Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund offers four classes of shares: Investor Shares, ETF Shares, Admiral Shares, and Institutional Shares. Each of the share classes has different eligibility and minimum purchase requirements, and is designed for different types of investors. ETF Shares are listed for trading on NYSE Arca; they can be purchased and sold through a broker.
As a part of its principal investment strategy, the fund attempts to replicate its benchmark index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets—either directly or indirectly through a wholly owned subsidiary—in the stocks that make up the index. Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund (“the Subsidiary”) is the wholly owned subsidiary in which the fund has invested a portion of its assets. Expenses of the Subsidiary are reflected in the Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses in the Financial Highlights. For additional financial information about the Subsidiary, refer to the accompanying financial statements.
A. The following significant accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles for U.S. investment companies. The fund consistently follows such policies in preparing its financial statements.
1. Security Valuation: Securities are valued as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date. Equity securities are valued at the latest quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades; such securities not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or whose values have been affected by events occurring before the fund's pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the valuation designee to represent fair value and subject to oversight by the board of trustees.
Investments in affiliated Vanguard funds are valued at that fund's net asset value.
2. Swap Contracts: The fund has entered into equity swap contracts to earn the total return on selected reference stocks or indexes in the fund’s target index. Under the terms of the swaps, the fund receives the total return on the referenced stock (i.e., receiving the increase or paying the decrease in value of the selected reference stock and receiving the equivalent of any dividends in respect of the selected referenced stock) over a specified period of time, applied to a notional amount that represents the value of a designated number of shares of the selected reference stock at the beginning of the equity swap contract. The fund also pays a floating rate that is based on short-term interest rates, applied to the notional amount. At the same time, the fund generally invests an amount approximating the notional amount of the swap in high-quality temporary cash investments.
A risk associated with all types of swaps is the possibility that a counterparty may default on its obligation to pay net amounts due to the fund. The fund’s maximum amount subject to counterparty risk is the unrealized appreciation on the swap contract. The fund mitigates its counterparty risk by entering into swaps only with a diverse group of prequalified counterparties, monitoring their financial strength, entering into master netting arrangements with its counterparties, and requiring its counterparties to transfer collateral as security for their performance. In the absence of a default, the collateral pledged or received by the fund cannot be repledged, resold, or rehypothecated. In the event of a counterparty’s default (including bankruptcy), the fund may terminate any swap contracts with that counterparty, determine the net amount owed by either party in accordance with its master netting arrangements, and sell or retain any collateral held up to the net amount owed to the fund under the master netting arrangements. The swap contracts contain provisions whereby a counterparty may terminate open contracts if the fund's net assets decline below a certain level, triggering a payment by the fund if the fund is in a net liability position at the time of the termination. The payment amount would be reduced by any collateral the fund has pledged. Any securities pledged as collateral for open contracts are noted in the Schedule of Investments. The value of collateral received or pledged is compared daily to the value of the swap contracts exposure with each counterparty, and any difference, if in excess of a specified minimum transfer amount, is adjusted and settled within two business days.
The notional amounts of swap contracts are not recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Swaps are valued daily based on market quotations received from independent pricing services or recognized dealers and the change in value is recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset (liability) and in the Statement of Operations as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) until periodic payments are made or the termination of the swap, at which time realized gain (loss) is recorded.
During the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund’s average amounts of investments in total return swaps represented less than 1% of net assets, based on the average of notional amounts at each quarter-end during the period.
3. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute virtually all of its taxable income. The fund’s tax returns are open to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for all open federal and state income tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.
4. Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The portion of distributions that exceed a fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits, as measured on a tax basis, constitute a non-taxable return of capital. Distributions are determined on a tax basis at the fiscal year-end and may differ from net investment income and realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes.
5. Securities Lending: To earn additional income, the fund lends its securities to qualified institutional borrowers. Security loans are subject to termination by the fund at any time, and are required to be secured at all times by collateral in an amount at least equal to the market value of securities loaned. Daily market fluctuations could cause the value of loaned securities to be more or less than the value of the collateral received. When this occurs, the collateral is adjusted and settled before the opening of the market on the next business day. The fund further mitigates its counterparty risk by entering into securities lending transactions only with a diverse group of prequalified counterparties, monitoring their financial strength, and entering into master securities lending agreements with its counterparties. The master securities lending agreements provide that, in the event of a counterparty’s default (including bankruptcy), the fund may terminate any loans with that borrower, determine the net amount owed, and sell or retain the collateral up to the net amount owed to the fund; however, such actions may be subject to legal proceedings. While collateral mitigates counterparty risk, in the event of a default, the fund may experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned. The fund invests cash collateral received in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, and records a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the return of the collateral, during the period the
securities are on loan. Collateral investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are subject to market appreciation or depreciation. Securities lending income represents fees charged to borrowers plus income earned on invested cash collateral, less expenses associated with the loan. During the term of the loan, the fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities.
