N-CSR/A 1 explorerfund_amendfinal.htm explorerfund_amendfinal.htm - Generated by SEC Publisher for SEC Filing

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM N-CSR

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT
OF
REGISTERED MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act file number: 811-01530

 

Name of Registrant:

Vanguard Explorer Fund

 

Address of Registrant:

P.O. Box 2600
  Valley Forge, PA 19482

 

Name and address of agent for service:

Heidi Stam, Esquire
  P.O. Box 876
  Valley Forge, PA 19482

 

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

 

Date of fiscal year end: October 31

 

 

Date of reporting period: November 1, 2013 – October 31, 2014

 

Item 1: Reports to Shareholders

 

 


 

Annual Report | October 31, 2014

Vanguard ExplorerFund

 

The mission continues

On May 1, 1975, Vanguard began operations, a fledgling company based on the simple but revolutionary idea that a mutual fund company should be managed solely in the interest of its investors.

Four decades later, that revolutionary spirit continues to animate the enterprise. Vanguard remains on a mission to give investors the best chance of investment success.

As we mark our 40th anniversary, we thank you for entrusting your assets to Vanguard and giving us the opportunity to help you reach your financial goals in the decades to come.

Contents  
Your Fund’s Total Returns. 1
Chairman’s Letter. 2
Advisors’ Report. 8
Fund Profile. 15
Performance Summary. 17
Financial Statements. 19
Your Fund’s After-Tax Returns. 34
About Your Fund’s Expenses. 35
Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement. 37
Glossary. 39

 

Please note: The opinions expressed in this report are just that—informed opinions. They should not be considered promises or advice. Also, please keep in mind that the information and opinions cover the period through the date on the front of this report. Of course, the risks of investing in your fund are spelled out in the prospectus.
See the Glossary for definitions of investment terms used in this report.
About the cover: Since our founding, Vanguard has drawn inspiration from the enterprise and valor demonstrated by British naval hero Horatio Nelson and his command at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. The photograph displays a replica of a merchant ship from the same era as Nelson’s flagship, the HMS Vanguard.

 

Your Fund’s Total Returns

 
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014  
 
  Total
  Returns
Vanguard Explorer Fund  
Investor Shares 8.20%
Admiral™ Shares 8.37
Russell 2500 Growth Index 10.24
Small-Cap Growth Funds Average 5.89
Small-Cap Growth Funds Average: Derived from data provided by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company.
Admiral Shares carry lower expenses and are available to investors who meet certain account-balance requirements.

 

 
Your Fund’s Performance at a Glance        
October 31, 2013, Through October 31, 2014        
      Distributions Per Share
  Starting Ending    
  Share Share Income Capital
  Price Price Dividends Gains
Vanguard Explorer Fund        
Investor Shares $107.96 $105.28 $0.040 $10.822
Admiral Shares 100.54 98.03 0.216 10.062

 

1

 


Chairman’s Letter

Dear Shareholder,

U.S. stocks climbed to record highs during the 12 months ended October 31, 2014, despite occasional reversals triggered by worries about the pace of economic growth, the prospect of rising interest rates, and bouts of geopolitical instability.

Companies with larger market capitalizations, which tend to have steadier earnings and higher yields, held more allure for investors as prospects for economic growth cooled. The attractive valuations of such companies also played a role, especially after the strong run enjoyed by small-cap stocks since the financial crisis of 2008–2009.

In this market, Vanguard Explorer Fund returned a little over 8% for the 12 months, which was only about half the return of the broad U.S. market. The fund finished roughly 2 percentage points behind the return of its benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth Index, but more than 2 percentage points ahead of the average return of its peers.

If you own shares of your fund in a taxable account, you may wish to review the after-tax returns that appear later in this report.

 

Their smooth ride turned jagged, but U.S. stocks ended higher
Punctuated by a roller coaster of an October, the broad U.S. stock market returned about 16% for the 12 months ended October 31.

Impressive corporate earnings and various global stimulus measures generally supported the market against a bleaker backdrop that included tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine and other international economic concerns. But over the first two weeks of October, stocks declined sharply as investors reacted to weakness in the global economy, especially the slowdown in China and the threat of deflation in Europe. Reflecting confidence in the U.S. economy, the

Federal Reserve announced on October 29 that it was ending its stimulative bond-buying program as anticipated.

U.S. stocks staged an impressive rebound in the period’s final two weeks, and several major indexes finished at record highs. International stocks didn’t fare as well. Emerging markets posted a modest advance, and stocks from the developed markets of Europe and the Pacific region slipped.

U.S. bonds posted positive returns as already low yields declined
The broad U.S. taxable bond market returned 4.14%. Bond prices, which backtracked at times over the summer, climbed in October as investors sought sanctuary from stock market volatility.

Market Barometer      
 
    Average Annual Total Returns
    Periods Ended October 31, 2014
  One Three Five
  Year Years Years
Stocks      
Russell 1000 Index (Large-caps) 16.78% 19.90% 16.98%
Russell 2000 Index (Small-caps) 8.06 18.18 17.39
Russell 3000 Index (Broad U.S. market) 16.07 19.77 17.01
FTSE All-World ex US Index (International) 0.45 8.07 6.38
 
Bonds      
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (Broad taxable market) 4.14% 2.73% 4.22%
Barclays Municipal Bond Index (Broad tax-exempt market) 7.82 4.93 5.26
Citigroup Three-Month U.S. Treasury Bill Index 0.04 0.04 0.06
 
CPI      
Consumer Price Index 1.66% 1.60% 1.89%

 

3

 

Overall, returns have been strong despite many analysts’ expectations that already low yields wouldn’t decline further. Prices rose and yields fell even as the Fed began steadily reducing its bond purchases in January. (Bond prices and yields move in opposite directions.) The yield of the 10-year U.S. Treasury note ended October at 2.31%, down from 2.54% a year earlier.

Municipal bonds returned 7.82%, with tax-exempt issues in high demand even at a time of reduced supply.

International bond markets (as measured by the Barclays Global Aggregate Index ex USD) slid in September and October en route to a –2.53% return for the 12 months.

The Fed’s target for short-term interest rates remained at 0%–0.25%, restraining returns for money market funds and savings accounts.

Small-cap stocks fell behind as the fund lagged in most sectors
Vanguard Explorer Fund focuses on the stocks of small U.S. companies with strong growth potential. Its advisors’ selections lagged when measured against the Russell 2500 Growth Index, which includes some mid-capitalization stocks; both mid- and large-caps outpaced small-caps overall during the period.

Seven of the ten industry sectors produced positive returns for the fund. The weakest sectors compared to their benchmark counterparts were consumer discretionary

Expense Ratios      
Your Fund Compared With Its Peer Group      
  Investor Admiral Peer Group
  Shares Shares Average
Explorer Fund 0.52% 0.35% 1.42%
The fund expense ratios shown are from the prospectus dated August 15, 2014, and represent estimated costs for the current fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the fund’s expense ratios were 0.51% for Investor Shares and 0.35% for Admiral Shares. The peer-group expense ratio is derived from data provided by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company, and captures information through year-end 2013.

 

Peer group: Small-Cap Growth Funds.

4

 

and health care, which together accounted for three-quarters of Explorer’s underper-formance.

Consumer discretionary stocks in the index returned around 4%, but the fund’s corresponding holdings were flat. Gains from the advisors’ positive selections in the hotels, restaurant, and leisure subsector couldn’t offset losses elsewhere. In health care, the advisors did very well in pharmaceuticals (89%), but that wasn’t enough to make up for a significant underweight position in biotechnology. The fund’s stocks in this growing field did almost as well (32%) as their counterparts in the index (34%). However, the fund’s weighting in the subsector was less than half that of the index.

The fund outpaced the index in just two sectors: financials and utilities. In financials, the advisors’ selections beat the benchmark by about 3 percentage points. The thrifts and mortgage finance subsector (9%) provided a nice boost even as it returned –29% for the index. The small utilities sector was another bright spot as the advisors’ handful of picks returned 32%, about 18 percentage points more than the utilities in the index.

For more about the advisors’ strategies and the fund’s positioning during the 12 months, see the Advisors’ Report that follows this letter.

Total Returns  
Ten Years Ended October 31, 2014  
  Average
  Annual Return
Explorer Fund Investor Shares 9.17%
Russell 2500 Growth Index 10.26
Small-Cap Growth Funds Average 8.08
Small-Cap Growth Funds Average: Derived from data provided by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company.  

 

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

5

 

The fund’s long-term record compares favorably with its peers
Seasoned investors know that small-cap stocks are generally more volatile than large-caps. Along with the opportunity for sizable gains come the risks of underperformance or substantial losses. For example, the Explorer Fund’s most recent 12-month return of about 8% is significantly lower than the 12-month return of about 43% that we reported a year ago. But the fund’s reliance on the different but complementary strategies of its eight advisors and its broad exposure to more than 650 stocks can help to reduce the risk inherent in small-caps.

Time also “smooths out” volatility. For the decade ended October 31, 2014, the Explorer Fund’s Investor Shares recorded an average annual return of 9.17%. The fund trailed its index, which has no expenses, but outperformed its peer-group average by about 1 percentage point.

Over the longer term, the fund has done well: For the 25 years ended October 31, it outpaced its benchmark index by about a full percentage point, returning 10.6% on average annually, compared with 9.5% for the index. We’re confident that the advisors’ skill, supported by the fund’s low costs, will continue this competitive performance over the long term.

When market volatility heats up, the best response is to stay cool
After several years of strength, stocks hit a rough patch toward the close of the fiscal year, as I noted earlier. For the first half of October, global stock markets (as measured by the FTSE Global All Cap Index) returned –5.56%. Even though stocks rebounded in the second half of the month, many investors undoubtedly were left feeling unsettled.

What’s my best advice to anxious shareholders? Remain calm and remember that volatility is a normal part of stock market investing. The value of keeping a cool head is highlighted in a Vanguard research paper that looked at how investors behaved during the financial crisis, when global stocks declined about 58% and U.S. stocks about 55%.

The 2010 paper, Resilience in Volatile Markets: 401(k) Participant Behavior, September 2007–December 2009, examined the behavior of participants in Vanguard-administered retirement plans. During that time, about three-quarters of participants made no changes to their accounts, and only 3% gave up on stocks completely.

As stocks recovered, this discipline yielded big benefits. From the end of 2008 to the end of 2013, the average Vanguard 401(k) portfolio nearly doubled in value, largely because of the surge in stock prices.

6

 

I’m pleased that, over time, our clients have demonstrated an impressive ability to remain focused on their long-term goals. They stayed the course through the 1987 correction, the dot-com boom of the 1990s, and the more recent financial crisis, and they continue to do so today.

As always, thank you for investing with Vanguard.

Sincerely,


F. William McNabb III
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
November 13, 2014

7

 

Advisors’ Report

For the 12 months ended October 31, 2014, Vanguard Explorer Fund returned about 8% for both share classes. Your fund is managed by eight independent advisors, a strategy that enhances the fund’s diversification by providing exposure to distinct yet complementary investment approaches. It’s not uncommon for different advisors to have different views about individual securities or the broader investment environment.

The advisors, the amount and percentage of fund assets each manages, and brief descriptions of their investment strategies are presented in the table that begins on page 13. The advisors have provided the following assessment of the investment environment during the past 12 months and the notable successes and shortfalls in their portfolios. These comments were prepared on November 21, 2014.

Wellington Management Company, llp

Portfolio Managers:

Kenneth L. Abrams, Senior Vice President
and Equity Portfolio Manager

Daniel J. Fitzpatrick, CFA, Vice President
and Equity Portfolio Manager

For the 12 months ended October 31, 2014, smaller-capitalization stocks returned 10.24% as measured by the fund’s benchmark, the Russell 2500 Growth Index. After posting dramatic gains in 2013, smaller-caps have exhibited more volatility this year, with substantially more variation in sector and industry results.

As has been the case over longer time spans, our results for this period were driven by strong stock selection. Our choices were especially helpful in industrials, energy, and materials.

AerCap Holdings, a Netherlands-based integrated global aviation company, contributed most to our portfolio’s relative performance, boosted by its announcement that it would acquire the aircraft leasing business of AIG.

We eliminated the position into strength. Shares of Kindred Healthcare, a diversified provider of post-acute health care services in the United States, also rallied, returning more than 60%; we continue to own the stock.

Weak stock selection in telecommunication services had a modestly negative impact on relative performance. Our underweight allocation to health care (an indirect result of our individual stock picks) also hurt, as health care generated the strongest sector returns for the benchmark.

Health care insurance services firm eHealth was among the largest relative detractors. The firm’s revenues were below consensus expectations in the face of declining conversion rates and lower per-member commissions in the second quarter of 2014. We maintained our position as we believe the company remains a long-term beneficiary of the “consumerization” of health care benefits.

8

 

Television and movie producer Dream-Works Animation lagged as well. Business activity in the company’s 2014 projections trailed expectations, and recognition of key television-related revenue was delayed until 2015. We continue to own Dream-Works and believe the company is building new businesses in TV and online and will deliver a very strong film lineup in 2016.

