PRIMECAP FUND INC
485BPOS, 1994-03-29
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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549
 
                                  Form N-1A
 
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (NO. 2-92948) UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Pre-Effective Amendment No.     X
Post-Effective Amendment No. 11  X
                                     and
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
Amendment No.  *  X
  
VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 
P.O. Box 2600, Valley Forge, PA 19482
(Address of Principal Executive Office)
Registrant's Telephone Number (610) 669-1000
Raymond J. Klapinsky, Esquire
P.O. Box 876
Valley Forge, PA 19482
 
It is proposed that this amendment become effective on March 31, 1994,
pursuant to paragraph (b) of Rule 485 of the Securities Act of 1933.
 
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering: As soon as practicable after
this Registration Statement becomes effective*.
 
Registrant elects to register an indefinite number of shares pursuant to
Regulation 24f-2 under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Registrant filed
its Rule 24f-2 Notice for the year ended December 31, 1993 on February 25,
1994.
 
<PAGE> 
                         VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND, INC.
                            CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
 
FORM N-1A ITEM NUMBER      LOCATION IN PROSPECTUS
Item 1.   Cover Page -- Cover Page
Item 2.   Synopsis
Item 3.   Condensed Financial Information -- Financial Highlights
Item 4.   General Description of Registrant -- Investment Objective;
Investment Limitations; Investment Policies; General Information
Item 5.   Management of the Fund -- Directors and Officers; Management of the
Fund; Investment Adviser
Item 6.   Capital Stock and Other Securities -- Opening an Account and
Purchasing Shares; Selling Your Shares; The Fund's Share Price; Dividends,
Capital Gains, and Taxes; General Information
Item 7.   Purchase of Securities Being Offered -- Cover Page; Opening an
Account and Purchasing Shares
Item 8.   Redemption or Repurchase -- Selling Your Shares
Item 9.   Pending Legal Proceedings -- Not Applicable
FORM N-1A ITEM NUMBER          LOCATION IN STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Item 10.  Cover Page -- Cover Page
Item 11.  Table of Contents -- Cover Page
Item 12.  General Information and History -- Investment Objective and
Policies; General Information
Item 13.  Investment Objective and Policies -- Investment Objective and
Policies; Investment Limitations
Item 14.  Management of the Fund -- Management of the Fund; Investment
Management
Item 15.  Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities -- Management of
the Fund; General Information
Item 16.  Investment Advisory and Other Services -- Management of the Fund;
Investment Management
Item 17.  Brokerage Allocation -- Not Applicable
Item 18.  Capital Stock and Other Securities -- General Information; Financial
Statements
Item 19.  Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of Securities Being Offered --
Purchase of Shares; Redemption of Shares;
Item 20.  Tax Status -- Appendix
Item 21.  Underwriters -- Not Applicable
Item 22.  Calculations of Yield Quotations of Money Market Fund -- Not
Applicable
Item 23.  Financial Statements -- Financial Statements
 
<PAGE> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE VANGUARD GROUP
  OF INVESTMENT
  COMPANIES
Vanguard Financial Center
P.O. Box 2600
Valley Forge, PA 19482
 
INVESTOR INFORMATION
  DEPARTMENT:
1-800-662-7447 (SHIP)
 
CLIENT SERVICES
  DEPARTMENT:
1-800-662-2739 (CREW)
 
TELE-ACCOUNT FOR
  24-HOUR ACCESS:
1-800-662-6273 (ON-BOARD)
 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE
  FOR THE HEARING-IMPAIRED:
1-800-662-2738
 
TRANSFER AGENT:
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
Vanguard Financial Center
Valley Forge, PA 19482

P        R        O        S        P        E       C       T       U       S

                                MARCH 31, 1994
 
<PAGE>
===============================================================================
                                                A Member of The Vanguard Group
===============================================================================
PROSPECTUS -- MARCH 31, 1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW ACCOUNT INFORMATION: INVESTOR INFORMATION DEPARTMENT--1-800-662-7447 (SHIP)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAREHOLDER ACCOUNT SERVICES: CLIENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT--1-800-662-2739 (CREW)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND POLICIES
                 Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") is an open-end
                 diversified investment company that seeks to provide long-
                 term growth of capital by investing principally in common
                 stocks. Dividend income is incidental to this objective. The
                 Fund selects stocks primarily on the basis of above-average
                 earnings growth potential and quality of management. There is
                 no assurance that the Fund will achieve its stated objective.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPENING AN ACCOUNT
                 To open a regular (non-retirement) account, please complete
                 and return the Account Registration Form. If you need
                 assistance in completing this Form, please call the Investor
                 Information Department. To open an Individual Retirement
                 Account (IRA), please use a Vanguard IRA Adoption Agreement.
                 To obtain a copy of this form, call 1-800-662-7447, Monday
                 through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Eastern time).
                 The minimum initial investment is $10,000 ($500 for
                 Individual Retirement Accounts and Uniform Gifts/Transfers to
                 Minors Act accounts). The Fund is offered on a no-load basis
                 (i.e. there are no sales commissions or 12b-1 fees). However,
                 the Fund incurs expenses for investment advisory, management,
                 administrative and distribution services.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
                 This Prospectus is designed to set forth concisely the
                 information you should know about the Fund before you invest.
                 It should be retained for future reference. A "Statement of
                 Additional Information" containing additional information
                 about the Fund has been filed with the Securities and
                 Exchange Commission. This Statement is dated March 31, 1994
                 and has been incorporated by reference into this Prospectus.
                 It may be obtained, without charge, by writing to the Fund or
                 by calling the Investor Information Department.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<CAPTION>
                                    Page                                        Page                                        Page
<S>                                         <C>                                         <C>
Fund Expenses.......................  2     Investment Limitations..............  7                SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
Financial Highlights................  2     Management of the Fund..............  8     Opening an Account and
Yield and Total Return..............  3     Investment Adviser..................  8       Purchasing Shares................. 14
            FUND INFORMATION                Performance Record..................  9     When Your Account Will Be
Investment Objective................  4     Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes.. 10       Credited.......................... 17
Investment Policies.................  4     The Share Price of the Fund......... 11     Selling Your Shares................. 17
Investment Risks....................  5     General Information................. 12     Exchanging Your Shares.............. 19
Who Should Invest...................  6     Directors and Officers.............. 13     Important Information
Implementation of Policies..........  6                                                   About Telephone Transactions...... 20
                                                                                        Transferring Registration........... 21
                                                                                        Other Vanguard Services............. 21
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
</TABLE>
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION, NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 
 
FUND EXPENSES
                 The following table illustrates ALL expenses and fees that
                 you would incur as a shareholder of the Fund. The expenses
                 set forth below are for the 1993 fiscal year.
 
                                   SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION EXPENSES
                        ------------------------------------------------------
                        Sales Load Imposed on Purchases................ None
                        Sales Load Imposed on Reinvested Dividends..... None
                        Redemption Fees................................ None
                        Exchange Fees.................................. None
 
                                    ANNUAL FUND OPERATING EXPENSES
                        ------------------------------------------------------
                        Management & Administrative Expenses...........  0.24%
                        Investment Advisory Fees.......................  0.39
                        12b-1 Fees..................................... None
                        Other Expenses
                          Distribution Costs....................  0.02%
                          Miscellaneous Expenses................  0.02
                                                                  ----
                        Total Other Expenses...........................  0.04
                                                                         ----
                                TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES...............  0.67%
                                                                         ====
 
                 The purpose of this table is to assist you in understanding
                 the various costs and expenses that you would bear directly
                 or indirectly as an investor in the Fund.
 
                 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. As noted in the table above, the Fund charges
                 no redemption fees of any kind.
 
                            1 YEAR     3 YEARS      5 YEARS     10 YEARS
                             -----      -----        -----       ------
                              $7         $21          $37         $83
 
                 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.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
                    The following financial highlights for a share outstanding
                 throughout each period, insofar as they relate to each of the
                 five years in the period ended December 31, 1993, have been
                 audited by Price Waterhouse, independent accountants, whose
                 report thereon was unqualified. This information should be
                 read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes
                 thereto, which are incorporated by reference in the Statement
                 of Additional Information and in this Prospectus, and which
                 appear, along with the report of Price Waterhouse, in the
                 Fund's 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders. For a more
                 complete discussion of the Fund's performance, please see the
                 Fund's 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders which may be
                 obtained without charge by writing to the Fund or by calling
                 our Investor Information Department at 1-800-662-7447.    
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                             ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 1993      1992      1991      1990      1989      1988      1987      1986      1985
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
NET ASSET VALUE,
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......   $16.19    $15.36    $12.21    $12.82    $11.18    $10.06    $10.64    $ 8.89     $6.56
                                 ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
  Net Investment Income.....      .07       .12       .15       .12       .17       .09       .11       .08       .06
  Net Realized and
    Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    on Investments..........     2.82      1.24      3.83      (.48)     2.24      1.37      (.36)     1.99      2.28
                                 ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----
      TOTAL FROM
        INVESTMENT
        OPERATIONS..........     2.89      1.36      3.98      (.36)     2.41      1.46      (.25)     2.07      2.34
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
  Dividends from Net
    Investment Income.......     (.07)     (.12)     (.15)     (.13)     (.16)     (.09)     (.10)     (.14)     (.01)
  Distributions from
    Realized Capital Gains..     (.59)     (.41)     (.68)     (.12)     (.61)     (.25)     (.23)     (.18)       --
                                 ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----      ----
      TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS...     (.66)     (.53)     (.83)     (.25)     (.77)     (.34)     (.33)     (.32)     (.01)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
  END OF PERIOD.............   $18.42    $16.19    $15.36    $12.21    $12.82    $11.18    $10.06    $10.64     $8.89
========================================================================================================================
TOTAL RETURN................    18.03%     8.99%    33.14%    (2.79)%   21.61%    14.66%    (2.29)%   23.54%    35.76%
========================================================================================================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period
  (Millions)................     $791      $646      $486      $305      $279      $186      $165      $133       $54
Ratio of Expenses to Average
  Net Assets................      .67%      .68%      .68%      .75%      .74%      .83%      .83%      .82%      .98%
Ratio of Net Investment
  Income to Average Net
  Assets....................      .44%      .84%     1.09%     1.06%     1.35%      .83%      .91%     1.00%     1.44%
Portfolio Turnover Rate.....       16%        7%       24%       11%       15%       26%       21%       15%       14%

<CAPTION>
                            NOV. 1, 1984+
                                       TO
                            DEC. 31, 1984
- --------------------------------------------
<S>                         <C>
NET ASSET VALUE,
  BEGINNING OF PERIOD.......        $6.25
                                     ----
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS
  Net Investment Income.....          .02
  Net Realized and
    Unrealized Gain (Loss)
    on Investments..........          .29
                                     ----
      TOTAL FROM
        INVESTMENT
        OPERATIONS..........          .31
- --------------------------------------------
DISTRIBUTIONS
  Dividends from Net
    Investment Income.......           --
  Distributions from
    Realized Capital Gains..           --
                                     ----
      TOTAL DISTRIBUTIONS...           --
- --------------------------------------------
NET ASSET VALUE,
  END OF PERIOD.............        $6.56
============================================
TOTAL RETURN................         4.88%
============================================
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
Net Assets, End of Period
  (Millions)................           $2
Ratio of Expenses to Average
  Net Assets................           --
Ratio of Net Investment
  Income to Average Net
  Assets....................         2.12%*
Portfolio Turnover Rate.....           51%
 
<FN>
 
* Annualized.
Note: Adjusted to reflect a 4-for-1 stock split as of February 23, 1990.
+Commencement of operations.
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN
                    From time to time the Fund may advertise its yield and
                 total return. Both yield and total return figures are based
                 on historical earnings and are not intended to indicate
                 future performance. The "total return" of the Fund refers to
                 the average annual compounded rates of return over one-,
                 five- and ten-year periods or the life of the Fund (as stated
                 in the advertisement) that would equate an initial amount
                 invested at the beginning of a stated period to the ending
                 redeemable value of the investment, assuming the reinvestment
                 of all dividend and capital gains distributions.    
 
                 The "30-day yield" of the Fund is calculated by dividing the
                 net investment income per share earned during a 30-day period
                 by the net asset value per share on the last day of the
                 period. Net investment income includes interest and dividend
                 income earned on the Fund's securities; it is net of all
                 expenses and all recurring and nonrecurring charges that have
                 been applied to all shareholder accounts. The yield
                 calculation assumes that the net investment income earned
                 over 30 days is compounded monthly for six months and then
                 annualized. Methods used to calculate advertised yields are
                 standardized for all stock and bond mutual funds. However,
                 these methods differ from the accounting methods used by the
                 Fund to maintain its books and records, and so the advertised
                 30-day yield may not fully
<PAGE>
                 reflect the income paid to your own account or the yield
                 reported in the Fund's Annual Report to Shareholders.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE
THE FUND SEEKS TO PROVIDE LONG-TERM CAPITAL GROWTH
                 The Fund is an open-end diversified investment company. The
                 objective of the Fund is to provide long-term growth of
                 capital for its shareholders. Dividend income is incidental
                 to this objective. There is no assurance that the Fund will
                 achieve its stated objective.
 
