Analyzing VGPMX’s Geographical Focus

The primary objective of the Vanguard Precious Metal and Mining Investment Fund (VGPMX) is long-term capital appreciation. Although this fund is not a pure gold or precious metals fund, it invests solely in the precious metals and mining industries. The fund has a global geographic focus and is invested in stocks from Canada, the UK, the US, and Sweden, among others. The chart below gives a geographical breakdown of VGPMX’s portfolio.

More than half of the holdings of the VGPMX are Canada-based. The VGPMX is invested in 60 mining and precious metal stocks. Some of VGPMX’s top holdings are Nevsun Resources (NSU), Dominion Diamond (DDC), Stillwater Mining (SWC), Agnico-Eagle Mines (AEM), and Randgold Resources (GOLD).

The VGPMX has performed poorly in the market in 2015. Top-weighted holdings Nevsun Resources and Dominion Diamond have fallen by 33% and 54%, respectively. The top ten holdings of the Vanguard Precious Metal and Mining Investment Fund (VGPMX) represent almost half of its whole portfolio. 93% of the fund’s holdings are equity securities from different countries including the US.

In the next part of the series, we will analyze how VGPMX affected investors’ portfolios.