, growth-oriented portfolio.
We appreciate your ongoing confidence in Vanguard.
Sincerely,
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/jjbsignature.gif)
John J. Brennan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 11, 2006
5
Advisor's Report
Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund returned 4.1% for the fiscal half-year ended July 31, 2006. This compared favorably with the 0.2% gain of the Russell 1000 Index and the -1.3% return of the average large-cap core fund.
The investment environment
The last six months have been quite volatile for equity markets. Continued strife in the Middle East and signs of a slowing U.S. economy put the brakes on most stock market sectors during the period. Not surprisingly, energy stocks have done quite well in this period of strong oil and gas prices. The conflict in the Middle East represents an ongoing threat to the security of long-term oil supplies and will likely keep prices high. During the half-year, higher commodity prices gradually began to weigh on consumers and the broader U.S. economy. In such an environment, consumer staples and health care companies tend to fare better, as illustrated by good performance in these sectors during the six months.
The fund's successes
The fund's holdings in energy, consumer staples, and telecommunication services contributed to performance during the period. Among the top contributors were ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Safeway, Anheuser-Busch, and AT&T.
Many of the fund's holdings have announced dividend increases for calendar 2006. Companies such as NIKE, Cardinal Health, Medtronic, and General Dynamics all announced substantial dividend increases. We expect the average dividend increase in the fund to exceed 10% for calendar 2006.
The fund's shortfalls
A number of individual stocks detracted from the fund's performance in the past six months. Two of the most noteworthy were Carnival and Intel. Carnival continues to battle high fuel costs and hurricane-induced weakness in its Caribbean cruise business. Chipmaker Intel continued the string of share-price losses it experienced over the last few quarters amid ongoing pressure from its chief competitor.
The fund's positioning
Our primary objective is to identify companies that we believe will steadily and reliably increase their dividend payments. We choose companies with excellent long-term prospects that will drive cash-flow growth. We remain committed to our long-term strategy, which emphasizes low turnover, sector diversification, and fundamental research. The fund's significant positions in energy, health care, and consumer staples reflect this strategy. At the same time, we remain cautious on financials, because of the flattened yield curve and the impending turn in the credit cycle.
Donald J. Kilbride, Vice President
Wellington Management Company, LLP
August 17, 2006
6
Fund Profile
As of July 31, 2006
Portfolio Characteristics |
---|
| Fund | Comparative Index1 | Broad Index2 |
---|
|
Number of Stocks | 61 | 993 | 4,981 |
|
Median Market Cap | $64.2B | $38.2B | $70.9B |
|
Price/Earnings Ratio | 16.4x | $16.8x | 19.1x |
|
Price/Book Ratio | 3.0x | 2.7x | 2.7x |
|
Yield | 1.8% | 1.9% | 1.8% |
|
Return on Equity | 20.9% | 18.6% | 17.1% |
|
Earnings Growth Rate | 13.6% | 16.0% | 9.8% |
|
Foreign Holdings | 6.5% | 0.0% | 2.5% |
|
Turnover Rate | 42%3 | — | — |
|
Expense Ratio | 0.39%3 | — | — |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 1% | — | — |
|
|
|
Sector Diversification (% of portfolio) |
---|
| Fund | Comparative Index1 | Broad Index2 |
---|
|
Consumer Discretionary | 14% | 11% | 12% |
|
Consumer Staples | 11 | 9 | 9 |
|
Energy | 12 | 10 | 10 |
|
Financials | 12 | 22 | 23 |
|
Health Care | 16 | 13 | 12 |
|
Industrials | 16 | 11 | 11 |
|
Information Technology | 11 | 14 | 14 |
|
Materials | 2 | 3 | 3 |
|
Telecommunication |
Services | 3 | 3 | 3 |
|
Utilities | 2 | 4 | 3 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 1% | — | — |
|
|
|
Volatility Measures4 |
---|
| Fund Versus Comparative Index1 | Fund Versus Broad Index2 |
---|
|
R-Squared | 0.88 | 0.83 |
|
Beta | 0.84 | 0.77 |
|
|
|
Ten Largest Holdings5 (% of total net assets) |
---|
|
ExxonMobil Corp. | integrated | |
| oil and gas | 3.7% |
|
Total SA ADR | integrated |
| oil and gas | 3.1 |
|
Chevron Corp. | integrated |
| oil and gas | 3.0 |
|
Bank of America Corp. | diversified |
| financial services | 2.8 |
|
General Electric Co. | industrial |
| conglomerates | 2.6 |
|
Eli Lilly & Co. | pharmaceuticals | 2.6 |
|
Citigroup, Inc. | diversified |
| financial services | 2.5 |
|
Medtronic, Inc. | health care |
| equipment | 2.5 |
|
Cardinal Health, Inc. | health care |
| distributors | 2.5 |
|
Microsoft Corp. | systems software | 2.4 |
|
Top Ten | | 27.7% |
|
Investment Focus
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/divgrow_investment.gif)
1 Russell 1000 Index.
2 Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.
3 Annualized.
4 For an explanation of R-squared, beta, and other terms used here, see the Glossary on page 19.
5 “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.) 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 31, 1996–July 31, 2006
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/divgrow_totalreturns.gif)
Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended June 30, 2006
|
---|
| Inception Date | One Year | Five Years | Ten Years |
---|
|
Dividend Growth Fund | 5/15/1992 | 9.88% | 1.29% | 5.72% |
|
1 Six months ended July 31, 2006.
2 Prior to December 6, 2002, the fund was known as Utilities Income Fund.
3 Prior to December 6, 2002, the comparative benchmark was known as the Utilities Composite Index. The index weightings have been: 80% S&P Utilities Index, 20% Lehman Utility Bond Index through June 30, 1996; 40% S&P Utilities Index, 40% S&P Telephone Index, and 20% Lehman Utility Bond Index through April 30, 1999; 63.75% S&P Utilities Index, 21.25% S&P Telephone Index, and 15% Lehman Utility Bond Index through March 31, 2000; 75% S&P Utilities Index, 25% S&P Telephone Index through December 31, 2001; 75% S&P Utilities Index, 25% S&P Integrated Telecommunication Services Index through December 6, 2002; and Russell 1000 Index thereafter.
8
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Statement of Net Assets
As of July 31, 2006
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).
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Common Stocks (98.0%) | | |
|
Consumer Discretionary (14.2%) |
NIKE, Inc. Class B | 280,900 | 22,191 |
CBS Corp. | 807,600 | 22,152 |
The Gap, Inc. | 1,012,000 | 17,558 |
TJX Cos., Inc. | 639,900 | 15,594 |
McDonald's Corp. | 432,900 | 15,320 |
The Walt Disney Co. | 460,800 | 13,681 |
Home Depot, Inc. | 312,700 | 10,854 |
Clear Channel |
Communications, Inc. | 345,300 | 9,996 |
The McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. | 175,300 | 9,869 |
Carnival Corp. | 183,600 | 7,153 |
|
|
| | 144,368 |
Consumer Staples (11.4%) |
Altria Group, Inc. | 274,000 | 21,912 |
Safeway, Inc. | 589,300 | 16,548 |
The Coca-Cola Co. | 345,000 | 15,353 |
The Procter & Gamble Co. | 256,500 | 14,415 |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | 318,800 | 14,187 |
General Mills, Inc. | 251,000 | 13,027 |
Kimberly-Clark Corp. | 169,200 | 10,330 |
Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. | 202,900 | 9,770 |
|
|
| | 115,542 |
Energy (11.6%) |
ExxonMobil Corp. | 547,000 | 37,054 |
Total SA ADR | 455,400 | 31,072 |
Chevron Corp. | 459,900 | 30,252 |
ConocoPhillips Co. | 279,400 | 19,178 |
|
|
| | 117,556 |
Financials (11.8%) |
Bank of America Corp. | 541,000 | 27,878 |
Citigroup, Inc. | 530,500 | 25,628 |
American International |
Group, Inc. | 334,400 | 20,288 |
ACE Ltd. | 379,000 | 19,530 |
State Street Corp. | 267,600 | 16,072 |
Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc. | 138,300 | 10,071 |
|
|
| | 119,467 |
Health Care (16.4%) |
Eli Lilly & Co. | 463,600 | 26,319 |
Medtronic, Inc. | 500,200 | 25,270 |
Cardinal Health, Inc. | 372,100 | 24,931 |
Schering-Plough Corp. | 1,163,900 | 23,790 |
AstraZeneca Group |
PLC ADR | 330,600 | 20,176 |
Abbott Laboratories | 417,800 | 19,958 |
Wyeth | 371,500 | 18,007 |
Baxter International, Inc. | 180,800 | 7,594 |
|
|
| | 166,045 |
Industrials (15.4%) |
General Electric Co. | 819,500 | 26,789 |
Lockheed Martin Corp. | 238,800 | 19,028 |
United Parcel Service, Inc. | 245,800 | 16,938 |
Emerson Electric Co. | 209,000 | 16,494 |
Avery Dennison Corp. | 260,500 | 15,273 |
Honeywell International Inc. | 283,400 | 10,968 |
General Dynamics Corp. | 162,700 | 10,904 |
The Boeing Co. | 132,300 | 10,243 |
United Technologies Corp. | 161,200 | 10,025 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | 218,900 | 10,010 |
Pitney Bowes, Inc. | 236,000 | 9,752 |
|
|
| | 156,424 |
Information Technology (10.9%) |
Microsoft Corp. | 1,022,800 | 24,578 |
International Business |
Machines Corp. | 225,300 | 17,440 |
Automatic Data |
Processing, Inc. | 395,000 | 17,285 |
Motorola, Inc. | 681,700 | 15,515 |
Nokia Corp. ADR | 715,600 | 14,205 |
Hewlett-Packard Co. | 383,000 | 12,222 |
Intel Corp. | 507,000 | 9,126 |
|
|
| | 110,371 |
Materials (1.7%) |
Weyerhaeuser Co. | 176,200 | 10,336 |
Alcoa Inc. | 222,900 | 6,676 |
|
|
| | 17,012 |
9
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Telecommunication Services (2.5%) | | |
AT&T Inc. | 583,500 | 17,499 |
Verizon |
Communications Inc. | 229,800 | 7,772 |
|
|
| | 25,271 |
Utilities (2.1%) |
Exelon Corp. | 174,000 | 10,075 |
FPL Group, Inc. | 143,700 | 6,199 |
Dominion Resources, Inc. | 64,300 | 5,046 |
|
|
| | 21,320 |
|
Total Common Stocks |
(Cost $818,244) | | 993,376 |
|
| Face | |
| Amount | |
| ($000) | |
|
Temporary Cash Investment (0.8%) |
|
Repurchase Agreement |
Goldman Sachs & Co. |
5.280%, 8/1/06 (Dated 7/31/06, |
Repurchase Value $8,101,000, |
collateralized by Federal National |
Mortage Assn., 4.000%-9.750%, |
8/1/07-8/1/36, and Federal Home |
Loan Mortgage Corp., |
4.500%-10.000%, 8/1/09-5/1/35) |
(Cost $8,100) | 8,100 | 8,100 |
|
Total Investments (98.8%) |
(Cost $826,344) | | 1,001,476 |
|
|
|
Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Other Assets and Liabilities (1.2%) | |
|
Other Assets—Note C | 14,956 |
Liabilities | (2,911) |
| 12,045 |
|
Net Assets (100%) |
|
Applicable to 77,143,361 outstanding |
$.001 par value shares of beneficial |
interest (unlimited authorization) | 1,013,521 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share | $13.14 |
|
|
|
At July 31, 2006, net assets consisted of:1
| Amount ($000)
| Per Share |
---|
|
Paid-in Capital | 925,094 | $11.99 |
Overdistributed Net |
Investment Income | (741) | (.01) |
Accumulated Net |
Realized Losses | (85,964) | (1.11) |
Unrealized Appreciation | 175,132 | 2.27 |
|
Net Assets | 1,013,521 | $13.14 |
|
|
|
•See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.
1 See Note E in Notes to Financial Statements for the tax-basis components of net assets.
2 ADR—American Depositary Receipt.
10
Statement of Operations
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
|
---|
($000) |
---|
|
Investment Income | |
|
Income |
|
Dividends | 11,229 |
|
Interest | 264 |
|
Security Lending | 102 |
|
Total Income | 11,595 |
|
Expenses |
|
Investment Advisory Fees—Note B |
Basic Fee | 622 |
|
Performance Adjustment | 72 |
|
The Vanguard Group—Note C |
|
Management and Administrative | 1,120 |
|
Marketing and Distribution | 88 |
|
Custodian Fees | 4 |
|
Shareholders' Reports | 17 |
|
Trustees' Fees and Expenses | 1 |
|
Total Expenses | 1,924 |
|
Expenses Paid Indirectly—Note D | (39) |
|
Net Expenses | 1,885 |
|
Net Investment Income | 9,710 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Sold | 52,319 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities | (22,000) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 40,029 |
|
11
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006 ($000) | Year Ended Jan. 31, 2005 ($000) |
---|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | | |
|
Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 9,710 | 18,128 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | 52,319 | 28,292 |
|
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | (22,000) | 41,590 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | 40,029 | 88,010 |
|
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income | (9,907) | (19,180) |
|
Realized Capital Gain | — | — |
|
Total Distributions | (9,907) | (19,180) |
|
Capital Share Transactions—Note G |
|
Issued | 64,669 | 144,674 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 8,442 | 16,255 |
|
Redeemed | (84,254) | (200,711) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions | (11,143) | (39,782) |
|
Total Increase (Decrease) | 18,979 | 29,048 |
|
Net Assets |
|
Beginning of Period | 994,542 | 965,494 |
|
End of Period1 | 1,013,521 | 994,542 |
|
1 Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed (overdistributed) net investment income of ($741,000) and ($544,000).
12
Financial Highlights
For a Share Outstanding | Six Months Ended July 31, | Year Ended January 31,
|
---|
Throughout Each Period | 2006 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | $12.75 | $11.89 | $11.33 | $8.48 | $11.47 | $14.71 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .13 | .22 | .231 | .18 | .37 | .37 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized |
Gain (Loss) on Investments | .39 | .88 | .55 | 2.86 | (2.98) | (2.83) |
|
Total from |
Investment Operations | .52 | 1.10 | .78 | 3.04 | (2.61) | (2.46) |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from |
Net Investment Income | (.13) | (.24) | (.22) | (.19) | (.38) | (.37) |
|
Distributions from |
Realized Capital Gains | — | — | — | — | — | (.41) |
|
Total Distributions | (.13) | (.24) | (.22) | (.19) | (.38) | (.78) |
|
Net Asset Value, |
End of Period | $13.14 | $12.75 | $11.89 | $11.33 | $8.48 | $11.47 |
|
|
|
Total Return | 4.12% | 9.34% | 6.92% | 36.08% | -23.22% | -17.21% |
|
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, |
End of Period (Millions) | $1,014 | $995 | $965 | $818 | $550 | $681 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to |
Average Net Assets | 0.39%2,3 | 0.37%2 | 0.37%2 | 0.40% | 0.34% | 0.37% |
|
Ratio of Net Investment |
Income to Average Net Assets | 1.97%3 | 1.85% | 2.04%3 | 1.84% | 3.57% | 2.85% |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate | 42%3 | 16% | 20% | 23% | 104%4 | 27% |
|
1 Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.03 and 0.28% respectively, resulting from a special dividend from Microsoft Corp. in November 2004.
