The Vanguard Group, Inc.

John Buhl

Kathryn Hyatt

Edward Delk

Ranga Narayanan

Shawn Travis

John Ameriks

Daniel Wallick

Michael R Padilla

A method of administering an investment fund using a computer. The method includes the steps of creating shares for sale, providing a managed distribution schedule identifying a number of payments to be provided during each of consecutive periods, providing an investment strategy for investing in assets to provide funds sufficient to meet the managed distribution schedule, issuing a share to an investor in exchange for funds received from the investor, investing the received funds according to the investment strategy, calculating the value of each of the payments to be provided according to the managed distribution schedule in a period to the investor, and providing each of the payments to the investor during the period. Multiple embodiments relate to methods for calculation and sourcing of each payment.

Computer system and computerized method for administering an investment fund

Data visualization processes are provided for expressing diversification of an investment based on each underlying holding weight in the investment relative to each holding's market capitalization weight in the investment and each holding's market capitalization weight in the broad market or by its absolute holding percentage. Visualizations can be depicted in both 2-D and 3-D formats, with area fill, volume fill, color, and/or opacity depicting percentage of coverage. Visualization can show diversification down to the individual holding level and in aggregate levels, such as mega-cap, mid-cap and small-cap.

3-D graphical visualization of diversification of portfolio holdings

Method of administering an investment fund

A method of making distributions from an investment fund. The method includes the steps of creating shares for sale, providing a managed distribution schedule identifying a number of payments to be provided during each of consecutive periods, providing an investment strategy for investing in assets to provide funds sufficient to meet the managed distribution schedule, issuing a share to an investor in exchange for funds received from the investor, investing the received funds according to the investment strategy, calculating the value of each of the payments to be provided according to the managed distribution schedule in a period to the investor, and providing each of the payments to the investor during the period. Each payment during the period is sourced from one or more of net income of the assets, accumulated undistributed net profits resulting from a sale of any asset excluding long-term capital gains, and return of capital.

Method of making distributions from an investment fund

A method of administering an investment fund. The method includes the steps of creating shares for sale, providing a managed distribution schedule identifying a number of payments to be provided during each of consecutive periods, providing an investment strategy for investing in assets to provide funds sufficient to meet the managed distribution schedule, issuing a share to an investor in exchange for funds received from the investor, investing the received funds according to the investment strategy, calculating the value of each of the payments to be provided according to the managed distribution schedule in a period to the investor, and providing each of the payments to the investor during the period. Each payment is calculated according to a formula that specifies that the value of each payment is based on a trailing Net Asset Value (NAV) of the investor's share.

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Wayne, PA, United States of America

John Buhl