Kalmar Investment Advisers

Portfolio Managers:

Ford B. Draper, Jr., President,
Chief Investment Officer, and
Co-Leader of the Investment Team

Dana F. Walker, CFA, Portfolio Manager,
and Co-Leader of the Investment Team

During the fiscal year, the U.S. equity market was rewarding for small- to mid-sized stocks but more so for larger companies. Further down the size spectrum there was more volatility, including a sharp correction that affected stocks of every size from mid-September through mid-October. This was followed by an equally abrupt rally to all-time highs for the major averages. The causes of the correction were rising geopolitical risk, the approaching switch from Fed stimulus to tightening, and increasing worries about global slowing outside the United States, especially in Europe and China. This also resulted in a pronounced advance in the U.S. dollar and widespread weakness in commodities, including oil prices.

Still, the risk of a recession appears to be several years away. Sturdier U.S. growth seems likely to provide demand that should allow growth to be maintained in important world economies. With equity valuations not extreme, we believe the beneficial outlook of the last several years can continue, albeit with more market corrections. The United States should remain, as we like to put it, “the best house on the world block.”

For the fiscal year, the financial services sector, and Alliance Data Systems in particular, added most to our returns. Other significant contributors included Salix Pharmaceuticals, The Cooper Companies, and Actavis in health care. United Rentals, F5 Networks, PolyOne, and CarMax were notable successes in other areas.

Our biggest laggards were the information technology, health care, and energy sectors. In IT, individual stocks such as Acxiom hurt most; in health care, we did not own the red-hot biotechnology companies; and in energy, an unexpectedly steep decline in oil prices dragged down the sector’s returns. Other individual detractors included Conn’s, Chicago Bridge & Iron, and Urban Outfitters.

9

 

Granahan Investment
Management, Inc.


Portfolio Managers:

Gary C. Hatton, CFA, Co-Founder
and Chief Investment Officer

Jane M. White, Co-Founder,
President, and Chief Executive Officer

Jennifer M. Pawloski,
Vice President

John V. Schneider, CFA,
Vice President

In the first three quarters of the period, earnings growth for the companies in our portfolio was steady but lackluster. Since then, earnings growth rates have accelerated significantly and valuations have come down appreciably. As always, our industry experts continue to seek out small U.S. companies benefiting from innovation and dynamic change. We then use our investment process, honed over more than 30 years, to construct a strong portfolio.

Our best performer for the fiscal year was Super Micro Computer. Three of our top five contributors were in health care: Alkermes, Exact Sciences, and Vertex Pharmaceuticals. Euronet Worldwide and FactSet drove outperformance in financial services.

Shortfalls included Pandora Media and Crocs in consumer discretionary, Natural Grocers in consumer staples, DXP Enterprises in industrials, and OM Group in materials.

Stephens Investment Management
Group, LLC


Portfolio Manager:

Ryan E. Crane, CFA,
Chief Investment Officer

As the domestic economy continued to show signs of improvement, the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing policy has—coincidentally and appropriately—ended in October. However, this introduced some volatility and uncertainty into the market as investors shifted strategies to deal with the new environment. Ultimately, we believe the volatility represents a lack of strong consensus. This is a good thing, because it creates a market with more opportunities for stock picking.

Our strongest performers were health care stocks, particularly in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and companies involved in the drug discovery process. Despite early volatility, our information technology stocks also did well. We have significant exposure to software and network security companies, where fundamentals remain robust.

Following a period of strong relative and absolute performance for our portfolio, our investment style faced some turbulence during the past 12 months. Despite generally strong fundamentals and compelling secular growth, many of our holdings trailed as the market digested higher valuations and rewarded more cyclically sensitive stocks. This trend cut across nearly every sector and industry.

10

 

Chartwell Investment Partners, Inc.

Portfolio Managers:

Edward N. Antoian, CFA, CPA,
Managing Partner

John A. Heffern, Managing Partner
and Senior Portfolio Manager

The financial markets rallied over the last 12 months, but beneath the surface the economic environment remains uncertain and the markets turbulent. More than ever, stock selection seems central to investment performance. Against this backdrop, our portfolio decisions steadfastly reflect our bias toward quality, leadership, defensible margins, and a pattern of successful execution around growth-oriented business models.

Akorn was our top contributor. The fast-growing generic drug company attained strong results through pricing power on key products and an improving financial outlook. A pickup in new drug approvals is encouraging for Akorn’s large pipeline. Avis Budget Group, a global vehicle rental services company, benefited from a strengthening pricing structure, cost execution, and a more aggressive capital allocation process.

Independent energy company Rex Energy underperformed in sympathy with weakening natural gas commodity prices. Its successful strategic moves have been offset by higher relative leverage. Slowed momentum and lower revenue guidance at biotechnology firm

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals was associated with concerns about one of the drugs it is developing.

Century Capital Management, LLC

Portfolio Manager:

Alexander L. Thorndike, Managing Partner

The equity markets continued to march upward during the period. The domestic economic recovery appears to be intact. Corporate earnings and profit margins remain strong, unemployment is dropping, and the index of leading economic indicators keeps rising. After several years of strong returns for the stock market, companies now seem fairly valued but are enjoying the benefits of historically low interest rates and energy prices.

Globally, the economic outlook in Europe has decelerated along with growth in most emerging markets. The Chinese economy is growing at a rate lower than previously expected. Although slower overseas growth could affect domestic growth, we remain optimistic about the state of the U.S. economy and are still finding attractive investment candidates. We will continue to trim and build around high-quality franchises with solid fundamentals, competitive advantages, and pricing power.

Health care and financials were our best-performing sectors during the period. Salix Pharmaceuticals and Jazz Pharmaceuticals in health care and Palo Alto Networks in information technology were standout holdings.

11

 

Information technology and consumer discretionary were our weakest sectors. Web.com in IT and MercadoLibre and DSW in consumer discretionary were the biggest individual detractors.

Arrowpoint Partners

Portfolio Managers:

Chad Meade, Partner

Brian Schaub, CFA, Partner

We began managing our portion of the fund in June. After two years of relative calm, volatility returned to the markets in 2014. From early September through mid-October, the Russell 2500 Growth Index notched its first 10% correction in more than two years. Across a variety of measures, high-quality companies outperformed their low-quality counterparts during this period of heightened volatility.

We were able to take advantage of this volatility and deliver on our goals of protecting capital during market pullbacks and matching the benchmark return during periods of market appreciation. From a sector standpoint, information technology and consumer discretionary were our largest positive contributors. Vistaprint, The Cooper Companies, and SolarWinds were standouts.

On a relative basis, the financial sector was our biggest detractor: Clean Harbors, LPL Financial Holdings, and Solera Holdings all hurt performance.

Vanguard Equity Investment Group

Portfolio Managers:

James D. Troyer, CFA, Principal

James P. Stetler, Principal

Michael R. Roach, CFA

For the 12-month period, our stock selection models accurately identified the outperformers within most industry groups. Our valuation and management decision models were most successful, and our sentiment model underperformed.

Our stock selection was positive in six out of the ten industry sectors. Our choices had the strongest positive impact on relative return in information technology, consumer discretionary, and consumer staples. In IT, RF Micro Devices, Manhattan Associates, and Booz Allen Hamilton contributed the most to relative results.

In consumer discretionary, Hanesbrands, Jack in the Box, and Strayer Education led, while Keurig Green Mountain and Pilgrim’s Pride led in consumer staples.

However, our overall selections in health care and energy generated poor results. In health care, returns were mostly affected by companies such as InterMune, Puma Biotechnology, and Jazz Pharmaceuticals, which our models did not like although they had strong returns. At the same time, picks including Cytokinetics and CorVel did not perform as expected. In energy, SM Energy, Nabors Industries, and Clayton Williams Energy detracted.

12

 

Vanguard Explorer Fund Investment Advisors  
 
  Fund Assets Managed    
Investment Advisor % $ Million   Investment Strategy
Wellington Management 30 3,712 Conducts research and analysis of individual
Company, LLP     companies to select stocks believed to have
      exceptional growth potential relative to their market
      valuations. Each stock is considered individually before
      purchase, and company developments are continually
      monitored for comparison with expectations for
        growth. 
Kalmar Investment Advisers 22 2,725   Employs a “growth with value” strategy using creative,
      bottom-up research to uncover vigorously growing,
      high-quality businesses whose stocks can also be
      bought inefficiently valued. The strategy has a dual
        objective of strong returns with lower risk.
Granahan Investment 15 1,839 Bases its investment process on the beliefs that
Management, Inc.     earnings drive stock prices and that small, dynamic
      companies with exceptional growth prospects have the
      greatest long-term potential. A bottom-up, fundamental
      approach places companies in one of three life-cycle
      categories: pioneer, core growth, and special situation.
      In each, the process looks for companies with strong
      earnings growth potential and leadership in their
        markets.
Stephens Investment 8 1,038 Employs a disciplined, bottom-up investment selection
Management Group, LLC     process that combines rigorous fundamental analysis
      with quantitative screening to identify companies with
      superior earnings growth potential. The approach
      screens for core growth stocks and for catalyst stocks.
      Core growth stocks have strong growth franchises,
      recurring revenue, and above-average growth rates;
      catalyst stocks are experiencing changes that could
        lead to accelerated earnings growth.
Chartwell Investment Partners, 7 895 Uses a bottom-up, fundamental, research-driven
Inc.     stock-selection strategy focusing on companies with
      sustainable growth, strong management teams,
      competitive positions, and outstanding product and
      service offerings. These companies should continually
        demonstrate growth in earnings per share.
Century Capital Management, 7 881 Employs a fundamental, bottom-up approach that
LLC     attempts to identify reasonably priced companies that
      will grow faster than the overall market. The ideal
      investment is a reasonably valued, well-managed
      company with established products or services, a high
      return on equity, high recurring revenues, and
        improving margins.

 

13

 

  Fund Assets Managed

 
Investment Advisor % $ Million   Investment Strategy
Arrowpoint Partners 4 533 The firm uses in-depth fundamental research to
      uncover companies that, in its opinion, can control their
      own economic destiny. It starts by identifying
      businesses with strong competitive advantages in
      industries with high barriers to entry, then narrows the
      focus to companies with large potential markets and
      high-quality business models focused on the future.
      Finally, considerations are made for potential
      down-side risk, resulting in a diversified portfolio of
         between 75 and 100 stocks.
Vanguard Equity Investment 4 509 Employs a quantitative fundamental management
Group     approach, using models that assess valuation, growth
      prospects, management decisions, market sentiment,
      and earnings and balance-sheet quality of companies
        as compared with their peers.
Cash Investments 3 161 These short-term reserves are invested by Vanguard in
      equity index products to simulate investment in stocks.
      Each advisor also may maintain a modest cash
        position.

 

14

 

Explorer Fund

Fund Profile
As of October 31, 2014

 
Share-Class Characteristics  
  Investor Admiral
  Shares Shares
Ticker Symbol VEXPX VEXRX
Expense Ratio,/sup>1 0.52% 0.35%
30-Day SEC Yield 0.10% 0.26%

 

 
Portfolio Characteristics    
      DJ
      U.S.
    Russell Total
    2500 Market
    Growth FA
  Fund Index Index
Number of Stocks 666 1,516 3,756
Median Market Cap $3.3B $3.8B $47.3B
Price/Earnings Ratio 31.6x 33.2x 20.4x
Price/Book Ratio 3.0x 4.5x 2.7x
Return on Equity 12.2% 15.8% 17.8%
Earnings Growth      
Rate 16.1% 16.4% 15.7%
Dividend Yield 0.6% 0.8% 1.9%
Foreign Holdings 2.7% 0.0% 0.0%
Turnover Rate 66%
Short-Term Reserves 1.8%

 

 
Volatility Measures    
    DJ
    U.S. Total
  Russell 2500 Market
  Growth Index FA Index
R-Squared 0.98 0.83
Beta 0.98 1.23
These measures show the degree and timing of the fund’s fluctuations compared with the indexes over 36 months.

 

 
Ten Largest Holdings (% of total net assets)
West Pharmaceutical    
Services Inc. Health Care Supplies 1.0%
Alliance Data Systems Data Processing &  
Corp. Outsourced Services 0.9
Cadence Design    
Systems Inc. Application Software 0.7
Urban Outfitters Inc. Apparel Retail 0.7
TreeHouse Foods Inc. Packaged Foods &  
  Meats 0.6
Akorn Inc. Pharmaceuticals 0.6
NASDAQ OMX Group    
Inc. Specialized Finance 0.6
Graphic Packaging    
Holding Co. Paper Packaging 0.6
Cooper Cos. Inc. Health Care Supplies 0.6
Minerals Technologies    
Inc. Specialty Chemicals 0.6
Top Ten   6.9%
The holdings listed exclude any temporary cash investments and equity index products.

 

Investment Focus

 

 

 

 

 

1 The expense ratios shown are from the prospectus dated August 15, 2014, and represent estimated costs for the current fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, the expense ratios were 0.51% for Investor Shares and 0.35% for Admiral Shares.