6. Credit Facilities and Interfund Lending Program: The fund and certain other funds managed by The Vanguard Group ("Vanguard") participate in a $4.3 billion committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement and an uncommitted credit facility provided by Vanguard. Both facilities may be renewed annually. Each fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facilities. Borrowings may be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes and are subject to the fund’s regulatory and contractual borrowing restrictions. With respect to the committed credit facility, the participating funds are charged administrative fees and an annual commitment fee of 0.10% of the undrawn committed amount of the facility, which are allocated to the funds based on a method approved by the fund’s board of trustees and included in Management and Administrative expenses on the fund’s Statement of Operations. Any borrowings under either facility bear interest at an agreed-upon spread plus the higher of the federal funds effective rate, the overnight bank funding rate, or the Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate inclusive of an additional agreed-upon spread. However, borrowings under the uncommitted credit facility may bear interest based upon an alternate rate agreed to by the fund and Vanguard.
In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the fund may participate in a joint lending and borrowing program that allows registered open-end Vanguard funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes (the “Interfund Lending Program”), subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order, and to the extent permitted by the fund’s investment objective and investment policies. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one business day’s notice. The interest rate to be charged is governed by the conditions of the Order and internal procedures adopted by the board of trustees. The board of trustees is responsible for overseeing the Interfund Lending Program.
For the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund did not utilize the credit facilities or the Interfund Lending Program.
7. Other: Distributions received from investment securities are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in income, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Each investment security 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. Income, capital gain, and return of capital distributions received from affiliated Vanguard funds are recorded on 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. In accordance with the terms of a Funds’ Service Agreement (the “FSA”) between Vanguard and the fund, Vanguard furnishes to the fund investment advisory, corporate management, administrative, marketing, and distribution services at Vanguard’s cost of operations (as defined by the FSA). These costs of operations are allocated to the fund based on methods and guidelines approved by the board of trustees and are generally settled twice a month.
Upon the request of Vanguard, the fund may invest up to 0.40% of its net assets as capital in Vanguard. At July 31, 2024, the fund had contributed to Vanguard capital in the amount of $1,546,000, representing less than 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.62% of Vanguard’s capital received pursuant to the FSA. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and employees, respectively, of Vanguard.
C. Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments and derivatives. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments). Any investments and derivatives valued with significant unobservable inputs are noted on the Schedule of Investments.
Real Estate II Index Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund. The fund is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (“Real Estate Index Fund”), and at July 31, 2024, the Real Estate Index Fund was the record and beneficial owner of 96.7% of the fund’s net assets. As part of the Real Estate Index Fund’s principal investment strategy, it attempts to replicate the benchmark index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets—either directly or indirectly through the fund—in the stocks that make up the index.
A. The following significant accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles for U.S. investment companies. The fund consistently follows such policies in preparing its financial statements.
1. Security Valuation: Securities are valued as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date. Equity securities are valued at the latest quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades; such securities not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or whose values have been affected by events occurring before the fund's pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the valuation designee to represent fair value and subject to oversight by the board of trustees.
Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund's net asset value.
2. Swap Contracts: The fund has entered into equity swap contracts to earn the total return on selected reference stocks or indexes in the fund’s target index. Under the terms of the swaps, the fund receives the total return on the referenced stock (i.e., receiving the increase or paying the decrease in value of the selected reference stock and receiving the equivalent of any dividends in respect of the selected referenced stock) over a specified period of time, applied to a notional amount that represents the value of a designated number of shares of the selected reference stock at the beginning of the equity swap contract. The fund also pays a floating rate that is based on short-term interest rates, applied to the notional amount. At the same time, the fund generally invests an amount approximating the notional amount of the swap in high-quality temporary cash investments.
