<div>
<h2>Key Points</h2><ul><li>Keystone Financial Group, Inc. added 91,403 shares; estimated transaction value $7.15 million (based on quarterly average pricing)</li><li>Quarter-end position value increased by $7.00 million, reflecting both additional shares and price changes</li><li>Trade represented a 3.7% change in 13F reportable assets under management (AUM)</li><li>Post-trade position: 272,896 shares valued at $21.17 million</li><li>Position now accounts for 11.0% of fund AUM, which places it outside the fund's top five holdings</li><li>10 stocks we like better than Vanguard Malvern Funds - Core Plus Bond Fund ›</li></ul><h2 id="what-happened">What happened</h2><p>According to an SEC filing dated April 21, 2026, Keystone Financial Group, Inc. increased its stake in <strong>Vanguard Malvern Funds - Core Plus Bond Fund</strong> <span class="ticker">(NASDAQ:VPLS)</span> by 91,403 shares during the first quarter. The fund’s position value at quarter-end rose by $7.00 million, a figure that includes both trading activity and market price movement.</p><h2 id="what-else-to-know">What else to know</h2><p>Keystone Financial Group, Inc.’s buy brings the VPLS stake to 11.0% of its 13F reportable AUM as of March 31, 2026</p><p>Top holdings after the filing:</p><ul><li>NYSEMKT: DFAU: $27.36 million (14.2% of AUM)</li><li>NYSEMKT: SCHD: $12.01 million (6.2% of AUM)</li><li>NYSEMKT: VIG: $10.42 million (5.4% of AUM)</li><li>NASDAQ: VIGI: $9.09 million (4.7% of AUM)</li></ul><p>As of April 20, 2026, shares were priced at $78.15, up 7.9% over the past year. </p><h2 id="etf-overview">ETF overview</h2><section><table><tbody><tr><th>Metric</th><th>Value</th></tr><tr><td>AUM</td><td>1.35 billion</td></tr><tr><td>Price (as of market close April 20, 2026)</td><td>$78.15</td></tr><tr><td>Dividend yield</td><td>4.55%</td></tr><tr><td>1-year total return</td><td>7.87%</td></tr></tbody></table></section><h2 id="etf-snapshot">ETF snapshot</h2><p>Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF provides diversified exposure across the U.S. bond market and select international debt, aiming to deliver enhanced returns through active management. Its strategy blends investment-grade holdings with a moderate allocation to higher-yield, lower-credit-quality securities, balancing income potential and risk. </p><p>The fund’s portfolio includes U.S. Treasuries, mortgage-backed securities, corporate bonds, and selective exposure to below-investment-grade and emerging markets debt. It is structured as a low-cost ETF with a disciplined, risk-controlled approach, offering broad fixed income diversification for core portfolio allocations.</p><p>The fund's competitive edge lies in its disciplined risk management and cost efficiency, positioning it as a core fixed income solution for investors seeking broad market coverage and moderate yield enhancement. </p><h2 id="what-this-transaction-means-for-investors">What this transaction means for investors</h2><p>The Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF is built as a core bond allocation that deliberately takes measured credit risk to enhance returns. Instead of holding a fixed mix of securities, the portfolio shifts across Treasuries, mortgages, and corporate bonds, adjusting the amount of credit and duration risk it carries at different points in the cycle.</p><p>Treasuries provide a stabilizing base, but the fund’s performance largely depends on its exposure to corporate credit and other spread sectors. When credit conditions are stable and spreads tighten, this exposure can boost returns. Conversely, when spreads widen or risk appetite declines, returns may be negatively affected. As a result, the portfolio responds to both interest rate changes and shifts in the credit market.</p><p>For investors, VPLS serves a different purpose than a purely defensive bond fund. It seeks to generate additional income within a core allocation by accepting exposure to credit cycles and active management decisions. This distinction is most apparent during periods of market stress or shifting risk sentiment, when the fund’s returns may diverge from traditional bond portfolios focused on government securities.</p><h2>Should you buy stock in Vanguard Malvern Funds - Core Plus Bond Fund right now?</h2>
<p>Before you buy stock in Vanguard Malvern Funds - Core Plus Bond Fund, consider this:</p>
<p>The <em>Motley Fool Stock Advisor</em> analyst team just identified what they believe are the <strong>10 best stocks</strong> for investors to buy now… and Vanguard Malvern Funds - Core Plus Bond Fund wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.</p>
<p>Consider when <strong>Netflix</strong> made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, <strong>you’d have $502,837</strong>!* Or when <strong>Nvidia</strong> made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, <strong>you’d have $1,241,433</strong>!*</p>
<p>Now, it’s worth noting <em>Stock Advisor’s</em> total average return is 977<span>% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 200% for the S&amp;P 500. <strong><span>Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with <em>Stock Advisor</em>, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.</span></strong></span></p>
<p>See the 10 stocks »</p>
<p style="color: #767676; text-align: left"><em>*Stock Advisor returns as of April 23, 2026. </em></p><p><em>Eric Trie has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF and iShares Trust - iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.</em></p>
<p>The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.</p>
</div>

VPLS

<p>Keystone Financial Group, Inc. has expanded its position in the Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF by acquiring 91,403 shares, valued at approximately $7.15 million. This increase raised the fund's position value by $7.00 million, accounting for 11.0% of its 13F reportable assets under management. The ETF aims to provide diversified exposure across the U.S. bond market while balancing income potential and risk through active management. As of April 20, 2026, the ETF's price was $78.15, reflecting a 7.9% increase over the past year.</p>

nasdaq

Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF

Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF

Schwab US Div Eq

VG Dvd Appreciation

Vanguard Int Div App Index

Netflix

NVIDIA

S&P 500

iShares 0-3 Month Treasury Bond ETF

NVIDIA Corporation

Keystone Financial Group Expands Position in Vanguard Core-Plus Bond ETF, According to Recent SEC Filing