                 The investment objective of the Fund is fundamental and so
                 cannot be changed without the approval of a majority of the
                 Fund's shareholders.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT POLICIES
THE FUND INVESTS IN COMMON STOCKS
                 The Fund will invest primarily in common stocks which offer
                 favorable prospects for capital growth but little current
                 income. The Fund is managed without regard to tax
                 ramifications. Under normal circumstances, common stocks will
                 represent at least 80% of the Fund's assets.
 
                 Common stocks are selected for the Fund on the basis of
                 several fundamental factors, including above-average growth
                 in corporate earnings, an above-average level of current
                 earnings, consistency of earnings growth, and earnings
                 quality. These factors for a particular security are
                 evaluated in relationship to stocks in general (as measured,
                 for example, by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock
                 Price Index) and to the individual stock's current market
                 price. Companies with cyclically depressed earnings may also
                 be considered as investments for the Fund if, in the opinion
                 of the Fund's Adviser, such securities are likely to provide
                 above-average growth in earnings in the future.
 
                 Investments of the Fund will generally be listed on a
                 national securities exchange. The Fund may also invest in
                 unlisted securities, but generally such securities will trade
                 in an established over-the-counter market.
 
                 Although the Fund seeks to invest principally in common
                 stocks, the Fund is also authorized to invest in securities
                 convertible into common stocks (including corporate notes,
                 bonds and preferred stocks) when, in the opinion of the
                 Adviser, such convertible securities may be purchased at
                 favorable prices relative to the common stock itself. The
                 Fund may also invest in stock index futures and options to a
                 limited extent and in certain short-term fixed income
                 securities. See "Implementation of Policies" for a
                 description of these and other investment practices of the
                 Fund.
 
                 These policies are not fundamental and so may be changed by
                 the Board of Directors without shareholder approval.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
INVESTMENT RISKS
INVESTORS ARE EXPOSED TO THE MARKET RISK OF COMMON STOCKS
                 As a mutual fund investing primarily in common stocks, the
                 Fund is subject to market risk -- i.e., the possibility that
                 stock prices in general will decline over short or even
                 extended periods. The stock market tends to be cyclical, with
                 periods when stock prices generally rise and periods when
                 stock prices generally decline.
 
                 To illustrate the volatility of stock prices, the following
                 table sets forth the extremes for U.S. stock market returns
                 as well as the average return for the period from 1926 to
                 1993, as measured by the Standard & Poor's 500 Composite
                 Stock Price Index:
 
                      AVERAGE ANNUAL U.S. STOCK MARKET RETURNS (1926-1993)
                                    OVER VARIOUS TIME PERIODS
 
                                 1 YEAR     5 YEARS     10 YEARS    20 YEARS
                                  -----      -----       ------      ------
                       Best      +53.9%      +23.9%      +20.1%      +16.9%
                       Worst     -43.3       -12.5       - 0.9       + 3.1
                       Average   +12.3       +10.3       +10.6       +10.6
 
                    As shown, in the period from 1926 to 1993, the Index has
                 provided an annual total return (capital appreciation plus
                 dividend income), on average, of +12.3%. The return in
                 individual years has varied from a low of -43.3% to a high of
                 +53.9%, reflecting the short-term volatility of stock prices.
                 While the average return can be used as a guide for setting
                 expectations for future stock market returns, it may not be
                 useful for forecasting future returns in any particular
                 period, as stock returns are quite volatile from year to
                 year.    

GROWTH STOCKS MAY EXHIBIT GREATER VOLATILITY
                 Growth stocks, which are the Fund's primary investments, are
                 likely to be even more volatile in price than the stock
                 market as a whole. Among the reasons for the greater price
                 volatility of growth stocks are the small or negligible
                 dividends paid by such companies and the greater business
                 uncertainty associated with rapidly growing firms. Besides
                 exhibiting greater volatility, growth stocks may, to a
                 degree, fluctuate independently of the broad stock market. As
                 a result, investors should expect that the Fund may exhibit
                 potentially greater volatility than stocks in general and may
                 vary in price independently of the broad stock market.
 
                 The chart above should not be viewed as a representation of
                 future investment performance of the stock market or the
                 Fund. The illustrated returns represent historical investment
                 performance, which may be a poor guide to future returns.
                 Also, stock market indexes such as the S&P 500 are based on
                 unmanaged portfolios of securities before transaction costs
                 and other expenses. Such costs will reduce the relative
                 investment performance of the Fund and other "real world"
                 portfolios. Finally, the Fund is likely to differ in
                 portfolio composition from broad stock market averages, and
                 so the Fund's performance should not be expected to mirror
                 the returns provided by a specific index.
<PAGE>
THE FUND IS SUBJECT TO MANAGER RISK
                 The investment adviser manages the Fund according to the
                 traditional methods of "active" investment management, which
                 involves the buying and selling of securities based upon
                 economic, financial and market analysis and investment
                 judgement. MANAGER RISK refers to the possibility that the
                 Fund's investment adviser may fail to execute the Fund's
                 investment strategy effectively. As a result, the Fund may
                 fail to achieve its stated objective.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHO SHOULD INVEST
 
INVESTORS SEEKING LONG-TERM CAPITAL GROWTH
                    The Fund is intended for investors who have the
                 perspective, patience and financial ability to assume short-
                 term, often substantial investment risk in pursuit of long-
                 term capital growth. The Fund is intended to be a long-term
                 investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors 
                 with a means of speculating on short-term market movements. 
                 Investors who engage in excessive account activity generate 
                 additional costs which are borne by all of the Fund's 
                 shareholders. In order to minimize such costs the Fund has 
                 adopted the following policies. The Fund reserves the right 
                 to reject any purchase request (including exchange purchases 
                 from other Vanguard portfolios) that is reasonably deemed to 
                 be disruptive to efficient portfolio management, either 
                 because of the timing of the investment or previous excessive
                 trading by the investor. Additionally, the Fund has adopted 
                 exchange privilege limitations as described in the section 
                 "Exchange Privilege Limitations." Finally, the Fund reserves 
                 the right to suspend the offering of its shares. The Fund's 
                 share price is expected to be volatile. Investors may wish to
                 reduce the potential risk of investing in the Fund by 
                 purchasing shares on a regular, periodic basis (dollar-cost 
                 averaging), rather than investing in one lump sum.    
 
                 No assurance can be given that shareholders will be protected
                 from the risk of loss that is inherent in equity investing.
                 Investors should not consider the Fund a complete investment
                 program. Most investors should maintain diversified holdings
                 of securities with different risk characteristics --
                 including common stocks, bonds and money market instruments.
                 Investors may also wish to complement an investment in the
                 Fund with other types of common stock investments.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES
                 In addition to investing primarily in common stocks, the Fund
                 follows a number of other investment practices to achieve its
                 objective.

THE FUND MAY INVEST IN SHORT-TERM FIXED INCOME SECURITIES
                 Although it normally seeks to remain fully invested in equity
                 securities, the Fund may invest in certain short-term fixed
                 income securities. Such securities may be used to invest
                 uncommitted cash balances, to maintain liquidity to meet
                 shareholder redemptions, or to take a temporarily defensive
                 position against potential stock market declines. These
                 securities include: obligations of the United States
                 Government and its agencies or instrumentalities; commercial
                 paper, bank certificates of deposit, and bankers'
                 acceptances; and repurchase agreements collateralized by
                 these securities.

THE FUND MAY USE FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
                 The Fund may utilize equity futures contracts and options to
                 a limited extent. Specifically, the Fund may enter into
                 futures contracts provided that not more than 5% of its
                 assets are required as a futures contract deposit; in
                 addition, the Fund may enter into futures contracts and
                 options transactions only to the extent that obligations
<PAGE>
                 under such contracts or transactions represent not more than
                 20% of the Fund's assets.
 
                    The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some
                 strategies can be substantial, due both to the low margin
                 deposits required and the extremely high degree of leverage
                 involved in futures pricing. As a result, a relatively small
                 price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate
                 and substantial loss (or gain) to the investor. When
                 investing in futures contracts, the Fund will segregate cash
                 or cash equivalents in the amount of the underlying
                 obligation.    

THE FUND MAY LEND ITS SECURITIES
                    The Fund may lend its investment securities to qualified
                 institutional investors for either short-term or long-term
                 purposes of realizing additional income. Loans of securities
                 by the Fund will be collateralized by cash, letters of
                 credit, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S.
                 Government or its agencies. The collateral will equal at
                 least 100% of the current market value of the loaned
                 securities.    

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER IS NOT EXPECTED TO EXCEED 75%
                 Although it seeks to invest for the long term, the Fund
                 retains the right to sell securities irrespective of how long
                 they have been held. It is anticipated that the
                 annual portfolio turnover rate of the Fund will not exceed
                 75%. A turnover rate of 75% would occur, for example, if
                 three-quarters of the Fund's securities were replaced within
                 one year.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
THE FUND HAS ADOPTED CERTAIN FUNDAMENTAL
LIMITATIONS
                 The Fund has adopted certain limitations in an attempt to
                 reduce its exposure to specific situations. Some of these
                 limitations are that the Fund will not:
 
                 (a) invest more than 25% of its assets in any one industry;
                 (b)    with respect to 75% of the value of its total assets,
                     purchase the securities of any issuer (except obligations
                     of the United States Government and its
                     instrumentalities) if as a result the Fund would hold
                     more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the
                     issuer, or more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total
                     assets would be invested in the securities of such
                     issuer;    
                 (c) borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow from banks
                     (or through reverse repurchase agreements), for temporary
                     or emergency (not leveraging) purposes, including the
                     meeting of redemption requests which might otherwise
                     require the untimely disposition of securities, in an
                     amount not exceeding 10% of the value of the Fund's net
                     assets (including the amount borrowed and the value of
                     any outstanding reverse repurchase agreements) at the
                     time the borrowing is made. Whenever borrowings exceed 5%
                     of the value of the Fund's net assets, the Fund will not
                     make any additional investments;
                 (d) pledge, mortgage or hypothecate any of its assets to an
                     extent greater than 5% of its total assets.
 
                 These investment limitations are considered at the time
                 investment securities are purchased. The limitations
                 described here and in the Statement of Additional Information
                 may be changed only with the approval of a majority of the
                 Fund's shareholders.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
VANGUARD ADMINISTERS AND DISTRIBUTES THE FUND
                    The Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group of Investment
                 Companies, a family of 32 investment companies with 78
                 distinct investment portfolios and total assets in excess of
                 $120 billion. Through their jointly owned subsidiary, The
                 Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard"), the Fund and the other
                 funds in the Group obtain at cost virtually all of their
                 corporate management, administrative, shareholder accounting
                 and distribution services. Vanguard also provides investment
                 advisory services on an at-cost basis to certain Vanguard
                 funds. As a result of Vanguard's unique corporate structure,
                 the Vanguard funds have costs substantially lower than those
                 of most competing mutual funds. In 1993, the average expense
                 ratio (annual costs including advisory fees divided by total
                 net assets) for the Vanguard funds amounted to approximately
                 .30% compared to an average of 1.02% for the mutual fund
                 industry (data provided by Lipper Analytical Services).    
 
                    Vanguard employs a supporting staff of management and
                 administrative personnel needed to provide the requisite
                 services to the funds and also furnishes the funds with
                 necessary office space, furnishings and equipment. Each fund
                 pays its share of Vanguard's net expenses, which are
                 allocated among the funds under methods approved by the Board
                 of Directors (Trustees) of each fund. In addition, each fund
                 bears its own direct expenses, such as legal, auditing and
                 custodian fees.    
 
                    Vanguard also provides distribution and marketing services
                 to the Vanguard funds. However, each fund bears its share of
                 the Group's distribution costs. The funds are available on a
                 no-load basis (i.e., there are no sales commissions or 12b-1
                 fees).    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVESTMENT ADVISER
PRIMECAP MANAGES THE FUND'S INVESTMENTS
                 The Fund employs PRIMECAP Management Company (the "Adviser"),
                 225 South Lake Street, Pasadena, CA 91101, under an
                 investment advisory agreement dated September 1, 1984, to
                 manage the investment and reinvestment of the assets of the
                 Fund and to review, supervise and administer continuously the
                 Fund's investment program. The Adviser discharges its
                 responsibilities subject to the control of the Officers and
                 Directors of the Fund.
 