A risk associated with all types of swaps is the possibility that a counterparty may default on its obligation to pay net amounts due to the fund. The fund’s maximum amount subject to counterparty risk is the unrealized appreciation on the swap contract. The fund mitigates its counterparty risk by entering into swaps only with a diverse group of prequalified counterparties, monitoring their financial strength, entering into master netting arrangements with its counterparties, and requiring its counterparties to transfer collateral as security for their performance. In the absence of a default, the collateral pledged or received by the fund cannot be repledged, resold, or rehypothecated. In the event of a counterparty’s default (including bankruptcy), the fund may terminate any swap contracts with that counterparty, determine the net amount owed by either party in accordance with its master netting arrangements, and sell or retain any collateral held up to the net amount owed to the fund under the master netting arrangements. The swap contracts contain provisions whereby a counterparty may terminate open contracts if the fund's net assets decline below a certain level, triggering a payment by the fund if the fund is in a net liability position at the time of the termination. The payment amount would be reduced by any collateral the fund has pledged. Any securities pledged as collateral for open contracts are noted in the Schedule of Investments. The value of collateral received or pledged is compared daily to the value of the swap contracts exposure with each counterparty, and any difference, if in excess of a specified minimum transfer amount, is adjusted and settled within two business days.
The notional amounts of swap contracts are not recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Swaps are valued daily based on market quotations received from independent pricing services or recognized dealers and the change in value is recorded in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as an asset (liability) and in the Statement of Operations as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) until periodic payments are made or the termination of the swap, at which time realized gain (loss) is recorded.
During the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund’s average amounts of investments in total return swaps represented less than 1% of net assets, based on the average of notional amounts at each quarter-end during the period.
3. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute virtually all of its taxable income. The fund’s tax returns are open to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for all open federal and state income tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.
4. Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The portion of distributions that exceed a fund's current and accumulated earnings and profits, as measured on a tax basis, constitute a non-taxable return of capital. Distributions are determined on a tax basis at the fiscal year-end and may differ from net investment income and realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes.
5. Securities Lending: To earn additional income, the fund lends its securities to qualified institutional borrowers. Security loans are subject to termination by the fund at any time, and are required to be secured at all times by collateral in an amount at least equal to the market value of securities loaned. Daily market fluctuations could cause the value of loaned securities to be more or less than the value of the collateral received. When this occurs, the collateral is adjusted and settled before the opening of the market on the next business day. The fund further mitigates its counterparty risk by entering into securities lending transactions only with a diverse group of prequalified counterparties, monitoring their financial strength, and entering into master securities lending agreements with its counterparties. The master securities lending agreements provide that, in the event of a counterparty’s default (including bankruptcy), the fund may terminate any loans with that borrower, determine the net amount owed, and sell or retain the collateral up to the net amount owed to the fund; however, such actions may be subject to legal proceedings. While collateral mitigates counterparty risk, in the event of a default, the fund may experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned. The fund invests cash collateral received in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, and records a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the return of the collateral, during the period the securities are on loan. Collateral investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are subject to market appreciation or depreciation. Securities lending income represents fees charged to borrowers plus income earned on invested cash collateral, less expenses associated with the loan. During the term of the loan, the fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities.
Real Estate II Index Fund
6. Credit Facilities and Interfund Lending Program: The fund and certain other funds managed by The Vanguard Group ("Vanguard") participate in a $4.3 billion committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement and an uncommitted credit facility provided by Vanguard. Both facilities may be renewed annually. Each fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facilities. Borrowings may be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes and are subject to the fund’s regulatory and contractual borrowing restrictions. With respect to the committed credit facility, the participating funds are charged administrative fees and an annual commitment fee of 0.10% of the undrawn committed amount of the facility, which are allocated to the funds based on a method approved by the fund’s board of trustees and included in Management and Administrative expenses on the fund’s Statement of Operations. Any borrowings under either facility bear interest at an agreed-upon spread plus the higher of the federal funds effective rate, the overnight bank funding rate, or the Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate inclusive of an additional agreed-upon spread. However, borrowings under the uncommitted credit facility may bear interest based upon an alternate rate agreed to by the fund and Vanguard.
In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the fund may participate in a joint lending and borrowing program that allows registered open-end Vanguard funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes (the “Interfund Lending Program”), subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order, and to the extent permitted by the fund’s investment objective and investment policies. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one business day’s notice. The interest rate to be charged is governed by the conditions of the Order and internal procedures adopted by the board of trustees. The board of trustees is responsible for overseeing the Interfund Lending Program.
