Vanguard is an American registered investment advisor based in Malvern, Pennsylvania, with about $7.7 trillion in global assets under management as of April 2023. It is one of the worlds largest investment companies with more than 30 million investors. What sets Vanguard apart from other investment management companies is its unique ownership structure. Vanguard is owned by its funds, and the funds are owned by the shareholders, which means that its shareholders are the actual owners.
This ownership structure allows Vanguard to avoid conflicts of interest present at other investment management firms. The companys mission is to "take a stand for all investors, to treat them fairly, and to give them the best chance for investment success." Vanguard prides itself on its stability, transparency, low costs, and risk management. It is a leader in offering passively managed mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) .
At Vanguard, investors are not just investors; they are owners. This unique structure allows Vanguard to keep costs low, with the average Vanguard fund expense ratio being 83% less than the industry average. The company is built to help investors build savings momentum and is committed to providing expert financial advice for nearly three decades.