                    The Adviser is a professional investment advisory firm
                 which provides services to employee benefit plans, endowment
                 funds, foundations and other institutions, as well as the
                 Fund. As of December 31, 1993, the Adviser held discretionary
                 management authority with respect to over $2.05 billion of
                 assets. Howard B. Schow, Chairman of the Adviser, serves as
                 portfolio manager of the Fund, a position he has held since
                 the Fund's inception in 1984. In managing the Fund's
                 investments, Mr. Schow is assisted by Theo A. Kolokotrones,
                 Executive Vice President of the Adviser and assistant
                 portfolio manager of the Fund.    
 
                 The Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at the end of each
                 fiscal quarter, calculated by applying a quarterly rate,
                 based on the following annual percentage rates, to the Fund's
                 average month-end net assets for the quarter:
<PAGE>
                               NET ASSETS                          RATE
                               -----------                        ------
                               First $25 million                   .750%
                               Next $225 million                   .500%
                               Next $250 million                   .375%
                               Over $500 million                   .250%
 
                    The advisory fee rate on the first $25 million of the
                 Fund's net assets is in excess of the fee paid by many other
                 mutual funds. For the year ended December 31, 1993,
                 the investment advisory fee paid by the Fund represented an 
                 effective annual rate of .39% of 1% of average net assets.    
 
                 The investment advisory agreement with PRIMECAP Management
                 Company authorizes the Adviser to select brokers or dealers
                 to execute purchases and sales of the Fund's portfolio
                 securities, and directs the Adviser to use its best efforts
                 to obtain the best available price and the most favorable
                 execution with respect to all transactions. The full range
                 and quality of brokerage services available are considered in
                 making these determinations.
 
                 The Fund has authorized the Adviser to pay higher commissions
                 in recognition of brokerage services felt necessary for the
                 achievement of better execution, provided the Adviser
                 believes this to be in the best interest of the Fund.
                 Although the Fund does not market its shares through
                 intermediary brokers or dealers, the Fund may place orders
                 with qualified broker-dealers who recommend the Fund to
                 clients if the Officers of the Fund believe that the quality
                 of the transaction and the commission are comparable to what
                 they would be with other qualified brokerage firms.
 
                    The Fund's Board of Directors may, without the approval of
                 shareholders, provide for: (a) the employment of a new
                 investment adviser pursuant to the terms of a new advisory
                 agreement either as a replacement for an existing adviser or
                 as an additional adviser; (b) a change in the terms of an
                 advisory agreement; and (c) the continued employment of an
                 existing adviser on the same advisory contract terms where a
                 contract has been assigned because of a change in control of
                 the adviser. Any such change will only be made upon not less
                 than 30 days prior written notice to shareholders of the Fund
                 which shall include substantially the information concerning
                 the adviser that would have normally been included in a proxy
                 statement.    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PERFORMANCE RECORD
                    The table on page 10 provides investment results for the
                 Fund for several periods throughout the Fund's lifetime. The
                 results shown represent "total return" investment
                 performance, which assumes the reinvestment of all capital
                 gains and income dividends for the indicated periods. Also
                 included is comparative information with respect to the
                 unmanaged Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Stock Price Index,
                 a widely-used barometer of stock market activity, and the
                 Consumer Price Index, a statistical measure of changes in the
                 prices of goods and services. The table does not make any
                 allowance for federal, state or local income taxes, which
                 shareholders must pay on a current basis.    
 
<PAGE>
                 The results shown should not be considered a representation
                 of the total return from an investment made in the Fund
                 today. The period shown was a generally favorable one for
                 common stock investments. This information is provided to
                 help investors better understand the Fund and may not provide
                 a basis for comparison with other investments or mutual funds
                 which use a different method to calculate performance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    AVERAGE ANNUAL RETURN FOR VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND
                                                                   ---------------------------------------------------
                                  FISCAL PERIODS                   VANGUARD/PRIMECAP            S&P 500          CONSUMER
                                  ENDED 12/31/93                         FUND                    INDEX          PRICE INDEX
                                  -----------                -----------------------------    ------------    ---------------
                                  <S>                        <C>                              <C>             <C>
                                  1 Year                                +18.0%                   +10.1%            +2.7%
                                  5 Years                               +15.2                    +14.5             +3.9
                                  Lifetime*                             +16.3                    +15.6             +3.6
<FN>
                                  *November 1, 1984 to December 31, 1993.
 
</TABLE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DIVIDENDS,
CAPITAL GAINS
AND TAXES
THE FUND WILL PAY DIVIDENDS AND ANY CAPITAL GAINS ANNUALLY
                    The Fund expects to pay annual dividends from ordinary
                 income. Capital gains distributions, if any, will also be
                 made annually. The Fund is managed without regard to tax
                 ramifications.    
 
                 In addition, in order to satisfy certain distribution
                 requirements of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the Fund may
                 declare special year-end dividend and capital gains
                 distributions during December. Such distributions, if
                 received by shareholders by January 31, are deemed to have
                 been paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on
                 December 31 of the prior year.
 
                 Dividend and capital gains distributions may be automatically
                 reinvested or received in cash. See "Choosing a Distribution
                 Option" for a description of these distribution methods.
 
                 The Fund intends to continue to qualify for taxation as a
                 "regulated investment company" under the Internal Revenue
                 Code so that it will not be subject to federal income tax to
                 the extent its income is distributed to shareholders.
                 Dividends paid by the Fund from net investment income,
                 whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares,
                 will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. For
                 corporate investors, dividends from net investment income
                 will generally qualify in part for the intercorporate
                 dividends-received deduction. However, the portion of the
                 dividends so qualified depends on the aggregate taxable
                 qualifying dividend income received by the Fund from domestic
                 (U.S.) sources.
 
                    Distributions paid by the Fund from long-term capital
                 gains, whether received in cash or reinvested in additional
                 shares, are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of
                 the length of time you have owned shares in the Fund. Capital
                 gains distributions are made when the Fund realizes net
                 capital gains on sales of portfolio securities during the
                 year. The Fund does not seek to realize any particular amount
                 of capital gains during a year; rather, realized gains are a
                 byproduct of portfolio management activities. Consequently,
                 capital gains distributions may be expected to vary
                 considerably from year to year; there will be no capital
                 gains distributions in years when the Fund realizes net
                 capital losses or in future years to which such losses may be
                 carried forward.    
<PAGE> 
                 Note that if you accept capital gains distributions in cash,
                 instead of reinvesting them in additional shares, you are in
                 effect reducing the capital at work for you in the Fund.
                 Also, keep in mind that if you purchase shares in the Fund
                 shortly before the record date for a dividend or capital
                 gains distribution, a portion of your investment will be
                 returned to you as a taxable distribution, regardless of
                 whether you are reinvesting your distributions or receiving
                 them in cash.
 
                 The Fund will notify you annually as to the tax status of
                 dividend and capital gains distributions paid by the Fund.
A CAPITAL GAIN OR LOSS MAY BE REALIZED UPON EXCHANGE OR REDEMPTION
                 A sale of shares of the Fund is a taxable event and may
                 result in a capital gain or loss. A capital gain or loss may
                 be realized from an ordinary redemption of shares or an
                 exchange of shares between two mutual funds (or two
                 portfolios of a mutual fund).
 
                 Dividend distributions, capital gains distributions, and
                 capital gains or losses from redemptions and exchanges may be
                 subject to state and local taxes.
 
                 The Fund is required to withhold 31% of taxable dividends,
                 capital gains distributions, and redemptions paid to
                 shareholders who have not complied with IRS taxpayer
                 identification regulations. You may avoid this withholding
                 requirement by certifying on your Account Registration Form
                 your proper Social Security or Taxpayer Identification Number
                 and by certifying that you are not subject to backup
                 withholding.
 
                 The Fund has obtained a Certificate of Authority to do
                 business as a foreign corporation in Pennsylvania and does
                 business and maintains an office in that state. In the
                 opinion of counsel, the shares of the Fund are exempt from
                 Pennsylvania personal property taxes.
 
                 The tax discussion set forth above is included for general
                 information only. Prospective investors should consult their
                 own tax advisers concerning the tax consequences of an
                 investment in the Fund.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE SHARE
PRICE OF THE
FUND
                 The Fund's share price or "net asset value" per share is
                 determined by dividing the total assets of the Fund, less all
                 liabilities, by the total number of shares outstanding. The
                 net asset value is calculated as of the close of regular
                 trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m.
                 Eastern time) on each day that the Exchange is open for
                 business.
 
                 Market values for securities listed on an exchange are based
                 upon the latest quoted sales prices for such securities.
                 Securities which are listed on an exchange but which are not
                 traded on the valuation date are valued at the mean of the
                 latest quoted bid and asked prices. Unlisted securities are
                 valued at the latest quoted bid price. All prices of listed
                 securities are taken from the exchange where the security is
                 primarily traded. Securities may be valued on the basis of
                 prices provided by a pricing service when such prices are
                 believed to reflect the fair market value of such securities.
<PAGE>
                 Short-term instruments (with remaining maturities of 60 days
                 or less) are valued at cost, which approximates market value.
                 Securities for which market quotations are not readily
                 available or which are restricted as to sale (or resale) and
                 other assets are valued by such methods as the Board of
                 Directors deems in good faith to reflect fair value.
 
                 The Fund's share price can be found daily in the mutual fund
                 section of most major newspapers under the heading of The
                 Vanguard Group.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL INFORMATION
                    The Fund is a Maryland corporation. The Fund's Articles of
                 Incorporation permit the Directors to issue 100,000,000
                 shares of common stock, with a $.001 par value. The Board of
                 Directors has the power to designate one or more classes
                 ("Portfolios") of shares of common stock and to classify or
                 reclassify any unissued shares with respect to such
                 Portfolios. Currently the Fund is offering one class of
                 shares.    
 
                 The shares of the Fund are fully paid and nonassessable; have
                 no preference as to conversion, exchange, dividends,
                 retirement or other features; and have no pre-emptive rights.
                 Such shares have non-cumulative voting rights, meaning that
                 the holders of more than 50% of the shares voting for the
                 election of Directors can elect 100% of the Directors if they
                 so choose. A shareholder is entitled to one vote for each
                 full share held (and a fractional vote for each fractional
                 share held).
 
                 Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as
                 required by the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other
                 applicable law. An annual meeting will be held to vote on the
                 removal of a Director or Directors of the Fund if requested
                 in writing by the holders of not less than 10% of the
                 outstanding shares of the Fund.
 
                 All securities and cash are held by State Street Bank and
                 Trust Company, Boston, MA. The Vanguard Group, Inc., Valley
                 Forge, PA, serves as the Fund's Transfer and Dividend
                 Disbursing Agent. Price Waterhouse serves as independent
                 accountants for the Fund and will audit its financial
                 statements annually. The Fund is not involved in any
                 litigation.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
                 The Officers of the Fund manage its day to day operations and
                 are responsible to the Fund's Board of Directors. The
                 Directors set broad policies for the Fund and choose its
                 Officers. The following is a list of Directors and Officers
                 of the Fund and a statement of their present positions and
                 principal occupations during the past five years. The mailing
                 address of the Fund's Directors and Officers is Post Office
                 Box 876, Valley Forge, PA 19482.
                 JOHN C. BOGLE, Chairman, Chief
                 Executive Officer and Director *
                   Chairman, Chief Executive
                   Officer, and Director of The
                   Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each
                   of the investment companies in
                   The Vanguard Group; Director of
                   The Mead Corporation and General
                   Accident Insurance.
                 JOHN J. BRENNAN, President &
                 Director *
                   President and Director of The
                   Vanguard Group, Inc., and of each
                   of the investment companies in
                   The Vanguard Group.
                 ROBERT E. CAWTHORN, Director
                   Chairman and Chief Executive
                   Officer,
                   Rhone-Poulenc Rorer, Inc.;
                   Director of Immune Response Corp.
                   and Sun Company, Inc.; Trustee,
                   Universal Health Realty Income
                   Trust.
                 BARBARA BARNES HAUPTFUHRER,
                 Director
                   Director of The Great Atlantic
                   and Pacific Tea Company, ALCO
                   Standard Corp., Raytheon Company,
                   Knight-Ridder, Inc., and
                   Massachusetts Mutual Life
                   Insurance Co.
                 BRUCE K. MACLAURY, Director
                   President, The Brookings
                   Institution; Director of Dayton
                   Hudson Corporation, American
                   Express Bank, Ltd. and The St.
                   Paul
                   Companies, Inc.
                 BURTON G. MALKIEL, Director
                   Chemical Bank Chairmen's
                   Professor of Economics, Princeton
                   University; Director of
                   Prudential Insurance Co. of
                   America, Amdahl Corporation,
                   Baker Fentress & Co., Jeffrey Co.
                   and The Southern New England
                   Telephone Company.
 