2 Annualized.
3 Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of 0.01%, 0.01%, and 0.01%.
4 Includes activity related to a change in the fund’s investment objective.
See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
13
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Dividend 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 Specialized Funds.
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 4:00 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. 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. Repurchase Agreements: The fund may invest in repurchase agreements. Securities pledged as collateral for repurchase agreements are held by a custodian bank until the agreements mature. Each agreement requires that the market value of the collateral be sufficient to cover payments of interest and principal; however, in the event of default or bankruptcy by the other party to the agreement, retention of the collateral may be subject to legal proceedings.
3. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the 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.
6. 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. Wellington Management Company, LLP, provides investment advisory services to the fund for a fee calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets. The basic fee is subject to quarterly adjustments based on the fund’s performance for the preceding three years relative to the Russell 1000 Index. For the six months ended July 31, 2006, the investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.125% of the fund’s average net assets before an increase of $72,000 (0.01%) based on performance.
14
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 July 31, 2006, the fund had contributed capital of $107,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.11% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.
D. The fund has asked its investment advisor 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. For the six months ended July 31, 2006, these arrangements reduced the fund’s expenses by $39,000 (an annual rate of 0.01% of average net assets).
E. Distributions are determined on a tax basis and may differ from net investment income and realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the financial statements to reflect their tax character. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain, or loss are recognized in different periods for financial statement and tax purposes; these differences will reverse at some time in the future. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes.
The fund’s tax-basis capital gains and losses are determined only at the end of each fiscal year. For tax purposes, at January 31, 2006, the fund had available realized losses of $137,968,000 to offset future net capital gains of $9,133,000 through January 31, 2010, $65,485,000 through January 31, 2011, and $63,350,000 through January 31, 2012. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending January 31, 2007; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balances above.
At July 31, 2006, net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $175,132,000 consisting of unrealized gains of $189,031,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $13,899,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.
F. During the six months ended July 31, 2006, the fund purchased $287,590,000 of investment securities and sold $315,994,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.
G. Capital shares issued and redeemed were:
| Six Months Ended July 31, 2006
| Year Ended January 31, 2006
|
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| Shares (000) | Shares (000) |
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|
Issued | 4,981 | 11,818 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 671 | 1,327 |
|
Redeemed | (6,505) | (16,377) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | (853) | (3,232) |
|
15
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 July 31, 2006 |
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Dividend Growth Fund | Beginning Account Value 1/31/2006 | Ending Account Value 7/31/2006 | Expenses Paid During Period1 |
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Based on Actual Fund Return | $1,000.00 | $1,041.23 | $1.97 |
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Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return | 1,000.00 | 1,022.86 | 1.96 |
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Note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight and help you compare ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs or account maintenance fees. They do not include your fund’s low-balance fee, which is described in the prospectus. If this 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.”
1 | The calculations are based on expenses incurred in the most recent six-month period. The fund’s annualized six-month expense ratio for that period is 0.39%. 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. |
16
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 the appropriate fund prospectus.
17
Trustees Approve Advisory Agreement
The board of trustees of Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund has approved an amended investment advisory agreement with Wellington Management Company, LLP. The amended agreement changes the process for the quarterly calculation of asset-based fees. The calculation now will be based on the average daily net assets of each fund, rather than the average month-end net assets. The board determined that the retention of Wellington Management was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
The board based its decision upon an evaluation of Wellington Management’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 agreement. 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 the firm. The board noted that Wellington Management, founded in 1928, is among the nation’s oldest and most respected institutional managers. The firm has advised the Dividend Growth Fund since 1992. The advisor continues to employ a sound process, selecting stocks of high-quality companies that are out of favor with investors. Stocks are selected using a bottom-up investment approach, supported by Wellington Management’s deep industry research capabilities.
The board concluded that Wellington Management’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of the advisory agreement with the amendment described above.
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 noted that the fund’s reconstituted dividend growth mandate began in 2002, so long-term performance comparisons are not meaningful. The board noted that the fund has experienced periods of slight underperformance relative to the benchmark (the Russell 1000 Index) since 2002, but also considered that the fund has been competitive versus its average peer-group funds. Information about the fund’s performance, including some of the data considered by the board, 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 fee was 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 Wellington Management in determining whether to approve the advisory fee, because Wellington Management is independent of Vanguard, and the advisory fee is 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 schedule. The breakpoints reduce the effective rate of the fee as the fund’s assets increase.
The advisory agreement will continue for one year and is renewable by the fund’s board after that for successive one-year periods.
18
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%. 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.
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.
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.
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 snapshot of a fund’s income from interest and dividends. The yield, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s net asset value, is based on income earned over the past 30 days and is annualized, or projected forward for the coming year. The index yield is based on the current annualized rate of income provided by securities in the index.
19
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 |
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|
Born 1954 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman of the Board, |
Trustee since May 1987; | Chief Executive Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., |
Chairman of the Board and | and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group. |
Chief Executive Officer |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen |
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Independent Trustees |
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Charles D. Ellis |
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Born 1937 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Applecore Partners |
Trustee since January 2001 | (pro bono ventures in education); Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | (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. |
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Rajiv L. Gupta |
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Born 1945 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman and Chief |
Trustee since December 20012 | Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals) since 1999; Board |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Member of the American Chemistry Council; Director of Tyco International, Ltd. |
| (diversified manufacturing and services) since 2005; Trustee of Drexel |
| University and of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. |
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Amy Gutmann |
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Born 1949 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of the University |
Trustee since June 2006 | of Pennsylvania since 2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
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JoAnn Heffernan Heisen |
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Born 1950 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate Vice President |
Trustee since July 1998 | and Chief Global Diversity Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
Andre F. Perold |
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Born 1952 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Gund Professor |
Trustee since December 2004 | of Finance and Banking, Harvard Business School (since 2000); Senior |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Recruiting, and Chair of Finance Faculty, |
| Harvard Business School; Director and Chairman of UNX, Inc. (equities trading |
| firm) (since 2003); Director of registered investment companies advised by |
| Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and affiliates (1985-2004),Genbel |
| Securities Limited (South African financial services firm) (1999-2003), Gensec |
| Bank (1999-2003), Sanlam, Ltd. (South African insurance company). |
| (2001-2003), and Stockback, Inc. (credit card firm) (2000-2002) |
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Alfred M. Rankin, Jr |
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Born 1941 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, |
Trustee since January 1993 | Chief Executive Officer, and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | trucks/housewares/lignite); Director of Goodrich Corporation (industrial |
| products/aircraft systems and services). |
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J. Lawrence Wilson |
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Born 1936 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Retired Chairman and |
Trustee since April 1985 | Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Cummins Inc. (diesel engines),MeadWestvaco Corp. (packaging products), |
| and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (pharmaceutical distribution); Trustee of |
| Vanderbilt University and of Culver Educational Foundation. |
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Executive Officers1 |
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Heidi Stam |
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Born 1956 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing Director since |
Secretary since July 2005 | July 2006,General Counsel since July 2005, and Secretary of Vanguard and of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since July |
| 2005; Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (1997-2006). |
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Thomas J. Higgins |
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Born 1957 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of The Vanguard |
Treasurer since July 1998 | Group, Inc.;Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Vanguard Group. |
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Vanguard Senior Management Team |
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R. Gregory Barton | Kathleen C. Gubanich | Michael S. Miller |
Mortimer J. Buckley | Paul A. Heller | Ralph K. Packard |
James H. Gately | F. William McNabb, III | George U. Sauter |
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Founder |
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John C. Bogle |
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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.