15

 

Explorer Fund

Sector Diversification (% of equity exposure)
    Russell DJ
    2500 U.S. Total
    Growth Market
  Fund Index FA Index
Consumer      
Discretionary 17.2% 18.1% 12.5%
Consumer Staples 2.4 3.4 8.3
Energy 4.8 4.2 8.5
Financials 9.3 8.6 17.7
Health Care 17.1 18.6 13.9
Industrials 17.8 17.1 11.3
Information      
Technology 23.7 21.6 18.8
Materials 6.5 7.1 3.6
Other 0.1 0.0 0.0
Telecommunication      
Services 0.7 0.9 2.2
Utilities 0.4 0.4 3.2

 

16

 

Explorer Fund

Performance Summary

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

Cumulative Performance: October 31, 2004, Through October 31, 2014
Initial Investment of $10,000


    Average Annual Total Returns  
    Periods Ended October 31, 2014  
          Final Value
    One Five Ten of a $10,000
    Year Years Years Investment
      Explorer Fund*Investor Shares 8.20% 18.54% 9.17% $24,044
•••••••• Russell 2500 Growth Index 10.24 19.20 10.26 26,568
– – – – Small-Cap Growth Funds Average 5.89 17.02 8.08 21,748
  Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market        
  Float Adjusted Index 16.00 17.09 8.71 23,060
Small-Cap Growth Funds Average: Derived from data provided by Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company.    

 

        Final Value
  One Five Ten of a $50,000
  Year Years Years Investment
Explorer Fund Admiral Shares 8.37% 18.74% 9.35% $122,278
Russell 2500 Growth Index 10.24 19.20 10.26 132,841
Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Float        
Adjusted Index 16.00 17.09 8.71 115,300

 

See Financial Highlights for dividend and capital gains information.

17

 

Explorer Fund

Fiscal-Year Total Returns (%): October 31, 2004, Through October 31, 2014


 
Average Annual Total Returns: Periods Ended September 30, 2014      
This table presents 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 One Five Ten
  Date Year Years Years
Investor Shares 12/11/1967 6.75% 16.17% 8.98%
Admiral Shares 11/12/2001 6.92 16.36 9.16

 

18

 

Explorer Fund

Financial Statements

Statement of Net Assets—Investments Summary
As of October 31, 2014

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

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

      Market Percentage
      Value of Net
    Shares ($000) Assets
Common Stocks      
Consumer Discretionary      
* Urban Outfitters Inc. 2,648,465 80,407 0.6%
* IMAX Corp. 2,340,737 68,958 0.6%
* LKQ Corp. 2,404,037 68,683 0.6%
  Churchill Downs Inc. 652,778 66,570 0.5%
* Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. 510,034 61,617 0.5%
* Life Time Fitness Inc. 1,046,000 58,335 0.5%
* CarMax Inc. 1,020,605 57,062 0.5%
* Tumi Holdings Inc. 2,495,382 51,829 0.4%
  Tractor Supply Co. 670,655 49,105 0.4%
  Consumer Discretionary—Other †   1,480,272 12.0%
      2,042,838 16.6%
Consumer Staples      
* TreeHouse Foods Inc. 933,925 79,542 0.6%
* United Natural Foods Inc. 831,444 56,555 0.5%
  Consumer Staples—Other †   146,979 1.2%
      283,076 2.3%
 
Energy †   568,542 4.6%
 
Financials      
  NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. 1,801,327 77,925 0.6%
* Affiliated Managers Group Inc. 349,006 69,728 0.6%
*,1 eHealth Inc. 1,456,325 36,335 0.3%
  Financials—Other †   892,512 7.3%
      1,076,500 8.8%
Health Care      
  West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. 2,373,195 121,626 1.0%
* Akorn Inc. 1,758,565 78,344 0.7%
  Cooper Cos. Inc. 463,952 76,042 0.6%
* Alkermes plc 1,266,832 64,038 0.5%

 

19

 

Explorer Fund

      Market Percentage
      Value of Net
    Shares ($000) Assets
* Bruker Corp. 2,892,280 59,957 0.5%
* Cepheid 1,115,100 59,111 0.5%
* Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 368,553 53,016 0.4%
  Kindred Healthcare Inc. 2,419,319 52,620 0.4%
* ABIOMED Inc. 1,565,000 51,316 0.4%
* Charles River Laboratories International Inc. 780,370 49,288 0.4%
  Health Care—Other †   1,364,440 11.1%
      2,029,798 16.5%
Industrials      
* Armstrong World Industries Inc. 1,454,705 70,437 0.6%
  MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc. Class A 767,873 62,175 0.5%
* WESCO International Inc. 686,424 56,568 0.5%
* Generac Holdings Inc. 1,230,073 55,771 0.4%
  AO Smith Corp. 1,006,015 53,671 0.4%
  Acuity Brands Inc. 380,880 53,106 0.4%
  Waste Connections Inc. 1,059,610 52,875 0.4%
  Pentair plc 767,725 51,476 0.4%
* WageWorks Inc. 886,929 50,564 0.4%
* Teledyne Technologies Inc. 485,923 50,356 0.4%
* IHS Inc. Class A 377,190 49,423 0.4%
*,1 American Woodmark Corp. 798,759 32,677 0.3%
  Industrials—Other †   1,469,937 12.0%
      2,109,036 17.1%
Information Technology      
* Alliance Data Systems Corp. 383,148 108,565 0.9%
* Cadence Design Systems Inc. 4,628,560 83,083 0.7%
* Ultimate Software Group Inc. 461,178 69,412 0.6%
* Demandware Inc. 1,118,697 67,066 0.6%
* TiVo Inc. 4,940,010 64,467 0.5%
* Euronet Worldwide Inc. 1,198,658 64,332 0.5%
* Dealertrack Technologies Inc. 1,266,189 59,574 0.5%
* Silicon Laboratories Inc. 1,178,901 53,746 0.4%
  Belden Inc. 731,415 52,069 0.4%
  Teradyne Inc. 2,802,320 51,563 0.4%
* Electronics For Imaging Inc. 1,121,075 51,256 0.4%
* Microsemi Corp. 1,879,800 49,006 0.4%
  Information Technology—Other †   2,042,987 16.6%
      2,817,126 22.9%
Materials      
* Graphic Packaging Holding Co. 6,390,464 77,516 0.6%
  Minerals Technologies Inc. 947,830 72,708 0.6%
  Ball Corp. 901,635 58,092 0.5%
  Materials—Other †   566,039 4.6%
      774,355 6.3%
Other      
^ iShares Russell 2000 ETF 962,395 112,177 0.9%
^,2 Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF 463,200 57,914 0.5%
  Other—Other †   12,736 0.1%
      182,827 1.5%
 
Telecommunication Services †   84,907 0.7%
 
Utilities †   45,504 0.4%
Total Common Stocks (Cost $9,201,337)   12,014,509 97.7%3

 

20

 

Explorer Fund

      Market Percentage
      Value of Net
  Coupon Shares ($000) Assets
Temporary Cash Investments        
Money Market Fund        
4,5 Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund 0.114% 453,977,154 453,977 3.7%
 
Repurchase Agreement †     25,600 0.2%
 
6U.S. Government and Agency Obligations †   9,099 0.1%
Total Temporary Cash Investments (Cost $488,676)   488,676 4.0%3
Total Investments (Cost $9,690,013)   12,503,185 101.7%
Other Assets and Liabilities        
Other Assets     117,691 1.0%
Liabilities5     (328,206) (2.7%)
      (210,515) (1.7%)
Net Assets     12,292,670 100.0%

 

21

 

Explorer Fund

At October 31, 2014, net assets consisted of:  
  Amount
  ($000)
Paid-in Capital 7,877,204
Undistributed Net Investment Income 546
Accumulated Net Realized Gains 1,594,491
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)  
Investment Securities 2,813,172
Futures Contracts 7,258
Foreign Currencies (1)
Net Assets 12,292,670
 
Investor Shares—Net Assets  
Applicable to 43,908,794 outstanding $.001 par value shares of  
beneficial interest (unlimited authorization) 4,622,885
Net Asset Value Per Share—Investor Shares $105.28
 
Admiral Shares—Net Assets  
Applicable to 78,237,468 outstanding $.001 par value shares of  
beneficial interest (unlimited authorization) 7,669,785
Net Asset Value Per Share—Admiral Shares $98.03

 

• See Note A in Notes to Financial Statements.
* Non-income-producing security.
^ Includes partial security positions on loan to broker-dealers. The total value of securities on loan is $161,303,000.
† Represents the aggregate value, by category, of securities that are not among the 50 largest holdings and, in total for any issuer, represent
1% or less of net assets.
1 Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.
2 Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the issuer is another member of The Vanguard Group.
3 The fund invests a portion of its cash reserves in equity markets through the use of index futures contracts. After giving effect to futures investments, the fund’s effective common stock and temporary cash investment positions represent 98.6% and 3.1%, respectively, of net assets.
4 Affiliated money market fund available only to Vanguard funds and certain trusts and accounts managed by Vanguard. Rate shown is the 7-day yield.
5 Includes $164,635,000 of collateral received for securities on loan.
6 Securities with a value of $5,199,000 have been segregated as initial margin for open futures contracts.
See accompanying Notes, which are an integral part of the Financial Statements.

22

 

Explorer Fund

Statement of Operations

  Year Ended
  October 31, 2014
  ($000)
Investment Income  
Income  
Dividends1 74,536
Interest 452
Securities Lending 3,927
Total Income 78,915
Expenses  
Investment Advisory Fees—Note B  
Basic Fee 26,767
Performance Adjustment (392)
The Vanguard Group—Note C  
Management and Administrative—Investor Shares 14,080
Management and Administrative—Admiral Shares 8,483
Marketing and Distribution—Investor Shares 883
Marketing and Distribution—Admiral Shares 1,272
Custodian Fees 181
Auditing Fees 43
Shareholders’ Reports—Investor Shares 45
Shareholders’ Reports—Admiral Shares 81
Trustees’ Fees and Expenses 24
Total Expenses 51,467
Expenses Paid Indirectly (525)
Net Expenses 50,942
Net Investment Income 27,973
Realized Net Gain (Loss)  
Investment Securities Sold 1,820,129
Futures Contracts 17,931
Foreign Currencies (21)
Realized Net Gain (Loss) 1,838,039
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)  
Investment Securities (887,576)
Futures Contracts 1,618
Foreign Currencies (2)
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) (885,960)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 980,052
1 Dividends are net of foreign withholding taxes of $330,000.

 

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

23

 

Explorer Fund

Statement of Changes in Net Assets

  Year Ended October 31,
  2014 2013
  ($000) ($000)
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    
Operations    
Net Investment Income 27,973 34,926
Realized Net Gain (Loss) 1,838,039 1,321,182
Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) (885,960) 2,274,875
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations 980,052 3,630,983
Distributions    
Net Investment Income    
Investor Shares (1,971) (16,823)
Admiral Shares (14,527) (20,358)
Realized Capital Gain1    
Investor Shares (533,162) (142,437)
Admiral Shares (676,723) (111,244)
Total Distributions (1,226,383) (290,862)
Capital Share Transactions    
Investor Shares (830,676) (1,200,040)
Admiral Shares 1,300,061 1,163,674
Net Increase (Decrease) from Capital Share Transactions 469,385 (36,366)
Total Increase (Decrease) 223,054 3,303,755
Net Assets    
Beginning of Period 12,069,616 8,765,861
End of Period2 12,292,670 12,069,616
1 Includes fiscal 2014 and 2013 short-term gain distributions totaling $192,517,000 and $0, 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 $546,000 and ($8,098,000).

 

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

24

 

Explorer Fund

Financial Highlights

Investor Shares          
 
For a Share Outstanding     Year Ended October 31,
Throughout Each Period 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $107.96 $78.03 $73.02 $66.02 $51.77
Investment Operations          
Net Investment Income .120 .2191 .108 .077 .109
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)          
on Investments 8.062 32.286 4.998 7.029 14.239
Total from Investment Operations 8.182 32.505 5.106 7.106 14.348
Distributions          
Dividends from Net Investment Income (.040) (.272) (.096) (.106) (.098)
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains (10.822) (2.303)
Total Distributions (10.862) (2.575) (.096) (.106) (.098)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $105.28 $107.96 $78.03 $73.02 $66.02
 
Total Return 2 8.20% 42.89% 7.00% 10.76% 27.74%
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) $4,623 $5,573 $5,008 $5,864 $6,290
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets3 0.51% 0.50% 0.49% 0.50% 0.49%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to          
Average Net Assets 0.12% 0.27%1 0.16% 0.12% 0.19%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 66% 65% 59% 89%4 82%
1 Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.038 and 0.03%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from HFF Inc. in December 2012.
2 Total returns do not include account service fees that may have applied in the periods shown. Fund prospectuses provide information about any applicable account service fees.
3 Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of 0.00%, 0.00%, (0.03%), 0.00%, and (0.01%).
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.

 

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

25

 

Explorer Fund

Financial Highlights

Admiral Shares          
 
For a Share Outstanding     Year Ended October 31,
Throughout Each Period 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period $100.54 $72.68 $68.04 $61.50 $48.21
Investment Operations          
Net Investment Income .302 .3751 .236 .179 .206
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)          
on Investments 7.466 30.019 4.621 6.550 13.259
Total from Investment Operations 7.768 30.394 4.857 6.729 13.465
Distributions          
Dividends from Net Investment Income (.216) (.392) (.217) (.189) (.175)
Distributions from Realized Capital Gains (10.062) (2.142)
Total Distributions (10.278) (2.534) (.217) (.189) (.175)
Net Asset Value, End of Period $98.03 $100.54 $72.68 $68.04 $61.50
 
Total Return 8.37% 43.13% 7.16% 10.94% 27.98%
 
Ratios/Supplemental Data          
Net Assets, End of Period (Millions) $7,670 $6,497 $3,757 $3,288 $2,864
Ratio of Total Expenses to Average Net Assets2 0.35% 0.34% 0.32% 0.34% 0.32%
Ratio of Net Investment Income to          
Average Net Assets 0.28% 0.43%1 0.33% 0.28% 0.36%
Portfolio Turnover Rate 66% 65% 59% 89%3 82%
1 Net investment income per share and the ratio of net investment income to average net assets include $.019 and 0.03%, respectively, resulting from a special dividend from HFF Inc. in December 2012.
2 Includes performance-based investment advisory fee increases (decreases) of 0.00%, 0.00%, (0.03%), 0.00%, and (0.01%).
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.