                                           ALFRED M. RANKIN, JR., Director
                                             President, Chief Executive
                                             Officer and Director of NACCO
                                             Industries, Inc.; Director of
                                             BFGoodrich Company, The Standard
                                             Products Company and The Reliance
                                             Electric Company.
                                           JOHN C. SAWHILL, Director
                                             President and Chief Executive
                                             Officer of The Nature
                                             Conservancy; formerly, Director
                                             and Senior Partner, McKinsey &
                                             Co.; and President, New York
                                             University; Director of Pacific
                                             Gas and Electric Company and
                                             NACCO Industries.
                                           JAMES O. WELCH, JR., Director
                                             Retired Chairman of Nabisco
                                             Brands, Inc., retired Vice
                                             Chairman and Director of RJR
                                             Nabisco; Director of TECO Energy,
                                             Inc.
                                           J. LAWRENCE WILSON, Director
                                             Chairman and Director of Rohm &
                                             Haas Company; Director of Cummins
                                             Engine Company, Vanderbilt
                                             University, and Trustee of the
                                             Culver Educational Foundation.
                                           RAYMOND J. KLAPINSKY, Secretary *
                                             Senior Vice President and
                                             Secretary of The Vanguard Group,
                                             Inc.; Secretary of each of the
                                             investment companies in The
                                             Vanguard Group.
                                           RICHARD F. HYLAND, Treasurer *
                                             Treasurer of The Vanguard Group,
                                             Inc. and of each of the
                                             investment companies in The
                                             Vanguard Group.
                                           KAREN E. WEST, Controller *
                                             Vice President of The Vanguard
                                             Group, Inc.; Controller of each
                                             of the investment companies in
                                             The Vanguard Group.
                                           ---------
                                           *Officers of the Fund are
                                            "interested persons" as defined in
                                            the Investment Company Act of
                                            1940.
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
                              SHAREHOLDER GUIDE
OPENING AN ACCOUNT AND PURCHASING SHARES
                    You may open a regular (non-retirement) account, either by
                 mail or wire. Simply complete and return an Account
                 Registration Form and any required legal documentation,
                 indicating the amount you wish to invest. Your purchase must
                 be equal to or greater than the $3,000 minimum initial
                 investment ($500 for Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors Act
                 accounts). You must open a new Individual Retirement Account
                 by mail (IRAs may not be opened by wire) using a Vanguard IRA
                 Adoption Agreement. Your purchase must be equal to or greater
                 than the $500 minimum initial investment requirement, but no
                 more than $2,000 if you are making a regular IRA
                 contribution. Rollover contributions are generally limited to
                 the amount withdrawn within the past 60 days from an IRA or
                 other qualified Retirement Plan. If you need assistance with
                 the forms or have any questions about this Fund, please call
                 our Investor Information Department (1-800-662-7447).
                 NOTE: For other types of account registrations (e.g.,
                 corporations, associations, other organizations, trusts or
                 powers of attorney), please call us to determine which
                 additional forms you may need.    
 
                    Because of the risks associated with common stock
                 investments, the Fund is intended to be a long-term
                 investment vehicle and is not designed to provide investors
                 with a means of speculating on short-term market movements.
                 Consequently, the Fund reserves the right to reject any
                 specific purchase (and exchange purchase) request. The Fund
                 also reserves the right to suspend the offering of shares for
                 a period of time.    
 
                 The Fund's shares are purchased at the next-determined net
                 asset value after your investment has been received. The Fund
                 is offered on a no-load basis (i.e., there are no sales
                 commissions or 12b-1 fees).
ADDITIONAL
INVESTMENTS
                    Subsequent investments to regular accounts may be made by
                 mail ($100 minimum), wire ($1,000 minimum), exchange from
                 another Vanguard Fund account ($100 minimum), or Vanguard
                 Fund Express. Subsequent investments to Individual Retirement
                 Accounts  may  be  made  by  mail  ($100 minimum) or exchange
                 from another Vanguard Fund account. In some instances,
                 contributions may be made by wire or Vanguard Fund Express.
                 Please call us for more information on these options.    
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
                                                      ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS
                          NEW ACCOUNT                  TO EXISTING ACCOUNTS
 
PURCHASING BY MAIL Please include the amount        Additional investments
Complete and sign  of                   your        should include the Invest-
the enclosed       initial investment on the        by-Mail remittance form
Account            registration form, make          attached to your Fund
Registration Form  your check payable to The        confirmation statements.
                   Vanguard Group--59, and          Please make your check
                   mail to:                         payable to The Vanguard
                   VANGUARD FINANCIAL CENTER        Group--59, write your
                   P.O. BOX 2600                    account number on your
                   VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482           check and, using the
                                                    return envelope provided,
                                                    mail to the address
                                                    indicated on the Invest-
                                                    by-Mail Form.
 
For express or     VANGUARD FINANCIAL CENTER        All written requests
registered mail,   455 DEVON PARK DRIVE             should be mailed to one of
send to:           WAYNE, PA 19087                  the addresses indicated
                                                    for new accounts. Do not
                                                    send registered or express
                                                    mail to the post office
                                                    box address.
                   -----------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASING BY WIRE
Money should be
wired to:
                           CORESTATES BANK, N.A.
                           ABA 031000011
                           CORESTATES NO 0101 9897
                           ATTN VANGUARD
BEFORE WIRING
Please contact
Client Services
(1-800-662-2739)
                           VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND
                           ACCOUNT NUMBER
                           ACCOUNT REGISTRATION
 
                 To assure proper receipt, please be sure your bank includes
                 the name of the Fund selected, the account number Vanguard
                 has assigned to you and the eight digit CoreStates number. If
                 you are opening a new account, please complete the Account
                 Registration Form and mail it to the "New Account" address
                 after completing your wire arrangement. NOTE: Federal Funds
                 wire purchase orders will be accepted only when the Fund and
                 Custodian Bank are open for business.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASING BY EXCHANGE (from a Vanguard account)
                    You may open a new account or purchase additional shares
                 by making an exchange from an existing Vanguard account.
                 However, the Fund reserves the right to refuse any exchange
                 purchase request. Call our Client Services Department (1-800-
                 662-2739) for assistance. The new account will have the same
                 registration as the existing account.    
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
PURCHASING BY
FUND EXPRESS
Special Purchase and
Automatic Investment
                    The Fund Express Special Purchase option lets you move
                 money from your bank account to your Vanguard account at your
                 request. Or if you choose the Automatic Investment option,
                 money will be moved from your bank account to your Vanguard
                 account on the schedule (monthly, bimonthly (every other
                 month), quarterly or yearly) you select. To establish this
                 Fund Express option, please provide the appropriate
                 information on the Account Registration Form. We will send
                 you a confirmation of your Fund Express enrollment; please
                 wait three weeks before using the service.    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 
CHOOSING A DISTRIBUTION OPTION
                 You must select one of three distribution options:
 
                 1. AUTOMATIC REINVESTMENT OPTION--Both dividends and capital
                    gains distributions will be reinvested in additional Fund
                    shares. This option will be selected for you automatically
                    unless you specify one of the other options.
 
                 2. CASH DIVIDEND OPTION--Your dividends will be paid in cash
                    and your capital gains will be reinvested in additional
                    Fund shares.
 
                 3. ALL CASH OPTION--Both dividend and capital gains
                    distributions will be paid in cash.
 
                 You may change your option by calling our Client Services
                 Department (1-800-662-2739).
 
                    In addition, an option to invest your cash dividends and/or
                 capital gains distributions in another Vanguard Fund account
                 is available. Please call our Client Services Department (1-
                 800-662-2739) for information. You may also elect Vanguard
                 Dividend Express which allows you to transfer your cash
                 dividends and/or capital gains distributions automatically to
                 your bank account. Please see "Other Vanguard Services" for
                 more information.    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   TAX CAUTION    
   INVESTORS SHOULD ASK ABOUT THE TIMING OF CAPITAL GAINS AND DIVIDEND
DISTRIBUTIONS BEFORE INVESTING    
                    Under Federal Tax laws, the Fund is required to distribute
                 net capital gains and dividend income to Fund shareholders.
                 These distributions are made to all shareholders who own Fund
                 shares as of the distribution's record date, regardless of
                 how long the shares have been owned. Purchasing shares just
                 prior to the record date could have a significant impact on
                 your tax liability for the year. For example, if you purchase
                 shares immediately prior to the record date of a sizable
                 capital gain or income dividend distribution, you will be
                 assessed taxes on the amount of the capital gain and/or
                 dividend distribution later paid even though you owned the
                 Fund shares for just a short period of time. (Taxes are due
                 on the distributions even if the dividend or gain is
                 reinvested in additional Fund shares.) While the total value
                 of your investment will be the same after the
                 distribution--the amount of the distribution will offset the
                 drop in the NAV of the shares--you should be aware of the tax
                 implications the timing of your purchase may have.    
 
                    Prospective investors should, therefore, inquire about
                 potential distributions before investing. The Fund's annual
                 capital gains distribution normally occurs in December, while
                 income dividends are generally paid annually in December. For
                 additional information on distributions and taxes, see the
                 section titled "Dividends, Capital Gains and Taxes."    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
ESTABLISHING OPTIONAL SERVICES
                 The easiest way to establish optional Vanguard services on
                 your account is to select the options you desire when you
                 complete your Account Registration Form. IF YOU WISH TO ADD
                 SHAREHOLDER OPTIONS LATER, YOU MAY NEED TO PROVIDE VANGUARD
                 WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND A SIGNATURE GUARANTEE. PLEASE
                 CALL OUR CLIENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT (1-800-662-2739) FOR
                 FURTHER ASSISTANCE.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEES
                 For our mutual protection, we may require a signature
                 guarantee on certain written transaction requests. A
                 signature guarantee verifies the authenticity of your
                 signature, and may be obtained from banks, brokers, and any
                 other guarantor that Vanguard deems acceptable. A SIGNATURE
                 GUARANTEE CANNOT BE PROVIDED BY A NOTARY PUBLIC.
CERTIFICATES
                 Share certificates will be issued upon request. If a
                 certificate is lost, you may incur an expense to replace it.
BROKER-DEALER
PURCHASES
                 If you purchase shares in Vanguard Funds through a registered
                 broker-dealer or investment adviser the broker-dealer or
                 adviser may charge a service fee.
CANCELLING
TRADES
                 The Fund will not cancel any trade (e.g., a purchase,
                 exchange or redemption) believed to be authentic, received in
                 writing or by telephone, once the trade has been received.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHEN YOUR ACCOUNT WILL
BE CREDITED
                 Your trade date is the date on which your account is
                 credited. If your purchase is made by check, Federal Funds
                 wire or exchange and is received by the close of regular
                 trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally 4:00 p.m.
                 Eastern time) your trade date is the day of receipt. If your
                 purchase is received after the close of the Exchange, your
                 trade date is the next business day. Your shares are
                 purchased at the net asset value determined on your trade
                 date.
 
                 In order to prevent lengthy processing delays caused by the
                 clearing of foreign checks, Vanguard will only accept a
                 foreign check which has been drawn in U.S. dollars and has
                 been issued by a foreign bank with a U.S. correspondent bank.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING YOUR SHARES
                 You may withdraw any portion of the funds in your account by
                 redeeming shares at any time. You may initiate a request by
                 writing or by telephoning. Your redemption proceeds are
                 normally mailed within two business days after the receipt of
                 the request in Good Order.
SELLING BY MAIL
                    Requests should be mailed to VANGUARD FINANCIAL CENTER,
                 VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND, P.O. BOX 1120, VALLEY FORGE, PA
                 19482. (For express or registered mail, send your request to
                 Vanguard Financial Center, Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund, 455 Devon
                 Park Drive, Wayne, PA 19087.)    
 
                 The redemption price of shares will be the Fund's net asset
                 value next determined after Vanguard has received all
                 required documents in Good Order.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
DEFINITION OF
GOOD ORDER
                 GOOD ORDER means that the request includes the following:
 
                 1. The account number and Fund name.
                 2. The amount of the transaction (specified in dollars or
                    shares).
                 3. The signatures of all owners EXACTLY as they are
                    registered on the account.
                 4.    Any required signature guarantees.    
                 5. Other supporting legal documentation that might be
                    required, in the case of estates, corporations, trusts,
                    and certain other accounts.
 