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) P.O. Box 2600 Valley Forge, PA 19482-2600 |
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| | |
| | |
| | |
Connect with Vanguard™> www.vanguard.com |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Fund Information > 800-662-7447 | | Vanguard, Vanguard.com, Connect with |
| | Vanguard, and the ship logo are trademarks of |
Direct Investor Account Services > 800-662-2739 | | The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| | All other marks are the exclusive property of their |
Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036 | | respective owners. |
| |
Text Telephone > 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 |
This material may be used in conjunction | | voting guidelines by visiting our website, |
with the offering of shares of any Vanguard | | www.vanguard.com, and searching for "proxy |
fund only if preceded or accompanied by | | voting guidelines," or by calling Vanguard at |
the fund's current prospectus. | | 800-662-2739. They 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.govor via regular mail addressed |
| | to the Public Reference Section, Securities and |
| | Exchange Commission, Washington, DC |
| | 20549-0102. |
| |
| |
| |
| | © 2006 The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| | All rights reserved. |
| | Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor. |
| |
| |
| | Q572 092006 |
Vanguard® Dividend Appreciation Index Fund | |
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> Semiannual Report |
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July 31, 2006 |
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| ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
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> The Investor Shares of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund posted a return of –1.4% from their April 27, 2006, inception through July 31. The fund’s result surpassed those of all its comparative measures.
> Index holdings in the consumer staples, energy, and health care sectors were the strongest contributors to return. The consumer discretionary, financials, and industrials sectors were the weakest performers.
> The broad U.S. stock market became more listless as economic news, initially upbeat, turned worrisome in the second half of the period. Larger stocks generally did better than small-cap stocks.
Contents |
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Your Fund's Total Returns | 1 |
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Chairman's Letter | 2 |
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Fund Profile | 6 |
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Performance Summary | 7 |
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Financial Statements | 8 |
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Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement | 18 |
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Glossary | 19 |
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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
Period Ended July 31, 2006 |
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Return Since Inception |
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Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund—Investor Shares (Inception 4/27/2006) | -1.4% |
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Dividend Achievers Select Index | -1.8 |
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Average Large-Cap Core Fund1 | -3.6 |
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Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index | -3.2 |
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Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund—ETF Shares2 (Inception 4/21/2006) |
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Market Price | -1.1 |
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Net Asset Value | -1.2 |
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Dividend Achievers Select Index | -1.6 |
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Average Large-Cap Core Fund | -3.4 |
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Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index | -3.5 |
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Your Fund's Performance at a Glance |
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| Distributions Per Share
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| Starting Share Price | Ending Share Price | Income Dividends | Capital Gains |
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Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund | | | | |
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Investor Shares | $20.053 | $19.72 | $0.040 | $0.000 |
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ETF Shares | 49.944 | 49.26 | 0.098 | 0.000 |
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1 Derived from data provided by Lipper Inc.
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 At inception, April 27, 2006.
4 At inception, April 21, 2006.
1
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/brennanphoto.gif)
Chairman’s Letter
Dear Shareholder,
I am pleased to present the first progress report on Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund. Thank you for investing in the fund.
Of course, I wish that the market were a bit more welcoming to the fund over its short history, but that was not the case. During the slightly more than three months from their inception through July 31, 2006, the fund’s Investor Shares returned –1.4%. This was a little better than the –1.8% return of the Dividend Achievers Select Index, a specially constructed index developed by Mergent, Inc. The fund also surpassed the average return of –3.6% for large-cap core funds.
Stocks started strongly, but retreated as the economy slowed
Over the last six months, worrisome economic signals took a toll on stocks, which began the period on an upward trajectory, then reversed course in early May, just after the fund began operations. The U.S. economy expanded at a torrid pace in the first calendar quarter, when gross domestic product jumped at an annualized rate of 5.6%, but economic growth skidded to half that rate in the second quarter. Instability in international oil markets and a slowing domestic housing market added to investors’ concerns.
The broad U.S stock market closed on July 31 near where it started six months before. Small-capitalization stocks and
2
growth stocks performed poorly, as investors showed increased aversion to risk.
The picture was similar in international markets, where investors were spooked by the specters of rising inflation (largely because of high energy and commodity prices) and slowing growth. However, a weakened U.S. dollar gave a boost to international returns for American investors when gains abroad were converted back into the U.S. currency.
Bonds struggled to maintain footing as interest rates climbed
The Federal Reserve Board raised its target for the federal funds rate three times during the period, to 5.25%, marking the 17th consecutive rate hike since the central bank began its inflation-fighting campaign two years ago. (At its August 8 meeting, the Fed elected to leave its target unchanged.) The broad market for taxable U.S. bonds finished the six months with a modestly positive return, while municipal bond returns fared somewhat better.
Yields of U.S. Treasury securities rose at both ends of the maturity spectrum, but the yield curve remained essentially flat, with a minuscule difference between the yields of the 3-month and the 30-year issues. Although, as noted earlier, stock investors sought to avoid risk during the period, bond investors were less sensitive; high-yield bonds were one of the stronger segments of the bond market.
Market Barometer |
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| Total Returns Periods Ended July 31, 2006
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| Six Months | One Year | Five Years1 |
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Stocks | | | |
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Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps) | 0.2% | 5.2% | 3.4% |
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Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps) | -3.9 | 4.2 | 9.0 |
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Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index (Entire market) | -0.4 | 5.2 | 4.3 |
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MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (International) | 3.9 | 25.1 | 12.6 |
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Bonds |
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Lehman Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market) | 0.6% | 1.5% | 4.8% |
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Lehman Municipal Bond Index | 1.2 | 2.5 | 5.0 |
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Citigroup 3-Month Treasury Bill Index | 2.3 | 4.1 | 2.2 |
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CPI |
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Consumer Price Index | 2.6% | 4.1% | 2.8% |
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1 Annualized.
3
A difficult beginning amid a rocky market
In its roughly three months of existence, the fund experienced a rather volatile stock market. However, the fund’s dividend-rich holdings proved less vulnerable to the downdraft than the broader market.
For a stock to be included in the Dividend Achievers Select Index (which Mergent administers exclusively for Vanguard), the company must have a history of raising annual regular dividends for ten or more consecutive years. As a result, the fund is made up primarily of large-capitalization stocks, representing well-established companies that have been able to generate excess cash flow and use it to increase their dividends over time. Indeed, the median market capitalization for the index as of July 31 was about $47 billion.
The fund held sizable positions in a number of traditionally dividend-oriented sectors, such as consumer staples, financials, and industrials; together, these three groups represented nearly 60% of assets as of July 31. During the fund’s brief lifetime, its consumer staples stocks performed rather well, but holdings in the other two sectors posted lackluster results. Results from the consumer discretionary and information technology sectors were also disappointing.
On a brighter note, energy stocks posted strong returns, bolstered by the continuation of near-record oil prices and seemingly unrelenting global demand. Health care issues were also notable, with a number of pharmaceutical companies producing impressive gains.
We anticipate that, as the Dividend Appreciation Index Fund develops a longer track record, the skills and management techniques of Vanguard’s Quantitative
4
Equity Group will serve shareholders well in providing close tracking of the target index. We also expect the fund’s low expenses to give it a head start on many of its actively managed peers.
Dividends can be valuable in a portfolio’s long-term growth
Over the past few years, investors have been paying more attention to the important role that dividends can play in their portfolios. Besides providing a source of investment earnings that can build over time and be reinvested, dividends can offer a useful “buffer” against some of the volatility that may affect capital return.
In view of these benefits, stocks that have a history of regularly raising their dividend payouts may present particularly attractive opportunities. With its low-cost indexed approach to investing in such stocks, the Dividend Appreciation Index Fund can be a useful part of a long-term, growth-oriented portfolio.
Thank you for entrusting your assets to Vanguard.
Sincerely,
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/jjbsignature.gif)
John J. Brennan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
August 17, 2006
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Premium/Discount: April 21, 2006 1-July 31, 2006 |
---|
| Market Price Above or Equal to Net Asset Value
| Market Price Below Net Asset Value
|
---|
Basis Point Differential2 | Number of Days | Percentage of Total Days | Number of Days | Percentage of Total Days |
---|
|
0-24.9 | 23 | 32.86% | 47 | 67.14% |
|
25-49.9 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 | 0.00 |
|
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 | 23 | 32.86% | 47 | 67.14% |
|
1 Inception.
2 One basis point equals 1/100th of 1%.
5
Fund Profile
As of July 31, 2006
Portfolio Characteristics |
---|
| Fund | Target Index1 | Broad Index2 |
---|
|
Number of Stocks | 215 | 212 | 4,981 |
|
Median Market Cap | $47.5B | $47.1B | $70.9B |
|
Price/Earnings Ratio | 16.9x | 17.3x | 19.1x |
|
Price/Book Ratio | 3.3x | 3.4x | 2.7x |
|
Yield | | 1.9% | 1.8% |
|
Investor Shares | 1.5% |
|
ETF Shares | 1.6% |
|
Return on Equity | 23.7% | 22.0% | 17.1% |
|
Earnings Growth Rate | 14.6% | 11.5% | 9.8% |
|
Foreign Holdings | 0.0% | 0.0% | 2.5% |
|
Turnover Rate | 5%3 | — | — |
|
Expense Ratio | | — | — |
|
Investor Shares | 0.40%3 |
|
ETF Shares | 0.28%3 |
|
Short-Term Reserves | 0% | — | — |
|
Sector Diversification (% of portfolio) |
---|
| Fund | Target Index1 | Broad Index2 |
---|
|
Consumer Discretionary | 11% | 11% | 12% |
|
Consumer Staples | 23 | 23 | 9 |
|
Energy | 5 | 5 | 10 |
|
Financials | 20 | 20 | 23 |
|
Health Care | 13 | 13 | 12 |
|
Industrials | 17 | 17 | 11 |
|
Information Technology | 6 | 6 | 14 |
|
Materials | 3 | 3 | 3 |
|
Telecommunication |
|
Services | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
Utilities | 1 | 1 | 3 |
|
Ten Largest Holdings4 (% of total net assets) |
---|
|
Johnson & Johnson | pharmaceuticals | 4.3% |
|
ExxonMobil Corp. | integrated oil |
| and gas | 4.3 |
|
General Electric Co. | industrial |
| conglomerate | 4.0 |
|
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | hypermarkets and |
| super centers | 3.9 |
|
International Business |
Machines Corp. | computer hardware | 3.8 |
|
The Procter & Gamble Co. | household products | 3.8 |
|
The Coca-Cola Co. | soft drinks | 3.7 |
|
American International |
Group, Inc. | multiline insurance | 3.7 |
|
PepsiCo, Inc. | soft drinks | 3.7 |
|
Abbott Laboratories | pharmaceuticals | 2.6 |
|
Top Ten | | 37.8% |
|
Investment Focus
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/investment.gif)
1 Dividend Achievers Select Index.
2 Dow Jones Wilshire 5000 Index.
3 Annualized.
4 “Ten Largest Holdings” excludes any temporary cash investments and equity index products.
See page 19 for a glossary of investment terms.
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.) 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 (%): April 27, 2006 – July 31, 2006
![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/total_returns.gif)
Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended June 30, 2006
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 |
---|
|
Investor Shares1 (Inception 4/27/2006) | -1.79% |
|
ETF Shares (Inception 4/21/2006) |
|
Market Price | -1.46 |
|
Net Asset Value | -1.50 |
|
1 Total return figure does not reflect the $10 annual account maintenance fee applied on balances under $10,000.
Note: See Financial Highlights tables on pages 14 and 15 for dividend and capital gains information.
7
Financial Statements (unaudited)
Statement of Net Assets
As of July 31, 2006
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).
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Common Stocks (99.9%) | | |
|
Consumer Discretionary (11.3%) |
Home Depot, Inc. | 83,160 | 2,887 |
McDonald's Corp. | 49,320 | 1,745 |
Lowe's Cos., Inc. | 61,200 | 1,735 |
Target Corp. | 34,470 | 1,583 |
The McGraw-Hill Cos., Inc. | 14,670 | 826 |
Harley-Davidson, Inc. | 10,740 | 612 |
Johnson Controls, Inc. | 7,650 | 587 |
Gannett Co., Inc. | 9,340 | 487 |
VF Corp. | 4,320 | 293 |
Genuine Parts Co. | 6,790 | 283 |
Sherwin-Williams Co. | 5,360 | 271 |
Leggett & Platt, Inc. | 7,280 | 166 |
The Stanley Works | 3,240 | 147 |
Ross Stores, Inc. | 5,590 | 139 |
Family Dollar Stores, Inc. | 5,980 | 136 |
New York Times Co. Class A | 5,590 | 124 |
Harte-Hanks, Inc. | 3,120 | 76 |
Meredith Corp. | 1,580 | 75 |
Polaris Industries, Inc. | 1,620 | 62 |
John Wiley & Sons Class A | 1,820 | 60 |
Wolverine World Wide, Inc. | 2,180 | 55 |
Applebee's International, Inc. | 2,920 | 52 |
Matthews International Corp. | 1,250 | 43 |
Talbots Inc. | 2,020 | 42 |
Media General, Inc. Class A | 910 | 33 |
Courier Corp. | 510 | 18 |
Superior Industries |
International, Inc. | 960 | 18 |
Haverty Furniture Cos., Inc. | 710 | 11 |
|
|
| | 12,566 |
Consumer Staples (23.1%) |
Beverages (8.9%) |
The Coca-Cola Co. | 93,160 | 4,146 |
PepsiCo, Inc. | 65,070 | 4,124 |
Anheuser-Busch Cos., Inc. | 30,400 | 1,464 |
