Core funds

Core funds can offer the basic ingredients for a well-balanced portfolio. They can provide low-cost access to broad segments of the stock and bond markets. This tier also includes the more conservative Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund.*

If you wish to create your own diversified asset mix, you may want to start with the funds in this tier. These are funds of various asset classes that, when used in combination, can provide diversification.

If you choose to put together your own mix of funds, you can get help in determining the right asset mix by completing Vanguard’s Investor Questionnaire.

You should consider reviewing your asset mix once a year to see if it still matches your original target mix. If you find that your current and target mixes differ substantially, you may want to make investment changes to get back to your target mix.

Diversifying means having different types of investments. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll make a profit or that you won’t lose money.

The legal details
Whenever you invest, there's a chance you could lose the money.

Before you invest, get the details. Consider the fund’s objective, risks, charges, and expenses. The fund’s prospectus (or summary prospectus, if available) will tell you these important facts and more. So read it carefully. Call Vanguard at 800-523-1188 to get one. Or you can find one at vanguard.com.

*You could lose money by investing in the Fund. Although the Fund seeks to preserve the value of your investment at $1.00 per share, it cannot guarantee it will do so. An investment in the Fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The Fund’s sponsor has no legal obligation to provide financial support to the Fund, and you should not expect that the sponsor will provide financial support to the Fund at any time.