                 If you have any questions about this definition as it
                 pertains to your request, please call our Client Services
                 Department at 1-800-662-2739.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING BY
TELEPHONE
                    To sell shares by telephone, you or your pre-authorized
                 representative may call our Client Services Department at 1-
                 800-662-2739. The proceeds will be sent to you by mail.
                 Please see "Important Information About Telephone
                 Transactions."    
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING BY FUND EXPRESS
Automatic Withdrawal
& Special Redemption
                 If you select the Fund Express Automatic Withdrawal option,
                 money will be automatically moved from your Vanguard Fund
                 account to your bank account according to the schedule you
                 have selected. The Special Redemption  option lets you move
                 money from your Vanguard account to your bank account on your
                 request. You may elect Fund Express on the Account
                 Registration Form or call our Investor Information Department
                 (1-800-662-7447) for a Fund Express application.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
SELLING BY
EXCHANGE
                    You may sell shares of the Fund by making an exchange into
                 another Vanguard Fund account. Please see "Exchanging Your
                 Shares" for details.    
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT REDEMPTION INFORMATION
                 Shares purchased by check or Fund Express may not be redeemed
                 until payment for the purchase is collected, which may take
                 up to ten calendar days. Your money is invested during the
                 holding period.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
DELIVERY OF REDEMPTION
PROCEEDS
                 Redemption requests received by telephone prior to the close
                 of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (generally
                 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) are processed on the day of receipt
                 and the redemption proceeds are normally sent on the
                 following business day.
 
                 Redemption requests received by telephone after the close of
                 the Exchange are processed on the business day following
                 receipt and the proceeds are normally sent on the second
                 business day following receipt.
 
                 Redemption proceeds must be sent to you within seven days of
                 receipt of your request in Good Order.
 
                 If you experience difficulty in making a telephone redemption
                 during periods of drastic economic or market changes, your
                 redemption request may be made by regular or express mail. It
                 will be implemented at the net asset value next determined
                 after your request has been received by Vanguard in Good
                 Order. The Fund reserves the right to revise or terminate the
                 telephone redemption privilege at any time.
<PAGE> 
                 The Fund may suspend the redemption right or postpone payment
                 at times when the New York Stock Exchange is closed or under
                 any emergency circumstances as determined by the United
                 States Securities and Exchange Commission.
                 
                 If the Board of Directors determines that it would be
                 detrimental to the best interests of the Fund's remaining
                 shareholders to make payment in cash, the Fund may at
                 redemption proceeds in whole or in part by a distribution in
                 kind of readily marketable securities.
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
   VANGUARD'S AVERAGE COST STATEMENT    
                    If you make a redemption from a qualifying account,
                 Vanguard will send you an Average Cost Statement which
                 provides you with the tax basis of the shares you redeemed.
                 Please see "Other Vanguard Services" for additional
                 information.    
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
MINIMUM ACCOUNT BALANCE
REQUIREMENT
                    Due to the relatively high cost of maintaining smaller
                 accounts, the Fund reserves the right to redeem shares in any
                 account that is below the minimum initial investment amount
                 of $3,000. In addition, if at any time the total investment
                 does not have a value of at least $1,000, you may be notified
                 that the value of your account is below the Fund's minimum
                 account balance requirement. You would then be allowed 60
                 days to make an additional investment before the account is
                 liquidated. Proceeds would be promptly paid to the
                 shareholder. This minimum does not apply to IRAs, other
                 retirement accounts, and Uniform Gifts/Transfers to Minors
                 Act accounts.    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCHANGING
YOUR SHARES
                 Should your investment goals change, you may exchange your
                 shares of Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund for those of other available
                 Vanguard Funds.
EXCHANGING BY TELEPHONE:
Call Client Services
(1-800-662-2739)
                    When exchanging shares by telephone, please have ready the
                 Fund name, account number, Social Security Number or Taxpayer
                 Identification Number listed on the account, and account
                 address. Requests for telephone exchanges received prior to
                 the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange
                 (generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) are processed at the close
                 of business that same day. Requests received after the close
                 of the Exchange are processed the next business day.
                 TELEPHONE EXCHANGES ARE NOT ACCEPTED INTO OR FROM VANGUARD
                 BALANCED INDEX FUND, VANGUARD EXPLORER FUND, VANGUARD INDEX
                 TRUST, VANGUARD INTERNATIONAL EQUITY INDEX FUND--EUROPEAN AND
                 PACIFIC PORTFOLIOS, AND VANGUARD QUANTITATIVE PORTFOLIOS. If
                 you experience difficulty in making a telephone exchange,
                 your exchange request may be made by regular or express mail,
                 and it will be implemented at the closing net asset value on
                 the date received by Vanguard provided the request is
                 received in Good Order.    
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
EXCHANGING BY MAIL
                    Please be sure to include on your exchange request the
                 name and account number of your current Fund, the name of the
                 Fund you wish to exchange into, the amount you wish to
                 exchange, and the signatures of all registered account
                 holders. Send your request to VANGUARD FINANCIAL CENTER,
                 VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND, P.O. BOX 1120, VALLEY FORGE, PA
                 19482. (For express or registered mail, send your request to
                 Vanguard Financial Center, Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund, 455 Devon
                 Park Drive, Wayne, PA 19087.)    
                 -------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
IMPORTANT EXCHANGE INFORMATION
                 Before you make an exchange, you should consider the
                 following:
 
                 * Please read the Fund's prospectus before making an
                   exchange. For a copy and for answers to any questions you
                   may have, call our Investor Information Department (1-800-
                   662-7447).
 
                 * An exchange is treated as a redemption and a purchase.
                   Therefore, you could realize a taxable gain or loss on the
                   transaction.
 
                 *    Exchanges are accepted only if the registrations and the
                   Taxpayer Identification numbers of the two accounts are
                   identical.    
 
                 * The shares to be exchanged must be on deposit and not held
                   in certificate form.
 
                 * New accounts are not currently accepted in Vanguard/Windsor
                   Fund.
 
                 *    The redemption price of shares redeemed by exchange is
                   the net asset value next determined after Vanguard has
                   received the required documentation in Good Order.    
 
                 * When opening a new account by exchange, you must meet the
                   minimum investment requirement of the new Fund.
 
                 Every effort will be made to maintain the exchange privilege.
                 However, the Fund reserves the right to revise or terminate
                 its provisions, limit the amount of or reject any exchange,
                 as deemed necessary, at any time.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE LIMITATIONS
                 The Fund's exchange privilege is not intended to afford
                 shareholders a way to speculate on short-term movements in
                 the market. Accordingly, in order to prevent excessive use of
                 the exchange privilege that may potentially disrupt the
                 management of the Fund and increase transaction costs, the
                 Fund has established a policy of limiting excessive exchange
                 activity.
 
                    Exchange activity generally will not be deemed excessive
                 if limited to TWO SUBSTANTIVE EXCHANGE REDEMPTIONS (AT LEAST
                 30 DAYS APART) from the Fund during any twelve month period.
                 Notwithstanding these limitations, the Fund reserves the
                 right to reject any purchase request (including exchange
                 purchases from other Vanguard portfolios) that is reasonably
                 deemed to be disruptive to efficient portfolio management.
                     
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ABOUT TELEPHONE
TRANSACTIONS    
                    The ability to initiate redemptions (except wire
                 redemptions) and exchanges by telephone is automatically
                 established on your account unless you request in writing
                 that telephone transactions on your account not be
                 permitted.    
 
                    To protect your account from losses resulting from
                 unauthorized or fraudulent telephone instructions, Vanguard
                 adheres to the following security procedures:    
 
                    1. SECURITY CHECK. To request a transaction by telephone,
                       the caller must know (i) the name of the Portfolio;
                       (ii) the 10-digit account number; (iii) the exact name
                       in which the account is registered; and (iv) the Social
                       Security or Taxpayer Identification number listed on
                       the account.    
<PAGE> 
                    2. PAYMENT POLICY. The proceeds of any telephone
                       redemption by mail will be made payable to the
                       registered shareowner and mailed to the address of
                       record, only.    
 
                    Neither the Fund nor Vanguard will be responsible for the
                 authenticity of transaction instructions received by
                 telephone, provided that reasonable security procedures have
                 been followed. Vanguard believes that the security procedures
                 described above are reasonable and that if such procedures
                 are followed, you will bear the risk of any losses resulting
                 from unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions on
                 your account. If Vanguard fails to follow reasonable security
                 procedures, it may be liable for any losses resulting from
                 unauthorized or fraudulent telephone transactions on your
                 account.    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TRANSFERRING
REGISTRATION
                    You may transfer the registration of any of your Fund
                 shares to another person by completing a transfer form and
                 sending it to: VANGUARD FINANCIAL CENTER, P.O. BOX 1110,
                 VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482, ATTENTION: TRANSFER DEPARTMENT. The
                 request must be in Good Order. Before mailing your request,
                 please call our Client Services Department (1-800-662-2739)
                 for full instructions.    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER VANGUARD SERVICES
                 For more information about any of these services, please call
                 our Investor Information Department at 1-800-662-7447.
STATEMENTS AND REPORTS
                    Vanguard will send you a confirmation statement each time
                 you initiate a transaction in your account except for
                 checkwriting redemptions from Vanguard money market accounts.
                 You will also receive a comprehensive account statement  at
                 the end of each calendar quarter. The fourth-quarter
                 statement will be a year-end statement, listing all
                 transaction activity for the entire calendar year.    
 
                    Vanguard's Average Cost Statement provides you with the
                 average cost of shares redeemed from your account, using the
                 average cost single category method. This service is
                 available for most taxable accounts opened since January 1,
                 1986. In general, investors who redeemed shares from a
                 qualifying Vanguard account may expect to receive their
                 Average Cost Statement in February of the following year.
                 Please call our Client Services Department (1-800-662-2739)
                 for information.    
 
                 Financial reports on the Fund will be mailed to you semi-
                 annually, according to the Fund's fiscal year-end.
VANGUARD DIRECT DEPOSIT SERVICE
                 With Vanguard's Direct Deposit Service, most U.S. Government
                 checks (including Social Security and military pension
                 checks) and private payroll checks may be automatically
                 deposited into your Vanguard Fund account. Separate brochures
                 and forms are available for direct deposit of U.S. Government
                 and private payroll checks.
VANGUARD AUTOMATIC EXCHANGE SERVICE
                 Vanguard's Automatic Exchange Service allows you to move
                 money automatically among your Vanguard Fund accounts. For
                 instance, the service can be used to "dollar cost average"
                 from a money market portfolio into a stock or bond fund or to
                 contribute to an IRA or other retirement plan.
VANGUARD FUND EXPRESS
                    Vanguard's Fund Express allows you to transfer money
                 between your Fund account and your account at a bank, savings
                 and loan association, or a credit union that is a member of
                 the Automated Clearing House (ACH) system. You may elect this
                 service on the Account Registration Form or call our Investor
                 Information Department (1-800-662-7447) for a Fund Express
                 application.    
<PAGE> 
                    The minimum amount that can be transferred by telephone is
                 $100. However, if you have established one of the automatic
                 options, the minimum amount is $50. The maximum amount that
                 can be transferred using any of the options is $100,000.    
 
                 Special rules govern how your Fund Express purchases or
                 redemptions are credited to your account. In addition, some
                 services of Fund Express cannot be used with specific
                 Vanguard Funds. For more information, please refer to the
                 Vanguard Fund Express brochure.
   VANGUARD DIVIDEND EXPRESS    
                    Vanguard's Dividend Express allows you to transfer your
                 dividends and/or capital gains distributions automatically
                 from your Fund account, one business day after the Fund's
                 payable date, to your account at a bank, savings and loan
                 association, or a credit union that is a member of the
                 Automated Clearing House (ACH) network. You may elect this
                 service on the Account Registration Form or call our Investor
                 Information Department (1-800-662-7447) for a Vanguard
                 Dividend Express application.    
VANGUARD
TELE-ACCOUNT
                    Vanguard's Tele-Account is a convenient, automated service
                 that provides share price, price change and yield quotations
                 on Vanguard Funds through any TouchTone(TM) telephone. This
                 free service also lets you obtain information about your
                 account balance, your last transaction, and your most recent
                 dividend or capital gains payment. To contact Vanguard's
                 Tele-Account service, dial 1-800-ON-BOARD (1-800-662-6273). A
                 free brochure offering detailed operating instructions is
                 available from our Investor Information Department
                 (1-800-662-7447).    
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
 
                    (This page intentionally left blank.)
 
