Vanguard's Wellington Fund Celebrates

The Vanguard Wellington Fund (VWELX), which now has about $40 billion in assets, has turned 80. “The Wellington Fund is a compelling case for the power of skilled management, balance, diversification and a long-term outlook,” says Vanguard CEO Bill McNabb.

The fund seeks to provide long-term capital appreciation, reasonable current income and capital conservation, without undue risk, allocating 60 percent or more of its assets to large- and mid-cap value stocks, and the remainder to high-quality government and corporate bonds.

Its average total returns since inception (on July 1, 1929) are 7.99 percent. This figure includes the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains, net of expenses.