Vanguard
International Growth
Portfolio
Fund Profile
October 30, 1997
The International Growth Portfolio is part of Vanguard World Fund, which also
includes the U.S. Growth Portfolio.
A member of The Vanguard Group
<PAGE>
1 OBJECTIVE
Vanguard International Growth Portfolio seeks to provide long-term capital
growth. The Portfolio may not meet this objective.
2 INVESTMENT STRATEGY
The Portfolio invests primarily in common stocks of seasoned companies selected
from as many as 30 markets located outside the United States, including Japan,
the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden,
Australia, Hong Kong, and Singapore. In addition to investing in common stocks,
the Portfolio may also invest, to a limited degree, in short-term fixed-income
securities, and futures and options contracts.
3 RISKS
The Portfolio's total return will fluctuate, so an investor could lose money
over short or extended periods. More specifically, investors in the Portfolio
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
foreign stock markets (as measured by the Morgan Stanley Capital International
Europe, Australasia, Far East Index, or EAFE Index) show some of this market
volatility. From 1969 to 1996, the EAFE Index provided an annualized total
return of 12.9%. During that period, the worst year saw a return of -23.2%; the
best year, a 69.9% return.
- - A HIGH degree of CURRENCY RISK (the possibility that a "strong" dollar will
reduce Americans' returns on foreign investments).
- - A HIGH degree of COUNTRY RISK (the possibility that a country's economy could
be hurt by political events or natural disasters).
<PAGE>
4 APPROPRIATENESS
This Portfolio may be suitable for investors who:
- - Are seeking long-term capital growth.
- - Want investment opportunities outside the United States.
- - Are willing to assume above-average investment risk in addition to
the risks(currency risk, country risk) associated with international
investing.
- - Plan to invest for at least five years.
The Portfolio is not suitable for investors who:
- - Are seeking current income.
- - Cannot tolerate fluctuating share prices.
5 FEES AND EXPENSES
Vanguard International Growth Portfolio--like all Vanguard funds--is offered on
a pure no-load basis (that is, the Portfolio has no 12b-1 fees or charges to buy
or sell shares). The Portfolio's operating expenses are deducted from its total
assets before daily share prices and income distributions are calculated. The
Portfolio's expense ratio for fiscal year 1997 was 0.57% of assets.
ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
- ------------------------------
Investment Advisory Fees............0.17%
Distribution Costs..................0.03
Other Expenses......................0.37
-----
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES............0.57%
=====
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.
1 YEAR 3 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS
- ----------------------------------------------------------
$6 $18 $32 $71
This example should not be considered to represent past or future expenses or
performance. Actual expenses may be higher or lower than those shown.
<PAGE>
6 PAST PERFORMANCE
PERFORMANCE
ANNUAL RETURNS (%) 1987-1996
VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL MSCI EAFE
GROWTH PORTFOLIO INDEX*
1987 12.5 24.9
1988 11.6 28.6
1989 24.8 10.8
1990 -12.0 -23.2
1991 4.7 12.5
1992 -5.8 -11.8
1993 44.7 32.9
1994 0.8 8.1
1995 14.9 11.6
1996 14.6 6.4
PERFORMANCE SUMMARY
(PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997)
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS
INTERNATIONAL EAFE
GROWTH PORTFOLIO INDEX*
1 Year 19.9% 12.5%
5 Years 16.4% 12.7%
10 Years 8.8% 6.2%
Note: In evaluating past performance, it is important to consider that returns
from foreign 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 Morgan Stanley Capital International Europe, Australasia, Far East (EAFE)
Index is a diversified group of more than 1,000 foreign securities used to
measure international stock performance. An index is unmanaged; you cannot
invest in an index.
<PAGE>
7 INVESTMENT ADVISER
The Portfolio is managed by Schroder Capital Management International. Schroder
is part of a worldwide group of banks and financial services companies that
manages total assets of more than $170 billion.
Richard Foulkes, Executive Vice President of Schroder Capital, has served as
portfolio manager since the Portfolio's inception in 1981.
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 AND EXCHANGES
You may redeem or exchange shares by sending a letter to or calling Vanguard.
You may exchange shares through our website at http://www.vanguard.com.* The
Portfolio's share price is expected to fluctuate and, at redemption, may be
higher or lower than when purchased, resulting in a taxable gain or a loss.
10 DISTRIBUTIONS
The Portfolio expects to pay dividend and capital gains distributions annually.
These distributions may be automatically reinvested or received in cash. All
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 Portfolio.
- - 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).
*Before using this service, you must register through our website and obtain a
confidential password.
<PAGE>
[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 Portfolio. If you would
like more information before you invest, please consult the Portfolio's
accompanying prospectus. For details about the Portfolio's holdings or recent
investment strategies, please review the Portfolio's most recent annual or
semiannual report. The prospectus and reports can be obtained at no cost by
calling Vanguard.
(C) 1997 Vanguard Marketing
Corporation, Distributor
FP81 o 1097-37B