 

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

26

 

Explorer Fund

Notes to Financial Statements

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

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 at their fair values calculated according to procedures adopted by the board of trustees. These procedures include obtaining quotations from an independent pricing service, monitoring news to identify significant market- or security-specific events, and evaluating changes in the values of foreign market proxies (for example, ADRs, futures contracts, or exchange-traded funds), between the time the foreign markets close and the fund’s pricing time. When fair-value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a fund to calculate its net asset value may differ from quoted or published prices for the same securities. Investments in Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund are valued at that fund’s net asset value. Temporary cash investments acquired over 60 days to maturity are valued using the latest bid prices or using valuations based on a matrix system (which considers such factors as security prices, yields, maturities, and ratings), both as furnished by independent pricing services. Other temporary cash investments are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

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

3. Futures 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. Counterparty risk involving futures is mitigated because a regulated clearinghouse is the counterparty instead of the clearing broker. To further mitigate counterparty risk, the fund trades futures contracts on an exchange, monitors the financial strength of its clearing brokers and clearinghouse, and has entered into clearing agreements with its clearing brokers. The clearinghouse imposes initial margin requirements to secure the fund’s performance and requires daily settlement of variation margin representing changes in the market value of each contract.

27

 

Explorer Fund

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

During the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund’s average investments in long and short futures contracts represented 2% and 0% of net assets, respectively, based on the average of aggregate settlement values at each quarter-end during the period.

4. Repurchase Agreements: The fund enters into repurchase agreements with institutional counterparties. Securities pledged as collateral to the fund under 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. The fund further mitigates its counterparty risk by entering into repurchase agreements only with a diverse group of prequalified counterparties, monitoring their financial strength, and entering into master repurchase agreements with its counterparties. The master repurchase agreements provide that, in the event of a counter-party’s default (including bankruptcy), the fund may terminate any repurchase agreements with that counterparty, determine the net amount owed, and sell or retain the collateral up to the net amount owed to the fund. Such action may be subject to legal proceedings, which may delay or limit the disposition of collateral.

5. Federal Income Taxes: The fund intends to continue to qualify as a regulated investment company and distribute all of its taxable income. Management has analyzed the fund’s tax positions taken for all open federal income tax years (October 31, 2011–2014), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the fund’s financial statements.

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

7. Securities Lending: To earn additional income, the fund lends its securities to qualified institutional borrowers. Security loans 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 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 counter-parties, 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 counter-party risk, in the absence 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 Net Assets for the return of the collateral, during the period the securities are on loan. Securities lending income represents fees charged to borrowers plus income earned on invested cash collateral, less expenses associated with the loan.

28

 

Explorer Fund

8. Credit Facility: The fund and certain other funds managed by The Vanguard Group participate in a $2.89 billion committed credit facility provided by a syndicate of lenders pursuant to a credit agreement that may be renewed annually; each fund is individually liable for its borrowings, if any, under the credit facility. Borrowings may be utilized for temporary and emergency purposes, and are subject to the fund’s regulatory and contractual borrowing restrictions. The participating funds are charged administrative fees and an annual commitment fee of 0.06% of the undrawn amount of the facility; these fees 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 this facility bear interest at a rate equal to the higher of the federal funds rate or LIBOR reference rate plus an agreed-upon spread.

The fund had no borrowings outstanding at October 31, 2014, or at any time during the period then ended.

9. Other: Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income includes income distributions received from Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund and is accrued daily. 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.

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, Kalmar Investment Advisers, Granahan Investment Management, Inc., Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, Chartwell Investment Partners, Inc., Century Capital Management, LLC, and beginning June 2014, Arrowpoint Asset Management, LLC, each provide investment advisory services to a portion of the fund for a fee calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets managed by the advisor. The basic fees of Wellington Management Company, llp, and Kalmar Investment Advisers are subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index. The basic fee of Granahan Investment Management, Inc., is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index for periods prior to November 1, 2013, and the new benchmark, a 50/50 blend of the Russell 2500 Growth Index and the Russell 2000 Growth Index, beginning November 1, 2013. The new benchmark will be fully phased in by October 31, 2016. The basic fee of Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC, is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance since October 31, 2013, relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index. The basic fee of Chartwell Investment Partners, Inc., is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index for periods prior to February 1, 2012, and the current benchmark, Russell 2000 Growth Index, beginning February 1, 2012. The current benchmark will be fully phased in by January 31, 2015.

The basic fee of Century Capital Management, LLC, is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance for the preceding three years relative to a 50/50 blend of the Russell 2500 Index and

29

 

Explorer Fund

the Russell 2500 Growth Index. In accordance with the advisory contract entered into with Arrowpoint Asset Management, LLC, beginning May 1, 2015, the investment advisory fee will be subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance since July 31, 2014, relative to the Russell 2500 Growth Index.

The Vanguard Group provides investment advisory services to a portion of the fund on an at-cost basis; the fund paid Vanguard advisory fees of $535,000 for the year ended October 31, 2014.

For the year ended October 31, 2014, the aggregate investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.21% of the fund’s average net assets, before a decrease of $392,000 (0.00%) based on performance.

C. The Vanguard Group furnishes at cost corporate management, administrative, marketing, and distribution services. The costs of such services are allocated to the fund based on methods approved by the board of trustees. The fund has committed to invest up to 0.40% of its net assets in Vanguard. At October 31, 2014, the fund had contributed capital of $1,182,000 to Vanguard (included in Other Assets), representing 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.47% of Vanguard’s capitalization. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and officers of Vanguard.

D. The fund has asked its investment advisors to direct certain security trades, subject to obtaining the best price and execution, to brokers who have agreed to rebate to the fund part of the commissions generated. Such rebates are used solely to reduce the fund’s management and administrative expenses. For the year ended October 31, 2014, these arrangements reduced the fund’s expenses by $525,000 (an annual rate of 0.00% of average net assets).

E. 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).

The following table summarizes the market value of the fund’s investments as of October 31, 2014, based on the inputs used to value them:
     
  Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Investments ($000) ($000) ($000)
Common Stocks 11,960,909 40,864 12,736
Temporary Cash Investments 453,977 34,699
Futures Contracts—Assets1 1,708
Futures Contracts—Liabilities1 (110)
Total 12,416,484 75,563 12,736
1 Represents variation margin on the last day of the reporting period.      

 

30

 

 

Explorer Fund

F. At October 31, 2014, the aggregate settlement value of open futures contracts and the related unrealized appreciation (depreciation) were:
     
        ($000)
      Aggregate  
    Number of Settlement Unrealized
    Long (Short) Value Appreciation
Futures Contracts Expiration Contracts Long (Short) (Depreciation)
E-mini Russell 2000 Index December 2014 732 85,717 6,096
E-mini S&P MidCap 400 Index December 2014 143 20,240 1,162
        7,258

 

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

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

During the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund realized net foreign currency losses of $21,000, which decreased distributable net income for tax purposes; accordingly, such losses have been reclassified from accumulated net realized gains to undistributed net investment income. 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. During the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund realized gains on the sale of passive foreign investment companies of $12,000, which have been included in current and prior periods’ taxable income; accordingly, such gains have been reclassified from accumulated net realized gains to undistributed net investment income.

The fund used a tax accounting practice to treat a portion of the price of capital shares redeemed during the year as distributions from net investment income and realized capital gains. Accordingly, the fund has reclassified $2,822,000 from undistributed net investment income, and $233,839,000 from accumulated net realized gains, to paid-in capital.

For tax purposes, at October 31, 2014, the fund had $220,737,000 of ordinary income and $1,411,222,000 of long-term capital gains available for distribution.

At October 31, 2014, the cost of investment securities for tax purposes was $9,698,446,000. Net unrealized appreciation of investment securities for tax purposes was $2,804,739,000, consisting of unrealized gains of $3,177,853,000 on securities that had risen in value since their purchase and $373,114,000 in unrealized losses on securities that had fallen in value since their purchase.

H. During the year ended October 31, 2014, the fund purchased $8,052,912,000 of investment securities and sold $8,493,006,000 of investment securities, other than temporary cash investments.

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Explorer Fund

I. Capital share transactions for each class of shares were:      
      Year Ended October 31,
    2014   2013
  Amount Shares Amount Shares
  ($000) (000) ($000) (000)
Investor Shares        
Issued 511,418 5,003 512,781 5,468
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions 528,322 5,327 157,299 2,003
Redeemed (1,870,416) (18,039) (1,870,120) (20,041)
Net Increase (Decrease)—Investor Shares (830,676) (7,709) (1,200,040) (12,570)
Admiral Shares        
Issued 1,952,958 20,183 1,844,750 20,811
Issued in Lieu of Cash Distributions 653,398 7,085 123,108 1,686
Redeemed (1,306,295) (13,654) (804,184) (9,572)
Net Increase (Decrease)—Admiral Shares 1,300,061 13,614 1,163,674 12,925

 

J. 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 or the issuer is another member of The Vanguard Group. Transactions during the period in securities of these companies were as follows:

      Current Period Transactions  
  Oct. 31,   Proceeds     Oct. 31,
  2013   from   Capital Gain 2014
  Market Purchases Securities   Distributions Market
  Value at Cost Sold1 Income Received Value
  ($000) ($000) ($000) ($000) ($000) ($000)
American Woodmark Corp. NA2 8,343 1,419 32,677
eHealth Inc. 63,502 15,428 21,736 36,335
Kindred Healthcare Inc. 44,737 3,660 20,509 1,250 NA3
TiVo Inc. 81,667 13,917 28,577 NA3
WNS Holdings Ltd. ADR NA4 28,967 30,526 NA4
Vanguard Small-Cap ETF 91,483 92,844
Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF 83,701 29,540 368 57,914
Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund 644,213 NA5 NA5 419 453,977
Total 1,009,303     2,037 580,903
1 Includes net realized gain (loss) on affiliated investment securities sold of $84,294,000.      
2 Not applicable—At October 31, 2013, the issuer was not an affiliated company of the fund.      
3 Not applicable—At October 31, 2014, the security was still held, but the issuer was no longer an affiliated company of the fund.
4 Not applicable—At October 31, 2013, and October 31, 2014, the issuer was not an affiliated company of the fund, but it was affiliated during the year.
5 Not applicable—Purchases and sales are for temporary cash investment purposes.      

 

K. Management has determined that no material events or transactions occurred subsequent to October 31, 2014, that would require recognition or disclosure in these financial statements.

32

 

 

Report of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm

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

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets - investments summary and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vanguard Explorer Fund (the “Fund”) at October 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements and financial highlights (hereafter referred to as “financial statements”) are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2014 by correspondence with the custodians and brokers, by agreement to the underlying ownership records of the transfer agent and the application of alternative auditing procedures where securities purchased had not been received, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 16, 2014

 

 

  
Special 2014 tax information (unaudited) for Vanguard Explorer Fund

 

This information for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2014, is included pursuant to provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The fund distributed $1,229,796,000 as capital gain dividends (from net long-term capital gains) to shareholders during the fiscal year.

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

The fund distributed $38,657,000 of qualified dividend income to shareholders during the fiscal year.

For corporate shareholders, 23.4% of investment income (dividend income plus short-term gains, if any) qualifies for the dividends-received deduction.

33

 

Your Fund’s After-Tax Returns

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

Calculations are based on the highest individual federal income tax and capital gains tax rates in effect at the times of the distributions and the hypothetical sales. State and local taxes were not considered. After-tax returns reflect any qualified dividend income, using actual prior-year figures and estimates for 2014. (In the example, returns after the sale of fund shares may be higher than those assuming no sale. This occurs when the sale would have produced a capital loss. The calculation assumes that the investor received a tax deduction for the loss.)

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

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

Average Annual Total Returns: Explorer Fund Investor Shares      
Periods Ended October 31, 2014      
 
  One Five Ten
  Year Years Years
Returns Before Taxes 8.20% 18.54% 9.17%
Returns After Taxes on Distributions 5.36 17.79 8.27
Returns After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares 6.24 15.02 7.38

 

34

 

About Your Fund’s Expenses

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

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

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

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

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

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

Note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight and help you compare ongoing costs only and do not reflect transaction costs incurred by the fund for buying and selling securities. Further, the expenses do not include any purchase, redemption, or account service fees described in the fund prospectus. If such fees were applied to your account, your costs would be higher. Your fund does not carry a “sales load.”

