withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries. These filings are subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings within these countries. Such tax reclaims received and related professional fees incurred during the year, if any, are included in dividend income and other expenses, respectively. No other amounts for additional tax reclaims are reflected in the financial statements due to the uncertainty as to the ultimate resolution of proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these reclaims, and the potential timing of payment.
B. The investment advisory firms Schroder Investment Management North America Inc., Wellington Management Company llp, TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC, and Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd. each provide investment advisory services to a portion of the fund for a fee calculated at an annual percentage rate of average net assets managed by the advisor. The basic fees of Schroder Investment Management North America Inc., Wellington Management Company llp, and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC, are subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance relative to the S&P EPAC SmallCap Index for the preceding three years. The basic fee of Baillie Gifford Overseas Ltd. is subject to quarterly adjustments based on performance relative to the MSCI All Country World Index ex US Small-Cap Index since October 31, 2020.
Vanguard manages the cash reserves of the fund as described below.
For the six months ended April 30, 2022, the aggregate investment advisory fee represented an effective annual basic rate of 0.27% of the fund’s average net assets, before a decrease of $680,000 (0.06%) based on performance.
C. In accordance with the terms of a Funds’ Service Agreement (the “FSA”) between Vanguard and the fund, Vanguard furnishes to the fund corporate management, administrative, marketing, distribution, and cash management services at Vanguard’s cost of operations (as defined by the FSA). These costs of operations are allocated to the fund based on methods and guidelines approved by the board of trustees and are generally settled twice a month.
Upon the request of Vanguard, the fund may invest up to 0.40% of its net assets as capital in Vanguard. At April 30, 2022, the fund had contributed to Vanguard capital in the amount of $73,000, representing less than 0.01% of the fund’s net assets and 0.03% of Vanguard’s capital received pursuant to the FSA. The fund’s trustees and officers are also directors and employees, respectively, of Vanguard.
D. The fund has asked its investment advisor to direct certain security trades, subject to obtaining the best price and execution, to brokers who have agreed to rebate to the fund part of the commissions generated. Such rebates are used solely to reduce the fund’s management and administrative expenses. For the six months ended April 30, 2022, these arrangements reduced the fund’s expenses by $2,000 (an annual rate of less than 0.01% of average net assets).
E. Various inputs may be used to determine the value of the fund’s investments and derivatives. These inputs are summarized in three broad levels for financial statement purposes. The inputs or methodologies used to value securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2—Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.).