Wellington Fund Investment Strategy and Portfolio Composition

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The Wellington Fund has a long history of delivering strong returns to its investors. The fund's investment strategy is centered around a disciplined approach to value investing.

The Wellington Fund's investment strategy is built on the principles of value investing, focusing on buying undervalued companies with strong potential for growth. This approach has been successful in the past, with the fund delivering a 10-year annualized return of 12.1%.

The fund's portfolio is composed of a mix of large-cap and mid-cap stocks, with a focus on companies with strong financials and competitive advantages. This diversification helps to reduce risk and increase potential returns.

The Wellington Fund's portfolio is actively managed, with a team of experienced investment professionals making decisions on buying and selling stocks. This hands-on approach allows the fund to stay nimble and adapt to changing market conditions.

Investment Overview

The Wellington Fund is an actively managed investment option that's been around since 1929. It's been helping investors achieve their long-term financial goals for nearly a century.

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The fund's primary objective is to provide both long-term capital appreciation and moderate current income. This means it's designed to grow your wealth over time while also generating regular income.

The Wellington Fund invests about 60-70% of its assets in established large companies, with a focus on dividend-paying stocks. The remaining 30-40% is invested in fixed income securities, including investment-grade corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities.

About Inv (VWELX)

The Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares is one of the most inexpensive mutual funds in the moderate allocation category, with a net expense ratio of 0.25%.

The fund has a management team of two members with an average tenure of 6.94 years, which is more important for actively managed funds than passive index funds.

Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares has a diversified portfolio with 1551 securities and meets the SEC requirement of being classified as a diversified fund.

The fund's top 10 holdings constitute 29.6% of its assets, and it has a trailing dividend yield of 2.05%, which is below the 2.40% category average.

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The fund normally distributes its dividend income quarterly and its capital gains annually, and it has a moderate allocation of foreign issues, with 9.9% of its portfolio invested in foreign issues.

The fund has $13 billion in total assets, which is above the $1 billion average for the Moderate Allocation category, and it has a bond allocation as a percentage of total assets of 33.8%, with 28.2% of that being domestic bond.

Recommended read: Bond Fund

Inv Overview

The Vanguard Wellington Fund is an actively managed Allocation Moderate Allocation fund that has been around since 1929. It's been a long-standing investment option for those seeking long-term capital appreciation and moderate current income.

The fund invests in a mix of dividend-paying and non-dividend-paying common stocks of established large companies, which makes up 60-70% of its assets. This investment approach is rooted in the fund's consistent investment strategy over the last 30 years.

VWELX's bond portfolio focuses on high-quality corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities, which account for the remaining 30-40% of the fund's assets. These securities are chosen for their ability to generate moderate current income and withstand market turbulence.

Expand your knowledge: Income Fund

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The fund's conservative approach has earned it a reputation as an "all-weather" fund with competitive returns in certain market cycles. This is reflected in its five-star overall rating from Morningstar, which is a testament to its consistent history of strong risk-adjusted returns and competent management.

The fund's fees are also noteworthy, with a net expense ratio of 0.25% that is significantly lower than the average expense ratio of 0.82% for its investment category. This means that investors can expect to pay less in fees compared to other funds in its category.

For your interest: Fundly Fees

Investment Philosophy

The Wellington Fund's investment philosophy is centered around a conservative approach that aims to provide competitive returns in various market cycles.

The fund puts equal weight on reasonable current income, capital growth, and capital preservation.

Vanguard's managers have stuck to this strategy for over 30 years, focusing on high-profile, dividend-paying companies with strong economic moats.

These companies' stocks possess both value and growth characteristics, making them attractive investments.

The bond portfolio, on the other hand, concentrates on high-quality corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities that can withstand market turbulence.

Portfolio

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The Wellington Fund's portfolio is a key aspect of its investment strategy. It's made up of a mix of stocks and bonds, with 65.01% allocated to stocks and 34.08% to bonds as of May 1, 2023.

The fund's top holdings include tech giants like Microsoft, Alphabet Class A, and Apple, which make up a significant portion of its portfolio. The top 10 holdings in the fund are dominated by technology companies, with 4 of the top 5 holdings falling under this sector.

The fund's bond portfolio is invested in high-quality corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities, with over 90% of bond holdings being of investment grade. This focus on high-quality bonds helps to reduce risk and increase stability in the portfolio.

The fund's top 10 holdings are shown below:

Portfolio Holdings VWELX

The Vanguard Wellington Fund has a diverse portfolio with a mix of top-performing holdings. The fund's top 10 holdings constitute 29.6% of the fund's assets.

