VANGUARD/WINDSOR FUNDS INC
497, 1997-04-24
Previous: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC CORP, DEFA14A, 1997-04-24
Next: COMMERCE GROUP CORP /WI/, S-3, 1997-04-24



<PAGE>   1




VANGUARD/
WINDSOR II

Fund Profile
April 25, 1997


                           [THE VANGUARD GROUP LOGO]
<PAGE>   2

1  OBJECTIVES
Vanguard/Windsor II seeks to provide long-term capital growth and some income.
The Fund may not meet these objectives.


2  INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Fund follows a value-oriented strategy, emphasizing dividend-paying common
stocks that the Fund's investment advisers consider to be undervalued by the
market. In other words, these stocks tend to be out of favor with investors.
When a stock held by the Fund has--in the advisers' opinion--reached its full
potential, it will be sold regardless of how long it has been held and replaced
by another undervalued stock.

In addition to investing in common stocks, the Fund may also invest, to a
limited degree, in short-term fixed-income securities, and futures and options
contracts.


3  RISKS
The Fund's total return will fluctuate, so an investor could lose money over
short or even extended periods. More specifically, investors in the Fund are
exposed to . . .
- - A HIGH degree of stock market risk (the possibility that stock prices in
  general will decline over short or extended periods).

Historical returns for the U.S. stock market (as measured by the Standard &
Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index) show some of this market volatility.
From 1926 to 1996, the S&P 500 Index provided an annualized total return of
10.7%, but provided a negative return--averaging -12.3%--in 20 of these 71
years. Annual returns for the period ranged from a low of -43.3% to a high of
53.9%.

Because it emphasizes value stocks, the Fund is likely to perform differently
than broader market benchmarks like the S&P 500 Index.

<PAGE>   3


4  APPROPRIATENESS
This Fund may be suitable for investors who . . .
- - Are seeking long-term capital growth with some income.
- - Are willing to assume above-average investment risk.
- - Want a growth and income fund as part of a balanced investment program.
- - Plan to invest for at least five years.

The Fund is not suitable for investors who . . .
- - Are seeking significant income.
- - Cannot tolerate fluctuating share prices.


5  FEES AND EXPENSES
Vanguard/Windsor II--like all Vanguard funds--is offered on a pure no-load basis
(that is, the Fund has no 12b-1 fees or charges to buy or sell shares).

The Fund's operating expenses are deducted from its total assets before daily
share prices and income distributions are calculated. The Fund's expense ratio
for fiscal year 1996 was 0.39% of assets.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
   Annual Fund Operating Expenses
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                            <C>   
   Investment Advisory Fees.......0.14%
   Distribution Costs.............0.02
   Other Expenses.................0.23
                                  -----
   Total Operating Expenses ......0.39%
                                  -----
</TABLE>

The following example illustrates the expenses that you would incur on a $1,000
investment over various periods, assuming (1) a 5% annual rate of return and (2)
redemption at the end of each period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  1 Year    3 Years    5 Years  10 Years
  --------------------------------------
<S> <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>
    $4        $13        $22       $49
</TABLE>


This example should not be considered a representation of past or future
expenses or performance. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those
shown.
<PAGE>   4
6 PAST PERFORMANCE

                                  PERFORMANCE
                          ANNUAL RETURNS [%] 1987-1996

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                              VANGUARD/               S&P 500
                              WINDSOR II               INDEX*
                              ----------               ------
<S>                              <C>                    <C>
1987                             -2.1                   5.2
1988                             24.7                   16.5
1989                             27.8                   31.6
1990                            -10.0                   -3.1
1991                             28.7                   30.4
1992                             12.0                    7.6
1993                             13.6                   10.1
1994                             -1.2                    1.3
1995                             38.0                   37.6
1996                             24.2                   23.0
</TABLE>
                       
                              PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
                         (PERIODS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           Average Annual Total Return
                      Windsor II                 S&P 500*
                      ----------                 --------
  <S>                    <C>                      <C>  
  1 Year                 18.1%                    19.8%
  5 Years                17.1%                    16.4%
  10 Years               13.1%                    13.4%
</TABLE>

                                               
                               
Note: In evaluating past performance, it is important to consider that returns
from stocks were close to their highest levels in history during the past ten
years. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.

Performance figures include the reinvestment of all dividends and any capital
gains distributions. All returns are net of expenses. The performance data
quoted represent past performance. The investment return and principal value of
an investment will fluctuate so that investors' shares, when redeemed, may be
worth more or less than their original cost.



*The Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index is a diversified group
of 500 securities used to measure U.S. stock market performance. An index is
unmanaged; you cannot invest in an index.

<PAGE>   5


7  INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Fund employs a multi-adviser approach. The four investment advisers select
stocks and maintain portfolios independently of each other. As of March 31,
1997, the Fund's assets were divided as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Percentage of
   Adviser                                   Fund's Assets
   -------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                                            <C>  
   Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss            71.9%
   Equinox Capital Management                     10.3
   Tukman Capital Management                      10.5
   Vanguard Core Management Group                  7.3
</TABLE>


8  PURCHASES
You may purchase shares by mail, wire, or exchange from another Vanguard fund.
The minimum initial investment is $3,000 ($1,000 for IRAs and custodial accounts
for minors).


9  REDEMPTIONS
You may redeem shares by sending a letter to or calling Vanguard. The Fund's
share price is expected to fluctuate and, at redemption, may be higher or lower
than at the time of initial purchase, resulting in a taxable gain or loss.


10 DISTRIBUTIONS
The Fund expects to pay dividends semiannually. Capital gains distributions, if
any, are paid annually. Dividend and capital gains distributions can be
automatically reinvested or received in cash. Both dividend and capital gains
distributions are taxable to you whether reinvested in additional shares or
received in cash.


11 OTHER SERVICES
- - Vanguard Fund Express(R)--electronic transfers between your bank account and
  the Fund.
- - Vanguard Tele-Account(R)--around-the-clock access to Vanguard fund
  information, account balances, and some transactions by calling 1-800-662-6273
  (ON-BOARD).
- - Investor Information--toll-free access to Vanguard Associates by calling
  1-800-662-7447 (SHIP).

<PAGE>   6
[THE VANGUARD GROUP LOGO]

Post Office Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482


Toll-Free Investor
Information
1-800-662-7447

World Wide Web
http://www.vanguard.com

E-mail
[email protected]

This Fund Profile contains key information about the Fund. If you would like
more information before you invest, please consult the Fund's accompanying
prospectus. For details about the Fund's holdings or recent investment
strategies, please review the Fund's most recent annual or semiannual report.
The prospectus and reports may be obtained at no cost by calling Vanguard.




(C) 1997 Vanguard Marketing
Corporation, Distributor

FP73 -  0497-102A


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission