Quality not commodity
Vanguard is a pioneer of index funds, having developed the first ever index fund for individual investors in 1976. Low-cost and simple by nature, index investing can be the ideal foundation for almost any investment portfolio, helping to achieve broad diversification.
We've built a sustainable, scaled and successful global index offering that is based on an uncompromising commitment to quality. We also recognise that, although it's important, quality isn't just about cost, it's about long-term value.
1. Rather than being publicly traded or owned by a small group of individuals, The Vanguard Group, Inc., in the United States is owned by Vanguard's US-domiciled funds and ETFs. Those funds, in turn, are owned by their investors. This unique mutual structure aligns our interests with those of our investors and drives the culture, philosophy and policies throughout the Vanguard organisation worldwide. In Europe Vanguard leverages the scale, experience and resources of our established global business. Vanguard's ownership structure means that our clients don't have to worry that we'll be acquired. The company they invest with today will continue to serve them in the future.
Why invest in Vanguard index funds?
An enviable cost advantage
The average expense ratio across our index mutual funds globally is 72% less than the industry average2.
Depth and breadth
More than USD 6.9 trillion in assets in equity, bond and balanced index funds globally, as at 31 December 20233.
Nearly 50 years of experience
We launched the first index fund for individual investors in 1976, and we've been perfecting our benchmark selection and tracking skills every day since.
2. Vanguard average ongoing charge figure (OCF): 0.05%. Industry average expense ratio: 0.18%. All averages are for index mutual funds and are asset-weighted. Industry average excludes Vanguard. Sources: Vanguard and Morningstar, as at 31 December 2023.
3. Source: Vanguard. Data as at 31 December 2023.
Transparent, liquid and low-risk replication
With our uncomplicated tracking methodology, we aim to consistently provide some of the tightest tracking in the field of index funds. Matching assets to their corresponding weights in the benchmark offers a purer form of index investing, thereby enhancing tracking, reducing counterparty risk and improving transparency.
Investment stewardship
Investment stewardship is a core capability for Vanguard and we are committed to excellence in this critical function.
We engage with the portfolio companies in our index funds. Our investment stewardship activities are the principal levers by which we keep companies focused on building long-term value for index-fund and ETF investors.
Our low-cost index funds
Equity index funds
Vanguard is a pioneer of index investing, having developed the first ever index fund for individual investors in 1976. Low-cost and simple by nature, index funds can be the ideal foundation for almost any investment portfolio, helping to achieve broad diversification.
Fixed income index funds
We’ve built a sustainable, scaled and successful global index offering that’s based on an uncompromising commitment to quality, not commodity. We recognise that, for our investors, quality is about long-term value as well as cost.
Global Corporate Bond Index Fund
Euro Government Bond Index Fund
Multi-asset index fund
Multi-asset index funds offer a simple and low-cost way for investors to achieve a high level of diversification, giving advisers more time back to focus on building stronger relationships with clients.
Our Target Retirement Fund range
Our LifeStrategy Model Portfolio Solutions
ESG index funds
By avoiding or reducing exposure to certain business activities while seeking to achieve a market-like return, exclusionary ESG products can meet the investment needs and preferences of a broad subset of ESG-aware investors.
ESG Developed World All Cap Equity Index Fund
The value of investments, and the income from them, may fall or rise and investors may get back less than they invested
Investment risk information
The value of investments, and the income from them, may fall or rise and investors may get back less than they invested.
Some funds invest in emerging markets which can be more volatile than more established markets. As a result the value of your investment may rise or fall.
Investments in smaller companies may be more volatile than investments in well-established blue chip companies.
The Vanguard Target Retirement Funds and Vanguard LifeStrategy® Funds may invest in Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) shares.
ETF shares can be bought or sold only through a broker. Investing in ETFs entails stockbroker commission and a bid- offer spread which should be considered fully before investing.
Funds investing in fixed interest securities carry the risk of default on repayment and erosion of the capital value of your investment and the level of income may fluctuate. Movements in interest rates are likely to affect the capital value of fixed interest securities. Corporate bonds may provide higher yields but as such may carry greater credit risk increasing the risk of default on repayment and erosion of the capital value of your investment. The level of income may fluctuate and movements in interest rates are likely to affect the capital value of bonds.
The Funds may use derivatives in order to reduce risk or cost and/or generate extra income or growth. The use of derivatives could increase or reduce exposure to underlying assets and result in greater fluctuations of the Fund's net asset value. A derivative is a financial contract whose value is based on the value of a financial asset (such as a share, bond, or currency) or a market index.
Some funds invest in securities which are denominated in different currencies. Movements in currency exchange rates can affect the return of investments.
For further information on risks please see the “Risk Factors” section of the prospectus on our website.
For further information on the model portfolio risks please see the “Risk Factors” section for the prospectus of the underlying funds on our website.
Important information
For further information on the fund's investment policies and risks, please refer to the prospectus of the UCITS and to the KIID before making any final investment decisions. The KIID for this fund is available, alongside the prospectus via Vanguard’s website.
For further information on the investment policies and risks of the model portfolio(s), please refer to the prospectus and KIID of the underlying funds before making any final investment decisions. The KIID for each fund is available, alongside the prospectus via Vanguard’s website.
This is designed for use by, and is directed only at persons resident in the UK.
The information contained herein is not to be regarded as an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of any offer to buy or sell securities in any jurisdiction where such an offer or solicitation is against the law, or to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation, or if the person making the offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so. The information is general in nature and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Potential investors are urged to consult their professional advisers on the implications of making an investment in, holding or disposing of shares and /or units of, and the receipt of distribution from any investment.
Vanguard Investment Series plc has been authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland as a UCITS and has been registered for public distribution in certain EEA countries and the UK. Prospective investors are referred to the Funds' prospectus for further information. Prospective investors are also urged to consult their own professional advisers on the implications of making an investment in, and holding or disposing shares of the Funds and the receipt of distributions with respect to such shares under the law of the countries in which they are liable to taxation.
Vanguard Funds plc has been authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland as a UCITS and has been registered for public distribution in certain EEA countries and the UK. Prospective investors are referred to the Funds' prospectus for further information. Prospective investors are also urged to consult their own professional advisers on the implications of making an investment in, and holding or disposing shares of the Funds and the receipt of distributions with respect to such shares under the law of the countries in which they are liable to taxation.
The Manager of Vanguard Investment Series plc is Vanguard Group (Ireland) Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor of Vanguard Investment Series plc.
The Manager of Vanguard Funds plc is Vanguard Group (Ireland) Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor for Vanguard Funds plc.
The Authorised Corporate Director for Vanguard LifeStrategy Funds ICVC is Vanguard Investments UK, Limited. Vanguard Asset Management, Limited is a distributor of Vanguard LifeStrategy Funds ICVC.
The Manager of the Ireland domiciled funds may determine to terminate any arrangements made for marketing the shares in one or more jurisdictions in accordance with the UCITS Directive, as may be amended from time-to-time.
The Indicative Net Asset Value (“iNAV”) for Vanguard’s ETFs is published on Bloomberg or Reuters. Refer to the Portfolio Holdings Policy.
For investors in UK domiciled funds, a summary of investor rights is available in English.
For investors in Ireland domiciled funds, a summary of investor rights is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch and Italian.