Broaden your view: Wellington Fund Holdings

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The technology sector is a significant part of the fund's portfolio, with three of the top 10 holdings belonging to this sector. These holdings have a combined market value of over $15 billion.

The fund's top 10 holdings are:

The fund's conservative approach to investing is reflected in its bond portfolio, which focuses on high-quality corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities.

Portfolio Composition

The Portfolio Composition of VWELX is quite interesting. As of May 1, 2023, the fund allocated 65.01% of its portfolio to stocks.

This means that a significant portion of the fund is invested in established large companies, including Microsoft, Alphabet Class A, Apple, Amazon, and Progressive. The top holdings of the fund include these five companies.

The fixed-income portion of the portfolio is invested heavily in corporate bonds of short, intermediate, and long-term capabilities. More than a third of the total allocation is invested in industrial companies.

A quarter of the allocation is allocated to financial services companies, which is a notable segment of the fixed-income portfolio. The fixed-income portion has some exposure to U.S. Treasury, government agency securities, and mortgage-backed securities.

More than 90% of the bond holdings are of investment grade, and the average duration stands at seven years, making this fund somewhat sensitive to interest rate changes. This is an important consideration for investors with a long-term time horizon.

For your interest: Portfolio Manager Investment

Inv Grades

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The Inv Grades section of a portfolio can be a valuable tool for investors. The Vanguard Wellington Inv fund has received a grade of D for its year-to-date return of 2.3%, which is 0.2 percentage points worse than the category average.

The fund's past performance is more impressive, with a grade of A for its 16.8% return over the past year and an A grade for its 8.7% return over the past 10 years. This suggests that the fund has been able to outperform the category in the long term.

Here's a breakdown of the fund's past performance:

This data shows that the fund has been able to provide consistent returns over the long term, making it a potentially attractive option for investors with a long-term perspective.

Performance

The Vanguard Wellington Fund has a long history of strong performance, with an average annual return of 8.23% since its inception in 1929.

For the one-year period ending May 1, 2023, the fund had an average annual return of 3%, which might seem modest but is still a respectable performance in a volatile market.

The fund's five-year average annual return of 7.42% is a testament to its consistent history of delivering strong risk-adjusted returns.

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Investment Performance

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The Vanguard Wellington Fund has consistently delivered strong returns over the years. It had an average annual return of 3% over a one-year period as of May 1, 2023.

For longer-term investors, the fund's performance is even more impressive. Over a three-year period, it returned an average of 7.42%, and the same rate was maintained over five years.

The fund's 10-year return is also noteworthy, with an average annual return of 7.97%. This is a testament to its consistent performance over time.

One of the key reasons for the fund's success is its competent management. Morningstar awarded it a five-star overall rating, citing its consistent history of strong risk-adjusted returns.

The fund has also earned five-star ratings over the three-, five-, and 10-year periods, a rare achievement.

Performance

The Vanguard Wellington Fund has been around since 1929, and its average annual return since inception is 8.23%. That's a remarkable track record.

The fund's one-year return as of May 1, 2023, was 3%. While it's not a stellar performance, it's still a decent return in a short period.

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Over a three-year period, the fund's average annual return was 7.42%. This is a more substantial return, indicating a steady growth pattern.

The worst performance ever recorded for the Vanguard Wellington Fund was a three-year return of 1.75%. That's a significant drop, but it's essential to remember that past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

The fund's five-year average annual return was also 7.42%. This shows that the fund has maintained a consistent performance over time.

Morningstar awarded the fund a five-star overall rating, citing its consistent history of strong risk-adjusted returns and competent management. This is a testament to the fund's ability to navigate market fluctuations.

Risks and Charges

Vanguard Wellington Inv has a relatively low expense ratio of 0.26%, which is 75% lower than its category average, making it a great option for those looking to save on fees.

High portfolio turnover can lead to higher expenses and lower after-tax returns, but Vanguard Wellington Inv has a moderate portfolio turnover rate of 61%. This is lower than the average portfolio turnover rate of 49% for the Moderate Allocation category.

Excessive fees can be difficult to overcome, but the low expense ratio of Vanguard Wellington Inv helps to minimize this risk.

For more insights, see: Permanent Portfolio Family of Funds

Charges

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The charges associated with the Vanguard Wellington Fund are quite reasonable. The total expense ratio is 0.1688%, which is the sum of various fees and expenses.

Breaking down the total expense ratio, we have the administrator fee expense, which accounts for 0.0959% of the total. This fee is used to cover the costs of managing the fund's administrative tasks.

The advisor fee expense is another significant component, amounting to 0.0689% of the total expense ratio. This fee is paid to the fund's advisor for their services.