For the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund did not utilize the credit facilities or the Interfund Lending Program.
7. Other: Distributions received from investment securities are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in income, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Each investment security 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.
B. In accordance with the terms of a Funds’ Service Agreement (the “FSA”) between Vanguard and the fund, Vanguard furnishes to the fund investment advisory, corporate management, administrative, marketing, and distribution services at Vanguard’s cost of operations (as defined by the FSA). These costs of operations are allocated to the fund based on methods and guidelines approved by the board of trustees and are generally settled twice a month.
Upon the request of Vanguard, the fund may invest up to 0.40% of its net assets as capital in Vanguard. At July 31, 2024, the fund had contributed to Vanguard capital in the amount of $249,000, representing less than 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.10% of Vanguard’s capital received pursuant to the FSA. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and employees, respectively, of Vanguard.
C. Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments and derivatives. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments). Any investments and derivatives valued with significant unobservable inputs are noted on the Schedule of Investments.
The following table summarizes the market value of the fund's investments and derivatives as of July 31, 2024, based on the inputs used to value them:
| | Level 1
($000) | Level 2
($000) | Level 3
($000) | Total
($000) |
| Investments | | | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Common Stocks | 9,243,428 | — | 23 | 9,243,451 |
| Temporary Cash Investments | 52,722 | — | — | 52,722 |
| Total | 9,296,150 | — | 23 | 9,296,173 |
| | | | |
| Derivative Financial Instruments | | | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Swap Contracts | — | 1,577 | — | 1,577 |
Real Estate II Index Fund
D. As of July 31, 2024, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments and derivatives based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | Amount
($000) |
| Tax Cost | 8,011,698 |
| Gross Unrealized Appreciation | 2,199,668 |
| Gross Unrealized Depreciation | (913,616) |
| Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | 1,286,052 |
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, 2024, the fund had available capital losses totaling $59,114,000 that may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future net capital gains. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending January 31, 2025; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balance above.
E. During the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund purchased $309,856,000 of investment securities and sold $148,549,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.
The fund purchased securities from and sold securities to other Vanguard funds or accounts managed by Vanguard or its affiliates, in accordance with procedures adopted by the board of trustees in compliance with Rule 17a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. For the six months ended July 31, 2024, such purchases were $0 and sales were $824,000, resulting in net realized loss of $12,000; these amounts, other than temporary cash investments, are included in the purchases and sales of investment securities noted above.
F. Capital shares issued and redeemed were:
| | Six Months Ended
July 31, 2024 | | Year Ended
January 31, 2024 |
| | Shares
(000) | | Shares
(000) |
| Issued | 1,282 | | 3,562 |
| Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions | 8,834 | | 17,762 |
| Redeemed | (573) | | (786) |
| Net Increase (Decrease) in Shares Outstanding | 9,543 | | 20,538 |
G. Significant market disruptions, such as those caused by pandemics, natural or environmental disasters, war, acts of terrorism, or other events, can adversely affect local and global markets and normal market operations. Any such disruptions could have an adverse impact on the value of the fund’s investments and fund performance.
To the extent the fund’s investment portfolio reflects concentration in a particular market, industry, sector, country or asset class, the fund may be adversely affected by the performance of these concentrations and may be subject to increased price volatility and other risks.
The use of derivatives may expose the fund to various risks. Derivatives can be highly volatile, and any initial investment is generally small relative to the notional amount so that transactions may be leveraged in terms of market exposure. A relatively small market movement may have a potentially larger impact on derivatives than on standard securities. Leveraged derivatives positions can, therefore, increase volatility. Additional information regarding the fund’s use of derivative(s) and the specific risks associated is described under significant accounting policies.
H. Management has determined that no events or transactions occurred subsequent to July 31, 2024, that would require recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.
Q1232 092024
Global Capital Cycles Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund.
A. The following significant accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles for U.S. investment companies. The fund consistently follows such policies in preparing its financial statements.
1. Security Valuation: Securities are valued as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date. Equity securities are valued at the latest quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades; such securities not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or whose values have been affected by events occurring before the fund’s pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the valuation designee to represent fair value and subject to oversight 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.
2. Foreign Currency: Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from an independent third party as of the fund’s pricing time on the valuation date. Realized gains (losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment securities include the effects of changes in exchange rates since the securities were purchased, combined with the effects of changes in security prices. Fluctuations in the value of other assets and liabilities resulting from changes in exchange rates are recorded as unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) until the assets or liabilities are settled in cash, at which time they are recorded as realized foreign currency gains (losses).
3. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute virtually all of its taxable income. The fund’s tax returns are open to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for all open federal and state income tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.
4. Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are determined on a tax basis at the fiscal year-end and may differ from net investment income and realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes.
5. Securities Lending: To earn additional income, the fund lends its securities to qualified institutional borrowers. Security loans are subject to termination by the fund at any time, and are required to be secured at all times by collateral in an amount at least equal to the market value of securities loaned. Daily market fluctuations could cause the value of loaned securities to be more or less than the value of the collateral received. When this occurs, the collateral is adjusted and settled before the opening of the market on the next business day. The fund further mitigates its counterparty risk by entering into securities lending transactions only with a diverse group of prequalified counterparties, monitoring their financial strength, and entering into master securities lending agreements with its counterparties. The master securities lending agreements provide that, in the event of a counterparty’s default (including bankruptcy), the fund may terminate any loans with that borrower, determine the net amount owed, and sell or retain the collateral up to the net amount owed to the fund; however, such actions may be subject to legal proceedings. While collateral mitigates counterparty risk, in the event of a default, the fund may experience delays and costs in recovering the securities loaned. The fund invests cash collateral received in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund, and records a liability in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the return of the collateral, during the period the securities are on loan. Collateral investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are subject to market appreciation or depreciation. Securities lending income represents fees charged to borrowers plus income earned on invested cash collateral, less expenses associated with the loan. During the term of the loan, the fund is entitled to all distributions made on or in respect of the loaned securities.
6. Credit Facilities and Interfund Lending Program: The fund and certain other funds managed by The Vanguard Group ("Vanguard") participate in a $4.3 billion committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement and an uncommitted credit facility provided by Vanguard. Both facilities may be renewed annually. Each fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facilities. Borrowings may be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes and are subject to the fund’s regulatory and contractual borrowing restrictions. With respect to the committed credit facility, the participating funds are charged administrative fees and an annual commitment fee of 0.10% of the undrawn committed amount of the facility, which are allocated to the funds based on a method approved by the fund’s board of trustees and included in Management and Administrative expenses on the fund’s Statement of Operations. Any borrowings under either facility bear interest at an agreed-upon spread plus the higher of the federal funds effective rate, the overnight bank funding rate, or the Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate inclusive of an additional agreed-upon spread. However, borrowings under the uncommitted credit facility may bear interest based upon an alternate rate agreed to by the fund and Vanguard.
In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the fund may participate in a joint lending and borrowing program that allows registered open-end Vanguard funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes (the “Interfund Lending Program”), subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order, and to the extent permitted by the fund’s investment objective and investment policies. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one business day’s notice. The interest rate to be charged is governed by the conditions of the Order and internal procedures adopted by the board of trustees. The board of trustees is responsible for overseeing the Interfund Lending Program.
For the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund did not utilize the credit facilities or the Interfund Lending Program.
7. Other: Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in income, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the
Global Capital Cycles Fund
securities received. 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.
Taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. Deferred foreign capital gains tax, if any, is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains. The fund has filed tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries. These filings are subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings within these countries. Amounts related to these reclaims are recorded when there are no significant uncertainties as to the ultimate resolution of proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these reclaims, and the potential timing of payment. Such tax reclaims and related professional fees, if any, are included in dividend income and other expenses, respectively.
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 relative to the Custom Global Capital Cycles Index for the preceding five years. For the six months ended July 31, 2024, the investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.15% of the fund’s average net assets, before a net increase of $473,000 (0.07%) based on performance.
C. In accordance with the terms of a Funds’ Service Agreement (the “FSA”) between Vanguard and the fund, Vanguard furnishes to the fund corporate management, administrative, marketing, and distribution services at Vanguard’s cost of operations (as defined by the FSA). These costs of operations are allocated to the fund based on methods and guidelines approved by the board of trustees and are generally settled twice a month.
Upon the request of Vanguard, the fund may invest up to 0.40% of its net assets as capital in Vanguard. At July 31, 2024, the fund had contributed to Vanguard capital in the amount of $42,000, representing less than 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.02% of Vanguard’s capital received pursuant to the FSA. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and employees, respectively, of Vanguard.
D. Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments). Any investments valued with significant unobservable inputs are noted on the Schedule of Investments.