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

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

35

 

Six Months Ended October 31, 2014      
  Beginning Ending Expenses
  Account Value Account Value Paid During
Explorer Fund 4/30/2014 10/31/2014 Period
Based on Actual Fund Return      
Investor Shares $1,000.00 $1,048.50 $2.58
Admiral Shares 1,000.00 1,049.35 1.76
Based on Hypothetical 5% Yearly Return      
Investor Shares $1,000.00 $1,022.68 $2.55
Admiral Shares 1,000.00 1,023.49 1.73
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 0.50% for Investor Shares and 0.34% for Admiral Shares. The dollar amounts shown as “Expenses Paid” are equal to the annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by the number of days in the most recent six-month period, then divided by the number of days in the most recent 12-month period.

 

36

 

Trustees Approve Advisory Arrangement

The board of trustees of Vanguard Explorer Fund added Arrowpoint Asset Management, LLC (Arrowpoint Partners), to the fund’s investment advisory team in June 2014. The board had previously renewed the fund’s investment advisory arrangements with Century Capital Management, LLC (Century Capital); Chartwell Investment Partners, Inc. (Chartwell); Granahan Investment Management, Inc. (Granahan); Kalmar Investment Advisers (Kalmar); Stephens Investment Management Group, LLC (SIMG); Wellington Management Company, LLP (Wellington Management); and The Vanguard Group, Inc. (Vanguard) (through its Quantitative Equity Group). Please see the fund’s semiannual report dated April 30, 2014, for more information about the board’s approval of the arrangements with Century Capital, Chartwell, Granahan, Kalmar, SIMG, Wellington Management, and Vanguard.

The board decided to approve the arrangement with Arrowpoint Partners based 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 advisor’s investment management services, and took into account the organizational depth and stability of the advisor. The board noted the following:

Arrowpoint Partners. Arrowpoint Partners, founded in 2007, uses in-depth, fundamental research to uncover companies that, in its opinion, can control their own economic destiny. Arrowpoint Partners starts by identifying businesses with strong competitive advantages in industries with high barriers to entry. It then narrows its focus to companies with large potential markets and high-quality business models focused on the future. Arrowpoint Partners minimizes potential downside risk, resulting in a diversified portfolio of stable growth companies, cyclical share gainers, and to a lesser extent, game-changing growth businesses that Arrowpoint Partners feels will deliver returns beyond those of the benchmark index over time.

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

Investment performance
Since Arrowpoint Partners had no performance history with the fund, the board analyzed the performance of similar funds and strategies previously managed by Mr. Schaub and Mr. Meade. The board noted that Mr. Schaub and Mr. Meade’s record in small-cap growth products dates back to 2006 and that their composite portfolio has produced a solid performance record over both short- and long-term periods, with outperformance occurring in a variety of environments.

Cost
The board considered the cost of services to be provided, including consideration of competitive fee rates. The board concluded that the addition of Arrowpoint Partners would result in a slight increase in the fund’s aggregate investment advisory fee (assuming no changes in performance incentives or penalties) but that the fund’s advisory fee and expense ratio would remain significantly below the fund’s peer averages. Information about the fund’s expenses 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.

37

 

The board did not consider profitability of Arrowpoint Partners in determining whether to approve the advisory fees, because the firm is independent of Vanguard and the advisory fees are the result of arm’s-length negotiations.

The benefit of economies of scale
The board concluded that the fund’s shareholders benefit from economies of scale because of breakpoints in the advisory fee schedule for Arrowpoint Partners. The breakpoints reduce the effective rate of the fees as the fund’s assets managed by the advisor increase.

38

 

Glossary

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

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

Dividend Yield. Dividend income earned by stocks, expressed as a percentage of the aggregate market value (or of net asset value, for a fund). The yield is determined by dividing the amount of the annual dividends by the aggregate value (or net asset value) at the end of the period. For a fund, the dividend yield is based solely on stock holdings and does not include any income produced by other investments.

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

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

Expense Ratio. A fund’s total annual operating expenses expressed as a percentage of the fund’s average net assets. The expense ratio includes management and administrative expenses, but does not include the transaction costs of buying and selling portfolio securities.

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

Inception Date. The date on which the assets of a fund (or one of its share classes) are first invested in accordance with the fund’s investment objective. For funds with a subscription period, the inception date is the day after that period ends. Investment performance is measured from the inception date.

Median Market Cap. An indicator of the size of companies in which a fund invests; the midpoint of market capitalization (market price x shares outstanding) of a fund’s stocks, weighted by the proportion of the fund’s assets invested in each stock. Stocks representing half of the fund’s assets have market capitalizations above the median, and the rest are below it.

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

39

 

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

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

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

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

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

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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. The independent board members have distinguished backgrounds in business, academia, and public service. Each of the trustees and executive officers oversees 177 Vanguard funds.

The following table provides information for each trustee and executive officer of the fund. More information about the trustees is in the Statement of Additional Information, which can be obtained, without charge, by contacting Vanguard at 800-662-7447, or online at vanguard.com.

InterestedTrustee1 and Delphi Automotive LLP (automotive components);
  Senior Advisor at New Mountain Capital.
F. William McNabb III  
Born 1957. Trustee Since July 2009. Chairman of the Amy Gutmann
Board. Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Born 1949. Trustee Since June 2006. Principal
Years: Chairman of the Board of The Vanguard Group, Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President of
Inc., and of each of the investment companies served the University of Pennsylvania; Christopher H. Browne
by The Vanguard Group, since January 2010; Director Distinguished Professor of Political Science, School of
of The Vanguard Group since 2008; Chief Executive Arts and Sciences, and Professor of Communication,
Officer and President of The Vanguard Group, and of Annenberg School for Communication, with secondary
each of the investment companies served by The faculty appointments in the Department of Philosophy,
Vanguard Group, since 2008; Director of Vanguard School of Arts and Sciences, and at the Graduate
Marketing Corporation; Managing Director of The School of Education, University of Pennsylvania;
Vanguard Group (1995–2008). Trustee of the National Constitution Center; Chair
  of the Presidential Commission for the Study of
IndependentTrustees  Bioethical Issues.
 
Emerson U. Fullwood   JoAnn Heffernan Heisen
Born 1948. Trustee Since January 2008. Principal Born 1950. Trustee Since July 1998. Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Executive Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Corporate 
Chief Staff and Marketing Officer for North America  Vice President and Chief Global Diversity Officer
and Corporate Vice President (retired 2008) of Xerox (retired 2008) and Member of the Executive 
Corporation (document management products and  Committee (1997–2008) of Johnson & Johnson
services); Executive in Residence and 2009–2010 (pharmaceuticals/medical devices/consumer 
Distinguished Minett Professor at the Rochester  products); Director of Skytop Lodge Corporation
Institute of Technology; Director of SPX Corporation (hotels), the University Medical Center at Princeton, 
(multi-industry manufacturing), the United Way of  the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the Center
Rochester, Amerigroup Corporation (managed health for Talent Innovation; Member of the Advisory Board 
care), the University of Rochester Medical Center,  of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
Monroe Community College Foundation, and North at Syracuse University. 
Carolina A&T University. 
F. Joseph Loughrey
Rajiv L. Gupta  Born 1949. Trustee Since October 2009. Principal
Born 1945. Trustee Since December 2001.2 Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President 
Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years:  and Chief Operating Officer (retired 2009) of Cummins
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (retired 2009) Inc. (industrial machinery); Chairman of the Board 
and President (2006–2008) of Rohm and Haas Co.  of Hillenbrand, Inc. (specialized consumer services),
(chemicals); Director of Tyco International, Ltd. and of Oxfam America; Director of SKF AB (industrial 
(diversified manufacturing and services), Hewlett-  machinery), Hyster-Yale Materials Handling, Inc.
Packard Co. (electronic computer manufacturing), (forklift trucks), the Lumina Foundation for Education, 
 

 

 

and the V Foundation for Cancer Research; Member Executive Officers  
of the Advisory Council for the College of Arts and    
Letters and of the Advisory Board to the Kellogg Glenn Booraem  
Institute for International Studies, both at the Born 1967. Controller Since July 2010. Principal
University of Notre Dame. Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal
  of The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Controller of each of
Mark Loughridge the investment companies served by The Vanguard
Born 1953. Trustee Since March 2012. Principal Group; Assistant Controller of each of the investment
Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Senior Vice companies served by The Vanguard Group (2001–2010).
President and Chief Financial Officer (retired 2013)    
at IBM (information technology services); Fiduciary Thomas J. Higgins  
Member of IBM’s Retirement Plan Committee (2004– Born 1957. Chief Financial Officer Since September
2013); Member of the Council on Chicago Booth. 2008. Principal Occupation(s) During the Past Five
  Years: Principal of The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Chief
Scott C. Malpass Financial Officer of each of the investment companies
Born 1962. Trustee Since March 2012. Principal served by The Vanguard Group; Treasurer of each of
Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chief the investment companies served by The Vanguard
Investment Officer and Vice President at the University Group (1998–2008).  
of Notre Dame; Assistant Professor of Finance at the    
Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame; Member Kathryn J. Hyatt  
of the Notre Dame 403(b) Investment Committee; Born 1955. Treasurer Since November 2008. Principal
Board Member of TIFF Advisory Services, Inc. Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Principal of
(investment advisor); Member of the Investment The Vanguard Group, Inc.; Treasurer of each of the
Advisory Committees of the Financial Industry investment companies served by The Vanguard
Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and of Major League Group; Assistant Treasurer of each of the investment
Baseball. companies served by The Vanguard Group (1988–2008).
 
André F. Perold Heidi Stam  
Born 1952. Trustee Since December 2004. Principal Born 1956. Secretary Since July 2005. Principal
Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: George Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Managing
Gund Professor of Finance and Banking, Emeritus Director of The Vanguard Group, Inc.; General Counsel
at the Harvard Business School (retired 2011); of The Vanguard Group; Secretary of The Vanguard
Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner of Group and of each of the investment companies
HighVista Strategies LLC (private investment firm); served by The Vanguard Group; Director and Senior
Director of Rand Merchant Bank; Overseer of the Vice President of Vanguard Marketing Corporation.
Museum of Fine Arts Boston.    
  Vanguard Senior ManagementTeam
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr.    
Born 1941. Trustee Since January 1993. Principal Mortimer J. Buckley Chris D. McIsaac
Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: Chairman, Kathleen C. Gubanich Michael S. Miller
President, and Chief Executive Officer of NACCO Paul A. Heller James M. Norris
Industries, Inc. (housewares/lignite), and of Hyster- Martha G. King Glenn W. Reed
Yale Materials Handling, Inc. (forklift trucks); Chairman John T. Marcante  
of the Board of University Hospitals of Cleveland.    
Chairman Emeritus and Senior Advisor
Peter F. Volanakis    
Born 1955. Trustee Since July 2009. Principal  John J. Brennan  
Occupation(s) During the Past Five Years: President Chairman, 1996–2009   
and Chief Operating Officer (retired 2010) of Corning Chief Executive Officer and President, 1996–2008
Incorporated (communications equipment); Trustee of    
Colby-Sawyer College; Member of the Advisory Board Founder   
of the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and of the Advisory  
Board of the Parthenon Group (strategy consulting). John C. Bogle   
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 1974–1996
 

 

1 Mr. McNabb is considered an “interested person,” as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, because he is an officer of the Vanguard funds.
2 December 2002 for Vanguard Equity Income Fund, the Vanguard Municipal Bond Funds, and the Vanguard State Tax-Exempt Funds.

 

 

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Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing> 800-749-7273  
 
This material may be used in conjunction  
with the offering of shares of any Vanguard  
fund only if preceded or accompanied by  
the fund’s current prospectus.  
 
All comparative mutual fund data are from Lipper, a  
Thomson Reuters Company, or Morningstar, Inc., unless  
otherwise noted.  
 
You can obtain a free copy of Vanguard’s proxy voting  
guidelines by visiting vanguard.com/proxyreporting or by  
calling Vanguard at 800-662-2739. The guidelines are  
also available from the SEC’s website, 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  
vanguard.com/proxyreporting or 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 20549-1520.  
 
  © 2014 The Vanguard Group, Inc.
  All rights reserved.
  Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.
 
  Q240 122014

 


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

Item 3: Audit Committee Financial Expert. The following members of the Audit Committee have been determined by the Registrant’s Board of Trustees to be Audit Committee Financial Experts serving on its Audit Committee, and to be independent: Rajiv L. Gupta, Amy Gutmann, JoAnn Heffernan Heisen, F. Joseph Loughrey, Mark Loughridge, Scott C. Malpass, André F. Perold, and Alfred M. Rankin, Jr.

Item 4: Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

(a) Audit Fees.

Audit Fees of the Registrant

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014: $43,000
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013: $39,000

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

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014: $6,605,127
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013: $5,714,113

Includes fees billed in connection with audits of the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and Vanguard Marketing Corporation.

(b) Audit-Related Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014: $2,176,479
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013: $1,552,950

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

(c) Tax Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014: $316,869
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013: $110,000

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

 

(d) All Other Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014: $198,163
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013: $132,000

Includes fees billed for services related to tax reported information provided to the Registrant, other registered investment companies in the Vanguard complex, The Vanguard Group, Inc., and Vanguard Marketing Corporation.