Brown-Forman Corp. Class B | 2,530 | 186 |
Food & Staples Retailing (6.3%) |
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | 96,600 | 4,299 |
Walgreen Co. | 39,670 | 1,856 |
Sysco Corp. | 24,210 | 668 |
SuperValu Inc. | 5,350 | 145 |
|
Food Products (2.1%) |
Archer-Daniels-Midland Co. | 25,570 | 1,125 |
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Co. | 9,320 | 427 |
The Hershey Co. | 7,120 | 391 |
Hormel Foods Corp. | 5,380 | 203 |
McCormick & Co., Inc. | 4,640 | 163 |
Lancaster Colony Corp. | 1,290 | 49 |
Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. | 1,530 | 42 |
|
Household Products (5.2%) |
The Procter & Gamble Co. | 75,260 | 4,230 |
Colgate-Palmolive Co. | 20,240 | 1,201 |
The Clorox Co. | 5,900 | 354 |
|
Personal Products (0.6%) |
Avon Products, Inc. | 17,910 | 519 |
Alberto-Culver Co. Class B | 3,590 | 175 |
|
|
| | 25,767 |
Energy (4.5%) |
ExxonMobil Corp. | 71,000 | 4,810 |
Holly Corp. | 2,320 | 117 |
Helmerich & Payne, Inc. | 4,000 | 111 |
|
|
| | 5,038 |
Financials (19.9%) |
Capital Markets (3.1%) |
Franklin Resources Corp. | 10,160 | 929 |
State Street Corp. | 12,910 | 775 |
Northern Trust Corp. | 8,560 | 489 |
T. Rowe Price Group Inc. | 10,340 | 427 |
Legg Mason Inc. | 4,470 | 373 |
SEI Investments Co. | 3,910 | 191 |
8
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
Nuveen Investments, Inc. | | |
Class A | 3,030 | 144 |
Eaton Vance Corp. | 5,030 | 125 |
Commercial Banks (3.5%) |
M & T Bank Corp. | 4,440 | 541 |
Marshall & Ilsley Corp. | 9,160 | 430 |
Synovus Financial Corp. | 12,300 | 348 |
Compass Bancshares Inc. | 4,850 | 286 |
Commerce Bancorp, Inc. | 6,800 | 231 |
TD Banknorth, Inc. | 6,900 | 200 |
Mercantile Bankshares Corp. | 4,830 | 172 |
Colonial BancGroup, Inc. | 5,960 | 151 |
Commerce Bancshares, Inc. | 2,670 | 136 |
City National Corp. | 1,950 | 130 |
Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. | 2,140 | 126 |
Bank of Hawaii Corp. | 1,980 | 98 |
The South Financial |
Group, Inc. | 2,890 | 78 |
Texas Regional |
Bancshares, Inc. | 1,960 | 74 |
Trustmark Corp. | 2,160 | 69 |
First Midwest Bancorp, Inc. | 1,780 | 64 |
WestAmerica Bancorp | 1,250 | 60 |
United Bankshares, Inc. | 1,630 | 58 |
Greater Bay Bancorp | 1,970 | 56 |
Pacific Capital Bancorp | 1,800 | 53 |
Chittenden Corp. | 1,810 | 51 |
CVB Financial Corp. | 2,920 | 43 |
Glacier Bancorp, Inc. | 1,240 | 38 |
Sterling Bancshares, Inc. | 1,680 | 33 |
First BanCorp Puerto Rico | 3,200 | 30 |
First Source Corp. | 860 | 28 |
BancFirst Corp. | 570 | 27 |
Community Banks, Inc. | 1,020 | 26 |
Sterling Financial Corp. (PA) | 1,200 | 26 |
Capital City Bank Group, Inc. | 720 | 23 |
Independent Bank Corp. (MI) | 880 | 23 |
IBERIABANK Corp. | 360 | 21 |
Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. | 560 | 20 |
Irwin Financial Corp. | 990 | 19 |
Old Second Bancorp, Inc. | 530 | 16 |
First Indiana Corp. | 600 | 15 |
Southwest Bancorp, Inc. | 540 | 14 |
First State Bancorporation | 570 | 14 |
Suffolk Bancorp | 380 | 12 |
|
Consumer Finance (0.7%) |
SLM Corp. | 16,300 | 820 |
|
Insurance (9.8%) |
American International |
Group, Inc. | 68,100 | 4,132 |
The Allstate Corp. | 25,400 | 1,443 |
AFLAC Inc. | 19,540 | 863 |
The Chubb Corp. | 15,600 | 787 |
Progressive Corp. of Ohio | 30,840 | 746 |
Lincoln National Corp. | 6,790 | 385 |
Ambac Financial Group, Inc. | 4,120 | 342 |
Cincinnati Financial Corp. | 6,820 | 322 |
MBIA, Inc. | 5,210 | 306 |
Fidelity National Financial, Inc. | 6,790 | 260 |
Old Republic |
International Corp. | 9,060 | 193 |
Brown & Brown, Inc. | 5,400 | 170 |
Transatlantic Holdings, Inc. | 2,540 | 149 |
Protective Life Corp. | 2,700 | 125 |
Mercury General Corp. | 2,140 | 118 |
Erie Indemnity Co. Class A | 2,370 | 117 |
Wesco Financial Corp. | 280 | 111 |
Commerce Group, Inc. | 2,560 | 77 |
Hilb, Rogal and Hamilton Co. | 1,420 | 58 |
R.L.I. Corp. | 1,040 | 49 |
Alfa Corp. | 2,980 | 49 |
State Auto Financial Corp. | 1,600 | 48 |
Harleysville Group, Inc. | 1,230 | 39 |
Midland Co. | 730 | 27 |
|
Real Estate Management |
& Development (0.1%) |
Forest City Enterprise Class A | 2,890 | 144 |
|
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance (2.7%) |
Freddie Mac | 27,140 | 1,570 |
Golden West Financial Corp. | 12,120 | 893 |
People's Bank | 5,430 | 195 |
Astoria Financial Corp. | 4,110 | 122 |
Webster Financial Corp. | 2,130 | 100 |
MAF Bancorp, Inc. | 1,250 | 51 |
Corus Bankshares Inc. | 2,160 | 50 |
Anchor Bancorp Wisconsin Inc. | 780 | 23 |
First Busey Corp. | 770 | 16 |
|
|
| | 22,193 |
Health Care (13.4%) |
Johnson & Johnson | 77,430 | 4,843 |
Abbott Laboratories | 60,770 | 2,903 |
Eli Lilly & Co. | 44,520 | 2,527 |
Medtronic, Inc. | 47,380 | 2,394 |
Stryker Corp. | 15,890 | 723 |
Becton, Dickinson & Co. | 9,680 | 638 |
C.R. Bard, Inc. | 4,110 | 292 |
DENTSPLY International Inc. | 6,120 | 192 |
Beckman Coulter, Inc. | 2,470 | 141 |
Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. | 2,360 | 117 |
Arrow International, Inc. | 1,770 | 56 |
West Pharmaceutical |
Services, Inc. | 1,250 | 49 |
Meridian Bioscience Inc. | 950 | 20 |
|
|
| | 14,895 |
Industrials (17.0%) |
General Electric Co. | 135,970 | 4,445 |
9
| Shares | Market Value• ($000) |
---|
|
United Technologies Corp. | 39,880 | 2,480 |
3M Co. | 29,520 | 2,078 |
Caterpillar, Inc. | 26,640 | 1,888 |
Emerson Electric Co. | 16,100 | 1,271 |
General Dynamics Corp. | 15,710 | 1,053 |
Illinois Tool Works, Inc. | 21,980 | 1,005 |
Danaher Corp. | 11,970 | 780 |
Masco Corp. | 16,510 | 441 |
Expeditors International of |
Washington, Inc. | 8,380 | 381 |
Dover Corp. | 7,900 | 372 |
Pitney Bowes, Inc. | 8,940 | 369 |
Parker Hannifin Corp. | 4,670 | 337 |
Cintas Corp. | 6,600 | 233 |
Avery Dennison Corp. | 3,920 | 230 |
W.W. Grainger, Inc. | 3,550 | 220 |
Roper Industries Inc. | 3,380 | 153 |
Harsco Corp. | 1,620 | 131 |
Pentair, Inc. | 4,050 | 116 |
Donaldson Co., Inc. | 3,220 | 106 |
Carlisle Co., Inc. | 1,230 | 98 |
Teleflex Inc. | 1,600 | 91 |
HNI Corp. | 2,150 | 87 |
Brady Corp. Class A | 1,790 | 60 |
Nordson Corp. | 1,270 | 58 |
CLARCOR Inc. | 2,000 | 57 |
Mine Safety Appliances Co. | 1,430 | 57 |
Briggs & Stratton Corp. | 1,990 | 51 |
NACCO Industries, Inc. |
Class A | 310 | 43 |
Franklin Electric, Inc. | 890 | 42 |
A.O. Smith Corp. | 870 | 37 |
Universal Forest Products, Inc. | 720 | 37 |
Banta Corp. | 1,010 | 36 |
ABM Industries Inc. | 1,950 | 32 |