 
<PAGE>
                                    PART B
                            VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND
                     STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
                                MARCH 31, 1994
 
  This Statement is not a prospectus but should be read in conjunction with
the Fund's current Prospectus (dated March 31, 1994). To obtain the Prospectus
please call:
 
                       Investor Information Department
                                1-800-662-7447
 
    TABLE OF CONTENTS                                                 PAGE
    Investment Limitations............................................   1
    Purchase of Shares................................................   2
    Redemption of Shares..............................................   2
    Shareholder Services..............................................   3
    Management of the Fund............................................   3
    Yield and Total Return............................................   5
    Performance Measures..............................................   5
    Investment Advisory Services......................................   6
    Portfolio Transactions............................................   7
    Investment Policies...............................................   8
    Financial Statements..............................................  10
 
                            INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
 
  The following restrictions are fundamental policies and cannot be changed
without approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the
Fund (as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940). The Fund may not
under any circumstances:
   1) Invest for the purpose of exercising control of management of any
      company;
   2) With respect to 75% of the value of its total assets, purchase the
      securities of any issuer (except obligations of the United States
      government and its instrumentalities) if as a result the Fund would hold
      more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer, or
      more than 5% of the value of the Fund's total assets would be invested
      in the securities of such issuer;
   3) Invest in securities of other investment companies, except as may be
      acquired as a part of a merger, consolidation or acquisition of assets
      approved by the Fund's shareholders or otherwise to the extent permitted
      by Section 12 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Fund will
      invest only in investment companies which have investment objectives and
      investment policies consistent with those of the Fund;
   4) Engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by other
      persons, except to the extent that the Fund may technically be deemed to
      be an underwriter under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in
      disposing of investment securities;
   5) Purchase or otherwise acquire any security if, as a result, more than
      15% of its net assets would be invested in securities that are illiquid
      (including the Fund's investment in The Vanguard Group, Inc.);
   6) Borrow money, except that the Fund may borrow from banks (or through
      reverse repurchase agreements), for temporary or emergency (not
      leveraging) purposes, including the meeting of redemption requests which
      might otherwise require the untimely disposition of securities, in an
      amount not exceeding 10% of the value of the Fund's net assets
      (including the amount borrowed and the value of any outstanding reverse
      repurchase agreements) at the time the borrowing is made. Whenever
      borrowings exceed 5% of the value of the Fund's net assets, the Fund
      will not make any additional investments;
   7) Invest in commodities (except that the Fund may invest in futures
      contracts and options to the extent that not more than 5% of the Fund's
      assets are required as deposit to secure obligations under futures
<PAGE>
      contracts and not more than 20% of the Fund's assets are invested in
      futures contracts and options at any time) or real estate although the
      Fund may purchase and sell securities of companies which deal in real
      estate, or interests therein;
   8) Purchase securities on margin or sell any securities short except as
      specified above in investment limitation No. 7;
   9) Purchase or retain any security if (i) one or more Officers, Directors
      or partners of the Fund or its investment adviser individually own or
      would own, directly or beneficially, more than 1/2 of 1 per cent of the
      securities of such issuer, and (ii) in the aggregate such persons own or
      would own more than 5% of such securities;
  10) Make loans except (i) by purchasing bonds, debentures or similar
      obligations (including repurchase agreements, subject to the limitation
      described in (6) above) which are either publicly distributed or
      customarily purchased by institutional investors, and (ii) by lending
      its securities to banks, brokers, dealers and other financial
      institutions so long as such loans are not inconsistent with the
      Investment Company Act or the Rules and Regulations or interpretations
      of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder;
  11) Pledge, mortgage, or hypothecate any of its assets to an extent greater
      than 5% of its total assets; and
  12) Invest more than 25% of the value of its total assets in any one
      industry.
  Notwithstanding these limitations, the Fund may own all or any portion of
the securities of, or make loans to, or contribute to the costs or other
financial requirements of any company which will be wholly owned by the Fund
and one or more other investment companies and is primarily engaged in the
business of providing, at-cost, management, administrative, distribution or
related services to the Fund and other investment companies. See "Management
of the Fund." As a non-fundamental policy, the Fund will not invest more than
5% of its assets in the securities of companies that, together with
predecessors, have been in continuous operation for less than three years.
 
  The above-mentioned limitations are considered at the time investment
securities are purchased.
 
                              PURCHASE OF SHARES
 
  The Fund reserves the right in its sole discretion (i) to suspend the
offerings of its shares, (ii) to reject purchase and exchange purchase orders
when in the judgment of management such rejection is in the best interest of
the Fund, and (iii) to reduce or waive the minimum for initial and subsequent
investments for certain fiduciary accounts or under circumstances where
certain economies can be achieved in sales of the Fund's shares.
 
                             REDEMPTION OF SHARES
 
  The Fund may suspend redemption privileges or postpone the date of payment
(i) during any period that the New York Stock Exchange is closed, or trading
on the Exchange is restricted as determined by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission"), (ii) during any period when an emergency exists
as defined by the rules of the Commission as a result of which it is not
reasonably practicable for the Fund to dispose of securities owned by it, or
fairly to determine the value of its assets, and (iii) for such other periods
as the Commission may permit.
  The Fund has made an election with the Commission to pay in cash all
redemptions requested by any shareholder of record limited in amount during
any 90-day period to the lesser of $250,000 or l% of the net assets of the
Fund at the beginning of such period. Such commitment is irrevocable without
the prior approval of the Commission. Redemptions in excess of the above
limits may be paid in whole or in part, in investment securities or in cash,
as the Directors may deem advisable; however, payment will be made wholly in
cash unless the Directors believe that economic or market conditions exist
which would make such a practice detrimental to the best interests of the
Fund. If redemptions are paid in investment securities, such securities will
be valued as set forth in the Prospectus under "The Fund's Share Price" and a
redeeming shareholder would normally incur brokerage expenses if he converted
these securities to cash.
  No charge is made by the Fund for redemptions. Any redemption may be more or
less than the shareholder's cost depending on the market value of the
securities held by the Fund.
 
<PAGE>
 
                             SHAREHOLDER SERVICES
 
EXCHANGE PRIVILEGE
  Shares of the Fund may be exchanged without cost for shares of any open-end
Fund in The Vanguard Group, except any Fund currently not offering shares to
new investors. A shareholder of any open-end Fund in The Vanguard Group may
likewise exchange his(her) shares for shares of the Fund. Exchange requests
may be made either by mail, telephone or telegraph.
     Telephone and telegraph exchanges (referred to as "expedited exchanges")
will be accepted only if the account of the shareholder and the registration
of the two accounts are identical. Requests for expedited exchanges received
prior to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern time) will be processed as of the close of
business on the same day. Requests received after 4:00 p.m. will be processed
on the next business day. No expedited exchanges will be accepted into, or
from, Vanguard Explorer Fund, Vanguard Balanced Index Fund, Vanguard Index
Trust, Vanguard International Equity Index Fund--European and Pacific
Portfolios, and Vanguard Quantitative Portfolios. Neither the Fund nor The
Vanguard Group, Inc. ("Vanguard") will be responsible for the authenticity of
exchange instructions received by telephone or telegraph. Expedited exchanges
may also be subject to limitations as to amounts and frequency, and to other
restrictions established by the Board of Directors to assure that such
exchanges do not disadvantage the Fund and its shareholders. Shareholders may
obtain the terms of these limitations, which may be revised at any time, from
Vanguard.    
  Any such exchange will be based on the respective net asset values of the
shares involved. There are no sales commissions or charges of any kind. Before
making an exchange, a shareholder should consider the investment objectives
and policies of the Fund to be purchased, and other relevant information
(including the minimum initial investment), which can be found in that Fund's
prospectus. A prospectus for any of the Vanguard Funds may be obtained from
Vanguard.
  For Federal income tax purposes, an exchange between Funds is a taxable
event and, accordingly, a capital gain or loss may be realized. The exchange
privilege may be modified or terminated at any time, and any of the Vanguard
Funds may limit or discontinue the offering of its shares without notice to
shareholders.
 
INFORMATION FOR SHAREHOLDERS
  Following any purchase or redemption, a shareholder will receive a statement
which reflects all activity during the current calendar year. Each shareholder
will also receive a monthly statement, which includes a valuation as of the
day the statement is prepared.
  Semi-annual reports and annual audited reports, which include the list of
investments held by the Fund, will be sent to shareholders.
 
                            MANAGEMENT OF THE FUND
 
OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
  The Fund's officers, under the supervision of the Board of Directors, manage
the day to day operations of the Fund. The Directors, who are elected annually
by shareholders, set broad policies for the Fund and choose its officers. A
list of the Directors and officers of the Fund and a brief statement of their
present positions and principal occupations during the past 5 years is set
forth in the Prospectus. As of April 1, 1992, the Directors and officers of
the Fund owned less than 1% of the Fund's outstanding shares.
  Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund is a member of The Vanguard Group of Investment
Companies. Through their jointly-owned subsidiary, The Vanguard Group, Inc.
("Vanguard"), the Fund and the other Funds in the Group obtain at cost
virtually all of their corporate management, administrative and distribution
services. Vanguard also provides investment advisory services on an at-cost
basis to certain of the Vanguard Funds.
  Vanguard employs a supporting staff of management and administrative
personnel needed to provide the requisite services to the Funds and also
furnishes the Funds with necessary office space, furnishings and equipment.
Each Fund pays its share of Vanguard's net expenses which are allocated among
the Funds under methods approved by the Board of Directors (Trustees) of each
Fund. In addition, each Fund bears its own direct expenses such as legal,
auditing and custodian fees.
  The Fund's officers are also officers and employees of Vanguard. No officer
or employee owns, or is permitted to own, any securities of any external
adviser for the Funds.
     The Vanguard Group was established and operates under a Funds' Service
Agreement which was approved by the shareholders of each of the Funds. The
amounts of which each of the Funds have invested are
adjusted from time to time in order to maintain the proportionate relationship
between each Fund's relative net assets and its contribution to Vanguard's
capital. At December 31, 1993, the Fund had contributed capital of $129,000 to
Vanguard, representing 0.6% of Vanguard's capitalization. The Fund's Service
Agreement was amended on May 10, 1993 to provide as follows: (a) each Vanguard
Fund may invest up to .40% of its current assets in Vanguard, and (b) there is
no other limitation on the amount that each Vanguard Fund may contribute to
Vanguard's capitalization.    
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT
     Corporate management and administrative services include: (1) executive
staff; (2) accounting and financial; (3) legal and regulatory; (4) shareholder
account maintenance; (5) monitoring and control of custodian relationships;
(6) shareholder reporting; and (7) review and evaluation of advisory and other
services provided to the Funds by third parties. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1993, the Fund's share of Vanguard's actual net costs of
operation relating to management and administrative services (including
transfer agency) totaled approximately $1,758,000.    
 
DISTRIBUTION
  Vanguard provides all distribution and marketing activities for the Funds in
the Group. Vanguard Marketing Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Vanguard, acts as Sales Agent for the shares of the Funds in connection with
any sales made directly to investors in the states of Florida, Missouri, New
York, Ohio, Texas and such other states as it may be required.
  The principal distribution expenses are for advertising, promotional
materials and marketing personnel. Distribution services may also include
organizing and offering to the public, from time to time, one or more new
investment companies which will become members of the Group. The Directors and
officers of Vanguard determine the amount to be spent annually on distribution
activities, the manner and amount to be spent on each Fund, and whether to
organize new investment companies.
     One half of the distribution expenses of a marketing and promotional
nature is allocated among the Funds based upon relative net assets. The
remaining one half of those expenses is allocated among the Funds based upon
each Fund's sales for the preceding 24 months relative to the total sales of
the Funds as a Group, provided, however, that no Fund's aggregate quarterly
rate of contribution for distribution expenses of a marketing and promotional
nature shall exceed 125% of average distribution expense rate for the Group,
and that no Fund shall incur annual distribution expenses in excess of 20/100
of 1% of its average month-end net assets. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 1993, the Fund paid approximately $165,000 of the Group's
distribution and marketing expenses.    
 
INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
     Vanguard also provides Vanguard Money Market Reserves, Vanguard
Institutional Portfolios, Vanguard Admiral Funds, Vanguard Municipal Bond
Fund, the several Portfolios of Vanguard Fixed Income Securities Fund,
Vanguard Institutional Index Fund; Vanguard Bond Index Fund, several
Portfolios of Vanguard Variable Insurance Fund, the Vanguard State Tax-Free
Funds, and Vanguard Balanced Index Fund, Vanguard Index Trust and Vanguard
International Equity Index Fund with investment advisory services. These
services are provided on an at-cost basis from a money management staff
employed directly by Vanguard. The compensation and other expenses of this
staff are paid by the Funds utilizing these services.    
 
REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
     The Fund pays each Director, who is not also an officer, an annual fee
plus a proportionate share of travel and other expenses incurred in attending
Board meetings. During the year ended December 31, 1993 the Fund paid
approximately $2,000 in fees to its non-interested Directors. Directors who
are also officers receive no remuneration for their services as Directors. The
Fund's officers and employees are paid by Vanguard which, in turn, is
reimbursed by the Fund (and each other Fund in the Group), for its
proportionate share of officers' and employees' salaries and retirement
benefits. The Fund's proportionate share of remuneration paid by Vanguard (and
reimbursed by the Fund) during the fiscal year to all officers of the Fund, as
a group, was approximately $32,421.    
     Directors who are not Officers are paid an annual fee based on the number
of years of service on the Board upon retirement. The fee is equal to $1,000
for each year of service (up to fifteen years) and each
investment company member of the Vanguard Group contributes a proportionate
amount to this fee based on its relative net assets. Under its retirement
plan, Vanguard contributes annually an amount equal to 10% of each eligible
officer's annual compensation plus 5.7% of that part of an eligible officer's
compensation during the year, if any, that exceeds the Social Security Taxable
Wage Base then in effect. Under its thrift plan, all eligible officers are
permitted to make pre-tax contributions in an amount up to 4% of total
compensation, subject to federal tax limitations, which are matched by
Vanguard on a 100% basis. The Fund's proportionate share of retirement
contributions made by Vanguard under its retirement and thrift plans on behalf
of all Officers of the Fund, as a group, during the 1993 fiscal year was
approximately $3,682.    
<PAGE> 
                            YIELD AND TOTAL RETURN
 
     The yield of the Fund for the 30 day period ended December 31, 1993 was
0.33%.    
 
     The average annual total return of the Fund for the one and five year
periods ended December 31, 1993 and the period since the Fund's inception (11/
1/84) was +18.03%, +15.15% and +16.30%, respectively. Total return is computed
by finding the average compounded rate of return over the periods set forth
above that would equate an initial amount invested at the beginning of the
period to the ending redeemable value of the investment.    
 
                             PERFORMANCE MEASURES
 
Each of the investment company members of the Vanguard Group, including
Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund, may, from time to time, use one or more of the
following unmanaged indices for comparative performance purposes.
 
STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 COMPOSITE STOCK PRICE INDEX -- is a well diversified
list of 500 companies representing the U.S. Stock Market.
 
WILSHIRE 5000 EQUITY INDEXES -- consists of nearly 5,000 common equity
securities, covering all stocks in the U.S. for which daily pricing is
available.
 
WILSHIRE 4500 EQUITY INDEX -- consists of all stocks in the Wilshire 5000
except for the 500 stocks in the Standard and Poor's 500 Index.
 
MORGAN STANLEY CAPITAL INTERNATIONAL EAFE INDEX -- is an arithmetic, market
value-weighted average of the performance of over 900 securities listed on the
stock exchanges of countries in Europe, Australia and the Far East.
 
GOLDMAN SACHS 100 CONVERTIBLE BOND INDEX -- currently includes 67 bonds and 33
preferreds. The original list of names was generated by screening for
convertible issues of 100 million or greater in market capitalization. The
index is priced monthly.
 
SALOMON BROTHERS GNMA INDEX -- includes pools of mortgages originated by
private lenders and guaranteed by the mortgage pools of the Government
National Mortgage Association.
 
SALOMON BROTHERS HIGH-GRADE CORPORATE BOND INDEX -- consists of publicly
issued, non-convertible corporate bonds rated AA or AAA. It is a value-
weighted, total return index, including approximately 800 issues with
maturities of 12 years or greater.
 
SHEARSON LEHMAN LONG-TERM TREASURY BOND -- is composed of all bonds covered by
the Shearson Lehman Hutton Treasury Bond Index with maturities of 10 years or
greater.
 
MERRILL LYNCH CORPORATE & GOVERNMENT BOND --
 
SHEARSON LEHMAN CORPORATE (BAA) BOND INDEX --
 
BOND BUYER MUNICIPAL INDEX (20 YEAR) BOND --
 
STANDARD & POOR'S PREFERRED INDEX --
 
NASDAQ INDUSTRIAL INDEX -- is composed of more than 3,000 industrial issues.
It is a value-weighted index calculated on price change only and does not
include income.
 
<PAGE>
 
COMPOSITE INDEX -- 70% Standard & Poor's 500 Index and 30% NASDAQ Industrial
Index.
 
COMPOSITE INDEX -- 35% Standard & Poor's 500 Index and 65% Salomon Brothers
High Grade Bond Index.
 
COMPOSITE INDEX -- 65% Standard & Poor's 500 Index, 35% Salomon Brothers High
Grade Bond Index.
 
   LEHMAN BROTHERS AGGREGATE BOND INDEX -- is a market weighted index that
contains individually priced U.S. Treasury, agency, corporate, and mortgage
pass-through securities corporate rated BBB- or better. The Index has a market
value of over $4 trillion.    
 
   LEHMAN BROTHERS MUTUAL FUND SHORT (1-5) GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE INDEX -- is a
market weighted index that contains individually priced U.S. Treasury, agency,
and corporate investment grade bonds rated BBB- or better with maturities
between 1 and 5 years. The index has a market value of over $1.3 trillion.    
 
   LEHMAN BROTHERS MUTUAL FUND INTERMEDIATE (5-10) GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE INDEX
- -- is a market weighted index that contains individually priced U.S. Treasury,
agency, and corporate securities rated BBB- or better with maturities between
5 and 10 years. The index has a market value of over $600 billion.    
 
   LEHMAN BROTHERS MUTUAL FUND LONG (10+) GOVERNMENT/CORPORATE INDEX -- is a
market weighted index that contains individually priced U.S. Treasury, agency,
and corporate securities rated BBB- or better with maturities greater than 10
years. The index has a market value of over $900 billion.    
 
  Advertisements which refer to the use of the fund as a potential investment
for Individual Retirement Accounts may quote a total return based upon
compounding of dividends on which it is presumed no Federal income tax
applies.
 
  In assessing such comparisons of yields, an investor should keep in mind
that the composition of the investments in the reported averages is not
identical to the Fund's Portfolio and that the items included in the
calculations of such averages may not be identical to the formula used by the
Fund to calculate its yield. In addition there can be no assurance that the
Fund will continue its performance as compared to such other averages.
 
                         INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES
 
  The Fund employs PRIMECAP Management Company (the "Adviser") under an
investment advisory agreement dated as of May 4, 1989 to manage the investment
and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund and to continuously review,
supervise and administer the Fund's investment program. The Adviser discharges
its responsibilities subject to the control of the officers and Directors of
the Fund.
  The Fund pays the Adviser an advisory fee at the end of each fiscal quarter,
calculated by applying a quarterly rate, based on the following annual
percentage rates, to the Fund's average month-end net assets for the quarter:
 
    Net Assets                                                        Rate
    ------                                                             ---
    First $25 million..............................................  .750%
    Next $225 million..............................................  .500%
    Next $250 million..............................................  .375%
    Over $500 million..............................................  .250%
 
     During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Fund
paid investment advisory fees of approximately $1,929,000, $2,407,000 and
$2,854,000, respectively.    
  The agreement will continue until April 30, 1995 and will be renewable
thereafter for successive one year periods, only if each renewal is
specifically approved by a vote of the Fund's Board of Directors, including
the affirmative votes of a majority of the Directors who are not parties to
the contract or "interested persons" (as defined in the Investment Company Act
of 1940) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose
of considering such approval. In addition, the question of continuance of the
Agreement may be presented to the shareholders of the Fund; in such event,
such continuance shall be effected only if approved by the affirmative vote of
a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The agreement is
automatically terminated if assigned, and may be terminated without penalty at
any time (1) either by vote of
<PAGE>
the Board of Directors of the Fund or by vote of its outstanding voting
securities on 60 days' written notice to the Adviser, or (2) by the Adviser
upon 90 days' written notice to the Fund.
     The Fund's Board of Directors may, without the approval of shareholders,
provide for:    
    A. The employment of a new investment adviser pursuant to the terms of a
  new advisory agreement, either as a replacement for an existing adviser or
  as an additional adviser.
    B. A change in the terms of an advisory agreement.
    C. The continued employment of an existing adviser on the same advisory
  contract terms where a contract has been assigned because of a change in
  control of the adviser.
    Any such change will only be made upon not less than 30 days' prior
  written notice to shareholders, which shall include the information
  concerning the adviser that would have normally been included in a proxy
  statement.
  Because the Adviser provides only investment advisory services to the Fund
and has no control over the Fund's expenses, the Adviser has not undertaken to
guarantee expenses of the Fund. The officers of the Fund have worked out
alternative arrangements with state authorities which do not require an
expense guarantee.
  The Adviser is a California corporation whose outstanding shares are owned
by its directors and officers. The directors of the corporation and the
offices they currently hold are: Howard Bernard Schow, Chairman, Mitchell John
Milias, President and Treasurer, David Kimball Richards, Vice Chairman, and
Theofanis Anastasios Kolokotrones, Senior Vice President and Secretary.
 
                            PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
 
  The investment advisory agreement authorizes the Adviser (with the approval
of the Fund's Board of Directors) to select the brokers or dealers that will
execute the purchases and sales of portfolio securities for the Fund and
directs the Adviser to use its best efforts to obtain the best available price
and most favorable execution as to all transactions for the Fund. The Adviser
has undertaken to execute each investment transaction at a price and
commission which provides the most favorable total cost or proceeds reasonably
obtainable under the circumstances.
  In placing portfolio transactions, the Adviser will use its best judgment to
choose the broker most capable of providing the brokerage services necessary
to obtain best available price and most favorable execution. The full range
and quality of brokerage services available will be considered in making these
determinations. In those instances where it is reasonably determined that more
than one broker can offer the brokerage services needed to obtain the best
available price and most favorable execution, consideration may be given to
those brokers which supply investment research and statistical information and
provide other services in addition to execution services to the Fund and/or
the Adviser. The Adviser considers such information useful in the performance
of its obligations under the agreement, but is unable to determine the amount
by which such services may reduce its expenses.
  The investment advisory agreement also incorporates the concepts of Section
28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by providing that, subject to the
approval of the Fund's Board of Directors, the Adviser may cause the Fund to
pay a broker-dealer which furnishes brokerage and research services a higher
commission than that which might be charged by another broker-dealer for
effecting the same transaction; provided that such commission is deemed
reasonable in terms of either that particular transaction or the overall
responsibilities of the Adviser to the Fund.
  Currently, it is the Fund's policy that the Adviser may at times pay higher
commissions in recognition of brokerage services felt necessary for the
achievement of better execution of certain securities transactions that
otherwise might not be available. The Adviser will only pay such higher
commissions if it believes this to be in the best interest of the Fund. Some
brokers or dealers who may receive such higher commissions in recognition of
brokerage services related to execution of securities transactions are also
providers of research information to the Adviser and/or the Fund. However, the
Adviser has informed the Fund that it will not pay higher commission rates
specifically for the purpose of obtaining research services.
  Since the Fund does not market its shares through intermediary brokers or
dealers, it is not the Fund's practice to allocate brokerage or principal
business on the basis of sales of its shares which may be through such firms.
However, the Fund may place portfolio orders with qualified broker-dealers who
recommend the Fund to other clients, or who act as agent in the purchase of
the Fund's shares for their clients, and may,
<PAGE>
when a number of brokers and dealers can provide comparable best price and
execution on a particular transaction, consider the sale of Fund shares by a
broker or dealer in selecting among qualified broker-dealers.
     During the fiscal years ended December 31, 1991, 1992 and 1993, the Fund
paid approximately $231,930, $332,976 and $315,112 in brokerage commissions,
respectively.    
  Some securities considered for investment by the Fund may also be
appropriate for other clients served by the Adviser. If purchase or sale of
securities consistent with the investment policies of the Fund and one or more
of these other clients serviced by the Adviser are considered at or about the
same time, transactions in such securities will be allocated among the Fund
and such other clients in a manner deemed equitable by the Adviser.
 
                             INVESTMENT POLICIES
FUTURES CONTRACTS AND OPTIONS
  The Fund may enter into futures contracts, options, and options on futures
contracts for several reasons: to maintain cash reserves while simulating full
investment, to facilitate trading, to reduce transaction costs, or to seek
higher investment returns when a futures contract is priced more attractively
than the underlying equity security or index. Futures contracts provide for
the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified
amount of a specific security at a specified future time and at a specified
price. Futures contracts which are standardized as to maturity date and
underlying financial instrument are traded on national futures exchanges.
Futures exchanges and trading are regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act
by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC"), a U.S. Government
Agency.
 
  Although futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or
acceptance of the underlying securities, in most cases the contracts are
closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of
delivery. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite
position ("buying" a contract which has previously been "sold," or "selling" a
contract previously purchased) in an identical contract to terminate the
position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract is bought
or sold.
 
  Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or
government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open
positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure
completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying security)
if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Minimal initial
margin requirements are established by the futures exchange and may be
changed. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the
exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold which
may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.
 
  After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is
marked to market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent
that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of
additional "variation" margin will be required. Conversely, change in the
contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of
excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to
and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. The Fund
expects to earn interest income on its margin deposits.
 
  Traders in futures contracts may be broadly classified as either "hedgers"
or "speculators." Hedgers use the futures markets primarily to offset
unfavorable changes in the value of securities otherwise held for investment
purposes or expected to be acquired by them. Speculators are less inclined to
own the securities underlying the futures contracts which they trade, and use
futures contracts with the expectation of realizing profits from fluctuations
in the prices of underlying securities. The Fund intends to use futures
contracts only for bonafide hedging purposes.
 