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

     In the event of a contingency situation in which the principal accountant is needed to provide services in between scheduled Audit Committee meetings, the Chairman of the Audit Committee would be called on to consider and, if appropriate, pre-approve audit or permitted non-audit services in an amount sufficient to complete services through the next Audit Committee meeting, and to determine if such services would be consistent with maintaining the accountant’s independence. At the next scheduled Audit Committee meeting, services and fees would be presented to the Audit Committee for formal consideration, and, if appropriate, approval by the entire Audit Committee. The Audit Committee would again consider whether such services and fees are consistent with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

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

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

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

(g) Aggregate Non-Audit Fees.

Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2014: $515,032
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2013: $242,000

 

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

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

Item 5: Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not Applicable.

Item 6: Investments.



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

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

In our opinion, the accompanying statement of net assets – investments summary and the related statements of operations and of changes in net assets and the financial highlights (included in Item 1 of this Form N-CSR) and the schedule of investments (included in Item 6 of this Form N-CSR) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Vanguard Explorer Fund (the "Fund") at October 31, 2014, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements, financial highlights, and schedule of investments (hereafter referred to as "financial statements") are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits, which included confirmation of securities at October 31, 2014 by correspondence with the custodians and brokers, by agreement to the underlying ownership records of the transfer agent and the application of alternative auditing procedures where securities purchased had not been received, provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

December 16, 2014

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Suite 1700, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042
T: (267) 330-3000, F: (267) 330-3300, www.pwc.com/us


Vanguard® Explorer™ Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
 
Common Stocks (97.7%)1    
Consumer Discretionary (16.6%)    
* Urban Outfitters Inc. 2,648,465 80,407
* IMAX Corp. 2,340,737 68,958
* LKQ Corp. 2,404,037 68,683
  Churchill Downs Inc. 652,778 66,570
* Ulta Salon Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. 510,034 61,617
* Life Time Fitness Inc. 1,046,000 58,335
* CarMax Inc. 1,020,605 57,062
* Tumi Holdings Inc. 2,495,382 51,829
  Tractor Supply Co. 670,655 49,105
  Hanesbrands Inc. 454,850 48,037
* Jarden Corp. 711,705 46,325
* Crocs Inc. 3,772,300 44,060
* Live Nation Entertainment Inc. 1,690,295 43,948
* Five Below Inc. 1,096,577 43,721
  Wolverine World Wide Inc. 1,606,282 43,595
  Texas Roadhouse Inc. Class A 1,508,690 43,556
* HomeAway Inc. 1,175,846 41,037
  HSN Inc. 603,480 39,872
  Service Corp. International 1,722,810 37,678
  Cheesecake Factory Inc. 809,758 37,200
  Signet Jewelers Ltd. 305,826 36,702
  Lennar Corp. Class A 837,615 36,084
* Standard Pacific Corp. 4,722,400 34,946
* Grand Canyon Education Inc. 673,833 32,277
* DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. Class A 1,448,640 32,276
  New York Times Co. Class A 2,369,436 30,424
* Buffalo Wild Wings Inc. 202,290 30,198
  Brunswick Corp. 631,360 29,548
* Tenneco Inc. 521,507 27,306
  DSW Inc. Class A 907,448 26,906
* Under Armour Inc. Class A 397,875 26,093
* Cabela's Inc. 533,600 25,623
  National CineMedia Inc. 1,598,323 25,413
* Steven Madden Ltd. 756,742 23,724
* Dorman Products Inc. 507,695 23,537
* Deckers Outdoor Corp. 267,500 23,396
* Denny's Corp. 2,682,881 23,126
* Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc. 1,059,181 20,040
* Vitamin Shoppe Inc. 420,150 19,718
  Brinker International Inc. 341,609 18,324
* Gentherm Inc. 407,589 16,996
  Dick's Sporting Goods Inc. 337,775 15,325
  Carter's Inc. 194,315 15,182
  Monro Muffler Brake Inc. 274,420 14,665
  Papa John's International Inc. 313,512 14,660
  Sally Beauty Holdings Inc. 486,021 14,245
  Movado Group Inc. 398,510 14,067
  Ross Stores Inc. 171,500 13,843
  Vail Resorts Inc. 158,717 13,707
  Ryland Group Inc. 376,577 13,485
  Callaway Golf Co. 1,679,300 13,166
  Sotheby's 331,229 13,137
  Capella Education Co. 173,743 12,291
* Ascena Retail Group Inc. 969,100 12,065
* Francesca's Holdings Corp. 988,200 11,769
* Chuy's Holdings Inc. 378,767 11,329
*,^ iRobot Corp. 316,093 11,291
* BJ's Restaurants Inc. 245,810 10,821
* Vince Holding Corp. 299,500 10,497
  Cinemark Holdings Inc. 295,100 10,423
  Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 305,000 10,211

 

1

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
  Six Flags Entertainment Corp. 252,832 10,189
* Skechers U.S.A. Inc. Class A 176,300 9,652
* Hibbett Sports Inc. 206,873 9,390
* Universal Electronics Inc. 153,445 8,729
*,^ Noodles & Co. Class A 365,100 8,335
* Netflix Inc. 20,600 8,091
* Sonic Corp. 307,355 7,748
* Burlington Stores Inc. 155,878 6,538
  PetSmart Inc. 84,520 6,115
  ServiceMaster Global Holdings Inc. 217,076 5,205
  Dunkin' Brands Group Inc. 111,469 5,070
  Men's Wearhouse Inc. 105,100 4,943
* Shutterfly Inc. 117,300 4,907
* Fiesta Restaurant Group Inc. 87,675 4,835
* Tesla Motors Inc. 17,939 4,336
  Domino's Pizza Inc. 45,442 4,035
* Express Inc. 262,615 3,931
* NVR Inc. 3,200 3,928
  Cablevision Systems Corp. Class A 198,600 3,698
* MarineMax Inc. 192,548 3,691
  Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc. 76,491 3,545
*,^ zulily Inc. Class A 97,215 3,537
  Jack in the Box Inc. 49,400 3,509
  Polaris Industries Inc. 22,400 3,379
* Starz 102,100 3,155
* Strayer Education Inc. 42,700 3,125
* Murphy USA Inc. 52,700 3,020
  Foot Locker Inc. 51,100 2,862
  Aramark 100,600 2,808
*,^ SodaStream International Ltd. 127,000 2,799
  Nutrisystem Inc. 162,800 2,742
* Barnes & Noble Inc. 119,400 2,605
  Brown Shoe Co. Inc. 97,500 2,593
* Asbury Automotive Group Inc. 36,100 2,528
* Tower International Inc. 103,200 2,508
^ Buckle Inc. 49,400 2,437
* Outerwall Inc. 35,621 2,254
  La-Z-Boy Inc. 97,000 2,217
* Liberty Ventures Class A 58,000 2,036
  Dillard's Inc. Class A 17,200 1,819
  Williams-Sonoma Inc. 22,100 1,437
  Tupperware Brands Corp. 21,000 1,339
* G-III Apparel Group Ltd. 16,600 1,317
  Dana Holding Corp. 59,000 1,207
  Columbia Sportswear Co. 29,800 1,149
  Cato Corp. Class A 32,000 1,141
  Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc. 90,100 1,097
* Visteon Corp. 10,600 995
  Harman International Industries Inc. 8,600 923
* Orbitz Worldwide Inc. 104,800 867
* K12 Inc. 51,665 641
  Big Lots Inc. 11,700 534
  Wayfair Inc. 17,895 449
* Kona Grill Inc. 7,675 173
* Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. Class A 38,700 168
* ANN Inc. 3,271 126
      2,042,838
Consumer Staples (2.3%)    
* TreeHouse Foods Inc. 933,925 79,542
* United Natural Foods Inc. 831,444 56,555
^ Herbalife Ltd. 809,788 42,482
  Ingredion Inc. 479,945 37,076
  PriceSmart Inc. 161,040 14,337
  Inter Parfums Inc. 394,275 11,197

 

2

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
* Monster Beverage Corp. 90,200 9,099
* Boulder Brands Inc. 964,500 8,565
* Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. 367,400 6,654
  Keurig Green Mountain Inc. 18,700 2,838
  Sanderson Farms Inc. 33,000 2,771
* Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. 93,600 2,725
* Rite Aid Corp. 487,400 2,559
* Pilgrim's Pride Corp. 83,786 2,380
  Cal-Maine Foods Inc. 19,900 1,747
* Harbinger Group Inc. 59,600 783
* Omega Protein Corp. 49,800 720
* SUPERVALU Inc. 69,000 595
  Greencore Group plc 107,366 451
      283,076
Energy (4.6%)    
  Energen Corp. 624,520 42,280
  Core Laboratories NV 302,093 42,151
  Western Refining Inc. 875,680 39,922
* RSP Permian Inc. 1,279,260 31,304
  Superior Energy Services Inc. 1,236,570 31,100
  Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. 959,435 29,838
  Alon USA Energy Inc. 1,855,992 29,770
* Gulfport Energy Corp. 541,977 27,196
* Dresser-Rand Group Inc. 317,139 25,910
  Patterson-UTI Energy Inc. 1,041,170 23,978
* Paramount Resources Ltd. Class A 540,500 22,636
* Bonanza Creek Energy Inc. 485,760 21,976
* Atwood Oceanics Inc. 533,525 21,688
* Carrizo Oil & Gas Inc. 399,550 20,753
* Dril-Quip Inc. 171,679 15,443
* Southwestern Energy Co. 458,200 14,896
* Rex Energy Corp. 1,753,164 13,745
  RPC Inc. 679,850 11,150
  Oceaneering International Inc. 152,700 10,730
  RigNet Inc. 233,428 10,142
*,^ Halcon Resources Corp. 3,191,625 9,926
* Kodiak Oil & Gas Corp. 829,323 8,948
* Oil States International Inc. 138,800 8,292
* Basic Energy Services Inc. 550,759 7,105
* Forum Energy Technologies Inc. 258,200 7,049
  Range Resources Corp. 98,900 6,765
* Oasis Petroleum Inc. 190,900 5,719
  CHC Group Ltd. 539,134 3,623
* Pacific Ethanol Inc. 204,400 2,884
  SM Energy Co. 49,800 2,804
* REX American Resources Corp. 36,867 2,682
* Kosmos Energy Ltd. 276,300 2,578
* Penn Virginia Corp. 292,368 2,506
  Green Plains Inc. 69,700 2,384
  Nabors Industries Ltd. 121,500 2,169
* Matrix Service Co. 70,400 1,764
* Abraxas Petroleum Corp. 289,200 1,194
* Clayton Williams Energy Inc. 13,800 1,147
* Alpha Natural Resources Inc. 526,200 1,031
  World Fuel Services Corp. 17,595 726
* Pioneer Energy Services Corp. 69,500 638
      568,542
Financials (8.8%)    
  NASDAQ OMX Group Inc. 1,801,327 77,925
* Affiliated Managers Group Inc. 349,006 69,728
  International Bancshares Corp. 1,687,297 47,869
  PacWest Bancorp 1,041,918 44,448
  Zions Bancorporation 1,442,580 41,792
  Assured Guaranty Ltd. 1,650,800 38,100

 

3

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
* WisdomTree Investments Inc. 2,518,356 37,146
  Redwood Trust Inc. 1,935,840 36,374
*,2 eHealth Inc. 1,456,325 36,335
  Pebblebrook Hotel Trust 814,059 34,679
* Encore Capital Group Inc. 755,218 34,370
  Financial Engines Inc. 817,523 32,595
  Synovus Financial Corp. 1,277,538 32,398
  Primerica Inc. 633,200 32,388
  Douglas Emmett Inc. 1,150,100 32,352
  MSCI Inc. Class A 681,000 31,775
  First Industrial Realty Trust Inc. 1,488,835 29,077
  Radian Group Inc. 1,680,681 28,319
  Solar Capital Ltd. 1,433,800 26,654
* MGIC Investment Corp. 2,548,000 22,728
  MFA Financial Inc. 2,584,725 21,660
  Och-Ziff Capital Management Group LLC Class A 1,868,415 20,590
  HFF Inc. Class A 589,272 18,550
  STAG Industrial Inc. 720,900 17,590
* Signature Bank 140,237 16,987
* Portfolio Recovery Associates Inc. 255,600 16,167
  Cohen & Steers Inc. 345,352 14,802
* Texas Capital Bancshares Inc. 225,855 13,811
* SVB Financial Group 111,500 12,487
  American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. 477,729 12,330
  LPL Financial Holdings Inc. 265,435 10,986
* First NBC Bank Holding Co. 266,130 9,775
  MarketAxess Holdings Inc. 150,700 9,743
  First Horizon National Corp. 719,750 9,256
  PrivateBancorp Inc. 286,297 9,253
  Cardinal Financial Corp. 475,344 9,127
  Evercore Partners Inc. Class A 172,780 8,945
* Hilltop Holdings Inc. 405,100 8,924
  Lexington Realty Trust 805,255 8,826
  Bank of the Ozarks Inc. 199,514 7,031
  East West Bancorp Inc. 163,300 6,003
  Lazard Ltd. Class A 83,100 4,089
  Jones Lang LaSalle Inc. 29,649 4,009
* Cowen Group Inc. Class A 930,118 3,758
  Universal Insurance Holdings Inc. 188,500 3,299
  Waddell & Reed Financial Inc. Class A 62,100 2,965
  Reinsurance Group of America Inc. Class A 34,800 2,932
* Credit Acceptance Corp. 19,217 2,836
  Nelnet Inc. Class A 49,676 2,364
* Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. 158,500 2,037
* World Acceptance Corp. 28,076 2,012
* Howard Hughes Corp. 13,300 1,960
  Omega Healthcare Investors Inc. 46,400 1,771
  Extra Space Storage Inc. 28,000 1,628
  Apartment Investment & Management Co. Class A 45,400 1,625
  Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. 32,600 1,609
  DuPont Fabros Technology Inc. 49,800 1,542
  Columbia Property Trust Inc. 57,800 1,458
  Iron Mountain Inc. 26,100 941
  Geo Group Inc. 21,800 871
  Fidelity & Guaranty Life 36,100 857
  Sovran Self Storage Inc. 9,600 817
  Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. 9,200 305
* Western Alliance Bancorp 11,200 298
  QTS Realty Trust Inc. Class A 7,400 261
  Universal Health Realty Income Trust 5,000 242
  Federal Realty Investment Trust 900 119
      1,076,500
Health Care (16.5%)    
  West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. 2,373,195 121,626