The following table summarizes the market value of the fund's investments as of July 31, 2024, based on the inputs used to value them:
| | Level 1
($000) | Level 2
($000) | Level 3
($000) | Total
($000) |
| Investments | | | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Common Stocks—North and South America | 581,896 | — | — | 581,896 |
| Common Stocks—Other | 98,623 | 743,292 | — | 841,915 |
| Preferred Stocks | 14,099 | — | — | 14,099 |
| Temporary Cash Investments | 52,807 | — | — | 52,807 |
| Total | 747,425 | 743,292 | — | 1,490,717 |
E. As of July 31, 2024, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | Amount
($000) |
| Tax Cost | 1,273,380 |
| Gross Unrealized Appreciation | 268,565 |
| Gross Unrealized Depreciation | (51,228) |
| Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | 217,337 |
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, 2024, the fund had available capital losses totaling $2,010,957,000 that may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future net capital gains. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending January 31, 2025; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balance above.
F. During the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund purchased $182,327,000 of investment securities and sold $191,914,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.
The fund purchased securities from and sold securities to other funds or accounts managed by its investment advisor or their affiliates, in accordance with procedures adopted by the board of trustees in compliance with Rule 17a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. For the six months ended
Global ESG Select Stock Fund
Notes to Financial Statements
Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end investment company, or mutual fund.
The fund offers two classes of shares: Investor Shares and Admiral Shares. Each of the share classes has different eligibility and minimum purchase requirements, and is designed for different types of investors.
A. The following significant accounting policies conform to generally accepted accounting principles for U.S. investment companies. The fund consistently follows such policies in preparing its financial statements.
1. Security Valuation: Securities are valued as of the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4 p.m., Eastern time) on the valuation date. Equity securities are valued at the latest quoted sales prices or official closing prices taken from the primary market in which each security trades; such securities not traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean of the latest quoted bid and asked prices. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, or whose values have been affected by events occurring before the fund's pricing time but after the close of the securities’ primary markets, are valued by methods deemed by the valuation designee to represent fair value and subject to oversight 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.
2. Foreign Currency: Securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates obtained from an independent third party as of the fund’s pricing time on the valuation date. Realized gains (losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment securities include the effects of changes in exchange rates since the securities were purchased, combined with the effects of changes in security prices. Fluctuations in the value of other assets and liabilities resulting from changes in exchange rates are recorded as unrealized foreign currency gains (losses) until the assets or liabilities are settled in cash, at which time they are recorded as realized foreign currency gains (losses).
3. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute virtually all of its taxable income. The fund’s tax returns are open to examination by the relevant tax authorities until expiration of the applicable statute of limitations, which is generally three years after the filing of the tax return. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for all open federal and state income tax years, and has concluded that no provision for income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.
4. Distributions: Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are determined on a tax basis at the fiscal year-end and may differ from net investment income and realized capital gains for financial reporting purposes.
5. Credit Facilities and Interfund Lending Program: The fund and certain other funds managed by The Vanguard Group ("Vanguard") participate in a $4.3 billion committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement and an uncommitted credit facility provided by Vanguard. Both facilities may be renewed annually. Each fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facilities. Borrowings may be utilized for temporary or emergency purposes and are subject to the fund’s regulatory and contractual borrowing restrictions. With respect to the committed credit facility, the participating funds are charged administrative fees and an annual commitment fee of 0.10% of the undrawn committed amount of the facility, which are allocated to the funds based on a method approved by the fund’s board of trustees and included in Management and Administrative expenses on the fund’s Statement of Operations. Any borrowings under either facility bear interest at an agreed-upon spread plus the higher of the federal funds effective rate, the overnight bank funding rate, or the Daily Simple Secured Overnight Financing Rate inclusive of an additional agreed-upon spread. However, borrowings under the uncommitted credit facility may bear interest based upon an alternate rate agreed to by the fund and Vanguard.
In accordance with an exemptive order (the “Order”) from the SEC, the fund may participate in a joint lending and borrowing program that allows registered open-end Vanguard funds to borrow money from and lend money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes (the “Interfund Lending Program”), subject to compliance with the terms and conditions of the Order, and to the extent permitted by the fund’s investment objective and investment policies. Interfund loans and borrowings normally extend overnight but can have a maximum duration of seven days. Loans may be called on one business day’s notice. The interest rate to be charged is governed by the conditions of the Order and internal procedures adopted by the board of trustees. The board of trustees is responsible for overseeing the Interfund Lending Program.