  Regulations of the CFTC applicable to the Fund require that all of its
futures transactions constitute bonafide hedging transactions. The Fund will
only sell futures contracts to protect securities it owns against price
declines or purchase contracts to protect against an increase in the price of
securities it intends to purchase. As evidence of this hedging interest, the
Fund expects that approximately 75% of its futures contract purchases will be
"completed," that is, equivalent amounts of related securities will have been
purchased or are being purchased by the Fund upon sale of open futures
contracts.
 
<PAGE>
 
  Although techniques other than the sale and purchase of futures contracts
could be used to control the Fund's exposure to market fluctuations, the use
of futures contracts may be a more effective means of hedging this exposure.
While the Fund will incur commission expenses in both opening and closing out
futures positions, these costs are lower than transaction costs incurred in
the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.
 
RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF FUTURES CONTRACTS
  The Fund will not enter into futures contract transactions to the extent
that, immediately thereafter, the sum of its initial margin deposits on open
contracts exceeds 5% of the market value of the Fund's total assets. In
addition, the Fund will not enter into futures contracts to the extent that
its outstanding obligations to purchase securities under these contracts would
exceed 20% of the Fund's total assets.
 
RISK FACTORS IN FUTURES TRANSACTIONS
  Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on an Exchange which
provides a secondary market for such futures. However, there can be no
assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures
contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures
position. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to
be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In
such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell
portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may
be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required to make
delivery of the instruments underlying futures contracts it holds. The
inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse
impact on the ability to effectively hedge it.
 
  The Fund will minimize the risk that it will be unable to close out a
futures contract by only entering into futures which are traded on national
futures exchanges and for which there appears to be a liquid secondary market.
The principal futures exchanges in the United States are the Board of Trade of
the City of Chicago and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
 
  The risk of loss in trading futures contracts in some strategies can be
substantial, due both to the low margin deposits required, and the extremely
high degree of leverage involved in futures pricing. As a result, a relatively
small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and
substantial loss (as well as gain) to the investor. For example, if at the
time of purchase, 10% of the value of the futures contract is deposited as
margin, a subsequent 10% decrease in the value of the futures contract would
result in a total loss of the margin deposit, before any deduction for the
transaction costs, if the account were then closed out. A 15% decrease would
result in a loss equal to 150% of the original margin deposit if the contract
were closed out. Thus, a purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in
losses in excess of the amount invested in the contract. The Fund also bears
the risk that the Adviser will incorrectly predict market trends. However,
because the futures strategies of the Fund are engaged in only for hedging
purposes, the Adviser does not believe that the Fund is subject to the risks
of loss frequently associated with futures transactions. The Fund would
presumably have sustained comparable losses if, instead of the futures
contract, it had invested in the underlying financial instrument and sold it
after the decline.
 
  Utilization of futures transactions by the Fund does involve the risk of
imperfect or no correlation where the securities underlying futures contracts
have different maturities than the portfolio securities being hedged. It is
also possible that the Fund could both lose money on futures contracts and
also experience a decline in value of its portfolio securities. There is also
the risk of loss by the fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of
a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in a futures contract or
related option. Additionally, investments in futures contracts and options
involve the risk that the investment adviser will incorrectly predict stock
market trends.
 
  Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures
contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the
maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down
from the previous day's settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once
the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades
may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs
only price movement during a particular trading day and therefore does not
limit potential losses, because the limit may prevent the liquidation of
unfavorable positions. Futures contract
<PAGE>
prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive
trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation
of future positions and subjecting some futures traders to substantial losses.
 
FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES CONTRACTS
  Except for transactions the Fund has identified as hedging transactions, the
Fund is required for Federal income tax purposes to recognize as income for
each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures
contracts held as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized
during the year. In most cases, any gain or loss recognized with respect to a
futures contract is considered to be 60% long-term capital gain or loss and
40% short-term capital gain or loss, without regard to the holding period of
the contract. Furthermore, sales of futures contracts which are intended to
hedge against a change in the value of securities held by the Fund may affect
the holding period of such securities and, consequently, the nature of the
gain or loss on such securities upon disposition.
 
  In order for the Fund to continue to qualify for Federal income tax
treatment as a regulated investment company, at least 90% of its gross income
for a taxable year must be derived from qualifying income; i.e., dividends,
interest, income derived from loans of securities, and gains from the sale of
securities or foreign currencies, or other income derived with respect to the
Fund's business of investing in securities. In addition, gains realized on the
sale or other disposition of securities held for less than three months must
be limited to less than 30% of the Fund's annual gross income. It is
anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures
contracts will be considered gain from the sale of securities and therefore be
qualifying income for purposes of the 90% requirement. In order to avoid
realizing excessive gains on securities held less than three months, the Fund
may be required to defer the closing out of futures contracts beyond the time
when it would otherwise be advantageous to do so. It is anticipated that
unrealized gains on futures contracts, which have been open for less than
three months as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year and which are recognized
for tax purposes, will not be considered gains on sales of securities held
less than three months for the purpose of the 30% test.
 
  The Fund will distribute to shareholders annually any net capital gains
which have been recognized for federal income tax purposes (including
unrealized gains at the end of the Fund's fiscal year) on futures transaction.
Such distributions will be combined with distributions of capital gains
realized on the Fund's other investments and shareholders will be advised on
the nature of the payment.
 
                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
     The Fund's Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 1993,
including the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period
ended December 31, 1993, appearing in the Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund's 1993 Annual
Report to Shareholders, and the report thereon of Price Waterhouse,
independent accountants, also appearing therein, are incorporated by reference
in this Statement of Additional Information. The Fund's 1993 Annual Report to
Shareholders is enclosed with this Statement of Additional Information.    
 
 
<PAGE> 
 
                                    PART C
                         VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND, INC.
                              OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 24. Financial Statements and Exhibits
    (a) Financial Statements
    The Registrant's audited financial statements for the year ended December
31, 1993, including Price Waterhouse's report thereon, are incorporated by
reference, in the Statement of Additional Information, from the Registrant's
1993 Annual Report which has been filed with the Commission. The financial
statements included in the Annual Report are:
    1. Statement of Net Assets as of December 31, 1993.
    2. Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 1993.
    3. Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended December 31,
1992 and 1993.
    4. Financial Highlights for each of the five years in the periods ended
       December 31, 1993. (also appearing in the Prospectus along with
       previous years)
    5. Notes to Financial Statements.
    6. Report of Independent Accountants.
 
    (B) EXHIBITS
     1.  Articles of Incorporation**
     2.  By-Laws of Registrant**
     3.  Not Applicable
     4.  Not Applicable
     5.  Not Applicable
     6.  Not Applicable
     7.  Reference is made to the section entitled "Management of the Fund" in
         the Registrant's Statement of Additional Information
     8.  Form of Custody Agreement**
     9.  Form of Vanguard Service Agreement**
    10.  Opinion of Counsel**
    11.  Consent of Independent Accountants*
    12.  Financial Statements--reference is made to (a) above
    13.  Not Applicable
    14.  Not Applicable
    15.  Not Applicable
    16.  Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations*
- ----------
 *Filed herewith
**Previously filed
 
Item 25. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant
    Registrant is not controlled by or under common control with any person.
The officers of the Registrant, the 32 investment companies in The Vanguard
Group of Investment Companies and The Vanguard Group, Inc. are identical.
Reference is made to the caption "Management of the Fund" in the Prospectus
constituting Part A and in the Statement of Additional Information
constituting Part B of this Registration Statement.
 
Item 26. Number of Holders of Securities
    As of December 31, 1993 there were 36,205 shareholders.
<PAGE> 
 
Item 27. Indemnification
    Reference is made to Article XI of Registrant's Articles of Incorporation.
 
    Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a trustee, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel
the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the
final adjudication of such issue.
 
Item 28. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser
    Reference is made to the caption "Investment Adviser" in the Prospectus
constituting Part A of this Registration Statement and "Investment Advisory
Services" in Part B of this Registration Statement.
 
    Listed below are the names of the sole owners of PRIMECAP Management
Company, who have no affiliation with the Registrant. The business address of
each owner is: 225 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena, California 91101.
 
                                            Business and Other
                Name                   Connections with the Adviser
                 ---               -------------------------------------
    Howard B. Schow                Chairman and Director
    Mitchell J. Millias            President, Treasurer and Director
    David K. Richards              Vice Chairman
    Theo A. Kolokotrones           Senior Vice President,
                                   Secretary and Director
 
Item 29. Principal Underwriters
    (a) None
    (b) Not Applicable
 
Item 30. Location of Accounts and Records
    The books, accounts and other documents required by Section 31(a) under
the Investment Company Act and the rules promulgated thereunder will be
maintained in the physical possession of Registrant; Registrant's Transfer
Agent, The Vanguard Group, Inc. c/o The Vanguard Financial Center, Valley
Forge, Pennsylvania 19482; and the Registrant's Custodian, State Street Bank
and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02105.
 
Item 31. Management Services
    Other than the Amended and Restated Funds' Service Agreement with The
Vanguard Group, Inc. which was previously filed as Exhibit 9(c) and described
in Part B hereof under "Management of the Fund;" the Registrant is not a party
of any management-related service contract.
 
Item 32. Undertakings
    Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the
Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act") or other applicable law.
Registrant undertakes to comply with the provisions of Section 16(c) of the
1940 Act in regard to shareholders' rights to call a meeting of shareholders
for the purpose of voting on the removal of Directors and to assist in
shareholder communications in such matters, to the extent required by law.
  Registrant hereby undertakes to provide an Annual Report to Shareholders or
prospective investors, free of charge, upon request.
<PAGE> 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant hereby certifies that it meets the
requirements for effectiveness pursuant to Rule 485(b) under the Securities
Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment to this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the Town of Valley Forge and the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, on the 29th day of March, 1994.
 
PRIMECAP FUND, INC.
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    John C. Bogle*, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Post-
Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    John C. Bogle*, Chairman of the Board, President, Director, and Chief
    Executive Officer
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    John J. Brennan*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    Robert E. Cawthorn*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    Barbara B. Hauptfuhrer*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    Bruce K. MacLaury*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    Burton G. Malkiel*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    Alfred M. Rankin, Jr.*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    James O. Welch, Jr.*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    John C. Sawhill*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    J. Lawrence Wilson*, Director
    March 29, 1994
 
BY: (Raymond J. Klapinsky)
    Richard F. Hyland*, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer and
    Accounting Officer
    March 29, 1994
 
*By Power of Attorney. See File Number 2-14336, January 23, 1990. Incorporated
by Reference.
 



 
 
                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
Consent of Independent Accountants..........................................11
Schedule for Computation of Performance Quotations..........................16
 
 
 



 
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 11
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus and
the Statement of Additional Information, constituting parts of this amended
Registration Statement on Form N-1A, of our report dated January 31, 1994,
relating to the financial statements, including the financial highlights,
appearing in the December 31, 1993 Annual Report to Shareholders of Vanguard/
PRIMECAP Fund, which are also incorporated by reference into the Registration
Statement. We also consent to the references to us under the headings
"Financial Highlights" and "General Information" in the Prospectus and
"Financial Statements" in the Statement of Additional Information.
 
PRICE WATERHOUSE
 
Philadelphia, PA
March 28, 1994
 



                                                                    EXHIBIT 16
              SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTATION OF PERFORMANCE QUOTATIONS
                            VANGUARD/PRIMECAP FUND
 
1. Average Annual Total Return (As of December 31, 1993)
 
      P (1 + T)n = ERV
 
   Where:            P =   a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
 
                     T =   average annual total return
 
                     N =   number of years
 
                   ERV =   ending redeemable value at the end of the period
 
    EXAMPLE:
    -------------
    One Year
    -----
 
              P =    $1,000.00
              T =    18.03%
              N =    1
            ERV =    $1,180.25
 
    Five Year
    -----
 
              P =    $1,000.00
              T =    15.15%
              N =    5
            ERV =    $2,024.78
 
    Ten Year
    -----
 
              P =    $1,000.00
              T =    16.30%*
              N =    10*
            ERV =    $3,990.24*
*Since the Fund's inception on 11/1/84
 
2. YIELD (30 Days Ended December 31, 1993)
            Yield = 2 ((  a   + 1)6- 1)-b x 100
                          --
                         cxd
 
  Where:      a = dividends and interest paid during the period
 
              b = expense ratios during the period (net of reimbursements)
 
              c = the average daily number of shares outstanding during the
                  period
 
              d = the maximum offering price per share on the last day of the
                  period
 
    Example        a = $696,293.74
                   b = .719
                   c = 43,453,539.384
                   d = $18.42
               Yield = 0.33
 
 




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