McGrath RentCorp | 930 | 25 |
Raven Industries, Inc. | 710 | 21 |
Tennant Co. | 720 | 17 |
Badger Meter, Inc. | 640 | 14 |
LSI Industries Inc. | 850 | 13 |
Quixote Corp. | 450 | 7 |
|
|
| | 18,972 |
Information Technology (5.7%) |
International Business |
Machines Corp. | 54,860 | 4,247 |
Automatic Data |
Processing, Inc. | 22,650 | 991 |
Paychex, Inc. | 14,850 | 508 |
Linear Technology Corp. | 11,860 | 384 |
Diebold, Inc. | 2,690 | 109 |
Jack Henry & Associates Inc. | 3,470 | 65 |
|
|
| | 6,304 |
Materials (3.4%) |
Praxair, Inc. | 12,660 | 694 |
Nucor Corp. | 12,180 | 648 |
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc | 8,740 | 559 |
Ecolab, Inc. | 10,020 | 432 |
Rohm & Haas Co. | 8,620 | 398 |
Vulcan Materials Co. | 3,960 | 265 |
Sigma-Aldrich Corp. | 2,660 | 185 |
Martin Marietta Materials, In | 1,800 | 145 |
Bemis Co., Inc. | 4,120 | 127 |
Valspar Corp. | 3,840 | 95 |
Albemarle Corp. | 1,800 | 91 |
AptarGroup Inc. | 1,400 | 72 |
H.B. Fuller Co. | 1,100 | 44 |
Myers Industries, Inc. | 1,300 | 22 |
|
|
| | 3,777 |
Telecommunication Services (0.9%) | |
Alltel Corp. | 15,010 | 828 |
CenturyTel, Inc. | 5,060 | 195 |
|
|
| | 1,023 |
Utilities (0.7%) |
Questar Corp. | 3,370 | 299 |
MDU Resources Group, Inc. | 7,005 | 173 |
Energen Corp. | 2,860 | 122 |
Aqua America, Inc. | 5,020 | 109 |
California Water Service Grou | 720 | 26 |
American States Water Co. | 590 | 22 |
Southwest Water Co. | 870 | 11 |
|
|
| | 762 |
|
Total Common Stocks |
(Cost $112,030) | | 111,297 |
|
Temporary Cash Investment (0.0%) |
|
1 Vanguard Market Liquidity |
Fund, 5.276% |
(Cost $9) | 8,521 | 9 |
|
Total Investments (99.9%) |
(Cost $112,039) | | 111,306 |
|
Other Assets and Liabilities (0.1%) | |
|
Other Assets—Note B | | 448 |
Liabilities | | (355) |
|
|
| | 93 |
|
Net Assets (100%) | | 111,399 |
|
10
At July 31, 2006, net assets consisted of: 2 |
---|
Amount ($000)
|
---|
|
Paid-in Capital | 112,020 |
Undistributed Net Investment Income | 115 |
Accumulated Net Realized Losses | (3) |
Unrealized Depreciation | (733) |
|
Net Assets | 111,399 |
|
|
|
Investor Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 3,146,284 outstanding $.001 |
par value shares of beneficial interest |
(unlimited authorization) | 62,040 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
Investor Shares | $19.72 |
|
|
|
ETF Shares—Net Assets |
|
Applicable to 1,001,940 outstanding $.001 |
par value shares of beneficial interest |
(unlimited authorization) | 49,359 |
|
Net Asset Value Per Share— |
ETF Shares | $49.26 |
|
•See Note A 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.
11
Statement of Operations
| April 211 to July 31, 2006
|
---|
($000) |
---|
|
Investment Income | |
|
Income |
|
Dividends | 379 |
|
Interest2 | 25 |
|
Total Income | 404 |
|
Expenses |
|
The Vanguard Group—Note B |
|
Investment Advisory Services | 2 |
|
Management and Administrative |
|
Investor Shares | 36 |
|
ETF Shares | 35 |
|
Shareholders' Reports |
|
Investor Shares | 3 |
|
ETF Shares | — |
|
Total Expenses | 76 |
|
Net Investment Income | 328 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) on Investment Securities Sold | (3) |
|
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) of Investment Securities | (733) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | (408) |
|
1 Inception.
2 Interest income from an affiliated company of the fund was $25,000.
12
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
| April 211 to July 31, 2006
|
---|
($000) |
---|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets | |
|
Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | 328 |
|
Realized Net Gain (Loss) | (3) |
|
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | (733) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations | (408) |
|
Distributions |
|
Net Investment Income |
|
Investor Shares | (115) |
|
ETF Shares | (98) |
|
Realized Capital Gain |
|
Investor Shares | — |
|
ETF Shares | — |
|
Total Distributions | (213) |
|
Capital Share Transactions—Note E |
|
Investor Shares | 61,986 |
|
ETF Shares | 50,034 |
|
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions | 112,020 |
|
Total Increase (Decrease) | 111,399 |
|
Net Assets |
|
Beginning of Period | — |
|
End of Period2 | 111,399 |
|
1 Inception.
2 Net Assets—End of Period includes undistributed net investment income of $115,000.
13
Financial Highlights
Dividend Appreciation Index Fund Investor Shares |
---|
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period | April 271 to July 31, 2006 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $20.05 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .06 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | (.35) |
|
Total from Investment Operations | (.29) |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income | (.04) |
|
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains | — |
|
Total Distributions | (.04) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $19.72 |
|
|
Total Return2 | -1.44% |
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $62 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets | 0.40%4 |
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | 1.32%4 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate3 | 5%4 |
|
1 Inception.
2 Total returns do not reflect the $10 annual account maintenance fee applied on balances under $10,000.
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.
4 Annualized.
14
Dividend Appreciation Index Fund ETF Shares For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period | April 211 to July 31, 2006 |
---|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $49.94 |
|
Investment Operations |
|
Net Investment Income | .150 |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments | (.732) |
|
Total from Investment Operations | (.582) |
|
Distributions |
|
Dividends from Net Investment Income | (.098) |
|
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains | — |
|
Total Distributions | (.098) |
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $49.26 |
|
|
Total Return | -1.16% |
|
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) | $49 |
|
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets | 0.28%3 |
|
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets | 1.44%3 |
|
Portfolio Turnover Rate2 | 5%3 |
|
1 Inception.
2 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.