 

4

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
* Akorn Inc. 1,758,565 78,344
  Cooper Cos. Inc. 463,952 76,042
* Alkermes plc 1,266,832 64,038
* Bruker Corp. 2,892,280 59,957
* Cepheid 1,115,100 59,111
* Salix Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 368,553 53,016
  Kindred Healthcare Inc. 2,419,319 52,620
* ABIOMED Inc. 1,565,000 51,316
* Charles River Laboratories International Inc. 780,370 49,288
* Insulet Corp. 1,059,363 45,733
^ ResMed Inc. 805,609 42,069
* WellCare Health Plans Inc. 579,910 39,359
* Globus Medical Inc. 1,765,658 39,145
* Molina Healthcare Inc. 800,900 38,956
* Hospira Inc. 708,100 38,025
* Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc. 406,411 37,691
  Universal Health Services Inc. Class B 355,470 36,866
* ICON plc 683,238 35,945
* Mallinckrodt plc 386,808 35,656
* Catamaran Corp. 721,258 34,382
* Nektar Therapeutics 2,478,300 34,176
* Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. 2,394,800 32,857
* athenahealth Inc. 264,828 32,441
* Acadia Healthcare Co. Inc. 517,643 32,120
* LifePoint Hospitals Inc. 451,440 31,601
* Mettler-Toledo International Inc. 113,859 29,429
* Team Health Holdings Inc. 420,900 26,323
* Actavis plc 105,330 25,568
* Align Technology Inc. 465,535 24,496
* Bio-Rad Laboratories Inc. Class A 209,240 23,606
* TESARO Inc. 838,808 23,336
* CareFusion Corp. 384,312 22,048
* Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. 194,100 21,863
* Illumina Inc. 112,300 21,627
* Brookdale Senior Living Inc. 613,811 20,692
* NuVasive Inc. 493,400 20,180
* Auxilium Pharmaceuticals Inc. 625,000 20,106
* PTC Therapeutics Inc. 484,000 19,781
* Tornier NV 699,333 19,546
* QIAGEN NV 827,000 19,401
* Spectranetics Corp. 537,357 17,072
* PharMerica Corp. 564,046 16,183
* Quidel Corp. 547,290 15,625
* Medidata Solutions Inc. 346,261 15,620
* Luminex Corp. 811,260 15,414
* Air Methods Corp. 310,799 14,679
* Neogen Corp. 331,850 14,568
* HMS Holdings Corp. 598,655 13,907
* Covance Inc. 169,300 13,527
* IDEXX Laboratories Inc. 94,000 13,317
* Cerner Corp. 206,000 13,048
* Hologic Inc. 491,600 12,875
* Wright Medical Group Inc. 405,389 12,818
* Cardiovascular Systems Inc. 402,000 12,462
* Zeltiq Aesthetics Inc. 483,490 12,397
* Prestige Brands Holdings Inc. 328,296 11,628
* Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc. 51,262 9,810
* Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. 103,729 9,628
* IPC The Hospitalist Co. Inc. 222,370 9,264
* Hyperion Therapeutics Inc. 367,274 8,925
* Anacor Pharmaceuticals Inc. 289,844 8,524
*,^ Exact Sciences Corp. 330,213 7,948
* Incyte Corp. 116,490 7,812
* LDR Holding Corp. 221,550 7,630

 

5

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
* Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc 44,407 7,498
* Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc. 131,600 7,274
* Cubist Pharmaceuticals Inc. 95,200 6,882
* Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. 147,175 6,779
*,^ Sarepta Therapeutics Inc. 403,660 6,527
* Envision Healthcare Holdings Inc. 181,925 6,358
* WuXi PharmaTech Cayman Inc. ADR 163,820 6,176
* HealthEquity Inc. 277,113 5,653
* ExamWorks Group Inc. 142,250 5,516
  Endologix Inc. 404,215 4,608
* NPS Pharmaceuticals Inc. 164,715 4,513
* Centene Corp. 48,100 4,457
* United Therapeutics Corp. 32,900 4,309
* NxStage Medical Inc. 239,000 3,623
  Clovis Oncology Inc. 55,816 3,330
* Natus Medical Inc. 93,500 3,179
  DexCom Inc. 70,216 3,156
* PAREXEL International Corp. 58,000 3,150
* Quintiles Transnational Holdings Inc. 53,600 3,138
* Seattle Genetics Inc. 82,500 3,025
  Neurocrine Biosciences Inc. 161,301 2,987
  Synageva BioPharma Corp. 39,368 2,982
* Medivation Inc. 27,868 2,946
* Depomed Inc. 187,500 2,888
  Novadaq Technologies Inc. 178,323 2,785
^ PDL BioPharma Inc. 309,500 2,640
*,^ Sequenom Inc. 782,800 2,560
* Anika Therapeutics Inc. 59,600 2,392
  Revance Therapeutics Inc. 118,197 2,383
* Providence Service Corp. 52,400 2,315
* MedAssets Inc. 102,900 2,229
* Lannett Co. Inc. 38,000 2,155
* XOMA Corp. 453,730 1,947
*,^ Myriad Genetics Inc. 48,400 1,911
* Premier Inc. Class A 50,000 1,669
* CorVel Corp. 46,075 1,586
* Alliance HealthCare Services Inc. 63,200 1,525
  Chimerix Inc. 42,030 1,305
* Dendreon Corp. 788,000 772
* Prothena Corp. plc 33,894 743
* Dyax Corp. 54,400 673
  Chemed Corp. 6,006 621
* Sagent Pharmaceuticals Inc. 18,600 589
  HealthSouth Corp. 12,200 492
* Cytokinetics Inc. 133,100 489
      2,029,798
Industrials (17.1%)    
* Armstrong World Industries Inc. 1,454,705 70,437
  MSC Industrial Direct Co. Inc. Class A 767,873 62,175
* WESCO International Inc. 686,424 56,568
* Generac Holdings Inc. 1,230,073 55,771
  AO Smith Corp. 1,006,015 53,671
  Acuity Brands Inc. 380,880 53,106
  Waste Connections Inc. 1,059,610 52,875
  Pentair plc 767,725 51,476
* WageWorks Inc. 886,929 50,564
* Teledyne Technologies Inc. 485,923 50,356
* IHS Inc. Class A 377,190 49,423
* Middleby Corp. 521,001 46,109
* Advisory Board Co. 852,764 45,768
  Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. NV 748,705 40,909
  Manpowergroup Inc. 605,650 40,427
  EnerSys 642,135 40,326
* Stericycle Inc. 317,190 39,966

 

6

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
  Watsco Inc. 386,110 39,236
* JetBlue Airways Corp. 3,336,020 38,498
  John Bean Technologies Corp. 1,280,743 38,384
  AMETEK Inc. 730,365 38,089
* Swift Transportation Co. 1,433,900 35,417
* Trex Co. Inc. 798,370 34,330
* Moog Inc. Class A 434,738 33,275
*,2 American Woodmark Corp. 798,759 32,677
* Esterline Technologies Corp. 274,600 32,158
* Quanta Services Inc. 936,965 31,932
* Orbital Sciences Corp. 1,200,000 31,560
  Kennametal Inc. 800,881 30,922
  Watts Water Technologies Inc. Class A 507,300 30,758
  RBC Bearings Inc. 477,194 28,990
* United Rentals Inc. 252,936 27,838
* UTi Worldwide Inc. 2,461,120 26,900
  Herman Miller Inc. 835,649 26,741
* Taser International Inc. 1,407,869 26,524
  Robert Half International Inc. 479,527 26,268
  Flowserve Corp. 382,275 25,991
* DXP Enterprises Inc. 382,406 25,350
  Carlisle Cos. Inc. 280,820 24,959
  Corporate Executive Board Co. 306,208 22,568
  Mobile Mini Inc. 510,982 22,396
* B/E Aerospace Inc. 285,727 21,272
* Clean Harbors Inc. 426,318 21,158
* Huron Consulting Group Inc. 285,165 19,850
* Proto Labs Inc. 280,744 18,352
^ Greenbrier Cos. Inc. 277,834 17,376
  Tennant Co. 229,573 16,926
* Genesee & Wyoming Inc. Class A 175,630 16,896
  Kaman Corp. 350,827 15,107
  Ryder System Inc. 163,785 14,490
  HEICO Corp. Class A 315,380 14,429
* Rush Enterprises Inc. Class A 366,958 13,981
* Verisk Analytics Inc. Class A 218,200 13,605
* Copart Inc. 406,008 13,577
* NCI Building Systems Inc. 652,392 12,963
* Saia Inc. 239,899 11,760
  Sensata Technologies Holding NV 233,309 11,388
  Exponent Inc. 142,322 11,360
* Rexnord Corp. 368,426 10,887
  Nordson Corp. 139,877 10,708
  Knight Transportation Inc. 347,480 10,167
  MSA Safety Inc. 170,243 9,784
  Columbus McKinnon Corp. 334,557 9,518
* Hexcel Corp. 223,925 9,380
  H&E Equipment Services Inc. 250,279 9,358
* TriMas Corp. 284,253 8,999
* Astronics Corp. 167,280 8,667
* On Assignment Inc. 287,717 8,373
* CAI International Inc. 363,230 7,646
  Heartland Express Inc. 299,812 7,537
  KAR Auction Services Inc. 246,330 7,479
* Spirit Airlines Inc. 95,331 6,970
  McGrath RentCorp 188,054 6,870
  Lennox International Inc. 69,100 6,144
  Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc. 249,636 6,089
  Towers Watson & Co. Class A 54,400 6,000
  Woodward Inc. 112,444 5,758
  Polypore International Inc. 124,617 5,473
* TriNet Group Inc. 176,657 5,286
  Expeditors International of Washington Inc. 114,871 4,900
  Kirby Corp. 42,701 4,722

 

7

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
  Alaska Air Group Inc. 86,948 4,628
  Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc. 222,712 4,590
  Cintas Corp. 55,700 4,079
  IDEX Corp. 54,150 4,056
* Avis Budget Group Inc. 70,900 3,953
  Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. 37,000 3,915
* Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. Class A 99,100 3,899
  Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc. 45,700 3,312
  Deluxe Corp. 54,109 3,290
  Trinity Industries Inc. 90,500 3,232
  Pitney Bowes Inc. 123,800 3,063
* WABCO Holdings Inc. 31,200 3,038
* Chart Industries Inc. 62,800 2,923
  Copa Holdings SA Class A 24,600 2,876
  ITT Corp. 62,700 2,825
* Power Solutions International Inc. 43,030 2,818
  Mueller Water Products Inc. Class A 283,700 2,800
* Meritor Inc. 234,900 2,699
  Manitowoc Co. Inc. 109,100 2,274
* DigitalGlobe Inc. 70,300 2,010
  Steelcase Inc. Class A 112,079 1,986
  RR Donnelley & Sons Co. 110,700 1,932
  Toro Co. 27,800 1,716
* Korn/Ferry International 46,400 1,296
  Douglas Dynamics Inc. 43,800 908
  Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc. 10,300 808
  Harsco Corp. 34,000 737
  HNI Corp. 5,800 271
  Argan Inc. 6,000 209
      2,109,036
Information Technology (22.9%)    
* Alliance Data Systems Corp. 383,148 108,565
* Cadence Design Systems Inc. 4,628,560 83,083
* Ultimate Software Group Inc. 461,178 69,412
* Demandware Inc. 1,118,697 67,066
* TiVo Inc. 4,940,010 64,467
* Euronet Worldwide Inc. 1,198,658 64,332
* Dealertrack Technologies Inc. 1,266,189 59,574
* Silicon Laboratories Inc. 1,178,901 53,746
  Belden Inc. 731,415 52,069
  Teradyne Inc. 2,802,320 51,563
* Electronics For Imaging Inc. 1,121,075 51,256
* Microsemi Corp. 1,879,800 49,006
* WNS Holdings Ltd. ADR 2,321,844 46,924
* Bankrate Inc. 4,152,264 45,094
* Sapient Corp. 2,572,045 44,548
* CoStar Group Inc. 249,149 40,135
* PTC Inc. 1,017,816 38,830
* Mellanox Technologies Ltd. 853,145 38,212
  IAC/InterActiveCorp 563,414 38,137
* Atmel Corp. 5,042,905 37,418
* ON Semiconductor Corp. 4,496,820 37,279
* F5 Networks Inc. 302,495 37,201
* First Solar Inc. 615,678 36,263
* Proofpoint Inc. 822,847 36,238
* Verint Systems Inc. 627,170 36,056
  Convergys Corp. 1,753,011 35,358
* Ruckus Wireless Inc. 2,705,200 35,113
* WEX Inc. 276,100 31,354
* Red Hat Inc. 517,100 30,468
* VeriFone Systems Inc. 811,625 30,241
*,^ SunPower Corp. Class A 942,900 30,022
* Aruba Networks Inc. 1,386,700 29,925
* Aspen Technology Inc. 809,832 29,907