For the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund did not utilize the credit facilities or the Interfund Lending Program.
6. Other: Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in income, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. 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.
Taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. Deferred foreign capital gains tax, if any, is accrued daily based upon net unrealized gains. The fund has filed tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries. These filings are subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings within these countries. Amounts related to these reclaims are recorded when there are no significant uncertainties as to the ultimate resolution of proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these reclaims, and the potential timing of payment. Such tax reclaims and related professional fees, if any, are included in dividend income and other expenses, respectively.
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
Global ESG Select Stock Fund
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. The basic fee is subject to quarterly adjustments based on the fund's performance relative to the FTSE All-World Index since July 31, 2019. For the six months ended July 31, 2024, the investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.22% of the fund’s average net assets, before a net increase of $204,000 (0.03%) based on performance.
C. In accordance with the terms of a Funds’ Service Agreement (the “FSA”) between Vanguard and the fund, Vanguard furnishes to the fund corporate management, administrative, marketing, and distribution services at Vanguard’s cost of operations (as defined by the FSA). These costs of operations are allocated to the fund based on methods and guidelines approved by the board of trustees and are generally settled twice a month.
Upon the request of Vanguard, the fund may invest up to 0.40% of its net assets as capital in Vanguard. At July 31, 2024, the fund had contributed to Vanguard capital in the amount of $37,000, representing less than 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.01% of Vanguard’s capital received pursuant to the FSA. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and employees, respectively, of Vanguard.
D. Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).
Level 3—Significant unobservable inputs (including the fund’s own assumptions used to determine the fair value of investments). Any investments valued with significant unobservable inputs are noted on the Schedule of Investments.
The following table summarizes the market value of the fund's investments as of July 31, 2024, based on the inputs used to value them:
| | Level 1
($000) | Level 2
($000) | Level 3
($000) | Total
($000) |
| Investments | | | | |
| Assets | | | | |
| Common Stocks—North and South America | 681,424 | — | — | 681,424 |
| Common Stocks—Other | — | 586,777 | — | 586,777 |
| Temporary Cash Investments | 23,854 | — | — | 23,854 |
| Total | 705,278 | 586,777 | — | 1,292,055 |
E. As of July 31, 2024, gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation for investments based on cost for U.S. federal income tax purposes were as follows:
| | Amount
($000) |
| Tax Cost | 1,008,195 |
| Gross Unrealized Appreciation | 314,060 |
| Gross Unrealized Depreciation | (30,200) |
| Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) | 283,860 |
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, 2024, the fund had available capital losses totaling $12,708,000 that may be carried forward indefinitely to offset future net capital gains. The fund will use these capital losses to offset net taxable capital gains, if any, realized during the year ending January 31, 2025; should the fund realize net capital losses for the year, the losses will be added to the loss carryforward balance above.
F. During the six months ended July 31, 2024, the fund purchased $221,402,000 of investment securities and sold $163,958,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.
The fund purchased securities from and sold securities to other funds or accounts managed by its investment advisors or their affiliates, in accordance with procedures adopted by the board of trustees in compliance with Rule 17a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. For the six months ended July 31, 2024, such purchases were $6,604,000 and sales were $0; these amounts, other than temporary cash investments, are included in the purchases and sales of investment securities noted above.
Item 8: Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 9: Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 10: Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies.
Not applicable.
Item 11: Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contracts.
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangements – Real Estate Index Fund
The board of trustees of Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund and the board of trustees of Vanguard Real Estate II Index Fund have renewed each fund’s investment advisory arrangement with The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard), through its Equity Index Group. Each board determined that continuing the respective fund’s internalized management structure was in the best interests of the fund and its shareholders.
Each board based its decision upon an evaluation of the advisor’s investment staff, portfolio management process, and performance. This evaluation included information provided to the board by Vanguard’s Portfolio Review Department, which is responsible for fund and advisor oversight and product management. The Portfolio Review Department met regularly with the advisor and made presentations to the board during the fiscal year that directed the board’s focus to relevant information and topics.
Each board, or an investment committee made up of board members, also received information throughout the year during advisor presentations conducted by the Portfolio Review Department. For each advisor presentation, the board was provided with letters and reports that included information about, among other things, the advisory firm and the advisor’s assessment of the investment environment, portfolio performance, and portfolio characteristics.