3 Annualized.
See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.
15
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation 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 Specialized Funds. The fund offers two classes of shares: Investor Shares and ETF Shares (formerly known as VIPER® Shares). Investor Shares were first issued on April 27, 2006, and are available to any investor who meets the fund’s minimum purchase requirements. ETF Shares were first issued on April 21, 2006, and first offered to the public on April 27, 2006. 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 4:00 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. Accordingly, no provision for federal income taxes is required in the 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 July 31, 2006, 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
16
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 July 31, 2006, net unrealized depreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $733,000 consisting of unrealized gains of $2,937,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $3,670,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.
D. During the period ended July 31, 2006, the fund purchased $113,263,000 of investment securities and sold $1,230,000 of investment securities other than temporary cash investments.
E. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were:
| April 211 to July 31, 2006
|
---|
| Amount ($000) | Shares (000) |
---|
|
Investor Shares | | |
|
Issued | 64,357 | 3,267 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 56 | 3 |
|
Redeemed | (2,427) | (124) |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares | 61,986 | 3,146 |
|
ETF Shares |
|
Issued | 50,034 | 1,002 |
|
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | — | — |
|
Redeemed | — | — |
|
Net Increase (Decrease)—ETF Shares | 50,034 | 1,002 |
|
|
|
|
1 Inception. |
17
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement
The board of trustees of Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund approved the launch of the fund in April 2006, 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 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 of 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 fund involves a direct application of QEG’s existing quantitative investment processes, which have been successfully implemented since 1992, and that Vanguard’s expense-ratio advantage and index-tracking capabilities would provide more income to investors after expenses. The board concluded that Vanguard’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted selection 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 processes.
Cost
The board considered the cost of services to be provided, including consideration of competitive fee rates and the fact 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.
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 the fund’s assets increase.
The board will consider whether to approve the advisory arrangement after a one-year period.
18
Glossary
Earnings Growth Rate. The average annual rate of growth in earnings over the past five years for the stocks now in a fund.
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.
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 snapshot of a fund’s income from interest and dividends. The yield, expressed as a percentage of the fund’s net asset value, is based on income earned over the past 30 days and is annualized, or projected forward for the coming year. The index yield is based on the current annualized rate of income provided by securities in the index.
19
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, |
Trustee since May 1987; | Chief Executive Officer, and Director/Trustee of The Vanguard Group, Inc., |
Chairman of the Board and | and of each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group. |
Chief Executive Officer |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen |
|
Independent Trustees |
|
Charles D. Ellis |
|
Born 1937 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Applecore Partners |
Trustee since January 2001 | (pro bono ventures in education); Senior Advisor to Greenwich Associates |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | (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. |
|
Rajiv L. Gupta |
|
Born 1945 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman and Chief |
Trustee since December 20012 | Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals) since 1999; Board |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Member of the American Chemistry Council; Director of Tyco International, Ltd. |
| (diversified manufacturing and services) since 2005; Trustee of Drexel |
| University and of the Chemical Heritage Foundation. |
|
Amy Gutmann |
|
Born 1949 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of the University |
Trustee since June 2006 | of Pennsylvania since 2004; Professor in the School of Arts and Sciences, |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen |
---|
|
Born 1950 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate Vice President |
Trustee since July 1998 | and Chief Global Diversity Officer since 2006, Vice President and Chief |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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. |
|
Andre F. Perold |
|
Born 1952 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Gund Professor |
Trustee since December 2004 | of Finance and Banking, Harvard Business School (since 2000); Senior |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Associate Dean, Director of Faculty Recruiting, and Chair of Finance Faculty, |
| Harvard Business School; Director and Chairman of UNX, Inc. (equities trading |
| firm) (since 2003); Director of registered investment companies advised by |
| Merrill Lynch Investment Managers and affiliates (1985-2004),Genbel |
| Securities Limited (South African financial services firm) (1999-2003), Gensec |
| Bank (1999-2003), Sanlam, Ltd. (South African insurance company). |
| (2001-2003), and Stockback, Inc. (credit card firm) (2000-2002) |
|
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr |
|
Born 1941 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, President, |
Trustee since January 1993 | Chief Executive Officer, and Director of NACCO Industries, Inc. (forklift |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | 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: Retired Chairman and |
Trustee since April 1985 | Chief Executive Officer of Rohm and Haas Co. (chemicals); Director of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Cummins Inc. (diesel engines),MeadWestvaco Corp. (packaging products), |
| and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (pharmaceutical distribution); Trustee of |
| Vanderbilt University and of Culver Educational Foundation. |
|
|
|
Executive Officers1 |
|
Heidi Stam |
|
Born 1956 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing Director since |
Secretary since July 2005 | July 2006,General Counsel since July 2005, and Secretary of Vanguard and of |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | each of the investment companies served by The Vanguard Group since July |
| 2005; Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc. (1997-2006). |
|
Thomas J. Higgins |
|
Born 1957 | Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of The Vanguard |
Treasurer since July 1998 | Group, Inc.;Treasurer of each of the investment companies served by The |
140 Vanguard Funds Overseen | Vanguard Group. |
|
|
Vanguard Senior Management Team |
---|
R. Gregory Barton | Kathleen C. Gubanich | Michael S. Miller |
Mortimer J. Buckley | Paul A. Heller | Ralph K. Packard |
James H. Gately | F. William McNabb, III | 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.
| | ![](https://capedge.com/proxy/N-CSRS/0000932471-06-001582/ship.gif) |
| | 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 |
Institutional Investor Services > 800-523-1036 | | Lipper Inc.or Morningstar, Inc., unless |
| | otherwise noted. |
|
Text Telephone > 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 |
This material may be used in conjunction | | voting guidelines," or by calling Vanguard at |
with the offering of shares of any Vanguard | | 800-662-2739. They are also available from |
fund only if preceded or accompanied by | | the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. In addition, |
the fund's current prospectus. | | 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. |
|
Vanguard, VIPER, Vanguard ETF, 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 |
"Dividend Achievers" is a trademark of Mergent, Inc., | | Room in Washington, D.C.To find out more |
and has been licensed for use by The Vanguard Group, | | about this public service, call the SEC at |
Inc. Vanguard mutual funds are not sponsored, | | 202-551-8090. Information about your |
endorsed, sold, or promoted by Mergent, and Mergent | | fund is also available on the SEC's website, |
makes no representation regarding the advisability | | and you can receive copies of this information, |
of investing in the funds. | | 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. |
|
| | © 2006 The Vanguard Group, Inc. |
| | All rights reserved. |
| | Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor. |
|
| | Q6022 092006 |
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.
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 SPECIALIZED FUNDS
|
BY: | (signature)
|
| (HEIDI STAM) JOHN J. BRENNAN* CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
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 SPECIALIZED FUNDS
|
BY: | (signature)
|
| (HEIDI STAM) JOHN J. BRENNAN* CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER |
| VANGUARD SPECIALIZED FUNDS
|
BY: | (signature)
|
| (HEIDI STAM) THOMAS J. HIGGINS* TREASURER |
* By Power of Attorney. See File Number 002-65955-99, filed on July 27, 2006. Incorporated by Reference.