Other expenses, such as distribution fee expense, shareholder reporting fee expense, and custodian fee expense, also contribute to the total expense ratio. These fees are relatively small, ranging from 0.0001% to 0.0033%.

Here is a breakdown of the total expense ratio:

As you can see, the Vanguard Wellington Fund has a relatively low total expense ratio compared to other funds in its category.

Is a Risky Investment?

The Vanguard Wellington Fund rates a three on a risk scale of one to five, making it a "moderate" and "balanced" fund. This is reflected in its mix of assets, with about 65% stocks and 35% bonds.

Its broad diversification is a key factor in minimizing risk, as it invests in a wide range of industries from consumer staples to information technology. This means that a bumpy year in one sector won't drag down the performance of the whole.

Worst Performance Ever

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The Vanguard Wellington Fund has had its fair share of ups and downs, and one of its worst performances was a three-year return of 1.75% as recorded by Yahoo! Finance.

This is a significant drop from its best-ever three-year return, which was a whopping 22.51%.

It's worth noting that stock market records don't go back that far, so this might be the worst performance ever for the fund.

The exact years of these returns aren't specified, but it's clear that the fund has experienced some volatile periods in its history.

Investment Details

The Wellington Fund invests in a range of assets, including stocks, bonds, and cash.

The fund's investment strategy is to hold a mix of high and low-risk assets to balance returns and stability. This approach is designed to provide a relatively stable source of income over the long term.

The fund's managers aim to achieve a return of around 4-6% per year, although this can vary depending on market conditions.

Minimum Investment Requirements

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The minimum investment requirements for various funds can be a bit of a hurdle for some investors.

The Vanguard Wellington Fund requires a minimum investment of $3,000.

Investment Terms

The Vanguard Wellington Fund Investor Shares has a net expense ratio of 0.25%, which is significantly lower than the average expense ratio of 0.82% for its investment category.

This low expense ratio can help you save money in the long run, making it a great option for those looking to invest without breaking the bank.

The fund has no load fees, so you won't have to pay any upfront costs to invest.

You'll need to have at least $3,000 to invest in the fund, but this is a relatively low initial investment requirement compared to some other funds.

Admiral Shares are also available, which have even lower expense ratios, but you'll need to have a higher investment amount to qualify for these shares.

Analysis and Outlook

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The Wellington Fund has a consistent investment strategy that's been in place for the last 30 years. This approach focuses on a mix of reasonable current income, capital growth, and capital preservation.

The fund's managers concentrate on high-profile, dividend-paying companies with strong economic moats. These companies typically have stocks that possess both value and growth characteristics.

VWELX's bond portfolio is made up of high-quality corporate bonds and mortgage-backed securities. This mix is designed to withstand market turbulence and provide a stable source of returns.

The Wellington Fund is considered an "all-weather" fund due to its conservative approach. This means it can potentially deliver competitive returns in certain market cycles.

Vanguard's reputation for conservative investing is reflected in the Wellington Fund's investment strategy. This fund is designed to be a low-risk option for investors who want steady returns.

Conclusion

The Vanguard Wellington Fund has been a top choice for investors for decades, and for good reason. It's been around since 1929, making it the first balanced mutual fund in the United States.

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This fund is administered by the Vanguard Group, and managed by the experienced team at Wellington Management Company. With a high focus on stocks, it's no wonder it's had a consistent history of strong returns and competent management.

One of the key advantages of the Vanguard Wellington Fund is its low fees, which makes it an attractive option for investors looking to grow their wealth without breaking the bank.

Here are some key facts about the Vanguard Wellington Fund:

As of 2023, the fund still holds its own among investors, offering a moderate level of risk, wide diversification in holdings, and a reasonable fee basis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vanguard Wellington Fund safe?

The Vanguard Wellington Fund is considered a moderate and balanced investment with a risk level of 3 out of 5, making it a relatively stable option. However, it's essential to note that no investment is completely risk-free, and it's always a good idea to consult with a financial advisor before making a decision.

What is the average return of the Wellington Fund?

The Wellington Fund has delivered average annual returns of 5.91% over the past year, 4.93% over three years, 6.70% over five years, and 7.14% over the past decade. These returns demonstrate a consistent growth pattern over various time frames.

Tasha Kautzer

Senior Writer

Tasha Kautzer is a versatile and accomplished writer with a diverse portfolio of articles. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, she has successfully covered a wide range of topics, from the lives of notable individuals to the achievements of esteemed institutions. Her work spans the globe, delving into the realms of Norwegian billionaires, the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, and the experiences of Norwegian emigrants to the United States.

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