In addition, each board received periodic reports throughout the year, which included information about the respective fund’s performance relative to its peers and benchmark, as applicable, and updates, as needed, on the Portfolio Review Department’s ongoing assessment of the advisor.
Prior to their meeting, the trustees of each board were provided with a memo and materials that summarized the information they received over the course of the year. They also considered the factors discussed below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether either board approved its respective fund’s arrangement. Rather, it was the totality of the circumstances that drove each board’s decision.
Nature, extent, and quality of services
The board of the Real Estate Index Fund reviewed the quality of that fund’s investment management services over both the short and long term, while the board of the Real Estate II Index Fund reviewed the quality of that fund’s investment management services since its inception in 2017; each took into account the organizational depth and stability of the advisor. Each board considered that Vanguard has been managing investments for more than four decades. The Equity Index Group adheres to a sound, disciplined investment management process; the team has considerable experience, stability, and depth.
Each board concluded that Vanguard’s experience, stability, depth, and performance, among other factors, warranted continuation of the advisory arrangement with its respective fund.
Investment performance
The board of the Real Estate Index Fund considered the short- and long-term performance of the fund, including any periods of outperformance or underperformance compared with its target index and peer group, while the board of the Real Estate II Index Fund considered the short-term and since inception performance of the fund compared with its target index and peer group. Each board concluded that the performance of its respective fund was such that its advisory arrangement should continue.
Cost
Each board concluded that the respective fund’s expense ratio was below the average expense ratio charged by funds in its peer group and that the respective fund’s advisory expenses were also below the peer-group average.
Neither board conducts a profitability analysis of Vanguard because of Vanguard’s unique structure. Unlike most other mutual fund management companies, Vanguard is owned by the funds it oversees.
The benefit of economies of scale
Each board concluded that its respective fund’s 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.
Each board will consider whether to renew its respective advisory arrangement again after a one-year period.
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement – Global Capital Cycles Fund
The board of trustees of Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (formerly known as Vanguard Precious Metals and Mining Fund) has renewed the fund’s investment advisory arrangement with Wellington Management Company, LLP (Wellington Management). The board determined that renewing the fund’s investment advisory arrangement 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. This evaluation included information provided to the board by Vanguard’s Portfolio Review Department, which is responsible for fund and advisor oversight and product management. The Portfolio Review Department met regularly with the advisor and made presentations to the board during the fiscal year that directed the board’s focus to relevant information and topics.
The board, or an investment committee made up of board members, also received information throughout the year during advisor presentations conducted by the Portfolio Review Department. For each advisor presentation, the board was provided with letters and reports that included information about, among other things, the advisory firm and the advisor’s assessment of the investment environment, portfolio performance, and portfolio characteristics.
In addition, the board received periodic reports throughout the year, which included information about the fund’s performance relative to its peers and benchmark, as applicable, and updates, as needed, on the Portfolio Review Department’s ongoing assessment of the advisor.
Prior to their meeting, the trustees were provided with a memo and materials that summarized the information they received over the course of the year. They also considered the factors discussed below, among others. However, no single factor determined whether the board approved the arrangement. Rather, it was the totality of the circumstances that drove the board’s decision.
Nature, extent, and quality of services
The board reviewed the quality of the investment management services provided to the fund since Wellington Management began managing the fund in September 2018; it also took into account the organizational depth and stability of the advisor. The board considered that Wellington Management, founded in 1928, is among the nation’s oldest and most respected institutional investment managers. The advisor follows a global equity strategy that seeks to provide investors with uncorrelated returns to other asset classes through a blend of capital cycle and enduring assets. Identification of potential investments begins with the capital cycles framework, which seeks companies that are positioned to succeed through unique and superior business models and healthy balance sheets in sectors and industries where there is capital destruction, consolidation, or retrenchment of investment. Valuation and quality factors such as discount to intrinsic value, cash generation, capital expenditure, and future capital deployment opportunities are considered.
The board concluded that the advisor’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 Wellington Management since it began managing the fund in 2018, including any periods of outperformance or underperformance compared with a relevant benchmark index and peer group. The board concluded that the performance was such that the advisory arrangement should continue.
Cost
The board concluded that the fund’s expense ratio was below the average expense ratio charged by funds in its peer group and that the fund’s advisory fee rate was also below the peer-group average.
The board did not consider the 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 the breakpoints in the fund’s 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 will consider whether to renew the advisory arrangement again after a one-year period.