 

8

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
* Finisar Corp. 1,776,395 29,701
* SPS Commerce Inc. 488,933 28,505
* Ciena Corp. 1,673,120 28,041
* Pandora Media Inc. 1,438,949 27,743
* Informatica Corp. 772,520 27,548
* Super Micro Computer Inc. 831,102 26,562
* SS&C Technologies Holdings Inc. 544,156 26,294
  FactSet Research Systems Inc. 199,650 26,242
* Palo Alto Networks Inc. 246,066 26,009
  j2 Global Inc. 480,096 25,968
  Power Integrations Inc. 498,460 25,102
  Monolithic Power Systems Inc. 555,890 24,565
* Cavium Inc. 474,488 24,346
* Cognex Corp. 608,000 24,052
*,^ Stratasys Ltd. 198,668 23,912
* Radware Ltd. 1,209,700 22,972
* Tyler Technologies Inc. 201,975 22,605
* Syntel Inc. 248,652 21,536
* Acxiom Corp. 1,120,785 21,116
  Intersil Corp. Class A 1,574,795 20,929
  Methode Electronics Inc. 530,965 20,909
* Akamai Technologies Inc. 331,693 20,001
* Semtech Corp. 785,822 19,944
* Manhattan Associates Inc. 486,681 19,521
* Constant Contact Inc. 538,753 19,050
* Infoblox Inc. 1,139,600 18,393
* Cardtronics Inc. 477,795 18,343
* Gartner Inc. 222,706 17,975
* Qlik Technologies Inc. 573,400 16,256
* PROS Holdings Inc. 575,300 16,097
  Heartland Payment Systems Inc. 309,699 15,996
* comScore Inc. 375,437 15,821
  MercadoLibre Inc. 114,200 15,548
* Fortinet Inc. 590,600 15,385
* LivePerson Inc. 1,041,973 15,004
* Virtusa Corp. 361,191 14,802
^ Ubiquiti Networks Inc. 403,182 14,422
  MAXIMUS Inc. 297,039 14,395
* Gigamon Inc. 948,085 14,164
* Integrated Device Technology Inc. 840,520 13,793
  FLIR Systems Inc. 391,600 13,130
  Brocade Communications Systems Inc. 1,210,600 12,990
* Imperva Inc. 298,400 12,225
* Concur Technologies Inc. 92,077 11,815
* LinkedIn Corp. Class A 51,262 11,737
  SolarWinds Inc. 238,426 11,337
* Nanometrics Inc. 826,028 11,184
* VASCO Data Security International Inc. 424,314 10,744
  Littelfuse Inc. 110,000 10,729
* Guidewire Software Inc. 211,500 10,562
*,^ InvenSense Inc. 638,500 10,350
* Synchronoss Technologies Inc. 198,389 10,251
  Microchip Technology Inc. 229,500 9,894
* Riverbed Technology Inc. 510,000 9,685
* Progress Software Corp. 355,000 9,194
* Polycom Inc. 695,350 9,095
* Rogers Corp. 131,550 8,994
* EPAM Systems Inc. 186,300 8,894
*,^ Allot Communications Ltd. 774,100 8,840
* IPG Photonics Corp. 115,500 8,479
* Sonus Networks Inc. 2,440,586 8,469
* iGATE Corp. 227,590 8,432
* Diodes Inc. 323,485 8,356
  Vistaprint NV 120,989 8,089

 

9

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
  Solera Holdings Inc. 150,981 7,843
  Blackbaud Inc. 167,005 7,432
* ANSYS Inc. 92,195 7,243
* Bottomline Technologies de Inc. 287,426 7,212
* WebMD Health Corp. 159,968 6,827
*,^ Endurance International Group Holdings Inc. 410,365 6,820
* Tableau Software Inc. Class A 79,400 6,558
  National Instruments Corp. 189,100 5,991
  FEI Co. 69,800 5,883
* Synaptics Inc. 85,125 5,825
* FireEye Inc. 166,500 5,659
* Information Services Group Inc. 1,292,619 5,468
  Trimble Navigation Ltd. 196,452 5,277
* II-VI Inc. 362,366 4,888
* Cornerstone OnDemand Inc. 134,600 4,882
*,^ Care.com Inc. 576,757 4,787
* Global Cash Access Holdings Inc. 609,600 4,444
  Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. 95,600 4,200
  RealPage Inc. 211,310 4,199
* RF Micro Devices Inc. 308,230 4,010
* Entropic Communications Inc. 1,512,830 3,782
  Jack Henry & Associates Inc. 62,900 3,763
* Perficient Inc. 220,000 3,648
* ARRIS Group Inc. 120,800 3,626
  DST Systems Inc. 34,996 3,372
  Booz Allen Hamilton Holding Corp. Class A 126,541 3,334
  CDW Corp. 108,100 3,334
* Cree Inc. 104,400 3,287
* Take-Two Interactive Software Inc. 118,200 3,126
* Freescale Semiconductor Ltd. 155,000 3,083
* Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc. 83,200 2,875
  Science Applications International Corp. 58,100 2,842
  ChannelAdvisor Corp. 201,147 2,794
* CommScope Holding Co. Inc. 127,117 2,738
  Anixter International Inc. 31,931 2,720
* Plexus Corp. 65,500 2,708
  Skyworks Solutions Inc. 46,300 2,697
* AVG Technologies NV 141,400 2,534
  Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. 87,700 2,509
*,^ Advanced Micro Devices Inc. 882,900 2,472
* Envestnet Inc. 54,382 2,416
* Zebra Technologies Corp. 28,700 2,117
* Nimble Storage Inc. 75,000 2,052
* Glu Mobile Inc. 524,300 2,029
  Pegasystems Inc. 91,400 1,981
* Amkor Technology Inc. 197,500 1,339
  CSG Systems International Inc. 44,500 1,180
* E2open Inc. 201,187 1,175
* ShoreTel Inc. 117,900 954
* MicroStrategy Inc. Class A 4,400 708
* Lionbridge Technologies Inc. 128,600 621
* HubSpot Inc. 14,000 499
* Aerohive Networks Inc. 98,100 491
* GTT Communications Inc. 20,000 260
  QAD Inc. Class A 11,900 256
* Callidus Software Inc. 16,199 228
* MaxLinear Inc. 31,600 224
      2,817,126
Materials (6.3%)    
* Graphic Packaging Holding Co. 6,390,464 77,516
  Minerals Technologies Inc. 947,830 72,708
  Ball Corp. 901,635 58,092
  Ashland Inc. 418,005 45,174
  PolyOne Corp. 1,180,100 43,675

 

10

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

      Market
      Value
    Shares ($000)
  Smurfit Kappa Group plc 1,954,421 40,413
  Methanex Corp. 670,860 39,809
* KapStone Paper and Packaging Corp. 1,223,854 37,646
  Sensient Technologies Corp. 622,631 36,847
  Worthington Industries Inc. 942,470 36,426
  Steel Dynamics Inc. 1,516,540 34,895
* WR Grace & Co. 337,060 31,886
  OM Group Inc. 1,051,300 27,365
* Constellium NV Class A 1,143,439 23,155
  Allegheny Technologies Inc. 699,810 22,989
  Carpenter Technology Corp. 420,860 21,064
  Schweitzer-Mauduit International Inc. 410,514 17,677
  Eagle Materials Inc. 172,182 15,054
  US Silica Holdings Inc. 307,541 13,808
  Scotts Miracle-Gro Co. Class A 207,000 12,263
  FMC Corp. 213,760 12,259
  Airgas Inc. 79,700 8,890
  Balchem Corp. 123,521 7,992
  Valspar Corp. 91,684 7,533
  Sealed Air Corp. 134,100 4,861
  Quaker Chemical Corp. 54,515 4,475
  NewMarket Corp. 8,773 3,404
* Owens-Illinois Inc. 104,300 2,688
  Avery Dennison Corp. 57,200 2,680
* Stillwater Mining Co. 201,300 2,643
  Westlake Chemical Corp. 29,400 2,074
* Berry Plastics Group Inc. 72,500 1,886
  International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. 17,600 1,745
* Ferro Corp. 115,600 1,517
  Cytec Industries Inc. 19,600 914
* Advanced Emissions Solutions Inc. 16,400 332
      774,355
Other (1.5%)    
^ iShares Russell 2000 ETF 962,395 112,177
^,3 Vanguard Small-Cap Growth ETF 463,200 57,914
*,4 Pure Storage Inc. Private Placement 437,384 6,878
*,4 Dropbox Private Placement 425,730 5,858
      182,827
Telecommunication Services (0.7%)    
* SBA Communications Corp. Class A 315,155 35,401
* Vonage Holdings Corp. 9,652,091 33,589
* 8x8 Inc. 1,182,519 9,295
* FairPoint Communications Inc. 109,400 1,816
  Inteliquent Inc. 107,200 1,804
* Level 3 Communications Inc. 37,200 1,745
* Cincinnati Bell Inc. 171,800 631
  IDT Corp. Class B 38,000 626
      84,907
Utilities (0.4%)    
  ITC Holdings Corp. 1,137,620 45,061
  Otter Tail Corp. 14,274 443
 
      45,504
 
Total Common Stocks (Cost $9,201,337)   12,014,509

 

11

 

Vanguard® Explorer Fund
Schedule of Investments
October 31, 2014

          Market
          Value
    Coupon   Shares ($000)
 
Temporary Cash Investments (4.0%)1        
Money Market Fund (3.7%)        
5,6 Vanguard Market Liquidity Fund 0.114%   453,977,154 453,977
 
 
        Face  
      Maturity Amount  
      Date ($000)  
Repurchase Agreement (0.2%)        
  Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc.(Dated 10/31/14,        
  Repurchase Value $25,600,000, collateralized by        
  Government National Mortgage Assn. 4.000%,        
  7/20/44, with a value of $26,112,000) 0.140% 11/3/14 25,600 25,600
 
U.S. Government and Agency Obligations (0.1%)        
7,8 Fannie Mae Discount Notes 0.100% 1/28/15 1,000 1,000
8,9 Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes 0.050% 12/10/14 100 100
9 Federal Home Loan Bank Discount Notes 0.032% 12/24/14 2,000 2,000
7,8 Freddie Mac Discount Notes 0.050% 1/14/15 6,000 5,999
 
          9,099
 
Total Temporary Cash Investments (Cost $488,676)       488,676
 
Total Investments (101.7%) (Cost $9,690,013)       12,503,185
Other Assets and Liabilities—Net (-1.7%)6       (210,515)
 
Net Assets (100%)       12,292,670

* Non-income-producing security.
^ Includes partial security positions on loan to broker-dealers. The total value of securities on loan is $161,303,000.
1 The fund invests a portion of its cash reserves in equity markets through the use of index futures contracts. After giving effect to futures
investments, the fund's effective common stock and temporary cash investment positions represent 98.6% and 3.1%, respectively, of net
assets.
2 Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the fund owns more than 5% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.
3 Considered an affiliated company of the fund as the issuer is another member of The Vanguard Group.
4 Restricted securities totaling $12,736,000, representing 0.1% of net assets.
5 Affiliated money market fund available only to Vanguard funds and certain trusts and accounts managed by Vanguard. Rate shown is the 7-day
yield.
6 Includes $164,635,000 of collateral received for securities on loan.
7 The issuer was placed under federal conservatorship in September 2008; since that time, its daily operations have been managed by the Federal
Housing Finance Agency and it receives capital from the U.S. Treasury, as needed to maintain a positive net worth, in exchange for senior
preferred stock.
8 Securities with a value of $5,199,000 have been segregated as initial margin for open futures contracts.
9 The issuer operates under a congressional charter; its securities are generally neither guaranteed by the U.S. Treasury nor backed by the full
faith and credit of the U.S. government.
ADR—American Depositary Receipt.

12

 

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© 2014 The Vanguard Group, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Vanguard Marketing Corporation, Distributor.

SNA240 122014


Item 7: Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not Applicable.

Item 8: Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not Applicable.

Item 9: Purchase of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not Applicable.

Item 10: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

Not Applicable.

Item 11: Controls and Procedures.

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

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

Item 12: Exhibits.

(a) Code of Ethics.
(b) Certifications.

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

  VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND
 
 
BY: /s/ F. WILLIAM MCNABB III*
  F. WILLIAM MCNABB III
  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
Date: December 18, 2014

 

 

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

  VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND
 
BY: /s/ F. WILLIAM MCNABB III*
  F. WILLIAM MCNABB III
  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

 

Date: December 18, 2014

 

 

VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND
 
BY: /s/ THOMAS J. HIGGINS*
  THOMAS J. HIGGINS
  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

 

Date: December 18, 2014

 

* By: /s/ Heidi Stam

Heidi Stam, pursuant to a Power of Attorney filed on April 22, 2014 see file Number
2-17620, Incorporated by Reference.